bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synaesthesia ‐ Arts Education as Cross‐Modal Relationships Rooted in Cognitive Repertoires
Authors: CUNLIFFE LESLIE
Published: June 2007

This paper attempts to broaden the debate about whether the arts are generic or not by devising a more thorough way of analysing their relationship based on several different points of comparison including: symbolic codes, modes, functions and their status as performance/non‐performance arts. This approach is combined with Michael Polanyi's ideas about the way perception and understanding are linked through focal and subsidiary integration which offers a rich way of analysing the subtle and holistic way we make and read the arts. Polanyi's notion of focal and subsidiary integration is supported by reference to a social and holistic view of mind which in turn provides the necessary basis for cognitive repertoires, allowing synaesthesia and metaphor to take place. Metaphor and synaesthesia are put forward as the closest the arts get to something like generic features. They act to unify our understanding across modalities, and consequently should be understood as the key for teaching the arts in a relational way.
Opportunity Not Sympathy
Authors: MORTIMER ANDY
Published: June 2007

This paper reports on a national pilot project to train professional artists to work with children with special educational needs. It presents an introductory review of recent legislation and research in Special Educational Needs in the UK and in the USA. The paper offers an alternative view of disability, more able to accommodate the needs of children experiencing physical, mental or behavioural impairment within the context of the national curriculum requirements. The author describes the background to the project, examines some of its outcomes, and proposes some ways forward for the classroom teacher.
Five Scribbles: An Inquiry Into Artistic Intention and Critical Empathy
Authors: HENLEY DAVID R.
Published: June 2007

From a collection of several hundred manifestations of ‘scribble’ from a variety of sources, five examples have been examined. The examples were gathered after art‐making behaviour was observed focusing particularly on ‘intentionality’ and with the purpose of entering the experience of the scribbler through empathetic understanding. The examples are selected to deliberately reveal the diversity of the maker; viz., a precocious three year old, an elephant, an autistic, blind and deaf ten year old, a schizophrenic adult, and a known artist. The paper concludes by speculating on commonalities of intention and result in mark‐making individuals.
Children's Early Drawing Development and its Links with Special Teaching Abilities
Authors: DOWLING SHEILA
Published: June 2007

The study arose from personal observation that primary age children with moderate learning difficulties showed a marked lack of interest, involvement and enjoyment in drawing, compared with their mainstream counterparts. It focuses on an apparent developmental lag in their use of specific forms in their drawings, and goes on to show how awareness of developmental stages and strategies in drawing skills can be of particular value to non‐specialist classroom teachers. The results emphasise the need for greater use of our knowledge of developmental change to inform educational practice. On the wider scene, they could be usefully discussed alongside current conflicts related to the curriculum in early years and special education.
Students with Disabilities on Fine Art Degrees
Authors: CORLETT SOPHIE
Published: June 2007

The Arts Council and Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities were concerned that disabled students were not gaining access to professional training in the arts. As part of a project to encourage institutions to improve access, the Arts Council funded Skill to conduct a survey of existing provision for students with disabilities on fine art degree courses. Forty institutions were surveyed. Respondents were asked both about the facilities available to students with disabilities within their own college, and about their own view of the feasibility of disabled people studying fine art. The picture that emerged varied greatly between colleges; most colleges had responded to the needs of individual students, but few had taken any systematic approach to widening access. There was also a discrepancy between respondents who felt certain disabilities would debar students studying fine art, and others who had had practical experience of teaching students with those disabilities. The survey forms part of a wider project by Skill and the Arts Council.
What Do We Know About Artistically Talented Students and Their Teachers?
Authors: CLARK GILBERT , ZIMMERMAN ENID
Published: June 2007

This paper contextualises and summarises five research projects concerned with the education of artistically talented students in the United States. It reports on over ten years of research and describes the hypotheses, methods and findings of studies linked by their concern for the special needs of the artistically able. Finally, the paper points towards the next stages of the research.
Art and Design: Assessment and Public Examinations
Authors: STEERS JOHN
Published: June 2007

This paper originally was prepared for presentation to an international audience ‐ I make this point because readers familiar with formal assessment of art and design in the United Kingdom will feel that they are familiar with many of its key points. However the very familiarity of the various examination procedures sometimes may obscure the basic principles on which they have been developed and there may be value to be derived, from time to time, from reiterating some of these principles. So, when appropriate, I intend to illustrate points by referring to some recent art and design assessment developments and documentation in England and Wales. However I should stress that it is not my intention to argue that any of the British approaches necessarily should be seen as ideal models to be emulated by others: in practice, it is generally recognised that these approaches are far from perfect and all the assessment procedures to which I refer tend to be in an almost constant state of revision and development.
Approaches to Secondary Studio Art Assessment in North America: 1970–1993
Authors: BLAIKIE FIONA
Published: June 2007

