bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thrombus Burden Is Associated With Clinical Outcome After Intra-Arterial Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Barreto Andrew D. , Albright Karen C. , Hallevi Hen , Grotta James C. , Noser Elizabeth A. , Khaja Aslam M. , Shaltoni Hashem M. , Gonzales Nicole R. , Illoh Kachi , Martin-Schild Sheryl , Campbell Morgan S. , Weir Raymond U. , Savitz Sean I.
Published: September 2008

Background and Purpose—

Studies have established a relation between recanalization and improved clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients; however, intra-arterial clot size has not been routinely assessed. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of intra-arterial thrombus burden on intra-arterial treatment (IAT) and clinical outcome.

Methods—

A retrospective review of our IAT stroke database included procedure time, recanalization, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥4 at discharge), and mortality. The modified Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction thrombus grade was dichotomized into grades 0 to 3 (no clot or moderate thrombus, <2 vessel diameters) versus grade 4 (large thrombus, >2 vessel diameters).

Results—

Data were collected on 135 patients with thrombus grading. The baseline median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was higher in patients of grade 4 compared with grades 0 to 3 (19 vs 17,
P
=0.012). Grade 4 thrombi required longer (median, range) times for IAT (113, 37 to 415 minutes vs 74, 22 to 215 minutes, respectively;
P
<0.001) and higher rates of mechanical clot disruption (wire, angioplasty, snare, stent, or Merci retriever) compared with grades 0 to 3 (76% vs 53%,
P
=0.005). There were no differences in rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (6.6% vs 4.1%,
P
=0.701) or recanalization (50% vs 61%,
P
=0.216) in grade 4 versus grades 0 to 3. Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and artery of involvement showed that grade 4 thrombi were independently associated with poor outcome (odds ratio=2.4; 95% CI, 1.06 to 5.57;
P
=0.036) and mortality (odds ratio=4.0; 95% CI, 1.2 to 13.2;
P
=0.023).

Conclusions—

High thrombus grade as measured by the modified Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction criteria may be a risk factor that contributes to poor clinical outcome.
Socioeconomic Status, Hospital Volume, and Stroke Fatality in Canada
Authors: Saposnik Gustavo , Jeerakathil Thomas , Selchen Daniel , Baibergenova Akerke , Hachinski Vladimir , Kapral Moira K.
Published: September 2008

Background and Purpose—

Low socioeconomic status is associated with stroke fatality; however, the mechanism behind this association is uncertain. We sought to determine whether residence in a low-income neighborhood was associated with admission to low-volume facilities and whether this contributed to differences in fatality after stroke.

Methods—

All hospitalizations for ischemic stroke from April 2003 to March 2004 were identified from a national administrative database containing patient-level sociodemographic, diagnostic, procedural, and administrative information. Patients were assigned to income quintiles based on the median income of their primary neighborhood of residence and then categorized as low income (quintiles 1 and 2) or high income (quintiles 3 through 5). Hospitals were categorized as low or high volume on the basis of their annual number of stroke admissions. Multivariable analyses were performed to compare stroke fatality at 7 days and at discharge in patients in low- and high-income groups seen at low- and high-volume facilities.

Results—

Overall, 25 228 patients with ischemic stroke were included in the analysis. Those from high-income areas were more likely to be admitted to high-volume hospitals. Fatality at 7 days was 8.4%, 8.2%, 7.7%, 7.1, and 6.6% (χ
2
=0.002) for income quintiles 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), respectively. Low-income patients admitted to low-volume hospitals had the highest risk-adjusted stroke fatality.

Conclusions—

Patients from low-income areas presenting with acute stroke are more likely to be seen in low-volume facilities. This subgroup of patients had a higher risk-adjusted fatality than those from high-income areas seen at high-volume facilities. Understanding the pathways through which socioeconomic status affects health care may lead to strategies for quality improvement.
Microcatheter Contrast Injections During Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis May Increase Intracranial Hemorrhage Risk
Authors: Khatri Pooja , Broderick Joseph P. , Khoury Jane C. , Carrozzella Janice A. , Tomsick Thomas A.
Published: September 2008

Background and Purpose—

During intra-arterial revascularization, either guide catheter injections of contrast in the neck or microcatheter contrast injections (MCIs) at or beyond the site of an occlusion, can be used to visualize intracranial vasculature. Neurointerventionalists vary widely in their use of MCIs for a given circumstance. We tested the hypothesis that MCIs are a risk factor for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in the Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS) I and II trials of combined intravenous/IA recombinant tissue plasminogen activator therapy.

Methods—

All arteriograms with M1, M2, and ICA terminus occlusions were reanalyzed (n=98). The number of MCIs within or distal to the target occlusion was assigned. Postprocedure CTs were reviewed for contrast extravasation and ICH. Contrast extravasation was defined as a hyperdensity suggestive of contrast (Hounsfield unit >90) seen at 24 hours or present before 24 hours and persisting or replaced by ICH at 24 hours.

