bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ductile flow in the metamorphic rocks of central Sulawesi
Authors: Watkinson Ian M.
Published: June 2011

Metamorphic rocks exposed along the Palu-Koro Fault of west-central Sulawesi, Indonesia, show abundant evidence of non-coaxial ductile deformation. The deformed rocks include gneisses, amphibolites and schists, that form part of a regionally metamorphosed basement complex of Mesozoic–Precambrian Australian (Gondwanan) origin. In the Palu and Neck regions of Sulawesi, ductile shear fabrics record low-angle westward extension. Further south in the Palu valley, extension is directed towards the south and SW, along with gently-dipping ductile thrust fabrics. Vergence exceptions are common at both outcrop and kilometre scale. Cross-cutting granitic dykes place some constraint on the timing of ductile foliation formation. In the neck region of Sulawesi, it occurred before
c
. 44–33.7 Ma. In the central and northern Palu valley, to the south, it occurred before 5–3.5 Ma. The timing and orientation of non-coaxial strain precludes its origin as a result of Palu-Koro Fault activity. Instead, ductile flow occurred during either Eocene–Miocene mid-crustal extension above a metamorphic core complex, Cretaceous subduction-related deformation in the over-riding plate, or intracontinental deformation within Gondwana.
A low-latency, high-throughput on-chip optical router architecture for future chip multiprocessors
Authors: Cianchetti Mark J. , Albonesi David H.
Published: June 2011

Tens and eventually hundreds of processing cores are projected to be integrated onto future microprocessors, making the global interconnect a key component to achieving scalable chip performance within a given power envelope. While CMOS-compatible nanophotonics has emerged as a leading candidate for replacing global wires beyond the 16nm timeframe, on-chip optical interconnect architectures are typically limited in scalability or are dependent on comparatively slow electrical control networks.

In this article, we present a hybrid electrical/optical router for future large scale, cache coherent multicore microprocessors. The heart of the router is a low-latency optical crossbar that uses predecoded source routing and switch state preconfiguration to transmit cache-line-sized packets several hops in a single clock cycle under contentionless conditions. Overall, our optical router achieves 2X better network performance than a state-of-the-art electrical baseline in a mesh topology while consuming 30% less network power.
Optimal Design of Adaptive Laminated Beam Using Layerwise Finite Element
Authors: Zabihollah Abolghassem , Zareie Shahin
Published: June 2011

First, an efficient and accurate finite element model for smart composite beams is presented. The developed model is based on layerwise theory and includes the electromechanical coupling effects. Then, an efficient design optimization algorithm is developed which combines the layerwise finite element analysis model for the smart laminated beam, sensitivity analysis based on analytical gradients and sequential quadratic programming (SQP). Optimal size/location of sensors/actuators is determined for dynamic displacement measurement purposes and for vibration control applications. For static and eigenvalue problems, the objective is to minimize the mass of the beam under various constraints including interlaminar stresses, displacements, and frequencies. For transient vibration problems, the objective is the minimization of the actuation control effort to suppress the vibration in a controlled manner. Illustrative examples are provided to validate the formulation and to demonstrate the capabilities of the present methodology.
Fractional‐Order Control of Pneumatic Position Servosystems
Authors: Junyi Cao , Binggang Cao
Published: June 2011

A fractional‐order control strategy for pneumatic position servosystem is presented in this paper. The idea of the fractional calculus application to control theory was introduced in many works, and its advantages were proved. However, the realization of fractional‐order controllers for pneumatic position servosystems has not been investigated. Based on the relationship between the pressure in cylinder and the rate of mass flow into the cylinder, the dynamic model of pneumatic position servo system is established. The fractional‐order controller for pneumatic position servo and its implementation in industrial computer is designed. The experiments with fractional‐order controller are carried out under various conditions, which include sine position signal with different frequency and amplitude, step position signal, and variety inertial load. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme and verify their fine control performance for pneumatic position servo system.
Discrete Mittag‐Leffler Functions in Linear Fractional Difference Equations
Authors: Čermák Jan , Kisela Tomáš , Nechvátal Luděk
Published: June 2011

This paper investigates some initial value problems in discrete fractional calculus. We introduce a linear difference equation of fractional order along with suitable initial conditions of fractional type and prove the existence and uniqueness of the solution. Then the structure of
the solutions space is discussed, and, in a particular case, an explicit form of the general solution
involving discrete analogues of Mittag‐Leffler functions is presented. All our observations are
performed on a special time scale which unifies and generalizes ordinary difference calculus and q‐difference calculus. Some of our results are new also in these particular discrete settings.
Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance: Bethesda Classification and Association with Human Papillomavirus
Authors: Barcelos Ana Cristina Macêdo , Michelin Márcia Antoniazi , Adad Sheila Jorge , Murta Eddie Fernando Candido
Published: June 2011

