bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resource utilization and cost analyses of home-based palliative care service provision: The Niagara West End-of-Life Shared-Care Project
Authors: Klinger Christopher A , Howell Doris , Marshall Denise , Zakus David , Brazil Kevin , Deber Raisa B
Published: January 2012

Background:

Increasing emphasis is being placed on the economics of health care service delivery – including home-based palliative care.

Aim:

This paper analyzes resource utilization and costs of a shared-care demonstration project in rural Ontario (Canada) from the public health care system’s perspective.

Design:

To provide enhanced end-of-life care, the shared-care approach ensured exchange of expertise and knowledge and coordination of services in line with the understood goals of care. Resource utilization and costs were tracked over the 15 month study period from January 2005 to March 2006.

Results:

Of the 95 study participants (average age 71 years), 83 had a cancer diagnosis (87%); the non-cancer diagnoses (12 patients, 13%) included mainly advanced heart diseases and COPD. Community Care Access Centre and Enhanced Palliative Care Team-based homemaking and specialized nursing services were the most frequented offerings, followed by equipment/transportation services and palliative care consults for pain and symptom management. Total costs for all patient-related services (in 2007 $CAN) were $1,625,658.07 – or $17,112.19 per patient/$117.95 per patient day.

Conclusion:

While higher than expenditures previously reported for a cancer-only population in an urban Ontario setting, the costs were still within the parameters of the US Medicare Hospice Benefits, on a par with the per diem funding assigned for long-term care homes and lower than both average alternate level of care and hospital costs within the Province of Ontario. The study results may assist service planners in the appropriate allocation of resources and service packaging to meet the complex needs of palliative care populations.
Deconstructing the Portrayals of Haitian Women in the Media
Authors: Rendón María José , Nicolas Guerda
Published: January 2012

Haitian women constitute a group that is lauded within Haiti as the “pillar of society” and yet is also often silenced both within Haiti and abroad. Given the role of the media in shaping attitudes and behaviors toward Women of Color, evaluation of media portrayals is critical to challenge oppressive discourses about these groups. Therefore, in this study, the authors conducted a thematic analysis of 650 photographs of Haitian women in the Associated Press Photo Archive in the years 1994–2009. The analysis comprised a two-step process: First, the authors identified coding categories through an inductive analysis of the data; later, these categories were analyzed from a feminist poststructuralist framework to generate themes that could describe how Haitian women are positioned in relation to media consumers. The three themes generated—“Negotiating Power and Resistance,” “Enacting Haitian Culture,” and “Showcasing Affliction”—delineate the media’s tendency to emphasize the “otherness” in Haitian women, as well as to characterize this group as victims in need of rescuing by powerful others. The authors conclude by emphasizing the impact of these images on the identity of Haitian women and Women of Color, as well as on the attitudes and behaviors of media consumers toward these groups.
Examining the Relationship Among Self-Reported Assertiveness, Perceived Discrimination, and College Environment in a National Sample of Black Women Law Students
Authors: Upton Rachel D. , Panter A. T. , Daye Charles E. , Allen Walter R. , Wightman Linda F.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of our study was to examine college environment, defined as whether law students entered law school from a historically Black college or university or a traditionally White institution, as a moderator of the relationship between gender discrimination and assertiveness. Using a national sample of 402 incoming Black women law students and multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with covariates, the authors also tested whether college environment moderated the relationship between racial discrimination and assertiveness. CFA models with covariates were used to further investigate whether racial discrimination and gender discrimination interact to influence assertiveness. Results indicated that college environment did not moderate the relationship between gender discrimination and assertiveness. College environment also did not moderate the relationship between racial discrimination and assertiveness. Additional results revealed a significant interaction between racial and gender discrimination, whereby racial discrimination was positively related to assertiveness among students who experienced gender discrimination. Findings suggest that irrespective of college environment, racism and sexism intersect to enhance assertiveness and may increase students’ academic success. However, law school administrators should ultimately seek to reduce incidents of racism and sexism because students’ assertive responses could make them vulnerable to mental health risks and to further acts of discrimination.
Enzymatic modification of secondary sludge by lipase and laccase to improve the nylon/sludge composite properties
Authors: Edalatmanesh Maryam , Sain Mohini , Liss Steven N.
Published: January 2012

