bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fingertip Moisture Is Optimally Modulated During Object Manipulation
Authors: André T. , Lefèvre P. , Thonnard J-L.
Published: November 2009

Coordination between the normal force exerted by fingers on a held object and the tangential constraints at the fingertips helps to successfully manipulate objects. It is well established that the minimal grip force required to prevent an object from slipping strongly depends on the frictional properties at the finger–object interface. Moreover, interindividual variation in the modulation of grip force suggests that the moisture level of the skin could influence grip force strategy. In the present study we asked subjects to perform a horizontal point-to-point task holding an object with a precision grip. The object was equipped with a moisture sensor. We found large inter- and intraindividual moisture level variations. There was a strong correlation between grip force exerted and moisture level at the fingertips. Indeed, the grip force was minimal when the fingertip moisture was optimal with respect to friction. Furthermore, fingertip moisture tended toward this optimal level at which grip force is minimal. In conclusion, we showed a modulation of the grip force with moisture level and hypothesized novel mechanisms of moisture regulation that tend to stabilize the moisture level toward the value that minimizes grip force.
iFlow: A Graphical User Interface for Flow Cytometry Tools in Bioconductor
Authors: Lee Kyongryun , Hahne Florian , Sarkar Deepayan , Gentleman Robert
Published: November 2009

Flow cytometry (FCM) has become an important analysis technology in health care and medical research, but the large volume of data produced by modern high-throughput experiments has presented significant new challenges for computational analysis tools. The development of an FCM software suite in Bioconductor represents one approach to overcome these challenges. In the spirit of the R programming language (Tree Star Inc., “FlowJo”), these tools are predominantly console-driven, allowing for programmatic access and rapid development of novel algorithms. Using this software requires a solid understanding of programming concepts and of the R language. However, some of these tools|in particular the statistical graphics and novel analytical methods|are also useful for nonprogrammers. To this end, we have developed an open source, extensible graphical user interface (GUI) iFlow, which sits on top of the Bioconductor backbone, enabling basic analyses by means of convenient graphical menus and wizards. We envision iFlow to be easily extensible in order to quickly integrate novel methodological developments.
Tillage Effects on Spatiotemporal Variability of Particulate Organic Matter
Authors: Lee Juhwan , Laca Emilio A. , van Kessel Chris , Rolston Dennis E. , Hopmans Jan W. , Six Johan
Published: November 2009

This study was performed to evaluate effects of no-till (NT) and standard tillage (ST) on POM in two 15-ha neighboring fields from 2003 to 2004. We also evaluated the effects of minimum tillage (MT) on POM after both NT and ST fields were converted to MT in the summer of 2005. We quantified C and N stocks of three size fractions (53–250, 250–1000, and 1000–2000 μm) of POM (0–0.15 m depth). The POM-C 53–250 μmand 250–1000 μmfractions decreased by 25% and 36% after six months under ST, whereas relatively little change occurred under NT, suggesting significant tillage effects over the period 2003-2004. Only small changes in POM content then occurred under MT on both fields. Changes in POM-N were similar to POM-C changes upon tillage conversions. This suggests that reduced tillage did not lead to soil C increase compared to ST but may help maintain the level of soil C for a typical California farming system. Short-term, field level variability of POM was primarily affected by tillage and was further influenced by clay content, bulk density, and scale of observation.
An Interface for a Decentralized 2D Reconfiguration on Xilinx Virtex‐FPGAs for Organic Computing
Authors: Schuck Christian , Haetzer Bastian , Becker Jürgen
Published: November 2009

Partial and dynamic online reconfiguration of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) is a promising approach to design high adaptive systems with lower power consumption, higher task specific performance, and even build‐in fault tolerance. Different techniques and tool flows have been successfully developed. One of them, the two‐dimensional partial reconfiguration, based on the Readback‐Modify‐Writeback method implemented on Xilinx Virtex devices, makes them ideally suited to be used as a hardware platform in future organic computing systems, where a highly adaptive hardware is necessary. In turn, decentralisation, the key property of an organic computing system, is in contradiction with the central nature of the FPGAs configuration port. Therefore, this paper presents an approach that connects the single ICAP port to a network on chip (NoC) to provide access for all clients of the network. Through this a virtual decentralisation of the ICAP is achieved. Further true 2‐dimensional partial reconfiguration is raised to a higher level of abstraction through a lightweight Readback‐Modify‐Writeback hardware module with different configuration and addressing modes. Results show that configuration data as well as reconfiguration times could be significantly reduced.
LMI Formulation for Static Output Feedback Design of Discrete‐Time Switched Systems
Authors: Ben Attia Selma , Salhi Salah , Ksouri Mekki
Published: November 2009

This paper concerns static output feedback design of discrete‐time linear switched system using switched Lyapunov functions (SLFs). A new characterization of stability for the switched system under arbitrary switching is first given together withγ‐performance evaluation. The various conditions are given through a family of LMIs (Linear Matrix Inequalities) parameterized by a scalar variable which offers an additional degree of freedom, enabling, at the expense of a relatively small degree of complexity in the numerical treatment (one line search), to provide better results compared to previous one. The control is defined as a switched static output feedback which guarantees stability andγ‐performance for the closed‐loop system. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed conditions.
Dental Pulp Testing: A Review
Authors: Chen Eugene , Abbott Paul V.
Published: November 2009

