bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptual Expertise Effects Are Not All or None: Spatially Limited Perceptual Expertise for Faces in a Case of Prosopagnosia
Authors: Bukach Cindy M. , Bub Daniel N. , Gauthier Isabel , Tarr Michael J.
Published: January 2006

We document a seemingly unique case of severe prosopagnosia, L. R., who suffered damage to his anterior and inferior right temporal lobe as a result of a motor vehicle accident. We systematically investigated each of three factors associated with expert face recognition: fine-level discrimination, holistic processing, and configural processing (Experiments 1-3). Surprisingly, L. R. shows preservation of all three of these processes; that is, his performance in these experiments is comparable to that of normal controls. However, L. R. is only able to apply these processes over a limited spatial extent to the fine-level detail within faces. Thus, when the location of a given change is unpredictable (Experiment 3), L. R. exhibits normal detection of features and spatial configurations only for the lower half of each face. Similarly, when required to divide his attention over multiple face features, L. R. is able to determine the identity of only a single feature (Experiment 4). We discuss these results in the context of forming a better understanding of prosopagnosia and the mechanisms used in face recognition and visual expertise. We conclude that these mechanisms are not “all-or-none”, but rather can be impaired incrementally, such that they may remain functional over a restricted spatial area. This conclusion is consistent with previous research suggesting that perceptual expertise is acquired in a spatially incremental manner [Gauthier, I., & Tarr, M. J. Unraveling mechanisms for expert object recognition: Bridging brain activity and behavior. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance, 28, 431-446, 2002].
Interplay between Tribal and Sharī Law: A Case of Tibbāwī Blood Money in the Sharīa Court of Kufra
Authors: Layish Aharon
Published: January 2006

In the early 1940s the Sharīa Court of Kufra (Libya) issued a legal document dealing with a blood money dispute among the Tibāwī tribe. I provide here an annotated translation of this document together with an analysis of the interaction between sharia and customary law. Although the court issued its judgment in accordance with "Tibāwī tribal customary law," several indicators suggest that the apportionment of blood money among the victim's relatives reflects a compromise between tribal and sharī law. By conferring sharīa legitimacy on an earlier out-of-court agreement, the qādī contributes to bringing tribesmen within the orbit of the sharīa.
Arab Customary Law in Israel: Sulha Agreements and Israeli Courts
Authors: Tsafrir Nurit
Published: January 2006

In this article I describe various aspects of the complex link between the Israeli legal system and the Arab customary institution of sulha (an agreement for peaceful settlement of a dispute). On the basis of contemporary decisions of the Supreme Court and the District Courts in Israel, I argue that a sulha agreement between an accused and his victim (or the victim's family) often influences the judges' decisions during criminal proceedings against the former. This influence tends to work in favor of the accused—mainly in decisions about detention and sentencing—but when a sulha agreement affects the verdict, it tends to work against the accused. The weight attached to the sulha by the court has some problematic aspects: it may cause the accused to force a sulha agreement upon his victim and lead to perversion of the course of justice.
A Static Analysis of Snap Back in the Cantilever with Mems Adhesion
Authors: Tian Wenchao , Jia Jianyuan , Chen Guiming , Chen Guangyan
Published: January 2006

The “Snap back” problem of the micro‐cantilever remains one of the dominant failure mechanisms in the Micro Electro‐mechanical System (MEMS). By analyzing the Hamaker micro continuum medium and solid physics principle, the consistency model of Wigner‐Seitz (W‐S) continuum medium is presented. The gap revision coefficients of the body with the face‐centered cubic structure are derived, which include the attractive force and the repulsive one. The adhesion model of the 500 µ m X 1 µ m silicon micro‐cantilever coated by Au is established. The micro‐cantilever static relationship between the elastic force and the adhesion force is discussed. The reason of the microcantilever “snap back” problem, an instable balanced point, is discovered. Increasing the rigidity of the micro‐cantilever, a method to avoid the micro‐cantilever “snap back” to happen, is put forward, which improves MEMS structure design and enhances MEMS reliability.
Time Evolution of Current and Deformation of Ion‐Exchange Polymer/metal Composite Actuators
Authors: Enikov Eniko T. , Seo Geon S.
Published: January 2006

This paper describes the development and the numerical analysis of an electrochemical model for the analysis of a novel polymer/metal composite actuator. A general continuum model describing the transport and deformation processes of these actuators is briefly presented, along with a detailed description of the simulation scheme used to predict deformation, current, and mass transport. The predictions of the model are compared with experimental data, indicating a significant role of water transport in the large‐scale deformation. Comparison of the simulations and experimental data showed good agreement confirming the central role of water transport in the deformation process. For the sake of completeness the fabrication process and testing apparatus are also described.
Stability Analysis of Elastic Vibration of Connecting Rod of a Slider‐Crank Mechanism
Authors: Jinfu Zhang , Wei Liu , Weiyang Qin , Xinsuo He
Published: January 2006

