bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of upper extremity casting for children and adults with central nervous system motor disorders
Authors: Lannin N.A. , Novak I. , Cusick A.
Published: November 2007

Objective: To summarize evidence on the use of upper extremity casting designed to achieve reductions in contracture, tone, pain, function, oedema or spasticity in the elbow, wrist or hand of adults and children with neurological conditions.

Data sources: A search was conducted of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, OT-Seeker; Google Scholar; reference lists of retrieved trial reports and review articles.

Review methods: Two independent reviewers determined whether retrieved study abstracts met inclusion criteria: human subjects; >50% of participants children or adults described as having brain injury, cerebral palsy or stroke. Methodological quality of randomized controlled trials was rated using the PEDro scale (1—10 highest).

Results: Thirty-one papers were retrieved and 23 studies appraised: three were randomized controlled trials and four were systematic reviews. Over three-quarters of the studies, excluding systematic reviews, were lower level evidence (n = 4 level V; n = 4 level IV; n = 1 level III). Methodological quality of randomized controlled trials was high (PEDro 8, 8 and 9) and there were modest positive short-term outcomes for two trials, although they did not include no-stretch comparison conditions. Safety issues typically included pain or skin breakdown; two adverse events were not cast related.

Conclusion: While theoretical rationales suggest upper limb casting should be effective there is insufficient high-quality evidence regarding impact or long-term effects to either support or abandon this practice. High variability in casting protocols indicates little consistency or consensus in practice. As maximum or low-load stretch are rationales for cast application, the absence of no-stretch conditions in existing trials is a major weakness in current evidence.
Comparison of two Dutch follow-up care models for spinal cord-injured patients and their impact on health problems, re-admissions and quality of care
Authors: Bloemen-Vrencken J.H.A. , de Witte L.P. , Post M.W.M. , Pons C. , van Asbeck F.W.A. , van der Woude L.H.V. , van den Heuvel W.J.A.
Published: November 2007

Objective: To evaluate whether transmural care for people with spinal cord injury living in the community has more impact on health outcomes than traditional follow-up care within the Netherlands.

Design: Quasi-experiment with 12 months of follow-up.

Setting: Eight Dutch rehabilitation centres.

Subjects: Thirty-one patients who received transmural care in two `experimental' rehabilitation centres were compared with a matched sample of 31 patients having received `usual follow-up care' in six other rehabilitation centres.

Intervention: The core component of the transmural care consists of a transmural nurse, who `liaises' between former patients living in the community, primary care professionals and the rehabilitation team. The transmural care model provides activities to support patients and their family/partners and activities to promote continuity of care.

Main measures: The prevalence of pressure sores and urinary tract infections; the number and duration of re-admissions to hospital and rehabilitation centre due to pressure sores, bladder and bowel problems; and the experienced quality of follow-up care.

Results: The transmural care, as implemented, did not influence the health outcomes. The prevalence of pressure sores, urinary tract infections and the number of re-admissions (due to pressure sores, bladder and bowel problems) was respectively 13, 13 and 4 in the intervention group versus 14, 15 and 6 in the usual follow-up care group. Since the transmural care had been incompletely implemented and there were methodological and practical limitations, we formulated no final conclusions regarding its effectiveness.

Conclusion: Implementing the transmural care model strictly according to protocol may improve its effectiveness.
An effect-size analysis of pharmacologic treatments for generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Hidalgo Rosario B. , Tupler Larry A. , Davidson Jonathan R. T.
Published: November 2007

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent and impairing disorder, associated with extensive psychiatric and medical comorbidity and usually characterized by a chronic course. Different drugs have been investigated in GAD; among them are the following: 1) SSRIS: paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine and escitalopram; 2) SNRI1S: venlafaxine; 3) benzodiazepines (BZS): alprazolam, diazepam and lorazepam; 4) azapirones (AZAS): buspirone; 5) antihistamines (AHS): hydroxyzine; 6) pregabalin (PGB); and 7) complementary/alternative medicine (CAM): kava-kava and homeopathic preparation. We conducted an effect size (ES) analysis of 21 double-blind placebo-controlled trials of medications treating DSM-III-R, DSM-IV or ICD-10 GAD using HAM-A change in score from baseline or endpoint score as the main efficacy measure. Literature search was performed using MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases including articles published between 1987 and 2003 and personal communications with investigators and sponsors. comparing all drugs versus placebo, the Es was 0.39. Mean Ess, excluding children, were PGB: 0.50, AH: 0.45, SNRI: 0.42, BZ: 0.38, SSRI: 0.36, AZA: 0.17 and CAM: -0.31. comparing ES for adults versus children/adolescents (excluding CAM) and conventional drugs versus CAM (excluding children/adolescents) we found significantly higher ES for children/adolescents and for conventional drugs ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). No significant differences were found when comparing date of publication, location of site (i.e. US versus other), fixed versus flexible dosing, number of study arms, or number of outcome measures used. Medications varied in the magnitude of their Es, ranging from moderate to poor. AdolesCents and Children showed a muCh greater ES Compared with adultS. SubjeCts taking CAM had worse outComes than plaCebo.
Substance use and the adolescent brain: A toxic combination?
Authors: Lubman Dan I. , Yücel Murat , Hall Wayne D.
Published: November 2007

