bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Nutritional Status in Predicting the Length of Stay in Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Literature
Authors: Gupta Digant , Vashi Pankaj G. , Lammersfeld Carolyn A. , Braun Donald P.
Published: December 2011

Background: Length of stay (LOS) has been used as a surrogate marker for patients’ well-being during hospital treatment. We systematically reviewed all pertinent literature on the role of nutritional status in predicting LOS in cancer. Methods: A systematic search of human studies published in English was conducted using the MEDLINE data base (all articles published as of December 2010). We searched using the terms ‘nutritional status’ and ‘nutritional assessment’ and ‘nutritional screening’ and ‘malnutrition’ in combination with the following terms: length of stay, length of hospital stay, duration of stay, and duration of hospitalization together with ‘cancer’ or ‘oncology’. Results: The MEDLINE search identified a total of 149 articles, of which only 21 met the selection criteria. Of the 21 studies, 10 studies investigated gastrointestinal cancer patients, 4 gynecological cancer, and 7 heterogeneous cancer. Eight studies used subjective global assessment (SGA) or patient-generated SGA (PG-SGA), 9 used serum albumin and/or BMI, and 4 used other methods of nutritional assessment. Conclusions: Validated nutritional tools such as SGA/PG-SGA are better predictors of LOS in gastrointestinal cancers requiring surgery than in nonsurgical gastrointestinal cancer patients. Correcting malnutrition may decrease the LOS and perhaps even lower the rate of hospital readmissions in this population.
Double-Filtration Plasmapheresis plus Interferon-β for HCV-1b Patients with Non-Sustained Virological Response to Previous Combination Therapy
Authors: Kim Soo Ryang , Saito Jun , Imoto Susumu , Komaki Takamitsu , Nagata Yoshiaki , Kim Ke Ih , Sasase Noriko , Kimura Noriyo , Sasatani Kanako , Konishi Erika , Hasegawa Yutaka , Fujinami Aya , Ohta Mitsuhiro , El-Shamy Ahmed , Tanaka Yasuhito , Sugano Masahiko , Sakashita Masanori , Nakamura Akira , Tsuchida Shinobu , Makino Tetsuya , Kawada Tetsumi , Nakajima Takatoshi , Morikawa Teruhisa , Muramatsu Akira , Kasugai Hiroshi , Hotta Hak , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: December 2011

Background and Aims: Double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) together with interferon (IFN) administration produces a substantial reduction in the viral load during the early stages of treatment. Methods: Based on their responses to previous pegylated IFN and ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) therapy, 20 patients were divided into null virological response (NVR; n = 12) and relapse (n = 8) groups. DFPP was used in combination with IFN-β/RBV with subsequent administration of PEG-IFN-α2a/RBV therapy (DFPP + IFN-β/RBV then PEG-IFN/RBV). Early viral dynamics was assessed, focusing especially on complete early virological response (cEVR) associated with sustained virological response. Additionally, the interleukin 28B gene, the IFN/RBV resistance-determining region, the IFN sensitivity-determining region and the core regions were analyzed. Results: Rapid virological response was achieved in 0% (0/12) of NVR and in 75% (6/8) of relapse patients, with a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.001). Similarly, cEVR was achieved in 8% (1/12) of NVR and in 88% (7/8) of relapse patients, with a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.037). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, interleukin-28B major was a significant determiner of cEVR (odds ratio = 24.19, p = 0.037). Conclusion: DFPP + IFN-β/RBV then PEG-IFN/RBV therapy is indicated more for relapse than for NVR patients.
Predictors of HBsAg Seroclearance in HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Patients
Authors: Kwak Min-Sun , Cho Eun-Ju , Jang Eun-Sun , Lee Jeong-Hoon , Yu Su Jong , Kim Yoon Jun , Yoon Jung-Hwan , Lee Hyo-Suk
Published: December 2011

Background and Aims: In chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance reportedly occurs at a rate of 0.50–2.26%. Several factors were suggested to be associated with seroclearance including age and HBeAg negativity. However, there are few studies evaluating whether HBV DNA levels are an independent predictor of HBsAg seroclearance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the annual HBsAg seroclearance rate and its predictors including serum HBV DNA levels in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients. Methods: We included 880 HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients who underwent an evaluation of baseline serum HBV DNA levels. We reviewed the electronic charts for baseline clinical, biochemical, and virological factors. Results: The median age was 50 years, and the follow-up duration was 31 months. The annual rate for the HBsAg seroclearance was 1.8%. In multivariable analysis, the probability of HBsAg seroclearance was positively associated with old age (p = 0.046), with a sustained inactive phase rather than the occurrence of HBeAg-negative hepatitis (p = 0.041), and with an initial HBV DNA level <2,000 IU/ml (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The annual rate for the HBsAg seroclearance in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients was 1.8%. Old age, sustained inactive phase, and low levels of HBV DNA were independent predictors of HBsAg seroclearance.
Interleukin28B and Inosine Triphosphatase Help to Personalize Hepatitis C Treatment
Authors: Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: December 2011

