bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A European Legal Method? On European Private Law and Scientific Method
Authors: Hesselink Martijn
Published: December 2008

This article examines the relationship between European private law and scientific method. It argues that a European legal method is a good idea. Not primarily because it will make European private law scholarship look more scientific, but because a debate on the method of a normative science necessarily has to be a debate on its normative assumptions. In other words, a debate on a European legal method will have much in common with the much desired debate on social justice in European law. Moreover, it submits that, at least after the adoption of the Common Frame of Reference by the European institutions, European contract law can be regarded as a developing multi‐level system that can be studied from the inside. Finally, it concludes that the Europeanisation of private law is gradually blurring the dividing line between the internal and external perspectives, with their respective appropriate methods, in two mutually reinforcing ways. First, in the developing multi‐level system it is unclear where the external borders of the system lie, in particular the borders between Community law and national law. Second, because of the less formal legal culture the (formerly) external perspectives, such as the economic perspective, have easier access and play an increasing role as policy considerations.
Work–Life Balance for Fathers in Globalized Knowledge Work. Some Insights from the Norwegian Context
Authors: Kvande Elin
Published: December 2008

This article takes as its point of departure the introduction of a new flexible time regime in parts of working life. There has been increased focus on how knowledge work in particular is developing into total commitment organizations where employees put in more and more time at work. Using two case studies from law and computing companies the article focuses on the organization of work and the organization of time in globalized knowledge organizations, and what effect this has on the time practices of male employees who are fathers. In the same period the Nordic countries have introduced state incentives and regulations that aim to help fathers achieve work–life balance. The article also discusses whether this is a fruitful policy, or whether fathers working in flexible time cultures need more deregulation, individual choice and flexible policy measures.
‘Live to Work’ or ‘Work to Live’? A Qualitative Study of Gender and Work–life Balance among Men and Women in Mid‐life
Authors: Emslie Carol , Hunt Kate
Published: December 2008

Many contemporary studies of ‘work–life balance’ either ignore gender or take it for granted. We conducted semi‐structured interviews with men and women in mid‐life (aged 50 to 52 years) in order to compare their experiences of work–life balance. Our data suggest that gender remains embedded in the ways that respondents negotiate home and work life. The women discussed their current problems juggling a variety of roles (despite having no young children at home), while men confined their discussion of such conflicts to the past, when their children were young. However, diversity among men (some of whom ‘worked to live’ while others ‘lived to work’) and women (some of whom constructed themselves in relation to their families, while others positioned themselves as ‘independent women’) was apparent, as were some commonalities between men and women (both men and women constructed themselves as ‘pragmatic workers’). We suggest ways in which gender‐neutral theories of work–life balance may be extended.
Vigilance in Przewalski's gazelle: effects of sex, predation risk and group size
Authors: Li Z. , Jiang Z. , Beauchamp G.
Published: December 2008

Vigilance in social animals is often aimed at detecting predators. Many social and environmental factors influence vigilance, including sex, predation risk and group size. During the summer of 2007, we studied Przewalski's gazelleProcapra przewalskii, an endemic ungulate to the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, to test whether and how these three factors affect vigilance. We distinguished groups consisting of males, mothers with lambs and females without lambs making observations on groups in the presence or absence of nearby predators. We assessed the group‐size effect on vigilance and how this varied with levels of predation risk and sex. Males and mothers scanned longer and with a higher frequency than females without lambs. Individuals were more vigilant under direct predation threat. Although vigilance generally decreased with group size, the extent of the decrease was independent of predation risk and was not significant in males. The results suggest that mothers are more vigilant suggesting greater vulnerability and that males may have increased their vigilance to compete for higher social ranks. The positive correlation between vigilance and predation risk and the negative correlation between vigilance and group size are consistent with earlier findings, but we failed to find an interaction between group size and predation risk on vigilance perhaps because vigilance levels are low even in small groups, thus making similar vigilant upward adjustments in both small and large groups.
Inhibition of Alzheimer’s amyloid toxicity with a tricyclic pyrone molecule in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Hong Hyun‐Seok , Rana Sandeep , Barrigan Lydia , Shi Aibin , Zhang Yi , Zhou Feimeng , Jin Lee‐Way , Hua Duy H.
Published: December 2008

