bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relation of prosocial orientation to peer interactions, family social environment and personality of Chinese adolescents
Authors: Ma Hing Keung , Cheung Ping Chung , Shek Daniel T.L.
Published: January 2007

This study investigated the relation of peer interactions, family social environment and personality to prosocial orientation in Chinese adolescents. The results indicated no sex differences in general prosocial orientation and inclination to help others, but sex differences in inclination to maintain an affective relationship and inclination to co-operate and share with others. In general, prosocial orientation was associated negatively with peer negative influence and peer delinquent behavior, and positively with peer positive influence. Prosocial orientation was associated with positive family social environment. In addition, prosocial orientation was associated negatively with psychoticism and neuroticism, but positively with social desirability. The findings suggested that positive peer interactions, good family social environment and positive personality tended to increase the prosocial orientation of adolescents. From the perspective of the theory of planned behavior, the present findings in prosocial orientation were in line with similar findings in prosocial behavior in previous studies. Uses of the construct of prosocial orientation and implications of its correlates were discussed.
Associations between young adults' recollections of their childhood experiences with parents and observations of their interaction behavior with best friends
Authors: Black Katherine A. , Whittingham Cori L. , Reardon Laura E. , Tumolo Jacqlyn M.
Published: January 2007

Forty-eight introductory psychology students (28 females, 20 males) and their same-sex best friends participated in this study. Based upon a question from the Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan, & Main, 1996), participants wrote five adjectives that described their childhood relationships with each parent. For the four most descriptive adjectives (two for mothers and two for fathers), they wrote about childhood incidents that illustrated those adjectives. Adjectives were evaluated for how positively participants described their relationships with mothers and with fathers; incidents were evaluated for how loving, rejecting, and neglectful mothers and fathers appeared to have been during childhood. Next, best friend pairs participated in a series of videotaped conversation tasks where they discussed unresolved problems. Those who recalled more loving mothers were better able to disclose intimate personal information to their friends and to clearly express their feelings about their problems.Those who recalled more neglectful mothers, on the other hand, were more likely to exhibit heightened emotionality when discussing their problems. Implications for future research are discussed.
The quality of maternal secure-base scripts predicts children's secure-base behavior at home in three sociocultural groups
Authors: Vaughn Brian E. , Coppola Gabrielle , Verissimo Manuela , Monteiro Ligia , Santos Antonio José , Posada German , Carbonell Olga A. , Plata Sandra J. , Waters Harriet S. , Bost Kelly K. , McBride Brent , Shin Nana , Korth Bryan
Published: January 2007

The secure-base phenomenon is central to the Bowlby/Ainsworth theory of attachment and is also central to the assessment of attachment across the lifespan. The present study tested whether mothers' knowledge about the secure-base phenomenon, as assessed using a recently designed wordlist prompt measure for eliciting attachment-relevant stories, would predict their children's securebase behavior, as assessed by observers in the home and summarized with the Attachment Q-set (AQS). In each of three sociocultural groups (from Colombia, Portugal, and the US), scores characterizing the quality of maternal secure-base narratives elicited using the word-list prompt procedure were internally consistent, as indicated by tests of cross-story reliability, and they were positively and significantly associated with the child's security score from the AQS for each subsample. The correlation in the combined sample was r(129) = .33, p < .001. Subsequent analyses with the combined sample evaluated the AQS item-correlates of the secure-base script score.These analyses showed that mothers whose stories indicate that they have access to and use a positive secure-base script in their story production have children who treat them as a “secure base” at home. These results suggest that a core feature of adult attachment models, in each of the three sociocultural groups studied, is access to a secure-base script. Additional results from the study indicate that cross-language translations of the maternal narratives can receive valid, reliable scores even when evaluated by non-native speakers.
Infants' vocal engagement oriented towards mother versus stranger at 3 months and avoidant attachment behavior at 12 months
Authors: Völker Susanne
Published: January 2007

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate that mother avoidance in infants at the age of 12 months can be predicted by the infants' differential vocal engagement to mother versus a female stranger at the age of 3 months. Differential engagement in favor of the mother was supposed to relate to low future avoidance. The vocal behavior of 26 infants was assessed during face-to-face interactions with their mothers and with a strange woman at the age of 3 months. Differential vocal engagement was measured in terms of the time difference the infants spent vocalizing during eye contact with mother and stranger. At the age of 12 months avoidance of the mother was assessed during the reunion episodes of Ainsworth's Strange Situation. The result confirmed the assumption. Differential engagement in 3-month-olds is discussed as an indicator of the early infant–mother relationship.
Processing wh-dependencies in a second language: a cross-modal priming study
Authors: Felser Claudia , Roberts Leah
Published: January 2007

