bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Czechoslovak Special Services and Their American Adversary during the Cold War
Authors: Lukes Igor
Published: February 2007

U.S. intelligence officials in early postwar Czechoslovakia had access to some of the Czechoslovak government's highest-ranking individuals and plenty of time to prepare for the looming confrontation with the Czechoslovak Communist Party. Yet the Communist takeover in February 1948 took them by surprise and undermined their networks. This article discusses the activities of four Czechoslovak security and intelligence agencies to demonstrate that the scale of the U.S. failure in Prague in 1945–1948 was far greater than often assumed, especially if one considers the substandard size and quality of Czechoslovakia's Communist-dominated special services after the war.
Temporal Symmetry in Primary Auditory Cortex: Implications for Cortical Connectivity
Authors: Simon Jonathan Z. , Depireux Didier A. , Klein David J. , Fritz Jonathan B. , Shamma Shihab A.
Published: February 2007

Neurons in primary auditory cortex (AI) in the ferret (Mustela putorius) that are well described by their spectrotemporal response field (STRF) are found also to have a distinctive property that we call temporal symmetry. For temporally symmetric neurons, every temporal cross-section of the STRF (impulse response) is given by the same function of time, except for a scaling and a Hilbert rotation. This property held in 85% of neurons (123 out of 145) recorded from awake animals and in 96% of neurons (70 out of 73) recorded from anesthetized animals. This property of temporal symmetry is highly constraining for possible models of functional neural connectivity within and into AI. We find that the simplest models of functional thalamic input, from the ventral medial geniculate body (MGB), into the entry layers of AI are ruled out because they are incompatible with the constraints of the observed temporal symmetry. This is also the case for the simplest models of functional intracortical connectivity. Plausible models that do generate temporal symmetry, from both thalamic and intracortical inputs, are presented. In particular, we propose that two specific characteristics of the thalamocortical interface may be responsible. The first is a temporal mismatch between the fast dynamics of the thalamus and the slow responses of the cortex. The second is that all thalamic inputs into a cortical module (or a cluster of cells) must be restricted to one point of entry (or one cell in the cluster). This latter property implies a lack of correlated horizontal interactions across cortical modules during the STRF measurements. The implications of these insights in the auditory system, and comparisons with similar properties in the visual system, are explored.
Optimality Model of Unsupervised Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity: Synaptic Memory and Weight Distribution
Authors: Toyoizumi Taro , Pfister Jean-Pascal , Aihara Kazuyuki , Gerstner Wulfram
Published: February 2007

We studied the hypothesis that synaptic dynamics is controlled by three basic principles: (1) synapses adapt their weights so that neurons can effectively transmit information, (2) homeostatic processes stabilize the mean firing rate of the postsynaptic neuron, and (3) weak synapses adapt more slowly than strong ones, while maintenance of strong synapses is costly. Our results show that a synaptic update rule derived from these principles shares features, with spike-timing-dependent plasticity, is sensitive to correlations in the input and is useful for synaptic memory. Moreover, input selectivity (sharply tuned receptive fields) of postsynaptic neurons develops only if stimuli with strong features are presented. Sharply tuned neurons can coexist with unselective ones, and the distribution of synaptic weights can be unimodal or bimodal. The formulation of synaptic dynamics through an optimality criterion provides a simple graphical argument for the stability of synapses, necessary for synaptic memory.
Nonparametric Modeling of Neural Point Processes via Stochastic Gradient Boosting Regression
Authors: Truccolo Wilson , Donoghue John P.
Published: February 2007

Statistical nonparametric modeling tools that enable the discovery and approximation of functional forms (e.g., tuning functions) relating neural spiking activity to relevant covariates are desirable tools in neuroscience. In this article, we show how stochastic gradient boosting regression can be successfully extended to the modeling of spiking activity data while preserving their point process nature, thus providing a robust nonparametric modeling tool. We formulate stochastic gradient boosting in terms of approximating the conditional intensity function of a point process in discrete time and use the standard likelihood of the process to derive the loss function for the approximation problem. To illustrate the approach, we apply the algorithm to the modeling of primary motor and parietal spiking activity as a function of spiking history and kinematics during a two-dimensional reaching task. Model selection, goodness of fit via the time rescaling theorem, model interpretation via partial dependence plots, ranking of covariates according to their relative importance, and prediction of peri-event time histograms are illustrated and discussed. Additionally, we use the tenfold cross-validated log likelihood of the modeled neural processes (67 cells) to compare the performance of gradient boosting regression to two alternative approaches: standard generalized linear models (GLMs) and Bayesian P-splines with Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling. In our data set, gradient boosting outperformed both Bayesian P-splines (in approximately 90% of the cells) and GLMs (100%). Because of its good performance and computational efficiency, we propose stochastic gradient boosting regression as an off-the-shelf nonparametric tool for initial analyses of large neural data sets (e.g., more than 50 cells; more than 105samples per cell) with corresponding multidimensional covariate spaces (e.g., more than four covariates). In the cases where a functional form might be amenable to a more compact representation, gradient boosting might also lead to the discovery of simpler, parametric models.
Reinforcement Learning State Estimator
Authors: Morimoto Jun , Doya Kenji
Published: February 2007

