bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tailored Treatment Approach for Emphysematous Pyelonephritis
Authors: Kuzgunbay Baris , Turunc Tahsin , Tokmak Naime , Turunc Tuba , Dirim Ayhan , Aygun Cem , Ozkardes Hakan
Published: June 2011

Objective: We evaluated the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of patients presenting with emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP). Patients and Methods: The clinical data of 24 EP patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. The management strategies were discussed according to the severity of condition at presentation. Results: The mean age of the patients was 61.8 years. Diabetes mellitus was detected in 21 (87.5%) of them. Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen. There were 6 patients (25%) who recovered with antibiotic treatment only (mild). Percutaneous drainage in addition to antimicrobial chemotherapy was necessary in 13 cases (54%) (moderate). The remaining 5 patients (21%) were treated by nephrectomy (severe). Conclusions: EP is a serious infection that can display a fatal progression despite ablative treatment but there are also some cases with mild or moderate severity that can be successfully treated without nephrectomy.
When and How Should We Test the Tightness of the Vesicourethral Anastomosis after Retropubic Radical Prostatectomy?
Authors: Mattei A. , Z’Brun S. , Stucki P. , Di Pierro G.B. , Danuser H.
Published: June 2011

Objective: To determine when the vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) becomes tight after retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and if an additional lateral view cystography provides significantly more information than the only anterior-posterior view. Patients and Methods: Pressure-controlled cystography with anterior-posterior and lateral views was performed on postoperative days (POD) 3, 6 and 9 and evaluated in 100 consecutive patients after RRP. Results: On POD 3, 6 and 9, 82, 80 and 82% of all VUA, respectively, were tight. 85% of all tight VUA on POD 3 remained tight on POD 6 and 9. Of the 52 extravasations in a total of 300 cystographies, 65% were recognizable in the anterior-posterior as well as in the lateral view cystography, 6% were seen only in the anterior-posterior view and 29% only in the lateral view. Conclusions: The VUA after RRP is tight in about 80% of the cases on POD 3, 6 and 9. A tight VUA on POD 3 does not exclude later extravasation on POD 6 and 9 (14%). About one third (29%) of all extravasations of VUA are seen only in the lateral view cystography after RRP.
A Novel Mutation in the MC2R Gene Causing Familial Glucocorticoid Deficiency Type 1
Authors: Akin Mustafa Ali , Akin Leyla , Coban Dilek , Ozturk M. Adnan , Bircan Rifat , Kurtoglu Selim
Published: June 2011

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) or hereditary unresponsiveness to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by isolated glucocorticoid deficiency associated with normal mineralocorticoid secretion. Mutations in genes encoding either ACTH receptor or melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein are responsible for the disease in about 50% of cases, named FGD type 1 and type 2, respectively. Patients may present with hyperpigmentation, recurrent infections, failure to thrive, hypoglycemic seizures, and coma in infancy or early childhood. Here we report the case of a 17-day-old newborn diagnosed with FGD type 1 who presented with hyperbilirubinemia and hyperpigmentation, a sign which was erroneously assumed to be due to prolonged phototherapy by the referring physician. Hormone analysis showed low cortisol and high ACTH levels with normal serum electrolytes and renin-aldosterone axis. Genetic analysis revealed a novel homozygous melanocortin 2 receptor mutation p.Leu225Arg in the patient. The healthy parents were heterozygous for the mutation.
Thermal Spread of Vessel-Sealing Devices Evaluated in a Clinically Relevant in vitro Model
Authors: Eberli Daniel , Hefermehl Lukas J. , Müller Alexander , Sulser Tullio , Knönagel Hartmut
Published: June 2011

Introduction: Bipolar vessel-sealing devices (VSDs) have advantages in urological surgeries (less hemorrhage, shorter operating time). However, these instruments can cause thermal injuries, which can result in neural damage and necrosis. The objectives of this study were to establish a reproducible in vitro model for standardized assessment of electrosurgical devices and to evaluate whether optimized placement of surgical instruments can reduce the thermal spread. Methods: We evaluated thermal spread of two VSDs in vitro using thin bovine muscle strips. Thermal injury was measured using an infrared camera, temperature probes and histology. The recordings were made with the VSD alone and with a rectangular clamp next to the VSD. Results: Both instruments showed a significant temperature spread of 2.5 mm lateral to the VSD. The placement of a metal clamp next to the VSD significantly reduced the temperature spread. Histological examinations were able to underline these findings. Conclusions: In this study we describe a straightforward clinically relevant in vitro model for the evaluation of future electrosurgical instruments. We demonstrated that the thermal spread of VSD could be further reduced by optimized placement of an additional surgical instrument. Our results could help surgeons protect sensitive structures like nerves in the vicinity of the VSD.
Quality of Life after SPARC Sling Procedure: A Long-Term Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Heidler Stefan , Ofner-Kopeinig Petra , Puchwein Erika , Hutterer Georg C. , Pummer Karl , Primus Guenter
Published: June 2011

