bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anxiety and Unrecognized High Blood Pressure in U.S. Ambulatory Care Settings: An Analysis of the 2005 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
Authors: Player Marty S. , Mainous Arch G. , Carnemolla Mark
Published: May 2008

Objective:

To determine for U.S. ambulatory visits for anxiety how often high blood pressure is unrecognized and the factors associated with being unrecognized.

Methods:

Analyzed data from the 2005 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey looking at visits for anxiety by patient complaint or provider diagnosis and determined if a hypertension diagnosis was included for visits in which measured blood pressure was in the hypertensive range. This was compared to total visits in the NAMCS and NHAMCS. Logistic regression determined predictors of high blood pressure going unrecognized for visits for anxiety.

Results:

Of visits for anxiety in 2005 with elevated blood pressure, 32.5% were unrecognized. This compares to 24.6% unrecognized for all visits with hypertension/elevated blood pressure. At visits in which anxiety medications were prescribed (OR 2.44 95%CI 1.01–5.89) and for Hispanic ethnicity (OR 13.9 95%CI 1.46–132.03), high blood pressure was more likely to be unrecognized. High blood pressure was less likely to be unrecognized for those 45 to 64 years old (OR 0.21 95%CI 0.07–0.62), visits not with the primary care provider (OR 0.09 95%CI 0.03–0.33), visits for a chronic problem (OR 0.26 95%CI 0.08–0.86), and visits at which anti-hypertensive medications were prescribed (OR 0.005 95%CI 0.001–0.04).

Conclusions:

Anxiety is a common reason for visits in U.S. ambulatory settings. Many of these visits have concomitant high blood pressure, a large proportion of which may go unrecognized. Efforts to educate physicians about these issues may help reduce the level of unrecognized high blood pressure in those with anxiety.
Agile Software Development
Authors: Biju Soly Mathew
Published: May 2008

Many software development firms are now adopting the agile software development method. This method involves the customer at every level of software development, thus reducing the impact of change in the requirement at a later stage. In this article, the principles of the agile method for software development are explored and there is a focus on its effectiveness in the industry today. The article also describes the two agile development methods used today in the information technology industry – Extreme Programming (XP) and Scrum. The major differences between the two methods are examined. This article is based on a recent study and on feedback from developers in the information technology industry.
Quantifying Continuous Exercise Using the Ratio of Work Completed to Endurance Limit Associated with Exercise-Induced Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness
Authors: Desgorces François Denis , Noirez Philippe
Published: May 2008

This study quantified training load of various exercises using a novel method developed by the authors and based on the ratio of work completed: endurance limit, associated with exercise-induced delayed-onset muscle soreness. Exercises were also quantified using the Training Impulse method. 8 runners performed a marathon and a 60-min. run at marathon velocity, and 9 rowers performed two maximal exercises (500 m and 2000 m) on a rowing ergometer. To examine the validity of the two methods, the relationships between the training loads provided by the Training Impulse and the Authors' methods, the direct comparison of the tasks performed, and the usability of the Authors' method components in regular training were assessed. Authors' method was significantly related to Training Impulse method ( r = .83, p < .05) and was higher for running ( r = .94, p < .05) but none was observed for rowing. In both methods, the marathon run resulted in high training load compared with the other tasks. When compared with the 60-min. run, the training load of the 2000-m row was slightly higher for the Authors' method, but lower for Training Impulse method. In the Authors' method, the delayed-onset muscle soreness component discriminates the marathon from the other tasks whereas the ration of work completed: endurance limit differentiates the 60-min. run from the 2000-m row. The duration component of the Training Impulse method could lead to overestimation of the training load of prolonged exercises compared with high intensity exercise. The relationship between the Training Impulse and the Authors' methods for prolonged exercises, the training load provided for each task, and the components of the Authors' method supported the validity of this new tool to describe exercise-induced fatigue.
Home Advantage in the Six Nations Rugby Union Tournament
Authors: Thomas Sion , Reeves Colin , Bell Andrew
Published: May 2008

This study examined whether home advantage occurred in the Six Nations Rugby Union tournament. Data were gathered using the final championship standings from the tournament's inception in 2000 to the recently completed 2007 season. Home advantage for each championship season was defined as the number of points won by teams playing at home, expressed as a percentage of all points gained either at home or away. An analysis of home advantage for each of eight seasons of competition ranged from 53% (2005) to 70% (2006). There was an overall statistically significant home advantage of 61% for 120 matches played in the Six Nations tournament between 2000 and 2007. Also analysed were the percentage of points won at home by each country. Again, evidence supported home advantage amongst all competing nations regardless of the team's quality.
Icon Flickering, Flicker Rate, and Color Combinations of an Icon's Symbol/Background in Visual Search Performance
Authors: Huang Kuo-Chen , Chen Chen-Fu , Chiang Shu-Ying
Published: May 2008

