bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systems requirements engineering—State of the methodology
Authors: Bijan Yvonne , Yu Junfang , Stracener Jerrell , Woods Timothy 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThere are many references about the characteristics of a good requirement. But what is the process for developing clear, unambiguous requirements, and how do we know when we have defined the requirements successfully? This paper investigates the current state of the methodology for developing complex system requirements. Significant work has been accomplished over the last several years to describe requirements development and systems engineering. This paper identifies and investigates requirements development methodologies and techniques. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 16
Global Performance Management in MNEs—Conceptualization and Profiles of Country–Specific Characteristics in China, Germany, and the United States
Authors: Festing Marion , Knappert Lena , Dowling Peter J. , Engle Allen D. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWhile multinational enterprises (MNEs) need to balance the global and local requirements of their global performance management (GPM) practices, GPM research lacks conceptual and encompassing comprehension of country‐specific peculiarities. First, this article suggests a conceptualization of the elements of GPM (criteria, actors, methods, purposes, feedback). Then, an encompassing literature review provides evidence for the peculiarities of the identified elements of GPM and their underlying explanations in different contexts. On this basis, the authors analyze the GPM elements in three culturally and institutionally diverse major economies (Germany, United States, and China). They suggest country‐specific GPM profiles that consistently and comprehensively capture the particularities present in various national contexts. Testable propositions are suggested as a basis for further empirical research. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Training and Development Roles and Structures in European Call Centers: The Influence of Strategic Choice, Institutional and Coevolutionary Processes
Authors: Garavan Thomas N. , Cross Christine , Wilson John , Carbery Ronan 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe global call center sector has emerged as a vibrant and economically successful industry in recent decades. Training and development of employees is acknowledged as a key component of call center strategy in facilitating the utilization of new technologies, enhanced customer service, and profitability. Relatively little is, however, known concerning how training roles and structures are configured in call centers. Here, we explore competitive, institutional, and coevolutionary drivers of training and development roles and structures in European call centers. Drawing on qualitative data gathered from 20 call centers and multiple respondents located across Europe we found greater evidence of variation than similarity, indicating the importance of strategic choice and coevolutionary influences. The findings highlight the importance of institutional processes in understanding the similarities observed. The interaction of institutional, strategic choice, and coevolutionary factors is, however, extremely complex and requires further investigation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tensile properties, degradation behavior, and water absorption of sago starch plastic films
Authors: Ismail Hanafi , Zaaba Nor Fasihah 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSago starch plastic films were prepared by a blending and casting method using various amounts of additives. The additives were glycerol (GLY), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and glutaraldehyde (GLU). Results indicated that the films had an optimum tensile strength of about 2.6 MPa and an optimum elongation at break of 74%. Meanwhile, a GLU content of five parts by weight gave the best tensile properties. Elongation at break of the films increased while tensile strength decreased upon increasing the level of plasticizer (GLY and PEG). The addition of plasticizer also increased the water absorption and soil burial degradation rate. However, the addition of GLU gave opposite results. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Talking to Children About Maternal BRCA1/2 Genetic Test Results: A Qualitative Study of Parental Perceptions and Advice
Authors: Patenaude Andrea Farkas , DeMarco Tiffani A. , Peshkin Beth N. , Valdimarsdottir Heiddis , Garber Judy E. , Schneider Katherine A. , Hewitt Larissa , Hamilton Jennifer , Tercyak Kenneth P. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractFamily communication is the primary, initial means of educating the next, at‐risk generation about hereditary cancer risk. In this study, in‐depth parent narratives provided self‐report of motivations, planning, satisfactions and regrets associated with sharing or not sharing maternal BRCA1/2 test results with young children and advice for parents considering disclosure and for genetic counselors. Interviews were conducted with 32 mothers tested for BRCA1/2 with children ages 8–21 years and 24 of their co‐parents; interview narratives were analyzed qualitatively. Parents were concerned with both protecting and educating children about hereditary cancer risk. They expressed confidence that parents can constructively convey genetic information to minor children. Telling relieved most parents and satisfied a sense of parental duty. Parents strongly advised child‐specific, age‐appropriate tailoring of genetic information and emphasized conveying the positive, preventive utility of genetic information to children. Immunizing effects of disclosure were viewed as providing forewarning about and preparation for possible later family cancer diagnoses. Parents choosing not to tell children were advised to consider future disclosure. Narratives about parental sharing of BRCA1/2 test results with minor children support the feasibility of parental discussion of maternal genetic test results to the next at‐risk generation. Results suggest development of intervention tools for parents would support decision‐making and family communication and potentially reduce parental worry and regret. Recommendations are made for more active involvement by genetic counselors with tested parents around the topic of delivery of genetic information to children.
