bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Barriers to Resistance and Impact on Clinical Response
Authors: Luber Andrew D
Published: January 2010

The development of drug resistance and cross‐resistance continues to pose a challenge to successful long‐term antiretroviral therapy despite the availability of new antiretroviral agents. The genetic barrier to resistance of a regimen does not directly correlate with its effectiveness. For some regimens with a low genetic barrier to resistance, however, the emergence of only 1 or 2 key resistance mutations may confer drug resistance not only to that regimen but also to other agents, thereby limiting subsequent treatment options. In addition to the genetic barrier to resistance, factors such as efficacy, safety, tolerability, convenience, and adherence must be considered when choosing a regimen.
Prospective Multicenter Study of the Impact of the 21-Gene Recurrence Score Assay on Medical Oncologist and Patient Adjuvant Breast Cancer Treatment Selection
Authors: Lo Shelly S. , Mumby Patricia B. , Norton John , Rychlik Karen , Smerage Jeffrey , Kash Joseph , Chew Helen K. , Gaynor Ellen R. , Hayes Daniel F. , Epstein Andrew , Albain Kathy S.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The 21-gene Recurrence Score (RS) assay has been validated to quantify the risk of distant recurrence in tamoxifen-treated patients with lymph node–negative, estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer and predict magnitude of chemotherapy benefit. This multicenter study was designed to prospectively examine whether RS affects physician and patient adjuvant treatment selection and satisfaction.

Patients and Methods

Before and after obtaining the 21-gene RS assay, medical oncologists stated their adjuvant treatment recommendation and confidence in it. Patients also indicated their treatment choice pre- and post-RS assay. Patients completed measures for decisional conflict, anxiety, and quality of life.

Results

Seventeen medical oncologists at one community and three academic practices consecutively enrolled 89 assessable patients. The medical oncologist treatment recommendation changed for 28 patients (31.%). Twenty-four patients (27%) changed their treatment decision. The largest change after the RS results was conversion from the medical oncologist's pretest recommendation for chemotherapy plus hormonal therapy (CHT) to post-test recommendation for hormone therapy (HT) in 20 cases (22.5%). Nine patients (10.1%) changed their treatment decision from CHT to HT. RS results increased medical oncologist confidence in their treatment recommendation in 68 cases (76%). Patient anxiety and decisional conflict were significantly lower after RS results.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that the RS assay impacts medical oncologist adjuvant treatment recommendations, patient treatment choice, and patient anxiety.
Relationships Between Authorship Contributions and Authors' Industry Financial Ties Among Oncology Clinical Trials
Authors: Rose Susannah L. , Krzyzanowska Monika K. , Joffe Steven
Published: January 2010

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that authors who play key scientific roles in oncology clinical trials, and who therefore have increased influence over the design, analysis, interpretation or reporting of trials, are more likely than those who do not play such roles to have financial ties to industry.

Methods

Data were abstracted from all trials (n = 235) of drugs or biologic agents published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology between January 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. Article-level data included sponsorship, age group (adult v pediatric), phase, single versus multicenter, country (United States v other), and number of authors. Author-level data (n = 2,927) included financial ties (eg, employment, consulting) and performance of key scientific roles (ie, conception/design, analysis/interpretation, or manuscript writing). Associations between performance of key roles and financial ties, adjusting for article-level covariates, were examined using generalized linear mixed models.

Results

One thousand eight hundred eighty-one authors (64%) reported performing at least one key role, and 842 authors (29%) reported at least one financial tie. Authors who reported performing a key role were more likely than other authors to report financial ties to industry (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.3; 99% CI, 3.0 to 6.0; P < .0001). The association was stronger among trials with, compared with those without, industry funding (OR, 5.0 [99% CI, 3.4 to 7.5] v OR, 2.5 [99% CI, 1.3 to 4.8]), but was present regardless of sponsorship.

Conclusion

Authors who perform key roles in the conception and design, analysis, and interpretation, or reporting of oncology clinical trials are more likely than authors who do not perform such roles to have financial ties to industry.
Association Between the 21-Gene Recurrence Score Assay and Risk of Locoregional Recurrence in Node-Negative, Estrogen Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer: Results From NSABP B-14 and NSABP B-20
Authors: Mamounas Eleftherios P. , Tang Gong , Fisher Bernard , Paik Soonmyung , Shak Steven , Costantino Joseph P. , Watson Drew , Geyer Charles E. , Wickerham D. Lawrence , Wolmark Norman
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The 21-gene OncotypeDX recurrence score (RS) assay quantifies the risk of distant recurrence in tamoxifen-treated patients with node-negative, estrogen receptor (ER)–positive breast cancer. We investigated the association between RS and risk for locoregional recurrence (LRR) in patients with node-negative, ER-positive breast cancer from two National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) trials (NSABP B-14 and B-20).

Patients and Methods

RS was available for 895 tamoxifen-treated patients (from both trials), 355 placebo-treated patients (from B-14), and 424 chemotherapy plus tamoxifen-treated patients (from B-20). The primary end point was time to first LRR. Distant metastases, second primary cancers, and deaths before LRR were censored.

