bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why We Do What We Do: A Model of Activity Consumption
Authors: Luo Lan , Ratchford Brian T. , Yang Botao
Published: September 2012

Consumers' time allocation decisions among various activities are fundamental to marketing research and consumer behavior. The authors construct a dynamic panel data model to examine how consumers allocate time to a portfolio of leisure activities over time. The data comprise a longitudinal panel in which the authors tracked 287 U.S. consumers' time use, consumption motives, and expertise measures on a weekly basis from January to June 2011. This is the first empirical research to examine the underlying mechanisms that guide the dynamics of an individual's activity consumption. The authors demonstrate that expertise contributes to the perceived benefits of an activity, which in turn leads to high value associated with it. Expertise also directly influences value obtained from an activity. This expertise, in turn, is acquired over time through past consumption. This finding implies a chain from expertise to value to time use and back to expertise, which may lead consumers to form a lifestyle in which they specialize in a subset of activities they know well. Consequently, expertise can be regarded as a key variable that explains lifestyle choices.
Repositioning Dynamics and Pricing Strategy
Authors: Ellickson Paul B. , Misra Sanjog , Nair Harikesh S.
Published: September 2012

The authors measure the revenue and cost implications to supermarkets of changing their price positioning strategy in oligopolistic downstream retail markets. Their approach formally incorporates the dynamics induced by the repositioning in a model with strategic interaction. They exploit a unique data set containing the price format decisions of all U.S. supermarkets in the 1990s. The data contain the format change decisions of supermarkets in response to a large shock to their local market positions: the entry of Wal-Mart. The authors exploit the responses of retailers to Wal-Mart entry to infer the cost of changing pricing formats using a revealed-preference argument. The interaction between retailers and Wal-Mart in each market is modeled as a dynamic game. The authors find evidence that entry by Wal-Mart had a significant impact on the costs and incidence of switching pricing strategy. Their results add to the marketing literature on the organization of retail markets and have implications for long-term market structure in the supermarket industry. Their approach, which incorporates long-term dynamic consequences, strategic interaction, and sunk investment costs, may be used to empirically model firms’ positioning decisions in marketing more generally.
Milk lipid secretion: recent biomolecular aspects
Authors: McManaman James L.
Published: September 2012

Neonates of most species depend on milk lipids for calories, fat-soluble vitamins, and bioactive lipid components for growth and development during the postnatal period. To meet neonatal nutrition and development needs, the mammary gland has evolved efficient mechanisms for synthesizing and secreting large quantities of lipid during lactation. Although the biochemical steps involved in milk lipid synthesis are understood, the identities of the genes mediating these steps and the molecular physiology of milk lipid production and secretion have only recently begun to be understood in detail through advances in mouse genetics, gene expression analysis, protein structural properties, and the cell biology of lipid metabolism. This review discusses emerging data about the molecular, cellular, and structural determinants of milk lipid synthesis and secretion within the context of physiological functions.
Laboratory medicine and medical oncology: the tale of two Cinderellas
Authors: Melichar Bohuslav
Published: September 2012

Cancer represents a leading cause of death in the developed countries. The past 50 years have witnessed major progress in both laboratory medicine and clinical oncology that has translated into improved prognosis of cancer patients. From the humble beginnings as unrelated specialties, major advances in the understanding of molecular bases of cancer progression led to increased interactions between laboratory medicine and clinical (mostly medical) oncology. Laboratory medicine is now an integral part of the management of cancer patients. The many aspects of the role of laboratory medicine in clinical oncology include the determination of biomarkers that are used in establishing the diagnosis, predicting response to therapy or prognosis, study of the host response to tumor growth, detection of treatment toxicity and determining the concentrations of anticancer drugs.
Corpus frequency and acceptability judgments: A study of morphosyntactic variants in Czech
Authors: Bermel, Neil , Knittl, Luděk
Published: September 2012

Using data from a 100-million-word representative corpus and a large-scale acceptability survey, we have investigated the relationship between corpus data and acceptability judgments. We conclude that the relative proportions of morphosyntactic variants in a corpus are the most significant predictor of a variant's acceptability to native speakers, and that in particular high relative proportions of one variant in a corpus are reliable indicators of high acceptability to native speakers. At the same time we note the limits of this predictability: low-frequency items, as noted elsewhere in the literature, often enjoy high levels of acceptability. Statistical preemption thus appears as a more limited phenomenon than had heretofore been posited.
Synthesis of novel NHC-pyrrole-NHC C-N-C Pincer proligands
Authors: Jiang Hong , Ding Hong , Ge Kaiqi , Guang Pei , Li Yunfei , Liu Xiang , Pang Guangsheng , Shi Yanhui
Published: September 2012

Two novel pyrrole-functionalized bis(benzoimidazolium) salts, which are novel NHC-pyrrole-NHC C-N-C Pincer proligands were synthesized in high yield. Both of these compounds are fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, IR and elemental analysis.
Thermodynamics of Congruent Oxidation
Authors: Jacob K.T. , Adharsh R.
Published: September 2012

