bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ties that Bind
Authors: Field Russell
Published: December 2006

Between 1995 and 2003 the number of commercial sports teams in Toronto, Ontario increased from five to 25. A 2003 case study of the ownership of these teams reveals that the expansion of the Toronto sport market was accompanied by a concentration of ownership in the hands of two corporations: Rogers Communications and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. This case study examines the interconnections between the key individuals in these two corporations and the boards of directors of their key stakeholders, what is termed here the ‘Toronto sport elite’. The elite are linked to corporate boards of directors outside sport, the country's dominant media outlets and financial institutions, and political power brokers. This group exerts oligopolistic control over commercial sport in Toronto, a situation that has important consequences for the nature of sport and physical activity in the city. These include limited choices for sport consumers, the continued marginalization of women's and ‘amateur’ sport, and the allocation of public funds towards privately-held entertainment complexes at the expense of publicly accessible recreation facilities. A postscript that updates this research to 2006 is appended to the case study.
Microactuators Using R-phase Transformation of Sputter-deposited Ti-47.3Ni Shape Memory Alloy Thin Films
Authors: Tomozawa Masanari , Kim Hee Young , Miyazaki Shuichi
Published: December 2006

Actuation behavior of diaphragm-type microactuators utilizing Ti-47.3Ni shape memory alloy (SMA) thin films heat-treated at 773, 823, and 873 K is investigated. The microactuators heat-treated at 773 and 823 K are successfully actuated at room temperature by the R-phase transformation only. This is because the R-phase transformation start temperature is higher than room temperature while the martensitic transformation start temperature is below room temperature. The displacement (amount of actuation) decreases with decreasing heat-treatment temperature, indicating that the optimum heat-treatment temperature is 823 K. The temperature hysteresis for the R-phase transformation of the microactuator heat-treated at 823 K is only 3.2 K. The working frequency of the microactuator heat-treated at 823 K reaches 125 Hz without any decrease of displacement.
Magnetically Graded Ni3Al Fabricated by Inhomogeneous Deformation and Heat Treatment
Authors: Watanabe Yoshimi , Fukada Yusuke , Hosoda Hideki
Published: December 2006

The magnetic properties of Ni3Al intermetallic compound are influenced by the degree of order through the change of the number of Ni–Ni bonds at antiphase boundaries (APB). Since the degree of order can be changed by plastic deformation and heat treatment, the fabrication of magnetically graded smart materials based on Ni3Al intermetallic compound has been carried out by the following two methods: (1) an inhomogeneous compressive deformation using a wedge-shaped specimen and (2) an inhomogeneous heat treatment with temperature gradient. The magnetic properties are measured by the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) technique. It has been found that the magnetically graded smart materials with susceptibility gradient are successfully fabricated by either the compression deformation of the wedge-shaped Ni3Al or the inhomogeneous heat treatment. It has also been found that the degree of long-range order, S, varies depending on the position of the specimen. The susceptibility gradient is correlated with the gradient of the degree of long-range order S.
Hysteretic Behavior of Ferroelasticity of NiTi in Shear
Authors: Liu Yinong , Favier D. , Orgeas L.
Published: December 2006

In the present work, the hysteretic behavior of ferroelastic deformation via martensite variant reorientation in a Ti–50.15 at.% Ni alloy is studied with cycling in shear. The stress hysteresis and the irreversible work dissipated during a cycle are found to decrease with cycling. The stress hysteresis is found to be dependent on the strain span of the loop but to be independent of the apparent strain about which the loop is performed. The mechanical hysteresis is attributed to two contributions: frictional resistance to twin boundary movement and matrix resistance to shape change of polycrystalline matrices.
An Approach to Measuring Coupled Tasks Strength and Sequencing of Coupled Tasks in New Product Development
Authors: Zhang Hanpeng , Qiu Wanhua , Zhang Hanfei
Published: December 2006

To manage a new product development process is difficult because of the coupled tasks. Design structure matrix (DSM) is an effective tool to resolve this problem. The early research on DSM describes the task's relationships by Boolean sign, and the focus of further research is how to measure the coupled strength and how to sequence the coupled tasks module. Based on the existent research, we construct a new method to measure the coupled strength and to calculate the first iteration's gross workload of a different sequence of coupled tasks, thereby ascertaining the best sequence of coupled tasks. The method is illuminated by an example of a mechanical product design process, whose result suggests that the method can be manipulated in the real development process of a new product easily, and it overcomes the disadvantage of the existent research on measuring coupled strength subjectively.
Multilayer Architecture in Collaborative Environment
Authors: You Chun-Fong , Chao Su-Nung
Published: December 2006

