bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of diamondlike carbon films using nanopulse generator employing SI thyristor
Authors: Kondo Yoshimasa , Saito Takao , Terazawa Tatsuya , Ohtake Naoto
Published: April 2007

Diamondlike carbon (DLC) films show high hardness, high electric resistivity, and the self‐lubricant characteristic, and many applications and synthesis methods have been reported. Pulse plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is one of the synthesis methods suitable for DLC films on complicated form work, such as molding and extruding die. Ordinary, microsecond‐order pulse is used in this method. This paper describes the development of the synthesis method using nanosecond‐order pulse plasma CVD for DLC films. To realize this process, a static induction (SI) thyristor with an inductive energy storage (IES) circuit was used. Compared with microsecond, nanosecond‐order pulse plasma CVD method shows the characteristics of high electron temperature and exponential relationship between pulse frequency and growth rate. The characteristics of the thus‐obtained DLC films show two broad peaks of the disordered band at 1360 cm−1 and the graphitic band at 1580 cm−1 by Raman spectroscopy and hardness of 16.0 GPa and elastic modulus of 170 GPa. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 159(4): 1–7, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20341
A local demand forecast by NN method for distributed autonomous voltage and reactive power control system
Authors: Suzuki Osamu , Wu Guohong , Minakawa Tamotsu
Published: April 2007

The paper describes required technological innovation for voltage control of power systems under deregulation of power supply industries and presents a new concept of an autonomous control system for the voltage and reactive power of power systems. Installation of distributed generation connected to distribution networks will significantly increase the short circuit capacity of distribution lines. Therefore, GIS underground substations in the center of a large city are required to enable replacement of circuit breakers with ones of greater capability and to reform GIS bus configurations. Furthermore, a more detailed forecast of local demand and operation data of distributed generators are required for the stable control of voltage and reactive power. This paper presents methods of on‐line autonomous forecasting for short circuit capacity and demand of local transmission and distribution lines, which are indispensable for voltage and reactive control under deregulation of electric power supply industries. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 159(4): 27–37, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20450
Development of new‐type outdoor termination using composite insulator with SF6gas: Commercial use for 77‐kV transmission lines and development for 154‐kV XLPE cable
Authors: Kusuda Yusuke , Fukuda Kinya , Matsumura Masao , Hagisawa Kazuhisa , Okamoto Gaku , Nakanishi Tatsuo , Inoue Yoshiyuki
Published: April 2007

Recently, composite insulators have been increasingly employed mainly for economic reasons. We have developed a new type of outdoor termination using a composite insulator, which can be installed horizontally on a steel tower in order to reduce the construction cost. In this outdoor termination, SF6gas is filled in the composite insulator and a cold shrinkable premolded rubber unit is applied instead of the combined use of a rubber‐molded stress relief cone, epoxy resin insulator and spring unit. The application of the composite insulator, SF6gas and cold shrinkable premolded rubber unit reduces the total weight and makes it possible to install the termination horizontally on the tower. The new‐type outdoor termination for 77‐kV XLPE cable has already been applied in commercial use and enabled a reduction of the construction costs for power transmission lines. A 154‐kV new‐type outdoor termination has been developed and its initial electrical tests were successfully completed. This paper describes the design and performance of both 77‐kV and 154‐kV new‐type outdoor termination, and a follow‐up survey of the 77‐kV new termination in a commercial use. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 159(4): 18– 26, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20511
Testing association in the presence of linkage — a powerful score for binary traits
Authors: Jonasdottir Gudrun , Humphreys Keith , Palmgren Juni
Published: April 2007

We present a score for testing association in the presence of linkage for binary traits. The score is robust to varying degrees of linkage, and it is valid under any ascertainment scheme based on trait values as well as under population stratification. The score test is derived from a mixed effects model where population level association is modeled using a fixed effect and where correlation among related individuals is allowed for by using log‐gamma random effects. The score, as presented in this paper, does not assume full information about the inheritance pattern in families or parental genotypes. We compare the score to the semi‐parametric family‐based association test (FBAT), which has won ground because of its flexible and simple form. We show that a random effects formulation of co‐inheritance can improve the power substantially. We apply the method to data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism. We compare our findings to previously published results. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Answering critical questions using quantitative data
Authors: Stage Frances K.
Published: April 2007

Drawing on the work of several prominent scholars, the author describes the evolution of quantitative critical inquiry and compares this perspective to traditional research paradigms.
Description of core excitations by time‐dependent density functional theory with local density approximation, generalized gradient approximation, meta‐generalized gradient approximation, and hybrid functionals
Authors: Imamura Yutaka , Otsuka Takao , Nakai Hiromi
Published: April 2007