Dental pulp testing is a useful and essential diagnostic aid in endodontics. Pulp sensibility tests include thermal and electric tests, which extrapolate pulp health from sensory response. Whilst pulp sensibility tests are the most commonly used in clinical practice, they are not without limitations and shortcomings. Pulp vitality tests attempt to examine the presence of pulp blood flow, as this is viewed as a better measure of true health than sensibility. Laser Doppler flowmetry and pulse oximetry are examples of vitality tests. Whilst the prospect is promising, there are still many practical issues that need to be addressed before vitality tests can replace sensibility tests as the standard clinical pulp diagnostic test. With all pulp tests, the results need to be carefully interpreted and closely scrutinised as false results can lead to misdiagnosis which can then lead to incorrect, inappropriate, or unnecessary treatment.
Treatment Interruption after Pregnancy: Effects on Disease Progression and Laboratory Findings
Authors: Watts D. H. , Lu M. , Thompson B. , Tuomala R. E. , Meyer W. A. , Mendez H. , Rich K. , Hanson C. , LaRussa P. , Diaz C. , Mofenson L. M.
Published: November 2009

Objective. To assess clinical progression and inflammatory markers among women stopping or continuing antiretroviral therapy (ART) after pregnancy.Methods. ART-naïve women with CD4+ lymphocyte counts >350 cells/uL initiating ART during pregnancy had clinical events and laboratory markers compared over one year postpartum between those stopping (n=59) or continuing (n=147) ART.Results. Slopes in CD4 count and HIV RNA did not differ between groups overall and in subsets of ZDV or combination therapy. The hazard ratio (HR) of a new class B event was 2.09 (95% CI 0.79–5.58) among women stopping ART, 1.24 (0.31–4.95) in those stopping ZDV, and 2.93 (0.64–13.36) among those stopping combination therapy. Women stopping ART had increased immune activation. No significant differences were seen in C-reactive protein, lipids, leptin, or interleukin-6.Conclusions. While changes in CD4 and HIV RNA levels over one year were similar between women stopping or continuing ART postpartum, higher immune activation among women stopping therapy requires further study.
Non-Cross Resistant Sequential Single Agent Chemotherapy in First-Line Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: Results of a Phase II Study
Authors: Surmont V. , Aerts J. G. J. V. , Tan K. Y. , Schramel F. , Vernhout R. , Hoogsteden H. C. , van Klaveren R. J.
Published: November 2009

Background. sequential chemotherapy can maintain dose intensity and preclude cumulative toxicity by increasing drug diversity.Purpose. to investigate the toxicity and efficacy of the sequential regimen of gemcitabine followed by paclitaxel in first line advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with good performance status (PS).Patients and methods. gemcitabine 1250 mg/ was administered on day 1 and 8 of course 1 and 2; Paclitaxel 150 mg/ on day 1 and 8 of course 3 and 4. Primary endpoint was response rate (RR), secondary endpoints toxicity and time to progression (TTP).Results. Of the 21 patients (median age 56, range 38–80 years; 62% males, 38% females) 10% (2/21) had stage IIIB, 90% (19/21) stage IV, 15% PS 0, 85% PS 1. 20% of patients had a partial response, 30% stable disease, 50% progressive disease. Median TTP was 12 weeks (range 6–52 weeks), median overall survival (OS) 8 months (range 1–27 months), 1-year survival was 33%. One patient had grade 3 hematological toxicity, 2 patients a grade 3 peripheral neuropathy.Conclusions. sequential administration of gemcitabine followed by paclitaxel in first line treatment of advanced NSCLC had a favourable toxicity profile, a median TTP and OS comparable with other sequential trials and might , therefore, be a treatment option for NSCLC patients with high ERCC1 expression.
How to Measure “Short-Term Hormonal Effects”?
Authors: Heinemann Lothar A. J.
Published: November 2009

Background. Interest to assess short-term benefits or risks of sex-steroid hormone use (OC or HRT) exists for years. However, no validated scale is available to evaluate the broad array of described effects of short-term hormone use.Methods. A raw scale consisting of 43 specific items and 47 general data was developed. Surveys in Italy, Germany and Austria were performed and data analyzed by factorial analyses. The resulting new scale with 15 items underwent reliability and validity investigations.Results. The new scale consists of 15 items in 5 domains. Internal consistency reliability coefficients were satisfactory as were test-retest reliability coefficients. Content and concurrent validity were promising.Conclusion. Psychometric properties of the new scale suggest good characteristics to measure short-term effects of sex-steroid hormones in women. The scale seems to be appropriate, feasible, interpretable, reliable, and valid for their application as PRO scale.
Existence of Three Positive Solutions for m‐Point Discrete Boundary Value Problems with p‐Laplacian
Authors: Guo Yanping , Wei Wenying , Chen Yuerong
Published: November 2009

