bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les réseaux de neurones artificiels: un apport potentiel aux études marketing
Authors: Boné Romuald , de Beauville Jean-Pierre Asselin , Zollinger Monique
Published: March 2013

L'objet du présent article est de proposer une introduction à la connaissance des Réseaux de Neurones Artificiels (RNA), fondements de méthodes qui, après les sciences exactes, intéressent aujourd'hui les sciences humaines. Une vision à la fois panoramique et historique de l'intérêt qu'ils ont suscité et des concepts de base permet d'introduire une présentation de leur mode de fonctionnement et de leurs avantages. Au-delà, cet article révèle les points-clés de la mise en œuvre des RNA, propose une application commentée sur un cas pratique et dresse un panorama de l'utilisation des RNA en marketing.
Les effets des annonces préalables de nouveaux produits sur le marché: état des connaissances et propositions théoriques
Authors: Manceau Delphine
Published: March 2013

Certaines entreprises annoncent à l'avance le lancement de leurs nouveaux produits. Par une analyse des recherches antérieures, cet article étudie les conséquences d'une telle pratique sur l'accueil réservé au produit préannoncé et sur les ventes des produits déjà présents sur le marché. Il identifie également les caractéristiques des annonces préalables susceptibles d'influencer leurs effets.
Standardisation ou adaptation des échelles de mesure à travers différents contextes nationaux: L'exemple d'une échelle de mesure de l'innovativité
Authors: Nyeck Simon , Paradis Sylvie , Xuereb Jean-Marc , Chebat Jean-Charles
Published: March 2013

Cet article évalue l'adaptabilité inter-pays d'une échelle de mesure de l'innovativité des consommateurs pouvant s'appliquer à divers domaines spécifiques de la consommation (Goldsmith et Hofacker, 1991). Cette échelle a été développée, testée et validée aux Etats-Unis uniquement. L'adaptabilité de l'instrument à d'autres contextes est évaluée dans le domaine spécifique du cinéma, à travers l'étude de ses propriétés psychométriques dans trois pays (Canada, France et Israël). Les implications théoriques, méthodologiques et managériales de cette évaluation sont discutées.
Heuristiques et biais décisionnels en marketing
Authors: Pham Michel Tuan
Published: March 2013

La théorie économique classique offre une perspective principalement normative de la prise de décision. La psychologie cognitive et sociale en offre une perspective essentiellement descriptive. Cet article présente une synthèse structurée d'un troisième courant de recherches, situé au croisement des deux courants précédents, et connu sous le nom de ‘ Théorie du comportement décisionnel ’. ( Behavioral Decision Theory). Ces recherches montrent que les preneurs de décisions s'écartent souvent des normes prescrites par la théorie économique. Cet article en explique les raisons et explore ce que ces recherches impliquent pour la prise de décision en marketing.
Le bilan de campagne publicitaire, outil d'aide à la décision
Authors: Caumont Daniel
Published: March 2013

L'utilité du contrôle publicitaire n'est pas toujours bien perçue par les différents responsables d'une campagne. En s'appuyant sur un exemple réel, l'auteur montre que, si l'on respecte quelques règies simples d'ordre intellectuel et méthodologique, il est possible de dépasser le stade du simple constat pour faire du bilan de campagne un véritable outil de décision permettant d'alimenter les choix stratégiques à opérer pour la future campagne.
L'acheteur professionnel de la distribution face aux produits nouveaux: pour une nouvelle approche
Authors: Amine Abdelmajid , Fady André , Pontier Suzanne
Published: March 2013

Cet article présente les fondements et les limites de l'approche traditionnelle utilisée jusqu'à maintenant par les chercheurs pour étudier la procédure de référencement des produits nouveaux par les acheteurs professionnels du commerce de détail. Il propose un nouveau cadre d'analyse du processus de sélection des produits, qui s'inspire des apports théoriques en comportement d'achat industriel et souligne l'importance de la prise en compte de la relation fournisseur-distributeur pour mieux comprendre le phénomène du référencement en grande distribution.
Implication et méthodes d'identification de critères de choix d'un produit
Authors: Vernette Eric , Giannelloni Jean-Luc
Published: March 2013

On compare les critères de choix identifiés par quatre méthodes pour deux catégories de produit, l'un globalement impliquant, l'autre non. Le nombre de critères identifié par les méthodes est plus faible quand l'implication est faible. Par ailleurs, la convergence entre les méthodes est meilleure pour le produit faiblement impliquant. En revanche, une seconde expérimentation, identique mais menée sur la base des scores individuels d'implication, ne permet pas de reproduire les résultats précédents.
Allocation de l'effort de visite: une approche à base de connaissance issue des méthodes de portefeuille et d'optimisation
Authors: Ait-Ouyahia Hamid
Published: March 2013

On dispose de deux grandes familles d'outils pour aider les organisations de vente à résoudre le problème de l'allocation de l'effort de visite: Les méthodes dites de «portefeuille» et les modèles d'optimisation.

