bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are consumers' perceptions of price–quality relationships well calibrated?
Authors: Boyle Peter J. , Lathrop E. Scott 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPast research has shown that, to varying degrees, consumers tend to believe price is an indicator of quality, even though there is in fact often very little correlation between objective measures of price and quality (PQ). Moreover, consumers have been observed to be poorly calibrated in their knowledge of precisely which categories exhibit the strongest association between PQ for products. Given the profound changes that have occurred in consumer markets, such as the rise of the Internet and the flood of product quality information now readily available online, the present work seeks to update this line of research. Specifically, it seeks to determine if changes in the marketplace have affected (1) consumers' perceptions of the PQ relationship; and (2) consumers' PQ calibration. Data from two sources were collected and compared: (1) Subjective ratings of the PQ relation for various common products, collected using a questionnaire format in a survey of 313 US consumers; and (2) Objective estimates of the actual PQ association of the same products, gathered from independent third‐party information providers who report both prices and rank‐ordered quality measures for each. Results indicate that consumers today (1) continue to perceive a modest positive relationship between PQ (more so for durables, less for non‐durables); and (2) are modestly calibrated for durable products. But they are much less well calibrated in the realm of non‐durables, where consumers expect a positive link between price and quality in precisely those product categories in which the relationship is actually negative. Relative to past research, the calibration of consumers has apparently ‘flipped’ from non‐durables to durables today. Potential explanations for this result include (1) the rise of the Internet as an information source for quality ratings of durables; (2) a higher level of perceived risk for durable goods purchases; (3) a greater tendency for durables to exhibit a positive correlation between actual quality and price; and (4) the rising quality level of private label brands, which may render prior price–quality perceptions for non‐durables outdated or obsolete.
Strong or weak ties? British and Indian expatriate scientists finding jobs in Boston
Authors: HARVEY WILLIAM S. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn this article I analyse the different social networks that British and Indian scientists use to obtain job information in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector around Boston, Massachusetts. I argue that individuals' social networks are critical in helping highly skilled migrants find jobs. The research finds that British and Indian scientists use both strong and weak ties to obtain jobs and there is no significant difference between senior and junior workers in terms of whether they relied on strong or weak ties. I argue, nonetheless, that the terms strong ties and weak ties are problematic because they are not clearly understood or mutually exclusive.
Transnational social work: using a wraparound model
Authors: FURMAN RICH , NEGI NALINI , SCHATZ MONA C. S. , JONES SUSANNA 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn this article, we explore the wraparound approach of service delivery as a model for transnational social work. The wraparound model, used primarily within community‐based children's mental health services and child protection initiatives, has been effective when planning services for clients and their families with complicated needs, whose care has to be provided within a multiple provider context. Most social work is delivered nationally or internationally rather than trans‐nationally. In the article we outline how the model could be structured to meet the particular needs of transmigrants, including the involvement of NGOs and INGOs, and identify key obstacles and limitations.
Governance and Agricultural Production Efficiency: A Cross‐Country Aggregate Frontier Analysis
Authors: Lio Mon‐Chi , Hu Jin‐Li 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis study uses a stochastic frontier approach to investigate the relationship between six governance indicators and agricultural efficiency. We find that improvements in rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness enhance agricultural productivity significantly if each indicator enters the inefficiency equation independently. When all six indicators are included in the equation, we find that an improvement in rule of law raises agricultural efficiency significantly, but increases in voice and accountability and political stability appear to significantly reduce agricultural efficiency. Grouping the six indicators into three dimensions, we find that an improvement in ‘respect for institutional framework’ raises agricultural efficiency significantly, but an enhancement in ‘selection of authority’ reduces agricultural efficiency significantly. Our results imply that poorer countries can enhance their agricultural efficiency substantially by strengthening the state and citizens’ respect for institutional framework. However, our results show that greater democracy is associated with lower agricultural efficiency. This finding is consistent with interest group capture and political failure arguments of the political economy literature.
How I Do It: Endovascular Stent Deployment Using a Novel Technique That Obviates the Need for Introducer‐Sheath Upsizing
Authors: Yevzlin Alexander S. , Chan Micah R. , Gimelli Giorgio , Maya Ivan D. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractA case is presented and a novel technique is described by which an endovascular stent is deployed in the venous outflow system of an arteriovenous fistula without the traditional exchange to a larger diameter introducer sheath.
ASDIN: Use of a Covered Stent in a Failed Forearm Fistula as a Present Access and Future Bridge
Authors: Ross Jamie L. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe use of stents has been steadily increasing in the management of dialysis access dysfunction. The purpose of this report was to review the use of covered stents in failed forearm fistulas and describe a case of the use of a small caliber forearm covered stent in a early failed forearm fistula that allowed dialysis in that access within 2 weeks and while it required one intervention 6 months later there was evidence of ongoing upper arm vein development.
Central Vein Hardware: Cannot Live With It, Cannot Live Without It
Authors: Vachharajani Tushar J. , Moossavi Shahriar , Kaufman Tina , Rocco Michael 
Published: August 2008