We consider the multi‐point discrete boundary value problem with one‐dimensional p‐Laplacian operator
Δ(ϕp(Δu(t − 1)) + q(t)f(t, u(t), Δu(t)) = 0, t ∈ {1, …, n − 1} subject to the boundary conditions: u(0) = 0, , where ϕp(s) = |s|p−2s, p > 1, ξi ∈ {2, …, n − 2} with 1 < ξ1 < ⋯<ξm−2 < n − 1 and . Using a new fixed point theorem due to Avery and Peterson, we study the existence of at least three positive solutions to the above boundary value problem.
Multiplatform Instantaneous GNSS Ambiguity Resolution for Triple‐ and Quadruple‐Antenna Configurations with Constraints
Authors: Buist Peter J. , Teunissen Peter J. G. , Giorgi Gabriele , Verhagen Sandra
Published: November 2009

Traditionally the relative positioning and attitude determination problem are treated as independent. In this contribution we will investigate the possibilities of using multiantenna (i.e., triple and quadruple) data, not only for attitude determination but also for relative positioning. The methods developed are rigorous and have the additional advantage that they improve ambiguity resolution on the unconstrained baseline(s) and the overall success rate of ambiguity resolution between a number of antennas.
Regression of Hypervascular Nodules in a Patient with Wilson's Disease Awaiting Liver Transplantation
Authors: Pissaia Alcindo , Gouya Hervé , Scatton Olivier , Conti Filoména , Calmus Yvon
Published: November 2009

This paper describes the regressive course over one year of hypervascular nodules in a patient with Wilson's disease. CT revealed multiple, enhancing nodules (up to 3 cm in diameter) detected in the liver in the early arterial phase after the administration of intravenous contrast material. Most of these nodules became isodense in the portal venous phase. After one year of efficient therapy combining d-penicillamine and zinc acetate, most of the nodules had disappeared, while the liver contours had become more regular. To our knowledge, the regression of large hypervascular nodules has not previously been reported in patients with Wilson's disease.
Heme Oxygenase Contributes to Alleviate Salinity Damage inGlycine maxL. Leaves
Authors: Zilli Carla Giannina , Santa-Cruz Diego Mario , Yannarelli Gustavo Gabriel , Noriega Guillermo Osvaldo , Tomaro María Luján , Balestrasse Karina Beatriz
Published: November 2009

Plants are frequently subjected to different kinds of stress, such as salinity and, like other organisms, they have evolved strategies for preventing and repairing cellular damage caused by salt stress.Glycine maxL. plants were subjected to different NaCl concentrations (0–200 mM) for 10 days. Treatments with 100 and 200 mM NaCl induced ion leakage and lipid peroxidation augmentation, loss in chlorophyll content, and accumulation ofO2•-andH2O2. However, 50 mM NaCl did not modify these parameters, which remains similar to control values. Catalase, superoxide dismutase, and heme oxygenase (HO-1) activities and gene expressions were increased under 100 mM NaCl, while no differences were observed with respect to controls under 50 mM salt. Treatment with 200 mM NaCl caused a diminution in the enzyme activities and gene expressions. Results here reported let us conclude that HO also plays a leading role in the defense mechanisms against salinity.
Separation and Purification of Two Flavone Glucuronides from Erigeron multiradiatus (Lindl.) Benth with Macroporous Resins
Authors: Zhang Zhi-feng , Liu Yuan , Luo Pei , Zhang Hao
Published: November 2009

Scutellarein‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucuronide (SG) and apigenin‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucuronide (AG) are two major bioactive constituents in Erigeron multiradiatus. In this study, a simple method for preparative separation of the two flavone glucuronides was established with macroporous resins. The performance and adsorption characteristics of eight macroporous resins including AB‐8, HPD100, HPD450, HPD600, D100, D101, D141 and D160 had been evaluated. The results confirmed that D141 resin was preferred choice, which offered the best adsorption and desorption capacities for the two glucuronides among the tested resins. Sorption isotherms were constructed for D141 resin and fitted well to the Freundlich and Langmuir models (R2 > 0.95). After one run treatment with D141 resin, the two constituents′ content was increased from 2.14% and 1.34% in the crude extract of E. multiradiatus to 24.63% and 18.42% in the final products with the recoveries of 82.5% and 85.4%, respectively. The enrichment of SG and AG can be easily and effectively achieved via adsorption and desorption on D141 resin, and the method can be referenced for large‐scale separation and purification of flavone glucuronides from herbal raw materials.
Full Response of a Localized Renal Tumour after Reduced-Intensity Conditioned Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Gac Anne-Claire , Chantepie Sylvain , Leporrier Michel , Reman Oumedaly
Published: November 2009