The paper analyses the visible approaches to secondary studio art assessment in North America. First, standardised testing is discussed, in particular the National Assessment of Educational Progress in the United States. In spite of opposition there is continued support for this strategy, evident in several state‐wide initiatives. As well, qualitative assessment of secondary studio art is being undertaken in individual schools throughout North America. Visible models of this approach are the Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Arts PROPEL. The findings are that qualitative assessment is based on written and visual materials presented in portfolios; norm and criterion referencing are combined; criteria are derived from course content, and with the exception of Arts PROPEL, final judgements are made intersubjectively. These models offer alternatives to the standardised testing model, and attest to the cross‐germination of ideas on qualitative studio assessment internationally.
Age‐Specific Impact of Self‐Monitored Pulse Pressure on Hypertensive Target Organ Damage in Treated Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Eguchi Kazuo , Matsui Yoshio , Shibasaki Seiichi , Ishikawa Joji , Hoshide Satoshi , Ishikawa Shizukiyo , Kabutoya Tomoyuki , Schwartz Joseph E. , Pickering Thomas G. , Shimada Kazuyuki , Kario Kazuomi ,   Japan Morning Surge‐1 (JMS‐1) Study Group
Published: June 2007

The authors examined the relationship of clinic and self‐measured pulse pressure with target organ damage in 597 treated hypertensive patients without clinical evidence of renal dysfunction or a history of heart failure. The cross‐sectional relationships of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio with clinic and self‐monitored pulse pressures were estimated in age tertile groups: younger than 67 years (n=193), 67 to 75 years (n=216), and older than 75 years (n=188), controlling for various confounding factors. In multivariable analyses, both clinic and self‐monitored higher pulse pressures were associated with increased urinary albumin/creatinine ratio in all 3 age groups. Self‐monitored higher pulse pressure, but not clinic pulse pressure, was consistently associated with increased BNP in the younger and middle‐aged patients. In the very old (older than 75 years), however, there were no consistent associations between pulse pressure measures and BNP. More studies are needed in the evaluation of cardiac risk with hemodynamic measures in the very old.
G‐CSF‐Based Stem Cell Therapy for the Heart—Unresolved Issues Part A: Paracrine Actions, Mobilization, and Delivery
Authors: Kurdi Mazen , Booz George W.
Published: June 2007

The results of large‐scale clinical trials involving granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)‐based mobilization of bone marrow stem cells to improve cardiac remodeling and function after acute myocardial infarction have been disappointing. These trials came about as the result of an explosion of animal studies reporting dramatic successes with this therapeutic approach and small‐scale nonrandomized, nonblinded clinical trials suggesting beneficial effects in humans as well. It would be rash to conclude, however, that G‐CSF‐based stem cell therapies for repairing the injured or failing heart are not worth pursuing. Recent advances in basic science not only help explain the failure of the larger clinical trials but have revitalized interest into using G‐CSF‐based or G‐CSF‐related therapies for the injured heart. This article will provide an overview of recent advances that have been made in the direct protective actions of G‐CSF on cardiac cells, the mobilization of stem cells from the bone marrow, and the delivery of these cells to the heart. Such knowledge could be readily exploited to make G‐CSF‐based therapy a reality for the clinician.
Trends in Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control in Older U.S. Adults: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988 to 2004
Authors: Ostchega Yechiam , Dillon Charles F. , Hughes Jeffery P. , Carroll Margaret , Yoon Sarah
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVES: To describe hypertension trends in U.S. adults aged 60 and older using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data.

SETTING: NHANES III (1988–1994) and NHANES 1999 to 2004.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional nationally representative health examination survey.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants in NHANES III (n=5,093) and NHANES 1999 to 2004 (n=4,710).

MEASUREMENTS: Blood pressure (BP).

RESULTS: In 1999 to 2004, 67% of U.S. adults aged 60 and older years were hypertensive, an increase of 10% from NHANES III. Between 1988 to 1994 and 1999 to 2004, hypertension control increased for men from 39% to 51% (P<.05) but remained unchanged for women (35% to 37%; P>.05). Non‐Hispanic black men and women had higher prevalences of hypertension than non‐Hispanic whites (odds ratio (OR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.90–3.40 and OR=2.07, 95% CI=1.31–3.26, respectively), but men were less likely to have controlled BP (OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.41–0.86). Mexican‐American men and women were less likely than non‐Hispanic whites to have controlled BP (OR=0.55, 95% CI=0.33–0.91 and OR=0.63, 95% CI=0.40–0.98, respectively). Women and men aged 70 and older were significantly less likely to control their hypertension than those aged 60 to 69. In addition, women aged 70 and older were significantly less aware and treated. Having BP measured within 6 months was significantly associated with greater awareness, greater treatment in men and women, and greater control in women. A history of diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease (CKD) was significantly associated with less hypertension control.

CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in hypertension prevalence from 1988 to 2004. Hypertension control continues to be problematic for women, persons aged 70 and older, non‐Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans, and individuals with diabetes mellitus and CKD.
Effect of Dementia and Treatment of Dementia on Time to Discharge from Assisted Living Facilities: The Maryland Assisted Living Study
Authors: Lyketsos Constantine G. , Samus Quincy M. , Baker Alva , McNabney Mathew , Onyike Chiadi U. , Mayer Lawrence S. , Brandt Jason , Rabins Peter , Rosenblatt Adam
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the association between dementia and time to discharge from individual assisted living (AL) facilities and examine, in residents with dementia, factors associated with shorter duration of residence in individual AL facilities.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING: Twenty‐two AL facilities in central Maryland.