Results—

In this IMS subset, the rate of any ICH was 58% (57 of 98). More MCIs were seen in the ICH group (median=2 versus 1;
P
=0.04). Increased MCIs were associated with higher ICH rates (
P
=0.03). MCIs remained associated with ICH in multivariable analysis (
P
=0.01) as did baseline CT edema/mass effect, atrial fibrillation, time to intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator initiation, and Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction reperfusion score. MCIs were also associated with contrast extravasation in unadjusted and adjusted analyses.

Conclusions—

MCIs may risk ICH in the setting of combined intravenous/intra-arterial recombinant tissue plasminogen activator therapy, possibly due to contrast toxicity or pressure transmission by injections. MCIs should be minimized whenever possible. These findings will be tested prospectively in the IMS III trial.
Acute Hemorrhagic Edema of Infancy: Report of 4 Cases and Review of the Current Literature
Authors: Karremann Michael , Jordan Alexander J. , Bell Nellie , Witsch Michael , Dürken Matthias
Published: September 2008

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI) is a cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis that usually occurs in children younger than 2 years of age. It is a rare disease characterized by mild fever, a violent onset of hemorrhagic skin lesions, and edema usually followed by a spontaneous and complete recovery. Although the etiology is unknown, AHEI often follows infections, drug treatment, or vaccination. In the present report, the authors describe 4 cases of AHEI and review the relevant literature.
An Unusual Cause of Atrial Tachycardia in a Young Patient With Lymphoma
Authors: Luesink Maaike , Smeets Joep L. R. M. , Brons Paul P. T. , Kapusta Livia
Published: September 2008

An 8-year-old girl who was recently diagnosed as having anaplastic large-cell lymphoma presented with atrial tachycardia and dilated cardiomyopathy, which is a contraindication for further treatment with cardio-toxic chemotherapy. After starting digoxin therapy, the dilated cardiomyopathy resolved. Repeated episodes of atrial tachycardia in this case were not caused by any common disorder but were due to mechanical stimulation by a central venous catheter. Central venous catheters are known to cause mainly ventricular arrhythmias. However, atrial tachycardia is a rare manifestation of arrhythmia due to mechanical stimulation of the heart by a central venous catheter, with potentially important cardiovascular consequences.
Gender, risk and employment insecurity: The masculine breadwinner subtext
Authors: Kelan Elisabeth
Published: September 2008

The decline of the male breadwinner model goes hand in hand with an increased perception of insecurity and risk in the new economy. This article explores how the perception of and responses to risk and insecurity are influenced by gender. The article is based on interviews with male and female information communication technology (ICT) workers, and it identifies four main discourses through which they conceptualize risk. First, they draw on a discourse which normalizes risk as part of their jobs. A second discourse implicitly suggests that women are less likely to be made redundant. A third discourse is based on the assumption that becoming a breadwinner influences one's perception of risk. The topic of the final discourse is the importance of continually improving one's skills in order to remain employable and maintain one's position as a breadwinner. The discourses all assume the ideal of a neoliberal self-entrepreneurial subject. The article then discusses ageing as a factor that changes perceptions of risks and the ability to remain on top of one's game. While there is little difference in the interpretative resources men and women use to make sense of insecurity, the article shows that the subtext underlying all four discourses is that of a masculine breadwinner. The article contributes towards developing a gendered understanding of risk and insecurity through exposing the masculine subtext with which these discourses are saturated.
Passing the buck: Labor flexibility practices that transfer risk onto hourly workers
Authors: Lambert Susan J.
Published: September 2008

The goal of this article is to increase knowledge about the ways that front-line managers use scheduling practices to implement labor flexibility in low-skill, hourly jobs. Data come from a comparative study of 88 non-production jobs in 22 work sites in four industries (hospitality, retail, transportation, and financial services). The focus is on scheduling practices in part-time and full-time standard jobs that allow front-line managers to vary the number of hours employees work each week, the distribution of employees' hours across a week, and the number of employees scheduled for any hours week-to-week. The findings provide insight into the daily accountability requirements that press front-line managers to make quick adjustments to work schedules and the specific scheduling practices that enable them to do so. The discussion considers the extent to which these scheduling practices, like other labor flexibility practices, are implemented in ways that protect some workers from instability at the expense of others.
Rethinking risk in the new economy: Age and cohort effects on unemployment and re-employment
Authors: Lippmann Stephen
Published: September 2008

