bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calgary's Olympic Saddledome
Authors: Bobrowski Jan
Published: January 2017

This paper outlines the design concept and development of the structural envelope of Calgary's Olympic Saddledome.

The mere ability to make forces change direction is not the essence of structural engineering. The real crux of the matter is crystallised in the optimum resolution of conflicts originating from the combined effects of gravity, motion, fluctuating temperatures and the need for an unobstructed and yet economical, safe and protected space for human activity.

Rather than accept the severe confines of technical advances on traditional structures, which at best would have produced only partial improvement, a conscious effort was made to find an organic solution, fulfilling the complex functions of the building.

The design evolved harmoniously and succeeded in dispelling the mystique arising from an apparent dichotomy between bold and ingenious, yet largely intuitive design concepts, and complex mathematical theories, the latter being only capable of modelling the physical realities and practical limitations in an incomplete and approximate manner. Here the author invites attention to Albert Einstein's dictum

‘As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality’.
Double-Layer Grids with Steel Members and Reinforced Concrete Slabs
Authors: Soare M. V. , Crainicescu M. , Tarog D.
Published: January 2017

In order to reduce the steel consumption in double-layer grids, the top members are replaced by square reinforced concrete ribbed slabs. Though the dead weight is somewhat increased, the solution is advantageous since the slabs not only play a structural role, but also constitute the rigid support for the insulation and waterproofing. The steel saving amounts to 22% of the corresponding steel solution. A full scale model consisting of 4 slabs and the corresponding bracing and bottom steel members was tested in order to investigate the joint behaviour. The results were most satisfactory.
Dielectric Spaceframe Radomes
Authors: Bellworthy A. J. , Croll J.G.A.
Published: January 2017

How the sometimes conflicting functional, economic and structural considerations have combined to determine the material, fabrication and geometric form for spaceframe domes used to provide environmental protection for electromagnetic transmitting and receiving equipment is described. It is shown how electromagnetic requirements mean that the constructionally most economic regular subdivisions of the ‘Platonic Solids’, which so often form the basis for subdividing truncated spherical domes, do not represent the optimal solution for dielectric space radomes. A brief description is provided of the form of stress analysis adopted, and of the variety in forms of collapse mode against which panel geometries are designed. Illustrative structures are used to show the diversity of space domes possible through this fabrication process.
Effect of severity of arm impairment on response to additional physiotherapy early after stroke
Authors: Parry R H , Lincoln N B , Vass C D
Published: January 2017

Objective: To investigate effect of initial severity of arm impairment on response to additional physiotherapy for the arm after stroke.

Design: In this controlled trial, patients were randomized into one of three groups: routine physiotherapy (RPT) patients received no additional physiotherapy; qualified physiotherapy (QPT) patients received additional treatment from a qualified physiotherapist; assistant physiotherapy (APT) patients received additional treatment from a trained supervised assistant. Comparisons between the whole groups found no significant differences and have been reported elsewhere. In a post hoc analysis, the groups were subdivided according to severity of initial arm impairment. The subgroups were then compared.

Setting: A general hospital with acute and rehabilitation facilities for stroke patients.

Subjects: Patients (n= 282) between one and five weeks after stroke. Interventions: Ten hours additional physiotherapy were given over a five-week period. The treatment approach reflected current usual British practice. ‘Blind’ outcome assessment was performed after intervention, and at three and six months after stroke.

Main outcome measures: Rivermead Motor Assessment Arm Scale, Action Research Arm Test.

Results: In more severe patients, no benefits of additional treatment were detected. In less severe patients, significant benefits were found in those who completed treatment with the trained assistant. However, a considerable number of patients did not complete the additional treatment. The content of treatment differed between the QPT and APT groups. Treatment of less severe APT patients emphasized repetitive supervised practice of movements and functional tasks. No significant effects of additional treatment were found in terms of shoulder pain or spasticity.

Conclusions: Regardless of whether additional physiotherapy was given or not, patients with severe arm impairment improved very little in arm function. Enabling adaptation to loss of arm function may be an appropriate rehabilitation strategy for some patients. Trends in the data confirm findings of some previous studies that intensive treatment for patients with some motor recovery of the upper limb is effective. Following patient assessment and treatment planning by a qualified physiotherapist, it may be appropriate for guidance of repetitive practice of motor and functional tasks to be delegated to trained and closely supervised assistant staff.
Description of a new motor re-education programme for the paretic lower limb aimed at improving the mobility of stroke patients
Authors: Mercier C , Bourbonnais D , Bilodeau S , Lemay J F , Cross P
Published: January 2017

Objective: To describe and examine the feasibility of a new treatment approach for the paretic lower limb and to explore its effectiveness in one chronic hemiparetic stroke subject.

Design: Case report. The treatment was conducted three times per week over a period of six weeks. The mobility of the patient was assessed prior to the treatment, at the end of the treatment and at a six-week follow-up. Settings: The study was carried out at the research centre of the Institut de réadaptation de Montréal. The treating therapist was an experienced rehabilitation professional as was the assessor, who worked at a different rehabilitation centre.