A partial differential equation for elastic vibration of connecting rod of a slider‐crank mechanism is formulated by applying Theorem of Motion of Center of Mass and viscoelastic model. The partial differential equation is discretized into two second‐order ordinary differential equations by assuming a two‐mode approximation. The two equations are transformed into the first order linear ordinary differential equations with periodical coefficients. Then the stability of elastic vibration of the connecting rod is investigated using Floquet theory. Procedures for predicting the stability are developed. Finally, a case study is analyzed by applying the procedures.
Rheological‐Dynamical Theory of Visco‐Elasto‐Plasticity and Fatigue: Part 1
Authors: Milasinovic Dragan D.
Published: January 2006

This paper is concerned with a new proposal regarding the analysis of visco‐elastoplasticity and fatigue and is based on rheological‐dynamical theory. Due to the analogy between rheological model and dynamical model with viscous damping, it becomes obvious that inelastic response of members is essentially a dynamical problem. An analytical rheological‐dynamical viscoelasto‐ plastic solution of one‐dimensional longitudinal continuous vibration under loading and solution for the stress relaxation as unloading have been developed and used to obtain the fatigue limit of thin long bars. Rheologic behavior of the bar can be characterized by one parameter, like in a single‐degree‐of‐freedom spring mass system. In all inelastic strains time rate effects are always present to some degree. Whether or not their exclusion has a significant influence on the prediction of the material fatigue behavior depends upon several factors like: maximum absolute stress in the cycle, coefficient of asymmetry of cycle, creep coefficient, slope of the strain hardening portion of the stress‐strain curve, relative frequency and uniaxial yield stress. This paper provides description of dynamic magnification factor, relaxation of stress, stress concentration and the fatigue limit of thin long symmetrical bars.
A Comparison of Local and Regional Trends in Surface and Lower-Tropospheric Temperatures in Western North Carolina
Authors: Easterling David R. , Goodge Grant , Menne Matthew J. , Williams Claude N. , Levinson David
Published: January 2006

Temperature time series for stations in western North Carolina are used to evaluate the potential for an urban signal in the local temperature trend, and to compare a homogeneous temperature record from a mountain-top station to two versions of the lower-tropospheric, satellite-derived temperatures from the Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU). Results regarding the urban signal are in agreement with the conclusion from previous investigations that after a location is urbanized, the local temperature trend is consistent with trends derived from surrounding, more rural stations. With respect to the mountain top and lower-tropospheric temperature comparison, the magnitudes of the two MSU-derived trends for the western North Carolina area are closer to the average annual minimum temperature trend than to the annual average maximum temperature trend.
Westerly Wind Bursts: ENSO’s Tail Rather than the Dog?
Authors: Eisenman Ian , Yu Lisan , Tziperman Eli
Published: January 2006

Westerly wind bursts (WWBs) in the equatorial Pacific occur during the development of most El Niño events and are believed to be a major factor in ENSO’s dynamics. Because of their short time scale, WWBs are normally considered part of a stochastic forcing of ENSO, completely external to the interannual ENSO variability. Recent observational studies, however, suggest that the occurrence and characteristics of WWBs may depend to some extent on the state of ENSO components, implying that WWBs, which force ENSO, are modulated by ENSO itself.

Satellite and in situ observations are used here to show that WWBs are significantly more likely to occur when the warm pool is extended eastward. Based on these observations, WWBs are added to an intermediate complexity coupled ocean–atmosphere ENSO model. The representation of WWBs is idealized such that their occurrence is modulated by the warm pool extent. The resulting model run is compared with a run in which the WWBs are stochastically applied. The modulation of WWBs by ENSO results in an enhancement of the slow frequency component of the WWBs. This causes the amplitude of ENSO events forced by modulated WWBs to be twice as large as the amplitude of ENSO events forced by stochastic WWBs with the same amplitude and average frequency. Based on this result, it is suggested that the modulation of WWBs by the equatorial Pacific SST is a critical element of ENSO’s dynamics, and that WWBs should not be regarded as purely stochastic forcing. In the paradigm proposed here, WWBs are still an important aspect of ENSO’s dynamics, but they are treated as being partially stochastic and partially affected by the large-scale ENSO dynamics, rather than being completely external to ENSO.

It is further shown that WWB modulation by the large-scale equatorial SST field is roughly equivalent to an increase in the ocean–atmosphere coupling strength, making the coupled equatorial Pacific effectively self-sustained.
Dipole Structure of Interannual Variations in Summertime Tropical Cyclone Activity over East Asia
Authors: Kim Joo-Hong , Ho Chang-Hoi , Sui Chung-Hsiung , Park Seon Ki
Published: January 2006

The present study examines variations in summertime (July–September) tropical cyclone (TC) activity over East Asia during the period 1951–2003. To represent TC activity, a total of 853 TC best tracks for the period were converted to TC passage frequencies (TPFs) within 5° × 5° latitude–longitude grids; TPFs are defined as the percentage values obtained by dividing the number of TC appearances in each grid box by the total number of TCs each year. Empirical orthogonal function analysis of the TPF showed three leading modes: two tropical modes that represent the long-term trend and the relationship with ENSO and one midlatitude mode that oscillates between south of Korea and southeast of Japan with an interannual time scale. The latter proved to be the most remarkable climatic fluctuation of summertime TC activity in the midlatitudes and is referred to as the East Asian dipole pattern (EADP) in this paper.