Introduction. To analyze patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) through a cytology review and the presence of microbiological agents, with consideration of colposcopy and semiannual tracking.Methods. 103 women with ASCUS were reviewed and reclassified: normal/inflammatory, ASCUS, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). If ASCUS confirmed, it was subclassified in reactive or neoplastic ASCUS, ASC-US, or ASC-H; and Regione Emilia Romagna Screening Protocol. Patients underwent a colposcopic examination, and test forCandidasp., bacterial vaginosis,Trichomonas vaginalis, and human papillomavirus (HPV) were performed.Results. Upon review, ASCUS was diagnosis in 70/103 (67.9%), being 38 (54.2%) reactive ASCUS and 32 (45.71%) neoplastic ASCUS; 62 (88.5%) ASC-US and 8 (11.41%) ASC-H. ASCUS (Regione Protocol), respectively 1-5: 15 (21.4%), 19 (27.1%), 3 (27.1%), 16 (22.8%), and 1 (1.4%). A higher number of cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II/III in the biopsies of patients with ASC-H compared to ASC-US (P=.0021). High-risk HPV test and presence of CIN II/III are more frequent in ASC-H than ASC-US (P=.031).Conclusions. ASC-H is associated with clinically significant disease. High-risk HPV-positive status in the triage for colposcopy of patients with ASC-US is associated with increased of CIN.
An Intermediate Value Theorem for the Arboricities
Authors: Chantasartrassmee Avapa , Punnim Narong
Published: June 2011

Let G be a graph. The vertex (edge) arboricity of G denoted by is the minimum number of subsets into which the vertex (edge) set of G can be partitioned so that each subset induces an acyclic subgraph. Let d be a graphical sequence and let ℛ(d) be the class of realizations of d. We prove that if , then there exist integers x(π) and y(π) such that d has a realization G with π(G) = z if and only if z is an integer satisfying x(π) ≤ z ≤ y(π). Thus, for an arbitrary graphical sequence d and , the two invariants x(π) = min(π, d): = min{π(G) : G ∈ ℛ(d)} and  y(π) = max(π, d): = max{π(G) : G ∈ ℛ(d)} naturally arise and hence π(d): = {π(G) : G ∈ ℛ(d)} = {z ∈ ℤ : x(π) ≤ z ≤ y(π)}. We write d = rn : = (r, r, …, r) for the degree sequence of an r‐regular graph of order n. We prove that . We consider the corresponding extremal problem on vertex arboricity and obtain in all situations and for all n ≥ 2r + 2.
FGFR Signaling Promotes the Growth of Triple-Negative and Basal-Like Breast Cancer Cell Lines Both In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Sharpe Rachel , Pearson Alex , Herrera-Abreu Maria T. , Johnson Damian , Mackay Alan , Welti Jonathan C. , Natrajan Rachael , Reynolds Andrew R. , Reis-Filho Jorge S. , Ashworth Alan , Turner Nicholas C.
Published: June 2011

Purpose: The oncogenic drivers of triple-negative (TN) and basal-like breast cancers are largely unknown. Substantial evidence now links aberrant signaling by the fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) to the development of multiple cancer types. Here, we examined the role of FGFR signaling in TN breast cancer.

Experimental Design: We examined the sensitivity of a panel of 31 breast cancer cell lines to the selective FGFR inhibitor PD173074 and investigated the potential mechanisms underlying sensitivity.

Results: TN breast cancer cell lines were more sensitive to PD173074 than comparator cell lines (P = 0.011), with 47% (7/15) of TN cell lines showing significantly reduced growth. The majority of TN cell lines showed only modest sensitivity to FGFR inhibition in two-dimensional growth but were highly sensitive in anchorage-independent conditions. PD173074 inhibited downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase and PI3K–AKT signaling and induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Basal-like breast cancer cell lines were found to express FGF2 ligand (11/21 positive) and, similarly, 62% of basal-like breast cancers expressed FGF2, as assessed by immunohistochemistry compared with 5% of nonbasal breast cancers (P < 0.0001). RNA interference targeting of FGF2 in basal-like cell lines significantly reduced growth in vitro and reduced down stream signaling, suggesting an autocrine FGF2 signaling loop. Treatment with PD173074 significantly reduced the growth of CAL51 basal-like breast cancer cell line xenografts in vivo.

Conclusions: Basal-like breast cancer cell lines, and breast cancers, express autocrine FGF2 and show sensitivity to FGFR inhibitors, identifying a potential novel therapeutic approach for these cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 17(16); 5275–86. ©2011 AACR.
A Phase II Study of Pazopanib in Asian Patients with Recurrent/Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Lim Wan-Teck , Ng Quan-Sing , Ivy Percy , Leong Swan-Swan , Singh Onkar , Chowbay Balram , Gao Fei , Thng Choon Hua , Goh Boon-Cher , Tan Daniel Shao-Weng , Koh Tong San , Toh Chee-Keong , Tan Eng-Huat
Published: June 2011

Purpose: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is endemic in Asia and angiogenesis is important for growth and progression. We hypothesized that pazopanib would have antiangiogenic activity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Experimental Design: A single arm monotherapy study of pazopanib in patients with WHO type II/III nasopharyngeal carcinoma who had metastatic/recurrent disease and failed at least one line of chemotherapy. A Simon's optimal 2-stage design was used. Patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0-2 and adequate organ function were treated with pazopanib 800 mg daily on a 21-day cycle. The primary endpoint was clinical benefit rate (CR/PR/SD) achieved after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints included toxicity and progression-free survival. Exploratory studies of dynamic-contrast enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) paired with pharmacokinetics (PK) of pazopanib was done.