Recently, there are products that have been carried out to develop distributed CAD systems with collaborative methodologies. But how to integrate between horizontal and hierarchical collaboration is difficult. In order to prevent problems occurring while integrating horizontal and hierarchical collaboration, a flexible and multilayer architecture based on Java and solid modeling kernel–Spring Solid–is proposed in this article. By implementing this architecture, we change the system's communication types into three types–‘Stand Alone’, ‘Thin Client-Thick Server’, and ‘Peer to Peer’. The data passed among this architecture are referenced from the concept of macro data. By utilizing this type of data, an asynchronous collaboration can easily be carried out. As these communication types are changeable and can also achieve asynchronous collaboration, we can integrate the horizontal and hierarchical collaboration more easily.
Modeling the Product Development Process as a Dynamic System with Feedback
Authors: Huang Hong-Zhong , Gu Ying-Kui
Published: December 2006

The modeling of effective product development process can help manage the overall process efficiently and help organize a multifunctional team to develop products in a concurrent and cooperative manner. In this article, a product development process is viewed as a dynamic system with feedback based on the feedback control theory, and a dynamic system model and its design structure matrix are developed. The model and its design structure matrix can be further divided to capture the interaction and feedback of design information. A fuzzy evaluation method is presented for the evaluation of the performance of a dynamic development process; this allows a development process to be optimized based on re-organizing design constraints, re-organizing design processes, and re-organizing designer's preferences. An example is provided to illustrate the proposed model.
Applying the Mahalanobis–Taguchi System to Vehicle Handling
Authors: Cudney Elizabeth A. , Paryani Kioumars , Ragsdell Kenneth M.
Published: December 2006

The Mahalanobis–Taguchi system (MTS) is a diagnosis and forecasting method using multivariate data. Mahalanobis distance (MD) is a measure based on correlations between the variables and patterns that can be identified and analyzed with respect to a base or reference group. The MTS is of interest because of its reported accuracy in forecasting using small, correlated data sets. This is the type of data that is encountered with consumer vehicle ratings. MTS enables a reduction in dimensionality and the ability to develop a scale based on MD values. MTS identifies a set of useful variables from the complete data set with equivalent correlation and considerably less time and data. This article presents the application of the MTS, its applicability in identifying a reduced set of useful variables in multidimensional systems, and a comparison of results with those obtained from a standard statistical approach to the problem.
Physical exercise for cytotoxic drug-induced fatigue
Authors: Hartvig Per , Aulin Johan , Wallenberg Sofia , Wagenius Gunnar
Published: December 2006

Study objectives. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is frequently reported by cancer patients receiving cytotoxic drugs. The specific mechanism of CRF in cancer patients is not completely known. In recent years, convincing evidence supports the management of fatigue with physical exercise. This study investigated a recommendation that physical activity, eg, a 30-minute daily walk, would decrease fatigue in cancer patients receiving cytotoxic drugs at an outpatient ward.

Method. In total, 89 patients were interviewed about their fatigue and were asked to complete a questionnaire, the Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI), once a week over several treatment cycles of cytotoxic drugs. On inclusion, all patients received similar information about fatigue. After randomization, information about the positive effects of exercise was given to half of the patients after one cycle of cytotoxic drugs, and to the remaining patients after two cycles of cytotoxic drugs.

Results. A total of 74 patients completed the study and returned useable questionnaires. The fatigue prevalence was 89% after one cytotoxic drug cycle. According to the FSI ratings, the group who received information about physical exercise after one cycle scored significantly lower ratings than the other group throughout the study (P=0.034). The patient interviews confirmed that physical activity helped them to better battle fatigue. Intensity of other symptoms and side effects from cytotoxic drugs closely paralleled the fatigue ratings.

Conclusion. Fatigue was commonly found in the study population. Though small improvements followed physical exercise, results pointed towards the fact that information and exercise may support patients to combat fatigue. Early and frequent information would probably support patients to better combat fatigue by physical exercise.
5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid and substance P profiles in patients receiving emetogenic chemotherapy
Authors: Higa Gerald M , Auber Miklos L , Altaha Ramin , Piktel Debbie , Kurian Sohba , Hobbs Gerry , Landreth Kenneth
Published: December 2006

Background. Even though direct cause and effect has not been proved, clinical evidence suggests serotonin and substance P (SP) are involved in the emetic response following chemotherapy. Because of several parallels, we hypothesized that SP release, like serotonin, may be propagated by chemotherapy and both substances can be measured in biological fluids, and correlated with a particular phase of emesis.

Methods. Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) was assessed by HPLC; serum and urine SP were measured by immunoassay. In addition to construction of neurotransmitter profiles, all SP data were grouped according to cisplatin dosages, = or>75 mg/m 2 versus <75 mg/m2, and phase of emesis, acute versus delayed. Analyses of these data were performed by repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results. Samples were collected over a 72-hour period from 26 adult patients who received cisplatin-( n=13) or non-cisplatin-containing ( n=13) chemotherapy. Mean baseline 5-HIAA: creatinine ratios were 5.23 and 5.16 in females and males, respectively; mean baseline SP levels were 392 and 181 pg/mL in females and males, respectively. Comparisons between SP data stratified by cisplatin dosage and emetic phase were significantly different, P <0.0001.

