bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network effects with quality change: an empirical analysis of the Japanese mobile telecommunications market, 1995–2001
Authors: Sunada Mitsuru
Published: October 2008

This study assesses the role of network effects under rapid quality change in the Japanese mobile telecommunications market by utilizing a simple framework based on a discrete choice model of product differentiation. The results indicate the existence of network effects in the Japanese mobile telecommunications market during the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, changes in the value of mobile telecommunications services mainly depend on quality changes; the contribution of network effects is negligible. Additionally, over time, network effects make a diminishing contribution to improving consumers' valuations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended testing across, not within, tasks raises diagnostic accuracy of smell testing in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Boesveldt Sanne , de Muinck Keizer Robert‐Jan O. , Knol Dirk L. , Wolters Erik Ch. , Berendse Henk W.
Published: October 2008

The aim of this study was to determine whether extended olfactory testing within a single olfactory task and/or across olfactory tasks increases diagnostic accuracy of olfactory testing in Parkinson's disease (PD). Olfactory function was assessed using an extended version of the “Sniffin' Sticks”, comprising 32‐item odor identification and discrimination tasks, and a detection threshold task in 52 PD patients and 50 controls, all aged between 49 and 78 years. ROC curves based on sensitivity and specificity estimates were used to compare the diagnostic accuracy of extended and combined olfactory testing. There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between the 16‐item and the 32‐item versions of the odor identification or discrimination test. The single olfactory test that was best in discriminating between PD patients and controls was a 16‐item odor identification test. A combination of the 16‐item identification test and the detection threshold task had a significantly higher area under the curve than the 16‐item odor identification test alone. In conclusion, extended testing across, and not within, olfactory tasks increases diagnostic accuracy of olfactory testing in PD. A combination of an odor detection threshold task and a 16‐item odor identification test had the highest sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between PD patients and controls. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Approximate implicit subspace iteration with alternating directions for LTI system model reduction
Authors: Zhou Yunkai , Sorensen D. C.
Published: October 2008

We propose an approximate implicit subspace iteration with alternating directions framework for linear time‐invariant system model reduction. Within this framework, dominant eigensubspaces of the product of the system Gramians are approximated directly. This has advantage over approaches that consider the system Gramians separately. We construct two methods within the framework, one uses the QR updates and the other uses the SVD updates. Numerical results show the efficiency of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth effects of methylphenidate among childhood cancer survivors: A 12‐month case‐matched open‐label study
Authors: Jasper Bruce W. , Conklin Heather M. , Lawford Joanne , Morris E. Brannon , Howard Scott C. , Wu Shengjie , Xiong Xiaoping , Shelso John , Khan Raja B.
Published: October 2008

Background

To investigate the effect of stimulant medication [methylphenidate (MPH)] on growth patterns among survivors of childhood cancer (acute lymphoblastic leukemia or brain tumor).

Procedure

Using a case‐matched comparison design, childhood cancer survivors participating in a 12‐month open‐label MPH trial (n = 51) were compared with childhood cancer survivors not taking MPH (n = 51). Measures of body mass index (BMI), height, and weight were obtained at hospital visits and corrected for gender and age using Centers for Disease Control normative data.

Results

Significant deceleration of BMI and weight, but not height, was observed during the 12‐month MPH trial for those children taking MPH.

Conclusions

Childhood cancer survivors taking MPH experience significant, though modest, deceleration of BMI and weight across the first year of MPH intervention. The absence of height deceleration, and the presence of only modest BMI and weight deceleration, suggests that MPH is reasonably well tolerated by childhood cancer survivors with respect to growth. Such findings are encouraging in light of increasing evidence that MPH mitigates some of the cognitive late‐effects of cancer treatments. Nevertheless, on a case‐by‐case basis, clinicians should balance the intended benefits of MPH with potential growth effects in this vulnerable population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:39–43. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Late presentation of retinoblastoma in Malaysia
Authors: Menon Bina S. , Alagaratnam Joseph , Juraida Eni , Mohamed Mahfuzah , Ibrahim Hishamshah , Naing Nyi Nyi
Published: October 2008

Aims

The aims of this study were to review the presenting features, treatment and outcome for Malaysian children with retinoblastoma currently.

Subjects and Methods

This was a prospective study, conducted at the General Hospital Kuala Lumpur from August 2001until October 2007. Clinical data were collected at presentation and follow‐up.

Results

One hundred five children were diagnosed to have retinoblastoma. There were 55 males and 50 females, ranging in age from 1 month to 14 years (median 20 months). Seventy‐six children were Malay in ethnic origin (73%), 14 Chinese (13%), 12 Indian (11%), and other races (3%). Sixty‐four children presented with leukocoria (61%), followed by 23 with proptosis (22%), 13 with squint (12%), and 3 with orbital cellulitis (3%). Thirty‐three children (31%) deferred treatment for 6 months or more. Overall, 56 children had extraocular disease (55%), 52 at presentation, 4 later. Seventy‐one children (68%) underwent primary enucleation, 76 received chemotherapy (72%), and 23 radiotherapy (22%). Fifty‐seven children are alive (54%), of whom 3 are blind (5%). Twenty‐seven children were lost to follow‐up (26%) and 21 have died (20%).