Time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is employed to investigate exchange‐correlation‐functional dependence of the vertical core‐excitation energies of several molecules including H, C, N, O, and F atoms. For the local density approximation (LDA), generalized gradient approximation (GGA), and meta‐GGA, the calculated X1s→π* excitation energies (X = C, N, O, and F) are severely underestimated by more than 13 eV. On the other hand, time‐dependent Hartree‐Fock (TDHF) overestimates the excitation energies by more than 6 eV. The hybrid functionals perform better than pure TDDFT because HF exchange remedies the underestimation of pure TDDFT. Among these hybrid functionals, the Becke‐Half‐and‐Half‐Lee‐Yang‐Parr (BHHLYP) functional including 50% HF exchange provides the smallest error for core excitations. We have also discovered the systematic trend that the deviations of TDHF and TDDFT with the LDA, GGA, and meta‐GGA functionals show a strong atom‐dependence. Namely, their deviations become larger for heavier atoms, while the hybrid functionals are significantly less atom‐dependent. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2007
Intima–media thickness of the abdominal aorta of neonate with different gestational ages
Authors: Koklu Esad , Kurtoglu Selim , Akcakus Mustafa , Yikilmaz Ali , Coskun Abdulhakim , Gunes Tamer
Published: April 2007

Purpose.

To determine aortic intima–media thickness (aIMT) values in newborns with different gestational ages and to asses the effect of antenatal steroids on aIMT.

Methods.

Two hundred forty newborns from healthy mothers had their distal abdominal aIMT measured during abdominal sonographic examination. The neonates were divided into 4 groups (60 in each group) according to gestational age: group I (25–28 weeks), group II (29–32 weeks), group III (33–37 weeks), and group IV (38–42 weeks).

Results.

The interobserver and intersubject intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.93 and 0.94, respectively. Mean aIMT was 0.316 mm, 0.335 mm, 0.348 mm, and 0.385 mm, respectively, in group I, II, III, and IV, increasing significantly with gestational age at birth (p < 0.0001). There was no apparent effect of antenatal steroid use on aIMT. Multivariate regression models for mean aIMT demonstrated a significant association with aortic lumen diameter (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion.

Abdominal aIMT can be reproducibly measured in neonates and may be a useful tool for epidemiologic studies. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2007
Social Support and Social Network Scales: A Psychometric Review
Authors: Rock Daniel L. , Green Kathy E. , Wise Barbara K. , Rock Rachelle D.
Published: April 2007

Social support and social network scales were reviewed from a psychometric perspective. A sample of 29 behavioral science studies were selected from social support and social network articles published between 1967 and 1982. Each study was classified according to psychometric issues of scaling, reliability, and validity. The review was motivated by the hypothesis that many social support and social network scales are developed without complete utilization of existing measurement technology. Results of this review confirm this hypothesis. Limited availability of basic psychometric data for such scales attenuates theory development and research efficiency. Researchers in this field are encouraged to increase the availability of basic psychometric information for social support and social network scales.
Development of a patient satisfaction scale
Authors: La Monica Elaine L. , Oberst Marilyn T. , Madea Anita R. , Wolf Richard M.
Published: April 2007

Three studies to develop and test an instrument to measure hospitalized patients' satisfaction with nursing care are reported. Content validation procedures involved both clinicians and patients (N = 75). An inverse relationship of satisfaction scores to negative mood states demonstrated evidence of construct validity. Factor analytic procedures (N = 664) failed to confirm the existence of the subscales initially conceptualized for this instrument and others in common use. Three new factors were identified: dissatisfaction, interpersonal support, and good impression. The dissatisfaction subscale explained 73.6% of the variance and had a high internal consistency (a = .91); the reliability coefficients of the other subscales also were high (a = .92 and .89). Reliability coefficients for the total instrument in successive testings were .92 (N = 100) and .95 (N = 533).
The impact of parental life change on the early development of children
Authors: Bee Helen L. , Hammond Mary A. , Eyres Sandra J. , Barnard Kathryn E. , Snyder Charlene
Published: April 2007

