bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation?
Authors: Weppler Cynthia Holzman , Magnusson S. Peter
Published: January 2010

Various theories have been proposed to explain increases in muscle extensibility observed after intermittent stretching. Most of these theories advocate a mechanical increase in length of the stretched muscle. More recently, a sensory theory has been proposed suggesting instead that increases in muscle extensibility are due to a modification of sensation only. Studies that evaluated the biomechanical effect of stretching showed that muscle length does increase during stretch application due to the viscoelastic properties of muscle. However, this length increase is transient, its magnitude and duration being dependent upon the duration and type of stretching applied. Most of these studies suggest that increases in muscle extensibility observed after a single stretching session and after short-term (3- to 8-week) stretching programs are due to modified sensation. The biomechanical effects of long-term (>8 weeks) and chronic stretching programs have not yet been evaluated. The purposes of this article are to review each of these proposed theories and to discuss the implications for research and clinical practice.
Effect of Treadmill Training and Supramalleolar Orthosis Use on Motor Skill Development in Infants With Down Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Looper Julia , Ulrich Dale A.
Published: January 2010

Background

Children with Down syndrome (DS) often display delayed onset of independent walking. Treadmill training is an effective intervention that leads to an earlier walking onset. In addition, orthoses often are provided to infants with DS to increase stability and promote earlier independent walking. However, this early use of orthoses has not been scientifically verified in infants with DS.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to provide insight into the developmental outcomes of early orthosis use in combination with treadmill training in infants with DS compared with treadmill training alone.

Design

This study was a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

This study was conducted in participants’ homes and in the motor development laboratory.

Participants and Intervention

Seventeen infants with DS entered the study when they could pull themselves to a standing position. They were randomly assigned to either a control group (which received treadmill training) or an experimental group (which received treadmill training and orthoses). During monthly visits to the infants’ homes, 3 minutes of treadmill stepping was recorded and each child's motor development skills were tested. The treadmill training ended once the child took 3 independent steps. One month following walking onset, developmental tests were readministered.

Measurements

The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) was used to test motor skill development.

Results

The average (SD) time in the study was 268 (88) days for the control group and 206 (109) days for the experimental group. All infants showed significantly increased GMFM scores over time. At 1 month of walking experience, the control group had higher GMFM scores than the experimental group, with higher standing and walking, running, and jumping subscale scores.

Limitations

Limitations of this study included a small sample of convenience, a statistical model that may have reduced validity at the tail end, and a lack of blinding in the GMFM scorer.

Conclusions

Orthoses may have a detrimental effect on overall gross motor skill development.
Exploring the Feasibility and Efficacy of a Telehealth Stroke Self-Management Programme: A Pilot Study
Authors: Huijbregts Maria P.J. , McEwen Sara , Taylor Denise
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Moving On after STroke (MOST) is an established self-management programme for persons with stroke and their care partners. Through 18 sessions over 9 weeks, each including discussion and exercise, participants learn about goal-setting, problem-solving, exercise, and community-reintegration skills. This study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of telehealth delivery of MOST.

Method: Efficacy was evaluated using an experimental non-randomized trial comparing a telehealth MOST intervention group (T-MOST) (n = 10) with a waiting list control group (WLC) (n = 8). Outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Reintegration to Normal Living Index, the Stroke-Adapted Sickness Impact Profile, Goal Attainment Scaling, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. The feasibility evaluation included attendance rates, focus groups, and facilitator logs. In MOST Telehealth, one co-facilitator was local and the other was connected by videoconference.

Results: Attendance rates for persons with stroke (83.9%, SD = 2.6) and care partners (76.7%, SD = 2.9) and participant and facilitator experiences indicated feasibility of this mode of programme delivery. There was a significant difference in BBS scores between the T-MOST group and the WLC group (mean difference −4.27, 95%CI: −6.66 to −1.87). Participants reported additional benefits, including increased motivation and awareness of partners' needs. Videoconferencing was reported to decrease their sense of isolation.

Conclusion: It appears feasible to deliver the MOST programme with two facilitators, one connected by videoconference and one in person. In addition, preliminary evidence suggests that the programme is associated with improved well-being in persons with stroke and their care partners. Practitioners delivering self-management programmes may consider wider dissemination using videoconferencing.
Effect of Acute Exercise on Upper-Limb Volume in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study
Authors: McNeely Margaret L. , Campbell Kristin L. , Courneya Kerry S. , Mackey John R.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Strenuous upper-extremity activity and/or exercise have traditionally been prescribed for breast cancer survivors with or at risk of developing lymphedema. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of an acute bout of exercise on upper-limb volume and symptoms in breast cancer survivors, with the intent to provide pilot data to guide a subsequent larger study.

Methods: Twenty-three women who regularly participated in dragon-boat racing took part in the study. A single exercise bout was performed at a moderate intensity (rating of perceived exertion: 13–14) for 20 continuous minutes on an arm ergometer. The difference between affected and unaffected limb volume was assessed pre- and post-exercise via measurements of limb circumference at five time points.