Conclusion

Retinoblastoma in Malaysia is still characterized by predominantly extraocular disease due to late presentation and high rates of abandonment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:215–217. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preparation and morphology of amphiphilic polystyrene–poly (2‐vinylpyridine) heteroarm star copolymers prepared by ATRP
Authors: Yu Yang‐Yen , Chien Wen‐Chen , Chen Shih‐Ting
Published: October 2008

BACKGROUND: The self‐assembly of amphiphilic copolymers has been demonstrated to be a powerful route towards supramolecular objects with novel architectures, functions and physical properties. In this study, the synthesis and morphology of amphiphilic linear polystyrene (PS)‐block‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (P2VP) and heteroarm star PS‐star‐P2VP copolymers are studied. The dispersion of silver nanoparticles with the prepared PS‐block‐P2VP and PS‐star‐P2VP copolymers is also discussed.

RESULTS: Amphiphilic copolymers with different P2VP chain lengths were successfully synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The copolymers prepared had low polydispersity indices. Various aggregate morphologies, including spheres, vesicles, rods, large compound micelles, two‐dimensional ring‐like and three‐dimensional hollow structures, were formed by varying the hydrophilic coil length and the selective solvent content. Silver nanoparticles showed good dispersion behavior in both types of copolymers.

CONCLUSION: Based on this study, it will be possible to prepare metal/copolymer nanocomposites by direct mixing. Further, the PS‐block‐P2VP and PS‐star‐P2VP copolymers prepared can be used in the preparation of nanoporous films as templates and nanoparticles as nanoreactors. They can also be applied in terms of oil recovery, paints and cosmetics formulations, as well as in pharmaceutical and medical applications as rheological agents. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and evaluation of properties of novel poly(benzimidazole‐amide)s
Authors: Ferreiro Juan J. , Campa José G. de la , Lozano Angel E. , de Abajo J. , Preston Jack
Published: October 2008

Novel aromatic polyamides have been prepared by a combination of diacids containing preformed benzimidazole rings and aromatic diamines. By the phosphorylation method of polycondensation, polymers of high molecular weight (inherent viscosities between 0.81 and 2.13 dL/g) were obtained, which showed good solubility in polar aprotic solvents. The combination of aromatic amide linkages and benzimidazole rings along the polymer chain endowed the polymers with high thermal resistance and excellent mechanical properties. Glass transition temperatures fell in the range of 290–330 °C as measured by differential scanning calorimetry, and initial decomposition temperatures under nitrogen were over 480 °C as measured by thermogravimetric analysis. Some polymer films showed outstanding tensile strength (over 150 MPa) and moduli (up to 5 GPa). The presence of benzimidazole rings in the current polyamides greatly enhanced their hydrophilicity in comparison with classical wholly aromatic polyamides; thus, although aromatic polyamide films normally show water sorption values of only 4–8%, some of the current poly(benzimidazole amide)s show water sorption up to 19% in a 65% relative humidity atmosphere. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7566–7577, 2008
Electronic structure and optical properties of poly[3‐(4‐octylphenoxy)thiophene]: Experimental and theoretical studies
Authors: Ouhib Farid , Dkhissi Ahmed , Iratçabal Pierre , Hiorns Roger C. , Khoukh Abdel , Desbrières Jacques , Pouchan Claude , Dagron‐Lartigau Christine
Published: October 2008

This article reports the synthesis and characterization of a new polythiophene derivative phenoxy‐substituted, the poly[3‐(4‐octylphenoxy)thiophene] (POPOT). The oxidative polymerization was found to yield low molecular weight material, whereas a modified Grignard metathesis (GRIM) yielded polymers of high molecular weights. One‐ and two‐dimensional NMR indicated the latter to be highly regioregular. POPOTs exhibited higher thermal stabilities than equivalent alkoxy‐substituted polythiophenes and exhibited red shifts in the absorption spectra with respect to equivalent. The absorption spectra showed a red shifted λmax at 540 nm in tetrahydrofuran solutions and 580 nm in spin‐coated films, with respect to poly(3‐alkylthiophene)s. A further red shift of 40 nm in going from solution (540 nm) to solid states (580 nm) is correlated with results from density functional theory electronic structure calculations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7505–7516, 2008
Multi‐scaled microstructures in natural rubber characterized by synchrotron X‐ray scattering and optical microscopy
Authors: Toki Shigeyuki , Burger Christian , Hsiao Benjamin S. , Amnuaypornsri Sureerut , Sakdapipanich Jitladda , Tanaka Yasuyuki
Published: October 2008

