bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A global investigation intoin situnanoindentation experiments on zirconia: from the sample geometry optimization to the stress nanolocalization using convergent beam electron diffraction
Authors: CALVIÉ E. , JOLY‐POTTUZ L. , ESNOUF C. , DOUILLARD T. , GREMILLARD L. , MALCHÈRE A. , MASENELLI‐VARLOT K.
Published: November 2012

Nanoindentation experiments inside a transmission electron microscope are of much interest to characterize specific phenomena occuring in materials, like for instance dislocation movements or phase transformations. The key points of these experiments are (i) the sample preparation and the optimization of its geometry to obtain reliable results and (ii) the choice of the transmission electron microscope observation mode, which will condition the type of information which can be deduced from the experiment. In this paper, we will focus on these two key points in the case of nanoindentation of zirconia, which is a ceramic material well known to be sensitive to stress because it can undergo a phase transformation. In this case, the information sought is the stress localization at the nanometre scale and in real time. As far as the sample preparation is concerned, one major drawback of nanoindentation inside a transmission electron microscope is indeed a possible bending of the sample occurring during compression, which is detrimental to the experiment interpretation (the stress is not uniaxial anymore). In this paper, several sample preparation techniques have been used and compared to optimize the geometry of the sample to avoid bending. The results obtained on sample preparation can be useful for the preparation of ceramics samples but can also give interesting clues and experimental approaches to optimize the preparation of other kinds of materials.

The second part of this paper is devoted to the second key point, which is the determination of the stress localization associated to the deformation phenomena observed by nanoindentation experiments. In this paper, the use of convergent beam electron diffraction has been investigated and this technique could have been successfully coupled to nanoindentation experiments. Coupled nanoindentation experiments and convergent beam electron diffraction analyses have finally been applied to characterize the phase transformation of zirconia.
Aplasia cutis congenita with fetus papyraceus: report and review of the literature
Authors: Tempark Therdpong , Shwayder Tor A.
Published: November 2012

We report a case of a 2‐week‐old white female who presented with large stellate atrophic skin defects on bilateral thighs and knees at birth. The pregnancy was complicated by the death of monozygotic twin at the 16th week of gestation. This represents aplasia cutis congenita with fetus papyraceus. This rare condition is defined as the congenital skin defect and intrauterine death of fetus with or without a stillborn fetus pressed flat by the growing twin (fetus papyraceus) at delivery time. Aplasia cutis congenita coexisting with fetus papyraceus has a distinctive and reproducible distribution pattern of bilateral symmetrical truncal, buttock, and thigh lesions related to fetal death during the late first to early second trimester. There are at least 44 reported cases of this disorder in the English literature. We discuss our case and review the literature.
Prolonged cyclosporine treatment of severe or recalcitrant psoriasis: descriptive study in a series of 20 patients
Authors: Borghi Alessandro , Corazza Monica , Mantovani Lucia , Bertoldi Alberto Maria , Giari Silvia , Virgili Annarosa
Published: November 2012

Background  Although long‐term cyclosporine administration may induce toxic effects, it may be the only option for the treatment of severe psoriasis. The objective of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate efficacy and safety of long‐term cyclosporine treatment in a cohort of patients affected with moderate to severe psoriasis, recalcitrant or unresponsive to other treatments. Possible risk factors predicting an intolerance to cyclosporine were also investigated.

Materials and methods  Data were collected on psoriatic patients treated with cyclosporine for at least six months at our Psoriasis Outpatient Unit between January 2005 and September 2010. The primary measure for clinical efficacy was the PASI 75 response. Cyclosporine safety was assessed through the review of both laboratory tests and the adverse events registered during the treatment.

Results  Twenty patients affected with plaque or erythrodermic psoriasis were evaluated. At Week 16, the PASI 75 response was achieved by 85% of patients. Adverse events occurred in eight patients (40%): four experienced an increase in serum creatinine levels to more than 30% of their pre‐treatment values and four developed hypertension. Among these patients, five discontinued cyclosporine. Side effects resolved after stopping treatment.

Conclusions  Our findings suggest that long‐term cyclosporine regimen can be justified in severe psoriasis not responsive to other treatments. When cyclosporine administration is required, obesity, pre‐treatment controlled hypertension, increased age (>70 years), and metabolic syndrome should be taken into consideration, as a significant correlation with occurrence of cyclosporine‐induced side effects has been found.
Both combined oral azithromycin plus allopurinol and intramuscular Glucantime yield low efficacy in the treatment of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Dastgheib Ladan , Naseri Mahsa , Mirashe Zahra
Published: November 2012

Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis (OWCL) is an endemic and major health problem in Iran. The optimal treatment of OWCL is unknown, and current treatments are not ideally effective and have many adverse effects. To compare the efficacy and tolerability of combined oral azithromycin and allopurinol with intramuscular Glucantime in the treatment of OWCL, we conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial. A total of 86 patients with OWCL were assigned and divided randomly into two groups; they received a combination of azithromycin capsule 10 mg/kg/d and allopurinol tablet 10 mg/kg/d for two months or IM injection of Glucantime 20 mg/kg of antimony daily for 20 days. All patients were followed for two months after termination of treatment. Although immediately at the end of the treatment period, complete response was seen in 27.8% of patients on combination therapy vs. 0% in the Glucantime group. The combination of azithromycin and allopurinol had a better outcome; two months after the end of the treatment period, complete, partial, and no responses were seen in 38.9%, 22.2%, and 38.9% in combination therapy and 40%, 31.4%, and 28.6% in the Glucantime group. There was no significant difference between the response rate in both groups after two months (P = 0.5). No severe adverse effect occurred. This study demonstrated that the efficacy of combined oral azithromycin and allopurinol at the above doses and duration was similar to that of IM Glucantime in the treatment of OWCL.
Causes and management of aggression and violence in a forensic mental health service: Perspectives of nurses and patients
Authors: Dickens Geoffrey , Piccirillo Maria , Alderman Nick
Published: November 2012

Nurses' attitudes about the causes and management of aggression affects their choice of intervention. We aimed to compare the attitudes held by patients and staff in a forensic mental health service with the Management of Aggression and Violence Attitudes Scale, and examine the factor validity of the tool in this setting by conducting a prospective comparative questionnaire survey. Staff (n = 72) and patient (n = 98) attitudes differed to a limited extent. Confirmatory factor analysis refuted the previously reported structure of the tool. Exploratory factor analysis suggested three underlying factors related to modifiability of aggression, hands on management, and hands off management. Patients were more optimistic than nurses about the modifiability of aggressive behaviour. Male patients and those with diagnoses other than personality disorder were significantly more likely to agree about modifiability than controls. Forensic inpatients recognize the need for the use of a range of techniques to prevent and manage aggression and violence, but selected groups are most likely to believe that aggression is modifiable. Prevention and management of aggression training should emphasize the modifiability of aggressive behaviour. The development of measures of modifiability and management style would assist in the evaluation of training and would offer new avenues for research.
Alvimopan for prevention of postoperative paralytic ileus in radical cystectomy patients: a cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Hilton William M. , Lotan Yair , Parekh Dipen J. , Basler Joseph W. , Svatek Robert S.
Published: November 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

No cost‐effectiveness studies exist in patients after radical cystectomy for the routine use of alvimopan for the prevention of postoperative ileus.

The present study provides a reasonable estimate of the cost‐effectiveness of alvimopan for the prevention of postoperative ileus in the patient after radical cystectomy.

Objective

To determine if the cost of administering alvimopan, to help restore bowel function after abdominal surgery, to all patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) is cost prohibitive.

Patients and Methods

A cost‐effective analysis was conducted from a healthcare payer perspective using a decision‐tree model that incorporated direct healthcare costs and probabilities associated with the possible events and outcomes.

Sensitivity analyses were conducted on the influence of the cost and effectiveness of the drug, the probability of POI in RC patients, and the extended length of stay (LOS) as a result of POI.

Precision in estimates was determined using probabilistic sensitivity analyses with 5000 Monte‐Carlo simulations.

Results

Under the base case assumption, the additional cost of a patient's LOS related to POI was $10 246 per person. Under the assumption that 15.6% of patients will have POI, the mean cost associated with POI in a cohort of patients not treated with alvimopan was $1597 (90% confidence interval [CI] $1335–1875) per patient.

Conversely, the routine use of alvimopan for all patients undergoing RC was associated with a mean POI‐associated cost of $1495(90% CI $1312–1696) per person, which represents the cost of alvimopan ($700 per hospitalisation) and a 50% reduction in the rate of POI.

Sensitivity analyses revealed that there is a cost savings with the routine use of alvimopan under the following conditions: the POI results in extending LOS by ≥3.5 days, POI occurs in ≥14% of patients undergoing RC, or the drug results in a relative risk reduction of ≥44%.

Conclusions

Routine use of perioperative alvimopan may not be cost prohibitive because of its influence on POI rate and associated costs.

The cost‐effectiveness of alvimopan is influenced by the POI incidence and the degree to which the drug can decrease the LOS.
Shareholder Rights, Insider Ownership and Earnings Management
Authors: Huang Henry He , Wang Weimin , Zhou Jian
Published: November 2012

This paper examines whether shareholder rights, which enable shareholders to replace managers, can constrain earnings management, and whether this effect is conditional on the level of insider ownership. Using the comprehensive shareholder rights measure constructed by Gompers et al. (), we find that firms with stronger shareholder rights are associated with fewer income‐increasing discretionary accruals, suggesting that stronger shareholder rights deter managers from reporting aggressive earnings. Moreover, if insider ownership introduces managerial entrenchment, managers with higher ownership would be insulated from shareholder discipline. Consistent with this entrenchment theory, we find that the association between shareholder rights and earnings management becomes insignificant in the presence of higher levels of insider ownership. Shareholder rights are negatively associated with earnings management only when insider ownership is low. Our results indicate that the disciplinary effect of shareholder rights can be attenuated by high levels of insider ownership.
Output and productivity comparisons of the Singapore and Hong Kong wholesale and retail trade sectors, 2001–2008
Authors: Lee Boon L.
Published: November 2012