Results

In tamoxifen-treated patients, LRR was significantly associated with RS risk groups (P < .001). The 10-year Kaplan-Meier estimate of LRR was 4.% (95% CI, 2.3% to 6.3%) for patients with a low RS (< 18), 7.2% (95% CI, 3.4% to 11.0%) for those with intermediate RS (18-30), and 15.8% (95% CI, 10.4% to 21.2%) for those with a high RS (> 30). There were also significant associations between RS and LRR in placebo-treated patients from B-14 (P = .022) and in chemotherapy plus tamoxifen–treated patients from B-20 (P = .028). In multivariate analysis, RS was an independent significant predictor of LRR along with age and type of initial treatment.

Conclusion

Similar to the association between RS and risk for distant recurrence, a significant association exists between RS and risk for LRR. This information has biologic consequences and potential clinical implications relative to locoregional therapy decisions for patients with node-negative and ER-positive breast cancer.
Life Expectancy in Patients Surviving More Than 5 Years After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Authors: Martin Paul J. , Counts George W. , Appelbaum Frederick R. , Lee Stephanie J. , Sanders Jean E. , Deeg H. Joachim , Flowers Mary E.D. , Syrjala Karen L. , Hansen John A. , Storb Rainer F. , Storer Barry E.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Hematopoietic cell transplantation can cure hematologic malignancies and other diseases, but this treatment can also cause late complications. Previous studies have evaluated the cumulative effects of late complications on survival, but longer-term effects on life expectancy after hematopoietic cell transplantation have not been assessed.

Patients and Methods

We used standard methods to evaluate mortality, projected life expectancy, and causes of death in a cohort of 2,574 patients who survived without recurrence of the original disease for at least 5 years after allogeneic or autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation from 1970 through 2002. Sex- and age-specific comparisons were made with US population data.

Results

Estimated survival of the cohort at 20 years after transplantation was 80.4% (95% CI, 78.1% to 82.6%). During 22,923 person-years of follow-up, 357 deaths occurred. Mortality rates remained four- to nine-fold higher than the expected population rate for at least 30 years after transplantation, yielding an estimated 30% lower life expectancy compared with that in the general population, regardless of current age. In rank order, the leading causes of excess deaths were second malignancies and recurrent disease, followed by infections, chronic graft-versus-host disease, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusion

Patients who have survived for at least 5 years after hematopoietic cell transplantation without recurrence of the original disease have a high probability of surviving for an additional 15 years, but life expectancy is not fully restored. Further effort is needed to reduce the burden of disease and treatment-related complications in this population.
Women and HIV: ethics and laws
Authors: Riley Vincent
Published: January 2010

The importance of HIV infection at both a national and global level requires constant cooperative advocacy from all the professions. This article outlines not only the natural history of the infection and the great advances which have been made in its management, it also highlights the pivotal and often vulnerable role of women within the complex developing picture of the epidemic. The laws and ethics of HIV/AIDS are explored including confidentiality and criminalization.
A Group of General Dental Practitioners’ Views of Preformed Metal Crowns after Participation in the Hall Technique Clinical Trial: A Mixed-Method Evaluation
Authors: Innes Nicola PT , Marshman Zoe , Vendan Ramola E
Published: January 2010

Aims

The aims of this study were to investigate and describe the views of a group of general dental practitioners (GDPs) on their use of preformed metal crowns (PMCs) with the conventional method and the Hall Technique. The practitioners involved had previously taken part in a clinical trial of the Hall Technique.

Methods

The dentists’ views were explored using a semi-structured interview (transcribed and analysed using a framework approach) and their use of crowns investigated (for conventional and Hall Technique) using a short questionnaire.

Results

Fourteen out of 17 dentists who participated in the trial were interviewed and completed the questionnaire. Prior to the trial, only three of the GDPs had been using conventional PMCs at all and this was ‘infrequently’. None had been using them routinely. The semi-structured questionnaires revealed three main themes reflecting positively on the GDPs’ experiences with the Hall Technique: its ease of use, its high patient acceptability, and the dentists’ perceived clinical effectiveness of the technique. Thirteen of the 14 GDPs stated that they would continue to use the Hall Technique routinely and only one thought that he would not use it.

Conclusion

Among a small group of GDPs with little experience or training in the use of the Hall Technique, it was perceived to be easy to use routinely, acceptable to patients and effective.
Dental Health and Management for Children with Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: FitzGerald Kirsten , Fleming Pádraig , Franklin Orla
Published: January 2010

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common developmental anomalies. Children with CHD are at increased risk of developing oral disease, and are at increased risk from the systemic effects of oral disease. Recent changes in guidelines related to prophylaxis against infective endocarditis have highlighted the importance of establishing and maintaining oral health for this group of patients. The management of children with CHD can be complex and, unfortunately, many of these children do not receive the care they require. The challenges that these children pose are discussed, and suggestions are made for the appropriate management of these patients and the key role that all those working in primary dental care have to play.
Mentoring. A Quality Assurance Tool for Dentists Part 6: Outcomes: Patient Care, Professional Development and Personal Growth Authentic Happiness for Dentists
Authors: Holt Vernon P , Ladwa Russ
Published: January 2010

This paper is the last in a series of six papers that have described different aspects of mentoring. It considers the impact of mentoring when it is used in general dental practice, applying the technique of learning through positive psychology. The first part of the paper considers this approach from a patient's perspective, the second from the perspective of a dentist.

