bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term outcomes for the endoscopic modified lothrop/draf III procedure: A 10‐year review
Authors: Naidoo Yuresh , Bassiouni Ahmed , Keen Mark , Wormald Peter J.
Published: June 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

To detail the long‐term outcomes of the endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) (also know as Draf III/frontal drillout) and identify key risk factors for failure.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study and chart review.

Methods

Endoscopic assessment of frontal ostium patency and patient‐reported symptoms were prospectively collected on patients who underwent EMLP between January 2001 and December 2011 for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Risk factors for failing EMLP were identified.

Results

There were 229 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and underwent an EMLP. The average number of standard endoscopic sinus surgery procedures prior to an EMLP was 3.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.4‐4.2, standard deviation [SD]: 3.3).The average length of follow‐up was 45.0 months (95% CI: 41.2–48.9 months, SD: 22.3 months). The EMLP was successful in 95% (217/229), with no further surgery being required. Postsurgical recurrence of disease with persistence of symptoms requiring revision EMLP occurred in 12 patients. No complications were identified. Allergic fungal sinusitis and recurrent Staphylococcus aureus infections were identified as potential risk factors for failure.

Conclusions

This is the single largest study of EMLP in the literature with a long follow‐up period. It illustrates the benefit of the EMLP for patients with CRS recalcitrant to medical and standard endoscopic sinus surgery.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 124:43–49, 2014
A Hybrid Particle‐Field Coarse‐Grained Molecular Model for Pluronics Water Mixtures
Authors: De Nicola Antonio , Kawakatsu Toshihiro , Milano Giuseppe
Published: June 2013

In the framework of a hybrid particle‐field simulation technique where self‐consistent field (SCF) theory and molecular dynamics (MD) are combined, specific coarse‐grained (CG) models for Pluronic block copolymers are developed. In particular, the behavior of the model in the correct reproduction of micellar and non‐micellar phases has been tested for Pluronic L62 and L64. At different temperature and polymer contents of the water–polymer mixture, the proposed model is able to correctly describe the different morphologies that are experimentally found. The proposed CG models, still very close to atomistic ones, allow the reconstruction of full atomistic structures by applying suitable reverse mapping techniques. This opens the way to all atom description of these systems.

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Störungsfrei mittels optischem Multiplexing
Authors: Krüger Sven , Nedvidek Francis
Published: June 2013

Die stetig steigende Flut des weltweiten mobilen Datenverkehrs führt direkt zu Engpässen in den nachgeschalteten fasergebundenen Metronetzen: Aufgrund der hohen Datenraten kann der Mobilfunkdatenverkehr vor allem in Ballungsräumen nicht mehr über Richtfunk vom Handymast zu einem zentralen „Sammelpunkt”︁ abgeführt werden, sondern wird direkt am Mast auf eine Glasfaserstrecke übergeben.
Miniaturisierungspotenziale in der Raumfahrt
Authors: Liebold Florian , Hanbuch Karsten
Published: June 2013

Regelmäßig sorgen spektakuläre Satellitenbilder für Verblüffung. Kommunikations‐ und Navigationssatelliten erleichtern unser aller Leben. Und Weltraumteleskope sind unsere Augen und Ohren im All. Doch es sind nicht nur tonnenschwere Raumfahrtzeuge, die uns mit Informationen beliefern. So kommen auch Satellitensysteme in der Größe von handelsüblichen Kühlschränken als Träger hochpräziser Instrumente zum Einsatz: sogenannte Mikro‐Satelliten (Abb. 1). Die für die Lageregelung solcher Satelliten unabdingbaren Drehraten‐Sensoren erreichen mittlerweile einen sehr hohen Miniaturisierungsgrad — Dank optischer Technologien.
Urologic co‐morbidities associated with sacrococcygeal teratoma and a rational plan for urologic surveillance
Authors: Cost Nicholas G. , Geller James I. , Le Louis D. , Crombleholme Timothy M. , Keswani Sundeep G. , Lim Foong‐Yen , Alam Shumyle
Published: June 2013

Background

Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is one of the most common neonatal and fetal tumors. SCT pelvic mass effect and the need for aggressive surgical resection, create potential for urologic co‐morbidity. We reviewed our experience with SCTs and propose a rational plan for urologic surveillance.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients with SCT evaluated at our institution from 2004 to 2011. We collected data on the need for reconstructive surgery related to the urologic co‐morbidity, the time to detection of urologic co‐morbidity, and length of follow‐up.

Results

We identified 28 patients evaluated during the study period with a median follow‐up of 3.1 year (range 0.14–13.4). The Altman classifications were—type I: 7 (25%), II: 15 (53.6%), and III: 6 (21.4%). Eighteen (64.3%) patients had an associated urologic co‐morbidity: 12 (42.9%) patients had hydronephrosis, VUR—10 (35.7%), NGB—13 (46.4%), and 4 (14.3%) developed ≥CKD2. When comparing the patients according to Altman classification, there was a trend towards more urologic co‐morbidity in patients with increasing pelvic involvement, P = 0.06. Eleven patients (39.3%) had delayed urologic evaluation and five (17.9%) required reconstructive urologic surgery. In comparing these groups, 4 of 11 (36.4%) undergoing delayed urologic evaluation progressed to reconstruction, as opposed to only one of 17 (5.7%) with urologic evaluation within first year of life (P‐value = 0.06).