In the therapy using a combination of pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) for chronic hepatitis C (CHC), approximately 50% of CHC patients infected with high viremia of HCV genotype 1 reached sustained viral response. The recent discovery revealed by a genome-wide association study technology provides the unexpected role of IL28B and inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) in HCV infection. The former single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) around the IL28B gene could improve the diagnostics on the prediction of spontaneous clearance and the response to anti-HCV treatment, suggesting that these findings could be strong evidence to enhance the development of a novel therapeutic strategy and the basic study of IFN-λs. Interestingly, the discovered IL28B SNPs revealed the enigma that the viral clearance rate was dependent on ethnicity. The latter functional SNP in ITPA locus was the most significant SNP associated with RBV-induced anemia as well as IFN-induced thrombocytopenia. Note that severe Hb decline, which is mainly found in ITPA-CC patients, was inversely correlated with platelet reduction, contributing to an association between severe anemia and relative reactive increase in platelet count. These data may provide a valuable pharmacogenetic diagnostic tool for tailoring PEG-IFN/RBV dosing to minimize drug-induced adverse events and for further optimization of clinical anti-HCV chemotherapeutics.
The Effect of Iron on Cognitive Development and Function in Infants, Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hermoso Maria , Vucic Vesna , Vollhardt Christiane , Arsic Aleksandra , Roman-Viñas Blanca , Iglesia-Altaba Iris , Gurinovic Mirjana , Koletzko Berthold
Published: December 2011

A systematic review was conducted to summarize the evidence currently available from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the effect of iron intake of infants, children and adolescents on measures of cognitive development and function. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Embase were searched up to and including February 2010. Studies were also identified by checking the bibliographies of the articles retrieved. All RCTs with an adequate control group in which iron supply was provided by natural food sources, fortified foods, formula or supplements to infants, children or adolescents until the age of 18 years were considered for inclusion. No language restrictions were applied. Fourteen studies met the selection criteria. Twelve out of these 14 studies had a high or moderate risk of bias. A large degree of heterogeneity of study populations, iron dosages and outcome measures precluded performing a quantitative meta-analysis. Overall, the studies suggest a modest positive effect of iron supplementation on cognition and psychomotor outcomes in anemic infants and children after supplementation periods of at least 2 months of duration.
Intermediate-Signal-Intensity Late Gadolinium Enhancement Predicts Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Appelbaum Evan , Maron Barry J. , Adabag Selcuk , Hauser Thomas H. , Lesser John R. , Haas Tammy S. , Riley Anne B. , Harrigan Caitlin J. , Delling Francesca N. , Udelson James E. , Gibson C. Michael , Manning Warren J. , Maron Martin S.
Published: December 2011

Background—

In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the arrhythmic potential associated with a variety of left ventricular myocardial signal intensities evident on contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is unresolved.

Methods and Results—

In 145 HCM patients (43±15 years old), visually identified areas of LGE in left ventricle were analyzed quantitatively for intermediate (≥4 but <6 SD) and high (≥6 SD above the mean signal intensity of normal myocardium) LGE signal intensity (LGE-SI). Ambulatory Holter ECGs were obtained within 7.8±8.3 weeks of cardiovascular magnetic resonance. HCM patients with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular couplets, and premature ventricular contractions showed greater amounts of intermediate LGE-SI (17±7 versus 10±10 g, 16±10 versus 10±11 g, and 13±8 versus 10±13 g, respectively;
P
=0.003 to <0.001) and greater amounts of high LGE-SI (15±6 versus 10±8 g, 14±9 versus 10±12 g, and 12±7 versus 10±8 g, respectively;
P
=0.02–0.003) than patients without these arrhythmias. In HCM patients with either nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, couplets, or premature ventricular contractions, the extent of intermediate LGE-SI exceeded that of high LGE-SI (17±7 versus 15±6 g, 16±10 versus 14±9 g, and 13±8 versus 12±7 g, respectively;
P
=0.01–0.04). In addition, the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve established intermediate LGE-SI as a better discriminator of patients with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia than was high LGE-SI, with 7 additional patients with this arrhythmia identified.

Conclusions—

In patients with HCM, intermediate LGE-SI is a better predictor of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (including nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, a risk factor for sudden death) than is high LGE-SI. Longitudinal studies in larger HCM cohorts are justified to define the independent prognostic impact of intermediate LGE-SI.
Influence of the Arterial Input Function on Absolute and Relative Perfusion-Weighted Imaging Penumbral Flow Detection
Authors: Zaro-Weber Olivier , Moeller-Hartmann Walter , Heiss Wolf-Dieter , Sobesky Jan
Published: December 2011

Background and Purpose—

Perfusion-weighted imaging maps are used to identify critical hypoperfusion in acute stroke. However, quantification of perfusion may depend on the choice of the arterial input function (AIF). Using quantitative positron emission tomography we evaluated the influence of the AIF location on maps of absolute and relative perfusion-weighted imaging to detect penumbral flow (PF; <20 mL/100 g/min on positron emission tomography
CBF
) in acute stroke.

