bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problem-Oriented Policing and Open-Air Drug Markets
Authors: Corsaro Nicholas , Brunson Rod K. , McGarrell Edmund F.
Published: October 2009

Problem-oriented policing strategies have been regarded as promising approaches for disrupting open-air drug markets in vulnerable communities. Pulling levers deterrence interventions, which are consistent with the problem-oriented framework, have shown potential as an effective mechanism for reducing and preventing youth, gun, and gang violence. This study examines the effect of a strategic, pulling levers intervention that was implemented by law enforcement officials in Rockford, Illinois, to address drug markets in a high crime neighborhood. The initiative builds on a similar effort developed in High Point, North Carolina, and represents an extension of pulling levers that was originally developed in Boston. The impact evaluation uses a mixed method of quantitative hierarchical growth curve models and qualitative interviews with residents. Study findings suggest that the Rockford strategy was associated with a statistically significant and substantive reduction in crime, drug, and nuisance offenses in the target neighborhood. Results from this examination have implications for both research and public policy.
Intermediate Sanctions in Probation Officers’ Sentencing Recommendations: Consistency, Net Widening, and Net Repairing
Authors: Homant Robert J. , DeMercurio Mark A.
Published: October 2009

To explore the role of intermediate sanctions in probation officers’ sentencing recommendations, 30 actual felony cases were selected. These cases were then randomly assigned to 10 probation officers who were experienced in writing pre-sentence investigations. Each officer reviewed a total of 9 cases; this gave a total of 90 ratings, with each case rated by three probation officers. Each officer expressed his or her preference for either a standard prison term, regular probation, or one of three intermediate sanctions: boot camp, intensive probation, and a split sentence (60 days jail followed by probation). Data showed that probation officers were in substantial agreement in their recommendations for a given case, but there were consistent differences among the probation officers, with some showing a consistent tendency toward leniency and others toward severity. The intermediate sanctions were used consistently, in that they were seen as less severe than a prison term and more severe than standard probation. In 61 of the 90 ratings, an intermediate sanction was the first choice of the rater. In 44 of these cases, the next choice was standard probation, suggesting that the intermediate sanction served a net widening (or net repairing) function; in 17 cases the next choice was prison, suggesting that the intermediate sanction served to divert from (standard) incarceration.
The Tale of the Talent Night Rap: Hip-Hop Culture in Schools and the Challenge of Interpretation
Authors: Low Bronwen E.
Published: October 2009

Although the number of calls to integrate Hip-Hop culture into school curricula is growing, little attention is being paid to the reluctance of teachers and administrators to forge relationships between the cultures of school and of youth. This article explores some of the difficulties inherent in the relationships between Hip Hop and schooling, including interpretive tensions between White administrators and teachers and African American youth, and argues that the very controversies surrounding rap music are central to its pedagogic value. The article draws on qualitative research from a 2-year classroom study in an urban high on a “spoken word” poetry curriculum which included rap music.
Libraries, Churches, and Schools: The Literate Lives of Mothers and Children in a Homeless Shelter
Authors: MacGillivray Laurie , Lassiter Ardell Amy , Sauceda Curwen Margaret
Published: October 2009

This article addresses the question,“How do mothers and children in a homeless shelter interact with literacy?” We drew on the theoretical framework of social literacy practices in which cultural context is foregrounded. Data for this qualitative study included participant observation in one homeless shelter and interviews with one shelter’s residents and other stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, shelter staff at various shelters, and homelessness experts across Los Angeles County, California. While examining the literacy practices of women and children living in one transitional shelter, we identified three institutions that were part of their lives (a) the public library, in which choice was a major factor; (b) the church, which focused on reading the Bible; and (c) schools, where literacy was tied to evaluative outcomes. Although families were overwhelmingly positive about their participation in each of these institutions and all three were referred to as places for learning, children’s talk about reading and writing in school focused on procedures such as daily routines and testing. This may reflect the current mandated curriculum as well as the cost of frequent moves, which necessitate that children learn how to succeed in each new school. This study captures the influence of different institutions on the literacy practices of families in crisis and suggests ways to further support reading and writing for children living without homes.
Using Department Protocols as Indicators of Emergent Organizational Reality in a Ground‐Level Administrative Subunit
Authors: Powers Charles , Fernandez Marilyn
Published: October 2009

This study examines administrative protocols established by a ground‐level subunit in a complex organization during a 13‐year period. The protocols are identifiable, verifiable, and (for the questions examined in this study) objectively interpretable. The authors report tangible evidence that the subunit developed some of its own emergent organizational characteristics, consistent with predictions using a loose coupling model. Copresent, however, clear manifestations are also found of the subunit at certain times merely acting out unitary executive–style policy decisions that have been made at higher administrative levels in the organization.
Humans, Cities, and Nature: How Do Cities Fit in the Material World?
Authors: Melosi Martin V.
Published: October 2009

