bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Positive Psychological Outcomes: What Helps Groups With a History of Conflict to Forgive and Reconcile With Each Other?
Authors: Noor Masi , Brown Rupert , Gonzalez Roberto , Manzi Jorge , Lewis Christopher Alan
Published: April 2008

Three studies examined the roles of traditional and novel social psychological variables involved in intergroup forgiveness. Study 1 (N = 480) revealed that among the pro-Pinochet and the anti-Pinochet groups in Chile, forgiveness was predicted by ingroup identity (negatively), common ingroup identity (positively), empathy and trust (positively), and competitive victimhood (the subjective sense of having suffered more than the outgroup, negatively). Political ideology (Right vs. Left) moderated the relationship between empathy and forgiveness, trust and forgiveness, and between the latter and competitive victimhood. Study 2 (N = 309), set in the Northern Irish conflict between Protestants and Catholics, provided a replication and extension of Study 1. Finally, Study 3 (N = 155/108) examined the longitudinal relationship between forgiveness and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, revealing that forgiveness predicted reconciliation intentions. The reverse direction of this relationship was also marginally significant. Results are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical implications.
Neurophysiological Measures of Involuntary and Voluntary Attention Allocation and Dispositional Differences in Need for Cognition
Authors: Enge Sören , Fleischhauer Monika , Brocke Burkhard , Strobel Alexander
Published: April 2008

Need for cognition (NFC) refers to stable individual differences in the intrinsic motivation to engage in and enjoy effortful cognitive endeavors and has been a useful predictor of dispositional differences in information processing. Although cognitive resource allocation conceptualized as cognitive effort is assumed to be the key mediator of NFC-specific processing, to date no research has systematically addressed its underpinnings. Using a neurocognitive paradigm and recording event-related potentials associated with bottom-up and top-down-driven aspects of attention, the present research contributes to filling this gap. In Study 1, high-NFC individuals showed larger P3a amplitudes to contextually novel events, indicating greater involuntary (automatic) attention allocation. This effect was replicated in Study 2, where NFC also was positively correlated with the P3b to target stimuli, indicating voluntary (controlled) processes of attention allocation. Thus, our findings provide first evidence for neurophysiological correlates of NFC and can improve the understanding of NFC-specific processing.
Cyberabstracts: a portal on the subject of abstracting designed to improve information literacy skills
Authors: Pinto Maria
Published: April 2008

With the overall purpose of improving the information literacy skills of librarianship and information science students, an academic portal specifically centred on abstracts and abstracting resources is proposed. We take the existing literature, together with our knowledge and experience of abstract/abstracting topics and web-based technologies to conceive the research design. The research mainly consists of the selection, assessment and web-display of the most relevant abstracts on knowledge management, information representation, natural language processing, abstract/abstracting, modelling the scientific document, information retrieval and information evaluation. The resulting Cyberabstracts portal presents its products consistently and includes reference, abstract, keywords, assessment and access to the full document. Improvement opportunities for this unique subject-based gateway, representing much more than a mere subject catalogue, are uncovered as the starting point on a planned route towards excellence.
Linking patterns in European Union countries: geographical maps of the European academic web space
Authors: Ortega José Luis , Aguillo Isidro F.
Published: April 2008

This national level study intends to describe the existing relationships between the number of web pages, inlinks to and outlinks from Europe and national or internal links in the European Higher Education Area through a sample of 535 European universities' web domains. Several geographical maps are introduced to summarize and visualize this statistical information. The main result shows that larger countries, in number of web pages, link less to the remaining European countries, while the smaller ones are characterized by their link profusion to the European zone. The great presence of national links in large and medium size countries confirms that the European academic web space is shaped by the aggregation of national sub-networks, while the similar low presence in small countries suggests that these are linked to another large country.
A bibliometric analysis of pharmacology and pharmacy journals: Scopus versus Web of Science
Authors: Gorraiz Juan , Schloegl Christian
Published: April 2008

Our study examines the suitability of Scopus for bibliometric analyses in comparison with the Web of Science (WOS). In particular we want to explore if the outcome of bibliometric analyses differs between Scopus and WOS and, if yes, in which aspects. Since journal indicators vary among disciplines, we analysed only journals from the subject pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Nonetheless, our study has also broader implications. Its major findings are: (a) Each top-100 JCR pharmacy journal was covered by Scopus. (b) The impact factor was higher for 82 and the immediacy index greater for 78 journals in Scopus in 2005. Pharmacy journals with a high impact factor in the JCR usually have a high impact factor in Scopus. (c) Several medium impact journals could be identified in Scopus which were not reported in JCR. (d) The two databases differed in the number of articles within a tolerable margin of deviation for most journals.
Prevention of Injuries among Male Soccer Players
Authors: Engebretsen Anders H. , Myklebust Grethe , Holme Ingar , Engebretsen Lars , Bahr Roald
Published: April 2008

Background

This study was conducted to investigate whether the most common injuries in soccer could be prevented, and to determine if a simple questionnaire could identify players at increased risk.