Observational study of the use of Symphytum 5CH in the management of pain and swelling after dental implant surgery
Authors: Montanaro Fabio , Mazzocchi Alberto 
Published: October 2012

Objective: To assess the effect of Symphytum 5CH on the postoperative pain and swelling after placement of a titanium dental implant.Material and methods: Data on pain and swelling following pure titanium implants were reviewed. Patients were treated postoperatively with ketoprofen only or ketoprofen and Symphytum 5CH, according to the treating dentist's usual practice. Demographics and baseline characteristics were recorded and compared. Pain and swelling were compared between the two treatment groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and ordinal logistic regression, estimating odds ratios and confidence intervals.Results: 100 implants in 57 patients (28 males, 29 females) were treated with ketoprofen alone; 100 implants in 60 patients (14 males, 46 females) with ketoprofen and Symphytum. The group treated with ketoprofen and Symphytum appeared to have a better response in terms of both pain and swelling. Ordinal logistic regression: pain 0.23, 95% CI 0.13–0.41; swelling 0.24, 95% CI 0.13–0.44. Correction for demographics and implant characteristics greatly widened the confidence intervals so that the results were no longer statistically significant (pain: OR = 0.15, 95% CI 0.07–34.56; swelling OR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.07–46.78).Conclusions: Adding Symphytum 5CH to conventional analgesia may reduce pain and swelling after minor dental implant surgery. No firm conclusion can be drawn since the results are confounded by baseline differences, principally gender. Further, randomized, studies should be conducted.
Reproductive health awareness among educated young women in Egypt
Authors: El Gelany Saad , Moussa Ola 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the awareness of female Egyptian university students regarding reproductive health (RH) issues, and determine the factors contributing to the students' awareness.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was conducted, in which 220 female Egyptian university students selected by purposive random sampling were interviewed by means of an in‐depth questionnaire. The interviews were private and confidential, and the questions concerned female reproductive anatomy and physiology; sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS; personal preferences, such as age of marriage and spacing between pregnancies; and where young women can access RH care.ResultsA large proportion of the participants exhibited misunderstanding or a complete lack of knowledge about important RH issues. This overall result, which was determined to be attributable to age and sociocultural factors such as education level, comes as a source of concern for both health service providers and policy makers.ConclusionAwareness of RH is poor in Egypt, even among young women attending institutions of higher education. The present study not only highlights the persistent need for the ongoing RH information programs, but may also provide policy makers with data that will inform new strategies.