This paper employs the industry of origin approach to compare value‐added and labour productivity of Singapore and Hong Kong's wholesale and retail sectors for the period 2001–08. The direct comparison between these two economies was motivated by the statement of the Singapore Government that its services sector, especially the retail sector, lagged behind Hong Kong's productivity levels. The results show that since 2005, Singapore's wholesale and retail sector performance in terms of labour productivity has been below Hong Kong's level, largely due to the poor performance of its retail sector arising from an influx of foreign workers. Results from total factor productivity analysis of these two economies also suggest that Hong Kong's better performance (since 2005) was largely due to its ability to employ more educated and trained workers with limited use of capital. The results suggest that polices that have worked in Hong Kong may not work in Singapore because its population is more diverse, which poses a challenge to policymakers in raising its productivity level.
Japan's economic slowdown and its global implications: a review of the economic modelling
Authors: Tyers Rod , Corbett Jenny
Published: November 2012

Despite its role as a driver of global economic growth through the 1970s, in recent decades the rise of China has seen the international importance of Japan's economic performance recede from the public discourse. This is notwithstanding its continuing key role as economic partner to both industrial and developing countries and changes in its economic performance that would otherwise be a matter for global concern. In particular, the tendency for the Japanese economy and its external trade to stagnate not only has immediate consequences for global performance but also foreshadows a path to industrial transition for other key Asian economies. This paper reviews quantitative studies of Japan's performance. It identifies a paucity of results addressing global implications and suggests new research in this direction.
Unemployment hysteresis in the East Asia‐Pacific region: new evidence from MADF and SURADF tests
Authors: Furuoka Fumitaka
Published: November 2012

This study re‐examined the unemployment hysteresis hypothesis in the context of twelve countries in the East Asia‐Pacific region, namely Australia, China, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. It employed the multivariate augmented Dickey–Fuller test and the seemingly unrelated regression augmented Dickey–Fuller test for this purpose. The empirical results confirmed the presence of unemployment hysteresis in these countries, except in South Korea and New Zealand. The findings indicated that the equilibrium rate of unemployment in the East Asia‐Pacific region tended to be path dependent and that cyclical fluctuations in these countries' economies could have permanent effects on the level of unemployment. These results provide additional empirical proof of the validity of the hysteresis hypothesis.
Policy Uncertainty about Australia's Carbon Price: Expert Survey Results and Implications for Investment
Authors: Jotzo Frank , Jordan Tim , Fabian Nathan
Published: November 2012

Australia's carbon‐pricing policy remains in doubt due to a lack of bipartisan political support. A survey of Australian‐based carbon‐pricing experts demonstrates profound policy uncertainty: 40 per cent of respondents expect the current carbon‐pricing mechanism to be repealed, but 80 per cent expect that there will be a carbon price in 2020. The forward price curve is U‐shaped and has great variance, with the 60 per cent confidence interval spanning from zero to A$25/t in 2020. Carbon policy uncertainty causes large excess costs in Australia's energy sector and may result in delay and diversion of investment.
Space matters: the importance of amenity in planning metropolitan growth
Authors: Mahmoudi Parvin , Hatton MacDonald Darla , Crossman Neville D. , Summers David M. , van der Hoek John
Published: November 2012

Most Australian capital cities require many 100,000s of additional dwellings to accommodate demographic change and population pressures in the next two or three decades. Urban growth will come in the form of infill, consolidation and urban expansion. Plans to redevelop environmental amenities such as parks and open green spaces are regularly being put forward to local councils and State governments. Maintaining parks and reserves represents one of the largest costs to local councils. To aid in the evaluation of some of the different propositions, we report the results of a spatial hedonic pricing model with fixed effects for Adelaide, South Australia. The results indicate that the private benefits of a close proximity to golf courses, green space sporting facilities, or the coast, are in the order $0.54, $1.58, and $4.99 per metre closer (when evaluated at the median respectively). The historic Adelaide Parklands add $1.55 to a property’s value for each additional metre closer. We demonstrate how the estimated model could be used to calculate how local private benefits capitalized in property values change with changes in the configuration of a park.
Aspectual Constraints on the (Anti)Causative Alternation in Old Italian
Authors: Cennamo Michela
Published: November 2012

This paper discusses the strategies used for the anticausative alternation and the constraints on their distribution in two early Italian vernaculars, Old Florentine and Old Neapolitan, focusing on the emergence of aspectual notions such as telicity in determining variability in the occurrence of the reflexive morpheme si/se, the main/only strategy for anticausatives with some inherently telic and punctual verbs, depending on the vernacular. It is also shown that in the early varieties the reflexive in the anticausative alternation mainly signals the suppression of the Actor, only gradually coming to mark the presence of a terminal point in the meaning of the verb/predicate.
Incidental Learning of Collocation
Authors: Webb Stuart , Newton Jonathan , Chang Anna
Published: November 2012