Because the impact on the quality of care for the patient is largely mediated through the personality of the dentist, the quality of the dentist's own performance, during his/her professional relationship with the patient, is a critical ingredient. The way that this critical ingredient impacts on quality of care is considered and parallels are drawn between roles assumed in dental practice and those found in industry.

The paper also considers the way in which mentoring, as a part of a professional development programme, can enhance dentists’ personal skills and performance. It is an opportunity for great personal growth, with increased levels of job and life satisfaction, leading to greater levels of authentic happiness for all those involved, not least for dentists and the dental team.
The Shirley Glasstone Hughes Trust Fund
Authors: Caines Beth
Published: January 2010

The Shirley Glasstone Hughes Trust Fund is managed by the British Dental Association (BDA). Its aim is to provide grants for research in primary dental care. As such, it should be of great interest to all FGDP(UK) members who either are involved in or aspire to be involved in research. In short, it provides ‘a great new way to engage busy general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the research agenda’. This article will explain how.
Cognitive mediators of the effect of peer victimization on loneliness
Authors: Catterson Jennifer. , Hunter Simon C.
Published: January 2010

Background

The impact of stress on psychological adjustment may be mediated by cognitive interpretations (i.e., appraisals) of events for individuals. Defining characteristics of loneliness suggest that appraisals of blame, threat, and perceived control may be particularly important in this domain.

Aims

To evaluate the extent to which cognitive appraisals (perceived control, threat, and blame) can mediate the effect of peer victimization on loneliness.

Sample

One hundred and ten children (54 boys, 56 girls) aged 8–12 years attending mainstream schools in Scotland.

Method

Self‐report measures of peer victimization, appraisal, and loneliness.

Results

Perceived control partially mediated the effects of peer victimization on loneliness, but neither blame nor threat were mediators. All three measures of control were significantly associated with loneliness at the bivariate level, but only perceived control was significant when the appraisals were entered as predictors in a hierarchical multiple linear regression.

Conclusions

The results highlight the importance of research designs assessing multiple categories of appraisal. Furthermore, they suggest that intervention efforts aiming to combat feelings of loneliness within a peer victimization context should address children's appraisals of perceived control.
Evaluation of Two Automated Methods for Air-Void Analysis of Hardened Concrete
Authors: Ramezanianpour A. M. , Hooton R. D.
Published: January 2010

Air-void analysis of hardened concrete is typically performed according to ASTM C457–09 [“Standard Test Method for Microscopical Determination of Parameters of Air-Void System in Hardened Concrete,“ Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 4.2, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA], which can be tedious to perform and is operator subjective. Several alternative automated methods have been proposed, two of which are the Rapid Air 457 and the scanner method developed at Michigan Technological University. In each of these methods, images are collected from contrast enhanced surfaces of polished concrete, and image analysis is performed to calculate air-void system parameters. In this research, 22 concrete samples were examined using these two methods, the air-void system parameters were compared to those obtained from the ASTM C457 standard, and the precision of the results was compared to the recommendations of ASTM standard. It was concluded that the total air content and the spacing factor of the air voids measured by Rapid Air 457 and the scanner method were comparable to the air content and the spacing factor measured according to the standard manual method. Considering the fact that the automated image systems could detect air voids smaller in diameter than those typically seen by an operator, it was found that if these small air voids are counted, calculated spacing factors are smaller than those calculated by the manual method. If small diameter air voids are removed from the analysis, then spacing factors agree fairly well with those calculated by ASTM C457 from stereo-optical microscopy.
Nondestructive Fatigue Damage Analysis of a Thin Asphalt Concrete Course Using the Wavelet Correlation Method
Authors: Lee S. Joon , Seo Youngguk , Kim Y. Richard
Published: January 2010

Stress wave analysis is employed herein as a nondestructive monitoring tool to assess the level of fatigue damage in a thin asphalt concrete (AC) overlay. A frequency-dependent cross-correlation procedure is developed to specify a stress wave at a desired frequency by using a wavelet kernel. This procedure is referred to as the wavelet correlation method (WCM). Once synthetic surface waves are constructed and subjected to simulated disturbances, such as structural damage or nearby frequencies, their phase velocities are computed using the WCM with over 96 % accuracy. The generated stress waves are periodically processed, while laboratory hot-mix asphalt pavements are trafficked by the third-scale model mobile loading simulator. The dispersion curves are then analyzed to validate that a wave of 16 kHz travels mainly within a 40∼60 mm thickness of a surface layer. Fatigue damage levels are quantified at intervals by the phase velocity that represents the AC elastic modulus. Microdamage healing of the AC during rest periods is then indexed and corrected by shifting the damage progress profile. Consequently, an early reduction in phase velocity, which is caused by microcracking, can be visually observed in the surface cracking once the phase velocity is reduced to about 50 % of the initial value regardless of pavement density and aggregate gradation. Thus, the WCM allows the optimal timing and scheduling of the preservation construction of a thin AC overlay by indicating the critical microdamage stage immediately prior to the visual evidence of surface cracking.
Invited Commentary: Cardiovascular mortality in subclinical hyperthyroidism: an ongoing dilemma
Authors: Biondi Bernadette
Published: January 2010