Anomalous atmospheric flows directly connected to the EADP are an enhanced anticyclonic (cyclonic) circulation centering around Japan when the TPF is high south of Korea (southeast of Japan), thereby showing an equivalent barotropic structure in the entire troposphere. This regional circulation anomaly varies in conjunction with the zonally oriented quasi-stationary Rossby wave train in the upper troposphere. This wave train is meridionally trapped in the vicinity of the summer-mean jet stream; therefore, the mean jet stream alters its internal meandering structure according to the phase of the wave train.
Geostatistical Mapping of Mountain Precipitation Incorporating Autosearched Effects of Terrain and Climatic Characteristics
Authors: Guan Huade , Wilson John L. , Makhnin Oleg
Published: January 2006

Hydrologic and ecologic studies in mountainous terrain are sensitive to the temporal and spatial distribution of precipitation. In this study a geostatistical model, Auto-Searched Orographic and Atmospheric Effects Detrended Kriging (ASOADeK), is introduced to map mountain precipitation using only precipitation gauge data. The ASOADeK model considers both precipitation spatial covariance and orographic and atmospheric effects in estimating precipitation distribution. The model employs gauge data and a multivariate linear regression approach to autosearch regional and local climatic settings (i.e., infer the spatial gradient in atmospheric moisture distribution and the effective moisture flux direction), and local orographic effects (the effective terrain elevation and aspect). The observed gauge precipitation data are then spatially detrended by the autosearched regression surface. The spatially detrended gauge data are further interpolated by ordinary kriging to generate a residual precipitation surface. The precipitation map is then constructed by adding the regression surface to the kriged residual surface. The ASOADeK model was applied to map monthly precipitation for a mountainous area in semiarid northern New Mexico. The effective moisture flux directions and spatial moisture trends identified by the optimal multiple linear regressions, using only gauge data, agree with the regional climate setting. When compared to a common precipitation mapping product [Precipitation-elevation Regression on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM)], the ASOADeK summer precipitation maps of the study area agree well with the PRISM estimates, and with higher spatial resolution. The ASOADeK winter maps improve upon PRISM estimates. ASOADeK gives better estimates than precipitation kriging and precipitation-elevation cokriging because it considers orographic and atmospheric effects more completely.
Application of Gaussian Error Propagation Principles for Theoretical Assessment of Model Uncertainty in Simulated Soil Processes Caused by Thermal and Hydraulic Parameters
Authors: Mölders Nicole , Jankov Mihailo , Kramm Gerhard
Published: January 2006

Statistical uncertainty in soil temperature and volumetric water content and related moisture and heat fluxes predicted by a state-of-the-art soil module [embedded in a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model] is analyzed by Gaussian error-propagation (GEP) principles. This kind of uncertainty results from the indispensable use of empirical soil parameters. Since for the same thermodynamic and hydrological surface forcing and mean empirical parameters a soil module always provides the same mean value and standard deviation, uncertainty is first theoretically analyzed using artificial data for a wide range of soil conditions. Second, NWP results obtained for Alaska during a July episode are elucidated in relation to the authors’ theoretical findings.

It is shown that uncertainty in predicted soil temperature and volumetric water content is of minor importance except during phase transition. Then the freeze–thaw term dominates and leads to soil temperature and moisture uncertainties of more than 15.8 K and 0.212 m3 m−3 in mineral soils. Heat-flux uncertainty is of the same order of magnitude as typical errors in soil-heat-flux measurements.

Uncertainty in the pore-size distribution index dominates uncertainty for all state variables and soil fluxes under most conditions. Uncertainties in hydraulic parameters (saturated hydraulic conductivity, pore-size distribution index, porosity, saturated water potential) affect soil-temperature uncertainty more than those in thermal parameters (density and specific heat capacity of dry soil material). Based on a thermal conductivity approach alternatively used, it is demonstrated that GEP principles are indispensable for evaluating parameterized soil-transfer processes.

Generally, statistical uncertainty decreases with depth. Close beneath the surface, the uncertainty in predicted soil temperature, volumetric water content, and soil-moisture and heat fluxes undergoes a diurnal cycle.
The Soil Moisture–Atmosphere Coupling Experiment (SMACEX): Background, Hydrometeorological Conditions, and Preliminary Findings
Authors: Kustas William P. , Hatfield Jerry L. , Prueger John H.
Published: January 2006