AbstractCentral vein catheters for dialysis have become an integral and unavoidable access modality for providing hemodialysis therapy despite all their major drawbacks. We report a clinical decision dilemma that every nephrologist will encounter while considering an ideal dialysis access for the steadily aging dialysis population.
Physical Examination of Arteriovenous Fistulae by a Renal Fellow: Does It Compare Favorably to an Experienced Interventionalist?
Authors: Leon Carlos , Asif Arif 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPhysical examination (PE) has been highlighted to detect vascular access stenosis with high degree of accuracy when performed by an interventional nephrologist (IN) with expertise in physical examination. This study examines the accuracy of PE compared with angiography when performed by a nephrology fellow (NF). It also compares NF results to that of IN. Didactic and hands‐on PE training was provided to a renal fellow for 1 month during an interventional nephrology rotation. Forty‐five and 142 consecutive cases of arteriovenous fistula dysfunction were examined by the NF and IN, respectively. Preprocedure PE was performed by the NF and IN and the finding secured in a sealed envelope. Angiography from the feeding artery to the right atrium was then performed. The images were reviewed by an independent interventionalist with expertise in endovascular dialysis access procedures and the diagnosis was rendered. The reviewer was blinded to the physical examination. Cohen’s Kappa was used as a measurement of the level of agreement beyond chance between the diagnosis made by physical examination and angiography. Outflow stenosis: NF [strong agreement (81%), Kappa value = 0.63]; IN [strong agreement (89%), Kappa score = 0.78]. Inflow stenosis: NF [strong agreement (80%), Kappa value = 0.56]; IN [strong agreement (83%), Kappa score = 0.55]. These differences between NF and IN were not significant. NF performed significantly better than the IN regarding central vein stenosis. NF [strong agreement (79%), Kappa value = 0.44]; IN [weak agreement (11%), Kappa value = 0.17]. An NF can be trained in physical examination and accurately detect and localize stenoses in a great majority of arteriovenous fistulae when compared with an IN. We suggest that nephrology training programs should place more emphasis on this aspect of vascular access education.
Fabrication of a Fixed Retrievable Implant‐supported Prosthesis Based on Electroforming: A Technical Report
Authors: Nelson Katja , Hildebrand Detlef , Mehrhof Juergen 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis article describes a method of fabricating a fixed retrievable implant‐retained prosthesis based on electroforming. This method combines the advantages of both the cement‐ and screw‐retained prostheses, including passive fit, ease of fabrication, and retrievability. The absence of visible occlusal screw‐canals adds to its increased esthetic appeal.
In Vitro Exploration and Finite Element Analysis of Failure Mechanisms of Resin‐Bonded Fixed Partial Dentures
Authors: Van Dalen Andy , Feilzer Albert J. , Kleverlaan Cornelis J. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the debonding mechanisms of two‐unit cantilevered and straight and bent three‐unit fixed‐fixed resin‐bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) and to measure the failure loads needed for debonding. Materials and Methods: Failure load tests were performed using Bondiloy beams simulating both cantilevered and fixed‐fixed RBFPDs, luted onto flat‐ground buccal surfaces of bovine teeth with RelyX ARC, Panavia F2.0, and UniFix resin cements. The failure loads were recorded, and the debonded surfaces of both the enamel and the restorations were examined for details of interest. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to calculate the stress concentrations within the cement layers at failure. Results: Simulated two‐unit cantilevered and straight three‐unit fixed‐fixed RBFPDs showed a significantly higher failure load than the simulated three‐unit fixed‐fixed RBFPDs with a curved appearance. The FEA models revealed the magnitude and stress locations within the cement layer, resulting in an explanation of the different failure modes. Conclusions: The low failure loads for the three‐unit bent fixed‐fixed RPFPDs, compared with their straight counterparts and the two‐unit cantilevered RBFPDs, indicate that clinically a reserved attitude needs to be maintained with regard to three‐unit fixed‐fixed RBFPDs spanning a clearly curved part of the dental arch. The FEA results make it clear which part of the tooth restoration interface is subject to the highest stress levels, making it possible to design abutment preparations that avoid high interfacial stresses to help prevent debonding.
Immediate Implant Placement: Clinical Decisions, Advantages, and Disadvantages
Authors: Bhola Monish , Neely Anthony L. , Kolhatkar Shilpa 
Published: August 2008

