bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The First Evaluation of a Novel Vitamin K Antagonist, Tecarfarin (ATI-5923), in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Ellis David J. , Usman Mohammed Haris , Milner Peter G. , Canafax Daniel M. , Ezekowitz Michael D.
Published: September 2009

Background—

Tecarfarin (ATI-5923) is a novel oral vitamin K antagonist. Unlike warfarin, it is metabolized by esterases, escaping metabolism by the cytochrome P450 system and thereby avoiding cytochrome P450–mediated drug-drug or drug-food interactions as well as genetic variations found in the cytochrome P450 system. Both tecarfarin and warfarin can be monitored with the international normalized ratio. We hypothesized that the time in therapeutic range for tecarfarin will exceed values usually experienced with warfarin.

Methods and Results—

This was a 6- to 12-week open-label, multicenter, phase IIA study of 66 atrial fibrillation patients with a mild to moderate risk of stroke to determine the safety and tolerability of tecarfarin and to ascertain an optimal tecarfarin dosing regimen. Sixty-four subjects (97%) were taking warfarin at enrollment and were switched to tecarfarin. After the initial 3 weeks of tecarfarin treatment, the mean interpolated time in therapeutic range was 71.4%. Only 10.9% of patients had time in therapeutic range of <45%. Times in extreme international normalized ratio ranges of <1.5 and >4.0 were 1.2% and 1.2%, respectively. The median daily dose (for an individual patient) to maintain an international normalized ratio between 2 and 3 was 15.6 mg (range, 6 to 29 mg).

Conclusions—

This is the first study of tecarfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation. It appears that tecarfarin may possess advantages over the currently available standard of care, warfarin, by improving time in therapeutic range. Adequately powered prospective trials are warranted to definitively compare tecarfarin with warfarin in clinical settings for which warfarin is indicated.
Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation, and Risk of Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease in Women
Authors: Conen David , Rexrode Kathryn M. , Creager Mark A. , Ridker Paul M , Pradhan Aruna D.
Published: September 2009

Background—

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with incident myocardial infarction and stroke and is linked with subclinical inflammation; however, prospective data pertaining to MetS and future peripheral artery disease (PAD) are sparse, with few studies examining the role of inflammation. We therefore evaluated the relationship between MetS, inflammation, and incident PAD.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a prospective cohort study among 27 111 women free of baseline cardiovascular disease who were participating in the Women’s Health Study. Subjects were followed for incident symptomatic PAD (n=114; median cohort follow-up 13.3 years). We used Cox proportional hazards models to compare PAD risk among women with and without MetS. We also evaluated relationships between MetS and subclinical inflammation as measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and adjusted for these biomarkers in multivariable models. Women with MetS had a 62% increased risk of future PAD (hazard ratio 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.10 to 2.38). After multivariable adjustment, MetS remained significantly associated with PAD (adjusted hazard ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 2.18), with a 21% risk increase per additional MetS-defining trait (adjusted hazard ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.39). In women with and without MetS, respectively, median levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were 4.0 versus 1.5 mg/L (
P
<0.0001), and median levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were 374 versus 333 ng/mL (
P
<0.0001). When high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were added to multivariable models, risk associated with MetS was substantially attenuated and no longer significant (hazard ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval 0.75 to 1.73).

Conclusions—

MetS is associated with an increased risk of future symptomatic PAD in women. This risk appears to be mediated largely by the effects of inflammation and endothelial activation.
Accelerated Infusion of Streptokinase for the Treatment of Left-Sided Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis
Authors: Karthikeyan Ganesan , Math Ravi S. , Mathew Navin , Shankar Bhima , Kalaivani Mani , Singh Sandeep , Bahl Vinay K. , Hirsh Jack , Eikelboom John W.
Published: September 2009

Background—

No large prospective studies have evaluated the efficacy of fibrinolytic therapy for left-sided prosthetic valve thrombosis, yet it remains the first line of treatment in developing countries.

Methods and Results—

We performed a randomized controlled trial comparing an accelerated infusion with the conventional infusion of streptokinase in 120 patients with a first episode of left-sided prosthetic valve thrombosis. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of a complete clinical response, defined as objectively documented complete restoration of valve function in the absence of major complications. The secondary outcome was a composite of death, major bleeding, embolic stroke, or non–central nervous system systemic embolism. Patients were recruited over a 2.5-year period at a single center in India. Complete clinical response occurred in 38 (64.4%) of 59 patients with the accelerated infusion compared with 32 (53.3%) of 60 with the conventional infusion (hazard ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 0.9 to 2.5,
P
=0.055). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of the composite secondary outcome (hazard ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 0.5 to 3.5,
P
=0.50) or major bleeding (hazard ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 0.6 to 7.7,
P
=0.24) with the accelerated infusion. The success rate with fibrinolytic therapy was low overall (59%) and very low in patients in New York Heart Association functional class III/IV (24%).