Results: Thirty-three patients were accrued. Patients were ECOG 0-1 with median age of 50 years (range 36–68). There were 2 (6.1%) partial responses, 16 (48.5%) stable disease, 11 (33.3%) progressive disease, 4 (12.1%) were not evaluable for response. The clinical benefit rate was 54.5% (95% CI: 38.0–70.2). Ten patients (30.3%) received more than 6 cycles (4 months) of treatment and 7 (21.2%) had PR/SD that lasted at least 6 months. One patient each died from epistaxis and myocardial infarction. Common grade 3/4 toxicities included fatigue (15.2%), hand-foot syndrome (15.2%), anorexia (9.1%), diarrhea (6.1%), and vomiting (6.1%). Serial DCE-CT scans show significant reductions in tumor blood flow, permeability surface area product, and fractional intravascular blood volume.

Conclusion: Pazopanib showed encouraging activity in heavily pretreated nasopharyngeal carcinoma with an acceptable toxicity profile. Clin Cancer Res; 17(16); 5481–9. ©2011 AACR.
Getting Personal with Melanoma
Authors: Heslop Helen
Published: June 2011

Long-term follow-up of patients with metastatic melanoma who received adoptive immunotherapy with autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes shows that patients who attained complete remission had durable responses, with 19 of 20 such patients remaining in remission from 3 to 7 years or more. Clin Cancer Res; 17(13); 4189–91. ©2011 AACR.
The relationship between platelet reactivity and infarct-related artery patency in patients presenting with a ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Breet Nicoline J. , van Werkum Jochem W. , Bouman Heleen J. , Kelder Johannes C. , Hackeng Christian M. , ten Berg Jurriën M.
Published: June 2011

Both heightened platelet reactivity and an occluded infarct related artery (IRA) on initial angiography and at the time of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are associated with a worsened clinical outcome in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the relationship between platelet reactivity and IRA patency has not yet been established. Consecutive STEMI-patients were enrolled in this study. Patients who had TIMI-flow (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) 0 or 1 on initial angiography constituted the occluded IRA group and patients having TIMI-flow 2 or 3 comprised the IRA patent group. Platelet function measurements were performed using the PFA-100 COL/ADP cartridge and light transmittance aggregometry without agonist (spontaneous) and after stimulation with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and arachidonic acid (AA). Ninety-nine patients were enrolled, of whom 49 presented with an occluded IRA. Multivariate analysis identified the following independent factors to be associated with an occluded IRA; short COL/ADP closure time (ORper quartile increase= 0.60; 95% CI, 0.39-.93; p=0.02), the 20 μM ADP-induced light transmittance aggregometry (ORper quartile increase =1.77; 95% CI, 1.15–l2.73; p=0.01) and leukocyte counts (odds ratio [OR]=1.21; 95% CI, 1.05–1.39; p = 0.008). In conclusion, heightened platelet reactivity and elevated leukocyte counts are associated with an occluded IRA upon presentation in STEMI-patients. These results emphasise the importance of potent antithrombotic therapy early after the onset of symptoms, to obtain early recanalisation of the IRA.
What's New in Legal Cooperation in Criminal Matters with Russia since 2004?
Authors: Norros Merja
Published: June 2011

The present article examines what has happened in Russia in the field of legal cooperation in criminal matters since 2004. The retrospective approach has been chosen in order to update the article published in this Review in 2004 which included several recommendations for Russia to improve its system for international cooperation. The current work subjects these recommendations and developments in the area to a critical review.

Since 2004, there have been no major innovations in Russian legislation regarding legal cooperation in criminal matters. Interestingly enough, Russia took a misstep, when it abolished the concept of confiscation in criminal law. The resolution of this experiment indicates that there has been some degree of improvement in the procedure concerning implementation of new treaties. As regards extradition cases, several difficulties were foreseen already in 2004 and, indeed, some of them have been realized—in particular, concerning those Russian requests for extradition that have political connotations. When it comes to institutional structures, the number of "Central Authorities" has not been reduced. The system is still highly centralized in Moscow. On the basis of the author's experience, the knowledge of international treaties and their application—to some extent—has increased among Russian practitioners.

