bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marketing Identities: Shifting Circles of Identification in Inter-organizational Relationships
Authors: Ellis Nick , Ybema Sierk
Published: April 2010

This study explores the discursive positioning of managers involved in inter-organizational relationships (IORs) within industrial supply chains. In closely examining a series of interviews, we find a number of interpretive repertoires of boundary construction used in IOR managers’ identity discourse. Our analysis of these repertoires suggests that, although the development of IORs apparently signals the emergence of ‘widening circles of identification’, distinction drawing and boundary setting is as much a part of managers’ IOR talk as boundary transcendence. IOR managers can thus be seen as ‘boundary bricoleurs’ who discursively mark different self/other boundaries that varyingly position themselves, and their colleagues, competitors, customers and suppliers, as ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ the organization, the market, the relationship or their field of expertise. In this tensile positioning, they forestall closure on their identity by constantly shifting identifications, sometimes within the same stretch of talk. Oscillating between an inclusive and an exclusive ‘us’, and thus articulating embracing yet distinctive identities vis-a-vis other network actors, enables IOR managers to navigate through their complex and dynamic inter-organizational field, maintaining multiple inter-firm relationships while at the same time preserving their own organizational and professional status within these relationships.
“Nanoselves”: NBIC and the Culture of Convergence
Authors: Venkatesan Priya
Published: April 2010

The subject of this essay is NBIC convergence (nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science convergence). NBIC convergence is a recurring trope that is dominated by the paradigm of integration of the sciences. It is largely influenced by the considerations of social and economic impact, and it assumes positivism in the name of technological progress. The culture of NBIC convergence, including NBIC discourses, is ensconced on the borders between modernity/ postmodernity, ambition/restraint, unity/fragmentation, and rational intellect/creativity. Both the rhetoric of ambition and visionary development, and its responding calls for some level of restraint and caution, make contrasting assumptions that, however unintentionally, further polarize the debate concerning NBIC technologies. Those engaged in producing the culture, including scientists, engineers, and ethicists of convergence, consider the ramifications of these technologies for subjectivity and identity in ways that do not fully account for the diversity of human experience, or the ambiguity of human nature. NBIC convergence, such as artificial intelligence, is a “projection of the normative self, unaware of its own specificity;” in other words, that converging technologies offer negligible insight into human corporeality or experience and, in their theoretical frameworks, are hardly conscious of the necessity of effectively mobilizing the diversity within society and of social existence in bringing about nanotechnology’s “maximum benefit to humanity,” and are part and parcel of creating a “nanoself,” bereft of uniqueness.
Autologous Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Versus Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
Authors: Nejadnik Hossein , Hui James H. , Feng Choong Erica Pei , Tai Bee-Choo , Lee Eng Hin
Published: April 2010

Background: First-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation has limitations, and introducing new effective cell sources can improve cartilage repair.

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare the clinical outcomes of patients treated with first-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation to patients treated with autologous bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: Seventy-two matched (lesion site and age) patients underwent cartilage repair using chondrocytes (n = 36) or BMSCs (n = 36). Clinical outcomes were measured before operation and 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after operation using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) Cartilage Injury Evaluation Package, which included questions from the Short-Form Health Survey, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation form, Lysholm knee scale, and Tegner activity level scale.

Results: There was significant improvement in the patients’ quality of life (physical and mental components of the Short Form-36 questionnaire included in the ICRS package) after cartilage repair in both groups (autologous chondrocyte implantation and BMSCs). However, there was no difference between the BMSC and the autologous chondrocyte implantation group in terms of clinical outcomes except for Physical Role Functioning, with a greater improvement over time in the BMSC group ( P = .044 for interaction effect). The IKDC subjective knee evaluation ( P = .861), Lysholm ( P = .627), and Tegner ( P = .200) scores did not show any significant difference between groups over time. However, in general, men showed significantly better improvements than women. Patients younger than 45 years of age scored significantly better than patients older than 45 years in the autologous chondrocyte implantation group, but age did not make a difference in outcomes in the BMSC group.

