bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knee Immobilization for Pain Control after a Hamstring Tendon Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Hiemstra Laurie A. , Heard S. Mark , Sasyniuk Treny M. , Buchko Greg L. , Reed Jeremy G. , Monteleone Bradley J.
Published: September 2008

Background

This study will attempt to evaluate the efficacy of knee immobilization on patient pain levels after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Hypothesis

There is no difference in visual analog scale pain scores 2 days after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between patients who wear a knee immobilizer and those who do not wear a knee immobilizer.

Study Design

Randomized clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods

Patients aged 18 to 40 years who met study inclusion criteria were eligible. Patients meeting intraoperative inclusion critiera were randomized (immobilizer or no immobilizer) after wound closure. The immobilizer used was a soft, unhinged brace with Velcro® straps. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative protocols were standardized. The primary outcome was patient self-assessed pain using a 0-to-100-mm visual analog scale at day 2 after surgery. Secondary outcomes included pain and analgesic use in the first 14 days after surgery, complications, and range of motion (approximately 3 weeks postoperatively). A sample size estimate was calculated and resulted in the need for 44 patients per group.

Results

A total of 102 patients were enrolled; 88 patients were randomized, and 14 were excluded intraoperatively. There was no difference in mean visual analog scale pain scores at 2 days after surgery between immobilized and nonimmobilized patients (32.6 and 35.2, respectively; P = .59; difference, —2.6; 95% confidence interval, —12.2 to 6.9). There were no differences between groups in medication consumed, range of motion, or complications. Pain and analgesic use were the same for both groups at 7 and 14 days postoperatively.

Conclusion

No differences in pain or any of the secondary outcomes were detected between immobilized and nonimmobilized patients at any point during the first 14 days after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Flexural Strengthening Effect on RC Beams by Bonded Composite Fabrics
Authors: Sundarraja M.C. , Rajamohan S.
Published: September 2008

The objective of this research is to provide the engineering science necessary for the implementation of externally bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement for the repair of concrete structures. The material form of interest is highly flexible glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets that adhere to a concrete surface after minimum surface preparation by means of a polymeric resin. The present investigation focuses on the flexural behavior of concrete beams strengthened with glass fiber fabric on tension zone. Four point bending flexural tests were conducted up to failure on concrete beams strengthened with one, two and three layers of glass fiber fabric and beams that were precracked up to 2/3 of its ultimate load carrying capacity and strengthened (rehabilitated) with one, two and three layers of glass fiber fabrics. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated by developing finite element (FE) models to simulate the behavior of four full-size beams from linear through nonlinear response using the ANSYS program.
Shear Strengthening of RC Beams Using GFRP Vertical Strips — An Experimental Study
Authors: Sundarraja M.C. , Rajamohan S. , Bhaskar Divya
Published: September 2008

The uses of composite materials for the strengthening of shear deficient concrete structures are limited. The research in this area has been taking place since 1991. Study in this field aims at understanding the various reinforcement configurations of sheets that can be used for shear strengthening and also the different failure modes a strengthened beam undergoes at the ultimate state. Furthermore, the experimental data bank for shear strengthening of concrete beams, using FRP, remains relatively sparse due to which the design algorithms for computing the shear contribution of FRP are not yet clear. The objective of this study is to clarify the role of GFRP strips, epoxy bonded to the beam web for shear strengthening of RC beams. Included in the study are effectiveness in terms of width and spacing of vertical GFRP strips, spacing of internal steel stirrups, and longitudinal steel rebar section on shear capacity of the RC beam. The study also aims to understand the shear contribution of concrete, shear strength due to steel bars and steel stirrups, and the additional shear capacity due to glass fiber reinforced polymer strips in a RC beam.
Failure Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates under Linearly Varying Temperature
Authors: Ray Chaitali , Dey Mithu
Published: September 2008

The present paper deals with the first ply failure analysis of laminated composite plates under linearly varying temperature through the thickness of the laminate. The plate element has been modeled as an eight noded isoparametric quadratic plate bending element based on Reissner-Mindlin's assumption for the transverse shear deformation. The deflection and stress resultants obtained in the present study are compared with those available in published literature. The stress level causing the failure of the weakest layer has been detected, based on various stress interactive failure criteria viz. Tsai-Wu and Hoffman's criteria. The temperature of the outermost layer has been computed at the stress level of that weakest ply failure. A parametric study has been carried out on the basis of different lamination schemes and boundary conditions.
The Hybrid Model and Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Composites Reinforced with Different Diameter Fibers
Authors: Wang Mingchao  , Zhang Zuoguang  , Sun Zhijie
Published: September 2008

