bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water Vapor Fluxes and Orographic Precipitation over Northern California Associated with a Landfalling Atmospheric River
Authors: Smith Barrett L. , Yuter Sandra E. , Neiman Paul J. , Kingsmill D. E.
Published: July 2009

Atmospheric rivers accompanying Pacific storm systems play an important role in supplying moisture to the West Coast. Heavy precipitation associated with these systems falls not only along the west-facing slopes of the Coastal Range but also along the windward slopes of the interior Sierra Mountains. Simulations of the 29–31 December 2005 storm in northern California using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model were able to realistically resolve the structure and strength of the water vapor fluxes over ocean and land. The cross-barrier, southwesterly water vapor fluxes, peaking near 700 kg m−1 s−1 at the coast, dominated the airmass transformation over the northern California mountain complex. However, there was also significant northward water vapor flux along the base of the Sierras. The combination of a narrow, short-lived water vapor source from the atmospheric river, the gap in terrain facilitating flow around the coastal mountains, and the occurrence of a strong barrier jet at the base of the Sierras all contributed to the northward along-barrier water vapor fluxes within the storm. The coincident timing of the maximum water vapor flux into the central valley with the period when the barrier jet was well developed yielded up valley fluxes >300 kg m−1 s−1 for several hours. For the 29–31 December 2005 Pacific storm, the flow around the coastal terrain and up valley replenished about a quarter of the depleted water vapor lost over the coastal mountains.
Accuracy of Perception of Body Size Among Overweight Latino Preadolescents After a 6-Month Physical Activity Skills Building Intervention
Authors: Gesell Sabina B. , Scott Theresa A. , Barkin Shari L.
Published: July 2009

Background. Previous research has shown that overweight Latino children underestimate their body size. Erroneous perception of body size may have important health and behavioral implications and serve as a significant barrier to weight control. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine whether children’s perceptions of their body size became more accurate following a pediatric obesity intervention focused on increasing physical activity. Design/ methods. This analysis includes 61 overweight (body mass index ≥85%) Latino children (aged 8-11 years) parent—child dyads who completed a pilot randomized control trial. Results. After the intervention, 40.7% (11/27) of children in the intervention group rated their body size accurately compared with 21.2% (7/33) in the control group. The difference indicates a trend toward significance ( P = .09). Conclusions. Participating in monthly physical activity skill building sessions may increase children’s accuracy in body size perception.This may be an important first step toward behavior modification.
Uni- and Interdisciplinary Effects on Round and Handover Content in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Miller Anne , Scheinkestel Carlos , Limpus Anthony , Joseph Michele , Karnik Amod , Venkatesh Bala
Published: July 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore differences in the verbal content of handovers and rounds conducted in uni- and interdisciplinary social contexts. We expected higher proportions of goals to be articulated during interdisciplinary rounds. Background: Lack of explanatory connections between round improvement initiatives and outcomes suggest insufficient understanding about health care communications, especially the role of social interaction. Methods: The recognition-primed abstract decomposition space (RP-ADS) was used to analyze the information content of nurse handovers and morning rounds in a unidisciplinary- (physicians only) and an interdisciplinary-round intensive care unit (ICU). Data were collected using audio recordings of rounds and handovers for five patients for 5 days each in both ICUs. Results: Hierarchical log-linear analyses show strong associations between events (medical rounds vs. nurses’ shift handovers), type (uni- vs. interdisciplinary), and focus (levels of the RP-ADS) with highly significant combined two-way and higher-order interactions, LRχ2( df = 4) = 30.91, p < .0001. All tests of partial association were also highly significant. Differences among levels of the variables were evaluated using standardized residuals. Conclusion: Nurses focused on RP-ADS data and intervention levels, whereas physicians focused on diagnoses and expectations. Clinical goals that integrate these orientations emerged to a greater extent in interdisciplinary rounds. In addition, social context of rounds appears to influence nurse handovers. Unidisciplinary ICU nurse handovers consisted of a series of data-and intervention-related observations, whereas ICU nurse handovers in interdisciplinary ICUs tended to integrate data, interventions and clinical goals. Application: These results are relevant to the design and implementation of clinical communication improvement initiatives and support tools.
The Involvement of IL-23 and the Th17 Pathway in Periodontitis
Authors: Ohyama H. , Kato-Kogoe N. , Kuhara A. , Nishimura F. , Nakasho K. , Yamanegi K. , Yamada N. , Hata M. , Yamane J. , Terada N.
Published: July 2009