PARTICIPANTS: Stratified random sample of 198 AL residents followed for a median of 18 months.

MEASUREMENTS: Detailed assessments to diagnose dementia; assess treatment of dementia; and rate clinical; cognitive, functional, and quality‐of‐life measures.

RESULTS: Residents with dementia remained in a facility 209 fewer days at the median (P=.001) than residents without dementia. After adjustment for other variables, lack of treatment for dementia (P=.01) and more‐serious medical comorbidity (P=.02) were associated with earlier discharge in participants with dementia. Impaired mobility and limited activity participation had weaker associations with earlier time to discharge.

CONCLUSION: Dementia may accelerate time to discharge, and its treatment may attenuate this effect. The hypothesis that the detection and treatment of dementia might delay discharge from AL should be tested in randomized trials.
NPD Planning Activities and Innovation Performance: The Mediating Role of Process Management and the Moderating Effect of Product Innovativeness
Authors: Salomo Sören , Weise Joachim , Gemünden Hans Georg
Published: June 2007

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of planning and control on the performance of new product development (NPD) projects. It is hypothesized that (1) thorough business planning at the beginning of a project creates a basis for proficient project and risk planning; (2) the proficiency of project planning, risk planning, and process management activities each improves innovation performance directly; (3) the relationship of planning and success is mediated by process management; and (4) the strength of these relationships is moderated by uncertainty, as determined by the degree of innovativeness. To test the hypotheses, data from 132 NPD projects were collected and analyzed. A measurement model was used to establish valid and reliable constructs, a path model to test the main effects, and a multiple‐moderated regression analysis for the moderator hypotheses. The results suggest that the proficiency of project planning and process management is important predictors of NPD performance. Specifically, project risk planning and goal stability throughout the development process are found to enhance performance significantly. Business planning proves to be an important antecedent of the more development‐related planning activities such as project planning and risk planning. Additionally, the results lend support to the hypotheses regarding the mediating role of process management in the planning–performance relationship. Project planning and risk planning support the quality of process management and thus impact NPD performance indirectly. Only to a limited extent are the strengths of these relationships moderated by the degree of innovativeness of the NPD project.
Does Market Orientation Facilitate Balanced Innovation Programs? An Organizational Learning Perspective
Authors: Baker William E. , Sinkula James M.
Published: June 2007

There appears to be widespread agreement that optimal new product development programs require a balance between customer‐led and lead‐the‐customer innovation practices. The former is associated with adaptive learning inspired incremental innovation, whereas the latter is associated with generative‐learning‐inspired radical innovation. There is debate, however, as to whether a strong market orientation can facilitate this balance. Some believe that a strong market orientation causes firms to overemphasize customer‐led incremental innovations. Others believe that a strong market orientation can facilitate this balance but assert that traditional measures of market orientation only capture the types of behaviors associated with customer‐led incremental innovations. This latter concern has led some to abandon the single‐construct operationalization of market orientation and to introduce two constructs—responsive and proactive market orientation—into the literature. The purpose of this research is to address these developments. The study makes use of a national sample of marketing executives and employs a cross‐sectional survey design. Measures used are market orientation, radical and incremental innovation priority, generative and adaptive learning priority, and new product success. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equations models are employed to develop measures and to test hypotheses. The study's results reaffirm the position that a strong market orientation helps facilitate a balance between incremental and radical innovation by shifting firms' innovation priority more toward radical innovation activities. It also suggests that the abandonment of traditional conceptualizations and measures of market orientation are premature.
Learning to Reduce Interorganizational Learning: An Analysis of Architectural Product Innovation in Strategic Alliances*
Authors: Grunwald Roman , Kieser Alfred
Published: June 2007

There is wide agreement in analyses of strategic alliances that, regardless of the purpose of the alliance, members of the partner organizations should engage in intensive mutual learning to make the alliance a success. In contrast to this view, the present article shows that in strategic alliances aimed at product innovations by recombining partners' extant technologies, learning between specialists can be reduced considerably without jeopardizing success. This is made possible through four interconnected mechanisms integrated into the concept of transactive organizational learning (TOL): (1) modularization, which allows specialists of different domains to develop modules to a large extent independently of each other and to concentrate communication between themselves on the design of interfaces between modules; (2) storing of knowledge in artifacts instead of in organizational members' memories; (3) localization of knowledge not present in the project team but for which a need has arisen through transactive memory; and (4) knowledge integration by prototyping (i.e., by repeated testing of modules and of interactions between modules until a satisfactorily working end product is achieved). Although these four mechanisms reduce the need for cross‐learning between specialists of different domains, some common knowledge and some cross‐learning between the partners' specialists is still required. Case studies on four of SAP's strategic alliances for product innovation with different partners lend empirical support to this study's concept. The article concludes with implications for practice: Companies should find out whether the TOL mechanisms that reduce time to market are present, to what extent their potential is exploited, and how well they work together.
Manage for Profit, Not for Market Share: A Guide to Greater Profits in Highly Contested Markets by Hermann Simon, Frank F. Bilstein, and Frank Luby
Authors: Castellion George
Published: June 2007