Conclusions. Laboratory studies provide additional evidence that serotonin and SP are involved primarily, though not exclusively, in acute and delayed vomiting, respectively.
Laboratory monitoring in oncology
Authors: Duong Cathy D , Loh Jin-Yew
Published: December 2006

Objectives. To educate pharmacists about the application of laboratory values in oncology.

Methods. Research on drugs used in cancer therapy was conducted using multiple sources, including primary, secondary and tertiary references. Online searches were conducted on Medline (1966-2004), EMBASE (1996-2004) and Ovid databases, using a drug's generic name and key words, such as ‘adverse effects’, ‘hematotoxicity’, ‘renal toxicity’, ‘hepatotoxicity’, ‘cardiotoxicity’, ‘organ dysfunction’, and terms describing chemotherapy-related toxicity, such as ‘tumour lysis syndrome’.

Results. Laboratory monitoring in oncology was separated into the hematologic, hepatic, renal, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Laboratory tests applicable to each system are discussed. In addition, tests pertaining to specific drugs used in cancer therapy are explained. This information was compiled into a comprehensive continuing pharmacy education module.

Conclusion. Laboratory monitoring assists the pharmacist in the monitoring of chemotherapy. A general understanding of common tests used in cancer therapy and knowledge specific to drugs used can help the pharmacist tailor drug therapy monitoring.
Identification of Novel Phosphopeptides After Simulated Digestion of αs2-casein by Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Miquel E. , Alegría A. , Barberá R. , Farré R.
Published: December 2006

Casein phosphopeptides (CPPs) are encrypted in αs1-, αs2-and β-casein (CN) and can be released by in vitro, in vivohydrolysis or food processing of dairy foods. Bovine αs2-CN contains two cluster sequences of anionic phosphoseryl and glutamyl residues SpSpSpEE in its structure (residues 8–12 and 56–63), which can modulate mineral bioavailability. In this study αs2-casein (αs2-CN) was subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion. CPPs released were sequenced by on-line reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC-ESIMS/MS). Six novel αs2-CN derived CPPs, Three of them (αs2-CN(54–87)4P,αs2-CN(24–70)4P and αs2-CN(14–73)5P) with the mineral binding cluster sequence SpSpSpEE were identified and characterised. CPPs from αs2-CN identified in this study resist simulated gastrointestinal digestion. As the molecular weights of these CPPs are approx. 2,165–7,112Da, they could be absorbed by intestinal cells. Consequently, these αs2-CN derived CPPs could be promising candidates for incorporation to mineral fortified foods as functional ingredients.
Ripening and Changes in Chemical Composition of Seven Cider Apple Varieties
Authors: del Campo G. , Berregi I. , Iturriza N. , Santos J. I.
Published: December 2006

Changes in composition of seven Basque cider apples ( Malus x domestica Borkh.) varieties were studied for 5 weeks before harvesting, while the apples were still on the tree. The evolution of 21 parameters was measured. Special emphasis was made on the sugars, acidity and total phenolic compounds, responsible, respectively, for the sweet, acid and bitter taste of apples and their juices. The whole composition data throughout the ripening process are given. Correlation analysis was used to verify the usefulness of polyphenol index (absorbance at 280nm) for estimating the total phenolic content in apple juices. A high correlation was found between this index and the total phenolic content, either for each apple variety or for all the varieties together, demonstrating the usefulness of polyphenol index to carry out the estimation in these samples. Cluster analysis was used to find patterns of clustering between the apple varieties studied. The apple samples were classified into seven groups, coincident with the seven varieties studied. This proved that the ripening state did not affect this classification, in spite of the changes produced in the composition of apples. Principal component analysis was used to summarise the information of the data matrix in a more reduced way. Acidity (PC1) and phenolic compounds (PC2) were the most relevant parameters for discrimination of apple varieties.
Canning of Rohu (Labeo rohita) in North Indian Style Curry Medium Using Polyester-coated Tin Free Steel Cans
Authors: Mallick A. K. , Srinivasa Gopal T. K. , Ravishankar C. N. , Vijayan P. K.
Published: December 2006