This paper explores how historians—and others—continue to create a barrier between the natural world and the city, and why the so-called declensionist narrative—humans as agents of harmful physical change—still dominates our understanding of the urban environment. It suggests several ways to reconsider the declensionist narrative; to evaluate the connection between “first nature” and “second nature;” to better understand the relationship between urban and ecological systems; and to assess how cities are natural.
In and Out of the Field
Authors: Lewis Michael
Published: October 2009

In this article I describe and discuss my attempt to design an entire course around a shared class project of conducting applied local environmental history research leading to an online book. Although I am an environmental historian, this course draws heavily on urban history as well. I start with the concrete details of my current course design, followed by some reflections on my previous attempts at teaching this course. Ultimately, I believe that both urban and environmental history courses would benefit from attempting to get our students into the field and conducting local research that links physical places to written documents and narratives. This provides the students the opportunity to connect history with physical places that they can visit and experience. We would be remiss if we did not use this inherent advantage that we have as urban and/or environmental historians. Through this “field history,” we can reach students and teach them how to truly engage in the practice and art of history.
Modelling sanitary demands for occupant loads in shopping centres of Hong Kong
Authors: Mui KW , Wong LT , Lam HS
Published: October 2009

This paper presents a quantitative mathematical model of sanitary demands from occupants in shopping complexes. In-situ measurements and interview surveys with occupants were conducted in typical local shopping malls in order to determine the model parameters for their visiting patterns, load patterns, demand patterns and their preferred or acceptable duration for waiting and using water closets (WCs). The model is used to assess the probable acceptance of sanitary facilities towards the acceptable amount of time for waiting at a typical female washroom designed for an occupant load of 600 occupants in a shopping mall. The results showed that the current sanitary provisions for female washrooms in local shopping malls could meet occupants’ minimum expectation, while with an additional 33% of WC, the sanitary would fully satisfy ‘all’ occupants in terms of amount of time for waiting.

Practical applications: This paper presents a quantitative mathematical model of sanitary demands from a group of building occupants. This model is applied to evaluate the performance of sanitary provisions at typical female washrooms in Hong Kong shopping malls and to quantify the provisions required to achieve the most acceptable amount of time for waiting to their users.
Changes of Heart: The Switch-Value Method for Assessing Value Uncertainty
Authors: John Leslie K. , Fischhoff Baruch
Published: October 2009

Background. Medical choices often evoke great value uncertainty, as patients face difficult, unfamiliar tradeoffs. Those seeking to aid such choices must be able to assess patients’ ability to reduce that uncertainty, to reach stable, informed choices. Objective. The authors demonstrate a new method for evaluating how well people have articulated their preferences for difficult health decisions. The method uses 2 evaluative criteria. One is internal consistency, across formally equivalent ways of posing a choice. The 2nd is compliance with principles of prospect theory, indicating sufficient task mastery to respond in predictable ways. Method. Subjects considered a hypothetical choice between noncurative surgery and palliative care, posed by a brain tumor. The choice options were characterized on 6 outcomes (e.g., pain, life expectancy, treatment risk), using a drug facts box display. After making an initial choice, subjects indicated their willingness to switch, given plausible changes in the outcomes. These changes involved either gains (improvements) in the unchosen option or losses (worsening) in the chosen one. A 2 × 2 mixed design manipulated focal change (gains v. losses) within subjects and change order between subjects. Results. In this demonstration, subjects’ preferences were generally consistent 1) with one another: with similar percentages willing to switch for gains and losses, and 2) with prospect theory, requiring larger gains than losses, to make those switches. Conclusion. Informed consent requires understanding decisions well enough to articulate coherent references. The authors’ method allows assessing individuals’ success in doing so.
Study of Mechanical and Thermomechanical Properties of Jute/Epoxy Composite Laminate
Authors: MIR Abdallah , Zitoune Redouane , Collombet Francis , Bezzazi Boudjema
Published: October 2009

This article presents the development and the characterization of composite material (laminate) containing natural jute fiber reinforcement. Thermal characterization of jute fiber reinforcement shows the influence of the temperature on the mechanical behavior of fiber. At 180°C the jute fabric loses 50% of its mechanical characteristics. The laminate obtained by a process known as infusion is polymerized at a temperature lower than that which affects the mechanical properties of dry fabric. The digital image correlation carried out on laminated jute/epoxy (warp and weft direction) under tensile test shows the presence of a considerable gradient of deformation. This gradient is explained by the variability related to the local voluminal change of jute fibers of one place to the other and the nature of the weaving of the jute fiber. The three-point bending tests show a significant dispersion of rupture stress. The thermomechanical tests carried out on samples in the two principal directions, show that the thermal coefficient of expansion in warp direction is 48% larger compared to the weft direction. The thermogravimetric test shows that this laminate absorbs up to 4% water mass after 8 h in a climatic chamber with 70% moisture content.
Wettability of Nitric Acid Oxidized Carbon Fibers
Authors: Langston T.A.
Published: October 2009