Graft versus tumor effect has been described in solid metastatic tumor. We reported here the case of a patient treated for an acute myeloid leukemia with reduced-intensity conditioned allograft and the effect of this procedure on concomitant of renal localised cancer. The effect of immune-mediated cytotoxicity on renal cancer is the more consistent explanation to understand the necrosis of this tumor. Any case of RIC allograft has been reported before to treat localised renal tumor.
Successful Removal of a Penile Constriction Ring in a 14-Year-Old Male
Authors: Suttle Timothy K. , Palmer Blake , Heinlen Jonathan E. , Roth Christopher C. , Reiner William G. , Frimberger Dominic
Published: November 2009

Penile strangulation is a rarely described medical emergency, especially in the adolescent population. This case demonstrates the successful removal of a constricting metal ring from the penis of a 14-year-old male with a diamond blade equipped orthopedic oscillating saw while under ketamine anesthesia in the emergency department.
Forward and Backward Detectable Gray-Scale Data Storage System in Polymeric Material
Authors: Sungur E. , Carrara D. , Taupier G. , Fort A. , Mager L. , Barsella A. , Dorkenoo K. D.
Published: November 2009

We describe a fast way to encode a gray-scale image with quadratic properties in polymer thin film doped with azo dye. Under a two photon microscopy setup, we induced disorientation in corona-poled azo dye copolymer thin films by a focused near infrared (IR) femtosecond laser beam of variable exposure time. In situ, the sample was then scan to detect the second harmonic signal. We have also tested the backward detection which can provide reading and writing through a single microscope objective. In addition, we were able to store binary 3D information in the bulk of a 50 μm thick film of the same material.
Components of Pearson's Statistic for at Least Partially Ordered -Way Contingency Tables
Authors: Rayner J. C. W. , Beh Eric J.
Published: November 2009

For at least partially ordered three-way tables, it is well known how to arithmetically decompose Pearson's statistic into informative components that enable a close scrutiny of the data. Similarly well-known are smooth models for two-way tables from which score tests for homogeneity and independence can be derived. From these models, both the components of Pearson's and information about their distributions can be derived. Two advantages of specifying models are first that the score tests have weak optimality properties and second that identifying the appropriate model from within a class of possible models gives insights about the data. Here, smooth models for higher-order tables are given explicitly, as are the partitions of Pearson's into components. The asymptotic distributions of statistics related to the components are also addressed.
Gender Differences in the Association between Sleep Duration and Body Composition: The Cardia Study
Authors: St-Onge Marie-Pierre , Perumean-Chaney Suzanne , Desmond Renee , Lewis Cora E. , Yan Lijing L. , Person Sharina D. , Allison David B.
Published: November 2009

Sleep duration has been inversely associated with body mass index (BMI). We examined the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and BMI, waist circumference, and percent body fat in Black and White individuals from the CARDIA study. Box-Tidwell regression models were adjusted for age and race (Model 1), additional lifestyle and demographic variables (Model 2), and physical activity (Model 3). There were significant interactions between sleep and gender for the main outcome variables. In men, there was a trend for an inverse relationship between reported sleep duration and BMI in Model2  (β=−0.20,P=.053)but not model3  (β=−0.139,P=.191). In women, inverse relationships were observed between sleep duration and BMI(β=−0.294,P=.005)and waist circumference(β=−0.442,P=.059), in Model 2. These associations became nonsignificant in model 3 (BMI:β=−0.172,P=.084; waist circumference:β=−0.161,P=.474). Our results are consistent with previous findings that sleep is associated with BMI and other body composition variables. However, the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and body composition may be stronger in women than in men.
Intraoperative Evaluation of Breast Tumor Margins with Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Nguyen Freddy T. , Zysk Adam M. , Chaney Eric J. , Kotynek Jan G. , Oliphant Uretz J. , Bellafiore Frank J. , Rowland Kendrith M. , Johnson Patricia A. , Boppart Stephen A.
Published: November 2009

As breast cancer screening rates increase, smaller and more numerous lesions are being identified earlier, leading to more breast-conserving surgical procedures. Achieving a clean surgical margin represents a technical challenge with important clinical implications. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is introduced as an intraoperative high-resolution imaging technique that assesses surgical breast tumor margins by providing real-time microscopic images up to 2 mm beneath the tissue surface. In a study of 37 patients split between training and study groups, OCT images covering 1 cm2 regions were acquired from surgical margins of lumpectomy specimens, registered with ink, and correlated with corresponding histologic sections. A 17-patient training set used to establish standard imaging protocols and OCT evaluation criteria showed that areas of higher scattering tissue with a heterogeneous pattern were indicative of tumor cells and tumor tissue in contrast to lower scattering adipocytes found in normal breast tissue. The remaining 20 patients were enrolled into the feasibility study. Of these lumpectomy specimens, 11 were identified with a positive or close surgical margin and 9 were identified with a negative margin under OCT. Based on histologic findings, 9 true positives, 9 true negatives, 2 false positives, and 0 false negatives were found, yielding a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 82%. These results show the potential of OCT as a real-time method for intraoperative margin assessment in breast-conserving surgeries. [Cancer Res 2009;69(22):8790–6]
Length Scales of the Neutral Wind Profile over Homogeneous Terrain
Authors: Peña Alfredo , Gryning Sven-Erik , Mann Jakob , Hasager Charlotte B.
Published: November 2009