Results: Although limb volume increased following exercise in both limbs, the difference between the limbs remained stable at each measurement point. Only one participant was found to have an increase in arm-volume difference of >100 ml post intervention, and only four participants reported symptoms of tension and/or heaviness in the affected limb.

Conclusion: The results suggest that limb volume in breast cancer survivors increases after an acute bout of upper-limb exercise but that, for the majority of women, the response is not different between affected and unaffected limbs. Future research using a larger sample and more sensitive measurement methods are recommended.
Access Walking Distance, Transit Use, and Transit-Oriented Development in North York City Center, Toronto, Canada
Authors: Crowley David F. , Shalaby Amer S. , Zarei Hossein
Published: January 2010

This study had two main objectives: to examine how variations in walking distance to rapid transit are related to mode choice as well as to auto ownership and use and to investigate whether temporal changes in the built environment associated transit-oriented development in close proximity to rapid transit (subway) service encourage residents to use transit. The city of Toronto, Canada, and one of the fastest-growing suburban centers of Toronto–-the North York City Center located near the northern edge of Toronto on the Yonge subway line–-were selected as case studies. With the 2001 Transportation Tomorrow Survey (TTS) data, a quantitative analysis was employed; it that focused on home-based trips by using the city's subway network to demonstrate how walk-access distances to rapid transit are related to subway mode share, auto ownership, and auto use. Further analysis was undertaken to examine the temporal changes in land use and related travel behavior over a 15-year period by comparing TTS data for 1986 and 2001. The results of the analyses illustrate quantitatively the strong association between convenient walk access, lifestyle, and transit use, not only during peak hours but also throughout the day. The results show how the promotion of focused development within a convenient walking distance of rapid transit service in a relatively low-density suburb of Toronto has, over 15 years, been accompanied by a substantial shift in residents’ travel behavior toward increased transit use.
Entry-Only Automated Fare-Collection System Data Used to Infer Ridership, Rider Destinations, Unlinked Trips, and Passenger Miles
Authors: Reddy Alla , Lu Alex , Kumar Santosh , Bashmakov Victor , Rudenko Svetlana
Published: January 2010

All U.S. transit agencies receiving FTA Urbanized Area Formula Program funding under Section 5307 (Section 15) report service consumption statistics (revenue passenger miles and unlinked trips) to the National Transit Database. Passenger miles is an incentive-based funding element that generates millions of dollars annually for New York City Transit (NYCT). Originally, Section 15 random sample data were collected by surveyors gathering passenger destination information, followed by manual distance calculation based on judgment of likely travel paths. This method was costly, inefficient, inconsistent, and not always reproducible despite rigorous auditing and certification. NYCT modernized this process by directly retrieving passenger-origination information from the automated fare-collection (AFC) system, inferring destinations with a second swipe, and automating passenger mile calculation by using schedule-driven shortest-path algorithms. While using state-of-art data collection and computation methods, NYCT retained FTA-approved sampling methodology to maintain comparability of data. Success of automated data reporting is maximized by developing algorithms first by using small data sets, followed by clearly documented parallel testing with full involvement of data consumers, including relevant regulatory authorities. Software development is iterative, and computation time should be monitored to ensure scalability. Building on this work, NYCT is developing AFC-based methodologies to infer bus passenger origins and destinations and train loads and it is adapting signal-system data for routine monitoring of operating performance. Reporting automation to the extent at which live data can be used for scheduling and service planning without modeling or special analyses will allow service to be monitored much more frequently and extensively.
Actual and Perceived Car Dependence
Authors: Lucas Karen
Published: January 2010

A scoping study was conducted into the nature of car dependence in the United Kingdom. The primary aims of the study were to gain deeper insight into the changing nature and causes of car dependence over the past 20 years, to consider whether dependence was a useful way of characterizing the situation, and to identify the likely economic and social consequences of moving beyond the current voluntary interventions primarily being used to encourage people to reduce their car use and to adopt alternative, more sustainable modes. The new direction is toward more coercive and nonvoluntary future interventions, such as road pricing or carbon taxation. The study involved four interactive stages: a literature and policy review, time series analysis of data from the U.K. National Travel Survey 1995 to 1996 and 2005 to 2006, interviews with key local stakeholders, and exploratory focus-group exercises with selected members of the general public. Reported are findings of the literature review and exploratory focus-group exercises only. A full report of the study and supporting working papers can be found on the Royal Automobile Club Foundation website www.racfoundation.org .
Integrating Climate Change into State and Regional Transportation Plans
Authors: Gallivan Frank , Ang-Olson Jeffrey , Turchetta Diane
Published: January 2010