Conclusion: Using BMSCs in cartilage repair is as effective as chondrocytes for articular cartilage repair. In addition, it required 1 less knee surgery, reduced costs, and minimized donor-site morbidity.
Characterisitcs of Al2O3 Nano-Particle Filled GFRP Composites Using Wear Maps
Authors: Srinivasan V. , Raffi N. Mohamad , Karthikeyan R. , Kalaichelvi V.
Published: April 2010

In this study, glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) filled with different volume fraction (1, 2 & 3%) of nano-Al2O3 particles are tested for their tribological behavior. The wear tests are conducted for different sliding velocities ranging from 0.312 to 2.512 m/s and normal force ranging from 4.91 to 24.71 N. Different wear mechanisms are identified through scanning electron microscope (SEM). Wear maps are drawn by taking sliding velocity on x-axis and normal force on y-axis. The wear maps are utilized to study the dominance of particular wear mechanism that dominates a particular wear regime. Out of three materials discussed, GFRP filled with 3% nano alumina (GFRP3) exhibits better wear resistance than the other materials used in this study.
Use of reinforced rigid polyurethane foam for blast hazard mitigation
Authors: Mostafa Hosam E , El-Dakhakhni Wael W , Mekky Waleed F
Published: April 2010

This article presents the development of a cost-effective lightweight protection technique for explosives transporting container and storage facilities employing surface-mounted Rigid Polyurethane Foam (RPF) plates. Different RPF specimens were prepared with different densities and sand particle reinforcement ratios ranging between 0% (unreinforced) and 30%. Mechanical properties characterization was conducted to optimize an RPF formulation to be tested under blast loading using different experimental techniques. Explosive scaling laws were utilized to relate indoor blast test results (performed with small explosive charges) to real-life blast scenarios. Small RDX explosive charges were placed and detonated inside RPF specimens to correlate the size of the resulting cavity to the explosive charge weight and the RPF density. Another set of experiments were conducted to evaluate the maximum deformation depth of lead witness plates resulting from blast waves. In these latter experiments, explosive charges were mounted on the free surface of RPF plates. In general, test results demonstrated the capability of reinforced RPF as a light weight cost-effective technique to mitigate blast load hazard.
New techniques for the characterization of refuse-derived fuels and solid recovered fuels
Authors: Rotter Vera Susanne , Lehmann Annekatrin , Marzi Thomas , Möhle Edda , Schingnitz Daniel , Hoffmann Gaston
Published: April 2010

Solid recovered fuel (SRF) today refers to a waste-derived fuel meeting defined quality specifications, in terms of both origin (produced from non-hazardous waste) and levels of certain fuel properties. Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) nowadays is more used for unspecified waste after a basic processing to increase the calorific value and therefore this term usually refers to the segregated, high calorific fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW), commercial or industrial wastes. In comparison with conventional fuels, both types of secondary fuel show waste of inherently varying quality and an increased level of waste-specific contaminants.The transition from RDF to SRF in the emerging national and European market requires a quality assurance system with defined quality parameters and analytical methods to ensure reliable fuel characterization. However, due to the quality requirements for RDF and SRF, the current standardized analysis methods often do not meet these practical demands. Fast test methods, which minimize personnel, financial and time efforts and which are applicable for producers as well as users can be an important supporting tool for RDF- and SRF-characterization. Currently, a fast test system based on incineration and correlation analyses which enable the determination of relevant fuel parameters is under development. Fast test methods are not aimed at replacing current standardized test methods, but have to be considered as practical supporting tools for the characterization of RDF and SRF.
Optimum municipal solid waste collection using geographical information system (GIS) and vehicle tracking for Pallavapuram municipality
Authors: Kanchanabhan TE , Abbas Mohaideen J. , Srinivasan S. , Kalyana Sundaram V. Lenin
Published: April 2010

Waste collection and transportation is the contact point between waste generators and waste management systems. A proposal for an innovative model for the collection and transportation of municipal solid waste (MSW) which is a part of a solid waste management system using a spatial geo database, integrated in a geographical information system (GIS) environment is presented. Pallavapuram is a fast-developing municipality of Chennai city in the southern suburbs about 20 km from Chennai, the state capital of Tamil Nadu in India. The disposal of MSW was previously occurring in an indiscriminate and irrational manner in the municipality. Hence in the present study an attempt was made to develop an engineered design of solid waste collection using GIS with a vehicle tracking system and final disposal by composting with investment costs. The GIS was used to analyse existing maps and data, to digitize the existing ward boundaries and to enter data about the wards and disposal sites. The proposed GIS model for solid waste disposal would give information on the planning of bins, vehicles and the optimal route. In the case of disposal, composting would be a successful strategy to accelerate the decomposition and stabilization of the biodegradable components of waste in MSW.
Recruitment and Representation of Ethnic Minorities under Proportional Representation
Authors: Protsyk Oleh , Sachariew Konstantin
Published: April 2010

This article explores the effects that electoral rules, party ideologies, and structural characteristics of minority communities have on party system responses to the need of accommodating the country’s ethnic diversity. The article uses an original dataset on parliamentary representation in Bulgaria to analyze candidate selection practices of electorally successful political parties. The article’s findings highlight the need to qualify the academic discussion of beneficial effects of proportional representation (PR) electoral rules for minority representation. The authors report the failures of demographically large ethnic groups to secure close-to-proportional representation under Bulgaria’s choice of PR electoral system. The authors also identify costs in terms of reduced competitiveness and accountability that PR-facilitated electoral success of ethnic minority parties can impose on minority constituencies.
Accountability Policies and Readiness for College for Diverse Students
Authors: Droogsma Musoba Glenda
Published: April 2010