The effects of color combinations of an icon's symbol/background and components of flicker and flicker rate on visual search performance on a liquid crystal display screen were investigated with 39 subjects who searched for a target icon in a circular stimulus array (diameter = 20 cm) including one target and 19 distractors. Analysis showed that the icon's symbol/background color significantly affected search time. The search times for icons with black/red and white/blue were significantly shorter than for white/yellow, black/yellow, and black/blue. Flickering of different components of the icon significantly affected the search time. Search time for an icon's border flickering was shorter than for an icon symbol flickering; search for flicker rates of 3 and 5 Hz was shorter than that for 1 Hz. For icon's symbol/background color combinations, search error rate for black/blue was greater than for black/red and white/blue combinations, and the error rate for an icon's border flickering was lower than for an icon's symbol flickering. Interactions affected search time and error rate. Results are applicable to design of graphic user interfaces.
Aesthetics of Streetscapes: Influence of Fundamental Properties on Aesthetic Judgments of Urban Space
Authors: Weber Ralf , Schnier Jörg , Jacobsen Thomas
Published: May 2008

This experiment was designed to investigate the relationship between the fundamental visual, spatial properties of existing complex streetscapes and aesthetic judgments. Participants performed aesthetic judgments over 35 photographs of typical spatial situations taken along the Meißner Straße in Radebeul, Germany. In a modified Q-Sort procedure, the participants assigned the pictures to five categories, including 1 (beautiful) and 5 (not beautiful). Vegetation, Stylistic Uniformity, Homogeneity of Scale, and Symmetry were identified as primary components of aesthetic judgment by using principal component analysis. Stimuli, photographically edited according to these factors, were then tested using the same Q-Sort procedure, which confirmed these determinants. These results are intended to help the development of the theoretical understanding of the link between the influence of selected spatial properties and the aesthetic judgment of the visual quality of urban spaces.
Some Findings on Prospect and Refuge: I
Authors: Stamps Arthur E.
Published: May 2008

Prospect and refuge theory suggests that preferences for environments are based on prospect (the unimpeded opportunity to see) and refuge (the opportunity to hide). This article reports two experiments on how well four factors derived from prospect and refuge theory predicted responses of comfort or liking. The factors were prospect (depth of view), refuge (presence of protective regions in front of the observer or occluding edges that might indicate possibilities of escape), direction of light (either front lighting or back lighting), and venue (natural or built environments). Exp. 1 had 16 landscape scenes and 29 participants; Exp. 2 had 16 landscapes, 14 rooms, and 18 participants. Empirical support was obtained for the claim that people will like gazing out over scenes of distant mountains. For venue, built scenes were preferred over scenes of nature. Results for refuge were ambiguous, and those for direction of light were nill.
Sport-Specific Decision-Making in a Go/Nogo Reaction Task: Difference among Nonathletes and Baseball and Basketball Players
Authors: Nakamoto Hiroki , Mori Shiro
Published: May 2008

The present study examined whether Go/Nogo reaction time (RT) is a relevant index of the sport expertise relating to sport-specific decision-making. 57 male university students, 20 basketball players, 24 baseball players, and 13 sedentary students as a control group, performed a Simple RT task and Go/NoGo RT task which had baseball specific stimulus-response relations. Participants in baseball and basketball differed further in having high, medium, and low experience in the sports. For comparisons across sports, the basketball and the baseball players had significantly shorter reaction times than the nonathletes in both tasks. In contrast, reaction times varied significantly across experience for the baseball players in the Go/NoGo RT task but not for basketball players. These results suggested that Go/NoGo RT could be used as an index of expertise for sport-specific decision-making, if stimulus-response relation in Go/NoGo RT task has a natural relation for a particular sport-domain.
Selecting One of Two Regular Sound Sequences: Perceptual and Motor Effects of Tempo
Authors: Rivenez Marie , Drake Carolyn , Brochard Renaud , Guillaume Anne
Published: May 2008

This study assessed the influence of tempo on selecting a sound sequence. In Exp. 1, synchronization with one of the two regular subsequences in a complex sequence was measured. 30 participants indicated a preference for the fastest subsequence when subsequences were in a slow tempo range (≥ 500 msec. IOI), and with the slower subsequence when they were in the fast tempo range (≤ 300 msec. IOI). These results were replicated using a perceptual task (Exp. 2 and 3) in which the 30 listeners had to detect a temporal irregularity in one of the two subsequences. Detection was better when the temporal irregularity was in the fastest subsequence than in the slowest one when the complex sequence was in a slow tempo range (≥ 500 msec. IOI) and the reverse was obtained when the complex sequence was in a fast tempo range (≤ 180 msec. IOI). These results have implications for design of auditory alarms.
Incidence of Neurological Soft Signs in Children with Isolated Cleft of the Lip or Palate
Authors: Conrad Amy L. , Canady John , Richman Lynn , Nopoulos Peg
Published: May 2008