This paper aims to advance the practice and application of transportation planning for state, regional, and local transportation planning agencies to address the relationship between transportation and climate change. The focus of the paper is on long-range planning documents as tools for climate change planning. Reviews included federal regulations and statutes that govern transportation planning as well as a sample of current planning documents from state departments of transportation (DOTs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). Interviews were conducted with four DOTs and eight MPOs that were incorporating climate change into long-range transportation plans. The text of federal statutes provides opportunities to link climate change considerations with transportation planning. The current practice in transportation plans varies widely by agency. Climate change can appear in the vision, goals, policies, strategies, trends and challenges, and performance measures of planning documents. Some plans merely recognize that climate change is related to transportation and begin to relate existing plans and strategies to climate change. Other plans make climate change more central to their goals and policies. Some agencies are quantifying greenhouse gas emissions related to transportation plans and programs. Quantification will likely be a key component of plans in the future. Research highlighted several types of barriers and needs for agencies considering climate change in transportation plans. These barriers were reviewed. Some simple recommendations were provided for how state DOTs and MPOs could address them.
Visualizing Long-Range Health of Rural Recreational and Agricultural Corridors
Authors: Shaw William , Loudon William R. , Schulte Robert J. , Liu Joanna
Published: January 2010

This paper describes a system developed by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and DKS Associates to produce visual displays of how growth in the key rural corridors in eastern Idaho will affect the health of state facilities and how investments can reduce the long-term impacts of that growth. The system includes a geographic information system (GIS) as the base platform where a variety of data on roadway characteristics, land use, population and employment forecasts, and traffic counts are stored and organized. The system also includes a module for producing travel forecasts from population and employment growth forecasts and from historical trends in growth in traffic volumes to reflect growth in the corridor and growth in recreational travel to the region. For a future scenario, the GIS program generates a graphic display of the level of service for different times of the day, days of the week, and seasons of the year. It also can generate a graphic display of the health of the corridor where “health” is defined by a set of factors and criteria that describe how the corridor would be perceived by travelers who use it and how the roadway facility affects the economic health of the corridor. The visualization tool has been successfully used by ITD to help the counties in eastern Idaho develop plans that anticipate and acknowledge the growth and other changes in the critical state route corridors.
Analysis of Seasonal and Day-of-Week Traffic Patterns at National Parks
Authors: Liggett Lindsay , Burris Mark , Turner Shawn
Published: January 2010

The National Park Service (NPS) is considering improvements to its traffic monitoring program in national parks. While several of the national parks within this network collect continuous vehicle data at multiple stations within each park, these continuous data have not been systematically analyzed for their suitability in factoring short-term traffic counts at other locations. Therefore, this research investigated seasonal and day-of-week traffic patterns using a sample set of five national parks, in the context of using these continuous data to factor short-term traffic counts. From the limited sample in this analysis, it was determined that the seasonal and day-of-week factors were not statistically different from 2002 to 2006 for all five national parks, allowing for adjustment of short counts to annual average daily traffic values. Therefore, the use of traditional traffic monitoring principles (e.g., use of a few continuous count locations with many short-term traffic counts that are factored to an annual average) can be considered. The NPS traffic monitoring system may also be enhanced with the use of data from nearby state highway counts. For the small number of parks examined in this research, there was a high correlation between park traffic and data from nearby (within 20 mi) state highway automatic traffic recorders.
Activity-Based Model of Women's Activity–Travel Patterns
Authors: Meloni Italo , Bez Massimiliano , Spissu Erika
Published: January 2010

The daily schedule of women is dictated by various requirements, and consequently their activity–travel patterns are often more complex and heterogeneous than those of their male counterparts. The problems associated with women's mobility have highlighted the need to treat males and females separately when travel behavior is represented, especially when transportation policy interventions are concerned. Because of the substantial differences between men's and women's activity and travel behavior, they may respond differently to policy changes. This paper describes an activity-based approach to women's travel behavior analysis, where time is allocated to in-home and out-of-home nonwork activities. A mixed joint probit–Tobit model was developed for daily time allocation to a set of nonwork activities; it allows for two-stage choice: first a woman decides whether to engage in activities outside the home (discrete choice), then she chooses which nonwork activities to participate in and allocates the time for them (discrete–continuous choice). Data used for model estimation were from the Mobility and Equal Opportunities Survey conducted in Cagliari, Italy, in 2006 by Centro Interuniversitario Ricerche Economiche e Mobilità in collaboration with Cagliari Provincial Authority's Department of Gender Equality. The survey results highlight the dual roles of women who have to divide their time between work and family and indicate how transportation system efficiency plays a pivotal role in women's schedules and imposes constraints on their leisure time more than does any other individual or household characteristic.
Evaluation of Bond Strength of Tack Coat Materials in Field
Authors: Mohammad Louay N. , Bae Abraham , Elseifi Mostafa A. , Button Joe , Scherocman James A.
Published: January 2010