Following a national trend, state policy has focused on accountability measures such as high-stakes high school exit exams, standards-based reforms, and graduation curriculum requirements. Yet the effect of these accountability policies on students’ readiness for college is relatively untested. In a multilevel model (students within states), the study asked, “Are accountability school reform policies positively or negatively associated with readiness for college for students from different ethnic and income groups?” Exit exam policies and degree of implementation of state standards were not significantly related to academic readiness as measured by composite SAT scores. Math graduation numeric curriculum requirements were negatively related to SAT score for Whites.
Adherence to Amiodarone Monitoring Recommendations Before and After Implementation of a Centralized Pharmacy Service
Authors: Johnson Samuel G. , Canty Kara , Billups Sarah , Schimmer Jennifer
Published: April 2010

The objective of this study was to determine whether patients enrolled in a centralized amiodarone monitoring service (AMS) were more adherent to amiodarone surveillance and whether the incidence of amiodarone-related toxicity differed for patients who were enrolled in the AMS. Amiodarone therapy was initiated in 917 patients in an integrated health care delivery system between October 1998 and December 2006. Electronic records were queried to establish the proportion of patients completing recommended amiodarone monitoring during the first year of therapy; specifically, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), electrocardiogram (ECG), and chest radiograph (CXR). Patients were assigned to the AMS or control cohort based on when amiodarone was initiated. Patients assigned to the AMS cohort were more likely to receive ALT monitoring at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year (68% vs 44%, P < .001; 86% vs 76%, P = .002; 84% vs 69%, P < .001; respectively) and ECG monitoring at baseline and 1 year (76% vs 58%; 96% vs 75%, P < .001, respectively). There was no difference in TSH monitoring at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year (55% vs 49%, P = not significant [NS]; 74% vs 70%, P = NS; 68% vs 64%, P = NS; respectively).
An Overview of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Donovan Jennifer L. , Tran Maichi T. , Kanaan Abir O.
Published: April 2010

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an immune-mediated adverse drug reaction to heparin products leading to a prothrombotic state. Devastating clinical sequelae may result, including venous or arterial thromboembolism, limb amputation, and death. Heparin cessation alone is insufficient to manage HIT. Pharmacotherapy with argatroban or lepirudin is essential. This article reviews the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and pharmacotherapy of HIT.
The Nature of Giving Time to Your Child’s School
Authors: Gee Laura K.
Published: April 2010

How do households view contributions of time (via volunteering/fundraising) to their children’s schools? Time contributions produce a public good (improved school quality for all students) and private benefits (e.g., better class placement). If private benefits increase with number of own children at a school and households value private benefits, then the level of contribution should be affected by the number of own children enrolled at a single school. Using a nationally representative sample of more than 2,500 multichild households, I find that time contributions have a statistically significant relationship with number of own children enrolled in the same school. For example, households with multiple children at the same school have a 13 percentage points higher propensity to volunteer at the school than households with a single child in each school. This result implies that private benefits have a strong influence on the parents’ decision to contribute time to their children’s schools.
Combination therapy of mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus in lupus nephritis
Authors: Lanata CM , Mahmood T. , Fine DM , Petri M.
Published: April 2010

Since most lupus nephritis patients have an incomplete response to mycophenolate mofetil, combination regimens may improve outcomes. Tacrolimus (FK506) has shown some benefit in lupus nephritis in small trials, and combined with mycophenolate mofetil is standard immunosuppression in transplant patients. We investigate the addition of FK506 to mycophenolate mofetil, in patients who were mycophenolate mofetil failures. All patients were part of a prospective cohort, but evaluated retrospectively. Seven lupus nephritis patients (mean age 27.1, 100% female, 42% Caucasian and 42% African American) were evaluated. Three patients had combined ISN class III and V, two ISN class IV, one ISN class V and II and one ISN class IV and V. Six were taking an ACE-inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, 6 hydroxychloroquine and 5 prednisone (mean dose 11.5 mg; range 0—30 mg). Mean mycophenolate mofetil dose at time of tacrolimus addition was 2.8 g (range 2—3 g). Mean tacrolimus dose was 3.4 mg (range 2—8 mg) titrated to a mean level of 4.67 ng/dl (range 2.2—11.8 ng/dl) for a mean of duration of 16 months (range 2—54 months). Two patients continued both therapies, while five discontinued therapy. One patient achieved a complete renal remission, while three achieved partial remission with 82.9%, 77.1%, 55.3% reductions in proteinuria. Toxicity limited the use of combination therapy: diabetic ketoacidosis (one patient), pneumonia (two) and muscle pain (two). These data suggest that adding tacrolimus in patients refractory to mycophenolate mofetil might have some benefit, although complete responses were rare. Unfortunately, tacrolimus toxicity appeared to be prevalent in these systemic lupus erythematosus patients, limiting its long term use.
The local impact of global climate change: reporting on landscape transformation and threatened identity in the English regional newspaper press
Authors: Brown Tim , Budd Lucy , Bell Morag , Rendell Helen
Published: April 2010