The purpose of this study was to assess neurological soft signs in children and adolescents with isolated cleft of the lip or palate (iCL/P) compared with healthy controls. Children with iCL/P were recruited through the university cleft clinic. Control subjects were recruited through advertisements. Of the 166 subjects who participated (age range 7 to 17 years, M = 12.5, SD = 3.2), 77 had iCL/P (48 male) and 89 were healthy controls (44 male). All participants took the Physical and Neurological Examination of Subtle Signs and selected tests of motor coordination. A multivariate analysis of variance assessed differences between subjects with and without iCL/P. Also, a Pearson correlation estimated the relationship between the neurological soft signs and age. Subjects with iCL/P scored significantly higher on all neurological soft signs variables. These higher scores were associated with younger age. Findings lend support to the hypothesis of aberrant brain development in children with iCL/P.
Teacher-Initiated Motivational Climate in Physical Education Questionnaire in an Italian Sample
Authors: Bortoli Laura , Colella Dario , Morano Milena , Berchicci Marika , Bertollo Maurizio , Robazza Claudio
Published: May 2008

The purpose of the study was to translate and adapt in the Italian language a questionnaire that could effectively assess perceived motivational climate in physical education. An Italian version of the Teacher-initiated Motivational Climate in Physical Education Questionnaire proposed by Papaioannou (1998) was administered to 1,681 young students, 840 girls and 841 boys, ages 11 to 14 years. Data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis to assess the goodness of fit of the expected two-factor solution constituted by a Mastery Climate scale (six items) and a Performance Climate scale (six items). A good fit was indicated between the observed data and theoretical model and supported the two-dimensional structure of the test. In the total sample, the Mastery factor accounted for 33.6% of the variance and the Performance factor accounted for 15.4%. Cronbach α of the Mastery and Performance scales were .79 and .70, respectively.
Aggressor and Victim Perspective-Related Differences in Perceived Legitimacy of Aggression in Soccer
Authors: Traclet Alan , Souchon Nicolas , Rascle Olivier , Coulomb-Cabagno Genevieve , Dosseville Fabrice
Published: May 2008

The purpose of this role-playing study was to explore the perceived legitimacy of aggression in soccer as a function of perspective-related differences (aggressor vs victim) and type of aggression (instrumental vs hostile). 120 soccer players watched videotaped aggressive interactions in soccer and took the perspective of the actors (aggressor then victim or the reverse). Then they rated the legitimacy of each aggressive behavior depending on its ultimate goal (instrumental then hostile or the reverse). When participants adopted the aggressor perspective, they perceived instrumental aggression as more legitimate than hostile aggression. In contrast, when participants took the perspective of the victim, no significant difference was found regardless of the type of aggression. The discussion focussed on implications and consequences of such divergences in aggressive sport situations.
Rpe-Based Zone of Normality for Use in Evaluating Graded Exercise Test Responses in Women
Authors: Goss Fredric L. , DeBoever Harold , Brown Kyle , Metz Kenneth F. , Liu Ying , Robertson Robert J.
Published: May 2008

The purposes of this study were to identify a zone of normality based upon ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and compare the RPE of women with coronary artery disease to this zone. 45 healthy women (34.8 ± 9.1 yr.) completed a Bruce treadmill test. RPE were estimated during the last minute of each workload. The zone of normality was established as the 95% confidence interval spanning the average line when RPE was regressed against MET. 51 women (66.6 ± 9.3 yr.) with coronary artery disease completed a symptom-limited treadmill test. 31 of the women with coronary artery disease were taking beta blockers. RPE were compared to the RPE/MET relation of the zone. 57% of the women with coronary artery disease estimated RPE above the zone during the treadmill test. RPE responses above the zone of normality indicate an elevated perceptual strain for a given energy expenditure (i.e., MET). The zone of normality might be used as an aid in discriminating between normal and abnormal RPE responses during graded treadmill tests by women with coronary artery disease.
Conformity among Cowitnesses Sharing Same or Different Information about an Event in Experimental Collaborative Eyewitness Testimony
Authors: Mori Kazuo , Mori Hideko
Published: May 2008

Using the Mori technique in which two different movies presented on the same screen were viewed separately by two groups without their noticing the duality, two experiments were carried out with 138 undergraduates in groups of varying sizes to examine the effects of cowitnesses with the same or different information on these witnesses' memory distortion. Exp. 1 investigated the cowitness effects in a one-versus-two situation, while Exp. 2 investigated the effects in a two-versus-two situation. Analysis showed isolated eyewitnesses who had no supporting cowitnesses changed their minds more frequently toward the majority and, when they had a cowitness who shared the same information, they tended to stick to their original reports even after being confronted with conflicting information in a discussion.
Perceptual Style and Visual Contribution to Dynamic Balance: A Pilot Study
Authors: Davlin-Pater Christina
Published: May 2008

Field-independent and -dependent individuals performed a test of dynamic balance (stabilometer) under four different vision conditions ( ns = 8), including vision, intermittent vision, no vision, and tilted visual field. Analyses indicated no significant difference between the field-independent and -dependent groups on the balance task. Performance on the task was optimal when continuous visual cues were present. Participants were less stable when only intermittent visual cues were available and least stable when no visual cues were available.
Discrimination and Memory Experiments on Haptic Perception of Softness
Authors: Liu Jia , Song Aiguo
Published: May 2008