Secondary sludge from pulp and paper mills can be considered as potential filler for composite industry. Enzymatic modifications of the waste secondary sludge from pulp and paper mills to reduce the hydrophobicity and increase the molecular weight have been carried out by lipase and laccase, respectively. The enzymatic modification was performed to enhance the reinforcing capability of the secondary sludge for further composite production. The lipid content of the secondary sludge, which was measured to be 6 ± 0.5%, was hydrolyzed by lipase from Candida rugosa and the structural changes were followed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Laccase from Trametes versicolor was tested for its activity and reaction rate in the secondary sludge and the alkali-extracted lignin. Characterization of the sludge before and after the laccase treatment was carried out by FTIR spectroscopy. High pressure size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) was applied to determine the molecular weight distribution of the lignin samples and also as a means for comparing modified and unmodified samples. Biokinetic parameters for the Michaelis-Menten kinetic model as a function of dissolved oxygen concentrations were determined the Km values to be 3.491 and 2.318 g/m3 for sludge and the alkali extract, respectively. The FTIR results on the laccase-treated secondary sludge showed clear changes in the molecular structure, which was mainly attributed to the crosslinking reactions and generation of new bonds. Moreover, the HPSEC results revealed that laccase modifies the sludge by increasing the molecular weight. The manufactured nylon/sludge composites showed lower tensile strength for the lipase treated sludge/nylon composite. However, the laccase-treated sludge/nylon composite showed a statistically significant increase in the mechanical strength, which is attributed to the increase in the components molecular weight.
Using extractive-free wood as a reinforcement in wood–LLDPE composites
Authors: Shebani Anour , van Reenen Albert , Meincken Martina
Published: January 2012

Hot water extractives, solvent extractives and both hot water and solvent extractives were eliminated from different wood species via Soxhlet extraction. Different wood–linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) composites were prepared using 10% wood and 7% poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) as a compatibilizer. A comparison of the mechanical properties, water absorption behaviour and resistance to UV radiation between composites filled with unextracted wood and composites filled with the same species but without the above extractives were carried out. The results illustrated that there are several distinct benefits and drawbacks when using wood without extractives as a filler. Unextracted wood produced composites with better mechanical properties and resistance to UV radiation, while extracted wood led to composites with lower water absorption rates. Using wood without both hot water and solvent extractives as a filler caused the largest reduction in mechanical properties, UV resistance and water absorption rate, compared to composites made with wood where only one extractive component was removed.
pH-responsive microspheres encapsulated with iron oxide nanoaggregates for gastrointestinal delivery
Authors: Son Young Ju , Yoo Hyuk Sang
Published: January 2012

Block copolymer-stabilized iron oxide nanoaggregates were fabricated into pH-responsive polymeric microspheres for intestinal delivery of the magnetic nanoaggregates. A diblock copolymer consisted of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) and poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. Microspheres, consisted of Eudragit L100-55 encapsulate and stabilized magnetic nanoaggregates, were prepared by an oil-in-oil emulsification technique. The magnetization of the microspheres decreased, and the stability of the magnetic nanoaggregates in aqueous solutions increased as the amount of block copolymers in the microspheres increased. The encapsulated magnetic nanoaggregates were visualized by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The encapsulation efficiency of nanoaggregates of the microspheres increased as the amount of diblock copolymer in the nanoaggregates was increased. The in vitro experiments confirmed the pH-dependent release of the nanoaggregates from the microspheres. The microspheres were administered to the animals by oral gavages, and the nanoaggregates in small intestines were visualized by histological examination of intestinal inner walls. Higher amounts of the block copolymer in the nanoaggregates increased the uptake efficiency in the intestinal tissues. Thus, the incorporation of the block copolymers in the magnetic nanoaggregates increased the intestinal absorption of the aggregates and Eudragit microspheres and effectively protected the nanoaggregates at low pH conditions of the stomach area.
Biocompatibility and biodegradability of implantable drug delivery matrices based on novel poly(decane-co-tricarballylate) photocured elastomers
Authors: Shaker Mohamed A. , Daneshtalab Noriko , Doré Jules J.E. , Younes Husam M.
Published: January 2012

Visible light photo-cross-linked biodegradable amorphous elastomers based on poly(decane- co-tricarballylate) (PDET) with different cross-linking densities were synthesized, and their cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability were reported. Cytotoxicity of PDET extracts of the elastomers was assessed for mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase activity by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT assay) and inhibition of [3H] thymidine incorporation into DNA of epithelial cells. The in vivo biocompatibility and biodegradability were determined by subcutaneous implantation of PDET microcylinders in 25 male Sprague–Dawley rats over a period of 12 weeks. The in vivo changes in physical and mechanical parameters of the implants were compared with those observed in vitro. The treated epithelial cells revealed no signs of cytotoxicity, and the elastomer degradation products caused only a slight stimulation to both mitochondrial activity and DNA replication. The implants did not exhibit any macroscopic signs of inflammation or adverse tissue reactions at implant retrieval sites. The retrieved implanted microcylinders maintained their original geometry and extensibility in a manner similar to those observed in vitro. These new elastomers have excellent biocompatibility and are considered promising biomaterials for controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering applications.
The Effect of Statutory Limitations on the Authority of Substitute Decision Makers on the Care of Patients in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Venkat Arvind , Becker Julianna
Published: January 2012