This paper contributes to extant understandings of media representations of climate change by examining the role of the English regional newspaper press in the transformation and dissemination of climate change discourse. Unlike previous accounts, this paper contends that such newspapers shape public understandings of climate change in ways that have yet to be adequately charted. With this in mind, this paper examines the ways in which global climate change is translated into a locally relevant phenomenon. That is, it focuses on its “domestication.” Although we acknowledge that there are a number of ways in which this process occurs, specific attention is drawn to stories that highlight the destruction of local landscape features, the transformation of important habitats, and the arrival of “alien” species. The broader significance of such stories is considered in relation to long-standing debates concerning the importance of landscape to notions of national and regional identity.
Silence and Silenced: Implications for the Spirituality of Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Authors: Crisp Beth R.
Published: April 2010

Survivors of sexual abuse are frequently met with cultures of silence which make it difficult for their experiences to be acknowledged. Furthermore, many have been subjected to threats and intimidation in efforts to ensure that they remain silent about what has happened to them. One response to such experiences is to keep oneself busy and avoid ever being quiet enough to experience a sense of silence within. However, many spiritual traditions promote the embracing of silence as essential for those seeking spiritual development. This paper explores these diverse experiences of silence for survivors of sexual abuse and considers why spiritualities which promote silence can be problematic.
Transformative dynamics of innovation and industry: new roles for employees?
Authors: Hull Kristensen Peer
Published: April 2010

Organizing for innovation is becoming increasingly important for boosting national competitiveness and job creation, but is also becoming much more complex to do properly. The dynamics of innovation are undergoing profound changes, becoming globally distributed and involving more employee groups in corporations. This evolution is a radical change from the previous pattern of innovation, which we call the Chandlerian Innovation System. This article starts by briefly characterizing the post-war Chandlerian Innovation System, and then discusses the reasons why it is breaking up by exposing some of its pitfalls and contradictions. The article then proceeds to discuss how novel arrangements are emerging to create a global Networked Innovation System. Finally, the article suggests how employees, trade unions and political reformers may act to involve all groups of employees in new forms of work organization so they can take on a role as ‘drivers’ of innovation.
Modes of approach to employee-driven innovation in France: an empirical study
Authors: Teglborg-Lefèvre Ann-Charlotte
Published: April 2010

By means of an exploratory analysis based on six specific case studies that are representative of the French approach to employee-driven innovation (EDI), this article demonstrates that EDI can mean very different things in different organizations. In the first part of the article, the reasons why businesses choose to adopt structured approaches that foster EDI will be reviewed. The second part describes the conceptual prism through which approaches to employee-driven innovation are analysed, while the third part outlines the methodology underlying the study. In the fourth section, case studies illustrating the variety of EDI approaches are presented. The penultimate section features an examination of the factors which differentiate the various modes of existence of structured approaches to EDI. The article concludes with a discussion of the results obtained.
Educational Validity of Business Gaming Simulation: A Research Methodology Framework
Authors: Stainton Andrew J. , Johnson Johnnie E. , Borodzicz Edward P.
Published: April 2010

Many past educational validity studies of business gaming simulation, and more specifically total enterprise simulation, have been inconclusive. Studies have focused on the weaknesses of business gaming simulation; which is often regarded as an educational medium that has limitations regarding learning effectiveness. However, no attempts have been made to provide guidelines for assessing educational validity in terms of building, implementing, and validating business gaming simulation. Accordingly, this study has combined literature on learning, simulation design, and research methods to formulate a methodology to assess the educational validity of total enterprise simulation; the concepts of which can be applied more broadly to business gaming simulation. The authors propose that the framework introduced within this article can provide a foundation for future educational validity studies that can assist simulation designers to implement valuable and powerful simulation learning media in the future.
Assimilation of Public Policy Concepts Through Role-Play: Distinguishing Rational Design and Political Negotiation
Authors: Bots Pieter W. G. , Wagenaar F. Pieter , Willemse Rolf
Published: April 2010