Interleukin (IL)-23 is an essential cytokine involved in expansion of the Th17 lineage, which is associated with many immune-related destructive tissue diseases. We hypothesized that the IL-23-induced Th17 pathway plays a role in periodontal pathology and examined the expression of cytokines, and related molecules, in periodontal lesions and control sites. IL-23 and IL-12 were expressed at significantly higher levels in periodontal lesions than in control sites. However, the relative expression of the IL-23 receptor compared with the IL-12 receptor β2 was significantly higher in periodontal lesions. Moreover, IL-17 expression was significantly higher in periodontal lesions, especially in the tissue adjacent to bone destruction, than in control sites. There was no significant difference in the expression levels of IFN-γ, an important cytokine inhibiting differentiation toward the Th17 pathway, between periodontal lesions and control sites. Together, these results suggest that the IL-23-induced Th17 pathway is stimulated in inflammatory periodontal lesions.
Explanation of the Fractal Characteristics of Goose Down Configurations
Authors: Jing Gao  , Ning Pan
Published: July 2009

Goose down has superior thermal insulating properties as a filler material used widely as an insulator in textile products. Its particular “tree” structure is expected to attribute greatly to this insulating property. In this paper, fractal structures of the down “tree” are observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the configuration characteristics of goose down are described quantitatively by local fractal dimensions. From two expects, the local fractal dimensions were calculated both theoretically and experimentally, revealing its value to be very close to the golden mean, 1.618. This near-optimal fractal dimension may be attributable to the excellent thermal insulation of goose down assembly, and the potential applications of such a fractal structure are also discussed.
Durable Hydrophobic Textile Fabric Finishing Using Silica Nanoparticles and Mixed Silanes
Authors: Roe Barry , Xiangwu Zhang
Published: July 2009

Cotton fabric surface was treated with combinations of silica nanoparticles, silane hydrophobes, and silane crosslinkers to obtain durable hydrophobicity. Performance analysis was done by measuring the contact angle of water on the treated fabric surface. To evaluate the durability of the surface hydrophobicity, AATCC crocking and laundering tests were performed. Cotton fabrics with good hydrophobicity (contact angle = 139.1°) and excellent durability (e.g. 95% recovery of contact angle after laundering) were obtained when treated with Aerosil® 90 nanoparticles, n-octyltrimethoxysilane, and bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane. This study demonstrated that the surface treatment using silica nanoparticles and mixed silanes is a promising alternative to fluoropolymer chemistry for achieving durable hydrophobic fabrics.
Investigation on the Classification of Weave Pattern Based on an Active Grid Model
Authors: Binjie Xin  , Jinlian Hu  , Baciu George , Xiaobo Yu
Published: July 2009

In this paper, a new method based on the active grid model (AGM) is used to identify the weave pattern of woven fabrics. The two-dimensional geometrical weaving structure of the woven fabrics could be described mathematically using the concept of active grid alignment, so that the analysis of the fabric weave pattern could be implemented in the field of an AGM model of a fabric. This proposed method utilizes dual-side scanning technology to merge the dual-side images of a fabric at the yarn level. It contains a four-step method to construct an AGM. First, a yarn-detecting algorithm is applied on the dual-side scan images to initialize the AGM. Second, the AGM self-adjustment scheme is used to adjust the AGM accurately. Then, the types of the yarn interlacing are classified based on the edge map and the result is refined using the neighboring information of yarns. Finally, the color pattern is determined by using color clustering and matching; error correction is also made based on the color configuration. Some preliminary experiments show that the AGM is effective for the classification of fabric weaving patterns.
The Effects of Laundering on the Mechanical Properties of Mass-produced Nanofiber Web for Use in Wear
Authors: Sumin Lee , Kimura D. , Yokoyama A. , Lee KeunHyung , Park J.C. , Kim IckSoo
Published: July 2009

Nanofiber web mass produced via electrospinning has many potential applications due to its large specific area, very small pore size, high porosity and so forth. Despite these potentials, the application of nanofiber web has been limited by its poor mechanical properties. To remedy these poor mechanical properties, laminating processes have been applied to its manufacture. For use in clothing, fabric should have not only adequate mechanical properties, but also the durability to withstand laundering. Hence, the purpose of this study was to measure the mechanical properties of mass-produced nanofiber web, and then to investigate the change of these mechanical properties after laundering in order to evaluate the possibility of using such fiber in a breathable fabric for outdoor wear. We concluded that the maintenance of nanofiber web morphology, despite repeated laundering, allowed for the retention of the mechanical properties.
Characterization of Doum Palm Fibers After Chemical Treatment
Authors: Sghaier Salem , Zbidi Fayrouz , Zidi Midi
Published: July 2009

