bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
System interdependence analysis for autonomous robots
Authors: Lidoris Georgios , Rohrmüller Florian , Wollherr Dirk , Buss Martin
Published: January 2011

With the increasing complexity of robotic systems, system robustness and efficiency are harder to achieve, since they are determined by the interplay of all of a system’s components. In order to improve the robustness of such systems, it is essential to identify the system components that are crucial for each task and the extent to which they are affected by other components and the environment. Such knowledge will help developers to improve their systems, and can also be directly utilized by the systems themselves, for example, to detect failures and thereby correctly adjust the system’s behavior.

In this article a method of system interdependence analysis is presented. The basic idea is to learn and quantitatively evaluate the coherence between performance indicators of different system components, as well as the influence of environmental parameters on the system. To validate the proposed approach, system interdependence analysis is applied to the navigation system of an autonomous mobile robot. Its navigational methods are presented and suitable indicators are derived. The results of using the method, based on experimental data from an extended field experiment, are given.
Hazardous medical waste generation in Greece: case studies from medical facilities in Attica and from a small insular hospital
Authors: Komilis Dimitrios , Katsafaros Nikolaos , Vassilopoulos Panagiotis
Published: January 2011

The accurate calculation of the unit generation rates and composition of medical waste generated from medical facilities is necessary in order to design medical waste treatment systems. In this work, the unit medical waste generation rates of 95 public and private medical facilities in the Attica region were calculated based on daily weight records from a central medical waste incineration facility. The calculated medical waste generation rates (in kg bed-1 day -1) varied widely with average values at 0.27 ± 113% and 0.24 ± 121%, for public and private medical facilities, respectively. The hazardous medical waste generation was measured, at the source, in the 40 bed hospital of the island of Ikaria for a period of 42 days during a 6 month period. The average hazardous medical waste generation rate was 1.204 kg occupied bed-1 day-1 or 0.33 kg (official) bed -1 day-1. From the above amounts, 54% resulted from the patients’ room (solid and liquid wastes combined), 24% from the emergency department (solid waste), 17% from the clinical pathology lab and 6% from the X-ray lab. In average, 17% of the total hazardous medical waste was solely infectious. Conclusively, no correlation among the number of beds and the unit medical waste generation rate could be established. Each hospital should be studied separately, since medical waste generation and composition depends on the number and type of departments/laboratories at each hospital, number of external patients and number of occupied beds.
Community perceptions of human excreta as fertilizer in peri-urban agriculture in Ghana
Authors: Mariwah Simon , Drangert Jan-Olof
Published: January 2011

Although human excreta contain the necessary nutrients for plant growth, local authorities in Ghana spend huge sums of money to dispose them as waste. Reusing excreta for agricultural purposes saves expenditure for chemical fertilizers, improves soil fertility, reduces poverty and ensures food security. People’s attitudes and perceptions about excreta vary between cultures and even within specific cultures. This study aimed to explore attitudes and perceptions among a peri-urban agricultural community towards sanitized human excreta and its use. The study adopted an exploratory design and collected data from 154 randomly selected households using questionnaires and focus group discussions. It was found that there is a general negative attitude to fresh excreta and the handling of it. However, the residents accept that excreta can be used as fertilizer, but they are not willing to use it on their own crops or consume crops fertilized with excreta. The study recommends open discussions in the community for a successful implementation of ecological sanitation.
A Coupled Field Finite Element Modeling Procedure for Design of a Synthetic-Jet Actuators
Authors: Rusovici Razvan , Offord Casey , Phelps Charles
Published: January 2011

The development and validation of a modeling procedure used for design of piezoceramic-driven, SJAs, which is based on ANSYSTM FE software, is described. This approach holds the advantage over others in that it fully couples the complex physical interactions among the structure of the actuator, the working fluid, and the driving piezoelectric actuation. The procedure employed was two FEMs: one used a fully coupled acoustic-structural-piezoelectric, while the other used a fully coupled fluid-structure-piezoelectric field formulation. The acoustic-structural-piezoelectric model was useful in that it was used to predict quickly the acoustic and structural resonant frequencies of the actuator device for rapid design. While the fluid-structural-piezoelectric model was more computationally expensive than the acoustic-structural-piezoelectric model, it was superior in that it provided insight into transient synthetic-jet output velocity time and spatial dependence, displacement, and structural stress time histories. This procedure allows investigation of actuator design and of fluid dynamics of synthetic-jets. The models’ predictions were compared to experimental data obtained for a sample actuator configuration and good agreement was found. Both FEMs were defined for an axisymmetric, single-diaphragm piezoelectric actuator, but the procedure may be extended to other actuator geometries.
Comparison of denoising methods for the early detection of fatigue bearing defects by vibratory analysis
Authors: Bolaers F , Cousinard O , Estocq P , Chiementin X , Dron J-P
Published: January 2011