The Soil Moisture–Atmosphere Coupling Experiment (SMACEX) was conducted in conjunction with the Soil Moisture Experiment 2002 (SMEX02) during June and July 2002 near Ames, Iowa—a corn and soybean production region. The primary objective of SMEX02 was the validation of microwave soil moisture retrieval algorithms for existing and new prototype satellite microwave sensor systems under rapidly changing crop biomass conditions. The SMACEX study was designed to provide direct measurement/remote sensing/modeling approaches for understanding the impact of spatial and temporal variability in vegetation cover, soil moisture, and other land surface states on turbulent flux exchange with the atmosphere. The unique dataset consisting of in situ and aircraft measurements of atmospheric, vegetation, and soil properties and fluxes allows for a detailed and rigorous analysis, and the validation of surface states and fluxes being diagnosed using remote sensing methods at various scales. Research results presented in this special issue have illuminated the potential of satellite remote sensing algorithms for soil moisture retrieval, land surface flux estimation, and the assimilation of surface states and diagnostically modeled fluxes into prognostic land surface models. Ground- and aircraft-based remote sensing of the land surface and atmospheric boundary layer properties are used to quantify heat fluxes at the tower footprint and regional scales. Tower- and aircraft-based heat and momentum fluxes are used to evaluate local and regional roughness. The spatial and temporal variations in water, energy, and carbon fluxes from the tower network and aircraft under changing vegetation cover and soil moisture conditions are evaluated. An overview of the experimental site, design, data, hydrometeorological conditions, and results is presented in this introduction, and serves as a preface to this special issue highlighting the SMACEX results.
Tower and Aircraft Eddy Covariance Measurements of Water Vapor, Energy, and Carbon Dioxide Fluxes during SMACEX
Authors: Prueger J. H. , Hatfield J. L. , Parkin T. B. , Kustas W. P. , Hipps L. E. , Neale C. M. U. , MacPherson J. I. , Eichinger W. E. , Cooper D. I.
Published: January 2006

A network of eddy covariance (EC) and micrometeorological flux (METFLUX) stations over corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] canopies was established as part of the Soil Moisture–Atmosphere Coupling Experiment (SMACEX) in central Iowa during the summer of 2002 to measure fluxes of heat, water vapor, and carbon dioxide (CO2) during the growing season. Additionally, EC measurements of water vapor and CO2 fluxes from an aircraft platform complemented the tower-based measurements. Sensible heat, water vapor, and CO2 fluxes showed the greatest spatial and temporal variability during the early crop growth stage. Differences in all of the energy balance components were detectable between corn and soybean as well as within similar crops throughout the study period. Tower network–averaged fluxes of sensible heat, water vapor, and CO2 were observed to be in good agreement with area-averaged aircraft flux measurements.
Lidar Measurement of Boundary Layer Evolution to Determine Sensible Heat Fluxes
Authors: Eichinger W. E. , Holder H. E. , Knight R. , Nichols J. , Cooper D. I. , Hipps L. E. , Kustas W. P. , Prueger J. H.
Published: January 2006

The Soil Moisture–Atmosphere Coupling Experiment (SMACEX) was conducted in the Walnut Creek watershed near Ames, Iowa, over the period from 15 June to 11 July 2002. A main focus of SMACEX is the investigation of the interactions between the atmospheric boundary layer, surface moisture, and canopy. A vertically staring elastic lidar was used to provide a high-time-resolution continuous record of the boundary layer height at the edge between a soybean and cornfield. The height and thickness of the entrainment zone are used to estimate the surface sensible heat flux using the Batchvarova–Gryning boundary layer model. Flux estimates made over 6 days are compared to conventional eddy correlation measurements. The calculated values of the sensible heat flux were found to be well correlated (R2 = 0.79, with a slope of 0.95) when compared to eddy correlation measurements in the area. The standard error of the flux estimates was 21.4 W m−2 (31% rms difference between this method and surface measurements), which is somewhat higher than a predicted uncertainty of 16%. The major sources of error were from the estimates of the vertical potential temperature gradient and an assumption that the entrainment parameter A was equal to the ratio of the entrainment flux and the surface heat flux.
Modeling Evapotranspiration during SMACEX: Comparing Two Approaches for Local- and Regional-Scale Prediction
Authors: Su H. , McCabe M. F. , Wood E. F. , Su Z. , Prueger J. H.
Published: January 2006

The Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) model was developed to estimate land surface fluxes using remotely sensed data and available meteorology. In this study, a dual assessment of SEBS is performed using two independent, high-quality datasets that are collected during the Soil Moisture–Atmosphere Coupling Experiment (SMACEX). The purpose of this comparison is twofold. First, using high-quality local-scale data, model-predicted surface fluxes can be evaluated against in situ observations to determine the accuracy limit at the field scale using SEBS. To accomplish this, SEBS is forced with meteorological data derived from towers distributed throughout the Walnut Creek catchment. Flux measurements from 10 eddy covariance systems positioned on these towers are used to evaluate SEBS over both corn and soybean surfaces. These data allow for an assessment of modeled fluxes during a period of rapid vegetation growth and varied hydrometeorology. Results indicate that SEBS can predict evapotranspiration with accuracies approaching 10%–15% of that of the in situ measurements, effectively capturing the temporal development of surface flux patterns for both corn and soybean, even when the evaporative fraction ranges between 0.50 and 0.90. Second, utilizing high-resolution remote sensing data and operational meteorology, a catchment-scale examination of model performance is undertaken. To extend the field-based assessment of SEBS, information derived from the Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) and data from the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) were combined to determine regional surface energy fluxes for a clear day during the field experiment. Results from this analysis indicate that prediction accuracy was strongly related to crop type, with corn predictions showing improved estimates compared to those of soybean. Although root-mean-square errors were affected by the limited number of samples and one poorly performing soybean site, differences between the mean values of observations and SEBS Landsat-based predictions at the tower sites were approximately 5%. Overall, results from this analysis indicate much potential toward routine prediction of surface heat fluxes using remote sensing data and operational meteorology.
Communities, Kings and Chronicles
Authors: Chatterjee Kumkum
Published: January 2006

