bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quickly finding near-optimal storage designs
Authors: Anderson Eric , Spence Susan , Swaminathan Ram , Kallahalla Mahesh , Wang Qian
Published: February 2006

Despite the importance of storage in enterprise computer systems, there are few adequate tools to design and configure a storage system to meet application data requirements efficiently. Storage system design involves choosing the disk arrays to use, setting the configuration options on those arrays, and determining an efficient mapping of application data onto the configured system. This is a complex process because of the multitude of disk array configuration options, and the need to take into account both capacity and potentially contending I/O performance demands when placing the data. Thus, both existing tools and administrators using rules of thumb often generate designs that are of poor quality.This article presents the
Disk Array Designer
(DAD), which is a tool that can be used both to guide administrators in their design decisions and to automate the design process. DAD uses a generalized best-fit bin packing heuristic with randomization and backtracking to search efficiently through the huge number of possible design choices. It makes decisions using device models that estimate storage system performance. We evaluate DAD's designs based on traces from a variety of database, filesystem, and e-mail workloads. We show that DAD can handle the difficult task of configuring midrange and high-end disk arrays, even with complex real-world workloads. We also show that DAD quickly generates near-optimal storage system designs, improving in both speed and quality over previous tools.
The automatic improvement of locality in storage systems
Authors: Hsu Windsor W. , Smith Alan Jay , Young Honesty C.
Published: February 2006

Disk I/O is increasingly the performance bottleneck in computer systems despite rapidly increasing disk data transfer rates. In this article, we propose Automatic Locality-Improving Storage (ALIS), an introspective storage system that automatically reorganizes selected disk blocks based on the dynamic reference stream to increase effective storage performance. ALIS is based on the observations that sequential data fetch is far more efficient than random access, that improving seek distances produces only marginal performance improvements, and that the increasingly powerful processors and large memories in storage systems have ample capacity to reorganize the data layout and redirect the accesses so as to take advantage of rapid sequential data transfer. Using trace-driven simulation with a large set of real workloads, we demonstrate that ALIS considerably outperforms prior techniques, improving the average read performance by up to 50% for server workloads and by about 15% for personal computer workloads. We also show that the performance improvement persists as disk technology evolves. Since disk performance in practice is increasing by only about 8% per year, the benefit of ALIS may correspond to as much as several years of technological progress.
Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Show Oligoclonal T-Cell Recruitment Within Unstable Plaque
Authors: De Palma Raffaele , Del Galdo Francesco , Abbate Gianfranco , Chiariello Massimo , Calabró Raffaele , Forte Lavinia , Cimmino Giovanni , Papa Maria Francesca , Russo Maria Giovanna , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Giombolini Claudio , Tritto Isabella , Notaristefano Salvatore , Berrino Liberato , Rossi Francesco , Golino Paolo
Published: February 2006

Background—

Recent studies indicate that T-cell activation may play an important role in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, although those studies detected T-cell expansion in peripheral blood cells, demonstration of specific T-cell expansion within the plaque of patients with ACS is lacking. The present study aims to address whether a specific, immune-driven T-lymphocyte recruitment occurs within the unstable plaque of patients with ACS.

Methods and Results—

We simultaneously examined the T-cell repertoire using CDR3 size analysis both in coronary plaques (obtained by directional atherectomy) and in peripheral blood of patients with either ACS (n=11) or chronic stable angina (n=10). Unstable plaques showed a 10-fold increase in T-cell content by quantitative PCR. Using spectratyping analysis, we found several specific T-cell clonotype expansions only in unstable plaque from each patient with ACS, indicating a specific, antigen-driven recruitment of T cells within unstable lesions.

Conclusions—

For the first time, T-cell repertoire was investigated directly into coronary plaques; using this approach, we demonstrate that coronary plaque instability in the setting of ACS is associated with immune-driven T-cell recruitment, specifically within the plaque.
Administration of Hematopoietic Cytokines in the Subacute Phase After Cerebral Infarction Is Effective for Functional Recovery Facilitating Proliferation of Intrinsic Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells and Transition of Bone Marrow-Derived Neuronal Cells
Authors: Kawada Hiroshi , Takizawa Shunya , Takanashi Tomomi , Morita Yuko , Fujita Jun , Fukuda Keiichi , Takagi Shigeharu , Okano Hideyuki , Ando Kiyoshi , Hotta Tomomitsu
Published: February 2006

Background—

Hematopoietic cytokines, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and stem cell factor (SCF) were reported to show a neuroprotective effect or to support neurogenesis. These cytokines also mobilize bone marrow (BM) cells into the brain, and the BM-derived cells differentiate into neuronal cells. We administered these hematopoietic cytokines after focal cerebral ischemia and assessed their effects and the therapeutic time window for neuronal regeneration.