This study investigates the real-time processing of wh-dependencies by advanced Greek-speaking learners of English using a cross-modal picture priming task. Participants were asked to respond to different types of picture target presented either at structurally defined gap positions, or at pre-gap control positions, while listening to sentences containing indirect-object relative clauses. Our results indicate that the learners processed the experimental sentences differently from both adult native speakers of English and monolingual English-speaking children. Contrary to what has been found for native speakers, the learners' response pattern was not influenced by individual working memory differences. Adult second language learners differed from native speakers with a relatively high reading or listening span in that they did not show any evidence of structurally based antecedent reactivation at the point of the indirect object gap. They also differed from low-span native speakers, however, in that they showed evidence of maintained antecedent activation during the processing of the experimental sentences. Whereas the localized priming effect observed in the high-span controls is indicative of trace-based antecedent reactivation in native sentence processing, the results from the Greek-speaking learners support the hypothesis that the mental representations built during non-native language processing lack abstract linguistic structure such as movement traces.
Lexical and statistical evidence in the acquisition of second language phonemes
Authors: Hayes-Harb Rachel
Published: January 2007

Adults can often improve their perception of novel phoneme contrasts with exposure to a second language, but there is yet little understanding of how they accomplish this. The primary aim of this study was to compare two types of evidence that learners might use to learn the phonemes of second language: minimal pairs, or the lexicon, and statistical information. It was found that adults show evidence of perceptual learning based on statistical information alone, but that the availability of minimal pairs leads to more accurate perception of a novel contrast. In a follow-up experiment, it was found that adults can exhibit knowledge of a novel contrast without yet being able to use the contrast to distinguish words in a lexical task.
The Aspect Hypothesis, the comparative fallacy and the validity of obligatory context analysis: a reply to Lardiere, 2003
Authors: Shirai Yasuhiro
Published: January 2007

Lardiere (2003), in her reply to Lakshmanan and Selinker (2001), justifies the use of suppliance in obligatory contexts as a method of analysis in the investigation of the second language (L2) acquisition of past tense, and claims that such a method is characteristic of previous studies that have proposed the Aspect Hypothesis. It is argued here that this is a misrepresentation of research on the Aspect Hypothesis which, contra Lardiere, takes seriously the problem of the ‘comparative fallacy’ and the autonomous nature of interlanguage. Lardiere also argues that the Aspect Hypothesis studies suffer from a different kind of comparative fallacy, to which I reply by discussing the importance of refining methods of analysis in verb aspectual classification of learner data.
Second language acquisition of Italian accusative and dative clitics
Authors: Santoro Maurizio
Published: January 2007

This experimental study investigates the acquisition of Italian accusative and dative clitics by English adult speakers. These pronouns are non-existent in English. Results from a grammaticality judgement task show that Italian accusative and dative clitics develop slowly but gradually in Italian second language (L2) grammars. Interestingly, the placement properties appear to develop earlier than their case properties. The possible implications of these findings for theories of the L2 initial state are considered.
Comparison of polymethoxyethylacrylate-coated circuits with leukocyte filtration and reduced heparinization protocol on heparin-bonded circuits in different risk cohorts
Authors: Gunaydin Serdar , McCusker Kevin , Vijay Venkataramana , Isbir Selim , Sari Tamer , Onur Mehmet Ali , Gurpinar Aylin , Sezgin Aysun , Sargon Mustafa F , Tezcaner Tevfik , Zorlutuna Yaman
Published: January 2007

Objectives: The relative benefits of strategic leukofiltration on polymer-coated and low-dose heparin protocol on heparin-coated circuits were studied across EuroSCORE patient risk strata for three different cohorts.

Methods: In a prospective, randomized study, 270 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were allocated into three groups (n = 90): Group 1 -polymethoxyethylacrylate-coated circuits+leukocyte filters; Group 2 -polypeptide-based heparin-bonded circuits with reduced heparinization; and Group 3 -Control: uncoated circuits. Each group was further divided into three subgroups (n = 30), with respect to low- (EuroSCORE 0-2), medium- (3-5), and high- (6+) risk patients. Blood samples were collected at T1: following induction of anesthesia; T2: following heparin administration; T3: 15 min after CPB; T4: before cessation of CPB; T5: 15 min after protamine reversal; and T6: ICU.

Results: In high-risk cohorts, leukocyte counts demonstrated significant differences at T4 and T5 in Group 1, and at T4 in Group 2. Platelet counts were preserved significantly better at T4 and T5 in both groups (p <0.05 versus control). Serum IL-2 and C3a levels were significantly lower at T3, T4 and T5 in Group 1, and T4 and T5 in Group 2 (p <0.05). Postoperative bleeding, respiratory support time and incidence of atrial fibrillation were lower in the study groups versus control. Cell counts on filter mesh and heparin-coated fibers/circuits were significantly higher in the high-risk cohorts versus uncoated fibers. Phagocytic capacity increased on filter mesh, especially in high-risk specimens. SEM evaluation demonstrated better preserved coated circuits.