While the ethics and critical care literature is replete with discussion of medical futility and the ethics of end-of-life care decisions in the intensive care unit, little attention is paid to the effect of statutory limitations on the authority of substitute decision makers during the course of treatment of patients in the critical care setting. In many jurisdictions, a clear distinction is made between the authority of a health care power of attorney, who is legally designated by a competent adult to make decisions regarding withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, and of next-of-kin, who are limited in this regard. However, next-of-kin are often relied upon to consent to necessary procedures to advance a patient's medical care. When conflicts arise between critical care physicians and family members regarding projected patient outcome and functional status, these statutory limitations on decision-making authority by next of kin can cause paralysis in the medical care of severely ill patients, leading to practical and ethical impasses. In this article, we will provide case examples of how statutory limitations on substitute decision making authority for next of kin can impede the care of patients. We will also review the varying jurisdictional limitations on the authority of substitute decision makers and explore their implications for patient care in the critical care setting. Finally, we will review possible ethical and legal solutions to resolve these impasses.
Judging Risk
Authors: Robinson Amanda L. , Howarth Emma
Published: January 2012

Data from the largest study to date of the working practices of British victim support workers (known as Independent Domestic Violence Advisors or IDVAs) are used to provide insight into how “risk judgments” are made in cases of domestic violence. Using data from more than 2,000 victims, this study found a convergence between actuarial data and IDVAs’ risk judgments when the risk score was high, but in cases with a lower risk score, IDVAs often used their professional judgment to upgrade risk. Next, we identified the specific factors underpinning IDVAs’ risk judgments. Consistent with existing research, we found that IDVAs relied on a subset of available information when forming risk judgments, and characteristics of the abusive situation, such as the escalation of violence, use of weapons, stalking, and significant injuries, were particularly salient to them. Furthermore, IDVAs paid attention to victims’ perceptions and when they felt very frightened or afraid of further injury then IDVAs were more likely to label them as high risk. Although we identified some encouraging overlap between the subset of factors informing risk judgments and those associated with victims’ reabuse at a later date, some notable differences indicate a need for messages from research about the significance of particular risk factors to be reinforced to frontline practitioners on a regular basis.
Bystander Reaction to Women Fighting
Authors: Lowe Robert D. , Levine Mark , Best Rachel M. , Heim Derek
Published: January 2012

This article explores accounts of bystanders to female-on-female public violence. Group interviews with participants in the night-time economy are carried out. Whereas men tend to respond to the discussion topic of female-on-female violence with laughter, this laughter reveals ambivalence and discomfort as much as amusement. Men seem to negotiate the tension between the expectation that they should intervene in emergencies and a catalogue of costs that attend intervention. Female bystanders appear to have a different set of concerns. They talk about feelings of shame at the interpersonal and the group level. Women cite the public spectacle, and the opportunity for men to demean or sexualize women, as reasons for intervention. The article concludes with some recommendations about the importance of exploring female violence in its own terms, beginning with a series of identified moral and social dilemmas incurred within possible third-party intervention.
Correlates of Handgun Carrying Among Adolescents in the United States
Authors: Vaughn Michael G. , Perron Brian E. , Abdon Arnelyn , Olate René , Groom Ralph , Wu Li-Tzy
Published: January 2012

Weapon-related violence, especially the use of handguns, among adolescents is a serious public health concern. Using public-use data file from the adolescent sample ( N = 17,842) in the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), this study examines the behavioral, parental involvement, and prevention correlates of handgun carrying. Overall, 3.1% of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 reported carrying a handgun in the past year. Results from a series of logistic regression models indicated that males, selling and using illicit drugs, were robustly associated with an increased probability of handgun carrying among adolescents. Furthermore, youth who carry handguns were significantly less likely to report a parent being involved in their lives and were significantly more likely to have encountered violence and drug prevention programming compared with youth who did not carry handguns. Implications of these results for prevention and policy are discussed.
Mechanical and thermal characterization of carbon nanofiber reinforced low-density polyethylene composites
Authors: Khattab Ahmed , Liu Chunzai , Chirdon William , Hebert Camille
Published: January 2012

The mechanical, thermal, and fracture morphological characterization of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composites reinforced with vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) is presented in this article. VGCNF/LDPE composites with different VGCNF weight percentages were prepared by single-screw extrusion followed by injection molding. Scanning electron microscopy showed that VGCNFs were predominantly dispersed uniformly within the LDPE matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry has shown that the VGCNF/LDPE composites crystallized at higher temperatures than pure LDPE polymer. Tensile testing has shown that strength and Young’s modulus of VGCNF/LDPE composites were improved by 15% and 44%, respectively, when the VGCNF loading reached 3 wt%.
Research Evidence and School Board Deliberations
Authors: Asen Robert , Gurke Deb , Conners Pamela , Solomon Ryan , Gumm Elsa
Published: January 2012