This study investigated the effects of repetition on the learning of collocation. Taiwanese university students learning English as a foreign language simultaneously read and listened to one of four versions of a modified graded reader that included different numbers of encounters (1, 5, 10, and 15 encounters) with a set of 18 target collocations. A surprise vocabulary test that was made up of four tests measuring receptive and productive knowledge of the form of the target collocations and receptive and productive knowledge of the form and meaning of these collocations was administered after the treatments. The results showed that (a) collocations can be learned incidentally through reading while listening to a graded reader and (b) the number of encounters has a positive effect on learning. If learners encounter collocations 15 times within a graded reader, sizeable learning gains may occur.
Ancient Mining and Smelting Activities in the Wadi Abu Gerida Area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt: Preliminary Results
Authors: El‐Rahman Y. Abd , Surour A. A. , El Manawi A. H. W. , Rifai M. , Motelib A. Abdel , Ali W. K. , El Dougdoug A. M.
Published: November 2012

Old mining and smelting features in the Abu Gerida area have been studied using field observations, microscopy and SEM–EDS to detect the ores that were exploited in antiquity. There are two groups of shafts in the area. The first group encloses secondary copper minerals and is associated with glassy slags containing copper prills. The other group is associated with hematite that was extracted and transferred to a smelting station to the west of the mining site, where iron slags and charcoal fragments are found. These slags are composed mainly of wüstite, fayalite–kirschsteinite and traces of metallic iron. Pottery fragments from this area were dated to the Ptolemaic Period, which may be the age of iron exploitation. Copper might have been exploited earlier.
Fine‐resolution pollen‐analytical study ofHolocene woodland dynamics and land use in northSligo,Ireland
Authors: Ghilardi Beatrice , O'connell Michael
Published: November 2012

The results of detailed pollen‐analytical investigations of a core fromLoughDargan,Co.Sligo,Ireland are presented. The pollen diagram spans much of the postglacial and documents changes in woodland composition and cover, and farming activity. Special attention is paid to prehistoric farming and to the significance of cereal‐type pollen. The first sign of arable farming coincides with theElmDecline atc.3760BC. This earlyNeolithic farming phase extended overc.750 years, the mainLandnam phase having a duration of∼700 years. After a break of about three centuries,Neolithic farming resumed. LateNeolithic farming was at first predominantly pastoral, but later (c.2360–2130BC) it had a distinct arable component. In the earlyBronzeAge, beginningc.2130BC, farming increased and woodland was substantially reduced for the first time. From then until the beginning of the lateIronAge (c.80BC), there was a sustained and strong human impact. In the lateIronAge, a distinct lull in pastoral farming lasted for about four centuries (c.80BC–AD350). This facilitated woodland regeneration that included yew. Substantial woodland clearance, and farming that included a considerable arable component, characterized theMedieval and later periods. The changes recorded atL.Dargan and other sites in the region are discussed in the light of evidence for climate change provided by regional and super‐regional climate proxies. It is argued that climate may not have been a decisive factor in determining human impact and farming activity.
Making Connections: Performance Regimes and Extreme Events
Authors: Bowman Ann O'M. , Parsons Bryan M.
Published: November 2012

Local officials in the emergency management field have reached out and increased their connections with other agencies and organizations during the past several years. Collaborative networks have been created in an effort to address the complexities and uncertainties surrounding extreme events. But has this collaboration really taken root? In this article, the authors find that although a collaborative ethos has penetrated local emergency management, it is neither deep nor uniform. Data from a survey of emergency managers in North Carolina counties show that maintaining a functional network—a performance regime in which participants develop consistent management practices and rely on each other for the generation of new ideas—is a difficult task. The explanation for the variation found across the counties largely involves capacity and vulnerability.
The Ins and Outs of Diversity Management: The Effect of Authenticity on Outsider Perceptions and Insider Behaviors
Authors: Smith Alexis Nicole , Morgan Whitney Botsford , King Eden B. , Hebl Michelle R. , Peddie Chad I.
Published: November 2012

We extend prior work by disentangling the effects of 2 aspects of diversity management—numerical diversity and authenticity of efforts—that may contribute to people's perceptions and behavior. Using a 2 (Demographic Heterogeneity) × 2 (Projected Diversity Image) factorial design, Studies 1 and 2 revealed significant interactions suggesting that both demographic diversity and authentic attention to diversity management are necessary to create a reputation for genuine commitment to diversity that may protect organizations from perceptions of discrimination. The third study examined the effect of diversity management authenticity on insider employee interpersonal behaviors. Study 3 revealed that individuals enacted more interpersonal helping behaviors toward newcomers in more authentic organizations. Together, these studies examine authenticity from both inside and outside the company.
Pulp preservation in immature permanent teeth
Authors: Bogen George , Chandler Nicholas P.
Published: November 2012