Hypothesis

Introduction of targeted exercise programs to male soccer players with a history of previous injury or reduced function in the ankle, knee, hamstring, or groin will prevent injuries.

Study Design

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods

A total of 508 players representing 31 teams were included in the study. A questionnaire indicating previous injury and/or reduced function as inclusion criteria was used to divide the players into high-risk (HR) (76%) and low-risk (LR) groups. The HR players were randomized individually into an HR intervention group or HR control group.

Results

A total of 505 injuries were reported, sustained by 56% of the players. The total injury incidence was a mean of 3.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5–3.9) in the LR control group, 5.3 (95% Cl, 4.6–6.0) in the HR control group ( P = .0001 vs the LR control group), and 4.9 (95% Cl, 4.3–5.6) in the HR intervention group ( P = .50 vs the HR control group). For the main outcome measure, the sum of injuries to the ankle, knee, hamstring, and groin, there was also a significantly lower injury risk in the LR control group compared with the 2 other groups, but no difference between the HR intervention group and the HR control group. Compliance with the training programs in the HR intervention group was poor, with only 27.5% in the ankle group, 29.2% in the knee group, 21.1% in the hamstring group, and 19.4% in the groin defined as having carried out the minimum recommended training volume.

Conclusion

The players with a significantly increased risk of injury were able to be identified through the use of a questionnaire, but player compliance with the training programs prescribed was low and any effect of the intervention on injury risk could not be detected.
Comparison of 3-Dimensional Obliquity and Anisometric Characteristics of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Positions Using Surgical Navigation
Authors: Pearle Andrew D. , Shannon Fintan J. , Granchi Carinne , Wickiewicz Thomas L. , Warren Russell F.
Published: April 2008

Background

Surgical navigation allows continuous intraoperative monitoring of ACL graft anisometry and 3-dimensional obliquity. However, normative anisometry and obliquity measurements for different single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament graft positions are not well described.

Hypothesis

ACL Grafts placed in anteromedial and posterolateral bundle positions will have distinct anisometric profiles and 3-dimensional obliquities. A graft placed centrally in anterior cruciate ligament insertion sites will have different obliquity and anisometry than a conventional (single-bundle) graft extending from the tibia's posterolateral aspect to the femur's anteromedial aspect.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Five cadaveric knees were tested. A surgical navigation system was used to create 4 virtual graft positions in the anterior cruciate ligament footprint: (1) anteromedial, (2) posterolateral, (3) central, and (4) posterolateral tibia to anteromedial femur (conventional). Obliquity at various flexion angles and anisometry of each virtual graft's central fiber were determined.

Results

Anteromedial and posterolateral fibers are relatively parallel up to 30° of flexion. At higher degrees of flexion, the anteromedial position is more oblique in the sagittal plane, while the posterolateral position is more oblique in the axial plane. The conventional single-bundle position is significantly more vertical than the central position in multiple planes throughout the range of motion. The anteromedial fiber is most isometric, while the posterolateral fiber is the least isometric at all flexion angles. There is no significant difference in the anisometry between the central or conventional positions at any flexion angle. The posterolateral, central, and conventional fibers were longest at full extension and slackened with progressive flexion.

Conclusion

Anteromedial and posterolateral graft positions can be distinguished by sagittal and axial plane obliquity at flexion angles >30° and by anisometry measurements. Conventional positioning produces a relatively vertical graft placement compared with the central position but has similar anisometry characteristics. Our data suggest that posterolateral, central, and conventional grafts should be fixed at or near full extension to avoid excessive tightening during motion.

Clinical Relevance

This study provides anisometry and 3-dimensional obliquity data for various graft positions using surgical navigation. The failure of single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction to restore intact knee kinematics may be partly due to the relative vertical placement of conventional grafts compared with the central anterior cruciate ligament footprint position.
Effect of Clothing Thermal Properties on the Thermal Comfort Sensation During Active Sports
Authors: Jintu Fan  , Tsang Humble W. K.
Published: April 2008

This paper reports on an experimental investigation on the effect of clothing thermal properties on the comfort sensations of wearers during sport activities. A sweating manikin"Walter" - was used to measure the clothing thermal properties (namely, thermal insulation, moisture vapor resistance and moisture accumulation within clothing) of five tracksuits. The average comfort sensations of five men wearing each of the five tracksuits were correlated with the thermal properties of the tracksuits measured from the sweating manikin - "Walter". It was found that the thermal comfort sensations during active sports were strongly related to the moisture vapor resistance and moisture accumulation within clothing. The overall comfort of sportswear during sports activities was very much related to the moisture related comfort sensations and clothing properties.
Comparison of One-, Two-, and Three-Factor Models of Personal Resiliency Using the Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents
Authors: Prince-Embury Sandra , Courville Troy
Published: April 2008

