bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Speech and language therapy: a healing profession?
Authors: DUCKWORTH MARTIN , CARPENTER SAMANTHA
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  Just what is it that speech and language therapists do? The answer to this question has been sought from a number of different viewpoints and sometimes, perhaps particularly from within the profession, by people concerned about the intangibility of communication. One result of this has been the increasing emphasis on understanding the complex linguistic and interpersonal skills and behaviours involved in communication. Therapists have been greatly aided by such advances. Nevertheless, questions about the efficacy of therapy continue to be posed and sometimes with what seems like greatest anxiety from within the profession itself. Does speech and language therapy do any good? Of course there are problems we deal with where an improvement both in measureable linguistic terms and in terms of the client's quality of life are easily discerned. There remain, nevertheless, what appear to be greyer areas: clients may not be making the quantifiable gains but there seems to be something happening within the person. They may appear more positive about themselves and their family members are similarly pleased with this ‘progress’. Eugene Cooper (1986) used the expression ‘By our frameworks, we are hung’. As a profession we have come to understand a number of frameworks within which the problems of communication can be understood. We would be the first to acknowledge that the theoretical understanding of problems significantly affects the way in which we attempt to examine the outcome of intervention. In this paper it is suggested that a pervasive part of the work of the speech and language therapist has to do with healing. Healing can take many forms but, in a critical way, it has to do with the relationship between client and therapist and the way this can foster the client's self‐esteem. Though this is a term which some may find worryingly unscientific there are also problems with the word ‘cure’ in relation to many aspects of our work. In this paper we will use data collected in a recent survey by the second author to illustrate the work the first author has carried out over 12 years with (mainly adults) who have fluency problems. The move from the framework of fluency to one in which aspects of healing are considered will be described. Perhaps, in addition to the many technical skills we have developed, speech and language therapists are also healers.
Beyond toilet and biscuit: introducing augmentative vocabulary
Authors: PRICE KATY
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  The success or failure of equipment aimed to boost use of communication through channels other than speech (symbol systems, voice output devices) depends on many elements. Clinicians working in this field have acknowledged that all areas of the child's functioning: posture, seating, access, cognitive skills and motivation, have to be considered, as well as the attitudes of their listeners and their communication opportunities. This paper will look particularly at the area of motivation. An alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) system must seem useful to the child. The motivation to communicate will be based on the same drives that motivates speaking children to communicate, and the introduction of systems should reflect this. The author will discuss the value of games and activities, of choosing introductory vocabulary relevant to the child's other skills and interests, and the importance of incorporating such systems into individual classrooms.
The role of the communication partner in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
Authors: MURPHY JOAN , MARKOVÁ IVANA , COLLINS SARAH , McCALL FIONA , MOODIE ELEANOR
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  Comunication is a cooperative undertaking and the successful use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems is as dependent on the communication partner as it is on the user. This paper presents findings from a two‐year research study, funded by the Scottish Office Home and Health Department, which examined the communication of 93 adolescent and adult AAC users with cerebral palsy (CP) and 186 of their communication partners. This paper focuses on four issues relating to the role of the communication partner: range of communication partners, communication partners' knowledge of AAC systems, training of communication partners, coordination between speech and language therapists and other communication partners.
A pilot investigation of changes in laryngeal function pre‐ and post‐cochlear implant surgery
Authors: HAMROUGE SUSAN E. , ASCOTT FRANCES M. , HARGREAVES SIMON P.
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  The pilot investigation was undertaken to determine if there were any measurable changes in laryngeal function when comparing pre‐ and post‐operative status with regard to cochlear implant surgery. The subjects, all totally deafened adults with various aetiologies, were unable to monitor speech/voice production accoustically before surgery. The study aimed to evaluate whether change was effected to laryngeal function, and therefore voice quality, once an auditory feedback loop had been re‐established and no direct therapeutic intervention had taken place. All the subjects were implanted with multi‐channel cochlear implant devices (Nucleus 22: SPEAK strategy). Previous studies have measured various vocal parameters for subjects using single‐channel cochlear implant devices. Examples of these include longitudinal effects of single‐channel cochlear implantation on voice quality (Leder et al., 1990), changes in speech breathing following cochlear implantation in post‐lingually deafened adults (Lane et al., 1991), immediate effects of cochlear implants on voice quality (Leder et al., 1987) and voice intensity levels (Leder et al., 1987). This pilot investigation used the following assessments: videostroboscopy, laryngography, speech production recordings, and the ‘Vocal Profile Analysis’ (Laver, 1981). The patients were assessed immediately before cochlear implantation (within one week of surgery), and three months after implantation in order to compare results. A further follow‐up assessment nine months after cochlear implant surgery was carried out to monitor and evaluate further change. Results indicate that a statistically significant change can be measured in laryngeal function when comparing pre‐ and post‐operative status of cochlear implant surgery. Furthermore, the assessment of laryngeal function identifies the source of acoustic findings which facilitates effective management of voice quality during rehabilitation following cochlear implantation.
Interdisciplinary team work — can it work?
Authors: HARRIGAN SUZANNE , DYAR DEE , INSCOE JAYNE
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  In 1989 the first exclusively paediatric cochlear implant programme in the UK was established in Nottingham. As implant team speech and language therapists, this has enabled us to work collaboratively with colleagues from six to eight different backgrounds and to consider the importance and benefits of effective interdisciplinary teamwork. The Nottingham Paediatric Cochlear Implant Programme commitment is to a child‐family‐centred philosophy of service delivery. Its emphasis on sharing information and rehabilitation skills with parents and a range of professionals has led us to extend if not question more traditional models of ‘unidisciplinary’ programmes of care.
Quality of life in adults with cochlear implants
Authors: COOPER FRANCESCA
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT  A postal questionnaire was given to 18 adults aged between 16–74 with acquired hearing loss, one month before, and one and six months after their Nucleus multi‐channel cochlear implant was ‘switched on’. Improvements in quality of life (QOL) on both disease‐specific and generic measures after ‘switch on’ were revealed. Overall QOL was measured on a 10 cm visual analogue scale, which showed a mean improvement of 20% after ‘switch on’ (p<0.001). An adapted version of the Patient Generated Index of QOL enabled subjects to elicit and rate the important areas of their QOL. Improvements were revealed in social life, music, self‐confidence, conversation, groups, miscellaneous sounds, telephone and work, but the initial improvements in telephone use and work were not maintained at six months after ‘switch on’. The improvements at one month after ‘switch on’ were as much as/the same as had been hoped for, but after six months, the changes experienced were mot as much as had been desired, and subjects may have been disappointed by the extent of change. Three dimensions from the generic SF‐36 health status questionnaire revealed that before ‘switch on’, subjects' mean scores were below the UK norms, but after ‘switch on’ they were at or above norms. Improvements were revealed in mental health (p<0.01), social functioning (p<0.001), and vitality (p<0.001) and in a disease‐specific dimension ‘isolation’ (p<0.001). Areas of counselling are identified especially regarding patients' expectations of the extent of change.
Audit quality and information asymmetry between traders
Authors: Clinch Greg , Stokes Donald , Zhu Tingting
Published: April 2011