Cet article présente une approche qui combine ces deux techniques dans un système à base de connaissance. La méthodologie utilisée devrait permettre de rassembler et de mettre à jour les connaissances publiées dans le domaine de l'allocation de l'effort de vente. De plus, grâce à l'acquisition, auprès du planificateur, de connaissances spécifiques au contexte de vente, le système peut formaliser un modèle d'optimisation linéaire par morceaux. Ce système peut être utilisé au niveau d'un gestionnaire ou d'un vendeur. Il permet de recommander des politiques de visite et, si l'on dispose de fonctions de réponse (en terme de ventes) élémentaires, de fournir des niveaux optimaux de visite par segment.
Lecture systémique du marketing: finalités et voies de recherche appropriées
Authors: Gabriel Patrick
Published: March 2013

En quoi l'évolution sociétale est-elle influencée par, et participe-t-elle d'une évolution du marketing ? Plusieurs réponses possibles, dont la direction dépend de l'appréhension même de cette évolution par l'observateur. Il est dans ce document proposé une lecture spécifique des événements, d'inspiration constructiviste, à la fois capable de saisir l'environnement dans sa complexité, et de redonner sens au marketing. Dans ce cadre, le programme de recherche connexionniste et les approches interprétatives semblent avoir une place prépondérante comme instruments d'intelligibilité de l'environnement.
Validation d'un modèle d'évaluation de la publicité pour système-expert
Authors: Neibecker Bruno
Published: March 2013

La validité d'un système-expert devrait en conditionner l'acceptation. Nous vérifierons dans cet article la validité du système-expert ESWA, destiné à l'évaluation de la publicité, en nous appuyant sur des résultats «objectifs» d'études de marché. Le «modèle simultané d'évaluation de l'impact de la publicité» (ESWA), récemment développé, sera dans le même temps soumis à un test empirique. A l'aide d'une simulation de type Monte Carlo, nous déterminerons enfin un seuil d'interprétation des résultats de validation d'un modèle d'impact de la publicité qui se fonde sur les sciences du comportement. 37 000 données d'utilisateurs et faits déduits de l'ESWA ainsi que 11 000 personnes — interrogées dans le cadre d'une étude de marché — seront prises en compte par cette analyse.
La qualité de service : Une comparaison de l'évaluation des écarts avec les performances appliquée à la zone d'achat
Authors: Perron Frédérique
Published: March 2013

L'objet de cette recherche est de vérifier si, comme l'affirment Cronin et Taylor (1992), mesurer la qualité de service par un score de différence n'ajoute rien à la prédiction empirique de ses composantes. Une première partie présente les deux principales approches de la qualité de service : l'approche par l'évaluation des écarts et l'approche analytique des performances de l'entreprise. Une seconde partie compare, sur les critères de fiabilité et de validité, deux versions adaptées des échelles de Parasuraman, Zeithaml et Berry (1988) et de Cronin et Taylor (1992). Les résultats obtenus confirment que SERVQUAL et SERVPERF évaluent bien le même construit mais ce dernier est appréhendé de façon différente. SERVQUAL est un bon outil de mesure permettant d'obtenir, à un instant donné, le niveau de qualité de service perçue d'un acheteur. Alors que SERVPERF est une formule expliquant comment ce niveau d'attitude a été atteint.
Le marketing interne : Un état de l'art
Authors: Seignour Amélie
Published: March 2013

Objet de nombreuses publications, le marketing interne reste toutefois hétérodoxe dans la littérature en marketing : la terminologie est polysémique; les définitions hétérogènes; quant à son projet, importer les fondements du marketing “externe” dans l'espace intra-organisationnel, il est appréhendé de manières divergentes par les auteurs. La finalité de cet article est donc de présenter une revue de la littérature du marketing interne au travers de l'analyse de sa genèse, de ses fondements et de ses présupposés. En conclusion, quelques pistes de réflexion sur ce que traduit et implique la transposition de la systémique marketing au cœur des organisations seront proposées.
Des mesures d'audience radiophonique au média-planning radio
Authors: Brignier Jean-Marie , Haering Hélène
Published: March 2013

Cet article étudie les modes d'évaluation des performances de plans radio réalisées par deux modèles de média-planning français. La première partie, consacrée à l'examen du dispositif de mesure d'audience radiophonique, conclut à la trop faible périodicité du panel radio, ce qui nuit à la qualité du média-planning. La seconde partie expose les choix méthodologiques retenus dans ces modèles, puis propose une comparaison des évaluations de performances de plusieurs plans.
Lois bêtabinomiales et distributions des contacts
Authors: Stehlé Jean-Luc
Published: March 2013

Les lois bêtabinomiales sont largement utilisées et ont fait leurs preuves depuis de nombreuses années dans les modèles de médiaplanning. L'objet de cet article est d'en faire une présentation “ intuitive ”, et principalement d'introduire la représentation ( p, τ) (audience-dispersion) qui est plus explicite que la classique représentation par les coefficients ( a, b).