This article examines the scale structure of the Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents (RSCA). Confirmatory factor analysis reveals that a three-factor model is a better fit than one- or two-factor models for the normative sample. These findings lend support to the construct validity of the RSCA. The three-factor model is discussed as a framework that is useful in systematically relating critical aspects of resiliency in children and adolescents for the purpose of clinical intervention.
The Challenge of Neuropsychiatric Issues in Pediatric Epilepsy
Authors: Pellock John M.
Published: April 2008

Diagnosis and management of pediatric epilepsy are challenging for a variety of reasons; however, one of the most common yet difficult situations involves treatment of the patient with pediatric epilepsy with coexistent cognitive impairment or psychiatric disturbance. The etiologies and presentations of these comorbidities are myriad, making diagnosis problematic ; furthermore, interactions between epilepsy and its treatments and the neuropsychiatric problem and its treatments add another layer of complexity to the management of these patients. Antiepileptic drugs are often blamed for cognitive or behavioral problems in children treated for epilepsy, but the actual contribution to such problems in a particular child can be difficult to ascertain. (J Child Neurol 2004;19(Suppl 1):S1-S5).
Mechanisms of Action for the Commonly Used Antiepileptic Drugs: Relevance to Antiepileptic Drug-Associated Neurobehavioral Adverse Effects
Authors: Sankar Raman , Holmes Gregory L.
Published: April 2008

Antiepileptic drugs exert their anticonvulsant effects by interfering with brain processes that involve structures that are also involved in learning, memory, and emotional behavior. Thus, modulation of ion channels, neurotransmitters, second messengers, and other processes by antiepileptic drugs, although helpful in controlling seizures, can interfere with normal brain function in undesired ways. The specific mechanism(s) of action of an antiepileptic drug can increase the risk for particular types of adverse events. In this review, we examine the cognitive and behavioral effects of antiepileptic drugs in animal models. Although animal studies, in many respects, do not mimic clinical experience, the data suggest a connection between certain mechanisms of antiepileptic action and the occurrence of cognitive adverse effects. Specifically, antiepileptic drugs with traditional γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic mechanisms have the most detrimental effects on cognitive function, possibly because they impair attention. Conversely, drugs with the predominant effects at Na + channels appear to have minimal impact on cognition. Levetiracetam, with its nonconventional GABAergic and Ca2+ channel effects, has shown positive cognitive effects in animal studies. Antiglutamatergic drugs have the potential to be a double-edged sword: they can interfere with consolidation of learning and memory but can also provide neuroprotection in addition to their antiseizure effects. (J Child Neurol 2004;19(Suppl 1):S6-S14).
Behavioral and Psychiatric Adverse Events Associated With Antiepileptic Drugs Commonly Used in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Glauser Tracy A.
Published: April 2008

Multiple factors—including the efficacy of the antiepileptic drug for the particular seizure type, availability of pediatrics-friendly formulations, the ease of dosing and titration, and tolerability issues, such as possible drug interactions and adverse events—affect the selection of the best antiepileptic drug for a child with epilepsy. Behavioral problems are common in children with epilepsy and can be aggravated or initiated by antiepileptic drug therapy. The types and frequencies of antiepileptic drug-associated behavioral events can influence a clinician's drug selection, drug management, and counseling of parents. Unfortunately, appreciating differences among antiepileptic drugs in behavioral adverse event profiles is problematic because, among other reasons, methodologies for reporting, collecting, and analyzing adverse events are not uniform across trials, and there is marked heterogeneity in study design among trials. This review summarizes incidence rates for behavioral and psychiatric adverse events taken from studies of children with epilepsy. These rates are reported for the 10 most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs (valproic acid, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, lamotrigine, phenytoin, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, zonisamide, and gabapentin), grouped according to their predominant mechanism of action. Despite the numerous methodologic inconsistencies, some similarities in adverse event profiles among antiepileptic drugs that share mechanisms of action are apparent. Moreover, the overwhelming body of data on the behavioral effects of phenobarbital should convince clinicians that, whenever possible, it should not be used as the initial—or even the second—monotherapy in children with epilepsy. (J Child Neurol 2004;19(Suppl 1):S25-S38).
Seizures and Epilepsy Among Children With Language Regression and Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Trevathan Edwin
Published: April 2008

Clinical and subclinical seizures occur frequently among children with autistic spectrum disorders. Electrographic status epilepticus in sleep, or continuous spike-wave in slow-wave sleep, is a typical feature of acquired epileptic aphasia and Landau-Kleffner syndrome. Seizures and epilepsy are more common among children with autistic spectrum disorder who experience language regression, especially those who experience language regression after the age of 2 years. Although the seizures associated with Landau-Kleffner syndrome and with acquired epileptic aphasia can be easily treated, improvement in language function often does not follow successful treatment of seizures. There are no published randomized clinical trials of treatments for Landau-Kleffner syndrome or for autistic language regression. Broad-spectrum antiepileptic drugs not associated with cognitive slowing are probably the treatment of choice for epilepsy among children with autistic spectrum disorder. Large multisite trials are needed to determine treatment efficacy among children with Landau-Kleffner syndrome and acquired epileptic aphasia and to establish whether there is a cause-effect relationship between electrographic status epilepticus in sleep or continuous spike-wave in slow-wave sleep and autistic language regression. (J Child Neurol 2004;19(Suppl 1):S49-S57).
Management of Epilepsy in Mentally Retarded Children Using the Newer Antiepileptic Drugs, Vagus Nerve Stimulation, and Surgery
Authors: Shields W. Donald
Published: April 2008