Introduction: To asses the effects on quality of life (QoL) in women with stress urinary incontinence after a SPARC sling procedure. Methods: This is a long-term retrospective study. The study cohort consisted of 54 women: 46 were available for follow-up examination and 8 were contacted by telephone. Results: The median follow-up was 5.3 years. The QoL assessed by using a visual analogue scale improved significantly from 6.9 at baseline to 2.8. The IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form) general score decreased from an average of 56.7 at baseline to 17.5 at the follow-up investigation. Using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement questionnaire, 57.4% of women characterized themselves as very much better, 20.4% as much better and 11.1% as a little better. Eighty-seven percent of women regarded themselves as satisfied, but 13% were dissatisfied with the outcome of the SPARC sling procedure. Conclusion: In this study a significant and stable long-term improvement in QoL could be observed in women undergoing SPARC sling procedure.
Effects of Pregabalin on Subjective Sleep Disturbance Symptoms during Withdrawal from Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use
Authors: Rubio Gabriel , Bobes Julio , Cervera Gaspar , Terán Antonio , Pérez María , López-Gómez Vanessa , Rejas Javier
Published: June 2011

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of pregabalin as a tapering therapy on the subjective sleep quality of patients who underwent a benzodiazepine withdrawal program in routine medical practice. Methods: Secondary analysis of a 12-week prospective, open noncontrolled study carried out in patients who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for benzodiazepine dependence. Sleep was evaluated with the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale (MOS Sleep Scale). Results: 282 patients were included in the analysis. Mean (±SD) pregabalin dose was 315 ± 166 mg/day at the end of the trial. We observed a significant and clinically relevant improvement in sleep outcomes at the endpoint, with a total score reduction from 55.8 ± 18.9 to 25.1 ± 18.0 at week 12 (i.e. a 55% reduction). Similar findings were apparent using the six dimensions of the MOS Sleep Scale. Moderate correlations were observed between the MOS Sleep summary index and sleep domains, and there were improvements in anxiety symptoms and disease severity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that pregabalin may improve subjective sleep quality in patients who underwent a benzodiazepine withdrawal program. This effect appears to be partly independent of improvements in symptoms of anxiety or withdrawal. However, controlled studies are needed to establish the magnitude of the effect of pregabalin.
Extremely Low-Dose Dexamethasone to Facilitate Extubation in Mechanically Ventilated Preterm Babies
Authors: Tanney Kristin , Davis Jonathan , Halliday Henry L. , Sweet David G.
Published: June 2011

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major respiratory complication of extreme prematurity. Dexamethasone is effective in reducing ventilation requirements in babies with BPD, but follow-up studies have raised concerns about long-term neurological sequelae. Few studies have investigated the lowest dose effective for weaning from mechanical ventilation. Objectives: Between January 2004 and December 2008 the practice in a tertiary neonatal unit was to use extremely low doses of dexamethasone for severe BPD, commencing at 0.05 mg/kg/day and decreasing over 9 days, with a cumulative dose of 0.24 mg/kg. The objective of this observational study was to assess the effectiveness of the extremely low-dose course in facilitating extubation. Methods: The babies who had received extremely low-dose dexamethasone to facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation were identified. Details of treatment and respiratory support were recorded. Serial oxygenation indices (OI) during the dexamethasone course were calculated, and these were analysed to assess the effect of treatment on ventilation requirements. Results: One hundred and ninety extremely preterm babies were admitted during this 5-year period. Sixteen babies received extremely low-dose dexamethasone. The median gestation was 25 weeks and the median birth weight was 644 g. Before starting dexamethasone, the median OI was 10.6, but by day 7 of treatment it had fallen to 5.4. By the end of the course, 12 of the 16 babies had been successfully extubated. Conclusions: This short dexamethasone course appears effective in facilitating extubation. Randomised trials with long-term follow-up are needed to determine the role of extremely low-dose dexamethasone in preterm babies with evolving BPD.
Mechanisms of Tumor and Viral Immune Escape from Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Surveillance
Authors: Groth Ariane , Klöss Stephan , Pogge von Strandmann Elke , Koehl Ulrike , Koch Joachim
Published: June 2011

Human natural killer (NK) cells recognize and efficiently eliminate MHC class I low or negative malignant targets and virally infected host cells, without requirement for prior sensitization. However, viruses and various tumor cells display elaborate adaptations to evade and overcome immunosurveillance. The current review focuses on escape mechanisms of viruses and malignantly transformed ‘stressed’ cells to evade from NK cell cytotoxicity. A general overview of recent clinical studies using allogeneic donor NK cells is given, summarizing first data about a possible benefit for patients suffering from high-risk leukemia and solid tumors. Finally, the review discusses the future perspectives and hypotheses aiming to improve therapeutic NK cell strategies against tumor immune escape mechanisms.
NK Cell Recognition and Killing of Melanoma Cells Is Controlled by Multiple Activating Receptor-Ligand Interactions
Authors: Morgado Sara , Sanchez-Correa Beatriz , Casado Javier G. , Duran Esther , Gayoso Inmaculada , Labella Fernando , Solana Rafael , Tarazona Raquel
Published: June 2011