Endless loop tachycardia below the upper tracking rate of a pacemaker: A case report
Authors: Sakamoto Atsushi , Takeuchi Ryosuke , Hosoya Natsuko , Kageyama Shigetaka , Kajihara Jun , Takahashi Kosuke , Kurabe Takashi , Murata Koichiro , Nawada Ryuzo , Onodera Tomoya , Takizawa Akinori , Nomura Ryota , Nakai Masanao 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAn 82‐year‐old female with a history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), sick sinus syndrome (SSS), and an implanted DDD pacemaker was admitted to our hospital for congestive heart failure caused by rapid atrial fibrillation. After administration of amiodarone, atrial fibrillation (AF) became atrial flutter (AFL). Electrophysiological investigation revealed counterclockwise AFL. Catheter ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus was performed. Burst pacing from the coronary sinus ostium to confirm the block line of the isthmus induced rapid, regular, ventricular pacing at a rate of 110 bpm. The differential diagnosis of this tachycardia included ectopic atrial tachycardia and pacemaker‐mediated, endless loop tachycardia (ELT). We diagnosed this arrhythmia as ELT, because temporary reprogramming of the pacemaker mode from DDD to VVI terminated the tachycardia. In this patient, pacing parameters favored ELT (long atrioventricular delay [AVD] and short postventricular atrial refractory period [PVARP]), and atrioventricular and ventriculoatrial conduction time was prolonged as a result of amiodarone administration.The ELT continued because the rate was lower than the programmed upper tracking rate. Reprogramming the parameter (decreasing AVD and increasing PVARP) resulted in termination of ELT.
Markedly reduced ventricular arrhythmia during the peripartum period in a pregnant woman with Andersen‐Tawil syndrome
Authors: Kamiya Chizuko A. , Shimizu Wataru , Kabayashi Yoshinari , Miyoshi Takekazu , Horiuchi Chinami , Umekawa Takashi , Yamanaka Kaoru , Neki Reiko , Katsuragi Shinji , Yoshimatsu Jun , Ikeda Tomoaki 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAndersen‐Tawil syndrome (ATS), also known as long QT syndrome type 7, is a rare autosomal dominant disease caused by a KCNJ2 mutation. The characteristic triad of ATS is periodic paralysis, dysmorphic features, and ventricular arrhythmia. We describe a case of a woman with Andersen‐Tawil syndrome and a history of syncope whose pregnancy was complicated with frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT). Her PVCs and NSVT were significantly decreased during the peripartum period, especially during labor. We treated her with beta‐blockers throughout her pregnancy, and she experienced no complications. Although the mechanism underlying the decreased PVCs and NSVT in pregnancy has not been elucidated, women with ATS may have less arrhythmic event risk during pregnancy.
Subtype‐specific response to bevacizumab is reflected in the metabolome and transcriptome of breast cancer xenografts
Authors: Borgan Eldrid , Lindholm Evita M. , Moestue Siver , Mælandsmo Gunhild M. , Lingjærde Ole Christian , Gribbestad Ingrid S. , Børresen-Dale Anne-Lise , Engebraaten Olav , Sørlie Therese 
Published: October 2012

Antiangiogenic therapy with bevacizumab has shown varying results in breast cancer clinical trials. Identifying robust biomarkers for selecting patients who may benefit from such treatment and for monitoring response is important for the future use of bevacizumab.Two established xenograft models representing basal‐like and luminal‐like breast cancer were used to study bevacizumab treatment response on the metabolic and gene expression levels. Tumor samples were obtained from mice treated with bevacizumab, doxorubicin or a combination of the two drugs, and high resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gene expression microarray analysis was performed.Combination treatment with bevacizumab showed the strongest growth inhibiting effect in basal‐like tumors, and this was reflected by a significant change in the metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles. In the luminal‐like xenografts, addition of bevacizumab did not improve the effect of doxorubicin. On the global transcriptomic level, the largest gene expression changes were observed for the most efficient treatment in both models. Glycerophosphocholine showed opposite response in the treated xenografts compared with untreated controls; lower in basal‐like and higher in luminal‐like tumors. Comparing combination therapy with doxorubicin monotherapy in basal‐like xenografts, 14 genes showed significant differential expression, including very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and hemoglobin, theta 1 (HBQ1). Bevacizumab‐treated tumors were associated with a more hypoxic phenotype, while no evidence was found for associations between bevacizumab treatment and vascular invasion or tumor grade.This study underlines the importance of characterizing biological differences between subtypes of breast cancer to identify personalized biomarkers for improved patient stratification and evaluation of response to therapy.
