bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the reappointment of cognitive responsibility in user-system dialogues
Authors: Fjeldstad Oystein D.
Published: February 2006

As the number of information system users increase, we are witnessing a related increase in the complexity and diversity of their applications. This complexity amplifies the degree of functional and technical understanding required of the user to productively use the application tools. Aspects related to this increased understanding include human memory requirements, system command interpretation and command formulation, and problem solving strategies. In most current system implementations the responsibility for obtaining an active understanding of the system and ensuring a correct and effective user-system dialogue resides with the user. This research will explore the feasibility of, and the necessary conditions for dynamic reapportionment of cognitive tasks in the human-system dialogue.
Software development productivity measurement
Authors: Kemerer Chris F.
Published: February 2006

As the demand for software continues to rise faster than our ability to train new information systems professionals, we must seek to improve the productivity of software developers. Improvement of productivity in this context means producing the same systems with a smaller amount of resources. The research focuses on two separate questions: 1) "What are the appropriate measures of the outputs and inputs essential to the development of information systems," and 2) "What are the relationships among the input factors affecting productivity?"
EDP controls and expert cognition
Authors: McNamara Ray
Published: February 2006

A major responsibility of systems designers and EDP auditors is to design and evaluate controls that increase the reliability of an information system. Fulfilling this responsibility is made more difficult by the rapid advances in computer technology and the new applications that result. The problem with adapting to these changes is absence of an explicit theory of control structure. This research is concerned with providing such a theory. Specifically, it addresses the question: "What elements make up an EDP control and how are these elements related?" The test of the theory recognizes that expert auditors and designers, while lacking an explicit theory of control structure, have subconsciously stored templates derived from their experience.
Effects of training approaches on motivation to use and comprehension of computer software
Authors: Olfman Lorne
Published: February 2006

Information systems managers have identified training as an important management area because of the ever increasing availability of software for use by those who are not information systems professionals. Previous research in this domain indicates the need for improved software training, but has not rigorously assessed the outcomes of different approaches to training. The research questions are as follows: How do different approaches to training managers to use a computer software language to develop and maintain their own decision-making models affect the outcomes of training? Do individual differences among these managers interact with the approach they receive?
Using simulation for the determination of the potential impact of inter-organizational systems
Authors: Rosenberg Sandy
Published: February 2006

Inter-Organizational Information Systems (IOS) have recently been receiving attention as a means of providing strategic advantage to industry. The goals of this research are twofold: to create a tool to aid in determining whether it would be advantageous to install an IOS in a given environment, and to attempt to discover under what conditions such a system would be successful.
The effects of information on incentives in health care
Authors: Soderstrom Naomi S.
Published: February 2006

This paper examines the use of Agency Theory and Information Economics Models to determine the types of information that should be used in an information system. Under examination is the payment system used by the federal government to reimburse hospitals for treatment of Medicare patients. Incentives for the government and hospitals as a result of a payment system will be examined and an information system will be developed which will help to alleviate some of the incentive problems that exist. Payment is currently on the basis of Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs). The DRGs are categories of illnesses, and hospitals receive different amounts of money for each DRG.
A view creation system for database design
Authors: Storey Veda
Published: February 2006

A user view is a representation of reality relevant to a particular user or group of users for a specific purpose. User views are particularly important to logical data base design because they dictate what data and relationships are to be made available to the users. Historically, the generation of user views has relied heavily upon human experience and judgment rather than mechanistic algorithms. Therefore, the research question being addressed is: "Can the process of generating user views be automated in order to increase the quality and consistency of data base design while relying less on scarce expert human skills?"
Towards a unified algebraic view of structured systems development models
Authors: Tse T. H.
Published: February 2006

Various models have been proposed under the name of structured systems development. They are widely accepted by practising systems developers based of their simplicity of use and ease of communication. Because of the lack of a theoretical framework, however, transition from one model to another is arbitrary and can only be done manually. Automatic development aids tend to be
ad hoc
and model-dependent. There is a need, therefore, to provide a unified framework for the structured models.
An experimental investigation of the persuasive impact of computer-generated presentation graphics
Authors: Vogel Doug
Published: February 2006

Computer generated presentation graphics have become a tool to aid in communicating management information, and have been credited with causing an audience to accept a point of view or take action. The problem is that technological capability has signficantly exceeded user understanding and effective application of computer generated graphics. Vendor inspired claims of impact, influence, and persuasive capability, commonplace in the commerical literature, are rarely based on scientific fact. MIS business graphics research to date has emphasized
support
for decision making. The research question is: "How does the use of computer generated business graphics effectively impact the persuasiveness of presentations?"
A preference elicitation strategy for multicriteria decision aiding
Authors: Widmeyer George R.
Published: February 2006

The management science literature provides many techniques and models for multicriteria decision making (MCDM) that can be incorporated into a decision support system (DSS). The hypothesis of this research is that a non-numeric representation of preference can be used by a DSS to direct the questioning of a decision maker in solving an MCDM problem.
MIDDLE-R
Authors: Patiño-Martinez Marta , Jiménez-Peris Ricardo , Kemme Bettina , Alonso Gustavo
Published: February 2006