Methods and Results—

We induced permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice whose BM had been replaced with BM cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic mice. The occluded mice were treated with G-CSF and SCF in the acute phase (days 1 to 10) or subacute phase (days 11 to 20), and the brain functions and histological changes were evaluated. Separately, we injected bromodeoxyuridine during cytokine treatment to assess cell kinetics in the brain. Six mice were prepared for each experimental group. Administration of G-CSF and SCF in the subacute phase effectively improved not only motor performance but also higher brain function, compared with acute-phase treatment. Acute-phase and subacute-phase treatments identically reduced the infarct volume relative to vehicle treatment. However, subacute-phase treatment significantly induced transition of BM-derived neuronal cells into the peri-infarct area and stimulated proliferation of intrinsic neural stem/progenitor cells in the neuroproliferative zone.

Conclusions—

Administration of G-CSF and SCF in the subacute phase after focal cerebral ischemia is effective for functional recovery, enhancing cytokine-induced generation of neuronal cells from both BM-derived cells and intrinsic neural stem/progenitor cells. Because G-CSF and SCF are available for clinical use, these findings suggest a new therapeutic strategy for stroke.
Tissue Factor in Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Steffel Jan , Lüscher Thomas F. , Tanner Felix C.
Published: February 2006

Tissue factor (TF), formerly known as thromboplastin, is the key initiator of the coagulation cascade; it binds factor VIIa resulting in activation of factor IX and factor X, ultimately leading to fibrin formation. TF expression and activity can be induced in endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and monocytes by various stimuli such as cytokines, growth factors, and biogenic amines. These mediators act through diverse signal transduction mechanisms including MAP kinases, PI3-kinase, and protein kinase C. Cellular TF is present in three pools as surface, encrypted, and intracellular protein. TF can also be detected in the bloodstream, referred to as circulating or blood-borne TF. Elevated levels of TF are observed in patients with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking as well as in those with acute coronary syndromes. TF may indeed be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by promoting thrombus formation; in addition, it can induce migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. As a consequence, therapeutic strategies have been developed to specifically interfere with the action of TF such as antibodies against TF, site-inactivated factor VIIa, or recombinant TF pathway inhibitor. Inhibition of TF action appears to be an attractive target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Prognostic Value of Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity as Index of Arterial Stiffness in the General Population
Authors: Willum Hansen Tine , Staessen Jan A. , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Rasmussen Susanne , Thijs Lutgarde , Ibsen Hans , Jeppesen Jørgen
Published: February 2006

Background—

Few population studies addressed the prognostic significance of aortic pulse wave velocity (APWV) above and beyond other cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods and Results—

We studied a sex- and age-stratified random sample of 1678 Danes aged 40 to 70 years. We used Cox regression to investigate the prognostic value of APWV, office pulse pressure (PP), and 24-hour ambulatory PP while adjusting for mean arterial pressure (MAP) and other covariates. Over a median follow-up of 9.4 years, the incidence of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular end points, cardiovascular mortality, and fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease amounted to 154, 62, and 101 cases, respectively. We adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, MAP measured in the office (conventional PP and APWV) or by ambulatory monitoring (24-hour PP), smoking, and alcohol intake. With these adjustments, APWV maintained its prognostic significance in relation to each end point (
P
<0.05), whereas office and 24-hour PP lost their predictive value (
P
>0.19), except for office PP in relation to coronary heart disease (
P
=0.02). For each 1-SD increment in APWV (3.4 m/s), the risk of an event increased by 16% to 20%. In sensitivity analyses, APWV still predicted all cardiovascular events after standardization to a heart rate of 60 beats per minute, after adjustment for 24-hour MAP instead of office MAP, and/or after additional adjustment for the ratio of total to HDL serum cholesterol and diabetes mellitus at baseline.

Conclusions—

In a general Danish population, APWV predicted a composite of cardiovascular outcomes above and beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including 24-hour MAP.
Renal Function as a Predictor of Outcome in a Broad Spectrum of Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Hillege Hans L. , Nitsch Dorothea , Pfeffer Marc A. , Swedberg Karl , McMurray John J.V. , Yusuf Salim , Granger Christopher B. , Michelson Eric L. , Östergren Jan , Cornel Jan Hein , de Zeeuw Dick , Pocock Stuart , van Veldhuisen Dirk J.
Published: February 2006

Background—

Decreased renal function has been found to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) with markedly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the prognostic importance of renal function in a broader spectrum of patients with CHF.