Does Preoperative Rehabilitation Improve Patient‐Based Outcomes in Persons Who Have Undergone Total Knee Arthroplasty? A Systematic Review
Authors: Silkman Baker Carrie , McKeon Jennifer Medina 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundCommon clinical practice includes attempts to improve pain, function, motion, and patient independence before total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery. Although preoperative rehabilitation often is prescribed, it is unknown whether this care improves patient outcomes after TKA surgery.ObjectiveTo focus on how TKA preoperative rehabilitation affects quality of life, pain, and physical outcomes after surgery.Data SourcesA computerized search was performed in February 2011. We searched PubMed, Ageline, CIHNAL, and SPORTDiscus from 1950 through February 2011 using combinations of the terms knee, rehabilitation, arthroplasty, preoperative, and presurgical. Searches were limited to “human” and “English” studies reported in peer‐review journals.Study SelectionSeven studies met the inclusion criteria. For all variables, none was consistently favorable toward preoperative rehabilitation over alternative or control treatment.Data ExtractionMeans and standard deviations (SDs) for each category of the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), range of motion, and length of stay (LOS) were obtained and served to calculate point measures and measures of variability. Specifically, bias‐adjusted Hedges' g effect sizes, along with 95% confidence intervals, were calculated to assess the magnitude of the treatment effect for each outcome, with separate meta‐analyses performed as a summary of the treatment response for each outcome.Data SynthesisA total of 240 studies were identified in the search of the literature. On the basis of the title, abstract, or study content, 203 studies were excluded. Of the remaining 37 studies, 30 were excluded on the basis of study design and choice of outcome measures. The results of this review indicate that preoperative rehabilitation likely had no true treatment effect on WOMAC scores, range of motion, and LOS because all effect sizes were weak (<0.4) and confidence intervals crossed zero.ConclusionFor all outcomes, none was consistently favorable toward preoperative rehabilitation over the alternative for patients undergoing TKA with the exception of LOS in favor of the treatment group.
Can political science contribute to agricultural policy?
Authors: Grant Wyn P 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe contribution made by political science to the study of agricultural policy and the food chain is reviewed with an emphasis on the literature on interests. There is a fundamental question about ‘Who benefits?’ from government policy. Six general propositions are extracted from this literature and assessed. Directions for future theoretical and empirical work are discussed, it being argued that accounts of how policy agendas are constructed could be particularly helpful. Political science needs to move beyond its existing frameworks of analysis and develop a more interdisciplinary political economy approach.
Paleoecology and radiocarbon dating of the Pleistocene megafauna of the Brazilian Intertropical Region
Authors: Dantas Mário André Trindade , Dutra Rodrigo Parisi , Cherkinsky Alexander , Fortier Daniel Costa , Kamino Luciana Hiromi Yoshino , Cozzuol Mario Alberto , Ribeiro Adauto de Souza , Vieira Fabiana Silva 
Published: October 2012

AbstractDuring the Pleistocene a fauna composed of large (biomass > 44 kg) and giant mammals (biomass > 1000 kg) that are usually associated with open environments lived in the Brazilian Intertropical Region. We present here new information concerning the paleoecology and chronology of some species of this megafauna. Carbon isotope analyses were performed for a better understanding of the paleoecology of the species Eremotherium laurillardi (Lund, 1842), Notiomastodon platensis (Ameghino, 1888) and Toxodon platensis (Owen, 1849). The δ13C data allow attributing a generalist diet to these species, which varied according to the kind of habitat in which they lived. In more open habitats all species were grazers; in mixed habitats E. laurillardi and T. platensis were mixed feeders, and N. platensis was grazer; and in more closed habitats all species were mixed feeders.
Direct estimation of sialic acid in milk and milk products by fluorimetry and its application in detection of sweet whey adulteration in milk
Authors: Neelima  , Rao Priyanka Singh , Sharma Rajan , Rajput Yudhishthir S. 