The association of endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism (SHyper) with cardiovascular mortality is controversial. This may reflect the different causes of endogenous SHyper in the population studied due to differences in iodine intake, and different selection criteria, e.g. sex, age, and race, the cutoff for serum TSH level, the duration of follow-up, and the presence of co-morbidities. A small sample size of SHyper patients could have caused a low statistical power in some of these studies. In other studies, the results were not adjusted for relevant confounders. Importantly, various meta-analyses have also given conflicting results. This issue of the European Journal of Endocrinology contains two articles that address the association between endogenous SHyper and cardiovascular and total mortality: one study was conducted in a north-eastern German population and the other in a Japanese–Brazilian population. After adjusting for relevant confounders, there was no association between decreased serum TSH levels and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the Pomerania study; on the contrary, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were significantly higher for individuals with SHyper in the Japanese–Brazilian population. Interestingly, both studies had similar characteristics in terms of selection criteria and duration of follow-up. It remains controversial whether or not to treat middle-aged patients with low serum TSH levels. Large prospective randomized controlled double-blind studies of young and middle-aged patients with SHyper and without underlying cardiac disease are required to assess the potential benefits of treating endogenous SHyper in these age groups.
Health and Home Environments of Caregivers of Children Investigated by Child Protective Services
Authors: Burgess Amelia L. , Borowsky Iris W.
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVE:

The goal was to describe the mental and physical health of caregivers and the home environments of children who have been investigated by child protective services (CPS).

METHODS:

Subjects were 5299 children 0 to 14 years of age, from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being, a cohort study of children investigated by CPS. The Short-Form Health Survey was used to measure mental and physical health. The Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment-Short Form (HOME-SF) total and cognitive stimulation subscale scores were used to measure developmentally appropriate characteristics of children's home environments. These validated measures were compared across placement types, that is, remaining at home (investigated home), nonrelative foster care (foster care), and relative foster care (kin care).

RESULTS:

Kin and foster caregivers had better-than-average mental health, but 11% to 13% of kin/foster caregivers and 24% of investigated-home caregivers had scores consistent with untreated mental illness. All caregivers had worse-than-average physical health; 25% of foster and 26% of kin caregivers had scores consistent with serious physical illness. There was no significant difference in mean HOME-SF scores between foster and investigated homes. Kin care homes of 6- to-10-year-old children were superior to investigated and foster homes. All setting types had more homes in the lowest quartile than in the highest quartile for HOME-SF and cognitive stimulation subscale scores.

CONCLUSIONS:

A sizable minority of children investigated by CPS subsequently live in homes with mentally or physically ill caregivers and with developmentally inadequate nurturing and stimulation. Foster homes are indistinguishable from investigated homes on the HOME-SF. Clinicians should assess the mental and physical health of caregivers and should facilitate access to appropriate resources, including parent/caregiver training programs.
Vertically Transmitted Molluscum Contagiosum Infection
Authors: Luke Janiene D. , Silverberg Nanette B.
Published: January 2010

We report a case of vertically transmitted molluscum contagiosum viral infection in which the maternal infection was clinically documented before vaginal delivery. The aim of this report is to make practitioners aware that molluscum infections in neonates are likely vertically transmitted.
Ética e prática profissional em saúde
Authors: Bub Maria Bettina Camargo
Published: January 2010

Há várias teorias éticas e modelos de análise teórica que podem orientar a nossa forma de ser e agir profissionalmente. Mesmo levando em consideração que referências filosóficas e teóricas nos ajudam a pensar criticamente, é sempre bom ter em mente que a aplicação rotineira de métodos nunca é um substituto satisfatório para a inteligência crítica. Porém, não é nada simples responder as questões: como devem ser os enfermeiros e enfermeiras na sua prática profissional? Como devem agir os enfermeiros e enfermeiras em relação aos outros e a si mesmo? Neste sentido, o propósito deste texto é contribuir com fundamentos éticos que possibilitem a reflexão sobre a forma como temos agido e como temos sido enquanto profissionais de saúde. O objetivo é problematizar a relação cliente - profissional de saúde, uma vez que é nessa prática cotidiana que se integram os elementos próprios da conduta moral profissional.
A Root‐Zone Soil Regime of Wheat: Physiological and Growth Responses to Furrow Irrigation in Raised Bed Planting in Northern China
Authors: Kong Ling'an , Wang Fahong , Feng Bo , Li Shengdong , Si Jisheng , Zhang Bin
Published: January 2010