The aim of this article is to show the interest of three major denoising methods for the improvement of the sensitivity of scalar indicators (crest factor, kurtosis) within the application of conditional maintenance by vibratory analysis on ball bearings. The case of a bearing in good condition of use is considered. The distribution of amplitudes in the vibratory signal is of the Gaussian kind. When the bearing is damaged, the appearance of spalling comes to disturb this signal, modifying this distribution. This modification is due to the presence of periodical impulses produced each time a rolling element meets a discontinuity on its way. Nevertheless, the presence of background noise induced by random impulse excitations can have an influence on the values of these temporal indicators. The denoising of these signals allows to improve the sensitivity of these indicators and to increase the reliability of the diagnosis.
Requirements for Vitamin D Across the Life Span
Authors: Grant William B. , Boucher Barbara J.
Published: January 2011

Adequate provision of vitamin D has been found, in ecological, cross-sectional, and observational studies, to be associated with reduction in the risk of many types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), autoimmune diseases, diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2, neurological disorders, several bacterial and viral infections, and adverse pregnancy outcomes in addition to the classical bone disorders of rickets and osteomalacia. Furthermore, investigators have found adequate repletion and increased intakes of vitamin D to be associated with reduced all-cause mortality rates. These findings have been supported by the limited number of properly conducted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used more than 400 IU/day of vitamin D. This review presents an overview of the role of vitamin D for the promotion of health for the more important vitamin D-related diseases and conditions. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of 30—60 ng/ml, corresponding to oral intake or skin production of 1,000—4,000 IU/day of vitamin D, appear necessary in adults for avoidance of hypovitaminosis D-related ill health. People of all ages are encouraged to obtain more vitamin D from judicious exposure to sunshine (for ultraviolet B [UVB] irradiation) or from regular vitamin D supplements because dietary sources do not provide sufficient vitamin D to prevent any health risks other than those of rickets and osteomalacia.
When events interact with business ethics
Authors: Deroy Xavier , Clegg Stewart
Published: January 2011

The article analyses the dynamics of the interaction between events and business ethics within organizations. Events comprise those unpredictable things that happen. When they do, organizationally embedded managers will be responsible for making sense of these events. By being responsible, they are enacting ethics in the choices that they make for dealing with them. Events always raise ethical considerations because they are non-routine rather than a strict repetition of existing repertoires. Under certain circumstances, which we illustrate with a theory of the event, drawing on the work of Gilles Deleuze, we are able to investigate the de/institutionalizing of ethics theoretically. We draw on the new economic sociology to discuss the conditions of ethical and event de/institutionalization. Finally, we conceptualize the linkage between micro and macro dimensions framing the dynamics of business ethics in interaction with events.
‘Colonial reflection’ and territoriality: The peripheral origins of sovereign statehood
Authors: Branch Jordan
Published: January 2011

The modern international system is commonly argued to have originated within Western Europe and spread globally during centuries of colonialism. This article argues, instead, that the character of the modern system of territorially sovereign states resulted from a complex interaction between European colonizing polities and events, actors, and spaces in other parts of the globe. In particular, through a process of colonial reflection, many of the foundational ideas and practices of modern statehood were formed in the interactions of Europeans with the unknown, supposedly empty, spaces of the New World in the 16th and 17th centuries. These novel practices were applied only later to politics among states in Europe. Most important among these developments is the ideal of territorial exclusivity as the sole basis for state sovereignty. This analysis also has implications for the study of contemporary international systemic change.
Case Report: Brief Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapeutic Intervention During Inpatient Hospitalization in a Patient With Conversion and Dissociation
Authors: Baslet Gaston , Hill James
Published: January 2011

Conversion and dissociative disorders have psychopathological mechanisms in common and can simultaneously be present in the same patient. Evidence-based treatments for conversion and dissociative disorders are limited and mostly focused on cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) for a few conversion disorders. Avoidance and difficulties in emotion expression are thought to explain conversion and hence, mindfulness-based therapies (MBTs) could hypothetically constitute a beneficial intervention. Here, we present the case of Anne, a 31-year-old female with a long-term history of depression, anxiety, and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). While facing health-related and marital stressors, Anne acutely developed conversion left-sided paralysis, psychogenic bilateral tremor, and dissociative amnesia and had an increase in PNES frequency. Some of these newly developed symptoms resolved and other improved significantly after an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention was offered during a brief inpatient hospitalization. This constitutes the first report of an ACT-based intervention used in this type of clinical syndromes.
A Case Study Introducing Cognitive Remediation and Emotion Skills Training for Anorexia Nervosa Inpatient Care
Authors: Money Claire , Davies Helen , Tchanturia Kate
Published: January 2011