Early onset substance use has consistently been associated with increased risk for a range of adverse outcomes in late adolescence and early adulthood. However, the mechanisms that underlie this relationship are not fully understood. Recent advances in developmental neuro-science, together with emerging literature on early onset substance use, suggest that the adolescent brain may be more vulnerable to the effects of addictive substances because of the extensive neuromaturational processes that are occurring during this period. Such findings are suggestive of disrupted developmental trajectories in early onset users, although there is growing evidence that high-risk youths have premorbid neurobiological vulnerabilities. Prospective studies investigating neurobiological correlates and sequelae of early adolescent drug use are urgently required to inform appropriate public health responses.
Pregabalin in the treatment of depression
Authors: Showraki Mostafa
Published: November 2007

Although studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the new anti-epileptic on the block, Pregabalin, in the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder, there is no study so far of such efficacy for the treatment of depression. This case study in a patient with chronic major depression demonstrates that Pregabalin could be an effective augmenting agent to other anti-depressants, e.g. SSRI's and SNRI's. This added property of Pregabalin may be related to its probable GABA-ergic mechanism of action that could be soon the emerging treatment pathway for achieving better remission in chronic depression that is yet clinically problematic.
Biology and social life: book review/Biologie et vie sociale: note de lecture: The trouble with memes: deconstructing Dawkins's monster
Authors: Walter Alex
Published: November 2007

The essay explores the adequacy of the `meme' concept to explain the basic mechanism of cultural evolution. Distin's defense of `memetics' is deficient because it is based on a flawed analogy with genetics. Although Richerson and Boyd's `cultural variant' is not based on a flawed analogy with genetics, their alternative appears primarily to be operant conditioning in disguise and presents no novel innovations in learning theory. Both models of gene—culture co-evolution are examples of one-sided cultural determinism with no genuine biological component. Analysis of the information metaphysics of memes and cultural variants reveals that both concepts are also committed to mind—body dualism.
Flow Behavior of HDPE-Fine Wood Particles Composites
Authors: Jam Nathan J. , Behravesh Amir Hossein
Published: November 2007

This study presents an experimental investigation on the flow behavior of the composites of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and very fine wood particles (smaller than 50 mm). Knowledge of the flow behavior can give insight into the processability of these composites especially in injection molding process. Complex modulus, melt flow index (MFI), and flow length are measured for composites containing 40—70 wt% wood particles. The results indicate that noticeable increase is observed for all measured properties upon increasing the wood content; however this change is very significant for MFI. Thus, for this study, composites having fine wood particles content above 60 wt% can be considered as the highly filled composites.
Strain Monitoring in Thermoplastic Composites with Optical Fiber Sensors: Embedding Process, Visualization with Micro-tomography, and Fatigue Results
Authors: De Baere I. , Voet E. , Van Paepegem W. , Vlekken J. , Cnudde V. , Masschaele B. , Degrieck J.
Published: November 2007

This study investigates the possibility of using optical fibers with Bragg gratings for measurements under fatigue loading conditions. Detailed information is given on the principle of optical fiber measurements, the embedding process, and the fatigue tests. To verify the strain derived from the optical fiber, the strain is compared with extensometer measurements. A special design of the blades of the extensometer is presented, since the standard blades suffer from a loss of grip on the surface of the specimen. Furthermore, X-ray micro-tomography is discussed and used for the visualization of the optical fibers and damage in the composite material. The material used for this study is a carbon fiber-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide. It can be concluded that the optical fiber survives over half a million loading cycles, without de-bonding of the fiber. Furthermore, the resolution of the microtomography is high enough to visualize not only the optical fiber, but also damage in the material.
Estimation of the Molding Thickness of Knitted Fabric Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites Produced by Hot-pressing
Authors: Fan Zaixia , White Chris Branford , Zhu Limin , Zhang Yu , Chen Yanmo
Published: November 2007

Based on some assumptions, this study derives an equation that estimates the theoretical molding thickness hc of knitted fabric reinforced thermoplastic composites (KFRTC). This is required for controlling the actual molding thickness of KFRTC that are produced by hot pressing knitted preforms made from reinforcing fiber/matrix fiber commingled yarns. The relationship between the optimum actual molding thickness h that can result in composites with higher tensile strength and lower void content and the theoretical molding thickness hc are also determined experimentally in this study. It is found that the composites produced can have higher tensile property and lower void content when h and hc satisfy h = khc (0.85 ≤ k ≤ 0.95). This estimation of h contributes to manufacturing KFRTC.
Performance of Dynamically Vulcanized Thermoplastic Elastomer under Vibration Force Field
Authors: Du Yaoxue , Qu Jinping
Published: November 2007