One of the major risks associated with flexible employment in the new economy is that of sudden and involuntary unemployment. The risk of involuntary unemployment, or displacement, has become widespread in the new economy, threatening workers across firms, occupations and industries. While most workers now face the risk of displacement, some appear better able to negotiate and navigate the flexible labor market that characterizes the `new' economy. Using pooled cross-sectional data covering over 20 years, I examine how workers' abilities to recover from displacement have changed over the past two decades. Specifically, I examine how older workers — typically thought to experience greater risk of displacement and disadvantage in the flexible labor market — fare in the new economy. My results indicate that birth cohort is a better predictor than chronological age of post-displacement employment outcomes, including the duration of unemployment and the likelihood of switching occupations upon re-employment. Those workers who entered the labor market in the years before employment flexibility became widespread suffer the most from displacement. These findings are interpreted from an institutional perspective, which focuses attention on the dramatic changes that have occurred in employment institutions and the employment relationship in the past two decades, and the ways that individuals understand and respond to them. As the social contract between employers and employees has largely been dismantled, those workers who may carry vestiges of the cognitive and cultural frameworks underlying that contract face greater risk of employment and career disruption in the new economy.
Real Estate Regulations in Accra: Some Macroeconomic Consequences?
Authors: Buckley Robert M. , Mathema Ashna Singh
Published: September 2008

Ghana has been one of the most rapidly growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa. This growth has been aided by Ghana's improving policy environment. In light of this, the paper addresses the question of why, given its higher level of per capita income and relatively strong growth, the housing conditions of the poor in Accra are considerably worse than those in a number of other African cities with lower incomes. There are not many data available to answer this question, so the method is indirect and takes two approaches. First, a variant of the monocentric city model is used to calculate Accra's housing supply elasticity relative to those of other similarly sized African cities. The model suggests that housing supply responsiveness is considerably lower in Accra, a result consistent with the observed higher housing costs. Secondly, a number of traditional housing demand and reduced-form equations are estimated for Accra and the other cities. This allows the formation of a quantitative judgment about Accra's housing supply elasticity. Taken together, the two approaches indicate that lower-income families in Accra have such poor housing conditions because the market is extremely unresponsive to demand. The welfare costs of current housing and land policies are considerable. The results suggest that making Accra's real estate market more responsive would go a long way towards improving the effectiveness of the broader policy environment. It would also no doubt improve the housing conditions of the poor and help to reduce the city's expanding footprint.
Why are Non-profit Performing Arts Organisations Successful in Mid-sized US Cities?
Authors: Poon Jessie P. H. , Lai Christine A.
Published: September 2008

This paper examines the locational success of non-profit arts organisations (PAOs) in six mid-sized cities and their metropolitan areas in the United States. The cities are located in the US rust belt and they do not fare well on Florida's creativity index. Yet they are ranked among the top 30 of some 400 North American cultural cities. Based on interviews with 63 performing arts directors, it is found that localisation economies as well as creative capital theories explain the attractiveness of mid-sized cities to the performing arts industry. While urbanisation economy factors were ranked lowly, this may be explained by the non-profit nature of the industry so that a significant share of interfirm or interorganisational linkages is voluntary, donated and informal. The results also reveal that non-profit organisations are relatively embedded in their local urban economies and rely rather heavily on local communities for patronage, performers and reputation.
Network Governance for Competitiveness: The Role of Policy Networks in the Economic Performance of Settlements in the Izmir Region
Authors: Eraydın Ayda , Armatlı Köroğlu Bilge , Erkuş Öztürk Hilal , Senem Yaşar Suna
Published: September 2008

Some cities and regions grow faster than others and they increase their relative shares in the global economy. The literature offers a wide list of factors of competitiveness, most of which define individual capacities of cities. Recently, however, there has been an increasing focus on the importance of network governance and the policy networks formed between different cities. This paper examines the importance of policy networks compared with other widely recognised factors of competitiveness to the economic performance of settlements in the Izmir region and investigates the importance of classical competitiveness indicators and network relations on their economic performance with the use of econometric methods. In conclusion, it discusses the importance of policy networks in administrative reform processes and economic development policies.
Defense Organization and Civil—Military Relations in Latin America
Authors: Pion-Berlin David
Published: September 2008

This study examines how defense institutions and personnel are formally organized in Latin America. In a region long plagued by praetorian armies, it is especially important that organizational designs ensure that civilians maintain institutional control over armed forces. For this to occur, it is argued that those designs must incorporate certain principles: (a) enhance the civilian presence in key defense institutions, (b) empower defense ministries, (c) lower the military's vertical authority along the chain of command, and (d) unify civilian power while dividing military power. Based on an examination of legal documents and other data for sixteen Latin American democracies, findings show three general organizational patterns: an ideal—typical defense structure that achieves all four objectives, a second best defense structure that still leaves too much military power unified, and a dual command structure that is least desirable for weakening the defense ministry while coalescing military might high up the ladder of influence.
Construction of Regional Input-Output Tables Using Nonsurvey Methods
Authors: Kronenberg Tobias
Published: September 2008