Conclusion

Urologic co‐morbidities are common in children with SCT and appear most common in patients with more pelvic tumor involvement (≥Altman II). A risk‐adapted approach to urologic surveillance is proposed. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:1626–1629. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk factors for hyperferritinemia secondary to red blood cell transfusions in pediatric cancer patients
Authors: Amid Ali , Barrowman Nick , Vijenthira Abi , Lesser Pat , Mandel Karen , Ramphal Raveena
Published: June 2013

Background

Transfusion of packed red blood cells is common in pediatric cancer patients who receive chemotherapy. This study was done to identify characteristics of pediatric cancer patients at risk of hyperferritinemia secondary to frequent transfusions.

Procedure

In this retrospective chart review, all pediatric cancer patients who completed chemotherapy from January 2007 to January 2012 and had an assessment of serum ferritin 6 months after the end of treatment were included. Variables included: age, sex, type of cancer diagnosis, weight and body surface area (BSA) at the time of diagnosis, number of transfusions, total transfused volume (TTV), total transfused volume per body weight (TVPBW), and weight and BSA change from the time of diagnosis to the time of ferritin check.

Results

Of 109 eligible patients, 85 (78%) received transfusions. Sixteen patients (14.7%) had ferritin levels > 200 µg/L and four (3.7%) had ferritin levels > 1,000 µg/L. Although age, weight and BSA at cancer diagnosis, number of transfusions and TVPBW were correlated with the level of ferritin, independent risk factors were TTV (range 1,961–30,090 ml in patients with hyperferritinemia, P < 0.001) and BSA change from the time of diagnosis to the time of ferritin check (range −0.15 to 0.31 m2 in patients with hyperferritinemia, P < 0.001). Increase in BSA was correlated with reduction of hyperferritinemia in follow‐up ferritin measurements (P = 0.049).

Conclusions

In addition to TTV, change in BSA is an independent predictor for the degree and possibly persistence of hyperferritinemia in pediatric cancer patients and should be considered in decisions to initiate interventions. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:1671–1675. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced β‐crystal formation of isotactic polypropylene under the combined effects of acid‐corroded glass fiber and preshear
Authors: Xie Mancun , Chang Baobao , Liu Hongli , Dai Kun , Zheng Guoqiang , Liu Chuntai , Shen Changyu , Chen Jingbo
Published: June 2013

The acid‐corroded glass fiber (GF)/isotactic polypropylene (iPP) composite was injection molded by mixing–injection molding (MIM). Through this method, preshear can be imposed on melt during mix–plasticization process. The crystalline structure across the thickness direction of the injection‐molded bars was investigated by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was unexpectedly found that, in core region, the acid‐corroded GF/iPP sample has the highest content of β‐form crystals, followed by uncorroded GF/iPP and neat iPP. Additionally, the crystalline morphology was investigated by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy, and the results showed that β‐transcrystallization is preferably present in the acid‐corroded GF/iPP system. Confirmed by POM and DSC, the acid‐corroded GF shows strong β‐nucleation ability to iPP under static condition. Combined with the main features of MIM, three β‐nucleation origins in the acid‐corroded GF/iPP system under injection molding condition are proposed: (1) precursors induced by preshear in the barrel, (2) row‐nuclei induced by local shear, and (3) the acid‐corroded GF nuclei. POLYM. COMPOS. 34:1250–1260, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Spiritual beliefs near the end of life: a prospective cohort study of people with cancer receiving palliative care
Authors: King Michael , Llewellyn Henry , Leurent Baptiste , Owen Faye , Leavey Gerard , Tookman Adrian , Jones Louise
Published: June 2013

Objectives

Despite growing research interest in spirituality and health, and recommendations on the importance of spiritual care in advanced cancer and palliative care, relationships between spiritual belief and psychological health near death remain unclear. We investigated (i) relationships between strength of spiritual beliefs and anxiety and depression, intake of psychotropic/analgesic medications and survival in patients with advanced disease; and (ii) whether the strength of spiritual belief changes as death approaches.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 170 patients receiving palliative care at home, 97% of whom had a diagnosis of advanced cancer. Data on strength of spiritual beliefs (Beliefs and Values Scale [BVS]), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), psychotropic/analgesic medications, daily functioning, global health and social support were collected at recruitment then 3 and 10 weeks later. Mortality data were collected up to 34 months after the first patient was recruited.

Results

Regression analysis showed a slight increase in strength of spiritual belief over time approaching statistical significance (+0.16 BVS points per week, 95% CI [−0.01, 0.33], p = 0.073). Belief was unrelated to anxiety and depression (−0.15 points decrease in HADS for 10 points increased in BVS (95% CI [−0.57, 0.27], p = 0.49) or consumption of psychotropic medication). There was a non‐significant trend for decreasing analgesic prescription with increasing belief. Mortality was higher over 6 months in participants with lower belief at recruitment.