In this study, we propose a novel use of reinforcement learning for estimating hidden variables and parameters of nonlinear dynamical systems. A critical issue in hidden-state estimation is that we cannot directly observe estimation errors. However, by defining errors of observable variables as a delayed penalty, we can apply a reinforcement learning frame-work to state estimation problems. Specifically, we derive a method to construct a nonlinear state estimator by finding an appropriate feedback input gain using the policy gradient method. We tested the proposed method on single pendulum dynamics and show that the joint angle variable could be successfully estimated by observing only the angular velocity, and vice versa. In addition, we show that we could acquire a state estimator for the pendulum swing-up task in which a swing-up controller is also acquired by reinforcement learning simultaneously. Furthermore, we demonstrate that it is possible to estimate the dynamics of the pendulum itself while the hidden variables are estimated in the pendulum swing-up task. Application of the proposed method to a two-linked biped model is also presented.
Training Recurrent Networks by Evolino
Authors: Schmidhuber Jürgen , Wierstra Daan , Gagliolo Matteo , Gomez Faustino
Published: February 2007

In recent years, gradient-based LSTM recurrent neural networks (RNNs) solved many previously RNN-unlearnable tasks. Sometimes, however, gradient information is of little use for training RNNs, due to numerous local minima. For such cases, we present a novel method: EVOlution of systems with LINear Outputs (Evolino). Evolino evolves weights to the nonlinear, hidden nodes of RNNs while computing optimal linear mappings from hidden state to output, using methods such as pseudo-inverse-based linear regression. If we instead use quadratic programming to maximize the margin, we obtain the first evolutionary recurrent support vector machines. We show that Evolino-based LSTM can solve tasks that Echo State nets (Jaeger, 2004a) cannot and achieves higher accuracy in certain continuous function generation tasks than conventional gradient descent RNNs, including gradient-based LSTM.
Support Vector Ordinal Regression
Authors: Chu Wei , Keerthi S. Sathiya
Published: February 2007

In this letter, we propose two new support vector approaches for ordinal regression, which optimize multiple thresholds to define parallel discriminant hyperplanes for the ordinal scales. Both approaches guarantee that the thresholds are properly ordered at the optimal solution. The size of these optimization problems is linear in the number of training samples. The sequential minimal optimization algorithm is adapted for the resulting optimization problems; it is extremely easy to implement and scales efficiently as a quadratic function of the number of examples. The results of numerical experiments on some benchmark and real-world data sets, including applications of ordinal regression to information retrieval, verify the usefulness of these approaches.
Transductive Methods for the Distributed Ensemble Classification Problem
Authors: Miller David J. , Pal Siddharth
Published: February 2007

We consider ensemble classification for the case where there is no common labeled training data for jointly designing the individual classifiers and the function that aggregates their decisions. This problem, which we call distributed ensemble classification, applies when individual classifiers operate (perhaps remotely) on different sensing modalities and when combining proprietary or legacy classifiers. The conventional wisdom in this case is to apply fixed rules of combination such as voting methods or rules for aggregating probabilities. Alternatively, we take a transductive approach, optimizing the combining rule for an objective function measured on the unlabeled batch of test data. We propose maximum likelihood (ML) objectives that are shown to yield well-known forms of probabilistic aggregation, albeit with iterative, expectation-maximization-based adjustment to account for mismatch between class priors used by individual classifiers and those reflected in the new data batch. These methods are extensions, for the ensemble case, of the work of Saerens, Latinne, and Decaestecker (2002). We also propose an information-theoretic method that generally outperforms the ML methods, better handles classifier redundancies, and addresses some scenarios where the ML methods are not applicable. This method also well handles the case of missing classes in the test batch. On UC Irvine benchmark data, all our methods give improvements in classification accuracy over the use of fixed rules when there is prior mismatch.
Impact on Maternity Professionals of Novel Approaches to Clinical Audit Feedback
Authors: Cameron Martin , Penney Gillian , MacLennan Graeme , McLeer Sharon , Walker Anne
Published: February 2007

The authors compared three approaches to feedback of clinical audit findings relating to miscarriage in 15 Scottish maternity services (printed report alone; report plus action planning letter; report plus face-to-face facilitated action planning). Clinicians were surveyed to measure theory of planned behavior constructs (in the context of two audit criteria) before and after feedback ( n = 253) and assessed perceptions of the audit through in-depth interviews ( n = 17). Prefeedback, clinicians had positive attitudes and strong subjective norms and intentions to comply, although perceived behavioral control was lower. Generally, positive attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions increased after feedback but for one of the two criteria (providing a 7-day miscarriage service), perceived behavioral control decreased. No changes over time reached statistical significance, and analysis of covariance (adjusting for prefeedback scores) showed no consistent relationships between method of feedback and postfeedback construct scores. Interviews revealed positive perceptions of audit but frustration at lack of capacity to implement changes. Although interventions that increased intensity of feedback proved feasible and acceptable to clinicians, the authors were unable to demonstrate that they increased intention to comply with audit criteria.
A Cluster Analysis Typology of Religiousness/Spirituality Among Older Adults
Authors: Klemmack David L. , Roff Lucinda Lee , Parker Michael W. , Koenig Harold G. , Sawyer Patricia , Allman Richard M.
Published: February 2007