This article studies a corpus of genealogical materials from Bengal called kulajis or kulagranthas, which had served important political and cultural functions for several centuries. The main focus here is on trying to understand the historical context in which these materials were pro-duced, their substantive contents and the ideological function performed by them. The essay also seeks to explore the historicity of these genealogies and analyse the roles of the king and the jati-based community or samaj from the perspective of the kulagranthas.
The Agency of the Colonial Subject
Authors: Cederlöf Gunnel
Published: January 2006

This article analyses conflicts erupting during the settlement of rights in land and natural resources in the forests of the Nilgiri Hills in 1819 to 1843. It focuses specifically the ways in which the pastoralist Toda community acted in order to protect their authority over the land. The author argues that British colonial administration perceived and classified both landscape and people according to particularistic and utilitarian principles. Thereby, the legal settlement of land became particularistic and land rights were defined relative to the individual community. It is further argued that, in spite of highly unequal power relations and a dominant legal discourse of property, people in the Nilgiris possessed agency and had capacity to influence the proceedings through a variety of means. Laws regulating access to and use of land became, therefore, to a large extent, contextual and were shaped alongside the land conflicts.
Twenty-six-Year Results after Broström Procedure for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability
Authors: Bell S. Josh , Mologne Timothy S. , Sitler David F. , Cox Jay S.
Published: January 2006

Background

The procedure described by Broström has been used to address chronic lateral ankle instability; the long-term results of this procedure have not been reported.

Hypothesis

The Broström procedure provides good results over the long term for active patients with chronic lateral ankle instability.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Thirty-one male patients (32 ankles) who underwent the Broström procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability while enrolled as students at the United States Naval Academy were identified. Each patient was mailed a questionnaire that included a functional outcome measure as described by Roos et al, a score described by Good et al, and a single-number ankle functional assessment. The mean age was 20.7 years (range, 18-23 years) at the time of operation. A functional outcome score was completed on each patient, with a mean follow-up of 26.3 years (range, 24.6-27.9 years).

Results

The follow-up included 22 of the 31 original patients. The mean numeric score for overall ankle function was 91.2 of 100 (standard deviation, 10.2). The foot and ankle outcome score (described by Roos et al) was 92.0 (92%; standard deviation, 12.8) averaged over 5 functional areas. Ninety-one percent of the patients described their ankle function as good or excellent using the scale devised by Good et al.

Conclusion

The long-term results of the Broström procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability are excellent with 26-year follow-up.
Arthroscopic Release of the Vastus Lateralis Tendon for Recurrent Patellar Dislocation
Authors: Woods G. William , Elkousy Hussein A. , O'Connor Daniel P.
Published: January 2006

Background

Arthroscopic release of the vastus lateralis tendon for treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation has been criticized on the grounds that it may weaken the quadriceps.

Hypothesis

Quadriceps strength and outcome measures improve after arthroscopic release of the vastus lateralis tendon in patients with documented patellar dislocation.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Twenty patients who had recurrent patellar dislocation underwent arthroscopic lateral retinacular release that included a complete release of the vastus lateralis tendon from the superior pole of the patella and were observed prospectively. Bilateral quadriceps strength was tested preoperatively and at follow-up with an isokinetic dynamometer. Patients also completed the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form and the Short Form-36 preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results

Follow-up averaged 27 months (range, 24-43 months). There were no redislocations. Mean quadriceps strength improved by a mean of 28% (from 32.3 to 41.4 N·m). The mean quadriceps torque ratio (involved/uninvolved) improved significantly from a preoperative value of 63% (31/51 N·m) to 80% (42/52 N·m) at follow-up (P = .017). Fourteen patients (70%) increased quadriceps torque, and 6 patients (30%) decreased quadriceps torque. Only 1 patient failed to improve on International Knee Documentation Committee and Short Form-36 scores. The International Knee Documentation Committee scores improved from 45 points preoperatively to 76 points at follow-up (P = .001). The Short Form-36 physical component summary scores improved from 38 points preoperatively to 50 points at follow-up (P = .007), and the Short Form-36 physical functioning subscale scores improved from 53 points to 86 points (P = .015).