Methods and Results—

The Candesartan in Heart Failure:Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and Morbidity (CHARM) program consisted of three component trials that enrolled patients with symptomatic CHF, based on use of ACE inhibitors and reduced (≤40%) or preserved LVEF (>40%). Entry baseline creatinine was required to be below 3.0 mg/dL (265 μmol/L). Routine baseline serum creatinine assessments were done in 2680 North American patients. An analysis of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation and LVEF on risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, as well as on all-cause mortality, was conducted on these 2680 patients. The proportion of patients with eGFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
was 36.0%; 42.6% for CHARM-Alternative, 33.0% for CHARM-Added, and 34.7% for CHARM-Preserved. During the median follow-up of 34.4 months (total 6493 person-years), the primary outcome of cardiovascular death or hospital admission for worsening CHF occurred in 950 of 2680 subjects. Both reduced eGFR and lower LVEF were found to be significant independent predictors of worse outcome after adjustment for major confounding baseline clinical characteristics. The risk for cardiovascular death or hospitalization for worsening CHF as well as the risk for all-cause mortality increased significantly below an eGFR of 60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
(adjusted hazard ratio, 1.54 for 45 to 60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
and 1.86 for <45 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
for the primary outcome, both
P
<0.001, and hazard ratio of 1.50,
P
=0.006, and 1.91,
P
=0.001, respectively, for all-cause mortality). The prognostic value of eGFR was not significantly different among the three component trials. There was no significant interaction between renal function, the effect of candesartan, and clinical outcome.

Conclusions—

Impaired renal function is independently associated with heightened risk for death, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization for heart failure in patients with CHF with both preserved as well as reduced LVEF. There was no evidence that the beneficial effect of candesartan was modified by baseline eGFR.
Characteristics of Cavotricuspid Isthmus–Dependent Atrial Flutter After Left Atrial Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Chugh Aman , Latchamsetty Rakesh , Oral Hakan , Elmouchi Darryl , Tschopp David , Reich Scott , Igic Petar , Lemerand Tammy , Good Eric , Bogun Frank , Pelosi Frank , Morady Fred
Published: February 2006

Background—

Patients who have previously undergone ablation of atrial fibrillation may experience cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent atrial flutter during follow-up. The effects of left atrial (LA) ablation on the characteristics of CTI-dependent flutter have not been described.

Methods and Results—

Fifteen patients underwent ablation of CTI-dependent flutter late after LA ablation of AF. The ECG, biatrial activation patterns, and LA voltage maps during flutter were analyzed. Thirty age- and gender-matched patients who underwent ablation of CTI-dependent flutter without prior LA ablation served as control subjects. Among the patients with prior LA ablation, mapping revealed counterclockwise activation around the tricuspid annulus in 12 of 15 patients (80%) and clockwise activation in 3 of 15 patients (20%). The flutter waves in the inferior leads were upright in 9 of the 15 patients (60%) with prior LA ablation and in none of the control subjects (
P
<0.001). The upright flutter waves in the inferior leads in patients with counterclockwise flutter corresponded to craniocaudal activation of the right atrial free wall. LA activation contributed little to the genesis of the flutter waves in these patients because of a significant reduction in bipolar LA voltage (0.44±0.20 versus 1.54±0.19 mV in patients with biphasic/negative flutter waves;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

CTI-dependent flutter that occurs after LA ablation of atrial fibrillation often has atypical ECG characteristics because of altered LA activation. In patients presenting with atrial flutter after LA ablation, entrainment mapping should be performed at the CTI even if the ECG is uncharacteristic of CTI-dependent flutter.
Artificial Baroreflex
Authors: Yamasaki Fumiyasu , Ushida Takahiro , Yokoyama Takeshi , Ando Motonori , Yamashita Koichi , Sato Takayuki
Published: February 2006

Background—

We proposed a novel therapeutic strategy against central baroreflex failure: implementation of an artificial baroreflex system to automatically regulate sympathetic vasomotor tone, ie, a bionic baroreflex system (BBS), and we tested its efficacy in a model of sudden hypotension during surgery.

Methods and Results—

The BBS consisted of a computer-controlled negative-feedback circuit that sensed arterial pressure (AP) and automatically computed the frequency (STM) of a pulse train required to stimulate sympathetic nerves via an epidural catheter placed at the level of the lower thoracic spinal cord. An operation rule was subsequently designed for the BBS using a feedback correction with proportional and integral gain factors. The transfer function from STM to AP was identified by a white noise system identification method in 12 sevoflurane-anesthetized patients undergoing orthopedic surgery involving the cervical vertebrae, and the feedback correction factors were determined with a numerical simulation to enable the BBS to quickly and stably attenuate an external disturbance on AP. The performance of the designed BBS was then examined in a model of orthostatic hypotension during knee joint surgery (n=21). Without the implementation of the BBS, a sudden deflation of a thigh tourniquet resulted in a 17±3 mm Hg decrease in AP within 10 seconds and a 25±2 mm Hg decrease in AP within 50 seconds. By contrast, during real-time execution of the BBS, the decrease in AP was 9±2 mm Hg at 10 seconds and 1±2 mm Hg at 50 seconds after the deflation.