The effect of parental life change on children's mental and social development was explored in a longitudinal study of 193 families. Data on life changes, social supports, home environment, child development and interactions were obtained in a series of nine interviews from before the child's birth to 48 months after birth. For the sample as a whole, significant negative correlations were obtained between maternal life change in the first year of the child's life, and the child's IQ and receptive language at 4 years. An examination of subgroups revealed, however, that this relationship was strongest for mothers low in both personal coping resources and in social support. Findings suggest that both direct and indirect effects of maternal life change on the child contribute to the observed relationship.
Effect of early postpartum teaching on primiparas' knowledge of infant behavior and degree of confidence
Authors: Golas Gretchen A. , Parks Peggy
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of teaching primiparous mothers about infant behavior. Experimental mothers (n = 17) received a teaching intervention representative of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale when their infants were 2 weeks old; contrast mothers (n = 16) completed a Newborn Information Checklist about infant behavior at home two weeks postnatally; control mothers (n = 13) received neither teaching nor a checklist. At a 4‐week postnatal office visit, experimental mothers had more knowledge about infant behavior than either the controst or control mothers. There was no difference among the groups regarding maternal confidence in interpreting behavioral cues of their own infant. Contrast mothers reported wanting information about topics included in the teaching intervention.
Effects of health teaching in the workplace on women's knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding breast self‐examination
Authors: Brailey L. Joan
Published: April 2007

This study had two primary purposes: to examine the effects of group and individual teaching by nurses in the workplace on 140 female office employees' health knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding breast self‐examination and to identify factors associated with frequency of practice. Skill in technique, confidence in the skill, and frequency of breast self‐examination increased significantly with both teaching formats, but there were areas of technique that needed further improvement. Perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and perceived benefits of breast self‐examination increased significantly only with individual teaching; knowledge was not increased with either teaching format.
Personal control and coping effectiveness in spinal cord injured persons
Authors: Ferington Felicitus E.
Published: April 2007

The relationship between personal control and coping effectiveness was studied in a convenience sample of 104 hospitalized spinal cord injured males. Control was conceptualized as participants' preference to control, their generalized expectation for control, and their perception of options to control. Depression was used as an indicator of level of coping effectiveness. Demographic data and participants' trait anxiety were included as possible correlates of the variables of interest. For those who preferred to control, perceived options to do so were negatively related to levels of depression regardless of locus of control orientation. Depression scores were unrelated to expected or perceived control for those without such a preference. Findings indicate that the significance of having control is an individualized matter. Detailed assessments may need to be devised if patients are to obtain maximum benefit from participating in their own care.
The hale elderly: Health behavior and its correlates
Authors: Brown Julia S. , McCreedy Margaret
Published: April 2007

The purposes of this study were to describe health behavior of the elderly and to explore the determinants and health consequences of that behavior, using survey data from 386 respondents (138 men, 248 women), 55 years of age and older. These elderly persons engaged in a wide variety of activities to protect their health, the most important of which were eating properly, obtaining adequate rest, and exercising. By multiple regression analysis, age, sex, socioeconomic status, and marital status explained only 7.2% of the variance in health protective behavior. Of those variables, sex had the greatest association with health protective behavior and age the least. Married men, but not married women, practiced more health behaviors than their unmarried counterparts. Health protective behavior was not related to overall health status, but was weakly related to perceived health. The lack of association between health protective behavior and health status is interpreted in terms of the nature of the population examined.
Stereotyping by nurses and nursing students: A critical review of research
Authors: Ganong Lawrence H. , Bzdek Virginia , Manderino Mary A.
Published: April 2007

Thirty‐eight empirical studies of stereotyping by nurses and nursing students were critically examined and discussed. The review was conducted and reported as though it were primary research. Subjects were the studies examined, methods were the reviewing procedure, data were attributes of the studies, and results were the conclusions drawn. The research on nurses' stereotypes has been characterized by: the use of one method of data collection, usually questionnaires; the measurement of the presence or absence of specific stereotypes; and nonprobability sampling techniques. There is some evidence that nurses stereotype other people based on age, sex, attractiveness, personality, diagnosis, social class, and family structure. Suggestions for adding to this body of knowledge are made.
The use of lie scales in psychometric measures of children
Authors: Brown Marie S. , Kodadek Sheila M.
Published: April 2007

The appropriateness of lie scales commonly used in psychometric tools for health research with children was investigated. A convenience sample of 74 children was used to test the hypothesis that children at a less mature stage of cognitive development would score higher on a lie scale than would children at a more mature stage. Each child was tested using the Cartoon Conservation Scale to assess the Piagetian cognitive level and the nine‐item lie scale for the “How I Think and Feel Test”. The findings supported the hypothesis; a two‐way analysis of variance showed a significant main effect of cognitive level (F= 13.274;p< 0.001). A stepwise multiple regression indicated that age and cognitive level accounted for 53% of the variance in lie scale scores.
Effects of assertion training and first aid instruction on children's autonomy and self‐care agency
Authors: Moore Jean Burley
Published: April 2007

Strategies for promoting autonomy and a self‐care agency in children were investigated in this study. Ninety‐two fifth grade students were randomly assigned to one of four learning groups: assertion training; first aid instruction; assertion/first aid; and control. Results showed mixed support for autonomy being higher where either or both assertion training and first aid instruction had occurred, and support for self‐care agency being higher where first aid instruction had occurred.
The labour agentry scale: Psychometric properties of an instrument measuring control during childbirth
Authors: Hodnett Ellen D. , Simmons‐Tropea Daryl A.
Published: April 2007