This article analyzes the use of research evidence in school-board deliberations in three school districts in Wisconsin. In these settings, the circulation, meaning, and function of research depended importantly on the interests and backgrounds of advocates, the composition of audiences, and the values and contexts of decision-making. Board members and other meeting participants sought direct connections between research evidence and local district concerns. Their use of research gainsays linear models of policymaking, demonstrating that research carries different meanings in different situations and that research may not resolve value differences that inform policy disputes.
An approach to optimization of airport taxiway scheduling and traversal under uncertainty
Authors: Anderson Ross , Milutinović Dejan
Published: January 2012

Airport runways and taxiways have been identified as a key source of system-wide congestion and delay in the over-strained commercial air traffic system. To combat this growing problem, we present a novel approach for taxiway scheduling and traversal. Aircraft must traverse a taxiway, represented by a graph, from gates to their respective runways and arrive at their scheduled times while adhering to safety separation constraints. We describe a combinatorial mixed-integer linear program to determine the push-back time windows, aircraft speeds, stopping times, and in particular, traversal paths for a given graph and an imposed flight schedule as part of a single optimization problem. Safety and scheduling constraints are made robust to probabilistic deviations from the prescribed schedule and aircraft motion, and multiple objective functions are considered to examine the trade-off between taxi times and the probability of safety separation violation. Several scenarios are presented to demonstrate improvements gained from the method and possible uses for this approach.
Influence of wing span on the aerodynamics of wings in ground effect
Authors: Diasinos Sammy , Barber Tracie J , Doig Graham
Published: January 2012

A computational fluid dynamics study of the influence of wing span has been conducted for an inverted wing with endplates in ground effect. Aerodynamic coefficients were determined for different spans at different ground clearances, highlighting a trend for shorter spans to delay the onset of both separation and resulting loss of negative lift. The vortices at the wing endplates were not observed to change significantly in terms of strength and size; thus, at shorter spans, their influence over a larger percentage of the wing helped the flow stay attached and reduced the severity of the adverse pressure gradient which invokes separation at greater spans. Consequently, it was shown that, compared to a large-span wing, a wing with a shorter span may have a lower lift coefficient but can operate closer to the ground before performance is adversely affected.
Pesticide poisonings in South Korea
Authors: Kim HJ , Cha ES , Ko Y , Kim J , Kim SD , Lee WJ
Published: January 2012

Objectives:

Pesticide poisoning stands as a major public health issue worldwide. The objective of this study was to examine the epidemiologic characteristics of pesticide-related hospitalizations in South Korea.

Methods:

Data from the Korea National Hospital Discharge Survey were analyzed to describe the epidemiologic characteristics of pesticide poisoning among hospitalized patients from 2004 through 2006. Pesticide-related hospitalizations were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. National estimates of pesticide-related hospitalizations were calculated using sampling weights for number of hospitalizations.

Results:

A total of 25,982 pesticide-related hospitalizations were estimated during the years 2004–2006, yielding an average annual pesticide-related hospitalization rate of 17.8 per 100,000 population in South Korea. Age-specific rates for pesticide-related hospitalization increased with age, with the highest rate noted among those aged 70 or above. The majority of pesticide-related hospitalization was cases of intentional poisoning in rural areas. Seasonal variation in the rate was observed, with summer being the highest among both men and women.

Conclusions:

Pesticide-related hospitalization is prevalent and demonstrates demographic and seasonal and regional variations. More effective strategies to reduce pesticide-related hospitalizations are required in South Korea.
Studies on the protective effect of flaxseed oil on cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity
Authors: Naqshbandi A , Khan W , Rizwan S , Khan F
Published: January 2012

Cisplatin (CP) is known as one of the most potent chemotherapeutic antitumor drugs. The tissue-specific toxicity of CP in the kidneys is well documented. However, at higher doses less common toxic effects such as hepatotoxicity may arise. Since CP remains one of the most effective antineoplastic drug used in chemotherapy, strategies to protect tissues against CP toxicity are of clinical interest. Recently, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from certain plants/seeds notably flaxseed have shown numerous health benefits. In view of this, the present study investigates the protective effect of flaxseed oil (FXO) on CP-induced damage in liver. Rats were pre-fed normal diet and the diet rich in FXO for 10 days and then a single dose of CP (6 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally while still on diet. Serum/urine parameters, enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress were analyzed. CP caused perturbation of the antioxidant defense as reflected by the decrease in the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Further the activities of various enzymes involved in glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, gluconeogenesis and hexose monophosphate shunt pathways were determined and were found to be differentially altered by CP treatment. However, these alterations were ameliorated in CP-treated rats fed on FXO. Present results show that dietary supplementation of FXO in CP-treated rats ameliorated CP-induced hepatotoxic and other deleterious effects due to its intrinsic biochemical/antioxidant properties.
Factors in Nonadherence to Quitline Services
Authors: Burns Emily K. , Levinson Arnold H. , Deaton Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2012