Congruent oxidation occurs when an alloy oxidizes at constant oxygen chemical potential and temperature to an oxide in which the ratio of metallic components is the same as in the alloy. In alloys that undergo congruent oxidation concentration gradients near the surface are minimized. In this work thermodynamic conditions for congruent oxidation of binary and ternary alloys are formulated using the regular solution model to describe thermodynamic mixing properties. The conditions under which congruent oxidation can occur are identified. Congruent oxidation of a binary alloy X-Y will occur only if difference in oxygen potential for the oxidation of the two pure metals is less than twice the difference in regular solution parameters for the oxide and alloy phases (Ω0 − ΩA). In the case of ternary alloys, congruency requirements for both two-phase and three-phase equilibria are discussed. Since the conditions for congruent oxidation of ternary alloy X-Y-Z depends on many parameters, the effect of systematic variation of the binary sets of regular solution parameters on the congruent composition is explored by numerical solution of the governing equations.
Thermodynamic Properties of Solid Solutions between Di-calcium Silicate and Tri-calcium Phosphate
Authors: Hasegawa M. , Kashiwaya Y. , Iwase M.
Published: September 2012

For a better understanding of phosphorus removal from hot metal, the Gibbs free energies of solid solutions between di-calcium silicate and tri-calcium phosphate were derived through applications of solutions models. The regular solution model with the parameters determined in this study gave the activities of the components thermodynamically consistent with the literature data and the phase diagrams.
Electronic Cigarette Use Among Teenagers and Young Adults in Poland
Authors: Goniewicz Maciej Lukasz , Zielinska-Danch Wioleta
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND:

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices developed with the goal of mimicking the action of smoking, including nicotine delivery, without the toxic effects of tobacco smoke. Little is known about the uptake of e-cigarettes among young people.

METHODS:

A survey was conducted with a cluster sample of 20 240 students enrolled at 176 nationally representative Polish high schools and universities between September 2010 and June 2011. We estimated national e-cigarette prevalence among various demographic groups by using population weights. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate which demographic factors were independent predictors of 2 outcomes: ever use of e-cigarettes and use in the previous 30 days.

RESULTS:

Among high school students, aged 15 to 19 years, 23.5% had ever used e-cigarettes and 8.2% had done so within the previous 30 days. Among those in universities, aged 20 to 24 years, 19.0% had ever used an e-cigarette and 5.9% had done so in the previous 30 days. In multivariate analyses that controlled for covariates, smoking cigarettes, male gender, living in an urban area, and having parents who smoke were associated with ever use of e-cigarettes. Overall, 3.2% of never smoking students reported ever use of e-cigarettes.

CONCLUSIONS:

About one-fifth of Polish youth have tried e-cigarettes; most of them had previously smoked cigarettes. It is unclear whether e-cigarettes are just a novelty that young people try only once or whether they have potential to compete in the marketplace with conventional cigarettes.
Pediatric Residents’ Knowledge, Use, and Comfort With Expedited Partner Therapy for STIs
Authors: Hsii Anne , Hillard Paula , Yen Sophia , Golden Neville H.
Published: September 2012

OBJECTIVE:

We examined California pediatric residents' knowledge, practices, and comfort of providing expedited partner therapy (EPT) for sexually transmitted infections, by postgraduate year of training and presence of an adolescent medicine fellowship. We hypothesized that few residents are aware of EPT, and fewer are comfortable providing it; knowledge, practices, and comfort increase during residency; and presence of an adolescent medicine fellowship increases knowledge, practices, and comfort.

METHODS:

Online anonymous questionnaires were completed by pediatric residents from 14 California programs.

RESULTS:

Two hundred eighty-nine pediatric residents (41% response; mean age, 29.4 ± 2.7 years; 78% female) responded. Twenty-two percent reported being moderately or very familiar with EPT. Most correctly identified several EPT methods. Incorrectly identified as EPT included patient (55%), health department (42%), and provider (37%) referrals. Only 8% were aware of California’s legal status regarding EPT. Sixty-nine percent knew that California law allows EPT for chlamydia and gonorrhea, but 38% incorrectly stated that EPT can be used to treat trichomoniasis. Fifty-two percent reported ever providing EPT, but 30% of them were uncomfortable doing so. Postgraduate year 1 residents were significantly more likely to report lack of experience as a barrier to prescribing EPT. Residents in programs with the presence of an adolescent medicine fellowship had significantly higher global knowledge scores and were more likely to practice EPT with fewer concerns.