Psychometric and field studies are reported concerning the development and assessment of the Labour Agentry Scale, an instrument measuring expectancies and experiences of personal control during childbirth. Factor analysis yielded evidence that it is a unifactorial scale, with factor loadings between 0.36 and 0.85. Dual‐scaling techniques corroborated the results of factor analysis and provided evidence that few differences exist between antepartum and postpartum samples' responses to individual items. Field studies yielded evidence of an inverse relationship between anxiety and control, as well as evidence of construct validity. For example, subjects who had spontaneous, unmedicated births had the highest Labour Agentry Scale scores.
Preparing children for radiologic procedures: Contingent versus noncontingent instruction
Authors: Fegley Barbara J.
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of choice of information in preprocedural instruction on children's responses to select radiologic procedures. Sixty‐one children were randomly assigned to either the contingent (n = 31) or noncontingent (n = 30) instruction group. Contingent instruction provided information in response to children's questions and requests. Noncontingent instruction provided children information based on recommendations from the literature and clinical practice. Dependent variables were measured using the Manifest Upset Scale, Cooperation Scale, search for information protocol, and self‐report of distress. Contingent instruction was associated with less search for information. Prior to painful intrusive radiologic procedures, a choice of information may not support information‐seeking, a strategy for adaptation.
Maternally administered tactile, auditory, visual, and vestibular stimulation: Relationship to later interactions between mothers and premature infants
Authors: White‐Traut Rosemary C. , Nelson Michael N.
Published: April 2007

Thirty‐three mother‐infant pairs were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, talking, or interactive (RISS). The later treatment included massage, talking, eye contact and rocking. The intervention (RISS) was administered to determine whether mothers and their preterm infants who actively interacted with each other would differ on later maternal and infant behaviors. The talking and RISS treatments were administered at specified time intervals 24 hours after delivery. Prior to hospital discharge, mother‐infant interaction was assessed during a feeding. Significant differences were identified among the three groups for maternal (p <.03) and infant (p <.05) behaviors. These results suggest that active maternal interaction with the premature infant may enhance specific components of mother‐infant interaction.
Uncertainty, coping, and distress following myocardial infarction: Transition from hospital to home
Authors: Christman Norma J. , McConnell Edwina A. , Pfeiffer Colleen , Webster Kay K. , Schmitt Marianne , Ries Joanne
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of uncertainty in illness and use of coping methods on emotional distress and recovery following myocardial infarction. A longitudinal exploratory design with measures obtained at three times was used; multiple regression was used to analyze the data. Uncertainty explained a significant amount of the variance in emotional distress prior to hospital discharge (21%), and 1 (16%) and 4 (26%) weeks after discharge. Patients reporting greater uncertainty also reported more emotional distress. One week after discharge, coping behaviors significantly added to the variance explained in distress (27%). Greater use of emotive coping behaviors was associated with higher levels of emotional distress and accounted for the majority of the variance explained by coping behaviors (23%). The findings are discussed in terms of the nature of uncertainty in health care and future model development.
A nursing perspective on the assessment of function in persons with arthritis
Authors: Goeppinger Jean , Anne Doyle M. Thomas , Charlton Sarah L. , Lorig Kate
Published: April 2007

The psychometric properties of two self‐administered measures of function were examined: the Disability Score of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Total Health Score of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS). Data from 140 respondents were analyzed. Respondents had diagnoses of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes mellitus; resided in rural and urban areas; and were for the most part elderly, female, and white, with educational levels of high school or below. Reliabilities (test‐retest and internal consistency) of both measures were high. The concurrent validity also was high. Content analysis suggested the HAQ represented the scope of nursing practice better than the AIMS. An exploratory principal components analysis confirmed that the HAQ is relevant to nursing practice.
Assessment of the reliability of physical measures
Authors: Engstrom Janet L.
Published: April 2007

Assessment of the reliability of physical measures that yield continuous data (e.g., physiological measures such as blood pressure and anthropometric measures such as weight) should include the following statistics and procedures: mean, minimal and maximal differences; standard deviation of the net differences; technical error of measurement; and clinically meaningful indices of agreement. Displaying differences graphically and using Exploratory Data Analysis are excellent methods of summarizing differences. In those situations where any measurement error is important, regardless of its direction, the absolute value of the differences should be used to describe average differences. Correlation coefficients are not recommended because they are not adequate tests of reliability.
Maternal confidence during toddlerhood: Comparing preterm and fullterm groups
Authors: Gross Deborah , Rocissano Lorraine , Roncoli Marianne
Published: April 2007