Books reviewed in this issue:

Manage for Profit, Not for Market Share: A Guide to Greater Profits in Highly Contested Markets

New Product Forecasting: An Applied Approach

Swarm Creativity: Competitive Advantage through Collaborative Innovation Networks

Intellectual Property for Managers and Investors: A Guide to Evaluating, Protecting and Exploiting IP

Managing Projects

Leading Teams

Running Meetings
It Takes an Outsider: Extralegislative Organization and Partisanship in the California Assembly, 1849–2006
Authors: Masket Seth E.
Published: June 2007

Why are American politicians “single‐minded seekers of reelection” in some decades and fierce ideological warriors in others? This article argues that the key to understanding the behavior of members inside a legislative chamber is to follow the actions of key figures outside the chamber. These outsiders—activists, interest groups, and party bosses—use their control over party nominations, conditioned on institutional rules, to ensure ideological behavior among officeholders. To understand how vital these outsiders are to legislative partisanship, this article takes advantage of a particular natural experiment: the state of California's experience with cross‐filing (1914–59), under which institutional rules prevented outsiders from influencing party nominations. Under cross‐filing, legislative partisanship collapsed, demonstrating that incumbents tend to prefer nonpartisanship or fake partisanship to actual ideological combat. Partisanship quickly returned once these outsiders could again dominate nominations. Several other historical examples reveal extralegislative actors exerting considerably greater influence over members' voting behavior than intralegislative party institutions did. These results suggest that candidates and legislators are the agents of activists and others who coordinate at the community level to control party nominations.
The Purse Strings of Peace
Authors: McDonald Patrick J.
Published: June 2007

This article examines how commerce promotes peace between states. It diverges from the commercial peace literature and its predominant focus on international trade by looking inside the domestic economy to see how its structure influences conflict. Drawing on selectorate theory, I argue that substantial quantities of public property generate fiscal autonomy for governments, strengthen their hold on the domestic reigns of power, and create opportunities to pursue more aggressive foreign policies. A series of statistical tests shows that greater quantities of publicly held assets increase the likelihood that a state will participate in military conflict. Given that the predominance of privately held property is one of the defining institutions of capitalism, these results support the claim that capitalism promotes peace.
A Componential Segmentation Model with Optimal Product Design Features
Authors: Green Paul E. , Krieger Abba M. , Zelnio Robert N.
Published: June 2007

In componential segmentation the researcher is interested in decomposing survey respondents' evaluations of conjoint‐designed product descriptions into separate contributions; these contributions are due to stimulus attributes, respondent attributes, and/or conjoint‐designed situation attributes. Previous research has employed either scalar product or ANOVA‐like decompositions.

The present paper extends earlier research by presenting a procedure for finding optimal market segments for given products, and vice versa. The model is developed in the context of the ANOVA‐type formulation of componential segmentation.
Characterization of Unacceptable Solutions in LP Discriminant Analysis*
Authors: Koehler Gary J.
Published: June 2007

Many linear programming models have been proposed for performing discriminant analysis. Partial characterizations for unacceptable solutions have been presented and new models proposed to circumvent these problems. In this paper those conditions leading to unacceptable solutions for all two‐group models are characterized.
Modeling Synergy and Learning under Multiple Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
Authors: Meredith Jack , Camm Jeff
Published: June 2007

The advent of the wide variety of new, highly integrated, advanced manufacturing technologies available for acquisition by a firm's managers has brought to light an accompanying set of unexpected issues. These issues include expectations for the benefits and costs of these technologies, determining the appropriate order of implementation and finding a way to justify acquisition when many of the benefits are a function of the technology's learning and synergistic effects on other operations and technologies. We present here a model that captures the interaction effects of these highly integrated technologies and discuss the data requirements for application of the construct. We then illustrate the model's workings with a number of multitechnology examples and show the danger of ignoring the synergistic and learning effects of these technologies when considering their acquisition.
A Robust Multivariate Procedure for the Identification of Problem Savings and Loan Institutions*
Authors: Booth David E. , Alam Pervaiz , Ahkam Sharif N. , Osyk Barbara
Published: June 2007

The 1980s have seen a great increase in the number of failed savings and loan institutions. In order to prevent such failures, it would be helpful if regulators have an early warning model. Such a model should be able to flag potential failed firms to prevent failure. In this paper, a robust multivariate procedure is used to successfully identify potentially failed firms well ahead of an actual failure date.
Participative Budgeting and Managerial Performance*
Authors: Chalos Peter , Haka Susan
Published: June 2007

Recent analytical and empirical research in budgeting has focused on conditions under which participation may or may not prove beneficial to the firm. The present study seeks to examine (in a budget setting) the impact on firm returns of managerial participation, private state information, and relative skill. Experimental results indicate a significant improvement in firm and managerial welfare across favorable and unfavorable private state information with budgetary participation. A significant interaction between the type of state information and participation is reported for managers but not firm returns. Finally, relative skill signals are shown to lead to improved managerial performance.
Inference in a Binary Response Model with Applications to Data Analysis*
Authors: Teebagy Nicholas , Chatterjee Sangit
Published: June 2007

Standard errors of the coefficients of a logistic regression (a binary response model) based on the asymptotic formula are compared to those obtained from the bootstrap through Monte Carlo simulations. The computer intensive bootstrap method, a nonparametric alternative to the asymptotic estimate, overestimates the true value of the standard errors while the asymptotic formula underestimates it. However, for small samples the bootstrap estimates are substantially closer to the true value than their counterpart derived from the asymptotic formula.