Regional input-output tables are usually not constructed from survey data but are estimated using nonsurvey regionalization methods, which saves time and money. However, traditional regionalization methods ignore cross-hauling (the simultaneous exporting and importing of one and the same type of product). This flaw results in an underestimation of trade and an overestimation of regional output multipliers. This article presents a new approach based on an estimate of product heterogeneity, which addresses the problem of cross-hauling and is applicable to European System of Accounts tables with indirectly allocated imports. Its application is illustrated by the estimation of a regional input-output table for North Rhine—Westphalia, one of Germany's federal states. The results are compared to the traditional commodity balance approach, indicating that the new method suffers far less from the underestimation of trade and the overestimation of multipliers.
The impact of a hybrid online and classroom-based course on palliative care competencies of family medicine residents
Authors: Pereira J , Palacios M , Collin T , Wedel R , Galloway L , Murray A , Violato C , Lockyer J
Published: September 2008

The University of Calgary offers a palliative care course that involves both classroom- and web-based learning for rural-based family medicine residents. This study assessed the impact of the course on palliative care-related competencies for two classes: 2004 and 2005. Instruments were developed to evaluate pre- versus post-course changes in knowledge (15-item quiz), attitudes (12-item survey), self-perceived comfort levels (19-item survey) and skills (3 long Objective Structured Clinical Examination stations (OSCEs), with accompanying standardised score sheets). In all, 16 and 20 residents participated in the 2004 and 2005 classes, respectively. Internal reliability values were acceptable to very good (Knowledge Quiz, Kuder-Richardson 20 = 0.5; Attitude Scale, α = 0.68–0.78; OSCE score sheets, α = 0.63–0.89; Self-Perceived Comfort Survey, α = 0.89–0.92). Inter-rater reliability values of the OSCE score sheets were α = 0.87 to 0.92. There was a significant improvement in the pre- versus post-course performances in OSCE 2 for 2004 and 2005 ( P = 0.01; P = 0.01; d = 1.42 and 1.94, respectively). Despite statistically insignificant changes in the other OSCEs, acceptable to large effect sizes were noted ( d = 0.4–1.34) for OSCE 1 in 2004 and OSCEs 3 in 2004 and 2005. Knowledge improved significantly pre-versus post-course in 2004 and 2005 ( t = 4.44 and 8.99; d = 2.29 and 2.24, respectively). Significant improvements and large effect sizes were noted in the comfort scales, but a ceiling effect was noted in the communication subscale. This hybrid course resulted in significant improvements across four domains, knowledge, attitudes, self-perceived comfort scale, and skills, in 2 consecutive classes.
Palliative care rehabilitation survey: a pilot study of patients’ priorities for rehabilitation goals
Authors: Schleinich MA , Warren S , Nekolaichuk C , Kaasa T , Watanabe S
Published: September 2008

Rehabilitation in palliative care is often overlooked. Settings that do consider occupational or physical therapy for palliative care patients often consult to therapists with competing caseloads. Few therapists specialise in palliative care, but nearly all ask, ‘What needs doing’? and ‘How well am I doing that’? No existing instruments address their questions. The objective is to develop and test a questionnaire for identifying patient goals and priorities for rehabilitation in palliative care. A questionnaire representing 11 domains of the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance was designed and pilot tested at four palliative care sites. Each question reflected a typical rehabilitation intervention in palliative care. Patients were asked to rate how important each of these interventions was on a numerical rating scale (0, not important–10, extremely important). Open-ended questions captured verbatim comments regarding thoughts of rehabilitation. The questionnaire was tested for test-retest reliability with two interviews approximately 1 week apart. Forty patients participated in the first interview and 32 in the second. Eight of eleven domain sub-scores achieved an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.6 or higher. The highest means were for the physical (8.2), institutional (7.8) and self-care (7.8) domains on the first interview and for the spiritual domain (7.9) on the second interview. Suggestions are provided to shorten the questionnaire and strengthen validity. This work furthers the understanding of the role of rehabilitation in palliative care. It also illustrates the feasibility of involving palliative care patients in research that contributes to setting standards and measuring quality of service.
Do case conferences between general practitioners and specialist palliative care services improve quality of life? A randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN 52269003)
Authors: Mitchell GK , Del Mar CB , O’Rourke PK , Clavarino AM
Published: September 2008

Australian palliative care is delivered by general practitioners (GPs) and specialist palliative care teams. Patient outcomes should improve if they work in formal partnership. We conducted a multi-centred randomised controlled trial of specialist- GP case conferences, with the GP participating by teleconference, or usual care and communication methods. Primary outcome measure was global Quality of Life (QoL) scores at 3 weeks from intervention. Secondary measures included subscale QoL scores and carer burden. Two a priori intention-to-treat analyses were conducted using recruitment, and time of death, as fixed time points. There was no difference between groups in the magnitude of change in global QoL measures from baseline to any time point up to 9 weeks post-case conference, or at any time before death. The case conference group showed better maintenance of some physical and mental health measures of QoL in the 35 days before death. Case conferences may improve clinical relationships and care plans at referral, which are not implemented until severe symptoms develop. Case conferences between GPs and specialist palliative care services may be warranted for palliative care patients.
Factors influencing hospice thromboprophylaxis policy: a qualitative study
Authors: Noble SIR , Nelson A , Finlay IG
Published: September 2008