This study used cluster analysis to identify sets of individuals similar to one another across multiple measures of religiousness and then ascertained if these groups differed by sociodemographic characteristics, health risk behaviors, physical health and functional status, and mental health. The authors identified six clusters using data from 1,000 community-dwelling older adults in a k-means cluster analysis of a modified version of the Duke University Religion Index. Participants in the strongly religious, moderately religious, and minimally religious clusters had the highest scores on the health, functional status, and mental health variables. The privately practicing moderate attender and the privately practicing nonattender groups were similar to each other and generally had poorer health, functional status, and mental health. The typology illustrates the importance of simultaneously considering multiple measures of religiousness and the complexity of the relationships among religiousness, sociodemographic characteristics, and health and well-being.
The structure of desire and recognition
Authors: Brandom Robert B.
Published: February 2007

This article reconstructs Hegel’s notion of experience and self-consciousness. It is argued that at the center of Hegel’s phenomenology of consciousness is the notion that experience is shaped by identification and sacrifice. Experience is the process of self-constitution and self-transformation of a self-conscious being that risks its own being. The transition from desire to recognition is explicated as a transition from the tripartite structure of want and fulfillment of biological desire to a socially structured recognition that is achieved only in reciprocal recognition, or reflexive recognition. At the center of the Hegelian notion of selfhood is thus the realization that selves are the locus of accountatibility. To be a self, it is concluded, is to be the subject of normative statuses that refer to commitments; it means to be able to take a normative stand on things, to commit oneself and undertake responsibilities.
Present doldrums, pleasant prospects
Authors: Margolis Joseph
Published: February 2007

Robert Brandom’s effort to examine the prospects of inferentialism (inspired by Wilfrid Sellars’ work) is examined in terms of the uncertainties of contemporary philosophy and Brandom’s reading of selected prominent figures in the history of philosophy. The very idea of there being anything like a set of rules governing non-deductive inference (inferentialism) is problematic; so is Brandom’s reading of the figures he has selected in order to illuminate his own proposal along historical lines. We never quite learn how inferentialism bears on the trajectory of Eurocentric philosophy and what the corrective is that Brandom advocates.
Not Hegel’s tales
Authors: de Laurentiis Allegra
Published: February 2007

The article expresses skepticism on the alleged affinity between Hegel’s theory of conceptuality and conceptual pragmatism. Despite the intriguing philosophical impetus underlying the latter, the author formulates doubts about its compatibility with logical and metaphysical principles of absolute idealism. The criticism is articulated in four theses: (1) pragmatism’s concerns with (ultimately empirical) concept-acquisition and concept-application are largely alien to Hegel’s logical-metaphysical theory of conceptuality; (2) the interchangeability of ‘word’ and ‘concept’ in the pragmatist discussion is incompatible with Hegel’s notion of thinking; (3) the distinction of Vertsandesbestimmung and Vernunftbegriff, while ignored in practice in the pragmatist approach, is pivotal to Hegel’s understanding of the nature of conceptuality; (4) finally, pragmatism’s use of the recognition-thesis from the Phenomenology of Spirit ignores the noncontractarian, non-negotiative function of the same in Hegel’s work.
Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk
Authors: Hewett Timothy E. , Zazulak Bohdanna T. , Myer Gregory D.
Published: February 2007

Several theories have been proposed to explain the 3- to 6-fold gender difference in the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. One potential theory for the increased incidence is based on gender-related hormonal differences between men and women, especially after puberty and the onset of menses in the female athlete. The purpose of this systematic review was to compile and systematically analyze the published literature to determine if the menstrual cycle is associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury risk and to provide an objective comparison of the published results. Investigations were included in the systematic review if the report included associations between the menstrual cycle and noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female athletes. Abstracts and unpublished studies were excluded. Seven articles were identified that met the systematic review inclusion criteria. The 7 reviewed studies favored an effect of the first half, or preovulatory phase, of the menstrual cycle for increased anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The 6 studies that separated the non—oral contraceptive and oral contraceptive data also favored an effect of the first half of the menstrual cycle for increased anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The clinical relevance of this finding is that female athletes may be more predisposed to anterior cruciate ligament injuries during the preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. These findings may lead to potential interventions targeted toward this phase of the menstrual cycle to reduce the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Mechanical Behavior of Articular Cartilage after Osteochondral Autograft Transfer in an Ovine Model
Authors: Kleemann Ralf U. , Schell Hanna , Thompson Mark , Epari Devakara R. , Duda Georg N. , Weiler Andreas
Published: February 2007

Background

Grafting of autologous hyaline cartilage and bone for articular cartilage repair is a well-accepted technique. Although encouraging midterm clinical results have been reported, no information on the mechanical competence of the transplanted joint surface is available.