The purposes of this study were to explore predictors of maternal confidence during toddlerhood among mothers of children born preterm and fullterm and to determine if mothers of toddlers born preterm were less confident in parenting than mothers of toddlers born fullterm. Mothers of children born preterm (n = 62) and fullterm (n = 70) aged 12 months through 36 months (postnatal age) completed a measure of maternal confidence during toddlerhood, the Toddler Care Questionnaire (TCQ), and a family background form. Major predictor variables included the extent of the mother's prior childcare experience, toddler birth order, and maternal report of toddler handicaps and major health problems. Data on neonatal condition were collected from hospital records. There was no difference in mean TCQ score between the preterm and fullterm groups. In the preterm group, prior childcare experience, birth order, and maternal report of the toddler having cerebral palsy explained 33% of the variance. In the fullterm group, prior childcare experience, maternal age and toddler's birthweight explained 38% of the variance. The findings are discussed in light of Bandura's theory of self‐efficacy (1982).
Maternal attachment to handicapped infants and the relationship to social support
Authors: Capuzzi Cecelia
Published: April 2007

The parent–infant attachment of 36 mothers with and without a handicapped infant was compared. A prospective, longitudinal design was employed with data collection at 1, 6, and 12 months postpartum. There were significant differences in attachment at 1 month, with mothers of handicapped infants exhibiting fewer attachment behaviors; there were no differences at 6 or 12 months. When the effects of the mother's prenatal social support were partialed out, there were no longer significant differences between the two groups, suggesting that social support buffers the effects of having a handicapped infant on attachment.
The effect of verbalization of cognitive processes on clinical decision making
Authors: Henry Suzanne Bakken , Lebreck Diane Belongia , Holzemer William L.
Published: April 2007

Although verbalization of cognitive processes is a common strategy in the study of clinical decision making, the effect of verbalization on performance has not been adequately assessed. The effect of verbalization of cognitive processes on performance on a computer‐assisted clinical simulation was examined using a three‐group experimental design. Sixty pediatric nurses were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 20/group): instructions to think aloud, instructions to recall decision processes, or no instructions to verbalize. The experimental groups did not differ on proficiency or efficiency scores on the computerized clinical simulation. Two‐way analyses of variances revealed no main or interaction effects when examining type of verbalization instructions by level of education, years of pediatric experience, or case familiarity, suggesting that there was no apparent effect of verbalization of cognitive processes on performance regardless of level of expertise. These findings support the continued use of verbalization of cognitive processes as a strategy to examine clinical decision making.
What being the parent of a new baby is like: Revision of an instrument
Authors: Pridham Karen F. , Chang Audrey S.
Published: April 2007

Revision of the self‐report instrument, What Being the Parent of a New Baby Is Like (WPL), is reported. The WPL, developed to examine parents' perceptions of themselves as parents and of the parenting experience with young infants, was revised by improving its two subscales, Success (renamed Evaluation) and Centrality, and adding a third subscale, Life Change. With a sample of mothers of healthy infants, all three subscales of the revised instrument, WPL‐R, had acceptable levels of internal consistency at 7, 30, and 90 days postpartum, and stability across administrations. Parity differences were demonstrated for all three subscales at 7 days and for Centrality at 30 days. Factor analysis identified item clusters consistent with the three subscales. With improved subscales affording a more comprehensive assessment of maternal experience, the WPL‐R is a better instrument for evaluation of maternal adaptation than the WPL.
Participation in alternative care: Relationship to anxiety, depression, and hostility
Authors: Littlefield Vivian M. , Chang Audrey , Adams Barbara N.
Published: April 2007

Women's psychological mood and its relationship to satisfaction with participatory perinatal care was examined using a two‐group evaluation design of convenience samples (N=99). Women entered the perinatal experience with similar degrees of anxiety, depression and hostility, but contrary to prediction, the type of perinatal experience, conventional or alternative, was not associated with their psychological mood. However, women in both groups reported less anxiety 2 to 3 days and 4 weeks after delivery than they reported having in general prior to delivery. Women who were more satisfied with care and their participation in care, regardless of whether they had an alternative or conventional perinatal experience, reported less anxiety and depression immediately post delivery. In 4 weeks, satisfaction and participation in care were still negatively related to anxiety.
Quality of reporting in diabetes patient education research: 1954–1986
Authors: Brown Sharon A.
Published: April 2007