Different irrigation methods in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) result in different water and nutrient use efficiencies and, ultimately, plant growth. A field experiment was conducted during the 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 crop cycles to investigate the effects of furrow irrigated raised bed planting and the effects of flood irrigated conventional planting on growth and productivity in winter wheat. In Zadoks Stages 5–31, wheat that was grown in raised bed planting suffered from a lower soil temperature by producing fewer tillers per plant with much slower growth and development than wheat grown in conventional planting. Subsequent flood irrigation in conventional planting improved soil moisture status while increasing soil bulk density and caused a deep percolation of irrigation water and soil nutrients. In contrast, furrow irrigation in a raised bed planting system improved root‐zone soil moisture and nutrient regimes, decreased soil bulk density by 8.5 to 10.4%, increased soil respiration by 3.2 to 10.4%, root vitality by 4.8 to 8.9%, and root dry weight by 2.8 to 3.7%. Consequently, compared with the conventional planting, the furrow‐irrigated wheat in raised bed planting developed greater leaf photosynthetic capacity, Photosystem II (PSII) potential (Fv/Fm), and actual (ΦPSII) quantum yields of photochemical processes, leaf area index (LAI), and dry matter accumulation (DMA). Ultimately, wheat on raised beds produced a grain yield of 698.7 g m−2, 7.6% higher than that in conventional planting. Based on these data, we can conclude that furrow‐irrigated raised bed planting optimizes the root‐zone soil regime, promotes plant growth and development, and increases wheat productivity.
Modeling and Simulation of Industrial Continuous Naphtha Catalytic Reformer Accompanied with Delumping the Naphtha Feed
Authors: Mahdavian Mohammad , Fatemi Shohreh , Fazeli Ali
Published: January 2010

Nowadays, with the worldwide, increasing demands of the high qualitative gasoline, it is necessary to establish new naphtha reforming units and develop the traditional units to the high efficiency processes. In this work, according to the recent progresses in naphtha reforming technology, a mathematical modeling of a continuous catalytic reformer with catalyst recirculation is developed for simulation and optimization of the new industrial continuous reformers. The process model uses an extended version of the kinetic model reported by Padmavathi, with some modifications on kinetic constants, and it considers the deactivation rate of the catalyst and pressure drop within the reactor. The process model is based on a 12-lumped kinetics reaction network and has been proved to be quite effective in terms of an industrial application. The naphtha is based on 25-lumped pseudocomponents (including C6 to C10 hydrocarbons) in three categories of n-paraffins, isoparaffins, naphthens, including cyclopentanes and cyclohexanes, and aromatics. The light hydrocarbons product, consisting of C1 to C5 n-paraffins, is taken into account as the products of hydrocracking reaction. First, the kinetic parameters of the reactions are tuned using real results of the outlet temperatures and components in industrial operating conditions. At the next stage, validation of the model was carried out using a new naphtha feed in industrial scale. The final stage of this research was based on splitting a naphtha feed using its only ASTM boiling point and specific gravity, to converting to the components and applying into the process model to predict the outlet temperature and composition, the reformate yield and RON, hydrogen and LPG product, and coke formation at each cycle. The predicted and commercially reported results agreed with each other.
Measures of Arterial Stiffness in Youth With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wadwa R. Paul , Urbina Elaine M. , Anderson Andrea M. , Hamman Richard F. , Dolan Lawrence M. , Rodriguez Beatriz L. , Daniels Stephen R. , Dabelea Dana ,   for the SEARCH Study Group
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVE

Arterial stiffness occurs early in the atherosclerotic process; however, few data are available concerning risk factors for arterial stiffness in youth with diabetes. We identified factors associated with arterial stiffness in youth with diabetes and assessed the effects of these factors on the relationship between arterial stiffness and diabetes type (type 1 vs. type 2).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A subset of patients from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study with type 1 (n = 535) and type 2 diabetes (n = 60), aged 10–23 years (52% male; 82% non-Hispanic white; diabetes duration 65 ± 49 months) had arterial stiffness, anthropometrics, blood pressure, fasting lipids, and A1C measured. Arterial stiffness was measured by brachial distensibility (brachD), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and augmentation index adjusted to heart rate of 75 beats/min (AI75).

RESULTS

Youth with type 2 diabetes had worse brachD (5.2 ± 0.9 vs. 6.1 ± 1.2%/mmHg), PWV (6.4 ± 1.3 vs. 5.3 ± 0.8 m/s), and AI75 (6.4 ± 9.9 vs. 2.2 ± 10.2%) than those with type 1 diabetes (P < 0.01 for each). These differences were largely mediated through increased central adiposity and higher blood pressure in youth with type 2 diabetes. We also found a pattern of association of arterial stiffness measures with waist circumference and blood pressure, independent of diabetes type.