Natural fibers as an alternative fiber reinforcement material have significant advantages over glass. Indeed, they are more environmentally friendly, healthier and safer. Their application in polymer composites requires the understanding of their structure and mechanical properties. Other advantages of using the cellulose fibers as reinforcement are their low densities and their non-abrasive aspect. Various natural fibers have been widely used. Others, however, remain of limited use such as in the case of palms. This study aimed at introducing palm fibers to be used as reinforcement in a polymeric matrix enabling production of economical and lightweight composites for load-carrying structures. First, an investigation of the extraction procedures of fibers from folioles and leafstalks of doum palm was undertaken. Secondly, the mechanical behavior of the treated and untreated doum palm fibers was studied to determine their mechanical properties. Finally, we compared the mechanical properties of the different parts of the tree with other natural fibers.
Effects of Plasma Treatment of Wool on the Uptake of Sulfonated Dyes with Different Hydrophobic Properties
Authors: Naebe Muryam , Cookson Peter G. , Rippon John , Brady Rex Peter , Xungai Wang  , Brack Narelle , van Riessen Grant
Published: July 2009

A wool fabric has been subjected to an atmospheric-pressure treatment with a helium plasma for 30 seconds. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry confirmed removal of the covalently-bound fatty acid layer (F-layer) from the surface of the wool fibers, resulting in exposure of the underlying, hydrophilic protein material. Dye uptake experiments were carried out at 50°C to evaluate the effects of plasma on the rate of dye uptake by the fiber surface, as well as give an indication of the adsorption characteristics in the early stages of a typical dyeing cycle. The dyes used were typical, sulfonated wool dyes with a range of hydrophobic characteristics, as determined by their partitioning behavior between water and n-butanol. No significant effects of plasma on the rate of dye adsorption were observed with relatively hydrophobic dyes. In contrast, the relatively hydrophilic dyes were adsorbed more rapidly (and uniformly) by the plasma-treated fabric. It was concluded that adsorption of hydrophobic dyes on plasma-treated wool was influenced by hydrophobic interactions, whereas electrostatic effects predominated for dyes of more hydrophilic character. On heating the dyebath to 90°C in order to achieve fiber penetration, no significant effect of the plasma treatment on the extent of uptake or levelness of a relatively hydrophilic dye was observed as equilibrium conditions were approached.
Research on Dyeing and Ultraviolet Protection of Silk Fabric Using Vegetable Dyes Extracted from Flos Sophorae
Authors: Wang Lu , Wang Ningning , Jia Shunhua , Zhou Qicheng
Published: July 2009

This paper discusses the ultraviolet protective properties of silk fabrics using vegetable dyes extracted from Flos Sophorae. It was found that the aqueous solution of this vegetable dye has excellent thermal stability as well as stability in acid conditions. With the objective of achieving the greatest absorbency in the ultraviolet region, the following optimum extraction conditions were obtained for Flos Sophorae: extraction temperature of 100°C, extraction time of 60 min, and material to liquor ratio of 1:10. The UPF and T(UVA)AV values for the silk fabric dyed by the optimum dye solution were found to meet the Chinese National Standard (UPF = 69 > 30, T(UVA)AV = 1.07% < 5%). According to the standard, the silk fabric can claim to be a “UV-Protective product”. The relation between the UPF value and the K/S value was also studied.
Heating and cooling degree day prediction within the London urban heat island area
Authors: Kolokotroni M. , Zhang Y. , Giridharan R.
Published: July 2009

This paper describes the London Site Specific Air Temperature prediction model, which comprises of a suite of artificial neural network (ANN) models to predict site-specific hourly air temperature within the Greater London Area (GLA). The model was developed using a back-propagation ANN model based on hourly air temperature measurements at 77 fixed temperature stations (FTS) and hourly meteorological data (off-site variables) from Heathrow; it also includes six on-site variables calculated for each FTS. The temporal and spatial validity of the model was tested using data measured 7 years later from the original dataset, which include new FTS locations. It was found that site-specific hourly air temperature prediction is within accepted range and improves considerably for average daily and monthly values. Therefore, the model can be used with confidence to predict daily and seasonal variations of air temperature within the GLA and in particular for the calculation of monthly and annual heating degree days (HDD) and cooling degree hours (CDH). It was found that as expected HDD increase and CDH decrease with distance from the urban heat island centre point; however, all variations cannot be explained with distance and six key on-site variables namely aspect ratio, surface albedo, plan density ratio, green density ratio, fabric density ratio and thermal mass have been identified to explain the remaining variation.

Practical applications: Research studies have confirmed the extent of Urban Heat Island (UHI) within many cities in Europe. Studies have also confirmed the impact of the UHI on energy demand by buildings. There is therefore need to consider this in the design of building by using site-specific external temperatures in the energy calculations for urban buildings. This paper describes the development of a model, which can generate site-specific air temperature in a large number of locations in London. The model's predictions can be used for the calculation of HDD and CDH for any base temperature across London using any Heathrow weather file for a specific year, design years or future climate years; such values can be used for the calculation of site specific building heating and cooling loads.
Sound absorption characteristics of PTFE membrane Material and their application to a multi-purpose stadium
Authors: Jung Joong Kim  , Jeong Ho Jeong  , Sohn Jang-Yeul
Published: July 2009

Due to an increase in sport events such as world-cup soccer and other large-scale outdoor performances, a large number of multipurpose stadiums and gymnasiums were constructed throughout the world. Some research have been conducted on plans to utilise all-whether stadiums with fine figures, where large-scale spaces are available for various utilisations. All over the world, dome-type stadiums have been built, and are utilised not only for sports events but also for a variety of other large-scale events. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is a membrane material mainly used for the outer ceiling surface of membrane structures. However, sufficient research has not been performed on the acoustical properties of the PTFE membrane material, which is widely used in the multipurpose stadiums. In this study, the air permeability values and sound absorption coefficient of PTFE membrane materials were measured and evaluated in a gymnasium.