Conclusion: Leukofiltration and coating reduced platelet adhesion, protein adsorption, atrial fibrillation and reduced heparinization acted via modulation of systemic inflammatory response in high-risk groups.
Venous line filtration: a novel technique for cases involving inferior vena caval and right atrial tumor and associated thrombus: a two-case series
Authors: Smigla Gregory R , Lawson D Scott , Kaemmer David D , Shearer Ian R
Published: January 2007

Two patients are presented with right atrial tumors, who were considered to be at risk for tumor thrombus migration down the venous line into the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit during surgical excision, which may lead to compromised or interrupted venous drainage. An arterial line filter was placed in the venous line to capture any material that might become dislodged and embolize into the circuit. Vacuum-assisted venous drainage, at approximately -50 mmHg, was used to overcome any resistance caused by the filter in the venous line. In one case, tumor thrombus obstructed the filter, requiring the use of the bypass line around the filter, so venous return could be maintained. In both cases, thrombus was found in the filter.

The first case was a 44-year-old female (81 kg, 137 cm, body surface area (BSA) 1.66 m2) who presented with a metastatic pheochromocytoma with associated thrombus arising from the left adrenal gland and extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right atrium. The second case was a 37-year-old male (95 kg, 178 cm, BSA 2.17 m2), who presented with a very large angiosarcoma tumor involving almost the entire right atrium. We have shown that venous line filtration with vacuum-assisted venous drainage can be performed safely, and should be considered in cases where there is tumor thrombus in the vena cava or right atrium, which may threaten venous return.
Concentration-dependent effect of abciximab on platelets and neutrophils in a model of cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Åsberg Ann E , Videm Vibeke
Published: January 2007

Abciximab is a GPIIb/IIIa antagonist used in percutaneous coronary interventions to avoid platelet activation, thrombosis and inflammation. We investigated whether abciximab influenced platelet activation and platelet interaction with neutrophils and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) model. Isolated platelets, preincubated with and without 0.1-20 μg/mL of abciximab, were resuspended with neutrophils in plasma and recirculated by a roller pump. Platelet, but not neutrophil adhesion to PVC was inhibited by abciximab. Only high doses of abciximab reduced platelet aggregation size, but simultaneously increased platelet-neutrophil aggregation. Abciximab had no effect on platelet CD62P expression or degranulation, but platelet activation on platelet-neutrophil aggregates increased with high doses. Only low doses inhibited neutrophil degranulation. The concentration-dependent effect of abciximab on platelet-neutrophil interaction reduces its usefulness and stresses the dependency on experimental design in the evaluation of abciximab. Our study does not support the use of abciximab alone in CPB. However, incorporation of surface-coating the biomaterial with abciximab may be an interesting option.
Dynamic bubble trap can replace an arterial filter during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery
Authors: Göritz Stefan , Schelkle Helmut , Rein Joachim-Gerd , Urbanek Simon
Published: January 2007

Objective: The arterial filter (AF) and the dynamic bubble trap (DBT) reduce the number of air microbubbles passing through these devices. The aim of the study was to confirm that the DBT diminishes microbubbles in the arterial line similar to, or better than, the AF, and can replace it.

Methods: In a clinical study, we evaluated 60 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, divided into two groups (30 patients each). In the first group, we used an open extracorporeal system, and in the second group, a closed system. For 15 patients in each group, the AF was incorporated, the other 15 patients received the DBT. The microbubbles were counted before and after the AF or DBT, using two-channel-ultrasonic Doppler devices.

Results: The exposure of patients to small bubbles (<45μm) is significantly higher in the AF than in the DBT group. The DBT reduces large bubbles (<45μm) better than the AF, with a rate exceeding 16%.

Conclusion: The use of the DBT instead of the AF yields higher air micro-bubble removal efficacy, allowing replacement of the AF, assuming the AF is used for air removal purpose only.
Cerebral oxygen saturation changes during modified ultrafiltration
Authors: Medlin William M , Sistino Joseph J
Published: January 2007

Background: A number of adverse effects are associated with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Pulmonary compliance and gas exchange are decreased, and myocardial edema may result in diastolic dysfunction. Modified ultrafiltration (MUF) after CPB in children decreases body water, removes inflammatory mediators, improves hemodynamics, and decreases transfusion requirements.

Purpose: To determine the factors that influence cerebral tissue oxygenation during MUF. Pediatric patients received the usual treatment, with MUF times from 10 to 19 min, as determined by circuit volume and patient hemodynamic stability.

Results: Preliminary results in five patients with arterial saturation >95% during MUF demonstrates four predictors of cerebral oxygenation, using stepwise multiple linear regression with cerebral oxygen saturation as the dependant variable. In order of significance, they are pCO2, ultrafiltration flow rate, mean arterial pressure, and hematocrit.

Conclusions: The results of this study will be used to determine the optimal performance of MUF. Maximizing cerebral oxygen delivery during this early post-bypass period is extremely important, and identifying the factors responsible for increased cerebral oxygen delivery during MUF allows the clinician to make the appropriate changes necessary to achieve this.
Vacuum-assisted venous drainage in extrathoracic cardiopulmonary bypass management during minimally invasive cardiac surgery
Authors: Colangelo Nicola , Torracca Lucia , Lapenna Elisabetta , Moriggia Stefano , Crescenzi Giuseppe , Alfieri Ottavio
Published: January 2007

The diffusion of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) during open-heart surgery has increased the use of assisted venous drainage support for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Peripheral cannulation with small cannulae and vacuum-assisted venous drainage (VAVD) during MICS has been adopted in our institution since 1998.