High-strength carbon fibers were oxidized by exposure to nitric acid and single-fiber wettability predictions were compared to the actual wettability of multiple fibers in resin. Single-fiber wettability was predicted through contact-angle measurements and surface-energy calculations. Multiple-fiber wettability in resin was evaluated by immersing treated fiber bundles in catalyzed vinyl ester resin, followed by cross-sectional viewing after curing. Fiber cohesion, macro-composite void content, and transverse tensile strength were also examined as a function of fiber treatment time. Fiber surface energy increased with treatment time, suggesting improved wettability. However, fiber cohesion also increased and composite wetting was found to suffer. Increasing fiber treatment times resulted in larger unwetted areas, higher void content, and declining transverse tensile strength.
Stress Analysis of Composite Plates with a Quasi-Square Cutout Subjected to Uniaxial Tension
Authors: Rezaeepazhand Jalil , Jafari Mohammad
Published: October 2009

Perforated plates and shells with variously shaped cutout are often used in engineering structures. Despite the importance of the effects of cutout on the load-bearing capacity and stress concentration of such plates little research has focused on stress analysis of plates with special shaped cutout. This study investigates problems associated with the maximum stresses in perforated composite plates with quasi-square shaped cutouts. Analytical solution based on Lekhnitskii’s theory of anisotropic plate is utilized for stress analysis of composite plates with central square shaped cutout. The solution is capable of considering large variety of cutout shapes and loading conditions analytically. Parametric studies were conducted to investigate the effects of variation in cutout bluntness and orientation, material properties, and loading direction on the location and the value of the maximum stress in a flat composite plate subjected uni-axial tension load. Based on results presented herein, the maximum normalized stress of perforated composite plates can be significantly changed by using proper combination of material properties, fiber orientation, loading angle, cutout bluntness, and orientation.
Effect of Chemical Modification of Jute Fabrics on the Performance of Urethane Acrylate-based Composites
Authors: Khan Haydaruzzaman A.H. , Hossain M.A. , Khan Mubarak A. , Khan Ruhul A.
Published: October 2009

Jute fabric-reinforced urethane acrylate-based composites were prepared using urethane acrylate oligomer (M-1200) in methanol solvent along with photoinitiator (Darocur-1173) followed by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Different formulations were prepared by varying oligomer in the solvent by 50—90% (by weight). Jute fabrics treated with 70% oligomer, 28% methanol, and 2% photoinitiator followed by UV radiation showed the best mechanical properties of the resulting composites. For further improvement of the mechanical properties of the composites, jute fabrics were first treated with different percentages of methylmethacrylate (MMA) in methanol with photoinitiator and cured under UV radiation and then again the composites were fabricated by the oligomer. Urea was incorporated into the MMA formulation and was found to have the potential to improve the mechanical properties of the composites.
Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Chemically Treated Coir and Abaca Fiber
Authors: Haque Mominul , Rahman Rezaur , Islam Nazrul , Huque Monimul , Hasan Mahbub
Published: October 2009

Coir and abaca fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites were manufactured using a single extruder and an injection molding machine. Raw coir and abaca were chemically treated with benzene diazonium salt. Both raw and treated coir and abaca fibers at level of fiber loading (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt%) were utilized during composite manufacturing. Mechanical tests of the resultant composites and PP were conducted. A comparison has been made between the mechanical properties of the coir and abaca fiber-reinforced composites. Chemically treated fiber-reinforced specimens yielded better mechanical properties compared to the raw composites, while coir fiber composites had better mechanical properties than abaca fiber reinforced ones. Based on fiber loading, 30% fiber-reinforced composites had the optimum set of mechanical properties.
Locational Choices of the Ethanol Industry in the Midwest Corn Belt
Authors: Haddad Mônica A. , Taylor Gary , Owusu Francis
Published: October 2009

The Corn Belt has experienced a rapid expansion of corn-based ethanol plants. This has provided researchers the opportunity to examine the relative importance to the renewable fuels industry of several location factors previously identified as important to agro-industries. Using probit regressions, this study identifies the factors significant to ethanol firms’ location decisions in the four-state study area of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska. In Iowa and Illinois, where corn is largely ubiquitous, firms move beyond corn supply to consider other localized factors in their decision-making process. Factors such as rail access, population density, and proximity to blending terminals emerge as significant considerations. Probit regressions comparing states reveal the competitive advantages that each offers to ethanol firms. The importance of the findings to economic development professionals is discussed and areas for future research are suggested.
State Capacity and Support for Village Institutions in Rural Shaanxi
Authors: Kennedy John James
Published: October 2009