Difficulties in executive functioning and emotional processing are reported in anorexia nervosa (AN).This case study describes the application of cognitive remediation and emotion skills training (CREST), an intervention that has been piloted in an inpatient eating disorders (EDs) unit. CREST is a 10-session treatment package, which primarily addresses emotion processing difficulties, one of the maintaining features of AN. The stages of CREST are described, which includes targeting thinking styles, recognizing emotions in the self and others, strategies to manage emotions, and practice of emotion expression. Clinical and self-report data collected before and after CREST indicate improvements in identifying emotions and using healthier emotion regulation strategies, alongside an increase in body mass index (BMI) and reduction in ED symptomatology. This case study provides preliminary evidence for the acceptability and effectiveness of CREST as a low-intensity intervention before proceeding to more comprehensive therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy to address the ED more fully.
Diagnostics and epidemiology in ventilator-associated pneumonia
Authors: Shorr Andrew F. , Chan Chee M. , Zilberberg Marya D.
Published: January 2011

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) represents a common nosocomial complication arising in the intensive care unit. Owing to concerns regarding the excess morbidity related to VAP, multiple interventions for preventing this syndrome exist. Despite controversy regarding the optimal diagnostic approach to VAP, clinicians now face many external pressures to try to reduce, if not eliminate, VAP. In fact, some organizations consider VAP an entirely preventable event. However, any dialog regarding the outcomes and burden of VAP must rest on an understanding and appreciation of both the diagnostic complexities surrounding VAP and the epidemiology of this condition. In addition, the issues of diagnostics and epidemiology are closely linked. The means employed for diagnosing VAP certainly affect the observed prevalence of VAP. Despite these concerns, several general themes emerge in the literature describing VAP epidemiology. First, VAP rates vary based on the diagnostic approach employed. Second, select cohorts of patients are at high risk for VAP, and patient case-mix clearly influences the epidemiology of VAP. Third, rates of VAP appear higher outside the US, irrespective of the diagnostic paradigm utilized.
A fast, modified parabolic Radon transform
Authors: Abbad Brahim , Ursin Bjørn , Porsani Milton J.
Published: January 2011

We propose a fast and efficient frequency-domain implementation of a modified parabolic Radon transform (modified PRT) based on a singular value decomposition (SVD) with applications to multiple removal. The problem is transformed into a complex linear system involving a single operator after merging the curvature-frequency parameters into a new variable. A complex SVD is applied to this operator and the forward transform is computed by means of a complex back-substitution that is frequency independent. The new transform offers a wider curvature range at signal frequencies than the other PRT implementations, allowing the mapping in the transform domain of low-frequency events with important residual moveouts (long period multiples). The method is capable of resolving multiple energy from primaries when they interfere in a small time interval, a situation where most frequency-domain methods fail to discriminate the different wave types. Additionally, the method resists better to amplitude variations with offset (AVO) effects in the data than does the iteratively reweighted least-squares (IRLS) method.

The proposed method was successfully applied to a deep-water seismic line in the Gulf of Mexico to attenuate water-bottom multiples and subsequent peg-legs originating from multiple paths in the water column. Combining the suggested method with the surface-related multiple elimination (SRME) has led to the best attenuation results in removing residual multiple energy in the stack.
An extra reason to roll the dice: balancing harm, benefit and autonomy in ‘futile’ cases
Authors: Shaw David M
Published: January 2011

Oncologists frequently have to break bad news to patients. Although they are not normally the ones who tell patients that they have cancer, they are the ones who have to tell patients that treatment is not working, and they are almost always the ones who have to tell them that they are going to die and that nothing more can be done to cure them. Perhaps the most difficult cases are those where further treatment is almost certainly futile, but there remains an extremely slim chance of yet more aggressive treatment having a near-miraculous effect. In such situations, it can be difficult for the oncologist to decide how to explain things to the patient, and how much to tell them. It can also be very difficult to achieve the correct balance between respecting the patient's autonomy and not exposing them to harm. This paper examines an example of one such case and makes three suggestions. First, that respecting autonomy cannot be achieved by maximizing information sharing only to deny patients the chance to make decisions based on that information; second, that the simplistic application of the principles of non-maleficence and respect for autonomy can lead to erroneous conclusions about the most ethical course of action; and third, that there is an extra reason, in addition to respecting patients' autonomy, for attempting near-futile last-ditch interventions: when treating rare conditions, useful evidence can be generated that will benefit future patients.
Synthesis of mycalazol and mycalazal analogs with potent antiproliferating activities
Authors: Mohamed Yasser M. A. , Hansen Trond Vidar
Published: January 2011

Four 2,5-disubstituted pyrrole and two 2-disubstituted thiophene analogs of the natural products mycalazol 5 and mycalazal 2 have been prepared using the Stille coupling reaction. All four analogs displayed potent antiproliferating activity against several human cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the nanomolar range.
Delineating pMDI model reactions with loblolly pine via solution-state NMR spectroscopy. Part 1. Catalyzed reactions with wood models and wood polymers
Authors: Yelle Daniel J. , Ralph John , Frihart Charles R.
Published: January 2011