Après avoir introduit les betabinomiales par le paradigme des urnes, on en rappelle certaines propriétés classiques en montrant comment elles se formalisent dans la représentation ( p, τ) et on présente plusieurs applications en médiaplanning. On montrera comment l'utilisation de bêtabinomiales peut accélérer l'évaluation des performances d'un plan média, notamment dans les algorithmes d'optimisation. On utilisera le support des bêtabinomiales pour redresser en GRP la distribution des contacts d'un plan média et on présentera le principe de l'utilisation des bêtabinomiales dans la probabilisation des données d'audience tel qu'il est mis en œuvre dans la méthode de probabilisation radio adoptee en 1998 par l'ensemble du marché publicitaire français.
Analyse associative de texte : Une méthode pour anticiper l'effet communicatif de la publicité
Authors: Wettler Manfred , Weber Anke , Böhnisch Michael , Rapp Reinhard , Marten Udo
Published: March 2013

L'analyse associative de texte est une méthode qui permet de calculer de manière automatique l'effet communicatif d'écrans publicitaires. La méthode est basée sur l'hypothèse que des termes perçus simultanément seront associés les uns avec les autres. Il est ainsi possible d'estimer les associations effectuées par un individu en utilisant les occurrences communes de mots dans des grands recueils de texte lisible par ordinateur. En utilisant trois écrans publicitaires de bière, nous montrerons que la méthode fournit des résultats significatifs en ce qui concerne l'analyse des écrans publicitaires. Une comparaison avec une collecte des associations liées au produit bière, effectuée lors d'une analyse de marché, montre également que les associations calculées de manière automatique correspondent de manière satisfaisante à celles obtenues des sujets interrogés. Contrairement aux enquêtes traditionnelles, la méthode présente l'avantage de pouvoir être effectuée en peu de temps et en entraînant des coûts faibles.
Association réseaux de neurones et plan d'expérience par ensemble de choix : Vers la prédiction d'un comportement complexe de choix
Authors: Gabriel Patrick
Published: March 2013

La méthode sélectionnée et les résultats obtenus dans la prévision du comportement de choix dépendent fondamentalement de l'approche conceptuelle choisie par le modélisateur : analytique ou systémique. À l'aide d'un plan factoriel par ensemble de choix et d'un modèle connexionniste, il est proposé une méthode de recueil et de traitement des données qui permet de traiter du choix au sein de son contexte, dans le cadre d'une approche systémique.
Le concept d'externalité de réseau et ses apports au marketing
Authors: Le Nagard-Assayag Emmanuelle
Published: March 2013

L'externalité de réseau signifie que l'utilité d'un produit est liée positivement au nombre de consommateurs possédant le même produit. Cette notion déborde aujourd'hui le cadre des industries de la communication. Cet article fait le point sur le concept, présente les différentes modélisations et mesures empiriques, puis analyse les conséquences de l'existence des externalités de réseau, et donc l'intérêt de leur étude en marketing.
Représentation des distances perceptuelles des consommateurs : évaluation des modèles de représentation par des indicateurs de diagnostic
Authors: Ghose Sanjoy
Published: March 2013

Pour comprendre les perceptions par le consommateur des structures de produit/marché, les praticiens du marketing doivent choisir parmi un grand éventail de modèles spatiaux et arborescents. Etant donné que ces modèles de représentations font des hypothèses différentes sur la nature de la distribution des distances, des indicateurs de diagnostic (comme le coefficient d'asymétrie) calculés à partir des données devraient permettre d'indiquer quel type de représentation (spatiale ou arborescente) est la mieux adaptée à un jeu de données particulier. Dans cet article, l'auteur s'appuie sur la littérature relative aux caractéristiques des indicateurs de diagnostic et des modèles de représentation pour développer plusieurs hypothèses partielles relatives à la capacité de ces indicateurs à prévoir l'adéquation des modèles de représentations aux données à analyser (en termes d'ajustement statistique). Une analyse empirique montre que le coefficient d'asymétrie est clairement le meilleur indicateur de cette adéquation; résultat vérifié sur une variété de modèles spatiaux et arborescents comparables. Les indicateurs de centralité et de réciprocité, en conjonction avec le coefficient d'asymétrie, sont utiles pour prévoir l'adéquation aux données de modèles spatiaux ou arborescents bien spécifiques. L'auteur utilise la méthode de prévision “ U ” (proche du Jackknife), conjointement avec l'analyse discriminante, pour montrer comment les indicateurs de diagnostic peuvent prévoir le degré d'adéquation des modèles spatiaux ou arborescents, ceci avec une précision nettement supérieure à ce qui serait obtenu par le simple hasard.
Opsoclonus Associated With Salmonellosis in a 6-Week-Old Infant
Authors: Ahn Annie Kyunga , Bradley Kathryn , Piña-Garza Jesus Eric
Published: March 2013

A 6-week-old male infant presented with 2 days of fever, emesis, and diarrhea, associated with episodic and chaotic rapid eye movements, determined to be opsoclonus. An electroencephalogram (EEG) obtained during the events was normal. He was treated empirically for meningitis, and an initial workup for neuroblastoma including urine homovanillic acid and vanillylmandelic acid levels, abdominal ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis was negative. Stool and blood cultures were positive for Salmonella, and antibiotic regimen was adjusted appropriately. Over the next few days, his fever, emesis, and diarrhea subsided, and the opsoclonus resolved by hospital day 6. He was back to baseline by hospital day 9. Although there have been cases of parainfectious opsoclonus associated with Lyme disease, enterovirus, Streptococcus, and West Nile virus, this represents the first reported pediatric case of opsoclonus associated with salmonellosis. Only 2 such cases in adults have been reported in the literature.
Unilateral Foot Drop as an Initial Presentation of a Brain Tumor in a Child
Authors: Goia Edit , Hamilton Leslie , Chan Jennifer , Wei Xing-Chang , Mah Jean K. , Rho Jong M.
Published: March 2013