Practical application: This research will provide guidance to solving acoustical problems in dome type stadiums by explaining absorption properties of membrane materials. Solving the acoustical problems will greatly extend the functionality of dome type stadiums, such as hosting live concerts or recitals. The extended functionality will ultimately result in increased revenues for existing stadiums.
Strong families, tidy houses, and children’s values in adult life: Are “chaotic”, “crowded” and “unstable” homes really so bad?
Authors: Flouri Eirini
Published: July 2009

Chaotic home systems have been linked with children’s adverse psychological and academic outcomes. But, as they represent a departure from the suburban ideal of space, order, and family cohesiveness and stability, they should also be linked with low support for survival values. Using longitudinal data from the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) this study tested this by examining long-term links between chaotic home systems (assessed when cohort members were aged 0—10 years), and support for survival values (racism and authoritarianism) at age 30. A chaotic home system was operationalized in this study as family disruption, low family cohesiveness, overcrowding, untidiness, and residential mobility. The study showed that, after adjustment for controls (mother’s liberalism, authoritarian parenting and educational attainment, family’s social class and material disadvantage, and child’s ethnicity, gender, general ability and adult educational attainment), residential mobility and untidiness were negatively related to authoritarianism and to support for racism, and family cohesiveness was positively and overcrowding negatively related to authoritarianism.
Impact of drugs approved for treating ADHD on the cell survival and energy metabolism: an in-vitro study in human neuronal and immune cells
Authors: Schmidt AJ , Krieg JC , Clement HW , Gebhardt S. , Schulz E. , Heiser P.
Published: July 2009

The oxidative and antioxidative properties of psychostimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are discussed controversially. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of psychostimulants and atomoxetine in different concentrations between 31.25 and 5000 ng/ml on the survival of human neuronal (neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y) and immune (monocytic U-937) cells and the impact of psychostimulants and atomoxetine in different concentrations between 500 and 5000 ng/ml on energy metabolism (adenosine triphosphate [ATP] content) in SH-SY5Y cells. Statistical analysis revealed that incubation for 24 h with amphetamine led to a significantly enhanced cell survival in both cell lines after treatment with various (32.5, 125, 250 and 1250 ng/ml) concentrations. Methylphenidate and atomoxetine induced a significantly enhanced cell survival at lower concentrations in the SH-SY5Y cell line, whereas in the U-937 cell line higher concentrations increased the cell survival. Incubation with the highest concentration of methylphenidate (5000 ng/ml) caused a significant reduction of cell survival in both cell types. Measurement of ATP contents in the neuronal cell line revealed no significant effects of the investigated compounds. Our results show that the examined substances exert concentration-dependent effects on cell survival in both applied cell lines.
Should Clinicians Deliver Decision Aids? Further Exploration of the Statin Choice Randomized Trial Results
Authors: Jones Lesley A. , Weymiller Audrey J. , Shah Nilay , Bryant Sandra C. , Christianson Teresa J. H. , Guyatt Gordon H. , Gafni Amiram , Smith Steven A. , Montori Victor M.
Published: July 2009

Background. Statin Choice is a decision aid about taking statins. The optimal mode of delivering Statin Choice (or any other decision aid) in clinical practice is unknown. Methods. To investigate the effect of mode of delivery on decision aid efficacy, the authors further explored the results of a concealed 2 × 2 factorial clustered randomized trial enrolling 21 endocrinologists and 98 diabetes patients and randomizing them to 1) receive either the decision aid or pamphlet about cholesterol, and 2) have these delivered either during the office visit (by the clinician) or before the visit (by a researcher). We estimated between-group differences and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for acceptability of information delivery (1—7), knowledge about statins and coronary risk (0—9), and decisional conflict about statin use (0—100) assessed immediately after the visit. Follow-up was 99%. Results. The relative efficacy of the decision aid v. pamphlet interacted with the mode of delivery. Compared with the pamphlet, patients whose clinicians delivered the decision aid during the office visit showed significant improvements in knowledge (difference of 1.6 of 9 questions, CI 0.3, 2.8) and nonsignificant trends toward finding the decision aid more acceptable (odds ratio 3.1, CI 0.9, 11.2) and having less decisional conflict (difference of 7 of 100 points, CI - 4, 18) than when a researcher delivered the decision aid just before the office visit. Conclusions. Delivery of decision aids by clinicians during the visit improves knowledge and shows a trend toward better acceptability and less decisional conflict.
Medial Knee Injury
Authors: Wijdicks Coen A. , Griffith Chad J. , LaPrade Robert F. , Spiridonov Stanislav I. , Johansen Steinar , Armitage Bryan M. , Engebretsen Lars
Published: July 2009

Background

There is limited information regarding directly measured load responses of the posterior oblique and superficial medial collateral ligaments in isolated and multiple medial knee ligament injury states.