New treatment strategies for direct pulp capping and pulpotomy have shown promising potentials for improved outcomes in immature teeth with extensive caries, traumatic pulp exposures, or anatomical anomalies. Preservation and protection of the dental pulp in developing teeth promote root maturation and extend tooth survivability by postponing or even preventing more complex endodontic and restorative care. Early intervention using hydraulic calcium silicate cements such as mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) stimulates pulpal cell recruitment and differentiation, up‐regulates transformation factors (gene expression), and promotes dentinogenesis. Calcium hydroxide, resin‐modified glass ionomer cements, hydrophilic resins, and formocresol have been shown to be less effective as bioactive agents when used in vital pulp therapy. Improved treatment procedures for pulp preservation include the use of caries detector dye to preserve the remineralizable inner carious layer and the use of sodium hypochlorite as a hemostatic and diagnostic agent to differentiate reversible from irreversible pulpitis. Although stepwise excavation and the use of calcium hydroxide is still being advocated, pulp capping and pulpotomy procedures using calcium silicate‐based cements are becoming widely accepted as more effective procedures. MTA and new hydraulic calcium silicate cements provide biocompatible environments that predictably promote reparative dentin bridge formation when placed under properly bonded and sealed composite restorations. Hydraulic calcium silicate cements appear to provide a promising future for the preservation of pulpal integrity in immature teeth when used with modified and conservative treatment protocols.
Modelling linoleic acid and α‐linolenic acid requirements for infants and young children in developing countries
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Huffman Sandra L.
Published: November 2012

Essential fatty acids (EFAs), linoleic acid (LA) and α‐linolenic acid (ALA), play a critical role in the growth and development of infants and young children. However, national guidelines for recommended intakes of EFAs are lacking in most developing countries. The objective of this study was to convert international EFA recommendations based on % of daily energy intake to recommended daily amounts for children aged 6–23 months in developing countries. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports adequate intakes (AIs) for ALA as 0.4–0.6% of energy intake for children 6–23 months of age and as 3.0–4.5% of energy intake for LA. In order to estimate energy intakes, FAO daily energy requirements based on body weight were used. The daily AI amounts for these EFAs were calculated using the median body weight of the World Health Organization (WHO) Growth Standard population and median body weights with varying levels of malnutrition. The AI for ALA is equivalent to 0.3–0.4, 0.3–0.5 and 0.4–0.6 g day−1, and the AI for LA is equivalent to 2.1–3.1, 2.4–3.5 and 2.8–4.3 g day−1 for children aged 6–8, 9–11 and 12–23 months, respectively. While the lower median body weights of children in developing countries and associated reduced energy intake recommendations give lower estimated EFA requirements, recommendations based on median body weights in the WHO Reference Growth Standard is suggested. The upper levels of these calculated AIs are lower than or equal to those in North America (ALA: 0.5 and 0.7 g day−1; LA: 4.6 and 7 g day−1 for children aged 6–12 months and 1–3 years, respectively). The FAO AIs (g day−1) calculated here for ALA and LA can serve as a guideline for developing countries for setting national standards.
Combination of thermographic and ultrasonographic assessments for early detection of deep tissue injury
Authors: Higashino Takuya , Nakagami Gojiro , Kadono Takafumi , Ogawa Yuki , Iizaka Shinji , Koyanagi Hiroe , Sasaki Sanae , Haga Nobuhiko , Sanada Hiromi
Published: November 2012

Early detection and intervention of deep tissue injury are important to lead good outcome. Although the efficiency of ultrasonographic assessment of deep tissue injury has been reported previously, it requires a certain level of skill for accurate assessment. In this study, we present an investigation of the combination of thermographic and ultrasonographic assessments for early detection of deep tissue injury. We retrospectively reviewed 28 early‐stage pressure ulcers (21 patients) presenting at the University of Tokyo Hospital between April 2009 and February 2010, surveying the associated thermographic and ultrasonographic findings. The wound temperature patterns were divided into low, even and high compared with the surrounding skin. Ultrasonographic findings were classified into unclear layer structure, hypoechoic lesion, discontinuous fascia and heterogeneous hypoechoic area. All 13 ulcers that were associated with low temperature showed good outcome; three ulcers had even temperatures and 12 ulcers showed high temperature on thermographic assessment. The two deep tissue injuries were rated high on thermographic assessment and showed heterogeneous hypoechoic area findings on ultrasonographic assessment. No non‐deep tissue injury lesion was associated with these two findings simultaneously. The combination of thermographic and ultrasonographic assessments is expected to increase the accuracy of the early detection of deep tissue injuries.
Is Female Sexual Function Related to the Male Partners' Erectile Function?
Authors: Jiann Bang-Ping , Su Cheng-Chen , Tsai Jeng-Yu
Published: November 2012

Introduction

There are limited data concerning the relationship between the sexual functioning of each partner in a heterosexual couple.

Aim

This cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between female sexual function and the male partners' erectile function.

Methods

Two self-administered questionnaires were used, one distributed to 2,159 female employees of two hospitals in Southern Taiwan and the other to their male partners, if available, to assess sexual function in each partner of the couple.