Clusters of seizures, prolonged seizures, and status epilepticus occur more frequently in children with multiple disabilities, and chronic seizures are more likely to be refractory to treatment. In many patients, the seizures appear to contribute to the mental retardation. Thus, if the lives of these children are to improve, seizure control is essential. However, medical treatment can interfere with cognition and cause behavioral disturbances, making life very difficult for the child and the child's family. With the introduction of 10 new antiepileptic drugs in the last decade, the treatment of epilepsy in multiply handicapped children has significantly advanced. These new antiepileptic drugs may improve seizure control, medication tolerance, or both. Although the ultimate therapeutic goal is to keep children seizure free and alert, compromises regarding medication choice and dosage are still necessary in many cases. Novel treatment options, such as the vagus nerve stimulator, may decrease seizure frequency without behavioral or cognitive side effects. In carefully selected children with specific epilepsy syndromes, epilepsy surgery can provide partial or complete relief from seizures. (J Child Neurol 2004;19(Suppl 1):S58-S64).
Diagnosis and Management of Depression and Psychosis in Children and Adolescents With Epilepsy
Authors: Kanner Andres M. , Dunn David W.
Published: April 2008

The neurologic dysfunction underlying epilepsy can predispose patients to psychiatric disorders, and the incidence of both depression and psychosis is increased in people with epilepsy. Depressive disorders are the most frequently recognized psychiatric comorbidities in people with epilepsy, but depression in children can be particularly difficult to recognize. Clinicians need to inquire about not only classic symptoms of depression such as anhedonia but also less obvious symptoms such as unprovoked irritability, unsubstantiated complaints of lack of love from family members, somatic complaints, and problems with concentration and poor school performance. The diagnosis of depressive disorders in children with epilepsy and mental retardation is even more difficult. Physicians need to be alert for the presence of iatrogenic depression, which may result from antiepileptic drugs or epilepsy surgery. People with epilepsy are also at increased risk for psychosis, which can be interictal, postictal, or (rarely) an expression of ictal activity. This psychosis can be related to seizure remission (ie, alternative psychosis) or iatrogenic (eg, related to antiepileptic drugs or following temporal lobectomy). Although both antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs have the potential to lower the seizure threshold and increase seizures, careful drug selection, dosing, and slow titration can minimize this risk, allowing treatment to proceed. (J Child Neurol 2004;19(Suppl 1):S65-S72).
Yearning for Lightness
Authors: Glenn Evelyn Nakano
Published: April 2008

With the breakdown of traditional racial boundaries in many areas of the world, the widespread and growing consumption of skin-lightening products testifies to the increasing significance of colorism—social hierarchy based on gradations of skin tone within and between racial/ethnic groups. Light skin operates as a form of symbolic capital, one that is especially critical for women because of the connection between skin tone and attractiveness and desirability. Far from being an outmoded practice or legacy of past colonialism, the use of skin lighteners is growing fastest among young, urban, educated women in the global South. Although global in scope, the skin-lightening market is highly segmented by nation, culture, race, and class. This article examines the “yearning for lightness” and skin-lightening practices in various societies and communities and the role of transnational pharmaceutical and cosmetic corporations in fueling the desire for lighter skin through print, Internet, and television ads that link light skin with modernity, social mobility, and youth.
On the March: Social and Political Contexts of the Expansion of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Authors: Collin Ross
Published: April 2008

This article examines the social and political struggles out of which emerged the proposal to expand the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC). Situating the proposal in the contexts of the 1992 presidential campaign and the aftermath of the Los Angeles Uprising, the article discusses how particular struggles and debates structured the policy field in such ways as to make possible the program's expansion. The article also examines how arguments in favor of JROTC expansion functioned to win popular support for conservative analyses of public problems, unite diverse groups under Republican leadership, and (re)articulate conservative constructions of government—citizen relationships.
Isolated Tumor Cells and Circulating CK20 mRNA in pN0 Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Wong Cesar Sze-Chuen , Cheung Mong-Tong , Ma Brigette Buig-Yue , Pun Hui Edwin , Chan Alex Chak-Lam , Chan Chi-Kin , Lee King-Chung , Cheuk Wah , Lam Money Yan-Yee , Wong Manson Chi-Keung , Chan Charles Ming-Lok , Chan John Kwok-Cheung , Chan Anthony Tak-Cheung
Published: April 2008