Hypothesis

The mechanical competence of osteochondral autografts is maintained after transplantation.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Osteochondral defects were filled with autografts (7.45 mm in diameter) in one femoral condyle in 12 mature sheep. The ipsilateral femoral condyle served as the donor site, and the resulting defect (8.3 mm in diameter) was left empty. The repair response was examined after 3 and 6 months with mechanical and histologic assessment and histomorphometric techniques.

Results

Good surface congruity and plug placement was achieved. The Young modulus of the grafted cartilage significantly dropped to 57.5% of healthy tissue after 3 months (P < .05) but then recovered to 82.2% after 6 months. The aggregate and dynamic moduli behaved similarly. The graft edges showed fibrillation and, in some cases (4 of 6), hypercellularity and chondrocyte clustering. Subchondral bone sclerosis was observed in 8 of 12 cases, and the amount of mineralized bone in the graft area increased from 40% to 61%.

Conclusions

The mechanical quality of transplanted cartilage varies considerably over a short period of time, potentially reflecting both degenerative and regenerative processes, while histologically signs of both cartilage and bone degeneration occur.

Clinical Relevance

Both the mechanically degenerative and restorative processes illustrate the complex progression of regeneration after osteochondral transplantation. The histologic evidence raises doubts as to the long-term durability of the osteochondral repair.
Anatomy of the Clavicle and Coracoid Process for Reconstruction of the Coracoclavicular Ligaments
Authors: Rios Clifford G. , Arciero Robert A. , Mazzocca Augustus D.
Published: February 2007

Background

Recently acromioclavicular joint reconstruction techniques have focused on anatomic restoration of the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments. Such techniques involve creating bone tunnels in the distal clavicle and coracoid.

Purpose

To define the anatomy of the human clavicle and coracoid process of the scapula, in order to guide surgeons in reconstructing the CC ligaments.

Study Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods

One hundred twenty (60 paired) cadaveric clavicles and corresponding scapulae (mean age ± and standard deviation, 48.3 ± 16.6 years) devoid of soft tissue were analyzed (dry osteology). Differences related to race and sex were recorded. Nineteen fresh-frozen cadaveric clavicles with intact CC ligaments were measured as well (fresh anatomic).

Results

The mean clavicle length was 149 ± 9.1 mm. In the dry osteology group, the distance from the lateral edge of the clavicle to the medial edge of the conoid tuberosity in male and female specimens was 47.2 ± 4.6 mm and 42.8 ± 5.6 mm, respectively (P = .006). The distance to the center of the trapezoid tuberosity was 25.4 ± 3.7 mm in males and 22.9 ± 3.7 mm in females (P = .04). The ratio of the distance to the medial edge of the conoid tuberosity divided by clavicle length was 0.31 in males and females. This ratio for the trapezoid was 0.17 in both sexes. The mean coracoid length was 45.2 ± 4.1 mm. The mean width and height of the coracoid process were 24.9 ± 2.5 mm and 11.9 ± 1.8 mm, respectively. No interracial differences in measurements were observed. In the fresh anatomic samples, the ratio of the distance to the conoid center to clavicle length was 0.24. This ratio for the trapezoid was 0.17.

Conclusions

While absolute differences in the origin of the CC ligaments exist between men and women, the ratio of these origins to total clavicle length is constant.

Clinical Relevance

Clavicle length can be obtained intraoperatively. These findings allow the surgeon to predict the origin of the conoid and trapezoid ligaments accurately and to correctly create bone tunnels to reconstruct the anatomy of the CC complex.
Patellar Tendon or Semitendinosus Tendon Autografts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Liden Mattias , Ejerhed Lars , Sernert Ninni , Laxdal Gauti , Kartus Jüri
Published: February 2007

Background

The aim of the study was to compare the results after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using central-third bone—patellar tendon—bone (BTB) autografts and triple/quadruple semitendinosus (ST) autografts.

Hypothesis

In the long-term, ACL reconstruction using BTB autografts will render more donor-site problems than ST autografts.

Study Design

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods

A randomized series of 71 patients (22 women and 49 men) with a unilateral ACL rupture who underwent reconstructive surgery were included in the study. The BTB graft was used in 34 patients (BTB group) and the ST-tendon graft was used in 37 patients (ST group). The patients were examined a median of 86 months (range, 68 to 114 months) after the reconstruction.