Small β‐amyloid (Aβ) 1–42 aggregates are toxic to neurons and may be the primary toxic species in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods to reduce the level of Aβ, prevent Aβ aggregation, and eliminate existing Aβ aggregates have been proposed for treatment of AD. A tricyclic pyrone named CP2 is found to prevent cell death associated with Aβ oligomers. We studied the possible mechanisms of neuroprotection by CP2. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy shows a direct binding of CP2 with Aβ42 oligomer. Circular dichroism spectroscopy reveals monomeric Aβ42 peptide remains as a random coil/α‐helix structure in the presence of CP2 over 48 h. Atomic force microscopy studies show CP2 exhibits similar ability to inhibit Aβ42 aggregation as that of Congo red and curcumin. Atomic force microscopy closed‐fluid cell study demonstrates that CP2 disaggregates Aβ42 oligomers and protofibrils. CP2 also blocks Aβ fibrillations using a protein quantification method. Treatment of 5× familial Alzheimer’s disease mice, a robust Aβ42‐producing animal model of AD, with a 2‐week course of CP2 resulted in 40% and 50% decreases in non‐fibrillar and fibrillar Aβ species, respectively. Our results suggest that CP2 might be beneficial to AD patients by preventing Aβ aggregation and disaggregating existing Aβ oligomers and protofibrils.
CAPACITY BUILDING OF ETHICS REVIEW COMMITTEES ACROSS AFRICA BASED ON THE RESULTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
Authors: NYIKA ACEME , KILAMA WENCESLAUS , TANGWA GODFREY B. , CHILENGI ROMA , TINDANA PAULINA
Published: December 2008

A needs assessment survey of ethics review committees (ERCs) across Africa was conducted in order to establish their major needs and areas of weaknesses in terms of ethical review capacity. The response rate was 84% (31 of 37 targeted committees), and committees surveyed were located in 18 African countries. The majority of the responding committees (61%) have been in existence between 5 and 10 years; approximately 74% of the respondents were institutional committees, with the remainder being either national (6/31) or regional (2/31).

In terms of the ethical review process, nine of the 31 committees that responded did not have standard operating procedures (SOPs), and seven of the 22 that did have SOPs had never revised them after their initial development (an average period of three years). Of the 31 committees, 10 operated without any ethical guidelines. Many of the committees (13/30) met once per month, and the number of proposals reviewed annually varied, ranging from five to over 100. All respondents relied on paper‐based data management and archiving systems.

Overall, the survey identified the major constraints on ERCs as lack of office equipment, outdated or lack of SOPs, lack of electronic data management systems, inadequate resources, lack of or insufficient expertise on the committees, and poor recognition of the importance of the role of the committees. Consequently, the authors are addressing the identified needs and weaknesses through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation‐funded capacity building project. The impact of the intervention project will be assessed during and at the end of the four‐year longitudinal project.
An Approximate Method to Measure Crack Opening Displacement of Fast Propagating Crack in Araldite B
Authors: Suzuki S. , Iwanaga K.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  The method of crack opening displacement (COD) has been used to obtain the energy release rate of fast propagating cracks just before and just after crack bifurcation. In this method, COD is measured on the microscopic photographs of the cracks. But, in the case of cracks in Araldite B, the corner made of a crack surface and a specimen surface is chipped out of the specimen; then, it is often difficult to measure CODs from the photographs of the cracks. The present study proposes a method to approximately measure the COD in the region where COD is difficult to be measured directly on the photograph. The accuracy of the approximate method is good enough that the measured CODs can give the energy release rate of the crack at bifurcation with the accuracy of about 7%.
Strain Measurement on Composites: Effects due to Strain Gauge Misalignment
Authors: Ajovalasit A. , Pitarresi G.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  The present work analyses the errors affecting the strains measured by misaligned strain gauges installed on orthotropic‐composite laminae. Various analytical relationships are derived showing that, besides the fibre and strain gauge orientations, the misalignment error in unidirectional off‐axis orthotropic composite samples depends also on the lamina stiffness properties (E1, E2, ν12, G12). If the fibres are aligned with the loading axis, it is found that the higher Poisson's ratio ν12 is the only elastic property influencing the misalignment error. Experimental results are shown confirming the theoretical predictions.
Estimating the S–N Field From Strain–Lifetime Curves
Authors: Fernández‐Canteli A. , Castillo E. , Pinto H. , López‐Aenlle M.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  A statistical model for deriving the stress–life from the strain–life curves is presented. In this way, the fatigue characteristics are obtained not only for the high‐ but also for the low‐cycle fatigue domains. The model reproduces the experimentally observed incurvation in the low‐cycle fatigue region. The proposed method is finally illustrated by its application to a real data case.
High Accuracy and Wide Temperature Measurement by Non‐Contact Speckle Extensometer
Authors: Kobayashi K. , Yamaguchi I.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  A new extensometer that has been developed needs neither markings nor mechanical clips to be attached onto the specimen and is perfectly noncontacting to automatise tensile test. Separate laser beams are incident at the positions where the markings were attached in the conventional extensometer. The spots on the specimen are imaged on a separate charge‐coupled device (CCD) to produce a speckle pattern, the displacement of which is detected by real‐time digital speckle correlation. Each of the optical systems is installed in a separate movable probe head that is moved under feedback control to nullify the speckle displacement detected. For detecting a small amount of specimen displacement, less than a few millimetres, the optical head is fixed to output speckle displacement. A resolution of 1 μm was attained by comparison with a linear laser encoder. A larger displacement was detected from displacement of the probe head that cancels the detected speckle displacement by feedback control of the head movement. We also conducted tensile test in a temperature chamber controlled in a range between −40 and 100°C, by placing the probe heads outside a window of the chamber.
Influence of Specimen Shape on the Indirect Tensile Strength of Transversely Isotropic Dionysos Marble Using the Three‐Point Bending Test
Authors: Kaklis K. , Maurigiannakis S. , Agioutantis Z. , Istantso C.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  This paper focuses on the investigation of the three‐point bending tensile strength of Dionysos marble. Using the classical relationship obtained from the theory of elasticity, the effect of the span length, the thickness/width ratio and the orientation of the specimens in the indirect tensile strength were investigated. In total, 42 experiments were carried out, divided in three sets of specially designed beams. Finally, the calculated bending tensile strength is compared with the corresponding value obtained from Brazilian indirect tension as well as ring tests.
Evaluation of the AHRQ Patient Safety Initiative: Framework and Approach
Authors: Farley Donna O. , Battles James B.
Published: December 2008