Freshwater fish, rohu ( Labeo rohita) curry was prepared in a north Indian style, packed in polyestercoated tin free steel (TFS) cans in a 60:40 ratio (fish:curry) and thermal processed in a retort. Physical tests of the can such as double seam efficiency, lacquer integrity, sulphur resistance and food contact application showed that polyester-coated TFS cans can be used for canning fish products. F0 value of the product was 8.79 when the thermal processing was at 121°C for 46.42min, and cook value to achieve tenderness of the product was 102min. The processed product was found to be commercially sterile. The product was acceptable even after 6 months of storage at room temperature (28±2°C) and at 37°C with regard to all sensory attributes. Texture attributes such as hardness, chewiness, springiness and cohesiveness did not show marked variation in the samples stored at room temperature and at 37°C. There were no significant changes in chemical parameters during the storage period. The results showed that the polyester-coated TFS cans can be used for processing ready to serve fish products, which can be stored at room temperature for long periods.
Fermented Milks Fortified with B-group Vitamins: Vitamin Stability and Effect on Resulting Products
Authors: Papastoyiannidis G. , Polychroniadou A. , Michaelidou A.-M. , Alichanidis E.
Published: December 2006

Four fermented milks were made from cow's milk fortified with B-group vitamins (thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine and folic acid) inoculated with different mixed probiotic cultures. Fermented milks made from non-fortified milk were used as controls. Some vitamins were partly lost during heating of the milk and fermentation but the level of all vitamins remained stable during storage for 16 days at 4°C. Species and strain of the culture were clearly found to affect the vitamin level throughout fermentation and storage of the products. Fortification was observed as having no impact on the composition or sensory properties of the products, attributes that were found to be mainly dependent on the culture. At the fortification level applied, fermented products could be a good alternative to dietary supplements, because they are readily consumed and combine the beneficial effects of probiotic microorganisms with important amounts of valuable vitamins.
Who Trusts? Personality, Trust and Knowledge Sharing
Authors: Mooradian Todd , Renzl Birgit , Matzler Kurt
Published: December 2006

The strategic importance of knowledge sharing and its relationships with organizational and managerial (i.e. environmental) factors have been well documented. The effects of some context-specific individual factors—including interpersonal trust—on knowledge sharing have also been investigated. The effects of enduring and pervasive individual factors (i.e, personality) on knowledge sharing have not been adequately described empirically. This article links personality, specifically agreeableness, a broad personality domain and propensity to trust, a narrow personality facet, to knowledge sharing via interpersonal trust, thereby clarifying substantial person-related effects within these important workplace phenomena.
Long-term emotional state of multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon beta
Authors: Porcel J , Río J , Sánchez-Betancourt A , Arévalo M J , Tintoré M , Téllez N , Borràs C , Nos C , Montalbán X
Published: December 2006

Objective: To assess the long-term emotional state of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with interferon beta (IFNβ) for at least four years.

Methods: Patients who had started IFNβ therapy prior to 2000 with a baseline psychological assessment were identified and scheduled for long-term emotional assessment with the following questionnaires-the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results: A total of 262 patients started IFNβ therapy in our MS clinic within the period 1995-1999. Baseline emotional assessment was available from 246 MS patients. Long-term assessment was conducted on 234 patients. After a mean follow-up of 65 months (43-98), 52 patients (22.3%) had withdrawn from IFNβ therapy. The comparisons, obtained from baseline and follow-up scores, showed an improvement in the depressive and anxiety symptoms of patients who adhered to IFNβ treatment. Logistic regression analysis indicated that an increase in physical disability and the presence of depressive symptoms at baseline were best predictors for long-term depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: The present results support the absence of emotional worsening in MS patients treated with IFNβ for a long period of time. Increased disability and the presence of baseline depressive symptoms predicted the presence of depressive symptoms at follow-up.
Correlation of magnetization transfer and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Otaduy M CG , Callegaro D , Bacheschi L A , Leite C C
Published: December 2006

The aim of this study was to correlate diffusion to magnetization transfer (MT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results in multiple sclerosis (MS), in order to establish if the former technique provides complementary information. Magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured in 156 different regions of interest (ROIs) of 14 MS patients, where 84 corresponded to T1 hypointense lesions, 60 to T1 isointense lesions and 12 to regions of normal appearing white matter (NAWM). MTR mean value was higher for T1 isointense than for T1 hypointense lesions, and lower when compared to NAWM. ADC mean value for T1 isointense lesions was higher than for NAWM, but lower than for T1 hypointense lesions. A significant negative correlation was found between ADC and MTR for hypointense lesions (Pearson’s r =- 0.758, PB < 0.001), whereas this correlation was much weaker for T1 isointense lesions (Pearson’s r =- 0.256, P = 0.049). There was no correlation between ADC and MTR for NAWM. The fact that ADC and MTR show a strong correlation only for T1 hypointense lesions indicates that, when tissue integrity is not severely compromised, as in the case of T1 isointense lesions or NAWM, ADC and MTR might be sensitive to different pathological processes.
Phenotype and prognosis in African-Americans with multiple sclerosis: a retrospective chart review
Authors: Naismith R T , Trinkaus K , Cross A H
Published: December 2006

Context There is an emerging body of literature regarding multiple sclerosis (MS) in African-Americans (AA) that suggests more rapid progression and a worse prognosis in this group. A phenotype of opticospinal MS has been proposed by some publications.