By using carbon fiber (CF) as small-diameter fiber, SiC fiber (SiCF) or boron fiber (BF) as large-diameter fiber, the SiCF/CF and BF/CF fiber reinforced epoxy resin hybrid composites have been fabricated and investigated. Through SEM micrograph analysis and fiber volume fraction statistics, the hybrid fiber distribution model of bi-diameter hybrid composites has been developed. Compressive and flexural properties of both hybrid composites were tested, and then the damage characteristics and the fracture mechanism of the two kinds of hybrid composites were studied contrastively. The hybrid effect of BF/CF composites is positive, i.e., the hybrid composites have higher compressive and flexural strengths than CFRP and BFRP. In contrast, the compressive and flexural strengths of SiCF/CF composite are both between those of CFRP and SiCFRP. The simple linear addition rule slowly dominates, obviously. The flexural modulus of the two hybrid materials obeys the rule of mixture.
Effect of Flame Retardant on the Combustion Behavior of Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc) — Melamine-Formaldehyde-Polyester Nonwoven Fabric Composites
Authors: Satheesh Kumar M.N. , Siddaramaiah  , Kotresh T.M. , Shekar Indu , Jagganath J.H.
Published: September 2008

Composites were fabricated by impregnating needle punched polyester nonwoven fabric in the latex composition containing PVAc/MF (90/10) blend. Different amounts of flame retarardant (FR) were incorporated into PVAc latex blend viz., 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 dry, weight-by-weight. The selected FR was a synergistic FR system containing antimony trioxide and brominated organic additive. The effects of different amounts of FR in PVAc/MF latex blend on physico-mechanical properties like tensile strength, percentage elongation, specific tensile strength, and reinforcement factor of the composites have been studied. The combustion behavior of the composites has been studied using the cone calorimeter. The combustion studies revealed that the incorporation of FR significantly lowered the percentage mass loss and heat release rate of the composites. A linear relationship was found between the total oxygen consumed and peak heat release rate. From the results, it can be observed that the rate of heat release, peak heat release rate, and the total oxygen consumed by the composites have been significantly reduced with increase in the FR. The total smoke production and smoke release rate of the composites have been increased with increase in the FR. The arbitrary scale developed by Petrella was discussed to assess the hazard of composites.
Effect of Temperature on Elastic Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Chen X. , Wang X. , Liu B.Y.
Published: September 2008

In this article, effect of temperature on elastic properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes is investigated by means of a molecular structural mechanics model in which the primary bonds between two nearest-neighboring atoms are treated as a two-node dimensional Euler—Bernoulli beam. By considering the effect of environmental temperature on force constant values of bond stretching, bond angle bending, and torsional resistance, the corresponding basic parameters of these two-node dimensional Euler—Bernoulli beam elements are obtained under different environmental temperatures, respectively. Nano-scale finite element simulations of the elastic properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes under different environmental temperatures reveal that the elastic modulus of single-walled carbon nanotubes decreases significantly with the increase of temperature. It is noted that the Young's modulus of armchair nanotubes is more sensitive to environmental temperature due to the tube chirality. Finally, the relationship between elastic modulus of zigzag and armchair carbon nanotubes and environmental temperature is given by a simple formula.
Development of a Helicopter Landing Gear Prototype using Resin Infusion Molding
Authors: Young Wen-Bin
Published: September 2008

Because of the advances in material and technology, resin transfer molding is used for fabricating advanced polymer composites. It has the advantage of simple, potential automation, and low cost. The process involves injecting reactive resin into a closed mold with preplaced fiber preform. Resin infusion process applies a vacuum to draw resin into the mold cavity for mold filling. In this study, a low cost mold of a helicopter landing gear with a bow shape was constructed. A vacuum-assisted resin infusion process was used to fabricate the landing gear. A preheater is constructed and integrated in the process to heat the resin to a specified temperature before flowing into the mold while the mold is kept at room temperature. Numerical simulation of the resin infusion process was used to study the effect of the heated resin on the filling result. An adiabatic boundary condition was used to simulate the heat transfer condition at the foam core side of the part during the filling process. During the resin infusion process, the filling pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure and the resulting filling flow is very slow in this case. Temperature of the resin will decrease quickly on entering the mold to meet the cool preplaced fiber reinforcements. However, increase of the resin temperature can reduce the viscosity and reduce the filling time. A critical temperature is identified in the simulation below by which the heated resin can fill the mold without any gelation.
Stress and Strain Behavior of Slender Concrete Columns Retrofitted with CFRP Composites
Authors: Sadeghian Pedram , Shekari Amir H. , Mousavi Farid
Published: September 2008