The role of natural killer (NK) cells in tumor immunosurveillance has been recently underlined. A better understanding of the receptor-ligand interactions between NK cells and solid tumor cells is essential for introducing more effective NK cell-based immunotherapy protocols into clinical practice. We previously analyzed the surface expression of ligands for NK cell-activating receptors and costimulatory molecules in a large panel of melanoma cell lines. Although the expression of ligands for NK cell-activating receptors is variable, the majority of melanoma cell lines express ligands for NKG2D and for DNAX accessory molecule-1 (DNAM-1). While the NKG2D receptor has been described as the principal entity responsible for the lysis of several melanoma cell lines, the role of natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) and DNAM-1 receptors in NK cell recognition and killing of melanoma cells has been recently emphasized. Antibody-mediated masking of NKG2D, NCRs, and DNAM-1 has proven that NKG2D, NCRs, and DNAM-1 frequently cooperate in the lysis of melanoma cells. In this work, we provide an overview of recent advances in the study of melanoma cells’ susceptibility to NK cell-mediated lysis and how multiple receptor-ligand interactions participate in melanoma cell elimination.
Expressive Language Skills in Finnish Two-Year-Old Extremely- and Very-Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Children
Authors: Kunnari Sari , Yliherva Anneli , Paavola Leila , Peltoniemi Outi M.
Published: June 2011

Objective: Preterm children with low birth weight are at greater risk of experiencing speech and language difficulties than full-term children. The aim of the current study was to investigate expressive language skills of Finnish-speaking preterm children with low birth weight [extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) children: n = 8; very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) children: n = 10] at 2 years of corrected age and to compare their language results with full-term controls (n = 18), using spontaneous speech samples. Methods: The children were video recorded in semistructured free-play sessions with their mothers. From these video samples, expressive vocabulary size and maximum sentence length (MSL) were analyzed. In addition, the possible effect of children’s gender on language measures as well as associations between different language measures were examined. Results: The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the preterm and full-term groups in the size of expressive vocabulary. In contrast, the MSL, which measures morphosyntactic skills, was significantly shorter in preterm children. A positive correlation was found between MSL and expressive vocabulary. Children’s gender was not associated with language skills measured. Conclusion: The findings indicate that Finnish-speaking preterm children, especially ELBW children, experience difficulties in morphosyntactic skills.
Effects of Animal Positioning on Catecholamine and Vasopressin Levels in Pigs Undergoing Laparoscopy
Authors: Braumann C. , Guenther N. , Doerner F. , Schwenk W. , Junghans T.
Published: June 2011

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different therapeutic interventions and positions on catecholamine and vasopressin levels in the pneumoperitoneum (PN) in a porcine model. Methods: In 43 pigs, a 14-mm-Hg PN was established and plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine and vasopressin were measured in head-up, supine and head-down positions. Additionally, the effects of the following changes were studied: (1) increase in intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV) by means of hydroxyethyl starch infusion; (2) vasodilatation induced by sodium nitroprusside, or (3) selective sympathicolysis induced by esmolol. Again, catecholamines (ELISA) and vasopressin (RIA) were determined. Results: After PN, epinephrine levels did not significantly increase in the head-up position (p = 0.075) and remained also unchanged in the supine or head-down position. Plasma norepinephrine statistically significantly decreased in the head-up position (p = 0.046). Vasopressin concentrations remained unaltered. After increased ITBV, neither catecholamine nor vasopressin concentrations changed in any body position. Application of sodium nitroprusside or esmolol caused no changes. Conclusion: Changes in endogenous catecholamine levels safely prevent cardiocirculatory instability in small pigs. Volume substitution might reduce endocrine responses to PN in the head-up position.
Similarities between Optimal Precursors that Trigger the Onset of Blocking Events and Optimally Growing Initial Errors in Onset Prediction
Authors: Mu Mu , Jiang Zhina
Published: June 2011

A triangular T21, three-level, quasigeostrophic global spectral model was used to investigate how precursors relate to the predictability of blocking onset when a conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation approach is used. Here the authors focused on links between the optimal precursor to blocking onset and the optimally growing initial error in onset prediction.