This paper described a pilot study and two follow-up experiments, using a device developed in the laboratory to study the human fingertip's discrimination and memory for softness perception. According to the pilot study, soft objects were easier to identify than hard ones. When subjects touched objects, the number of times seemed to be from 2 to 6. For most, the touch frequency ranged from 0.3 to 1.3 Hz. In Exp. 1, the method of constant stimuli was used to study the human fingertip's stiffness difference threshold for haptic perception. The estimated difference threshold averaged over 24 subjects was 33 N/m. And, the stiffness difference thresholds for most people were in the range of 20 N/m to 40 N/m. In Exp. 2, the haptic memory span was discussed according to the recall experiment. Human haptic memory span lay between three and four items.
Stimulus Novelty and Cognitive-Related Erp Components of the Infant Brain
Authors: Ackles Patrick K.
Published: May 2008

This study recorded visual fixation performance and event-related brain potentials (ERPs) to examine processing of novel visual information in 6- to 7-mo.-old infants as well as to test attention- or memory-related hypotheses of the functional significance of the Nc-ERP component. Separate groups of infants were presented two versions of a novelty-probe task with three types of visual stimuli: (a) a frequent face on 70% of the trials, (b) an oddball face on 15% of the trials, and (c) novel probe stimuli on the remaining 15% of the trials. The novelty probes were faces in one group and irregular shapes in the second group. Analysis showed longer fixations and Nc responses of greater amplitude occurred to oddball and novel stimuli. It was concluded that Nc reflects a top-down, controlled processing mechanism that flexibly allocates attentional resources.
Working Memory Load in the Initial Learning Phase Facilitates Relearning: A Study of Vocabulary Learning
Authors: Sasaki Takashi
Published: May 2008

In this study, the effect of working memory load in the initial learning phase on the relearning phase was examined. Exp. 1 examined the effect of articulatory suppression in paired associative learning with a relearning method. In the learning phase, 28 participants ( M age = 21.8 yr., SD = 2.1) learned all word-nonword associations under conditions of articulatory suppression or simple tapping. After a delay, they answered a cued recall task in a nonsuppressed condition and a relearning task in a simple tapping condition. The subjects who learned under the simple tapping condition in the learning phase required significantly more trials in the relearning phase. In Exp. 2, 28 participants ( M age = 20.8 yr., SD = 1.5) participated, and the result was replicated. These results suggested that working memory load facilitates relearning. Results are best explained by contextual interference (Battig) rather than by the less-is-more hypothesis of Newport.
Observation of High and Low Passive Ankle Flexibility in Stair Descent
Authors: Moseley Anne M. , Descatoire Aurelien , Adams Roger D.
Published: May 2008

Able-bodied people from the two extremes of the distribution of passive dorsiflexion exhibit biomechanical differences when descending stairs. Whether physical therapists could judge accurately the amount of ankle flexibility from observation of stair descent was examined with physical therapists (20 neurological 20 cardiothoracic) and 20 students. Subjects were 18 able-bodied men with high or low passive dorsiflexion. Raters viewed videotaped subjects descending stairs at normal playback speed and in slow motion and rated ankle flexibility on a 20-point scale. ‘Flexible’ or ‘inflexible’ subjects were classified correctly better than chance, but accuracy of rating flexibility was relatively poor. Both experience and slow motion playback improved accuracy. Physical therapists can detect extremes of normal flexibility in the ankle, based solely on observation of stair descent, and experienced therapists are better at this task than less experienced ones. Using slow motion videotape enhanced observational analysis.
Emotional and Persuasive Perception of Fonts
Authors: Juni Samuel , Gross Julie S.
Published: May 2008

The aim of this study was to explore the latent affective and persuasive meaning attributed to text when appearing in two commonly used fonts. Two satirical readings were selected from the New York Times. These readings (one addressing government issues, the other education policy) were each printed in Times New Roman and Arial fonts of the same size and presented in randomized order to 102 university students, who ranked the readings on a number of adjective descriptors. Analysis showed that satirical readings in Times New Roman were perceived as more funny and angry than those in Arial, the combination of emotional perception which is congruent with the definition of satire. This apparent interaction of font type with emotional qualities of text has implications for marketing, advertising, and the persuasive literature.
Differences in Game-Related Statistics of Basketball Performance by Game Location for Men's Winning and Losing Teams
Authors: Gómez Miguel A. , Lorenzo Alberto , Barakat Rubén , Ortega Enrique , José M. Palao
Published: May 2008