After the Heartport technique (HP) experience, the trans-thoracic clamp technique is now currently used. The aim of this study is to report our experience with extrathoracic CPB with VAVD application (on CPB) during open-heart MICS.

From October 1999 to June 2006, 193 patients underwent MICS. Thirty-seven (19.2%) patients were treated with the HP - 13 (35%) with robotic technology and 156 (80.8%) with trans-thoracic aortic clamping (TTAC). Mean age was 39 years (range: 12-77), and 114 patients (59.1%) were female. A total of 128 patients (66.3%) underwent mitral valve surgery, 57 (29.6%) atrial septal defect closure, five (2.6%) cardiac mass removal, and three (1.5%) tricuspid valve repair. Four patients (2.0%) had a previous cardiac procedure.

Peripheral CPB was established with a standard coated circuit. A 14 Fr arterial cannula was inserted into the right jugular vein and positioned at the atrial/superior vena cava junction. A 21 or 28 percutaneous femoral cannula, depending on body surface area, was inserted in the femoral vein and an arterial cannula in the right femoral artery. Gravitational drainage was combined with VAVD. To improve the safety and effectiveness of this technique, we monitored the pressure on each venous cannula and in the reservoir. The mean CPB time was 74.8∓30 min (TTAC) and 119∓48 min (HP); mean aortic clamping time was 51∓19 min (TTAC) and 73∓29 min (HP).

We did not record any neurological complication. Two patients (1.0%), one from each group, were converted to sternotomy. Three patients (1.5%) underwent re-exploration for bleeding. In-hospital mortality was 0.5% (N = 1) (HP). Mechanical ventilation time and intensive care unit stay were comparable to those recorded with conventional sternotomy.

In conclusion, we found that extrathoracic CPB and VAVD during trans-thoracic clamping is a safe, simple, and effective technique for MICS. However, there is a potential risk of haemolysis and air embolism, which can be prevented with vacuum monitoring, and with the addition of gravitational drainage to reduce vacuum pressure.
Early results of a comprehensive operative and perfusion strategy to attenuate the incidence of adverse neurological outcomes in on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients
Authors: Lilly Kevin J , Balaguer Jorge M , Pirundini Paul A , Smith Michaela A , Connelly Gilbert , Campbell Lorrie Jeanne , Philie Pauline C , McAdams Michael , Riley William , Dekkers Rene , Fitzgerald Daniel , Cohn Lawrence H , Rizzo Robert J
Published: January 2007

Adverse neurological events, both focal (Type I) and non-focal (Type II), have been appreciated in postoperative on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients for many years. Advanced age is a significant risk factor for adverse neurological events following CABG surgery. With full knowledge that our elderly population of patients was at high risk for these untoward neurological events, we adopted a comprehensive operative and perfusion strategy in an attempt to attenuate the incidence of these complications. Our strategy included efforts to minimise the number of emboli generated during the operation, avoid cerebral hypoperfusion, and attenuate the systemic inflammatory response. From 15 August 2002 to 31 December 2005, we performed 355 on-pump CABG operations. The incidence of Type I focal injury was 0/355 (0%), the incidence of Type II non-focal injury was 9/355 (2.5%), and postoperative mortality was 2/355 (0.6%). These results compared favorably to the results predicted by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ (STS) model, and may suggest efficacy.
Increased pressure during retrograde cerebral perfusion provides better preservation of the Na+, K+-ATPase activity
Authors: Yang Luojia , Li Zhijun , Yang Yanmin , Zhu Raymound , Summers Randy , Deslauriers Roxanne , Ye Jian
Published: January 2007

This study was carried out to determine if increased perfusion pressure during retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) provides better preservation of the brain Na+, K+-ATPase activity. Twenty pigs were subjected to anesthesia alone (control group, n =5), hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) (HCA group, n =5), HCA+RCP at perfusion pressures of 24-29 mmHg (Low-pressure group, n= 5), or HCA+RCP at perfusion pressures of 34-40 mmHg (High-pressure group, n =5). The brain was harvested for the measurement of tissue Na+, K+-ATPase activity. Relative to the control pigs (67.29∓2.1%), significant impairment of Na+, K+-ATPase activity was observed in all three experimental groups (29.89∓7.4% in HCA group, 33.59∓2.9% in the Low-pressure group, and 52.09∓1.8% in the High-pressure group, p <0.01). The best preservation of the enzyme, particularly in the cortex and cerebellum regions, was observed in the High-pressure group (p <0.01). In conclusion, HCA causes severe impairment of Na+, K+-ATPase activity, and increasing perfusion pressures from 24 +29 to 34 +40 mmHg during RCP significantly improves preservation of Na+, K+-ATPase activity, and the improvement of the protection varies in different regions of the brain.
Hydrodynamic performance and heat generation by centrifugal pumps
Authors: Ganushchak Y , van Marken Lichtenbelt W , van der Nagel T , de Jong D S
Published: January 2007

For over a century, centrifugal pumps (CP) have been used in various applications, from large industrial pumps to flow pumps for aquariums. However, the use of CP as blood pumps has a rather short history. Consequently, the hydraulic performance data for a blood CP are limited. The aim of our investigation was to study the hydraulic performance and the heat generation of three commercially available CP: Bio-Medicus Bio-Pump BP80 (Medtronic), Rotaflow (Jostra Medizintechnik), and DeltaStreamTM DP2 (MEDOS Medizintechnik AQ).

