bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with health‐related quality of life in pediatric cancer survivors
Authors: Meeske Kathleen A. , Patel Sunita K. , Palmer Stephanie N. , Nelson Mary B. , Parow Aimee M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackgroundChildhood cancer survivors are at risk for late effects of disease and treatment that may be attributed to multiple causes. This study describes health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in childhood cancer survivors and identifies factors related to poor quality of life outcomes.ProcedurePatients age 8–18 years, who attended the long‐term information, follow‐up, and evaluation (LIFE) clinic at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles during a 1‐year time‐period were eligible for the study. Eighty‐six survivors (mean time off‐treatment = 7.8 years) completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales, a LIFE Clinic Intake Questionnaire and rated their fatigue using a 10‐point scale. Oncology nurses independently rated subjects' late effects using a 3‐point severity scale. Linear regression procedures were used to evaluate the association between demographic and medical factors and HRQOL.ResultsFatigue and more severe late effects were associated with poorer physical functioning (fatigue, P < 0.02; late effects, P < 0.01). Fatigue, ethnic minority status, and a brain tumor diagnosis were associated with poorer psychosocial functioning (fatigue, P < 0.0001; minority status, P < 0.04; brain tumor, P < 0.01). Fatigue was the only factor related to both poor physical and psychosocial HRQOL.ConclusionsLong‐term follow‐up clinics for childhood cancer survivors are in a unique position to monitor HRQOL over time. Factors associated with poorer HRQOL include fatigue, ethnic minority status, a brain tumor diagnosis, and more severe late effects. Future studies need to clarify relationships between ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and HRQOL in cancer survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:298–305. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of end groups on complexation kinetics between cyclodextrins and guest polymers
Authors: Xue Jie , Chen Liang , Zhou Li , Jia Zhifeng , Wang Yanping , Zhu Xinyuan , Yan Deyue 
Published: June 2006

Abstractα‐Cyclodextrin (α‐CD) has been complexed with various poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives in aqueous solution. It has been found that the end groups of PEG derivatives affect the complexation kinetics greatly, but have only a little influence on the thermodynamic behavior. By increasing the hydrophobicity of end groups, the complexation speeds up rapidly. On the other hand, the bulky end groups slow down the threading of polymeric guests into the cavity of CD. By changing the hydrophobicity and the size of end groups, the complexation rate can be adjusted in the range of several orders of magnitudes, which should be quite useful in the design of new supramolecular systems. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2050–2057, 2006
Viscoelastic characteristics of UV polymerized poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate networks with varying extents of crosslinking
Authors: Kalakkunnath Sumod , Kalika Douglass S. , Lin Haiqing , Freeman Benny D. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe viscoelastic relaxation characteristics of ultraviolet crosslinked networks based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate [PEGDA] have been investigated by dynamic mechanical methods. Effective crosslink density in the networks was varied via the use of PEGDA prepolymers of different molecular weight, or by the introduction of controlled amounts of water in the reaction mixture. In all cases examined, fully amorphous networks were obtained. Time–temperature superposition was applied to obtain master curves of storage modulus versus frequency across the glass transition, and these could be satisfactorily described using the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts relaxation function. The glass transition temperature (Tg), relaxation breadth, and fragility of the segmental relaxation were correlated with the effective crosslink density obtained in the networks. Gas permeation measurements on the PEGDA/water networks indicated only a very modest variation in gas transport properties, despite the sizeable variation in apparent crosslink density achieved in these materials. This result suggests that the controlling structural factor for gas transport in the networks is not simply crosslink density, and that attempts to correlate gas transport to network structure must necessarily consider the broader relationships between crosslink density, segmental mobility, and fractional free volume. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2058–2070, 2006
Reactor pressure relief of fluids containing suspended solids
Authors: Waldram Simon , McIntosh Roderick , Etchells Janet 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSome effects of addition of inert suspended solids (fine glass particles) to both reacting (water and acetic anhydride) and nonreacting systems (pure water or water/glycerol mixtures) are described. Depressurization profiles from experiments with solids present were compared with analogous profiles without solids. Experimentation was on scales of one and ten liters. Computer control meant that highly reproducible experimental sequences were followed. Mean nozzle to particle diameter ratios of between 6 and 500 were used. The particles were narrow size‐range cuts of nearly spherical glass beads with a density of 2500 kg m−3. Hollow glass beads with a density of 600 kg m−3 were also used. Glass particle concentrations were up to 16% v/v and relief set pressures were between 3 and 5 bara.Many variables affect the pressure vs. time profile during blowdown, and thus experimental (factorial) design techniques were used for efficient planning of experiments and interpretation of results. In general the glass had little statistically significant effect. There was limited evidence that the hollow glass particles could slightly increase depressurization rates. Tests with runaway reactions highlighted some inherent difficulties when comparing systems with and without glass particles present. In all cases, the vented fluids were less concentrated in glass than those in the reactor. The consistency of the amounts of liquid carryover during blowdown was poor in smaller‐scale tests; this may have important ramifications for small‐scale tests that are used to establish the flow regime during venting, as advocated in the DIERS methodology. © 2006 Health and Safety Executive. Crown Copyright. Process Saf Prog, 2006
Effects of marketing‐manufacturing integration on new product development time and competitive advantage
Authors: Swink Morgan , Song Michael 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThere is a need to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of marketing‐manufacturing integration (MMI) in new product development. In this paper we examine the influences of MMI in each of four stages of new product development (NPD) on new product time and success. A path analysis of data collected from 467 completed NPD projects indicates that increased MMI in each stage of product development is respectively associated with greater product competitive advantage, which in turn is associated with higher project return on investment (ROI). Greater MMI is also significantly associated with longer product commercialisation (PC) stages of new product development, but the data indicate little significant relationship between NPD project time and project return on investment. Hence, increased MMI may require added NPD time, but this drawback appears to be outweighed by the added benefits accrued to greater product competitive advantage.
