bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflections on Appearance Socialization During Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Johnson Kim K. P. , Kang Minjeong , Kim Jae-Eun
Published: January 2014

Appearance management includes “all activities and thought processes leading to the purchase and wear of clothing items as well as processes of body modification” (e.g., piercings, tattooing) (Kaiser, 1997, p. 5). We focused on investigating the processes of appearance socialization by uncovering the types of appearance management rules learned from or attributed to significant others as well as rules learned from other members of the socio-cultural environment experienced during childhood and adolescence. Within appearance management our focus was on rules related to body supplements (e.g., clothing, accessories) as well as rules concerning body modifications (e.g., tattoos, piercings). Our research questions were as follows: 1) What were the appearance management rules learned during childhood and adolescence? 2) From whom or what did these rules come from and how were individuals taught these rules? 3) What types of conflicts were experienced over rules of appearance management and how were these conflicts resolved? Data was collected from young adults ( n = 43). Participants were asked to recall a specific time period during their childhood and adolescent years and to write about their experiences concerning what appearance “rules” they learned, how they learned them, and from whom. They were also asked to share any conflicts they experienced and how these conflicts were resolved. Many of the recollected rules centered on aesthetic concerns and contextual aspects of appearance management. Mothers were key socializing agents and at the center of conflicts over appearance. The most common resolution styles were compliance and problem solving.
Type 2 Diabetes and Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Ryan John P. , Fine David F. , Rosano Caterina
Published: January 2014

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and Alzheimer disease (AD) are major public health burdens associated with aging. As the age of the population rapidly increases, a sheer increase in the incidence of these diseases is expected. Research has identified T2D as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and potentially AD, but the neurobiological pathways that are affected are only beginning to be understood. The rapid advances in neuroimaging in the past decade have added significant understanding to how T2D affects brain structure and function and possibly lead to AD. This article provides a review of studies that have utilized structural and functional neuroimaging to identify neural pathways that link T2D to impaired cognitive performance and potentially AD. A primary focus of this article is the potential for neuroimaging to assist in understanding the mechanistic pathways that may provide translational opportunities for clinical intervention.
Irradiation cross-linking of ethylene vinyl acetate/waste tire dust
Authors: Thevy Ratnam Chantara , Ramarad Suganti , Siddiqui Mohd Khalid , Abidin Anis Sakinah Zainal , Chuah Luqman TG
Published: January 2014

In an attempt to maximize the beneficial effect of irradiation, the influence of multifunctional acrylates (MFAs) such as trimethylol propane triacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylol propane trimethacrylate, and tripropylene glycol diacrylate on the 90/10 ethylene vinyl acetate/waste tire dust (EVA/WTD) were studied. The 90/10 EVA/WTD and EVA-containing 4 phr MFA prepared using a Haake mixer at 140°C and 50 r min−1 rotor speed. The blends were then irradiated using a 3.0-MeV electron beam machine. Results on gel fraction revealed that EVA/WTD blends were cross-linked by electron beam irradiation. Among the MFA employed in this studies, TPGDA was found to render highest tensile strength with the best retention in elongation at break and increased heat of fusion and crystallinity of blends upon irradiation. The changes in the properties of EVA/WTD blends upon irradiation are attributed to the cross-linking of the EVA matrix. The changes in crystallinity and crystalline melting temperatures of EVA/WTD blends upon irradiation are discussed in detail.
Appropriating the Words of Strategy in Performance Appraisal Interviews
Authors: Sorsa Virpi , Pälli Pekka , Mikkola Piia
Published: January 2014

This study examines strategy as situated discourse in performance appraisal interviews. Based on illustrative video-recorded data, our findings show how strategy is appropriated in face-to-face interaction between managers and employees who engage in evoking the pragmatic and functional meanings of strategy concepts and discourse. The study specifically highlights the embodied, intertextual, and material nature of strategy; how people use gestures to make the strategy more concrete and complete; how appropriation is often accompanied by the speaker’s appraising attitude; and how strategic texts are ascribed agency when they are ventriloquized, that is, when life is breathed into them. This analysis extends the literature on strategy discourse in three interrelated ways: (a) by explaining how the constructions inscribed in strategic plans are appropriated, (b) by explicating the methods used by participants in constitution of the power of strategy discourse, and (c) by illustrating how these methods can be studied empirically through video-ethnography.
Meanings of Organizational Volunteering
Authors: McAllum Kirstie
Published: January 2014