The study was performed using a circuit primed with a water-glycerin mixture with a dynamic viscosity of 0.00272 pa/s. Pressure-flow curves were obtained by a stepwise stagnation of the pump outlet or inlet. The temperature changes were observed using ThermaCAM SC2000 (Flir Systems).

The pumps’ performance in close to clinical conditions (‘operating region’) was analysed in this report. The ‘operating region’ in the case of the BP80 is positioned around the pressure-flow curve at a pump speed of 3000 rpm. In the case of the Rotaflow, the ‘operating region’ was between the pump pressure-flow curves at a speed of 3000 and 4000 rpm, and the DP2 was found between 7000 and 8000 rpm.

The standard deviation of mean pressure through the pump was used to characterise the stability of the pump. In experiments with outlet stagnation, the BP80 demonstrated high negative association between flow and pressure variability (r=-0.68, p <0.001). In experiments with the DP2, this association was positive (r=-0.68, pB <0.001). All pumps demonstrated significantly higher variability of pressure in experiments with inlet stagnation in comparison to the experiments with outlet stagnation.

The rise of relative temperature in the inlet of a pump was closely related to the flow rate. The heating of fluid was more pronounced in the ‘zero-flow’ mode, especially in experiments with inlet stagnation.

In summary, (1) the ‘zero-flow’ regime, which is described in the manuals of some commercially-available pumps, is the use of the pump outside the allowable operating region. It is potentially dangerous and should, therefore, never be used in clinical settings. (2) Using centrifugal pumps for kinetic-assisted venous return can only be performed safely when the negative pressure at the inlet of the pump is monitored continuously. The maximum allowable negative pressure has to be defined for each type of pump, and must be based on pump performance.
Kinematics and Electromyography of Landing Preparation in Vertical Stop-Jump
Authors: Chappell Jonathan D. , Creighton R. Alexander , Giuliani Carol , Yu Bing , Garrett William E.
Published: January 2007

Background

Biomechanical analysis of stop-jump tasks has demonstrated gender differences during landing and a potential increase in risk of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury for female athletes. Analysis of landing preparation could advance our understanding of neuromuscular control in movement patterns and be applied to the development of prevention strategies for noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Hypothesis

There are differences in the lower extremity joint angles and electromyography of male and female recreational athletes during the landing preparation of a stop-jump task.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Three-dimensional videographic and electromyographic data were collected for 36 recreational athletes (17 men and 19 women) performing vertical stop-jump tasks. Knee and hip angular motion patterns were determined during the flight phase before landing.

Results

Knee and hip motion patterns and quadriceps and hamstring activation patterns exhibited significant gender differences. Female subjects generally exhibited decreased knee flexion (P = .001), hip flexion (P = .001), hip abduction (P = .001), and hip external rotation (P = .03); increased knee internal rotation (P = .001); and increased quadriceps activation (P = .001) compared with male subjects. Female subjects also exhibited increased hamstring activation before landing but a trend of decreased hamstring activation after landing compared with male subjects (P = .001).

Conclusion

Lower extremity motion patterns during landing of the stop-jump task are preprogrammed before landing. Female subjects prepared for landing with decreased hip and knee flexion at landing, increased quadriceps activation, and decreased hamstring activation, which may result in increased anterior cruciate ligament loading during the landing of the stop-jump task and the risk for noncontact ACL injury.
The Effect of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency on the in Vivo Elongation of the Medial and Lateral Collateral Ligaments
Authors: Van de Velde Samuel K. , Defrate Louis E. , Gill Thomas J. , Moses Jeremy M. , Papannagari Ramprasad , Li Guoan
Published: January 2007

Background

Although anterior cruciate ligament deficiency has been shown to lead to joint degeneration, few quantitative data have been reported on its effect on soft tissue structures surrounding the knee joint.

Hypothesis

Anterior cruciate ligament deficiency will alter the deformation of both collateral ligaments during in vivo weight-bearing knee function from 0° to 90°.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Six patients who had acute anterior cruciate ligament injury in 1 knee with the contralateral side intact participated in this study. Using magnetic resonance and dual orthogonal fluoroscopic imaging techniques, we measured the length of the fiber bundles of the superficial medial collateral ligament, deep medial collateral ligament, and lateral collateral ligament of the 6 patients; the healthy contralateral knee of each patient served as a control.

Results

Anterior cruciate ligament injury caused a significant elongation of the fiber bundles of the superficial and deep medial collateral ligament at every flexion angle. In contrast, the lateral collateral ligament fiber bundles shortened after anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Conclusion

The altered deformations of the collateral ligaments associated with the changes in tibiofemoral joint kinematics after anterior cruciate ligament injury demonstrate that deficiency of 1 of the knee joint structures upsets the in vivo knee homeostasis.