Background. Quitlines offer evidence-based, multisession coaching support for smoking cessation in the 50 U.S. states, Canada, and several other countries. Smokers who enroll in quitline services have, ipso facto, shown readiness to attempt to quit, but noncompletion of coaching services appears widespread and has not been widely investigated. The current study explored the magnitude and correlates of quitline service abandonment. Method. A state’s quitline intake, coaching, and nicotine patch/gum utilization data were obtained for smokers who enrolled during the period July 2007 to June 2008 ( n = 20,882). Analyses examined demographic, socioeconomic status, nicotine dependence-related, and nicotine replacement therapy—utilization factors associated with completion of only one coaching session (of five offered). Results. Almost half of enrollees (47.8%) completed only one session. All significant predictors together explained less than 4% of variance; not being sent nicotine replacement therapy was most strongly correlated with completion of only one session. A framework is proposed for directing research toward reducing quitline service nonadherence. Conclusions. Premature user abandonment of coaching calls is widespread within a quitline. Further research should determine the extent of the problem in national quitline systems, increase knowledge of mediators of nonadherence, and develop strategies for increasing coaching completion.
Avoidance Denial Versus Optimistic Denial in Reaction to the Threat of Future Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Thompson Suzanne C. , Ting Sarah A.
Published: January 2012

Two distinctly different denial-based threat orientations (avoidance denial and optimistic denial) were examined using a message about the future risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) for young adults. Participants ( N = 101) completed measures of denial-based dispositional threat orientations, current eating, comparative risk, and objective risk for CVD. They then read a high-threat message about CVD and rated their reactions of threat, denial, and worry. One month later, eating patterns in the past month were assessed. Both types of dispositional denial processes were associated with more self-distancing denial, but showed distinctly different, sometimes opposite, patterns of relationships with perceptions of threat, worry, and optimistic self-risk for CVD. In addition, the two denial-based processes were driven by different factors. The implications of these two denial-based threat orientations for the development of theory on denial and health messages, as well as the design of messages to change behavior, are discussed.
Lattice QCD on GPU clusters, using the QUDA library and the Chroma software system
Authors: Joó Bálint , Clark Mike A.
Published: January 2012

The QUDA library for optimized lattice quantum chromodynamics using GPUs, combined with a high-level application framework such as the Chroma software system, provides a powerful tool for computing quark propagators, a key step in current calculations of hadron spectroscopy, nuclear structure, and nuclear forces. In this contribution we discuss our experiences, including performance and strong scaling of the QUDA library and Chroma on the Edge Cluster at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and on various clusters at Jefferson Lab. We highlight some scientific successes and consider future directions for graphics processing units in lattice quantum chromodynamics calculations.
Systematic review of disease-modifying therapies to assess unmet needs in multiple sclerosis: tolerability and adherence
Authors: Giovannoni G , Southam E , Waubant E
Published: January 2012

Reviews of therapeutic drugs usually focus on the highly selected and closely monitored patient populations from randomized controlled trials. The objective of this study was to review systematically the tolerability and adherence of multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapies, using data from both randomized controlled trials and observational settings. Relevant literature was identified using predefined search terms, and adverse event and study discontinuation data were extracted and categorized according to study type (randomized controlled trial or observational) and study duration. A total of 151 papers were selected for analysis; 33% were classified as randomized controlled trials and 62% as observational studies. Most of the papers concerned interferon preparations and glatiramer acetate; the limited available information on mitoxantrone and natalizumab precluded extensive examination of these. The most common adverse events were flu-like symptoms (interferon therapies only) and injection-site reactions. Mean discontinuation rates ranged from 16% to 27%. There were no marked differences in tolerability or adherence data from randomized controlled trials and observational studies, but the incidence of adverse events remained high in lengthy studies and discontinuations accumulated with time. The present systematic review of randomized clinical trial and observational data highlights the tolerability and adherence issues associated with commonly used first-line multiple sclerosis treatments.
Enhancing disperse printing and ultraviolet protecting of polyester-containing fabrics via pretreatment with chitosan/polyethylene glycol/dimethylol dihydroxyethylene urea
Authors: Ibrahim NA , El-Zairy EMR , El-Zairy MR , Khalil HM
Published: January 2012