Numerical results have shown that during the prediction of blocking events, a type-1 optimally growing initial error, which causes an overprediction of blocking onset, bears the greatest resemblance to the optimal precursor, and both are distributed primarily over the blocking and its upstream regions. A type-2 optimally growing initial error is also characterized by a similar pattern, but with the opposite sign. Further analysis reveals that a type-1 optimally growing initial error has a similar growth behavior to that of the optimal precursor, and both develop into a dipole blocking anomaly pattern with a strong positive anomaly in the north and a weak negative anomaly to the south. The evolutionary mechanism of a type-1 optimally growing initial error during blocking onset can be explained in the same manner as that of an optimal precursor triggering blocking onset. This similarity between an optimal precursor and an optimally growing initial error also suggests that targeted observations over sensitive areas may be carried out in advance to eliminate optimally growing errors (as many as possible) in the prediction of blocking onset. Thus, the improved observation network will help to better capture the spatial structure of precursors that trigger blocking onset and will increase the ability to predict blocking events.
Projecting Rainfall Changes over the South American Altiplano
Authors: Minvielle Marie , Garreaud René D.
Published: June 2011

Consistent with its high elevation (>4000 m) and subtropical location (15°–25°S), the central Andes are expected to become warmer during the twenty-first century, affecting the population, ecosystems, and glaciers on the so-called South American Altiplano. Future changes in regional precipitation (even its sign) have been more difficult to estimate, partly because of the low resolution of current global climate models (GCMs) relative to the cross-mountain scale of the Andes. Nevertheless, summer season rainfall over the Altiplano exhibits a strong dependence on the magnitude of the zonal flow in the free troposphere, as quantified in this work using station data. Since GCMs indicate a consistent increase in westerly flow over the central Andes, hindering moisture transport from the interior of the continent, a simple regression analysis suggests a significant reduction (10%–30%) in Altiplano precipitation by the end of this century under moderate-to-strong greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
Fatal Falls Among Older Construction Workers
Authors: Dong Xiuwen Sue , Wang Xuanwen , Daw Christina
Published: June 2011

Objective: This study examines recent trends and patterns in fall fatalities in the U.S. construction industry to determine whether fatal falls among older workers are different from younger workers in this industry.

Background: Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the U.S. construction industry. Given the increasingly aging workforce in construction, it is important to assess the risk of falls among older construction workers.

Methods: Fatality data were obtained from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries for the years 1992 through 2008. Denominators for death rates were estimated from the Current Population Survey. Stratified and multivariate analyses were performed to examine whether there are differences in fatal falls between older workers (≥55 years) and younger workers (16-54 years). Fatal falls in nonconstruction industries were excluded from this study.

Results: Older workers had higher rates of fatal falls than younger workers; results were significant in 11 of 14 construction occupations. Regression analysis indicated that older decedents had a higher likelihood that work-related death was caused by a fall, after controlling for major demographic and employment factors (odds ratio = 1.50, confidence interval [1.30, 1.72]). Falls from roofs accounted for one third of construction fatal falls, but falls from ladders caused a larger proportion of deadly falls in older decedents than in younger decedents.

Conclusion: Older workers have a higher likelihood of dying from a fall. Roofs and ladders are particularly risky for older construction workers.

Application: As the construction workforce ages, there is an urgent need to enhance fall prevention efforts, provide work accommodations, and match work capabilities to job duties.
Linking information and energy—activity-based energy-aware information processing
Authors: Hu Xiaolin , Zeigler Bernard P
Published: June 2011

We present an activity-based framework that links information and energy. The activity-based framework uses a quantization-based approach for modeling information processing and defines weighted activity to model the energy consumption of information processing. We provide a formal description of this framework and use simulation to show how it enables one to study the interaction between information and energy in energy-aware information processing. An existing discrete event system specification (DEVS)-based simulation environment, DEVS-FIRE, is employed to model wireless sensor nodes for detecting and monitoring wildfires. Simulation experimental results confirm the utility of the activity-based framework to support the analysis and design of energy-aware information processing systems.
Simulating the spread of influenza pandemic of 2009 considering international traffic
Authors: Yoneyama Teruhiko , Krishnamoorthy Mukkai S
Published: June 2011

Pandemics have the potential to cause immense disruption and damage to communities and societies. In this paper, we model the influenza pandemic of 2009. We propose a hybrid model to determine how the pandemic spreads through the world. The model considers both SEIR-based model for local areas and the network model for global connection between countries referring to data on international travelers. Our interest is to reproduce the situation using the data of the early stage of the pandemic and to predict the future transition by extending the simulation cycle. Our simulation result predicts the second peak of the pandemic in the real world by considering the factors of tendency of seasonal influenza and people’s reaction against the infection. Without considering these factors, the simulation does not predict the second peak of the pandemic in the real world. We conclude that the seasonal tendency and people’s reaction are important factors for the spreading of the pandemic.
Strategic Sequences in Police Interviews and the Importance of Order and Cultural Fit
Authors: Beune Karlijn , Giebels Ellen , Adair Wendi L. , Fennis Bob M. , Van Der Zee Karen I.
Published: June 2011