Interventions: The motor re-education programme was based on the use of a static dynamometer that measures the linear external forces produced at the ankle level. A computer program provided the subject with constant feedback on the direction and intensity of the applied force. In each treatment session, the subject was asked to produce several submaximal efforts in 16 specific directions. Both the intensity and the number of repetitions were gradually increased.

Outcome measures: In addition to force production measurements, three clinical assessments of mobility were used: the Timed ‘Up and Go’, the comfortable gait speed and a 2-minute walk test.

Results: The maximal static linear forces produced by the subject increased through the treatment for all directions of effort, but differences were observed amongst directions. During the treatment programme, the subject improved his performance at the three clinical assessments. Even if some of the functional gain was lost at the follow-up, the mobility was still considerably improved as compared to baseline values.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the applicability of the treatment programme to a stroke subject. The results seem very promising and encourage further investigation in order to assess more rigorously the effectiveness of this new approach.
Generic health status measures are unsuitable for measuring health status in severely disabled people
Authors: Kersten Paula , Mullee Mark A , Smith Jenifer AE , McLellan Lindsay , George Steve
Published: January 2017

Objectives: To assess the perceived health status of disabled people. Design: Perceived health status was evaluated with the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the Nottingham Health Profile as part of a needs assessment project exploring systematic differences in unmet needs for rehabilitation as perceived by disabled people, carers and professional staff. Disabled participants completed these health status questionnaires, as part of a face-to-face interview in participants’ own homes.

Subjects: Ninety-two disabled people aged 16–65, recruited into the study from two disability registers.

Outcome measures: The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) Disability Severity Scale, Nottingham Health Profile, SF-36.

Results: Ninety-six disabled people took part in this study. Four were later excluded because of overwhelming communication difficulties. Median OPCS category was 8 (interquartile range 6–9.75). The pain and physical mobility domains of the Nottingham Health Profile were not completed by 46/92 participants (50%) because many questions referred to activities that these people could not perform, particularly walking. The physical functioning domain of the SF-36 showed severe floor effects. It was not therefore possible to use these measures to test the effectiveness of services provided to disabled people, particularly in the areas of physical functioning and pain. Conclusions: There is a continued need to develop and test instruments that can measure the outcomes of rehabilitation in severely disabled populations.
Inter-rater reliability of postural observation after stroke
Authors: Carr E K , Kenney F D , Wilson-Barnett J , Newham D J
Published: January 2017

Objective: To explore the inter-observer reliability of bedside observations of stroke patients’ posture using two versions of a pictorial tool.

Design: Three projects were conducted. The initial version of the tool was used in project 1. The modified version was used in projects 2 and 3. In each project a pair of observers (comprising the main observer and one of five co-observers with varying degrees of experience in observing posture) used the tool to make simultaneous observations of 19 aspects of the posture of a sample of stroke patients. Each patient was observed in one or more of four positions (seated, supine and lying on the affected and unaffected side). The degree of inter-observer agreement was sought by calculating kappa values and percentage agreement.

Setting: Medical wards, care of the elderly wards and a stroke unit.

Subjects: A convenience sample of 57 stroke patients.

Results: Four hundred and forty paired sets of observations were made (200 in project 1, 140 in project 2 and 100 in project 3). The main observer was in every pair. The co-observers made between 50 and 135 sets of observations each. When the results from all three projects were amassed, acceptable percentage agreement (i.e. 0%) was obtained for 67% ( n = 78) and 73% ( n = 55) of the results collected on aspects of the posture of the affected upper and lower limbs respectively. In contrast, acceptable percentage agreement for observations relating to the head, neck and trunk was obtained for only 34% ( n = 50) of the results collected. Uneven distributions in the data made kappa values difficult to interpret. Inter-observer agreement was not noticeably higher for pairs in which both observers had prior experience of observing posture after stroke than for pairs in which one observer was relatively inexperienced.

Conclusions: The tool has potential as a quick and simple means of collecting information at the bedside about stroke patients’ posture. Refinements, additional training in using the tool for observers and further testing are suggested before its wider use is advocated.
Prosthesis rejection in children with a unilateral congenital arm defect
Authors: Postema K , van der Donk V , van Limbeek J , Rijken R AJ , Poelma M J
Published: January 2017

Objective: To determine the rate of rejection for prosthetic use in children and to investigate reasons for this rejection.

Design: Cross-sectional study of a cohort of children.

Setting: Rehabilitation centre, St Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Subjects: Thirty-two children (0–18 years) with a unilateral congenital arm defect who visited the clinic between September 1991 and December 1996.

Methods: Parents of all children and 19 children (years) completed a questionnaire.

Results: Eleven children (34%) rejected the prosthesis. A survival function shows that the rejection can be characterized by three periods: 0–40 months, 40–162 months and after 162 months. In the first and last period a high rate of rejection is seen, while in the second period a low rate exists. Fitting for the first time after 2 years of age seems to be related with higher rejection rate. Lack of functional gain with the prosthesis, as perceived by the subjects and the parents, is significantly associated with increased rejection rate. Increased rejection rate is associated with the parents' disappointment, insufficient involvement of the parents in treatment, and dissatisfaction pertaining to emotional and social guidance.