Clinical Relevance

Restoring normal knee kinematics after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is critical to restore the normal function of the collateral ligaments.
Passive Stability Characteristics of Ankle Braces and Tape in Simulated Barefoot and Shod Conditions
Authors: Eils Eric , Imberge Simone , Völker Klaus , Rosenbaum Dieter
Published: January 2007

Background

Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries in barefoot sport activities such as dance, gymnastics, or trampoline. At present, the use of external ankle devices for prevention of ligament injuries for barefoot activities remains unclear.

Hypothesis

External ankle devices have a significant loss of passive stability when used without a shoe in barefoot activities.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Twenty-five healthy subjects participated in the project (mean age, 26.2 ± 3.3 years; mean body mass, 71.2 ± 10.3 kg; mean height, 178 ± 7 cm). Passive range of motion measurements were performed with 3 different ankle stabilizers (a stirrup brace, a lace-up brace, and tape), as well as 2 different shoe conditions (cutout shoe [simulated barefoot] and normal shoe).

Results

In the simulated barefoot condition, a significantly reduced stabilizing effect for inversion and eversion (19% and 29%, respectively) was found for the stirrup ankle brace. Small decreases were noted with the soft brace and tape, but these were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

The passive stability characteristics of ankle braces depend to a great extent on being used in combination with a shoe. This is especially true for semirigid braces with stirrup design. Therefore, it is recommended that soft braces (like the one tested in the present investigation) be used in barefoot sports for restricting passive range of motion of the foot and ankle complex.

Clinical Relevance

This study provides useful information for clinicians to select or recommend an external ankle stabilizing device in barefoot sports to restrict passive range of motion of the foot-ankle complex most effectively.
Internet Campaigning for Grassroots and Astroturf Support
Authors: Klotz Robert J.
Published: January 2007

This article explores how participation was promoted on the web sites of U.S. Senate candidates in the 2004 election. The research formalizes the concept of plagiarized participation, whereby would-be participators are encouraged to present the words of others as their own in support of a cause. The campaign web site functions of encouraging supporters to write letters to their friends and to newspapers provide an ideal test for the appeal of plagiarized participation. The broader mobilization efforts of candidates are also documented. Providing frequency counts and text examples, this article gives a systematic view of Internet campaigning for grass-roots and astroturf support.
Creative Uses of Software Errors: Glitches and Cheats
Authors: Bainbridge Wilma Alice , Bainbridge William Sims
Published: January 2007

Video games constitute a major sector of computing with distinctive social implications. Analysis of video game programming errors, design limitations, and rule ambiguities suggests a range of positive functions that glitches and cheats may perform. Glitches are software errors, either programming bugs or design flaws. Cheats are tricks for mastering games by circumventing the official rules for play. This article is based on the study of 751 glitches in 155 popular video games plus examination of web sites that disseminate cheats. It compares the standard computer science response to errors, which is to eliminate them, with a common video gamer response, which is to exploit them. The theoretical analysis contrasts games (in which victory is achieving set goals by following given rules) with metagames (in which victory is having the power to define the nature and rules of the game). Several related theoretical concepts are used to describe the complex subculture of video game players, for whom glitches and cheats are socially significant.
Lotteries as Incentives in Longitudinal Web Studies
Authors: Göritz Anja S. , Wolff Hans-Georg
Published: January 2007

A longitudinal experiment examined the influence of a lottery of gift certificates on response and retention in a four-wave study conducted in an online panel. Independent of the lottery, people who responded in a given wave were more likely to respond in the next wave. This process was characterized to follow a first-order Markov chain. There was a direct positive effect of the lottery on response only at the first wave of the study. However, mediated by the Markov process, the positive effect of the lottery on response at the first wave was carried over into later waves. The lottery did not have any effect on retention. Furthermore, it was found that retention at a given wave is a reliable predictor for response at the next wave. This information could be used by survey managers to diagnose and act on any impending nonresponse.
Viruses, Worms, and Trojan Horses: Serious Crimes, Nuisance, or Both?
Authors: Hughes Lorine A. , DeLone Gregory J.
Published: January 2007

This study examines the functionality and propagation patterns of computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses detected during a 12-month period beginning on January 1, 2004. Using data obtained from threat reports prepared by a major vendor of computer security products, the authors find that these unique forms of cybercrime warrant general concern but that their overall threat to corporate, government, and end computer users thus far has been exaggerated. The authors conclude that greater attention must be paid to the role of the computer user in the spread of viruses and other malicious software and to the small handful of chronic offenders who contribute disproportionately to the problem.
Which Telework? Defining and Testing a Taxonomy of Technology-Mediated Work at a Distance
Authors: Garrett R. Kelly , Danziger James N.
Published: January 2007