Does Slow‐Release 5‐Fluorouracil and Triamcinolone Reduce Subglottic Stenosis?
Authors: Ingrams Duncan R. , Sukin Steven W. , Ashton Paul , Valtonen Hannu J. , Pankratov Michail M. , Shapshay Stanley M. 
Published: June 2006

The surgical management of subglottic stenosis may be complicated by reformation of strictures. A slow‐release combination of 5‐fluorouracil, which has an antiproliferative effect on fibroblasts, and the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide has been used experimentally to control scar production in ophthalmic operations. This study was performed to determine if this material also can be used to reduce formation of subglottic stenosis. Subglottic stenosis was induced in rabbits by means of injury to the subglottic mucosa and submucosa. A suspension of the compound at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml or 12.5 mg/ml was injected into the adjacent soft tissues. A control group of rabbits received the same volume of the suspension fluid but no compound. Two rabbits from each group were killed 1,2, and 12 weeks postoperatively. No stenosis was seen at 1 or 2 weeks, but at 12 weeks the rate of formation of subglottic stenosis was decreased to a mean of 15.20% in the experimental groups compared with 47.37% in the control group. There were no indications of local or systemic toxicity. The promising results from this preliminary study suggest that use of this compound may reduce restenosis among patients treated surgically for subglottic stenosis. Further studies are being conducted.
Dumon Silicone Stents in Obstructive Tracheobronchial Lesions: The Hong Kong Experience
Authors: Abdullah Victor , Yim Anthony P. C. , Wormald P. J. , Hasselt C. A. van 
Published: June 2006

The insertion of intraluminal stents is an effective method of relieving the distressing symptom of asphyxia in patients with obstructive lesions in the trachea and main‐stem bronchi. We report our experience in the use of the studded Dumon silicone stent (Endoxane prosthesis' Axion, Aubagne, France). Between February 1994 and August 1996, 42 stents were placed in 30 patients. Of the 27 patients with a malignant stricture, 10 had carcinoma of the bronchus, 13 carcinoma of the esophagus, and 4 metastatic carcinoma involving the tracheobronchial tree. The benign lesions were made up of two tuberculous strictures and one suprastomal stenosis after tracheostomy. Stents were placed through a rigid bronchoscope with patients under general anesthesia. Postplacement assessment was performed with a 10‐point, symptom‐based visual analog scale. In eight less urgent cases, forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity were determined before and after surgery. The mean symptomatic improvement on the 10‐point scale was 6.1 points, whereas the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (in the eight patients tested) improved by 75%, and the forced vital capacity improved by 54%. The median survival was 2 months for patients with carcinoma of the bronchus and 3 months for patients with carcinoma of the esophagus. Two patients with metastatic carcinoma and all of the patients with the benign lesions were alive and well after 12 months of follow‐up. Insertion of the Dumon stent is a simple, safe, and effective method of countering the distressing symptoms arising from obstructive tracheobronchial lesions.
Distribution patterns and biodiversity in polychaete communities of the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula area (Southern Ocean)
Authors: Hilbig B. , Gerdes D. , Montiel A. 