Conclusions—

These results suggest the feasibility of a BBS approach for central baroreflex failure.
Apolipoprotein CIII in Apolipoprotein B Lipoproteins Enhances the Adhesion of Human Monocytic Cells to Endothelial Cells
Authors: Kawakami Akio , Aikawa Masanori , Libby Peter , Alcaide Pilar , Luscinskas Francis W. , Sacks Frank M.
Published: February 2006

Background—

Lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein (apo) CIII predict coronary heart disease and associate with components of the metabolic syndrome. ApoCIII inhibits lipoprotein catabolism in plasma. However, it is unknown whether apoCIII itself, or in association with VLDL, LDL, or HDL, directly affects atherogenic mechanisms in vascular cells. Thus, we investigated the direct effect of lipoproteins that do or do not have apoCIII, and apoCIII itself, on adhesion of THP-1 cells, a human monocytic cell line, to vascular endothelial cells (ECs).

Methods and Results—

VLDL CIII
+
and LDL CIII
+
(100 μg apoB/mL) from fasting plasma of 18 normolipidemic volunteers increased THP-1 cell adhesion to ECs under static conditions by 2.4±0.3-fold and 1.8±0.7-fold, respectively (
P
<0.01), whereas VLDL or LDL without apoCIII did not affect THP-1 cell adhesion. ApoCIII (100 μg/mL), but not apoCI, apoCII or apoE, also increased THP-1 cell adhesion by 2.1±0.6-fold. Studies with human peripheral blood monocytes yielded similar results. ApoCIII also had strong proadhesive effects under shear flow conditions. VLDL CIII
+
, LDL CIII
+
, or apoCIII itself activated PKCα and RhoA in THP-1 cells, which resulted in β1-integrin activation and enhancement of THP-1 cell adhesion. Interestingly, HDL CIII
+
did not affect THP-1 cell adhesion, whereas HDL without apoCIII decreased their adhesion.

Conclusions—

ApoB lipoproteins that contain apoCIII increase THP-1 cell adhesion to ECs via PKCα and RhoA-mediated β1-integrin activation. These results indicate that apoCIII not only modulates lipoprotein metabolism but also may directly contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
When Practice Matters More Than Government Plans
Authors: Choi Sang Ok , Brower Ralph S.
Published: February 2006

This study examines the disparity between formal plans and actual networks in practice for emergency services in a local government setting. This study found that the accuracy of participants'collective perception of the network has a strong positive relationship with the centrality of the lead agency within each emergency support function. In addition, the centrality of influence within and collective accuracy about the network may be key indicators for creating network effectiveness. Finally, this study offers a simplified network analysis process to assist policy makers in creating more effective network structures for their emergency management activities.
Nonprofit Federalism and the Csbg Program
Authors: Bishop Sheilah Watson
Published: February 2006

To understand more about the functions of community action agencies in the post-Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) era, a survey of executive directors and staff members was conducted in the state of Missouri. The survey revealed that community action agencies in the state are filling in the service gaps caused by state social service cutbacks. Practitioner focus has shifted from community to individual needs. Although Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) administrators feel the quality of services continues to remain high, clients have been turned away because of the lack of resources. Moreover, administrators perceive increased service demands because of welfare reform. To meet client needs, executive directors and staff members have formed collaborative relationships with other private nonprofit entities and faith-based organizations, raising questions of accountability.
Carbon Nanofiber Hybrid Actuators: Part I - Liquid Electrolyte-based
Authors: Yeo-Heung Yun , Miskin Atul , Kang Phil , Jain Sachin , Narasimhadevara Suhasini , Hurd Douglas , Shinde Vishal , Schulz Mark J. , Shanov Vesselin , He Peng , Boerio F. J. , Shi Donglu , Srivinas Subrahmin
Published: February 2006

This two-part article describes a carbon nanofiber-polymethylmethacrylate (CNF-PMMA) composite material that has electrochemical actuation properties. Part I of the study considers use of a liquid electrolyte while Part II considers a solid electrolyte. Concerning Part I, a combination of solvent casting and melt mixing were used to disperse CNF in PMMA, and thin films of the material were cast. A liquid-based electrochemical actuator was formed by placing the CNF composite film in an electrolyte solution. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was carried out to characterize the electrochemical properties of the PMMA-CNF actuator. The actuator was tested at voltages up to 15V and the relationship between displacement and applied voltage was determined. Compared to previous single-wall carbon nanotube buckypaper actuators, the CNF-PMMA composite actuator is stronger and is two orders of magnitude lower in cost, but needs higher voltage to actuate. Because of the low cost of the CNF hybrid material, and the possibility for using stronger host materials, new smart structural materials that enable large components and structures to actuate may become feasible.
Modulus Increase with Magnetic Field in Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Ni–Mn–Ga
Authors: Faidley Leann E. , Dapino Marcelo J. , Washington Gregory N. , Lograsso Thomas A.
Published: February 2006