The author suggests continuing cooperation with Russia in various international fora as well as on a daily basis in handling concrete cross-border cases. In her opinion, legal assistance in criminal matters is a fairly narrow field of expertise and, therefore, a challenging "form of art" for any person involved.
Enforcing the liferenter's obligation to repair: Roman law, ' ius commune ' and Scots law
Authors: Hellwege Phillip
Published: June 2011

A liferenter has the right to use the fiar's property. Furthermore, he has the right to possession. Only after the termination of the liferent, the fiar can take up the possession and the use of the property himself. In the meantime, the fiar will want the liferenter to maintain the property, e.g., to carry out repairs. In Roman law, the liferenter was first only under an enforceable obligation to repair if he had rendered the cautio usufructuaria. However, in the further development of Roman law an actio in factum emerged in order to enforce the liferenter's duty to repair even if no cautio usufructuaria had been given. The exact point of time when this actio was developed is unclear. It is suggested that it emerged towards the end of the era of classical Roman law. During the time of the ius commune it was uncontested that the liferenter's duty to repair was enforceable even if no cautio usufructuaria had been given. As a consequence the liferenter did not have to nd caution in every case but only if the liferenter's conduct gave rise to fear a material infringement of the fiar's rights. The cause to revisit the question of the enforceability of the liferenter's duty to repair in its historical development is a decision of the Scottish Court of Session in 2002.
Positing Language Relationships Using ALINE
Authors: Lonsdale Deryle , Huff Paul
Published: June 2011

Several methods for determining a numerical distance between languages have been proposed in the literature. In this paper we implement one of them, the ALINE distance. We also develop a methodology for comparing its results with other language distance metrics. In particular, we generate trees from distance matrices created by the language distance metrics using two different algorithms developed by computational biologists: Neighbor Joining and UPGMA. We compare these automatically generated trees with expert trees based on those compiled by the Ethnologue project using a tree distance metric also developed by computational biologists. By determining how close the trees generated using the language distance metrics are to the expert trees, we are able to compare different language distance metrics with one another. We compare the ALINE distance with another leading metric, the LDND distance, proposed by the ASJP project. Both metrics perform similarly on the datasets processed, though details differ in sometimes interesting ways.
Impacts of Climate Change on the Growing Season in the United States
Authors: Christiansen Daniel E. , Markstrom Steven L. , Hay Lauren E.
Published: June 2011

Understanding the effects of climate change on the vegetative growing season is key to quantifying future hydrologic water budget conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey modeled changes in future growing season length at 14 basins across 11 states. Simulations for each basin were generated using five general circulation models with three emission scenarios as inputs to the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS). PRMS is a deterministic, distributed-parameter, watershed model developed to simulate the effects of various combinations of precipitation, climate, and land use on watershed response. PRMS was modified to include a growing season calculation in this study. The growing season was examined for trends in the total length (annual), as well as changes in the timing of onset (spring) and the end (fall) of the growing season. The results showed an increase in the annual growing season length in all 14 basins, averaging 27–47 days for the three emission scenarios. The change in the spring and fall growing season onset and end varied across the 14 basins, with larger increases in the total length of the growing season occurring in the mountainous regions and smaller increases occurring in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions. The Clear Creek basin, 1 of the 14 basins in this study, was evaluated to examine the growing season length determined by emission scenario, as compared to a growing season length fixed baseline condition. The Clear Creek basin showed substantial variation in hydrologic responses, including streamflow, as a result of growing season length determined by emission scenario.
Impact of Sea Surface Temperature and Soil Moisture on Summer Precipitation in the United States Based on Observational Data
Authors: Mei Rui , Wang Guiling
Published: June 2011

This study examines the impact of sea surface temperature (SST) and soil moisture on summer precipitation over two regions of the United States (the upper Mississippi River basin and the Great Plains) based on data from observation and observation-forced model simulations (in the case of soil moisture). Results from SST–precipitation correlation analysis show that spatially averaged SST of identified oceanic areas are better predictors than derived SST patterns from the EOF analysis and that both predictors are strongly associated with the Pacific Ocean. Results from conditioned soil moisture–precipitation correlation analysis show that the impact of soil moisture on precipitation differs between the outer-quartiles years (with summer precipitation amount in the first and fourth quartiles) and inner-quartiles years (with summer precipitation amount in the second and third quartiles), and also between the high- and low-skill SST years (categorized according to the skill of SST-based precipitation prediction). Specifically, the soil moisture–precipitation feedback is more likely to be positive and significant in the outer-quartiles years and in the years when the skill of precipitation prediction based on SST alone is low. This study indicates that soil moisture should be included as a useful predictor in precipitation prediction, and the resulting improvement in prediction skills will be especially substantial during years of large precipitation anomalies. It also demonstrates the complexity of the impact of SST and soil moisture on precipitation, and underlines the important complementary roles both SST and soil moisture play in determining precipitation.
When Cultures Clash Electronically
Authors: Rosette Ashleigh Shelby , Brett Jeanne M. , Barsness Zoe , Lytle Anne L.
Published: June 2011