The results presented in this paper are part of NCHRP Project 9-40 on the Optimization of Tack Coat for Hot-Mix Asphalt Placement. This paper presents the development of a new test device, the Louisiana Tack Coat Quality Tester (LTCQT), for evaluating the quality of the bond strength of tack coat in the field. LTCQT is a modification of the ATacker device. A test matrix was developed to evaluate the reliability and the repeatability of the LTCQT in the field. Three emulsified tack coats (CRS-1, SS-1h, and Trackless) and an asphalt cement (PG 64-22) were evaluated over a wide range of temperatures and at a residual application rate of 0.23 L/m2. Two key test parameters were determined to characterize the mechanical responses of tack coats: the optimum testing temperature and the maximum tensile strength test. Results indicated that the LTCQT can successfully be used in the field to measure the quality of the bond strength of tack coat and to distinguish between the responses of the evaluated tack coats. A good correlation was observed between the absolute viscosity of residual tack coat material and the tack coat tensile strength. This study shows that the softening point can be an adequate parameter to determine the optimum temperature for the tack coat pull-off test, and therefore pull-off testing at the softening point temperature of the residual binder material is recommended for field tack coat evaluation.
Evaluation of Warm-Mix Asphalt Produced with the Double Barrel Green Process
Authors: Middleton Brent , Forfylow R. W. (Bob)
Published: January 2010

During the past 3 years, warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technologies from European countries have entered the North American market. European experiences with WMA technologies have indicated that a significant reduction in mixture temperature, mixture viscosity, energy consumption, and environmental emissions during asphalt mix production and placement can be achieved in comparison with traditional hot-mix asphalt (HMA). On the basis of North American experiences with these technologies to date, transportation agencies and HMA producers are unlikely to adopt WMA technologies solely for the reduction in manufacturing energy costs and environmental emissions, because these benefits do not cover the associated increase in investment and additive costs of WMA over HMA, even in the most expensive North American energy markets. This paper presents an evaluation of the economic, environmental, and mixture performance factors to assess the sustainability of WMA in North America. The paper examines the benefits, risks, investment and material costs, and sustainability associated with the different WMA technologies and specifically the Double Barrel Green process. Included is a mixture performance evaluation of WMA mixes containing reclaimed asphalt pavement and Manufactured Shingle Modifier produced with the Double Barrel Green System during field trials in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Asphalt Cement Loss Tangent as Surrogate Performance Indicator for Control of Thermal Cracking
Authors: Soleimani Abdolrasoul , Walsh Shanan , Hesp Simon A. M.
Published: January 2010

This paper documents and discusses the field validation of a simple performance indicator for specification grading of asphalt cement for thermal cracking. The loss tangent, tan(δ), as defined by the ratio of the viscous over elastic modulus, G”/ G’, is able to provide a quantitative measure of the sol and gel nature of asphalt cement. As such, tan(δ) relates closely to how well a material is able to relax stress and is therefore investigated as a surrogate performance indicator for thermal cracking. Asphalt cements from 20 contract sites in Ontario, Canada, were tested in torsion bar geometry to determine their viscoelastic properties. The findings show that tan(δ) was able to distinguish good from poor performers for this set of materials with 95% accuracy, which is a considerable improvement over the current bending beam rheometer protocol. In addition to the use of tan(δ), it is suggested that a measure of the critical strain tolerance in the ductile state could be included to provide a significantly improved performance grading method. Most of the worst performing contracts were found to contain zinc. The presence of this element suggests that the use of waste engine oils in asphalt production is likely widespread, since zinc is a universal additive in engine oil and is never found in straight asphalt cement
Effect of Crumb Rubber Bituminous Mixes on Functional Characteristics of Road Pavements
Authors: Miró Rodrigo , Pérez-Jiménez Félix , Martínez Adriana H. , Reyes-Ortiz Oscar , Paje Santiago E. , Bueno Moisés
Published: January 2010

The Road Research Laboratory of Spain's Technical University of Catalonia has conducted a study to determine the effects of adding crumb rubber on the functional characteristics of gap-graded mixtures–- particularly the effects on texture and noise. The evaluation was performed on the basis of full-scale measurements of several test sections. All sections were constructed with a gap-graded mixture in which three types of binders were used: bitumen with crumb rubber added by the wet process, the same bitumen with crumb rubber added by the dry process (1% and 2% crumb rubber content), and polymer-modified bitumen acting as the reference. The test sections were located on Road B-140 near Barcelona, Spain. Texture and skid resistance were measured by the side force coefficient routine investigation machine (SCRIM), and noise levels were quantified in a semi-anechoic chamber with the close proximity method. The use of different tires was also analyzed by the Laboratory of Acoustics Applied to Civil Engineering of the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). The results revealed the impact of construction and service conditions on the surface characteristics of pavements and that, in general, the addition of crumb rubber by the dry process may slightly decrease the noise from tire–pavement interaction, while texture levels are decreased and skid resistance is increased, compared with the results obtained with the addition of crumb rubber by the wet process.
Effects of Warm-Mix Asphalt Additives on Workability and Mechanical Properties of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Material
Authors: Tao Mingjiang , Mallick Rajib B.
Published: January 2010