This study introduces the concept of strategic sequences to police interviews and concentrates on the impact of active listening behavior and rational arguments. To test the authors’ central assumption that the effectiveness of strategic sequences is dependent on cultural fit (i.e., the match with the cultural background of suspects), young people participated in virtual police interviews. Study 1 demonstrated that contrast sequences accentuating rational rather than relational behavior were found to be effective in eliciting information and admissions from suspects originating from cultures that tend to use more direct and content-oriented communication (i.e., low-context cultures), whereas for suspects from cultures that use more indirect and context-oriented communication (i.e., high-context cultures) a nonsignificant trend in reversed order was found. Study 2 added the investigation of the joint impact of active listening and rational arguments. In line with predictions, the results showed that an active listening—rational arguments sequence is most effective when active listening behavior precedes— rather than follows—rational arguments.
Political-Economic Factors in U.S. Foreign Policy
Authors: Delgado-Ramos Gian Carlo , Romano Silvina María
Published: June 2011

U.S. policy in Latin America, even when couched in the openly diplomatic discourse used by the Obama administration, is based on military presence and serves the economic interests of the United States and allied Latin American elites. In order to secure the free-market context that ensures U.S. access to Latin America’s strategic resources, U.S. administrations have focused on issues such as security and the fight against narco-insurgency and terrorism, encouraging and directly supporting Latin American regimes in which increased military presence in the government is purported to guarantee internal stability during a time of increasing violence. In reality, what they foster is a complex balance between stability and instability that maintains the region’s overall dependence and, therefore, its status as a source of U.S. wealth and power.
Obama’s Anticrisis Policy
Authors: Cobarrubia Gómez Faustino
Published: June 2011

The U.S. economy and the hegemony of the dollar have for some time been sustained by a gigantic infusion of money from the rest of the world. The enormous size of its debt raises the prospect of the collapse of the dollar as a global reserve currency. Central banks worldwide have almost stopped accumulating dollars, and China has been divesting itself of the mountain of “toxic assets” that U.S. Treasury bonds have become. The fate of the dollar as a reserve currency will depend heavily on the effectiveness of the economic policy implemented by the United States in confronting the current crisis. The massive intervention undertaken has involved placing public funds in the service of a new cycle of capitalist profit-making—a new bubble inflated by public expenditures. When it becomes clear that the rescue plans and stimulus programs of the administration are ineffective and unsustainable, the crisis of confidence in the dollar may enter its final phase. The dilemma for the countries of the Third World will be to configure the new order that follows or be configured by it.
The study of externalizing and internalizing behaviours in Greek, Russian, Indian, and Chinese children using the Fairy Tale Test
Authors: Savina Elena , Coulacoglou Carina , Sanyal Nilanjana , Zhang Jianxin
Published: June 2011

The present study investigated externalizing and internalizing behaviours in Greek ( n = 599), Russian ( n = 596), Indian ( n = 571), and Chinese ( n = 376) 7- to-12-year-old children. The Fairy Tale Test was used to measure impulsive and motivated aggression, fear of aggression, anxiety, and depression. The results indicated culture-specific patterns of the aforementioned behaviours. Greek children demonstrated the highest levels of impulsive and motivated aggression, while Russian children had the highest fear of aggression. Chinese children appeared to be most anxious among other cultural groups. Both Russian and Indian children were more depressed than their Greek and Chinese counterparts. Gender and age difference were obtained only for impulsive aggression. Regardless of culture, boys scored higher compared to girls; and 7- to 8-year-old children demonstrated higher level of impulsive aggression than older children. The obtained results are interpreted in light of contextual differences in child socialization in four cultures; suggestions for school psychology practices are offered.
Interpersonal strategy, attachment security and social status among Chinese children in the initial period of secondary school
Authors: Chen Bin-Bin
Published: June 2011

This study examined the influences of peer interpersonal strategy and secure attachment on social status in peer contexts in the initial period of secondary school in China. Two hundred and thirty-one new students in secondary schools (grade 6) were recruited in the first semester to complete measures of interpersonal strategies in the peer group, secure attachment to mother, social dominance, and sociometric nomination. The results indicated that both prosocial strategies and attachment security were positively correlated with social dominance and peer preference in peer group, whereas the coercive strategies were not correlated with social status. Implications and limitations of findings were discussed.
Organizing training for union renewal: A case study analysis of the European Union steel industry
Authors: Stroud Dean
Published: June 2011

The central proposition of this article is that trade union involvement in training is essential to ensure that workers are in a position to adapt readily to changing circumstances and bargain from a strong position. The context in which this proposition is advanced is with reference to the restructuring of the EU steel industry. The argument has two dimensions. First, trade unions need to engage with training and workplace learning in more direct and involved ways than allowed for by current partnership arrangements. This involvement is to protect workers’ interests, promote worker development and to develop jobs as decent jobs. Second, such engagement requires that unions consider their organizational capacities in two respects, within national contexts and across borders. The article employs evidence from ongoing steel industry focused research, which includes observations from the EU Steel Sector Social Dialogue Committee and its steering group on Workforce Development, Recruitment and Retention.
Goal Setting Education and Counseling Practices of Diabetes Educators
Authors: Malemute Charlene L. , Shultz Jill Armstrong , Ballejos Miriam , Butkus Sue , Early Kathaleen Briggs
Published: June 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify goal setting education practices used by diabetes educators working with type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods

Data were collected by a mail questionnaire with 179 diabetes educators purposively selected from the 2008 American Association of Diabetes Educators membership listing.