Micrometastases in lymph nodes and blood may provide important prognostic information. In this study, cytokeratin 20 (CK20) positive cells in lymph nodes and circulating CK20 mRNA were studied using 57 paraffin-embedded lymph node specimens and blood from 24 patients with pN0 colorectal cancer (CRC), respectively. Results showed that 29 out of 56 (52%) lymph node specimens had CK20-positive cells (range: 1-35). Follow-up of the patients for 12 months indicated that 4 patients (7%) had CRC metastases to liver, lung, and bone. In addition, 8 out of 24 (33%) samples had at least 2-fold circulating CK20 mRNA expression higher than the pooled normal sample. This study provides evidence that CK20-positive cells were found in the lymph nodes and differentially expressed circulating CK20 mRNA was also detected in the blood from patients with pN0 CRC. Long-term follow-up is necessary to study their prognostic use in patients with non-metastatic CRC.
CD30-Positive T-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorder of the Oral Mucosa—An Indolent Lesion: Report of 4 Cases
Authors: Agarwal Monica , Shenjere Patrick , Blewitt Robert W. , Hall Gillian , Sloan Philip , Pigadas N. , Banerjee S. Sankar
Published: April 2008

Four cases of CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (CD30+ LPD) of the oral mucosa are described. This article aims to draw attention to this entity and to emphasize its usual benign clinical behavior despite its resemblance to T-cell lymphoma. All the patients were adults. Three of the lesions were on the dorsal surface of the tongue and 1 affected the buccal mucosa. All biopsies showed a dense lymphoid infiltrate composed of CD30+ atypical T cells with a polymorphous infiltrate in the background, which included eosinophils. In 1 case, monoclonal T-cell expansion was detected by molecular techniques. Three cases tested for Epstein—Barr virus were all negative. It is concluded that primary CD30+ T-cell LPD of the oral mucosa can be regarded as the oral counterpart of cutaneous CD30+ LPD such as lymphomatoid papulosis or anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Recognition of the condition is important to avoid overtreatment.
Prognostic Significance of Micropapillary Pattern in Pure Mucinous Carcinoma of the Breast
Authors: Bal Amanjit , Joshi Kusum , Suresh Chander Sharma  , Das Ashim , Verma Alka , Jai Dev Wig
Published: April 2008

Breast carcinoma with micropapillary architecture is associated with aggressive behavior. Similar micropapillary pattern in pure mucinous carcinoma has been noticed and has been shown to convey poor prognosis. In this study 17 cases of pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast seen during a 10-year period have been reviewed, with special reference to micropapillary pattern. Diffuse micropapillary pattern was seen in 6 of 17 cases of mucinous carcinoma of the breast and demonstrated reverse polarity immunostaining pattern with “Epithelial Membrane Antigen.” In all cases, the tumor cells showed grade I morphology, and no lymph node metastases were noticed. All the tumors except 1 expressed strong estrogen and progesterone receptor expression, however, all the cases were negative for Her-2/neu expression. In this present study, mucinous carcinomas with micropapillary pattern showed a low nuclear grade, higher incidence of hormone receptor positivity, and lower incidence of Her-2/neu similar to mucinous carcinomas without micropapillary pattern, thus explaining their indolent behavior.
Macroscopic Findings at Appendicectomy Are Unreliable: Implications for Laparoscopy and Malignant Conditions of the Appendix
Authors: Roberts John K. , Behravesh Masoud , Dmitrewski Janek
Published: April 2008

Background: At laparoscopic appendicectomy, some surgeons leave a macroscopically normal appendix in situ. To assess if this is safe practice, the authors wanted to identify the correlation between macroscopic findings at appendicectomy and pathologists' assessment with regard to the inflamed and the neoplastic. Method: Operative cases and histological findings over a 3-year period were identified. Results: The authors obtained 876/972 notes (90.1%). There was 100% congruity between surgeons and pathologists when perforation, abscess, or gangrene of the appendix was noted (n = 235). Where inflammation was the sole recorded finding, 8.3% of cases (37/445) were histologically normal; 33.1% (47/139) of appendices perceived to be normal at appendicectomy demonstrated histological signs of inflammation. Of 16 neoplastic lesions only 3 were identified at the time of surgery. Conclusions: Surgeons' ability to diagnose a normal appendix is poor as is the ability to detect neoplastic lesions. At laparoscopy, to investigate acute abdominal pain a macroscopically normal appendix should be removed.
Parietal Cell (Oncocytic) Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach in a Female Patient: Superficial Spreading and Extensive Nodal Involvement
Authors: Motta Marina P. , Athanazio Daniel A. , Motta Arnaldo , Studart Eduardo , Athanazio Paulo R. F.
Published: April 2008