In this study, we investigate the association between audit quality and information asymmetry between informed and uninformed traders. We employ three proxies for information asymmetry – absolute price differences, absolute volatility differences, and absolute differences in the long/short ratio of trades – between US stock and options markets and represent audit quality through the appointment of Big n and industry specialist auditors. For a sample of 4062 firm‐years between 2002 to 2005, our results indicate that the appointment of Big n and industry specialist auditors is associated with lower information asymmetry measures. Our results are consistent with audit quality playing a role in the quality of financial reporting information and flowing through to the allocation of information among traders.
Market sentiment: a key factor of investors’ imitative behaviour
Authors: Blasco Natividad , Corredor Pilar , Ferreruela Sandra
Published: April 2011

The aim of this paper is to explore herding behaviour among investors to determine its rational and emotional component factors and identify relationships among them. We apply causality tests to evaluate the impact of return and market sentiment on herding intensity. The herding intensity is quantified using the measure developed by Patterson and Sharma (2006). The research was conducted during the period 1997–2003 in the Spanish stock market, where the presence of herding has been confirmed. The results reveal that the herding intensity depends on past returns and sentiment or subjective assessments and confirm the presence of both a rational and an emotional factor.
The impacts of climate change on Australia and New Zealand: a Gross Cell Product analysis by land cover*
Authors: Seo S. Niggol
Published: April 2011

This paper examines the newly constructed geographically scaled economic output measure, Gross Cell Product (GCP), of Australia and New Zealand to quantify the impacts of climate change in the region. The paper discusses advantages of using the GCP instead of the Gross Domestic Product. The paper reveals that the GCP falls sharply as temperature increases in the region. A 1°C increase in temperature would decrease the productivity with an elasticity of −2.4. A 1 per cent decrease in precipitation would decrease productivity with an elasticity of −2.3. However, forest vegetation on the coasts will benefit from initial warming. We find that the changes in climate means are potentially more harmful than changes in climate variability. In the long term, a 3.4° warming coupled with 6.6 mm decrease in rainfall would decrease the GCP by 34 per cent by 2060. The damage is largely accounted for by population effects. The paper confirms that Australia is highly constrained by climate and geographic factors.
Ethics in Electrophysiology: Can You Handle the Truth?
Authors: BEAUREGARD LOU‐ANNE M
Published: April 2011

A case is presented examining the need to disclose the truth in cases where there is a question of device and personnel performance. This case examines the responsibilities of physicians to their patients and the community at large to disclose factual accounts of events, even in the case of medical error and potential liability.. (PACE 2011; 34:528–530)
Localized Reentry as a Novel Type of the Proarrhythmic Effects of Linear Ablation in the Left Atrium
Authors: JU WEIZHU , YANG BING , CHEN HONGWU , ZHANG FENGXIANG , ZHAI LISHANG , CAO KEJIANG , CHEN MINGLONG
Published: April 2011

Background: There is a consistent understanding that the proarrhythmic effect of linear ablation in the left atrium body for atrial fibrillation (AF) always manifests as the macroreentry tachycardia. However, its genesis of localized reentry has been underestimated.