The soaring cost of liquid asphalt binder and anticipated stricter environmental regulations have driven highway agencies to maximize the amount of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) used for pavement construction. However, because of already aged and stiffened asphalt binder in RAP, the use of high percentages of RAP in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) presents many challenges. Problems with workability and compactability during construction need to be resolved first. This study investigated the feasibility of using 100% RAP HMA as a base course with warm-mix asphalt (WMA) additives (Sasobit H8 or Advera zeolite) at a lower temperature (125°C). Mix samples (control set with 100% RAP; a set with 100% RAP plus Sasobit H8 at 1.5%, 2.0%, and 5.0%; and a set with 100% RAP plus Advera zeolite at 0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.7%) were compacted with 50 gyrations. Their workability, bulk specific gravity, indirect tensile strength at 0°C, and moduli at 0°C, 26.7°C, and 50°C were determined. The effects of different amounts of WMA additives were compared. The results showed that workability of the 100% RAP HMA improved with the addition of Sasobit H8 or Advera zeolite at temperatures as low as 110°C. At temperatures less than 80°C, the addition of Sasobit H8 or Advera zeolite tended to stiffen the mix, as also reflected in increased seismic moduli and indirect tensile strength. Seismic modulus of the mixes was also found to be dependent on bulk specific gravity. The addition of Sasobit H8 proportionally increased bulk specific gravity of the mixes. The effect of amounts of Advera zeolite on bulk specific gravity was less well defined. It seemed that stiff asphalt binder in the RAP also affected compaction by preventing asphalt foam from fully forming, as it would when Advera zeolite was mixed with a virgin asphalt binder.
Coupled obturator neurotomies and lidocaine intrathecal infusion to treat bilateral adductor spasticity and drug-refractory pain
Authors: Carrillo-Ruiz José D. , Andrade Pablo , Godínez-Cubillos Nora , Montes-Castillo María L. , Jiménez Fiacro , Velasco Ana L. , Castro Guillermo , Velasco Francisco
Published: January 2010

Spastic diplegia is present in three-fourths of children with cerebral palsy, interfering with gait and frequently accompanied by severe pain. The authors report the case of a 28-year-old woman with history of perinatal hypoxia, who presented with cerebral palsy and severe spastic diplegia (Ashworth Scale Score 4, Tardieu Scale Score 5) and was confined to a wheelchair. She complained of pain in the left hip and knee with mixed neuropathic and somatic components. She consistently rated pain intensity as 10 of 10 on a visual analog scale, and her symptoms were resistant to multiple treatments. The patient underwent selective bilateral adductor myotomies and the implantation of an infusion pump for intrathecal lidocaine application. Postoperative control of pain and spasticity was dramatic (scores of 0 on the Ashworth, Tardieu, and visual analog scales) and persisted throughout a follow-up period of 36 months. This is the first report in the literature of combined selective neurotomies for the treatment of spasticity and chronic lidocaine subarachnoid infusion to treat associated pain. This therapy could represent an alternative to treat spasticity associated with neuropathic and somatic pain.
The Versatility of the Helicobacter pylori Vacuolating Cytotoxin VacA in Signal Transduction and Molecular Crosstalk
Authors: Backert Steffen , Tegtmeyer Nicole
Published: January 2010

By modulating important properties of eukaryotic cells, many bacterial protein toxins highjack host signalling pathways to create a suitable niche for the pathogen to colonize and persist. Helicobacter pylori VacA is paradigm of pore-forming toxins which contributes to the pathogenesis of peptic ulceration. Several cellular receptors have been described for VacA, which exert different effects on epithelial and immune cells. The crystal structure of VacA p55 subunit might be important for elucidating details of receptor interaction and pore formation. Here we discuss the multiple signalling activities of this important toxin and the molecular crosstalk between VacA and other virulence factors.
The subtle balance of weak supramolecular interactions: The hierarchy of halogen and hydrogen bonds in haloanilinium and halopyridinium salts
Authors: Raatikainen Kari , Cametti Massimo , Rissanen Kari
Published: January 2010

The series of haloanilinium and halopyridinium salts: 4-IPhNH3Cl (1), 4-IPhNH3Br (5), 4-IPhNH3H2PO4 (6), 4-ClPhNH3H2PO4 (8), 3-IPyBnCl (9), 3-IPyHCl (10) and 3-IPyH-5NIPA (3-iodopyridinium 5-nitroisophthalate, 13), where hydrogen or/and halogen bonding represents the most relevant non-covalent interactions, has been prepared and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This series was further complemented by extracting some relevant crystal structures: 4-BrPhNH3Cl (2, CCDC ref. code TAWRAL), 4-ClPhNH3Cl (3, CURGOL), 4-FPhNH3Cl (4, ANLCLA), 4-BrPhNH3H2PO4, (7, UGISEI), 3-BrPyHCl, (11, CIHBAX) and 3-ClPyHCl, (12, VOQMUJ) from Cambridge Structural Database for sake of comparison. Based on the X-ray data it was possible to highlight the balance between non-covalent forces acting in these systems, where the relative strength of the halogen bonding C–X···A− (X = I, Br or Cl) and the ratio between the halogen and hydrogen bonds [C–X···A− : D–H···A−] varied across the series.
MARKET SELECTION FOR INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS
Authors: Falkenbach Heidi
Published: January 2010