This article presents the results of experimental studies about axial stress—strain behavior of retrofitted slender concrete columns with CFRP composites. In this study, 30 unreinforced concrete cylinders 100 mm diameter with variable height of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mm were prepared and retrofitted. In each group, a plain specimen (unwrapped) and five wrapped specimens with different fiber orientations (0, 0/0, 90/0, 45, and 45/0) were tested under compressive axial force up to failure. At the end, analytical models were proposed for ultimate strength and ultimate strain of the slender specimens. The results have shown that the CFRP composites are most effective in increasing the strength and ductility of slender columns.
In vitro Degradation, Bioactivity, and Cytocompatibility of Calcium Silicate, Dimagnesium Silicate, and Tricalcium Phosphate Bioceramics
Authors: Ni Siyu , Chang Jiang
Published: September 2008

CaSiO3 (CS) ceramics have been regarded as a potential bioactive material for bone regeneration. Mg2SiO4 (M2S) ceramic has been reported as a novel bioceramic with higher mechanical properties and good biocompatibility recently. β-Ca2(PO4) 2 (β-TCP) ceramic is a well-known bioactive and degradable material for bone repair. The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the effect of three bioceramics with different chemical composition on the in vitro degradation, apatite-forming ability in simulated body fluid (SBF) and cytocompatibility. The degradation was evaluated through the activation energy of Si or P ion released from ceramics and the weight loss of the ceramics in TrisHCl buffer solution. Formation of bone-like apatite on different bioceramic surfaces was investigated in SBF. The presence of bone-like apatite layer on the material surface after soaking in SBF was demonstrated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The effect of ionic products from the three kinds of material dissolution on osteoblast-like cell proliferation was investigated. The results showed that the degradation rate of CS was much faster than that of β-TCP and M2S ceramics. Apatite formation occurred on the CS ceramics quickly. However, it was less likely to occur on the surfaces of β-TCP and M2S ceramics. The ionic products from extracts of CS and M2S could stimulate osteoblast-like cell proliferation at certain concentration range throughout the 6-day culture period.
Evaluation of Biochemical the Two Cyanoacrylates: An Experimental Study in Rats
Authors: López-Jornet Pía , Camacho-Alonso Fabio , Gómez-García Francisco
Published: September 2008

The objective of this work is to study the biochemical effect in liver and kidney 2, 14, and 28 days after applying different tissue adhesives. In a prospective longitudinal study, 20 adult rats are assigned to two groups. After making incisions in the buccal mucosa, n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate is applied to the first group and 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate (OCA) to the second. The biochemical parameters studied are: albumin (ALB), alanine aminotrasferase (ALT), amylase (AMY), total bilirubin (TBI), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE), glucose, globulin, total proteins (TP), and the ions calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. The group treated with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate shows no statistically significant differences with respect to the control, but OCA produces statistically significant alterations in BUN, ALT, TP, TBI, and AMY. The application of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate to wounds in the buccal mucosa produces no significant alterations in the hepatic and renal profile of the animals studied, while OCA produces greater changes in the biochemical profile.
Modeling the Coupled Strain and Magnetization Response of Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys under Magnetomechanical Loading
Authors: Kiefer B. , Lagoudas D.C.
Published: September 2008

This article is concerned with the modeling of the magnetic shape memory alloy (MSMA) constitutive response caused by the reorientation of martensitic variants under mechanical and magnetic fields. The presented model is able to better capture the complexity of the magnetomechanical MSMA behavior by accounting not only for the mechanism of field-induced variant reorientation, but also the magnetization rotation away from magnetic easy axes and the magnetic domain wall motion at low stress and magnetic field levels. Following the general formulation of the model, reduced versions of the constitutive equations are derived for three specific loading cases: (1) magnetic-field-induced variant reorientation at constant stress; (2) stress-induced variant reorientation at constant magnetic field; (3) variant reorientation under collinear magnetic field and stress with perpendicular bias field. For each of these cases the nonlinear and hysteretic strain and magnetization response of MSMAs are predicted and compared to experimental data where available. The relation of critical stresses and magnetic fields for the activation of the reorientation process are visualized in a variant reorientation diagram. The captured loading-history-dependent macroscopic material response is explained in detail by connecting it to the evolution of the crystallographic and magnetic microstructure as represented by a set of internal state variables.
Multi-axis Semi-active Vibration Control using Magnetorheological Technology
Authors: Unsal Memet , Niezrecki Christopher , Crane Carl D.
Published: September 2008