One important objective of introductory courses in public administration is to sensitize students to the difference between two concepts: substantive rationality and political rationality. Both types of rationality play an important role in policy processes. Yet, although the difference is straightforward in theory, and is addressed and well-illustrated in most standard textbooks on public administration, students seem to have difficulty internalizing it. This article reports on our findings from a role-playing game designed to make students experience the difference between policy making as a process of rational design and policy making as a process of political negotiation. We conducted an experiment involving a large group of students enrolled in a first year, one-semester course, and a control group of students who enrolled in the same course 1 year later. The former were tested four times (start of the course, immediately before and after playing the game, and 3 months later) and the latter two times (at the start of the course and at the exam) for their understanding of how policy making—as-rational-design and policy making—as-political-negotiation differ on seven characteristics. Comparison of test results obtained before and after the role-play indicates a positive learning effect for some characteristics, and a negative learning effect for others.
Avalanches and Olive Branches: A Multimethod Analysis of Disasters and Peacemaking in Interstate Rivalries
Authors: Akcinaroglu Seden , DiCicco Jonathan M. , Radziszewski Elizabeth
Published: April 2010

Multimethod analysis of earthquakes’ effects in two enduring rivalries demonstrates that natural disaster can promote rapprochement, political steps toward warmer relations that make it difficult for interstate rivalry to continue. Public expression of compassion and support for rapprochement create audience costs for leaders who otherwise would maintain hostile policies toward the rival state. However, routine violence, including communal violence, discourages public support for postdisaster cooperation and rapprochement. Content analysis and time-series analysis of rivalry change in two cases, India—Pakistan and Greece—Turkey, demonstrate these phenomena, and comparative case study analysis shows that communal violence helps account for divergent outcomes between the two cases.
Parametric Transfer Matrix and Statistical Analysis of Sampled-data Systems with Delay
Authors: Lampe B.P. , Rosenwasser E.N.
Published: April 2010

This paper considers the statistical analysis problem for multivariable stable sampled-data systems, where various delays are located in different parts of the control loop. The analysis is based on the parametric transfer function concept. Apart from closed expressions for the parametric transfer matrix of the system, the paper provides a constructive method for calculating the output variance as a function of continuous time.
Cross-Cultural Evaluation of the Autism Detection in Early Childhood (ADEC) in Mexico
Authors: Hedley Darren , Young Robyn , Angelica María , Gallegos Juarez , Marcin Salazar Carlos
Published: April 2010

A Spanish translation of the Autism Detection in Early Childhood (ADEC-SP) was administered to 115 children aged 15—73 months in Mexico. In Phase 1, children with Autistic Disorder (AD), a non-Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) diagnosis or typical development were assessed with the ADEC-SP by a clinician blind to the child’s diagnostic status. In Phase 2, a referred sample of children was assessed with the ADEC-SP, Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Autism Diagnostic Interview — Revised (ADI-R) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV), and typically developing children were assessed with the ADEC-SP and CARS. Psychometric properties relating to validity and reliability were addressed. Sensitivity and specificity levels for the ADEC-SP ranged from .79—.94 and .88—1.00 respectively. In a subgroup of toddlers aged 19 to 36 months the ADEC-SP correctly identified 17 of the 18 children with a diagnosis of a PDD, and no child without a PDD diagnosis was misdiagnosed. The ADEC-SP shows promise as a Level 2 screening instrument for use in Mexico.
Parents’ criticisms and attributions about their adult children with high functioning autism or schizophrenia
Authors: Wasserman Stephanie , Weisman de Mamani Amy , Mundy Peter
Published: April 2010

The current study examined the criticism component of expressed emotion (EE) and attributions in parents of adults diagnosed with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (S/SA) or high functioning autism/Asperger’s. Consistent with study hypotheses, parents of adults diagnosed with autism/Asperger’s disorder exhibited lower levels of high EE-criticism than parents of adults diagnosed with S/SA. Moderate trends suggested that parents of adults diagnosed with autism/Asperger’s disorder tended to make less blameworthy attributions towards patients than did parents of adults diagnosed with S/SA. A content analysis of parents’ causal attributions was also conducted.The most common cause cited by both groups of parents was biological factors, suggesting that parents may be becoming more aware of scientific findings implicating biological factors, in conjunction with psychosocial factors, as a major cause of mental illness.
Improving caregivers’ home management of common childhood illnesses through community level interventions
Authors: Ebuehi Olufunke Margaret , Adebajo Sylvia
Published: April 2010