This paper studies the market selection criteria in international real estate investments. It presents the results of a questionnaire study among internationally investing property investors in Europe. The results indicate that the most important factors for market selection are safety of property rights and title as well as expected return on property investments. Also other factors describing institutional set‐up and market maturity were found to affect the market selection process, whereas the correlation of the property returns was not found to have a large impact on market selection. Santruka Šiame darbe nagrinejami kriterijai, pagal kuriuos pasirenkamos rinkos tarptautinems investicijoms i nekilnojamaji turta. Jame pateikiami Europos nekilnojamojo turto investuotoju, investuojančiu tarptautiniu mastu, apklausos rezultatai. Rezultatai rodo, kad svarbiausi veiksniai, renkantis rinka, yra nuosavybes teisiu saugumas ir laukiama graža iš investiciju i nekilnojamaji turta. Nustatyta, kad rinkos pasirinkimo procese svarbūs ir kiti veiksniai, apibūdinantys institucine saranga ir rinkos branduma, o nekilnojamojo turto gražos koreliacija rinkai pasirinkti reikšmingos itakos neturi.
MULTICRITERIA EVALUATION OF APARTMENT BLOCKS MAINTENANCE CONTRACTORS: LITHUANIAN CASE STUDY
Authors: Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras , Kaklauskas Artūras , Vilutienė Tatjana
Published: January 2010

The paper presents the comparative analysis of dwelling maintenance contractors aimed at determining the degree of their utility for users and bidding price of services by applying the method of multicriteria complex proportional assessment. To compare the performance of various maintenance contractors, the data from 15 dwelling maintenance organizations was used. A questionnaire survey of dwelling owners was conducted. Contractors were evaluated by a set of 44 criteria characterizing them from various perspectives. The analysis was made taking into account the standpoints of building owners (clients). The initial weights of qualitative criteria were calculated by expert methods. Then they were coordinated with the calculated values of quantitative criteria using the method of multicriteria complex proportional assessment. Multicriteria analysis of the performance of maintenance contractors allows us to determine the importance of particular contractor characteristics for achieving the aim to meet the needs of different participants of the maintenance process. Santruka Straipsnyje pateikta daugiabučius namus administruojančiu imoniu lyginamoji analize. Tyrimo tikslas — nustatyti daugiabučius namus administruojančiu imoniu paslaugu naudinguma namo naudotojams. Pavyzdžiui išspresti buvo naudoti penkiolikos daugiabučius namus administruojančiu imoniu paslaugu rodikliai. Imones pagal 44 juos apibūdinančius kriterijus vertino daugiabučiu namu gyventojai. Pradiniai kokybiniu rodikliu reikšmingumai nustatyti taikant ekspertini metoda. Kokybiniu ir kiekybiniu rodikliu reikšmingumai suderinti, optimalus variantas ir variantu naudingumai nustatyti daugiakriterinio kompleksinio proporcingo vertinimo metodu (angl. method of COmplex PRoportional ASsessment, COPRAS). Pagal taikyta metoda derybu metu galima koreguoti pasiūlymu kainas, atsižvelgiant i nustatyta alternatyvu naudinguma. Daugiakriterine analize leidžia nustatyti konkretaus rangovo rodikliu reikšmingumus, ivertinus skirtingus daugiabučiu namu priežiūros proceso dalyviu poreikius.
PRESERVATION OF HEALTHY AND HARMONIOUS RESIDENTIAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT DURING URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Mitkus Sigitas , Šostak Olga Regina
Published: January 2010

The article discusses densification of fully urbanised territories, which causes deterioration of living conditions for tenants of neighbouring houses (third parties) due to the negative impact of construction on local environment. Specifically, detection of fundamental right violations during territorial planning is in focus, because not only third parties but also future tenants of the house being constructed suffer loss of healthy and harmonious work and recreational environment as a direct result of such violations. A classifier of fundamental right violations during territorial planning was developed for that purpose. The judicial practice was analysed; persons authorised to contest environmental violations under the Law on Administrative Proceedings and the scope of their authorisation were determined. Santruka Nagrinejama, kaip tankinant urbanizuotu teritoriju užstatyma pabloginamos aplinkiniu namu gyventoju (trečiuju asmenu) gyvenimo salygos del neigiamo statybos poveikio vietinei aplinkai. Ypatingas demesys skiriamas esminiu teisiu pažeidimams nustatyti planuojant teritorijas, nes šie pažeidimai daro tiesiogine itaka sveikos ir harmoningos bei ir poilsio aplinkos praradimui ne tik tretiesiems asmenims, bet ir būsimiems naujai statomo namo gyventojams. Tam tikslui sudarytas esminiu teisiu pažeidimu planuojant teritorijas klasifikatorius. Išnagrineta teismu praktika ir nustatyta, kas ir kokia apimtimi gali užginčyti administraciniu bylu teisenos istatymo nustatyta tvarka pažeidimus aplinkosaugos klausimais. Straipsnyje nagrinejamos trečiuju asmenu teisiu i sveika ir harmoninga gyvenamaja bei darbo aplinka išsaugojimo problemos vykdant statybas urbanizuotose teritorijose. Išnagrineta Lietuvos Respublikos trečiuju asmenu teisiu i sveika ir harmoninga gyvenamaja bei darbo aplinka gynimo teismu praktika, aptartas viešojo ir privataus intereso santykis šioje srityje. Nustatyti pagrindiniai galimi pažeidimai planuojant statybas, sudarytas šiu pažeidimu klasifikatorius.
MASS APPRAISAL METHODS: AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE FOR PROPERTY VALUERS
Authors: Taltavull Paloma
Published: January 2010