Parallel platform mechanisms with six degrees-of-freedom (DOF) are ideal candidates for precision positioning applications. Many of the precision positioning applications are located in environments where multi degrees of vibrations exist. From a design perspective, it will be logical to have a parallel platform mechanism, which is inherently an ideal mechanism for precise positioning, to provide vibration isolation at the same time. While passive vibration control and active vibration control have been extensively used in parallel platforms, a six DOF parallel platform which uses semi-active vibration control has not received as much attention. Advantages of semi-active control include reduced cost (by using a simpler actuator intended for only positioning), reduced power requirements, and improved stability. Within this work a six DOF parallel platform model is created. Each leg of the platform is modeled as a two DOF system with a coil-over magnetorheological (MR) damper for adjustable damping in series with an actuator used for positioning. The vibration isolation performance of the parallel platform mechanism and its positioning capability are quantified through simulations. Simulation results show that MR dampers are effective in six DOF vibration isolation applications when they are incorporated into parallel platform mechanisms.
Fuzzy Neural Network Control for Vehicle Stability Utilizing Magnetorheological Suspension System
Authors: Miao Yu  , Choi S.B. , Dong X.M. , Liao C.R.
Published: September 2008

This paper presents the stability of a passenger vehicle system featuring magnetorheological (MR) suspensions. As a first step, MR damper is devised and its field-dependent damping force is experimentally evaluated. A full-car model equipped with the MR damper is established by considering roll motion which is directly related to the vehicle stability. A fuzzy neural network controller (FNNC) incorporated with the self-learn knowledge is then formulated in order to improve vehicle stability. In addition, in order to eliminate adverse effect of the system coupling, nonlinearity and time delay a correction component for updating the weighting matrix and adjusting controller outputs is designed. Both computer simulation and road test are undertaken in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method. The control results obtained in this work indicate that the proposed control scheme with the MR suspension can considerably improve the stability of vehicles with high performance in vibration isolation.
A Hybrid Approach to Model Hysteretic Behavior of PZT Stack Actuators
Authors: Park Jung-Kyu , Washington Gregory , Yoon Hwan-Sik
Published: September 2008

In order to model the hysteretic behavior of piezoceramic actuators, a hybrid model is developed by combining the Preisach concepts with a neural network mapping function. Preisach concepts are utilized in producing a data set for generalization and calculating the final displacements for actuators having nonlocal memory. Although generalization is typically handled by interpolation functions in a traditional Preisach model, these functions can lead to significant errors unless there are sufficient data points around critical regions. In the hybrid model, the generalization of all first-order reversal curves is provided by a single neural network. Since the neural network is essentially a nonlinear mapping function, its functionality is implemented with a fewer number of variables than the Preisach model. In order to account for errors caused by frequency dependency and large input variations, an on-line training technique is also developed. Various comparisons between the outputs of the hybrid model and those of an actual actuator are presented.
Temperature Sensitive Controller Performance of MR Dampers
Authors: Batterbee David , Sims N.D.
Published: September 2008

Magnetorheological (MR) dampers can experience large temperature changes as a result of heating caused by energy dissipation, but control systems are often designed without consideration of this fact. Furthermore, due to the highly nonlinear behavior of MR dampers, many control strategies have been proposed and it is difficult to determine which is the most effective. This paper aims to address these issues through a numerical and experimental study of an MR mass isolator subject to temperature variation. A dynamic temperature dependant model of an MR damper is first developed and validated. Control system experiments are then performed using hardware-in-the-loopsimulations. Proportional, PID, gain scheduling, and on/ off control strategies are found to be equally affected by temperature variation. Using simulations incorporating the temperature dependant MR damper model, it is shown that this is largely due to a change in fluid viscosity and the associated movement of the lower `clipped optimal' control bound. This zero-volts condition determines how close any controller can perform to the ideal semiactive case, thus all types of controller are affected. In terms of relative performance, proportional and PID controllers perform equally well and outperform the on/off and gain scheduling strategies. Gain scheduling methods are superior to on/off control.
Optimal Location of Distributed Actuators within an In-plane Multi-cell Morphing Mechanism
Authors: Joo James J. , Sanders Brian
Published: September 2008

In this study, the optimal location of a distributed network of actuators within a morphing wing scissor mechanism is investigated. The analysis begins by developing a mechanical understanding of a single cell representation of the mechanism. This cell contains four linkages connected by pin joints, a single actuator, two springs to represent the bi-directional behavior of a flexible skin, and an external load. Equilibrium equations are developed using static analysis and the principle of virtual work equations. An objective function is developed to maximize the efficiency of the unit/multiple cell model. It is defined as useful work over input work. There are two constraints imposed on this problem. The first is placed on force transferred from the external source to the actuator. It should be less than the blocked actuator force to ensure the mechanism moves in the desired direction. The other is the requirement that the ratio of output displacement over input displacement, i.e., geometrical advantage (GA), of the cell is larger than a prescribed value. Sequential quadratic programming is used to solve the optimization problem. This process suggests a systematic approach to identify an optimum location of an actuator and to avoid the selection of location by trial and error. Preliminary results show that optimum locations of an actuator can be selected out of feasible regions according to the requirements of the problem, such as a higher GA, a higher efficiency, or a smaller transferred force from external force. Results include analysis of single and multiple cell wing structures and some experimental comparisons.
Large-displacement Closed-loop Control of Variable Area Electrostatic Actuation for Membrane Reflectors
Authors: Korde Umesh A.
Published: September 2008