Foot drop is commonly caused by compromise of the peripheral nervous system. Unilateral foot drop as the first sign of a parasagittal brain tumor has been reported in the adult literature but never previously in the pediatric population. We report a child with a right parietal rhabdomyosarcoma in which foot drop was the only abnormal neurologic finding at initial presentation. Localization to the central nervous system should be included in children presenting with foot drop.
Does Self-Rated Health Predict Dementia?
Authors: John Philip , Montgomery Patrick
Published: March 2013

Objectives:

1. To determine if Self-Rated Health (SRH) predicts dementia over a five period in cognitively intact older adults, and in older adults with Cognitive Impairment, No Dementia (CIND); and 2. To determine if different methods of eliciting SRH (age-referenced (AR) versus unreferenced) yield similar results.

Design:

Prospective cohort.

Population:

1468 cognitively intact adults and 94 older adults with CIND aged 65+ living in the community, followed over five years.

Measures:

Age, gender, education, subjective memory loss, depressive symptoms, functional status, cognition, SRH and AR-SRH were all measured; dementia was diagnosed on clinical examination. Those with abnormal cognition not meeting criteria for dementia were diagnosed with CIND.

Results:

In those who were cognitively intact at time 1, and had good SRH: 69.4% were intact; 6.0% had CIND; 6.9% had dementia, and 17.7% had died at time 2, while in those with poor SRH: 44.9% were intact, 11.1% had CIND, 9.1% had dementia, and 34.8% had died (p<0.001, chi-square test). In multinomial regression models SRH predicted dementia and death. In those with CIND at time 1 and good SRH: 2.3% were intact: 18.6% had CIND; 34.9% had dementia and 44.2% had died at time 2, while in those with poor SRH: 4.8% were intact, 31.0% had CIND, 19.0% had dementia, and 43.6% had died (p=0.30, chi-square test). In multinomial regression models, this was not significant. AR-SRH analyses were similar.

Conclusions:

In cognitively intact older adults SRH predicts dementia. In older adults with CIND, SRH does not predict dementia.
When Anger Leads to Rumination
Authors: Kelley Nicholas J. , Hortensius Ruud , Harmon-Jones Eddie
Published: March 2013

Anger is associated with various responses. Research on the neuroscience of anger has revealed that greater left than right frontal cortical activity is associated with angry approach-oriented responses, such as aggression, whereas greater right than left frontal cortical activity is associated with inhibited angry responses mixed with anxiety. In the current research, we extended these past studies by manipulating asymmetric frontal cortical activity using transcranial direct current stimulation and assessing its influence on ruminative responses to an interpersonal insult. Results revealed that self-reported rumination was greatest for participants who received a manipulated increase in relative right frontal cortical activity compared with those who received either a manipulated increase in relative left frontal cortical activity or sham stimulation. Taken together with past findings, the current results suggest that anger associated with greater relative left frontal cortical activity predicts approach-oriented aggressive action, whereas anger associated with greater relative right frontal cortical activity predicts inhibited rumination.
Nurse Activism in the newborn intensive care unit
Authors: Settle Peggy Doyle
Published: March 2013

Nurses working in a newborn intensive care unit report that treatment decision disagreements for infants in their care may lead to ethical dilemmas involving all health-care providers. Applying Rest’s Four-Component Model of Moral Action as the theoretical framework, this study examined the responses of 224 newborn intensive care unit nurses to the Nurses Ethical Involvement Survey. The three most frequent actions selected were as follows: talking with other nurses, talking with doctors, and requesting a team meeting. The multiple regression analysis indicates that newborn intensive care unit nurses with greater concern for the ethical aspects of clinical practice (p = .001) and an increased perception of their ability to influence ethical decision making (p = .018) were more likely to display Nurse Activism. Future research is necessary to identify other factors leading to and inhibiting Nurse Activism as these findings explained just 8.5% of the variance.
Magnetorheological fluid composites synthesized for helicopter landing gear applications
Authors: Powell Louise A , Hu Wei , Wereley Norman M
Published: March 2013

Magnetorheological fluid composites were formulated in this study to investigate their performance for potential use in landing gear hydraulic systems, such as shock struts. The magnetorheological fluids synthesized here utilized three hydraulic oils certified for use in landing gear, two average diameters of spherical magnetic particles, and a lecithin surfactant. The magnetorheology of these fluids was characterized, including (a) magnetorheology (yield stress and viscosity) as a function of magnetic field, (b) sedimentation analysis using an inductance-based sensor, (c) cycling of a small-scale magnetorheological damper undergoing sinusoidal excitations at frequencies of 2.5 and 5 Hz, and (d) impact testing of an magnetorheological damper for a range of magnetic field strengths and velocities using a free-flight drop tower facility. The goal of this research is to analyze the performance of these magnetorheological fluid composites, compare their behavior to standard commercial magnetorheological fluid, and determine their feasibility for use in helicopter landing gear.
Global stabilization of high-energy response for a Duffing-type wideband nonlinear energy harvester via self-excitation and entrainment
Authors: Masuda Arata , Senda Atsuko , Sanada Tatsuya , Sone Akira
Published: March 2013