Conclusions: Rejection seems to occur in two main periods: within 3.5 years after being provided with a prosthesis and after 13.5 years of prosthetic use, when most children experience puberty. Fitting before the age of 2 years seems to reduce rejection rate. Preventing the parents' disappointment about prosthetic benefits as well as providing them with sufficient involvement in treatment and adequate guidance are essential for optimal results of prosthetic rehabilitation.
Cryptotanshinone potentiates the antitumor effects of doxorubicin on gastric cancer cells via inhibition of STAT3 activity
Authors: Wang Jiye , Zhang Guangji , Dai Chunyan , Gao Xiufei , Wu Jianbin , Shen Li , Chen Zhe , Liu Pei
Published: January 2017

Objective

To investigate the synergistic effects of cryptotanshinone (CPT) and doxorubicin (DOXO) on induction of apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells and the mechanisms.

Methods

Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected using the CCK8 assay and AnnexinV/PI staining, respectively. Western blotting was used to determine the levels and phosphorylation of proteins encoded by STAT3-regulated genes and the cleaved forms of caspases and PARP.

Results

CPT significantly potentiated the antiproliferative effect of DOXO in gastric cancer cell lines. CPT combined with DOXO induced apoptosis and cleavage of caspases-3,-7,-9 as well as PARP. CPT or a STAT3 siRNA significantly suppressed constitutive and IL-6-induced phosphorylation of STAT3 Tyr705, decreasing the levels of proteins encoded by STAT3-target genes (Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, survivin, and XIAP).

Conclusions

CPT enhanced the anticancer activity of DOXO in gastric cancer cells via STAT3 inactivation and suppression STAT3-regulated antiapoptotic gene expression, indicating that DOXO combined with CPT may serve as effective therapy for gastric cancer.
Three-dimensional printing in the surgical treatment of osteoid osteoma of the calcaneus: A case report
Authors: Ren Xiang , Yang Liu , Duan Xiao-Jun
Published: January 2017

Surgical excision is the traditional treatment for osteoid osteoma. However, the complexity of the foot anatomy makes a satisfactory outcome challenging. Difficulty in localizing the lesion intraoperatively may result in either incomplete tumor resection or excessive bone loss. To date, no published report has described the use of three-dimensional printing in the surgical treatment of osteoid osteoma of the calcaneus. In this case, we printed a three-dimensional model of the calcaneus of a 17-year-old female patient with a 2-year history of night pain in the lateral aspect of the hindfoot and ankle, evaluated the lesion as an osteoid osteoma, and designed a surgical guiding plate. Intraoperatively, we had no difficulty achieving complete resection of the lesion from the lateral calcaneus bone window, autogenous bone grafting, and subtalar arthrodesis. At the 2-year follow-up examination, the patient remained asymptomatic with no recurrence of the osteoid osteoma.
Jeremiah: Hero of Faith or Defeatist? Concerning the Place and Function of Jeremiah 20.14-18
Authors: Dubbink Joep
Published: January 2017

This article attempts to understand the place and function of Jer. 20.14-18 in the present context, regardless of authorship and provenance. It is shown that it is not necessary to change the position of the verses within the book of Jeremiah, and that they agree with the theology of the book. The tension in which his prophetic commission brings Jeremiah is not a temporary one, but one of principle, in view of his call; the prophetic office for which he was destined before his birth (1.5) belongs inextricably to him. These verses full of desperation and despair do not belong before, but beside the praise and the certainty of redemption (20.11-13), thus underscoring the theology of Jeremiah, which is so rich in contrasts.
Returning the Ticket: God and His Prophet in the Book of Jonah
Authors: Frolov Serge
Published: January 2017

The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate that the book of Jonah may be read as a story of a deity sacrificing its prophet in order to save evildoers from destruction and of the prophet that refuses to be sacrificed and tries to preserve his dignity. Interpreted in this way, the book proves to deal primarily with the question of the salvation of the wicked at the expense of the righteous, which was probably of major importance, both ideological and political, for the post-exilic Judaean community. Analysis of the book's composition indicates that the author wanted his/her intended audience to sympathize with Jonah, not with God; it means that the negative attitude to the prophet prevailing in the modern scholarly community and in communities of faith stems for the most part from uncritically assimilated stereotypes, not from unbiased interaction with the text.
Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Denti Matteo , Vetere Dario Lo , Bait Corrado , Schönhuber Herbert , Melegati Gianluca , Volpi Piero
Published: January 2017

Background

Revision of an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a complicated and delicate clinical procedure whose results, theoretically, are less satisfactory than those of the first operation.

Hypothesis

The outcome of a revised anterior cruciate ligament surgery is comparable to primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, with a rate of success around 70% to 80%.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

A total of 66 revisions of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were carried out from September 2000 to September 2004. Patients with concomitant instability and those with alterations in the weightbearing axis of the lower limbs were not included. Sixty patients were followed from 24 to 72 months: 50 clinically and 10 by a phone interview. Six patients were lost to follow-up due to changes of address.