The study obtained information using quantitative and qualitative techniques, on key home management practices of common childhood illnesses in Community-Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (C-IMCI) and non-C-IMCI implemented local government areas (LGAs) in Osun state, to determine if any differences existed between them. Data analysis was done using Epi-info version 6.0 for the quantitative survey and content analysis method for the qualitative survey. Findings revealed better key home management practices in the C-IMCI compliant LGA than in the non-CIMCI compliant LGA. The proportion of caregivers who gave appropriate home treatment for malaria during their children’s illnesses differed significantly (p = 0.000) between the two LGAs. Similarly, caregivers from the compliant LGA demonstrated better treatment practices for diarrhoea and cough. Community Resource Persons (CORPs) were the major source of information on these key practices in the compliant LGA; while in the non-compliant LGA, the traditional healers, elders, and to a lesser extent, health workers gave information. Findings showed that the C-IMCI strategy improved caregivers’ home management of common childhood illnesses.
Is Participation Having an Impact?
Authors: Mackinnon Shauna , Stephens Sara
Published: April 2010

• Summary: In 2005, a consortium of eight community-based organizations (CBOs) that do neighbourhood-level preventative work with families, youth and children in the inner city of Winnipeg, Canada, sought to develop indicators to measure the results of their work. Increasingly pressed by governments and other funders to produce such indicators, they believed that those generally in use missed many of the human gains that they were confident they were making with low-income, inner-city residents. They believed that their emphasis on the importance of colonization, and the need for decolonization, played an important role in their success, but that funders could not fully grasp this philosophical orientation, nor its practical implications. They approached the authors’ research institute for assistance in designing a methodology to better identify the outcomes of their efforts.

• Findings: The close and collaborative working relationship between the academic researchers and the community practitioners led to the development of indicators that better reflect outcomes for participants as seen through their eyes. The purpose of this article is to describe the research design that we developed, and the manner in which we worked together to develop it; to describe some of the key themes emerging from the research, and the implications for social policy; and to reflect on the PAR framework that was used in the study.

• Applications : This study, including the process, design and findings, is relevant for social workers employed as community developers in non-profit organizations; social workers on the front lines advocating for outcome measures that are sensitive to their ‘clients’ needs; social workers employed as evaluators and administrator; and social workers committed to research that contributes to building community capacity.
Happiness and Physical Activity in Special Populations: Evidence From Korean Survey Data
Authors: Young Hoon Lee  , Park Ilhyeok
Published: April 2010

This article contributes to the literature on happiness by focusing on the effects of physical activity or sport participation on happiness or life satisfaction in a special population. Using survey data collected by the Korean Sports Association for the Disabled, all respondents were legally disabled. This study presents empirical evidence of positive ‘‘nonhealth effects’’ of physical activity on life satisfaction. Approximately a one-level jump in physical activity in the six-level score provided the same improvement in life satisfaction as one-quarter of the effect of the employment status change from unemployed to employed. Additionally, the empirical finding that the level of disability was insignificant in determining subjective well-being is consistent with a threshold argument. The authors’ empirical results also support there being no adaptation to disability, in contrast to findings in the psychology literature.
The Ebbs and Flows of the Game: Multiple Equilibria in a Sports League Model
Authors: Rockerbie Duane W. , Easton Stephen T.
Published: April 2010

The history of professional sports leagues is rich with examples of clubs that enjoy success on the field for a number of seasons, only to fall back in subsequent seasons. Although some clubs achieve consistent success, and a few, consistent failure, most clubs display a cyclical pattern as they ‘‘make a run’’ for success, then take fallback positions. This behavior is difficult to explain using the now standard league model of Fort and Quirk. In this article, the authors discuss the likelihood of this cyclical behavior emerging in the standard model and then develop an extension to the model, which can generate movements between good (team success) and bad (team failure) equilibria. The authors then discuss the stability conditions for each equilibrium and the conditions under which a club might find one of these equilibria unsustainable in the long run.
Properties and Flammability of Electrospun PVA and PVA/Laponite® Membranes
Authors: Yacoob Christina , Liu Wei , Adanur Sabit
Published: April 2010

Physical and mechanical properties of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were related to electrospinning process parameters through fabricated structures, fiber morphology, and diameters. The effects of electrospinning voltage, flow rate and distance between needle tip and collector on tensile strength, strain at maximum load, burst strength, and air permeability were investigated. The results showed that higher applied voltage, lower flow rate, and shorter distance gave higher tensile strength. However, burst strength had critical points during the changes of the above three parameters while all the measured data were in a narrow range. Higher voltage and longer distance caused the lower air permeability. PVA/Laponite® nanocomposites were produced by electrospinning and tensile strength and flammability of electrospun PVA/Laponite® structures were studied. The results indicated that introduction of Laponite® nanoclay to electrospun PVA structure decreased the tensile strength and strain at maximum load. The low orientation of Laponite® nanoclay along the fibers due to the low aspect ratio of Laponite® resulted in lower tensile strength of electrospun PVA webs. The flammability of electrospun webs was characterized by burning rate. Electrospun PVA/Laponite® had slower burning rate than that of pure PVA and thus flame resistance of PVA webs was improved by adding Laponite® nanoclay. The increase in flame retardation is attributed to slower decomposition of PVA/Laponite ® membranes.
Utilization of Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) to Enhance the Performance Properties as well as UV Protection of Ester Crosslinked Cotton Fabrics
Authors: Fahmy H.M. , Abdel-Halim E.S.
Published: April 2010