Mass appraisal methods: an international perspective for property valuers, Tom Kauko and Maurizio d'Amato (Eds.), Hardcover, Wiley‐Blackwell, August 2008, 360 pages. ISBN: 978–1–4051–8097–9
CENTRAL EUROPE AS AN IMAGINED REGION
Authors: Kačerauskas Tomas
Published: January 2010

The article deals with the conception of Central Europe in the perspective of clash of civilizations. The author's major thesis is the following: Central Europe is central being the centre of fight for European values including Western Christianity, liberalism, democracy, justice, and historical memory. The minor theses are the following: 1) the very notion of Central Europe is inseparable from its moral content, i.e. from imagined values to be obliged as maximas of life in a certain life‐world; 2) Central Europe serves as the becoming of Europe's identity and vice versa, the identity of Central Europe depends on contrary parts of imagined Europe. The author considers Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL) as a historical rim of European civilization and the area for the becoming of Central Europe.
Azathioprine: Association with Therapy-related Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: KWONG YOK-LAM
Published: January 2010

Objective.

Azathioprine is widely used in patients with autoimmune diseases and after organ allografting. A recognized carcinogen, azathioprine is also associated with the development of therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia (t-MDS/AML).

Methods.

In 56 reported cases, azathioprine had been administered for a median of 65 months (range 6–192) to a median cumulative dose of 146 g (range 19–750) before t-MDS/AML developed.

Results.

In 11 patients, repeated episodes of cytopenias developed during azathioprine therapy, ante-dating the development of t-MDS/AML. In 33 cases with successful karyotypic analysis, 26 cases (79%) showed monosomy 7, deletion of the long arm of chromosomes 7 and 5, and rearrangement of chromosome 11q23. These changes were cytogenetic hallmarks of MDS/AML secondary to known leukemogenic agents and radiotherapy.

Conclusion.

The observations implicate azathioprine as a leukemogenic agent. It will be prudent to review the need for azathioprine therapy when unexpected cytopenias occur and prescription has been prolonged.
Knowledge sharing in organic food supply chains
Authors: Kottila Marja-Riitta
Published: January 2010

Despite growing public interest in organic foods, they still represent only a niche market. Identified hindrances to the growth of this market have shifted the research focus to the supply chains as a whole and the information or knowledge flow along them. This study examined knowledge sharing along two Finnish organic food supply chains from farmers at the one end to consumers at the other. The findings revealed that only a small portion of the knowledge needed by the actors along the chain was shared. The unshared knowledge and its partly embedded nature suggest a need for more interaction and open communication among the actors in order to change current practice and the culture within the chain. Horizontal collaboration among actors specialized in organic production might improve knowledge sharing with consumers and help to develop the currently scattered and controversial knowledge base on the potential added value of organic products. The paper emphasises the importance of a whole chain approach and gives suggestions for further research.
Depression and Risk for Adverse Falls in Older Home Health Care Patients
Authors: Byers Amy L. , Sheeran Thomas , Mlodzianowski Amy E. , Meyers Barnett S. , Nassisi Pamella , Bruce Martha L.
Published: January 2010

Because falls are highly prevalent, harmful events for older adults, identification of patients at risk is a high priority for home health care agencies. Using routine administrative data, we demonstrated that patients with depressive symptoms on the Outcome and Assessment Information Set are at risk for falls. A prospective case-control study that matched 54 patients who experienced an adverse fall with 854 controls showed that patients who fell had twice the odds of being depressed (odds ratio = 1.90, 95% confidence interval = 1.01 to 3.59). Bowel incontinence, high medical comorbidity, stair use, injury and poisoning, memory deficit, and antipsychotic medication use were also predictors, but no association was found for antidepressant medications. These data suggest the potential benefit of including depression screening for multifactorial fall prevention interventions.
Tailoring Protocols to Successfully Recruit and Retain Older Adults in a Longitudinal Study of Sleep and Cognition
Authors: Carlson Barbara Waag , Carlson John R. , Neelon Virginia J. , Hartman Marilyn
Published: January 2010

Many studies attest to the challenges of recruiting and retaining older adults in longitudinal studies. This article presents the methods used by the Physiological Research to Improve Sleep and Memory project to recruit and retain 115 adults (age 70 and older) in a 2-year study that involved annual administrations of two neurocognitive test batteries and two nights of polysomnography. Strategies built on knowledge obtained from participant informants and the use of tailored, individualized protocols are described. Together, these strategies enabled participants to become vested in the research process and to fully participate in all aspects of the study.
The Spanish Version of the Mutuality Scale: Evidence for the Cultural Equivalence of Mutuality in Mexican American Families
Authors: Crist Janice D. , Escandón Socorro , Stewart Barbara J. , Archbold Patricia G.
Published: January 2010