The widespread use of clusters and Web farms has increased the importance of data replication. In this article, we show how to implement consistent and scalable data replication at the middleware level. We do this by combining transactional concurrency control with group communication primitives. The article presents different replication protocols, argues their correctness, describes their implementation as part of a generic middleware, Middle-R, and proves their feasibility with an extensive performance evaluation. The solution proposed is well suited for a variety of applications including Web farms and distributed object platforms.
N-Acetylglucosamine Reduces Inflammatory Response during Acute Peritonitis in Uremic Rats
Authors: Breborowicz A. , Polubinska A. , Wu G. , Tam P. , Oreopoulos D.G.
Published: February 2006

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) induces intraperitoneal inflammation and that process may be uremia. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of ure- mia on the kinetics of peritonitis and furthermore test the anti-inflammatory potential of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) in a uremic environment. Methods: Experiments were performed on healthy Wistar rats and on animals with impaired renal function. Acute PD was performed in all animals with dialysis fluid containing either glucose (GLU) or NAG as osmotic solutes. Peritonitis was induced by addition of lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli (LPS) to the dialysis fluid. Transperitoneal transport of water and solutes as well as intraperitoneal and systemic inflammation were evaluated. Results: Uremia reduces peritoneal permeability to total protein during peritonitis (–33% vs. control, p < 0.001) and increases net ultrafiltration (+2.5 ± 2.2 vs. –2.7 ± 3.2 ml in control, p < 0.001). In uremic rats with peritonitis, reduced dialysate levels of the following inflammatory mediators were detected as compared to healthy animals: MCP-1 (–15%, p < 0.01); IL-1β (–53%, p < 0.001), and elastase (–28%, p < 0.02). In the serum of uremic rats, the increase in TNFα and MCP-1 concentrations was smaller than in control rats: –44% (p < 0.02) and –39% (p < 0.001), respectively. NAG used as an osmotic solute in rats with preserved renal function decreases intraperitoneal and systemic inflammation during acute peritonitis. Drained dialysate volume was increased in the NAG group by 32% (p < 0.001) and transperitoneal loss of protein was reduced by 21% (p < 0.002). When NAG was used as the osmotic solute instead of GLU, intraperitoneal inflammation in uremic animals was further reduced: TNFα (–40%, p < 0.05); IL-1β (–49%, p < 0.005); MCP-1 (–21%, p < 0.005). The presence of NAG also reduced the increased blood level of IL-1β (–47%,p < 0.02) and MCP-1 (–36%, p < 0.02). Conclusions: Intensity of acute peritonitis is reduced during uremia. NAG exerts a systemic and peritoneal anti-inflammatory action under conditions of uremia that confirms the potential use of this compound as an osmotic agent in the PD fluids that also decreases inflammation.
Age Is Not a Limiting Factor for Midurethral Sling Procedures in the Elderly with Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Ku Ja Hyeon , Oh Jin Gyu , Shin Jae Wook , Kim Soo Woong , Paick Jae-Seung
Published: February 2006

Objective: The object was to evaluate clinical outcome of the midurethral sling procedures in the elderly compared with middle-aged women. Methods: A total of 266 women who underwent midurethral sling procedures with at least follow-up greater than 6 months were included in the study. Patients were divided as the elderly group (65 years old or older, n = 60) and the middle-aged group (45–64 years old, n = 206). Results: Although postoperative urge symptoms were more prevalent in the elderly group (25.0%) than in the middle-aged group (6.3%), there were no significant differences between the two groups for the rates of postoperative urge incontinence (p = 0.159). Stress incontinence was cured by 91.3% in the middle-aged group and 85.0% in the elderly group, respectively (p = 0.158). Conclusions: Age does not seem to be a significant risk factor for failure of midurethral sling procedures.
The Influence of Mastoidectomy on Natural History of Secretory Otitis Media in Cochlear Implant Children
Authors: Migirov Lela , Amir Achiya , Kronenberg Jona
Published: February 2006

Secretory otitis media (SOM) is a common childhood disease. The goal of the present study was to determine the influence of mastoidectomy on the incidence of postimplantation SOM in cochlear implant children. We conducted a retrospective study of all the children up to the age of 8 years, who underwent cochlear implantation from 1993 to 2001 in our department. The children were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique used for the implantation: 94 children underwent implantation with the posterior tympanotomy approach (including mastoidectomy) and 48 children were implanted with a suprameatal approach (without mastoidectomy). The incidence of SOM before and after the implantation was compared between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two study groups in terms of age and the pre- and postimplantation incidence of SOM. Mastoidectomy failed to demonstrate any influence on the natural history of SOM.
Autologous Fat Augmentation for Voice and Swallow Improvement after Cordectomy
Authors: Guven Mehmet , Suoglu Yusufhan , Kıyak Erkan , Demir Deniz
Published: February 2006