To better understand adhesive interactions with wood, reactions between model compounds of wood and a model compound of polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI) were characterized by solution-state NMR spectroscopy. For comparison, finely ground loblolly pine sapwood, milled-wood lignin and holocellulose from the same wood were isolated and derivatized with the pMDI model compound. One-bond 13C–1H correlation (HSQC) experiments on derivatized and dissolved ball-milled wood revealed which hydroxyl group positions of the cell wall polymers reacted with the pMDI model compound to form carbamates. The chemical shifts of the derivatized model compounds correspond precisely to the chemical shifts of derivatized wood polymers. These model experiments will be taken as a basis in the next phase of our research (Part 2), in which the reactions of pMDI model compounds will be studied with intact wood cell walls under conditions similar to those used in oriented strand-board production.
On algebraic selfsimilar solutions of the mean curvature flow
Authors: Smoczyk Knut
Published: January 2011

In this short note we show that in codimension one all homogeneous algebraic selfsimilar solutions of the mean curvature flow are either algebraic minimal hypersurfaces or belong to the class of well known self-shrinking quadrics.
Boundedness of some pseudo-differential operators on generalized Triebel–Lizorkin spaces
Authors: Moussai Madani , Djeriou Aissa
Published: January 2011

Let v : [0,∞) → ]0,∞) be a function such that the inequality v(ts) ≥ ct
-μ

v(s) holds for 0 < t,s ≤ 1 and some real number μ. In the generalized Triebel–Lizorkin spaces Fp,q

v
(R
n
), we will study the boundedness of the pseudo-differential operators whose symbols belong to Hörmander´s class S
1,δ

m
,0 ≤ δ < 1.
Management of Converged Multi-Radio Networks
Authors: Sachs Joachim
Published: January 2011

Wireless communication networks enable customers to use communication services at anytime and anywhere. A multitude of varying radio access technologies with different characteristics have been developed and are concurrently deployed in the market. This article provides an overview of the dissertation on integration and management of multiple radio access technologies in converged wireless networks, which develops technical solutions for integrating and managing different access technologies in a converged network and derives suitable network architectures.
Initial State and Transition State Contributions to Reactivity Trends of Base-Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Some Nitro Chromen-2-One Derivatives
Authors: Abu-Gharib Ezz. A. , EL-Khatib Rafat. M. , Nassr Lobna A. E. , Abu-Dief Ahmed M.
Published: January 2011

Base-catalyzed hydrolysis of 6-nitro-2H-chromen-2-one (NC) and 6-nitro-2H-chromen-2-one-3-carboxylic acid (NCC) in binary water/methanol and water/acetone mixtures were studied kinetically at 298 K. The changes in the activation barrier of the investigated compounds from water to water/methanol and water/acetone mixtures were estimated from the kinetic data. Solvent effects on the reactivity trends were analyzed into initial state and transition state components. These were determined from the transfer chemical potentials of the reactants and the kinetic data. The transfer chemical potentials δ
m
μ

θ
for NC were derived from its solubilities in water/methanol and water/acetone mixtures, and the transfer chemical potentials for NCC− anion were derived from solubility data for its calcium, cerium and lanthanum salts. Base-catalyzed hydrolysis of NC and NCC in water/methanol and water/acetone mixtures follow a rate law with k
obs=k
2·c(HO−) and k
obs=k
1+k2·c(HO−), respectively. The decrease in the rate constants of base-catalyzed hydrolysis of NC as methanol% or acetone% increases is dominated by the initial state (IS), while the decrease in the rate constants of base-catalyzed hydrolysis of NCC as methanol% or acetone% increases is dominated by the transition state (TS).
Studies on the Kinetics of Tetraethylammonium Bromochromate Oxidation of Some Meta- and Para-Substituted Benzyl Alcohols in Non-Aqueous Media
Authors: Mansoor S. Sheik , Shafi S. Syed
Published: January 2011

Tetraethylammonium bromochromate (TEABC) oxidation of 18 meta- and para-substituted benzyl alcohols (BnOH) in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) leads to the formation of corresponding aldehydes. The reaction is first order each in TEABC and the alcohols. The reaction is catalyzed by hydrogen ions. The hydrogen ion dependence has the form: k
obs=a+b[H+]. The oxidation of αα
´-dideuterio benzyl alcohol exhibited a substantial primary kinetic isotope effect (k
H/k
D=5.71 at 303 K). Oxidation of benzyl alcohol was studied in 17 different organic solvents. The solvent effect has been analyzed using Kamlet's and Swain's multi parametric equation. A correlation of data with Kamlet–Taft solvatochromic parameters (α, β, π
*) suggests that the specific solute-solvent interactions play a major role in governing the reactivity. A mechanism involving a hydride ion transfer via chromate ester is proposed.
Contribution to the Complexation of some Univalent Metal Cations with p-Tert-Butylcalix[4]arene-Tetrakis(N,N-Diethylacetamide) in Nitrobenzene Saturated with Water
Authors: Makrlík Emanuel , Budka J. , Vaňura Petr
Published: January 2011