Ferromagnetic shape memory Ni–Mn–Ga has been shown to exhibit deformations of up to 9.5% when driven with quasistatic fields. This article is focused on the use of Ni–Mn–Ga as the active element in a dynamic transducer consisting of a solenoid and a low-reluctance, closed magnetic path. Despite the absence of a restoring force in this configuration, we have shown in prior studies recoverable compressible strains of 1/4 4100 m, which are attributable to internal bias stresses built in the material during manufacture. In this study, we experimentally establish the presence of a modulus defect in Ni50Mn28.7Ga21.3, whereby the elastic modulus increases as much as 255% upon increasing the applied magnetic field from zero to 380 kA/m DC. Experimental measurements are conducted under both mechanical and magnetic excitation, and analyzed in combination with vibratory models for the system. While in our experiments the attractive magnetic forces between the transducer poles may contribute to the total modulus increase, the presence of a modulus change associated with the Ni–Mn–Ga element is substantiated. Dynamic Ni–Mn–Ga transducers offer an attractive mechanism for electrical tuning of the modulus, with potential application in active vibration absorption problems.
Static Electromechanical Response of Piezoelectric Tubes as Sensors and Actuators
Authors: Shiah Y. C. , Huang Chien-Hsin , Huang Jin H.
Published: February 2006

This article deals with the fully coupled electromechanical response of an infinitely long piezoelectric tube as a sensor or an actuator. By adopting the variational approach for generalized loading conditions and utilizing Hamilton’s principle, we derive the governing differential equations of an infinitely long piezoelectric tube subjected to natural boundary conditions. For studying the direct and converse effects of the piezoelectric tube, the governing equations obtained are solved to give the exact solutions corresponding to different boundary conditions prescribed for the tube functioning as a sensor or an actuator. For numerical illustrations of our analysis, an application is investigated where optical fibers are coated with polyvinylidene difluoride or lead zirconate titanate. The same problems are also solved by ANSYS for numerical comparisons. With a discrepancy of 3–5% at most, good agreements between both results are observed.
A Finite Element for Piezoelectric Multilayered Plates: Combined Higher-order and Piecewise Linear C0 Formulation
Authors: Cotoni Vincent , Masson Patrice , Cĉté François
Published: February 2006

A finite element is presented for the static and dynamic analysis of smart multilayered plates. A fourth-order expansion is combined with a piecewise linear term to describe the distribution of the in-plane displacements through the thickness. The out-of-plane displacement is assumed constant through the thickness. Both free edges and interlaminar continuity conditions are satisfied, thus reducing the number of elastic unknowns to nine whatever be the number of layers. To this aim, two redundant unknowns describing the two derivatives of the out-of-plane displacement with respect to the in-plane coordinates are introduced and related to the out-of-plane displacement by the use of penalty functions. A quadratic distribution of the electric potential is used inside each piezoelectric layer to completely account for the piezoelectric coupling effects.
A Comparison of the Deformations of Various Piezoceramic Actuators
Authors: Aimmanee S. , Hyer M. W.
Published: February 2006

Presented are the predicted manufactured shapes and actuated shape changes of metal-based THUNDERTM-like actuators and fiber-reinforced-polymer-based LIPCA-C1-and LIPCA-C2-like actuators. As these actuators, which are laminated in nature, are manufactured flat at an elevated temperature and then cooled for use, they deform out of plane as they cool, resulting in residual curvatures. The development of the residual curvatures are predicted with a 23-term Rayleigh-Ritz model based on energy principles. Because of the large out-of-plane deformations due to cooling, geometrically nonlinear effects, in the sense of von Karman, are included. Actuated curvatures due to activation of the piezoceramic material are also predicted. The behaviors of plate and beam-like actuator geometries over a range of sidelength-to-thickness ratios are investigated. Finite element results for selected geometries are presented for comparison with the 23-term model. The results show that geometrically nonlinear effects are quite strong for THUNDER and LIPCA-C2 plate-like actuators, resulting in the potential for more than one cooled shape for THUNDER actuators and of a sudden change in the actuated shape, referred to here as snap-through, for LIPCA-C2 actuators. For the LIPCA-C1 actuators, and the beam-like geometries of the other two actuators, geometrically nonlinear effects are not as strong. Residual stress predictions within the cooled and activated actuators are also presented. Though the actuators considered are specific in design, the results can be interpreted more generally and point to the fact that a wide range of behaviors can be expected from geometrically nonlinear effects interacting with variations in materials (i.e., metals vs. fiber-reinforced materials) and geometry (i.e., platelike vs. beam-like and sidelength-to-thickness ratio).
Impact of Error Labeling on Error Elimination in Business Writing
Authors: Quible Zane K.
Published: February 2006

This article reports a quasi-experimental study of how error labeling in remediation exercises affects students’ writing performance. Students in five sections of a course in written business communication composed the control group, whereas students in two sections composed the treatment group. On the first letter each group wrote early in the semester—before the treatment group began error labeling in remediation exercises—no significant differences were found in the writing performance of both groups. However, on their last letter written late in the semester, studentsin the treatment group significantly reduced the number of sentence-level errors they made, compared to students in the control group. The improved writing performance of the treatment group is attributed to error labeling in conjunction with error correction in the remediation exercises.
Static Electric Fields as a Mediator of Hospital Infection
Authors: Allen Janet E. , Close Julie J. , Henshaw Denis L.
Published: February 2006