Conclusions—

The large number of patients recruited from a single center underscores the massive burden of prosthetic valve thrombosis in developing countries. Fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase is less efficacious than previously believed. The accelerated streptokinase infusion is not better than the standard infusion for left-sided prosthetic valve thrombosis. Developing countries urgently need more effective strategies to prevent and treat prosthetic valve thrombosis.
Making the Case for Early Treatment of Acne
Authors: Zaenglein Andrea L.
Published: September 2009

Early acne can be defined as the occurrence of acne at its onset, primarily in preteens, or as acne at its earliest severity (ie, mild to moderate). Although the majority of patients with acne are treated by dermatologists, most, particularly mild to moderate cases, could be successfully managed by primary care physicians. Therefore, it is important for physicians to understand the benefits of treating all types of acne, not just the most severe. Awareness of the emotional impact of acne, particularly in adolescence, as well as recognition of possible scarring are important considerations. To achieve optimal results, physicians should be familiar with classification and severity grading of acne. Also, in-depth knowledge of available acne medications will streamline and optimize treatment regimens. Recognizing, treating, and monitoring the progress of early acne may lead to quicker, better clinical outcomes and improved quality of life.
Agitation During Procedural Sedation and Analgesia in Children
Authors: Lightdale Jenifer R. , Valim Clarissa , Mahoney Lisa B. , Sharon Wong  , DiNardo James , Goldmann Donald A.
Published: September 2009

Background. Agitation that occurs in children receiving standard procedural sedation regimens may indicate inadequate patient comfort and compromise procedural success. Although agitation in uninterrupted pediatric procedures is recognized to occur, it is not generally tracked as an adverse event, and there have been no formal studies to determine its rate of incidence. Methods. We identified intraprocedural agitation in a large cohort of children undergoing standardized sedation regimens in a tertiary care pediatric hospital over a calendar year and compared it with rates of well-accepted quality measures of sedation using odds ratio analysis, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All analyses excluded those patients who were documented to fail to sedate or to wake before the procedure was over—2 tracked adverse events that involve agitation and aborted, interrupted, or incomplete procedures. Results. Agitation occurred in 433 of 5045 (8.6%) procedures during the study period, including 306 (6.1%) who had an uninterrupted, complete procedure. In contrast, severe adverse events during sedation, including cardiovascular resuscitation and allergic reactions, were exceedingly rare (0.9 %). When excluding patients who woke during the procedure or who failed to sedate, we found that the odds ratio for the association between agitation and tracked adverse events was 2.9 (95% CI = 1.7-4.8; P < .001). Discussion. A clinically significant number of children appear agitated during standard procedural sedation and analgesia. In addition, agitation in children undergoing uninterrupted procedures was associated with other adverse events. Identifying risk factors for agitation is fundamental to improving the quality of procedural sedation in children.
Organizational Failure and the Disbanding of Local Police Agencies
Authors: King William R.
Published: September 2009

Police organizations are a ubiquitous aspect of the landscape of criminal justice in the United States. Yet, little attention has been paid to the failure of police agencies and the consequences of such failure. This article uses structural contingency theory and organizational institutional theory to explore why 31 police agencies were disbanded during the 1990s. The findings indicate that agencies disband because they face significant environmental changes in their contingency and institutional environments. Contingency reasons for disbanding are mostly related to budgetary constraints. Institutional reasons usually involve agencies that engage in behaviors that violate the expectations of powerful sovereigns. Overall, police agencies disband because they cannot adapt to changes in their contingency and institutional environments or they change in inappropriate ways, and their small organizational size does not provide a sufficient buffer against external intrusion from the institutional environment, which results in disbanding.
In Quest of the Good Urban Life: Socio-spatial Dynamics and Residential Building Stock Transformation in Zurich
Authors: Koll-Schretzenmayr Martina , Ritterhoff Frank , Siebel Walter
Published: September 2009

This paper discusses socio-spatial dynamics and the transformation of the residential building stock in the global city of Zurich. It deals with five questions. Does Zurich exhibit the type of social polarisation outlined by the global city hypothesis? If so, how does social polarisation become visible in the context of a European city? Which actors in the real estate market are catering to the special tastes of the new urban middle class? With whom does the new middle class compete for space in the city? The paper argues that real estate developers customise the residential building stock and produce residential units for a targeted market—the new urban middle class. Furthermore, a new socio-spatial phenomenon—ennoblement—has evolved, as the new urban middle class takes residence in traditional upper-class neighbourhoods. By investing its own economic capital, this new middle class is hoping to profit from upper-class social and cultural capital.
Determinants of Urban Spatial Scale: Chinese Cities in Transition
Authors: Ke Shanzi , Song Yan , He Ming
Published: September 2009