From extraction experiments and γ-activity measurements, the exchange extraction constants corresponding to the general equilibrium M+(aq)+NaL+(nb)⇔ML+(nb)+Na+(aq) taking place in the two-phase water-nitrobenzene system (M+=Li+, Ag+, Rb+, Tl+, Cs+; L=p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N,N-diethylacetamide); aq=aqueous phase, nb=nitrobenzene phase) were determined. Moreover, the stability constants of the ML+ complexes in water-saturated nitrobenzene were calculated; they were found to increase in the cation order Cs+ < Rb+ < Tl+ < Ag+ < Li+.
Association of thyroid function with estimated glomerular filtration rate in a population-based study: the HUNT study
Authors: Åsvold Bjørn Olav , Bjøro Trine , Vatten Lars J
Published: January 2011

The journal and the authors apologise for an error in this article published in the European Journal of Endocrinology (2011) 164 101–105. The caption to Table 4 on page 104 was wrongly printed and the correct caption and table is printed in full below.Table 4

Geometric mean eGFR (ml/min per 1.73 m2) by categories of thyroid function and age, adjusted for sex, age and smoking.

Age <70 years (n=22 071)Age ≥70 years (n=7409)eGFR95% CIeGFR95% CIHyperthyroidismOvert120.5113.5128.087.078.996.0Subclinical91.789.993.476.473.479.5TSH (mU/l)0.50–1.489.989.690.375.374.476.21.5–2.488.588.188.973.572.674.42.5–3.587.086.387.772.671.473.8HypothyroidismSubclinical86.585.587.470.769.372.2Overt83.380.586.468.363.373.6
A Bayesian Framework for Inference of the Genotype–Phenotype Map for Segregating Populations
Authors: Hageman Rachael S , Leduc Magalie S , Korstanje Ron , Paigen Beverly , Churchill Gary A
Published: January 2011

Complex genetic interactions lie at the foundation of many diseases. Understanding the nature of these interactions is critical to developing rational intervention strategies. In mammalian systems hypothesis testing in vivo is expensive, time consuming, and often restricted to a few physiological endpoints. Thus, computational methods that generate causal hypotheses can help to prioritize targets for experimental intervention. We propose a Bayesian statistical method to infer networks of causal relationships among genotypes and phenotypes using expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from genetically randomized populations. Causal relationships between network variables are described with hierarchical regression models. Prior distributions on the network structure enforce graph sparsity and have the potential to encode prior biological knowledge about the network. An efficient Monte Carlo method is used to search across the model space and sample highly probable networks. The result is an ensemble of networks that provide a measure of confidence in the estimated network topology. These networks can be used to make predictions of system-wide response to perturbations. We applied our method to kidney gene expression data from an MRL/MpJ × SM/J intercross population and predicted a previously uncharacterized feedback loop in the local renin–angiotensin system.
Cryptic Evolution: Does Environmental Deterioration Have a Genetic Basis?
Authors: Hadfield Jarrod D , Wilson Alastair J , Kruuk Loeske E B
Published: January 2011

Cryptic evolution has been defined as adaptive evolutionary change being masked by concurrent environmental change. Empirical studies of cryptic evolution have usually invoked a changing climate and/or increasing population density as the form of detrimental environmental change experienced by a population undergoing cryptic evolution. However, Fisher (1958) emphasized that evolutionary change in itself is likely to be an important component of “environmental deterioration,” a point restated by Cookeet al. (1990) in the context of intraspecific competition. In this form, environmental deterioration arises because a winning lineage has to compete against more winners in successive generations as the population evolves. This “evolutionary environmental deterioration” has different implications for the selection and evolution of traits influenced by resource competition than general environmental change. We reformulate Cooke's model as a quantitative genetic model to show that it is identical in form to more recent developments proposed by quantitative geneticists. This provides a statistical framework for discriminating between the alternative hypotheses of environmental change and environmental deterioration caused by evolutionary change. We also demonstrate that in systems where no phenotypic change has occurred, there are many reasonable biological processes that will generate patterns in predicted breeding values that are consistent with what has been interpreted as cryptic evolution, and care needs to be taken when interpreting these patterns. These processes include mutation, sib competition, and invisible fractions.
Ploidy Dictates Repair Pathway Choice under DNA Replication Stress
Authors: Li Xin Chenglin , Tye Bik K
Published: January 2011