This research examines the extent to which the email medium exacerbates the aggressiveness of opening offers made by negotiators from two distinct cultures. Hypotheses derived from negotiation, communication, and culture research predict that Hong Kong Chinese negotiators using email would exhibit a reactance effect and consequently engage in more aggressive opening offers and claim higher distributive outcomes than similar negotiators in the United States. Study 1 examines intercultural email negotiations and results indicate that Hong Kong Chinese negotiators made more aggressive opening offers and attained higher distributive outcomes than their U.S. counterparts. Study 2 results replicate Study 1 findings in an intracultural negotiation setting and also show favorable outcomes for Hong Kong email negotiators when compared to both Hong Kong and U.S. face-to-face negotiators. Overall, the findings suggest that Hong Kong Chinese and U.S. negotiators vary substantially in how they negotiate via email and face to face, which results in differences in distributive outcomes.
Local Businesses as Attractors or Preventers of Neighborhood Disorder
Authors: Steenbeek Wouter , Völker Beate , Flap Henk , Oort Frank van
Published: June 2011

While businesses may attract potential offenders and thus be conducive to disorder, the number of employees could offset this by exercising social control on offenders. This study uses data from different sources to test this expectation across 278 Dutch neighborhoods in the four largest cities of the Netherlands, using multivariate multilevel analysis to disentangle individual perception differences of disorder and neighborhood effects. Attention is paid to traditional explanations of disorder (i.e., poverty, residential mobility, and ethnic heterogeneity). Results show a positive relationship between business presence and neighborhood disorder. We do not find consistent results of the number of employees (i.e., bigger businesses are not always better or worse). Our research demonstrates that the presence of neighborhood businesses could rival the effects of social disorganization theory.
Multicore acceleration of Discrete Event System Specification systems
Authors: Liu Qi , Wainer Gabriel
Published: June 2011

Parallel discrete-event simulation on heterogeneous multicore platforms requires innovative redesign of existing algorithms in return for better performance. Based on the Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) methodology, a technique called Multicore Acceleration of DEVS Systems is proposed for efficient parallel discrete-event simulation on the IBM Cell processor. The technique combines multi-grained parallelism and various optimizations to overcome performance bottlenecks, while hiding the technical details of multicore programming from non-expert users. By explicitly exploiting the data- and event-level parallelism inherent in the simulation, the technique significantly accelerates both memory-bound and compute-bound computational kernels in demanding parallel DEVS simulations, as shown in the experimental results. Several key concepts and methods derived from this research can also be applied to other multicore and shared-memory architectures.
Energy conservation potential of an indirect and direct evaporative cooling assisted 100% outdoor air system
Authors: Kim MH , Kim JH , Kwon OH , Choi AS , Jeong JW
Published: June 2011

This study aims to present the fundamentals in which operation of a 100% outdoor air system integrates with indirect and direct evaporative cooling systems and to estimate its energy saving potential. The simulation of the proposed system is performed using a commercial equation solver program, and the annual operation energy saving potential with respect to a conventional variable air volume system is determined. This paper shows that significant operation energy savings (i.e. 21–51% less energy consumption) is possible principally by the pre-conditioning of supply air due to the waste heat recovery using the indirect evaporative cooler and the sensible heat exchanger units. By components, the proposed system shows a 16–25% less annual cooling coil load and an 80–87% reduced annual heating coil load with respect to the conventional variable air volume system, while there is no fan energy savings expected.

Practical applications: This paper provides practical insight on how the evaporative cooling based 100% outdoor air system operates and how each essential component, such as the indirect evaporative cooler, cooling coil, direct evaporative cooler, heating coil and sensible heat exchanger should be controlled during the seasons for realising energy conservation benefits. The sequence of operation presented in this paper can be implemented to actual control logic.
Discretionary Accruals Quality, Cost of Capital, and Diversification
Authors: Demirkan Sebahattin , Radhakrishnan Suresh , Urcan Oktay
Published: June 2011

This study examines the discretionary accruals quality of single- and multiple-segment firms. The authors hypothesize and find that the discretionary accruals quality is lower for multiple-segment firms than single-segment firms, and for the same level of discretionary accruals quality, the cost of capital is higher for multiple-segment firms than single-segment firms. These findings suggest that more severe agency problems in multiple-segment firms compared with single-segment firms may lead to poor discretionary accruals quality and agency risk is priced-in as a higher cost of capital.
Safety and efficacy of femoral artery closure with the FemoSeal® device after coronary angiography using a 7 French sheath
Authors: Wanitschek MM , Suessenbacher A , Dörler J , Pachinger O , Moes N , Alber HF
Published: June 2011

Post-cardiac catheterization femoral artery hemostasis can be accomplished with several mechanisms, including the FemoSeal® hemostasis device which has been designed and approved for closure of 6 French (F) arterial puncture sites. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the FemoSeal® vascular closure device can effectively and safely seal 7F arterial puncture sites after diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterizations.

Femoral artery puncture sites of 50 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterization were closed with the FemoSeal® vascular closure device, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Efficacy endpoints were time to hemostasis and successful ambulation. Safety endpoints included bleeding complications, vessel occlusion and pseudoaneurysms.

Mean time to hemostasis was 57.8±26.3 seconds (0-125 seconds). Hemostasis was achieved in 100 percent of the 50 patients. One patient suffered minor bleeding the next day, i.e. local hematoma.