Results

Many diabetes educators (52%) reported that more than 75% of their patients set goals for diabetes control. Independent factor patterns for the frequency of information collected from the patient for the first diabetes education session showed that educators either focused on patients’ self-management practices (exercise and dietary practices, knowledge, and social impacts of diabetes) or issues with learning about self-management, such as understanding the patient’s learning style and motivation for managing diabetes. Factor patterns overall showed diverse approaches to working with patients, including strategies used with patients struggling with dietary goals and the importance of tasks to complete during the first patient session.

Conclusion

Although most educators reported practices that were largely patient centered as promoted by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and models of chronic disease management, patterns of practice suggest that diabetes educators vary considerably in how they apply education practices, especially with dietary self-management education.
Management Control and the Decentralization of R&D
Authors: Ecker Brigitte , van Triest Sander , Williams Christopher
Published: June 2011

The authors investigate organizational conditions influencing the allocation of decision rights made by headquarters of multinational corporations (MNCs) to their foreign R&D subsidiaries. The authors draw on the logic of management control theory to build their conceptual model and then develop this model using arguments from the R&D and time use literatures in order to test the direct and indirect effects of advanced R&D processes within the subsidiary. They find that control theory makes correct predictions in terms of three organizational conditions, namely, research nature, information asymmetry, and interdependencies, but not in terms of social controls. In addition, the authors uncover a significant interaction between research nature and advanced R&D processes that indicates a breakdown in control logic in situations of high time pressure and intense R&D effort. Their study extends the body of literature on organizational conditions that influence how R&D decision rights are allocated in the MNC by drawing attention to the task environment in the locations where R&D is performed.
Complexity Arrangements for Sustained Innovation: Lessons from 3M Corporation
Authors: Garud Raghu , Gehman Joel , Kumaraswamy Arun
Published: June 2011

Innovation processes are complex. It is through local interactions among people and technologies that diverse and novel outcomes emerge. Even when governed by simple rules, such interactions can generate nonlinear temporal dynamics. Given such complexities, how might an organization sustain innovation for continued growth and vitality? Drawing on an in-depth study of innovation practices and journeys at 3M Corporation, we identify how combinations of practices — which we conceptualize as complexity arrangements — afford multiple agentic orientations simultaneously for the actors involved and thereby facilitate sustained innovation.
A Fractal Approach to Industry Dynamism
Authors: Farjoun Moshe , Levin Moshe
Published: June 2011

The concept of industry dynamism claims a central role in models of organizational adaptation. However, the development of new ways to study it has waned. Building on the literatures on nonlinear dynamical systems and information complexity, we introduce a fractal approach as a useful lens to industry dynamism and a fresh alternative and complement to prevailing approaches. This differs conceptually from existing methods in highlighting nonlinearity and recognizing endogenous and stable sources of apparent unpredictability. Further, it uses the fractal dimension, a measure of the jaggedness in a time series, which offers several advantages over existing dispersion-based measures of unpredictability. We apply the fractal approach in an exploratory longitudinal study of the turbulent US network television industry and demonstrate its ability to uncover distinct aspects of industry dynamism.
Place of death related to demographic factors for hospice patients in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Taylor Elizabeth Johnston , Ensor Brian , Stanley James
Published: June 2011

Background: Because socioeconomic and cultural factors contribute to where one dies, it is important to document place of death determinants in diverse societies.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe where persons in an Aotearoa New Zealand hospice die, and to identify factors that are associated with place of death.

Design: A retrospective chart review was conducted.

Setting/Participants: Data were extracted from the charts of all patients receiving services from one hospice (i.e. secondary care) for whom death occurred during 2006–2008; 1268 cases for whom place of death was recorded comprise this sample.

Results: For close to half (47%), death occurred in the hospice inpatient unit, whereas 29% died at home, 8% died in an acute hospital setting, and 17% died in an aged/residential care facility. Bivariate analyses showed that persons who die in an aged/residential care facility are more likely to be aged 65 or older, unmarried, have a non-cancer diagnosis, and are likely poorer. Asians, those aged less than 65, those with cancer, and those admitted initially to hospice for respite care tended to die in the hospice inpatient unit. Multinominal logistic regression indicated that dying at home was only predicted by being from a Pacific Island.