Objective To determine whether AA with MS have a different clinical phenotype, different distribution of clinical subtypes, and/or different levels of disability than Caucasians (CA) with MS. Specifically, is the disability attributable to severe cerebellar disease, which limits ambulation and function? Design: Retrospective chart analyses of a patient cohort from an academic MS center.

Patients A total of 86 AA were identified with MS, 79 were followed for ≥5 years. The control group consisted of 80 randomly-selected CA with MS and similar follow-up.

Outcome measures EDSS at diagnosis, five-year follow-up, and last follow-up; time to walking assistance device; disease subtype; involved functional systems.

Results AA MS patients displayed more cerebellar dysfunction, and worse EDSS scores at diagnosis, at four to six years follow-up from diagnosis, and at last follow-up compared to the CA MS patients with similar length of follow-up. AA MS patients had earlier and more frequent gait difficulty requiring use of a cane or wheelchair. AA MS patients had a higher prevalence of primary progressive (PP) MS (22 versus 9%) and a lower rate of relapsing-remitting (RR) MS (30 versus 52%) compared to CA.

Conclusions Compared to CA patients, MS in AA is characterized by a higher incidence of cerebellar dysfunction and a more rapid accumulation of disabilities. In this cohort, AA patients had a relatively higher rate of the PPMS subtype. These data suggest the presence of fundamental differences in the clinical phenotype and the natural history of MS in AA.
Myelin water imaging in multiple sclerosis: quantitative correlations with histopathology
Authors: Laule C , Leung E , Li D KB , Traboulsee A L , Paty D W , MacKay A L , Moore G RW
Published: December 2006

Various magnetic resonance (MR) techniques are used to study the pathological evolution of demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, few studies have validated MR derived measurements with histopathology. Here, we determine the correlation of myelin water imaging, an MR measure of myelin content, with quantitative histopathologic measures of myelin density. The multi-component T2 distribution of water was determined from 25 formalin-fixed MS brain samples using a multi-echo T2 relaxation MR experiment. The myelin water fraction (MWF), defined as T2 signal below 30 milliseconds divided by the total signal, was determined for various regions of interest and compared to Luxol fast blue (myelin stain) mean optical density (OD) for each sample. MWF had a strong correlation with myelin stain [mean (range) R2-/0.67 (0.45+ 0.92)], validating MWF as a measure of myelin density. This quantitative technique has many practical applications for the in vivo monitoring of demyelination and remyelination in a variety of disorders of myelin.
The Rao’s Brief Repeatable Battery and Stroop test: normative values with age, education and gender corrections in an Italian population
Authors: Amato M P , Portaccio E , Goretti B , Zipoli V , Ricchiuti L , De Caro M F , Patti F , Vecchio R , Sorbi S , Trojano M
Published: December 2006

The Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRB) is by far the most widely used instrument to estimate cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, the paucity of normative data currently limits its applicability. We administered the BRB to 200 healthy subjects to obtain normative values. Moreover, we assessed the influence of demographic factors on the test scores and calculated corrections for these relevant factors. To test executive functions not explored by the BRB, we also included the Stroop word-color task (ST). Higher educational level was associated with better performance on all the tests, except for the world list generation (WLG) and the ST, considering version A, and on Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and Selective Reminding Test-Delayed (SRT-D), considering version B. Females performed better than males on the WLG considering version A, and on the SRT-Long Term Storage (SRT-LTS) and SRT-Consistent Long Term Retrieval (SRT-CLTR) considering version B. Increasing age was associated with worse performance on the ST in version A, and on the SRT-LTS, SRT-CLTR and WLG in version B. Our data can improve the applicability of the BRB for both clinical and research purposes.
Prediction of anxiety and distress following diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: a two-year longitudinal study
Authors: Janssens A CJW , Buljevac D , van Doorn P A , van der Meché F GA , Polman C H , Passchier J , Hintzen R Q
Published: December 2006

Objective: To investigate the course of anxiety, depression and disease-related distress of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their partners in the first years after diagnosis.

Methods: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Impact of Event Scale (IES) were completed at baseline, six-month, one-and two-year follow-up in 101 recently diagnosed patients and 78 partners. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was assessed annually.

Results: Mean time since diagnosis at baseline was 7.8 (SD 6.5) months. Mean anxiety scores of patients and partners did not change during the two years of follow-up and remained higher than that observed in the general population at all assessments (P <0.05). The high levels of disease-related distress at baseline were lower at follow-up. Of the patients and partners with high anxiety scores at baseline (HADS anxiety ≥8), 69% also had high scores at any time during follow-up, compared to 26% in those with low baseline anxiety scores. For severe distress at follow-up, these percentages were 41 and 14%. The sensitivity and specificity of baseline anxiety screening for the prediction of high anxiety or distress scores at follow-up were 55 and 85%.