Results

Lysholm scores were 57% excellent (95–100 points), 13% good (84–94 points), 22% fair (63–83 points), and 8% poor (<64 points). A total of 68% of patients had negative Lachman tests, 20% had positive tests with a hard end point, 10% had positive results, and 2% had very positive results. Stabilometric evaluation with the KT-1000 arthrometer at the maximum load showed that 56% of patients had <3 mm side-to-side difference, 34% had between 3 and 5 mm, and 10% had 6 to 10 mm. The International Knee Documentation Committee scores were 36% excellent (class A), 46% good (class B), and 18% fair (class C). The percentage of patients who resumed sport at the same level was 78%, compared with 58% after their primary reconstruction.

Conclusion

The results of these anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction revision surgeries are close to those achieved by other series of primary reconstructions with a little less satisfactory results. We attribute the high success rate to the strict application of the same technique and the confinement of revision to motivated patients. It should be noted, however, that follow-up is only at the midterm stage (mean, 41.9 months).
Diversity Advances Both Journalism, Business
Authors: Gross Richard , Curtin Patricia A. , Cameron Glen T.
Published: January 2017

From their analysis of interviews with 76 Los Angeles Times newsroom employees, researchers found that the publisher's business diversity goals also made the paper a stronger journalistic product.
Newspaper Journalists Use E-Mail to Gather News
Authors: Garrison Bruce
Published: January 2017

A survey of daily newspaper reporters and editors finds a growing role for e-mail in the newsroom, but journalists expressed concern about the security and credibility of the information found in e-mail.
Guest Columns Add Diversity to NY Times' Op-Ed Pages
Authors: Golan Guy , Wanta Wayne
Published: January 2017

A content analysis comparing staff-written stories about the Israeli-Palestinian issue to those written by guest columnists shows that guest topics were vastly different from staff writers and that staff writers were more opinionated.
U.S. News Web Sites Better, but Small Papers Still Lag
Authors: Greer Jennifer , Mensing Donica
Published: January 2017

Web sites are increasingly more sophisticated in news presentation, revenue-generating features, multimedia and interactive elements. Small papers lag significantly behind medium and large ones.
Frequent Media Users See High Environmental Risks
Authors: Riffe Dan
Published: January 2017

In the polluted “chemical corridor” of the Ohio River valley, respondents who most frequently read and view media reports about the environment are more likely to rate their own environmental risks as higher.
Recent Rulings Weaken Neutral Reportage Defense
Authors: Youm Kyu Ho
Published: January 2017

This review of recent rulings shows a fair amount of hostility among judges toward claims of neutral reportage, leaving media lawyers hesitant to pursue this libel defense.
Study Explores Audience's Views on Environmental News
Authors: Riffe Daniel , Hrach Tom
Published: January 2017

A survey compares evaluations of local newspaper and television environmental coverage and examines how the audience's attention to environmental news and their concerns about risks relate to how well they think both media cover the issue.
Bioethicists as Expert Sources in Science/Medical Reporting
Authors: Kruvand Marjorie
Published: January 2017

Reporters at six newspapers turn to bioethicists as expert sources to help explain ethical issues in scientific and medical stories. Yet, they often use them as critics or skeptics and use the same few repeatedly.
Growth of Multimedia Not Extensive at Newspapers
Authors: Russial John
Published: January 2017

Although the industry is moving in the direction of cross-platform work, this survey of U.S. newspapers found that it is not moving as quickly or completely as some observers indicate.
High School Journalism, Academic Performance Correlate
Authors: Dvorak Jack , Choi Changhee
Published: January 2017

This study examines the relationship between high school newspaper or yearbook experience and performance on ACT standardized tests and college courses/tests. Journalism students had significantly higher scores in 14 of17 academic comparisons.
Editorials, Op-ed Columns Frame Medical Marijuana Debate
Authors: Golan Guy J.
Published: January 2017

While the editorials extended issue framing into the legal, political and social implications of legalized medical marijuana, the op-ed sections presented a limited framing strategy, with half of all op-ed articles focusing on the medical implications.
President's Power to Frame Stem Cell Views Limited
Authors: Fahmy Shahira , Kelly Jeannine E. , Wanta Wayne
Published: January 2017

A top-down communication model failed in an examination of news coverage and public opinion about the use of human embryos for stem cell research. The study covered three years leading to Bush's veto of a bill to remove research restrictions.
Ideologies Drive Journalists' Attitudes toward Oil Industry
Authors: Watson Brendan R.
Published: January 2017

A survey of Gulf Coast journalists revealed that their environmental and political ideologies are the strongest predictors of their attitudes toward the oil industry following the BP oil spill. Conservative journalists are most likely to believe that the industry behaved responsibly.
Human Face in News Important but Base-Rate Data Inform More
Authors: Callison Coy , Gibson Rhonda , Zillmann Dolf
Published: January 2017

While it is important for journalists to put a human face on a story to highlight an issue, an experiment shows that newspaper readers get a more accurate quantitative picture when stories use explicit base-rate data rather than the use of human examples.
NYTimes War on Drugs Sources Change after September 11
Authors: Denham Bryan E.
Published: January 2017