CONCLUSIONS

Youth with type 2 diabetes have worse arterial stiffness than similar youth with type 1 diabetes. Increased central adiposity and blood pressure are associated with measures of arterial stiffness, independent of diabetes type. Whether these findings indicate that youth with type 2 diabetes will be at higher risk for future complications requires longitudinal studies.
Comparison of Radial Versus Focused Extracorporeal Shock Waves in Plantar Fasciitis Using Functional Measures
Authors: Lohrer Heinz , Nauck Tanja , Dorn-Lange Nadja V. , Schöll Jakob , Vester Johannes C.
Published: January 2010

Background: Recent literature shows evidence for effective treatment for plantar fasciitis using either focused or radial shock waves. Up to now no research has been available which compares these different procedures. We hypothesized (H0 Hypothesis) that for plantar fasciitis, outcomes following focused or radial shock wave treatment were equal. Materials and Methods: For this pilot study, 39 patients suffering from recalcitrant plantar fasciitis were randomized in two groups. Treatment was performed in three sessions. Once a week 2000 impulses of radial (0.17 mJ/mm 2 ) or focused (0.20 mJ/mm 2 ) shock waves were applied. Efficacy was determined by multivariate analysis of eight single variables including changes in Foot Functional Index, neuromuscular performance (Single leg drop and long jump, postural stability, isokinetic testing), and by a composite score from baseline to 12 weeks followup. Multivariate Wilcoxon tests (Wei-Lachin procedure) and formal meta-analytic procedure with adjustment for subgroups was performed to determine the adjusted effect sizes with their corresponding confidence intervals. Results: The overall result (“Crude Pooling”) shows “small” superiority of the focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (MW = 0.55, LB-CI = 0.4644). Adjusted for age the focused treatment exhibited “more than small” superiority (MW = 0.59, LB-CI > 0.5) and this result is statistically significant (LB-CI = 0.5067, benchmark for equality = 0.5). Conclusion: This study provides some evidence for focused extracorporeal shock wave treatment being superior to radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.

Level of Evidence: I, Prospective Randomized Study
Foot and Ankle Experience in Orthopedic Residency: An Update
Authors: Panchbhavi Vinod K. , Aronow Michael S. , DiGiovanni Benedict F. , Giza Eric , Grimes Jerry S. , Harris Thomas G. , Roberts Matthew M. , Straus Brian
Published: January 2010

Background: In 2003, a limited survey regarding the number of dedicated foot and ankle faculty and foot and ankle rotations at orthopaedic surgery residency programs was published. The purpose of this paper was to update the results of that previous survey and provide additional, more in-depth information. Materials and Methods: A survey questionnaire was emailed to the program directors and chairpersons of the 150 ACGME-accredited orthopaedic residency training programs in the United States. Results: Responses were obtained from all programs. One hundred thirty-seven (91.3%) programs had one or more orthopaedic surgeon faculty members with a predominantly foot and ankle practice (at least 50%), an increase of 5.5 percentage points from the survey performed 6 years previously. One hundred forty three (95.3%) programs had one or more orthopaedic surgeon faculty members with a practice consisting of at least 25% foot and ankle. One hundred twenty programs (80%) had one or more dedicated foot and ankle rotations, an increase of 15.1% from 6 years prior. Orthopaedic surgery residents were felt to spend a mean of 30.4% and a median of 20% of their time with board-certified/ board-eligible orthopaedic surgeons in rotations that include treatment of foot and ankle pathology but were not considered “dedicated” foot and ankle rotations. Conclusions: The number of orthopaedic surgery residency programs with rotations and faculty members dedicated to foot and ankle education has increased over the 6 years between surveys. Orthopaedic surgery residents’ experience and skill development in foot and ankle surgery during their 5 years of residency training are not limited to their time spent in dedicated foot and ankle rotations.
West Seti Hydroelectric Project: Assessment of its Contribution to Nepal’s Economic Development
Authors: Shrestha Ratna Sansar
Published: January 2010

The proposed West Seti Hydroelectric Project, 750 MW, is one of the best projects of its genre, because it will not only generate peak-in energy and good quality power but because it will do so at low cost and, furthermore, its implementation will result in fl ood control and dry season augmented fl ow for lower riparian areas. Moreover, export of hydropower to India from this project will result in a carbon offset benefi t which is tradable on the carbon market and has potential as a good source of revenue. This paper evaluates such benefi ts and also ascertains to whom such benefi ts accrue, besides identifying costs (so far unaccounted for). This project's contribution to Nepal's economic development may even be higher by a magnitude if it is to be structured as suggested in this paper.Key words: West Seti; Carbon offset; Downstream benefit; Economic development; Export; Hydropower; Peak-in power; NepalDOI: 10.3126/hn.v5i0.2478Hydro Nepal Vol. 5, July 2009 Page:8-17
Water Quality Assessment of the Godavari River
Authors: Chavan Ajay D. , Sharma M P , Bhargava Renu
Published: January 2010