Despite the practical need to cultivate individuals’ engagement with nonprofit organizations and theoretical interest in volunteerism across multiple disciplines and perspectives, the conceptual boundaries of volunteering remain vague. Although definitions from the literature emphasize free will, lack of financial gain, and benefit to others, they do not consider how volunteers might integrate, negotiate, or reject these meanings when the demands of freedom and contribution collide. This study adopts a hybrid phenomenological perspective to explore what organizational volunteering meant to volunteers themselves. The findings show that the meanings that participants gave to volunteering were both agentic and relational and that volunteers negotiated agency and relationality in a dynamic way. The article discusses the theoretical implications for how researchers define organizational volunteering and the meaning of work in nonstandard work environments, as well as the practical implications for volunteer management.
Two Approaches to Nonprofit Financial Ratios and the Implications for Managerial Incentives
Authors: Eckerd Adam
Published: January 2014

Nonprofits compete in donation markets for resources and are expected to report on the financial stewardship of the organization. Without a clear comparative signal to differentiate organizations in this resource market, simple financial ratios have been used as proxy measures of relative organizational efficiency. Two conceptual models can be applied to the use of these ratios: first, as dichotomous conformance thresholds that identify poor performers who are unable to meet some minimum standard, or second, as directly comparable scales of performance where more optimized ratios can be used to distinguish the best performers. These two different conceptual models imply two different managerial approaches and potential organizational outcomes. This research assesses the extent to which nonprofits that are evaluated by an external evaluator appear to use the ratios as thresholds to pass or as scales to optimize.
Change in parliamentary party systems and policy outcomes: Hunting the core
Authors: Mershon Carol , Shvetsova Olga
Published: January 2014

This paper shows that change in party systems within parliaments can lead to major change in policy outcomes. Specifically, we show that policy mobility of parties and fluidity in their parliamentary membership can generate or upset the existence of the policy core as well as determine its location. Our analysis applies to the general case of a multiparty parliament. We then follow up with empirical illustrations that conform to the major types of theoretical dynamics in our analysis, where party change that occurred in parliaments was consistent with attempts to manipulate the policy core.
A law for the temperature-induced stress distribution in continuously welded rail
Authors: He Hongbin , Ling Yongchun
Published: January 2014

A new model is presented for the calculation of the rail extension, the friction created by sleeper fastenings and the temperature-induced stress for continuously welded rail (CWR) under free conditions and the calculation and analysis of temperature-induced stress when the temperature is changing and the rail is anchored. The mechanism for generating friction and the phenomenon of rail creep (extension) on site are used to establish a law that states that the friction force of the fasteners is distributed from the center of the CWR section towards the two ends in increasing scale; this observation is used to derive a formula for calculation of the distribution of the friction force in CWR fastenings. Formulas for calculating the temperature-induced stress and its distribution are also derived. The presented results show that the distribution of temperature-induced stress is cone-shaped in the absence of rail creep (extension), and with creep it presents a tangent and a cone shape in anchored sections. A comparison with the traditional temperature-induced stress distribution pattern in a rail of a tangent constitutes an argument against the established methods. The results reported in this paper should play an important role in guiding site maintenance activities.
Central nervous system–immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome presenting as varicella zoster virus-mediated vasculitis causing stroke
Authors: Teo SY , Raha D , Warren D , Hassan A , Monteiro E
Published: January 2014

Varicella zoster virus (VZV)-mediated vasculitis is a rare cause of stroke, but should be considered in HIV patients where vasculitis can occur in association with central nervous system – immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (CNS-IRIS). A literature search revealed 7 reports of VZV vasculitis over the years with no unifying management strategy, highlighting the difficulty in managing rare conditions in the absence of clear guidelines. This is the first documented case of VZV-mediated vasculitis presenting as stroke in the United Kingdom. Our patient made a full recovery with multidisciplinary input from HIV, neurology and radiology specialists.
Two Faces of Shame
Authors: Tangney June P. , Stuewig Jeffrey , Martinez Andres G.
Published: January 2014

Psychological research using mostly cross-sectional methods calls into question the presumed function of shame as an inhibitor of immoral or illegal behavior. In a longitudinal study of 476 jail inmates, we assessed shame proneness, guilt proneness, and externalization of blame shortly after incarceration. We interviewed participants ( N = 332) 1 year after release into the community, and we accessed official arrest records ( N = 446). Guilt proneness negatively and directly predicted reoffense in the 1st year after release; shame proneness did not. Further mediational modeling showed that shame proneness positively predicted recidivism via its robust link to externalization of blame. There remained a direct effect of shame on recidivism: Unimpeded by defensive externalization of blame, shame inhibited recidivism. Items assessing a motivation to hide were primarily responsible for this pattern. Overall, our results suggest that the pain of shame may have two faces—one with destructive potential and the other with constructive potential.
Surface air temperature variability reconstructed with tree rings for the Gulf of Alaska over the past 1200 years
Authors: Wiles Gregory C , D’Arrigo Rosanne D , Barclay David , Wilson Rob S , Jarvis Stephanie K , Vargo Lauren , Frank David
Published: January 2014