Objective. Describe the evaluation performed of the patient safety initiative operated by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

AHRQ Patient Safety Initiative. When patient safety became a national priority in 2000, Congress charged and funded AHRQ to improve health care safety. Over the next 6 years, AHRQ funded more than 300 research projects and other activities, addressing diverse patient safety issues and practices.

The Patient Safety Evaluation. AHRQ contracted with RAND in 2002 to perform a 4‐year evaluation of the initiative, which was completed in 2006. This formative evaluation used the CIPP program evaluation model, which emphasizes multiple stakeholders' interests (e.g., patients, providers, funded researchers). We monitored the progress of the patient safety initiative and provided AHRQ annual feedback that assessed each year's activities, identifying issues and offering suggestions for actions by AHRQ. Given the size and complexity of the initiative, the evaluation needed to examine key individual components and synthesize results across them, and it also had to be responsive to changes in the initiative over time. We used a conceptual framework to bring together the disparate pieces to synthesize overall findings. The remaining articles in this issue describe selected results from this evaluation.
Metamorphic evolution of low‐T eclogite from the North Qilian orogen, NW China: evidence from petrology and calculated phase equilibria in the system NCKFMASHO
Authors: WEI C. J. , YANG Y. , SU X. L. , SONG S. G. , ZHANG L. F.
Published: December 2008

Low‐T eclogites in the North Qilian orogen, NW China share a common assemblage of garnet, omphacite, glaucophane, epidote, phengite, quartz and rutile with or without paragonite. Phase relations for the low‐T eclogites can be modelled well in the system NCKFMASHO with the updated solid‐solution models for amphibole and clinopyroxene. Garnet in the eclogite typically exhibits growth zonations in which pyrope increases while grossular somewhat decreases from core to rim, which is modelled as having formed mainly in the P–T conditions of lawsonite‐eclogite facies at the pre‐peak stage. Omphacite shows an increase in jadeite component as aegirine and also total FeO decrease in going from the inclusions in garnet to grains in the matrix, and from core to rim of zoned crystals, reflecting an increase in metamorphic P–T conditions. Glaucophane exhibits a compositional variation in X(gl) (= Fe2+/(Fe2+ + Mg)) and F(gl) (= Fe3+/(Fe3+ + Al) in M2 site), which decrease from the inclusions in garnet to crystals in the matrix, consistent with an increase in P–T conditions. However, for zoned matrix crystals, the X(gl) and F(gl) increase from core to rim, is interpreted to reflect a late‐stage decompression. Using composition isopleths for garnet rim and phengite in P–T pseudosections, peak P–T conditions for three samples Q5–45, Q5–01 and Q7–28 were estimated as 530–540 °C at 2.10–2.25 GPa, 580–590 °C at 2.30–2.45 GPa and 575–590 °C at 2.50–2.65 GPa, respectively, for the same assemblage garnet + omphacite + glaucophane + lawsonite (+ phengite + quartz + rutile) at the peak stage. The eclogites suggest similar P–T ranges to their surrounding felsic–pelitic schists. During post‐peak decompression of the eclogites, the most distinctive change involves the transformation of lawsonite to epidote, releasing large amount of water in the rock. The released fluid promoted further growth of glaucophane at the expense of omphacite and, in appropriate bulk‐rock compositions, paragonite formed. The decompression of eclogite did not lead to pronounced changes in garnet and phengite compositions. Peak P–T conditions of the North Qilian eclogite are well constrained using both the average P–T and pseudosection approaches in Thermocalc. Generally, the conventional garnet–clinopyroxene geothermometer is too sensitive to be used for constraining the temperature of low‐T eclogite because of the uncertainty in Fe3+ determination in omphacite and slight variations in mineral compositions because of incomplete equilibration.
Further Development of Hybrid Functional Electrical Stimulation Orthoses
Authors: Yang L. , Granat M.H. , Paul J.P. , Condie D.N. , Rowley D.I.
Published: December 2008