Multi‐scaled microstructures induced by natural impurities (i.e., proteins, phospholipids, carbohydrates) in natural rubber (NR) were investigated by synchrotron small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and optical microscopy using several kinds of untreated and chemically treated un‐vulcanized samples. These microstructures include large aggregates (size less than 50 μm), well‐defined crystals (size less than a few 10 μm), and micelles (size much less than 10 μm). In un‐vulcanized NR samples, even though the concentrations of natural impurities are relatively low, the dispersion of these microstructures significantly affects the mechanical properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2456–2464, 2008
Morphology control and negative thermal expansion in cubic ZrWMoO8 powders
Authors: Liu Qinqin , Yang Juan , Sun Xiujuan , Cheng Xiaonong
Published: October 2008

Cubic ZrWMoO8 powders with rod‐like aggregate and thin fasciculus‐like and flower‐like rod cluster morphologies have been successfully fabricated with different amounts of (NH4)2HPO4 as surfactant using a hydrothermal method. X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were utilized to investigate the influence of the addition of (NH4)2HPO4 on the crystallization process and crystal morphology of the resulting products. The results show that the purity and the thermal expansion property of the resulting products are not influenced by the addition of (NH4)2HPO4. The cubic ZrWMoO8 powders with both rod‐like aggregate and flower‐like rod cluster morphologies show a positive thermal expansion property in the temperature range from room temperature to 120 °C, while they show a negative thermal expansion property in the temperature range from 120 °C to 700 °C. The abnormal thermal expansion property of cubic ZrWMoO8 below 120 °C is caused by the presence of water molecules. Investigations also show that the essence of the different morphologies of the ZrWMoO8 particles obtained is the result of the different aggregation modes of the nanorods, which act as nuclei, and the corresponding aggregation process is dominated by the addition of (NH4)2HPO4 and its amount. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Can nanotubes display auxetic behaviour?
Authors: Yao Yong Tao , Alderson Andrew , Alderson Kim Lesley
Published: October 2008

Fully generalised analytical expressions for longitudinal Poisson's ratio are developed for armchair and zigzag Single‐Walled Nanotubes (SWNTs) using an energy equivalent approach. Deformation is assumed due to simultaneous bond stretching and bond angle variation in response to an applied axial load. A parametric study is then performed to explore under what circumstances SWNTs may exhibit auxetic (negative Poisson's ratio) response. In principle, auxetic behaviour can be achieved by modifying the hexagonal cell shape to adopt a re‐entrant geometry for the case of bond angle variation being the dominant deformation mechanism. Alternatively, altering the length of the characteristic bond oriented in an off‐axis direction to below a critical value or modifying the force constants governing the deformation modes so that bond stretching dominates for the conventional hexagonal cell shape can also lead to auxetic behaviour. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Truss‐type systems exhibiting negative compressibility
Authors: Grima Joseph N. , Attard Daphne , Gatt Ruben
Published: October 2008

We propose novel two‐ and three‐dimensional truss structures made from rods of different materials connected together through pin‐joints to form triangular units which can exhibit anomalous compressibility properties. In particular, we show that these systems may be made to exhibit negative linear compressibility along certain directions or compressibilities that are even more positive than any of the component materials, i.e. the end product is a system with tunable compressibility properties that can be tailor made for particular practical applications. We also show that in specific cases, these systems can exhibit an overall negative area compressibility and sometimes even negative volumetric compressibility (i.e. negative bulk modulus) thus confirming that this property can indeed exist. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Metamodelling of auxetic cellular solids with differential evolution optimisation
Authors: Lew Tze Ling , Scarpa Fabrizio , Spencer Andrew , Worden Keith
Published: October 2008

Numerical simulations of mechanical properties involve significant computational effort when implemented in large scale engineering design problems. The large number of computations involved can rule out many approaches due to the expense of carrying out many runs. One way of circumnavigating this problem is to replace the true system by an approximate surrogate model (metamodel), characterised by lower CPU times usage. Metamodels developed using Genetic Programming and Artificial Neural Networks have been developed in conjunction with a Differential Evolution (DE) optimisation framework, to identify optimal shape functions for auxetic honeycombs, both for hexagonal and hexachiral configurations. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
De novo sequencing of peptides secreted by the skin glands of the Caucasian Green Frog Rana ridibunda
Authors: Samgina Tatiana Yu. , Artemenko Konstantin A. , Gorshkov Vladimir A. , Ogourtsov Sergey V. , Zubarev Roman A. , Lebedev Albert T.
Published: October 2008