Published: June 2006

During the expedition EASIZ II with RV ‘POLARSTERN’ in 1998 a multibox corer yielded 151 quantitative samples from 26 stations between 120 and 2415 m water depth for benthic community analysis. From this material a total of 235 polychaete species out of 37 families was determined. Forty-seven species are new to science. The polychaete fraction contributed 41.9% to total benthic abundance and 6.5% to total benthic biomass at these stations. Overall mean polychaete abundance (ind m−2) and biomass (g wet weight m−2) at the stations were 1617 and 49, respectively.Multidimensional scaling procedure clearly grouped the stations into south-eastern Weddell Sea shelf stations, deep-water stations, and stations mostly around the Antarctic Peninsula. Differences between these groups existed in terms of polychaete abundance and biomass as well as species composition, diversity, and evenness.
Meta‐analysis in sport and exercise research: Review, recent developments, and recommendations
Authors: Hagger M.S. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to provide a general overview of the principles and practice of conducting quantitative psychometric meta‐analytic reviews in the sport and exercise sciences and highlight some of the recent developments and recommendations from researchers regarding the conduct and validity of meta‐analytic methods. After outlining the historical context, the general principles involved in a quantitative cumulation of research findings across empirical studies is reviewed. Subsequently, recent controversies and issues surrounding the use of meta‐analysis are reviewed with examples provided from the sport and exercise psychology literature. Specifically, the basis for and selection of meta‐analytic models (use of fixed vs. random effects models), the treatment of data from theories that explicitly demand testing the effects of multiple independent variables on a dependent variable (use of multiple regression), and how to treat studies that contain multiple tests of a given effect (use of averaging and structural equation modeling methods) are covered. Recommendations are provided for researchers conducting meta‐analytic studies based on these issues.
Strategies in treatment of tendon overuse injury. The chronic painful tendon
Authors: Alfredson Håkan 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe etiology and pathogenesis to chronic tendon pain is unknown, and treatment is known to be difficult. Treatment is often based on opinions and not findings in scientific studies.Recent research, using the intra‐tendinous microdialysis technique, has shown that in chronic painful Achilles‐, patellar‐, and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendons, there were no signs (normal Prostaglandin‐2 levels) of a so‐called chemical inflammation. Furthermore, in biopsies from chronic painful Achilles tendons, pro‐inflammatory cytokines were not up‐regulated, again showing the absence of an intra‐tendinous inflammation. Consequently, if the purpose is to treat a chemical inflammation, there is no science backing up for treatment of theses conditions with anti‐inflammatory agents (NSAIDs, corticosteroidal injections). Interestingly, Substance‐P (SP) and Calcitonin Gene Regulated Peptide (CGRP) nerves have been demonstrated in close relation to vessels in biopsies from these chronic painful tendons, indicating the existence of a possible so‐called neurogenic inflammation.Using ultrasonography (US) + color Doppler (CD), and immunhistochemical analyses of biopsies, a vasculo/neural(SP‐ and CGRP‐nerves) ingrowth in the chronic painful tendinosis tendon, but not in the pain‐free normal tendon, has recently been found. A specially designed treatment, using US‐ and CD‐guided injections of the sclerosing agent Polidocanol, targeting the neovessels outside the tendon, has in pilot studies on chronic painful Achilles‐, and patellar tendons been shown to cure the tendon pain in the majority of patients. A recent randomized double‐blind study, verified the importance of injecting the sclerosing substance Polidocanol.
The health of caregivers for children with disabilities: caregiver perspectives
Authors: Murphy N. A. , Christian B. , Caplin D. A. , Young P. C. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  There are an estimated 5.9 million children with severe disabilities in the USA, and most of them are cared for at home by their parents and families. Indirect evidence suggests that poor caregiver health may contribute to recurrent hospitalizations and out‐of‐home placements for children with chronic conditions and disabilities. Greater knowledge of caregiver health‐related needs would allow for the improvement of existing services and the development of new strategies to sustain caregivers in their vital roles. This study explores caregiver perspectives of the health implications of long‐term informal caregiving for children with disabilities.Methods  Forty parents/caregivers of children with disabilities residing in urban, suburban and rural regions of Utah completed questionnaires and participated in focus groups that explored their feelings regarding their current physical and emotional health and the factors that they viewed as either impairing or promoting their health. The sessions were audiotaped and transcribed. Summary statistics were generated for the questionnaire responses. Focus group content was analysed according to emerging themes and patterns in clusters of information.Results  The caregiving experience was captured by five themes: (i) stress of caregiving; (ii) negative impact on caregiver health; (iii) sharing the burden; (iv) worry about the future; and (v) caregiver coping strategies. Forty‐one per cent of the caregivers reported that their health had worsened over the past year, and attributed these changes to a lack of time, a lack of control and decreased psychosocial energy.Conclusions  Caregivers of children with disabilities describe negative physical, emotional and functional health consequences of long‐term, informal caregiving. They have important insights regarding those aspects of caregiving that have positive and negative influences on their health. Interventions that address these issues may have the potential to positively impact caregiver health.