CONCLUSIONS:

California pediatric residents have knowledge gaps and discomfort providing EPT, and the presence of adolescent medicine fellowship is associated with increased EPT knowledge, use, and comfort among residents. Our findings demonstrate a need to improve EPT education in pediatric residencies.
Sexually Explicit Cell Phone Messaging Associated With Sexual Risk Among Adolescents
Authors: Rice Eric , Rhoades Harmony , Winetrobe Hailey , Sanchez Monica , Montoya Jorge , Plant Aaron , Kordic Timothy
Published: September 2012

OBJECTIVES:

Sexting (sending/receiving sexually explicit texts and images via cell phone) may be associated with sexual health consequences among adolescents. However, to date, no published data from a probability-based sample has examined associations between sexting and sexual activity.

METHODS:

A probability sample of 1839 students was collected alongside the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Los Angeles high schools. Logistic regressions were used to assess the correlates of sexting behavior and associations between sexting and sexual risk-taking.

RESULTS:

Fifteen percent of adolescents with cell phone access reported sexting, and 54% reported knowing someone who had sent a sext. Adolescents whose peers sexted were more likely to sext themselves (odds ratio [OR] = 16.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.62–29.59). Adolescents who themselves sexted were more likely to report being sexually active (OR = 7.17, 95% CI: 5.01–10.25). Nonheterosexual students were more likely to report sexting (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.86–4.04), sexual activity (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.07–2.15), and unprotected sex at last sexual encounter (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.17–2.89).

CONCLUSIONS:

Sexting, rather than functioning as an alternative to “real world” sexual risk behavior, appears to be part of a cluster of risky sexual behaviors among adolescents. We recommend that clinicians discuss sexting as an adolescent-friendly way of engaging patients in conversations about sexual activity, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancy. We further recommend that discussion about sexting and its associated risk behavior be included in school-based sexual health curricula.
Elastic Self-Sealing Cement and Swellable Packer Tool Provides Competent Zonal Isolation to Withstand the Stress Regimes during the Life of the Well: Ecuador Case History
Authors: Carrión Carlos , Astudillo Leonardo , Cayo Marco
Published: September 2012

Highly deviated or horizontal wells are usually drilled to improve the productivity of a field where long-term zonal isolation is essential to helping ensure the economic viability for the life of the well. This paper describes the use of two new technologies designed to help improve zonal isolation in extreme conditions of the well:Cement with elastic and self-sealing properties to help prevent the formation of a microannulus and help ensure complete zonal isolation. This is accomplished either by resilient deformation while the cement is under stress or by swelling of additives in the cement when in the presence of hydrocarbons, depending on the situation of the well.A swellable packer tool (water swellable), located just below the upper aquifers.

This paper discusses the application of cementing technologies that can be used to minimize interventions for maintenance, and possibly prevent the need to repair unwanted communication between zones. This study also is complemented with simulations based on finite element analysis (FEA), which helps predict the various stresses that the cement sheath will be subjected to during the life of the well and help identify the mechanical properties that the cement sheath will need to prevent cement failure in the stages of curing, pressure testing, hydraulic fracturing, completion, and during production of the well.
Differing Relations to Early Atherosclerosis between Vitamin C from Supplements vs. Food in the Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Agarwal Megha , Mehta Puja K , Dwyer James H , Dwyer Kathleen M , Shircore Anne M , Nordstrom Cheryl K , Sun Ping , Paul-Labrador Maura , Yang Yuching , Merz C. Noel Bairey
Published: September 2012

Objective:

To determine the relationship of vitamin c intake from supplements vs food on early atherosclerosis detected by carotid intima media thickness (IMT).

Background:

Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction play a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Dietary vitamin C appears to have anti-oxidant properties and beneficial relations to endothelial function, yet vitamin C taken as a vitamin supplement does not appear to protect from cardiovascular events. The impact of vitamin c intake from supplements vs food on progression of atherosclerosis is unknown.

Methods:

We examined 3-year progression of carotid IMT in a randomly sampled cohort of 573 healthy women and men aged 40-60 years. Progression of carotid IMT was determined bilaterally with B-mode ultrasound at 3 examinations (1.5-year intervals). Intake of dietary vitamin C was measured by six, 24-hour recall interviews. Intake of vitamin C from vitamin supplements was measured by questionnaire in quartiles of supplement intake and no supplement. Vitamin C wasmeasured in plasma as ascorbic acid.

Results:

Carotid IMT progressed 10.0±16.5 μm/year (mean±SD) among all those with follow-up (n=500; 87%). For those who took vitamin C supplements, carotid IMT progression increased with dose (p-trend=0.0009). Among persons in the highest quartile (857-5000 mg/day) of vitamin C supplement intake compared to those not consuming any vitamin C supplements, carotid IMT progression increased three-fold (20.3±2.6 versus 7.6±1.8 μm/year (mean±SD); p<0.001). The adverse association of vitamin C supplement intake with carotid IMT was two-fold greater in the upper tertile of serum cholesterol compared to the lower two tertiles (p=0.01). In contrast to the adverse association of vitamin C supplements, vitamin C intake from food had a weak protective relationship on carotid IMT progression (reduced progression -5.0±1.9 μm/year; p=0.008).