Amphibian skin glands are known to secrete various types of bioactive peptides. The array of these peptides is specific for every frog species. The present research deals with the identification of peptides isolated from the skin secretion of the Marsh frog R. ridibunda inhabiting the Kolkhida Canyon of the Caucasian region. The research is based on comprehensive high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) analysis of intact and chemically modified peptides. In particular, an oxidation procedure was applied directly to the crude skin secretion to open SS loops whereas N‐terminal acetylation was additionally carried out for one individual peptide. Sequences were determined by manual interpretation of electron capture dissociation (ECD) and collisionally induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectra. A total of 29 peptides were identified in the skin secretion of the Caucasian Marsh frog. The peptide profile is represented with disulfide‐containing peptides belonging to the brevinin, esculentin and ranatuerin families, neuropeptides of the bradykinin and bombesin families. Two identified peptides belonging to the ranatuerins are the first peptides of this family discovered in the skin secretions of European frogs. Ten of the identified peptides coincide with those reported earlier for the European Edible frog. Another ten are identical to those found in R. ridubunda from the Moscow region. This fact verifies the described method as being an efficient analytical tool to compare intra‐ and interspecific variabilities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical random graphs and the structure of a minimum spanning tree
Authors: Addario‐Berry L. , Broutin N. , Reed B.
Published: October 2008

We consider the complete graph on n vertices whose edges are weighted by independent and identically distributed edge weights and build the associated minimum weight spanning tree. We show that if the random weights are all distinct, then the expected diameter of such a tree is Θ(n1/3). This settles a question of Frieze and Mc‐Diarmid (Random Struct Algorithm 10 (1997), 5–42). The proofs are based on a precise analysis of the behavior of random graphs around the critical point. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2009
Correction
Authors: Gerke Oke , Siedentop Harald
Published: October 2008

‘Optimal phase I dose‐escalation trial designs in oncology—A simulation study’, by Oke Gerke and Harald Siedentop (Statistics in Medicine 2007, published online: September 12 2007, DOI: 10.1002/sim.3037).

In Section 2.6, there is a typo in the last sentence which should read ‘The algorithm stops if the width of the 95 per cent confidence interval for the probability to observe a toxic event of the dose level currently believed to be the MTD is smaller than 50 per cent.’ instead of ‘… 15 per cent.’
Generalization and systemic epistemology: Why should it make sense?
Authors: Houghton Luke
Published: October 2008

This paper argues that true ‘systemic’ epistemology should reveal multiple perspectives, conflicting realities and various other contexts due to its inherent pluralistic nature. Therefore, generalization in systems research occurs not across one linear conceptual framework but across the variety of nonlinear, conflicting, dialectal ‘realities’. It is therefore a misunderstanding of systems research to search for linear, singular and non‐conflicting versions of events as though there is one overarching ‘mega concept’ that will explain world events. The paper presents the hallmarks of a systemic epistemology. Using an example the nature of a systems epistemology is demonstrated and explained. The paper concludes that a ‘systemic’ epistemology is one that should reflect a ‘systemic’ reality. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A system‐oriented analysis model to enhance patient safety in healthcare organizations
Authors: Chuang Sheu‐Wen , Pan Chung‐Yu , Huang Chin‐Yin
Published: October 2008

Applications of system approach and changes in “systems” of care have been recognized as a key for the successful implementation of patient safety; however, the performances of patient safety have neither been satisfactory nor acceptable. The lack of knowledge and understanding of errors is one of the major barriers in blocking the success. In this paper, a four‐step System Oriented Event Analysis model is proposed based on system theory and risk management model for social‐technical systems. It reflects both a philosophical approach and a mechanism to guide the investigation team to build up the ability of controlling safety in the way of system thinking. A pilot study in a 50‐bed hospital was performed. The system knowledge of errors for health care professionals has been strengthened during the model implementation. The system hierarchy and safety control matrix for vulnerable system components in the outpatient clinic consultation system has been established to prevent patient identification errors. A reduction of this type of error and the increase of incidents reported were found after ten months of implementation. Health care institutions can use this model as a training instrument for system knowledge enhancement, and as an analysis mechanism for the sustainability of patient safety. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
Test methodology for the formulation and selection of components of thread moulding oils
Authors: Monetti C. , Buchner B. , Hering G.
Published: October 2008

In the course of a Kplus research project which focused on the internal thread moulding process, a test methodology for evaluating the efficiency of forming oils was developed. The various tests should provide tribological characteristic values, such as coefficient of friction, with respect to the real production environment. To guarantee the transferability of results, the complex of loads acting on the components in the model tests must correspond to the real forming process. Especially parameters such as contact pressure, relative speed in the forming zone and the increase of surface of the workpiece during the forming process must be considered in tribological testing. The tribological data provided information to select components of thread moulding oils and to optimise the formulation. Best practice moulding oils must satisfy different demands in respect of physical, physical–chemical, chemical and additional properties. In addition to the cooling function and the reduction of friction, there is also a significant influence on the quality of the workpiece and the moulding process itself. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The comparison of wear properties of different Fe‐based hardfacing alloys in four kinds of testing methods
Authors: Badisch E. , Kirchgaßner M. , Polak R. , Franek F.
Published: October 2008