Telework has been the subject of study for longer than a quarter century, yet its causes and consequences are poorly understood. A key reason for this shortcoming is that scholars define and use the concept in many different ways. This article presents a taxonomy of telework, distinguishing among three distinct forms: fixed-site telework, mobile telework, and flexiwork. It then offers a series of research questions about the associations among these three types of telework and a variety of other factors. Using data collected in a national telephone survey of more than 1,200 U.S. computer-using workers, the authors empirically demonstrate that the three types of teleworkers are unique along key dimensions regarding their individual characteristics, organizational and technological contexts, and the impacts on their work.
Determination of two mercapturic acids related to crotonaldehyde in human urine: influence of smoking
Authors: Scherer G , Urban M , Hagedorn H-W , Feng S , Kinser R D , Sarkar M , Liang Q , Roethig H-J
Published: January 2007

Crotonaldehyde, an αβ-unsaturated aldehyde, and a potent alkylating agent, is present in many foods and beverages, ambient air and tobacco smoke. A previous study indicated that two metabolites, 3-hydroxy-1- methylpropylmercapturic acid (HMPMA) and 2-carboxy1-1-methylethylmercapturic acid (CMEMA), were excreted in rat urine after subcutaneous injection of crotonaldehyde. Herein, we report the development of a method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and deuterated analytes as internal standards, for the determination of HMPMA and CMEMA in human urine. The limits of quantification of the method were 92 and 104 ng/mL for HMPMA and CMEMA, respectively. The calibration curves for both compounds were linear up to 7500 ng/mL with R2 >0.99. It was found that cigarette smokers excreted about three to five-fold more HMPMA, and only slightly elevated amounts of CMEMA, in their urine compared to non-smokers. In smokers, we also found significant correlations between the urinary excretion levels of HMPMA (but not CMEMA) and several markers of exposure for smoking, including the daily cigarette consumption, carbon monoxide in exhaled breath, salivary cotinine, and nicotine plus five of its major metabolites in urine. Smoking cessation or switching from smoking conventional cigarettes to experimental cigarettes with lower crotonaldehyde delivery led to significant reductions of urinary HMPMA excretion, but not CMEMA excretion. Alcohol consumption did not influence either urinary HMPMA or CMEMA excretion. We conclude that HMPMA is a potentially useful biomarker for smoking-related exposure to crotonaldehyde.
An Overview of Intimate Partner Violence Among Latinos
Authors: Klevens Joanne
Published: January 2007

This article reviews the existing literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) among Latinos to put the findings of this special issue into context. This review of the literature suggests that IPV occurs as frequently among Latinos as among non-Latinos when confounders are controlled for. There is also some preliminary evidence that Latinas experience similar forms of IPV and suffer similar consequences. Many of the risk factors associated with its occurrence are the same as those observed among non-Latinos, except that beliefs approving IPV and alcohol-drinking patterns may not have much explanatory value for the occurrence of IPV among Latinos. Role strain, especially as a result of immigration and acculturation, might be unique to Latinos, and its importance, and the importance of male dominance among Latinas experiencing IPV, deserve more research.
A Comparison of Help Seeking Between Latino and Non-Latino Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Ingram Eben M.
Published: January 2007

Analyses based on a random-digit-dial survey of households ( N = 12,039) compared Latinos and non-Latinos on sociodemographic factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) and help seeking. Lifetime prevalence of IPV was found to be lower for Latinos than for non-Latinos, but past-year prevalence of IPV was greater for Latinos. Reported IPV victimization was greater among non-Latinos than among Latinos at education levels below college and at family incomes less than $35,000. Informal help seeking was found to be similar for Latinos and non-Latinos; however, non-Latinos reported seeking access to shelters more frequently than Latinos, and Latino immigrants were less likely than non-immigrants to seek help from formal agencies.
Latino Teens Talk About Help Seeking and Help Giving in Relation to Dating Violence
Authors: Ocampo Beverly Weidmer , Shelley Gene A. , Jaycox Lisa H.
Published: January 2007

The authors examine attitudes about help seeking and help giving related to dating violence among Latino ninth graders, including survey and focus group data. Latino teens are more likely to seek help for a dating violence situation from informal sources of support (e.g., friends) than from formal sources (e.g., health professionals). Students are most likely to turn to other teens for help and do not confide or trust the adults in their social network. Teens are reluctant to intervene in dating violence situations. The quality of help offered by teens related to dating violence is perceived as being limited.
Intimate Partner Violence Among Latinas in Eastern North Carolina
Authors: Denham Amy C. , Frasier Pamela York , Hooten Elizabeth Gerken , Belton Leigh , Newton Warren , Gonzalez Pamela , Begum Munni , Campbell Marci K.
Published: January 2007

This article explores the correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) among rural, southern Latinas. A sample of 1,212 women in blue-collar work sites in rural North Carolina completed a questionnaire assessing IPV and other social, demographic, and health-related variables. Social and demographic correlates of IPV were examined. Adult lifetime prevalence of IPV in Latinas was 19.5%, similar to that of non-Latinas. As compared to Latinas who did not experience IPV and non-Latinas who experienced IPV, Latinas who experienced IPV were more likely to lack social support and to have children in the home. Agencies that provide services to victims of IPV in the rural South need to be prepared to meet the unique needs of Latina immigrants.
A Network Model for Providing Culturally Competent Services for Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence
Authors: Whitaker Daniel J. , Baker Charlene K. , Pratt Carter , Reed Elizabeth , Suri Sonia , Pavlos Carlene , Nagy Beth Jacklin , Silverman Jay
Published: January 2007