The wind speed profile for the neutral boundary layer is derived for a number of mixing-length parameterizations, which account for the height of the boundary layer. The wind speed profiles show good agreement with the reanalysis of the Leipzig wind profile (950 m high) and with combined cup–sonic anemometer and lidar measurements (300 m high) performed over flat and homogeneous terrain at Høvsøre, Denmark. In the surface layer, the mixing-length parameterizations agree well with the traditional surface-layer theory, but the wind speed profile is underestimated when the surface-layer scaling is extended to the entire boundary layer, demonstrating the importance of the boundary layer height as a scaling parameter. The turbulence measurements, performed up to 160-m height only at the Høvsøre site, provide the opportunity to derive the spectral-length scales from two spectral models. Good agreement is found between the behaviors of the mixing- and spectral-length scales.
Quantifying Interagency Differences in Tropical Cyclone Best-Track Wind Speed Estimates
Authors: Knapp Kenneth R. , Kruk Michael C.
Published: November 2009

Numerous agencies around the world perform postseason analysis of tropical cyclone position and intensity, a process described as “best tracking.” However, this process is temporally and spatially inhomogeneous because data availability, operational techniques, and knowledge have changed over time and differ among agencies. The net result is that positions and intensities often vary for any given storm for different agencies. In light of these differences, it is imperative to analyze and document the interagency differences in tropical cyclone intensities. To that end, maximum sustained winds from different agencies were compared using data from the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) global tropical cyclone dataset. Comparisons were made for a recent 5-yr period to investigate the current differences, where linear systematic differences were evident. Time series of the comparisons also showed temporal changes in the systematic differences, which suggest changes in operational procedures. Initial attempts were made to normalize maximum sustained winds by correcting for known changes in operational procedures. The result was mixed, in that the adjustments removed some but not all of the systematic differences. This suggests that more details on operational procedures are needed and that a complete reanalysis of tropical cyclone intensities should be performed.
Latino and Asian Students’ Perceptions of the Quality of Their Educators: The Role of Generational Status and Language Proficiency
Authors: Watkins Adam M. , Melde Chris
Published: November 2009

Extant research has primarily assessed the quality of the American school experience for immigrant students by focusing on performance-based outcomes (e.g., grade point average [GPA]). Unlike such research, the current study examines the impact of generational status and language proficiency on Latino and Asian students’ ( n = 2,261) attitudes regarding the quality of their educators, a nonperformance outcome. Multivariate findings of data from two waves of the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study reveal that first- and second-generation immigrant students offered similar appraisals of the quality of their educators, whereas students fluent in an ethnic language generally expressed more favorable impressions of the quality of their school officials than did exclusively English-speaking students. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Gender Inequality in Job Authority
Authors: Yaish Meir , Stier Haya
Published: November 2009

This article argues that cross‐national diversity in women’s concentration in the public sector explains a substantial part of the cross‐national variation in the gender gap in job authority. Using data on individuals in 26 countries represented in the 2005 International Social Survey Program module on Work Orientation (supplemented by societal‐level information), this study supports this argument. The authors find that in countries with high levels of women’s concentration in the public sector, the gender gap in job authority is wider than in countries with lower levels of public sector feminization. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of state interventions in gender inequalities.
Crack-ing the Media Myth
Authors: Hartley Richard D. , Miller J. Mitchell
Published: November 2009

Federal narcotics sentencing policy, most notably for cocaine, has been criticized in regard to its excessive severity and racially disparate outcomes. Crack cocaine was heavily portrayed in the media during the 1980s as a dire social threat directly worsening the crime rate, a threat taken seriously as indicated by greater legislative enactment of mandatory minimums specifically targeting narcotics offenses. The research here uses a theoretical-mixed methodological symmetry (focal concerns perspective—content/regression analysis) to explore media portrayal of, and case outcomes for, crack versus powder cocaine offenders. Media portrayals of powder and crack cocaine offenders are considered through examination of USA today articles. These media portrayals are compared with official outcomes through a temporally corresponding regression analysis of federal crack and powder cocaine offenders from federal district court. Findings inform discussion of policy implications and invite scrutiny of media construction of crime problems.
A Typology of Behavioral Adjustment in Ethnically Diverse Middle School Students
Authors: Kim Sangwon , Orpinas Pamela , Martin Roy , Horne Arthur M. , Sullivan Terri N. , Hall Daniel B.
Published: November 2009

This study examined a typology of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors of 2,552 ethnically diverse early adolescents who attended sixth grade in public schools and lived in disadvantaged communities. Behavioral adjustment of adolescents was measured by teacher ratings using the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC). Although typologies of children based on the BASC have been available in the literature for the past decade, little research exists on typologies of adolescents using the same instrument. The present study extended into early adolescence previous classification works focusing on childhood. A series of cluster analyses supported a seven-cluster solution: well-adapted, average, adaptive skills deficits, internalizing problems, mildly disruptive, disruptive behavior problems, and severe problems. Results appear similar to prior investigations with unique features reflecting the high-risk characteristics of the current sample. Implications of this research are discussed with regard to prevention and intervention efforts implemented within the schools.
Self-Presentation and Interaction in Blogs of Adolescents and Young Emerging Adults
Authors: Mazur Elizabeth , Kozarian Lauri
Published: November 2009