Conclusions: Age, economics, diagnosis, ethnicity, marital status, and whether one enters a hospice service for (at least in part) respite were all associated to a certain extent with where one dies. These findings contribute to the growing evidence linking various factors, especially ethnic groups, with place of death.
Opioid switching to methadone: A pharmacoepidemiological study from a national prescription database
Authors: Fredheim Olav Magnus S , Moksnes Kristin , Borchgrevink Petter C , Skurtveit Svetlana
Published: June 2011

Background:

Opioid switching to methadone is reported frequently to improve pain control in patients with an unacceptable balance between pain control and side effects during treatment with first line opioids, but carries a risk of drug accumulation and respiratory depression. To justify this risk it is required that less risky treatments are tried beforehand and that a sufficiently large proportion of patients experience a long-lasting improvement in pain control.

Research questions:

How large was the proportion of patients remaining on long term methadone treatment after a switch from a strong opioid to methadone? How long had the patients been treated with opioids before the switch to methadone?

Methods:

Longitudinal pharmacoepidemiological study from the complete national Norwegian Prescription Database.

Results:

One hundred and thirty (77%) cancer patients received more than one dispensed prescription of methadone. Forty-nine (40%) chronic non-malignant pain (CNMP) patients continued to have methadone prescriptions dispensed more than 6 months after the switch. Of 168 cancer patients, 48 (29%) had tried two strong opioids prior to the switch to methadone whereas 21 (12.5%) had tried three or more strong opioids. Similar numbers for 124 CNMP patients were 26 (21%) and 34 (27%), respectively.

Interpretation:

Opioid switching to methadone appears to provide a long lasting improvement in pain control in a significant proportion of patients. However, the study raises concerns that treatment options with less risk are not being exhausted prior to switching to methadone.
Learning to close loops from range data
Authors: Granström Karl , Schön Thomas B , Nieto Juan I , Ramos Fabio T
Published: June 2011

In this paper we address the loop closure detection problem in simultaneous localization and mapping ( slam ), and present a method for solving the problem using pairwise comparison of point clouds in both two and three dimensions. The point clouds are mathematically described using features that capture important geometric and statistical properties. The features are used as input to the machine learning algorithm AdaBoost, which is used to build a non-linear classifier capable of detecting loop closure from pairs of point clouds. Vantage point dependency in the detection process is eliminated by only using rotation invariant features, thus loop closure can be detected from an arbitrary direction. The classifier is evaluated using publicly available data, and is shown to generalize well between environments. Detection rates of 66%, 63% and 53% for 0% false alarm rate are achieved for 2D outdoor data, 3D outdoor data and 3D indoor data, respectively. In both two and three dimensions, experiments are performed using publicly available data, showing that the proposed algorithm compares favourably with related work.
RT-Mover: a rough terrain mobile robot with a simple leg–wheel hybrid mechanism
Authors: Nakajima Shuro
Published: June 2011

There is a strong demand in many fields for practical robots, such as a porter robot and a personal mobility robot, that can move over rough terrain while carrying a load horizontally. We have developed a robot, called RT-Mover, which shows adequate mobility performance on targeted types of rough terrain. It has four drivable wheels and two leg-like axles but only five active shafts. A strength of this robot is that it realizes both a leg mode and a wheel mode in a simple mechanism. In this paper, the mechanical design concept is discussed. With an emphasis on minimizing the number of drive shafts, a mechanism is designed for a four-wheeled mobile body that is widely used in practical locomotive machinery. Also, strategies for moving on rough terrain are proposed. The kinematics, stability, and control of RT-Mover are also described in detail. Some typical cases of rough terrain for wheel mode and leg mode are selected, and the robot’s ability of locomotion is assessed through simulations and experiments. In each case, the robot is able to move over rough terrain while maintaining the horizontal orientation of its platform.
Fighting words
Authors: Lester Anthony
Published: June 2011

It’s time that law makers stepped in to tackle the growing conflicts worldwide between freedom of expression and freedom of religion, argues Anthony Lester
Private lives
Authors: Fleischer Peter
Published: June 2011

Google’s chief privacy counsel Peter Fleischer talks to Index about the challenges for free speech online
Meet the trolls
Authors: Phillips Whitney
Published: June 2011

A loose community of anarchic and anonymous people is testing the limits of free speech on the internet. Whitney Phillips interviews one of them
Living the life
Authors: Sánchez Yoani
Published: June 2011

Celebrated Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez talks to Nick Caistor and Amanda Hopkinson
Code breakers
Authors: Cathcart Brian
Published: June 2011

Journalists are being tarnished by the activities of professional privacy invaders. It is time they were renamed and shamed, argues Brian Cathcart
The politics of surveillance
Authors: Rodríguez Katitza
Published: June 2011

Political opponents and activists are among those monitored in Latin America. Katitza Rodríguez charts the erosion of privacy in the region
Flame-retardant polyamide 11 nanocomposites: further thermal and flammability studies
Authors: Lao S. C. , Koo J. H. , Moon T. J. , Londa M. , Ibeh C. C. , Wissler G. E. , Pilato L. A.
Published: June 2011