The methodology is discussed using two illustrative data sets. The first example deals with a logistic model explaining the log‐odds of passing the ERA amendment by the 1982 deadline as a function of percent of women legislators and the percent vote for Reagan. In the second example, the probability that an ingot is ready to roll is modelled using heating time and soaking time as explanatory variables. The results agree with those obtained from the simulations. The value of the study to better decision making through accurate statistical inference is discussed.
Detectable Troponin Levels Predict Poor Prognosis in Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction Undergoing Internal Defibrillator Implantation
Authors: SONEL ALI F. , SHALABY ALAA , MCCONNELL JOSEPH P. , CZARNECKI TAMMY , HOGEN SCOTT , ZAHID MALIHA , AMIDI MORTEZA
Published: June 2007

Introduction:

Troponin levels have been demonstrated to predict mortality in patients with cardiomyopathy. Implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) devices have been demonstrated to improve survival. It is not clear if ICDs would mitigate the negative outcome predicted by elevated troponin levels.

Methods:

We collected baseline blood samples for troponin T (TnT) and creatinine kinase‐MB fraction in consecutive patients immediately before successful pectoral transvenous ICD implant. Patients were followed for total mortality. For analysis, patients were grouped by TnT detectablility (≥0.01 ng/mL).

Results:

Fifty‐two men, aged 68 ± 10 years, were studied. Mean ejection fraction was 29 ± 12% and 65% had ischemic cardiomyopathy. Follow‐up duration was 17 ± 8 months. None of the patients had abnormal creatinine kinase‐MB fraction levels (1.7 ± 1.1 ng/mL). There were 37 patients with no detectable TnT (Group I) and 15 with detectable TnT (Group II). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age (68 vs 69, P = NS), ejection fraction (30 vs 29%, P = NS), or proportion of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (68 vs 60%, P = NS). During follow‐up 16 (31%) patients died. Patients in group I had mortality of 16% (6/37) compared to 67% mortality (10/15, P < 0.001) in group II. On multivariate analysis, detectable TnT remained an independent predictor of mortality (HR 4.5, CI 1.4–14.25, P = 0.01).

Conclusion:

In a cohort of patients with cardiomyopathy undergoing ICD implantation for standard clinical indications, presence of detectable TnT was associated with high mortality despite ICD implantation. TnT obtained before ICD implantation may be useful for risk stratification.
The Influence of Symptoms and Device Detected Atrial Tachyarrhythmias on Medical Management: Insights from A‐HIRATE
Authors: GHALI JALAL K. , ORLOV MICHAEL V. , ARAGHI‐NIKNAM MOHSEN , SHERFESEE LOU , HETTRICK DOUGLAS A.
Published: June 2007

Background:

The influence of symptoms and device‐detected atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) on the management of AT in a pacemaker population has not been well described. We report the influence of symptoms and device detected AT on pharmacological disease management.

Methods:

Group 1 (n = 331) included patients without and Group 2 (n = 96) included patients with prior history of AT with an approved pacemaker indication. Dual chamber pacemakers, (kappa® 700 or kappa® 900, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) were implanted. The impact of symptoms, AT burden, a history of AT, and time since implant on changes in the use of anticoagulation, β‐blockers, and antiarrhythmic drugs was analyzed.

Results:

A total of 232 patients experienced at least one atrial high rate episode (AHRE). AT burden was higher in Group 2. Symptoms were reported by 154 patients in Group 1 and 47 patients in Group 2. Among patients experiencing AHRE, symptoms were reported in 17 patients in Group 1 (5.3%) and 22 patients in Group 2 (24.7%). Changes in antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulation were influenced by history of AT and AT burden, while changes in the use of β‐blockers were influenced by symptoms. The probability of a pharmacologic therapy change decreased with time since implant for all agents except coumadin.

Conclusion:

Pharmacologic AT therapy is differentially influenced by patient‐reported symptoms of AT compared to device‐detected asymptomatic AT. Anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic therapies are influenced by device detection of asymptomatic AT, whereas initiation of β‐blockers is more strongly influenced by symptoms.
Difference in Humoral Biomarkers for Myocardial Injury and Inflammation in Radiofrequency Ablation versus Cryoablation
Authors: OSWALD HANNO , GARDIWAL AJMAL , LISSEL CHRISTOPH , YU HONG , KLEIN GUNNAR
Published: June 2007

Background:

Markers of myocardial injury and inflammation have been shown to be elevated following radiofrequency (RF) ablation. This study aimed to compare RF ablation and cryoablation for their impact on markers for myocardial injury and inflammation.