The unprecedented urban economic growth in China has created a huge demand for urban land. Built upon the standard monocentric city model, this empirical study investigates the determinants of urban spatial scale of Chinese cities using a cross-sectional dataset from 650 Chinese cities. The estimates are surprisingly similar to those found for US cities, with four basic factors (population, income, commuting cost and price of rural land) explaining most of the variation in urban spatial scale of Chinese cities. The findings clearly show that although land use in Chinese cities may have inherited many centrally planned features, market forces today exert a very significant influence. The study also shows that the urban spatial scale of Chinese cities is better understood by a model that consolidates features of both ‘closed’ and ‘open’ cities proposed in the standard urban land economics literature.
Identification of controllable transitions to decide the existence of an optimal liveness-enforcing supervisor for a class of Petri nets
Authors: Zhiwu Li  , Meng Qin  , Sen Zhu
Published: September 2009

Behaviour permissiveness is an important criterion in evaluating the performance of a liveness-enforcing supervisor for discrete event systems. The existence of uncontrollable events is a standard feature in the supervisory control of discrete event systems. A natural problem arising in this area is the existence of an optimal supervisor when there exist uncontrollable events in a plant. For a class of Petri net models of flexible manufacturing systems, whose optimal liveness-enforcing Petri net supervisors can be synthesized by a particular method through the addition of a set of monitors, this paper aims to identify a set of transitions such that the existence of an optimal liveness-enforcing net supervisor depends on their controllability. The controllability of a transition is decided by solving a linear programming problem to verify whether a monitor with arcs to the transition can act to inhibit it when it is otherwise enabled. A number of examples are presented to demonstrate the application of the proposed methods.
Adaptive disturbance rejection in the presence of uncertain resonance mode in hard disk drives
Authors: Hong F. , Du C. , Tee K.P. , Ge S.S.
Published: September 2009

An adaptive on-line scheme is designed to identify the uncertain and time-varying resonance modes in hard disk drive servo systems. Based on the identified results, the uncertain resonance mode is extracted and a peak filter is designed accordingly to provide stronger capability of disturbance suppression. The scheme does not require any extra excitation signal or additional signal processing for the parameter identification. Compared with the conventional method, the rates of learning and error convergence are increased dramatically. The scheme can provide good stability margin at high frequency to the variation of the resonance frequency and the peak gain. Simulation results show the validity and effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
A speed control for a PMSM using finite-time feedback control and disturbance compensation
Authors: Shihua Li  , Huixian Liu  , Shihong Ding
Published: September 2009

The speed-regulation problem for a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) servo system is studied in this paper. In order to improve the disturbance rejection property of the PMSM, a novel composite controller for the speed-loop is presented. First, an extended state observer (ESO) is introduced to estimate the disturbances of the system. The estimated value is used in the feed-forward compensation design. Second, a continuous feedback-based finite-time control technique is employed for the feedback design. The composite speed controller can be considered as a composition of finite-time proportional feedback plus feed-forward compensation based on ESO (FTP + ESO). Two standard proportional—integral (PI) controllers are employed for two current loops. The closed-loop system of the speed error can be regarded as a first-order finite-time control system with bounded disturbances. Rigorous analysis shows that the proposed scheme can enhance the disturbance rejection property of the closed-loop system. Simulation and experimental comparisons with two other control methods, ie the composite control method with proportional feedback plus feed-forward compensation based on ESO (P + ESO), and the PI control method, are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Women’s Marital Naming Choices in a Nationally Representative Sample
Authors: Gooding Gretchen E. , Kreider Rose M.
Published: September 2009

We explore women’s marital naming choices using the 2004 American Community Survey (ACS). Six percent of native-born married women have nonconventional surnames. Nonconventional surnames include hyphenated surnames, two surnames, and women who kept their own surname at marriage. Characteristics associated with nonconventional surname use include younger age, being other than White non-Hispanic, a large age difference between spouses, and higher educational attainment. Women with a master’s degree have odds of using a nonconventional surname that are 2.8 times higher than those who have less than a bachelor’s degree, whereas women with a professional degree have odds that are 5.0 times higher, and women with a doctorate have odds 9.8 times those with less than a bachelor’s degree.
Fabrication Effects on Properties of Composites for Medical Applications: 2 - Retention of Composite Mechanical Properties
Authors: Habeb R.R. , Glowacz F. , Walker G.S. , Jones I.A. , Rudd C.D.
Published: September 2009

Single-fiber fragmentation tests and degradation tests of carbon/poly(ε-caprolactone) composites were used to investigate the effect of two fabrication methods: in situ polymerization and film stacking. The resulting specimens were tested in the as-molded state and after time periods of up to 2 months in an aqueous environment. The results demonstrate considerably significant improvements in the flexural properties for samples from the in situ process compared with film stacking. This is attributed to superior wetting of the reinforcement. Single-fiber fragmentation tests confirm the superior interfacial shear strength from the in situ polymerized specimens.
Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of Glass Fiber-reinforced Biodegradable Poly(propylene carbonate) Composites
Authors: Weifeng Chen  , Maizhi Pang  , Min Xiao  , Shuanjin Wang  , Lishi Wen  , Yuezhong Meng
Published: September 2009