A 1200-year-long tree-ring width record from living and subfossil mountain hemlock wood is used to reconstruct February through August temperatures for the Gulf of Alaska, providing a record of past climate variability for the Northeast Pacific sector that captures interannual to centennial timescales. The moderate elevation at the tree-ring sites has allowed these trees to retain their temperature signal without evidence of the so-called divergence effect, or underestimation of tree-ring inferred temperature trends, which is observed at many northern latitude forest locations. This ‘divergence-free’ reconstruction reveals centennial trends that include a warm interval centered on ad 950 for coastal Alaska that occurs around the time of the ‘Medieval Warm Period’, a warming that is only rivaled by recent decades. Spectral analysis of this reconstruction supports the centennial pacing identified as a 170–220-year cadence consistent with solar variability. On the decadal to bidecadal scale, the reconstruction reveals ~10- and 18-year cycles, which have been observed elsewhere in climate records for western North America and are linked to solar and lunar tidal forcing, respectively. Temperature minima that occur at ad 969–970 and 1698–1700 correspond with the timing of major volcanic events. This tree-ring reconstruction supports centennial modes of solar forcing as a driver of surface air temperatures in the Gulf of Alaska, with lunar tidal, solar variability, internal variability, and volcanism, impacting climate on annual to decadal timescales.
Is the area under an ROC curve a valid measure of the performance of a screening or diagnostic test?
Authors: Wald NJ , Bestwick JP
Published: January 2014

Objectives

The area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (the AUC) is used as a measure of the performance of a screening or diagnostic test. We here assess the validity of the AUC.

Methods

Assuming the test results follow Gaussian distributions in affected and unaffected individuals, standard mathematical formulae were used to describe the relationship between the detection rate (DR) (or sensitivity) and the false-positive rate (FPR) of a test with the AUC. These formulae were used to calculate the screening performance (DR for a given FPR, or FPR for a given DR) for different AUC values according to different standard deviations of the test result in affected and unaffected individuals.

Results

The DR for a given FPR is strongly dependent on relative differences in the standard deviation of the test variable in affected and unaffected individuals. Consequently, two tests with the same AUC can have a different DR for the same FPR. For example, an AUC of 0.75 has a DR of 24% for a 5% FPR if the standard deviations are the same in affected and unaffected individuals, but 39% for the same 5% FPR if the standard deviation in affected individuals is 1.5 times that in unaffected individuals.

Conclusion

The AUC is an unreliable measure of screening performance because in practice the standard deviation of a screening or diagnostic test in affected and unaffected individuals can differ. The problem is avoided by not using AUC at all, and instead specifying DRs for given FPRs or FPRs for given DRs.
Serologic profiling of Haemophilus parasuis–vaccinated sows and their litters using a novel oligopeptide permease A enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reveals unexpected patterns of serological response and maternal antibody transfer
Authors: Galina Pantoja Lucina , Stammen Bethany , Minton Bill , Amodie Deborah
Published: January 2014

Haemophilus parasuis is an economically important swine pathogen with 15 recognized serovars. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed that detects serum antibodies to the oligopeptide permease A (OppA) polypeptide membrane protein present in the reference strains for 13 of the H. parasuis serovars. Using the OppA-ELISA, H. parasuis serologic profiles were assessed on 2 swine farms, with seroconversion defined as an OppA-ELISA sample-to-positive (S/P) ratio ≥0.5. Ten gilts from each farm were vaccinated for H. parasuis using either a live avirulent culture vaccine (farm 1) or an inactivated autogenous vaccine (farm 2). Seroconversion occurred in 100% of farm 1 gilts and 90% of farm 2 gilts, with a mean S/P ratio (MSPR) of 3.36 and 1.43, respectively. The OppA-ELISA MSPRs were determined for 2 piglets, 1 male and 1 female, randomly selected from 10 first-parity (P1), 10 second-parity (P2), and 10 third-parity (P3) litters farrowed by respective vaccinated gilts on each farm. On both farms, postfarrowing MSPRs and rate of seropositivity were highest in P1 versus P2 and P3 dams. Parity 1 piglets had higher MSPRs and rates of seropositivity versus later parities, with the difference being significant ( P < 0.05) on farm 2. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of nasal swabs indicated that 100% of farm 1 piglets and 47–84%, depending on parity, of farm 2 piglets were H. parasuis–colonized at weaning. The results indicated that H. parasuis vaccination of gilts will not maintain serologic responses in the OppA-ELISA over their reproductive lifetimes, and that maternally derived antibodies do not prevent H. parasuis colonization of piglets.
Intravenous Metoprolol Versus Diltiazem for Rate Control in Noncardiac, Nonthoracic Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Personett Heather A. , Smoot Dustin L. , Stollings Joanna L. , Sawyer Mark , Oyen Lance J.
Published: January 2014