Pretreatment of polyester-containing fabrics with chitosan, polyethylene glycol along with N-methylol crosslinking agent (Arkofix® NDW, DMDHEU) in the presence of MgCl2. 6H2O/citric acid as a mixed catalyst was carried out for enhancing their printability with disperse dyes as well as upgrading their ultraviolet-protecting properties. The results showed that the changes in the depth of the obtained prints are governed by the type of substrate, chitosan concentration and steaming conditions. On the other hand, incorporation of polyethylene glycol in the pretreatment bath results in a remarkable improvement in the depth of the post-printed fabric samples. Scanning electron microscope images showed the presence of chitosan-based deposits firmly attached to the surface of the pretreated fabric samples. The mechanism of surface modification via loading of chitosan with its amino groups along with polyethylene glycol moieties onto and/or into the finish/fabric matrix was proposed.
Treatment of a Mycotic Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Using Endovascular Stent-Graft Placement and Rifampin Infusion With Postoperative Aspiration of the Aneurysm Sac
Authors: Adkisson Cameron D. , Oldenburg W. Andrew , Belli Erol V. , Harris Adam S. , Walser Eric M. , Hakaim Albert G.
Published: January 2012

Purpose: Mycotic aortic aneurysms are rare but are associated with high morbidity and mortality due to their propensity for rupture. Traditional therapy consists of open surgical repair with resection and aortic reconstruction or extra-anatomic bypass combined with long-term antibiotic therapy. Case report: An 85-year-old male with persistent bacteremia was found to have a descending mycotic aortic aneurysm. Surgical options were discussed and endovascular treatment was recommended with stent-graft placement followed by intra-aortic rifampin infusion. This approach led to resolution of the aneurysm and eradication of bacteremia at 4-month follow-up. Conclusion: By combining traditional surgical strategies with a contemporary endovascular approach, the perioperative mortality and long-term risk of infection associated with mycotic thoracic aneurysms can potentially be decreased.
Diagnosing Common Carotid Artery Agenesis Using Duplex Ultrasound
Authors: Wood Emily A. , Malgor Rafael D. , Labropoulos Nicos
Published: January 2012

The complete absence of a common carotid artery, also known as common carotid artery (CCA) agenesis, is a well-described yet extremely rare congenital anomaly. Most carotid system anomalies are related to origins of the external or internal carotid arteries. All such anomalies are typically asymptomatic unless associated with a concomitant arterial lesion that results in a workup for symptomatic intracerebral pathology or a focal neurological deficit. The literature is scant on the topic, being limited to singular case reports. We report 3 cases of CCA agenesis and provide the readers with insightful data on the available literature.
External Iliac Vein Thrombosis in an Athletic Cyclist With a History of External Iliac Artery Endofibrosis and Thrombosis
Authors: Nakamura Kelly M. , Skeik Nedaa , Shepherd Roger F. , Wennberg Paul W.
Published: January 2012

External iliac artery endofibrosis describes an intimal subendothelial fibrosis leading to wall thickening and stenosis that has been described in high-performance athletes. There are anatomical, mechanical, and probably metabolic factors that may contribute to this pathology. Ankle–brachial index (ABI) measurement with exercise testing, duplex ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) angiogram, and ultimately arteriography help to make the diagnosis. Management can be conservative, but most cases require surgical intervention. External iliac vein stenosis and thrombosis in cyclists has rarely been described in the literature. We report a case of extensive left lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) including the external iliac vein diagnosed in a 57-year-old athletic cyclist with a history of external iliac artery thrombosis.
Error-Challenging Strategies: Their Role in Preventing and Correcting Errors
Authors: Fischer Ute , Orasanu Judith
Published: January 2012

Two studies were conducted to identify effective communication strategies for calling attention to problems and getting action on them from other crew members. In Study 1, pilots in both crew positions relied primarily on one status-consistent strategy to request action of another crew member: Captains generally preferred to use commands, while first officers predominantly used hints. However, when asked to rate the effectiveness of various strategies in Study 2, captains and first officers: favored communications that appealed to the crew concept rather than to any particular status-based model.
Analysis of Cognitive Attitudes to Commercial Films on Basis of Eye Tracking Data
Authors: Aoki Hirotaka , Itoh Kenji
Published: January 2012

The present paper proposes a method for analyzing viewers' cognitive attitudes to commercial films (CF) on TV based on the eye-movement recording (EMR) technique and scenario description of a CF. In this method, a scenario is described in a time-line transition of displaying CF ingredients in a scene. CF ingredients are classified into three groups in terms of involvement of advertised claims: direct claimed items, indirect claimed items and no-claim involved items. This classification allows us not only to provide with a framework for analyzing EMR data but also to estimate claimed quantity containing a CF. A viewer's EMR data during watching a CF is transcribed according to this scenario description scheme. His/her cognitive attitudes to a particular CF are analyzed mainly based on two attitudinal measurements that can be generated by the EMR transcription combined with the scenario description. One measurement, effective gaze ratio, is relating to how intensively a viewer watches a CF. The other measurement, claim perception ratio, is an index for estimating how well a viewer acquires claims or messages regarding an advertised product, service or organization from the commercial film.