Methods: Among 90 persistent AF patients who had accepted linear ablation in the left atrium body, a total of 11 patients (12%) presented with a localized reentry (six men, mean age 59 ± 11 years) associated with previous ablation lines. Among the 11 patients, four were encountered during the index procedure for AF ablation and the remaining seven during the redo procedure for atrial tachycardias (ATs).

Results: The ATs were all located at previously ablated lesion sites and manifested a centrifugal mode in both the activation mapping and pattern of the postpacing interval response. The mean tachycardia cycle length (TCL) of the localized reentrant ATs was 306 ± 73 ms. The target sites demonstrated low amplitude (0.17 ± 0.09 mV) continuous complex electrograms or long double potentials, covering 142 ± 57 ms (46 ± 12 % of the TCL). The localized reentrant tachycardias were all successfully eliminated by catheter ablation.

Conclusions: A novel type of the proarrhythmic effects of linear ablation in the left atrium for AF may manifest as localized reentrant ATs, as evidenced by the association of the site of origin with the prior lesions. (PACE 2011; 34:919–926)
An Integrative Review of Expert Nursing Practice
Authors: Morrison Shirley M. , Symes Lene
Published: April 2011

Purpose: To review relevant literature on expert practice in nursing to assess common characteristics across the breadth of nursing specialties and work settings.

Organizing Construct: An integrative literature search was conducted with inclusion criteria: (a) primary studies of how clinical staff nurses develop and demonstrate expert practice; (b) subjects from variety of specialties, employment settings, and countries of origin; and (c) studies of clinical staff nurses and not nurses in advanced practice roles.

Methods: Literature published between 1996 and 2009 was reviewed using MEDLINE and the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) using the key words “nursing,”“expert,” and “practice.”

Findings: The characteristics of expert practice as explicated across a variety of specialty areas of practice and international settings included the following: knowing the patient, intuitive knowledge, reflective practice, risk taking, and skilled know‐how. Involvement and engagement of the expert nurse with her or his patients underpin these characteristics. Themes were illustrated in a star model of nursing expert practice surrounded by support and grounded in emotional involvement.

Conclusions: Expert practice develops as nurses gain experience in a specialized practice setting, reflect on and learn from their experience, and develop meaningful relationships with their patients, families, and colleagues.

Clinical Relevance: The findings provide an understanding of expert nursing practice that can serve as a foundation for efforts to transfer knowledge from expert nurses to less expert nurses in all practice settings to reduce the expertise gap that is now widening.
A therapeutic role for mesenchymal stem cells in acute lung injury independent of hypoxia‐induced mitogenic factor
Authors: Song Lin , Xu Jinfu , Qu Jieming , Sai Yin , Chen Chunmei , Yu Long , Li Dechun , Guo Xuejun
Published: April 2011

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) have therapeutic potential in acute lung injury (ALI). Hypoxia‐induced mitogenic factor (HIMF) is a lung‐specific growth factor that participates in a variety of lung diseases. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic role of BM‐MSC transplantation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐ induced ALI and assessed the importance of HIMF in MSC transplantation. MSCs were isolated and identified, and untransduced MSCs, MSCs transduced with null vector or MSCs transduced with a vector encoding HIMF were transplanted into mice with LPS‐induced ALI. Histopathological changes, cytokine expression and indices of lung inflammation and lung injury were assessed in the various experimental groups. Lentiviral transduction did not influence the biological features of MSCs. In addition, transplantation of BM‐MSCs alone had significant therapeutic effects on LPS‐induced ALI, although BM‐MSCs expressing HIMF failed to improve the histopathological changes observed with lung injury. Unexpectedly, tumour necrosis factor α levels in lung tissues, lung oedema and leucocyte infiltration into lungs were even higher after the transplantation of MSCs expressing HIMF, followed by a significant increase in lung hydroxyproline content and α‐smooth muscle actin expression on day 14, as compared to treatment with untransduced MSCs. BM‐MSC transplantation improved LPS‐induced lung injury independent of HIMF.
Effects of whole‐body cryotherapy (−110 °C) on proprioception and indices of muscle damage
Authors: Costello J. T. , Algar L. A. , Donnelly A. E.
Published: April 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of whole‐body cryotherapy (WBC) on proprioceptive function, muscle force recovery following eccentric muscle contractions and tympanic temperature (TTY). Thirty‐six subjects were randomly assigned to a group receiving two 3‐min treatments of −110 ± 3 °C or 15 ± 3 °C. Knee joint position sense (JPS), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors, force proprioception and TTY were recorded before, immediately after the exposure and again 15 min later. A convenience sample of 18 subjects also underwent an eccentric exercise protocol on their contralateral left leg 24 h before exposure. MVIC (left knee), peak power output (PPO) during a repeated sprint on a cycle ergometer and muscles soreness were measured pre‐, 24, 48 and 72 h post‐treatment. WBC reduced TTY, by 0.3 °C, when compared with the control group (P<0.001). However, JPS, MVIC or force proprioception was not affected. Similarly, WBC did not effect MVIC, PPO or muscle soreness following eccentric exercise. WBC, administered 24 h after eccentric exercise, is ineffective in alleviating muscle soreness or enhancing muscle force recovery. The results of this study also indicate no increased risk of proprioceptive‐related injury following WBC.
Pain and knee function in relation to degree of bone bruise after acute anterior cruciate ligament rupture
Authors: Szkopek K. , Warming T. , Neergaard K. , Jørgensen H. L. , Christensen H. E. , Krogsgaard M.
Published: April 2011