Background: Little guidance exists on effective management of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following noncardiac, nonthoracic (NCNT) surgery. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify whether a difference exists between intravenous (IV) metoprolol and diltiazem when used to achieve hemodynamically stable rate control in POAF following NCNT surgery. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined critically ill adult surgical patients experiencing POAF with rapid ventricular response. Inclusion in the metoprolol or diltiazem treatment group was determined by the initial rate control agent chosen by the prescriber. The primary end point was hemodynamically stable rate control, defined by heart rate (HR) <110 beats/min and blood pressure >90 mm Hg, maintained for 6 hours. Main Results: Patients on metoprolol (n = 66) and diltiazem (n = 55) were similar in age, comorbidities, surgical procedure distribution, acuity of illness, and home rate and rhythm control medications continued during hospitalization; 76% of diltiazem-treated patients achieved hemodynamically stable rate control, compared with only 53% of those receiving metoprolol ( P = .005). Safety end points were similar between groups, including the portion requiring a new vasopressor or fluid bolus for hemodynamic support. Conclusions: In NCNT surgery, patients with POAF, IV diltiazem more effectively controlled HR and hemodynamics compared with metoprolol. Results warrant further research into optimal medical management of POAF in this population using these 2 agents.
Comparing Dosing of Basal Insulin Analogues Detemir and Glargine
Authors: Wallace Juliet P. , Wallace Jessica L. , McFarland M. Shawn
Published: January 2014

Objective: To review the available evidence regarding dosing conversion between glargine and detemir in an effort to assist clinicians in performing dosing conversion. Data Sources: A MEDLINE literature search was performed using the search terms glargine and detemir for articles published through August 2013. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language clinical trials were reviewed for inclusion of dosing and/or pharmacokinetic data. Data Synthesis: A total of 7 large (n ≥ 258) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing glargine and detemir in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes had dosing equivalency data available. In these 7 RCTs, on average, a 38% higher detemir dose was required (range = 8.0%-77.2%) to achieve glucose control comparable to that achieved with glargine. A 24-hour isoglycemic clamp study conducted in 11 patients with type 1 diabetes demonstrated that the duration of action of detemir is dose dependent, with increasing doses of detemir resulting in increased duration of action of detemir. Pharmacokinetic studies conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes are conflicting, although the majority of evidence suggests that glargine provides a longer duration of glycemic control as compared with detemir. Conclusions: When performing conversion between glargine and detemir, prescribers should be aware that higher doses of detemir as compared with glargine may be necessary to achieve the same glycemic control. Additionally, twice-daily injections of detemir should be considered in clinical situations in which glucose control appears to decline after 12 hours, especially with doses ≤0.4 units/kg/d in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Oncocytic Lesions of the Thyroid, Kidney, Salivary Glands, Adrenal Cortex, and Parathyroid Glands
Authors: Máximo Valdemar , Rios Elisabete , Sobrinho-Simões Manuel
Published: January 2014

Oncocytic cell represents a special phenotype of neoplastic cells reflecting a unique biologic process characterized by the huge proliferation of morphologically abnormal mitochondria in the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells. This phenotype is driven by quite specific molecular mechanisms that interfere with mitochondrial function and metabolism. The oncocytic phenotype is more common in tumors arising in tissues presenting low proliferative rate, such as thyroid, kidney, salivary glands, adrenal cortex, and parathyroid glands, and it is superimposed on the genotypic and conventional histologic features of the tumors. In this short review, we address the similarity of the molecular alterations and of the biological features of the neoplastic cells in the oncocytic tumors of the different organs. We also discuss the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant oncocytic tumors as well as the prognosis of the malignant ones. We conclude that this rather unique phenotype, which is observed in tumors from different organs, indicates common metabolic alterations that may represent a useful target for therapeutic purposes.
The Wonderful Colors of the Hematoxylin–Eosin Stain in Diagnostic Surgical Pathology
Authors: Chan John K. C.
Published: January 2014

The hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) stain has stood the test of time as the standard stain for histologic examination of human tissues. This simple dye combination is capable of highlighting the fine structures of cells and tissues. Most cellular organelles and extracellular matrix are eosinophilic, while the nucleus, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and ribosomes are basophilic. This review discusses the spectrum, intensity, and texture of colors observed in H&E-stained slides to illustrate their value in surgical pathology diagnosis. Changes in color of the nuclei occur in the presence of nuclear pseudoinclusions (such as papillary thyroid carcinoma) or inclusions (such as viral infection, surfactant, immunoglobulin, and biotin). The color of the cytoplasm of spindly cells can provide clues to their nature, such as basophilic (fibroblast), eosinophilic (smooth muscle and others), and amphophilic (myofibroblast). Eosinophilic globules have diagnostic value for sclerosing polycystic adenosis of salivary gland, low-grade B-cell lymphoma, solid pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas, and inclusion body fibromatosis. Eosinophilic granules are characteristic of granular cells (lysosome-rich), oncocytic cells (mitochondria-rich), and cells with secretory products (including neuroendocrine cells). Eosinophilic crystals can be diagnostic of lymphoma/plasmacytoma and crystal-storing histiocytosis. Basophilic granules or inclusions are diagnostic of acinic cell carcinoma and malakoplakia (Michaelis–Gutmann bodies). Yellow or brown inclusions are characteristic of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of thyroid (yellow bodies), brown bowel syndrome, and malignant melanoma. Extracellular eosinophilic deposits can be produced by many conditions, but amyloid and monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease are important considerations. Extracellular basophilic deposits may be seen in small cell carcinoma and systemic lupus erythematosus, but they differ in that the former is blue (nuclear material) while the latter is purple (nuclear material plus immunoglobulin).
Multiple myeloma maintenance therapy: A review of the pharmacologic treatment
Authors: Shank Brandon R , Brown Victoria T , Schwartz Rowena N
Published: January 2014

Over the last decade, numerous drug therapies have emerged for the treatment of multiple myeloma including immunomodulating agents namely thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide and proteasome inhibitors namely bortezomib and carfilzomib. These agents have transformed the treatment of multiple myeloma and the role of high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation in the treatment of the disease. There are now studies that evaluate the use of drug therapy as maintenance following autologous stem cell transplantation; these studies have shown improvements in surrogate endpoints such as progression-free survival. Studies that have evaluated thalidomide or lenalidomide maintenance therapy have demonstrated an overall survival (OS) benefit in individuals with multiple myeloma who received high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation. A meta-analysis of thalidomide maintenance therapy did show a possible late survival benefit. The use of dexamethasone, thalidomide, lenalidomide, or combination bortezomib with thalidomide in patients who did not undergo transplantation demonstrated progression-free survival benefit; although there was no OS advantage for these agents in this population. There are a number of important considerations when selecting a drug therapy strategy for maintenance therapy which includes practical considerations such as route of administration and frequency of administration. Additionally, patient-specific elements such as potential toxicities, end-organ function, quality of life, cytogenetics, and previous treatment should be considered. Additional studies are needed to elicit the timing for initiation and duration of maintenance therapy, determine the role of cytogenetics, further characterize possible resistance patterns, and determine the combinations necessary to achieve an optimal increase in OS. Until more data are available, the risks and benefits should be evaluated on a patient-specific basis when deciding to initiate maintenance therapy or observation.
Transient liver function abnormality following treatment with rabbit antithymocyte globulin for nonmyeloablative hematopoetic stem cell transplant: Two case reports
Authors: Chang Abraham , Lee-Lam Fu-Ying , Wang Joanna , Cheng Ya-Hwei
Published: January 2014

Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) is increasingly used in nonmyeloablative hematopoetic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Elevated liver function tests (LFTs) have been reported for antithymocyte globulin in the treatment of aplastic anemia, but not when used in a conditioning regimen for HSCT. We describe two cases of patients receiving a conditioning regimen for HSCT containing rATG who developed a transient, severe transaminase elevation. In the first case, a 66-year-old woman with a history of acute myeloid leukemia received the first dose of rATG and the patient’s transaminases were found to be extremely elevated within a few hours. The aspartate transaminase (AST) peaked at 1286 U/L and alanine transaminase (ALT) peaked at 991 U/L and both resolved within a week. In the second case, a 72-year-old woman with a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma received the first dose of rATG and the AST and ALT were found to be 1212 U/L and 689 U/L, respectively, 1 h after finishing the infusion. Like the previous case, the transaminase elevation resolved within a week. LFT abnormalities induced by rATG during conditioning therapy for HSCT may be transient and have a rapid onset after the first dose, but quickly subside without any complications or sequelae. It is important to follow the LFTs closely, as well as monitor for any signs and symptoms of acute liver failure.
Measurement Equivalence Of An Instrument Measuring Motivation To Consume Local Food
Authors: Kim Yeong Gug , Eves Anita
Published: January 2014

The purposes of this study were to examine the measurement equivalency of motivation to consume local food between British and Korean groups, and to extend the use of the multiple-group technique of measurement equivalence analysis by demonstrating formal tests that identify whether a measurement instrument shows similar relations among groups. Although multigroup confirmatory factor analyses revealed that measurement equivalence was fully equivalent among groups, this study proved metric and scalar invariance, and partial error invariance was equivalent. The results revealed that the observed variables and their underlying constructs were equivalent among groups. Implications and application of the study findings are discussed.
Analyzing and evaluating regional governance networks: Three challenges for applications
Authors: Albrecht Maria , Elbe Judith , Elbe Sebastian , Meyer Wolfgang
Published: January 2014