This analysis finds sources used by The Times in its coverage of the war on drugs changed after Sept. 11. Consistent with the U.S. government's narco-terrorism initiative, The Times cited more U.S. State Department and law enforcement sources than before the attacks.
Personal Branding Still in Future for Most Newspaper Reporters
Authors: Schultz Brad , Sheffer Mary Lou
Published: January 2017

An exploratory study of reporters at newspapers and television stations finds that newspaper reporters are not as actively engaged in using social media for personal news branding compared with television and web/online reporters.
Gulf Papers' Oil Spill Coverage Differs from National Dailies
Authors: Lewis Norman P. , Starr Walter John , Takata Yukari , Xie Qinwei
Published: January 2017

A content analysis challenges the notion that elite newspapers can speak for local dailies. Gulf dailies focused on the environment until the well was capped and then shifted to the local economy, while the national dailies focused on the accident.
News Coverage Different for Third-Party Candidates
Authors: Kirch John F.
Published: January 2017

A content analysis of coverage of gubernatorial campaigns shows that Green and Libertarian party candidates receive significantly different coverage than do major-party contenders. They appear less frequently in headlines, lead paragraphs and stories.
Presidential Campaign Ads Rely on Newspaper Evidence
Authors: Roberts Chris
Published: January 2017

This article describes how candidates used news-mediated information in broadcast advertising during the 2008 presidential campaign. Slightly more than a third of the 512 spots included evidence originally produced by 120 news organizations, mostly newspapers.
Analysis Finds U.S. Newspapers Use Six Frames for “Made in China”
Authors: Han Gang (Kevin) , Wang Xiuli (Charlene)
Published: January 2017

This analysis of “Made in China” in U.S. newspapers found six frames used in the past 30 years. Although “cultural legacy” and “human rights” were the important frames in the earlier years, “pro-trade,” “protectionist sentiment” and “price-value” have been used in the later years.
Independent Websites Not So Different from Group-Owned
Authors: Kenix Linda Jean
Published: January 2017

A comparison of the content of online news sites of conglomerate-owned versus independent community newspapers found that conglomerate sites were more likely to focus on public issues and have more original content than were independent sites.
Medical Reporters Say ‘No’ to ‘Pack’ Journalism
Authors: Kiernan Vincent
Published: January 2017

This survey asked reporters who cover medical topics at U.S. newspapers about their opinion leaders. More than 75 percent said they are lone wolves, unaffected by the work of any other journalists. Of those who reported some influence most named only one or two other reporters.
East Africans Find Radio More Credible than Newspapers
Authors: Kalyango Yusuf
Published: January 2017

A content analysis of newspapers and a survey of public attitudes in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda reveal that a significant number of citizens do not trust state-owned media. However, trust in newspapers is lower than trust in radio, despite a steady increase in circulation in recent years.
Large U.S. Newspapers Update Their Websites More Often
Authors: Xu Jin
Published: January 2017

An analysis of the news websites of 59 large, medium and small U.S. newspapers revealed that almost 40 percent of all stories were updated with large newspapers setting the pace for the most immediacy in their lead stories.
Exemplars Can Affect Readers' Judgment about News Story
Authors: Kinnally William , Burkett Ryan P. , Chandler Curry , Burkett Brenton
Published: January 2017

This study found that the use of exemplars, such as a photograph, to illustrate a story about hunger needs in Central Florida can lead to an inaccurate understanding of the facts. However, the use of a base-rate infographic, such as a pie chart, reduced some of the misperception.
Short-Run Decisions Threaten Papers' Long-Run Viability
Authors: Lacy Stephen , Stamm Michael , Martin Hugh
Published: January 2017

This commentary argues that managerial short-run decisions from 1985 to 2004 contributed greatly to the current crisis. The history of newspaper companies' adaptation to technological change suggests strategies for innovative management in the current news environment.
Ethnic, Mainstream Papers Differ on Health Reporting
Authors: Willis Erin , Ham Chang Dae , Rodgers Shelly
Published: January 2017

This analysis shows general audience newspapers commonly frame public health issues as the responsibility of individuals, while Hispanic newspapers assign more institutional-level blame.
Reducing Publication Decreases U.S. College Newspaper Revenue
Authors: Tennant J. Ian , Chyi H. Iris
Published: January 2017

This survey of U.S. college newspapers finds that reducing the number of days the paper publishes does not save money. Instead the newspapers' financial data suggest that cutting the days of publication leads to substantial loss of advertising revenue.
Information Content of Newspaper Advertisements
Authors: Pasadeos Yorgo , Key Glenn , Hall Steven , Morvillo Cynthia
Published: January 2017

This study is a content analysis of a sample of newspaper advertisements, 98% of which contained at least one information cue; one-third contained four or more cues. The average number of cues per ad was 2.8. Compared with earlier studies, these findings suggest newspaper ads are more “informative” than television and magazine ads. This would be expected because of the “local” and copy-heavy nature of newspaper advertising.
Editorial Writers and the Research Process
Authors: Endres Fredric F.
Published: January 2017