A series of experiments were carried out with four subjects to obtain their eye-movement data using an ASL 4000 tracking system. Each subject performed six CF-watching sessions each of which was conducted on a different day using the same sixteen commercial films. The proposed method was applied to the experimental data to analyze the viewer's cognitive patterns to CF's. The obtained cognitive attitudes are discussed from relations between their individual attributes such as watching style of CF's and daily TV watching hours. Based on these results, we mentioned some implications on design parameters of CF's such as frequency of changing scene, and effects of celebrity.
Levels of Automation in Process Control
Authors: Moray Neville , Rodriguez Daniel , Clegg Ben
Published: January 2012

Although the Sheridan-Verplank Scale to describe levels and modes of human-machine interaction has existed for more than 20 years little systematic work has been done to evaluate the properties of the different levels. This paper describes the first stages of a program to compare Sheridan-Verplank level, system reliability, and quality of automated assistance on productivity, trust, operator self-confidence, and fault management in process control.
A Methodology for Measuring the Judgmental Components of Situation Awareness
Authors: Strauss Richard , Kirlik Alex
Published: January 2012

Situation awareness (SA) research has highlighted many important problems concerning the ability of operators to cope with opaque interfaces in complex systems. This same research, however, has shown that SA can be extremely difficult to measure. We therefore provide a methodology for measuring one functional aspect of SA: the operator's ability to judge the state of the task environment on the basis of uncertain information. The approach is based on Judgment Analysis and Brunswik's lens model and its modern extensions.
Evaluation of a Computational Model of Situational Awareness
Authors: Burdick Mark D. , Shively R. Jay
Published: January 2012

Although the use of the psychological construct of situational awareness (SA) assists researchers in creating a flight environment that is safer and more predictable, its true potential remains untapped until a valid means of predicting SA a priori becomes available. Previous work proposed a computational model of SA (CSA) that sought to fill that void. The current line of research is aimed at validating that model. The results show that the model accurately predicted SA in a piloted simulation.
About the Planning Difficulties in Managing Dynamic Environments
Authors: Van Daele A. , Carpinelli F.
Published: January 2012

Over the past 15 years a growing of European studies has led to an emphasis on managing dynamic environments in the laboratory (micro worlds) and in natural situations (field studies). This paper underlines the main planning demands linked to the dynamicity of the environment. It puts in evidence an invariant result from numerous empirical studies: the reduction of complexity by the operator. This reduction makes it at the same time possible to decrease the demands of the situation and to increase the cognitive resources available to master it. Two main strategies to reduce the complexity are described: the strategies that narrow the spatiotemporal field and the ones that broaden this field. These strategies are linked to the expertise of the; operator and to the dynamic characteristics of the situation. Some implications in the design of computer supports are suggested.
Task Analysis Does Count in Making the Abstraction Hierarchy Concrete: Evidence from a Pressurized Water Reactor Situation
Authors: Terrier Patrice , Cellier Jean-Marie , Carreras Ophélie
Published: January 2012

Proponents of the Ecological Interface Design framework have recently highlighted two important assumptions: (a) the Abstraction Hierarchy (AH) would only be a representation of the work domain, not a task representation; (b) the development of an ecological display that presents information at different levels of abstraction should be based on a full implementation of the Abstraction Hierarchy. However, as revealed by our field studies, these assumptions might dismiss the role of task analysis in making the AH concrete. First, the presentation of mass balance and energy balance in an ecological display is important because these kinds of equilibrium constitute what the operator should maintain. Second, the use of an AH and its implementation in an effective work situation will probably be state-specific. Important parameters to be monitored, mass and energy balances that should be assessed, change as a function of the overall state of the process.
The Use of Work Domain Analysis for the Design of Training Systems
Authors: Lintern Gavan , Naikar Neelam
Published: January 2012

In this paper we argue that specifications for training equipment must be based on statements of mission-system functionality. To develop a good description of functionality is a difficult technical challenge, and the methodology of Work Domain Analysis has been developed for that purpose. However, a Work Domain Analysis does not fully specify the devices that are needed for training. Other forms of analysis and inference are needed to resolve issues of crititicality, instructional functions, implementation of functions in a training device, and fidelity of training device features. In this paper we explain the means of moving from functional requirements as developed by a Work Domain Analysis to specifications for training equipment.
Gt-Cbits: Addressing Change in the Workplace Through Computer-Based Training
Authors: Chappell Alan R. , Mitchell Christine M.
Published: January 2012