Surgery for the treatment of early-stage glottic carcinoma still remains a valid option. In most patients, newly formed neocord tissue preserves glottic functions, but in some patients an important glottic gap leading to glottic insufficiency may occur. In our study, 11 patients who had serious glottic insufficiency after endoscopic laser and laryngofissure cordectomy were treated with autologous fat injection (AFI) into the neocord tissue for voice and swallowing rehabilitation. One patient did not attend the first control visit and was excluded from the study. The remaining 10 patients were evaluated in the preoperative and postoperative periods for phonatory functions and efficacy of AFI by videolaryngostroboscopy and computerized acoustic analysis. Phonatory functions showed statistically significant improvement in the shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio, maximum phonation time and fundamental frequency. Perceptual ratings (GRBAS scale) also showed statistically significant improvement in all 5 parameters. Despite improvement in glottic closure, the mucosal wave deteriorated. Due to recurrence of symptoms of glottic insufficiency, AFI was repeated in 2 patients at the third and fifth months, respectively. One year later, the AFI resulted in successful rehabilitation of swallowing in all patients. The probability of resorption of autologous fat and the deterioration of the mucosal wave after AFI remain a problem, but re-injection can be done easily. As AFI is an easy, safe and cheap method, we concluded that it is a promising alternative procedure for managing voice problems after laser or laryngofissure cordectomy defects.
Localized Sources Maintaining Atrial Fibrillation Organized by Prior Ablation
Authors: Haïssaguerre Michel , Hocini Mélèze , Sanders Prashanthan , Takahashi Yoshihide , Rotter Martin , Sacher Frederic , Rostock Thomas , Hsu Li-Fern , Jonsson Anders , O’Neill Mark D. , Bordachar Pierre , Reuter Sylvain , Roudaut Raymond , Clémenty Jacques , Jaïs Pierre
Published: February 2006

Background—

Endocardial mapping of localized sources driving atrial fibrillation (AF) in humans has not been reported.

Methods and Results—

Fifty patients with AF organized by prior pulmonary vein and linear ablation were studied. AF was considered organized if mapping during AF showed irregular but discrete atrial complexes exhibiting consistent activation sequences for >75% of the time using a 20-pole catheter with 5 radiating spines covering 3.5-cm diameter or sequential conventional mapping. A site or region centrifugally activating the remaining atrial tissue defined a source. During AF with a cycle length of 211±32 ms, activation mapping identified 1 to 3 sources at the origin of atrial wavefronts in 38 patients (76%) predominantly in the left atrium, including the coronary sinus region. Electrograms at the earliest area varied from discrete centrifugal activation to an activity spanning 75% to 100% of the cycle length in 42% of cases, the latter indicating complex local conduction or a reentrant circuit. A gradient of cycle length (>20 ms) to the surrounding atrium was observed in 28%. Local radiofrequency ablation prolonged AF cycle length by 28±22 ms and either terminated AF or changed activation sequence to another organized rhythm. In 4 patients, the driving source was isolated, surrounded by the atrium in sinus rhythm, and still firing at high frequency (228±31 ms) either permanently or in bursts.

Conclusions—

AF associated with consistent atrial activation sequences after prior ablation emanates mostly from localized sources that can be mapped and ablated. Some sources harbor electrograms suggesting the presence of localized reentry.
Arterial Stiffness and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke
Authors: Mattace-Raso Francesco U.S. , van der Cammen Tischa J.M. , Hofman Albert , van Popele Nicole M. , Bos Michiel L. , Schalekamp Maarten A.D.H. , Asmar Roland , Reneman Robert S. , Hoeks Arnold P.G. , Breteler Monique M.B. , Witteman Jacqueline C.M.
Published: February 2006

Background—

Arterial stiffness has been associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease in selected groups of patients. We evaluated whether arterial stiffness is a predictor of coronary heart disease and stroke in a population-based study among apparently healthy subjects.

Methods and Results—

The present study included 2835 subjects participating in the third examination phase of the Rotterdam Study. Arterial stiffness was measured as aortic pulse wave velocity and carotid distensibility. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to compute hazard ratios. During follow-up, 101 subjects developed coronary heart disease (mean follow-up period, 4.1 years), and 63 subjects developed a stroke (mean follow-up period, 3.2 years). The risk of cardiovascular disease increased with increasing aortic pulse wave velocity index. Hazard ratios and corresponding 95% CIs of coronary heart disease for subjects in the second and third tertiles of the aortic pulse wave velocity index compared with subjects in the reference category were 1.72 (0.91 to 3.24) and 2.45 (1.29 to 4.66), respectively, after adjustment for age, gender, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. Corresponding estimates for stroke were 1.22 (0.55 to 2.70) and 2.28 (1.05 to 4.96). Estimates decreased only slightly after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, carotid intima-media thickness, the ankle-arm index, and pulse pressure. The aortic pulse wave velocity index provided additional predictive value above cardiovascular risk factors, measures of atherosclerosis, and pulse pressure. Carotid distensibility as measured in this study was not independently associated with cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions—