Despite level 1 evidence supporting the use of low–molecular weight heparin thromboprophylaxis in hospitalised cancer patients, only 7% of specialist palliative care units (SCPU) have thromboprophylaxis guidelines. The reasons for this are unclear. To explore specialist palliative care units (SPCU) directors’ views on thromboprophylaxis in the inpatient unit, audiotaped semi-structured interviews were conducted with SCPU medical directors to explore factors influencing thromboprophylaxis practice. Purposive sampling of units known not to have thromboprophylaxis guidelines was conducted (as identified from previous research). The hospice directory was used to sample from units in each region of Great Britain and Ireland to ensure representation across the specialty. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Four major and four sub themes were identified. Participants were progressive in their attitudes to palliative care and comfortable with instigating active interventions for patient benefit. Symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) was rarely seen and therefore not considered important enough to warrant guidelines. There was concern that evidence informing thromboprophylaxis guidelines in the general population was not transferable to the advanced cancer population and that the outcome measures from these studies were less meaningful to a palliative care patient. Thromboprophylaxis was considered a life prolonging intervention which may result in a poorer death than one because of VTE. Nevertheless, participants were receptive to change if presented with convincing evidence derived from a representative population. Until the true prevalence and symptomatic burden of VTE is known, the role of thromboprophylaxis in the SPCU setting will remain controversial. There is a need for a well-designed study to explore the utility of thromboprophylaxis in the palliative care inpatient setting. However, this will require meaningful outcome measures to be used within a clinically applicable population.
Unrecognised cognitive impairment in hospice patients: a pilot study
Authors: Irwin SA , Zurhellen CH , Diamond LC , Dunn LB , Palmer BW , Jeste DV , Twamley EW
Published: September 2008

The presence of cognitive impairment in patients who are receiving hospice care can affect numerous practical, ethical and legal aspects of their healthcare. A number of factors can contribute to cognitive impairment in these patients. Prevalence rates of cognitive impairment vary widely, but it remains under-recognised and under-treated. The aims of this pilot study were to evaluate the presence and nature of cognitive deficits in patients receiving inpatient hospice care who did not have a known current or past diagnosis of a cognitive disorder or any obvious cognitive impairments. A convenience sample of 30 patients receiving inpatient hospice care underwent bedside cognitive testing. A comprehensive battery of tests was used, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and standardised neuropsychological tests of pre-morbid intellectual functioning, immediate and delayed recall, digit span forward and backward, verbal reasoning and letter and category fluency. On average, subjects were impaired on the MMSE and on tests of learning, verbal reasoning and letter and category fluency. Furthermore, 12 of the 30 subjects met DSM-IV cognitive impairment criteria for dementia based on impaired performance in memory and at least one other cognitive domain on testing. The results of this pilot study suggest that a sizable proportion of patients receiving inpatient hospice care have undetected but clinically significant cognitive impairments. Assessing for and helping patients, families and caregivers deal with cognitive impairment might benefit patients’ quality of life, relationships and overall care at the end of life. Future research in this population is needed to evaluate the causes and time course of cognitive impairment over time, as well as any relationship between cognitive impairment and decision-making capacity.
Identity, social status, privacy and face-keeping in digital society
Authors: Lahlou Saadi
Published: September 2008

Digitization of society raises concerns about privacy. This article first describes privacy threats of life-logging. It gives the technically novice reader a quick overview of what information and communication technology (ICT) is currently preparing for society, based on state-of-the art research in the industry laboratories: ubiquitous computing, aware environments, the Internet of Things, and so on. We explain how geolocation systems work and how they can provide detailed accounts of personal activity that will deeply affect privacy. At present, system designers rarely implement privacy-enhancing technologies — we explain why, based on empirical research. On the other hand, users, while expressing concern, do not protect themselves in practice — we list reasons for this. The problem is complex because the very nature of identity and social relations works against protecting personal data; this is the privacy dilemma. At least two key mechanisms in the production of good interaction and in the construction of social status are based on personal data disclosure. Then we discuss the nature of privacy, based on field observation. Privacy loss can be seen as `losing face'. We detail this notion, based on a discussion of the notion of face, and especially the Asian social construct of `Chemyon'. We then propose a new, positive, definition of privacy as `keeping face'. This positive notion can be used to build constructive guidelines for enhancing privacy in systems design, compatible with the way designers perceive their role. These guidelines are presented in an annex, after a short conclusion that advocates a constructive — perhaps risky — role for social science in the construction of future information and communication technology. 1
Médiations techniques des interactions perceptives: rencontres tactiles dans les environnements numériques partagés
Authors: Lenay Charles
Published: September 2008