Multi-actor networks for regional governance are becoming increasingly important in the European Union, and evaluations often have to be cognisant of this. In applying network analysis to the evaluation of networks for regional governance, the researcher has to face three bottlenecks. First, network analysis is mostly performed statically but policy networks are highly dynamic – especially when they are established by programs and therefore still at an early stage. Second, network analysis is often one-dimensional, whilst policy networks link personal, organizational and institutional relations in complex multi-dimensional structures. Finally, the assessment made by network analysis is limited to internal communication processes, but governance networks prove their usefulness through their external activities, affecting regional development in a given sector. These aspects will be illustrated by two examples, tackling additionally different challenges such as large-scale model programs and cross-border networks. Based on that experience, some suggestions for applying network analysis in evaluations are offered.
Optimized suspension kinematic profiles for handling performance using 10-degree-of-freedom vehicle model
Authors: Yuen Tey Jing , Foong Soong Ming , Ramli Rahizar
Published: January 2014

In an effort to reduce cost involving repetitive prototype build–test cycles, it is inevitable that simulation on full vehicle will be carried out during the product development stage. Desired suspension kinematic profiles of a given vehicle parameter are often unknown at the initial design stage. This paper demonstrates a simple methodology to obtain optimized kinematic characteristics against quality of handling performance using this model as predictive model in earliest design stage. A full vehicle model that is inclusive of suspension kinematic profiles and nonlinear damper profiles has been derived to enable the engineer to study the characteristics of the nonlinear elements against the vehicle performance when only limited vehicle data are available in the initial stage. Results suggest that the handling characteristics of a vehicle are sensitive to the changes in suspension kinematic profile. Additionally, the proposed vehicle model is able to provide satisfactory handling objective when measured in transient handling and frequency response compared to other vehicle models. A robust prediction model of the vehicle responses in frequency domain is proposed. It is coupled with the vehicle model employed as predictive model to optimize front toe angle profile against vehicle quality of handling performance measured in frequency domain.
Leading During Uncertainty and Economic Turbulence
Authors: McCarthy Alma
Published: January 2014

The Problem

The high-profile business and political failures characteristic of the global crisis call into question the role of leaders and leadership in these events. The capability of senior leaders to predict, prevent, manage, and overcome crises and uncertainty is critical for organizational success in both the private and public sectors. Little is known about the capabilities and competencies required of public leaders to effectively manage in turbulent times. A greater understanding of these issues has important implications for Human resource development (HRD) in terms of training needs analysis, intervention design, delivery, and evaluation for public sector leaders. Taken together, there is a gap in our understanding of public sector leadership capability during times of crises and uncertainty.

The Solution

Using a 360-degree assessment approach, this article explores perceptions of leadership among senior public sector managers in Ireland during uncertainty and economic turbulence. The study analyzes qualitative comments and presents findings from 1,200 surveys regarding senior leadership strengths and development needs in 2010, when Ireland was in the height of economic and fiscal uncertainty. The findings indicate that five competencies (communication, character and integrity, personal energy and passion, delivering results, and engaging the organization in developing strategy) account for 75% of all comments relating to senior public sector leadership strengths. Ten competencies account for 77% of all comments relating to senior leaders’ development needs (communication, resources to cope with demands, delivering results, decision protocols, character and integrity, making changes happen, engaging the organization in developing strategy, ensuring accountability, strategic vision, and building teams).

The Stakeholders

This article will be of particular relevance to HRD academicians and practitioners, especially those interested in public sector leadership.
Process Evaluation of a Promotora de Salud Intervention for Improving Hypertension Outcomes for Latinos Living in a Rural U.S.–Mexico Border Region
Authors: Sánchez Victoria , Cacari Stone Lisa , Moffett Maurice L. , Nguyen PhoungGiang , Muhammad Michael , Bruna Sean , Urias-Chauvin Rita
Published: January 2014

Hypertension is a growing public health problem for U.S.–Mexico border Latinos, who commonly experience low levels of awareness, treatment, and control. We report on a process evaluation that assessed the delivery of Corazón por la Vida, a 9-week promotora de salud–led curriculum to help Latinos manage and reduce hypertension risks in two rural/frontier counties in the New Mexico border region. Ninety-six adults participated in the program, delivered in three waves and in three communities. We assessed program delivery and quality, adherence, exposure, and participant responsiveness. Participant outcome measures included self-reported eating and physical activities and assessment of community resources. Findings suggest that the program was fully delivered (99%) and that most participants (81.7%) were very satisfied with the educational sessions. The average participant attendance for educational sessions was 77.47%. We found significant differences in self-reported behavioral changes depending on the number of sessions completed: The higher the dose of sessions, the better the self-reported outcomes. These findings suggest that a promotora-led curriculum may be useful for promoting self-management of chronic disease in rural/frontier border Latino populations. Future evaluation should focus on training and implementation adaptations within evidence-based chronic disease programs for diverse Latino communities.
Use of a Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to Assess Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs on Biospecimen Research Among Pacific Islanders
Authors: Kwan Patchareeya P. , Briand Greta , Lee Cevadne , Lepule Jonathan “Tana” , Pang Jane Ka’ala , Sabado Melanie , Sablan-Santos Lola , Schmidt-Vaivao Dorothy , Tanjasiri Sora , Tui’one Vanessa , Palmer Paula H.
Published: January 2014