A case of parietal cell (oncocytic) adenocarcinoma in a 62-year-old woman is reported. This rare entity has 26 reported cases to date and is usually related to male gender and localized disease with favorable prognosis. In the present case, the unusual finding of parietal cell (oncocytic) adenocarcinoma and extensive nodal metastasis in a woman is reported.
Prevalence of Thrombophilic Mutations and ACE I/D Polymorphism in Turkish Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Celiker Gulay , Can Ufuk , Verdi Hasibe , Yazici Ayse Canan , Ozbek Namik , Atac Fatma Belgin
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of factor V Leiden (FVL), prothrombin G20210A, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR) C677T gene mutations, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphism in ischemic stroke (IS) patients. A total of 162 Turkish IS patients were included and analyzed according to stroke subtype by the TOAST classification. Their genotype data were compared with those of the control group, representing the healthy population, using the χ2 test. The frequency of FVL heterozygocity was 12.3% in this series—higher than that in the normal population (9.8%; statistically insignificant, P = .478). The frequency of the ACE D/D genotype in all stroke patients and those with stroke of undetermined etiology was higher than that in our population (52.5% and 59.2%, respectively, vs 39.3%; statistically significant, P = .034, P = .020). Our results may suggest that ACE D/D genotype is a risk factor for IS, particularly in those with stroke of undetermined etiology in the Turkish population.
The Effect of Imperfect Contact on the Homogenization of a Micro-periodic Helix
Authors: Vivar-Perez J.M. , Bravo-Castillero J. , Rodriguez-Ramos R. , Ostoja-Starzewski M.
Published: April 2008

Under study are the equations governing the elastodynamics of a micro-periodic helix, i.e. a helix made of a sequence of unit cells, each containing a thin imperfect interphase embedded within a finite number of other phases. An averaged equation of motion, along with its effective constitutive coefficients, is determined via an asymptotic homogenization method. The results are valid in the case of wavelengths much longer than the length of the unit cell. Formulae for shorter wavelengths can be derived by admitting higher order terms in the expansion.
Euler-Rodrigues and Cayley Formulae for Rotation of Elasticity Tensors
Authors: Norris A.N.
Published: April 2008

It is well known that rotation in three dimensions can be expressed as a quadratic in a skew symmetric matrix via the Euler-Rodrigues formula. A generalized Euler-Rodrigues polynomial of degree 2 n in a skew symmetric generating matrix is derived for the rotation matrix of tensors of order n. The Euler-Rodrigues formula for rigid body rotation is recovered by n = 1. A Cayley form of the nth-order rotation tensor is also derived. The representations simplify if there exists some underlying symmetry, as is the case for elasticity tensors such as strain and the fourth-order tensor of elastic moduli. A new formula is presented for the transformation of elastic moduli under rotation: as a 21-vector with a rotation matrix given by a polynomial of degree 8. Explicit spectral representations are constructed from three vectors: the axis of rotation and two orthogonal bivectors. The tensor rotation formulae are related to Cartan decomposition of elastic moduli and projection onto hexagonal symmetry.
On Transversely Isotropic Elastic Media with Ellipsoidal Slowness Surfaces
Authors: Mazzucato Anna L. , Rachele Lizabeth V.
Published: April 2008

We describe all classes of inhomogeneous, transversely isotropic elastic media for which the sheets associated to each wave mode are ellipsoids. These media have the property that elastic waves in each mode propagate along geodesic segments of certain Riemannian metrics. We study the intersection of the sheets of the slowness surface for these media, and, in view of applications to the analysis of propagation of singularities along rays, we give pointwise conditions that guarantee that the sheet of the slowness surface corresponding to a given wave mode is disjoint from the others. We also investigate the smoothness of the associated polarization vectors as functions of position and direction. We employ coordinate and frame-independent methods, suitable to the study of the dynamic inverse boundary problem in elasticity.
Torsion Equation in Anisotropic Elasto-Plastic Materials with Continuously Distributed Dislocations
Authors: Cleja-Tigoiu Sanda , Fortune Danielle , Vallee Claude
Published: April 2008

Within the constitutive framework of finite elasto-plasticity we formulate compatibility conditions in a general problem, in which no potentiality condition for an invertible second-order tensor field F has been assumed, due to the signification of F to be a plastic distortion. In the problem the affine connection F, with vanishing Riemann curvature, is thought to be a plastic connection. Consequently, in order to ensure the existence of the continuously distributed dislocation, the Cartan torsion attached to the connection is supposed to be non-zero. The principal result concerns the compatibility conditions, which are viewed, for a given symmetric and positive definite tensor (the metric tensor), as partial differential equations for the torsion (defined in terms of the second-order torsion tensor). In our problem, the non-zero torsion is essential, while in finite elasticity the compatibility conditions are formulated in terms of zero torsion.