Methods—

In 22 patients with acute stroke the AIF was placed at 7 sites (M1, M2, M3 ipsi- and contralateral and internal carotid artery–M1 contralateral to the infarct). Comparative
15
O-water positron emission tomography and AIF-dependent perfusion-weighted imaging (cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, mean transit time, and time to maximum) were performed. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis described the threshold independent performance (area under the curve) of the perfusion-weighted maps for all 7 AIF locations and identified the best AIF-dependent absolute and relative thresholds to identify PF. These results were compared with AIF-independent time-to-peak maps.

Results—

Quantitative perfusion-weighted imaging maps of cerebral blood flow and time to maximum performed best. For PF detection, AIF placement did significantly influence absolute PF thresholds. However, AIF placement did not influence (1) the threshold independent performance; and (2) the relative PF thresholds. AIF placement in the proximal segment of the contralateral middle cerebral artery (cM1) was preferable for quantification.

Conclusions—

AIF-based maps of cerebral blood flow and time to maximum were most accurate to detect the PF threshold. The AIF placement significantly altered absolute PF thresholds and showed best agreement with positron emission tomography for the cM1 segment. The performance of relative PF thresholds, however, was not AIF location-dependent and might be along with AIF-independent time-to-peak maps, more suitable than absolute PF thresholds in acute stroke if detailed postprocessing is not feasible.
Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke
Authors: Rautiainen Susanne , Larsson Susanna , Virtamo Jarmo , Wolk Alicja
Published: December 2011

Background and Purpose—

Consumption of antioxidant-rich foods may reduce the risk of stroke by inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) takes into account all antioxidants and the synergistic effects between them. We examined the association between dietary TAC and stroke incidence in cardiovascular disease (CVD)-free women and in women with CVD history at baseline.

Methods—

The study included women (31 035 CVD-free and 5680 with CVD history at baseline), aged 49 to 83 years, from the Swedish Mammography Cohort. Diet was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary TAC was calculated using oxygen radical absorbance capacity values. Stroke cases were ascertained by linkage with the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry.

Results—

During follow-up (September 1997 to December 2009), we identified 1322 stroke cases (988 cerebral infarctions, 226 hemorrhagic strokes, and 108 unspecified strokes) among CVD-free women and 1007 stroke cases (796 cerebral infarctions, 100 hemorrhagic strokes, and 111 unspecified strokes) among women with a CVD history. The multivariable hazard ratio of total stroke comparing the highest with the lowest quintile of dietary TAC was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.70–0.99;
P
for trend=0.04) in CVD-free women. Among women with a CVD history, the hazard ratios for the highest versus lowest quartile of TAC were 0.90 (95% CI, 0.75–1.07;
P
for trend=0.30) for total stroke and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.32–0.95;
P
for trend=0.03) for hemorrhagic stroke.

Conclusions—

These findings suggest that dietary TAC is inversely associated with total stroke among CVD-free women and hemorrhagic stroke among women with CVD history.
Determining the Modified Rankin Score After Stroke by Postal and Telephone Questionnaires
Authors: Dennis Martin , Mead Gillian , Doubal Fergus , Graham Catriona
Published: December 2011

Background and Purpose—

The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is the most common outcome measure in large randomized controlled trials in stroke. We tested 2 postal mRS questionnaires and a telephone questionnaire to determine completion rates and intermodality agreement.

Methods—

We sent postal questionnaires containing 2 versions of the mRS to surviving stroke patients. One version, tick box, involved the patient/proxy ticking 1 of the 5 descriptions equating to mRS scores; the other, the simplified modified Rankin questionnaire (smRSq), included 5 questions with yes/no responses from which the mRS is derived. We performed a semistructured telephone interview to consenting respondents, blinded to postal responses, to assign an mRS. We compared the mRS obtained by these different methods.

Results—

We sent questionnaires to 343 of 356 surviving patients (96%) and received 225 responses (66%). The mRS could not be derived in 27 respondents (12%) and 10 respondents (4%) on the tick box and smRSq, respectively (difference in proportion, 8% [95% CI, 3–13]. One hundred three of 190 respondents (54%) to the postal questionnaire agreed on the tick box versus smRSq version (κ=0.44 [0.38, 0.50]). Agreements between the tick box versus telephone and smRSq versus telephone were 57% (ie, 87/152, κ=0.47 [0.40, 0.55], and 64% (ie, 104/161, κ=0.55 [0.47, 0.62], respectively.