Conclusion

Results suggest that although religious and spiritual beliefs might increase marginally as death approaches, they do not affect levels of anxiety or depression in patients with advanced cancer. © 2013 The Authors. Psycho‐Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variability in Plasma Polymerization Processes – An International Round‐Robin Study
Authors: Whittle Jason D. , Short Robert D. , Steele David A. , Bradley James W. , Bryant Paul M. , Jan Faiq , Biederman Hynek , Serov Anton A. , Choukurov Andrei , Hook Andrew L. , Ciridon Winston A. , Ceccone Giacomo , Hegemann Dirk , Körner Enrico , Michelmore Andrew
Published: June 2013

This multi‐centre investigation explores the variability that results from using the power/flow rate ratio (W/F) to describe plasma treatment and plasma polymerization processes. Results from fourteen reactors of different design and spread across ten laboratories, showed that the chemistry of the treated and deposited polymer/plasma polymer films is highly variable between reactor systems, and that there was no clear pattern linking these variations to other properties of the reactor systems (e.g. pressure, volume, electrode configuration). Although W/FM provides a useful rule‐of‐thumb for process optimization within a single system, it does not provide sufficient information to enable the same plasma polymer to be produced on a different system.
The effect of electrode/graphene interfaces and dephasing processes on conductance and giant magnetoresistance
Authors: Krompiewski S.
Published: June 2013

This study is devoted to potential applications of graphene nanostructures (GNRs) in future electronics and spintronics. This problem is related with the impact of geometrical and magnetic features of interfaces between contacts and the GNR on electrical performance of the device. The present approach combines the tight‐binding model and Green's function technique. It makes possible to put end‐contacted and side‐contacted arrangements on an equal footing, and understand their effect on conductance and giant magnetoresistance (GMR), depending on: aspect ratio, current orientation, gate voltage and dephasing. It turns out that at low gate voltages, dephasing processes may enhance the GMR effect, and that for short nanoribbons the end‐contacted geometry leads to the highest conductance. Long semiconducting armchair graphene nanoribbons, in turn, may reveal a sizeable inverse GMR effect. Some additional insight into the scalability of GNRs, for the spin‐dependent transport, is also provided.

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End‐contacted zigzag GNR with infinite source and drain electrodes (top and bottom) and a fictitious dephasing contact (left).

(© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thinking Aloud While Solving a Stock‐Flow Task: Surfacing the Correlation Heuristic and Other Reasoning Patterns
Authors: Korzilius Hubert , Raaijmakers Stephan , Rouwette Etiënne , Vennix Jac
Published: June 2013

In the literature, it is assumed that individuals, while performing stock‐flow tasks, often use a correlation heuristic, a form of pattern matching in which they think that the behavior of the stock resembles the (net) flow. To investigate this assumption and to increase our insight in the actual reasoning patterns when performing stock‐flow tasks, we conducted an experiment by using the department store task as baseline. In the treatment condition, participants performed the stock‐flow task while thinking aloud; in the control condition, they only had to write down their answers. The correlation heuristic was corroborated: participants actually did verbalize their thoughts in terms of the biggest difference between inflow and outflow at a particular point, thus expressing the correlation heuristic in words. However, other reasoning strategies that led to incorrect claims were also found. Further research is desirable to elaborate insight in the precursors of heuristic reasoning. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simple solution method for the blade element momentum equations with guaranteed convergence
Authors: Ning S. Andrew
Published: June 2013

The blade element momentum (BEM) equations, though conceptually simple, can be challenging to solve reliably and efficiently with high precision. These requirements are particularly important for efficient rotor blade optimization that utilizes gradient‐based algorithms. Many solution approaches exist for numerically converging the axial and tangential induction factors. These methods all generally suffer from a lack of robustness in some regions of the rotor blade design space, or require significantly increased complexity to promote convergence. The approach described here allows for the BEM equations to be parameterized by one variable—the local inflow angle. This reduction is mathematically equivalent, but greatly simplifies the solution approach. Namely, it allows for the use of one‐dimensional root‐finding algorithms for which very robust and efficient algorithms exist. This paper also discusses an appropriate arrangement of the equation and corresponding bounds for the one‐dimensional search—intervals that bracket the solution and over which the function is well behaved. The result is a methodology for solving the BEM equations with guaranteed convergence and at a superlinear rate.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Charge Density Analysis of an Organic Ferroelectric. Croconic Acid: an Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Zhurov Vladimir V. , Pinkerton A. Alan
Published: June 2013

The charge density in the high density (ρ= 1.912 g·cm–3) organic ferroelectric, croconic acid, was determined from low temperature (20 K) X‐ray diffraction data, and DFT theoretical calculations. The high density was associated with strong intermolecular interaction energies. The spontaneous polarization is correlated with the derived molecular dipole moment (9.3 Debye). Improvements in multipole refinement protocols are described. Limitations in the multipole model with respect to heteronuclear bond properties are discussed.
Synthesis, Structures and DFT Studies of Imido‐bridged and (Bis)ligand‐coordinated Titanium Complexes
Authors: Wu Jian , Chen Yanmei , Chen Zhou , Liu Wei , Li Yahong , Pei Hao , Liu Yonglu , Gao Qian , Li Wu
Published: June 2013