Outcome Measure

Female sexual function and male erectile function were assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), respectively.

Results

Among the 1,580 female and 779 male respondents, 632 sexually active couples were eligible for the analysis with mean ages of 36.9 years (range 21–67) and 39.5 years (range 18–80) for the women and men, respectively. After adjustment for female age group, nearly all the FSFI and IIEF domain scores correlated significantly to a slight to moderate degree. On the basis of the FSFI and IIEF scores, 42.9% (255/594) of the women reported sexual difficulty, and 15.0% (96/632) of the men reported mild to moderate erectile dysfunction (ED). After adjustment for female age group, the female partners of men with ED had significantly lower total and domain scores of the FSFI than those of men without ED, with effect sizes of ηp2 = 0.02–0.08. After further adjustment for other risk factors, ED of the male partner was still a significant risk factor for female sexual difficulty as well as for sexual difficulty in the aspects of arousal, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and sexual pain (odds ratio = 2.5–3.3).

Conclusions

Significant correlations between female sexual functioning and male erectile function were identified.
Rural Population Estimates: An Analysis of a Large Secondary Data Set
Authors: Bennett Kevin J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Health services research often utilizes secondary data sources such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Since 2006, the released BRFSS data do not include respondents who live in counties with 10,000 or fewer residents, and the CDC no longer offers the opportunity to access the unrestricted data set. As a result, rural residents can be underrepresented in BRFSS data after 2005. The purpose of this analysis is to examine the potential for bias introduced by rural underestimation.

Methods

We utilized 6 BRFSS data sets; the 2005 full data and the 2005‐2009 restricted data. We estimated population sizes for each survey year, and we compared these estimates to comparable data from the US Census intercensal estimates. We also compared estimates of preventive service utilization (mammography, Pap tests, colorectal cancer screening, and influenza vaccinations) between the two 2005 data versions.

Results

Rural populations were underrepresented, particularly with the smaller counties excluded. Remote rural residents were the most consistently underrepresented. Preventive service delivery estimates differed between the full and restricted 2005 data versions. Mammography and Pap test estimates tended to be higher in the restricted data, while colorectal cancer screening and influenza vaccinations were similar or inconsistent. These results indicate that restricting by county size introduced bias in these estimates.

Conclusions

Having quality, nationally representative data is important to study disparities in service delivery. The potential bias introduced by the BRFSS county restriction may result in rural research being less effective for policy recommendations and interventions.
Microwave‐Assisted Extraction and Determination of Citrus Red 2 Dye in Oranges and Orange Juice by Liquid Chromatography‐Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Han Chao , Liu Bin , Zhu Zhenou , Huang Fuzhen , Chen Xiangzhun , Shen Yan
Published: November 2012

Abstract:  A fast, simple, low cost, and high‐throughput method has been developed for the determination of citrus red 2 dye in orange and orange juice samples. The procedure is based on microwave‐assisted extraction followed by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) analysis. The method was optimized, and the analyte was efficiently extracted from the samples in 30 min using hexane/acetone (v/v, 3 : 1). The method was validated and showed good linearity and selectivity. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were 5 μg/kg (sample size of 2 g) for both orange and orange juice samples. The average recoveries, measured at 3 concentration levels (5, 10, and 20 μg/kg), were in the range 77.5% to 87.6% for the compound tested with relative standard deviations below 7.3%. The proposed method is rapid, accurate, and could be utilized for the routine analysis of citrus red 2 dye in orange and orange juice samples.
The Challenges of Nanotechnology Policy Making PART 1. Discussing Mandatory Frameworks
Authors: Auplat Claire A.
Published: November 2012

In the context of the development of nanotechnologies policy making faces specific challenges, because of the nature of the technologies themselves, and because of the evolution of international governance. Policymakers need to integrate these parameters, but their task is made difficult by the number of coexisting different frameworks and by the way stakeholders use them. This two part survey outlines these frameworks and draws from new institutional theory as well as from the policy and innovation literatures to discuss the challenges of nano policy making. The first part of the survey introduces nano policy making and the reasons for its complexity, and offers a panorama of the set of mandatory tools that are currently available to regulate nanotechnologies. The second part, which will appear in a following issue of Global Policy, provides an outlook of the set of voluntary tools that coexist with the mandatory ones, followed by a discussion of the use of all these tools by the different stakeholders. The survey concludes by debating two major directions which nano policy making may follow.
Antimicrobial Use in Horses Undergoing Colic Surgery
Authors: Dallap Schaer B.L. , Linton J.K. , Aceto H.
Published: November 2012

Background

Recommendations for antimicrobial prophylaxis for surgery are well‐described in human medicine, but information is limited for veterinary practice.

Objective

To characterize antimicrobial use in horses undergoing emergency colic surgery.

Animals

A total of 761 horses undergoing emergency colic surgery (2001–2007).

Methods

Retrospective case review. Antimicrobial dose and timing, surgical description, and duration of treatment were collected from medical records. Associations between antimicrobial use and the occurrence of fever, incisional inflammation or infection, catheter‐associated complications, orSalmonellashedding during hospitalization were analyzed using rank‐sum methods and logistic regression.