Results

Sixty-eight of 71 patients (96%) were examined at follow-up. The clinical assessments at follow-up revealed no significant differences between the BTB group and the ST group in terms of the Lysholm score, Tegner activity level, International Knee Documentation Committee evaluation system, 1-legged hop test, KT-1000 arthrometer laxity measurements, manual Lachman test, and range of motion. A significant improvement was seen in both groups compared with the preoperative values in terms of most clinical assessments. Donor-site morbidity in the form of knee-walking ability, kneeling ability, and area of disturbed anterior knee sensitivity revealed no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion

Seven years after ACL reconstruction, the subjective and objective outcomes were similar after using the central-third BTB autograft and triple/quadruple ST autograft. Furthermore, no difference in terms of donor-site morbidity was found between the 2 groups.
Is the Woodcock-Johnson III a Test for All Seasons? Ceiling and Item Gradient Considerations in Its Use With Older Students
Authors: Krasa Nancy
Published: February 2007

This study assesses the adequacy of item gradients and ceilings for the subtests of the Woodcock-Johnson III (WJ III) Cognitive and Achievement batteries, including the Diagnostic Supplement, in their use with participants ages 16 to 25 and Grades 10 to 18. Of the 52 subtests, 18 contain adequate item gradients and ceilings for the entire age and grade range. The remaining 34 sub-tests have inadequate ceilings and/or inadequate item gradients in at least the interval between the first and second standard deviations above the mean, as predicted by the growth curves of the factor clusters, which peak around age 25. The report discusses developmental and practical implications and suggests improvements for the next revision of the WJ.
Validation of the Teacher’s Report Form for Teachers of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
Authors: Bean Tammy , Mooijaart A. , Eurelings-Bontekoe Elisabeth , Spinhoven Philip
Published: February 2007

The psychometric properties of the Dutch Teacher’s Report Form (TRF) for teachers of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) were evaluated in this study. The teachers ( n = 486) that participated received a Dutch TRF to report on the mental health of the unaccompanied minor. Hierarchical confirmative factor analysis and individual confirmatory factor analyses support the a priori structure of the Dutch TRF. However, the Thought Problems subscale could not be verified in this study, suggesting that some of the problem behavior reported by teachers of URM differs from that of parent reports or that the item constellation of the Dutch TRF is different for teachers of URM. The total Internalizing and Externalizing scales show good internal consistency. The construct and concurrent validity of the Dutch TRF were found to be acceptable. The results suggest that the Dutch TRF is a reliable and valid instrument to assess emotional and behavior problems of URM.
Test Score Stability and the Relationship of Adult Manifest Anxiety Scale-College Version Scores to External Variables Among Graduate Students
Authors: Lowe Patricia A. , Peyton Vicki , Reynolds Cecil R.
Published: February 2007

A sample of 79 individuals participated in the present study to evaluate the test score stability (8-week test-retest interval) and construct validity of the scores of the Adult Manifest Anxiety Scale-College Version, a new measure used to assess anxiety in college students, for application to graduate-level students. Results of the study indicated for a sample of graduate students that the AMAS-C test scores have adequate to good temporal stability ( rs = .70 to .87). Evidence supporting the construct validity of the AMAS-C test scores was found. Validity coefficients ranged from -.67 to .88. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Effect of Chain Structure and Dopant on the Thermal and Optical Properties of Conjugated—non-conjugated Isomeric Polyketanils
Authors: Iwan Agnieszka , Sek Danuta
Published: February 2007

Two aryl-substituted, isomeric polyazomethines, termed polyketanils (PKs), were synthesized from 1,4-phenylenediamine or 1,8-diaminooctane and two different diketones, p-dibenzoylbenzene or 1,8-disebacoylbenzene via melt polycondensation with the purpose of obtaining new materials with tunable spectroscopic properties, mainly photoluminescence. It was found that the arrangement of the atoms in the diamine/diketone aliphatic sub-unit in the PKs influences their thermal and spectroscopic properties. It was demonstrated that the photoluminescence spectra can be modified not only by chain engineering but also via acid—base doping involving the protonation of ketimine groups. By combining these two methods it was possible to precisely tune the emission spectra of PKs in the spectral range of 480 to 550 nm. Furthermore, the use of bifunctional protonating agent 1,2-(di-2-ethylhexyl)ester of 4-sulfophthalic acid (DEHEPSA), containing plasticizing groups decreased the glass transition temperature ( T g) and also improved the flexibility of the polymer films. A concept for using the protonating agent, DEHEPSA, to achieve self-organization of PKs is introduced. The ordered structure of the (PKs)1(DEHEPSA) 2 complexes is discussed on the basis of Fourier transform infrared analysis, UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence.
Synthesis and Characterization of N,N'-bismaleimido-4,4'-diphenyl methane — Vinyl Ester Oligomer Modified Unsaturated Polyester Interpenetrating Matrices for Advanced Composites
Authors: Sharmila Rajkumar Josephine , Alagar Muthukaruppan , Chinnakkannu Karikal Chozhan
Published: February 2007