The aim of the present study was to identify game-related statistics that differentiate winning and losing teams according to game location. The sample included 306 games of the 2004–2005 regular season of the Spanish professional men's league (ACB League). The independent variables were game location (home or away) and game result (win or loss). The game-related statistics registered were free throws (successful and unsuccessful), 2- and 3-point field goals (successful and unsuccessful), offensive and defensive rebounds, blocks, assists, fouls, steals, and turnovers. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done (one-way analysis of variance and discriminate analysis). The multivariate analysis showed that winning teams differ from losing teams in defensive rebounds ( SC = .42) and in assists ( SC = .38). Similarly, winning teams differ from losing teams when they play at home in defensive rebounds ( SC = .40) and in assists ( SC = .41). On the other hand, winning teams differ from losing teams when they play away in defensive rebounds ( SC = .44), assists ( SC = .30), successful 2-point field goals ( SC = .31), and unsuccessful 3-point field goals ( SC = –.35). Defensive rebounds and assists were the only game-related statistics common to all three analyses.
Memory Aberrations, Transliminality, and Delusional Ideation
Authors: Dagnall Neil , Munley Gary , Parker Andrew
Published: May 2008

This study investigated the relationships between cognitive-perceptual personality dimensions (transliminality and delusional ideation) and self-report measures of memory error (Oblivion Scale and the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire). 100 full- and part-time psychology undergraduate students completed the measures (18 men and 82 women; M =19.3 yr., SD = 4.4). A positive correlation was found between transliminality and reported memory aberrations (Oblivion Scale scores) and also between transliminality and Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire scores. Correlations were positive between Peters, et al. Delusions Inventory and the self-report memory measures. Transliminality and Peters, et al. Delusions Inventory scores predicted the number of memory aberrations or slips reported on the Oblivion Scale and Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire. To explore whether transliminality explained additional variance to that accounted for by the Peters, et al. Delusions Inventory, forward regression was applied and showed aspects of transliminality not accounted for by Peters, et al. Delusions Inventory did not explain additional variance within the self-report memory measures.
Birthday and Birthmate Problems: Misconceptions of Probability among Psychology Undergraduates and Casino Visitors and Personnel
Authors: Voracek Martin , Tran Ulrich S. , Formann Anton K.
Published: May 2008

Subjective estimates and associated confidence ratings for the solutions of some classic occupancy problems were studied in samples of 721 psychology undergraduates, 39 casino visitors, and 34 casino employees. On tasks varying the classic birthday problem, i.e., the probability P for any coincidence among N individuals sharing the same birthday, clear majorities of respondents markedly overestimated N, given P, and markedly underestimated P, given N. Respondents did notedly better on tasks varying the birthmate problem, i.e., P for the specific coincidence among N individuals of having a birthday today. Psychology students and women did better on both task types, but were less confident about their estimates than casino visitors or personnel and men. Several further person variables, such as indicators of topical knowledge and familiarity, were associated with better and more confident performance on birthday problems, but not on birthmate problems. Likewise, higher confidence ratings were related to subjective estimates that were closer to the solutions of birthday problems, but not of birthmate problems. Implications of and possible explanations for these findings, study limitations, directions for further inquiry, and the real-world relevance of ameliorating misconceptions of probability are discussed.
Ottawa Panel Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Aerobic Fitness Exercises in the Management of Fibromyalgia: Part 1
Authors: Brosseau Lucie , Wells George A , Tugwell Peter , Egan Mary , Wilson Keith G , Dubouloz Claire-Jehanne , Casimiro Lynn , Robinson Vivian A , McGowan Jessie , Busch Angela , Poitras Stéphane , Moldofsky Harvey , Harth Manfred , Finestone Hillel M , Nielson Warren , Haines-Wangda Angela , Russell-Doreleyers Marion , Lambert Kim , Marshall Alison D , Veilleux Line
Published: May 2008

Background and Purpose

The objective of this study was to create guidelines for the use of aerobic fitness exercises in the management of adult patients (>18 years of age) with fibromyalgia, as defined by the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria.

Methods

Following Cochrane Collaboration methods, the Ottawa Methods Group found and synthesized evidence from comparative controlled trials and formed the Ottawa Panel, with nominated experts from key stakeholder organizations. The Ottawa Panel then developed criteria for grading the recommendations based on experimental design (I for randomized controlled trials, II for nonrandomized studies) and strength of evidence (A, B, C+, C, D+, D, or D−). From the rigorous literature search, 13 randomized control trials and 3 controlled clinical trials were selected. Statistical analysis was based on Cochrane Collaboration methods. Continuous data were calculated with weighted mean differences between the intervention and control groups, and dichotomous data were analyzed with relative risks. Clinical improvement was calculated using absolute benefit and relative difference in change from baseline. Clinical significance was attained when an improvement of 15% relative to a control was found.

Results

There were 24 positive recommendations: 10 grade A, 1 grade B, and 13 grade C+. Of these 24 positive recommendations, only 5 were of clinical benefit.