AbstractImplant placement in fresh extraction sockets in conjunction with appropriate guided bone regeneration is well documented. The decision to extract teeth and replace them with immediate implants is determined by many factors, which ultimately affect the total treatment plan. The goal of this article is to review some of the important clinical considerations when selecting patients for immediate implant placement, and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this mode of therapy.
A Technique for Fabrication of an Interim Ocular Prosthesis
Authors: Kale Ediz , Meşe Ayşe , İzgi Ayça Deniz 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSeveral ocular and orbital disorders require surgical intervention that may result in ocular defects. Immediate intervention is required to preserve the anophthalmic socket size and prevent scar tissue contractures that may follow surgery. Unfortunately, immediate fitting of an anophthalmic socket with an artificial eye may not always be possible, and a delayed prosthesis delivery may result in settling and sinking of the prosthesis into the socket, therefore requiring orbital cavity conformation. This article presents a short review of the most commonly used techniques for processing an ocular prosthesis, while suggesting a practical transition to the application of some of them. A technique for fabricating a custom‐made provisional ocular prosthesis using digital imaging technology is described. This technique may be considered in order to avoid costly procedures that might be required as a result of delayed artificial eye insertion. The technique described in this article provides a cost‐effective choice for optimal orbital cavity conformation and serves as a diagnostic aid for predicting the patient's compliance to ocular prosthetic treatment. The esthetic advantages and the relative ease of fabrication of this interim prosthesis allow it to be considered a first step in the management of untreated anophthalmic sockets.
A Prognostic Index Relating 24‐Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure to Cardiac Events in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Following Defibrillator Implantation
Authors: ANTONINI LANFRANCO , COLIVICCHI FURIO , PASCERI VINCENZO , GRECO SALVATORE , VARVERI ANTONIO , TURANI LEOPOLDO , KOL AMIR , SANTINI MASSIMO 
Published: August 2008

Background:

We assessed the role of left ventricular ejection fraction and of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) to predict cardiac death and heart failure in patients with defibrillator fulfilling MADIT II criteria. ABPM variables assessed included: mean 24 hours diastolic and systolic blood pressure, mean 24 hours heart rate, and pulse pressure.
Methods:

We studied 105 consecutive patients (age 67 ± 11), all with a defibrillator and ejection fraction ≤ 30%).
Results:

At 1‐year follow‐up, there were 29 events (25%), three cardiac deaths, and 26 hospitalizations for heart failure. Age, creatinine, mean 24 hours diastolic blood pressure, and mean 24 hours systolic blood pressure (but not ejection fraction) were associated with events. A prognostic index (PI) was built by age and ABPM variables, according to the formula (120 – age) + (mean 24 hours diastolic blood pressure + mean 24 hours systolic blood pressure). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed the best cutoff for PI = 220 (sensitivity 81%, specificity 71%, positive predictive value 56%, negative predictive value 88%). Cox regression analysis confirmed the significant association between lower PI (< 220) and clinical events (HR 4.8, 95% CI 1.8–12.3, P = 0.0001 for PI). Overall, 12% of patients with high PI values (≥ 220 n = 71) had clinical events at 12‐month follow‐up, compared with 61% of patients with low PI (< 220 n = 34) (P < 0.0001).
Conclusion:

The PI built by mean 24 hours diastolic and systolic blood pressure and age could be a simple method to stratify risk of cardiac death and acute heart failure in MADIT II patients, in whom ejection fraction, uniformly depressed, is not predictive.
Atrial and Ventricular Arryhthmogenic Potential in Turner Syndrome
Authors: SOZEN AHMET B. , CEFLE KIVANÇ , KUDAT HASAN , OZTURK SUKRU , OFLAZ HUSEYIN , PAMUKCU BURAK , AKKAYA VAKUR , ISGUVEN PINAR , PALANDUZ SUKRU , OZCAN MUSTAFA , GOREN TANER , GUVEN OZEN 
Published: August 2008

Background: P‐wave dispersion (Pd), corrected P‐wave dispersion (Pdc), QT‐wave dispersion (QTd), and corrected QT‐wave dispersion (QTdc) parameters were not assessed in Turner Syndrome (TS) before. The aim of this study is to investigate the cardiac arrhythmogenic potential in patients with TS.
Methods: Thirty‐one patients with TS and 30 healthy women were enrolled in the study. For this purpose 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and 24‐hour ambulatory ECG recordings were performed.
Results: Pd, Pdc, QTd, and QTdc were significantly higher in patients with TS. On 24‐hour ambulatory ECG recording, the mean heart rate (HR) was higher, while the mean of all RR intervals between normal beats (MeanNN), the standard deviation of all the RR intervals (SDNN), the square root of the mean of the squared differences of two consecutive RR intervals (rMSSD), and the percentage of the beats with consecutive RR interval difference more than 50 milliseconds (pNN50) were lower in TS.
Conclusion: There were significant increases in Pd, Pdc, QTd, and QTdc in patients with TS and they may be features of the disease. The frequency of supraventricular arrhythmias was increased. There also was a significant deterioration of sympathetic and parasympathetic components of autonomic function as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) in Turner patients.
Correlates of Patient Acceptance of the Cardioverter Defibrillator: Cross‐Validation of the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey in Danish Patients
Authors: PEDERSEN SUSANNE S. , SPINDLER HELLE , JOHANSEN JENS B. , MORTENSEN PETER T. , SEARS SAMUEL F. 
Published: August 2008

Background:

Device acceptance may comprise one of the keys to identifying implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients at risk for adverse health outcomes in clinical practice. We examined (1) the validity and reliability of the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey (FPAS) and (2) correlates of device acceptance in a large sample of Danish patients.
Methods:

A cohort of consecutive patients (N = 566; 82.2% males; mean age = 61.9 ± 14.3) implanted with an ICD since 1989 and still alive on November 1, 2006, completed a set of psychological questionnaires.
Results:

The four‐factor structure and the validity of the FPAS were confirmed, with the four factors accounting for 64.3% of the variance. The reliability, measured by Cronbach's α, was acceptable for the total scale and all subscales, ranging from 0.73 to 0.85. Correlates of poor device acceptance included older age (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01–1.05), symptomatic heart failure (OR: 3.59; 95% CI: 2.12–6.08), Type D personality (OR: 3.51; 95% CI: 1.95–6.30), anxiety (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.24–4.38), depressive symptoms (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.00–5.00), and ICD concerns (OR: 4.16; 95% CI: 2.55–6.80); having a partner was associated with better acceptance (OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.31–0.91), adjusting for demographic and clinical factors including shocks. Shocks were not associated with outcome (P = 0.59).
Conclusions:

The FPAS was shown to be a valid and reliable measure of device acceptance in a large sample of Danish ICD patients. Psychological factors rather than clinical factors were the primary correlates of poor device acceptance, whereas having a partner was associated with better acceptance. These preliminary findings suggest that screening for psychological factors may aid clinicians in identifying patients at risk of poor device acceptance.
Association between age of onset and symptom profiles of late‐life depression
Authors: Corruble E. , Gorwood P. , Falissard B. 
Published: August 2008