It is unknown whether the bone bruise that occurs in connection with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is causing pain and dysfunction. We followed prospectively 17 patients [10 men, seven women, mean age 28 years (range 23–34)] with acute ACL rupture for 2 months. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was performed shortly after the injury, and at 2 weeks, 1 month and 2 months. The patients reported the level of pain every day and filled in a Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score sheet in connection with MRI. For every MRI of the knee, volume of bone bruise was calculated, and intensity was visually graded. Our study showed a reduction of the pain to 50% approximately 2 weeks after the injury, at which time the bone bruise was at maximum. There was a significant relationship between pain and the volume and intensity of the bone bruise in the medial tibia condyle, as well as pain and the bone bruise volume of the lateral femoral condyle. Patients with bone bruise of the medial tibia and patients with meniscal lesions had more pain. It is suggested that pain and decreased function after acute ACL injury most likely is related to soft tissue and cartilage injury and not to bone bruise.
PULPAL TEMPERATURE CHANGES DURING POWER BLEACHING PROCEDURES
Authors: Roberts Howard W. , Swift JR. Edward J.
Published: April 2011

Bleaching procedures are commonly used to enhance patient esthetics, either as a treatment means by itself or as part of a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment plan. These three articles, two of which are outside the normally perused dental scientific literature, present different variations and results involved with in vitro pulpal temperature research. Interestingly, two of the articles include diode lasers, which have been suggested in other works to possibly reduce tissue inflammation.
Cigarette Smoking Decreases the Genital Vascularization in Young Healthy, Eumenorrheic Women
Authors: Battaglia Cesare , Battaglia Bruno , Mancini Fulvia , Persico Nicola , Nappi Rossella E. , Paradisi Roberto , Venturoli Stefano
Published: April 2011

Introduction

Cigarette smoking is a major health hazard and may impair the normal sexual response.

Aim

To evaluate (in the early follicular phase, and independently from sexual stimulation) in young, eumenorrheic, healthy, lean women the general and genital vascular effects of the smoking habit.

Methods

One hundred thirty-seven patients undertook, in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (day 3–5): the administration of the two-factor Italian McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ); two-dimensional (2-D) color Doppler evaluation of the ophthalmic, carotid, uterine, clitoral, and labia minora arteries; three-dimensional (3-D) analysis of clitoral and labia minora vascularization; and blood pressure evaluation. Fasting blood samples were drawn to test plasma estradiol, androstenedione, and testosterone circulating levels.

Main Outcome Measures

The two-factor Italian MFSQ; the pulsatility index (PI) of internal carotid, ophthalmic, uterine, clitoral, and labia minora arteries; the vascularization index (VI), the flow index (FI), and the vascularization flow index (VFI) of clitoral body and labia minora, blood pressure measurement, and hormonal assay.

Results

The subjects were divided in: nonsmokers (Group I; N=72); current (>2 years) light smokers—1 to 10 cigarettes/day—(Group II; N=35); and current heavy smokers—> 10 cigarettes/day—(Group III; N=30). The 2-D Doppler analysis of the ophthalmic and internal carotid arteries showed significant increased resistance in Group III compared with Group II and Group I. The genital vessels (uterine, clitoral, and labium minus arteries) showed the lowest PIs in the nonsmokers. The 3-D power Doppler histogram analysis of clitoral and labium minus blood flow showed the worst vascular indices (VI, FI, VFI) in the heavy smokers.

Conclusions

Cigarette smoking may favor a reduced central and peripheral tissue perfusion with consequent increased risk of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and with genital vessels stiffness and impaired sexual performances.
Sexual Function in Women with Type 1 Diabetes Matched with a Control Group: Depressive and Psychosocial Aspects
Authors: Tagliabue Milena , Gottero Cristina , Zuffranieri Marco , Negro Manuela , Carletto Sara , Picci Rocco L. , Tomelini Michela , Bertaina Silvana , Pucci Enrico , Trento Marina , Ostacoli Luca
Published: April 2011

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction in women with diabetes, despite its important consequences to their quality of life, has been investigated only recently with conflicting results about its prevalence and association with complications and psychological factors.