Methods:

Nineteen patients received catheter ablation for atrial flutter by either cryoablation (10 patients) or open‐irrigated RF ablation (nine patients). Venous blood samples for troponin T (TnT), creatinkinase (CK), and the cardiac isoenzyme MB (CKMB) were obtained before, at six hours after the end of ablation, and the following day. C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured before ablation and the following day.

Results:

Bidirectional isthmus block was achieved in all patients. Cryoablation showed significantly higher TnT following ablation (0.85 μg/l ± 0.39 μg/l) compared to RF ablation (0.36 μg/l ± 0.24 μg/l;
p
= 0.01) with declining levels the following day (cryoablation: 0.58 μg/l ± 0.20 μg/l; RF ablation 0.34 μg/l ± 0.21 μg/l;
p
= 0.03).

We observed equal findings for CK and CKMB, both significantly higher in cryoablation. RF ablation led to a nonsignificant rise in CK and CKMB. CRP was elevated significantly higher following RF ablation (12.3 mg/dl ± 4.1 mg/dl) compared to cryoablation (6.9 mg/dl ± 4.0 mg/dl;
p
= 0.01).

Conclusions:

We show reduced inflammation despite higher markers for myocardial injury in cryoablation. The difference in biomarkers reflects different lesion formation in cryoablation and RF ablation. Cryoablation shows less systemic inflammatory reaction. This might be due to less endothelial damage and surface thrombosis in cryoablation.
Using the Initial Vector from Surface Electrocardiogram to Distinguish the Site of Outflow Tract Tachycardia
Authors: YANG YANFEI , SAENZ LUIS C. , VAROSY PAUL D. , BADHWAR NITISH , JUSTIN H. TAN , KILICASLAN FETHI , KEUNG EDMUND C. , NATALE ANDREA , MARROUCHE NASSIR F. , SCHEINMAN MELVIN M.
Published: June 2007

Background:

The purpose of this study is to determine whether initial vector force might best distinguish tachycardias arising from the right ventricular (RV) outflow tract (OT) versus aortic sinus cusps (ASCs).

Methods:

Among 45 patients with OT tachycardia, we measured the time from the earliest QRS onset in any lead to local onset and to the first QRS peak/nadir in each surface leads during VT. We compared the earliest phase differences among patients with foci in RVOT (n = 32) and in ASCs (n = 13) (determined by ablation), using unpaired t‐tests. We determined the optimum cut‐points by analyzing the receiver–operator characteristics curves, and derived an algorithm to discriminate ASC from RVOT foci.

Results:

Compared with an RVOT focus, origin in the ASC was associated with lower likelihood that the earliest lead of QRS activation was V2 (4/13 [12%] vs 29/32 [88%], P = 0.0001), later initial peak/nadir in III (110 ± 19 vs 93 ± 16 ms, P = 0.0026) and V2 (75 ± 26 vs 42 ± 19 ms, P < 0.0001). After determining the optimum cut‐points for each, we found that the presence of any one of these findings discriminated well between RVOT and ASC foci (sensitivity 92%, specificity 88%, positive predictive value 75%, and negative predictive value 97%). The sensitivity and specificity using standard ECG criteria were inferior to the vector approach.

Conclusions:

The ECG phase differences during VT can distinguish the origin of OT‐VT. Earliest onset or first peak/nadir in V2 and early initial peak/nadir in the inferior leads suggest a RVOT focus.
Upper Body Venous Access for Transvenous Lead Placement—Review of Existent Techniques
Authors: LAU ERNEST W.
Published: June 2007

Recent developments in permanent pacemaker and implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator therapy have focused on the endocardial placement sites of leads (“selective site pacing”), detection and pacing algorithms, and indications for device therapy. In comparison, the surgical and venous access aspects of device therapy have received relatively little attention. Obtaining central venous access is a prerequisite for delivering device therapy through transvenously placed leads. This article reviews the different techniques available for obtaining upper body venous access for transvenous lead placement, even though the information will also be relevant to other specialties that require central venous access for other purposes.
Migration of an Abandoned Pacemaker Generator into the Pouch of Douglas in a Child with Complex Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: MAY JOSEPH W. , SHMORHUN DANIEL P.
Published: June 2007

A young girl with complex congenital heart disease underwent Fontan procedure and multiple pacemaker revisions, including abandonment of an intraabdominal pacemaker generator at age eight. She presented two years later with constipation and abdominal twitching. Radiographs, pacemaker interrogation, and laparoscopy confirmed dislocation of the abandoned generator and intraperitoneal migration into the pouch of Douglas. The device was removed surgically without incident.
Optimal Pacing in Congenital Complete Atrioventricular Block of Immunological Origin: Interest of Multisite Stimulation
Authors: RUMEAU P. , DULAC Y. , COULIER H. , DUPARC A. , LEOBON B. , ACAR P. , ROUX D. , DELAY M.
Published: June 2007