Syntheses and structures of five imido‐bridged dinuclear titanium complexes and two (bis)ligand‐coordinated mononuclear titanium complexes are reported. Addition of 1 or 2 equiv. of Schiff base ligand (((1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)methylene)amino)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐2‐ol (H2L) to Ti(NMe2)4 resulted in transamination with 4 equiv. of dimethylamides generating a (bis)ligand‐coordinated complex Ti(L)2 (1). Treatment of Ti(NMe2)4 with 1 equiv. of tBuNH2 followed by addition of 1 equiv. of H2L afforded an imido‐bridged complex [Ti(L)(NtBu)]2 (2). 1:1:1:1 reaction of Ti(NMe2)4/RNH2/H2L/py(or phen) produced imido‐bridgedcomplexes [Ti(L)(NPh)(py)]2 (3), [Ti(L)(4‐F‐PhN)(py)]2·Tol (4·Tol), [Ti(L)(4‐Cl‐PhN)(py)]2·Tol·THF (5·Tol·THF), [Ti(L)(4‐Br‐PhN)(py)]2·Tol (6·Tol) and a (bis)ligand‐coordinated complex Ti(L)2·phen (7) (py = pyridine, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline). Attempts to prepare the monomeric titianium imido complexes were unsuccessful. DFT studies show that the assumed compound which contains Ti = N species is less stable than imido‐bridged Ti‐N(R)‐Ti complexes, providing the better understanding of the experimental results.
Surf Lifeguard Rescues
Authors: Morgan Damian , Ozanne-Smith Joan
Published: June 2013

Objective

This study assessed the utility of lifeguard rescue data for providing information on person and situation factors to inform surf bather drowning prevention research.

Methods

The dataset comprised 872 beach-days (daily lifeguard reports) obtained from 26 beaches over a 95-day period in Victoria, Australia.

Results

The rescue rate was 128 per 100,000 in-water bathers. One or more rescues were required on 125 beach-days (14%). Rescue on a beach-day was more likely for offshore wind conditions, relatively high daily air temperatures, and high bather numbers ( P < .05). Compared to female bathers, males were more frequently rescued (65%) and more likely ( P < .05) to be from a younger age group (30 years or less), although being older was associated with a relatively poorer condition on rescue.

Conclusions

Although rescues are proportional to water exposure, frequencies are also influenced by situation and person factors. Bathers at relatively high risk of rescue are hypothesized to be overrepresented in amenable sea and weather conditions, and poor patient condition on rescue may be associated with exposure to a preexisting health condition.
Air entrainment during impact of droplets on liquid surfaces
Authors: Tran Tuan , de Maleprade Hélène , Sun Chao , Lohse Detlef
Published: June 2013

We study drop impact on a deep pool of the same fluid, with an emphasis on the air layer trapped under the droplets from its formation to its rupture. The penetration velocity of the air layer at a very short time scale prior to its rupture is shown, using an energy argument and experimental verification, to be one-half of the impact velocity. We then deduce the dependence of the rupture position on the liquid viscosity and the impact velocity. We show that the volume of the resulting air bubbles can be related to both those resulting from droplets impacting on solid surfaces and those resulting from rigid spheres impacting on liquid surfaces.
Evaluation of acetylcholinesterase activity and behavioural alterations induced by ketamine in an animal model of schizophrenia
Authors: Zugno Alexandra I. , Matos Maria Paula , Canever Leila , Fraga Daiane B. , De Luca Renata D. , Ghedim Fernando V. , Deroza Pedro F. , de Oliveira Mariana B. , Pacheco Felipe D. , Valvassori Samira S. , Volpato Ana Maria , Budni Josiane , Quevedo João
Published: June 2013

Objective

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia play a crucial role in its clinical manifestation and seem to be related to changes in the cholinergic system, specifically the action of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Considering this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chronic effects of ketamine in the activity of AChE, as well as in behavioural parameters involving learning and memory.

Methods

The ketamine was administered for 7 days. A duration of 24 h after the last injection, the animals were submitted to behavioural tests. The activity of AChE in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum was measured at different times after the last injection (1, 3, 6 and 24 h).

Results

The results indicate that ketamine did not affect locomotor activity and stereotypical movements. However, a cognitive deficit was observed in these animals by examining their behaviour in inhibitory avoidance. In addition, an increase in AChE activity was observed in all structures analysed 1, 3 and 6 h after the last injection. Differently, serum activity of AChE was similar between groups.

Conclusion

Chronic administration of ketamine in an animal model of schizophrenia generates increased AChE levels in different brain tissues of rats that lead to cognitive deficits. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate the complex mechanisms associated with schizophrenia.
Dangerous Liaisons: Dyadic Power Transitions and the Risk of Militarized Disputes and Wars
Authors: Sobek David , Wells Jeremy
Published: June 2013

Abstract.Power transition theory has been both theoretically and empirically developed in the context of a hierarchy (both global and regional). Yet the logic of the theory describes the interactions of a hegemon in relation to a rising challenger, which is essentially a dyadic interaction. As a result, we argue that power transition theory is a dyadic theory that can be examined across all dyads. We test power transition in a data set of all non-directed dyads from 1816 to 2001. Our results find robust evidence that dyadic power transitions increase the risk of militarized disputes. In addition, this result is not actually contingent on the dyad containing either powerful states or those with dissimilar preferences.