Conclusions:

Vitamin C supplementation is associated with accelerated early atherosclerosis measured by carotid IMT compared to a protective association with vitamin C from food. Theadverse association of vitamin C supplementation may be greater in patients with higher serum cholesterol levels. The current results provide a potential mechanistic understanding for the observed differences between Vitamin C in supplements vs food in prior studies. Given these observations,vitamin C supplementation does not appear to be currently advisable for prevention or treatment of atherosclerosis.
Synergistic Effect of TGF-β1 And BMP–7 on Chondrogenesis and Extracellular Matrix Synthesis: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Gokce Alper , Yilmaz Ibrahim , Bircan Rifat , Tonbul Murat , Gokay Nevzat Selim , Gokce Cigdem
Published: September 2012

Introduction:

The purpose of the present study seeks to determine the signal timing of BMP–7 and TGF-β1 from a novel chitosan based hydrogel system that may affect chondrocyte proliferation resulting in the presence of a synergism seen conspicuously in consecutive controlled delivery.

Methods:

Four groups of cultured chondrocytes were seeded on a novel designed chitosan based hydrogel. The hydrogel was left empty (control) in one group and loaded with BMP–7, TGF-β1 and their combination in the other groups, respectively. Hydrogel structure was analyzed with scanning electron microscope. The release kinetics of Growth Factors (GFs) was determined with ELISA. Chondrocyte viability and toxicity after being tested with MTS and collagen type II synthesis, were quantified with western blotting. Canonical regression analysis was used for measuring statistical evaluation.

Results:

Chitosan based hydrogel allowed controlled release of GFs in different time intervals for BMP–7 and TGF-β1. Double peak concentration gradient was found to be present in the group loaded with both GFs. In this group, substantially higher chondrocyte growth and collagen synthesis were also detected.

Conclusions:

We concluded that, chitosan based hydrogel systems may be adjusted to release GFs consecutively during biodegradation at the layers of surface, which may increase the cell number and enhance collagen type II synthesis.
Secondary Patellar Resurfacing after Primary Bicondylar Knee Arthroplasty did Not Meet Patients’ Expectations
Authors: Correia João , Sieder Marc , Kendoff Daniel , Citak Mustafa , Gehrke Thorsten , Klauser Wolfgang , Haasper Carl
Published: September 2012

Secondary patella resurfacing is a controversial procedure which is applied in patients with anterior knee pain
after a bicondylar knee arthroplasty (with unresurfaced patella). A group of 46 patients were submitted to this procedure
and their satisfaction, range of motion and pain improvement was evaluated. 52.2% of the patients were satisfied with the
procedure, with an improvement in pain (Visual Analogue Scale) of 65% and an improvement in range of motion in
56,5%, with roundabout half of the patients having no resolution to their complaints. Whilst an improvement was not
achieved in all patients, as it was initially hypothesised, this procedure should be considered when a revision knee
arthroplasty is performed with an unresurfaced patella.
Using HIV Surveillance Data to Monitor Missed Opportunities for Linkage and Engagement in HIV Medical Care
Authors: Bertolli Jeanne , Shouse R Luke , Beer Linda , Valverde Eduardo , Fagan Jennifer , Jenness Samuel M , Wogayehu Afework , Johnson Christopher , Neaigus Alan , Hillman Daniel , Courogen Maria , Brady Kathleen A , Bolden Barbara
Published: September 2012

Monitoring delayed entry to HIV medical care is needed because it signifies that opportunities to prevent HIV transmission and mitigate disease progression have been missed. A central question for population-level monitoring is whether to consider a person linked to care after receipt of one CD4 or VL test. Using HIV surveillance data, we explored two definitions for estimating the number of HIV-diagnosed persons not linked to HIV medical care. We used receipt of at least one CD4 or VL test (definition 1) and two or more CD4 or VL tests (definition 2) to define linkage to care within 12 months and within 42 months of HIV diagnosis. In five jurisdictions, persons diagnosed from 12/2006-12/2008 who had not died or moved away and who had zero, or less than two reported CD4 or VL tests by 7/31/2010 were considered not linked to care under definitions 1 and 2, respectively. Among 13,600 persons followed up for 19-42 months; 1,732 (13%) had no reported CD4 or VL tests; 2,332 persons (17%) had only one CD4 or VL test and 9,536 persons (70%) had two or more CD4 or VL tests. To summarize, after more than 19 months, 30% of persons diagnosed with HIV had less than two CD4 or VL tests; more than half of them were considered to have entered care if entering care is defined as having one CD4 or VL test. Defining linkage to care as a single CD4 or VL may overestimate entry into care, particularly for certain subgroups.
Auditing National HIV Guidelines and Policies: The United Kingdom CD4 Surveillance Scheme
Authors: Brown Alison E , Kall Meaghan M , Smith Ruth D , Yin Zheng , Hunter Alan , Hunter Alan , Delpech Valerie C
Published: September 2012

The United Kingdom’s CD4 surveillance scheme monitors CD4 cell counts among HIV patients and is a national resource for HIV surveillance. It has driven public health policy and allowed auditing of national HIV testing, treatment and care guidelines.