Aortic pulse wave velocity is an independent predictor of coronary heart disease and stroke in apparently healthy subjects.
Projected Valve Area at Normal Flow Rate Improves the Assessment of Stenosis Severity in Patients With Low-Flow, Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Blais Claudia , Burwash Ian G. , Mundigler Gerald , Dumesnil Jean G. , Loho Nicole , Rader Florian , Baumgartner Helmut , Beanlands Rob S. , Chayer Boris , Kadem Lyes , Garcia Damien , Durand Louis-Gilles , Pibarot Philippe
Published: February 2006

Background—

We sought to investigate the use of a new parameter, the projected effective orifice area (EOA
proj
) at normal transvalvular flow rate (250 mL/s), to better differentiate between truly severe (TS) and pseudo-severe (PS) aortic stenosis (AS) during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Changes in various parameters of stenosis severity have been used to differentiate between TS and PS AS during DSE. However, the magnitude of these changes lacks standardization because they are dependent on the variable magnitude of the transvalvular flow change occurring during DSE.

Methods and Results—

The use of EOA
proj
to differentiate TS from PS AS was investigated in an in vitro model and in 23 patients with low-flow AS (indexed EOA <0.6 cm
2
/m
2
, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%) undergoing DSE and subsequent aortic valve replacement. For an individual valve, EOA was plotted against transvalvular flow (Q) at each dobutamine stage, and valve compliance (VC) was derived as the slope of the regression line fitted to the EOA versus Q plot; EOA
proj
was calculated as EOA
proj
=EOA
rest
+VC×(250−Q
rest
), where EOA
rest
and Q
rest
are the EOA and Q at rest. Classification between TS and PS was based on either response to flow increase (in vitro) or visual inspection at surgery (in vivo). EOA
proj
was the most accurate parameter in differentiating between TS and PS both in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, 15 of 23 patients (65%) had TS and 8 of 23 (35%) had PS. The percentage of correct classification was 83% for EOA
proj
and 91% for indexed EOA
proj
compared with percentages of 61% to 74% for the other echocardiographic parameters usually used for this purpose.

Conclusions—

EOA
proj
provides a standardized evaluation of AS severity with DSE and improves the diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing TS and PS AS in patients with low-flow, low-gradient AS.
Mechanisms of Wave Fractionation at Boundaries of High-Frequency Excitation in the Posterior Left Atrium of the Isolated Sheep Heart During Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Kalifa Jérôme , Tanaka Kazuhiko , Zaitsev Alexey V. , Warren Mark , Vaidyanathan Ravi , Auerbach David , Pandit Sandeep , Vikstrom Karen L. , Ploutz-Snyder Robert , Talkachou Arkadzi , Atienza Felipe , Guiraudon Gérard , Jalife José , Berenfeld Omer
Published: February 2006

Background—

High-frequency fractionated electrograms recorded during atrial fibrillation (AF) in the posterior left atrium (PLA) and elsewhere are being used as target sites for catheter ablation. We tested the hypothesis that highly periodic electric waves emerging from AF sources at or near the PLA give rise to the most fractionated activity in adjacent locations.

Methods and Results—

Sustained AF was induced in 8 isolated sheep hearts (0.5 μmol/L acetylcholine). Endocardial videoimaging (DI-4-ANEPPS) and electric mapping of the PLA enabled spatial characterization of dominant frequencies (DFs) and a regularity index (ratio of DF to total power). Regularity index showed that fractionation was lowest within the area with the maximal DF (DFmax domain; 0.19±0.02) and highest within a band of &3 mm (0.16±0.02;
P
=0.047) at boundaries with lower-frequency domains. The numbers of spatiotemporal periodic episodes (25.9±2.3) and rotors per experiment (1.9±0.7) were also highest within the DFmax domain. Most commonly, breakthrough waves at the PLA traveled toward the rest of the atria (76.8±8.1% outward versus 23.2±8.1% inward;
P
<0.01). In both experiments and simulations with an atrial ionic model, fractionation at DFmax boundaries was associated with increased beat-to-beat variability of conduction velocity and directionality with wavebreak formation.

Conclusions—

During stable AF, the PLA harbors regular, fast, and highly organized activity; the outer limit of the DFmax domain is the area where the most propagation pattern variability and fractionated activity occur. These new concepts introduce a new perspective in the clinical use of high-frequency fractionated electrograms to localize sources of AF precisely at the PLA and elsewhere.
Histone Acetyltransferase Activity of p300 Is Required for the Promotion of Left Ventricular Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction in Adult Mice In Vivo
Authors: Miyamoto Shoichi , Kawamura Teruhisa , Morimoto Tatsuya , Ono Koh , Wada Hiromichi , Kawase Yosuke , Matsumori Akira , Nishio Ryosuke , Kita Toru , Hasegawa Koji
Published: February 2006

Background—

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction is associated with hypertrophy of surviving myocytes and represents a major process that leads to heart failure. One of the intrinsic histone acetyltransferases, p300, serves as a coactivator of hypertrophy-responsive transcriptional factors such as a cardiac zinc finger protein GATA-4 and is involved in its hypertrophic stimulus-induced acetylation and DNA binding. However, the role of p300-histone acetyltransferase activity in LV remodeling after myocardial infarction in vivo is unknown.