The Godavari River is a second largest river in India originating from Trimbakeswar, Nasik, Maharashtra, India. It fl ows through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. The river, passing through Nasik City, is 82% polluted by domestic pollution and 18% by industries. The study covers about 65 km of the river starting from Kushawart Trimbakeswar to Saikheda Village, from where it enters the city. Ten locations were selected for collection of water samples from the river and the samples were analyzed for water quality parameters in the Environmental Laboratory of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Nasik. These data as well as data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) were used to compute the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI), mostly applicable in the USA and India. The results of NSFWQI of Godavari River indicates its water quality as ‘bad' (26-50) or ‘medium' (51-70) over the study stretch. The NSFWQI of December 2007 and February 2008 indicate an improvement in water quality at all locations over earlier data from 2002-07. Based upon the results, the existing conservation measures have been reviewed and additional measures are suggested. The study concludes that major stressor is sewage pollution.Key words: Water quality parameters; Water quality assessment; Water quality management; Conservation measuresDOI: 10.3126/hn.v5i0.2483Hydro Nepal Vol. 5, July 2009 Page:31-34
Constructed Wetland: A Solution for Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Shrestha Dibesh , Maharjan Shovana
Published: January 2010

Due to population explosion, rapid industrialization and urbanization, Nepal's limited source of water is polluted (especially in the Kathmandu Valley). The quality of water is vital concern, as it is directly linked with human welfare. The water that we use for our survival should be potable, clean, and free of impurities. To mitigate the problem of water pollution, low-cost natural treatment options like Constructed Wetlands (CW) and the related Reed Bed Treatment System (RBT) have been introduced in Nepal in several places like hospitals, universities and other institutions, and as community systems. The plant species Phragmites karka is used in this process. It, and other associated micro organisms removes contaminates from wastewater using a natural process. Compared to other large and expensive technologies, CW and RBT require less land and are less expensive for construction, operation and maintenance. Hence, they can be considered as effective, economic and environmentally friendly and sustainable systems for wastewater treatment.Keywords: Wastewater treatment; Constructed Wetlands (CW); Reed Bed Treatment (RBT); NepalDOI: 10.3126/hn.v5i0.2486Hydro Nepal Vol. 5, July 2009 Page:42-45
Interview with Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat Honorable Minister, Ministry of Energy, Government of Nepal
Authors: Pokharel Govind Raj
Published: January 2010

Not Avaiable.DOI: 10.3126/hn.v5i0.2491Hydro Nepal Vol. 5, July 2009 Page:52-53
3D Flow Modeling of the First Trifurcation Made in Nepal
Authors: Malik R K , Paudel Paras
Published: January 2010

The foremost objective of the study was to find out the most efficient profile of trifurcation in given constraints of pressure, velocity and layout of the overall geometry. The study was done for the 3.2 MW Madi Khola Hydropower Project of Gandaki Hydropower Development Co. Pvt. Ltd. The 3 Dimensional Flow modeling of the trifurcation was based on the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).The loss in the Trifurcation greatly depends upon its geometrical configuration. The research started with a general profi le and the flow pattern generated inside it was studied with the help of 3 Dimensional Flow modeling. The extent of vortex zone formation inside the trifurcation indicates the loss inside trifurcation. The profile of the trifurcation was hence changed to reduce the vortex formation as far as possible, till we get minimum possible loss. The profile under study should meet maximum flow efficiency under the physical constraints of fabrication. The flow efficient profile was then analyzed to capture the stress amplifi cation near junction. The reinforcing element in the form of steel T-section was added of different sectional values till the stress was within allowable limits under severe conditions.Key words: Symmetrical Trifuraction; Trifurcation; Computational fluid dynamics; Hydropower; NepalDOI: 10.3126/hn.v5i0.2493Hydro Nepal Vol. 5, July 2009 Page:56-61
Hydro Power 2009 4th International Hydropower Convention: Hydropower for Progress of Nepal
Authors: Gangol Pradeep
Published: January 2010

Not availableDOI: 10.3126/hn.v5i0.2497Hydro Nepal Vol. 5, July 2009 Page:71-73
Work Departure Time Analysis Using Dogit Ordered Generalized Extreme Value Model
Authors: Chu You-Lian
Published: January 2010

This paper applies a discrete choice modeling technique to investigate departure time choice for individual workers residing in the New York City metropolitan area. This effort is distinguished from previous departure time models primarily by the use of the dogit ordered generalized extreme value (DOGEV) model rather than the commonly used multinomial logit (MNL) model. The MNL model is restrictive in cases in which the continuous time needs to be discretized into departure time intervals. Because the MNL model treats departure time intervals as independent alternatives, the model cannot account for the ordering of the time intervals and their correlation. In contrast, the DOGEV model has two distinct features. First, it recognizes the ordinal nature of the departure time intervals by allowing them to be correlated in vicinity (i.e., time intervals that are close to each other in the ordering have error terms that are correlated). Second, it allows a worker's departure time choice to be captive or constrained to a particular departure time interval. The modeling approach was based on a behavioral analysis that explained the factors influencing work departure time decisions in a highly urbanized environment. The results of the model estimation provide valuable insights into the effects, on a worker's departure time choice, of socio-economic characteristics, employment characteristics, travel-related attributes, and land use and location attributes. Empirical application also shows that New York metropolitan travel survey data were well modeled by the DOGEV with both significant captivity and ordering components. In particular, evidence of ordering and proximate covariance in the choice set may suggest an additional source of misspecification in the existing departure time literature, which has focused largely on unordered discrete choice models, such as multinomial logit and nested logit.
TRANSIMS Implementation in Chittenden County, Vermont
Authors: Lawe Stephen , Lobb John , Sadek Adel W. , Huang Shan , Xie Chi
Published: January 2010