Dans quelles conditions une médiation technique permet-elle à des sujets de se rencontrer et de se reconnaître? Dans les réseaux numériques, les espaces virtuels de travail collaboratif et de jeu donnent lieu à des interactions entre des utilisateurs distants. Mais dans quelle mesure ces interactions permettent-elles à chacun de reconnaître la présence d'autres sujets percevants? Pour étudier cette question nous utilisons des dispositifs de suppléance perceptive (systèmes de substitution sensorielle). En effet, ces prothèses perceptives représentent une situation extrême, bien révélatrice de la façon dont les technologies transforment nos capacités perceptives. Ici, elles permettent l'étude des conditions d'existence du croisement perceptif, c'est-à-dire d'une situation qui donne aux sujets la possibilité de se reconnaître mutuellement. Pour mener cette recherche nous proposons un paradigme expérimental minimaliste construit à l'aide du système `Tactos'. Ce dispositif de suppléance perceptive a été développé pour donner une perception tactile des formes numériques présentes sur l'écran de l'ordinateur. La mise en réseau de dispositifs de ce type permet aussi des interactions tactiles entre des utilisateurs distants (on parle de caresses distales). La version minimale de ce dispositif permet une étude expérimentale et une analyse précise des interactions perceptives. Ces expériences nous conduisent à suggérer quelques conditions nécessaires pour la constitution de l'expérience vécue de croisements perceptifs: la présence pour chacun d'un corps-image perceptible par les autres utilisateurs; un lien direct entre l'activité perceptive et la dynamique de ce corps-image; et l'absence de perception par chacun du corps-image qu'il présente aux autres utilisateurs.
Cognitive technologies for establishing, sharing and comparing perspectives on video over computer networks
Authors: Pea Roy , Lindgren Robb , Rosen Joseph
Published: September 2008

The rapidly increasing presence of digital video recordings and new communication capacities on the Internet has created new possibilities for collaboration in behavioral science research. Unfortunately, digital video has so far proven to be an unnatural medium for collaborative activity due to a lack of adequate tools that support joint analysis of a shared video record. We describe seven socio-technical design challenges that face what we term computer-supported collaborative video analysis. We also describe a software environment that we have created called DIVER that was designed to address these challenges and provide a platform for the fluid exchange of video data as well as the insights that the data elicit. The affordances of DIVER for supporting collaboration around video are grounded in the descriptions of two academic contexts in which the software played a central role in the group's video-based activities. The potential of DIVER to serve as a `cognitive technology' is discussed.
PowerPoint: le lit de Procuste revisité
Authors: Beaudouin Valérie
Published: September 2008

L'art oratoire a subi de profondes mutations ces dernières années. Fondée initialement sur un modèle mémoriel, la parole en public s'est vue au fil des siècles de plus en plus soutenue par des supports techniques externes: à destination de l'orateur seul, puis partagés avec le public. Ainsi aujourd'hui, quasiment toute présentation orale est accompagnée par la projection d'un jeu de transparents. Alors que ces documents numériques continuent leur irrésistible ascension, ils font l'objet de critiques très nombreuses. Nous expliquerons ce paradoxe en montrant que les documents PowerPoint sont particulièrement adaptés dans un contexte d'économie de l'attention, tant pour ceux qui les produisent que pour ceux qui les reçoivent. Les améliorations de l'usage doivent intégrer cette dimension.
How we fragment the world: the view from inside versus the view from outside
Authors: Alexandrov Yuri I.
Published: September 2008

To construct an environment consisting of artificial objects it is helpful to use descriptions of how individuals behave. Implicitly, we do this on the basis that outward behavior reflects the dynamics of the subjective world and is a deployment of brain processes. But this is only partly correct: outwardly `similar' behavioral acts or environmental patterns may correspond to very different neural activities (the view `from inside' the subject). This is because behavior is the result of the history of behavioral development, such that the brain organizations that correspond to an `object' are the ones that were constructed during the subject's past experience in the course of performing related activity. As the construction of brain organizations takes place in the context of a goal-oriented activity, the very nature of the neural organizations involved stays connected to this goal. Empirically, the goal aspect of the object seems more structuring than the pattern of the object itself. This article compares the view from outside and the view from inside for different kinds of specific experimental situations. We show that `externally' similar objects may correspond to very different brain activations. Alternatively, behaviors and environmental events that seem different to an external observer may actually appear similar when viewed from inside the agent's brain. Experimental findings suggest that what is stable in an `object' for a living organism is its subjective status: at the neural level, meaning for the agent is more important than `objective' form. We also show that the nature of objects as seen from the inside depends on the way they were constructed through the organism's experience: behaviors or objects that may look similar from the outside are in this respect also different from the inside perspective. This has implications for the way we should construct objects in the digital world: building by mimicking the appearance of the physical world as seen from the outside may result in poor design.
Preparation of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Waste-Cotton Fabric for Biodegradability Enhancement of Natural Rubber Sheets
Authors: Chuayjuljit S. , Su-Uthai S. , Tunwattanaseree C. , Charuchinda S.
Published: September 2008