Static electric charge at the surface of nurses’ plastic aprons was examined as a possible contributor to hospital infections in a bone marrow transplant ward. Transplant patients undergo high-dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy which compromises the immune system, rendering these patients highly susceptible to infecting organisms. Results of this pilot study showed that the velocity of a bacterium in air close to the apron surface was sufficient for swift attraction onto the surface. In addition, an electric field may be induced around the patient by the presence of the plastic apron, attracting airborne bacteria directly onto the patient. Tests showed that the polyethylene plastic aprons attracted about 83% more bacteria onto their surfaces during wear, compared with only 17% more acquired by aluminium foil aprons. We suggest that these results implicate static charge on aprons as a mediator of hospital infection.
Relative Air Humidity in Hospital Wards – User Perception and Technical Consequences
Authors: Skoog Jennie
Published: February 2006

Relative air humidity in hospitals is often perceived as low. This seems to be due to high indoor temperature or high particle concentration in the air. Perception of dry air, and low relative air humidity, can enforce the conditions for the HVAC system design so that the indoor environment can be improved. In this study, conducted in a hospital ward, measurements and questionnaire distribution to nursing staff and patients were carried out under both summer and winter conditions. The results showed that during summer and winter the relative air humidity and the humidity ratio indoors were low, and that both staff and patients perceived the air as dry during those seasons. In order to change these conditions the indoor air has to be humidified.
Pest Control and Pesticide Use in Hospitals in Poland
Authors: Gliniewicz Aleksandra , Sawicka Bożena , Mikulak Ewa
Published: February 2006

An assessment of the occurrence and control of pests in hospitals in Poland was carried out in the years 2003–04. The results were also compared with those from a preliminary evaluation carried out in the years 1990–95. The 2003/04 study showed a lower level of infestation in the hospitals examined than previously. The predominant insect pest species was still the German cockroach (Blattella germanica (Linnaeus)), followed by the oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis L.) and the Pharaoh's ant ( Monomorium pharaonis). The use of insect control agents containing permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and bendiocarb was lower by comparison with the previous study. One reason for this could be that the pesticides were less efficient controls due by the development of resistance. In 2004 respondents noted that alternative formulations as baits, traps, gel baits (containing hydramethylnon, imidacloprid, chlorpyriphos) were used more often than before.
The Use of Foam Substances for Disinfection
Authors: Chlibek R. , Hartmanova M. , Severa J. , Prymula R. , Splino M.
Published: February 2006

Foams provide another method of applying disinfectant under laboratory and field conditions. They can act as anti-epidemic measures for the prevention of infectious diseases by stopping spread in a sporadic as well as an epidemic way. Foam preparations have the following advantages: a high efficiency and dynamic impact, a sufficiently long contact time of the foam with a surface, minimal consumption of chemicals and water, readily removed, only a small amount of waste, complete coverage and the homogeneity of the layer is easily seen and there is minimal drenching of surfaces. In addition foams may be used in places with difficult access, to disinfect complex ragged surfaces and to disinfect vertical smooth surfaces. Foam disinfectants contain active ingredients (chlorine, oxygen, quaternary ammonium compounds) and various foaming bases with some content of tensides. Foam mixtures have been used in sanitary as well as unsanitary places around several locations of the Czech Republic. Very good results were obtained after disinfection in intensive care units which led to 90% reduction of Streptococcus epidermidis, sporulates, coliform bacteria and moulds. Finally, foam substances have been tested for decontamination of personnel, surfaces, transport and combat equipment that have possibly been contaminated with highly virulent agents. We have tried to find the composition of a foam mixture that would effectively decontaminate infection with Bacillus subtilis spores. Laboratory experiments on model systems have been very promising and pave the way to extend the results to systems contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores.
Hygiene Basics for Maintaining the Quality of the Indoor Environment in Hospitals: A General University Hospital Experience
Authors: Kapek Josef , Bencko Vladmír
Published: February 2006

Social changes that have occurred in the Czech Republic since joining the EU and as a result of the subsequent reforms in the legislation have highlighted the urgent need to boost the effectiveness of all hospital departments. This has been reflected among other burning issues in the problem of how to secure basic hygiene in the General University Hospital (GUH) within economic and technological plans. Presently, this hospital provides an extensive out-patient service and the in-patient care has access to 1850 beds. The funds of GUH for technical services are limited, which calls for optimisation of the Economy and Technology Services (ETS). In this report we try to analyse and determine the trends affecting some indices of this sector. The current financial situation in this field is considerably influenced by the condition of the operational services of the hospital that are today rather obsolete and technically worn-out in some respects.
Strains of Enterobacter cloacae Isolated in a Hospital Environment – Some Phenotypic and Genotypic Properties
Authors: Pancer Katarzyna , Gut Wlodzimierz , Fila Szymon , Trzcinska Agnieszka , Roszkowiak Anna , Laudy Agnieszka E. , Wernik Teresa , Mikulak Ewa , Gliniewicz Aleksandra , Stypulkowska-Misiurewicz Hanna
Published: February 2006