Polyamide (nylon) 11 (PA11) were melt-blended by dispersing low concentrations of nanoparticles (NPs), namely nanoclays (NCs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) via twin-screw extrusion. To enhance their thermal and flame retardant (FR) properties, an intumescent FR additive was added to the mechanically superior NC and CNF PA11 formulations. For neat and NP-reinforced PA11 as well as for PA11 reinforced by both intumescent FR and select NPs (NC or CNF), decomposition temperatures by TGA, flammability properties by UL 94, and cone calorimetry values were measured. All PA11 polymer systems infused with both NPs and FR additive had higher decomposition temperatures than those infused with solely FR additive. For the PA11/FR/NC polymer blends, Exolit® OP 1312 (FR2) is the preferred FR additive to pass the UL 94 V-0 requirement with 20 wt%. For the PA11/FR/CNF formulations, all Exolit® OP 1311 (FR1), OP 1312 (FR2), and OP 1230 (FR3) FR additives passed the UL 94 V-0 requirement with 20 wt%.
Uncertainty evaluation of oxygen index determination according to ISO 4589-2
Authors: Guillaume Eric , Yardin Catherine , Aumaitre Stéphanie , Rumbau Valérie
Published: June 2011

The oxygen index test has been one of the basic materials’ fire tests since the 1960s, with a large number of applications being described, but it is mainly limited nowadays to the ranking of materials and production control without relating results to behavior in real fires. The test exists in a large number of versions, but only one is internationally standardized as ISO 4589-2. Nevertheless, determination of test uncertainty is not simple, as the result is a combination of qualitative and quantitative measurements. This article highlights the main verifications needed to ensure the accuracy (trueness and repeatability) of test results and proposes a method to calculate and estimate test uncertainty.
Distinguishing Participation and Inclusion
Authors: Quick Kathryn S. , Feldman Martha S.
Published: June 2011

This article argues that participation and inclusion are independent dimensions of public engagement and elaborates the relationships of inclusion with deliberation and diversity. Inclusion continuously creates a community involved in defining and addressing public issues; participation emphasizes public input on the content of programs and policies. Features of inclusive processes are coproducing the process and content of decision making, engaging multiple ways of knowing, and sustaining temporal openness. Using a community of practice lens, we compare the consequences of participatory and inclusive practices in four processes, finding that inclusion supports an ongoing community with capacity to address a stream of issues.
Impact Tension Damage Mechanism Analyses of Co-Woven-Knitted Composite from Hilbert–Huang Transform
Authors: Ma Pibo , Sun Baozhong , Gu Bohong
Published: June 2011

The impact tensile behaviors of co-woven-knitted (CWK) composites were tested with split Hopkinson tension bar apparatus along 0°, 45°, and 90° directions under the strain rates from 1589 to 2586 s−1 and compared with that in quasi-static strain rate of 0.001 s−1. The impact tension damage mechanisms were analyzed in frequency domain with the Hibert–Huang transform (HHT) method. Specifically, the stress time histories curves of the CWK composite were transformed to find the frequency distributions for the different tension failure modes. It was found that thefailure mode of fiber breakages, fiber pull-out, resin cracks, and resin shear failurewere located at a specific frequency band. And also, the different failure modes under high strain rate loading are all located at the high frequency range. With such kind of HHT analyses, the damage mechanisms could be explored more precisely when combined with the observation results of the fractographs of the CWK composite under various strain rates.
Task allocation for robots using inspiration from hormones
Authors: Walker Joanne H , Wilson Myra S
Published: June 2011

This article describes a robotic system which uses evolution to continuously adapt a group of heterogeneous robots to their current environment while assigning tasks to these robots using an endocrine-based system. The tasks are allocated dependent on the robots’ current ability to perform the task and whether the task is being done by another robot. A series of experiments is presented taking the work from an evolutionary training phase, through simulation trials, to experiments on real robots. The real robot trials show task swapping dependent on the robots’ ability to perform each task.
Empirical Correlates of Low Scores on MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF Restructured Clinical Scales in a Sample of University Students
Authors: Avdeyeva Tatyana V. , Tellegen Auke , Ben-Porath Yossef S.
Published: June 2011

In the present study, the authors explored the meaning of low scores on the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF Restructured Clinical (RC) scales. Using responses of a sample of university students ( N = 811), the authors examined whether low ( T < 39), within-normal-limits ( T = 39-64), and high ( T > 65) score levels on the RC scales are differentially associated with Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ)–defined personality descriptions. Eleven primary MPQ scales and three higher order MPQ scales (Negative Emotionality, Positive Emotionality, and Constraint) were used to yield these descriptions. MANOVAs were conducted for each RC scale and followed up by univariate ANOVAs and post hoc Dunnett T3 tests to identify reliable RC-scale-defined group differences for the individual MPQ scales. For those cases that exhibited significant differences between the low and within-normal subgroups on the Dunnett T3 tests, effect sizes were computed. The authors identified and discussed meaningful MPQ-based personality characteristics of the low scoring subjects.