Conclusions—

In large studies where face-to-face assessment of mRS is impractical, a postal smRSq with telephone follow-up to nonresponders will achieve higher levels of follow-up than will the tick box version and also good levels of intermodality agreement with least risk of bias.
A Tree Under Whom to Seek Shelter: Royal Justice and the Right of Sanctuary in Sinnār
Authors: Spaulding Jay
Published: December 2011

Abstract

The Islamic Nubian kingdom of Sinnār dominated the northern Nile-valley Sudan from about 1500 to 1821. During the eighteenth century the government began to issue official documents in the Arabic language. Of these, about seventy are known to exist today. The present study examines an extended dispute over landholding near the Nile confluence that generated a series of official documents. Specifically, it considers a pair of unusual early nineteenth-century records that document the invocation of the right of sanctuary by the leader of the defeated party.
The Climate Response to Stratospheric Sulfate Injections and Implications for Addressing Climate Emergencies
Authors: McCusker Kelly E. , Battisti David S. , Bitz Cecilia M.
Published: December 2011

Stratospheric sulfate aerosol injection has been proposed to counteract anthropogenic greenhouse gas warming and prevent regional climate emergencies. Global warming is projected to be largest in the polar regions, where consequences to climate change could be emergent, but where the climate response to global warming is also most uncertain. The Community Climate System Model, version 3, is used to evaluate simulations with enhanced CO2 and prescribed stratospheric sulfate to investigate the effects on regional climate. To further explore the sensitivity of these regions to ocean dynamics, a suite of simulations with and without ocean dynamics is run.

The authors find that, when global average warming is roughly canceled by aerosols, temperature changes in the polar regions are still 20%–50% of the changes in a warmed world. Atmospheric circulation anomalies are also not canceled, which affects the regional climate response. It is also found that agreement between simulations with and without ocean dynamics is poorest in the high latitudes. The polar climate is determined by processes that are highly parameterized in climate models. Thus, one should expect that the projected climate response to geoengineering will be at least as uncertain in these regions as it is to increasing greenhouse gases. In the context of climate emergencies, such as melting arctic sea ice and polar ice sheets and a food crisis due to a heated tropics, the authors find that, while it may be possible to avoid tropical climate crises, preventing polar climate emergencies is not certain. A coordinated effort across modeling centers is required to generate a more robust depiction of a geoengineered climate.
Determining Size Distributions and Composition of Particles Suspended in Water: A New SEM–EDS Protocol with Validation and Comparison to Other Methods
Authors: Groundwater Heather , Twardowski Michael S. , Dierssen Heidi M. , Sciandra Antoine , Freeman Scott A.
Published: December 2011

Knowledge of particle size distributions (PSDs) in seawater is important for understanding several facets of marine science, such as the behavior of light scattering in seawater, phytoplankton dynamics, and biogeochemical cycling. Here, a method has been developed to quantify the size distribution of particle suspensions and characterize their chemical composition utilizing a scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and applying image analysis techniques, including automatic thresholding. The method was validated by verifying the PSD and chemical composition of the Arizona Test Dust (ATD), which has a well-documented size distribution and chemical composition. Size distributions of ATD particles containing specific elements important in the marine environment, such as silicon, iron, calcium, aluminum, and potassium, were quantified. PSDs determined with the technique in field samples from coastal Long Island Sound and the remote South Pacific were compared with other sizing methods, including electroresistivity and laser diffractometry. Most accurate results for PSD determinations occurred when the particle mass loading on the filter was between 0.04 and 0.1 mg cm−2. With this in mind, immediate feedback in the field can be provided to prepare appropriate filtration sample volumes due to a linear relationship between the beam attenuation coefficient at 650 nm (c650) and the total suspended matter (TSM). Overall, the method presents two defining advantages in 1) minimizing user bias, because the majority of the analysis is automated, and 2) providing an elemental distribution in the context of a particle size distribution.
Thumb Motor Performance Varies by Movement Orientation, Direction, and Device Size During Single-Handed Mobile Phone Use
Authors: Trudeau Matthieu B. , Udtamadilok Tawan , Karlson Amy K. , Dennerlein Jack T.
Published: December 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if thumb motor performance metrics varied by movement orientation, direction, and device size during single-handed use of a mobile phone device.

Background: With the increased use of mobile phones, understanding how design factors affect and improve performance can provide better design guidelines.

Method: A repeated measures laboratory experiment of 20 right-handed participants measured the thumb tip’s 3-D position relative to a phone during reciprocal tapping tasks across four phone designs and four thumb tip movement orientations. Each movement orientation included two movement directions: an “outward” direction consisting in CMC (carpometacarpal) joint flexion or abduction movements and an “inward” direction consisting in CMC joint extension or adduction movements. Calculated metrics of the thumb’s motor performance were Fitts’ effective width and index of performance.

Results: Index of performance varied significantly across phones, with performance being generally better for the smaller devices. Performance was also significantly higher for adduction–abduction movement orientations compared to flexion–extension, and for “outward” compared to “inward” movement directions.

Conclusion: For single-handed device use, adduction–abduction-type movements on smaller phones lead to better thumb performance.