Poly( N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) was used as an additive in polycarboxylic acids finishing bathes. It was found that treating cotton fabric with aqueous solution containing 4% PVP, 8% citric acid, and 8% sodium hypophosphite monohydrate, followed by drying at 100°C for 3 minutes and then curing at 180°C for 90 seconds enhance the wrinkle recovery angle and tensile strength of the finished fabrics, as compared with fabrics treated under the same conditions but in the absence of PVP. The finished fabrics were post-treated separately with aqueous solutions of copper acetate and zinc acetate with the aim of improving the UV protection of these fabrics. According to the obtained data, copper acetate was found to have higher extent of UV protection than zinc acetate.
Sample size re-estimation in a breast cancer trial
Authors: Hade Erinn M , Jarjoura David , Lai Wei
Published: April 2010

Background During the recruitment phase of a randomized breast cancer trial, investigating the time to recurrence, we found a strong suggestion that the failure probabilities used at the design stage were too high. Since most of the methodological research involving sample size re-estimation has focused on normal or binary outcomes, we developed a method which preserves blinding to re-estimate sample size in our time to event trial.

Purpose A mistakenly high estimate of the failure rate at the design stage may reduce the power unacceptably for a clinically important hazard ratio. We describe an ongoing trial and an application of a sample size re-estimation method that combines current trial data with prior trial data or assumes a parametric model to re-estimate failure probabilities in a blinded fashion.

Methods Using our current blinded trial data and additional information from prior studies, we re-estimate the failure probabilities to be used in sample size re-calculation. We employ bootstrap re-sampling to quantify uncertainty in the re-estimated sample sizes.

Results At the time of re-estimation data from 278 patients were available, averaging 1.2 years of follow up. Using either method, we estimated a sample size increase of zero for the hazard ratio because the estimated failure probabilities at the time of re-estimation differed little from what was expected. We show that our method of blinded sample size re-estimation preserves the type I error rate. We show that when the initial guess of the failure probabilities are correct, the median increase in sample size is zero.

Limitations Either some prior knowledge of an appropriate survival distribution shape or prior data is needed for re-estimation.

Conclusions In trials when the accrual period is lengthy, blinded sample size re-estimation near the end of the planned accrual period should be considered. In our examples, when assumptions about failure probabilities and HRs are correct the methods usually do not increase sample size or otherwise increase it by very little. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 219. http://ctj.sagepub.com
Focusing on Feeding Skills
Authors: Gearner Thompson Debbie
Published: April 2010

Growth and development are key factors in the care of a late preterm (near-term) infant and substantially affect the future health of the infant and family. At times, the infant born between 34 and 37 weeks’ gestational age may be followed by a primary care provider or registered dietitian or evaluated in an acute care setting for inadequate weight gain and poor growth. While illness and endocrine, metabolic, gastrointestinal, and other physiological causes of poor growth are evaluated, attention should also be focused on other issues related to inadequate caloric intake and growth. Signs of limited feeding skills due to neurobehavioral immaturity and parental feeding style may play a role in the evaluation and interventions to ensure adequate intake and growth. This case presentation reviews a late preterm infant with poor weight gain who is followed closely with monitoring and observation of feeding patterns, family education, and support until an adequate growth pattern is established.
Analysis of deformation induced martensitic transformation in stainless steels
Authors: Das A. , Chakraborti P. C. , Tarafder S. , Bhadeshia H. K. D. H.
Published: April 2010

Many studies monitoring the formation of martensite during the tensile deformation of austenite report data which are, in principle, affected by both the applied stress and the resulting plastic strain. It is not clear in these circumstances whether the transformation is stress induced (i.e. the stress provides a mechanical driving force) or whether the generation of defects during deformation helps nucleate martensite in a scenario better described as strain induced transformation. The authors demonstrate in the present work that a large amount of published data relating the fraction of martensite to plastic strain can in fact be described in terms of the pure thermodynamic effect of applied stress.
Positioning of bone marrow hematopoietic and stromal cells relative to blood flow in vivo: serially reconstituting hematopoietic stem cells reside in distinct nonperfused niches
Authors: Winkler Ingrid G. , Barbier Valérie , Wadley Robert , Zannettino Andrew C. W. , Williams Sharon , Lévesque Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2010