The mechanism of vibration force field on dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) is studied through the analyses of their mechanical properties, DSC, XRD, and TGA. Experimental results show that the tensile strength, tensile stress at 100%, and elongation at break of TPE increase within a certain range, but shore A hardness decreases with the increase in the vibrational frequency or amplitude. With the increase in the rubber and plastics ratio, the tensile strength, tensile stress at 100%, and shore A hardness of TPE decrease, but elongation at break increases. The mechanical properties of TPE processed in dynamic condition are better than those in steady condition. The interpenetration and entanglement of macromolecular chains between ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) and polypropylene (PP) under vibration force field strengthen, the influence of amorphous component on the crystallinity of crystalline component increases, and the miscibility of two-phase interface increases. Therefore, introduction of vibration force field can improve the melting temperature, resistance to heat, and thermal stability of TPE, reduce the crystallinity of crystalline component PP, and increase vulcanization rate. Shearing and elongational effect of vibration force field strengthens deformation, fracture, fineness, and dispersion of EPDM in matrix PP, and side effect of over-vulcanization or degradation caused by local high temperature reduces, which enhances phase inversion of blending systems and realizes processing control of dynamic vulcanization, mixing dispersion, and reactant performance.
Determination of AChE levels and genotoxic effects in farmers occupationally exposed to pesticides
Authors: Naravaneni Rambabu , Jamil Kaiser
Published: November 2007

Pesticides can cause cytogenetic effects and lower the acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) levels in farmers exposed to pesticides. In this study, 210 farmers exposed to pesticides and 160 non-exposed individuals were enrolled for determining the genotoxicity and AChE levels. The AChE levels were determined in plasma and RBC lysate from blood samples collected from farmers and control subjects. AChE (true and pseudo) estimation done by the colorimetric method revealed that there was a progressive fall in both the RBC and plasma AChE levels in exposed individuals compared to unexposed individuals, which correlated with the severity of exposure (253.5 versus 311.1 and 142.3 versus 152.1; P < 0.001). Cytogenetic studies showed an increase in DNA damage and higher chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in exposed farmers compared to the control subjects (26.13 versus 07.61 and 21.37 versus 1.52; P < 0.001). When comparing the AChE levels with DNA damage and structural CA frequencies, there was a negative linear correlation. Therefore based on these findings, it is concluded that genotoxic biomarkers like CA frequencies, DNA damage data along with AChE levels are important parameters for determining farmer's health who are exposed to pesticides in any situation. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 723—731
Cell proliferation kinetics and genotoxicity in lymphocytes of smokers living in mexico city
Authors: Calderón-Ezquerro C. , Sánchez-Reyes A. , Sansores R.H. , Villalobos-Pietrini R. , Amador-Muñoz O. , Guerrero-Guerra C. , Calderón-Segura M.E. , Uribe-Hernández R. , Gómez-Arroyo S.
Published: November 2007

Genotoxicity caused by tobacco smoke was assessed in peripheral blood lymphocytes of smokers living in Mexico City by determining sister chromatid exchange (SCE), cell proliferation kinetics (CPK), replication index (RI) and mitotic index (MI). Nicotine levels, and its major metabolite cotinine, were also estimated in urine samples using gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry to quantify smoking intensity. The outcome of the analysis and the comparison of the 77-smoker group with a non-smoking control group showed that moderate and heavy smokers exhibited significant differences ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) in CPK, with an underlying delay in the cellular cycle; similarly, RI was significantly different in these groups ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). There were significant correlations ( P < 0.05) between age and number of years the subject had been smoking, as well as between RI and nicotine and cotinine levels and between CPK (M1, M2 and M3) and nicotine and cotinine levels. Smokers were classified for the analysis according to the nicotine levels (it is in relation to number of cigarettes smoked per day) found in urine (ng/mL) as: light (10—250), moderate (251—850) and heavy (851—4110). Significant differences in CPK were found ( P < 0.05) between moderate and heavy smokers and non-smokers. Significant differences in RI were found between moderate ( P < 0.001) and heavy smokers ( P < 0.0001) and non-smokers, but not for the light smoking group. MI was determined in 57 of the smokers, whereas SCE frequency was only recorded in 34 smokers. Both parameters yielded no significant differences, nor correlations with any of the assessed variables. In conclusion, cytokinetic and cytostatic effects were mainly detected in heavy and moderate smokers. Cell cycle delay and RI decrease were found in all `healthy' smokers. The nicotine and cotinine exposure (causing oxidative damage to DNA) may have implications in the decrease in cell replication due to direct damage to DNA and/or a decrease in the DNA repair mechanisms. Alternatively, nicotine and cotinine may possibly induce apoptosis. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 715—722
Improvement by N-acetylcysteine of acute respiratory distress syndrome through increasing intracellular glutathione, and extracellular thiol molecules and anti-oxidant power: evidence for underlying toxicological mechanisms
Authors: Sadegh Soltan-Sharifi Mohammad , Mojtahedzadeh Mojtaba , Najafi Atabak , Reza Khajavi Mohammad , Reza Rouini Mohammad , Moradi Mandana , Mohammadirad Azadeh , Abdollahi Mohammad
Published: November 2007