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health implemented the Collaborative for Abuse Prevention in Racial and Ethnic Communities (CARE) project in two Latino communities, in the city of Chelsea and in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. One goal of CARE was to build collaborative networks of service providers to provide culturally competent services. Networks of existing community-based agencies that provide a variety of different services regarding violence against women were established in both locales. This article describes the CARE model, network formation, initial attempts to build collaboration and cultural competence, outreach and education activities, and organizational-level changes resulting from the establishment of the networks. The challenges, successes, and lessons learned in implementing this network model are also discussed.
Emission of Carcinogenic Components from Commercial Kitchens in Hong Kong
Authors: To W. M. , Lau Y. K. , Yeung L. L.
Published: January 2007

Cooking fumes from commercial kitchens have long caused concern for those who live near them. Foodstuffs such as meat, fat, sugar, starch or oil can produce carbonaceous particles when cooked quickly at high temperatures. Carbonaceous particles discharged to the atmosphere can have significant environmental and health impacts, through lowering visibility and the health impact of fine particles on human beings. In this paper, we report a territorial-wide survey on the quantification of cooking fumes discharged from commercial kitchens of Chinese restaurants, Western restaurants and exotic food servicing areas. Results show that cooking fumes contain a wide spectrum of organic compounds including n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fatty acids (FAs) and aromatic amines (AAs). It should be noted that commercial kitchens differ considerably in size, modes of operations, raw materials, cooking practices and air pollution control equipment. Our analytical results indicate that there is no statistically significant difference on the composition of their discharge in terms of carcinogenic elements such as PAHs, but at the 5% significance level, the mean concentrations of n-alkanes at the discharge points of exotic food servicing areas are higher than at the discharges of Chinese or Western restaurants.
Radon Emanation from Soil and Groundwater and Surface Gamma Dose Rate in Budhakedar, Garhwal Himalayas, India
Authors: Ramola R. C. , Prasad Ganesh , Prasad Yogesh
Published: January 2007

Radon was measured in soil-gas and groundwater in the Budhakedar area of Tehri Garhwal, India and related to the gamma dose rate in the same area. A laboratory experiment was also performed to measure the radon exhalation rate from soil samples collected from the same area. Radon exhalation rate from collected soil samples was found to vary from 0.1×10-5 Bq·kg-1·h-1 to 5.7×10-5 Bq·kg-1·h-1 with an average of 1.5×10-5 Bq·kg-1·h-1. Radon concentration in soil and groundwater of the Budhakedar area varies from 1098 to 31,776Bq·m-3 with an average value of 7456Bq·m-3, and from 8 to 3047Bq·L-1 with an average value 510Bq·L-1, respectively. Surface gamma dose rate in the study area varied from 32.4 to 83.6μR·h-1 with an overall mean of 58.7μR·h-1. The observed value of the gamma dose rate was not found to be related to the value of radon concentration in ground-water but a weak positive correlation was observed between the gamma dose rate and soil-gas radon concentration. A weak negative correlation was observed between radon exhalation rate from soil and radon concentration in the soil. Radon exhalation rate from the soil was also not found to be correlated with the gamma dose rate, while it shows a positive correlation with radon concentration in water.
Daily Exposure to Air Pollutants in Indoor, Outdoor and In-vehicle Micro-environments: A Pilot Study in Delhi
Authors: Saksena Sumeet , Prasad Raj Kumar , Shankar V. Ravi
Published: January 2007

The study measures exposure to air pollution in an urban setting in India. Integrated daily exposure to respirable suspended particulates (RSP) and carbon monoxide (CO) was assessed by personal and area sampling from six micro-environments including those for which prior data did not exist in India. This is also one of few studies that have measured the exposure of commuters on motor cycles, scooters, etc. A time budget survey was conducted to determine how much time people spend in these micro-environments. A sample of 1100 households (4311 individuals) was chosen randomly from 32 localities in Delhi for an activity patterns survey. Mean RSP levels during travelling ranged between 370-2860 μg·m-3 and CO levels from 8-19ppm. The weighted average of RSP daily exposure due to all micro-environments was 12.7mg·h·m-3, with housewives and female workers being most exposed, largely because of cooking. The mean CO exposure was found to be 38ppm·h with workers the most exposed. We estimated that assuming people are exposed only to outdoor levels of RSP over 24h causes the true exposure to be underestimated by a factor of 1.7-2.7. Indoor RSP levels in homes, even in the absence of cooking, were found to be higher than expected. For all subgroups the daily average RSP concentrations were more than four times the ambient standards laid down by the Indian government. Only workers experienced daily CO average concentrations in excess of Indian standards (by a factor of 1.4).