This article presents a resonance-type vibration energy harvester with a Duffing-type nonlinear oscillator that can perform effectively in a wide frequency range. To mitigate the power-bandwidth trade-off in conventional linear harvesters, the resonance frequency band of the harvester is expanded by introducing a Duffing-type nonlinear oscillator in order to enable the harvester to generate larger electric power in a wider frequency range. Such a nonlinear oscillator, however, can have multiple stable steady-state responses in the resonance band with different levels of regeneration energy. In this study, the principle of self-excitation is utilized to destabilize the solutions, except for the highest energy solution. A load circuit with a switch between the conventional load circuit and a negative resistance circuit and the switching control law, which depends on the amplitude of the oscillator’s response, are introduced to impart the self-excitation capability in order to entrain the oscillator with the excitation only in the highest energy solution. Theoretical and numerical analyses are conducted to show that the proposed harvester can respond in a large amplitude in a wide frequency range, and a significant improvement in the regenerated power is achieved as compared to the one without self-excitation control.
Foot Center of Pressure Trajectory Alteration by Biomechanical Manipulation of Shoe Design
Authors: Khoury Mona , Wolf Alon , Debbi Eytan M. , Herman Amir , Haim Amir
Published: March 2013

Background:

Footwear-generated biomechanical manipulations have been shown to alter lower limb kinetics. It has been suggested that this is due to altered trajectory of the foot’s center of pressure (COP), conveying a shift in location of the ground reaction force and modifying moments and forces acting on proximal body segments. However, past studies have focused on qualitative association between footwear design and the COP locus. Moreover, this association was calculated via indirect analysis. The purpose of the present study was to directly examine and quantify the correlation between measured footwear biomechanical manipulation and the location of the COP trajectory during gait.

Methods:

A novel biomechanical device allowing flexible positioning of 2 convex-shaped elements attached to its sole was utilized. A total of 20 healthy male adults underwent direct in-shoe pressure measurements while walking with the device set at 7 mediolateral configurations. COP data were collected during gait and analyzed with respect to different stance subphases.

Results:

COP location significantly correlated with a shift of the elements medially or laterally. The linear model describing this correlation was found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion:

There was significant correlation between the plantar orientation of the shoe device configuration and the COP.

Clinical Relevance:

Changes in COP trajectory may be valuable in patients suffering from multiple foot disorders elevating pressure on the foot. Accurate COP control could aid in the manipulation of the forces acting on the proximal joints during gait. In addition, these findings may have implications in the field of biomechanical apparatus design and practice.
Fixation Strength of Anteriorly Inserted Headless Screws for Talar Neck Fractures
Authors: Capelle Jonathan H. , Couch Cory G. , Wells Kevin M. , Morris Randal P. , Buford William L. , Merriman David J. , Panchbhavi Vinod K.
Published: March 2013

Background:

For noncomminuted talar neck fractures, traditional fixation is with small fragment screws or cannulated screws. Newer screw systems on the market allow placement of cannulated headless screws, which provide compression by virtue of a variable-pitch thread. The headless construct has an inherent advantage, particularly for the talus, when the screws must be countersunk to prevent wear of the joint articular surfaces. This study tested the biomechanical fixation strength of cannulated headless variable-pitch screws compared with conventional cannulated screws, both placed in an anterior to posterior direction.

Methods:

A reproducible talar neck fracture was created in nine paired, preserved, cadaver talar necks using a materials testing machine. Talar head fixation was then performed with two cannulated headless variable-pitch 4/5 screws or two 4.0-mm conventional cannulated screws. The specimens were tested to failure and the fixations were normalized to their intact pairs and compared.

Results:

The headless variable-pitch screw fixation had significantly lower failure displacement than the conventional screw fixation. No significant differences were found between the two fixations for failure stiffness, load at failure or energy absorbed.

Conclusions:

Cannulated headless variable-pitch screws significantly improved failure displacement when compared to conventional cannulated screws in a cadaveric model, and may be a viable option for talus fracture fixation.

Clinical Relevance:

Headless, fully threaded, variable-pitch screws have inherent advantages over conventional screws in that they may be less damaging to the articular surface and can compress the fracture for improved reduction. This study demonstrates these screws are also biomechanically similar to conventional screws.
Comparative Analysis of Inter- and Intraligamentous Distribution of Sensory Nerve Endings in Ankle Ligaments
Authors: Rein Susanne , Hanisch Uwe , Zwipp Hans , Fieguth Armin , Lwowski Sophie , Hagert Elisabet
Published: March 2013

Background:

The aim of this study was to analyze the inter-, intraligamentous, and side-related patterns of sensory nerve endings in ankle ligaments.