Discussion and Conclusion

The Ottawa Panel recommends aerobic fitness exercises for the management of fibromyalgia as a result of the emerging evidence (grades A, B, and C+, although most trials were rated low quality) shown in the literature.
The Epidemiological Transition: The Current Status of Infectious Diseases in the Developed World versus the Developing World
Authors: Sanders John W. , Fuhrer Greg S. , Johnson Mark D. , Riddle Mark S.
Published: May 2008

Wealthy, industrialized countries of the developed world successfully underwent the “epidemiologic transition “ from infectious diseases to degenerative diseases, but developing countries have not yet achieved that transition. This article reviews the current status of Omran's Theory of Epidemiologic Transition, comparing the burden of infectious diseases in the developed world versus the developing world. The advent of modern sanitation and hygiene practices, effective vaccines, and antibiotics have significantly diminished the burden in the developed world, but infectious diseases remain the most common cause of death worldwide. The persistence of this disease burden has been due to a failure to employee effective strategies and to unforeseen developments, such as the emergence of HIV and the re-emergence of malaria and tuberculosis driven by newly developed drug resistance. The challenge in accurately assessing infectious disease burden and developing effective interventions is reviewed along with the most common diseases and current intervention strategies.
Organic Reactivity in Aot-Stabilized Microemulsions
Authors: Astray G. , Cid A. , García-Río L. , Hervella P. , Mejuto J.C. , Pérez-Lorenzo M.
Published: May 2008

Microemulsions are highly versatile reaction media, which currently find many applications. In this review, we shall describe recent trends in the use of microemulsions as organic reaction media, and present models for their functioning, in particular the pseudophase model. This model allows a quantitative explanation of organic reactivity in these microheterogeneous media.
Remarks on Muscle Contraction Mechanism
Authors: Mitsui Toshio , Ohshima Hiroyuki
Published: May 2008

Muscle contraction mechanism is discussed by reforming the model described in an article by Mitsui (Adv. Biophys. 1999, 36, 107-158). A simple thermodynamic relationship is presented, which indicates that there is an inconsistency in the power stroke model or the swinging lever model. To avoid this difficulty, a new model is proposed. It is assumed that a myosin head forms a polaron-like complex with about three actin molecules when it attaches to an actin filament and the complex translates along the actin filament producing force. Various experimental data on the muscle contraction are well explained based upon the model.
Headspace Solid Phase Micro Extraction Gas Chromatographic Determination of Fenthion in Human Serum
Authors: Kasiotis Konstantinos M. , Souki Helen , Tsakirakis Angelos N. , Carageorgiou Haris , Theotokatos Spiridon A. , Haroutounian Serkos A. , Machera Kyriaki
Published: May 2008

A simple and effective analytical procedure was developed for the determination of fenthion residues in human serum samples. The sample treatment was performed using the headspace solid-phase micro extraction with polyacrylate fiber, which has the advantage to require low amount of serum (1 mL) without tedious pre-treatment. The quantification of fenthion was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the recoveries ranged from 79 to 104% at two spiking levels for 6 replicates. Detection and quantification limits were calculated as 1.51 and 4.54 ng/mL of serum respectively. Two fenthion metabolites − fenoxon and fenthion–sulfoxide − were also identified.
Thermal and dielectric properties of bismaleimide‐triazine resins containing octa(maleimidophenyl)silsesquioxane
Authors: Cao Hongwei , Xu Riwei , Yu Dingsheng
Published: May 2008

Octa(maleimidophenyl)silsesquioxane (OMPS) was synthesized, characterized, and employed to modify the BT resin which composed of 4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BMI) and 2,2′‐bis(4‐cyanatophenyl)propane (BCE). The curing reaction between OMPS and BT resin was first investigated. It was found that OMPS accelerate the curing reaction of BCE, and the onset temperature of the cyclotrimerization was reduced up to 95.5°C (by DSC). As demonstrated by DSC and FTIR, there was no evidence that indicated the coreaction between maleimide and cyanate ester. 2,2′‐diallyl bisphenol A (DBA) and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (E‐51) (Wuxi Resin Factory, Jiangsu Province, China) were also used to enhance the toughness of BT resin, and the formulated BTA (containing DBA) and BTE (containing E‐51) resins were obtained. The thermal properties of BT, BTA, and BTE resins incorporated with OMPS were then investigated. The results of DMA and TG showed that the BT, BTA, and BTE resins containing 1 wt % of OMPS exhibit enhanced thermal properties in comparison with their pristine resins respectively, while more contents of OMPS may impair the thermal properties of the polymer matrix, though the effect of OMPS was slight. Finally, the dielectric constant of these hybrid materials were detected, and their dielectric constant were distinctly reduced by the incorporation of OMPS, while overmuch contents of OMPS were disadvantageous for dielectric constant because of the aggregation of OMPS. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Crystallization of polycaprolactone–clay nanocomposites
Authors: Ludueña Leandro N. , Vazquez Analía , Alvarez Vera A.
Published: May 2008

The isothermal crystallization process of polycaprolactone/clay nanocomposites was studied at several temperatures. The effects of the clay type (modified and unmodified) and clay content were analyzed. Bulk crystallization was studied with differential scanning calorimetry and modeled with Avrami's equation. The reinforcement phase lowered the time at which the first crystal nucleus appeared (i.e., the induction time) and fastened the global crystallization rate in comparison with that of neat polycaprolactone. The spherulitic growth was analyzed by optical microscopy with polarized light. The presence of the clay produced more and bigger spherulites in the same time and with the same undercooling degree. All these properties were strongly dependent on the polycaprolactone/clay compatibility and hence the dispersion degree achieved in the nanocomposites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Enhanced degradation of cellulose acetate films in the copresence of triphenylsulfonium salt and benzophenone
Authors: Hosono Kiyoshi , Kanazawa Akihiko , Mori Hideharu , Endo Takeshi
Published: May 2008