Iron‐based hardfacing alloys are widely used to protect machinery equipment. A strong correlation is given between microstructure and chemical composition of welding deposit with the resulting wear behaviour. Concerning precipitation of metallurgical hard phases and synthetic added hard particles, the bonding strength of the hard phases in the metallic matrix seems to play a dominating role to obtain high wear resistance.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the wear behaviour for pure abrasion, combined impact/abrasion and high impact wear, respectively, for four different Fe‐based hardfacing alloys. Tests were performed with a standard ASTM G65 dry‐sand/rubber‐wheel tester. An impeller–tumbler apparatus enabled investigation of impact abrasion wear tests. Additional wear tests with high impact loading were performed on a drop hammer apparatus. Fracture surface analysis was carried out after drop hammer testing and results were correlated with microstructure and interfacial bonding behaviour of precipitations in metallic matrix. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Youth and violence: Phenomena and international data
Authors: Legge Sandra
Published: October 2008

The topic of youth, violence, and disintegration needs addressing because young women and men are the world's greatest capital. They have the energy, talent, and creativity for building a future. But this group also suffers grave vulnerabilities. The time of adolescence includes important and difficult periods of life (for example, becoming more independent from the family, finding an adequate position in society, and starting a family of one's own). All of these points are strongly correlated with social integration, employment, and a place in the labor market—important factors in this context.

This article gives an overview of the international development and the actual situation of socially harmful behavior among youths—both fatal violence (homicide) and nonfatal violence (such as bullying, fighting, and carrying weapons). The author shows that different kinds of youth violence represent social problems in every society. The data show that youths are not only perpetrators but also the group with the highest risk of becoming victims of violence. Furthermore, the data from around the world show that their vulnerability is not limited to this sphere. It arises also from their social conditions, especially their high risk of being disintegrated from the labor market. The parallels in the data underline the significance of a functioning institutional structure without positing a deterministic relationship between the risk of economic disintegration and violent behavior.
The French republican model of integration: The theory of cohesion and the practice of exclusion
Authors: Oberti Marco
Published: October 2008

What are the explaining factors for the wave of riots in France in November 2005? In providing some answers, this article begins by examining the practical usefulness of the French republican model of integration for social cohesion, highlighting the way its negation of other criteria, such as ethnicity, race, or religion, limit this national conception of citizenship and emphasizing these excluded factors as one of the main causes of frustration and resentment among migrant groups in France.

The author compares these riots to the student movements in spring 2006 and shows some similarities as well as important differences between the explaining structural factors of these two youth‐based social upheavals. One of the contributing distinctions is the experience of ethnic and racial discrimination as an important source of deep resentment. The author avoids reducing the riots simply to a clash between ethnic groups with specific ethnic interests or a class revolt. Instead, he stresses the relationship between specific social structural factors and spatial effects as the element that created the context for the riots by transforming inequalities into visible and indefensible discrimination. Several factors show that spatial aspects (in the form of segregation) are important alongside the ethnic/racial ones in explaining the riots.
Violence in the Brazilian favelas and the role of the police
Authors: Huguet Clarissa , Szabó de Carvalho Ilona
Published: October 2008

Institutions should normally have an integrative influence. The family, for example, has the task of protecting and giving socio‐emotional support to children, and schools should prepare young people for their future. Ideally the common goal of all of society's institutions is to secure the integration of youth and prevent or intervene against deviant behavior. But sometimes institutions provoke or even cause juvenile delinquency. The article discusses institutional influences and the role of the police in the criminal and violent situation in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.

Starting with an overview of the origins and the development of violence, crime, and drug trafficking in the favelas, the authors show how these slums arose. Their analysis examines the lack of a state presence with an integration policy to avoid social disintegration. Instead of social integration policy, there is a dual approach that both controls and produces violence. The article also presents the first results of a government attempt in 2000 to introduce a new police unit to stop the violence and improve the social opportunity structure of the residents of the favelas, especially young people.
Recognition denial, need for autonomy, and youth violence
Authors: Brezina Timothy
Published: October 2008

Some adolescents develop an especially strong need for autonomy, desiring to be “their own boss” and determined to follow their own rules. Previous research indicates that an exaggerated need for autonomy is associated with aggression and other problem behaviors. Yet little is known about the origins of such “me‐first” attitudes. Why do some young people develop a stubborn need for autonomy in the first place?