Objective: The recognition of later late‐onset (LLO) major depression (MD) is a matter of concern.Method: Cross‐sectional study assessed MD with the MINI structured interview and the MADRS in a referred sample of 13 377 non‐demented adult out‐patients visiting their physicians. Among 6850 patients with a first episode of MD, 370 LLO (75 years of age and older) MD were compared with 814 late‐onset (LO) (60–74 years old) MD and 5666 early‐onset (EO) (18–59 years old) MD.Results: There are many similarities between the symptom patterns of EO, LO and LLO MDs. However, the symptom pattern of LLO MD includes more retardation/agitation, lassitude, reduced appetite and apparent sadness, and less sleep disturbances, guilt feelings, pessimism and inner tension than LO and EO MD.Conclusion: The differences in symptom profiles are very modest and between‐group differences may not be meaningful on an individual level.
The course of dissociation for patients with borderline personality disorder and axis II comparison subjects: a 10‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Zanarini M. C. , Frankenburg F. R. , Jager‐Hyman S. , Reich D. B. , Fitzmaurice G. 
Published: August 2008

Objective:  The purpose of this study was to assess the severity of dissociation reported by borderline patients and axis II comparison subjects over 10 years of prospective follow‐up.Method:  The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) – a 28‐item self‐report measure – was administered to 290 borderline in‐patients and 72 axis II comparison subjects during their index admission. It was also re‐administered at five contiguous 2‐year follow‐up periods.Results:  The overall severity of dissociative experiences of those in both study groups decreased significantly over time but was discernibly greater in borderline patients (61% vs. 43%). The same pattern emerged for the subtypes of dissociation that were studied: absorption, depersonalization and amnesia.Conclusion:  The severity of dissociation declines significantly over time for even severely ill borderline patients. However, it remains as a recurring problem for over a third of those with DES scores that initially were in the range associated with trauma‐spectrum disorders.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Syngeneic Immune‐Dependent Abortions in Mice Suggest Paternal Alloantigen‐Independent Mechanisms
Authors: Kundert Jean A. , Sealey Amy L. , Li Yan , Capecchi Mario R. , Schmidt Edward E. 
Published: August 2008

Problem  Recurrent immune‐associated miscarriages in humans are thought to result from maternal immune responses to paternal alloantigens. We investigated the role of paternal alloantigens in a mouse model of immune‐dependent abortion.Method of study  Sib‐crosses of C57Bl/6J (haplotype b/b) mice heterozygous for a targeted hypomorphic allele of the tbp gene (tbpΔΝ/+) resulted in selective mid‐gestational abortion of 88% of the tbpΔΝ/ΔΝ fetuses. In dams lacking mature lymphocytes (rag1−/−), nearly all tbpΔΝ/ΔΝ fetuses survived to birth, indicating abortions were immune‐dependent. Allogeneic pregnancies bearing tbpΔΝ/ΔΝ fetuses were established by either hybridizing the paternal lineage to BALB/cJ (haplotype d/d) and mating hybrid tbpΔΝ/+ sires to haplotype b/b tbpΔΝ/+ C57Bl/6J dams, or by transfer of haplotype b/b zygotes from tbpΔΝ/+ × tbpΔΝ/+ matings into pseudopregnant wild‐type CByD2F1/J dams (haplotype d/d).Results  Neither hemizygous paternal allogeneic loci nor homozygous allogeneic loci, including a haplotype‐mismatched major histocompatibility complex (MHC), increased abortion frequencies.Conclusion  Results suggested that mechanisms for maternal tolerance of paternal alloantigens, including mismatched MHC antigens, were intact in these pregnancies, yet maternal immune‐dependent paternal antigen‐independent abortion of mutants occurred. These data indicate that, in some cases of immune‐mediated abortions, the presence of paternal alloantigens can be coincidental and superfluous to the compromising rejection response.
Horses or Farmers? The Tower of Babel and Confidence in Trees
Authors: Nicholls Geoff 
Published: August 2008

AbstractGaelic, Danish, Vlach and Italian: what do these languages have in common? A great deal, in words and syntax. Along with many Indian and Central Asian languages they have descended and diverged from an earlier language—a root language to them all But when did this ancient Indo-European tongue reach Europe? And how—and when—did its daughter-tongues split off? Geoff Nicholls finds discrepancies between the statisticians and the historians of language.