This article analyzed 124 blogs, chronological, journal-type entries published on public hosting Web sites, as new and popular places for adolescents and emerging adults aged 15 to 19 to play openly with their self-presentation, an important aspect of identity exploration. Findings indicate that most young persons write emotionally toned entries; focus on their daily activities, friends, and romantic relationships; and describe themselves, but less frequently their experiences, positively. Bloggers often alter content and appearance of their Web pages, most commonly with photographs of themselves. Number of friends ranges widely, and most blog entries receive no or one comment, most of which are supportive. The article also describes and discusses gender and age differences and concludes that blogs written by adolescents and young emerging adults are less about direct interaction with others than about careful self-presentation.
An Examination of Situational Crime Prevention Strategies Across Convenience Stores and Fast-Food Restaurants
Authors: Exum M. Lyn , Kuhns Joseph B. , Koch Brad , Johnson Chuck
Published: November 2009

Although the efficacy of situational crime prevention (SCP) strategies on convenience store safety has received considerable attention, the security of fast-food restaurants has been virtually ignored. This study was based on a population of convenience stores ( n = 295) and fast-food restaurants ( n = 321) in Charlotte, North Carolina. The study examined whether the crime control strategies commonly recommended to the convenience store industry were effective at reducing robbery in the fast-food industry. Relatedly, the study examined whether target-hardening strategies have similar effects on robbery prevalence rates across the two types of businesses. In general, the article found that many target-hardening strategies derived from the literature failed to impact robbery rates for either type of establishment. For those factors that did emerge as statistically significant predictors of robbery, the preventative effects generally appeared in one type of establishment or the other, but not in both. These findings suggest that effective SCP strategies are truly situation specific and not “one size fits all.”
An Exploration of Social Cognitive Mechanisms, Gender, and Vocational Identity Among Eighth Graders
Authors: Macht Jantzer Amanda , Stalides Dimitrios J. , Rottinghaus Patrick J.
Published: November 2009

The authors conducted a multiple group path analysis examining gender differences in relations among career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE), career decision-making outcome expectations (CDMOE), and career decision-making intentions-goals (CDMIG), as well as linkages between these three sociocognitive variables and vocational identity status in a sample of 820 eighth graders. Overall, gender differences in mean levels of the sociocognitive variables were found, with girls scoring significantly higher on each variable. Results revealed model parameters varied across the groups, with stronger paths for boys than girls. Outcome expectations partially mediated the relation between CDMSE and CDMIG. Overall, CDMSE and CDMOE accounted for 30% and 45% of the variance in CDMIG for girls and boys, respectively. Moreover, linear combinations of sociocognitive variables explained differences among identity status groups. Participants with high CDMSE and CDMOE scores were more likely to have made a tentative career choice, whereas those with lower scores had not yet committed. Suggestions are provided for counseling younger adolescents as they begin to develop vocational identities.
Role Salience, Social Support, and Work—Family Conflict Among Jewish and Arab Female Teachers in Israel
Authors: Cinamon Rachel Gali
Published: November 2009

Conceptualizing career development in a cultural and contextual framework, this study examined within-gender differences in role salience and work— family conflict (WFC) among 101 Jewish and 99 Arab female teachers (aged 23-64 years) from central Israel. The contribution of social support to women’s conflict was also examined. Results highlighted various differences: in contrast to expectations, Jewish teachers demonstrated higher spouse and parent values than Arab teachers, who demonstrated higher work values and work commitment. As expected, Jewish women reported higher levels of WFC compared to their Arab colleagues. Support systems in Jewish culture were related to lower WFC but not in Arab culture. Theoretical and practical implications emphasize the need for culture-sensitive models of work—family relations and for career counseling interventions.
Dielectric Relaxation of New Aniline Methyl Methacrylate Copolymer Synthesized by Gamma Irradiation Initiated Polymerization
Authors: Madani Mohamed , Aly Sherief S. , El-Sayed Sobhia M.
Published: November 2009

A new copolymer based on gamma radiation initiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of aniline was prepared for potential applications in electric fields. The electrical properties of the new material, such as permittivity, relaxation time and ac conductivity, were compared to the properties of poly(methyl methacrylate). The frequency and irradiation dose dependency of the loss tangent factor and dielectric constant showed a Debye dielectric relaxation process. The main objective of the dielectric investigation in this study was to provide a better understanding for the correlated hopping electron process involved in the conduction. On the other hand, for the ac conductivity, at room temperature, there was a deviation in the conduction mechanism of the correlated barrier hopping of electrons between paired and random defects. This deviation showed a maximum value for aniline methyl methacrylate copolymer irradiated at a dose of 30 kGy. The analysis of the data of the dielectric loss showed a well-defined peak at a frequency assigned to dipole relaxations in the system. The results indicated that the gamma irradiation results in the formation of some traps in the energy gap, which reduce the movement of the charge carriers. Also it can be stated that aniline acts as an effective protection agent against structural damage caused by gamma radiation in the copolymer matrix.
Recursive Memory-based Hysteresis Modeling for Solid-state Smart Actuators
Authors: Bashash Saeid , Jalili Nader , Evans Phillip , Dapino Marcelo J.
Published: November 2009