For successful political reforms, such as village elections or elimination of arbitrary fees, the central party-government must have the political capacity to implement new laws down to the village level. Thus for researchers as well as government officials, it is important to have accurate measures of reform success or failure. There are two equally important measures that are closely tied to state capacity. One measure is the top—down level of commitment that county and township officials have towards implementing reforms. That is, whether these new institutions exist and function at the village level. The second measure is the bottom—up villager evaluation of local institutional procedures and cadre behavior. Using data collected in one northwest province in 2000 and 2004, findings show that implementation of some reforms, such as village elections, is uneven, while other reforms, such as the 2002 tax-fee reforms, were more successful. There are two implications from this study. One is that the central party-government lacks the commitment rather than the capacity to fully implement village elections. The urgency of relieving villagers’ tax-fee burdens that were perceived as the source of rural unrest and instability was more important than the development of village elections. Second, in villages where the reforms are fully implemented, villagers make a clear conceptual distinction between popular support for the elected leaders and the election process. That is, they display disgust for the elected leaders and support for the election process and the village fee system. However, in villages where reforms are not fully carried out, villagers exhibit a more uniform lack of support for leaders and local institutions.
Management Corruption in China’s Industrial Restructuring
Authors: Ting Gong  , Huangao Shi
Published: October 2009

Management corruption, defined as the drain on state assets caused by corruption of public managers, is rampant in China. This study analyzes the rise of management corruption by examining the changing forms and characteristics of corruption in the context of China’s industrial restructuring. It pays special attention to the typical asset-stripping strategies and tactics under certain institutional settings. By focusing on the new incentives and opportunities for management corruption and their linkage with the ownership restructuring scheme in the state economy, the article aims to reach a better understanding of not only management corruption per se but also the ways in which the Chinese state has responded, or failed to respond, to the problems and challenges that have accompanied its reform efforts. The findings of this study reveal the forces at work behind the massive drain on the state assets and point to the tension facing the Chinese state between the need for transforming the state economy and its capacity for monitoring and regulating the restructuring process. Corruption is a matter concerning not just the misconduct of public managers, but also institutional reconfiguration, policy framework, and the government’s regulation of state enterprises.
Research Note: Japan Studies in China in the Late 1980s
Authors: Chew Matthew M.
Published: October 2009

This article adopts a sociology of knowledge perspective to analyze Japan studies scholarship published in China in the late 1980s. The objective of the analysis is to interpret the significant body of scholarship in terms of three of its sociopolitical implications. Firstly, the role of scholarship in its advocacy of Japan as a development model for China will be examined, thereby uncovering one of the multiple historical sources for the Chinese reform. Secondly, Japanese studies scholars, despite their being establishment intellectuals, made bold proposals in the late 1980s for economic, political, and social change. Thirdly, this article will document the Japan studies scholars’ largely positive appraisal of Japan as well as their resistance of anti-Japanese sentiments in the Chinese state and society. Findings indicate that the scholarship deviated from the official line, critiqued the Chinese state, promoted radical reform proposals, positively evaluated Japan, and offered a Japanese model for China’s reform.
Leadership in the British Civil Service
Authors: Chapman Richard A. , O'Toole Barry J.
Published: October 2009

This article is essentially a polemic. The argument is that when politicians and officials now talk of ‘leadership’ in the British civil service they do not use that word in the way in which it was previously used. In the past leading civil servants, acting in partnership with ministers and within constitutional constraints, exercised leadership in the sense of setting example, inspiring confidence and encouraging loyalty. The loosening of traditional constitutional patterns, the marginalization of senior officials in the policy process and the emergence of business methods as the preferred model for public administration have led to a political and administrative environment in which leadership in the British civil service is now about encouraging patterns of behaviour which fit in with these changes. Leadership skills are now about ‘delivery’; they are not about motivation. It is time for politicians, officials and scholars to be open about this.
The Conceptual Connection between Lens Models and Fast and Frugal Heuristics
Authors: Katsikopoulos Konstantinos V.
Published: October 2009

I explore the conceptual connection between two judgment- and decision-making research programs: social judgment theory and fast and frugal heuristics. I point out that a main difference is in the modeling of the cues-to-criterion function that describes the organism (lens in Brunswikian jargon). Social judgment theorists typically use linear models while the fast and frugal program employs heuristics. I ask two questions: Can fast and frugal heuristics play the role of lenses? Which lens can model fast and frugal heuristics? I synthesize previous work and extend it with new analyses that focus on processes. First, I argue that fast and frugal heuristics can play the role of lenses because they can model the process of successful vicarious functioning. Second, I argue that a compensatory lens should be used for modeling the outcomes of heuristics and that a noncompensatory lens is more appropriate for modeling the cognitive processes postulated by heuristics.
Fostering Physical Connectivity in India's Look East Policy
Authors: Chakraborty Anushree Bhattacharyya
Published: October 2009