In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), there is extensive overproduction of free radicals to the extent that endogenous anti-oxidants are overwhelmed, permitting oxidative cell damage. The present study examined the benefit of the anti-oxidant compound N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the management of ARDS by measuring patient's intracellular glutathione (inside red blood cells) and extracellular (plasma) anti-oxidant defense biomarkers and outcome. Twenty-seven ARDS patients were recruited from the intensive care unit of a teaching Hospital and randomly divided into two groups. Both groups were managed similarly by regular treatments but 17 patients received NAC 150 mg/kg at the first day that followed by 50 mg/kg/day for three days and 10 patients did not receive NAC. Treatment by NAC increased extracellular total anti-oxidant power and total thiol molecules and also improved intracellular glutathione and the outcome of the patients. In conclusion, patients with ARDS are in a deficient oxidant—anti-oxidant balance that can get a significant benefit if supplemented with NAC. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 697—703
2,3,7,8-TCDD exposure, endothelial dysfunction and impaired microvascular reactivity
Authors: Pelclová Daniela , Prázný Martin , Škrha Jan , Fenclová Zdenka , Kalousová Marta , Urban Pavel , Navrátil Tomáš , Šenholdová Zdenka , Šmerhovský Zdeněk
Published: November 2007

Vascular function was examined in subjects with long-term high level of serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD) during their follow-up visits. Their earlier mean peak TCDD level at the time of exposure in 1965—1968 was estimated in the range of 3300—74 000 pg/g lipids. Ten former pesticide production workers heavily exposed to TCDD (age 57 ± 2 years, TCDD about 170 pg/g lipids) were examined in 2001. Extended group of 15 TCDD-exposed men (age 59 ± 3 years, TCDD about 130 pg/g lipids) underwent the same examination in 2004. Findings were compared with a control group of 14 healthy men (age 54 ± 2 years). Skin microvascular reactivity (MVR) was measured by laser Doppler perfusion monitoring in the forearm during post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) and thermal hyperemia (TH). Several parameters of MVR in men exposed to TCDD were significantly impaired, compared with the control group and further progression of the impairment of MVR has been observed between years 2001 and 2004. Serum concentration of E-selectin and inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator 1 (PAI-1) was significantly higher in exposed subjects (56.0 ± 18.4 ng/mL versus 40.0 ± 12.0 ng/mL, P = 0.022 and 90.9 ± 33.3 ng/mL versus 45.0 ± 18.0, P = 0.002, respectively). In addition, PORH in the forearm was significantly negatively associated with SOD activity (r = —0.77, P = 0.009) as well as the velocity of perfusion increase during TH (r = —0.68, P = 0.03) and TH% (r = —0.78, P = 0.008). Our data document the presence of endothelial dysfunction in TCDD-exposed men. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 705— 713
The Elting and Hasbrouck store accounts: a window into eighteenth-century commerce
Authors: Hollister Joan , Schultz Sally M.
Published: November 2007

During the eighteenth century, the rural community of New Paltz, located in New York's mid-Hudson River valley, was served by two general stores, one run by the Hasbrouck family and the other by the Elting family. Using archival data, this study compares the operations of these two stores in the late 1790s. The results indicate that the two stores had similar operations but different customer bases. The accounting records illustrate the key role played by small town merchants in facilitating commerce, providing financing, and supporting the social structure of the community. The accounts also illuminate issues of power and control during the era, and provide evidence of the unequal treatment accorded to local residents based on gender. Using the experiences of ordinary people, the study expands our understanding of the role of accounting in fostering business life and competition in early America.
Fuzzy Expert System Approach for Determination of α-Linolenic Acid Content of Eggs Obtained from Hens by Dietary Flaxseed
Authors: Yalçin H. , Taşdemir S.
Published: November 2007

This paper presents the development of a fuzzy expert system (FES) for determination of α-linolenic acid content of eggs, obtained from hens fed dietary flaxseed. Based on experimental values FES models were designed using MATLAB 6.5 fuzzy logic toolbox in Windows XP running on Intel 1.9 Gh environment. It was used time and flaxseed ratio as input parameters and linolenic acid content as output. There was a good correlation ( R2 = 0.9983) between experimental values and FES (P < 0.05, t-test).
Inactivation of Trypsin Inhibitor Activity from Brazilian Varieties of Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Jourdan G.A. , Noreña C.P.Z. , Brandelli A.
Published: November 2007

The trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) of five varieties of beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) namely, Carioca, Branco, Vermelho, Preto and Jalo, was investigated. No significant differences of TIA among varieties of raw beans were observed (P > 0.05). Pressure-cooking (121°C and 141 kPa) for 15 min resulted in complete inactivation of TIA. On cooking beans in water bath (90°C, 15 min), the TIA was inactivated between 80% and 95%, while total inactivation was achieved after 40 min suggesting the possibility of two-step inactivation kinetics. Microwave treatment was very effective for inactivation of this antinutritional factor (97% to 100% of inactivation) in the first 15 min of treatment. A 22 factorial design was developed to evaluate the effect of temperature and duration of thermal treatment for loss of TIA. As interdependence between temperature and time was evident, it is envisaged that both are important to process the beans to knock off TIA.
Application and Analysis of Sandwich Elements in the Primary Structure of Large Wind Turbine Blades
Authors: Berggreen C. , Branner K. , Jensen J.F. , Schultz J.P.
Published: November 2007