This article presents a new modeling approach for the memory-dependent hysteresis phenomenon in a broad class of smart structures and systems. We propose a recursive formulation to relate the minor hysteresis trajectories to their surrounding loops. More specifically, each internal (minor) trajectory targets its previous turning point and converges to its neighboring loop with a tunable exponential rate. By applying the ‘curve alignment’ and the ‘wiping out’ properties at the turning points, we present a new strategy within the context of a memory-based hysteresis modeling framework. A Galfenol-driven micropositioning actuator and a piezoelectrically driven nanopositioning stage are used to experimentally validate the model. Galfenol exhibits large butterfly-type nonlinearity with a small hysteresis effect, while the piezoelectric actuator exhibits wide hysteresis loops. The model is able to precisely predict the major and minor hysteresis loops in both the Galfenol and piezoelectric actuators, and is expected to be effectively and conveniently applicable to general systems exhibiting memory-dependent hysteresis.
Application of Electromechanical Impedance Technique for Engineering Structures: Review and Future Issues
Authors: Venu Gopal Madhav Annamdas  , Chee Kiong Soh
Published: November 2009

The recent advent of highly durable engineering materials and the advancement of latest structural design theories have made possible the fabrication of more efficient engineering structures. However, the safety and reliability of these structures remains the primary challenge and concern for engineers. Especially, for those structures which involve human traffic and huge investments such as the aerospace structures and bridges. Therefore, there is a compelling need to have high-quality online structural health monitoring (SHM) of such structures. The development of a real-time, in-service, and smart material-based SHM method has recently attracted the interest of a large number of academic and industrial researchers. In the recent past, piezoceramic (PZT) transducer has evolved as an efficient smart material, which is usually employed in electro mechanical impedance (EMI) and guided ultrasonic wave propagation techniques. In EMI technique, a PZT transducer interact with the host structure to result in unique health signature, as an inverse function of structural impedance, when it is subjected to high-frequency structural excitations in the presence of electric field. Using the self-actuating and sensing capabilities of PZT transducers, the EMI models attempted to detect loadings on, and damages in, the structures to be monitored. This article reviews some of the advancements in the field of PZT-based SHM made over the past two decades in engineering structures. This article also provides an insight into the possible future work and improvements required for PZT-based EMI technique.
The Structure of the Lived Experience for Persons Having Undergone rTMS for Depression Treatment
Authors: Rosedale Mary , Lisanby Sarah H. , Malaspina Dolores
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: This phenomenological research study reports preliminary findings about experiences of persons undergoing repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for depression treatment. METHODS: Giorgi’s phenomenology was the method used to describe the structure of the lived experience for persons having undergone rTMS treatment for depression. Participants were recruited from the OPT-TMS pivotal depression study that resulted in the October 2008 FDA approval of rTMS. Thus far, nine persons comprise the purposive sample. Each participant was asked to describe the experience of undergoing rTMS for depression treatment and encouraged to provide as much details as possible. RESULTS: Four preliminary themes emerged to describe participants’ experiences of rTMS for depression treatment: (a) a narrative of frustration and helplessness with medication treatment resistance, (b) the sensory experience of rTMS, (c) mindfulness— an enhanced awareness of the content of consciousness, and (d) the importance of connection with clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results of this phenomenological study make the struggle of persons with treatment-resistant depression more visible and should assist clinicians to understand how rTMS is experienced by depressed persons undergoing treatment. Moreover, results shed new light on the changes participants observe and describe with rTMS and the high value they place on a therapeutic relationship with clinicians administering treatment.
Taming Eastern Nationalism: Tracing the Ideational Background of Double Standards of Post-Cold War Minority Protection
Authors: Jutila Matti
Published: November 2009

This article uses the logic of explanatory emancipation to criticize post-Cold War minority politics. The main argument is that the ideational background of the double standards of minority protection originates from a contested dichotomy of nationalism that divides nationalisms into Eastern ethnic/malignant nationalism and Western civic/benign nationalism. After presenting the theoretical tradition of the ‘Kohn dichotomy’, the article traces its use in post-Cold War academic and official policy papers. Through intertextual analysis, this article shows how the old theoretical tradition was recycled into a new context to dispel post-Cold War confusion. This article presents a Critical Realist view on how ideas and theories can be treated as parts of the causal analysis of social practices. With explicitly causal language, identifying possible forms for emancipatory action is easier than with constitutive analyses.
Electoral Reform and Political Pluralism in Local Government
Authors: Evans Matt
Published: November 2009