Physical connectivity is the fait accompli in the world today. Borders are increasingly becoming irrelevant and espousing integration. China has remarkably made progress in connecting with its neighbours and at present India is venturing into the connectivity drive. For both political and strategic opportunities, connectivity is attractive. More importantly, freedom to travel and communicate across borders opens up new vistas for trade, investment and flow of ideas. Presently, India signed FTA with ASEAN and increasing connectivity between them will felicitate it further. As a result, India through its Look East Policy is developing several connectivity initiatives. Open skies, seaways, roadways and railways are in progress. Several regional and sub-regional initiatives are also underway. Against this background, the article studies India's connectivity drive with Southeast Asia. It looks into the various projects initiated by India and Southeast Asian countries. The ASEAN-driven transport initiatives are also taken into perspective.
Shaped Modal Sensors for Linear Stochastic Beams
Authors: Adhikari S. , Friswell M.I.
Published: October 2009

Modal sensors and actuators using distributed piezoelectric material have a wide range of applications, for example in vibration control and piezoelectric transformers. The design of these transducers usually ignores any uncertainty and variability in the host structure, which can have a significant effect on their performance. This article investigates the design of shaped piezoelectric sensors for beam structures that are robust with respect to uncertainties in the system. The modal transducers are defined using a discrete approximation to the equations of motion for linear stochastic systems and their shapes are represented using the underlying finite element shape functions. The optimal shape design has been coupled with the stochastic finite element method to consider parametric uncertainty described using random fields, using a first-order perturbation-based approach to obtain the second-order covariance of the modal matrix. The numerical results for linear elastic beam structures showed that the shape of the sensors of the stochastic system can differ significantly from the corresponding deterministic system. However, sensors with shapes designed using a smoothness criterion also perform very well for structures with uncertainty.
Strain and Back Cavity of Tunnel Engineering Surveyed by FBG Strain Sensors and Geological Radar
Authors: Li Chuan , Zhao Yong-Gui , Liu Hao , Wan Zhou , Xu Jiang-Chun , Xu Xiao-Ping , Chen Yan
Published: October 2009

A differential fiber Bragg grating strain sensor is developed, thereinto, the strain of a gage rod is translated into the deflection of the cantilever beam, on which the fiber Bragg gratings suffer the strain and shift their Bragg wavelengths. In this scheme, temperature compensation is achieved by the differential operation between the Bragg wavelength shifts of sensing gratings mounted on the top and bottom surfaces of the beam. The loading experiment indicates that the least-square linearity between the strain of the gage rod and the difference of the Bragg wavelength shifts of the sensing gratings is 0.3% in the range of the strain -1500 to 1500 με, the maximum error is 20 με, and the measure precision is 0.007. According to the flaws of the second lining of Shan Xin-Po Tunnel explored by the geological radar, these differential fiber Bragg grating strain sensors are installed on the lining. During the backfill period of 53 days and the operation period of 341 days, the strain survey results that the strains are related to the distribution of back cavity in the backfill period; however, the strains became gradually stable in the operation period.
Development of an Automated Wireless Tension Force Estimation System for Cable-stayed Bridges
Authors: Cho Soojin , Lynch Jerome P. , Lee Jong-Jae , Yun Chung-Bang
Published: October 2009

Cable-supported bridges rely on the use of steel cables to support the bridge deck and load on it. Cable tension forces are monitored during construction to assist the alignment of cables and to ensure no cables are overloaded. Given that the cables are critical load carrying elements, it is prudent to routinely monitor the levels of cable tensions during operation. With current measurement methods being costly and labor-intensive, this article proposes an automated and low-cost wireless sensor system for continuous monitoring of the cable tension based on the vibration signature of the cable. A vibration-based tension force estimation method using a peak picking algorithm is explored by embedding it in the computational core of a wireless sensor. Welch’s method to average Fourier spectra from the segments of a long time history signal is employed to remove the non-stationarity of a short-duration acceleration record, which is a limit of the memory-constrained wireless sensor. A series of laboratory tests are conducted on a slender braided steel cable with a variety of cable sags and tension forces. Excellent agreements have been found between the actual tensions and those estimated by the present wireless system.
Intrafollicular Collagenous Crystalloids in a Hair Follicle of the Nose
Authors: Kacerovska Denisa , Michal Michal , Kazakov Dmitry V.
Published: October 2009

The authors report an unusual case of intrafollicular collagenous crystalloids in an 86-year-old woman. The presence of collagenous crystalloids within the follicular epithelium is intriguing and has not been described previously.
Derivation of a Hierarchy of Nonlinear Two-dimensional Models For Heterogeneous Plates
Authors: Pruchnicki E.
Published: October 2009