An intercrosslinked network of hybrid bismaleimide-modified vinyl ester oligomer—unsaturated polyester matrix systems were developed. Vinyl ester oligomer was used as a toughening agent for unsaturated polyester resin and was added in 10, 20 and 30% (by weight). Benzoyl peroxide was used as curing agent. The vinyl ester oligomer-toughened unsaturated polyester matrix systems were further modified with 5, 10 and 15% (by weight) of bismaleimide. Bismaleimide-modified vinyl ester— unsaturated polyester matrices were characterized by mechanical (tensile strength, flexural strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus and impact strength), thermal [differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogravimetic analysis (TGA) and heat deflection temperature analysis (HDT)] and morphological studies [scanning electron microscope (SEM)] and water absorption. Data obtained from mechanical and thermal studies indicated that the introduction of vinyl ester oligomer into unsaturated polyester resin improved the fracture toughness with marginal reduction in the values of heat deflection temperature and glass transition temperature. The introduction of bismaleimide into vinyl ester oligomer-incorporated unsaturated polyester resin enhanced both thermal and mechanical behavior. The SEM micrographs of fractured surfaces of vinyl ester oligomer modified unsaturated polyester systems and BMI modified vinyl ester—unsaturated polyester matrices illustrate the presence of heterogeneous morphology.
Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Azomethine Thermoset
Authors: Mititelu-Mija Alice , Cascaval Constantin N.
Published: February 2007

An investigation was carried out on the curing reaction of a liquid crystalline epoxy monomer, N, N'-bis[4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)benzylydene]-1,4-phenylenediamine, with an aromatic diamine, sulfanilamide (SAA). The complexity of the curing involves the competition of the reactivities of a primary amine and a secondary amine and also a difference in reactivity of the amine and the amide functional groups from SAA. These phenomena have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The stability of the mesophase during cross-linking reaction was investigated by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (WAXS).
Bismaleimides and Biscitraconimides with Bisallyl Groups
Authors: Gaina Viorica , Gaina Constantin
Published: February 2007

Bismaleimides and biscitraconimides with bisallyl groups were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 3(4)-maleimidobenzoic chloride or 3(4)-citraconimidobenzoic chloride with diallylbisphenol A. Diallylbisphenol A was prepared by the reaction of bisphenol A with allyl bromide followed by Claisen thermal rearrangement by heating at 180° C. The structures were confirmed by IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR spectroscopy. The compounds were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermal analysis.
Preparation and Characterization of Core—Shell Structured Nanofibers by Coaxial Electrospinning
Authors: Xiao Jian Han  , Zhengming Huang  , Chuanglong He  , Ling Liu
Published: February 2007

Functional core—shell structured composite nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning two polymer solutions in a coaxial system. The core—shell structured nanofibers were comprised of varying concentrations of polyurethane (PU, shell) and a Nylon-6 (core). The resultant nanofibers were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and tensile mechanical test. Furthermore, water vapor transmission rate and pliability of cotton fabrics coated with non-woven mats of the core—shell structured nanofibers were also measured. The results indicated that it is feasible to attach composite nanofibers onto a textile substrate.
Polyimides Containing Trans-1,4-cyclohexane Unit (II). Low-K and Low-CTE Semi- and Wholly Cycloaliphatic Polyimides
Authors: Hasegawa Masatoshi , Horiuchi Masahito , Wada Yuriko
Published: February 2007

Polyimide precursors were successfully polymerized from trans-1,4-cyclohexanediamine (CHDA) with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and 1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (CBDA) under very limited conditions: at controlled extents of silylation for CHDA in a mixed solvent containing hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA). Flexible and transparent polyimide films were obtained upon thermal imidization of the precursor films on a substrate after residual solvent extraction from the precursor films by using adequate alcohols. Semi-aromatic PMDA/CHDA polyimide film displayed a considerably lower linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE = 9.6 ppm K—1) and a relatively low dielectric constant (2.92). On the other hand, wholly cycloaliphatic CBDA/CHDA film attained a low CTE (26 ppm K—1) and a considerably lower dielectric constant (2.66), simultaneously. Factors influencing the imidization-induced in-plane orientation, namely, effect of the steric structures of cycloaliphatic units are discussed in comparison with polyimides from hydrogenated PMDA (1,2,4,5-cyclohexanetetracarboxylic dianhydride).
Desistance From Crime
Authors: Kazemian Lila
Published: February 2007

In recent years, the growing literature on the topic of desistance from crime and deviant behavior has generated a large body of knowledge on this dimension of the criminal career. Despite these efforts, it has been suggested that our understanding of the processes underlying desistance remains limited. The objective of the current article is to offer a critical assessment of past desistance research and to highlight some unresolved issues in this area. Theoretical, empirical, methodological, and policy issues are discussed.
The Effect of Criminal History Variables on the Process of Desistance in Adulthood Among Serious Youthful Offenders
Authors: Ezell Michael E.
Published: February 2007