The quality of reported research representing a number of disciplines involved in diabetes patient education was investigated in this study. A rigorous literature search identified 47 studies reported between 1954 and 1986 that met inclusion criteria; 29 were published studies, 18 were unpublished. Quality of the research was measured by Duffy's Research Appraisal Checklist (RAC) and also by coding each study as to the number of threats to internal and external validity present. Overall quality as measured by the RAC ranged from 34 to 95 on a 100‐point scale. A statistically significant relationship was found between publication date of the research report and quality, indicating improvement in quality during recent years. Quality of published versus unpublished research reports was not found to differ significantly. Recommendations for improving methodological rigor of future studies include: (a) the use of more rigorous designs, particularly those involving control groups such as randomized clinical trials; (b) reporting of more complete data in research reports; and (c) monitoring of the quality of future studies.
A comparison of parental interactions with term and preterm infants
Authors: Harrison Margaret J.
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this study was to compare father interactions to mother interactions with term and preterm infants. A purposive sample of 59 two‐parent families with either a healthy term infant or a clinically normal preterm infant were recruited following the infant's birth. At 3 months, separate observations were made of each parent interacting with the infant during a teaching task in the home setting. As has been found in other research, mother‐infant interactions scores were less favorable for preterm dyads. In contrast, father‐infant interaction scores were less favorable for term dyads. The different pattern of interactions by the fathers was not explained by differences in paternal age, education, socioeconomic status, the father's current frequency of participation in child care or by infant gender.
Maternal employment following childbirth
Authors: Tulman Lorraine , Fawcett Jacqueline
Published: April 2007

This longitudinal study was an investigation of differences in demographic, health, psychosocial, and family variables, and in functional status for nonoccupational activities, between employed and nonemployed mothers for 6 months following childbirth. Variables associated with employed mothers' functional status in occupational activities also were examined. Fifty‐three (58%) of the 92 women in the sample were employed by 6 months postpartum. Although employed mothers performed more roles than nonemployed mothers, the two groups appeared more similar than different on the variables studied. In addition, functional status for occupational activities was positively related to parity and level of physical energy.
Mothers' and nurses' perceptions of infant care skills
Authors: Froman Robin D. , Owen Steven V.
Published: April 2007

New mothers' confidence in their infant care skills are important concerns for maternity nurses. In this study, correlates of mothers' self‐efficacy ratings on 52 infant care behaviors included in the Infant Care Scale were identified. Data on demographic variables and nurses' ratings of mothers' skill on five selected tasks were collected from 200 mothers and their nurses. Results from bivariate and multivariate analyses pointed to predictors of maternal feelings of efficacy and to discrepancies between mothers' and nurses' ratings. Maternal age, number of children, and nurses' ratings of mothers' skills were the strongest predictors of self‐efficacy for infant care. Mothers of male infants showed slightly lower efficacy perceptions than did mothers of females. Implications for assessing mothers' educational needs before discharge and focusing teaching efforts are discussed.
Bending electrostriction in polyurethane films doped with electron acceptors
Authors: Watanabe Masashi
Published: April 2007

The effect of electron acceptors as dopants on the bending electrostriction of polyurethane (PU) films was studied. The PU films (ca 0.3 mm thick) doped with 0.5 wt% 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) were bent by application of a 1 MV m−1 electric field. The bending deformation of the TCNQ‐doped film was more than 30 times greater than that of the undoped film. The current and the charge distribution in the films during the application of the field were also measured. Based on these measurements, the mechanism of the doping effect is discussed. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Conventional and RAFT radical copolymerizations of β‐pinene with N‐substituted maleimides
Authors: Wang Yi , Chen Qing , Liang Hui , Lu Jiang
Published: April 2007

The feasibility of the radical copolymerizations of β‐pinene with three N‐substituted maleimides, i.e. N‐phenylmaleimide (PhMI), N‐methylmaleimide (MeMI), and N‐ethylmaleimide (EtMI), was clarified for the first time. The copolymerization rates decreased in the order PhMI > MeMI > EtMI. A marked penultimate effect on the activity of the N‐substituted maleimide‐terminated radicals was found in these copolymerizations. The penultimate monomer reactivity ratios evaluated by the nonlinear method were r1 = 0.10, r′1 = 8.30, r2 = r′2 = 0 for PhMI–β‐pinene, r1 = 0.20, r′1 = 7.09, r2 = r′2 = 0 for MeMI–β‐pinene, and r1 = 0.16, r′1 = 6.50, r2 = r′2 = 0 for EtMI–β‐pinene. Furthermore, the possible controlled copolymerizations of β‐pinene and N‐substituted maleimides were then attempted via the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) technique. In the presence of RAFT agent 1‐phenylethyl phenyldithioacetate, the copolymerization of β‐pinene with MeMI or EtMI was retarded severely. However, much smaller retardation was observed in the RAFT copolymerization of β‐pinene with PhMI, and, more importantly, the copolymerization exhibited typical features of a controlled system. The solvent effect on the RAFT copolymerization of β‐pinene and PhMI was also investigated using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐fight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) analysis. The results clearly indicated that copolymerization in tetrahydrofuran suffered from competitive transfer and termination side‐reactions arising from the solvent in spite of the presence of the RAFT agent. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Capturing and amplifying impurities from purified recombinant monoclonal antibodies via peptide library beads: A proteomic study
Authors: Antonioli Paolo , Fortis Fréderic , Guerrier Luc , Rinalducci Sara , Zolla Lello , Righetti Pier Giorgio , Boschetti Egisto
Published: April 2007