Application: The results from this study can be used to design new mobile phone devices and keypad interfaces that optimize specific thumb motions to improve the user-interface experience during single-handed use.
Team Knowledge Research
Authors: Wildman Jessica L. , Thayer Amanda L. , Pavlas Davin , Salas Eduardo , Stewart John E. , Howse William R.
Published: December 2011

Objective: This article provides a systematic review of the team knowledge literature and guidance for further research.

Background: Recent research has called attention to the need for the improved study and understanding of team knowledge. Team knowledge refers to the higher level knowledge structures that emerge from the interactions of individual team members.

Method: We conducted a systematic review of the team knowledge literature, focusing on empirical work that involves the measurement of team knowledge constructs. For each study, we extracted author degree area, study design type, study setting, participant type, task type, construct type, elicitation method, aggregation method, measurement timeline, and criterion domain.

Results: Our analyses demonstrate that many of the methodological characteristics of team knowledge research can be linked back to the academic training of the primary author and that there are considerable gaps in our knowledge with regard to the relationships between team knowledge constructs, the mediating mechanisms between team knowledge and performance, and relationships with criteria outside of team performance, among others. We also identify categories of team knowledge not yet examined based on an organizing framework derived from a synthesis of the literature.

Conclusion: There are clear opportunities for expansion in the study of team knowledge; the science of team knowledge would benefit from a more holistic theoretical approach.

Application: Human factors researchers are increasingly involved in the study of teams. This review and the resulting organizing framework provide researchers with a summary of team knowledge research over the past 10 years and directions for improving further research.
Early Heelstrike Kinetics Are Indicative of Slip Potential During Walking Over a Contaminated Surface
Authors: Osis Sean T. , Worobets Jay T. , Stefanyshyn Darren J.
Published: December 2011

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine ground kinetics early in stance while walking on a contaminated surface and assess the potential of kinetics to quantify risk of slipping.

Background: Prior studies of slipping have dismissed early ground kinetic data, and therefore no prior literature has been able to assess the viability of using these data to quantify slip potential.

Method: A total of 11 healthy male participants volunteered to walk over a force plate that was at random times contaminated with soap. Ground kinetics were measured by the force plate (2400 Hz), and heel displacement was quantified using high-speed video cameras (240 Hz) and retro-reflective markers.

Results: The results indicated a significant reduction in shear force as early as 0.42 ms after heelstrike for contaminated trials, whereas for utilized coefficient of friction, a significant reduction was not seen until 11.34 ms. Heel displacements considered “safe” in the literature (< 30 mm) demonstrated proportionally different thresholds for shear force and utilized coefficient of friction.

Conclusion: The authors suggest that shear force in early stance shows more promise in quantifying slip potential as compared to utilized coefficient of friction given that (a) significant differences are seen earlier in shear than utilized coefficient of friction and (b) the threshold for utilized coefficient of friction, over which heel displacement stabilized to a “safe” value, exceeded values for utilized coefficient of friction that have been recommended as “safe.”

Application: These results have wide implications for standards related to the design and testing of interventions to prevent injuries because of slipping.
Canadian and EU social work students in a cross-cultural program: What they learned from the experience
Authors: Kreitzer Linda , Barlow Constance , Schwartz Karen , Lacroix Marie , Macdonald Laurie
Published: December 2011

A four-year student exchange project took place between Canadian and EU universities that engaged in a reciprocal agreement between social work students, social service agencies and universities. Sixty-four students completed their practicum through this program. The article gives an account of the students’ learning experiences and their evaluation of this program. It concludes with a discussion of their learning experiences in cross-cultural exchanges and future recommendations for enhancing international social work field exchanges.
Private Speech Use in Arithmetical Calculation
Authors: Ostad Snorre A.
Published: December 2011

The majority of recent studies conclude that children’s private speech development (private speech internalization) is related to and important for mathematical development and disabilities. It is far from clear, however, whether private speech internalization itself plays any causal role in the development of mathematical competence. The main concerns of the present study were whether phonological awareness skills relate to private speech internalization, and whether the answer to this question changes with children’s age and mathematical achievement levels. Comparisons were made between 67 children diagnosed with math difficulties and 67 children without math difficulties from Grade 2 to Grade 7 in primary schools. Two separate laboratory investigations were performed to explore children’s developmental levels of private speech and phonological awareness, respectively. Analysis was based on private speech differences, phonological awareness differences, and differences in occurrence of private-speech/phonological-awareness category combinations. Children without math difficulties showed a grade-determined shift from less to more internalized private speech and from lower to higher levels of phonological awareness. In contrast, the development of children with math difficulties seemed almost to stop at the inaudible private speech/low level of phonological awareness combinations. Silence/high phonological level was the primary alternative for typical math achievers. Results are discussed in terms of directions for future research.
On the Prosodic Expression of Pragmatic Prominence: The Case of Pitch Register Lowering in Akan
Authors: Kügler Frank , Genzel Susanne
Published: December 2011