This article focuses on the role of adolescent autonomy needs in the development of youth violence, drawing on the insights of recognition theory and suggesting that the origins of an exaggerated need for autonomy can be found in the experience of recognition denial. Data from a large sample of male adolescents are used to test this hypothesis. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis, showing that perceived recognition denial (including the perception that one is treated as an inferior) contributes to a strong need for autonomy. Both are associated with elevated levels of violent behavior. The author closes with a discussion of the findings and their implications for violence prevention.
Social identity and violence among immigrant adolescents
Authors: Mesch Gustavo S. , Turjeman Hagit , Fishman Gideon
Published: October 2008

Whereas traditional criminological theories treat juvenile delinquency largely as a reactive and expressive behavior that only seldom leads to specialized criminal offending or a criminal career, this article proposes an alternative classification of offenses that accounts for the difference between youthful reactive conduct and specialized criminality. It examines the effect of immigration on delinquency among juvenile Russians in Israel. In contrast to previous work that has examined the criminogenic effect of immigration without differentiating specific types of delinquency, this study investigates the immigration effect on eclectic as well as specialized delinquency. Based on survey data from face‐to‐face interviews with 910 immigrant youths from the former Soviet Union in Israel, the study finds important results regarding the integration of juvenile immigrants in modern societies. In contrast to the assumption that assimilation in multicultural societies represents a safe way for social adaptation and to prevent specific kinds of violent behavior, the authors find empirical support for a more sophisticated approach. Furthermore, the results underline the importance in differentiating between distinct forms of violence.
Right‐wing extremist violence among adolescents in Germany
Authors: Sitzer Peter , Heitmeyer Wilhelm
Published: October 2008

What are the preconditions for right‐wing extremist violence among German youths? For several years, the rate of this violence has been increasing in Germany, and the same can be observed for right‐wing extremist orientations characterized by the coming together of ideologies of unequal worth and the acceptance of violence as a mode of action. And although it is emphasized that approval of and willingness to use violence do not automatically lead to actual acts of violence, this article suggests that the existence of these convictions in society helps to legitimize attitudes that become expressed in violence, in particular among youths.

This article presents a five‐stage process model that portrays the underlying preconditions for acts of right‐wing extremist violence, the contexts in which such violence takes place, and the factors that cause it to escalate. This structural model is used to outline central empirical findings of recent German quantitative and especially qualitative studies about right‐wing extremist violent offenders. For analytical reasons, the basic elements of the process model (socialization, organization, legitimation, interaction, and escalation) are treated separately. The authors also examine right‐wing extremist violence from a disintegrative perspective. Given that intersubjective recognition is an existential human need, right‐wing extremist violence is understood as a “productive” way of dealing with individual recognition deficits. On the basis of the integration dimensions of social disintegration theory, three fundamental recognition needs are distinguished. Right‐wing extremist violence can best be explained as a consequence of recognition deficits in all three central integration dimensions.
Improved Management of Acute Gallstone Disease After Regional Surgical Subspecialization
Authors: Simpson D. J. , Wood A. M. , Paterson H. M. , Nixon S. J. , Paterson‐Brown S.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Acute gallstone disease is a common indication for emergency hospital admission, and evidence now strongly supports early laparoscopic cholecystectomy as the treatment of choice. Recent data from the UK suggest that this is achieved in a minority of cases with a high proportion of patients managed by deferred elective surgery or emergency open cholecystectomy. We present results of a policy of definitive treatment during index admission after subspecialist reorganization of a regional emergency surgical service.

Methods

Data for all emergency gallstone admissions were retrieved from a prospectively collected regional surgical audit database and results were compared from 31 month periods before and after subspecialist service reorganization in August 2002.

Results

A total of 2442 patients were analyzed. Before subspecialization, 458 of 733 patients (62.4%) underwent cholecystectomy during index admission; after subspecialization, cholecystectomy during index admission for biliary colic/acute cholecystitis was achieved in 666 of 817 (81.5%) patients (90.2% laparoscopic, 6.5% conversion rate, and 3.3% primary open cholecystectomy) with a reduction in hospital stay from median 5 to 4 days. The rate of deferred surgery decreased from 37.5% to 18.4%. Early surgery reduced total hospital admission by more than 1 day per patient compared with deferred surgery.

Conclusions

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy during emergency admission is cost‐effective and should be regarded as the standard of care. However, it requires appropriately trained surgeons and availability of a dedicated emergency room, which at present are not consistently provided in all regions of the UK.
Reconstruction of Posterior Interosseous Nerve Injury following Biceps Tendon Repair: Case Report and Cadaveric Study
Authors: Mokhtee David B. , Brown Justin M. , Mackinnon Susan E. , Tung Thomas H.
Published: October 2008

Surgical repair of distal biceps tendon rupture is a technically challenging procedure that has the potential for devastating and permanently disabling complications. We report two cases of posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) injury following successful biceps tendon repair utilizing both the single-incision and two-incision approaches. We also describe our technique of posterior interosseous nerve repair using a medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve graft (MABC) and a new approach to the terminal branches of the posterior interosseous nerve that makes this reconstruction possible. Finally, we advocate consideration for identification of the posterior interosseous nerve prior to reattachment of the biceps tendon to the radial tuberosity.
Hand Replantation with Proximal Row Carpectomy
Authors: Woo Sang-Hyun , Lee Young-Keun , Lee Hang-Ho , Park Ji-Kang , Kim Joo-Yong , Dhawan Vikas
Published: October 2008