Electoral reform to a system of direct election of mayors has recently been promoted in a number of countries. It has been advocated as a way of strengthening local government, improving governance, and increasing accountability. However, studies supporting such a change have been detached from research on electoral systems and electoral reform. This article examines the consequences of a shift to a two-ballot system through Israel’s 30-year experience following reform of the system for local government elections. The move to direct election of mayors led to a major decline in the main national parties and a rise in smaller parties representing a variety of sectoral interests. This resulted in greater political pluralism and increased representation for a variety of groups, while at the same time widening the gap between national and local elected leaders. The results of this electoral reform raise important considerations for local government reforms that have been proposed in other countries.
Methodological Issues in the Study of New Parties’ Entry and Electoral Success
Authors: Selb Peter , Pituctin Sandrine
Published: November 2009

Studies of the emergence and electoral success of new parties frequently suffer from conceptual and methodological flaws: effects of electoral institutions that primarily operate at the level of the constituencies are specified at the national level; central explanatory variables such as electoral demands and competitors’ responses are measured with crude proxies; the interplay of formation and success is overlooked; and empirical models neglect the point that the underlying data may exhibit dependencies both in space and time. In this article, we highlight these problems and offer some potential solutions using the Swiss Green Party (GPS) as an empirical case.
Income-related and educational inequality in small-for-gestational age and preterm birth in Denmark and Finland 1987—2003
Authors: Mortensen Laust H. , Lauridsen Jørgen T. , Diderichsen Finn , Kaplan George A. , Gissler Mika , Andersen Anne-Marie N.
Published: November 2009

Aims: In this paper, we examine income- and education-related inequality in small-for-gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth in Denmark and Finland from 1987 to 2003 using concentration indexes (CIXs). Methods: From the national medical birth registries we gathered information on all births from 1987 to 2003. Information on highest completed maternal education and household income in the year preceding birth of the offspring was obtained for 1,012,400 births in Denmark and 499,390 in Finland. We then calculated CIXs for income- and education-related inequality in SGA and preterm birth. Results: The mean household income-related inequality in SGA was −0.04 (95% confidence interval: −0.05, −0.04) in Denmark and −0.03 (−0.04, −0.02) in Finland. The maternal education-related inequality in SGA was −0.08 (−0.10, −0.06) in Denmark and −0.07 (−0.08, −0.06) in Finland. The income-related inequality in preterm birth was −0.03 (−0.03, −0.02) in Denmark and −0.03 (−0.04, −0.02) in Finland. The education-related inequality in preterm birth was −0.05 (−0.07, −0.04) in Denmark and −0.04 (−0.05, −0.03) in Finland. In Denmark, the income-related and education-related inequity in SGA increased over time. In Finland, the income-related inequality in SGA birth increased slightly, while education-related inequalities remained stable. Inequalities in preterm birth decreased over time in both countries. Conclusions: Denmark and Finland are examples of nations with free prenatal care and publicly financed obstetric care of high quality. During the period of study there were macroeconomic shocks affecting both countries. However, only small income- and education-related inequalities in SGA and preterm births during the period were observed.
Attitudes towards biomedical use of tissue sample collections, consent, and biobanks among Finns
Authors: Tupasela Aaro , Sihvo Sinikka , Snell Karolna , Jallinoja PA , Aro Arja R. , Hemminki Elina
Published: November 2009

Aims: To ascertain the attitudes towards the use of existing diagnostic and research samples, the setting up of a national biobank, and different types of informed consent among Finns. Method: A population survey of 2,400 randomly selected Finns aged 24—65 was conducted at the beginning of 2007. Results: A total of 1,195 responses (50%) were received after one reminder. Of the respondents, 83% said that they had little or no knowledge of what biobanks were. Despite this, 77% regarded the setting up of a national biobank in a positive light. One third (34%) would not attach any conditions on their consent, while 42% said that it was important to regain consent when the new study contains diverging steps. One third (30%) wanted consent to be regained for every new research project, and 44% would like to decide what type of research their samples would be used for if they were included in a national biobank. One third of both men and women approved of the use of their samples in research involving private enterprises. Conclusions: In general, Finns were positive toward the setting up of a national biobank, as well as public—private partnerships, even though they considered their knowledge of biobanking to be limited. This, however, did not mean that they were indifferent to the use of their samples, but most wanted the ability to control how their samples are used.
Impact of Advance Ticket Sales on Attendance in the Finnish Football League
Authors: Iho Antti , Heikkilä Jaakko
Published: November 2009

The authors analyze the effect of advance ticket sales (ATS) on Finnish football league attendances. We postulate a linear ordinary least squares (OLS) model for log-attendance data from the years 1991-2007. Match day weather, timing of the match, team performance and match characteristics together with team, year, month, and stadium- specific dummies are used as the other explanatory variables. The model explains the data very well. The results of two alternative approaches suggest that offering the option of buying the tickets in advance has had an isolated positive effect on attendance for the associated teams.