Mutuality, the positive quality of the relationship between the family caregiver and care receiver, is an important variable in family care for frail older adults. It has been shown to be associated with lower levels of caregiver strain and higher levels of caregiving rewards. However, the concept and measure of mutuality were developed with non-Hispanic White samples. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of an instrument—the Spanish Version of the Mutuality Scale. We determined for Mexican American families: (a) the functional equivalence of mutuality, (b) a comparative descriptive framework for mutuality, and (c) the language equivalence of the Mutuality Scale and the Spanish Version of the Mutuality Scale. Evaluating mutuality levels for Mexican American older adults and caregivers, especially in view of their strong cultural norm of familism, is essential.
Cue Conditions and Wayfinding in Older and Younger Women
Authors: Davis Rebecca L. , Therrien Barbara A. , West Brady T.
Published: January 2010

This study examined how varying the salience and complexity of environmental cues affects place learning in older versus younger women. Place learning is a critical cognitive function for wayfinding in new or changed environments that becomes impaired with age in many people. Environments such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities typically have poorly differentiated environments. Environmental modifications that influence how older adults learn places more effectively are not known. It was hypothesized that salient cues (prominent and distinctive) are particularly important to place learning. The Computer-Generated Arena was used to test this hypothesis in 20 healthy older (age 65+) women and 6 healthy younger (ages 18 to 35) women. Analyses of the data showed differences in place learning with respect to cue salience, complexity, and age, with younger women being much more proficient in the place learning task and with the best overall learning in the salient and complex cue conditions.
Dehydration Reduction in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Perspectives of Community Health Care Providers
Authors: Abdallah Lisa , Remington Ruth , Houde Susan , Zhan Lin , Melillo Karen Devereaux
Published: January 2010

Dehydration is a common problem among older adults and can negatively affect their health. This cross-sectional descriptive study used survey findings and focus group interviews to investigate dehydration problems among community-dwelling older adults and to identify strategies perceived to be helpful in preventing dehydration in this population. The survey sample (
n
= 18) and four focus groups (
n
= 36) included health care providers in the northeast United States from provider agencies representing emergency care, home care, primary care, and community health care. Survey findings indicated that 89% of participants identify dehydration as a problem affecting older adults, and 94% noted the need for a public campaign on dehydration awareness and reduction. Four major themes emerged: Intentional Avoidance and Caution, Lack of Awareness/Education/Understanding, Poor Access to Fluids, and Social and Environmental Influences. Strategies identified to promote hydration in community-dwelling older adults included community partnerships, community education, community engagement, and interdisciplinary approaches. This study provides useful information and detailed strategies recommended by health care providers for designing interventions to promote hydration for community-dwelling older adults.
New Parameters for Daytime Wandering
Authors: Algase Donna L. , Antonakos Cathy L. , Beattie Elizabeth , Beel-Bates Cynthia A. , Yao Lan
Published: January 2010

This study aimed to describe wandering using new parameters and to evaluate parameters as a function of cognitive impairment and mobility. Forty-four wanderers in long-term care settings were videotaped 12 times. Rate and duration of wandering episodes were plotted and used to derive parameters from values above and below case medians, proportion of hours wandering, and time of day. Participants wandered during 47% of observations; on average, the hourly rate was 4.3 episodes, the peak hourly rate was 18 episodes, and the peak hourly duration was 19.9 minutes. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores was negatively correlated with overall duration and number of observations during which duration exceeded 15 minutes per hour, was positively correlated with number of observations without wandering, and was not significantly correlated with rate-related parameters. Mobility correlated positively with rate and duration parameters. Interaction of MMSE score and mobility was the strongest predictor of wandering duration. Parameters derived from repeated measures provide a new view of daytime wandering and insight into relationships between MMSE score and mobility status with specific parameters of wandering.
Know Thy Residents: An Exploration of Long-Term Care Nursing Staff's Knowledge
Authors: Anderson Keith A. , Taha Rebecca D. , Hosier Amy F.
Published: January 2010

Nursing staff's knowledge of residents' lives in long-term care is critical to the provision of quality care, the formation of strong relationships between staff and residents, and the promotion of psychosocial well-being for residents. This study examines the degree to which nursing staff in assisted living facilities and nursing homes know residents in terms of their lives and occupations, family members, tastes and interests, and medical conditions. Quantitative surveys were administered to nursing staff-resident dyads (
N
= 199) as part of a larger study on quality of life in long-term care. Results indicated that while nursing staff generally knew residents fairly well, a significant percentage of nursing staff reported knowing nothing at all in each of the categorical areas of residents' lives. Implications center on eliminating barriers to knowledge attainment and implementing educational interventions that may augment nursing staff's knowledge of residents.