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niches have been reported at the endosteum or adjacent to bone marrow (BM) vasculature. To investigate functional attributes of these niches, mice were perfused with Hoechst 33342 (Ho) in vivo before BM cell collection in presence of pump inhibitors and antibody stained. We report that the position of phenotypic HSCs, multipotent and myeloid progenitors relative to blood flow, follows a hierarchy reflecting differentiation stage, whereas mesenchymal stromal cells are perivascular. Furthermore, during granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–induced mobilization, HSCs migrated closer to blood flow, whereas stromal cells did not. Interestingly, phenotypic Lin−Sca1+KIT+CD41−CD48−CD150+ HSCs segregated into 2 groups (Honeg or Homed), based on degree of blood/Ho perfusion of their niche. HSCs capable of serial transplantation and long-term bromodeoxyuridine label retention were enriched in Honeg HSCs, whereas Homed HSCs cycled more frequently and only reconstituted a single host. This suggests that the most potent HSC niches are enriched in locally secreted factors and low oxygen tension due to negligible blood flow. Importantly, blood perfusion of niches correlates better with HSC function than absolute distance from vasculature. This technique enables prospective isolation of serially reconstituting HSCs distinct from other less potent HSCs of the same phenotype, based on the in vivo niche in which they reside.
Inhibition of NKG2D expression in NK cells by cytokines secreted in response to human cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Muntasell Aura , Magri Giuliana , Pende Daniela , Angulo Ana , López-Botet Miguel
Published: April 2010

The NKG2D receptor activates natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production on recognition of self-molecules induced by cellular stress under different conditions such as viral infections. The importance of NKG2D in the immune response to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is supported by the identification of several viral molecules that prevent the expression of NKG2D ligands by infected cells. In this study we report that, paradoxically, a significant, selective, and transient reduction of NKG2D expression on NK cells is detected during HCMV infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells if needed. Antagonizing type I interferon (IFN), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and IFNγ prevented HCMV-induced down-regulation of surface NKG2D. Moreover, treatment of purified NK cells with recombinant IFNβ1 and IL-12 mimicked the effect, supporting a direct role of these cytokines in regulating NKG2D surface expression in NK cells. The loss of NKG2D expression selectively impaired NK-cell cytotoxicity against cells expressing NKG2D ligands but preserved the response triggered through other activating receptors. These results support that down-regulation of NKG2D expression on NK cells by cytokines with a key role in antiviral immune response may constitute a physiologic mechanism to control NK-cell reactivity against normal cells expressing NKG2D ligands in the context of inflammatory responses to viral infections.
Using multiple household food inventories to measure food availability in the home over 30 days: a pilot study
Authors: Sisk Cheree , Sharkey Joseph R , McIntosh William A , Anding Jenna
Published: April 2010

Background

The consumption of foods, especially by children, may be determined by the types of foods that are available in the home. Because most studies use a single point of data collection to determine the types of foods in the home, which can miss the change in availability when resources are not available, the primary objective of this study was to determine the extent to which the weekly availability of household food items changed over one month by 1) developing the methodology for the direct observation of the presence and amount of food items in the home; 2) conducting five in-home household food inventories over a thirty-day period in a small convenience sample; and 3) determining the frequency that food items were present in the participating households.

Methods

After the development and pre-testing of the 251-item home observation guide that used direct observation to determine the presence and amount of food items in the home (refrigerator, freezer, pantry, elsewhere), two trained researchers recruited a convenience sample of 9 households (44.4% minority); administered a baseline questionnaire (personal info, shopping habits, food resources, and food security); and conducted 5 in-home assessments (7-day interval) over a 30-day period. Each in-home assessment included food-related activities since the last assessment, and an observational survey of types and amounts of foods present.

Results

Complete data were collected from all 9 women (32.8 y ± 6.0; 3 married; 4 ± 1.6 adults/children in household; 4 received food assistance; and 6 had very low food security) and their households. Weekly grocery purchases (place, amount, and purpose) varied from once (n = 1) to every week (n = 5); 4 used fast food 2-3 times/wk for 4 weeks. The weekly presence and amounts of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and dairy varied.

Conclusions

The feasibility of conducting multiple in-home assessments was confirmed with 100% retention of participants through 5 in-home assessments, which paid particular attention to the intra-monthly changes in household availability in type and amount of foods. This study contributes to research on home food availability by identifying the importance of multiple measures, presence of certain foods in the home, and the feasibility of comprehensive in-home assessments.