We demonstrate its utility through four example outputs: median CD4 count at HIV diagnosis; late HIV diagnosis and short-term mortality; the timing of first CD4 count to indicate entry into HIV care; and the proportion of patients with CD4 counts <350 cells/mm3 receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ARV).

In 2009, 95% (61,502/64,420) of adults living with diagnosed HIV infection had CD4 counts available. The median CD4 count at diagnosis increased from 276 to 335 cells/mm3 between 2000 and 2009, indicating modest improvements in HIV testing. In 2009, 52% of patients were diagnosed at a late stage of HIV infection (CD4 <350 cells/mm3); these individuals had a ten-fold risk of dying within a year of their diagnosis compared to those diagnosed promptly. In 2008, the national target of performing a CD4 count within 14 days of diagnosis was met for 61% of patients. National treatment guidelines have largely been met with 83% patients with CD4 <350 cells/mm3receiving ARV.

The monitoring of CD4 counts is critical to HIV surveillance in the United Kingdom enabling the close monitoring of efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with late diagnosis and underpins the auditing of policies and guidelines. These routine surveillance outputs can be generated at national and local levels to drive and monitor public health policy and prevention efforts.
Population-Based Study of Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease Among HIV-Infected Persons
Authors: Oh John Y , Greene Kari , He Haiou , Schafer Sean , Hedberg Katrina
Published: September 2012

Preventing coronary heart disease (CHD) is critical to further extending survival among human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons. Previously published findings of CHD risk factors in HIV-infected
persons have been derived from facility-based cohort studies, which have limited representativeness for the HIV-infected
population. State-specific, population-based surveillance data can assist health care providers and public health agencies
in planning and evaluating programs that reduce CHD among HIV-infected persons. We describe CHD risk factors from
the 2007-2008 Oregon Medical Monitoring Project, a population-based survey of HIV-infected persons receiving care that
included both patient interview and medical record review. Among the 539 HIV-infected patients interviewed, the mean
age was 45.5 years. Diagnoses from the medical record associated with CHD risk included preexisting CHD (5%),
diabetes (11%), and hypertension (28%). Current smoking was reported by 46%; college graduates were less likely to
smoke compared with those with lesser education (21% versus 53%, respectively; P <.0001). Obesity was present among
17%. Among the 65% of the survey group with lipid values available, 55% had high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
(HDL) <40 mg/dL and 42% had triglycerides ≥ 200 mg/dL. Among the 15% of the survey group with either preexisting
CHD or diabetes, 42% had a non-HDL <130 mg/dL (target goal) and 38% smoked. Risk factors for CHD among HIVinfected
persons, particularly smoking and dyslipidemia, should be managed aggressively. Ongoing surveillance is
warranted to monitor changes in CHD risk factors in the HIV-infected population.
Regional Differences Among HIV Patients in Care: California Medical Monitoring Project Sites, 2007-2008
Authors: Scheer Susan , Hughes Alison J , Tejero Judith , Damesyn Mark A , Mark Karen E , Arguello Tyler M , Wohl Amy R
Published: September 2012

Introduction:

The Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) is a national, multi-site population-based supplemental HIV/AIDS surveillance project of persons receiving HIV/AIDS care. We compared California MMP data by region. Demographic characteristics, medical care experiences, HIV treatment, clinical care outcomes, and need for support services are described.

Methods:

HIV-infected patients 18 years or older were randomly selected from medical care facilities. In person structured interviews from 2007 - 2008 were used to assess sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported clinical outcomes, and need for supportive services. Pearson chi-squared, Fisher’s exact and Kruskal-Wallis p-values were calculated to compare regional differences.

Results:

Between 2007 and 2008, 899 people were interviewed: 329 (37%) in San Francisco (SF), 333 (37%) in Los Angeles (LA) and 237 (26%) in other California counties. Significant regional sociodemographic differences were found. Care received and clinical outcomes for patients in MMP were positive and few regional differences were identified. HIV case management (36%), mental health counseling (35%), and dental services (29%) were the supportive services patients most frequently needed. Unmet needs for supportive services were low overall. Significant differences by region in needed and unmet need services were identified.