To investigate whether benzophenone (BP) enhances triphenylsulfonium salt (TPS) degradation of cellulose acetate (CA) during photoirradiation, CA (degree of substitution = 2.45) films containing TPS and BP were prepared, and their degradative behavior was examined under simulated solar exposure. The irradiation‐evoked generation of acetic acid from the films was greater in the copresence of TPS and BP than in the sole presence of TPS. This result indicates that the TPS was activated by BP to produce Brønsted acid, which induced the deacetylation of CA effectively. As a possible mechanism for this activation of TPS, we postulated that the TPS oxidized free‐radical species induced by the photoreaction of BP, which was followed by the generation of Brønsted acid. The activation of TPS by BP did not appear to significantly accelerate the main‐chain cleavage of CA because size exclusion chromatography data did not reveal any decrease in the molecular weight of CA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Studies on jute–asphalt composites
Authors: Banerjee Prabir K. , Ghosh Mahuya
Published: May 2008

The tensile properties of jute make it a suitable raw material for asphalt overlay (A/O) fabric. In this study, the thermal stability of jute under conditions of asphalt overlaying process was investigated and the compatibility of jute with asphalt was assessed through experimentation on jute–asphalt composites under mechanical and hygral loads. Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopic study revealed probable chemical bonding between jute and asphalt. The test for ascertaining the capability of asphalt encasement for protecting jute against biodegradation under enzymatic attack was found positive. A 6‐month hygral treatment, of the jute–asphalt composite, showed significant increase in modulus of the material. The results indicate that although the strength of jute deteriorates by about 10% under asphalt overlaying condition, the overall tensile behavior of jute fabric–asphalt composite material is considerably superior to that of the pure jute fabric, even under biological and extended hygral loading conditions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Increasing recyclability of PC, ABS and PMMA: Morphology and fracture behavior of binary and ternary blends
Authors: Rybnicek Jan , Lach Ralf , Lapcikova Monika , Steidl Josef , Krulis Zdenek , Grellmann Wolfgang , Slouf Miroslav
Published: May 2008

Binary and ternary blends of PC, ABS, and PMMA were studied. The blends were produced from original and recycled materials by melt mixing in a wide range of compositions. Instrumented Charpy impact testing, tensile testing, rheology investigations, and electron microscopy were carried out to determine the relationship between the deformation and fracture behavior, blend composition, morphology, and processing parameters. Resistance against unstable crack propagation was evaluated using the concepts ofJ‐integral and crack‐tip‐opening displacement (CTOD). The transition from ductile elastic‐plastic to brittle‐linear elastic fracture behavior was observed in the case of PC/ABS/PMMA blend at 10% of PMMA. Reprocessing had only a slight influence on the deformation and fracture behavior of the recycled blends. The blends produced from recycled materials proved to be competitive with the original pure materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Development and use of a turbidity analyzer for studying the solution crystallization of polyolefins
Authors: van Reenen A. J. , Rohwer E. G. , Walters P. , Lutz M. , Brand M.
Published: May 2008

Cooling a solution of a crystalline polyolefin from 140°C to room temperature causes the dissolved polymer to crystallize. If a laser beam passes through this solution, the crystallization will cause the beam to scatter, which thereby decreases the intensity of the beam. With this principle, it is possible to follow the crystallization of polyolefins under controlled cooling. An instrument capable of doing these analyses was manufactured, and several different polyolefins were analyzed. The effect of the experimental parameters are illustrated for both cooling and reheating experiments. In addition, an interesting dependence on molecular weight was also observed for a series of metallocene polypropylenes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Preparation of hyperbranched polyamidoamine polymer–ultrafine silica hybrid composite
Authors: Punyacharoennon Phairat , Srikulkit Kawee
Published: May 2008

Grafting of hyperbranched polyamidoamine (PAMAM) polymer onto ultrafine silica was prepared. First, an initiating site was incorporated into silica surface by treating silica particle with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane producing amino functionalized silica. Then grafting of hyperbranched PAMAM was performed by repetitive reactions between Michael addition of silica amino groups to methyl acrylate (MA) and amidation of the resulting terminal methyl ester groups with ethylenediamine (EDA). Excessive amounts of MA and EDA present in each step were removed by a rotary evaporator and dialysis separation, respectively. FT‐IR analysis was employed to monitor the propagation of hyperbranched PAMAM on silica which was carried out until reaching the generation of 3.0. The yellowish liquid product was obtained. Amino group content in each generation was determined which was found significantly lower than theoretical value due to unavoidable side reactions. Laser light scattering and SEM results revealed that the particulate agglomerate was disaggregated into finer particle size as hyperbranched PAMAM generation increased. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Photoresponsive polyacrylamide based on grafted azodianiline
Authors: Tian Ruhai , Bhatambrekar Nishant , Liao Yi , Su Ming
Published: May 2008