Glass fiber (GF)-reinforced biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) composites were prepared by melt blending. The effects of reinforcement on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the PPC/GF composites were investigated. The mechanical properties of the composites were found to be improved obviously by the incorporation of GF. Experimental results of the thermal properties indicated that the GF addition led to the improvement on the thermal stability of the composites, and that the Vicat softening temperature (VST) of the composites was much higher than that of pure PPC resin. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed a uniform dispersion of GF within PPC matrix at low GF loading level. It was observed that the GF appeared to be oriented within the PPC matrix to some extent, and there was good interfacial adhesion between GF and PPC matrix.
Dynamic Mechanical and Impact Property Correlation of Nanoclay and Graphite Platelet Reinforced Vinyl Ester Nanocomposites
Authors: Gupta Swasti , Raju Mantena P. , Al-Ostaz Ahmed
Published: September 2009

An experimental investigation was carried out to correlate the impact response of nanocomposites with the dynamic, inherent damping, and glass transition properties of Derakane 411-350 vinyl ester thermoset reinforced with 1.25 and 2.5 wt% Cloisite 30B nanoclay and exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP).

Dynamic mechanical analysis was performed to obtain the visco-elastic properties such as storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E''), glass transition temperature (Tg) and loss factor (Tan δ). Low velocity impact tests were performed at an approximate strain rate of 15 s-1 on notched and un-notched Charpy samples using a drop-tower impact test system. Storage modulus was observed to increase with increasing nano reinforcements (max 40% for graphite platelet/vinyl ester nanocomposite). Loss factor also showed a significant increase of 80% with the addition of nanoclay, and 125% with graphite platelet. Glass transition temperature and loss modulus of nanoclay and graphite platelet reinforced nanocomposites also showed significant improvements over the pristine polymer. Low-velocity impact tests showed an increase of almost 100% energy absorption for un-notched samples with increasing nano reinforcement. However, a 70—90% reduction was observed in the case of notched samples. A direct correlation between impact response and dynamic mechanical properties for these vinyl ester nanocomposites was observed.
A Comparative Study between Gamma and UV Radiation of Jute fabrics/Polypropylene Composites: Effect of Starch
Authors: Zaman Haydar U. , Khan Mubarak A. , Khan Ruhul A. , Mollah M.Z.I. , Pervin Shamim , Al-Mamun MD
Published: September 2009

Jute fabrics (hessian cloth) reinforced polypropylene (PP) matrix composites were fabricated by compression molding. Jute fabrics and matrices were irradiated with gamma and UV radiation at different doses. Mechanical properties of irradiated jute fabrics and matrices based composites were found to increase significantly. Optimized jute fabrics were treated with starch solution of different concentrations for different soaking time and composite made of 0.5% (for UV) and 0.3% (for gamma) starch treated jute fabrics (5 min soaking time) showed the best mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopic analysis of untreated and treated composites was also performed.
Tensile, Flexural, and Compressive Properties of Coir/Silk Fiber-reinforced Hybrid Composites
Authors: Noorunnisa Khanam P. , Ramachandra Reddy G. , Raghu K. , Venkata Naidu S.
Published: September 2009

The hybrid composites of coir/silk unsaturated polyester-based hybrid composites with different fiber lengths were prepared. Coir-silk fibers are taken in the ratio of 1 : 1, and these fibers are incorporated with unsaturated polyester resin with different fiber lengths like 1, 2, and 3 cm. The variation of mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, and compressive strength of these composites with different fiber lengths has been studied. In the present work hand lay-up method was used for making the composites. Coir fibers are treated with NaOH and the effect of alkali treatment on the tensile, flexural, and compressive properties of the coir/silk hybrid composites has also been studied. Significant improvement in tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths of the coir/silk hybrid composites has been observed by these treatments.
Assessment of Lighting in Independent Living Facilities and Residents’ Perceptions
Authors: Hegde Asha L. , Rhodes Raquel
Published: September 2009

People above the age of 60 need three times more light than a 20-year-old to perform the same tasks. Providing high light levels with limited amount of glare in eldercare environments enables the residents to function and negotiate their living space with confidence. This study acquired quantitative measurements of light levels in two independent living facilities (ILF) as well as measured the perceptions of the residents regarding their visual environment in these facilities. The results indicate that the quantitative light levels in the ILF were low and inadequate for proper function by the residents in the space when compared to the suggested recommended lighting practice for senior living (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, 2007). However, the residents rated the lighting as average to good or comfortable. The study raises several questions about the positive responses of the seniors as well as provides tips to facilities management on improving the interior lighting quality of their facilities.
Present Conceptualization of Early Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Authors: Shevell Michael I.
Published: September 2009