In this study two aspects of hybrid functional electrical stimulation (FES)orthoses were investigated: joint motion constraints and FES controlstrategies.First, the effects of joint motion constraints on the gait of normal subjectswere investigated using modern motion analysis systems, includingelectromyogram (EMG) and heart ratemeasurements. An orthosis was developed to impose joint motion constraints; theknee and ankle could be fixed or free, and the hip joint could rotateindependently or coupled,according to a preset flexion‐extension coupling ratio (FECR). Compared with a1:1 hip FECR, a 2:1 hip FECR was associated with a reduced energy cost andincreased speedand step length. The knee flexion during swing significantly reduced energycost and increased walking speed. Ankle plantar flexion reduced the kneeflexing moment during the earlystance phase. Second, trials on 3 paraplegic subjects were conducted toimplement some of these findings. It appeared that the 2:1 FECR encouraged hipflexion and made legswing easier. A simple FES strategy increased walking speed and step length andreduced crutch force impulse using fixed orthotic joints.
Hypertrophy and Transformation of Muscle Fibers in Paraplegic Patients
Authors: Neumayer C. , Happak W. , Kern H. , Gruber H.
Published: December 2008

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the quadriceps femoris muscle wasapplied in 14 paraplegic patients (10 spastic patients with spinal cord lesions and 4 patients with conus‐cauda lesions with denervation atrophy). In both thespastic and the denervated group, the vastus lateralis muscle was biopsied andcomputed tomography (CT) images of the entire upper leg were made both at the onset and termination of the 8‐month training period. The stimulation was carried out twice a day for 20 min. The increase in muscle tissue was significant in the CTimages. The biopsies showed that the fiber diameter of both fiber types increased during the training period in the spastic group from 47 to 67 μm and in the denervated group from 22 to 38 μm. In both groups, the differences were significantbetween the first and second biopsies. Both groups showed a marked Type 2 fiber predominance. The histological and CT findings correlated with the clinical improvement of muscle function.
Measuring of Skeletal Muscles' Dynamic Properties
Authors: Valenčič Vojko , Knez Nataša
Published: December 2008

Many studies have been completed to determine how muscles work. One of theaspects to study is the muscle response and how to measure it. The main aim ofthisstudy was to build a noninvasive measuring system that would be simple to useand would measure the muscle response as close to the muscle as possible. Themeasuring method wasbased on a magnetic displacement sensor measuring the muscle belly response.The sensor was placed adjacent to the skin over the muscle and measured radialmovements of the musclebelly. The muscle response to single twitch electrical stimulation wasmeasured. Different skeletal muscles or muscle groups have differentbiomechanical characteristics. The risetime of the muscle belly response was the characteristic parameter for thisstudy. The comparison of muscles' responses in terms of the values of theirnormalized rise timeparameters confirmed their identities as slow or fast muscles. The value of thenormalized rise time parameter of a slow muscle was four times less than thevalue of the parameterof a fast muscle. Although the question remains as to how the availablemeasuring techniques provide estimations of skeletal muscles' dynamicproperties, this proposed measuringmethod contributes to a better understanding of skeletal muscles' dynamicproperties. It offers a possible way of studying the muscle structure from themuscle's response to electrical stimulation in a simple noninvasive way.
Experience of Clinical Use of the Odstock DroppedFoot Stimulator
Authors: Burridge Jane , Taylor Paul , Hagan Sean , Swain Ian
Published: December 2008

The Odstock dropped foot stimulator (ODFS)is a simple functional electrical stimulation (FES) devicefor the correction of dropped foot. Improved reliability,fine control of stimulation parameters, and carefulapplication and follow‐up have led to 86% compliance. Data on56 patients (50 patients with hemiplegia, 5 patients withmultiple sclerosis, and 1 patient with spinal cord injury)who have used the system for between 6 and 18 months arepresented and show a statistically significant increase inwalking speed with the stimulator at 3 months of 14%(p < 0.001); decreased effort of walking, measured asphysiological cost index (PCI), of 37% (p < 0.001); andstatistically significant improvement in functional mobility testsand questionnaires. No statistically significant carryoverwas seen although 3 patients had sufficient improvementin active ankle control and gait parameters to no longerneed the stimulator. Six patients who used the stimulatorall day every day had a problem with skin irritation, whichwe have not yet been able to solve. Two patientsdiscontinued use after experiencing increased spasticity in thecalf.
Digital Media and Dematerialization
Authors: Hogg Nick , Jackson Tim
Published: December 2008

Advances in information and communications technologies (ICTs) could, in principle, offer a means of dematerializing a wide variety of services. In practice, however, the material resource impact of electronic equipment is itself an issue of increasing concern. This article looks specifically at music delivery methods to investigate whether digital media and associated hardware can reduce the material throughput attributable to music delivery. In the first part of the article, we examine recent market trends in digital music delivery and digital media sales. Next we report on a series of stakeholder interviews undertaken during 2006 to explore industry views on the relationship among audio content, electronic hardware, and environmental impact. Finally, we carry out a scenario analysis to investigate the potential material impacts of different possible futures in music delivery. Although in one scenario we find some potential for dematerialization, there are too many ambiguities in underlying assumptions about the relationship between content and hardware to predict with any confidence that the promise of digital media will lead to the dematerialization of music delivery. Currently, at least, it appears that digital formats have not contributed to dematerialization, essentially due to increases in hardware. It seems most likely that the material resource impacts of digital music delivery will continue to be significant for some time.
The Effects of Primers and Surface Bonding Characteristics on the Adhesion of Polyurethane to Two Commonly Used Silicone Elastomers
Authors: Chang Paul P. , Hansen Nancy A. , Phoenix Rodney D. , Schneid Thomas R.
Published: December 2008