Objectives. The purpose of this article is to describe a community-based participatory research pilot project conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that Pacific Islanders (PIs) hold toward biospecimen collection, use, and banking, all of which will help drive higher PI participation rates in both medical and behavioral research studies. Method. Academic and community partners worked side by side to develop a conceptual model, study measures, and study protocols. PI community partners screened, recruited, and conducted data collection, which consisted of a paper-and-pencil survey and a 1-hour semistructured interview administered by trained community workers. Results. A total of 60 PI adults representing various PI ethnic groups completed the surveys and interviews. Results showed a general support for biospecimen studies that would benefit the community, and many are willing to provide their biospecimen samples if asked. Conclusion. Due to the established level of trust, community partners were able to successfully recruit and collect data for the study. Many of those interviewed also called for more outreach and education about the importance of biospecimen research in their communities.
Building a Conceptual Framework to Culturally Adapt Health Promotion and Prevention Programs at the Deep Structural Level
Authors: Wang-Schweig Meme , Kviz Frederick J. , Altfeld Susan J. , Miller Arlene M. , Miller Brenda A.
Published: January 2014

The debate on the effectiveness and merit for the amount of time, effort, and resources to culturally adapt health promotion and prevention programs continues. This may be due, in large part, to the lack of theory in commonly used methods to match programmatic content and delivery to the culture of a population, particularly at the deep structural level. This paper asserts that prior to the cultural adaptation of prevention programs, it is necessary to first develop a conceptual framework. We propose a multiphase approach to address key challenges in the science of cultural adaptation by first identifying and exploring relevant cultural factors that may affect the targeted health-related behavior prior to proceeding through steps of a stage model. The first phase involves developing an underlying conceptual framework that integrates cultural factors to ground this process. The second phase employs the different steps of a stage model. For Phase I of our approach, we offer four key steps and use our research study as an example of how these steps were applied to build a framework for the cultural adaptation of a family-based intervention to prevent adolescent alcohol use, Guiding Good Choices (GGC), to Chinese American families. We then provide a summary of the preliminary evidence from a few key relationships that were tested among our sample with the greater purpose of discussing how these findings might be used to culturally adapt GGC.
Problems and Practical Solutions in the External Quality Control of Point of Care Devices with Respect to the Measurement of Blood Glucose
Authors: Wood William Graham
Published: January 2014

Point of care testing (POCT) is evolving at an ever increasing rate. This article deals mainly with the aspect of POCT for blood glucose and the problems of external quality assessment (EQA) of point of care devices (POCD). At the present time it is only possible to control precision with EQA, independent of the matrix of the test materials (synthetic polymer-base, plasma/serum, or processed whole blood). The German Federal Medical Council guidelines for laboratory performance allow an interlaboratory imprecision of ±16%. The majority of POCD fulfill these requirements. The long-term stability of results—tested by repeated distribution of the same materials over a 12-month period—is excellent, and the performance of POCD under routine condtions is usually excellent in terms of result-comparability. The problems of accuracy in terms of control materials have still to be mastered.
Glucose Measurement: Time for a Gold Standard
Authors: Hagvik Joakim
Published: January 2014

There is no internationally recognized reference method for the measurement of blood glucose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted the need for standardization some years ago when a project was started. The project objectives were to (1) investigate whether there are significant differences in calibration levels among currently used glucose monitors for home use and (2) develop a reference method for glucose determination. A first study confirmed the assumption that currently used home-use monitors differ significantly and that standardization is necessary in order to minimize variability and to improve patient care. As a reference method, CDC recommended a method based on isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, an assay that has received support from clinical chemists worldwide. CDC initiated a preliminary study to establish the suitability of this method, but then the project came to a halt. It is hoped that CDC, with support from the industry, as well as academic and professional organizations such as the American Association for Clinical Chemistry and International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, will be able to finalize the project and develop the long-awaited and much needed “gold standard” for glucose measurement.
Whole Blood Glucose Standard is Key to Accurate Insulin Dosages
Authors: Hunsley Bradford , Ryan Wayne
Published: January 2014

Introduction:

There is no available glucose standard for whole blood. None of the various glucose controls can be used as standards (calibrators) for glucose meters or test strips. This article describes the need for a whole blood glucose standard for areas such as manufacturing or proficiency evaluations. Furthermore, it describes the performance of the standard developed by Streck. Implementation of a whole blood glucose reference standard may allow the manufacturers of products for the diabetes health care industry to reduce the level of systematic difference between true blood glucose values and those obtained by point-of-care (POC) glucose meters.