This study reports an unusual ploidy-specific response to replication stress presented by a defective minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase allele in yeast. The corresponding mouse allele, Mcm4Chaos3, predisposes mice to mammary gland tumors. While mcm4Chaos3 causes replication stress in both haploid and diploid yeast, only diploid mutants exhibit G2/M delay, severe genetic instability (GIN), and reduced viability. These different outcomes are associated with distinct repair pathways adopted in haploid and diploid mutants. Haploid mutants use the Rad6-dependent pathways that resume stalled forks, whereas the diploid mutants use the Rad52- and MRX-dependent pathways that repair double strand breaks. The repair pathway choice is irreversible and not regulated by the availability of repair enzymes. This ploidy effect is independent of mating type heterozygosity and not further enhanced by increasing ploidy. In summary, a defective MCM helicase causes GIN only in particular cell types. In response to replication stress, early events associated with ploidy dictate the repair pathway choice. This study uncovers a fundamental difference between haplophase and diplophase in the maintenance of genome integrity.
Maternal Resolution of Grief After Preterm Birth: Implications for Infant Attachment Security
Authors: Shah Prachi E. , Clements Melissa , Poehlmann Julie
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE:

This study explored the association between mothers' unresolved grief regarding their infant's preterm birth and infant-mother attachment security. We hypothesized that mothers with unresolved grief would be more likely to have insecurely attached infants at 16 months and that this association would be partially mediated by maternal interaction quality.

METHODS:

This longitudinal study focused on 74 preterm infants (age of <36 weeks) and their mothers who were part of a larger study of high-risk infants. The present analysis included assessment of neonatal and socioeconomic risks at NICU discharge; maternal depression, Reaction to Preterm Birth Interview findings, and quality of parenting at a postterm age of 9 months; and infant-mother attachment at postterm age of 16 months. Associations among findings of grief resolution with the Reaction to Preterm Birth Interview, quality of parenting interactions, and attachment security were explored by using relative risk ratios and logistic and multivariate regression models.

RESULTS:

The relative risk of developing insecure attachment when mothers had unresolved grief was 1.59 (95% confidence interval: 1.03–2.44). Controlling for covariates (adjusted odds ratio: 2.94), maternal feelings of resolved grief regarding the preterm birth experience were associated with secure infant-mother attachment at 16 months. Maternal grief resolution and interaction quality were independent predictors of attachment security.

CONCLUSION:

Maternal grief resolution regarding the experience of preterm birth and the quality of maternal interactions have important implications for emerging attachment security for infants born prematurely.
A U-Shaped Association Between Intensity of Internet Use and Adolescent Health
Authors: Bélanger Richard E. , Akre Christina , Berchtold André , Michaud Pierre-André
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the relationship between different Internet-use intensities and adolescent mental and somatic health.

METHODS:

Data were drawn from the 2002 Swiss Multicenter Adolescent Survey on Health, a nationally representative survey of adolescents aged 16 to 20 years in post-mandatory school. From a self-administered anonymous questionnaire, 3906 adolescent boys and 3305 girls were categorized into 4 groups according to their intensity of Internet use: heavy Internet users (HIUs; >2 hours/day), regular Internet users (RIUs; several days per week and ≤2 hours/day), occasional users (≤1 hour/week), and non-Internet users (NIUs; no use in the previous month). Health factors examined were perceived health, depression, overweight, headaches and back pain, and insufficient sleep.

RESULTS:

In controlled multivariate analysis, using RIUs as a reference, HIUs of both genders were more likely to report higher depressive scores, whereas only male users were found at increased risk of overweight and female users at increased risk of insufficient sleep. Male NIUs and female NIUs and occasional users also were found at increased risk of higher depressive scores. Back-pain complaints were found predominantly among male NIUs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study provides evidence of a U-shaped relationship between intensity of Internet use and poorer mental health of adolescents. In addition, HIUs were confirmed at increased risk for somatic health problems. Thus, health professionals should be on the alert when caring for adolescents who report either heavy Internet use or very little/none. Also, they should consider regular Internet use as a normative behavior without major health consequence.
Impact of Bisphosphonates on Survival for Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Gordon Kevin E. , Dooley Joseph M. , Sheppard Kayla M. , MacSween Judith , Esser Michael J.
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE:

In this article we describe the association of bisphosphonate therapy on survival within a regional cohort of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who received steroid therapy and were managed in a single center.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The records of all patients with confirmed DMD who were born between 1963 and 2006 and who had received at least 1 year of steroid therapy were reviewed from birth until they reached the study end points (death, loss to follow-up, or the last follow-up was in 2009). A survival analysis was used to account for the variable follow-up duration within this cohort.

RESULTS:

Forty-four boys from this cohort with DMD were exposed to continuous steroid use. Bisphosphonate therapy was initiated for 16 patients (36%) between 1997 and 2007 at a median age of 12.5 years (range: 7–23 years). At the time of the last follow-up in 2009, 13 patients had died (30%) at a median age of 16 years (range: 14–27 years). Survival curves demonstrate that the prescription of bisphosphonates was associated with a significant improvement in survival rate (P = .005, log-rank test). Furthermore, a possible therapy-duration effect could be shown for bisphosphonate use (P = .007, log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS:

The treatment of patients with DMD with steroids and bisphosphonates seems to be associated with significantly improved survival compared with treatment with steroids alone.
Risk Stratification of Children Being Evaluated for Intussusception
Authors: Weihmiller Sarah N. , Buonomo Carlo , Bachur Richard
Published: January 2011

CONTEXT:

Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in young children, and delayed diagnosis may lead to bowel perforation.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine predictive clinical criteria and develop a decision tree to risk-stratify children with possible intussusception.