Membrane mirrors may be attractive in some space applications where light weight, deployability, and conformability are desired. This article investigates large-displacement closed-loop control of electrostatically driven mirrors being used in focusing and steering of laser beams. The required transient response characteristics for the membrane response are achieved using a variable area, constant voltage actuation method, which may be advantageous in some applications. Our previous work on variable area control was restricted to membrane deflections not exceeding 1/3 (the available gap size), and assumed that a continuous area variation was available. In this article, the controller design is extended to enable deflections approaching the entire available gap size, which would help to bring down the voltage requirement for a prescribed deflection range. A Lyapunov function-based approach is used here along with a fully nonlinear dynamic model. Although a single-mode lumped parameter model is used, a feedforward technique to compensate for a class of residual modes is investigated in this paper. Also studied in this article is the use of a Lyapunov function-based framework to guide the design of a controller to handle step-wise/discrete area changes. A dynamic observer based on quad-cell beam-position detector measurements and a fully nonlinear plant model is also studied. The article discusses numerical simulation results, which show that the controllers under study are fairly successful at providing closed-loop deflections approaching the full gap size at the required bandwidth.
Thermodynamical Modeling of the Electromechanical Behavior of Ionic Polymer Metal Composites
Authors: Wallmersperger Thomas , Horstmann Antonia , Kroplin Bernd , Leo Donald J.
Published: September 2008

Ionomeric polymer transducers are a class of smart materials which exhibit electromechanical coupling when subjected to low voltage (<5 V) excitation. Generally these materials are soft actuators exhibiting large bending strains (>5%) but correspondingly low force output. The mechanisms producing electromechanical coupling have so far not been completely understood. It is clear from experimental and theoretical investigations that diffusion and migration of ionic species within the polymer are the main cause for electromechanical coupling. For this reason we have developed a thermodynamically based mechanical model — using chemo-electrical inputs — which is able to predict the mechanical output i.e., deformation, bending, etc. for a given applied voltage to the IPMC strip. The chemo-electrical transport model is capable of computing the charge density profile in space and time as well as the current flux for applied electric fields. Based upon thermodynamic laws, the mechanical model has been developed to describe the strain within the material. The mechanical stress in this model is accomplished by two terms of the charge density, a linear and a quadratic one. The linear term represents the volume displacement caused by the charge migration while the quadratic term stands for the electrostatic forces caused by charge imbalances in the material. In this paper, numerical investigations of the electromechanical model as well as displacement measurements have been performed. A comparison of numerical and experimental investigations shows a very good correlation. This confirms the quality and the validity of the developed model.
Impact Performance of Magnetorheological Fluids
Authors: Browne Alan L. , Mccleary Joseph D. , Namuduri Chandra S. , Webb Scott R.
Published: September 2008

As part of an emerging effort in what is now termed the area of mechamatronics (Browne et al., 2004), an effort was begun to assess the suitability of magnetorheological (MR) material-based devices for impact energy management applications. A fundamental property of MR materials is that their yield stress alters almost instantaneously (and proportionally) to changes in the strength of an applied magnetic field. Based on this property, MR-based devices, if found suitable, would be desirable for impact energy management applications because of attendant response tailorability. However, it was identified that prior to adopting MR-based devices for impact energy management applications several key issues needed to be addressed. The present study focuses on one of the most significant of these, the verification of the tunability of the response of such devices at stroking velocities representative of vehicular crashes. Impact tests using a free-flight drop tower facility were conducted on an MR-based energy absorber (shock absorber) for a range of impact velocities and magnetic field strengths. Results demonstrated that over the range of impact velocities tested — 1.0—10 m/s — the stroking force/energy absorption exhibited by the device remained dependent on, and thus could be modified by, changes in the strength of the applied magnetic field.
Rethinking Loci Communes and Burkean Transcendence
Authors: Olson Kathryn M.
Published: September 2008