This paper is concerned with the asymptotic analysis of plates with periodically rapidly varying heterogeneities. The formal asymptotic procedure is performed when both the periods of changes of the material properties and the thickness of the plate are of the same orders of magnitude. Our approach is based on a sequence of recursive minimization problems. We consider a plate made of Ciarlet—Geymonat type materials. Depending on the order of magnitude of the applied loads, we obtain a nonlinear membrane model and a nonlinear membrane inextensional bending model as announced by Pruchnicki.
Drinking habits and sickness absence: The contribution of working conditions
Authors: Salonsalmi Aino , Laaksonen Mikko , Lahelma Eero , Rahkonen Ossi
Published: October 2009

Aims: The main aim was to examine whether drinking habits including average, binge and problem drinking are associated with self-certified and medically confirmed sickness absence among middle-aged municipal employees. Another aim was to examine whether psychosocial and physical working conditions and work arrangements explain these associations. Methods: The data on drinking habits and working conditions of 5,119 female and 1,390 male middle-aged employees of the City of Helsinki was obtained from postal questionnaires collected in 2000—2002. The data on sickness absence (2000—2005) were derived from the employer’s registers. Poisson regression analysis with self-certified (1—3 days) and medically confirmed (over 3 days) sickness absence spells as outcomes was used in performing the analyses. Results: Heavy average, binge and problem drinking were all associated with an increase in self-certified sickness absence. Both non-drinkers and heavy drinkers had excess medically confirmed sickness absence compared to moderate drinkers. Problem drinking and among women also binge drinking were associated with medically confirmed sickness absence. Psychosocial working conditions slightly attenuated the association of drinking habits and sickness absence mainly among men. Physical working conditions and work arrangements slightly explained medically confirmed sickness absence among male problem drinkers. Conclusions: All studied drinking habits were associated with both self-certified and medically confirmed sickness absence. Thus, a decrease in unhealthy drinking habits among employees is likely to prevent sickness absence. The effects of working conditions were small but psychosocial working conditions slightly explained the associations between drinking habits and sickness absence mainly among men.
Review Article: Do exercise and fitness protect against stress-induced health complaints? A review of the literature
Authors: Gerber Markus , Pühse Uwe
Published: October 2009

Background: Understanding how exercise influences health is important in designing public health interventions. At present, evidence suggests that there is a positive relationship between exercise and health. However, whether this relationship is partly due to the stress-moderating impact of exercise has been less frequently investigated although more and more people are taxed by stressful life circumstances. Methods: A comprehensive review of studies testing the potential of exercise as a stress-buffer was conducted (including literature from 1982 to 2008). The findings are based on a narrative review method. Specific criteria were taken into account to evaluate causality of the evidence. Results: About half of the studies reported at least partly supportive results in the sense that people with high exercise levels exhibit less health problems when they encounter stress. The causality analyses show that stress-moderation effects were consistently found in different samples and with different methodological approaches. Although more support results from cross-sectional studies, exercise-based stress-buffer effects were also found in prospective, longitudinal and quasi-experimental investigations. Conclusions: This review underscores the relevance of exercise as a public health resource. Recommendations are provided for future research. More prospective and experimental studies are needed to provide insight into how much exercise is necessary to trigger stress-buffer effects. Furthermore, more information is warranted to conclude which sort of exercise has the strongest impact on the stress-illness-relationship.
Complete Endograft Collapse 9½ Years Following Endograft Repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: McCready Robert A. , Bryant Margaret Ann , Divelbiss Janet L. , Phillips Janet L.
Published: October 2009

Endografts are a common method of treating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) because of the short-term benefits of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). However, the short-term benefits of endovascular repair must be balanced against long-term complications, such as the need for conversion to open repair, device migration, persistent or de novo endoleaks, and most concerning the potential for subsequent rupture of the aneurysm. Lifelong postimplantation surveillance is mandatory because the incidence of some complications increases over time. This report describes our recent experience in a patient in whom complete endograft collapse was discovered 9½ years following EVAR necessitating conversion to open repair.
Finite Element Model of the Patched Human Carotid
Authors: Kamenskiy Alexey V. , Pipinos Iraklis I. , Desyatova Anastasia S. , Salkovskiy Yuriy E. , Yu Kossovich Leonid , Kirillova Irina V. , Bockeria Leo A. , Morozov Konstantin M. , Polyaev Vasiliy O. , Lynch Thomas G. , Dzenis Yuris A.
Published: October 2009