Purpose: When restoring facial defects, maxillofacial prosthodontists and anaplastologists are often limited by material deficiencies. Silicone elastomers bonded to a polyurethane liner best satisfy the functional and esthetic requirements necessary for facial prostheses; however, patients using silicone prostheses with polyurethane liners often experience varying degrees of debonding at the polyurethane–silicone interfaces. This may result in failure of such prostheses. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of five primers on bonding between polyurethane and two commonly used silicone elastomers.

Material and Methods: Six bonding regimens were used to join polyurethane and silicone materials. Each treatment group consisted of 12 specimens. Bonding regimens included (1) a 40:60 mixture of MDX4‐4210 and Silastic Medical Adhesive Type A, in conjunction with Dow Corning 1205 primer (Udagama's technique); (2) silicone A‐2000 with Dow Corning 1205 primer; (3) silicone A‐2000 with A‐330‐G primer; (4) silicone A‐2000 with Mucopren primer; (5) silicone A‐2000 with Sofreliner T primer; and (6) silicone A‐2000 with Sofreliner MS primer. Following fabrication, specimens were attached to a universal testing machine and separated in tension at a crosshead speed of 25.4 mm/min. One examiner performed the assessment of T‐peel strength (N/mm), peak load (N), and peel distance (mm) for all specimens. Mean data were analyzed using one‐way ANOVA followed by Fisher's protected significant difference multiple comparison of the means (α= 0.05).

Results: A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in T‐peel strength was found among specimen groups. Post hoc analysis indicated that Sofreliner MS primer (1.32 ± 0.13 N/mm) and Sofreliner T primer (1.25 ± 0.11 N/mm) increased the bond strengths significantly compared to A‐330‐G primer (0.91 ± 0.10 N/mm) and Udagama's technique (0.13 ± 0.02 N/mm). Cohesive failure between silicone A‐2000 and polyurethane liner was observed when Sofreliner MS primer and Sofreliner T were used.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the use of Sofreliner MS primer and Sofreliner T primer produced significant increases in the bond strength of silicone elastomer to polyurethane liner material. Based on T‐peel strength, peel distance, and peak load data, the combination of silicone A‐2000 and Sofreliner MS primer resulted in the greatest mean bond strength for silicone‐to‐polyurethane applications.
Microtensile Bond Strength of Porcelain Laminate Veneers Bonded to Fluorosed Teeth
Authors: Ratnaweera Priyadarshanee M. , Fukagawa Nao , Tsubota Yuji , Fukushima Shunji
Published: December 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strengths (MTBSs) of porcelain laminate veneers bonded to normal and fluorosed teeth.

Materials and Method: Forty human incisors, including 20 normal and 20 moderately fluorosed teeth [Thylstrup Fejerskov Index (TFI) = 4 to 6], were collected. The labial surfaces of the teeth were ground up to 1 mm and polished with #600 silicon carbide abrasive paper. The surfaces were bonded to 1‐mm‐thick ceramic slices (5 × 5 mm2) previously made (VitaVM7) using one of two ceramic cement systems (RelyX or Clapearl) following the manufacturers' instructions. A resin composite was added on top of the ceramic slices and built up to 5‐mm thickness to serve as grips. The specimens were stored in water (37°C) for 24 hours, and beams of adhesive interface with a surface area of ∼1.25 mm2 were obtained. Then the beams were subjected to MTBS tests at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. The data were analyzed with two‐way ANOVA.

Results: The results of the MTBS test (MPa) were 20.55 ± 5.83 (RelyX/fluorosed), 20.16 ± 4.61 (RelyX/normal), 18.74 ± 2.88 (Clapearl/fluorosed), and 21.06 ± 4.99 (Clapearl/normal). There were no significant differences in the MTBSs among the four groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The MTBSs of ceramic cement systems used were not influenced by the moderately fluorosed teeth.
Shade Matching Assisted by Digital Photography and Computer Software
Authors: Schropp Lars
Published: December 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of digital photographs and graphic computer software for color matching compared to conventional visual matching.

Materials and Methods: The shade of a tab from a shade guide (Vita 3D‐Master Guide) placed in a phantom head was matched to a second guide of the same type by nine observers. This was done for twelve selected shade tabs (tests). The shade‐matching procedure was performed visually in a simulated clinic environment and with digital photographs, and the time spent for both procedures was recorded. An alternative arrangement of the shade tabs was used in the digital photographs. In addition, a graphic software program was used for color analysis. Hue, chroma, and lightness values of the test tab and all tabs of the second guide were derived from the digital photographs. According to the CIE L*C*h* color system, the color differences between the test tab and tabs of the second guide were calculated. The shade guide tab that deviated least from the test tab was determined to be the match. Shade matching performance by means of graphic software was compared with the two visual methods and tested by Chi‐square tests (α= 0.05).