In situations of potential business change, the cooperation of various direct and indirect stakeholders (i.e., employees, customers, shareholders, neighbors) is crucial. The alternative policy courses may all be reasonable, and yet none of them may be clearly best for all stakeholders; support for an option must be cultivated through public rhetoric. Loci communes and Burkean transcendence are two potent rhetorical strategies that can help business leaders publicly weigh and civilly advocate a policy position relative to competing alternatives. This article develops and illustrates that argument by analyzing the public rhetoric involved in AirTran's attempt to build support for its hostile takeover of Midwest Airlines and Midwest's successful resistance to that attempt. Midwest's deft development of the transcendent term value helped it circumvent the initial deadlock between its preferred loci communes (i.e., the existent and quality) and AirTran's (i.e., the possible and quantity). The article advances a rationale and call for rhetorical scholarship to adopt more situated, social practice views of loci communes and transcendence.
Models of Workplace Sexual Identity Disclosure and Management
Authors: Croteau James M. , Anderson Mary Z. , VanderWal Bonnie L.
Published: September 2008

This article advances the understanding of workplace sexual identity management for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals by examining three conceptual frameworks recently proposed in the organizational and psychological literature (Clair, Beatty, & MacLean, 2005; Lidderdale, Croteau, Anderson, Tovar-Murray, & Davis, 2007; Ragins, 2004, 2008). After exploring two of the models that are based in stigma theory and one that is based in social cognitive theory, the article addresses new directions for understanding and studying sexual identity in the workplace through expanding and clarifying the prior conceptual work in the three models. Specifically, directions for greater clarity in definitions of identity management are suggested, recommendations for the integration and extension of perspectives on the relationship of identity management and workplace climate are made, and the need for expanding notions of sexual identity itself is promoted.
A Man
Authors: Waymer Damion
Published: September 2008

“A Man” is an original text created by the author that deals with the struggles that Black men experience when confronted by White privilege. By using autoethnographic analysis, the author critiques the language, ironies, tensions, emotions, and opportunities expressed within “A Man,” then extends findings to confront the issues that Black men encounter in the way that they view and negotiate their identities. In general, findings of shared struggles among Black men provide possible interventions for legitimizing and representing Black men's lived experiences.
Death Comes
Authors: Young Margaret L.
Published: September 2008

“Death Comes” is a collection of related memories about death. There are few things as universal and at the same time as unique as the concept of death. So although this is a personal look at death, it speaks to the universal need we have to cling to our dead. It discusses the general fear of death and of letting go of someone we love. It talks about how we celebrate the life of those we have loved through ritual and passed on memories so that those who went before are not forgotten. And it speaks to our universal need to keep something of ourselves alive when we are gone.
The Embedded Narrative
Authors: Zilber Tammar B. , Tuval-Mashiach Rivka , Lieblich Amia
Published: September 2008

Narrative psychology theoreticians emphasized the importance of context to the construction, communication, and understanding of individuals' life stories. Still, the various contexts in which, and in reference to which, life stories are told, the methodological implications of the importance of context, and the possible interpretive moves explicating the different contexts have not been worked out. Thus, drawing on various theoretical formulations and exploring two case studies, the authors point to three spheres of contexts in which narrators situate their life stories: the immediate intersubjective relationships in which a narrative is produced; the collective social field in which one's life and story evolved; and the broad cultural meaning systems or meta narratives that underlie and give sense to any particular life story. The authors outline how to identify these spheres as represented and marked by narrators, and suggest possible interpretive moves in explicating them.
Petit Narratives
Authors: Young Margaret
Published: September 2008

This article is an autoethnography. It is not meant to be a self-involved collection of memories, but it is an exploration of universal experiences and how they are played out in the lives of specific women. It is unique not only because it is individual response to universal events, but also because it demonstrates very clearly how more than just gold is passed down from generation to generation. By looking at the écriture left by each of the generations, the universal themes of life, death, birth, relationships, and progress are brought to life in a new way. We can slowly gain new perspectives on how people survive and continue to thrive and the importance of passing along strength, passion, courage, and love along with material possessions. We have blithely and in many cases rightly abandoned the grand narratives espoused by our historians of the past. One way to replace them is by looking at the petit narratives of ordinary people responding to universal themes. These pieces passed on through generations help to insure our own immortality and give new generations something solid to hang onto.
A Handbook on Bears
Authors: Young Margaret L.
Published: September 2008

This article is an autopsychobiography. It is, therefore, as described by Dr. William Todd Schultz, a combination of psychological theory and biography and not quite either one because it looks at only one subject or unit of analysis, and it does not presume to tell an entire life story but merely a splinter from a life story. It is a post postmodern worldview that it seizes the moment to capture a story on paper (http://www.psychobiography.com/definitions2.html).
Improving Quality of Care in Cardiac Surgery: Evaluating Risk Factors, Processes of Care, Structures of Care, and Outcomes
Authors: Shroyer A. Laurie W. , McDonald Gerald O. , Wagner Brandie D. , Johnson Randy , Schade Lisa M. , Bell Missy R. , Grover Frederick L.
Published: September 2008