Neurodevelopmental disabilities are collectively a common problem in child health that frequently prompts neurologic assessment and intervention. They are a group of heterogeneous conditions that share a disturbance in the acquisition of basic developmental skills in a chronologically appropriate manner. Lacking uniform diagnostic means of ascertainment, their recognition depends on fulfilling present consensus opinion regarding the various subtypes now recognized. Distinctive subtypes of neurodevelopmental disabilities can be accurately diagnosed according to present consensus conceptualization. Dual diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disabilities in the same child is possible, given present opinion. It can be expected that these conceptualizations will be dynamic and guide ongoing research efforts that will elucidate basic mechanisms, effective therapeutic interventions, and evaluate outcomes.
Review Paper: Role of Aluminum in Glass-ionomer Dental Cements and its Biological Effects
Authors: Nicholson John W. , Czarnecka Beata
Published: September 2009

The role of aluminum in glass-ionomers and resin-modified glass-ionomers for dentistry is reviewed. Aluminum is included in the glass component of these materials in the form of Al2O3 to confer basicity on the glass and enable the glass to take part in the acid—base setting reactions. Results of studies of these reactions by FTIR and magic-angle spinning (MAS)-NMR spectroscopy are reported and the role of aluminum is discussed in detail. Aluminum has been shown to be present in the glasses in predominantly 4-coordination, as well as 5- and 6-coordination, and during setting a proportion of this is converted to 6-coordinate species within the matrix of the cement. Despite this, mature cements may contain detectable amounts of both 4- and 5-coordinate aluminum. Aluminum has been found to be leached from glass-ionomer cements, with greater amounts being released under acidic conditions. It may be associated with fluoride, with which it is known to complex strongly. Aluminum that enters the body via the gastro-intestinal tract is mainly excreted, and only about 1% ingested aluminum crosses the gut wall. Calculation shows that, if a glass-ionomer filling dissolved completely over 5 years, it would add only an extra 0.5% of the recommended maximum intake of aluminum to an adult patient. This leads to the conclusion that the release of aluminum from either type of glass-ionomer cement in the mouth poses a negligible health hazard.
Male Rape Victim and Perpetrator Blaming
Authors: Sleath Emma , Bull Ray
Published: September 2009

One of four possible vignettes manipulated by (a) level of rape myth contained within them (low vs. high) and (b) type of rape (stranger vs. acquaintance) was presented to participants followed by scales measuring victim blame, perpetrator blame, belief in a just world, sex-role egalitarian beliefs, and male rape myth acceptance. Victim blaming was predicted by male rape myth acceptance. Perpetrator blaming was predicted by male rape myth acceptance and sex-role egalitarianism. Differences were found in victim and perpetrator blaming in terms of stranger and acquaintance rape and also in relation to manipulating the level of rape myths. Findings are discussed in relation to the previous literature on rape victim and perpetrator blaming.
Comparative Study of Polyimides Containing Oxadiazole and Ether Groups
Authors: Bruma Maria , Damaceanu Mariana Dana , Muller Peter
Published: September 2009

An aromatic diamine with a preformed oxadiazole ring and various dianhydrides with ether and other flexible or bulky groups, such as isopropylidene, hexafluoroisopropylidene, cyclohexylidene or fluorenylidene, were used in a polycondensation reaction at high temperature to produce poly(oxadiazole-ether-imide)s. The properties of these polymers such as solubility, film-forming ability, thermal stability and photoluminescence were studied and compared with those of related conventional aromatic polyimides. The mechanical properties of the free-standing films obtained from these polyimides were also investigated.
Aromatic Polyethers based on Meta-activated Dinitrocompounds
Authors: Rusanov Alexander L. , Komarova Ludmila G.
Published: September 2009

Aromatic polyethers containing phenyl sulfone side groups were prepared using aromatic nucleophilic nitrosubstitution reaction. As starting compounds TNT-derived 3,5-dinitrodiphenyl sulfone and 4,4′-bis-[(3-nitro-5-phenylsulfonyl)phenylsulfonyl]diphenyl sulfone containing functional nitro groups activated with electron-withdrawing phenylsulfone meta-substituents were used. Polymers obtained are soluble in wide range of organic solvents and demonstrate large ‘windows’ between their softening and degradation temperatures.
Aspects of Morphology Control during the Oxidative Synthesis of Electrically Conducting Polymers
Authors: Schulz Burkhard , Dietzel Birgit , Orgzall Ingo , Díez Isabel , Xu Chenggang
Published: September 2009

The formation of micro- and nanostructures during the oxidative polymerization of polypyrrole and polyaniline is investigated using different sulfonic acid dopants. Rod- or tube-like structures are found in polypyrrole as well as in polyaniline without addition of further compounds to the initial reaction mixture of monomer, dopant and oxidant. In these cases, always a crystalline precursor complex composed of a dopand molecule and the pure monomer (aniline) or a trimeric moiety (pyrrole) serves as in-situ template. In most cases the surface of the growing polymer is covered by secondary structures with much smaller sizes so that a hierarchical order of structures at different length scales results. Corresponding model considerations for the polymerization process are outlined. Additionally, unusual structures like platelets, frames, rings, or ribbons are observed in the polypyrrole synthesis in the presence of fluorosurfactants.
I’ve seen the future and it’s mutual
Authors: Rusbridger Alan
Published: September 2009