The aim of this study was to characterise the 34 Enterobacter cloacae strains isolated from different places in a hospital, either from patients who were infected or colonised and from the body surface of German cockroaches ( Blatella germanica) caught in hospitals. A number of factors were determined: the ability of E. cloacae strains to adhere to the HEp-2 cell line, their susceptibility to drugs, the activity of disinfectant agents to planktonic cells and effectiveness of those disinfectants to bacteria that are sessile on catheters as well as the Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus – Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERIC-PCR) profile of the strains. On the basis of a statistical analysis of all the phenotypic results we were able to distinguish a few clusters. The majority of them consisted of strains isolated from colonisation and infection of patients. Some clusters consisted of E. cloacae from all the test sites. Some strains showed similarities of their phenotypic properties as well as the ERIC-PCR profile. Epidemiological studies are continuing.
The Influence of Contamination of a Hospital Hot-water System with Legionella pneumophila on Serum Antibody Production by Staff Members
Authors: Pancer Katarzyna , Rabczenko Daniel , Stypukowska-Misiurewicz Hanna
Published: February 2006

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Legionella pneumophila colonisation of water systems on people working in hospitals. It was undertaken as a part of risk assessment of L. pneumophila infection in hospitals. The study was based on the serological response of healthy hospital staff members to contamination of the hot-water system with L. pneumophila through comparison with the prevalence of antibodies against Legionella in blood donors’ sera. It was found that the effect of long exposure of healthy hospital staff members to Legionella was to induce a response in their immune system. Seroepidemiology should be recognised as one of the methods for evaluating the prevalence of L. pneumophila and other Legionella in our water environment.
Organisation and Critical Issues of Hospital Hygiene in the Czech Republic
Authors: Hedlová Dana
Published: February 2006

This review looks at the whole picture of hospital hygiene in the Czech Republic from the point of view of a hospital epidemiologist. The author is now working in a state health-care facility: the Central Military Hospital in Prague. The work of this hospital is used to illustrate the problems faced by those working in hospital hygiene.
Acinetobacter spp. and the Clinical Environment
Authors: Beggs C. B. , Kerr K. G. , Snelling A. M. , Sleigh P. A.
Published: February 2006

Infections associated with Acinetobacter spp. are an increasing problem in hospitals around the world, with many infections being multiply resistant to antibiotics. Acinetobacter spp. are particularly hardy and can survive on dry surfaces for long periods of time. They have also been cultured from the air on hospital wards. While it is known that environmental factors can contribute to the spread of infections caused by Acinetobacter spp., the precise role of the clinical environment in this process remains unclear. This review paper investigates this issue and seeks to identify environmental factors which may influence the spread of infections associated with Acinetobacter spp.
The Occurrence of Microscopic Fungi in Air Samples from a Transplant Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Vackova M. , Buchta V. , Prymula R. , Cerman J. , Kubatova A. , Hamal P. , Raclavský V. , Chlibeka R.
Published: February 2006

Contamination of the air by fungi at the Transplant Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University Hospital in Hradec KrálovÈ was investigated in 2004. Air samples were taken from the patient’s breathing zone in the single rooms, in the room used for drug preparation and from the air outside the hospital building. Air was sampled with Biotest RCS Plus air sampler and material collected on the yeasts and mould strips prepared with Rosa Bengal Streptomycin Agar. The majority of the air samples (64%) from the Transplant ICU were free of fungi. Only Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp. and Mucor spp. were found though rarely with the load ranging from 2 to 26CFUám 3. No isolates of the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus strain were detected in the single rooms. In contrast, two outdoor samples were positive for this opportunistic mould.
Causes and Control Measures in Hospital Outbreaks of Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Štefkovičovaa Mária , Vicianova Veronika , Sokolik Jan , Madar Rastislav
Published: February 2006

There are a number of risk factors in the indoor hospital environment that facilitate the transmission of nosocomial infections. The authors present two hospital outbreaks of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) at the Department of Ophthalmology (30 cases) and at the Department of Premature Newborns (22 cases) that were caused by improper selection of disinfectants for ophthalmological tools and incorrect hand-disinfection. In both outbreaks, EKC was diagnosed in inpatients (16 and six, respectively), outpatients (five and three, respectively), health-care workers (three and five, respectively), and relatives of EKC patients (six and eight, respectively). Implementation of infection control measures including isolation precautions, improved disinfection by 2% glutaraldehyde and hand-washing of both hospital and outpatient department personnel led to a significant decrease of the rate of infection.
A Psychoanalytic Discursive Psychology: from consciousness to unconsciousness
Authors: Billig Michael
Published: February 2006