Conclusion

Arthroscopic release of the vastus lateralis tendon and lateral patellar retinaculum in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation can improve quadriceps strength and knee function.
Differences in Torsional Joint Stiffness of the Knee between Genders
Authors: Hsu Wei-Hsiu , Fisk Jesse A. , Yamamoto Yuji , Debski Richard E. , Woo Savio L-Y.
Published: January 2006

Background

In many sports, female athletes have a higher incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury than do male athletes. Among many risk factors, the lower rotatory joint stiffness of female knees has been suggested for the increased rate of anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Hypothesis

In response to combined rotatory loads, female knees have significantly lower torsional joint stiffness and higher rotatory joint laxity than do male knees at low flexion angles, despite the fact that no such gender differences would be found in response to an anterior tibial load.

Study Design

Comparative laboratory study.

Methods

Joint kinematics of 82 human cadaveric knees (38 female, 44 male) in response to (1) combined rotatory loads of 10 N·m valgus and ±5 N·m internal tibial torques and (2) a 134-N anterior-posterior tibial load were measured using a robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system.

Results

In response to combined rotatory loads, female knees had as much as 25% lower torsional joint stiffness (female: 0.79 N·m/deg; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.91; male: 1.06 N·m/deg; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.17) and up to 35% higher rotatory joint laxity (female: 26.2°; 95% confidence interval, 24.5°-27.9°; male: 20.5°; 95% confidence interval, 18.8°-22.2°) than did male knees (P < .05), whereas there were no gender differences in response to the anterior tibial load (P > .05).

Conclusion

Female knees had lower torsional joint stiffness and higher rotatory joint laxity than did male knees in response to combined rotatory loads.

Clinical Relevance

Larger axial rotations of female knees in response to rotatory loads may affect the distribution of forces in soft tissues and the function of muscles that provide knee stability. Control algorithms used during the biomechanical testing of cadaveric knees and computational knee models might need to be gender specific.
Long-term Outcome of Endoscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Patellar Tendon Autograft
Authors: Salmon Lucy J. , Russell Vivianne J. , Refshauge Kathryn , Kader Deiary , Connolly Chris , Linklater James , Pinczewski Leo A.
Published: January 2006

Background

Short-term results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are well reported; however, there are no studies evaluating endoscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with a minimum 10-year follow-up.

Hypothesis

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon graft affords good subjective results and clinical laxity assessments but may be associated with development of osteoarthritis over the long term.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed in 67 consecutive patients without significant articular surface damage. Patients were assessed at 5, 7, and 13 years after surgery with the International Knee Documentation Committee Knee Ligament Evaluation Form, Lysholm knee score, hop tests, kneeling pain, and radiographs.

Results

At 13-year review, self-reported assessments remained excellent; 96% of patients reported normal or nearly normal knee function. Grade 0 or 1 results were seen in more than 92% of patients on laxity testing. Patients who had undergone meniscectomy at the time of reconstruction had increased laxity between 7 and 13 years on instrumented testing (P = .03) and 6 times greater odds of anterior cruciate ligament graft rupture than if they had not undergone meniscectomy (95% confidence interval, 1-37). Degenerative changes on radiographs were found in 79% of patients at 13 years and were associated with meniscectomy (P = .006), loss of extension (P = .05), and greater laxity on Lachman test (P = .04).

Conclusions

Endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft affords and maintains good self-reported assessments and clinical ligament evaluation up to 13 years. Radiographic degenerative changes were seen in three quarters of patients. Almost half developed loss of extension, suggesting onset of early osteoarthritis. Patients who had undergone meniscectomy at the time of reconstruction had increased clinical ligament laxity over time and greater odds of graft rupture, possibly reflecting the effect of prolonged increased strain on the graft. Continued follow-up is required to resolve concerns regarding integrity of the patellar tendon graft beyond 13 years, particularly in the absence of meniscal tissue.
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of the Effect of Water on E-glass-Vinylester Composites
Authors: Karbhari Vistasp M.
Published: January 2006

Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) is used to investigate the degradation response of unidirectional pultruded E-glass-vinylester due to immersion in deionized water over a range of temperatures below its glass transition. It is found that moisture uptake which is overall Fickian in nature results in initial plasticization of the bulk matrix followed by matrix cracking, crack coalescence, fiber-matrix debonding, and irreversible matrix degradation. Post-cure, due to interaction with water and temperature, is noted to take place in the first 10-15 weeks, and competes with degradation mechanisms. Post-cure can be noted through large increases in storage modulus as well as in the loss tangent peak. A link can be drawn between storage modulus in the rubbery region, and the inter-crosslink molecular weight to further elucidate relative effects of post-cure and chain scission, which is seen on longer periods of immersion, but accelerated by higher temperatures.
Strength and Stiffness Optimization Studies on Honeycomb Core Sandwich Panels
Authors: Murthy Onkar , Munirudrappa N. , Srikanth L. , Rao R. M. V. G. K.
Published: January 2006