This clinical study demonstrates that the FemoSeal® vascular closure device, initially approved for closure of 6F arterial puncture sites, shows promising efficacy and safety to seal a larger (7F) femoral arterial puncture sites after diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterizations.
Minimal Modeling Approaches to Value of Information Analysis for Health Research
Authors: Meltzer David O. , Hoomans Ties , Chung Jeanette W. , Basu Anirban
Published: June 2011

Value of information (VOI) techniques can provide estimates of the expected benefits from clinical research studies that can inform decisions about the design and priority of those studies. Most VOI studies use decision-analytic models to characterize the uncertainty of the effects of interventions on health outcomes, but the complexity of constructing such models can pose barriers to some practical applications of VOI. However, because some clinical studies can directly characterize uncertainty in health outcomes, it may sometimes be possible to perform VOI analysis with only minimal modeling. This article 1) develops a framework to define and classify minimal modeling approaches to VOI, 2) reviews existing VOI studies that apply minimal modeling approaches, and 3) illustrates and discusses the application of the minimal modeling to 2 new clinical applications to which the approach appears well suited because clinical trials with comprehensive outcomes provide preliminary estimates of the uncertainty in outcomes. The authors conclude that minimal modeling approaches to VOI can be readily applied in some instances to estimate the expected benefits of clinical research.
Methodological Measurement Fruitfulness of Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM): New Approaches to Key Substantive Issues in Motivation and Engagement
Authors: Marsh Herbert W. , Liem Gregory Arief D. , Martin Andrew J. , Morin Alexandre J. S. , Nagengast Benjamin
Published: June 2011

The most popular measures of multidimensional constructs typically fail to meet standards of good measurement: goodness of fit, measurement invariance, lack of differential item functioning, and well-differentiated factors that are not so highly correlated as to detract from their discriminant validity. Part of the problem, the authors argue, is undue reliance on overly restrictive independent cluster models of confirmatory factor analysis (ICM-CFA) in which each item loads on one, and only one, factor. Here the authors demonstrate exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), an integration of the best aspects of CFA and traditional exploratory factor analyses (EFA). On the basis of responses to the 11-factor Motivation and Engagement Scale ( n = 7,420, Mage = 14.22), we demonstrate that ESEM fits the data much better and results in substantially more differentiated (less correlated) factors than corresponding CFA models. Guided by a 13-model taxonomy of ESEM full-measurement (mean structure) invariance, the authors then demonstrate invariance of factor loadings, item intercepts, item uniquenesses, and factor variancescovariances, across gender and over time. ESEM has broad applicability to other areas of research that cannot be appropriately addressed with either traditional EFA or CFA and should become a standard tool for use in psychometric tests of psychological assessment instruments.
Psychometric Analyses of the Problem-Focused Style of Coping (PF-SOC) Scale With Taiwanese Samples
Authors: Chang Yuhsuan , Lan Yu-Ling , Lin Hung-Yu , Heppner Puncky Paul
Published: June 2011

The current research comprises two samples that investigated the psychometric properties of the Problem-Focused Style of Coping (PF-SOC; Heppner, Cook, Wright, & Johnson) scale using two Taiwanese samples. In Sample 1 ( N = 809), we investigated the structural dimensions of the PF-SOC using a principal component analysis (PCA) and confirmed three similar components of Taiwanese coping styles: Reflective, Suppressive, and Reactive. We also examined its psychometric properties and reported that the Taiwanese PF-SOC revealed acceptable estimates of internal reliability and construct validity. In Sample 2 ( N = 402), a confirmatory factor analysis on the Taiwanese PF-SOC provided strong support for the revised three-factor structure. It was concluded that the Taiwanese PF-SOC is a reliable measure to assess an individual’s dispositional coping style. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Reallocating Fixed and Variable Pay in Sales Organizations
Authors: Madhani Pankaj M.
Published: June 2011

Organizations design and implement incentive plans to attract, retain and motivate their sales force. With the objective of achieving goal congruence between the sales organization and its sales force, many sales organizations implement variable pay plans. However, in the case of the sales carryover, such incentive plans do not always align sales force motivations with organization objectives. This article identifies various factors affecting sales carryover and examines its impact on the sales organization as well as the sales force. This article also recommends various strategies for mitigating the impact of sales carryover and suggests appropriate modifications in sales force compensation plans. By reallocating fixed and variable pay in compensation plans, sales organizations can inhibit the adverse impact of sales carryover and align the objectives of the sales organization and the sales force.
A general algorithm for analytically determining all the instantaneous pole axis locations in single-DOF spherical mechanisms
Authors: Di Gregorio R
Published: June 2011