To advance the state of the practice of travel forecasting, the federal government since 1992 has sponsored the development of the Transportation Analysis and Simulation System (TRANSIMS). The purpose of this paper is to describe and document experience with the implementation and calibration of the TRANSIMS model in Chittenden County, Vermont, a medium-sized urban area with a population of about 145,000. In developing the TRANSIMS model, participants in the study attempted to rely primarily on readily available data that would be easily accessible to most metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) around the country. Following model development, several validation experiments were conducted to assess the extent to which the model after calibration replicated observed traffic counts. Preliminary sensitivity analyses were also performed to assess the sensitivity of the model results to changes in the random seed number and to evaluate the impact of changing pretimed signals to actuated controllers. The study demonstrates that the TRANSIMS Track-1 structure and the tools currently available in the model can be used to develop and calibrate a model that works reasonably well with a relatively modest effort for a small to medium-sized MPO. Moreover, for medium-sized areas with little to no congestion, the model does not appear to be sensitive to variations in the seed number, which should increase confidence in the model's results.
A Hierarchical Case-Based Reasoning System for Quality Design
Authors: Liu Cai Yan , Sun You Fa
Published: January 2010

Quality design means designing quality specifications and processing specifications of products with low cost and high efficiency. This paper presents a hierarchical case-based reasoning approach for quality design. The structure and expression of case-base, the hierarchical case retrieval algorithms and similarity computation formula between cases are all studied. Such a hierarchical case-based reasoning method will greatly improve the retrieval accuracy and efficiency.
A Geometric Modeling Method of Reconstruction Vertices and Edges with Smooth Surface
Authors: Lu Xiao Lin
Published: January 2010

In surface modeling, it is important to reconstruct the smooth connecting surface for the polyhedron vertex and edge rendering. The general method by using the spherical and cylindrical surfaces do not possess the geometric continuity. This paper proposed a geometric modeling method of reconstruction vertices and edges with smooth surface for the polyhedron corner rendering with high order geometric continuity. The proposed method is based on the principle of the theory of geometry continuity through a geometry drawing algorithm. The reconstructed surface can be connected neighboring surfaces with G1 geometry continuity. The results show that the reconstructed surfaces can polish and render the polyhedron corner with good geometry continuity property.
Game Analysis on Problem of Food Safety in the Agricultural Products Supply Chain
Authors: Shi Cheng Hua , Sun Zi Lai , Dong Kun Jing
Published: January 2010

Food is the most basic material conditions of survival and development of human society, its security situation is relation to the health and safety of consumer directly. This paper analyze the reasons of causing problems of food quality and safety in the agricultural products supply chain from the perspective of the game theory as well as the government incentive and regulatory mechanisms affect the decision-making of farmers and food producers respectively. In the game between crop growers - farmers and food producers, the government play the outsider role and should give farmers subsidies to encourage them to grow high-quality green crops, as far as possible to ensure food safety from the source. In the game between producers and regulators, the government, as the game participant, should be asked to improve the supervision efficiency and the control ability to prevent unqualified food products entering the market.
Research of Integrity Constraints in Information Integration
Authors: Wang Chuan Sheng , Guan Quan Long
Published: January 2010

As more and more resources are integrated in enterprises, or between enterprises or industries, the information integration must encounter all kinds of problems which should be solved in production system. The paper discussed integrity constraints in information integration which were found in production system, and proposed solution for the problem.
Fast Global Motion Estimation Algorithm for Microscopic Image Sequences
Authors: Zhu Xiao Tao , Yu Mei , Wang Yi Gang , Jiang Gang Yi
Published: January 2010

In this paper, a fast global motion estimation algorithm is proposed to speed up the processing of microscopic image sequence. A translation model based on non-linear density estimation is adopted by the proposed algorithm. To speed up the process, three-level pyramid is used. Noise detection and feature pixel extraction run simultaneously in each pyramid level. Then the motion parameters is estimated only with the feature pixels. The experimental results show that the computational complexity of the proposed algorithm is reduced much while estimation accuracy is maintained compared with the MPEG-4 algorithm.
Theory-Based Review on Authentic Leadership
Authors: Guan Pei Lan , Zhou Lei Lei
Published: January 2010

Authentic leadership is an emerging theory in recently years. This paper firstly introduces definitions of authentic leadership addressed by domestic and foreign scholars, and discusses related concepts and various dimensions of the structure. Then relevant structure models of authentic leadership are presented, as well as related variables. Limited scales—only two of them can be found in published papers—were developed. We contribute some regard consensus in this concept based on our reviews. In addition, more scales and the relationship between variables and authentic leadership need to be further explored.