The optimization of strength and stiffness properties of sandwich panels is a critical area of study in the effective design of sandwich panels in view of their potentialities in weight critical applications. G. R. Froud in his article aptly named ‘Your sandwich order, Sir’ (Froud, G. R. (1980). Your Sandwich Order, Sir, Composites, 133-138), shows theoretically how a sandwich construction can be optimally designed for a stiffness or a strength criterion. This article has triggered the interest and has prompted the authors, to carry out experimental studies, to verify the applicability of this theory to sandwich panel specimens made out of glass/epoxy skins with honeycomb core. The optimum core to skin weight ratios for maximum stiffness and strength of the sandwich panels are experimentally found to be 2.04 and 0.96 as against the theoretical values of 2.0 and 1.0.
Results of the National Initiative for Cancer Care Quality: How Can We Improve the Quality of Cancer Care in the United States?
Authors: Malin Jennifer L. , Schneider Eric C. , Epstein Arnold M. , Adams John , Emanuel Ezekiel J. , Kahn Katherine L.
Published: January 2006

Purpose

In 1999, the National Cancer Policy Board called attention to the quality of cancer care in the United States and recommended establishing a quality monitoring system with the capability of regularly reporting on the quality of care for patients with cancer.

Methods

Using data from a patient survey 4 years after diagnosis and review of medical records, we determined the percentage of stage I to III breast cancer and stage II to III colorectal cancer survivors in five metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) across the United States who received recommended care specified by a comprehensive set of explicit quality measures.

Results

Two thousand three hundred sixty-six (63%) of 3,775 eligible patients responded to the survey, and 85% consented to have their medical records reviewed. Our final analytic sample (n = 1,765) included 47% of the eligible patients. Patients with breast and colorectal cancer received 86% of recommended care (95% CI, 86% to 87%) and 78% of recommended care (95% CI, 77% to 79%), respectively. Adherence to quality measures was less than 85% for 18 of the 36 breast cancer measures, and significant variation across MSAs was observed for seven quality measures. The percent adherence was less than 85% for 14 of the 25 colorectal cancer measures, and one quality measure demonstrated statistically significant variation across the MSAs.

Conclusion

Initial management of patients with breast and colorectal cancer in the United States seemed consistent with evidence-based practice; however, substantial variation in adherence to some quality measures point to significant opportunities for improvement.
Single- and multiwalled carbon nanotube networks and bundles assembled on microelectrodes
Authors: Dimaki M , Boggild P
Published: January 2006

Dielectrophoresis is a convenient and flexible method for manipulating carbon nanotubes by the use of alternating electric fields. The method can be used for self-assembly of nanotubes on a set of microelectrodes. This paper shows bundles and nets of single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes assembled between microelectrodes of various geometries as well IV curves recorded on the assembled nanosystems. The nets of multiwalled carbon nanotubes are suspended, while the single-walled nanotubes are lying on a surface. Carbon nanotube nets exhibit a large current-carrying capacity up to almost 4 mA with resistance of 1 to 4 kΩ, indicating that reliable electrical contacts can be formed using dielectrophoresis. This conclusion is further strengthened by the fact that the nanotubes tend to fail in intermediate regions far away from the electrodes, when subjected to currents above the maximal current capacity.
Germanium nanowire transistors: A comparison of electrical contacts patterned by electron beam lithography and beam-assisted chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Hanrath T , Korgel B. A.
Published: January 2006

Germanium (Ge) nanowires synthesized using the supercritical fluid-liquid-solid (SFLS) approach were assembled into single nanowire transistor device structures. After depositing the nanowires from solution onto an oxidized silicon substrate, they were electrically connected with source and drain electrodes using one of three approaches: electron beam lithography (EBL), focused ion-beam-(FIB)-assisted chemical vapour deposition, or focused electron-beam-(FEB)-assisted chemical vapour deposition. The electrical properties of the contacts varied greatly with the fabrication method used. Gold contacts patterned by EBL were plagued by high contact resistance with non-linear current-voltage behaviour and poor structural stability. Platinum metal contacts deposited by FEB and FIB were structurally stable with lower contact resistance. However, FIB damages the nanowire by ion milling, implantation, and amorphization. FEB on the other hand produces reliable ohmic electrical contact with minimal structural damage to the nanowire. Ge nanowires, surface-treated with isoprene or hexene prior to FEB device fabrication, exhibited the least resistive contacts with a total contact resistance of approximately 0.8 MΩ
Electrospun nanofibres: Biomedical applications
Authors: Venugopal J , Zhang Y. Z. , Ramakrishna S
Published: January 2006

Synthetic and semi-synthetic polymeric materials were originally developed for their durability and resistance to all forms of degradation, including biodegradation. Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize many sectors, including pharmaceuticals, information technology, medical devices, materials science, chemicals, and energy. Nanofibres provide a connection between the nanoscale world and the macroscale world, since their diameters are in the range of 1 to 100 nanometres and several metres in length. Therefore, the current emphasis of research is to exploit such properties and focus on determining appropriate conditions for electrospinning various polymers and biopolymers for eventual applications including: multifunctional membranes; biomedical structural elements (scaffolds used in tissue engineering, wound dressing, drug delivery, artificial organs, vascular grafts); protective shields in specialty fabrics; and filter media for submicron particles in the separation industry. This paper reviews the research on recent biomedical applications of electrospun nanofibres.
Nanomanufacturing: Technical advances, research challenges, and future directions
Authors: Doumanidis C. C.
Published: January 2006