Résumé.La théorie de la transition du pouvoir a été à la fois théorique et empirique développée dans le cadre d'une hiérarchie (à la fois mondial et régional). Pourtant, la logique de la théorie décrit les interactions d'une puissance hégémonique par rapport à un challenger en hausse, qui est essentiellement une interaction dyadique. En conséquence, nous soutenons que la théorie de la transition du pouvoir est une théorie dyadique qui peut être examiné à travers toutes les dyades. Nous testons transition de puissance dans un ensemble de toutes les dyades non-directifs 1816–2001 données. Nos résultats trouvent des preuves solides que les transitions de pouvoir dyadique augmentent le risque de conflits militarisés. En outre, ce résultat n'est pas réellement subordonnée à la dyade contenant soit des Etats puissants ou ceux qui ont des préférences différentes.
Mechanisms and microfoundations in International Relations theory
Authors: MCGINLEY WILLIAM
Published: June 2013

This article looks at prospects for a mechanism-based research strategy in the study of International Relations. Over the past three decades, the notions of mechanism and microfoundation have taken a central place in discussions of explanation and ‘micro-macro’ problems in social science. The upshot of much of this discussion has been a call for mechanism-based explanations – explanations of macro-level phenomena in terms of micro-level mechanisms. Some work of this kind can already be found in IR theory, including in systemic research. However, a number of IR theorists, including Kenneth Waltz and Alexander Wendt, have argued that micro-oriented strategies like this will not work, pointing to incongruities between system- and unit-level phenomena. This article argues that these pose less hindrance to a fully-developed model of mechanism-based explanation, and that the field has much to gain from further exploration of this strategy. In particular, mechanism-based explanations could help bring structure back to the centre of discussion in IR theory, and might even give us a way out of the field's own micro-macro problems.
A turn toward experimentalism? Rethinking security and governance in the twenty-first century
Authors: NANCE MARK T. , COTTRELL M. PATRICK
Published: June 2013

Conventional understandings of security cooperation are rooted in the state-centric and materialist assumptions dominant in the Cold War and subscribe to the dictum of the Reagan years, ‘trust but verify’. In today's more complex setting, however, governance arrangements with the most potential to address constantly mutating security threats, such as the concern over nuclear terrorism, may not be those solely designed to ensure compliance, but rather those that are better equipped to identify and solve new problems. This article draws on a burgeoning literature on ‘new’ or ‘experimental’ governance and advances an analytical framework to consider the extent to which states and other actors might be turning toward an alternative set of mechanisms that rely more heavily on non-binding standards and recommendations, peer review, increased participation, and experimentation to generate new knowledge about the challenges they face, even in the ‘hard’ case of security cooperation. It then explores this potential reorientation in two separate, but complementary cases that have emerged as key tools in preventing illicit nuclear proliferation: the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), which seeks to bolster states' counter-financing of terrorism systems, and the UNSC Resolution 1540 Committee, which guides efforts to fill the governance gaps in the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Although both cases on paper contain more traditional enforcement components, in practice they rely increasingly on experimental governance. The article concludes with an evaluation of the promise and limits of an experimentalist framework in understanding the evolution of governance arrangements in response to a more complex security environment and suggests potential avenues for future research.
The Ottoman origins of capitalism: uneven and combined development and Eurocentrism
Authors: NISANCIOGLU KEREM
Published: June 2013

The history of capitalism's origins is unmistakably Eurocentric, placing sixteenth-century developments in politics, economy, culture, and ideology squarely within the unique context of Europe. And while the disciplinary remit of International Relations (IR) should offer a way out of such European provincialism, it too has been built on largely Eurocentric assumptions. In Eurocentric approaches, the Ottoman Empire has been absent, passive, or merely a comparative foil against which the specificity and superiority of Europe has been defined. And yet, the Ottoman Empire was arguably the most powerful actor in the Early Modern period. In this article, I argue that any history of capitalism's origins must therefore account for the historical importance of the Ottomans. In doing so, this article seeks to address the non-European blind-spot, both in theorisations of capitalism's origins and in IR theory, by reincorporating the material significance of the Ottoman Empire in historical processes, which led to the transition to capitalism. I do so by utilising the theory of Uneven and Combined Development, and in the process seek to defend its credentials as a non-Eurocentric social theory on the one hand and as a sociologically and historically sensitive theory of international relations on the other.
THE “LINKED EVIDENCE APPROACH” TO ASSESS MEDICAL TESTS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Merlin Tracy , Lehman Samuel , Hiller Janet E. , Ryan Philip
Published: June 2013

Objectives: A linked evidence approach (LEA) is the synthesis of systematically acquired evidence on the accuracy of a medical test, its impact on clinical decision making and the effectiveness of consequent treatment options. We aimed to assess the practical utility of this methodology and to develop a decision framework to guide its use.

Methods: As Australia has lengthy experience with LEA, we reviewed health technology assessment (HTA) reports informing reimbursement decisions by the Medical Services Advisory Committee (August 2005 to March 2012). Eligibility was determined according to predetermined criteria and data were extracted on test characteristics, evaluation methodologies, and reported difficulties. Fifty percent of the evidence-base was independently analyzed by a second reviewer.