An infant with a congenital auriculoventricular block (CAVB) of immunological origin was diagnosed prenatally. The mother had Gougerot‐Sjögren disease with positive anti‐Sjogren's Syndrome A (SSA) and Sjogren's Syndrome B (SSB) serologies. Cardiac pacing was necessary and the epicardial route was chosen. Considering the left ventricular (LV) dilatation, biventricular (BiV) stimulation was preferred to the usual DDD mode, presumed to have a deleterious long‐term effect. Echographic parameters were better with BiV stimulation: the asynchronism induced by mono‐RV stimulation was corrected and the QRS complexes were narrower. BiV pacing of a CAVB with LV dilation looks clinically and echographically attractive but needs to be validated in the long term.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in a Case of Myotonic Dystrophy (Steinert's Disease) and Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: KILIC TEOMAN , VURAL AHMET , URAL DILEK , SAHIN TAYFUN , AGACDIKEN AYSEN , ERTAS GÖKHAN , YILDIZ YELDA , KOMSUOGLU BAKI
Published: June 2007

Steinert's disease (Dystrophia myotonica type 1) is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disease characterized by myotonia, muscle weakness, frontal balding, cataracts, cardiac conduction abnormalities, especially long PR interval and wide QRS complex. Although subclinical mild myocardial dysfunction may be detected in this syndrome, overt myocardial dysfunction with heart failure called as “myotonic heart disease” is not frequent. Cardiac resynchronization therapy is an effective treatment modality to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with intraventricular conduction delay and congestive heart failure. We report improvement of cardiac dyssynchrony and symptoms of heart failure with biventricular pacing in a 37‐year‐old male patient with overt myotonic heart disease, PR segment prolongation, and complete left bundle branch block.
Atrio‐Ventricular Block During Left Atrial Flutter Ablation
Authors: ZOPPO FRANCO , BERTAGLIA EMANUELE , BRANDOLINO GLAUCO , ZERBO FRANCESCA , D'ESTE DANIELE , PASCOTTO PIETRO
Published: June 2007

We present a case of a patient treated with catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation aiming to pulmonary veins isolation. During ablation, atrial fibrillation organized into a left atrial flutter. Electroanatomic and electrophysiologic mapping revealed the anterior left atrium area between the mitral annulus and left atrium septum as a critical region for flutter ablation. After a few pulses of radiofrequency, complete atrio‐ventricular block appeared. Finally, we propose pace mapping of the mitral annulus to detect left dislodgment of the compact atrio‐ventricular node.
Tachycardiomyopathy Secondary to Nonreentrant Atrioventricular Nodal Tachycardia: Recovery After Slow Pathway Ablation
Authors: CLEMENTY NICOLAS , CASSET‐SENON DANIELLE , GIRAUDEAU CEDRIC , COSNAY PIERRE
Published: June 2007

Nonreentrant atrioventricular (AV) nodal tachycardia is a rare form of arrhythmia due to simultaneous anterograde conduction in dual AV pathways, one atrial impulse triggering two ventricular complexes. We report the case of a 74‐year‐old man referred for incessant palpitations resistant to antiarrhythmic medication, and effort dyspnea. A nonreentrant AV nodal tachycardia is diagnosed with electrophysiological study. A dilated cardiomyopathy with left ventricular dysfunction is found with gated blood pool single‐photon emission computed tomography. A radiofrequency catheter ablation of the slow pathway is successfully performed. The patient is reassessed 11 months after ablation. He is asymptomatic and left ventricular function has fully recovered.
Fabrication of Fiber‐Reinforced Ceramic Composites by the Modified Slurry Infiltration Technique
Authors: Lee Sea‐Hoon , Weinmann Markus , Aldinger Fritz
Published: June 2007

A new technique for the homogeneous infiltration of concentrated and viscous ceramic filler slurries into stacked 2D‐woven fabrics has been developed by introducing a flexible mold. The inner space of the mold expanded during slurry infiltration, which enhanced penetration of the viscous slurry into the woven fabric layers. The subsequent precursor impregnation and pyrolysis process yielded fiber‐reinforced ceramic composites with scarce macropores between the fabric layers.
γ‐Y2Si2O7, a Machinable Silicate Ceramic: Mechanical Properties and Machinability
Authors: Sun Ziqi , Zhou Yanchun , Wang Jingyang , Li Meishuan
Published: June 2007

In this paper, the mechanical properties of bulk single‐phase γ‐Y2Si2O7 ceramic are reported. γ‐Y2Si2O7 exhibits low shear modulus, excellent damage tolerance, and thus has a good machinability ready for metal working tools. To understand the underlying mechanism of machinability, drilling test, Hertzian contact test, and density functional theory (DFT) calculation are employed. Hertzian contact test demonstrates that γ‐Y2Si2O7 is a “quasi‐plastic” ceramic and the intrinsically weak interfaces contribute to its machinability. Crystal structure characteristics and DFT calculations of γ‐Y2Si2O7 suggest that some weakly bonded planes, which involve Y–O bonds that can be easily broken, are the sources of the low shear deformation resistance and good machinability.
Annealing of Sintered Pb0.9175La0.055Zr0.975Ti0.025O3 in Air
Authors: Breval Else , Klimkiewicz Maria , Wang Chiping , Dougherty Joseph P. , Crespi Ann
Published: June 2007