Change characterizes complex-dynamic systems, including the practitioners' role and required knowledge. Almost all change in these systems requires training. Moreover, as change is expected to be ongoing, so too will training. GT-CBITS (Georgia Tech Case-Based Intelligent Tutoring System) is an architecture for an intelligent tutor designed to teach highly skilled practitioners in complex-dynamic systems. GT-CBITS uses a case-based teaching approach that allows the training curriculum to be easily extended. This paper discusses some of the capabilities of the tutor and presents an example implementation.
Human-Automation Interaction: Modeling the Information Environment
Authors: Shafto Michael G.
Published: January 2012

Formal models are required to analyze the behavior of human-automation systems. This requirement follows from the number and variety of factors, and of interactions among factors, in such systems. The level of complexity of current and planned human-automation systems defies intuitive analysis. Fortunately, recent advances in the theory and practice of modeling have demonstrated the low cost and substantial benefits of formal analyses of real problems in human-automation interaction. This paper briefly notes some of the recent advances in this domain.
Role of the Spatial Frames of Reference in the Genesis of the Action Slips
Authors: Di Nocera Francesco , Couyoumdjian Alessandro , Ferlazzo Fabio
Published: January 2012

Within the classical approach by Norman (1981); action slips are essentially due to activation and triggering of a unappropriate schema. The aim of this study was to investigate action slips starting from the consideration that action is always performed in a space. In our hypothesis, spatial frames of reference could be conceptualized as low level schemata, able to be activated and triggered. Occurrence of slips was recorded for pairs of stimuli located in different spaces (that is when a shift between the two spatial schemata occurred) and for stimuli located in the same space. Results suggest that spatial frames of reference can be usefully conceptualized as low-level schemata and that simultaneous activation of different frames may underlie the genesis of action slips.
Improvement of Product Development and Enhancement of Perceived Quality Through Mental Maps
Authors: Pedroso Marco Antonio Régnier
Published: January 2012

The text below shows the importance of mental maps as a support of products development. The relevance of the concept of innovation is also considered, as well as the symbolic elements, as a way of diminish the gap between research and materialization of projects.
Procedural Consistency in the User Interface
Authors: Somberg Benjamin L.
Published: January 2012

Existing user interface standards focus largely on issues related to the “look and feel” of the user interface, and thus they cannot be used to achieve procedural consistency. A new approach to standards, known as functional user interface standards, articulates a common user model for performing specific sets of tasks. The functional user interface standards rely upon object-oriented technology to define a set of platform-independent user interface objects which may be employed by a designer to construct a compliant design. These objects operate as reusable components in much the same way that software components are reused to facilitate the production of software. This new approach has been used to generate applications that may differ with respect to their appearance, but are consistent with respect to the procedural model presented to the user.
A Longitudinal Study of Residential Internet Usage among Elementary Students
Authors: McCreaty Faith , Ehrich Roger , Lisanti Melissa
Published: January 2012

The PCs for Families Project is a three-year field experiment which studies how ubiquitous access to network technology in both the classroom and home impacts rural elementary students and their famines. The project sends a network computer home with participating families, trains all family members in its use, offers on-call technical support, and provides tree residential Internet services. A proxy server records home Internet usage so mat family usage patterns can be determined. This paper presents a preliminary investigation of how 24 fifth grade students utilized the Internet during their first year in the project and of the factors which influenced usage. Experiment results have implications for both research ( e.g., how student Internet usage changes over time) and design ( e.g., what features of the Internet posed challenges to the children).
User Preferences in the Footprint and Weight of Cellular Phones
Authors: Bubb-Lewis Cristina , Blanchard Harry E.
Published: January 2012

This study examines the issues of footprint and weight of small cellular phones. 20 cellular phone users completed a paired-comparison procedure to evaluate different size and weight models. The indicated a preference as well as which model they would like to carry and which they would like to use from a comfort standpoint. The results showed that the models that preferred traditional handset shape while reducing overall size were preferred. Smaller models were preferred when portability was discussed, but participants wanted to use more traditional sizes when considering comfort. This preference was supported in real phone rankings as well. Lighter models were also preferred and nonstandard interfaces were not well liked.
Human Factors Guidelines for Interactive Voice Response Systems
Authors: Killam Bill , Autry Marguerite
Published: January 2012

There are currently three efforts on-going to develop guidelines for Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, though the data from these organizations are not yet publicly available, Lacking guidelines to follow, the question of what skills are required to produce a usable system remains open. It has been asserted that knowledge of human factors engineering is sufficient for this task. Our training is in human factors engineering, specifically interface design and usability testing, but not with IVR systems. So, when we were presented with the task of critiquing and redesigning a nationally fielded IVR system, we found ourselves in a position to test this assertion. Our experience of developing guidelines for the IVR system we analyzed, and the results of usability testing the existing design against an alternative design we developed, lends credence to this assertion.