Introduction: The hemodynamic effects of carotid artery patching are not well known. Our objective was to develop a fluid-solid finite element model of the endarterectomized and patched carotid artery. Methods: Hyperelastic materials parameters were determined from studies of 8 cadaveric carotids. Blood flow characteristics were based on intraoperative data from a patient undergoing endarterectomy. Wall shear stress, cyclic strain and effective stress were computed as hemodynamic parameters with known association with endothelial injury, neointimal hyperplasia abd atherogenesis. Results: Low wall shear stress, high cyclic strain and high effective stress were identified diffusely in the carotid bulb, at the margins around the patch and in the flow divider. Conclusion: Endarterectomy and Polytetrafluoroethylene patching produce considerable abnormalities in the hemodynamics of the repaired carotid. Advanced mechanical modeling can be used to evaluate different carotid revascularization approaches to obtain optimized biomechanical and hemodynamic results for the care of patients with carotid bifurcation disease.
Prediction of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Vascular Surgery: Are Cardiac Risk Scores of Any Practical Value?
Authors: Parmar Chetan D. , Torella Francesco
Published: October 2009

Background: Disease-specific preoperative scoring systems are often used to predict postoperative cardiac complications. We retrospectively evaluated the accuracy of 2 cardiac risk scores in the prediction of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after vascular surgery.

Methods: Consecutive procedures were ‘‘scored’’ according to the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) and the Eagle criteria. Two ‘‘generic’’ risk scoring systems, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiology) grade and the physiology Portsmouth POSSUM (P-POSSUM) score, were also documented for comparison.

Results: After 344 surgical procedures, 18 patients suffered a MACE (5.2%; 95% CI = 2.8-7.58-4 fatal). The RCRI (AUC 95% CI = 0.68 [0.57-0.83], P = .009) and the Eagle criteria (AUC 95% CI = 0.73 [0.57-0.8], P = .001) were no better than P-POSSUM (AUC 95% CI = 0.82 [0.73-0.91], P < .001) and ASA grade (AUC 95% CI = 0.67 (0.56-0.78), P = 0.016) in predicting MACE. Of the variables included in the 2 cardiac scoring systems, only age and history of ischemic heart disease were associated with MACE in our patients.

Conclusion: Cardiac risk scores were no better than generic risk scoring systems in predicting MACE. Poor performance may be due to differences between our patient population and those in which the scores were developed and to improved perioperative management of cardiac risk.
A Non-kinetic Effects Federate for Training Simulations
Authors: Henry Hugh
Published: October 2009

As US ground forces are increasingly called to perform irregular warfare (IW) and counterinsurgency (COIN) missions, it is necessary to shape the training tools to prepare for these missions. Traditional training and mission rehersal systems have focused on conventional warfare practices, such as attrition and maneuver, while IW and COIN are focused on the non-combatants and civilians in the operational environment. The Army’s approach to this new requirement includes the addition of a new federate, the Joint Non-kinetic Effects Model (JNEM), to its existing, validated, Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability (JLCCTC) high-level architecture (HLA) federations. This paper provides an overview of the training environment in three JLCCTC federations, and then focuses on the JNEM functionality. It describes how the JNEM monitors events and situations in traditional maneuver land-war models, and then uses this data to model the population dynamics of the civilian population. Based on the moods and cooperation levels of the civilians, the JNEM sends interactions to change the state of the simulated operational environment in the land-war models, and sends intelligence information to the training audience. The paper concludes with the limitations of the model and possible directions for future development.
Muscle fibres crossing the line of incision used in carpal tunnel decompression
Authors: Hollevoet N. , Barbaix E. , D’herde K. , Vanhove W. , Verdonk R.
Published: October 2009

Muscle fibres that cross the proposed line of incision of the flexor retinaculum at carpal tunnel decompression can be a source of confusion, particularly for the less experienced surgeon. We investigated how frequently muscle fibres crossed the line of incision on the palmar surface of the flexor retinaculum at carpal tunnel decompression in 143 hands, and dissected 103 cadaver hands to study the origin and insertion of these muscle fibres. The line of incision was defined as a longitudinal line between thenar and hypothenar eminences along the third web space, with the wrist in neutral radioulnar deviation and the fingers in extension. Muscle fibres crossing the line of incision were absent in 50% of the operated hands, 2–10 mm wide in 39% and more than 10 mm wide in 11%. In the cadaver hands the proportions were similar at 50%, 35% and 15%, respectively. The fibres were extensions of the thenar and hypothenar muscles and did not appear to represent a separate anomalous muscle.
Dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis for predynamic and dynamic scapholunate instability
Authors: Luchetti R. , Zorli I. Papini , Atzei A. , Fairplay T.
Published: October 2009

We treated a prospective series of 18 patients (nine men and nine women) with a mean age of 35 years (range 15 to 57), with chronic predynamic or dynamic scapholunate instability by a dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis using the modified Mayo technique. All the patients were assessed by the modified Mayo wrist score and DASH questionnaire. Wrist arthroscopy was done in all patients before open surgery in order to grade the scapholunate instability and correlate the findings with the radiographic and MRI results. At an average follow-up of 45 months (range 34 to 60) pain significantly diminished ( P < 0.05) with improvement in the grip strength ( P < 0.005) in all 18 cases. Wrist motion remained almost the same. The mean Mayo wrist score improved from 62 to 84 ( P < 0.005).We recommend dorsal capsulodesis by using the dorsal intercarpal ligament flap for the treatment of scapholunate dissociation, when the ligament is still repairable.
The 2.5 mm PushLock suture anchor system versus a traditional suture anchor for ulnar collateral ligament injuries of the thumb: a biomechanical study
Authors: Jarrett C. D. , Mcgillivary G. R. , Hutton W. C.
Published: October 2009