The present work studies the advantages of applying a sandwich construction as opposed to traditional single skin composites in the flanges of a load carrying spar in a future 180 m wind turbine rotor. A parametric finite element model is used to analyze two basic designs with single skin and sandwich flanges, respectively. Buckling is by far the governing criterion for the single skin design. Introducing a sandwich construction results in a globally more flexible structure making tower clearance the critical criterion. Significant weight reduction up to 22.3% and increased buckling capacity is obtained. Moreover, the study showed that proper choice of core material is important to prevent face wrinkling. Geometric nonlinear analysis showed sensitivity to imperfections. A consistent submodeling technique is presented for verifying the response from the global model in any section of interest.
'All That Glitters Is Not Gold': Misdiagnosis of Psychosis in Pervasive Developmental Disorders — A Case Series
Authors: Dossetor David R.
Published: November 2007

The early literature established the validity of the distinction between early onset schizophrenia and autism. In the modern context of increasing recognition of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and a growing interest in very early onset schizophrenia and other childhood onset psychoses, this clinical distinction is often difficult to make. This article looks at problems arising from overdiagnosing psychosis in those with PDD. Four case examples of misattributed diagnosis of psychosis are described. The features that were mistaken for psychotic phenomena are described and explained and successfully treated in the context of a diagnosis of PDD. The article describes problems of reliability of ascertaining subjective mental phenomena and the range of mental phenomena that need to be recognized in PDD. The overlap of abnormal perceptions and cognitions in both these conditions is described with reference to the literature. It is evident that more needs to be done to improve diagnostic reliability of psychosis in PDD, by improving clinical awareness and research tools.
The Developmental Origins of Conversion Disorders
Authors: Kozlowska Kasia
Published: November 2007

Attachment theory offers a novel developmental framework for understanding conversion reactions as having phylogenetic roots in two different innate animal defense behaviours: The `freeze response' and `appeasement defense behaviours'. From this perspective, conversion symptoms reflect two distinct, threat-elicited emotional responses, which are primed in context-dependent developmental experiences (pathways) and underpinned by different neurobiological mechanisms. The first of these two developmental pathways to conversion disorder involves the organization of self-protective strategies that incorporate components of the freeze response and involve inhibition of negative affective states in the context of punishment by caregivers. The second of these pathways involves the organization of self-protective strategies that incorporate innate appeasement defense behaviours in the context of unpredictable parental behaviours that threaten children's physical safety or emotional health. Seen from this developmental perspective, children with conversion disorders are not a homogenous group but fall into two distinct functional groups requiring different types of treatment.
A Qualitative Investigation of Fathers' Experiences of Looking After a Child with a Life-limiting Illness, in Process and in Retrospect
Authors: Ware Jane , Raval Hitesh
Published: November 2007

Child life-limiting illnesses are those from which there is no reasonable hope of cure and from which children will die. Only recently have these illnesses been recognized as a discrete category and thus relatively little research has focused specifically upon this group of children and their families. This study utilized qualitative methods to investigate the experience of fathers, a group who are often under-represented in child illness research. The research aim was to gain an understanding of fathers' experiences of having a child with a life-limiting illness, its impact upon them, and their perceptions of service provision. The data from eight interviews was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four main themes emerged highlighting the fathers' feeling that their world had been turned upside down, how they lived with the knowledge their child would die, how men perceive themselves as different from women, and the fathers' wish to contribute to changing and improving how other fathers might cope with a child with a life-limiting illness. The results are discussed particularly in relation to gender issues. Various implications for clinical practice and service provision are considered. Suggestions are also made for future research.
Quality of Life from Research and Clinical Perspectives: An Example from Paediatric Psycho-oncology
Authors: Di Gallo Alain , Felder-Puig Rosemarie , Topf Reinhard J.
Published: November 2007

In clinical oncology and research, health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients has increasingly gained attention. Although there is agreement that HRQL is a multidimensional construct incorporating primarily the patient's evaluation of his/her life, the construct lacks a uniform model of conceptualization. This article briefly outlines definitions and methods of assessing quality of life in children and adolescents. The case report of a 10-year-old boy who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation views HRQL from various perspectives. Self- and proxy assessments are compared, and the expertise of psychotherapeutic work is combined with data gathered by standardized questionnaires.
Correlates of Auditory Hallucinations in Nonpsychotic Children
Authors: Best Nicole T. , Mertin Peter
Published: November 2007