Methods:

A total of 140 ligaments from 10 cadaver feet were harvested. Lateral: calcaneofibular, anterior-, posterior talofibular; sinus tarsi: lateral- (IERL), intermediate-, medial-roots inferior extensor retinaculum, talocalcaneal oblique and canalis tarsi (CTL); medial: tibionavicular (TNL), tibiocalcaneal (TCL), superficial tibiotalar, anterior/posterior tibiotalar portions; syndesmosis: anterior tibiofibular. Following immunohistochemical staining, the innervation and vascularity was analyzed between ligaments of each anatomical complex, left/right feet, and within the 5 levels of each ligament.

Results:

Significantly more free nerve endings were seen in all ligaments as compared to Ruffini, Pacini, Golgi-like, and unclassifiable corpuscles ( P ≤ .005). The IERL had significantly more free nerve endings and blood vessels than the CTL ( P ≤ .001). No significant differences were seen in the side-related distribution, except for Ruffini endings in right TCL ( P = .016) and unclassifiable corpuscles in left TNL ( P = .008). The intraligamentous analysis in general revealed no significant differences in mechanoreceptor distribution.

Conclusions:

The IERL at the entrance of the sinus tarsi contained more free nerve endings and blood vessels, as compared to the deeper situated CTL. Despite different biomechanical functions in the medial and lateral ligaments, the interligamentous distribution of sensory nerve endings was equal.

Clinical Relevance:

The intrinsic innervation patterns of the ankle ligaments provides an understanding of their innate healing capacities following injury as well as the proprioception properties in postoperative rehabilitation.
Men’s Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Pakistan
Authors: Zakar Rubeena , Zakar Muhammad Zakria , Kraemer Alexander
Published: March 2013

This article documents the beliefs and attitudes of men toward intimate partner violence in Pakistan. Men’s beliefs and attitudes toward partner violence are shaped by the life-long process of gender socialization, where the role of wife is projected as submissive and docile. Drawing on eight in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted in Lahore and Sialkot, this article presents how men perceive and justify partner violence within the context of Pakistani society. The data show that the construct of “ideal wife” inculcated among men fits into Foucault’s notion of “docile bodies,” which are subjected to control, discipline, and violent punishment.
Parental anxiety and stress before pediatric anesthesia: A pilot study on the effectiveness of preoperative clown intervention
Authors: Agostini Francesca , Monti Fiorella , Neri Erica , Dellabartola Sara , de Pascalis Leonardo , Bozicevic Laura
Published: March 2013

As induction of pediatric anesthesia can elicit anxiety in children and parents alike, this study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of clown intervention in decreasing maternal anxiety and stress in the preoperative phase. Before anesthesia induction, 25 children were randomly assigned to clown intervention and 25 to a control group with a routine procedure. In the waiting room and after separation from the child, maternal anxiety and stress were measured. The results showed that after separation, only in the clown group, maternal state anxiety significantly decreased and the tendency to somatization did not increase. Moreover, after clown intervention, older children’s mothers significantly reduced the level of perceived stress. As clown intervention can positively influence maternal anxiety and stress in the preoperative period, its promotion in clinical–hospital environments is recommended.
Becoming men: Gender, disability, and transitioning to adulthood
Authors: Gibson Barbara E , Mistry Bhavnita , Smith Brett , Yoshida Karen K , Abbott David , Lindsay Sally , Hamdani Yani
Published: March 2013

Children and youth with progressive conditions are living longer, and there is increased interest in designing programs that will assist them with “transitioning” to adulthood. Almost none of the transitions research to date, however, has attended to the experiences of disabled boys in “becoming men,” nor has there been critical conceptual work problematizing notions of “normal” adulthood or theorizing the complex, diverse, and gendered experiences of transitioning. In this Canadian study, we investigated the intersectionality of gender, disability, and emerging adulthood with 15 young men with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Participants created audio diaries and photographs that were explored in in-depth interviews. Using a Bourdieusian lens and Arthur Frank’s notion of the narrative habitus, we examined how participants re/negotiated identities in everyday practices. Our analysis suggested that disability, masculinities, and generational (life stage) identities intersected through “narratives of nondifference,” wherein participants worked to establish identities as typical “guys.” Within limited fields of school and work, participants distanced themselves from the label of “disabled” and discussed their successes and challenges in terms of normative developmental trajectories. We suggest that the pursuit of “normal” is reproduced and reinforced in health and social programs and closes off other narratives and possibilities.
Contextual and cultural risks and their association with family asthma management in urban children
Authors: Coutinho Maria Teresa , McQuaid Elizabeth L , Koinis-Mitchell Daphne
Published: March 2013

This study examines the association between caregivers’ perceptions of home and neighborhood safety on family asthma management in the context of cultural risk factors (e.g., discrimination and acculturative stress) in a sample of urban and ethnic minority families. Participants included 147 children (ages 6–13) and their primary caregiver from Latino, African American and Non-Latino White (NLW) backgrounds. When controlling for poverty, caregivers’ perceptions of home and neighborhood safety predicted family asthma management for the overall sample and for the NLW families. Additionally, for caregivers who endorsed higher levels of perceived discrimination, home and neighborhood safety predicted family asthma management. This study demonstrates the utility of considering caregivers’ perceptions of home and neighborhood safety when examining urban families’ day-to-day engagement with asthma management tasks.
Nurses’ knowledge of and attitudes towards fever and fever management in one Irish children’s hospital
Authors: Greensmith Louise
Published: March 2013