Results

A total of 511 (67.2%) horses received an inappropriate amount of drug preoperatively. Median time from preoperative dose to incision was 70 (IQR55–90) minutes; median total surgery time was 110 (IQR80–160) minutes. Seventy‐three horses were euthanized under anesthesia because of poor prognosis. Of 688 horses, 438 should have been redosed intraoperatively based on the duration of surgery. Only 8 (1.8%) horses were redosed correctly. Horses remained on perioperative antimicrobials a median of 3 (IQR2–4.5) days. Antimicrobial therapy was reinstituted in 193 (28.9%) horses, and median days of total treatment were 3.8 (IQR2–6). Signs that led to reinstituting therapy were fever (OR3.13,P = .001) and incisional inflammation/infection (OR2.95,P = .001). Horses in which treatment was reinstituted had 2.3 greater odds of sheddingSalmonella(P = .003). Increased surgical time was associated with longer duration of antimicrobial therapy (OR1.02,P = .001).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Despite published recommendations regarding antimicrobial prophylaxis, compliance is poor; improvement might reduce postoperative complications.
A controlled study of lifestyle treatment in primary care for children with obesity
Authors: Mårild S. , Gronowitz E. , Forsell C. , Dahlgren J. , Friberg P.
Published: November 2012

What is already known about this subject

Lifestyle intervention is the most common treatment strategy for children with obesity.

Specialized units for the care of children with obesity report significant effects of lifestyle treatment.

In children, the physical activity component in lifestyle treatment is often well accepted.

What this study adds

Two lifestyle treatment programmes in primary care for children with obesity both gave a reduction of body mass index significantly greater than the change observed in a non‐intervention comparison group of children with obesity.

Substituting one‐third of nurse‐led treatment sessions with sessions led by physiotherapists in one of the programmes did not improve the outcome.

The efficacy of treatment in primary care seems to be comparable to that reported in the literature.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of lifestyle treatment in primary care for children with obesity.

Methods

In a multicentre study, sixty‐four 9‐ to 13‐year‐old children with obesity were randomized to one of two 12‐month lifestyle treatment programmes. The only difference between the programmes was that a physiotherapist substituted the nurse in one‐third of the sessions in an attempt to stimulate physical activity. For comparison, children with normal weight and overweight, and an age‐, sex‐ and body mass index‐matched non‐intervention group of children with obesity were used.

Results

Anthropometry and laboratory data differed significantly between children with obesity and normal weight at baseline. The follow‐up at the end of treatment was attended by 55 children with obesity, 28 and 27 in each treatment arm. The mean (standard deviation) body mass standard deviation score changed by −0.36 (0.3) in the arm involving a physiotherapist and by −0.33 (0.2) in the other arm. These outcomes were not significantly different. Both reductions were significantly greater than the change of −0.14 (0.3) observed in the non‐intervention comparison group of children with obesity

Conclusion

The efficacy of treatment in primary care for children with obesity seems to be comparable to that reported in the literature. ISRCTN44919688.
ZnO Submicrometer Rod Array by Soft Lithographic Micromolding with High Solid Loading Nanoparticle Suspension
Authors: Chen Bo , Lu Kathy , Ramsburg Kelly
Published: November 2012

Microfabrication by soft lithography has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Ceramic microfabrication by soft lithography normally utilizes ceramic precursor solutions or sol–gel process. However, the low solids loading of the starting materials compromises the fidelity of soft lithography, causing the aspect ratio of obtained submicrometer ceramic features to be very small. In this study, well‐dispersed, high solids loading ZnO nanoparticle suspensions are prepared by electrosterically stabilizing 20 nm ZnO nanoparticles. ZnO nanoparticle‐based submicrometer rod arrays with an aspect ratio around 1 are fabricated by micromolding the ZnO nanoparticle suspension into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds. Modified PDMS molds are exploited to optimize the filling depth of the suspension into the mold cavities, producing ZnO submicrometer rods with the same dimensions as the mold features. ZnO rods with various diameters and shapes are fabricated, and the effect of solids loading on soft lithography fidelity is discussed. A mechanism describing the effects of surface wetting on the fidelity of soft lithographic micromolding is proposed.
Enhanced Electron Correlation in the In‐doped Misfit‐Layered Cobaltite Ca3Co4O9 Ceramics
Authors: Huang Yanan , Zhao Bangchuan , Ang Ran , Lin Shuai , Huang Zhonghao , Yin Lihua , Tan Shugang , Liu Yu , Song Wenhai , Sun Yuping
Published: November 2012