The following implications of the theorem relative to the torsion, concerning the evolution equations for the pair of the plastic distortion and plastic connections, can be drawn:

1. only the evolution equation for the plastic metric has to be defined, because the torsion could be defined as a solution of the appropriate partial differential equations, within the approach to finite elastoplasticity with plastic connection having a zero fourth-order curvature tensor,

2. if no relationships between the plastic metric and (plastic) torsion have been imposed then the evolution equations could be defined for plastic distortion as well as for plastic connection.
The Eigenfrequencies of the Dirichlet and Neumann Problems for an Oscillating Finite Plate
Authors: Thomson G.R. , Constanda C.
Published: April 2008

The Green’s tensors are constructed and the existence of discrete real spectra is proved for the displacement and traction boundary value problems in the case of a finite elastic plate with transverse shear deformation undergoing high-frequency vibrations.
The Effect of Local Kinematics on the Local and Global Deformations of Granular Systems
Authors: Tordesillas Antoinette , Walsh Stuart D.C. , Muthuswamy Maya
Published: April 2008

Despite the prevalent use of continuum mechanics for the modeling of granular materials, the controversy surrounding the relationship between the properties of the discrete medium and those of its equivalent continuum has far from abated. The concept of strain is especially problematic. In a continuum body, the strain represents the deformation of an infinitesimal region about a material point. In a discrete granular assembly, however, deformation is governed by the relative motions of the constituent grains. Herein, we introduce a new microstructural definition for the deformation of a granular material within the framework of Micropolar Continuum Theory. The advantages of the new strain definition over existing formulations are: it accounts for particle rotations, it is relatively straightforward to calculate, and its global average matches the macroscopic strain of the assembly. The new definition leads to a patchwork strain field, the existence of which is linked to the nonaffine strain at the particle scale. A key aspect of this study is the construction of a set of local micropolar strain and curvature measures on the scale of a particle and its first ring of neighbors. We dissect these local continuum quantities and, with the aid of discrete element simulations, examine them for a specimen under biaxial compression. New insights are gained on the contributions of the relative particle motions for specific types of contacts at different stages in the deformation history. Results are discussed in light of past experimental findings on shear banding, as well as Oda’s hypothesis on force chain buckling.
An Alternative Form of Propagation Criterion for Two Collinear Cracks under Compression
Authors: Zhu Zheming
Published: April 2008

Under compression, cracks extend, branch and coalesce. These fracturing processes have received much attention recently. In this paper, an attempt is made to find the analytical solution of stress intensity factors for the special case of cracks situated along a straight line, and to set up a fracture criterion. Under compression, cracks close and the crack surface friction can resist crack surface sliding. Considering crack surface friction, a set of complex stress functions is proposed for the special case of cracks situated along a straight line. The analytical solution is formulated, and for the case of only two collinear cracks inside an infinite plate, the exact analytical solution of stress intensity factor is presented. Finally, an alternative form of crack propagation criterion for two collinear cracks under compression is developed, which is expressed in terms of principal stresses. For the case of materials without pre-existing macrocracks, this new propagation criterion becomes the well known Coulomb—Mohr criterion.
Discriminating Between Children With ADHD and Classmates Using Peer Variables
Authors: Mrug Sylvie , Hoza Betsy , Gerdes Alyson C. , Hinshaw Stephen , Arnold L. Eugene , Hechtman Lily , Pelham William E.
Published: April 2008

Objective: Impaired peer relationships have long been recognized as one of the major functional problems of children with ADHD, but no specific guidelines on clinical levels of impairment in this domain exist. Method: This study used Receiver Operating Characteristics methodology to determine what aspects of peer functioning best discriminate between children with ADHD and their classmates. Optimal cutoffs indicative of clinical levels of impairment associated with ADHD diagnosis were determined for all variables. The participants were 165 children with AD/HD who were part of the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children With ADHD and their 1,298 classmates. Results: Variables that best discriminated between children with ADHD and their classmates included peer rejection and negative imbalance between given and received liking ratings (i.e., children with ADHD liked others more than they were liked). Conclusion: Peer rejection and negative imbalance show most promise for identifying clinically significant levels of peer relationship impairment in children with ADHD. (J. of Att. Dis. 2009; 12(4) 372-380)
Regional Anesthesia in Elderly Patients Undergoing Carotid Surgery: Report of a Case Series
Authors: Aslim Erdal , Akay Tankut Hakki , Candan Selim , Ozkan Suleyman , Akpek Elif , Gultekin Bahadir
Published: April 2008

Background: This study evaluates the short-term results in patients more than 75 years of age undergoing carotid endarterectomy at a single institution. Methods: Between June 2004 and June 2007, carotid endarterectomy operations were performed in 123 patients. A total of 70 patients had regional anesthesia. The data for all patients were retrospectively reviewed. Regional anesthesia and selective shunting was performed in all patients. Results: In 6 patients, a shunt was required. Primary closure of the carotid artery was performed in 22 patients and patch angioplasty was used in the remainder. There were no postoperative neurological complications. One patient died due to myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Carotid endarterectomy with regional anesthesia can be performed safely in the elderly population with low mortality and morbidity. Regional anesthesia may have advantages over general anesthesia and could potentially aid in avoiding complications related to shunt use.
Drivers of Service Satisfaction
Authors: Anderson Shannon , Pearo Lisa Klein , Widener Sally K.
Published: April 2008