Results: Eight of twelve test tabs (67%) were matched correctly by the computer software method. This was significantly better (p < 0.02) than the performance of the visual shade matching methods conducted in the simulated clinic (32% correct match) and with photographs (28% correct match). No correlation between time consumption for the visual shade matching methods and frequency of correct match was observed.

Conclusions: Shade matching assisted by digital photographs and computer software was significantly more reliable than by conventional visual methods.
Effects of Six Surface Treatment Methods on the Surface Roughness of a Low‐Fusing and an Ultra Low‐Fusing Feldspathic Ceramic Material
Authors: Dalkiz Mehmet , Sipahi Cumhur , Beydemir Bedri
Published: December 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the effects of six surface treatment methods on the surface roughness of two feldspathic ceramic materials.

Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty metal discs were cast (Remanium CS). A low‐fusing feldspathic ceramic (Vita Omega 900) was fired onto 60 metal discs, and an ultra low‐fusing feldspathic ceramic (Finesse) was fired onto the other 60 metal discs. Six surface treatment methods were selected: (1) autoglazing (AUG), (2) overglazing (OVG), (3) polishing (POL), (4) fine diamond disc grinding + polishing + autoglazing (FDPA), (5) coarse diamond disc grinding + polishing + autoglazing (CDPA), (6) polishing + autoglazing (PA). Omega specimens were assigned to six experimental groups representing six surface treatment methods (Om‐AUG, Om‐OVG, Om‐POL, Om‐FDPA, Om‐CDPA, Om‐PA) (n = 10). Finesse specimens were also assigned to six experimental groups (Fn‐AUG, Fn‐OVG, Fn‐POL, Fn‐FDPA, Fn‐CDPA, Fn‐PA) (n = 10). Treated ceramic surfaces were examined by means of profilometry and transmission electron microscopy.

Results: In Omega groups mean roughness values ranged as follows: group Om‐AUG = Om‐POL > Om‐OVG > Om‐CDPA = Om‐FDPA > Om‐PA (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between groups Om‐AUG/Om‐POL and Om‐CDPA/Om‐FDPA (p > 0.05). In Finesse groups mean roughness values ranged as follows: Fn‐CDPA > Fn‐FDPA = Fn‐AUG = Fn‐POL = Fn‐OVG > Fn‐PA (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between Fn‐FDPA, Fn‐AUG, Fn‐ POL and Fn‐OVG (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: For both ceramic types, the smoothest surfaces were obtained with polishing prior to autoglazing. Diamond disc grinding prior to polishing and autoglazing (Fn‐FDPA, Fn‐CDPA) displayed the roughest surfaces in ultra low‐fusing ceramic (Finesse). Autoglazing alone and polishing displayed the roughest surfaces in low‐fusing ceramic material (Om‐AUG, Om‐POL).
Microtensile Bond Strength and Impact Energy of Fracture of CAD‐Veneered Zirconia Restorations
Authors: Aboushelib Moustafa N. , De Kler Marcel , Van Der Zel Jef M. , Feilzer Albert J.
Published: December 2008

Purpose: With state‐of‐the‐art CAD/CAM technology, the fabrication of large and complex zirconia frameworks is just a click away. On the other hand, veneering of the frameworks is still operator‐dependent. The aim of this work was to evaluate CAD veneering of zirconia restorations in terms of zirconia veneer bond strength and impact energy of fracture in a step towards complete automation of the fabrication process.

Materials and Methods: A new CAD/CAM system was used to fabricate a resin replica of the esthetic ceramic required to veneer a zirconia framework. The replica was seated on the zirconia framework and further processed using press‐on technology. The bond strength between zirconia and the CAD veneer was evaluated using microtensile bond strength test. The impact energy of fracture of the specimens was also investigated. Manually layered zirconia specimens served as a control (α= 0.05).

Results: There was no significant difference in the microtensile bond strength between zirconia and either of the used veneers (39 MPa). Even though the impact energy of fracture of the CAD‐veneered and manually layered specimens was almost identical (0.13 J), the former demonstrated a cohesive fracture of the veneer, while the latter failed by delamination of the veneer ceramic.