The phenomenon of auditory hallucinations in clinical populations of nonpsychotic children is an intriguing and little understood area. To date, investigations in this area have reported on a range of correlates, including family histories of psychiatric illness, family dysfunction, and significant levels of stress in the children themselves. The current study reported on 10 nonpsychotic children drawn from a number of community-based child and family agencies that provide therapeutic outpatient services. Consistent with previous studies, the present study found strong associations with family dysfunction, specifically family break-up, as well as significant levels of anxiety and depression in the presenting children. In addition, half the children reported the presence of imaginary companions. Despite confirmation of some previous findings, many other features of this phenomenon remain unanswered, including the different psychological functions that hallucinations and imaginary companions may serve for emotionally troubled children.
The repugnant cultural other speaks back
Authors: Howell Brian M.
Published: November 2007

Looking at Christian identity in terms of standpoint theory, this article takes up the argument introduced by Susan Friend Harding more than 10 years ago that Christianity and Christians are stigmatized within anthropology as a `repugnant cultural other'. Drawing from my own fieldwork in the Philippines and other recent work on Christianity, I argue that Christianity is a subject position analogous to other committed subject positions outside androcentric, enlightenment modernity (e.g. feminism). As such, the Christian voice should be welcomed and encouraged in the academy as a valuable ethnographic perspective.
The incest taboo?
Authors: Leavitt Gregory C.
Published: November 2007

The ongoing discussion between social scientists who espouse some variety of socio-environmental theory (for examples see Leavitt, Incest and Inbreeding Avoidance: A Critique of Darwinian Social Science, 2005: 215 and Leavitt, `Disappearance of the Incest Taboo', American Anthropologist, 1989) and those who advance Darwinian selection principles (human sociobiology, Darwinian social science, behavioral genetics, or evolutionary psychology) have often focused their debate on the incest taboo and the avoidance of inbreeding. Acknowledged by many as an important cultural universal, the incest taboo has commonly been recognized by Darwinian social scientists as the most compelling instance supporting the premise that complex human behaviors can result from natural selection. Human sociobiology forwards the argument that natural selection mechanisms will favor outbreeding because inbreeding is deleterious. By contrast, socio-environmentalists have made the case that the incest taboo is a socioculturally derived solution to important practical problems found in human social life. In this article, I not only challenge the commonly held notion that inbreeding is injurious, but also argue that inbreeding is often harmless and even fitness-enhancing. If so, Westermarck's hypothesis that children raised together naturally trigger selection mechanisms for sexual avoidance is highly questionable. Rather, incest and inbreeding avoidance are diverse practices related to environmental circumstances.
Denying the gift
Authors: Rio Knut
Published: November 2007

This article takes up the well-known `obligation of a return' suggested by Marcel Mauss. Through material from Ambrym Island, Vanuatu, Central Melanesia, we get a view of how the ceremonial process, and the sacrifice of pigs especially, builds on a distinction between `giving' and `exchanging'. Supported by the phenomenological approach taken by Derrida on the gift as well as recent ethnographies parallel to the Ambrym case, the argument is that this very opposition is the driving force of the ceremonial process. It is argued that the sacrifice of pigs is about transforming gifts into reciprocity and thus the creation of autonomous persons.
Actor-network theory and anthropology after science, technology, and society
Authors: Oppenheim Robert
Published: November 2007

This essay makes a case for the value of actor-network theory (ANT) to anthropology beyond its most usual deployment in studies of science, technology, and society (STS). Through a review of two recent ANT works against both the longer-term development of the approach and common patterns of anthropological appropriation and critique over the past several years, it argues that `about-ANT' and `across-ANT' understandings that emphasize an applicability to technoscience or situations of hybridity should give way to `among-ANT' readings that highlight its quality as a domain-independent ontology of association. Most centrally, it offers a reading of the constitutive spatialities of ANT itself and of spatiality as an important ANT concern, with the suggestion that a greater appreciation for this dimension of the literature might form the basis of broader and more varied anthropological engagements.
Clinical stem-cell sources contain CD8+CD3+ T-cell receptor–negative cells that facilitate bone marrow repopulation with hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Bridenbaugh Stephanie , Kenins Linda , Bouliong-Pillai Emilie , Kalberer Christian P. , Shklovskaya Elena , Gratwohl Alois , Wodnar-Filipowicz Aleksandra
Published: November 2007

Clinical observations in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation implicate the involvement of CD8+ cells in promoting the stem-cell engraftment process. These findings are supported by mouse transplant studies, which attributed the engraftment-facilitating function to subpopulations of murine CD8+ cells, but the analogous cells in humans have not been identified. Here, we report that clinical stem-cell grafts contain a population of CD8α+CD3ϵ+ T-cell receptor– negative cells with an engraftment facilitating function, named candidate facilitating cells (cFCs). Purified cFC augmented human hematopoiesis in NOD/SCID mice receiving suboptimal doses of human CD34+ cells. In vitro, cFCs cocultured with CD34+ cells increased hematopoietic colony formation, suggesting a direct effect on clonogenic precursors. These results provide evidence for the existence of rare human CD8+CD3+TCR− cells with engraftment facilitating properties, the adoptive transfer of which could improve the therapeutic outcome of stem-cell transplantation.
A Novel Designation of Fixed-bed Column Using a High Gradient Magnetic Field
Authors: Eskandarpour Akbar , Onyango Maurice S , Bando Yoshiyuki , Okido Masazumi , Iwai Kazuhiko
Published: November 2007