DESIGN/METHODS:

This is a prospective observational cohort study of children aged 1 month to 6 years who presented with possible intussusception. A data-collection form was completed before knowledge of any advanced imaging. Univariate analysis was performed, and decision trees were developed using recursive partitioning.

RESULTS:

In the study, 310 patients were enrolled, including 38 (12.3%) with intussusception. The median age was 21.1 months and 61% were male. Univariate predictors of intussusception included age older than 6 months (P = 0.04), male gender (P = .007), history of lethargy (P = .001), and abnormal plain x-ray (P = .0001). Multivariate analysis through recursive partitioning identified decision trees (with and without the result of a plain abdominal x-ray) and allowed identification of patients at low risk. The decision tree based on the results of an abdominal x-ray (negative or positive), age (⩽5 or >5 months), diarrhea (present or absent), and bilious emesis (present or absent) had the best test performance (sensitivity: 97% [95% confidence interval (CI): 86–100]; negative predictive value: 99% [95% CI: 93–100]; negative likelihood ratio: 0.08 [95% CI: 0.01–0.6]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Among children who were being evaluated for intussusception, we prospectively determined clinical criteria and developed a decision tree to risk-stratify children with possible intussusception.
Professionalism Expectations Seen Through the Eyes of Resident Physicians and Patient Families
Authors: Regis Taylor , Steiner Michael J. , Ford Carol A. , Byerley Julie S.
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND:

Resident physicians and patient families have not traditionally been involved in setting expectations for professional behavior by physicians.

OBJECTIVE:

To elicit and compare prioritized lists of attributes and behaviors of physician professionalism formulated by residents and patient families.

METHODS/DESIGN:

We used qualitative and quantitative methods to identify and compare prioritized perceptions of important attributes and behaviors of physician professionalism among residents and families of patients. We conducted 3 resident focus groups, 1 for residents in each resident-training year (postgraduate years 1, 2, and 3), and elicited attributes and behaviors the residents associated with physician professionalism by using free-listing and nominal-group techniques. Family perspectives of the attributes/behaviors of physician professionalism were elicited by using semistructured interviews of consecutive families with a child who was admitted to the hospital. All results were transcribed, and common themes were identified.

RESULTS:

Fifty-eight residents (78% of the total in the program) and 40 families participated. Similar themes arose from all 3 resident focus groups, which prioritized tactfulness, support of team members, respectfulness, good communication, and humanism. Residents also provided specific behavioral strategies to put these attributes into practice, such as avoiding jokes about patients and using patient names when addressing and discussing them. Patient families most frequently cited good communication, caring, knowledge, skill, honesty, and attitude. Communication and humanism were aspects consistently endorsed by both residents and patient families.

CONCLUSIONS:

There was important overlap in the attributes of professionalism generated and prioritized by resident physicians and patient families, although only residents identified ways that health care providers should interact with each other. This novel approach to identifying professionalism attributes provides opportunities for curriculum improvement.
Enabling University Teaching for Canadian Academics with Multiple Sclerosis through Problem-Focused Coping
Authors: Crooks Valorie A. , Stone Sharon Dale , Owen Michelle
Published: January 2011

Background. Research shows that sustained employment contributes to a higher quality of life for those with multiple sclerosis (MS). Occupational therapists can work to create therapeutic interventions that assist people with MS with maintaining employment. Purpose. To detail the problem-focused coping strategies that academics with MS employ to enable them to teach in universities Methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 45 Canadian academics with MS. Thematic analysis was used to generate findings. Findings. While there is flexibility in research and service work tasks, teaching tasks are the most seemingly inflexible. This necessitated the development of problem-focused coping strategies to enable teaching. Three categories of strategies were employed: (I) organizational; (2) before/after teaching; and (3) during teaching. Implications. This brief report is intended to serve as a resource for occupational therapists and others wanting to gain a better understanding of the types of therapeutic interventions useful to those teaching in universities.
Toward Enabling Winter Occupations: Testing a Winter Coat Designed for Older Adults
Authors: Green Stephanie L. , Boger Jennifer N. , Mihailidis Alex
Published: January 2011

Background. Previous research indicates that older adults have difficulties using winter clothing, which contributes to their risk of isolation during winter. Research has also shown that a winter coat that requires less flexibility, strength, and dexterity would help support this population. Purpose. This pilot study evaluated the measured and perceived effectiveness of a winter coat prototype that had a funnel sleeve design. Methods. Eight older adults trialed three coats (the participant's own coat, a coat fitted with sleeve gripper, and the prototype coat), which were evaluated though shoulder range of motion measurements and by the participant completing a survey. Findings. Less shoulder range of motion was used to put on the prototype coat. Survey findings support range of motion data that Sleeve Gripper has limited utility. Implications. A funnel sleeve design may require less range of motion at the shoulder compared to other coats.
Analysis of sealing ability of root canal sealers using scanning electronic microscopy technique
Authors: Vujaskovic Mirjana , Teodorovic Nevenka
Published: January 2011