Given the theoretical disagreement between population heterogeneity and state dependence theories in regard to the relevance of specific criminal history variables, this study examines the effects of several criminal history variables on the risk of a new arrest in adulthood among a sample of serious youthful offenders. Findings show that even after controlling for prior differences in offending levels, the duration of time since the last arrest is a strong (and negative) predictor of the risk of a subsequent arrest. Results also suggest that criminal activity in early adulthood is more informative on risk prediction than elements of criminal past tied to the juvenile status.
Behavioral, Self, and Social Control Predictors of Desistance From Crime
Authors: Morizot Julien , Le Blanc Marc
Published: February 2007

Although the literature has generated a large body of knowledge on the development of criminal activity, much remains unknown about the normative process of desistance. This study investigates desistance from self-reported criminal activity among a sample of French-Canadian men who were adjudicated during adolescence and interviewed on various occasions through midlife. Desistance is defined as the dynamic process characterized by a progressive decline in offending versatility. Latent trajectory modeling was used to test two models, the launch and contemporaneous effect models, accounting for the effects of deviant behavior and measures of self- and social control on desistance. The launch effect model suggests that very few self- or social control variables can predict trajectories of desistance from crime throughout a 25-year period. The contemporaneous effect model reveals that some measures of self- and social control accelerate (or restrain) the desistance process, but only at specific developmental periods.
Dilemmas in Conducting Qualitative Sex Research in Applied Field Settings
Authors: Seal David Wyatt , Bloom Frederick R. , Somlai Anton M.
Published: February 2007

Although resources are available to inform researchers of the many technical skills necessary to conduct qualitative research, individuals working in applied field settings often encounter ethical, moral, and sociopolitical dilemmas that cannot be resolved through the application of technical skills. The purpose of this article is to present examples of dilemmas faced by qualitative research methodologists studying sexual behavior in applied field settings. Possible solutions to these dilemmas are discussed within a theoretical and conceptual frame work. The examples and discussion are organized around four broad topic areas: informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and personal relationships.
Results of Language for Health: Cardiovascular Disease Nutrition Education for Latino English-as-a-Second-Language Students
Authors: Elder John P. , Candelaria Jeanette I. , Woodruff Susan I. , Criqui Michael H. , Talavera Gregory A. , Rupp Joan W.
Published: February 2007

This report presents the final evaluation of Language for Health, part of a federally funded initiative to develop heart disease prevention interventions for low-literate populations. Language for Health specifically intervened with recent immigrants enrolled in English-as-a-second-language classes, incorporating nutritional behavior change materials into English-language curricula. Latino participants ( n = 732) were exposed to either nutrition education or stress management classes (attention-placebo group) designed specifically for low-English-literate adults. Participants completed physiological measures assessing blood pressure, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, waist and hip circumference, and weight. Self-report surveys were administered to collect students’ nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, self-reported fat avoidance behaviors, and demographic information. Data were collected at baseline, 3-month posttest, and 6-month follow-up. Results indicated long-term effects of the intervention on nutrition knowledge and fat avoidance, yet only short-term effects on total cholesterol: HDL ratio and systolic blood pressure.
Positive versus Negative Framing of a Hypothetical Infant Immunization: The Influence of Involvement
Authors: Donovan Robert J. , Jalleh Geoffrey
Published: February 2007

Framing studies dealing with health messages show mixed results, although a tendency in favor of negative framing. Involvement has been hypothesized to account for these conflicting results. The authors selected a realistic issue (immunization of infants) deemed high or low involving depending on the respondent’s circumstances: women with an infant or who were pregnant or intending to get pregnant in the next 12 months were deemed to be high involved; women in none of these categories were deemed to be low involved. A convenience sample of adult women was presented with a hypothetical “new” immunization that protected infants against respiratory complaints such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Side effects (the common flu) were framed positively (90% chance of no side effects) or negatively (10% chance of side effects). The authors found positive framing to be superior for low-involved respondents, but there was no framing effect for high-involved respondents.
Process Evaluations of the 5-a-Day Projects
Authors: Baranowski Tom , Stables Gloria
Published: February 2007

Process evaluation is an important, but infrequently conducted, component of evaluating the impact of health promotion interventions. The process evaluation results from the nine 5-a-Day projects were overviewed. Process evaluation helped explain some of the weaker aspects of program performance, process indicators occasionally declined over time and varied by demographic characteristics, and some process measures were related to mediating variables and program outcomes. Future development of process evaluation must include further development of concepts, more consistent and thorough conduct of process evaluation, appropriate methodological work, and assessment of the relations among the process evaluation components and the program mediators and outcomes. Further development in this area promises refinement in understanding how and why interventions achieve their effects, how best to conduct intervention programs to maximize effects, and enhancement of the internal and external validity of the studies.
Gimme 5 Fruit and Vegetables for Fun and Health: Process Evaluation
Authors: Davis Marsha , Baranowski Tom , Resnicow Ken , Baranowski Janice , Doyle Colleen , Smith Matthew , Wang Dongqing Terry , Yaroch Amy , Hebert David
Published: February 2007