Hypotheses

Tensile load responses from both the superficial medial collateral ligament and the posterior oblique ligament would be measurable and reproducible, and the native load-sharing relationships between these ligaments would be altered after sectioning of medial knee structures.

Study Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods

Twenty-four nonpaired, fresh-frozen adult cadaveric knees were distributed into 3 sequential sectioning sequences. Buckle transducers were applied to the posterior oblique ligament and the proximal and distal divisions of the superficial medial collateral ligament; 10 N·m valgus moments and 5 N·m internal and external rotation torques were applied at 0°, 20°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion.

Results

With an applied valgus and external rotation moment, there was a significant load increase on the posterior oblique ligament compared with the intact state after sectioning all other medial knee structures. With an applied external rotation torque, there was a significant load decrease on the proximal division of the superficial medial collateral ligament from the intact state after sectioning all other medial knee structures. With an applied external rotation torque, the distal division of the superficial medial collateral ligament experienced a significant load increase from the intact state after sectioning the posterior oblique ligament and the meniscofemoral division of the deep medial collateral ligament.

Conclusion

This study found alterations in the native load-sharing relationships of the medial knee structures after injury. Sectioning both the primary and secondary restraints to valgus and internal/external rotation of the knee alters the intricate load-sharing relationships that exist between the medial knee structures.

Clinical Significance

In cases in which surgical repair or reconstruction is indicated, consideration should be placed on repairing or reconstructing all injured medial knee structures to restore the native load-sharing relationships among these medial knee structures.
Conceptualizing Training in the Radical Adult Education Tradition
Authors: Holst John D.
Published: July 2009

This article reviews contemporary definitions of training in adult education literature with a focus on the narrowing of what is generally considered and not considered to be training today. The article then provides a number of historical and contemporary examples of training within the radical tradition. It argues that in the radical tradition, training is not conceived so narrowly and the terms training and education are at times used interchangeably to refer to a democratic and participatory form of education. The article concludes with a thematic summary of training conceptualized within the radical adult education tradition.
Interest Groups and Governmental Institutions
Authors: Tandberg David
Published: July 2009

In attempting to explain state support of public higher education, this study develops a theory-driven, comprehensive conceptualization of the state political system within a larger theoretical framework that consists of state economic and demographic factors and higher education system attributes. Furthermore, although the higher education policy and finance literature has largely ignored the impact of interest groups on state policy and state support of higher education, they play a central role in the model presented here. The inclusion of politics in the explanatory model results in a more robust and pragmatically useful model.
Mediation and moderation of treatment effects in randomised controlled trials of complex interventions
Authors: Emsley Richard , Dunn Graham , White Ian R
Published: July 2009

Complex intervention trials should be able to answer both pragmatic and explanatory questions in order to test the theories motivating the intervention and help understand the underlying nature of the clinical problem being tested. Key to this is the estimation of direct effects of treatment and indirect effects acting through intermediate variables which are measured post-randomisation. Using psychological treatment trials as an example of complex interventions, we review statistical methods which crucially evaluate both direct and indirect effects in the presence of hidden confounding between mediator and outcome. We review the historical literature on mediation and moderation of treatment effects. We introduce two methods from within the existing causal inference literature, principal stratification and structural mean models, and demonstrate how these can be applied in a mediation context before discussing approaches and assumptions necessary for attaining identifiability of key parameters of the basic causal model. Assuming that there is modification by baseline covariates of the effect of treatment (i.e. randomisation) on the mediator (i.e. covariate by treatment interactions), but no direct effect on the outcome of these treatment by covariate interactions leads to the use of instrumental variable methods. We describe how moderation can occur through post-randomisation variables, and extend the principal stratification approach to multiple group methods with explanatory models nested within the principal strata. We illustrate the new methodology with motivating examples of randomised trials from the mental health literature.
A unified framework for the evaluation of surrogate endpoints in mental-health clinical trials
Authors: Molenberghs Geert , Burzykowski Tomasz , Alonso Ariel , Assam Pryseley , Tilahun Abel , Buyse Marc
Published: July 2009

For a number of reasons, surrogate endpoints are considered instead of the so-called true endpoint in clinical studies, especially when such endpoints can be measured earlier, and/or with less burden for patient and experimenter. Surrogate endpoints may occur more frequently than their standard counterparts. For these reasons, it is not surprising that the use of surrogate endpoints in clinical practice is increasing.