The 1985 release of hospital report cards by the Health Care Financing Administration awakened the public's awareness of variations in outcomes following patient treatment. In 1972, the Department of Veterans Affairs initiated an oversight process for all VA-based cardiac surgery programs. In response to Public Law 99-166, the Continuous Improvement in Cardiac Surgery Program (CICSP) national database was developed in 1987. This CICSP effort reported variations in outcomes across VA cardiac programs. In 1997, the CICSP expanded (CICSP-X) to identify the interrelationships of risk factors with processes and structures of care, as well as clinical outcomes. Based on VA findings to date, these quality improvement endeavors appear to have positively affected short-term and longer-term cardiac surgical outcomes. To advance a new patient-focused paradigm for continuous improvement in cardiac surgical care quality for all US citizens, an integrated data-driven reporting approach with broad-based participation should be implemented to optimally improve patient care.
Predicting Outcomes for Cardiac Surgery Patients After Intensive Care Unit Admission
Authors: Kramer Andrew A. , Zimmerman Jack E.
Published: September 2008

Most performance assessments of cardiac surgery programs use models based on preoperative risk factors. Models that were primarily developed to assess performance in general intensive care unit (ICU) populations have also been used to evaluate the quality of surgical, anesthetic, and ICU management after cardiac surgery. Although there are currently 5 models for evaluating general ICU populations, only the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) system has been independently validated for cardiac surgery patients. This review describes the evolution, rationale, and accuracy of APACHE models that are specific for cardiac surgery patients as well as for patients who have had vascular and thoracic procedures. In addition to performance comparisons based on observed and predicted mortality, APACHE provides similar comparisons of ICU and hospital lengths of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation. However, the low mortality incidence of many cardiac outcomes means that very large numbers of patients must be obtained to get good predictive models. Thus, the equations are not designed for predicting individual patients' outcome but have proven useful in performance comparisons and for quality improvement initiatives.
Clinical assessment of autism in high-risk 18-month-olds
Authors: Brian J. , Bryson S.E. , Garon N. , Roberts W. , Smith I.M. , Szatmari P. , Zwaigenbaum L.
Published: September 2008

Earlier intervention improves outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but existing identification tools are at the limits of standardization with 18-month-olds. We assessed potential behavioural markers of ASD at 18 months in a high-risk cohort of infant siblings of children with ASD. Prospective data were collected using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI) on 155 infant siblings and 73 low-risk controls at 18 months. Infants were classified into three groups (ASD sibs, non-ASD sibs, controls) based on blind best-estimate diagnosis at age 3. Fisher's exact tests, followed by discriminant function analyses, revealed that the majority of informative ADOS items came from the social and behavioural domains, and AOSI items measuring behavioural reactivity and motor control contributed additional information. Findings highlight the importance of considering not only social-communication deficits, but also basic dimensions of temperament including state regulation and motor control when assessing toddlers with suspected ASD.
Validation of the Infant—Toddler Checklist as a broadband screener for autism spectrum disorders from 9 to 24 months of age
Authors: Wetherby Amy M. , Brosnan-Maddox Susan , Peace Vickie , Newton Laura
Published: September 2008

There is an urgent requirement for the improvement of early detection of ASDs. This article provides a brief review of research on the accuracy of screeners for children with ASD that have been administered to general pediatric samples and then present results of a population-based study with a broadband screener to detect children with communication delays including children with ASD.
Visual disengagement in the infant siblings of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Authors: Ibanez Lisa V. , Messinger Daniel S. , Newell Lisa , Lambert Brittany , Sheskin Mark
Published: September 2008

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are impaired in visually disengaging attention in both social and non-social contexts. These impairments may, in subtler form, also affect the infant siblings of children with ASD (ASD-sibs). We investigated patterns of visual attention (gazing) in 6-month-old ASD-sibs ( n = 17) and the siblings of typically developing children (COMP-sibs: n =17) during the Face-to-Face/Still-Face Protocol (FFSF), in which parents are sequentially responsive, non-responsive, and responsive to their infants. Throughout the protocol, ASD-sibs shifted their gaze to and from their parents' faces less frequently than did COMP-sibs. The mean durations of ASD-sibs' gazes away from their parents' faces were longer than those of COMP-sibs. ASD-sibs and COMP-sibs did not differ in the mean durations of gazes at their parents' faces. In sum, ASD-sibs showed no deficits in visual interest to their parents' faces, but greater interest than COMP-sibs in non-face stimuli.
Atypical object exploration at 12 months of age is associated with autism in a prospective sample
Authors: Ozonoff Sally , Macari Suzanne , Young Gregory S. , Goldring Stacy , Thompson Meagan , Rogers Sally J.
Published: September 2008