A national survey of editorial writers shows that, across three circulation categories, there are differences in the research process, availability and use of resources and how writers rate usefulness of sources. Research problems for all groups centered on the in-house library and lack of sufficient time to research and write. Most editorial writers make wide use of news makers, local leaders and attendance at meetings for ideas and background material. Some writers disagree about how much research is needed to make editorials effective.
Use of Full Text, Database Retrieval Systems by Editorial Page Writers
Authors: Kerr John , Niebauer Walter E.
Published: January 2017

Have the recently introduced outside database, full text retrieval systems helped alleviate editorial page writers' time pressure problems? This study surveyed database retrieval use by 40 writers identified as employees of newspapers that had systems. Results showed 73% of the writers agreed or strongly agreed that lack of time to do adequate research was their biggest problem, but 68% said they seldom or never used the systems. Reasons given for non-use included institutional and personal constraints, and inadequate training.
Letter from the Coach
Authors: Laakaniemi Ray
Published: January 2017

Winners and Sinners from the New York Times has spawned a new genre of newsletters: the in-house letter focusing on writing quality. This study compared the content of these newsletters with what writing coaches have said are the major writing problems. Findings indicate the newsletters may need refocusing. While coaches said newswriters' chief problems are conceptual writing improvements, newsletters focus on mechanics such as spelling and grammar.
Balance of Editorial Commentary in Four Florida Newspapers during the 1984 Presidential Campaign
Authors: Logan Robert
Published: January 2017

Do editorial sections publish a positive ratio of favorable to unfavorable commentary about endorsed candidates and a negative ratio of favorable to unfavorable commentary about unendorsed candidates? A content analysis of the editorial sections of the Miami Herald, St. Petersburg Times, Orlando Sentinel and Tampa Tribune revealed mixed support for the hypothesis. The findings suggest editorial sections in some newspapers may be more internally balanced in their political commentary than previously believed.
Gannett and the Gazette
Authors: Plopper Bruce L.
Published: January 2017

When Gannett took over the Arkansas Gazette in the midst of a bitter newspaper war, the new management undertook to fight by changing content to respond to reader interest, It didn't work.
What Do Newswomen Cover?
Authors: Schweitzer John C. , Miller Jay
Published: January 2017

Although most of the bylined, staff-written stories appearing in the four largest newspapers in Texas were by men, there is no indication that male and female reporters were assigned to cover different kinds of news. This content study indicates that if there is a gender gap in story assignments, it may be narrowing.
No More Content Analyses
Authors: Luebke Barbara F.
Published: January 2017

Enough is enough! declares one scholar, who says studies of newspaper content about women have proven the same thing over and over: That newspapers do a terrible job quantitatively and qualitatively – of covering women. Instead of reinventing that wheel, she suggests a strategy for nudging editors toward a change for the better.
The Utility of Anonymous Attribution
Authors: Blankenburg William B.
Published: January 2017

Unnamed sources – journalistic anathema particularly since the Janet Cooke affair – need not be such a bugaboo. Indeed, anonymous sources are critical to American journalism and more than a newsgathering tool, anonymous sources provide positive benefits to diversity of thought in the marketplace of ideas.
The Fax News Flood
Authors: Frazier Lowell D.
Published: January 2017

On the surface, the advent of facsimile machines might bode greater and swifter exchange of information. Not so, say U.S. and Canadian editors drowning under a deluge of unsolicited faxed press releases. Most editors don't pay any more attention to faxes than to other kinds of releases, and many wish something could be done to stem the flood.
How Newspaper Editors and Broadcast News Directors View Media Ethics
Authors: Anderson Douglas A. , Leigh Frederic A.
Published: January 2017

Newsroom concern about journalism ethics is no politically correct fad, say both editors and broadcast managers. And who's more ethical? Newspaper reporters, say editors, but three-quarters of broadcasters disagree. Neither print nor broadcaster people, however, think TV reporters are more concerned about ethics than are print reporters.
Editorial Page Editors Discuss Use of Letters
Authors: Hynds Ernest C.
Published: January 2017

Letters to the editor continue to contribute a robust grassroots debate on issues of community concern. Editorial page editors say letters sections are thriving. Lively letters from readers enhance the paper's credibility, they say, and attract readers who feel a participatory role in the paper. The problem? Not enough space.
Winning Weeklies
Authors: Laakaniemi Ray , Green William , Jankowski Laurence
Published: January 2017

There's more to winning prizes for newspaper excellence than simply entering contests. A survey of 125 of the nation's most consistent award-winning weeklies identifies factors that may make the difference in terms of editorial excellence in small local markets.
Mass Media Channels
Authors: Johnson J. David , Meishcke Hendrika
Published: January 2017

Women perceive television, magazines and newspapers as equally good at disseminating timely and understandable cancer-related information. But of the three media channels, newspapers are perceived as least credible, least accurate and least clear, raising some serious questions about how newspapers cozier health issues.
For Sale!
Authors: Williams Wendy S.
Published: January 2017

Real estate news editors at some of the country's largest newspapers say little aggressive, serious reporting appears in their sections because of fears about offending powerful advertisers. Controversial stories dealing with land or housing run in other sections of the paper, they say, away from the ads that sell houses and mortgages.
Newspaper Regulation, Policy and Taxation
Authors: Simon Todd F.
Published: January 2017