This article presents the position for a Psychoanalytic Discursive Psychology. This position combines two elements: an action-theory of language, derived from Wittgenstein’s later philosophy, and a revised Freudian concept of repression. According to Wittgenstein and most contemporary discursive psychologists, language is to be understood as action, rather than being assumed to be an outward expression of inner, unobservable cognitive processes. However, a critical approach demands more than an interactional analysis of language acts: it requires an analysis of ideology. Because what is left unsaid can be as ideologically important as what is said, there is a need to investigate socially reproduced unconsciousness. This means taking the notion of repression seriously. Whereas Freud imagined repression to be an inner psychic process, it can, by contrast, be seen as an activity that is constituted within everyday language. In this respect, language is fundamentally both expressive and repressive. The social and psychological significance of a Psychoanalytic Discursive Psychology are discussed.
The interaction of discourse, cognition and culture
Authors: Cicourel Aaron V.
Published: February 2006

The kinds of social interaction necessary for the existence of human cultural practices and institutions and the human ability to change and survive depended on at least four (among other) conditions: biological brain evolution, cognition/affective processes, ethnographically-based cultural beliefs and practices, and the kinds of interpersonal relations that motivate or constrain social interaction. Thus human biological and cultural evolution could not have occurred without the interaction of brain processes, cognition/affective mechanisms, language, cultural beliefs, and social organization. No single one of these elements could have emerged without the others. We know little about how the four elements evolved, but can at least speculate about the necessity of each for human development. For example, the kinds of socialization experiences and skills infants acquire gradually to be called competent ‘adults,’ and how adult status begins to fade towards the end of life as adults seek to retain the properties that sustain human life.
Discourse, cognition and social practices: the rich surface of language and social interaction
Authors: Edwards Derek
Published: February 2006

Discursive psychology (DP) approaches discourse not as the product or expression of thoughts or mental states lying behind or beneath it, but as a domain of public accountability in which psychological states are made relevant. DP draws heavily on conversation analysis in examining in close empirical detail how ostensibly psychological themes are handled and managed as part of talk’s everyday interactional business. A brief worked example is offered, in which the intentionality of a person’s actions is handled in the course of police interrogation, in ways that perform police work. Degrees of intentionality are partialled out with regard to specific actions or components of actions, and with regard to how actions are described in ways that map onto how crime categories are defined in law. Cognitive states are generally relevant in discourse in the same manner, as participants’ concerns with regard to action categories and accountability on and for the occasions they are invoked.
Views from a cognitive scientist: cognitive representations underlying discourse are sometimes social
Authors: Graesser Arthur C.
Published: February 2006

Most areas of the cognitive and social sciences assume that knowledge representations are constructed and used during communication and that much of its content is social. Those of us who build computer models of comprehension and conversation are forced to be explicit about the nature of these knowledge representations and affiliated processes. There are some conditions when knowledge is not sufficiently social, and other conditions when knowledge is overly grounded in social mechanisms. The argument is advanced that constraints, coherence, and precision are very much at the heart of an explanation of the nature and amount of social knowledge. Asocial content reigns supreme when the referential world knowledge is highly constrained, coherently structured, and precisely specified. The social context of knowledge construction becomes progressively more influential to the extent to that world knowledge is vague, open-ended, imprecise, underspecified, and fragmentary.
After post-cognitivism
Authors: Kitzinger Celia
Published: February 2006

This article briefly considers the convergence and divergence between Discursive Psychology (DP) and Conversation Analysis (CA), in relation to cognition in talk-in-interaction. It explores the possibilities for research that begins from, rather than argues for, a post-cognitive perspective. Drawing in particular on an analysis of a single fragment of conversation, I suggest three analytic areas for researchers concerned both with talk-in-interaction and with cognition: i) the social organization of cognitive displays and embodiments; ii) the (re)production of taken-for-granted culture through ‘internalized social norms’; iii) cognitions (e.g. memories) made manifest in interaction, as the cognitive infrastructure upon which talk-in-interaction depends. After post-cognitivism, research in these areas can contribute both to scholarly understanding of cognition, and to the emerging discipline of CA.
Cognition at the heart of human interaction
Authors: Levinson Stephen
Published: February 2006

Sometimes it is thought that there are serious differences between theories of discourse that turn on the role of cognition in the theory. This is largely a misconception: for example, with its emphasis on participants’ own understandings, its principles of recipient design and projection, Conversation Analysis is hardly anti-cognitive. If there are genuine disagreements they rather concern a preference for ‘lean’ versus ‘rich’ metalanguages and different methodologies. The possession of a multi-levelled model, separating out what the individual brings to interaction from the emergent properties of interaction, would make it easier to resolve some of these issues. Meanwhile, these squabbles on the margins distract us from a much more central and more interesting issue: is there a very special cognition-for-interaction, which underlies and underpins all language and discourse? Prime facie evidence suggests that there is, and different approaches can contribute to our understanding of it.