This article presents data from three production experiments investigating the prosodic means of encoding information structure in Akan, a tone language that belongs to the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo family, spoken in Ghana. Information structure was elicited via context questions that put target words either in wide, informational, or corrective focus, or in one of the experiments also in pre-focal or post-focal position rendering it as given. The prosodic parameters F0 and duration were measured on the target words. Duration is not consistently affected by information structure, but contrary to the prediction that High (H) and Low (L) tones are raised in ex situ (fronted) focus constructions we found a significantly lower realization of both H and L tones under corrective focus in ex situ and in situ focus constructions. Givenness does not seem to be marked prosodically. The data suggest that pragmatic prominence is expressed prosodically by means of a deviation from an unmarked prosodic structure. Results are thus contradicting the view of the effort code that predicts a positive correlation of more effort resulting in higher F0 targets.
Automatic detection system for printed fabric defects
Authors: Kuo Chung-Feng Jeffrey , Hsu Chien-Tung Max , Chen Wen-Hua , Chiu Chin-Hsun
Published: December 2011

Printed fabrics are high value-added artifacts with rich colors and various patterns. Flawed products occur owing to uncertainties during the manufacturing process. Such defects waste not only raw materials and machine operating time, but also large amounts of labor to inspect, sift and sort. Hence, if the detection process for printed fabric defects could be automated, the product quality of printed fabrics could be increased, and industry efficiency could also be improved by reducing the requirement for manpower. So this study aims to develop such a defect detecting system to investigate printed fabrics with repeated patterns, locate flaw sites by the minimum repeated zone of repeated patterns, and finally find out the most common flaw type. The novelty of this technique is the introduction of an image processing technology known as the RGB accumulative average method (RGBAAM) to test and locate flawed zones, then use fuzzy logic to discern the flaw types. The RGBAAM has the merits of compactness and high execution speed, and it is an efficient algorithm for pattern recognition. The subject fabrics are printed fabrics with repeated patterns, and to interpret this kind of image, pure numeric calculations are faster than the widely used genetic algorithm. Experimental results show that this system can analyze and recognize 96.8% of defect types in printed fabrics, and therefore brings substantial benefits to control the product quality and improve current flaw detecting process in the printed fabric industry.
An instrument for assessing fabric prickle propensity
Authors: Ramsay Donald J , Fox David B , Naylor Geoffrey RS
Published: December 2011

A technique has been developed for measuring the mechanical stiffness of fibers protruding from the surface of a fabric. Surface fiber stiffness is a key indicator of the propensity for a fabric to evoke a prickle sensation when a garment is worn against the skin. Using this approach, an area of a knitted fabric is assessed quickly in a single pass. A prototype device has been constructed and tested on knitted acrylic fabric samples with known fiber content and that have been ranked for prickle in forearm tests. The device produces results indicative of the coarse fiber content and that correlate well with the forearm assessment of these fabrics. Knitted wool fabrics spanning a range of average fiber diameter distributions have also been tested with this device.
A new test and apparatus for characterizing the time-dependent recovery of polymeric fibers and yarns from bending
Authors: Marchesi Maria Chiara , Vangosa Francesco Briatico , Pavan Andrea
Published: December 2011

A new test and the relevant apparatus for characterizing the mechanical response of fibers or yarns to bending forces and more specifically their capability to recover their original conformation after bending are presented. The inherent viscoelastic behaviour of single fibers and yarns, and its time-dependence, is considered. The most important novelty with respect to previous techniques is the possibility of monitoring and recording the evolution of the deformation displayed by a fiber or a yarn after bending, thus providing information about its kinetics. Other important features of the apparatus are the fully automated system of mechanical operation and data acquisition, the control of environmental conditions (i.e. temperature and humidity) and a multispecimen facility to observe and account for the inherent variability of samples. Some examples of preliminary results are reported.
Employee Justice Across Cultures
Authors: Shao Ruodan , Rupp Deborah E. , Skarlicki Daniel P. , Jones Kisha S.
Published: December 2011

This article explores the moderating influence of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions (individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and power distance) on the relationship between justice perceptions and both supervisor- and employer-related outcomes. The integration of justice theories with Hofstede’s national culture typology implies multiple, and potentially competing, propositions regarding the impact of culture on justice effects. To sort out these issues, the authors present meta-analytic findings summarizing data from 495 unique samples, representing over 190,000 employees working in 32 distinct countries and regions. Results indicate that justice effects are strongest among nations associated with individualism, femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and low power distance. The authors discuss these findings in terms of the practice of justice across cultures.
Managing Emotional Manhood
Authors: Vaccaro Christian A. , Schrock Douglas P. , McCabe Janice M.
Published: December 2011