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was prepared by hydrolyzing waste cotton fabric with 2.5 N hydrochloric acid at 100°C for 30 min. The structure, morphology, particle size, and thermal property of the prepared MCC were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, laser light scattering particle size analyzer, and thermogravimetric analyzer, respectively. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the obtained MCC has typical crystal lattice of cellulose I. The fibrous-shaped particle of MCC possessed an average particle size of approximately 40 μm and thermal degradation temperature of 350°C. The produced MCC was blended with concentrated natural rubber (NR) latex at the amounts of 10, 20, and 30 parts per hundred of dry rubber. The blended latex was cast into a sheet on a glass mold, allowed to air dry, and subsequently cured at 100°C for 3 h. After curing, samples were tested for their tensile properties, water absorption, morphology, and biodegradability. It was found that the tensile properties of NR decreased when incorporated with MCC. However, the 100 NR/20 MCC sample showed the highest tensile strength and percent elongation at break. Water absorption and biodegradability of the sample were enhanced as the amount of MCC was increased. The results indicated that MCC caused important effects in promoting the biodegradability of NR.
Buckling and Post-buckling Behavior of Compression Loaded Composite Panels with Hat Stiffeners
Authors: Elaldi Faruk , Colak Levent
Published: September 2008

The aim of this study was to explore easy technologies for manufacturing of integral composite structures to evaluate the manufacturing concepts. This has been done by determining the buckling and post-buckling behavior of hat-stiffened composite panels under compression loading. A shadow Moiré technique was used to monitor the out-of-plane displacement of the skin panel. The experimental results of hat-stiffened panels for initial buckling and post-buckled response of the panels were compared with numerical results obtained from linear and non-linear finite element methods. It was found to be in reasonably good agreement with each other. The panels showed good post-buckling strength and total failure began with the local buckling of the hat stiffeners.
A Study on the Effect of Epoxy Molding Compound (EMC) Rheology During Encapsulation of Stacked-CHIP Scale Packages (S-CSP)
Authors: Abdullah M. Khalil , Abdullah M.Z. , Mujeebu M.A. , Kamaruddin S. , Ariff Z.M.
Published: September 2008

The numerical and experimental investigations of three-dimensional (3-D) mold filling during encapsulation process in stacked-chip scale package (S-CSP) are presented. The finite difference method (FDM) based on Navier—Stokes equations has been employed for the flow analysis in the mold cavity. The mold flow is assumed to be non-Newtonian and non-isothermal. The proposed models can take care of polymer rheology with cure effect (Castro—Macosko model) and without cure effect (Cross model). A package with five, six, and seven overhang stacking dies without wire bonds is considered for simulation. The epoxy molding compound (EMC) used is HITACHI CEL-9200. The effects of gap between die top and mold cap surface, and between adjacent dies on flow rheology are analyzed and presented. The flow retardation in the limitation region (gap region) and smooth flow in the free region of the package is being predicted. Higher initial conversion of EMC demonstrated higher viscosity and slower melt front advancement especially under the overhang area of same die stacking region and critical gap between the die and mold cap. The void mechanism occurred due to unbalanced mold flow and critical gap clearance. The simulation results are verified with those obtained from a typical electronic industry and found in good agreement. From the results; the Castro—Macosko model is found to be more stable and reliable on the flow rheology.
Analysis of Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Red Mud Filled Polyester Composites using the Taguchi Method
Authors: Satapathy Alok , Patnaik Amar
Published: September 2008

Red mud is an industrial waste generated during the production of alumina by Bayer’s process. Using this red mud as the filler, particulate reinforced polyester composites have been prepared and their dry sliding wear behavior has been studied experimentally. For this a standard pin-on-disc test set-up and Taguchi’s orthogonal arrays were used. Taguchi’s experimental design method eliminates the need for repeated experiments and thus saves time, materials, and cost. It identifies the significant control factors and their interactions predominantly influencing the wear rate. From the experimental findings, an optimal combination of control factors was obtained on the basis of which a predictive model was proposed. This model was validated by performing a confirmation experiment with an arbitrarily chosen set of factor combinations. Finally, the optimal factor settings for minimum wear rate under specified experimental conditions have been determined using a genetic algorithm.
Kinetics Analysis of Thermal Degradation Reaction of PVA and PVA/Starch Blends
Authors: Zhou Xiang-Yang , Jia De-Ming , Cui Yao-Fei , Xie Dong
Published: September 2008