Annealing of a sintered pellet of Pb0.9175La0.055Zr0.975Ti0.025O3 in air without any precautions against PbO evaporation results in a core–shell microstructure with a solid PLZT core and a porous ZrO2‐rich shell.
Facile Preparation of Environmental Stable High‐Temperature Superconducting Ceramic and Polymer Composites
Authors: Galagan Yulia , Huang Yu‐Ching , Nedilko Sergey , Su Wei‐Fang
Published: June 2007

A novel facile technique to prepare composite materials based on superconducting ceramics (Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox) and an acrylate polymer matrix has been developed. The polymer does not have a negative effect on the superconductivity properties of the ceramics. The interpenetrating three‐dimensional polymeric network formed within ceramics improves its environmental stability.
Effect of Vacuum Annealing on the Phase Stability of Ti3SiC2
Authors: Low It Meng , Oo Zeya , Prince Kathryn E.
Published: June 2007

The effect of vacuum annealing on the thermal stability and phase transition of Ti3SiC2 has been investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), neutron diffraction, synchrotron radiation diffraction, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). In the presence of vacuum or a controlled atmosphere of low oxygen partial pressure, Ti3SiC2 undergoes a surface dissociation to form nonstoichiometric TiC and/or Ti5Si3Cx that commences at ∼1200°C and becomes very pronounced at ≥1500°C. Composition depth profiling at the near surface of vacuum‐annealed Ti3SiC2 by XRD and SIMS revealed a distinct gradation in the phase distribution of TiC and Ti5Si3Cx with depth.
What are the longevities of teeth and oral implants?
Authors: Holm‐Pedersen Poul , Lang Niklaus P. , Müller Frauke
Published: June 2007

Objective: To analyse tooth loss and to evaluate the longevity of healthy teeth and teeth compromised by diseases and influenced by therapy as well as that of oral implants.

Material and methods: On the basis of an electronic and manual search using key words for survival, success, longevity of teeth, longevity of implants, epidemiology, periodontally compromised, endodontically compromised, risk for tooth extraction 49 full‐text articles were identified to construct a traditional review. Among these, six systematic reviews addressing longevity were found.

Results: Tooth loss is a complex outcome, it is influenced by the extent of dental caries and its sequelae and/or the presence or absence of periodontitis as well as the decisions taken by dentists when evaluating possible risk factors for rendering successful therapy. In addition, tooth loss is related to behavioural and socio‐economic factors and associated morbidity and cultural priorities. Generally, teeth surrounded by healthy periodontal tissues yield a very high longevity (up to 99.5% over 50 years). If periodontally compromised, but treated and maintained regularly, the survival of such teeth is still very high (92–93%). Likewise, endodontically compromised, but successfully treated devital teeth yield high survival and success rates. The survival of oral implants after 10 years varies between 82% and 94%.

Conclusions: Teeth will last for life, unless they are affected by oral diseases or service interventions. Many retained teeth thus may be an indicator of positive oral health behaviour throughout the life course. Tooth longevity is largely dependent on the health status of the periodontium, the pulp or periapical region and the extent of reconstructions. Multiple risks lead to a critical appraisal of the value of a tooth. Oral implants when evaluated after 10 years of service do not surpass the longevity of even compromised but successfully treated natural teeth.
What dentition assures oral function?
Authors: Gotfredsen Klaus , Walls Angus W. G.
Published: June 2007

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between dentition and oral function.

Material and methods: A search of the English literature was undertaken using PubMed and appropriate keywords. Citations were identified and hand sorted to confirm their validity against our inclusion criteria. Four specific areas of oral function were addressed; (I) masticatory function, (II) aesthetics, satisfaction and psychosocial ability, (III) occlusal support and stability and (IV) other functionality including tactile perception, phonetics and taste.

Results: From an initial pool of 1460 citations, 83 articles met the inclusion criteria. These were summarized and relevant data extracted for incorporation into the review. Masticatory efficiency (assessed as comminution efficiency) and masticatory ability (self‐reported) are both linked to the number of teeth. A minimum of 20 teeth with nine to 10 pairs of contacting units (including anterior teeth) is associated with adequate efficiency and ability. Tooth numbers below that level yield impaired masticatory efficiency and are likely to result in reduction in reported masticatory ability. Aesthetics and satisfaction are markedly impaired with loss of anterior teeth. Satisfaction is most likely to be achieved in people who also retain a premolar dentition. Further, there is little increase in satisfaction seen in subjects who retained molar teeth. However, there are marked variations in subjective measures of aesthetics and psychosocial comfort between age groups, social classes, cultures, regions and countries. For most people, occlusal support and stability are obtained with three to four functional posterior units with a symmetrical pattern of tooth loss or five to six units with an asymmetrical pattern. There was no relationship between occlusal factors and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction. Phonetics may be maintained even with large anterior restorations. Patients generally attribute a low significance to phonetics, tactile perception and taste compared with mastication and appearance.

Conclusions: The World Health Organization goal for the year 2000, namely to maintain a natural dentition of not less than 20 teeth throughout life, is substantiated by the current literature review as this proposed dentition will assure an acceptable level of oral function.