Based on two years of fieldwork and over 100 interviews, we analyze mixed martial arts fighters’ fears, how they managed them, and how they adopted intimidating personas to evoke fear in opponents. We conceptualize this process as “managing emotional manhood,” which refers to emotion management that signifies, in the dramaturgical sense, masculine selves. Our study aims to deepen our understanding of how men’s emotion work is gendered and, more generally, to bring together two lines of research: studies of gendered emotion management and studies of emotional identity work. We further propose that managing emotional manhood is a dynamic and trans-situational process that can be explored in diverse settings.
Job Burnout and Couple Burnout in Dual-earner Couples in the Sandwiched Generation
Authors: Pines Ayala Malach , Neal Margaret B. , Hammer Leslie B. , Icekson Tamar
Published: December 2011

We use existential theory as a framework to explore the levels of and relationship between job and couple burnout reported by dual-earner couples in the “sandwich generation” (i.e., couples caring both for children and aging parents) in a sample of such couples in Israel and the United States. This comparison enables an examination of the influence of culture (which is rarely addressed in burnout research) and gender (a topic fraught with conflicting results) on both job and couple burnout in this growing yet understudied group of workers who are reaching middle age and starting to face existential issues as part of their own life cycle. Results revealed significant differences in burnout type (job burnout higher than couple burnout); gender (wives more burned out than husbands); and country (Americans more burned out than Israelis). Job related stressors and rewards as well as parent care stressors predicted job burnout, and marital stressors and rewards predicted couple burnout. In addition, there was evidence for both crossover and spillover.
Procedural quality only? Taiwanese democracy reconsidered
Authors: Chang Yu-tzung , Chu Yun-han , Huang Min-hua
Published: December 2011

Over the last decade, a growing number of students of democracy have sought to develop means of framing and assessing the quality of democracy and identifying ways to improve the quality of democratic governance. In this article, we review the recent efforts to conceptualize and measure quality of democracy by way of introducing a comprehensive method for measuring some essential properties of liberal democracy. Next, we present an empirical assessment of the quality of democracy in Taiwan based on the sub-dimensions formulated by Morlino – specifically, rule of law, accountability, participation, competition, freedom, equality, and responsiveness. We find that in the areas of accountability, participation, and freedom, Taiwan has made considerable progress. However, Taiwan’s young democracy still has room for improvement in the areas of the rule of law, equality, and responsiveness.
Thailand: minimally stable, minimally democratic
Authors: Ferrara Federico
Published: December 2011

This article, forming part of this volume’s effort to map the qualities of democracy in Asia, describes Thailand (as of mid-2011) as a formal democracy devoid of each of the ‘qualities’ that promote democracy’s full realization. Aside from offering an overall descriptive assessment, the article seeks to explain the relationship between the various qualities of democracy observed in Thailand over the past decade. While Thaksin Shinawatra’s tenure in office (2001–2006) offers a compelling illustration for the proposition that ‘not all good things go together,’ virtually every dimension of the ‘goodness’ or ‘quality’ of Thailand’s democracy has experienced a generalized decline since Thaksin’s ousting in 2006.
Soldiers, chiefs and church: unstable democracy in Fiji
Authors: McCarthy Stephen
Published: December 2011

The qualities of democracy in Fiji are strongly influenced by ethnic divisions and indigenous sources of power and legitimacy in society. Periods of constitutional democracy interrupted by successive coups garnering conflicting support suggest that a more stable Fijian democracy requires a delicate balance of tribal, religious, ethnic and military interests. Successful democratic and governance reform requires the inclusive deliberation of all major groups in civil and political society, and not merely one that purports to represent all. Only by improving the qualities of democracy in Fiji will Fijian politics emerge from its cycle of coups and offer a more stable form of government.
Electrocochleography in Round Window Vibrant Soundbridge Implantation
Authors: Colletti Vittorio , Mandalà Marco , Colletti Liliana
Published: December 2011

Objective

To determine the role of intraoperative electrocochleography to optimize the fitting of the floating mass transducer of the Vibrant Soundbridge on the round window membrane in patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary referral center, Otolaryngology Department, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.

Subjects and Methods

Twenty‐six adult patients suffering from chronic otitis media with moderate to severe conductive and mixed hearing loss, all with previous unsuccessful functional surgery, underwent round window vibroplasty. Thirteen subjects had intraoperative compound cochlear action potentials measured to assess vibroplasty coupling during and after surgery. In these patients, surgery was modified according to electrocochleographic feedback. The other 13 had vibroplasty without electrocochleography monitoring.

Results

The average preoperative air conduction and bone conduction thresholds (0.5‐4 kHz) were not statistically significantly different between the 2 cohorts (P >. 05). Compound action potential recordings indicated specific surgical modalities to optimize coupling of the floating mass transducer with the round window membrane. The average postoperative Vibrant Soundbridge–aided air conduction threshold improvements (0.5‐4 kHz) were 54.6 ± 8.9 and 41.7 ± 11.1 dB HL, respectively, in the monitored and unmonitored cohorts (P =. 0032).