Methods and Results—

To solve this problem, we have generated transgenic mice overexpressing intact p300 or mutant p300 in the heart. As the result of its 2–amino acid substitution in the p300-histone acetyltransferase domain, this mutant lost its histone acetyltransferase activity and was unable to activate GATA-4–dependent transcription. The two kinds of transgenic mice and the wild-type mice were subjected to myocardial infarction or sham operation at the age of 12 weeks. Intact p300 transgenic mice showed significantly more progressive LV dilation and diminished systolic function after myocardial infarction than wild-type mice, whereas mutant p300 transgenic mice did not show this.

Conclusions—

These findings demonstrate that cardiac overexpression of p300 promotes LV remodeling after myocardial infarction in adult mice in vivo and that histone acetyltransferase activity of p300 is required for these processes.
Analysis of Mean Climate Conditions in Senegal (1971–98)
Authors: Fall Souleymane , Niyogi Dev , Semazzi Fredrick H. M.
Published: February 2006

This paper presents a GIS-based analysis of climate variability over Senegal, West Africa. It responds to the need for developing a climate atlas that uses local observations instead of gridded global analyses. Monthly readings of observed rainfall (20 stations) and mean temperature (12 stations) were compiled, digitized, and quality assured for a period from 1971 to 1998. The monthly, seasonal, and annual temperature and precipitation distributions were mapped and analyzed using ArcGIS Spatial Analyst. A north–south gradient in rainfall and an east–west gradient in temperature variations were observed. June exhibits the greatest variability for both quantity of rainfall and number of rainy days, especially in the western and northern parts of the country. Trends in precipitation and temperature were studied using a linear regression analysis and interpolation maps. Air temperature showed a positive and significant warming trend throughout the country, except in the southeast. A significant correlation is found between the temperature index for Senegal and the Pacific sea surface temperatures during the January–April period, especially in the El Niño zone. In contrast to earlier regional-scale studies, precipitation does not show a negative trend and has remained largely unchanged, with a few locations showing a positive trend, particularly in the northeastern and southwestern regions. This study reveals a need for more localized climate analyses of the West Africa region because local climate variations are not always captured by large-scale analysis, and such variations can alter conclusions related to regional climate change.
The Rhetorical Impact of Evil on Public Policy
Authors: Anderson Jonathan F.
Published: February 2006

The concept of evil is murky, colored as it is with religious undertones and ontological ramifications. Are actions or peopleevil ? Is it intention or outcome that matters?Evil can be understood as an intense exploitative connection with another person or a total disconnection with the humanity of others. Normally, it is limited to human actions toward other humans. The term is used to conceptually separate people designated asevil fromthe rest of humanity. Rhetorical use ofevil is an example of sensemaking—it places the incomprehensible within an understandable framework. A designation ofevil may also be used to preclude causal analysis. In public policy, its use constructs a worldview that permits, or even demands, undertaking otherwise proscribed actions to destroy the designatedevil. By enabling the commission of what would otherwise be understood as inhumane actions, the rhetorical use of evil facilitates the very behavior it condemns.
Appointment Delay and the Policy Environment of the National Transportation Safety Board
Authors: Nixon David C. , Bentley Roisin M.
Published: February 2006

Appointments to regulatory agencies are rarely the subject of empirical analysis, and when they are scrutinized, the focus is institutional factors. Instead, the authors examine the policy environment to determine if external factors influence the appointment process. To illustrate this, accident rates are analyzed to determine their effect on appointment duration at the National Transportation Safety Board. The most important explanatory variable for delay is a statutorily required cross-party nomination—an institutional factor. However, the policy environment is also important: A 1 standard deviation increase in the accident rate leads to a 30% increase in vacancy duration for the agency.
Sensing Behavior of Varied Stoichiometry Single Crystal Fe-Ga
Authors: Atulasimha Jayasimha , Flatau Alison B. , Kellogg Rick A.
Published: February 2006

Iron-Gallium (Fe-Ga) alloys are promising materials for sensing applications. However, the mechanical and magnetic properties of these materials vary significantly with the percentage of gallium, which motivates this study on the effect of stoichiometry on the behavior of Fe-Ga alloys. Major loop compressive tests (loading to 110MPa and unloading, at magnetic fields ranging from 0 to 891 Oe) were performed on single crystal 19 and 24% Ga samples with longitudinal axis in the [100] direction. The effect of% Ga on the magnetomechanical properties is discussed. Furthermore, the magnetic interaction between the Fe-Ga sample and the remainder of the magnetic circuit is modeled.
Magnetostriction of Stress-annealed Fe-Ga and Fe-Ga-Al Alloys under Compressive and Tensile Stress
Authors: Wun-Fogle M. , Restorff J. B. , Clark A. E.
Published: February 2006