The purpose of this study is to present our operative technique and postoperative results of the hand replantation with proximal row carpectomy in cases of complete amputation at the level of wrist joint. From May 2003 to April 2005, five patients suffered from complete amputation of the hand due to industrial trauma. Amputation level was radiocarpal joint in three cases and midcarpal joint in two cases. Three cases represented guillotine type and two cases with local crush type injuries. All were men and the mean age was 26.6 years. The mean follow-up period was 26.8 months. At the time of replantation, the wrist joint was stabilized with transarticular fixation using three to four Kirschner's wires after performing proximal row carpectomy. Postoperatively, functional results such as muscle strength, range of motion of the wrist and fingers, and sensory recovery were assessed according to Chen's criteria. Joint width and arthritic changes of the radio-capitate joint were evaluated with radiologic tools. According to Chen's criteria, the overall results in five cases were classified as grade II. Intrinsic muscle power of hands was found to be grade 4. The mean grip and pinch powers were 41% and 45%, respectively, compared to contralateral hand. The mean arc of flexion–extension of wrist was 53°. Total mean active motion of fingers was 215 degrees. Static two-point discrimination of fingertip ranged from 8 to 13 mm. On the follow-up, computerized tomography showed well-preserved radio-capitate joint space without any arthritic changes. While performing hand replantation after amputation at the radiocarpal or midcarpal level, proximal row carpectomy is a useful procedure to preserve joint motion of the wrist in selected cases.
Influence of Surface Modified MWCNTs on the Mechanical, Electrical and Thermal Properties of Polyimide Nanocomposites
Authors: Singh BP , Singh Deepankar , Mathur RB , Dhami TL
Published: October 2008

Polyamic acid, the precursor of polyimide, was used for the preparation of polyimide/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite films by solvent casting technique. In order to enhance the chemical compatibility between polyimide matrix and MWCNTs, the latter was surface modified by incorporating acidic and amide groups by chemical treatment with nitric acid and octadecylamine (C18H39N), respectively. While the amide-MWCNT/polyimide composite shows higher mechanical properties at low loadings (<3 wt%), the acid-MWCNT/polyimide composites perform better at higher loadings (5 wt%). The tensile strength (TS) and the Young’s modulus (YM) values of the acid-MWCNT/polyimide composites at 5 wt% MWCNT loadings was 151 and 3360 MPa, respectively, an improvement of 54% in TS and 35% in YM over the neat polyimide film (TS = 98 MPa; YM = 2492 MPa). These MWCNT-reinforced composites show remarkable improvement in terms of thermal stability as compared to that for pure polyimide film. The electrical conductivity of 5 wt% acid modified MWCNTs/polyimide nanocomposites improved to 0.94 S cm
− 1(6.67 × 10
− 18S cm−1for pure polyimide) the maximum achieved so far for MWCNT-polyimide composites.
Ionic Liquid-assisted Synthesis of Polyaniline/Gold Nanocomposite and Its Biocatalytic Application
Authors: Yang Wenrong , Liu Jingquan , Zheng Rongkun , Liu Zongwen , Dai Yun , Chen Guonan , Ringer Simon , Braet Filip
Published: October 2008

In this report, a novel chemical synthesis of polyaniline/gold nanocomposite is explored using ionic liquid (IL) 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. The direct chemical synthesis of polyaniline/gold nanocomposite was initiated via the spontaneous oxidation of aniline by AuCl4
−in IL. A nearly uniform dispersion of polyaniline/Au particles with a diameter of 450 ± 80 nm was produced by this method, which indicates that this method is more suitable for controlling particle dimensions. It was also found that the electrical conductivity of the polyaniline/gold nanocomposite was more than 100 times higher than that of the pure polyaniline nanoparticles. The polyaniline/gold nanocomposite displays superior function in the biocatalytic activation of microperoxidase-11 because of the high surface area of the assembly and the enhanced charge transport properties of the composite material. We also report the possible application of polyaniline/gold nanocomposite as a H2O2biosensor.
Radical Scavenging Activity of Lipophilized Products from Lipase‐Catalyzed Transesterification of Triolein with Cinnamic and Ferulic Acids
Authors: Choo Wee‐Sim , Birch Edward John
Published: October 2008

Lipase‐catalyzed transesterification of triolein with cinnamic and ferulic acids using an immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica (E.C. 3.1.1.3) was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the lipophilized products as model systems for enhanced protection of unsaturated oil. The lipophilized products were identified using ESI‐MS. Free radical scavenging activity was determined using the DPPH radical method. The polarity of the solvents proved important in determining the radical scavenging activity of the substrates. Ferulic acid showed much higher radical scavenging activity than cinnamic acid, which has limited activity. The esterification of cinnamic acid and ferulic acid with triolein resulted in significant increase and decrease in the radical scavenging activity, respectively. These opposite effects were due to the effect of addition of electron‐donating alkyl groups on the predominant mechanism of reaction (hydrogen atom transfer or electron transfer) of a species with DPPH. The effect of esterification of cinnamic acid was confirmed using ethyl cinnamate which greatly enhances the radical scavenging activity. Although, compared to the lipophilized cinnamic acid product, the activity was lower. The radical scavenging activity of the main component isolated from lipophilized cinnamic acid product using solid phase extraction, monocinnamoyl dioleoyl glycerol, was as good as the unseparated mixture of lipophilized product. Based on the ratio of a substrate to DPPH concentration, lipophilized ferulic acid was a much more efficient radical scavenger than lipophilized cinnamic acid.
Asteroseismic study of solar-like stars: A method of estimating stellar age
Authors: Tang Y. K. , Bi S. L. , Gai N.
Published: October 2008