Introduction. An ideal endodontic sealer should adhere firmly both to dentin
and to gutta-percha. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
adhesion of the root canal filling to dentin and gutta-percha using scanning
electronic microscopy (SEM). Methods. The sealing ability of endodontic
sealers to dentinal walls of the root canal was assessed in recently
extracted human single canal premolars. Twenty teeth were prepared using the
crown-down technique and irrigated with 3% NaOCl. A total of 20 samples were
divided into two groups. The root canals were obturated using Ketac-Endo
Aplicap and GutaFlow. The sealing ability and adhesion properties at the
sealer-dentin interface were studied using SEM and the results were rated
from 1 to 3; extremely good adhesion (rated 1), good adhesion (rated 2) and
a relatively good adhesion (rated 3). Results. The results showed extremely
good adhesion on Ketac-Endo and GuttaFlow dentin interface. GuttaFlow has
strong adhesion (rated 1) to gutta-percha in comparison with Ketac-Endo to
gutta-percha interface (rated 2). Conclusion. New GuttaFlow filling material
has a strong sealing ability and excellent adhesion to dentinal walls and
gutta-percha cones. Ketac-Endo showed excellent bond to dentin with a
slightly weaker adhesion capacity to the gutta-percha cones in comparison to
GuttaFlow.
Comparative analysis of unilateral removable partial denture and classical removable partial denture by using finite element method
Authors: Radovic Katarina , Cairovic Aleksandra , Todorovic Aleksandar , Stancic Ivica , Grbovic Aleksandar
Published: January 2011

Introduction. Various mobile devices are used in the therapy of unilateral
free-end saddle. Unilateral dentures with precise connectivity elements are
not used frequently. In this paper the problem of applying and functionality
of unilateral freeend saddle denture without major connector was taken into
consideration. Objective. The aim was to analyze and compare a unilateral RPD
(removable partial denture) and a classical RPD by calculating and analyzing
stresses under different loads. Methods. 3D models of unilateral removable
partial denture and classical removable partial denture with casted clasps
were made by using computer program CATIA V5 (abutment teeth, canine and
first premolar, with crowns and abutment tissues were also made). The models
were built in full-scale. Stress analyses for both models were performed by
applying a force of 300 N on the second premolar, a force of 500 N on the
first molar and a force of 700 N on the second molar. Results. The Fault
Model Extractor (FME) analysis and calculation showed the complete behavior
of unilateral removable partial denture and abutments (canine and first
premolar), as well as the behavior of RPD under identical loading
conditions. Applied forces with extreme values caused high stress levels on
both models and their abutments within physiological limits. Conclusion.
Having analyzed stresses under same conditions, we concluded that the
unilateral RPD and classical RPD have similar physiological values.
Health state of the citizens of Nothern Kosovska Mitrovica
Authors: Mirkovic Momcilo , Simic Snezana , Marinkovic Jelena , Djuric Sladjana
Published: January 2011

Introduction. For health assessment, beside the data of routine health
statistics, it is necessary to include and data obtained by a health survey
of the citizens. Objective. The aim of this study was to establish how
northern Kosovska Mitrovica adults assess their health and which diseases
are most common among the population, as well as to investigate differences
in relation to demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, the
characteristics of social interaction and health behavior and habits.
Methods. The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study conducted on
the representative sample of adult citizens in northern Kosovska Mitrovica
in 2006. Two hundred-eighteen respondents were included in the survey. In
the research we used a questionnaire identical to the Health Survey
conducted in Serbia in 2006. The significance of differences in responses
about self-rated health and chronic diseases in relation to the
characteristics of respondents? responses were determined by X2-test with
the significance level of 0.05. Results. Over half of the respondents
(54.7%) assessed their health condition as good or very good. There was a
significant difference in self-rated health in relation to the respondents?
age (?2=202.036; p=0.000), education (?2=72.412; p=0.000), social support
(?2=12.416; p=0.015), smoking (?2=11.675; p=0.020) and physical activity
(?2=61.842; p=0.000). The leading health problems among the respondents were
high blood pressure, rheumatologic diseases of joints, ulcer of the duodenal
or gastric ulcer, gall bladder disease and high blood fat. Conclusion. Adult
residents of northern Kosovska Mitrovica assessed their health as better
than the residents of Serbia without Kosovo and Metohia. The diseases in
which stress plays the major role among etiological factors are in the
leading position. The obtained data on the population level of specific
areas represent the basis in the planning of health education and health
promotion activities.