This study aims to describe nurses’ knowledge of and attitudes towards the management of fever in one children’s hospital in Ireland. A descriptive, quantitative research design was employed. One hundred and nineteen nurses working in one children’s hospital completed a self-report questionnaire. Nurses’ mean knowledge score about the physiology of fever, fever management and antipyretics was 51 per cent ( n = 119), which was lower than expected. Nurses had both appropriate and inappropriate attitudes towards fever and fever management. Inconsistent attitudes between nurses were identified. Nurses who participated in this study are not expert managers of fever. Their lack of knowledge and inconsistent attitudes are affecting the care of febrile children, and may be fuelling parents’ fever phobia. Further education is required to improve nurses’ knowledge of fever and fever management. Inappropriate attitudes need to be challenged and addressed in an effort to promote evidence-based care for febrile children.
Children's social/emotional characteristics at entry to school
Authors: Nelson Helen , Kendall Garth , Shields Linda
Published: March 2013

Children entering school need to build healthy peer relationships; school, however, is the central place for bullying. School nurses have a growing focus on providing care for students with social, emotional and behavioural problems. We examined the relational development of children at school entry in regard to aggression and empathy, showing that teacher-reported aggression decreased between Pre-primary and Year One, while empathy increased between Year One and Year Two classes. No gender difference was found in teacher-reported total, or covert aggression. Understanding how development of empathy can be supported in children at school entry is important, thereby supporting development of pro-social behaviour and decreasing bullying. School nurses must understand the importance of surrounding children with safety in relationships as they begin school.
Assessment of different higher order theories for low-velocity impact analysis of fibre-metal laminate cylindrical shells
Authors: Davar A , Khalili SMR , Fard K Malekzadeh
Published: March 2013

Assessment of different higher order shell theories for low-velocity impact response analysis of simply-supported fibre-metal laminate circular cylindrical shells is achieved. A new two-degree-of-freedom spring-mass model is adapted and used for contact force history estimation. The Fourier series method is used to solve the governing equations of fibre-metal laminate shell. The mechanical behaviour of fibre-metal laminate is assumed to be elastic. The impact behaviour is assumed to be quasi-static. In order to investigate the effect of the thickness flexibility on the impact response analysis of fibre-metal laminate cylindrical shells, different 2D and 3D higher order shell theories are evaluated. Also, effects of some parameters including metal volume fraction and fibre-metal laminate layup on the impact response are investigated. The results indicate that regardless of the fibre-metal laminate layup, as the value of metal volume fraction increases, the influence of the thickness flexibility on the impact response of fibre-metal laminate cylindrical shells is more significant. Also, as the metal volume fraction increases, the impulse (area under contact force–time) remains almost unchanged. In fact, the fundamental frequency of the shell governs both the peak value of the contact force as well as the contact duration. It is shown that Al/G 2/1 is the best layup to minimise the shell deflections due to impact load and to maximise the fundamental frequency.
Developing the Discipline and Practice of Comprehensive Men’s Health
Authors: Giorgianni Salvatore J. , Porche Demetrius J. , Williams Scott T. , Matope Janet H. , Leonard Brandon L.
Published: March 2013

Men of all ages in the United States experience disproportionately higher rates of morbidity and premature death than females. The reasons for this are complex and include biological, sociological, and health system–related issues, but this is also in part due to the fact that men and boys tend to lead more risky lifestyles and generally avoid preventive care when compared with women and girls. These disparities not only affect males but also their loved ones and can adversely affect their participation in the workforce and in their communities. Better understanding of the drivers of men’s health disparities is needed to enable health professionals to more effectively address this problem. One of the fundamental building blocks for changing health care delivery to males is to provide a core curricular framework for education and training of health professionals related to the specific health issues of men and boys. This article will present a study assessing what men’s health courses are available in the United States and identifying the content within such courses that will prepare health care professionals to deliver programs and care to this demographic. The study identified that as of 2012, there were only 21 courses in 18 institutions that address gender-appropriate health care for boys and men. The authors conclude that developing and incorporating an expert, consensus-based men’s health core curriculum in universities and colleges, particularly in health professional programs, is an extremely important cornerstone in advancing the science and practice of true and balanced gender-based care delivery.
The diaphysial axis – metacarpal head angle in the management of fractures of the base of the proximal phalanx in children
Authors: Al-Qattan M. M. , Al-Motairi M. I. , Al-Naeem H. A.
Published: March 2013