Bloggers, tweeters, website ferrets — it’s time to realise that if the wolf is to be kept from the door, collaborative journalism is the way ahead
Pandemics, plagues and panic
Authors: Harding Phil
Published: September 2009

How swine flu coverage hit fever pitch, went away and returned when the virus became worrying: a salutary health warning for editors
Why a Commons club fouled up
Authors: Hencke David
Published: September 2009

Some political correspondents should stop enjoying their exclusive club and start digging deeper, says a Commons correspondent
Immediate- and controlled-release zolpidem ingestions reported to Texas poison centers
Authors: Forrester Mathias B
Published: September 2009

Zolpidem is available in immediate-release (IR) and controlled-release (CR) formulations. This investigation examined whether there were differences in zolpidem IR and CR ingestions reported to poison control centers. Zolpidem ingestions that did not involve coingestants reported to Texas poison control centers during 2005-2008 were identified. The ingestions were grouped by IR and CR formulations and compared with respect to demographic and clinical factors. There were 734 IR and 163 CR ingestions. The mean dose ingested was 92.9 mg and 104.6 mg, respectively. IR and CR cases were, respectively, 56.9% and 58.3% male, 54.6% and 49.7% age >19 years, 65.0% and 65.0% already at or en route to a health care facility when the poison control center was contacted, and 30.1% and 39.3% involved no effect. The most frequently reported adverse clinical effects were, for IR and CR, respectively, drowsiness (54.4% vs 42.3%), tachycardia (10.6% vs 11.7%), ataxia (6.3% vs 11.7%), slurred speech (6.3% vs 6.7%), vomiting (5.0% vs 5.5%) and hallucinations/delusions (4.9% vs 3.1%). The distribution of zolpidem IR and CR ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers were similar. However, zolpidem CR ingestions appeared less likely to result in drowsiness and hallucinations but more likely to result in ataxia.
As it is in Heaven! Mimetic Theory, Religious Transformation and Social Crisis in Africa
Authors: Ikpe Ibanga B.
Published: September 2009

This article is an overview of Rene Girard's mimetic theory and its application to and implications for conflict in Africa. It accepts Girard's basic idea that imitation is a feature of all individuals but disagrees with his view that the Christian gospel can adequately eliminate mimetic rivalry and thereby lead to a non-sacrificial culture. Drawing from the concept of culture and the African experience of Christianity, it argues that the Christian influence in Africa has only produced a hybrid culture, which draws heavily from the traditional culture. Thus, instead of demythologizing the culture, the gospel has actually introduced new myths into the African setting, which generate a new type of mimetic crisis that traditional forms of intervention are incapable of ameliorating. It argues that the Christian gospel as the precursor of the new myths cannot, in its current form, diffuse the crisis. The article suggests a re-engineering of the gospel to cater for this new reality and thus diffuse the crisis.
Hospitality as Openness to the Other
Authors: George Siby K.
Published: September 2009

In contemporary discourses on cosmo-political hospitality, contributions of Derrida, and especially of Levinas, have special significance on account of the vision, scale and relevance of their discussions on the theme, in the context of an increasingly globalizing international scene, and the consequent global encounter with diversity. The article strives to read the Indian hospitality tradition and ethos, articulated in several of India's culturally significant texts, and available in some way as a cultural practice even to this day (propped up by a heritage of tolerance and acceptance of difference, which, however, has not necessarily translated into egalitarian social structures), through the lenses of cosmo-political hospitality, found in the writings of Levinas and Derrida, as openness to the other, irrespective of social labels imposed on her/him. Although homely, ritualistic and hierarchical, Indian hospitality was always universalistic in intent. The article argues that an attempt to recapture the core of the Indian ethos of hospitality, should take into account this universalistic intent, revisited as genuine openness to the other person, in the light of contemporary concerns raised by Levinas and Derrida, and fully awake to India's and the world's transformed context.
Determinants of Unethical Business Behaviour among Owner–Managers
Authors: Babalola Sunday Samson
Published: September 2009

Several studies have identified entrepreneurship as a key factor in wealth creations in addition to associating certain personality characteristics to its growth. The question is to what extent have these wealth creations performed ethically. The present study is set to explore the cognitive orientation (locus of control, risk taking ability and impression management) and demographic (age and gender) factors that are associated with unethical business. Two hundred and fifty-six owner–managers in the age range of 24 to 68 years participated in the survey study. Male participants accounted for 63.3 per cent, while female participants were 36.7 per cent. The results indicate that risk taking and gender factors were consistently and statistically significant predictors of unethical business across the three groups in this study. The group situation appears to have effect on the individual contribution to unethical business. Implications are drawn from the results, and priorities are established for future research.
Systems Thinking
Authors: Botla Lakshmaiah
Published: September 2009