Aims

To assess the prevalence of the alteration of sexual function and the influence of metabolic control and psychological factors on female sexuality.

Methods

Seventy-seven adult Italian women with type 1 diabetes, matched with a control group (n=77), completed questionnaires evaluating sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI), depressive symptoms (Self-Rating Depression Scale, SRDS), social and family support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), and diabetes-related quality of life (Diabetes Quality of Life). Clinical and metabolic data were collected.

Main Outcome Measures

Prevalence and magnitude of sexual dysfunction in terms of alteration of sexual functioning as measured by the FSFI scores.

Results

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was similar in diabetes and control groups (33.8% vs. 39.0%, not significant), except for higher SRDS scores in the diabetes group (47.39 ± 11.96 vs. 43.82 ± 10.66; P =0.047). Diabetic patients with an alteration of sexual function showed a significantly higher SRDS score (53.58 ± 14.11 vs. 44.24± 9.38, P =0.004). Depression symptoms and good glycemic control (A1C<7.0%) were predictors of alteration of sexual function only in diabetic patients (odds ratio [OR]=1.082; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.028–1.140; OR=5.085; 95% CI: 1.087–23.789), since we have not found any significant predictor of sexual dysfunction in the control group.

Conclusions

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in our type 1 diabetes patients' sample is similar to those reported in other studies. Diabetic patients are similar to healthy people except for higher depression scores. Further studies are necessary to understand whether the correlation between an alteration of sexual function and good glycemic control may be related to the role of control as a mental attitude.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the abilities‐focused approach to morning care of people with dementia
Authors: Sidani Souraya , Streiner David , LeClerc Chantale
Published: April 2011

sidani s., streiner d. & leclerc c. (2012) Evaluating the effectiveness of the abilities‐focused approach to morning care of people with dementia. International Journal of Older People Nursing7, 37–45 doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2011.00273.x

Background and purpose.  The abilities‐focused approach demonstrated efficacy in promoting engagement of residents with dementia in care. The extent to which these resident outcomes can be replicated when the abilities‐focused approach is implemented by nursing staff under the conditions of day‐to‐day practice was investigated in this study. The aim was to examine changes in resident outcomes before and after nursing staff’ implementation of the abilities‐focused approach and the contribution of this approach to resident outcomes.

Methods.  A one‐group pretest–post‐test design was used. Observational data were obtained from 65 residents with dementia. The data pertained to the implementation of abilities‐focused strategies during episodes of morning care and residents’ level of agitation, participation in morning care and physical and psychosocial functioning.

Results.  The number of abilities‐focused strategies used during morning care increased at post‐test. No clinically important changes in resident outcomes were observed over time. However, the implementation of some strategies was associated with residents’ participation in care and functioning at post‐test. The results provided preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the abilities‐focused approach in maintaining functioning in people with dementia. Additional research is needed to understand the mechanism underlying the effects of this person‐centred approach to care on resident outcomes.

Implications for practice.  Implementation of the abilities‐focused approach assists people with dementia to participate in morning care.
Relationship between thickness of fibrosis and epithelial dysplasia in oral submucous fibrosis
Authors: Jayasooriya Primali Rukmal , Nadeeka Jayasinghe Kadawatha Arachchige , Mudiyanselage Tilakaratne Wanninayaka
Published: April 2011

Abstract Aim:  Although oral submucous fibrosis is characterized by fibrosis of the subepithelial connective tissue, the overlying epithelial changes contribute to malignant transformation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between thickness of fibrosis and epithelial changes in oral submucous fibrosis.

Methods:  The relationship between thickness of fibrosis and presence or absence of epithelial dysplasia was evaluated in 107 biopsies containing histopathologically‐confirmed oral submucous fibrosis. The results were analyzed using Student’s t‐test or χ2‐test.

Results:  Fifty‐seven percent (61/107) of oral submucous fibrosis lesions showed a non‐dysplastic overlying epithelium, while 43% (46/107) showed varying degrees of epithelial dysplasia. The mean thickness of fibrosis of non‐dysplastic lesions was 0.91 ± 0.41 mm (mean ± standard deviation) and ranged from 0.25 to 1.9 mm. However, the mean thickness of fibrosis of dysplastic lesions was 1.17 ± 0.52 mm and ranged from 0.48 to 3 mm. The results revealed a significant increase in the incidence of epithelial dysplasia as the thickness of fibrosis increased (P = 0.004). As such, the lesions that showed increased fibrosis were more likely to present with epithelial dysplasia.