We compared the biomechanical strength of the 2.5 mm PushLock suture anchor with a traditional Bio-SutureTak suture anchor in repair of ulnar collateral ligament injuries. Iatrogenic ulnar collateral ligament injuries in 18 cadaveric thumbs were repaired and used to test for load to failure and cyclic loading. The average force required to generate a 2 mm gap was 7.7 N for the 2.5 mm PushLock and 6.3 N for the Bio-SutureTak ( p = 0.04). The ultimate load to failure was 28.0 N for the 2.5 mm PushLock and 18.8 N for the Bio-SutureTak ( p = 0.16). There were no statistical differences between the two suture anchors under cyclic loading. The 2.5 mm PushLock suture anchor provides significantly stronger resistance to 2 mm gap formation at the repair site and is less likely to fail at the suture–ligament interface. However, there was no difference in the load to failure between the two suture anchors.
Spiralling of the neurovascular bundle in Dupuytren’s disease
Authors: Hettiaratchy S. , Tonkin M. A. , Edmunds I. A.
Published: October 2009

Displacement of the neurovascular bundle within a digit affected by Dupuytren’s disease can occur when disease superficial to the neurovascular bundle is connected to disease deep to it. Contraction of such cords results in spiralling of the neurovascular bundle, classically when a pretendinous cord connects with the lateral digital sheet and Grayson’s ligament via the oblique cord, but also in association with an isolated digital cord. We describe six cases in which cord formation and contraction resulted in a distal spiral, which may occur in isolation or in combination with a classical proximal spiral, creating a double spiral or corkscrew neurovascular bundle.
Transfer of the supinator muscle to the extensor pollicis brevis for thumb extension reconstruction in C7-T1 brachial plexus palsy
Authors: Bertelli J. A. , Ghizoni M. F. , Tacca C. P.
Published: October 2009

With C7-T1 brachial plexus injuries, finger motion is absent while shoulder, elbow and wrist function are largely preserved. Previously, we have reconstructed finger flexion by transferring the brachialis muscle to the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus; and we have restored extension of thumb and finger by transferring the motor nerve to the supinator to the posterior interosseous nerve, which is only feasible in fresh injuries. We describe the transfer of the supinator muscle to the extensor pollicis brevis to reanimate thumb extension in patients with long standing C7-T1 brachial plexus palsy.
Review: Treatment of dysautonomia in extrapyramidal disorders
Authors: Ziemssen Tjalf , Reichmann Heinz
Published: October 2009

Although extrapyramidal diseases are commonly thought to solely affect the extrapyramidal motor system, nonmotor symptoms such as behavioural abnormalities, dysautonomia, sleep disturbances and sensory dysfunctions are also frequently observed. Autonomic dysfunction as an important clinical component of extrapyramidal disease (idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, dementia with Lewy bodies) is often not formally assessed and thus frequently misdiagnosed. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction in general impact more on quality of life than motor symptoms. Appropriate symptom-oriented diagnosis and symptomatic treatment as part of an interdisciplinary approach can greatly benefit the patient. Unfortunately, double-blind, randomized, controlled studies are scarce with the consequence that most recommendations are not based on the highest level of evidence. This review elaborates a limited overview on the treatment of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urogenital and sudomotor autonomic dysfunction in various extrapyramidal syndromes.
Review: Predictive and prognostic markers for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor therapy in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Peled Nir , Yoshida Koichi , Wynes Murry W. , Hirsch Fred R.
Published: October 2009

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) related therapies - mainly tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as erlotinib and gefitinib, but also monoclonal antibodies targeting EGFR, for example, cetuximab - have been investigated in numerous settings in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in different combinations. The overall clinical benefit of EGFR TKI therapy is roughly 10-30%, with higher benefit in nonsmoker Asiatic women with EGFR-mutated adenocarcinoma. Currently, there are several biomarkers that are able to direct and predict the yield of EGFR-related therapies in NSCLC. These include EGFR mutation status, EGFR protein expression, EGFR gene copy number and a serum proteomic marker (Veristrat®, Biodesix; CO). The usage of such biomarkers is important from many aspects. First, it helps clinicians to make the right treatment decisions and second, it leads to a wiser usage of financial resources. This review will focus on EGFR-related biomarkers for their prognostic power and their ability to predict clinical benefit from EGFR-related therapy.