Building on the seminal work of Prentice1 and Freedman et al.,2 Buyse et al.3 framed the evaluation exercise within a meta-analytic setting, in an effort to overcome difficulties that necessarily surround evaluation efforts based on a single trial. In this article, we review the meta-analytic approach for continuous outcomes, discuss extensions to non-normal and longitudinal settings, as well as proposals to unify the somewhat disparate collection of validation measures currently on the market. Implications for design and for predicting the effect of treatment in a new trial, based on the surrogate, are discussed. A case study in schizophrenia is analysed.
Flexible survival regression modelling
Authors: Cortese Giuliana , Scheike Thomas H , Martinussen Torben
Published: July 2009

Regression analysis of survival data, and more generally event history data, is typically based on Cox’s regression model. We here review some recent methodology, focusing on the limitations of Cox’s regression model. The key limitation is that the model is not well suited to represent time-varying effects. We start by considering classical and also more recent goodness-of-fit procedures for the Cox model that will reveal when the Cox model does not capture important aspects of the data, such as time-varying effects. We present recent regression models that are able to deal with and describe such time-varying effects. The introduced models are all applied to data on breast cancer from the Norwegian cancer registry, and these analyses clearly reveal the shortcomings of Cox’s regression model and the need for other supplementary analyses with models such as those we present here.
Patient Demographics and Learning Needs: Examination of Relationship
Authors: Fredericks Suzanne , Guruge Sepali , Sidani Souraya , Wan Teresa
Published: July 2009

Background: Limited research has examined differences in patients’ learning needs in relation to demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, level of education, and culture. Yet such knowledge is essential to develop postoperative educational interventions that are tailored to patients’ needs. Study purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between learning needs and the demographic characteristics of patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Method: A descriptive design was used.The sample of convenience included 38 patients who met eligibility criteria. Major results: Statistically significant relationships were found between the patients’ age, gender, and cultural background, and learning needs ( p < .05) and not between the learning needs and level of education. Application: These preliminary highlight the importance of attending to learning needs of patients with different backgrounds in order to improve self-management following CABG surgery.
The Discourse of Environmental Information
Authors: Stamou Anastasia G. , Lefkaditou Ageliki , Schizas Dimitris , Stamou George P.
Published: July 2009

In the present study, the textual material disseminated in the information center of Dadia forest reserve is examined. Adopting the theoretical framework of Critical Discourse Analysis, environmental information is seen as “discourse.” By employing a two-plane analytical framework (content analysis and systemic-functional linguistic analysis), the focus given on scientific rhetoric is unveiled. Consequently, the management regime proposed for the forest reserve removes the local community, constructing science (as represented by WWF [World Wide Fund for Nature] Greece’s scientific staff) as the only legitimate voice to speak about and manage the forest. Moreover, the systematic suppression of human interventions blurs and diffuses responsibilities for the environment.
State-of-the-Art Review: Assessing the Safety Profiles of New Anticoagulants for Major Orthopedic Surgery Thromboprophylaxis
Authors: Hull Russell D. , Yusen Roger D. , Bergqvist David
Published: July 2009

Background: The safety and efficacy of new anticoagulants are often initially tested for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. Concern among surgeons about the risks for bleeding may result in suboptimal use of thrombophylaxis. Objective: To evaluate the definitions used to define bleeding outcomes in studies of new anticoagulants and to examine the influence the definition has on the perceived bleeding risk of thromboprophylaxis. Methods: The MedLine database was searched for phase III studies of new anticoagulants versus the standard comparator, enoxaparin, in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. Results: The definitions for major bleeding outcomes varied widely both across and within clinical trial programs of new anticoagulants. Studies which did not include surgical site bleeding in their definition for major bleeding showed lower major bleeding rates in comparison to those that did include this outcome. Other factors that influenced the rate of major bleeding included the timing of prophylaxis initiation in relation to surgery and the dose of anticoagulant therapy. The wide range of definitions used for major bleeding made it difficult to compare bleeding risk among studies of new anticoagulants. Conclusions: The definitions of bleeding events that clinical trials of thromboprophylaxis use in their assessment of new anticoagulants strongly influences each drug’s perceived safety profile and may underestimate bleeding risks. Clinical studies of new anticoagulants urgently need standardization of bleeding definitions to allow intertrial comparability and to ensure consistent reporting of clinically relevant outcomes.
Interpersonal Violence and Women With Disabilities
Authors: Powers Laurie E. , Renker Paula , Robinson-Whelen Susan , Oschwald Mary , Hughes Rosemary , Swank Paul , Curry Mary Ann
Published: July 2009