Conclusions:  The advancement of fibrosis increases the risk of development of epithelial dysplasia in oral submucous fibrosis.
Nourishing or suppressing? The contradictory influences of perception of organizational politics on organizational citizenship behaviour
Authors: Hsiung Hsin‐Hua , Lin Chia‐Wu , Lin Chi‐Sheng
Published: April 2011

Drawing on both social exchange theory and impression management theory, this study sought to explain how perception of organizational politics (POP) influences organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) through two contrary psychological processes. We proposed that through the mediation of job satisfaction, POP has an inhibiting effect on OCB; through the mediation of careerism, POP has a nourishing effect on OCB. Data were obtained from 393 police officers and their colleagues from a city police department in northern Taiwan. Results from structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that the relationship between POP and OCB was negatively mediated by job satisfaction and positively mediated by careerism. Such antithetical psychological processes imply that employees may experience psychological dilemmas over the performance of OCB when they perceive their organization as political. Implications for theory and future research are discussed.
Far-Field Noise Control in Supersonic Jets From Conical and Contoured Nozzles
Authors: Kim Jin-Hwa , Kearney-Fischer Martin , Samimy Mo , Gogineni Sivaram
Published: April 2011

Plasma actuators are used to control far-field noise in Mach 1.65 jets from contoured and conical supersonic axisymmetric nozzles (henceforth, contoured and conical jets, respectively). The contoured nozzle is designed using the method of characteristics for a shock-free jet. The conical nozzle has converging and diverging conical sections with a sharp throat. Eight plasma actuators, distributed uniformly around the nozzle exit, are used and the jet is forced with azimuthal modes (m) 0–3 and ±4 and forcing Strouhal numbers ranging from 0.09 to 4.0. The far-field acoustic noise is measured by a linear microphone array covering polar angles from 25 deg to 80 deg relative to the jet axis. In both jets, the lower forcing azimuthal modes (m=0 and 1) are less effective than the higher modes (m=2, 3, and ±4), which have similar levels of overall sound pressure level (OASPL) reduction. At shallow angles relative to the jet axis, the reduction in OASPL is about 1.6–1.8 dB at low forcing Strouhal numbers in both jets at the most effective forcing mode of m=3. However, the OASPL in the sideline direction is only slightly increased (about 1 dB) for both the contoured and conical jets at m=3. The reduction at shallow polar angles is related to the decrease in the peak mixing noise level in both jets. The range of forcing Strouhal numbers providing significant noise reduction and the range of polar angles over which the noise is reduced are both much larger in the conical jet compared with the contoured jet. The screech tones are also reduced or suppressed – most likely due to weakening of naturally occurring structures by forcing.
Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane in Directly Irradiated Solar Reactor With Porcupine Absorber
Authors: Rubin Rachamim , Karni Jacob
Published: April 2011

A new solar volumetric reactor for CO2 reforming of CH4 was tested at the Solar Tower of the Weizmann Institute of Science. The reactor design was based on extensive previous experimental work with a volumetric receiver for heating air and simulation of volumetric reformer. The main parts of the reactor were a conical quartz window and a Porcupine absorber as the surface where chemical and thermal energy conversion took place. A specially developed ruthenium catalyst was used. The CO2 to CH4 ratio was about 1:1.2, and the total inlet flow rate was between 100 slpm and 235 slpm (slpm denotes standard liter per minute). The maximum absorber temperature was kept below 1450 K. The conversion of CH4 reached 85%. The total power absorbed was between 10.3 kW and 18.2 kW, of which the thermal power part was 2.3–4.5 kW and the stored chemical enrichment was 7.5–13.7 kW. The results indicate that this type of volumetric reactor can be used effectively for CO2 reforming of CH4, and further work aimed at improving the total efficiency of the system is in progress.
A Simplified Model for Radiative Transfer in Building Enclosures With Low Emissivity Walls: Development and Application to Radiant Barrier Insulation
Authors: Miranville Frédéric , Lauret Philippe , Medina Mario , Bigot Dimitri
Published: April 2011

This paper deals with a simplified model of radiative heat transfer in building enclosures with low emissivity walls. The approach is based on an existing simplified model, well known and used in building multizone simulation codes, for the long wave exchanges in building enclosures. This method is simply extended to the case of a cavity including a very low emissivity wall, and it is shown that the obtained formalism is similar to the one used in the case of the based model, convenient for enclosures with only black walls (blackbody assumption). The proposed model has been integrated into a building simulation code and is based on simple examples; it is shown that intermediate results between the imprecise initial simple model and the more precise detailed model, the net-radiosity method, can be obtained. Finally, an application of the model is made for an existing experimental test cell including a radiant barrier insulation product, well used in Reunion Island for thermal insulation of roofs. With an efficacy based on the very low emissivity of their surfaces and the consequent decrease in radiative heat transfer through the wall in which they are included, the proposed simplified model leads to results very close to those of the reference method, the net-radiosity method.
Development of Numerical Simulation Method for Gas Migration Through Highly-Compacted Bentonite Using Model of Two-Phase Flow Through Deformable Porous Media
Authors: Tanaka Yukihisa
Published: April 2011