Not only are newspapers faced with rapidly changing and segmenting markets, but they must also leant to deal with a variety of legal and regulatory issues which will continue to become more complex.
Women and Newspapers
Authors: McGrath Kristin
Published: January 2017

Newspaper reading by women is in a decline even steeper than the figures for men. In order to regain them as readers, newspapers must relate directly to women by providing relevant information in a form that respects their busy lifestyles.
Opinions of Journalists on Headline Traditions
Authors: Hilliard Jerry , Hines Randall W.
Published: January 2017

A survey of Tennessee journalists finds they agree strongly with only 6 of 25 traditional rules for headlines.
Does the Op-Ed Page Have a Chance to Become a Public Forum?
Authors: Ciofalo Andrew , Traverso Kim
Published: January 2017

A survey of op-ed page editors reveals that fewer than half of the responding papers have op-ed pages, that professional journalists, public figures and propagandists dominate the pages, and that editors firmly control the agenda.
In Vivo and in Vitro Antitumor Activity of CM-Chitin Immobilized Doxorubicins by Lysosomal Digestible Tetrapeptide Spacer Groups
Authors: Ohya Yuichi , Nonomura Koji , Ouchi Tatsuro
Published: January 2017

In vivo and in vitro antitumor activities of macromolecular prodrugs of doxorubicin (DXR) using 6- O-carboxymethylchitin (CM-chitin) as a carrier polymer were investigated. In order to determine the effect of a spacer group between a drug and a carrier polymer on the antitumor activity, we employed two different spacer groups, a lysosomal digestible tetrapeptide (Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly) and a simple hydrophobic pentamethylene to immobilize DXR molecules to CM-chitin. The cytotoxic activity of the conjugates obtained were investigated against four kinds of tumor cell lines, p388D1 lymphocytic leukemia, L1210 leukemia, HLE human hepatoma and Hela utrocervical carcinoma cell in vitra The CM-chitin/Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly/DXR conjugate 1 with lysosomal digestible tetrapeptide spacer groups showed slightly higher in vitro cytotoxic activity against these tumor cells than CM-chitin/C5/DXR conjugate 2 with a simple pentamethylene spacer group. However, the cytotoxic activity of these two conjugates was weaker than that of the free DXR. The survival effects of these conjugates were investigated against p388 lymphocytic leukemia bearing mice in vivo by intraperitoneal (i.p.) implantation and intravenous (i.v.) injection. Although these conjugates did not show very high cytotoxic activities in vitro compared with the free DXR, conjugate 1, with the lysosomal digestible tetrapeptide spacer groups, exhibited survival effects against p388 lymphocytic leukemia in mice i.p./i.v. However, conjugate 2, with the simple pentamethylene spacer group, did not show any survival effects under the same conditions. These conjugates did not display an acute toxicity in the high dose ranges.
Studies on the Stability of a Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer for use in Biomedical Applications
Authors: Navarro A. , García-Garduño M. , Vázquez-Polo G. , Alvarez-Castillo A. , Castaño V. M. , Martínez E.
Published: January 2017

Two samples of commercially-available styrene-butadiene block copolymers (SBC) were tested for suitability for use in biomedical applications. A 30% sample and a 40% sample of styrene-containing polymers with very similar molecular weights (approximately 300,000) were characterized before and after being placed in a physiological serum for a period of six months. SEM, FTIR, and atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to characterize the polymers. Scanning and transmission electron micrographs showed that the SBC's morphology was clearly affected by the serum. A difference was observed with the higher styrene-containing polymer which showed no degradation of the elastomeric portion of the copolymer, whereas the 30% sample showed that considerable degradation occurred in this area. Atomic absorption results showed a clear difference in the capability of both materials to absorb K+, Na+ and Caions with a clear advantage for the 40% styrene-containing material. FTIR results indicate that both polymer samples degraded in the serum, showing loss of both the polystyrene and polybutadiene portions, as well as oxidation of the double bonds in the latter.
Synthesis of HPMA Copolymer Containing Adriamycin Bound via an Acid-Labile Spacer and its Activity toward Human Ovarian Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Choi Won-Moon , Kopečková Pavla , Minko Tamara , Kopeček Jindřich
Published: January 2017

N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-adriamycin (ADR) conjugate (P-aconityl-ADR) was synthesized by the attachment of cis-aconityl-ADR to an HPMA copolymer precursor using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) as the condensing agent. The ADR release from the HPMA copolymer conjugate was pH sensitive. After 48 h incubation at pH 5, 6, and 7, the amount of ADR released was 63.4, 9.2, and 2.8% respectively. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the conjugate was evaluated toward A2780 sensitive and A2780/AD resistant human ovarian carcinoma cells. An HPMA copolymer, containing ADR bound via a tetrapeptide (GFLG) sequence susceptible to cleavage catalyzed by lysosomal enzymes (P-GFLG-ADR), was used as control. The IC50 doses seemed to indicate that the total hydrolysis of P-aconityl-ADR in prelysosomal and lysosomal compartments proceeded faster than the release of ADR from P-GFLG-ADR catalyzed by lysomal cysteine proteinases. Both HPMA copolymer-ADR conjugates appeared to overcome the ATP-driven P-glycoprotein efflux pump expressed in A2780/AD cells.
Growth Factor Release from Gelatin Hydrogel for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Yamamoto Masaya , Tabata Yasuhiko , Ikada Yoshito
Published: January 2017