Results: Evaluations of medical tests for diagnostic (62 percent), staging (27 percent), and screening (6 percent) purposes were available for eighty-nine different clinical indications. Ninety-six percent of the evaluations used either the full LEA methodology or an abridged version (where evidence is linked through to management changes but not patient outcomes). Sixty-one percent had the full evidence linkage. Twenty-five percent of test evaluations were considered problematic; all involving LEA (n = 22). Problems included: determining test accuracy with an imperfect reference standard (41 percent); assessing likely treatment effectiveness in test positive patients when the new test is more accurate than the comparator (18 percent); and determining probable health benefits in those symptomatic patients ruled out using the test (13 percent). A decision framework was formulated to address these problems.

Conclusions: LEA is useful for evaluating medical tests but a stepped approach should be followed to determine what evidence is required for the synthesis.
EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION THERAPY FOR LOW BACK PAIN: A META-ANALYSIS
Authors: Choi Hyun Jin , Hahn Seokyung , Kim Chi Heon , Jang Bo Hyoung , Park Soyoung , Lee Sang Moo , Park Jung-Yul , Chung Chun Kee , Park Byung-Joo
Published: June 2013

Objectives:The aim of this study was to systematically assess the long-term (≥ 6 months) benefits of epidural steroid injection therapies for patients with low back pain.

Methods:We identified randomized controlled trials by database searches up to October 2011 and by additional hand searches without language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials on the effects of epidurals for low back pain with follow-up for at least 6 months were included. Outcomes considered were pain relief, functional improvement in 6 to 12 months after epidural steroid injection treatment and the number of patients who underwent subsequent surgery. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model.

Results:Twenty-nine articles were selected. The meta-analysis suggested that a significant treatment effect on pain was noted at 6 months of follow-up (weighted mean difference [WMD], −0.41; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], −0.66 to −0.16), but was no longer statistically significant after adjusting for the baseline pain score (WMD, −0.19; 95 percent CI, −0.61 to 0.24). Epidural steroid injection did not improve back-specific disability more than a placebo or other procedure. Epidural steroid injection did not significantly decrease the number of patients who underwent subsequent surgery compared with a placebo or other treatments (relative risk, 1.02; 95 percent CI, 0.83 to 1.24).

Conclusions:A long-term benefit of epidural steroid injections for low back pain was not suggested at 6 months or longer. Introduction of selection bias in the majority of injection studies seems apparent. Baseline adjustment is essential when we evaluate pain as a main outcome of injection therapy.
The impact of number mismatch and passives on the real-time processing of relative clauses
Authors: CONTEMORI CARLA , MARINIS THEODOROS
Published: June 2013

Language processing plays a crucial role in language development, providing the ability to assign structural representations to input strings (e.g., Fodor, 1998). In this paper we aim at contributing to the study of children's processing routines, examining the operations underlying the auditory processing of relative clauses in children compared to adults. English-speaking children (6;0–8;11) and adults participated in the study, which employed a self-paced listening task with a final comprehension question. The aim was to determine (i) the role of number agreement in object relative clauses in which the subject and object NPs differ in terms of number properties, and (ii) the role of verb morphology (active vs. passive) in subject relative clauses. Even though children's off-line accuracy was not always comparable to that of adults, analyses of reaction times results support the view that children have the same structural processing reflexes observed in adults.
X-ray powder diffraction data for the Al3Ho2Si2 ternary compound
Authors: Lu Zhao , Qin Ming , Liang Liuqing , Liu Shuhui , Huang Caiming , Qing Peiling , Zeng Lingmin
Published: June 2013

Crystal and X-ray powder diffraction data are presented for the Al3Ho2Si2 ternary compound. The powder pattern was indexed and refined on a monoclinic cell with the Al3Y2Si2 structure type with space group C12/m1, a = 10.1096(2) Å, b = 4.020(6) Å, c = 6.5734(6) Å, β = 100.848(2)°, V = 262.37 Å3, Z = 2ρx = 5.910 g cm−3, F30 = 142.8(0.006, 35), and RIR = 0.91.
Observations of near surface wind speed, temperature and radiative budget at Dome C, Antarctic Plateau during 2005
Authors: Argentini Stefania , Pietroni Ilaria , Mastrantonio Giangiuseppe , Viola Angelo P. , Dargaud Guillaume , Petenko Igor
Published: June 2013

The annual and diurnal behaviours of near surface wind speed, temperature, and the radiative budget at Concordia Station (Dome C) in different seasons are shown. The wind speed was lowest in summer when a daily cycle was also observed. The largest mean values were concurrent with boundary layer growth in the afternoon. In winter and spring the wind speed reached the highest mean values. Perturbations in the wind flow were due to warming events which occurred periodically at Dome C. The lowest temperatures were in April and at the end of August. The coreless winter behaviour was perturbed by warming events which in many cases produced an increase in temperature of c. 20°C. The average temperature profiles show permanent thermal inversion, with the exception of a few hours in the afternoons during the summer. The strongest ground-based thermal inversions were observed in the polar winter. The largest potential temperature gradients were limited to a 30–40 m deep layer close to the surface. The net radiation was negative almost all the time with the exception of the period from mid-December to mid-January.
Trace spaces of directed tori with rectangular holes
Authors: FAJSTRUP LISBETH
Published: June 2013

Raussen (2010) gave the trace space, which corresponds to the executions of parallel non-looped, non-branching processes as a prod-simplicial complex derived from a poset. The connected components represent equivalent executions. For looped processes, the state space is a torus and the trace space is a disjoint union of trace spaces of deloopings. In the current paper, we develop the index poset for the trace space of the deloopings from the once delooped case. When just one process is looped, the index poset is generated as words in a regular language. We also construct a corresponding automaton.
Programme coordinators’ perceptions of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with school nutrition programmes
Authors: Valaitis Renata F , Hanning Rhona M , Herrmann Isabela S
Published: June 2013

Objective

As part of a larger evaluation of school nutrition programmes (SNP), the present study examined programme coordinators’ perceptions of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) regarding their SNP and public health professionals’ support.