The “service-dominant logic” focuses on the firm and the customer cocreating value, as defined by the customer. Achieving this orientation requires firms to understand which components of the service concept are most important to different subsets of customers. However, research on the relative importance to customers of core and peripheral service components has produced mixed results. Using data from the U.S. airline industry, the fact that the relative influence on customer satisfaction of core (e.g., operational performance) and peripheral (e.g., service interactions and physical setting) service components is moderated by customer characteristics is demonstrated. Consistent with Vargo and Lusch's premises that “the customer is always a co-creator of value” and that value is “uniquely and phenomenologically determined by the beneficiary,” the conclusion that a parsimonious model of customer satisfaction demands consideration of both the service concept and customer characteristics is reached.
The Role of HRD in Integrated Crisis Management: A Public Sector Approach
Authors: Rusaw A. Carol , Rusaw Michael F.
Published: April 2008

The problem and the solution. This article examines the role that human resource development (HRD) plays in integrating crisis management systems in public sector organizations. We chose to examine the role of HRD in government organizations because public organizations play cross-sector roles in managing large-scale crises and because we have consulted in public organizations for more than 30 years. We reviewed more than 30 journal articles, books, and government studies and identified some possible conditions affecting the integration. As the review suggested that crises make organization adaptability imperative, we maintain that governments facing national man-made or natural disasters require flexible deployment of resources to attain strategic advantage. To explore further the role of HRD, we analyzed conditions in the Charlotte— Mecklenburg (North Carolina, United States) government that integrated HRD in crises management systems.We identified four emergent themes and compared them to crisis management literature to develop three hypotheses of how such integration occurs.We follow this with suggestions for future research and practice.
Using Scenarios to Develop Crisis Managers: Applications of Scenario Planning and Scenario-Based Training
Authors: Moats Jason B. , Chermack Thomas J. , Dooley Larry M.
Published: April 2008

The problem and the solution. Since the events of September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina during the summer of 2005, the words crisis and disaster evoke images of families stranded on causeways turned islands, surrounded by what little property they could carry; houses smashed by killing winds; and skyscrapers crumbling out of the sky. Disastrous events, such as fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, terrorist incidents, and chemical spills, cause the loss of resources, destruction of property, financial hardship, and death. During these events, local, state, and federal governments commit large numbers of resources, time, and money to mitigate the consequences of the disaster.To manage the response to these events, leaders of public safety organizations and agencies such as fire and police departments, emergency medical services, and health-care organizations, public works departments, private industry, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) descend on the disaster site.These leaders are required to make high consequence decisions with incomplete or inaccurate information, ill-defined goals, and the pressures of time and a constantly changing situation by drawing on their training and experience. This article positions scenario planning and scenario-based training as two cutting-edge methods for organizational leaders to understand better their environments so as to avoid disastrous events and to put in place efficient and effective plans for coping if disaster should strike.
Nurse Satisfaction and the Implementation of Minimum Nurse Staffing Regulations
Authors: Spetz Joanne
Published: April 2008

In 1999, California passed the first legislation in the United States to establish minimum staffing levels for licensed nurses in hospitals. Implementation of the regulation began in 2004. This article examines whether nurses who work in hospitals in California have perceived improvements in their working conditions. A statewide sample survey of registered nurses is used, and the survey data are linked with regional data to learn whether changes in satisfaction are associated with the degree to which regional employers were expected to increase nurse staffing when the ratios were implemented. Nurse satisfaction improved between 2004 and 2006, particularly with the adequacy of RN staff, time for patient education, benefits, and clerical support. There was a significant increase in overall job satisfaction between 2004 and 2006. However, improvements in satisfaction with the adequacy of RN staff were not associated with the degree to which regional hospitals were expected to increase staffing.
A High-Definition Exoscope System for Neurosurgery and Other Microsurgical Disciplines: Preliminary Report
Authors: Mamelak Adam N. , Danielpour Moise , Black Keith L. , Hagike Masanobu , Berci George
Published: April 2008

An 8-mm diameter rigid lens telescope with a focal distance of 20 cm was developed for open microsurgery. The telescope was attached to a 3-chip high-definition digital camera and then to a high-definition monitor. A pneumatic scope holder permitted repositioning. The optical quality of the device was compared with the operating microscope with a step wedge and 1-mm grid paper. Craniotomies and microsurgical dissections with the telescope system (high-definition exoscope system) were performed in a live pig model. The high-definition exoscope system provided image quality that rivaled the operating microscope even at high magnification. The system was easy to manipulate and comfortable during neurosurgical operations. The lack of stereopsis was a relative drawback of the system but was compensated for with repeated procedures. Overall, this prototype telescope-based system rivals the operating microscope optical quality and field of view. With further refinement, this system could have widespread application in many microsurgical disciplines.