One of the key technologies for regeneration of damaged and lost tissue is the sustained release of biologically active growth factors. The present study was undertaken to investigate sorption and desorption of various growth factors from biodegradable hydrogels prepared through glutaraldehyde crosslinking of gelatin with isoelectric points (IEPs) of 5.0 and 9.0, which are named "acidic" and "basic" gelatins, respectively, based on their overall charge. Basic bFGF and TGF-β1 were markedly sorbed with time in the acidic gelatin hydrogels, while less sorption took place in the basic gelatin hydrogels. This behavior was explained in terms of an electrostatic interaction between the basic growth factors and the acidic gelatin. However, BMP-2 was sorbed into the acidic gelatin hydrogel to a lesser extent than the other two growth factors, even though its IEP is also greater than 7.0. An in vivo experiment revealed that the acidic gelatin hydrogel was degraded with time, while growth factors were retained in the body for a longer time period as the in vitro sorption to the acidic gelatin hydrogel was larger. These findings indicate that the growth factors sonically complexes to the acidic gelatin hydrogel were released in vivo as a result of hydrogel degradation. Furthermore, animal experiments revealed that the biological performance of growth factors was enhanced by their sustaned release, in marked contrast to the growth factors administered in the solution form.
Probabilistic Return-on-Investment Analysis of Single-Family Versus Open-Bay Rooms in Neonatal Intensive Care Units—Synthesis and Evaluation of Early Evidence on Nosocomial Infections, Length of Stay, and Direct Cost of Care
Authors: Sadatsafavi Hessam , Niknejad Bahar , Shepley Mardelle , Sadatsafavi Mohsen
Published: January 2017

Background:

There is increasing evidence that the physical environment of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), including single-family rooms (SFRs) versus open-bay rooms (OPBYs), has tangible effects on vulnerable patients. The objective of this study was to illustrate the financial implications of SFR versus OPBY units by synthesizing and evaluating the evidence regarding the benefits and costs of each unit from a hospital perspective.

Methods:

We assumed a hypothetical NICU with 40 beds in OPBY rooms, to be replaced with a new NICU with 32 SFRs and 8 OPBYs. We synthesized evidence regarding the comparative benefit of each option on 3 outcomes—nosocomial infections, length of stay, and direct costs. We calculated incremental benefit-cost ratio separately considering each outcome over an analysis period of 5 years. A ratio of more than 1 indicates that the investment is worthwhile. Input parameters were assigned probability distributions representing the degree of uncertainty around their true values. Monte Carlo simulation with 5000 iterations was used to quantify the distribution of benefits and costs.

Results:

The mean value of the incremental benefit–cost ratio was 0.730 (95% credible interval: 0.724-0.735) when nosocomial infections were considered, 1.298 (1.282-1.315) when reduced length of stay was considered, and 1.794 (1.783-1.804) when direct costs of care were compared. The probability of a benefit–cost ratio of lower than 1 was about 91%, 31%, and 2% in each case, respectively.

Conclusion:

Cost savings associated with SFR units would justify additional construction and operation costs compared to OPBY units only when evidence on inclusive outcomes such as length of stay or direct costs of care is considered. A specific outcome such as infection rate potentially fails to capture all benefits of SFRs. As more evidence becomes available on full benefits and hazards of SFRs versus OPBYs, future studies should investigate the broader return-on-investment outcomes.
Antibacterial active open-porous hydroxyapatite/lysozyme scaffolds suitable as bone graft and depot for localised drug delivery
Authors: Mueller Berit , Treccani Laura , Rezwan Kurosch
Published: January 2017

An engineered synthetic scaffold for bone regeneration should provide temporary structural support and a medium for controlled and localised release of bioavailable medical drugs. In this work, a method is proposed to incorporate biologically active agents without impairing agent activity into open-porous resorbable hydroxyapatite scaffolds. Scaffolds are obtained by a one-pot freeze gelation process and loaded with different amounts of lysozyme, a model macromolecular drug with antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity is tested by submerging hydroxyapatite scaffolds with 0.5 to 2.5 wt.% lysozyme into two different bacteria stock solutions. A complete dieback of M. luteus bacteria when in contact with the scaffolds is observed. Higher lysozyme amount in the scaffold leads to faster dieback. In contact with scaffolds containing 2.5 wt.% lysozyme after 30 min, no viable bacteria can be observed. An amount of 0.5 wt.% lysozyme in the scaffolds is sufficient to kill all bacteria after a contact time of 24 h. For L. innocua, a bacteriostatic effect is observed. The scaffolds have spongiosa-like stability and are suitable bone implant substitutes. As agents are released from the scaffolds by degrees over a time period of at least 9 days, they are particularly attractive as depot for localised drug delivery of bioactive macromolecular drugs.