The addition of Al and Ga to b.c.c. Fe increases the magnetostriction of Fe in the [100] direction (a factor of 12 for Fe81Ga19). The Fe-based magnetostrictive materials are machineable, mechanically tough, and saturate in fields of only a few hundred Oersteds, even under compressive loads up to 97 MPa. The effect of annealing single crystal Fe86.9Ga4.1Al9.0 and Fe86.9Ga8.7Al4.4 and polycrystalline Fe81.6Ga18.4 rods under compressive stress of 100MPa for 10 min at temperatures between 625 and 750 C were examined. After annealing, all samples showed nearly full performance at near-zero stresses and tensile stresses up to 20 MPa, allowing tough wide-bandwidth magnetomechanical devices.
Transient Dynamics of Semiactive Suspensions with Hybrid Control
Authors: Ahmadian Mehdi , Vahdati Nader
Published: February 2006

The effect of hybrid control technique on transient dynamics of semiactive vehicle suspensions is studied analytically, using a quarter-car model. Hybrid semiactive control refers to a technique that mathematically combines the commonly used skyhook and groundhook control methods. The transient analysis includes an evaluation of the effect of hybrid control on different aspects of the suspension dynamics, vehicle body response, and axle dynamics, due to a step input at the wheel. The damper force–velocity trajectories, vehicle body and axle response, and vehicle body jerk are among the metrics that are examined as part of this analysis. The results of the study show that several tradeoffs exist between the transient response of the vehicle body and the axle. The tradeoffs can be adjusted through changing the hybrid control gain, which shifts the emphasis on skyhook and groundhook controls. The results further indicate that, in balance, hybrid control can be more effective in controlling suspension dynamics than either skyhook or groundhook control.
Building a Shared Virtual Learning Culture
Authors: Starke-Meyerring Doreen , Andrews Deborah
Published: February 2006

Business professionals increasingly use digital tools to collaborate across multiple cultures, locations, and time zones. Success in this complex environment depends on a shared culture that facilitates the making of knowledge and the best contributions of all team members. To prepare managers for such communication, the authors designed and implemented a semester-long intercultural virtual team project between a management communication course in the United States and one in Canada. To prevent faultlines between subgroups on each campus, the authors set a clear outcome for students’ research, established equity between the two sites, structured assignments so that students worked interdependently across sites”, and encouraged inclusive communication. Faculty considering such a partnership should incorporate a robust collaborative workspace, incorporate preliminary exercises before a large project, provide intensive mentoring and instruction on peer review, arrange for a real visit or videoconference between locations, and expect the project to be both fun and demanding.
Evaluation of the Occupational Exposure to Glutaraldehyde in some Endoscopic Services in an Italian Hospital
Authors: Pacenti M. , Dugheri S. , Pieraccini G. , Boccalon P. , Arcangeli G. , Cupelli V.
Published: February 2006

The aim of this work was to evaluate airborne glutaraldehyde exposure and so to organise efficiently the prevention of risks due to the manipulation of this substance in endoscope units in the medical facilities. Personal sampling in the breathing zone of the workers were taken for 2min in sixteen endoscope units in a hospital during the replacement of glutaraldehyde in basins, tubes and automatic endoscope washing machines (lavaendoscopes). Sampling was performed by solid phase microextraction (SPME); the analysis of the glutaraldehyde-derivative was by gas chromatography. The highest levels of glutaraldehyde were observed in rooms without ventilation and where local aspiration systems were used during filling of basins, tubes and lavaendoscopes with 2% glutaraldehyde solution. The results obtained during this campaign of measurements allowed us to point out the operations which have the highest degree of risk for employees and to suggest suitable measures for prevention and individual protection.
Monitoring Infection Complications Associated with Intravascular Therapy in the Children’s Memorial Health Institute
Authors: Pawinska Alicja , Grochowska Monika , Piedgon Grażyna , Dzierzanowska Danuta
Published: February 2006

The aim of this study was to monitor the incidence and the aetiology of central venous catheter (CVC) associated infection. The study was conducted from 1 January 2004 through to 31 December 2004 in 12 departments of the Children’s Memorial Health Institute (CMHI) and included children with all types of CVCs. The data from three sources were collected and analysed: 1) the Hospital Infections Registration System – to estimate the frequency of the catheter acquired bloodstream infections (CA-BSIs), 2) the microbiological records – to estimate the type of microorganisms colonising the catheters and the resistance to antibiotics, 3) the ‘Patients with CVCs Observation Cards’ – to analyse the complications associated with the presence of a catheter in the central vein. The rate of the CA-BSIs was 1 sepsis per 1000 catheter-days. The organisms most frequently colonising the catheters were: Staphylococci(69%), Gram-negative bacilli (19%), Enterococci(9%) and Candida spp. (3%). The most active antibiotics against Staphylococci were vancomycin and netilmycin and against Gram-negative bacilli were imipenem, ciprofloxacin and piperacillin/tazobactam. We have analysed the data from 961 of the ‘patients with CVC Observation Cards’. Complications associated with the presence of catheters were observed in 188 patients: pain (119 cases), lack of aspiration (89), oedema (32), pus (19) and induration (17). In 21 patients catheters were removed because of infections. Surveying the intravenously treated patient population allowed us to identified lapses in patient-care and infection-control practices and to improve preventative measures and the care of the patients with CVCs.
Specific Problems in Perinatal Infections: A Literature Review
Authors: Correia Neil
Published: February 2006