Conclusion: MS patients and their partners continued to have high levels of anxiety and distress in the first years after diagnosis. Screening for anxiety after diagnosis can be used to predict levels of anxiety and distress during two-year follow-up.
Multiple sclerosis conference synopsis and discussion: cellular therapy for treatment of autoimmune diseases (October 2005)
Authors: Openshaw H , Atkins H L , Chen J T , de Bittencourt P RM , Griffith L M , Kerr D A , Khoury S A , Muraro P A , Nash R A , Saccardi R
Published: December 2006

At a conference held in October 2005, participants presented studies on high dose immunosuppression with hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) for multiple sclerosis (MS), including neuroimmuno-logical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mechanistic approaches, clinical registry reports, and ongoing or newly-designed protocols. A discussion panel considered questions on how to define success, timing of controlled clinical trials, difficulty in patient recruitment, and future direction of high dose therapy.
Placing like in telling stories
Authors: Tree Jean E. Fox
Published: December 2006

The discourse marker use of the word like (‘we hitch a ride out of there with uh this like one crazy like music major guy’) is considered by many to be superfluously sprinkled into talk, a bad habit best avoided. But a comparison of the use of like in successive tellings of stories demonstrates that like can be anticipated in advance and planned into stories. In this way, like is similar to other words and phrases tellers recycle during story telling. The anticipation of like contrasted with the uses of other discourse markers such as oh, you know, and well, which almost never re-occurred in similar locations across tellings. Um and uh did sometimes re-occur; these uses are contrasted with like. Although discourse markers are generally used on the fly to handle various issues that come up in coordinating talk as it unfolds, like can be used as an integral part of the story -a marked contrast to the prevalent idea that likes are speech tics.
Knowledge Use in Social Work Practice
Authors: Osmond Jennifer
Published: December 2006

Summary: The enterprise of knowledge utilization in social work practice has to some extent remained elusive. To date, little empirical clarity has been provided that demystifies the ends to which knowledge is put. The reported qualitative study of 10 social workers explored the functional distinctions of knowledge use in practice. The paper offers a number of previously unreported insights into this important topic and, in doing so, offers a level of transparency about practice behaviour that illuminates the nature and shape of direct social work practice.

Findings: The study underscored that knowledge is used for both conceptual and instrumental purposes, with ten primary functions delineated: awareness, prediction, alerting, comparison, generalization, direction of practice behaviour, promoting an attitude and/or ethical stance, education, rapport development and problem solving.

Application: The presented findings offer human service professionals an insight into how practice knowledge is/can be used. Such insight could then be used as a strategy to critically recognize and assess their own knowledge use, determine both its negative and creative potential and assist in the recognition of their own knowledge needs.
The Assessment of Risk in the National Probation Service of England and Wales
Authors: Lancaster Elizabeth , Lumb Jeannie
Published: December 2006

Summary: This article focuses on the National Probation Service of England and Wales and explores the dominance of a particular approach to risk assessment. Reference is made to other areas of social work practice.

Findings: The article starts with a description of probation practice in relation to the assessment of risk using the current risk/needs assessment tool, the Offender Assessment System (OASys). The article explores the distinction between risk of reconviction and risk of harm and the use of static and dynamic factors in assessment. It then moves to a consideration of issues arising in two areas. The first of these is the relationship between risk and concepts of proportionality and fairness within the justice system. The second area for consideration is some implications of the dominance of a particular form of risk assessment in the National Probation Service specifically in respect of the knowledge base of assessment; motivation; and the distinction between defensible and defensive judgements about risk made by individual practitioners.

Applications: A preoccupation with the technicalities of risk assessment has encouraged the overshadowing of proportionality and the erosion of the rights of ‘risky’ offenders. A rights-based, rather than a risk-based, emphasis in criminal justice innovations might redress the balance. An approach which explores protective factors, rather than risk factors, is worthy of consideration.
Can Telephone Support Improve Parent and Child Well-Being?
Authors: Ritchie Charlotte
Published: December 2006

Summary: This article reports on a study of 196 parents who received telephone support over a period of 6 weeks. Children’s well-being was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and parental well-being was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ).

Findings: The study showed that parents who used telephone support had children with high levels of need as measured by the SDQ. Parents experienced a range of barriers to accessing support for their children with corresponding high scores on the GHQ. Parents reported that telephone support had improved their parenting over a range of domains. Those who had received support also had significantly lower scores on the GHQ, suggesting that they were less distressed.