The kinetics of thermal degradation of PVA and PVA/starch (40/60) blends were investigated by thermogravimetry (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG). Experiments under non-isothermal conditions were carried out for samples in nitrogen at heating rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20°C/min. The Kissinger, Flynn—Wall—Ozawa, and Coats—Redfern methods were used to calculate the activation energy of degradation and determine the degradation mechanism for PVA and PVA/starch blends. The results showed that these three methods were suitable and effective to describe the thermal degradation of PVA and PVA/starch blends. The thermal stability of PVA/ starch blends is higher than that of PVA suggesting that the addition of starch improved the thermal stability of PVA. The thermal degradation of the PVA/starch blends could be separated into three distinct stages. The Coats—Redfern method showed that the degradation mechanism of PVA and PVA/starch blends was a nucleation and growth mechanism in which PVA went to the A3 mechanism and PVA/starch blends went to the A4 mechanism.
Effects of Filler and Coupling Agent on the Properties of Bamboo Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites
Authors: Lee Sun-Young , Kang In-Aeh , Park Byung-Su , Doh Geum-Hyun , Park Byung-Dae
Published: September 2008

Bamboo fiber (BF) filled polypropylene (PP) composites were manufactured by melt compounding and injection molding. The incorporation of BF to neat PP increased the decomposition temperatures of the composites compared to neat PP. The loading of BF to PP decreased the melting temperature, melting enthalpy, crystallization enthalpy, crystallization temperature, and crystallinity. Tensile modulus, impact resistance, and creep improved as BF loading increased. However, tensile strength and water desorption were decreased by the increase of BF loading. The addition of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) as a coupling agent increased the tensile strength and modulus. The melting enthalpy and crystallization enthalpy were decreased by the addition of MAPP. The loading of MAPP also improved the water desorption, impact resistance, and bamboo fiber dispersion into neat PP matrix, while lowering creep. There was no significant effect of MAPP on the thermal deformation and melting temperature of the composites. The melting enthalpy, crystallization temperature, crystallization enthalpy, and crystallinity were decreased by the addition of MAPP.
Fibrous Dysplasia in a Child with Mitochondrial A8344G Mutation
Authors: Chen Szu-Ta , Fan Pi-Chuan , Hwu Wuh-Liang , Wu Mei-Hwan
Published: September 2008

Myoclonic epilepsy associated with ragged red fibers (MERRF) syndrome is one of the major mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, with the involvement of various organs, which could be caused by mitochondrial A8344G DNA mutation. Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of bone, an asymptomatic developmental disorder, was reported to result from c-fos overexpression in osteogenic cells. Mitochondrial A8344G mutation has been shown to increase c-fos expression in a MERRF cybrid cell line. The authors describe a boy aged 10 years and 2 months with MERRF syndrome and A8344G mutation. Visual disturbance developed and deteriorated rapidly 5 months after the diagnosis of MERRF. A brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed optic nerve compression by sphenoid fibrous dysplasia, which was confirmed by histology. Fibrous dysplasia has never been mentioned in MERRF patients in the literature. This rare association may be because of underestimation, or it could be a coincidence. Care should be taken to explore the skeletal system in MERRF patients with focal symptoms.
Neurological Adverse Events Associated with Antipsychotic Treatment in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Jerrell Jeanette M. , Hwang Te-Long , Livingston Timothy S.
Published: September 2008

A retrospective cohort design using medical and pharmacy claims from one state's Medicaid program compared incidence rates for neurological adverse events associated with antipsychotic use in 4140 youths prescribed antipsychotic medications and an untreated sample of 4500 youths, January 1998 to December 2005. The treated cohort evinced a higher prevalence of involuntary movements, sedation, and seizures. The odds of incident involuntary movements were significantly higher for those taking aripiprazole, risperidone, haloperidol, and multiple antipsychotics. The odds of incident seizures were greater for those taking risperidone, multiple antipsychotics, and serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors. The odds of incident sedation were greater for those taking ziprasidone, risperidone, quetiapine, multiple antipsychotics, and serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors. Exposure to risperidone, multiple antipsychotics, and serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors consistently confers a higher risk of developing a range of neurological adverse events in young patients, especially those with preexisting central nervous system, mental retardation, or cardiovascular disorders.
Literature Circles for Students With Learning Disabilities
Authors: Anderson Peggy L. , Corbett LeAnn
Published: September 2008

The term literature circle refers to a classroom instructional strategy that connects all aspects of literacy for students with varied interests and levels of reading achievement. Although general education teachers commonly use literature circles, special education teachers have used this strategy much less frequently. Literature circles lend themselves particularly well to inclusionary settings as they involve small heterogeneous reading groups that explore content within a collaborative structure that allows students the opportunity to listen, reflect, and share thoughts about literature. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are reciprocally reinforced through literature circle group work. This article provides a step-by-step description of literature circle implementation that supports the needs of students with learning disabilities.