Asteroseismology, as a tool to use the indirect information contained in stellar oscillations to probe the stellar interiors, is an active field of research presently. Stellar age, as a fundamental property of star apart from its mass, is most difficult to estimate. In addition, the estimating of stellar age can provide the chance to study the time evolution of astronomical phenomena. In our poster, we summarize our previous work and further present a method to determine age of low-mass main-sequence star.
Researching turbulent convection models and the density gradient reversing
Authors: Zhang Q. S. , Li Y.
Published: October 2008

Turbulent convection models (TCM) provide a better way to study convection in stars than the MLT. Improving numerical method, we adopted larger diffusion parameters and smaller dissipation parameters in order to further correct the p-mode oscillation frequencies of TCM models. The density gradient reversing is discussed.
Deep inside low-mass stars
Authors: Charbonnel Corinne , Talon Suzanne
Published: October 2008

Low-mass stars exhibit, at all stages of their evolution, the signatures of complex physical processes that require challenging modeling beyond standard stellar theory. In this review, we recall the most striking observational evidences that probe the interaction and interdependence of various transport processes of chemicals and angular momentum in these objects. We then focus on the impact of atomic diffusion, large scale mixing due to rotation, and internal gravity waves on stellar properties on the main sequence and slightly beyond.
Do Perceived Context Pictures Automatically Activate Their Phonological Code?
Authors: Jescheniak Jörg D. , Oppermann Frank , Hantsch Ansgar , Wagner Valentin , Mädebach Andreas , Schriefers Herbert
Published: October 2008

Morsella and Miozzo (Morsella, E., & Miozzo, M. (2002). Evidence for a cascade model of lexical access in speech production. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 28, 555–563) have reported that the to-be-ignored context pictures become phonologically activated when participants name a target picture, and took this finding as support for cascaded models of lexical retrieval in speech production. In a replication and extension of their experiment in German, we failed to obtain priming effects from context pictures phonologically related to a to-be-named target picture. By contrast, corresponding context words (i.e., the names of the respective pictures) and the same context pictures, when used in an identity condition, did reliably facilitate the naming process. This pattern calls into question the generality of the claim advanced by Morsella and Miozzo that perceptual processing of pictures in the context of a naming task automatically leads to the activation of corresponding lexical-phonological codes.
Nature of the crust beneath northwest Basin and Range province from teleseismic receiver function data
Authors: Gashawbeza Ewenet M. , Klemperer Simon L. , Wilson Charles K. , Miller Elizabeth L.
Published: October 2008

We utilized teleseismic receiver function techniques complemented by active source refraction seismology to study the crustal structure and continental rift processes responsible for the development of the northwest corner of the Basin and Range province in northwest Nevada. Our passive seismic array of 28 short‐period stations, spanning 70 km west to east, and 5 broadband USArray transportable array stations that extended our aperture to 230 km provided data on crustal properties independent of the results of our active source refraction experiment. Combining data from the two experiments provides better constraints on Moho depth, Vp/Vs ratio, and the structure and composition of the crust beneath the northwestern Basin and Range province than possible from either experiment alone. Our new data indicate Moho depths that vary from 29.5 on the east to 36.5 km in the west along the passive source array and Vp/Vs ratios that systematically span a wide range from 1.68 to 1.83. Velocity modeling of data collected from the 300 km, wide‐angle refraction/reflection survey provides comparable Moho depths of 32–37 km under the same region. Decreasing Vp/Vs is correlated with decreasing crustal thickness, with Vp/Vs ratio > 1.80 in northeast California and Vp/Vs < 1.74 in the thinner crust of the Basin and Range province. We associate the high Vp/Vs of northeast California with mafic additions to the crust during formation of the Modoc Plateau in a region of accreted Paleozoic island arc terrans similar to those exposed in the eastern Klamaths and northwestern Sierra Nevada. Unusually low Vp/Vs in conjunction with low absolute Vp and Vs is observed beneath the central part of our array and may be due to the roots of the Sierra Nevada batholith, now dismembered by Basin and Range faults. Back azimuthal stacking of our receiver function data suggests a northwest oriented crustal anisotropy fast direction beneath this region, parallel to the northwest to southeast oriented Cenozoic extension experienced by the Basin and Range province and suggestive of a similar flow direction in the middle to lower crust.