The article discusses the parallels in systems thinking and Gandhian thinking. Aristotle's principle that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts is interpreted from multiple perspectives. The whole and the part and their relationships are discussed to understand various wholes in the organization. The Gandhian orientation of whole and his leadership style in the light of various systems thinkers are evaluated. The article concentrates on the application of systems thinking to the Indian Freedom Movement to excavate the Gandhian foresight while leading the people in India. The article endeavours to project Mahatma Gandhi as a modern systems thinker in India.
Transactive Memory in the Classroom
Authors: Jackson Marina , Moreland Richard L.
Published: September 2009

This study investigated the role of transactive memory systems in classroom group performance. Sixty-three groups, containing a total of 209 students, were studied. Participants were required to complete a four-part group project for an undergraduate course on information systems in organizations. Students were surveyed after handing in the second and fourth segments of the project. These surveys provided information about the students’ demographic characteristics, prior coursework and motivation; the levels of familiarity among group members; and the transactive memory systems of the groups. Past research led us to predict that stronger transactive memory systems would be associated with better group performance. This prediction was confirmed: Transactive memory was a good predictor of group performance, even after other possible predictors were taken into account. Transactive memory itself was best predicted by communication among group members.
Review: Treatment of early multiple sclerosis: the value of treatment initiation after a first clinical episode
Authors: Goodin DS , Bates D.
Published: September 2009

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. It is characterised by progressive neurological disability, which is likely to occur as a result of permanent axonal damage. Such damage may be reflected by brain atrophy, which can be identified early in the course of the disease. Patients who present with an initial episode of inflammatory demyelination, commonly referred to as a clinically isolated syndrome, are at high risk of developing clinically definite multiple sclerosis, especially if their magnetic resonance imaging studies suggest the presence of multi-focal disease. Treatment with disease-modifying therapies at the initial episode of demyelination may postpone this development. In this review we present an overview of evidence supporting early treatment initiation. We focus on three large placebo-controlled trials of interferon beta therapy: Controlled High-Risk Avonex® Multiple Sclerosis Prevention Study, Early Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis and Betaferon ® in Newly Emerging Multiple Sclerosis for Initial Treatment. Results from these early treatment studies are presented, and the impact of using interferon beta treatment in the early stages of disease is discussed with the aim of considering optimal therapeutic strategies to improve long-term patient outcome.
The functional index for living with multiple sclerosis: development and validation of a new quality of life questionnaire
Authors: Wesson JM , Cooper JA , Jehle LS , Lockhart SN , Draney K. , Barber J.
Published: September 2009

Addressing health-related quality of life is considered a desirable component of routine care for patients with multiple sclerosis. However, use of available health-related quality of life surveys is not part of routine multiple sclerosis care, possibly due to administration, scoring, and interpretation challenges presented by available questionnaires. The 25-item Functional Index for Living with Multiple Sclerosis (FILMS) questionnaire was developed and validated to allow providers to monitor and easily apply health-related quality of life information to the patient encounter. The development and pilot test processes and the results of the validation study are reported here. Convergent validity, internal consistency reliability, and test—retest reproducibility were evaluated. Strong correlations of Functional Index for Living with Multiple Sclerosis subscales with control questionnaires were demonstrated by Pearson’s correlation coefficients from 0.73 to 0.88. Internal consistency reliabilities ranged from 0.80 to 0.90, demonstrating that items were grouped into the appropriate subscale domains and that the subscale domains and the questionnaire as a whole exhibited good directionality. Test—retest reproducibility was 0.91.
Influence of a physical education teacher’s disability on middle school pupils’ learning and perceptions of teacher competence
Authors: Bryant Lance G. , Curtner-Smith Matthew D.
Published: September 2009

Limited research has investigated the problems encountered by physical education teachers who have disabilities and instruct able-bodied pupils. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a physical education teacher’s disability on middle school pupils’ perceptions of the teacher’s competence and their learning. Participants were 201 7th and 8th grade pupils (age range 12 to 16 years). They were randomly assigned to watch one of two videotaped swimming lessons. These lessons were identical except that in the first lesson the teacher taught from a wheelchair (WCL) while in the second she was able-bodied (ABL). Immediately following the watching of their assigned lesson, pupils completed a questionnaire asking them about their perceptions of the teacher’s competence and an examination over lesson content. Inferential statistical tests revealed that there were no significant differences in the perception and examination scores of those pupils who viewed the WCL and the ABL. These results provide further support for a sociological explanation of how and why pupils of different ages respond to and learn from physical education teachers with a disability.
Sport Education for Teachers: Professional Development When Introducing a Novel Curriculum Model
Authors: Sinelnikov Oleg A.
Published: September 2009