Conclusion

Improved round window vibroplasty outcomes are observed when the surgeon is promptly informed of the compound action potential changes induced by the floating mass transducer round window membrane vibroplasty and alters surgery accordingly. The key point for optimal coupling is a floating mass transducer in full contact with the round window membrane, free to vibrate without any contact with the surrounding bony structures and mobile footplate.
Colonial Law in Early British Malabar
Authors: Abraham Santhosh
Published: December 2011

This article examines the development of colonial law in Malabar between 1792 and 1810. Within the historical context of emerging colonialism as a pivotal factor, it shows that there was no simple unilinear process in the making of colonial law in this region of India, but rather a series of continuities and discontinuities of practices. A clear shift in the logic of governance is identified, however, as new technologies of power, particularly writing and documentation, resulted in several formalities of practices in the making of the colonial state and legal system in India.
Conflicting Codes and Codings
Authors: Lenglet Marc
Published: December 2011

Contemporary financial markets have recently witnessed a sea change with the ‘algorithmic revolution’, as trading automats are used to ease the execution sequences and reduce market impact. Being constantly monitored, they take an active part in the shaping of markets, and sometimes generate crises when ‘they mess up’ or when they entail situations where traders cannot go backwards. Algorithms are software codes coding practices in an IT significant ‘textual’ device, designed to replicate trading patterns. To be accepted, however, they need to comply with regulatory texts, which are nothing else but codes of conduct coding accepted practices in the markets. In this article, I draw on ethnographic fieldwork in order to open these black boxes, while trying to describe their existence as devices encapsulating several points of views. I address the question of a possible misalignment between those visions, and more specifically try to draw the consequences raised by such discrepancies as regards the future of financial regulation.
Exploring contemporary entrepreneurial philanthropy
Authors: Shaw Eleanor , Gordon Jillian , Harvey Charles , Maclean Mairi
Published: December 2011

Research beyond the field of entrepreneurship has long observed the involvement of super-wealthy entrepreneurs in large-scale philanthropic endeavours, while the world’s media has endowed them with celebrity-like status. However, entrepreneurial philanthropy is largely absent from the entrepreneurship research literature. This article addresses this gap both theoretically and empirically. It proposes capital theory as an appropriate theoretical lens through which to view contemporary entrepreneurial philanthropy, and to present fresh evidence relating to successful, wealthy entrepreneurs involved in significant philanthropic ventures. The findings highlight the active deployment of a distinctive blend of different forms of capital as a defining feature of entrepreneurial philanthropy, and contribute to emerging discourses regarding the nature of entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship as a socio-economic process and the sparse empirical analyses on entrepreneurial elites.
Disease-specific training in Parkinson’s disease for care assistants: a comparison of interactive and self-study methods
Authors: Axelrod Lesley , Bryan Karen , Gage Heather , Kaye Julie , Ting Sharlene , Williams Peter , Trend Patrick , Wade Derick
Published: December 2011

Objective: To compare two approaches to providing training to care assistants in Parkinson’s disease.

Design: Pragmatic parallel arm controlled trial.

Setting: Training either by an interactive training day at a local medical education establishment or self study.

Subjects: Care assistants recruited from local health and social care providers.

Interventions: The content of both interventions was similar, covering causes, symptoms, diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, multidisciplinary management, mobility, communication, swallowing, and involving 5 hours of study time.

Main measures: Knowledge about Parkinson’s (assessed by true/false quizzes and identifying ‘four facts’ about Parkinson’s) immediately post training and six weeks later; views on training methods of care assistants and employers/managers.

Results: Thirty-seven employers nominated 100 care staff who were allocated to interactive training (49) and self study (51). Training completion rates (retained to six-week follow-up) were lower for self study (42.1% vs. 83.7% training day). There were no significant differences between groups on quiz or ‘four facts’ scores at baseline or six-week follow-up. Immediately post training, the self-study group (with access to written materials) had significantly higher quiz scores than the training day group (no access to materials at test). Within-group comparisons showed improvements post training. Although interactive training may be preferred, obtaining release from duties can be problematic.

Conclusions: Both approaches have similar effects on knowledge of care assistants without prior specific training. Providing a variety of approaches will cater for all preferences. The findings may be generalizable to training the care workforce for other specific roles.
Vietnamese Weddings
Authors: Nguyen Thuc-Doan T. , Belk Russell
Published: December 2011

This article examines the historical role of marriage and wedding rituals in Vietnam, and how they have changed during Vietnam’s transition to the market. The authors focus on how changes reflect the society’s increasing dependence on the market, how this dependence impacts consumer well-being, and the resulting implications for public policy. Changes in the meanings, function, and structure of wedding ritual consumption are examined. These changes echo shifts in the national economy, social values, social relations, and gender roles in Vietnamese society during the transition. The major findings show that Vietnamese weddings are reflections of (1) the roles of wedding rituals as both antecedents and outcomes of social changes, (2) the nation’s perception and imagination of its condition relative to “modernity,” and (3) the role of China as a threatening “other” seen as impeding Vietnam’s progress toward “modernization.”