Very little information exists related to the interpersonal violence safety promoting behaviors of women with disabilities. Information about women’s use of safety promoting behaviors was gathered from 305 disabled and deaf women who completed an anonymous Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview. Exploratory factor analyses revealed factors related to seeking abuse-related safety information, building abuse-related safety promoting skills, using relationship support, planning for emergencies, taking legal action, and managing safety in personal assistance relationships. Four of these factors demonstrated significant relationships to women’s experience of different forms of abuse and their perpetrator’s characteristics.
Metabolomics Study With Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Predicting Valproic Acid–induced Hepatotoxicity and Discovery of Novel Biomarkers in Rat Urine
Authors: Lee Min Sun , Jung Byung Hwa , Chung Bong Chul , Cho Sung Hee , Kim Ki Young , Kwon Oh Seoung , Nugraha Boya , Lee Young-Joo
Published: July 2009

Three different doses of valproic acid (20, 100, and 500 mg/kg/d) are administered orally to Sprague-Dawley rats for 5 days, and the feasibility of metabolomics with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry as a predictor of the hepatotoxicity of valproic acid is evaluated. Body weight is found to decrease with the 100-mg/kg/d dose and significantly decrease with the 500-mg/kg/d dose. Mean excreted urine volume is lowest in the 500-mg/kg/d group among all groups. The plasma level of α-glutathione-S-transferase, a sensitive and earlier biomarker for hepatotoxicity, increases significantly with administration of 100 and 500 mg/kg/d; however, there is not a significant difference in α-glutathione-S-transferase plasma levels between the control and 20-mg/kg/d groups. Clusters in partial least squares discriminant analysis score plots show similar patterns, with changes in physiological conditions and plasma levels of α-glutathione-S-transferase; the cluster for the control and 20-mg/kg/d groups does not clearly separate, but the clusters are separate for 100- and 500-mg/kg/d groups. A biomarker of hepatotoxicity, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and octanoylcarnitine, is identified from nontargeted and targeted metabolic profiling. These results validate that metabolic profiling using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry could be a useful tool for finding novel biomarkers. Thus, a nontargeted metabolic profiling method is established to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of valproic acid and demonstrates proof-of-concept that metabolomic approach with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry has great potential for predicting valproic acid–induced hepatotoxicity and discovering novel biomarkers.
Situated Dialogic Action Research
Authors: Shotter John
Published: July 2009

I want to discuss a version of collaborative action research oriented toward exploring, and verbally articulating, the real possibilities for making an innovative next step in a specific situation in a particular organization. There are many situations in organizational life in which people express, either very general concerns—for example, a need for people to be more innovative, to trust each other more, and so on—or simply feelings of disquiet, of ‘‘something being not quite right’’ needing to be changed ... although they do not know what that ‘‘something’’ is! The research we are often asked to do is precisely to make these vague concerns sufficiently determinate to inform new (or at least modified) practices. But this task, as I see it, following Wittgenstein (1980), entails resolving a difficulty of orientation or of relating rather than solving a problem. Below, the author discusses a dialogically structured action research practice precisely tailored to these orientational needs, along with the theoretical-concepts needed to guide participants in it toward the activities relevant both to its conduct and toward the realization of the possibilities it discloses.
Towards the Preservation of Local Computer Game Software
Authors: Swalwell Melanie
Published: July 2009

/ New Zealand's digital game history includes a significant quantity of locally written software titles from the 1980s. Currently, few people are aware of this, no institutional collections exist, and institutional preservation efforts are directed elsewhere. This context prompted the assembly of a multidisciplinary team of researchers to bring legal, technical, and media-historical expertise to bear on these titles' preservation. This article briefly introduces the game preservation landscape, before outlining the case for the preservation of local game software. It reports on the challenges faced in a pilot study to preserve locally written game software for the Sega SC3000 computer. The initial plan — to secure licence agreements that would, in turn, enable technical preservation — gave way as a more complex intertwining of the legal and technical emerged. Navigating these challenges required a change of strategy: from emulation to translation. Translation — from BASIC to Java — is an elegant solution, in the circumstances. As well as recounting the project's practical realization, this article considers the fidelity of the conserved digital game to its `original'.
Narrative Convergence, Cross-Sited Productions and the Archival Dilemma
Authors: Ruppel Marc
Published: July 2009

/ This article addresses the speculative role of digital preservation from the standpoint of convergent literatures. `Cross-sited narratives', multimodal stories told across media channels, are introduced here as a specific mode of narrative instrumentality. It is argued that contemporary models of the archive structured on organizational models such as genetic criticism and on preservational models such as emulation and migration are not equipped to handle cross-sited works, as they are premised on mono-media sensibilities. Primarily exploring Mark Danielewski's House of Leaves (2000) and Neil Young's Greendale (2003), two works that resist digitization both materially and thematically, the claim is made that although there are no functional models that might accommodate either of these productions, by speculating about their future we not only can obtain a better understanding of the implicit assumptions of digital preservation, but also of cross-siting itself.
A Sound that Never Sounded
Authors: Stakelon Pauline
Published: July 2009