Photoresponsive polyacrylamide (PAA) was synthesized by grafting 4,4′‐azodianiline on PAA via the Mannich reaction. The ratio of azo component can be conveniently adjusted through controlling the reaction temperature. Hydrogen bonding between the amino group on the grafted azo component and PAA main chain is utilized to amplify the photoresponse. Dynamic light scattering study showed that the average hydrodynamic size of PAA having ∼ 5 mol % of azo component decreased ∼ 24% after UV irradiation at 365 nm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Development of a sensitive flow‐injection–chemiluminescence detection method for the determination of laevodopa
Authors: Alam Seikh Mafiz , Karim Mohammad Mainul , Lee Sang Hak , Wabaidur Saikh Mohammad , Chung Hye Young , Choi Jong Ha , Kang Meea
Published: May 2008

A simple chemiluminometric method using flow injection has been developed for the determination of laevodopa, based on its sensitizing effect on the weak chemiluminescence (CL) reaction between Na2SO3 and acidic KMnO4. Under optimum experimental conditions, the CL intensity was linearly related to the concentration of laevodopa from 3.4 × 10–8 to 2.4 × 10–5 mol/L and the detection limit was 1.1 × 10–8 mol/L (s:n = 3). The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the proposed method calculated from 20 replicate injection of 3 × 10–7 mol/L laevodopa was 3.3%. The correlation coefficient was 0.997. The method was successfully applied to the determination of laevodopa in commercial pharmaceutical formulations and spiked urine samples. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A streamlined molecular biology module for undergraduate biochemistry labs
Authors: Muth Gregory W. , Chihade Joseph W.
Published: May 2008

Site‐directed mutagenesis and other molecular biology techniques, including plasmid manipulation and restriction analysis, are commonly used tools in the biochemistry research laboratory. In redesigning our biochemistry lab curricula, we sought to integrate these techniques into a term‐long, project‐based course. In the module presented here, students use structural data to design a site‐directed mutant and make the mutation using the Künkel method. A second, silent mutant, that creates or removes a restriction site, is simultaneously introduced. Restriction digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis are used to assess the success of mutagenesis. Placing these procedures in the context of continuous, student‐driven project serves to create a “research style” laboratory environment.
Psycho‐social determinants of quality of life in children and adolescents with haemophilia—a cross‐cultural approach
Authors: Bullinger Monika , von Mackensen Sylvia
Published: May 2008

Quality of life (QoL) of children with chronic conditions has received increasing attention in recent years. While frequent paediatric health conditions and life‐threatening conditions are in the foreground, QoL of children with rare diseases such as haemophilia is scarce. While haemophilia‐specific instruments to assess QoL in children have been developed, cross‐cultural comparison of QoL and its determinants has not been addressed so far. QoL and potential psychosocial determinants such as coping were assessed in 298 paediatric haemophilia patients from six European countries demonstrating significant differences in QoL between countries. Results indicated that psychosocial predictors varied across countries, although life satisfaction and social support explained the highest proportion of variance and, moreover, superseded clinical characteristics. These findings suggest that intervention programmes should be geared towards enhancing psychosocial resources in children and adolescents with haemophilia. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demographic and psychosocial correlates of quality of life in the elderly from a cross‐cultural perspective
Authors: Dragomirecká Eva , Bartoňová Jitka , Eisemann Martin , Kalfoss Mary , Kilian Reinhold , Martiny Klaus , von Steinbüchel Nicole , Schmidt Silke
Published: May 2008

We compared the quality of life (QOL) of older adults in a post‐communist country (the Czech Republic) with those living in traditional western democracies. The sample comprised 1981 respondents aged 60+ (from 60 to 99). The subjective QOL was measured using the WHOQOL‐BREF and the add‐on module for older adults, the WHOQOL‐OLD. The findings showed higher score of depressive symptoms measured by the GDS scale and lower QOL in Czech sample as compared to other centres. Analyses of factors related to QOL of older adults showed similar patterns for the Czech sample and other centres with depression emerging as the strongest determinant of reduced QOL Findings also underline that subjective quality of life measurement reflects cross‐country differences in accordance with objective indicators of national prosperity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short forms of subjective quality of life assessments from cross‐cultural studies for use in surveys with different populations
Authors: Mühlan Holger , Bullinger Monika , Power Mick , Schmidt Silke
Published: May 2008

Among several advances in quality of life (QOL) assessment development, such as cross‐cultural comparability of measurements, inclusion of more specific target populations, and assessment on different levels of QOL generality, economy of measurement has become of increasing importance. As a consequence, construction of short forms and indices of original measures is common in QOL assessment development. The present paper puts special emphasis upon the issue of shortening measures and developing short forms in QOL assessment in relation to this development. Some basic principles and procedures of short‐form development in general are outlined, and selected prominent examples of short‐form development as applied to QOL assessment are described. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.