This article provides a review of the nascent field of manufacturing at the nanoscale, tracing its roots to the promise of nanotechnology for serving the society through valuable products and services. A comprehensive representative set of nanoscale technologies in processes, materials, pharmaceuticals, electronics, instruments, etc., that have reached or are currently introduced to mass production is presented and the key technological advances that led to their development are identified. This points to promising new research directions and the requisite infrastructure needs in nanomanufacturing, oriented towards enabling scalable technology transfer to industry and emphasizing producibility, predictability, and productivity aspects. International efforts in this arena are overviewed, with further insight into the related recent activities of the National Science Foundation in the United States.
Template-based fabrication of metal nanostructures
Authors: Atashbar M. Z. , Singamaneni S
Published: January 2006

Owing to the great demands in the field of nanoscience and engineering, it is important at this juncture to devise novel, cost-effective, and efficient ways of fabricating nanostructures. Palladium and nickel nanowires have been fabricated by electrodepositing Pd and Ni from aqueous plating solutions on to the step edges of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The morphology of the nanowires has been studied with an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). AFM studies revealed that the diameter of the nanowires was approximately 250 nm in the case of Pd and 14 nm in the case of Ni. SEM studies prove that the nanowires fabricated by this technique formed continuous and parallel arrays. The deposition parameters have been optimized for the growth of continuous nanowires for both metals. In the case of Pd the particles have been successfully transferred to polymer surfaces and the electrical resistance of the array of the nanowires has been found to be of the order of a few kΩ.
Critically appraising qualitative research for systematic reviews: defusing the methodological cluster bombs
Authors: Attree Pamela , Milton Beth
Published: January 2006

English

This article examines the place of qualitative research within systematic reviews as evidence for policy, discusses the critical appraisal process as applied to qualitative research, and gives illustrative examples of sound qualitative studies from the health policy field. A checklist is a useful tool for the quality evaluation of qualitative research, facilitating comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of different studies, and should stimulate debate between reviewers as part of the broader critical appraisal process. Critical appraisal must be central to research syntheses, thus enabling reviewers to make only good-quality qualitative evidence accessible for policy makers and practitioners.
Delivering evidence-based policy and practice: lessons from the implementation of the UK Crime Reduction Programme
Authors: Nutley Sandra , Homel Peter
Published: January 2006

English

This article uses findings from an evaluative review of the implementation of the Crime Reduction Programme (CRP) to highlight the key challenges faced when seeking to deliver evidence-based policy programmes. It considers ways of facilitating the translation of research into practical programmes and projects, and the difficulty of designing effective processes for evaluation, learning and change. The overall lesson is the importance of an approach to programme design and implementation that balances the many tensions inherent in evidence-based programmes, including fidelity to the evidence base versus innovation, short-term wins versus long-term learning, and evaluator distance and independence versus a more ‘hands-on’ and active evaluator role.
Effect of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen on Nonmetal Emission Intensities in a Helium Microwave-Induced Plasma
Authors: Ducatte Gerald R. , Long Gary L.
Published: January 2006

The effect of the introduction of carbon dioxide and hydrogen on nonmetal atomic and ionic line intensities in a helium microwave-induced plasma is discussed. The addition of these gases is found to diminish the excitation properties of the 150-W He plasma. While the plasma excitation temperature, ionization temperature, and electron number density are not significantly affected by the introduction of these gases, decreases in the emission intensities of atomic and ionic analyte transitions of S, P, Cl, Br, and I are noted with the higher-energy ionic transitions being more greatly affected. A correlation between the energy of the excited state and the depressing effect of CO2 is found by examining the signals of atomic and ionic transitions of Cl. The greater signal depression of the higher-energy nonmetal transitions is found to be consistent with charge transfer theory. These findings emphasize the importance of analyte line selection when a He plasma is being employed for the purpose of element-specific detection of nonmetals in supercritical fluid chromatography.
Influence of the Orientation of Polypropylene Fibers on Their Radiative Properties
Authors: Papini Marie
Published: January 2006

Radiative properties of fibers are wavelength and angular dependent. Cross sections of fibers depend on the direction of the incoming radiation. Measurements of the total and diffuse near-normal hemispherical spectral reflectances of polypropylene fibers over two wavelength ranges (0.25–2.5 μm and 2.5–15.5 μm) show that reflectance is higher when fibers are aligned parallel to the cell boundaries and lower when they are oriented perpendicular to the cell boundaries. The insulating property of the material is increased in the first case, and the radiative heat transfer is at a maximum in the second case. The effect of fiber diameter is also shown to give opposite variations for the two wavelength ranges.