Applications: The study suggests that telephone support may be a cost-effective way of supporting and signposting parents.
Through the Balkan States
Authors: Nicholson Heather Norris
Published: December 2006

Newly available lightweight cine camera equipment provided affluent British holidaymakers with an innovative travel accessory in the mid 1920s. Travel narratives produced by early camera-touting enthusiasts may be likened to preceding forms of travel experience depicted in art and written form, but important differences occur too. This discussion explores issues of place representation, ethnography and perceptions of regional identities, cultures, and histories through reference to amateur holiday footage filmed in the Balkans in 1934. Analysis of rural and urban scenes, traditions, and itinerary, as well as the cinematic processes found within this filmic travelogue, are related to earlier outsiders’ responses and contemporary travel texts including guides, diaries and other genres of travel literature. Contemporary debates on post-conflict identity in the Balkan region and tourism history within the Mediterranean, as well as socio-cultural and aesthetic aspects of non-professional film-making form a wider context for this focus upon Balkan imagery.
Group Sex Offending by Juveniles
Authors: Bijleveld Catrien C. J. H. , Weerman Frank M. , Looije Daphne , Hendriks Jan
Published: December 2006

We study sex offences carried out by groups of juveniles, focusing on offender characteristics and the interaction patterns within offender groups and between offenders and victims. Using reconstructions of offences from court files as well as information retrieved from personality screenings, we conclude that perpetrators generally had below-average intelligence, and otherwise a fairly average personality profile. Group size was on average four. Offences were generally not planned as such. In some cases, offenders had agreed to have sex with a victim, although without discussing how to arrange that. In other cases, offenders seemed to know what was going to happen without discussing it beforehand. In one-third of the groups, a leader orchestrated the offence during the perpetration. The group either was instrumental or functioned as a public to witness the debasement of the victim. The offence itself is often regarded as entertainment. In most offence situations at least one vaginal rape took place. In many cases the victim was threatened, even after completion of the offence.
Distinguishing the City, Neighbourhood and Individual Level in the Explanation of Youth Delinquency
Authors: Weijters Gijs , Scheepers Peer , Gerris Jan
Published: December 2006

Previous research on intercity differences in crime rates neglects individual determinants of youth delinquency, whereas studies focusing on neighbourhoodand individual-level explanations of youth delinquency neglect higher-level, city characteristics. This raises the question of the extent to which city characteristics can contribute to the explanation of youth delinquency, above and beyond the influence of neighbourhood and individual characteristics. To answer this question we first discuss how previous macro-level research explains city differences in crime rates, and then we test whether there is empirical evidence that youth delinquency differs not only between individuals but also between neighbourhoods and, moreover, between cities. Using data collected among 12–17-year-old adolescents from 11 Dutch cities, multilevel analyses revealed that there is a substantial amount of variance to be explained at the city level, even after controlling for composition effects and differences between surveys. In contrast with previous research studying neighbourhood influences on youth delinquency but neglecting the city level, we found very little variance at the neighbourhood level. Possible explanations and implications for future research are given by linking explanations at the different levels.
Drawing Forces and Film Properties in Semi-Sequentially Stretched Polypropylene
Authors: McLeod Michael A.
Published: December 2006

The relationship between biaxial stretching and oriented polypropylene film properties is studied. Initial films have been made with a 6×6 areal draw ratio (ADR) while reducing the transverse direction (TD) drawing speed and maintaining the machine direction (MD) speed. Slowing the TD speed increases the final TD drawing force and produces anisotropic film shrinkage. Varying the draw ratios in both directions creates anisotropic tensile properties. By changing both drawing speeds and draw ratios, films with similar shrinkage but differing tensile properties have been made.
A New Family of sHDPE Polymers for Enhanced Moisture Barrier Performance
Authors: Aubee Norman , Lam Patrick , Marshall Sarah
Published: December 2006

Conventional Ziegler-Natta catalyzed high density polyethylene (HDPE) homopolymer is used as a moisture barrier in the production of multilayer films for packaging dry food-stuffs and other moisture sensitive products. Barrier properties for these HDPEs are improved by narrowing the molecular weight distribution (MWD) and decreasing the molecular weight, at the expense of melt strength and processability. NOVA Chemicals Corporation has developed a new class of single site catalyzed high density polyethylene (sHDPE) resins for moisture barrier applications utilizing Advanced SCLAIRTECH™ Technology and NOVA Chemicals’ proprietary single site catalyst. These new sHDPE resins offer superior moisture barrier properties, exceeding the barrier performance of multilayer HDPE component films, without compromising processability.
Fluconazole for empiric antifungal therapy in cancer patients with fever and neutropenia
Authors: Yu Donghui T , Seger Diane L , Peterson Josh F , Kumar Ritesh N , Bates David W
Published: December 2006

Background

Several clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of fluconazole as empiric antifungal therapy in cancer patients with fever and neutropenia. Our objective was to assess the frequency and resource utilization associated with treatment failure in cancer patients given empiric fluconazole antifungal therapy in routine inpatient care.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of cancer patients treated with oral or intravenous fluconazole between 7/97 and 6/01 in a tertiary care hospital. The final study cohort included cancer patients with neutropenia (an absolute neutrophil count below 500 cells/mm3) and fever (a temperature above 38°C or 100.4°F), who were receiving at least 96 hours of parenteral antibacterial therapy prior to initiating fluconazole. Patients' responses to empiric therapy were assessed by reviewing patient charts.