Conclusion: CAD veneering is a reliable method for veneering zirconia restorations.
Strategic Entrepreneurship: Exploring Different Perspectives of an Emerging Concept
Authors: Kuratko Donald F. , Audretsch David B.
Published: December 2008

Within the entrepreneurship and strategic management domains there has been a movement by scholars to combine certain aspects of both areas to create a new concept of strategic entrepreneurship. To date, however, there remains much to know about what constitutes this concept. This special issue is the result of a unique research conference in Germany where some of the world's most renowned scholars gathered to explore this concept in depth. The set of articles in this special issue examine different perspectives that relate to strategic entrepreneurship and we believe contribute to the growing body of knowledge on this concept by examining diverse scholarly topics. This introduction provides the overview of the perspectives contained in strategic entrepreneurship and argues for the importance of embracing diverse views at this stage rather than attempting to restrict the analysis of this emerging topic.
Understanding and Measuring Autonomy: An Entrepreneurial Orientation Perspective
Authors: Lumpkin G.T. , Cogliser Claudia C. , Schneider Dawn R.
Published: December 2008

Autonomy is an important component of an entrepreneurial orientation (EO), but most studies that assess the EO construct do not include autonomy measures. This article first addresses the theoretical relevance of autonomy as an element of firm–level entrepreneurial behavior. After a review of existing autonomy measures, it then proposes scale items to test the autonomy dimension of EO. Finally, it reports the results of two studies of the proposed autonomy scale and addresses implications for future EO–related autonomy research.
The Impact of Strategic Entrepreneurship inside the Organization: Examining Job Stress and Employee Retention
Authors: Monsen Erik , Wayne Boss R.
Published: December 2008

How do managers and staff react to strategic entrepreneurship? How can we minimize resulting job stress and maximize employee retention? We surveyed 1,975 managers and staff in 110 departments of a diversified healthcare organization on department–level entrepreneurial orientation (EO) (e.g., risk taking, proactiveness, and innovativeness), degree of role ambiguity in their job, and their strength of intention to quit. After validating manager and staff reports of EO, we estimated structural equation models for managers and staff. Our results demonstrate that strategic entrepreneurship can impact management and staff differently and thus requires a correspondingly customized design philosophy.
Are we Comparing Apples with Apples or Apples with Oranges? Appropriateness of Knowledge Accumulation across Growth Studies
Authors: Shepherd Dean , Wiklund Johan
Published: December 2008

Although knowledge accumulation is dependent upon relationships among constructs being robust across different measurement and sampling decisions, scholars have not sufficiently established such robustness for the construct of firm growth. Focusing on this construct, we conduct analyses on all Swedish firms incorporated during the 1994 to 1998 period (68,830 firms) and track their growth (or demise) over their first 6 years of existence. Although we typically find low shared variance between different growth measures, there is variability such that some measures demonstrate high and/or moderate concurrent validity. These findings have implications for how we delineate the boundaries of firm growth research and accumulate knowledge—when we are comparing apples with apples and when we are comparing apples with oranges.
Agency and Governance in Strategic Entrepreneurship
Authors: Audretsch David B. , Lehmann Erik E. , Plummer Lawrence A.
Published: December 2008

This paper aims to highlight the opportunity to contribute to our understanding of strategic entrepreneurship by exploring the construct through the lens of agency theory. In particular, we claim a fundamental link between a new venture's control of critical resources and the distribution of equity between the principal and agent. According to agency theory, assigning top executives ownership in the firm provides arrangements that are compatible with the incentives of the owners of the firm. This paper suggests that agency theory has special relevance when considered in a strategic entrepreneurship context. This is because the function of managers in entrepreneurial new ventures is fundamentally different from their counterparts in large established, incumbent corporations. While both types of managers have to provide managerial and organizational expertise, managers in entrepreneurial new ventures have an additional function that is essential to the competitive advantage and performance of the new venture—providing knowledge and human capital, which, in many cases, is intrinsically linked to the capital resources of the new venture. Our framework is tested using patent ownership as a proxy for both relationship–specific investments and indispensable human capital of the top manager of the new venture. The empirical results support the main hypotheses posited by the entrepreneurial governance model. In particular, patent ownership of the top manager significantly increases the percentage of equity held, while the number of patents held by the firm significantly decreases the percentage of ownership.
Architecture of Entrepreneurial Learning: Exploring the Link among Heuristics, Knowledge, and Action
Authors: Holcomb Tim R. , Ireland R. Duane , Holmes R. Michael , Hitt Michael A.
Published: December 2008

We extend existing theories of entrepreneurial learning and highlight the effects of heuristics under two different learning contexts: experiential learning and vicarious learning. Specifically, we argue that heuristics are consequential in explaining variations in learning. In some cases, heuristics can be highly adaptive and beneficial to the accumulation of knowledge. In others, they can distort judgments and bias learning. By considering linkages among heuristics, knowledge, and action, we seek to provide a more complete model of entrepreneurial learning that allows for examination of the influence of judgments on learning and to expose conditions that can benefit or limit effective action in an entrepreneurial setting.
Agency, Strategic Entrepreneurship, and the Performance of Private Equity–Backed Buyouts
Authors: Meuleman Miguel , Amess Kevin , Wright Mike , Scholes Louise
Published: December 2008

Agency theory has focused on buyouts as a governance and control device to increase profitability, organizational efficiency, and limited attention to growth. A strategic entrepreneurship view of buyouts incorporates upside incentives for value creation associated with growth as well as efficiency gains. In this paper, we develop the complementarity between agency theory and strategic entrepreneurship perspectives to examine the performance implications for different types of buyouts. Further, we study how the involvement of private equity (PE) firms is related to the performance of the post–buyout firm. These issues are examined for a sample of 238 PE–backed buyouts in the UK between 1993 and 2003. Implications for theory and practice are suggested.
Genetically Engineered: Why Some Venture Capital Firms are more Successful than Others
Authors: Walske Jennifer M. , Zacharakis Andrew
Published: December 2008