Design

Qualitative interviews were conducted with twenty-two of eighty-one programme coordinators who had completed a programme evaluation survey. Interviews followed a SWOT framework to evaluate programmes and assessed coordinators’ perceptions regarding current and future partnerships with public health professionals.

Setting

The study was conducted in a large, urban region within Ontario.

Subjects

The twenty-two coordinators who participated represented a cross-section of elementary, secondary, Public and Catholic schools.

Results

SNP varied enormously in foods/services offered, how they offered them and perceived needs. Major strengths included universality, the ability to reach needy students and the provision of social opportunities. Major weaknesses included challenges in forming funding partnerships, lack of volunteers, scheduling and timing issues, and coordinator workload. Common threats to effective SNP delivery included lack of sustainable funding, complexity in tracking programme use and food distribution, unreliable help from school staff, and conflicts with school administration. Opportunities for increased public health professionals’ assistance included menu planning, nutrition education, expansion of programme food offerings, and help identifying community partners and sustainable funding.

Conclusions

The present research identified opportunities for improving SNP and strategies for building on strengths. Since programmes were so diverse, tailored strategies are needed. Public health professionals can play a major role through supporting menu planning, food safety training, access to healthy foods, curriculum planning and by building community partnerships.
APPROXIMATELY MULTIPLICATIVE MAPS FROM WEIGHTED SEMILATTICE ALGEBRAS
Authors: CHOI YEMON
Published: June 2013

We investigate which weighted convolution algebras ${ \ell }_{\omega }^{1} (S)$, where $S$ is a semilattice, are AMNM in the sense of Johnson [‘Approximately multiplicative functionals’, J. Lond. Math. Soc. (2) 34(3) (1986), 489–510]. We give an explicit example where this is not the case. We show that the unweighted examples are all AMNM, as are all ${ \ell }_{\omega }^{1} (S)$ where $S$ has either finite width or finite height. Some of these finite-width examples are isomorphic to function algebras studied by Feinstein [‘Strong Ditkin algebras without bounded relative units’, Int. J. Math. Math. Sci. 22(2) (1999), 437–443]. We also investigate when $({ \ell }_{\omega }^{1} (S), { \mathbb{M} }_{2} )$ is an AMNM pair in the sense of Johnson [‘Approximately multiplicative maps between Banach algebras’, J. Lond. Math. Soc. (2) 37(2) (1988), 294–316], where ${ \mathbb{M} }_{2} $ denotes the algebra of $2\times 2$ complex matrices. In particular, we obtain the following two contrasting results: (i) for many nontrivial weights on the totally ordered semilattice ${ \mathbb{N} }_{\min } $, the pair $({ \ell }_{\omega }^{1} ({ \mathbb{N} }_{\min } ), { \mathbb{M} }_{2} )$ is not AMNM; (ii) for any semilattice $S$, the pair $({\ell }^{1} (S), { \mathbb{M} }_{2} )$ is AMNM. The latter result requires a detailed analysis of approximately commuting, approximately idempotent $2\times 2$ matrices.
REPRESENTATION THEOREMS FOR NORMED ALGEBRAS
Authors: KOUSHESH M. R.
Published: June 2013

We show that for a normal locally-$\mathscr{P}$ space $X$ (where $\mathscr{P}$ is a topological property subject to some mild requirements) the subset ${C}_{\mathscr{P}} (X)$ of ${C}_{b} (X)$ consisting of those elements whose support has a neighborhood with $\mathscr{P}$, is a subalgebra of ${C}_{b} (X)$ isometrically isomorphic to ${C}_{c} (Y)$ for some unique (up to homeomorphism) locally compact Hausdorff space $Y$. The space $Y$ is explicitly constructed as a subspace of the Stone–Čech compactification $\beta X$ of $X$ and contains $X$ as a dense subspace. Under certain conditions, ${C}_{\mathscr{P}} (X)$ coincides with the set of those elements of ${C}_{b} (X)$ whose support has $\mathscr{P}$, it moreover becomes a Banach algebra, and simultaneously, $Y$ satisfies ${C}_{c} (Y)= {C}_{0} (Y)$. This includes the cases when $\mathscr{P}$ is the Lindelöf property and $X$ is either a locally compact paracompact space or a locally-$\mathscr{P}$ metrizable space. In either of the latter cases, if $X$ is non-$\mathscr{P}$, then $Y$ is nonnormal and ${C}_{\mathscr{P}} (X)$ fits properly between ${C}_{0} (X)$ and ${C}_{b} (X)$; even more, we can fit a chain of ideals of certain length between ${C}_{0} (X)$ and ${C}_{b} (X)$. The known construction of $Y$ enables us to derive a few further properties of either ${C}_{\mathscr{P}} (X)$ or $Y$. Specifically, when $\mathscr{P}$ is the Lindelöf property and $X$ is a locally-$\mathscr{P}$ metrizable space, we show that $$\begin{eqnarray*}\dim C_{\mathscr{P}}(X)= \ell \mathop{(X)}\nolimits ^{{\aleph }_{0} } ,\end{eqnarray*}$$ where $\ell (X)$ is the Lindelöf number of $X$, and when $\mathscr{P}$ is countable compactness and $X$ is a normal space, we show that $$\begin{eqnarray*}Y= {\mathrm{int} }_{\beta X} \upsilon X\end{eqnarray*}$$ where $\upsilon X$ is the Hewitt realcompactification of $X$.
Information Literacy and the Google Generation: Teaching Research Skills to Sixth-Formers
Authors: Hunter Ian
Published: June 2013