/ Cylinder recordings as an early form of reproducible sound media were first used in 1877 and continued to be produced commercially up until 1929 by Edison. The many cylinders that exist today in various states of decomposition have become objects of concern for those with an interest in historical sound recordings. With this concern leading to preservation efforts converting cylinder sounds into digital form, how should a cylinder sound and with the transformative potential for digital manipulation readily available, how should a digital file of a cylinder record sound? This article discusses the production process of both cylinder recordings and their digital conversions, revealing how fidelity never actually existed in the production process. The University of California Santa Barbara's Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project exemplifies a digital preservation project that reveals what is valued during the digital conversion process. By describing how the cylinders are imbued with meaning through the concerns of manufactures, archivists, internet users and collectors, this article proves that processes concerned with the objectification of sound are motivated by specific social and technological desires motivated by nostalgia for an imagined sound fidelity.
Between Creation and Preservation
Authors: Lessard Bruno
Published: July 2009

/ This article is concerned with the pioneering digital archive of media arts ANARCHIVE, which is supervised by Anne-Marie Duguet (Université de Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne/University of New South Wales). Digitally archiving the works of media and video artists Antonio Muntadas ( Muntadas Media Architecture Installations, 1999), Michael Snow ( Digital Snow, 2002), Thierry Kuntzel ( Title TK, 2006), and Jean Otth ( Autour du Concile de Nicée, 2008), ANARCHIVE currently consists of one CD-ROM and three DVD-ROMs that include an important database of a given artist's oeuvre and that attest to the relational potential of digital archiving. Offering another type of digital archive than the ones found online, ANARCHIVE provides the user with what is arguably the most original form of digital archive today in the fields of contemporary and media arts. The rise of digital archives has accompanied a number of critical efforts that inquire into the ontological nature of the artefact once it has been `dematerialized'. More than a question of materiality or lack thereof, I wish to show that a project such as ANARCHIVE introduces another way of conceiving of cultural memory and digital preservation in the age of new media. Indeed, what such a project demonstrates is that relational aesthetics has come to occupy a more central role than materiality in the appreciation and preservation of cultural and media memories.
Girls consuming music at home
Authors: Werner Ann
Published: July 2009

During the past decades media technologies for producing and consuming popular music have gone through major changes. The digitalization of older media and so-called new media has transformed the landscape for music use. Technological developments in radio, television, the internet, computers, mobile phones and mp3 players shape the ways in which popular music is consumed today. This article examines two intersecting aspects of how today's media landscapes are interwoven into and shape teenage girls' uses of popular music. First, it argues that media technologies shape the girls' uses of music in the context of their everyday lives and the spaces they inhabit. Second, media technologies take part in the girls' practices of gender. For example, through their relations with their brothers and new media technology in the home, the girls are negotiating how to be 'girls', 'daughters' and 'sisters'.
Berlin–Frankfurt–Istanbul
Authors: Solomon Thomas
Published: July 2009

This article explores how a focus on the movement of people, especially between countries, might provide new perspectives on music scenes. After a brief case study of a rap song and summary of the origins of Turkish hip-hop, the article presents a series of vignettes from ethnographic fieldwork with Turkish hip-hoppers and their contacts in Istanbul and Stockholm, in which the theme of movement, and the enduring transnational connections it creates, are highlighted. The article then turns to a discussion of recent theorizing on music scenes, addressing the ways in which the local, translocal and virtual levels of the Turkish hip-hop scene complexly interact with each other. Finally, it suggests that Turkish hip-hop may be best understood as a transnational community of affect in which not only attachment to specific places, but also movement itself between them, are crucial to a sense of belonging for those who are able to participate in these movements.
On the estimation of the misclassification table for finite count data with an application in caries research
Authors: Lesaffre Emmanuel , Küchenhoff Helmut , Mwalili Samuel M , Declerck Dominique
Published: July 2009

We look at the correction for misclassification of possibly corrupted finite count data in epidemiological studies. In general, the misclassification probabilities are estimated from a validation study and used to correct for the distortion. However, most often the validation study is quite small implying that the misclassification probabilities are impossible to calculate or estimate with high variability if based on the multinomial distribution. To increase efficiency, we propose an approach based on the fact that to determine a count the examiner needs to evaluate all items that make up that count, called the double binomial (DB) approach. We suggest various extensions of the DB approach which might mimic better the scoring behaviour of the examiner relative to a gold standard. We evaluate the performance of our approach(es) to estimate the misclassification probabilities in comparison to the multinomial approach in an analytical way and in a simulation study. Finally, the practical use of our methods is exemplified on an oral health survey examining caries experience in 7-year-old Flemish children involving 16 dental examiners.