Although the level of infectious diseases has considerably reduced over time they still remain an important cause of both maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal infections are the fifth leading cause of maternal death and are believed to be the fifth leading cause of death in neonates. Infectious disease is largely preventable and treatable, and as such, reducing the incidence and severity of these infections is a reasonable and achievable goal. Maternal infections range from the relatively innocuous genitourinary tract infections to sepsis and septic shock. Serious infections include those due to Group B streptococci, necrotising enterocolitis and HIV. Group B streptococcal infections can cause several disease states, including pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis in neonates and newborns. With universal application of screening and prophylaxis protocols, this disease can be drastically reduced. Necrotising enterocolitis is a multi-factorial process with an infectious component. While the infectious agents may vary and may not be directly treatable, there are some methods of prevention. Perinatal HIV infection rates have been shown to decrease dramatically with the administration of AZT and nevirapine. Given the fact that the nevirapine protocol is easy to administer, can be initiated at the onset of labour to the mother and from 48–72h post partum to the infant, is less expensive and is quite effective, initiation of this as the standard of care world-wide should greatly reduce the incidence of perinatal transmission of HIV.
Microbiological Control of Airborne Contamination in Hospitals
Authors: Fleischer M. , Bober-Gheek B. , Bortkiewicz O. , Rusiecka-Ziólkowskaa J.
Published: February 2006

Air samples from ten conventionally ventilated operating rooms were taken simultaneously by the sedimentation method and by the air sampler. The investigations showed that the number of colony forming units per cubic metre obtained with the sedimentation method was, on average, lower than those found with the impactor sampler (p 0.03). The most commonly isolated pathogenic species of bacteria were: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus z gr. B, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter lwoffii and Alcaligenes faecalis. The dominant fungal species were Penicillium spp. and Cladosporium spp. When Tryptic Soy Agar with neutralising agents was used, the number of detected airborne micro-organisms was greater (p 0.01).
Use of Ozone to Reduce Bacteria and Moulds in the Air and on Surfaces
Authors: Klánová Kateùina , Lajèíková Ariana
Published: February 2006

The concentrations of bacteria and moulds in the air decreased to undetectable levels in experiments with ozone and UV radiation. When exposed, in all of the species tested, viability on surfaces varied depending on the concentration and species of micro-organisms. At a concentration of less than 50cm -2, all species of micro-organisms were susceptible to the ozone and UV treatments at the laboratory table. At the concentration of 105cm-2, the most effective was ozone for Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while Bacillus subtilis was relatively more resistant. Compared with ozone treatment, the application of UV radiation was less effective on micro-organisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus when the micro-organisms were placed under the laboratory table.
Use of CFD Analysis in Modifying a TB Ward in Lima, Peru
Authors: Noakes C. J. , Sleigh P. A. , Escombe A. R. , Beggs C. B.
Published: February 2006

The high world-wide prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and the increase in multi-drug resistant strains (MDRTB) have prompted increased interest in engineering control solutions such as ventilation system design and the use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). This study considers the contribution of the ventilation airflow to the transmission of TB, and uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to examine how changes in the design of a ward, in Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo, Lima, Peru may reduce the transmission of TB from patients to health-care workers, visitors and other patients. The results of this study were used to advise the architects and engineers in the remodelling of the ward.
Practical Training on Nosocomial Infections in a Hospital Environment
Authors: Sobotová Ĺubica , Nosková Táňa , Voleková Janka , Ághová Ĺubica
Published: February 2006

Hygienic care of health facilities is an important topic in the pre-graduate education of medical students. During practical sessions students obtain theoretical and practical knowledge about the problems of nosocomial and iatrogenic infections. The aim of the present study was to find out how well the students have understood the problems of risk factors, origins and spread of disease and their influence on both patients and hospital personnel. The major task was to evaluate the students theoretical knowledge and practical skills in hygienic care of health facilities and to improve procedures presented in further education. A questionnaire was prepared suitable for groups of 7–8 students, assessing the level of hygiene in a hospital ward in conformity with the Ministry of Health Law (1995) concerning operation and hygiene requirements in health facilities. The sample studied comprised 200 respondents, students of general medicine in the fourth course of their study and 37 departments in the hospital wards of faculty hospitals. In completing the questionnaire students noted, on a five point scale, that more than 50% of most hygiene procedures were always done showing that the principles of preventive measures against nosocomial infections were properly observed in selected hospital wards. In a “field visit” to a hospital ward practical tasks were performed that included assessment and evaluation of the microclimate, intrusive noise and microbial contamination of the indoor air. Results varied from ward to ward. Contamination was worse in internal and neurological departments, it was better in surgical and psychiatric departments. The most frequent nosocomial infections were respiratory and urological infections.
Bioaerosol Production on a Respiratory Ward
Authors: Roberts K. , Hathway A. , Fletcher L. A. , Beggs C. B. , Elliott M. W. , Sleigh P. A.
Published: February 2006