In the current concept of repository for radioactive waste disposal, compacted bentonite will be used as an engineered barrier mainly for inhibiting migration of radioactive nuclides. Hydrogen gas can be generated inside of the engineered barrier by anaerobic corrosion of metals used for containers, etc. It is expected to be not easy for gas to entering into the bentonite as a discrete gaseous phase because the pore of compacted bentonite is so minute. Therefore it is necessary to investigate the effect of gas pressure generation and gas migration on the engineered barrier, peripheral facilities and ground. In this study, a method for simulating gas migration through the compacted bentonite is proposed. The proposed method can analyze coupled hydrological-mechanical processes using the model of two-phase flow through deformable porous media. Validity of the proposed analytical method is examined by comparing gas migration test results with the calculated results, which revealed that the proposed method can simulate gas migration behavior through compacted bentonite with accuracy.
Commercialization Project of Ulchin Vitrification
Authors: Jo Hyun-Jun , Kim Cheon-Woo , Hwang Tae-Won
Published: April 2011

The Ulchin Vitrification Facility (UVF), to be used for the vitirification of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste (LILW) generated by nuclear power plants (NPPs), is the world’s first commercial facility using Cold Crucible Induction Melter (CCIM) technology. The construction of the facility was begun in 2005 and was completed in 2007. From December 2007 to September 2009, all key performance tests, such as the system functional test, the cold test, the hot test, and the real waste test, were successfully carried out. The UVF commenced commercial operation in October 2009 for the vitrification of radioactive waste.
Relationship Between Hypocentral Distribution and Geological Structure in the Horonobe Area, Northern Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Tokiwa Tetsuya , Asamori Koichi , Hiraga Naoto , Yamada Osamu , Moriya Hirokazu , Hotta Hikaru , Kitamura Itaru , Yokota Hideharu
Published: April 2011

In this paper, we discuss the relationship between the accurate hypocentral distribution and three-dimensional (3-D) geological structure in and around the Horonobe area in northern Hokkaido, Japan. The multiplet-clustering analysis was applied to the 421 micro-earthquakes which occurred from 1 September, 2003 to 30 September, 2007. The 3-D geological structure model was mainly constructed from previous seismic reflection profiles and borehole data. As a result of this analysis, although with slight differences in depth between them, the hypocenters were found to be distributed in the NNW-SSE direction and become deeper from the west toward the east. The distributed pattern of the hypocenters is similar to that of the geological structure. These results indicate that the hypocentral distribution may represent existence of active zone related to the geological structure, and provide effective information which can contribute to establishing methods for estimating the future evolution of the geological environment.
Drying System for Radioactivated Metal Waste From Nuclear Power Station
Authors: Obata Masamichi , Ogaki Nobuhito , Takabayashi Hironori , Ooishi Yasushi , Horimoto Taichi
Published: April 2011

High dose rate metal waste from core internals, such as BWR channel boxes or control rods are stored in fuel pool or site bunker pool. Waste form for final disposal of these high dose rate metal wastes should eliminate water to prevent hydrogen gas which can be caused by radiolysis of water. Toshiba’s newly developed drying system for high dose rate metal wastes enable short drying time and easy maintenance. Toshiba will provide the total system to fabricate the waste form for high dose rate metal wastes.
Alpha Radioactivity Monitor Using Ionized Air Transportation for Large Size Uranium Waste: Part 1—Large Measurement Chamber and Evaluation of Detection Performance
Authors: Naito Susumu , Yamamoto Shuji , Izumi Mikio , Hirata Yosuke , Yoshimura Yukio , Maekawa Tatsuyuki
Published: April 2011

We present an ionized air transportation type alpha radioactivity monitor to efficiently perform the clearance level inspection for large size uranium waste and its detection performance. In previous work, we developed a prototype monitor with an about 1000 mm cubic measurement chamber to measure the cut waste. However, in a survey of target waste, we found that it is desired to measure not only the cut waste but also the lengthy waste such as uncut cylinders. Therefore, we developed an alpha radioactivity monitor with a long and large measurement chamber (effective sizes: 500 mm x900 mm x3200 mm) for long and large cylindrically-shaped waste (maximum size: 300 mm in diameter and 3000 mm in length, weight: 10 to 200 kg). We aimed <1000 Bq as the target value of Alpha radioactivity Detection Limit (ADL), which is one-tenth of the clearance level (1 Bq/g) for 10 kg waste. The issue to size up the measurement chamber was to suppress the reduction in sensitivity of alpha radioactivity. To overcome this, we enhanced an air fan power and optimized an ion sensor design. Using this monitor, we measured and evaluated ADLs for several cases supposing the practical applications (long cylinders with a smooth surface, bump, or concavity and convexity, and pipes with several small diameters). The resulting ALD ranged from 60 Bq to 120 Bq and sufficiently satisfied the target ALD (<1000 Bq). In conclusion, this monitor has sufficient performance for the clearance level inspection for large uranium waste.
Estimation of Radioactivity of Graphite Blocks in Tokai Power Station Using Statistical Method
Authors: Nakano Masaaki , Mikami Hisashi , Ichige Hideaki , Tsukada Shinich
Published: April 2011