Methods:

Glucose agreement data were collected across four prominent POC glucose meters representing >97% of all meters reporting data in the 2006 College of American Pathologists survey. Glucose concentrations of whole blood were adjusted to replicate the concentrations contained in the blood glucose standard developed by Streck. Commercial glucose controls, provided by the respective strip manufacturer, remained unaltered and were tested in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Results:

Only slight variations in hematocrit, surface tension, and viscosity were measured over a period of 90 days with the Streck Blood Glucose Standard compared to fresh whole blood at time zero. Glucose measurements on whole blood and the blood glucose standard were in agreement for all four commonly used glucose meters. In contrast, there is a lack of agreement between a manufacturer's set of recommended aqueous-based glucose controls in measurements taken on their POC meter relative to the YSI. Finally, the blood glucose standard demonstrated stability in 35-day open- and 110-day closed-vial assessments.

Conclusions:

Results of our experiments illustrate the ability of the blood glucose standard to closely mimic whole blood results. In addition, the blood glucose standard shows good open-vial and closed-vial stability at 6°C.
Significant Insulin Dose Errors May Occur if Blood Glucose Results are Obtained from Miscoded Meters
Authors: Raine Charles H. , Schrock Linda E. , Edelman Steven V. , Mudaliar Sunder Raj D. , Zhong Weiping , Proud Lois J. , Parkes Joan Lee
Published: January 2014

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine inaccuracies of miscoded blood glucose (BG) meters and potential errors in insulin dose based on values from these meters.

Research Design:

Fasting diabetic subjects at three clinical centers participated in a 2-hour meal tolerance test. At various times subjects' blood was tested on five BG meters and on a Yellow Springs Instruments laboratory glucose analyzer. Some meters were purposely miscoded. Using the BG values from these meters, along with three insulin dose algorithms, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to generate ideal and simulated-meter glucose values and subsequent probability of insulin dose errors based on normal and empirical distribution assumptions.

Results:

Maximal median percentage biases of miscoded meters were +29% and −37%, while maximal median percentage biases of correctly coded meters were only +0.64% and −10.45% ( p = 0.000, χ2 test, df = 1). Using the low-dose algorithm and the normal distribution assumption, the combined data showed that the probability of insulin error of ±1U, ±2, ±3, ±4, and ±5U for miscoded meters could be as high as 49.6, 50.0, 22.3, 1.4, and 0.04%, respectively. This is compared to manually, correctly coded meters where the probability of error of ±1, ±2, and ±3U could be as high as 44.6, 7.1, and 0.49%, respectively. There was no instance of a ±4 or ±5U insulin dose error with a manually, correctly coded meter. For autocoded meters, the probability of ±1 and ±2U could be as high as 35.4 and 1.4%, respectively. For autocoded meters there were no calculated insulin dose errors above ±2U. The probability of insulin misdosing with either manually, correctly coded or autocoded meters was significantly lower than that with miscoded meters. Results using empirical distributions showed similar trends of insulin dose errors.

Conclusions:

Blood glucose meter coding errors may result in significant insulin dosing errors. To avoid error, patients should be instructed to code their meters correctly or be advised to use an autocoded meter that showed superior performance over manually, correctly coded meters in this study.
Dynamic Modeling of Exercise Effects on Plasma Glucose and Insulin Levels
Authors: Roy Anirban , Parker Robert S.
Published: January 2014

Background:

Regulation of plasma glucose concentration for type 1 diabetic patients is challenging, and exercise is an added complication. From a metabolic prospective, the significant exercise-induced effects are increased glucose uptake rate by the working tissues, increased hepatic glucose release to maintain overall glucose homeostasis, and decreased plasma insulin concentration. During prolonged exercise, glucose levels drop significantly because of the decrease in hepatic glucose production. With the long-term goal of developing a closed-loop insulin delivery system operating under various physiological conditions, it is necessary to develop a model that is capable of predicting blood glucose concentration at rest and during physical activity.

Methods:

A minimal model developed previously was extended to include the major effects of exercise on plasma glucose and insulin levels. Differential equations were developed to capture the exercise-induced dynamics of plasma insulin clearance and the elevation of glucose uptake and hepatic glucose production rates. The decreasing liver glucose output resulting from prolonged exercise was modeled using an equation depending on exercise intensity and duration.

Results:

The exercise model successfully captured the glucose and insulin dynamics during short- and long-term exercise. Model predictions of glucose and insulin dynamics during the postexercise recovery period were also consistent with literature data.

Conclusion:

The model successfully emulated the physiological effects of exercise on blood glucose and insulin levels. This extended model may provide a new disturbance test platform for the development of closed-loop glucose control algorithms.