Although much hospital acquired infection is associated with person-to-person contact, there is increasing evidence that some nosocomial infections may be transmitted via the airborne route. However, the knowledge base concerning airborne microflora in hospitals is poor. In particular, there is a need for good quality data relating bioaerosol production to clinical activity in hospital wards. A short aerobiological survey was therefore undertaken by the authors on a respiratory ward at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds in order to gain an understanding of the relationship between activity and bioaerosol production. This survey involved regular microbiological and particulate (0.3–5 m) sampling of the ward air, together with an observational study of ward activity. Two identical four-bed ward bays were surveyed, one containing high dependency patients who regularly used noninvasive ventilators (NIVs), and the other containing patients who did not require mechanical ventilation. The survey found a correlation between activity and aerosol production.
The Effect of Humidity on the Survival of MRSA on Hard Surfaces
Authors: Makison C. , Swan J.
Published: February 2006

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is an ongoing clinical problem world-wide and a recognised cause of nosocomial infection. In the UK it has been reported that approximately 100,000 patients acquire nosocomial infections per annum, of which 6000 die [1]. If MRSA survives for long periods in health-care environments, this may contribute to infection transmission from fomites.

We evaluated the effect of humidity on the survival of MRSA on five different hard surfaces commonly found in health-care establishments. Adjusting the humidity of such environments may provide an inexpensive way of reducing MRSA prevalence. Tiles (1cm2) of five surface types including wood and Formica were inoculated with 5 105–5 106 ATCC EMRSA15 cells suspended in PBS with 1% BSA. EMRSA15 was chosen as it is the most common of two prevalent strains in UK hospitals. Multiple samples of each surface type were then incubated at 42%, 52% and 65% relative humidity (RH) at 23°C (room temperature). Cells from samples of each surface type were re-suspended; agar plates were inoculated and incubated overnight at 37°C and the number of colonies counted. Samples were taken every day for the first week, twice weekly for the following 2 weeks and once a week thereafter. Numbers of viable cells decreased over time from 5105–5106 at day one to below 2 104 by day 22. Minor differences in the rate of decline occurred with different humidities and surface types, generally showing a steep decline in numbers in the first 10 days and a slower decline thereafter. After 57 days numbers were less than 600 but some still persisted.
Producing a ‘cognition’
Authors: Antaki Charles
Published: February 2006

Many professional assessment devices (questionnaires, interview schedules and so on) are designed to harvest informants’ cognitions as stable, internally-represented, information-processed conceptions of the world. If one dissents from this notion of what beliefs, knowledge and opinions are, then one is freer to see how they are produced, in interaction, as artefacts that serve some interactional (and, in the case of the interview I consider here) institutional purpose. I give an example from the recording of the ‘cognitions’ of a person with a learning disability, and try to show how they are shaped by institutional requirements as to what is to count as recordable in the circumstances. ‘In the circumstances’ is an analyst’s stance: for the members involved, the cognitions are rock-solid discoveries, and will remain so until challenged.
The social ontology of intentions
Authors: Duranti Alessandro
Published: February 2006

This article addresses the issue of how to develop a theory of interpretation of social action (discourse included) that takes into consideration culture-specific claims about intentions while simultaneously allowing for a pan-human, universal dimension of intentionality. It is argued that to achieve such a goal, it is necessary to agree on a basic definition of intentionality and on the conditions that allow for its investigation. After briefly discussing the limitations of applying an (English-based) ‘narrow’ notion of intention to the analysis of other languages and cultures, a more general and basic analytic notion of intentionality is proposed, that is, as aboutness (as defined by Husserl). By applying this more general notion of intentionality, we can then examine both the content of intentional acts and the conditions that allow for their study across cultural contexts through ‘bracketing’. This is made possible by the social ontology of intentions, which is what enables the analysis of human conduct and its interpretation. Our methods and hypotheses must be evaluated over and against such an existential premise.
Cognitive aspects of ethnographic inquiry
Authors: Fitch Kristine L.
Published: February 2006

This article proposes that despite an explicit emphasis on language in use, the interpretive nature of ethnography (especially ethnography of speaking) and its commitment to examining cultural meanings from the native’s point of view requires inclusion of discourse presumed to relate to cognitive processes such as memory, belief, and imagination. An example of a difficult interaction is used as the basis for an argument that forms of metacommunication often elicited in ethnographic interviews, when unproblematically approached as talk similar to that found in everyday storytelling, are a common avenue for incorporating cognitive aspects of social interaction into such research.