Tokai Power Station (graphite moderated, gas-cooled reactor, GCR) stopped its commercial operation in March 1998 and is decommissioning now. Since graphite blocks in Tokai reactor core are major low level wastes (LLWs), the realistic and reasonable method to estimate radioactivity of graphite blocks is required for final disposal and its licensing procedure. In general, LLWs, which were installed in or around a reactor core, have large radioactivity, theoretical calculations can be applied to the estimation of the radioactivity. This paper describes the concept of the method using statistical approach to determine the radioactivity of the graphite blocks in the reactor core. This method directly considers the variations of input calculation conditions, for example, compositions of impurity elements, irradiation neutron flux and irradiation period. In this paper, the variations of the compositions of impurity elements were statistically considered with the mean value and the standard deviation that were determined with elemental analyses. Many activation calculations were performed with the compositions that were determined with pseudorandom numbers, the mean value and the standard deviation. The calculated radioactivities distribute also statistically and a mean value and a standard deviation of radioactivity can be determined. The distribution of calculated radioactivities shows consistency to radiochemical analyses of graphite blocks from the reactor core and this shows that the method is applicable to the estimation of the graphite block radioactivity. Furthermore, this method can be considered to reduce over-excess estimation margin and can obtain reasonable radioactivity rather than using maximum or conservative values of all input conditions. This method is now being developed and approved as one of basic procedure for determining the radioactivity of wastes by Standards Committee of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan.
Study on Mechanical Influence of Gas Generation and Migration on Engineered Barrier System in Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility
Authors: Kumagai Mamoru , Yamamoto Shuichi , Takeuchi Kunifumi , Tanaka Yukihisa , Hironaga Michihiko
Published: April 2011

In Japan, some radioactive waste with a relatively higher radioactivity concentration from nuclear facilities is to be packaged in rectangle steel containers and disposed of in subsurface disposal facilities, where normal human intrusion rarely occurs. After the closure of a facility, its pore is saturated with groundwater. If the dissolved oxygen of the pore water is consumed by steel corrosion, hydrogen gas will be generated from the metallic waste, steel containers, and reinforcing bars of concrete mainly by anaerobic corrosion. If the generated gas accumulates and the gas pressure increases excessively in the facility, the facility’s barrier performance might be degraded by mechanical influences such as crack formation in cementitious material or deformation of bentonite material. Firstly, in this study, we assessed the time evolution of the gas pressure and the water saturation in a sub-surface disposal facility by using a multi-phase flow numerical analysis code, GETFLOWS, in which a pathway dilation model is introduced and modified in order to reproduce the gas migration mechanism through the highly compacted bentonite. Next, we calculated the stress applied to the engineered barriers of the facility from the results of the time evolution of the pressure and the saturation. Then, we conducted a mechanical stability analysis of the engineered barriers by using a nonlinear finite element code, ABAQUS, in order to evaluate their performances after the closure of the facility.
Estimate of Clearance Levels for Metal Materials Contaminated With Uranium
Authors: Takeda Seiji , Kimura Hideo
Published: April 2011

Clearance levels for the solid materials contaminated with uranium were estimated based on deterministic dose calculation approach for metal reuse scenario. The activity concentrations for major radionuclides, U-234, U-235 and U-238, were calculated to be 1.5Bq/g, 1.4Bq/g and 1.8Bq/g, respectively. In order to confirm the validity of the calculated concentrations, the authors estimated the uncertainties on scenario description after metal recycling and on parameter values used in the deterministic calculation. The validity of the calculated activity concentrations by the deterministic approach was confirmed from the results of both the analysis for an additional scenario on the landfill disposal of residue of slag after metal recycling and the Monte Carlo-based analysis for parameter uncertainties.
Half-Scale Test: An Important Step to Demonstrate the Feasibility of the Belgian Supercontainer Concept for Disposal of HLW
Authors: Areias L. , Craeye B. , De Schutter G. , Van Humbeeck H. , Wacquier W. , Villers L. , Van Cotthem A.
Published: April 2011

This paper presents results of a half-scale test performed by ESV EURIDICE, an Economic Interest Grouping between the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN) and the Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials (ONDRAF/NIRAS). The primary objective of the test was to assess the feasibility of constructing the Supercontainer and to provide experimental data to validate modelling calculations obtained using the finite element program HEAT/MLS. The test focused on the early-age behaviour of the concrete matrix materials and the practical aspects of construction. Generally, the results obtained from the half-scale test confirm that it is feasible to construct the Supercontainer with currently available techniques. The results also validate scoping calculations obtained earlier with the finite element model. These findings contribute an important step to demonstrate the feasibility to construct the Supercontainer and to validate the Belgian Supercontainer concept proposed by ONDRAF/NIRAS for disposal of high level waste (HLW) in Belgium.