Capture and amplification of low‐level contaminants in purified preparations of recombinant DNA products is described here in the case of mAb meant for human consumption. Such a process is based on treatment with a vastly heterogenous ligand library composed of hexapeptides bound to a polyhydroxymethacrylate resin. Upon this treatment, a protein solution is recovered with “normalized” relative concentration ratios, in which high‐abundance proteins are strongly reduced and rare proteins are highly concentrated. Upon 2‐D map analysis, the relatively few spots present in control monoclonals were seen to increase in number, reaching >100 visible polypeptide chains in the pI/Mr plane. Most of these newly emerged spots were subjected to MS analysis and were found to be composed mainly of three classes of proteins: those derived from proteins present in the culture broth (notably albumin and transferrin), fragments of the desired final product, covering Mr ranges from as low as 5 up to 45 kDa and some aggregates of light and heavy chains of Igs (mostly dimers and trimers). This ligand library thus appears to be a formidable tool for exploring and bringing to the limelight the “hidden proteome”.
Synthesis of poly(ester amide)s by the melt polycondensation of semiaromatic polyesters with ethanolamine and their characterization
Authors: Harashina Hatsuhiko , Nakane Toshio , Itoh Takahito
Published: April 2007

Semiaromatic poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) were synthesized by the melt polycondensation of ethanolamine (EA) derivatives with dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol in the presence of tetrabutyl titanate as a catalyst, and their crystallization and thermal properties were investigated. The introduction of an amide group into a semiaromatic polyester such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) produced PEAs (EA‐modified PET polymers) with an increase in the melting point. However, these PEAs were found to decompose at a lower temperature than PET on the basis of TGA. Moreover, direct pyrolysis/mass spectrometry measurements suggested that an initial step of the thermal decomposition was a β‐CH hydrogen‐transfer reaction via asix‐member ring transition state at the ester–ethylene–amide unit, at which carbon–oxygen bond scission took place to yield carboxyl and N‐vinylamide end groups. Furthermore, molecular orbital calculations using trimer models bis[2‐[[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzoyl]oxy]ethyl]terephthalate, N‐[2‐[[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzoyl]oxy]ethyl]‐4‐[2‐[[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzoyl]oxy]ethyloxycarbonyl]benzamide, and N,N′‐bis[2‐[[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzoyl]oxy]ethyl]terephthalamide strongly supported the idea that the β‐CH hydrogen‐transfer reaction in the thermal decomposition of PEAs might occur more easily at the methylene group next to the amide group in an ester–ethylene–amide unit rather than at the methylene group next to the ester group in an ester–ethylene–ester unit. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2184–2193, 2007
Youth leaving care: How do they fare?
Authors: Tweddle Anne
Published: April 2007

Former youth in care show a disturbing pattern of poor outcomes after they leave the child welfare system. What can be done to promote more successful transitions?
Juvenile offenders and independent living: An Irish perspective on program development with St. Xavier's
Authors: McElwee Niall , O'Connor Michael , McKenna Susan
Published: April 2007

This chapter discusses the authors' experience in working with young offenders who are leaving care in Ireland. Essential elements for effective programming are outlined.
Folate: In Vitro and in Vivo Effects on VLDL and LDL Oxidation
Authors: McEneny  , Couston  , McKibben  , Young  , Woodside
Published: April 2007