In spherical mechanisms (SMs), instantaneous pole axes (IPAs) play the same role as instant centres in planar mechanisms. Their use in kinematic analyses requires general techniques to determine them. In the literature, such techniques have not been proposed yet. That is why they are not used for studying the kinematics of SMs in all the problems whose planar counterparts are efficiently solved by exploiting instant centres’ properties. This article aims to fill this lack of techniques. For SMs with one degree of freedom (DOF), a general method to analytically locate all the IPAs as a function of the mechanism configuration is presented. The presented method is directly deduced from an algorithm already proposed by the author for the determination of the instant centres in single-DOF planar mechanisms.
An application of Taguchi method on the high-speed motorized spindle system design
Authors: Lin C-W
Published: June 2011

As spindle speeds increase, the variations caused by high-speed effects become more significant. Therefore, in the initial design stage, it is necessary for machine tool design engineers to construct a robust high-speed machine tool that possesses high first-mode natural frequencies (FMNFs) and is insensitive to high operating speeds. In this article, Taguchi method is used to identify the optimal values of design variables (DVs) for a robust high-speed spindle system with respect to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of system FMNF. The L18 orthogonal array covers seven main DVs at three levels each, one main DV at two levels, and the noise factor spindle speeds at six levels. The results show that the new optimal design has improved the SNR of the FMNF by 2.06 dB from the original design; this implies that the quality loss has been reduced to 62 per cent of its original value. The optimal design has been verified by a confirmation numerical experiment.
A Framework for Monitoring the Malaria Eradication Programme in Korea
Authors: Lee Moo-Sik , Lee Kun-Sei , Yang Byung-Kuk , Kim Dae-Seong , Ha Beom-Man , Park Kidong , Kim Eun-Young , Kim Yong-Ik
Published: June 2011

The World Health Organisation established the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) strategy to reduce the global burden of malaria in 1998. A set of RBM indicators will not be suitable to the Republic of Korea due to the differences of the epidemiological and socio-cultural situation. Therefore, we have developed a framework and indicators for monitoring the outcomes and impact of the national malaria eradication programme that are appropriate for the situation in Korea. We reviewed the existing data in the national malaria eradication programme. We adopted general principles in developing a monitoring framework and indicators for monitoring RBM. Monitoring areas were recombined components and content that included the project plan, training health personnel, health education and public information, supply for manpower, equipment and materials, disease control, information system, supervision, community participation, intersectoral collaboration within practical guidelines for the national malaria eradication programme along with malaria control and RBM strategy of WHO. Twenty one monitoring areas were selected that identified critical areas for the national malaria eradication programme. Fifteen indicators of ten categories are proposed for use by the national malaria eradication programme in Korea. Asia Pac J Public Health 2003; 15(1): 44-49.
Measuring the Impact of Hepatitis A Virus in Chinese Cities: A Life Table Approach
Authors: Lai D. , Hardy R.J.
Published: June 2011

The infection of hepatitis A virus is an important public health problem in China. In 1990, a survey on seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis A was conducted in eight large cities of population size between one to four million. The results were used to analyze the impact of hepatitis A. In our study, we used life table techniques to determine the impact that the hepatitis A virus (HAV) has on these eight cities by computing the expected years of life with anti-hepatitis A virus. We compared the results from our approach with those from a previous method. The expected years of life with anti-hepatitis A virus were 53.82, 54.65, 44.26, 53.89, 46.18, 55.77, 55.31 and 49.89 for the eight cities (Xi'an, Huhehaote, Chongqing, Nanjing, Jinan, Ha'erbin, Fuzhou and Nanchang), respectively. The hepatitis A virus had the greatest impact in Ha'erbin in northeastern China; whereas, the impact was lowest in Chongqing in southwestern China. However, based on the previous indicator, Chongqing was ranked the highest among these cities. Through our comparative study of the methods, our approach provides a better measure on the burden of the disease than the previous method. It also identifies subgroups of the population where the disease has its greatest impact on the population. Asia Pac J Public Health 2003; 15(2): 94-98.
Factors Associated with Chronic Illness among the Elderly in a Rural Community in Malaysia
Authors: Sherina M.S. , Rampal L. , Mustaqim A.
Published: June 2011

Chronic illness is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity among the elderly. To determine the prevalence and factors associated with chronic illness among the elderly in a rural community setting. A cross sectional study design was used. Stratified proportionate cluster sampling method was used to select respondents in Mukim Sepang, Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. Out of 263 elderly residents (6.2% of the total population), 223 agreed to participate in the study giving a response rate of 84.8%. The prevalence of chronic illness among the elderly in Mukim Sepang was 60.1 %. Out of 223 respondents,134 were diagnosed as having chronic illness such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease, bronchial asthma or gout. Chronic illness was found to be significantly associated with functional dependence among the elderly (χ2=6.863, df=1, p<0.05). The prevalence of chronic illness among the elderly in the rural community is very high. Problems facing this age-group should be addressed comprehensively in order to formulate appropriate programmes for the health care of the elderly. Asia Pac J Public Health 2004; 16(2): 109-114.
Utilisation of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) through Community Pharmacies in Malaysia
Authors: Chua S.S. , Paraidathathu T.
Published: June 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by consumers who obtained these drugs from community pharmacies. Factors that influenced community pharmacists in their choice of NSAIDs were also determined. Personal interviews were conducted on consumers who visited the 25 participating community pharmacies throughout Malaysia. Of the 389 respondents, 49% requested for an NSAID by name, 42% asked the pharmacist to recommend a medication and 9% had a doctor's prescription. NSAIDs were mainly purchased for joint/shoulder pain and the most commonly dispensed was diclofenac. Elderly respondents were more likely to be dispensed a selective COX-2 inhibitor than those below 60. NSAIDs were recommended based mainly on the pharmacist's perception of their efficacy, cost and safety. Community pharmacists play an important role in assisting patients in choosing the most appropriate NSAID for their health problems. Asia Pac J Public Health 2005; 17(2): 117-123.
Failed Development and Vulnerability to Climate Change in Central Asia: Implications for Food Security and Health
Authors: Janes Craig R.
Published: June 2011