This prospective study examined object exploration behavior in 66 12-month-old infants, of whom nine were subsequently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Previous investigations differ on when the repetitive behaviors characteristic of autism are first present in early development. A task was developed that afforded specific opportunities for a range of repetitive uses of objects and was coded blind to outcome status. The autism/ASD outcome group displayed significantly more spinning, rotating, and unusual visual exploration of objects than two comparison groups. The average unusual visual exploration score of the autism/ASD group was over four standard deviations above the mean of the group with no concerns at outcome. Repetitive behaviors at 12 months were significantly related to cognitive and symptomatic status at 36 month outcome. These results suggest that repetitive or stereotyped behaviors may be present earlier than initially thought in very young children developing the autism phenotype.
“They'll Change What They're Doing If They Know that You're Watching”: Measuring Reactivity in Health Behavior Because of an Observer's Presence— A Case from the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Harvey Steven A. , Olórtegui Maribel Paredes , Leontsini Elli , Winch Peter J.
Published: September 2008

Social scientists often employ direct observation to study human behavior, but a health researcher who proposes it may face considerable skepticism from colleagues. Concerns about reactivity lead many to question the validity of observational data. Because few studies have measured reactivity, evidence to evaluate this concern is limited. The authors report results from their systematic measurement of reactivity during a Peruvian malaria prevention study. In sixty observations over nine months, observers recorded all behavior they perceived as potentially reactive. The authors then assessed reactivity using iterative coding and analysis. Although they documented 339 reactivity episodes, only two involved behaviors related to study objectives. These findings are consistent with prior research and provide additional evidence that reactivity, though common, need not bias study results. The authors suggest strategies for assessing reactivity that can help reassure skeptics and reinforce the validity of observational data.
Combination of Pursuit Eye Movement Training With Prism Adaptation and Arm Movements in Neglect Therapy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Keller Ingo , Lefin-Rank Gudrun , Lösch Judith , Kerkhoff Georg
Published: September 2008

Objective. The aim of the present study was to determine if a combination of pursuit eye movement training to optokinetic stimulation (OKSP) and prism adaptation leads to greater improvement of neglect symptoms than a single application of OKSP. Additionally, the effect of ipsilesional arm movements during OKSP was tested. Methods. Ten patients with left-sided neglect due to unilateral right-sided vascular brain lesions were studied between 2 and 4.5 months after their stroke. Each patient received 4 different single-session treatments (each lasting 30 minutes): visual scanning treatment (control condition), OKSP, OKSP in conjunction with wearing base-left prisms inducing a shift of the visual field to the right by 10°, and OKSP in conjunction with the right to the left side. Severity of visuospatial neglect was assessed before and directly after each treatment with 4 standard neglect tests. Results. Visual scanning training improved neglect symptoms only slightly. Single OKSP stimulation led to significant improvements in all tests. OKSP in conjunction with prism adaptation was superior to the control condition in the cancellation task. The treatment condition requiring arm movements aggravated neglect symptoms in all tests. A comparison between treatments indicates best improvements may be achieved with OKSP without any additional treatment. Conclusions . The present results give evidence that OKSP significantly reduces symptoms of visuospatial neglect within 1 treatment session. The results suggest that patients should be prevented from performing ipsilesional movements during OKSP.
Keeping It Real
Authors: Love Sharon RedHawk
Published: September 2008

This article provides an overview of a women and criminal justice course designed to integrate a prison book drive into course content to connect scholarship and activism. The service-learning project is designed from a feminist criminology perspective. It is set up with a series of empowering activities, including preplanning, orienting the students to the project, meaningful work, inclusion of academic readings, reflective journals, and in-class discussions. The project also includes feedback opportunities for both the student as well as the community being served.
Paradigm Busters or Poor Cousins?
Authors: Moult Kelley
Published: September 2008

South Africa's postdemocracy period has seen profound shifts for gender research units, both in funding, and their relationships with government and their universities. Being almost entirely donor funded, but academically located, these units have to occupy the uncomfortable space at the intersection of academic freedom, acceptable outputs, and available funding. This article examines how these units negotiate these different (and often competing) agendas and evaluates how the current environment affects their ability to influence legislative reform and policy development. This article argues that these researchers and research units have been forced into an elite cluster, which struggle to negotiate the tension between survival, inclusion, and reform. It is further argued that the instability of the funding environment, and the consequently frenetic institutional context, not only cripples these units' ability to strategically engage in gender transformation, but also works against strong relationships among women's movement organizations, or a coordinated and unified gender movement more broadly.