The diaphysial axis – metacarpal head angle (DHA) is the angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the diaphysis of the proximal phalanx and central point of the metacarpal head. The normal DHA ranges from 177.1° and 180.0°. There were no significant differences between DHA measurements when taken by the same observer at two separate occasions ( P = 0.986) or when taken by two different observers ( P = 0.948). We have put an algorithm of management of paediatric phalangeal base fractures incorporating the DHA in the decision making. A prospective study of 92 children (5–14 years) with phalangeal base fractures was conducted. Closed reduction was possible in all but one case in which open reduction and K-wire fixation was required. Closed reduction of the remaining 91 fractures yielded a ‘good’ reduction in 80 cases (no finger deformity on clinical examination with a post-reduction DHA greater than 177°). After a mean follow-up of 4.2 months, all these 80 cases qualified for an excellent outcome as per Al-Qattan’s criteria. The remaining 11 children were considered to have an ‘acceptable’ reduction (no scissoring, but there was a mild residual lateral deviation of the finger with a DHA angle of 169.4° to 176.2°). At a mean follow-up of 28 months, all these 11 mal-united fractures remodelled with normalization of the DHA; and all 11 children qualified for an excellent outcome as per Al-Qattan’s criteria. The current series stresses on the advantages of using DHA in the objective assessment of paediatric phalangeal base fractures and demonstrates the remodelling of fractures with about 10° of lateral deviation.
Etiology, endoscopic management and mortality of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cancer
Authors: Maluf‐Filho Fauze , Martins Bruno da Costa , de Lima Marcelo Simas , Leonardo Daniel Valdivia , Retes Felipe Alves , Kawaguti Fábio Shiguehissa , Sato Cezar Fabiano Manabu , Hondo Fábio Yuji , Safatle‐Ribeiro Adriana Vaz , Ribeiro Ulysses
Published: March 2013

Background

The source and outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in oncologic patients are poorly investigated.

Objective

The study aimed to investigate these issues in a tertiary academic referral center specialized in cancer treatment.

Methods

This was a retrospective study including all patients with cancer referred to endoscopy due to UGIB in 2010.

Results

UGIB was confirmed in 147 (of 324 patients) referred to endoscopy for a suspected episode of GI bleeding. Tumor was the most common cause of bleeding (N  = 35, 23.8%), followed by varices (N  = 30, 19.7%), peptic ulcer (N  = 29, 16.3%) and gastroduodenal erosions (N  = 16, 10.9%). Among the 32 patients with cancer of the upper GI tract, the main causes of bleeding were cancer (N  = 27, 84.4%) and peptic ulcer (N  = 5, 6.3%). Forty‐one patients (27.9%) presented with bleeding from the primary tumor or from a metastatic lesion, and seven received endoscopic therapy, with successful initial hemostasis in six (85.7%). Rebleeding and mortality rates were not different between endoscopically treated (N  = 7) and non‐treated (N  = 34) patients (28.6% vs. 14.7%, p  = 0.342; 43.9% vs. 44.1%, p  = 0.677). Median survival was 20 days, and the overall 30‐day mortality rate was 44.9%. There was no predictive factor of mortality or rebleeding.

Conclusion

Tumor bleeding is the most common cause of UGIB in cancer patients. UGIB in cancer patients correlates with a high mortality rate regardless of the bleeding source. Current endoscopic treatments may not be effective in preventing rebleeding or improving survival.
“Frame-Changing” the Game
Authors: Naraine Michael L. , Dixon Jess C.
Published: March 2013

This article extends research on media framing and the concept of “frame-changing” by examining the sanctioning of professional mixed martial arts (MMA) events in Ontario, Canada. After initially indicating that sanctioning MMA was unimportant, the Ontario government shifted its policy and announced it would sanction professional MMA events. A content analysis was conducted on newsprint articles published between 2009 and 2010 that were related to the sanctioning of MMA events in Ontario. After removing syndicated reports, 18 newsprint articles derived from six major Canadian dailies served as the focus for this study. Using open and axial coding techniques, these articles identified that the media produced two frames for the discourse related to the sanctioning of MMA (i.e., legal/ethical and economic), which changed throughout the discourse. This study serves to examine how mainstream media frames the sport in jurisdictions yet to develop a MMA policy.
Cross-Sectional Area of the Median Nerve Characterized by Ultrasound in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Before and After the Release of the Transverse Carpal Ligament
Authors: Pimentel Benedito F. , Abicalaf Claudia A. , Braga Larissa , Albertoni Walter M. , Fernandes Carlos H. , Sernik Renato A. , Faloppa Flavio
Published: March 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional area of the median nerve by ultrasonography before and after release of the transverse carpal ligament in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. An additional goal was to correlate the cross-sectional area following surgery with clinical symptoms. Eighteen patients and 22 wrists were evaluated. All patients underwent Paine’s surgical technique for release of the transverse ligament. Cross-sectional area was calculated from sonograms taken at the pisiform bone level pre- and postsurgery. Postsurgical measurements were made at 4, 8, 12, and 96 weeks. Before surgery, the mean cross-sectional area was 19.7 mm2. The results following surgery were as follows: 4 weeks, 20.1 mm2; 8 weeks, 17.4 mm2; 12 weeks, 15.5 mm2; and 96 weeks, 13.5 mm2. Three patients remained clinically symptomatic at the time of their last follow-up visit. Cross-sectional area of the median nerve tends to increase 4 weeks after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, compared with the measurements taken prior to surgery, and then progressively decreases. There was no evidence of postprocedure correlation between the cross-sectional area of the median nerve and clinical symptoms.