Results

Among 103 cancer admissions with fever and neutropenia, treatment failure after initiating empiric fluconazole antifungal therapy occurred in 41% (95% confidence interval (CI) 31% – 50%) of admissions. Patients with a diagnosis of hematological malignancy had increased risk of treatment failure (OR = 4.6, 95% CI 1.5 – 14.8). When treatment failure occurred the mean adjusted increases in length of stay and total costs were 7.4 days (95% CI 3.3 – 11.5) and $18,925 (95% CI 3,289 – 34,563), respectively.

Conclusion

Treatment failure occurred in more than one-third of neutropenic cancer patients on fluconazole as empiric antifungal treatment for fever in routine clinical treatment. The increase in costs when treatment failure occurs is substantial.
Transcriptional profiling of degraded RNA in cryopreserved and fixed tissue samples obtained at autopsy
Authors: Haller Andrew C , Kanakapalli Deepa , Walter Rosemarie , Alhasan Samir , Eliason James F , Everson Richard B
Published: December 2006

Background

Traditional multiplexed gene expression methods require well preserved, intact RNA. Such specimens are difficult to acquire in clinical practice where formalin fixation is the standard procedure for processing tissue. Even when special handling methods are used to obtain frozen tissue, there may be RNA degradation; for example autopsy samples where degradation occurs both pre-mortem and during the interval between death and cryopreservation. Although specimens with partially degraded RNA can be analyzed by qRT-PCR, these analyses can only be done individually or at low levels of multiplexing and are laborious and expensive to run for large numbers of RNA targets.

Methods

We evaluated the ability of the cDNA-mediated Annealing, Selection, extension, and Ligation (DASL) assay to provide highly multiplexed analyses of cryopreserved and formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues obtained at autopsy. Each assay provides data on 1536 targets, and can be performed on specimens with RNA fragments as small as 60 bp.

Results

The DASL performed accurately and consistently with cryopreserved RNA obtained at autopsy as well as with RNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue that had a cryopreserved mirror image specimen with high quality RNA. In FFPE tissue where the cryopreserved mirror image specimen was of low quality the assay performed reproducibly on some but not all specimens.

Conclusion

The DASL assay provides reproducible results from cryopreserved specimens and many FFPE specimens obtained at autopsy. Gene expression analyses of these specimens may be especially valuable for the study of non-cancer endpoints, where surgical specimens are rarely available.
Physicians' communication with patients about adherence to HIV medication in San Francisco and Copenhagen: a qualitative study using Grounded Theory
Authors: Barfod Toke S , Hecht Frederick M , Rubow Cecilie , Gerstoft Jan
Published: December 2006

Background

Poor adherence is the main barrier to the effectiveness of HIV medication. The objective of this study was to explore and conceptualize patterns and difficulties in physicians' work with patients' adherence to HIV medication. No previous studies on this subject have directly observed physicians' behavior.

Methods

This is a qualitative, cross-sectional study. We used a Grounded Theory approach to let the main issues in physicians' work with patients' adherence emerge without preconceiving the focus of the study. We included physicians from HIV clinics in San Francisco, U.S.A. as well as from Copenhagen, Denmark. Physicians were observed during their clinical work and subsequently interviewed with a semi-structured interview guide. Notes on observations and transcribed interviews were analyzed with NVivo software.

Results

We enrolled 16 physicians from San Francisco and 18 from Copenhagen. When we discovered that physicians and patients seldom discussed adherence issues in depth, we made adherence communication and its barriers the focus of the study. The main patterns in physicians' communication with patients about adherence were similar in both settings. An important barrier to in-depth adherence communication was that some physicians felt it was awkward to explore the possibility of non-adherence if there were no objective signs of treatment failure, because patients could feel "accused." To overcome this awkwardness, some physicians consciously tried to "de-shame" patients regarding non-adherence. However, a recurring theme was that physicians often suspected non-adherence even when patients did not admit to have missed any doses, and physicians had difficulties handling this low believability of patient statements. We here develop a simple four-step, three-factor model of physicians' adherence communication. The four steps are: deciding whether to ask about adherence or not, pre-questioning preparations, phrasing the question, and responding to the patient's answer. The three factors/determinants are: physicians' perceptions of adherence, awkwardness, and believability.

Conclusion

Communication difficulties were a main barrier in physicians' work with patients' adherence to HIV medication. The proposed model of physicians' communication with patients about adherence – and the identification of awkwardness and believability as key issues – may aid thinking on the subject for use in clinical practice and future research.