Discussion:

The majority of MMP respondents reported standard of care CD4 and viral load monitoring, high treatment use, undetectable HIV viral loads and CD4 counts indicative of good immune function and treatment efficacy. Information from MMP can be used by planning councils, policymakers, and HIV care providers to improve access to care and prevention. Identifying regional differences can facilitate sharing of best practices among health jurisdictions.
Risk Behaviors and STI Prevalence Among People with HIV in El Salvador
Authors: Paz-Bailey G , Shah N , Creswell J , Guardado ME , Nieto AI , Estrada MC , Cedillos R , Pascale JM , Monterroso E
Published: September 2012

To date, there are no studies from El Salvador among people with HIV to inform prevention programs. We
conducted a study in El Salvador in 2008 among people with HIV using audio computer-assisted interviews on risk
behaviors and access to health care. Blood was tested for syphilis and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2). Active syphilis was
defined as RPR titer ≥1:8. Genital specimens were tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STI) by PCR. We
evaluated factors associated with unprotected sex with last stable partner of HIV-negative or unknown status among those
reporting a stable partner. A total of 811 HIV-positive individuals participated: 413 men and 398 women. Prevalence of
Chlamydia and gonorrhea was low (≤1%), while prevalence of other STI was high: Mycoplasma genitalium (14%),
syphilis (15% seropositivity, active syphilis 3%) and HSV-2 (85%). In multivariate analysis, disclosing HIV status to
partner (OR 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.3, p<0.001), participation in HIV support groups (OR 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1-0.8, p=0.01), easy
access to condoms (OR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.9, p=0.04) were protective factors for unprotected sex. Reporting a casual
partner in the last 12 months (OR 3.6, 95% CI: 1.5-8.5, p=0.004). and having an STI (OR 2.6, 95% CI:1.3-5.5, p=0.02)
were associated with an increased odds of unprotected sex. Prevention interventions among HIV-positives in El Salvador
should focus on increasing condom access, promoting HIV disclosure and couples testing and reducing the number of
partners. The positive role of support groups should be used to enhance behavioral change.
The Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire: Cross-Validation among Cardiac Inpatients
Authors: Van Beek M. H. C. T. , Voshaar R. C. Oude , Van Deelen F. M. , Van Balkom A. J. L. M. , Pop G. , Speckens A. E. M.
Published: September 2012

Objective:

General anxiety symptoms are common in patients with cardiac disease and considered to have an adverse effect on cardiac prognosis. The role of specific cardiac anxiety, however, is still unknown. The aim of this study is to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Dutch version of the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ), which was specifically designed to assess heart focused anxiety.

Methods:

Two hundred thirty-seven patients admitted for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and a control group of 49 patients admitted for an exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) completed the CAQ, the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire, Mobility Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results:

Although the original three-factor solution (fear, avoidance, and attention) was acceptable (model fit parameters: CFI=0.89 and TLI=0.87), our data were best explained by a four-factor model including safety seeking behaviors. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were good. The CAQ had moderate correlations with the other anxiety and depression questionnaires. Recently admitted ACS patients had significantly higher scores than RA patients, even after controlling for general anxiety and depressive symptoms ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The CAQ is a reliable and valid instrument to assess cardiac anxiety in patients hospitalized with ACS. These results enable longitudinal studies to examine the relationship of heart-focused anxiety with cardiac prognosis and to evaluate interventions specifically targeted at anxiety in cardiac patients.
The Effects of Striped Clothing on Perceptions of Body Size
Authors: Swami Viren , Harris Amy Sunshine
Published: September 2012

Findings in recent studies indicate that, contrary to popular fashion advice, horizontal lines do not give the impression of larger body size (Thompson, 2008; Thompson & Mikellidou, 2009, 2011). However, in these studies stimuli were presented concurrently with vertical and horizontal
lines, and it is unclear whether the same effect is found in the absence of such perceptual anchors. In this study, 120 naive participants interacted with a female confederate wearing a dress with vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, or no stripes. Following this, they were asked to rate
the confederate's body size. Results showed that the confederate was rated as having a significantly larger body size when she was dressed in horizontal stripes than when she was wearing either vertical stripes or no stripes. There was no significant difference in body size perceptions when
she was wearing vertical stripes or no stripes. The practical implications of these results are discussed.
Outside Directors' Social Capital and Firm Performance: A Complex Network Approach
Authors: Lee Ji-Hwan , Choi Chul , Kim Jae Min
Published: September 2012

In this paper we investigated whether or not the social capital of outside directors has an impact on firm financial performance and value, using a sample of 480 outside directors from 125 large Korean public trading companies. In order to measure social capital of outside directors,
we mapped out their social networks on the basis of their personal affiliation in terms of educational and career background, and applied 2 commonly used complex network analysis measures; betweenness centrality and closeness centrality. A review of the existing literature led us to propose
2 competing hypotheses: first, that there would be a positive relationship between social capital of outside directors on boards and firm performance and second that the relationship would exist, but in a negative direction. The results of our empirical examination revealed a negative impact
of outside directors' social capital on firm performance and value.
The Psychological Explanation of Conformity
Authors: Song Guandong , Ma Qinhai , Wu Fangfei , Li Lin
Published: September 2012