Published: October 2012

Sialic acid, being a biologically active compound, is recognised as an important component of milk and milk products. Almost all the sialic acid estimation protocols in milk require prior hydrolysis step to release the bound sialic acid followed by its estimation. The objective of this work was to estimate sialic acid in milk and milk products by fluorimetric assay which does not require a prior hydrolysis step thus decreasing the estimation time. The recovery of added sialic acid in milk was 91·6 to 95·8%. Sialic acid in milk was found to be dependent on cattle breed and was in the range of 1·68–3·93 g/kg (dry matter basis). The assay was further extended to detect adulteration of milk with sweet whey which is based on the detection of glycomacropeptide (GMP) bound sialic acid in adulterated milk. GMP is the C-terminal part of κ-casein which is released into the whey during cheese making. For detection of adulteration, selective precipitation of GMP was done using trichloroacetic acid (TCA). TCA concentration in milk was first raised to 5% to precipitate milk proteins, especially κ-casein, followed by raising the TCA concentration to 14% to precipitate out GMP. In the precipitates GMP bound sialic acid was estimated using fluorimetric method and the fluorescence intensity was found to be directly proportional to the level of sweet whey in adulterated milk samples. The method was found to detect the presence of 5% sweet whey in milk.
Time-dependent non-planar dust-acoustic solitary and shock waves in strongly coupled adiabatic dusty plasma
Authors: RAHMAN M. S. , SHIKHA B. , MAMUN A. A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTime-dependent cylindrical and spherical dust-acoustic (DA) solitary and shock waves propagating in a strongly coupled dusty plasmas (containing strongly correlated negatively charged dust grains and weakly correlated adiabatic electrons and ions) are investigated. It is shown that cylindrical and spherical DA solitary and shock waves exist with negative potential, and that the strong correlation between the charged dust grains is a source of dissipation, and is responsible for the formation of cylindrical or spherical DA shock structures. It is also shown that the effects of a non-planar geometry (cylindrical and spherical) significantly modify the basic features (e.g. amplitude, width, speed, etc.) of DA solitary and shock waves. The implications of our results in laboratory experiments are briefly discussed.
Effectiveness of a nationwide aftercare program for suicide attempters
Authors: Pan Y.-J. , Chang W.-H. , Lee M.-B. , Chen C.-H. , Liao S.-C. , Caine E. D. 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThe effectiveness of large-scale interventions to prevent suicide among persons who previously attempted suicide remains to be determined. The National Suicide Surveillance System (NSSS), launched in Taiwan in 2006, is a structured nationwide intervention program for people who survived their suicide attempts. This naturalistic study examined its effectiveness using data from the first 3 years of its operation.MethodEffectiveness of the NSSS aftercare services was examined using a logistic/proportional odds mixture model, with eventual suicide as the outcome of interest. As well, we examined time until death for those who died and factors associated with eventual suicide.ResultsReceipt of aftercare services was associated with reduced risk for subsequent suicide; for service recipients who eventually killed themselves, there was a prolonged duration between the index and fatal attempts. Elderly attempters were particularly prone to a shorter duration between the index and fatal attempts. Male gender, the lethality potential of the index attempt, and a history of having had a mental disorder also were associated with higher risk.ConclusionsThe structured aftercare program of the NSSS appears to decrease suicides and to delay time to death for those who remained susceptible to suicide.
The Islamic penalty for adultery in the third centuryahand Al-Shāfiʿī'sRisāla
Authors: Pavlovitch Pavel 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAt the end of the second centuryahal-Shāfiʿī (d. 204/820) advocated stoning as the sole penalty for adultery instead of an earlier rule that combined flogging with stoning. Al-Shāfiʿī's innovative doctrine was barely noticed by the jurisprudents, exegetes andḥadīthcollectors during the first half of the third centuryah, but apparently provoked a legal debate shortly thereafter. This article explores the development of the third-century dual- vs. single-penalty dispute and its implications for the chronology of al-Shāfiʿī'sRisāla.