The structural, magnetic, electrical and thermal transport properties of the polycrystalline samples Ca3Co4−xInxO9 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) have been investigated systematically. The results indicate that the In‐substitution has a negative effect on the low‐temperature ferrimagnetic transition and the propagation of spin‐density‐wave. All In‐doped samples have a much larger resistivity than that of the un‐doped sample. And the temperature region where the Fermi liquid transport mechanism dominates is remarkably widened via In‐doping. However, for the In‐doped samples, as the In‐doped content increases, the value of resistivity ρ decreases monotonously and the electronic correlation in the system enhances. With the addition of In‐ions in Ca3Co4O9 system, the thermopower S and the ZT value decrease. The results are suggested to originate from the variations of carrier concentration and lattice disharmony in this system induced by In‐doping.
Near‐Zero Thermal Expansion in In(HfMg)0.5Mo3O12
Authors: Miller Kimberly J. , Romao Carl P. , Bieringer Mario , Marinkovic Bojan A. , Prisco Luciana , White Mary Anne
Published: November 2012

In(HfMg)0.5Mo3O12, which can be considered as a 1:1 mole ratio solid solution of the low‐positive thermal expansion material HfMgMo3O12 and the low‐negative thermal expansion (NTE) material In2Mo3O12 was prepared. From DSC and XRPD results, we show that In(HfMg)0.5Mo3O12 exists in a monoclinic (P21/a) structure at low temperature and undergoes a phase transition at ~425 K to an orthorhombic phase (Pnma), with an associated enthalpy change of 0.89 kJ mol−1. Thermal expansion is large and positive in the low‐temperature monoclinic phase (average αℓ = 16 × 10−6 K−1 and 20 × 10−6 K−1, from dilatometry and XRPD, respectively). Remarkably, this material has a near‐zero thermal expansion (ZTE) coefficient over the temperature range ~500 to ~900 K in the high‐temperature orthorhombic phase, both intrinsically and for the bulk sample. The average linear intrinsic (XRPD) value is αℓ = −0.4 × 10−6 K−1, and the average bulk (dilatometric) value is αℓ = 0.4 × 10−6 K−1 with an uncertainty of ± 0.2 × 10−6 K−1. The slight difference between intrinsic and bulk thermal expansion is attributed to microstructural effects. XRPD results show that the thermal expansion is more isotropic than for the parent compounds HfMgMo3O12 and In2Mo3O12.
Competitive Phase Separation to Controllable Crystallization in 80GeS2·20In2S3 Chalcogenide Glass
Authors: Li Zhuobin , Lin Changgui , Nie Qiuhua , Dai Shixun
Published: November 2012

Glass–ceramics of 80GeS2·20In2S3 were fabricated by heat‐treating the base glass at 402°C (Tg + 30°C) for different durations. The glass–ceramics exhibited some improved mechanical properties such as hardness and resistance to crack propagation, and meanwhile remained an excellent infrared (IR) transmission. The XRD and Raman results showed that only In2S3 crystals were precipitated inside glassy matrix. The evolution of two crystallization peaks (CPs) in differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) curves were studied with samples heat‐treated at 402°C for different durations. It was found that the precipitation of In2S3 crystal phase is responsible for the low‐temperature (first) CP, whereas the high‐temperature (second) CP shifts to a higher temperature with the elongation of the heat‐treatment duration. The crystallization of the higher temperature phase was inhibited with the precipitation of In2S3. Furthermore, crystallization mechanism was investigated using the nonisothermal method. The computed results showed that strictly more energy (higher activation energy, Ec) is essential for the precipitation of the higher temperature phase, which is in accordance with the DSC study of crystallized samples. More noticeable, the crystallization rate constant (K) value of 6.639 × 10−8 s−1 for the second CP is ~ 5 orders of magnitude smaller than that of the In2S3 phase, and this significant difference makes the crystallization of higher temperature crystal phase very hard. Consequently, controllable crystallization of 80GeS2·20In2S3 chalcogenide glass–ceramics with sole In2S3 crystallites can be achieved easily.
Microstructural Effects on the Mechanical Properties of SiC‐15 vol% TiB2 Particulate‐Reinforced Ceramic Composites
Authors: King Derek S. , Fahrenholtz William G. , Hilmas Greg E.
Published: November 2012

The microstructures and mechanical properties were studied for two different SiC ceramics containing 15 vol% of TiB2 particulates. The first was prepared from commercially available spray‐dried granules and the second by blending individual SiC and TiB2 powders. The average TiB2 particle sizes were 2.7 μm for the ceramic prepared from blended powders, which had a uniform distribution of TiB2, and 2.3 μm for the ceramic prepared from spray‐dried granules, which had a nonuniform distribution of TiB2 agglomerates. Although the two ceramics had hardness values of 26 GPa, the other properties were different. For example, the fracture toughness was 4.3 MPa·m1/2 for the ceramic prepared from blended powders compared to 3.1 MPa·m1/2 for the ceramic prepared from spray‐dried granules. In contrast, the Weibull modulus for the ceramic prepared from spray‐dried granules was 21 compared to 12 for the other. Calculations predicted spontaneous microcracking in the ceramic prepared from spray‐dried granules, which was confirmed by analysis of the microstructure. The presence of microcracks accounted for the higher Weibull modulus, but lower flexural strength, Young's modulus and fracture toughness for the ceramic prepared from spray‐dried granules.