There is a perception in the legal information profession that levels of information literacy among law students and trainee solicitors are lower than they should be. In this article Ian Hunter considers if this starts at sixth form level and discusses the Google generation stereotype. Training sessions given to sixth-form students by the author are described and the students' levels of information literacy are considered against various information literacy standards. The suitability of these standards for sixth form students is assessed and suggestions for future information literacy training at school, HE and trainee solicitor level are discussed.
Tears, Drama and Meeting Minutes: an Indexing Experience
Authors: Faulkner Kate
Published: June 2013

In this article Kate Faulkner describes her experience of creating an index for 36 volumes of committee minutes for the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, and explains the processes involved. She explores the unique issues associated with the indexing of minutes and relates some of the aspects of human interest found within the material and discusses the role of the indexer.
Robert, Clara and the Transformation of Poetic Irony in Schumann's Lieder: The Case of ‘Dein Angesicht’
Authors: Binder Benjamin
Published: June 2013

In the last decade, musicologists have definitively put to rest the lingering concern that Robert Schumann misunderstood poetic irony in his settings of Heinrich Heine's poetry. My contribution to this project begins with Robert's written correspondence with his fiancée Clara Wieck in the years leading up to their marriage in 1840. Relying on passages in the letters that have previously received little or no critical attention, I closely observe the lovers’ views about the workings of ironic language in their relationship, especially concerning the technique that scholars of Heine's poetry have called theStimmungsbruch(‘breaking of mood’): a sudden reversal of tone that punctures a poem's lyric beauty and maliciously invalidates its apparent sincerity. Clara detested this gesture when it came from Robert in everyday life or in his letters; she insisted that Robert share his negative feelings openly, even though Robert knew that this would distress her. The letters thus provide a helpful context in which to understand Schumann's idiosyncratic compositional treatment of theStimmungsbruchin ‘Dein Angesicht’ (1840). Using the evidence of the letters, I argue that Heine's poem would likely have had strong personal associations for Robert and Clara. In his setting, Robert thus transformed the poem's dualStimmungsbruchto reflect pain honestly without inflicting it at the same time. Focusing primarily on the torturous dialectic between major and minor in the song, I show how Robert has the protagonist absorb the thrust of Heine's damagingStimmungsbruchinto himself, keeping the beloved out of harm's way while still allowing the dark, throbbing energy of the wound to radiate from beneath the surface.
From Tragedy to Melodrama: Rethinking Liszt's Hamlet
Authors: Cormac Joanne
Published: June 2013

Liszt composed the symphonic poem Hamlet towards the end of his tenure as Kapellmeister of the Weimar Court Theatre, a time when he regularly conducted operas, concerts, incidental music and variety performances. It was also a time when he frequently came into contact with artists, writers, musicians and actors. One actor in particular left a memorable impression: Bogumil Dawison. Dawison's style was unusual at the time; his performances were noted for their aggression, expressiveness and energy, and many praised the flexibility of his voice and face. Dawison aimed for a realistic approach in response to Goethe's Classicism, but the result was closer to the melodramatic style that was gaining in popularity at the time. His portrayal of Hamlet was particularly innovative, and it captured Liszt's imagination shortly before he composed the symphonic poem inspired by Shakespeare's tragedy.

The relationship between the world of the theatre (particularly spoken theatre) and the symphonic poems has never before been explored in Liszt scholarship, yet, as this article reveals, spoken theatre had a significant influence on Hamlet. Indeed, this article will draw new stylistic and conceptual parallels between this symphonic poem and both melodrama as a genre and its related ‘melodramatic’ style of acting. The article argues that Dawison's influence can be traced in Liszt's approach to this work and that a ‘melodramatic reading’ can enable us to interpret some of its more puzzling aspects.
Testing the national identity argument
Authors: Miller David , Ali Sundas
Published: June 2013

The national identity argument holds that a shared national identity is necessary to motivate citizens in democratic societies to pursue a number of goals, especially social justice. We review the empirical evidence for and against this claim, looking particularly at how national identities have been measured. We distinguish between studies that aim to compare the relative strength of identities cross-nationally and those that look at individual differences within one nation. We separate four dimensions of national identity: national attachment, national pride, critical vs. uncritical patriotism, and civic vs. cultural conceptions of identity. These are only weakly correlated with each other, and impact differently on support for social justice and the welfare state. Using case studies from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, we suggest that the relationship between national identity and social justice varies between societies, and that a key factor is finding an appropriate balance between the strength of such identities and their inclusiveness.