Gimme 5 (Georgia) was a school-based nutrition education effectiveness trial to help fourth- and fifth-grade students eat more fruit, 100% juice, and vegetables (FJV). Process evaluation assessed fidelity of implementation, reach, and use of intervention materials and environmental mediators: teacher training, curriculum delivery, participation in family activities, attendance at evening point-of-purchase grocery store activities, and availability and accessibility of FJV at home. Approximately half of the curriculum activities were implemented in fourth and fifth grades. The lowest proportion completed were those most pertinent to behavior change. Eighty-seven percent of parents reported participating in homework activities with their fourth grader, 66% with fifth graders. Sixty-five percent of parents reported viewing a video with their child in both grades. Ten percent attended evening point-of-purchase grocery store activities. The low level of implementation and modest level of participation in family activities suggest that higher levels of behavior change may have occurred if exposure to the intervention had been higher.
Methods, Results, and Lessons Learned from Process Evaluation of the High 5 School-Based Nutrition Intervention
Authors: Reynolds Kim D. , Franklin Frank A. , Leviton Laura C. , Maloy Julie , Harrington Kathleen F. , Yaroch Amy L. , Person Sharina , Jester Penelope
Published: February 2007

This article describes the process evaluation of High 5, a school-based intervention targeting fruit and vegetable consumption among fourth graders and their families. The outcome evaluation involved 28 schools randomized to intervention or control conditions. The intervention included classroom, family, and cafeteria components. Process evaluation was completed on each of these components by using observations, self-report checklists, surveys, and other measures. Results indicated high implementation rates on the classroom activities. Moderate family involvement was attained, perhaps diminishing intervention effects on parent consumption. Cafeterias provided environmental cues, and fruit and vegetable offerings as directed by the program. A lower dose of the intervention was delivered to schools with larger African American enrollments and lower-income families. This article provides insights into the effective elements of a school-based dietary intervention and provides suggestions for process evaluation in similar studies.
5-a-Day Power Plus: Process Evaluation of a Multicomponent Elementary School Program to Increase Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Authors: Story Mary , Mays Rita Warren , Bishop Donald B. , Perry Cheryl L. , Taylor Gretchen , Smyth Mary , Gray Clifton
Published: February 2007

The 5-a-Day Power Plus program targeted multiethnic fourth- and fifth-grade students in 10 intervention and 10 control urban elementary schools in St. Paul, Minnesota, to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. The intervention included behavioral curricula in classrooms, parental involvement, school food service changes, and food industry support. Process evaluation was conducted by using surveys and classroom and lunchroom observations to assess the characteristics of teachers and food service staff, the degree the intervention was implemented as intended, and external factors that may have affected the program results. Results showed high levels of participation, dose, and fidelity for all of the intervention components, with the exception of parental involvement. The process evaluation findings help explain why the increase in fruit and vegetable consumption occurred mostly at school lunch and not at home. Future intervention research should focus on creating new and potent strategies for parental involvement and for increasing the appeal and availability of vegetables.
Process of Conducting a 5-a-Day Intervention with High School Students: Gimme 5 (Louisiana)
Authors: Nicklas Theresa A. , O’Neil Carol E.
Published: February 2007

Gimme 5: A Fresh Nutrition Concept for Students ( Gimme 5) was a 4-year intervention targeting increased fruit and vegetable consumption by high school students. Twelve schools were randomized to intervention or control conditions. The cohort (2,213 students; 56% female, 84% Euro-American) were followed from 9th to 12th grade. Interventions were composed of a school-based media campaign, classroom workshops, school meal modification, and parental involvement. For each of the four Gimme 5 intervention components, process evaluation measures were developed to assess program dose, penetration, and utilization, as well as external competing factors. Process evaluation results are presented to illustrate the various functions of process evaluation data. These include, but are not limited to, describing program implementation, quality control and monitoring, and explaining study outcomes. The implementation of process evaluation systems to complement the outcome measures in a high school–based intervention provides useful strategies for a more comprehensive approach to program evaluation.
Seattle 5-a-Day Work-Site Project: Process Evaluation
Authors: Beresford Shirley A. A. , Shannon Jackilen , McLerran Dale , Thompson Beti
Published: February 2007

The Seattle 5-a-Day Work-Site Project developed a community-based intervention to increase fruit and vegetable intake, using both environmental (including cafeteria and work-site-wide events) and individual strategies. The Employee Advisory Board developed its own protocol from a common skeleton and a minimum set of activities. Small work sites and work sites with fewer female employees delivered more displays, posters, and table tents per employee ( p < .01 and p < .05, respectively). Dose was neither related to use of the intervention nor to change in fruit and vegetable intake. Use of informational materials increased fruit and vegetable intake in the cohort of employees with both baseline and follow-up data ( p≅ .05). The intervention was associated both with increased employee use of the intervention (activities and materials) and with increased intake of fruit and vegetables. Work sites with medium average baseline intake were the most responsive. These findings can guide the development of more efficient community-based dietary interventions.