A new magnetically assisted wastewater treating system has been suggested for CrVI-contaminated waters using a novel and strong Cr-sorbent, namely, schwertmannite. The system contains a fixed-bed column, put in a high magnetic field, which was alternately packed with schwertmannite fine particles and iron wools as a ferromagnetic porous media. The obtained results confirm its high efficiency.
Reductive Coupling of Aromatic Dialkyl Acetals Using the Combination of Zinc and Chlorotrimethylsilane in the Presence of Potassium Carbonate
Authors: Hatano Bunpei , Nagahashi Keita , Habaue Shigeki
Published: November 2007

The treatment of aromatic acetals with zinc and chlorosilane in the presence of potassium carbonate in toluene brought about facile and effective reductive coupling to give the corresponding coupling products.
Carbon Nanomaterial Synthesis from Sucrose Solution without Using Graphite Electrodes
Authors: Aikawa Shinya , Kizu Takio , Nishikawa Eiichi , Kioka Toshihide
Published: November 2007

Carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanospheres (CNS) were synthesized from sucrose solution using an arc discharge method without graphite electrodes. In this process, the nanocarbon products were formed from carbon atoms supplied by the sucrose in solution rather than from the graphite of the electrodes. One of the advantages of this method is that the nanomaterials are produced in agglomerated forms, and there are no generated toxic gases during arcing process.
Synthesis of C2-Symmetric Sulfide and Its First Application in Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Aziridines
Authors: Gui Yuan , Shen Sheng , Wang Hai-Yang , Li Zhi-Yi , Huang Zhi-Zhen
Published: November 2007

A C2-symmetric sulfide 6 has been synthesized from cheap l-tartaric acid. It was found that sulfide 6 could perform a tandem reaction with benzyl bromide and tosyl imines to give (2S,3S)-aziridines 9a–9g with good to excellent enantioseletivities (up to 96% ee).
Constructing Ensembles from Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Zheng Zhiqiang , Padmanabhan Balaji
Published: November 2007

Using an ensemble of models often results in better performance than using a single “best” model. We present a new approach based on data envelopment analysis (DEA) for model combination. We prove that for two-class classification problems, DEA models identify the same convex hull as does the popular receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis used for model combination. We further develop two DEA-based methods to combine classifiers for the more general k-class classification problems. Our results demonstrate that the two methods outperform other benchmark methods and suggest that DEA can be a powerful tool for model combination.
A Stochastic Radial Basis Function Method for the Global Optimization of Expensive Functions
Authors: Regis Rommel G. , Shoemaker Christine A.
Published: November 2007

We introduce a new framework for the global optimization of computationally expensive multimodal functions when derivatives are unavailable. The proposed Stochastic Response Surface (SRS) Method iteratively utilizes a response surface model to approximate the expensive function and identifies a promising point for function evaluation from a set of randomly generated points, called candidate points. Assuming some mild technical conditions, SRS converges to the global minimum in a probabilistic sense. We also propose Metric SRS (MSRS), which is a special case of SRS where the function evaluation point in each iteration is chosen to be the best candidate point according to two criteria: the estimated function value obtained from the response surface model, and the minimum distance from previously evaluated points. We develop a global optimization version and a multistart local optimization version of MSRS. In the numerical experiments, we used a radial basis function (RBF) model for MSRS and the resulting algorithms, Global MSRBF and Multistart Local MSRBF, were compared to 6 alternative global optimization methods, including a multistart derivative-based local optimization method. Multiple trials of all algorithms were compared on 17 multimodal test problems and on a 12-dimensional groundwater bioremediation application involving partial differential equations. The results indicate that Multistart Local MSRBF is the best on most of the higher dimensional problems, including the groundwater problem. It is also at least as good as the other algorithms on most of the lower dimensional problems. Global MSRBF is competitive with the other alternatives on most of the lower dimensional test problems and also on the groundwater problem. These results suggest that MSRBF is a promising approach for the global optimization of expensive functions.
An Evolutionary Algorithm for Polishing Mixed Integer Programming Solutions
Authors: Rothberg Edward
Published: November 2007

Evolutionary algorithms adopt a natural-selection analogy, exploiting concepts such as population, combination, mutation, and selection to explore a diverse space of possible solutions to combinatorial optimization problems while, at the same time, retaining desirable properties from known solutions. This paper describes an evolutionary approach to improving solutions to mixed integer programming (MIP) models. We propose coarse-grained approaches to mutating and combining MIP solutions, both built within a large-neighborhood search framework. These techniques are then integrated within a MIP branch-and-bound framework. The resulting solution-polishing heuristic often finds significantly better feasible solutions to very difficult MIP models than do available alternatives. In contrast to most evolutionary algorithms, our polishing heuristic is domain-independent, requiring no structural information about the underlying combinatorial problem, above and beyond the information contained in the original MIP formulation.
Very Large-Scale Neighborhood Search for the Quadratic Assignment Problem
Authors: Ahuja Ravindra K. , Jha Krishna C. , Orlin James B. , Sharma Dushyant
Published: November 2007