This article presents results of research undertaken to identify factors that affect the vulnerability of rural Mongolian herders to climate change. Findings suggest that models of market development instituted since 1990 have failed to recognize and support key elements of the pastoralist adaptive strategy. A retreating state presence has led to the collapse of regulatory regimes needed to safeguard critical common resources. This in turn has produced considerable social differentiation in the countryside, a breakdown in cooperative institutions, and conflicts over water and pasture. In a context of climate change, these changes seriously threaten the sustainability of the rural economy, leading to livelihood insecurity, growing rural poverty, and increasing rates of migration to shantytowns surrounding the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. The newly vulnerable poor are at higher risk for poor health and malnutrition.
Factors Associated With Overweight and Obesity Among Kuwaiti Men
Authors: Naser Al-Isa Abdulwahab , Campbell Jennifer , Desapriya Ediriweera
Published: June 2011

Obesity is a global epidemic and has become a critical issue in Gulf countries such as Kuwait. The objective of this study is to assess the factors that are associated with overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti adult men. Weights and heights of a random sample of 464 men and their companions were collected to obtain body mass index (BMI). The overall levels of overweight and obesity were 48.5% and 19.8%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis of significantly associated factors revealed that factors contributing to risk of overweight and obesity included increasing age, having an obese mother or brother(s) and/or other obese relatives, having a lower grade point average, not being physically active, and being in poor health. Having a higher income and feeling tired were risk factors for obesity only. Family history is an important predictor of overweight and obesity in Kuwaiti men; however, this study identified several modifiable factors. It is recommended that factors that contribute to the development of overweight and obesity in Kuwait be targeted with behavioral change and/or health education interventions.
Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution in China
Authors: PhD S Niu
Published: June 2011

Outdoor and Indoor air pollution in China is mainly due to direct combustion of coal for domestic heating and cooking purposes. In general, air pollution levels are more severe in the northern parts of the country, during the cold season and cooking hours than in the southern parts, during the warm season and non-cooking hours. The direct impact of air pollution on human health is increasing incidents of chronic respiratory disease in urban and rural residents, and even increased cases of lung cancer in nonsmoking women. With the purpose of controlling air pollution and improving environmental health, a series of laws, standards and regulations have been adopted over the last few years.
Some Reflections on the Global and Asia-Pacific Situations in Occupational Health Education and Training
Authors: Phoon WO , Chia KS , Jeyaratnam J , Koh D
Published: June 2011

In the last two decades, there have been dramatic developments in the field of occupational health. With it, the importance of occupational health training and education is greatly appreciated.

In a worldwide questionnaire survey on occupational health teaching in schools of medicine, 69.9% of the schools have some form of occupational health teaching for medical undergraduates. The total number of hours varies considerably but on average is 32.7 hours. Some occupational health teaching might however have been classified under other subject headings.

In the Asia-Pacific region, several postgraduate degree courses were recently established. Continuing educational courses and short courses are on the rise. To take advantage of the existing primary health care systems, special courses for public health workers and primary health care personnel have been conducted. In the past, interest in occupational health education and training tended to be overshadowed by advances in epidemiology and pathogenesis of occupational diseases. Based on our experience over the past few years, occupational health training and education will gather greater momentum worldwide and in the Asia-Pacific region in particular.
Health Consciousness in Relation to Education in Korea—Focusing on seven preventable health risk factors
Authors: Kim Kong-Hyun , Shin Hai Rim , Nakama Hidenori
Published: June 2011

This research was carried out to investigate the relationships of a set of several selected sociodemographic variables with a group of health-related practices with special emphasis on educational attainment. The sample consisted of 5, 245 adults aged 20-59 selected through stratified cluster random sampling. Univariate, multiple logistic regression and canonical correlation procedures were employed for analyses. It was found that educational attainment was independently associated with at-risk health behavior; the less educated had less desirable health habits than the more educated. Pattern of at-risk health behavior varied with educational level; the significant health-related practice variables among the seven factors were cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol drinking, physical inactivity, being overweight, and inadequate sleeping. These findings suggested that the less educated should be given higher priority in health education programs for the identified health risk behavior and in the formulation of related health policies.