The purpose of this study was to provide a description of an on-site professional development program for Russian teachers as they learned to teach Sport Education. A concurrent objective was to investigate the effectiveness of this professional development opportunity. Participants were two physical education teachers (one with 27 and one with 3 years of experience) who taught separate sixth grade physical education classes in a school in the Central Chernozem Region of Russia. The data sources included the researcher’s log, informal discussions, briefing/debriefing sessions and semi-structured interviews. The following four themes were generated: (a) the need for sample lesson observance in the training phase, (b) teaching-to-model congruency validation, (c) difficulties of ‘letting go of the control’, and (d) cooperative learning. The findings of the study are discussed using the theoretical framework on factors influencing professional development (Birman et al., 2000) and the model of teacher change (Guskey, 1986; 2002).
Economic Crisis and its Social Impacts
Authors: Ramesh M.
Published: September 2009

The objective of this paper is to survey the social consequences of the 1997 Asian financial crisis with the purpose of drawing policy lessons. The outbreak of the financial crisis and the ensuing increase in unemployment and poverty triggered a worsening of education and health outcomes. The situation stabilized and eventually improved only after governments and international organizations intervened. Employment creation and cash transfers programs played a positive role in maintaining income, while education and health care programs helped meet the population’s vital education and health care needs.

La Crise Économique et ses Impacts Sociaux: Des Leçons Tirées de la Crise Économique Asiatique de 1997

Le but de cet article est d’examiner les conséquences sociales de la crise financière asiatique de 1997, afin d’en tirer des leçons de politique. L’ouverture de la crise financière, et l’augmentation du taux de chômage et de pauvreté qui suivit, ont provoqué la détérioration des conséquences sur l’éducation et la santé. La situation s’est stabilisée, et enfin s’est améliorée, seulement grâce à l’intervention des gouvernements et des organisations internationales. La création d’emplois et les programmes de transfert d’espèces ont aidé à protéger les revenus, pendant que les programmes d’éducation et de soins médicaux ont contribué à satisfaire aux besoins urgents de la population.

La Crisis Económica y sus Impactos Sociales: Lecciones Aprendidas de la Crisis Económica Asiática de 1997

Este documento tiene como objetivo el estudio de las consecuencias sociales de la crisis financiera asiática de 1997, a fin de sacar lecciones de política. El comienzo de la crisis financiera, y el consiguiente aumento del desempleo y de la pobreza, provocaron el empeoramiento de las consecuencias sobre la educación y la salud. La situación se estabilizó y por fin se mejoró solo con la intervención de los gobiernos y las organizaciones internacionales. La creación del empleo y de los programas de transferencia de efectivo desempeñó un papel positivo en mantener los ingresos, mientras que los programas de educación y de asistencia médica ayudaron a satisfacer estas necesidades urgentes de la población.
Recent Research in Chronicles
Authors: Duke Rodney K.
Published: September 2009

This article surveys trends in Chronicles scholarship from 1994 to 2007. Most of the trends established by 1993 have continued with more depth and focus, although with a few challenges. These trends include: refining the distinctions between Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemia as coming from separate authors/editors; recognizing the integral role of the genealogies; and examining the literary artistry of the Chronicler. Newer trends include: pursuing the interplay between orality, on the one hand, and textuality and literacy, on the other; and bringing insights from an increasing sociological understanding of the Persian and Hellenistic periods in general. Recent years have also seen a wealth of new commentaries.
A randomized trial comparing endoscopic stenting to a sham procedure for chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Wilcox CM , Lopes Tercio L
Published: September 2009

Background A number of studies support the use of endoscopically placed pancreatic duct (PD) stents to decrease pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP). Nevertheless, flaws in study design have prevented experts from reaching a consensus.

Purpose (1) Evaluate the efficacy of PD stenting to ameliorate abdominal pain in patients with CP and ductal strictures; (2) evaluate the placebo response rate from sham endoscopic therapy; (3) compare pain medication usage, healthcare utilization, psychological distress, and quality of life before and after endoscopic stenting; (4) prospectively evaluate the durability of the response.

Methods Patients with typical abdominal pain, imaging confirmation of CP and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) confirmation of PD stricture will complete questionnaires to assess quality of life, psychological distress, pain intensity/unpleasantness, pain medication usage, and healthcare utilization. Enrolled patients will be randomized to ERCP with sphincterotomy and PD stenting versus sham procedure. Pain level and medication usage will be assessed weekly with telephone interviews. At 6—8 weeks, patients treated with stents will undergo stent removal; those randomized to the sham procedure without significant improvement (<50% reduction in pain score) will cross over to the treatment group; and those randomized to sham procedure who experienced improvement (>50% reduction) will be followed clinically. Patients will be followed in clinic or by phone biannually (up to 3 years). The primary endpoint is improvement in abdominal pain. The secondary endpoints are reduction in narcotic use, healthcare utilization, and work days missed; return to employment; improvement in quality of life and weight gain.

Results Proposed study.

Limitations Strict inclusion criteria may limit enrollment.

Conclusion The proposed study represents the first trial of endoscopic stenting for symptomatic CP and ductal strictures with a credible sham procedure, assessment of multiple dimensions of pain, and psychosocial factors. Clinical Trials 2009; 6: 455—463. http://ctj.sagepub.com