Conformity occurs when the subject demonstrates the same behavior or attitude as the object. The subject is the individual who conforms. The object(s) may be individuals, groups, organizations, policies, rules and regulations, or the experience or natural instinct of the subject. Conformity
is divided into 2 categories: irrational conformity (herd behavior) and rational conformity (abidance, compliance, and obedience). In this study we explain the meaning of abidance, compliance, obedience, and herd behavior. The conclusions have implications in the fields of commerce, education,
service, politics, management, religion, and more.
Extended Service Quality Model: Causes of Agency Problems and Ethical Sales Behavior
Authors: Lee Chun-Chang
Published: September 2012

The service quality model (Parasuraman, Zeithaml, & Berry, 1985) was used in this study to investigate real estate agents' relationships with buyers and sellers. A conceptual framework for measuring real estate agent service quality was developed, with the causes of agency problems
and ethical sales behavior considered in relation to service quality, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, and customer complaint behavior. The results indicate that: causes of agency problems can positively affect ethical sales behavior and real estate agent service quality; real estate
agents' improved ethical sales behavior can reduce customer complaint behavior and have a positive effect on customer loyalty; real estate agent service quality has a positive effect on customer satisfaction; and customer satisfaction has both a negative effect on customer complaint behavior
and a positive effect on customer loyalty.
Two genetic algorithms for the bandwidth multicoloring problem
Authors: Fijuljanin Jasmina
Published: September 2012

In this paper the Bandwidth Multicoloring Problem (BMCP) and the Bandwidth
Coloring Problem (BCP) are considered. The problems are solved by two
genetic algorithms (GAs) which use the integer encoding and standard genetic
operators adapted to the problems. In both proposed implementations, all
individuals are feasible by default, so search is directed into the
promising regions. The first proposed method named GA1 is a constructive
metaheuristic that construct solution, while the second named GA2 is an
improving metaheuristic used to improve an existing solution. Genetic
algorithms are tested on the publicly-available GEOM instances from the
literature. Proposed GA1 has achieved a much better solution than the
calculated upper bound for a given problem, and GA2 has significantly
improved the solutions obtained by GA1. The obtained results are also
compared with the results of the existing methods for solving BCP and BMCP.
Estimation of Stiffness and Energy Dissipation for the Models of Reinforced-Concrete Composite Slabs Based on the Investigations of Statically Loaded Slabs
Authors: Gromysz K.
Published: September 2012

Reinforced concrete composite slab consists of a thin prefabricated slab in which span reinforcement is located and of concrete joined with the slab, with such concrete being laid on site.

The existence of a joint of two concretes in such floors is interpreted as introducing a contact layer into a monolithic slab. In the paper parameters of two models are estimated. The first is a model of a contact layer and the second is a model of a composite slab with a single degree of freedom. The models consider that the contact has elastic properties and inelastic properties causing energy dissipation. Experimental investigations are discussed further based on which the parameters values of the contact layer model were determined.

Delamination was experienced for the slabs characterised by low contact layer stiffness after applying a maximum load. In addition, the strains of a contact layer having low stiffness are accompanied by lower energy dissipation than of a layer with high stiffness.

The smaller stiffness of composite floors, as compared to monolithic floors, occurs as a consequence of the existence of a joint. Such decrease for a composite slab is interpreted in the model with a single degree of freedom as the serial connection of stiffness of a monolithic slab and an element considering the existence of a contact layer.

The stiffness of an element considering the existence of a contact layer decreases along with a load, and the elements corresponding to the higher stiffness of the contact layer are characterised by higher energy dissipation.

The aforementioned results of the investigations confirm the assumptions of the contact layer model and a composite slab model with a single degree of freedom. The findings made represent a basis for establishing a method of evaluating the condition of a joint in composite slabs according to statistical investigations.
Performance of a Voltage Step-Up/Step-Down Transformerless DC/DC Converter: Analytical Model
Authors: Suskis P. , Rankis I.
Published: September 2012

Performance of a Voltage Step-Up/Step-Down Transformerless DC/DC Converter: Analytical Model

The authors present an analytical model for a voltage step-up/step-down DC/DC converter without transformers. The proposed topology is a combination of classic buck and boost converters in one single circuit but with differing operational principles. The converter is developed for a wind power autonomous supply system equipped with a hydrogen electrolytic tank and a fuel cell for energy stabilization. The main power source of the hydrogen-based autonomous supply system is energized by a synchronous generator operating on permanent magnets and equipped with a diode bridge. The input voltage of the converter in this case varies in the range 0-700 V, while its output DC voltage must be 540 V according to the demand of other parts of the system. To maintain the rated voltage, a special electrical load regulation is introduced. The calculations of the converter, the generator (equipped with a diode bridge) as element of the power system supply joint, and the load replaced by resistance are verified with PSIM software.
European Union Entrepreneurship and Innovativeness Support Policy for Businesses
Authors: Wysokińska Zofia
Published: September 2012