Raised total homocysteine (tHcy) levels may be involved in the etiology of cardiovascular disease and can lead to damage of vascular endothelial cells and arterial wall matrix. Folic acid supplementation can help negate these detrimental effects by reducing tHcy. Recent evidence has suggested an additional anti-atherogenic property of folate in protecting lipoproteins against oxidation. This study utilized both an in vitro and in vivo approach. In vitro: Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were isolated by rapid ultracentrifugation and then oxidized in the presence of increasing concentrations (0→ μmol/L) of either folic acid or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). In vivo: Twelve female subjects were supplemented with folic acid (1 mg/day), and the pre- and post-VLDL and LDL isolates subjected to oxidation. In vitro: 5-MTHF, but not folic acid, significantly increased the resistance of VLDL and LDL to oxidation. In vivo: Following folic acid supplementation, tHcy decreased, serum folate increased, and both VLDL and LDL displayed a significant increase in their resistance to oxidation. These results indicated that in vitro, only the active form of folate, 5-MTHF, had antioxidant properties. In vivo results demonstrated that folic acid supplementation reduced tHcy and protected both VLDL and LDL against oxidation. These findings provide further support for the use of folic acid supplements to aid in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Optimization of a coupled hydrology–crop growth model through the assimilation of observed soil moisture and leaf area index values using an ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Pauwels Valentijn R. N. , Verhoest Niko E. C. , De Lannoy Gabriëlle J. M. , Guissard Vincent , Lucau Cozmin , Defourny Pierre
Published: April 2007

It is well known that the presence and development stage of vegetation largely influences the soil moisture content. In its turn, soil moisture availability is of major importance for the development of vegetation. The objective of this paper is to assess to what extent the results of a fully coupled hydrology–crop growth model can be optimized through the assimilation of observed leaf area index (LAI) or soil moisture values. For this purpose the crop growth module of the World Food Studies (WOFOST) model has been coupled to a fully process based water and energy balance model (TOPMODEL‐Based Land‐Atmosphere Transfer Scheme (TOPLATS)). LAI and soil moisture observations from 18 fields in the loamy region in the central part of Belgium have been used to thoroughly validate the coupled model. An observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) has been performed in order to assess whether soil moisture and LAI observations with realistic uncertainties are useful for data assimilation purposes. Under realistic conditions (biweekly observations with a noise level of 5 volumetric percent for soil moisture and 0.5 for LAI) an improvement in the model results can be expected. The results show that the modeled LAI values are not sensitive to the assimilation of soil moisture values before the initiation of crop growth. Also, the modeled soil moisture profile does not necessarily improve through the assimilation of LAI values during the growing season. In order to improve both the vegetation and soil moisture state of the model, observations of both variables need to be assimilated.
Evaluating patterns of fog water deposition and isotopic composition on the California Channel Islands
Authors: Fischer Douglas T. , Still Christopher J.
Published: April 2007

Fog deposition is an important water source for endemic conifer species during the annual summer drought along the California coast (and in other coastal and montane areas). We present a new design for a passive fog collector that is useful both for characterizing fog regimes (timing and quantity of deposition) and for collecting fog water for subsequent isotopic analysis. The new collector both mimics vegetation collection efficiency and minimizes isotopic fractionation under a range of fog conditions. Low construction cost and collector durability allow widely distributed installation and greater insight into spatially heterogeneous fog patterns. We installed 21 fog collectors throughout a stand of Bishop pines (Pinus muricata D. Don) on Santa Cruz Island. In general, there was greater fog deposition with increasing elevation and decreasing frequency farther inland. Within these broad patterns, there was large spatial and temporal variability in fog deposition. Monthly samples of fog and rain waters reveal differences in stable isotope composition (δ18O and δD) large enough to serve as tracers of different water sources moving through the ecosystem.
Radiation-induced oxidative damage to the DNA-binding domain of the lactose repressor
Authors: Gillard Nathalie , Goffinont Stephane , Buré Corinne , Davidkova Marie , Maurizot Jean-Claude , Cadene Martine , Spotheim-Maurizot Melanie
Published: April 2007

Understanding the cellular effects of radiation-induced oxidation requires the unravelling of key molecular events, particularly damage to proteins with important cellular functions. The Escherichia coli lactose operon is a classical model of gene regulation systems. Its functional mechanism involves the specific binding of a protein, the repressor, to a specific DNA sequence, the operator. We have shown previously that upon irradiation with γ-rays in solution, the repressor loses its ability to bind the operator. Water radiolysis generates hydroxyl radicals (OH· radicals) which attack the protein. Damage of the repressor DNA-binding domain, called the headpiece, is most likely to be responsible of this loss of function. Using CD, fluorescence spectroscopy and a combination of proteolytic cleavage with MS, we have examined the state of the irradiated headpiece. CD measurements revealed a dose-dependent conformational change involving metastable intermediate states. Fluorescence measurements showed a gradual degradation of tyrosine residues. MS was used to count the number of oxidations in different regions of the headpiece and to narrow down the parts of the sequence bearing oxidized residues. By calculating the relative probabilities of reaction of each amino acid with OH· radicals, we can predict the most probable oxidation targets. By comparing the experimental results with the predictions we conclude that Tyr7, Tyr12, Tyr17, Met42 and Tyr47 are the most likely hotspots of oxidation. The loss of repressor function is thus correlated with chemical modifications and conformational changes of the headpiece.