While venture capital has received a tremendous amount of attention, prior research has predominantly looked at venture capital firms (VCFs) post raising their first fund. In this paper, we move the point of analysis back further and ask what type of founding team experience best predicts VCF success, controlling for firm strategy, firm size, and the environment upon which the firm was born. Empirical results show that venture capital, senior management, and consulting experience aids VCF success, while entrepreneurial experience impedes it. None of the control variables affect a VCF's ability to raise subsequent funds.
Commentary: On the Integration of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship: Views of a Contrarian
Authors: Meyer G. Dale
Published: December 2008

“Nescire autem quid ante quam natus sis acciderit, id est semper esse puerum. Quid enim est aetas hominis, nisi ea memoria rerum veterum cum superiorum aetate contexitur? (To be ingorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it be woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?)” —Cicero: Oratur ad M. Brutum

A new generation now leads. President Barack Hussein Obama straddles what Tom Brokaw called the “greatest generation” and the Baby Boomers (b. 1946–1964). Academia is now populated by “Millenials” (b. 1980–2000) and increasingly led by Generation X (b. 1960–1980). This Commentary purposively intends to create deeper conversation about the origins and tendencies in the small but interesting academic discipline of entrepreneurship. I accept my role as an aging curmudgeon and hope that you will also. My intent is to surface several operative ideologies, reveal a few egoistic tendencies, and perfectly (quack, quack) predict the future of academic entrepreneurship. Please place this Commentary in your 2039 tickler file titled “foolhardy predictions from 2009.”
Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography in Assessment of Stable Coronary Artery Disease at Intermediate Dobutamine‐Induced Stress Level
Authors: Lønnebakken Mai Tone , Bleie Øyvind , Strand Elin , Staal Eva M. , Nygård Ottar K. , Gerdts Eva
Published: December 2008

Background: Myocardial contrast stress echocardiography (stress MCE) is a novel method for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). Few studies have compared the diagnosis of ischemia by stress MCE to angiographic CAD. Methods: Dobutamine stress MCE and SonoVue contrast infusion were performed before an elective percutaneous coronary intervention in 37 patients (8 women) aged 45–75 years with symptomatic CAD and at least one significant coronary artery stenosis measured by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). The total and regional perfusion and wall motion (WM) were scored as normal or abnormal and attributed to the three main epicardial coronary arteries using a 17‐segment left ventricular model. Results: An intermediate stress level was obtained in 29 (78%) patients, and 2 (5%) patients obtained peak stress. A perfusion defect was detected in 92% and WM abnormality in 57% of the patients at peak stress (P < 0.01). By perfusion, 70% of stenoses were both detected and correctly anatomically located, compared to 42% by WM (P < 0.01). All 21 patients with multivessel disease and/or proximal left anterior descending (LAD) stenosis measured by QCA were identified by stress‐induced perfusion defects, while only 11 of them were identified by WM abnormalities (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Perfusion scoring is superior to WM scoring during stress MCE for diagnosing significant CAD in patients obtaining intermediate stress level, in particular, when multivessel disease or proximal LAD stenosis is present.
Continuing Medical Education Program in Echocardiography
Authors: Fan Pohoey , Kusunose Kenya , Yamada Hirotsugu , Todoroki Takashi , Nishio Susumu , Niki Toshiyuki , Yamaguchi Koji , Koshiba Kunihiko , Yagi Shusuke , Iwase Takashi , Soeki Takeshi , Wakatsuki Tetsuzo , Akaike Masashi , Kitagawa Tetsuya , Sata Masataka
Published: December 2008

Article Title: Platypnea‐Orthodeoxia Syndrome Associated with Patent Foramen Ovale and Aortic Ectasia
Reports of Police Calls for Service as a Risk Indicator for Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Dichter Melissa E. , Rhodes Karin V.
Published: December 2008

Objectives:  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of asking female emergency department (ED) patients about police calls for service as a possible indicator of intimate partner violence (IPV).

Methods:  Trained research assistants screened female, adult, English‐speaking patients presenting to an urban university ED 7am to midnight, 7 days per week during the 2006–2007 academic year. Patients were asked two commonly used IPV screening questions regarding past‐year experience with physical violence or threat by an intimate partner and whether or not the police had been called due to a fight between themselves and a male partner.

Results:  Of the 4,984 patients screened, 3.9% screened positive for an IPV‐related police call in the past 12 months; more than one‐third (37.8%) of those screened negative for IPV on the traditional screening questions. The question about an IPV‐related police call for service identified an additional 74 cases of possible IPV, representing 1.5% of the overall sample or a 30.8% increase over those identified with the traditional IPV screening questions.

Conclusions:  Adding an additional question regarding police calls to standard IPV screening could alert healthcare providers to possible IPV risk.