The development of entrepreneurship as well as research and innovation have direct impact on growth in the level of economic development as well as the prosperity of individual citizens and society in general. The primary goal of policies involving research and technological development is establishing the European Union as a leading knowledge–based economy. Innovativeness is also the main factor in improving the competitiveness of companies. The key to improving the economic situation in Poland is the strengthening of innovative attitudes among entrepreneurs. An efficiently running institutional system guaranteeing effective support instruments for entrepreneurs and the scientific–research sphere as well as guaranteeing the unhindered transfer of knowledge should prove helpful. As the main factor in improving the competitiveness of companies, innovativeness is mainly the result of the development of collaboration between the spheres of science and business as well as the use of patent achievements in companies. The drive behind future growth in the European Union will be sectors based on knowledge and innovation. However, these require a solid industrial network and resources allowing the utilization of new technologies. To a great extent, growth in entrepreneurship and innovativeness as significant factors in the economic development of Europe and Poland is dependent on the elimination of administrative barriers for companies and the introduction of the facilitating of information and communication (ICT) as needed for them to function.
Fiscal Rules and Effective Fiscal Policy
Authors: Działo Joanna
Published: September 2012

This article examines and assesses the influence of political factors on the effectiveness of pursuing fiscal policy. These factors usually cause and maintain a high budget deficit and public debt. Moreover, the problems of influence of fiscal rules on increased effectiveness of the pursued fiscal policy have been discussed. The fiscal rules are to assure macroeconomic stability in economy and improve credibility of the pursued fiscal policy by reducing the deficit, government spending, and public debt. Examples of applicable fiscal rules in the EU and Poland are presented and an attempt is made to evaluate the effectiveness of these rules in the process of consolidation of public finances.
Reducing Oscillations During Positioning of A Servomechanism Having Flexibility
Authors: Hubinský Peter , Häuptle Peter
Published: September 2012

Reducing Oscillations During Positioning of A Servomechanism Having Flexibility

This contribution describes the method of harmonic modulation of a velocity set-point signal in control to reduce undesirable oscillations. Especially the combination of this method with the well known input shaping method is of interest. Such a solution seeks for instance to a control structure used for servomechanisms equipped with a gear-box or namely mechatronic drives (MDs); where undesirable oscillations in transient- as well as semi-steady-states could arise. The combination of the methods has been proofed under real conditions in an experimental setup. Based on this, simulations regarding different industry demands and the proper choice of the modulation signal types will be introduced. Further it will be discussed which modulation signal should be used for the correspondingieindustrial demands. Both proposed methods are in the category of feed-forward-control which led to a practical implementation where no additional sensor (for measuring these undesirable effects) is needed to improve the system dynamics.
Closed form Models for Pull-In Voltage of Electrostatically Actuated Cantilever Beams and Comparative Analysis of Cantilevers and Microgripper
Authors: Ramakrishnan Kalaiarasi , Srinivasan Hosimin
Published: September 2012

Closed form Models for Pull-In Voltage of Electrostatically Actuated Cantilever Beams and Comparative Analysis of Cantilevers and Microgripper

Pull-in voltage Evaluation is significant for the design of electrostatically actuated MEMS devices. In this work simple closed form models are derived for computation of pull-in voltage of cantilever beams. These models are obtained based on five different capacitance models suitable for wide range of dimensions. Using these models pull-in voltages are computed for a range of dimensions and the results are compared with the experimentally verified 3D finite element analysis results. The results show that, for every given range of dimension, choice of the model changes for the evaluation of the pull-in voltage with a maximum deviation of 2%. Therefore for a given range of dimension appropriate closed form model is to be chosen for accurate computation of pull-in voltage. Computation of pull-in voltage of microgripper further validates the closed form models. The results again show that for a given range of dimension only a particular model evaluates the pull-in voltage with less error.
We Are the 5%
Authors: McEachin Andrew , Polikoff Morgan S.
Published: September 2012

This article uses data from California to analyze the results of the proposed accountability system in the Senate’s Harkin-Enzi draft Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization. The authors analyze existing statewide school-level data from California, applying the accountability criteria proposed in the draft law. Comparing the proposed system to the No Child Left Behind Act’s Adequate Yearly Progress provisions, they draw conclusions about the stability of the proposed identification schemes and the types of schools likely to be identified. They conclude with several policy recommendations that could be easily incorporated into the law, based on their analysis and the existing literature.
Monitoring Threshold Functions over Distributed Data Streams with Node Dependent Constraints
Authors: Malinovsky Yaakov , Kogan Jacob
Published: September 2012

Monitoring data streams in a distributed system has attracted considerable interest in recent years. The task of feature selection (e.g., by monitoring the information gain of various features) requires a very high communication overhead when addressed using straightforward centralized algorithms. While most of the existing algorithms deal with monitoring simple aggregated values such as frequency of occurrence of stream items, motivated by recent contributions based on geometric ideas we present an alternative approach. The proposed approach enables monitoring values of an arbitrary threshold function over distributed data streams through stream dependent constraints applied separately on each stream. We report numerical experiments on a real-world data that detect instances where communication between nodes is required, and compare the approach and the results to those recently reported in the literature.