The quadratic assignment problem (QAP) consists of assigning n facilities to n locations to minimize the total weighted cost of interactions between facilities. The QAP arises in many diverse settings, is known to be NP-hard, and can be solved to optimality only for fairly small instances (typically, n ≤ 30). Neighborhood search algorithms are the most popular heuristic algorithms for solving larger instances of the QAP. The most extensively applied neighborhood structure for the QAP is the 2-exchange neighborhood. This neighborhood is obtained by swapping the locations of two facilities; its size is therefore O(n2). Previous efforts to explore larger neighborhoods (such as 3-exchange or 4-exchange neighborhoods) were not very successful, as it took too long to evaluate the larger set of neighbors. In this paper, we propose very large-scale neighborhood (VLSN) search algorithms when the size of the neighborhood is very large, and we propose a novel search procedure to enumerate good neighbors heuristically. Our search procedure relies on the concept of an improvement graph that allows us to evaluate neighbors much faster than existing methods. In this paper, we present extensive computational results of our algorithms when applied to standard benchmark instances.
A (2/3)n3Fast-Pivoting Algorithm for the Gittins Index and Optimal Stopping of a Markov Chain
Authors: Niño-Mora José
Published: November 2007

This paper presents a new fast-pivoting algorithm that computes the n Gittins index values of an n-state bandit—in the discounted and undiscounted cases—by performing (2/3)n3+ O(n2) arithmetic operations, thus attaining better complexity than previous algorithms and matching that of solving a corresponding linear-equation system by Gaussian elimination. The algorithm further applies to the problem of optimal stopping of a Markov chain, for which a novel Gittins-index solution approach is introduced. The algorithm draws on Gittins and Jones' (1974) index definition via calibration, on Kallenberg's (1986) proposal of using parametric linear programming, on Dantzig's simplex method, on the Varaiya et al. (1985) algorithm, and on the author's earlier work. This paper elucidates the structure of parametric simplex tableaux. Special structure is exploited to reduce the computational effort of pivot steps, decreasing the operation count by a factor of three relative to conventional pivoting, and by a factor of 3/2 relative to recent state-elimination algorithms. A computational study demonstrates significant time savings against alternative algorithms.
Spatial Awareness in Synthetic Vision Systems: Using Spatial and Temporal Judgments to Evaluate Texture and Field of View
Authors: Bolton Matthew L. , Bass Ellen J. , Raymond Comstock James
Published: November 2007

Objective: This work introduced judgment-based measures of spatial awareness and used them to evaluate terrain textures and fields of view (FOVs) in synthetic vision system (SVS) displays. Background: SVSs are cockpit technologies that depict computer-generated views of terrain surrounding an aircraft. In the assessment of textures and FOVs for SVSs, no studies have directly measured the three levels of spatial awareness with respect to terrain: identification of terrain, its relative spatial location, and its relative temporal location. Methods : Eighteen pilots made four judgments (relative azimuth angle, distance, height, and abeam time) regarding the location of terrain points displayed in 112 noninteractive 5-s simulations of an SVS head-down display. There were two between-subject variables (texture order and FOV order) and five within-subject variables (texture, FOV, and the terrain point's relative azimuth angle, distance, and height). Results: Texture produced significant main and interaction effects for the magnitude of error in the relative angle, distance, height, and abeam time judgments. FOV interaction effects were significant for the directional magnitude of error in the relative distance, height, and abeam time judgments. Conclusion: Spatial awareness was best facilitated by the elevation fishnet (EF), photo fishnet (PF), and photo elevation fishnet (PEF) textures. Application: This study supports the recommendation that the EF, PF, and PEF textures be further evaluated in future SVS experiments. Additionally, the judgment-based spatial awareness measures used in this experiment could be used to evaluate other display parameters and depth cues in SVSs.
Acquisition and Transfer of Attention Allocation Strategies in a Multiple-Task Work Environment
Authors: Debbie Wang Dong-Yuan , Proctor Robert W. , Pick David F.
Published: November 2007

Objective: Payoff effects on strategy development and change were assessed in a synthetic work environment, SYNWORK1. Background: Many work settings require several tasks to be performed concurrently. It is important to know how the strategies used in performing the respective tasks vary with payoffs. Method: Sixty students performed four tasks in SYNWORK1, for which points are received for correct responses and lost for incorrect responses. Individual-task payoffs were varied between participants and were changed after 8 and 12 sessions to examine the effects of a previous strategy on development of a new strategy. Results: Participants were sensitive to initial payoffs and modified their strategies when payoffs changed. However, residual effects of prior payoffs were evident. Conclusion: Payoffs for multiple-task environments need to be explicit, and practice should be provided for strategy development. When payoffs change, strategies adopted reflect current and previous payoffs. Application: The findings can be applied to the design of payoff schedules for multiple-task environments.