Modelling water, carbon and nitrogen dynamics in soil covered with decomposing mulch
Authors: Findeling A. , Garnier P. , Coppens F. , Lafolie F. , Recous S. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryA decomposing mulch of residues on the soil affects strongly the water, carbon and nitrogen cycling in the soil. The mulch generates complex and interacting effects that remain difficult to quantify and model. An original mulch module was developed and implemented in the PASTIS model to account for the main biological and physical effects of decomposing mulch. In the extended model, PASTISmulch, the formalism splits the mulch into a decomposable layer in contact with the soil and an overlying not decomposable layer that ‘feeds’ the former. The model was calibrated on laboratory data derived from mulched soil columns experiments. Two types of residues were tested: rape residues made of large elemental particles (length, 10 mm; width, 3–10 mm; thickness, 0.1–8 mm) with a C:N ratio of 29, and rye residues consisting of smaller particles (length, 10 mm; width, 2 mm; thickness, 0.1 mm) with a smaller C:N ratio of 16. Calibration showed that mulch parameters were dependent on the type of residue. The model run with calibrated parameters provided good simulations of the water, carbon and nitrogen dynamics, with global efficiencies greater than 0.8. The sensitivity analysis carried out on seven key parameters showed that the total mulch dry mass and the proportion of this dry mass in contact with the soil are decisive parameters. PASTISmulch highlighted that mulch decomposition was not a continuous process but occurred in the form of successive pulses that correspond to favourable hydric conditions.
Acceptance and denial: implications for people adapting to chronic illness: literature review
Authors: Telford Kerry , Kralik Debbie , Koch Tina 
Published: June 2006

Aim.  This paper reports an exploration of the terms acceptance and denial by exploring the literature, with the aim of understanding the implications of using these concepts to categorize people's responses to living with chronic illness.Background.  People learning to live with a chronic illness or condition may be judged and labelled by others as being in denial, particularly when they do not adhere to prescribed treatment regimes.Method.  A literature search for the period between 1989 and 2003 was conducted using the electronic databases Medline, CINAHL, PSYCArticles, Health Source Nursing/Academic Edition, Academic Search Elite and Sociological Abstracts. Key terms used were ‘acceptance and denial’ and variations of such themes as ‘chronic illness’, ‘disability’, ‘adjustment’, ‘illness discourse’, ‘medical discourse’, ‘illness experience’, ‘labelling’, ‘self’ and ‘identity’.Discussion.  The theoretical background of the common constructs ‘acceptance and denial’ are discussed using the psychoanalytic theories of Freud and Kubler‐Ross's work on death and dying. Healthcare professionals and lay people commonly refer to the terms acceptance and denial when describing a person's response to chronic illness. Those whose understanding of the illness experience relies on the acceptance–denial framework may not listen when people with chronic illness attempt to tell their own unique story of how they have experienced life with illness. Instead, their listening antennae may be focused on fitting aspects of the experience with stages of adjustment. When others use labels of acceptance and denial, people who are learning to live with a chronic illness may internalize these labels as reflections of the self. This may be most likely when the person using the label is perceived to have authority, such as a healthcare professional. The internalization of negative information associated with these labels may obstruct the reshaping of self‐identity that is fundamental when making a transition to living well with chronic illness.Conclusion.  Healthcare professionals are urged to challenge the stage model of adjustment as a way of understanding the response to illness and to listen instead to the stories people tell. They are encouraged to privilege the person's experience as the basis for developing a sensitive, client‐focussed response that takes into account the wider social context of people's lives as well as the medical aspects.
Perceptions of lesbian, gay and bisexual people of primary healthcare services
Authors: Neville Stephen , Henrickson Mark 
Published: June 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study exploring people's perceptions of disclosure about lesbian, gay and bisexual identity to their primary healthcare providers.Background.  Disclosure of sexual identity to healthcare professionals is integral to attending to the health needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual populations, as non‐disclosure has been shown to have a negative impact on the health of these people. For example, an increased incidence of suicide, depression and other mental health problems have been reported.Method.  From April to July 2004, a national survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons was carried out in New Zealand. Participants were recruited through mainstream and lesbian, gay and bisexual media and venues, and 2269 people completed the questionnaire, either electronically or via hard copy. The 133‐item instrument included a range of closed‐response questions in a variety of domains of interest.Results.  In this paper, we report results from the health and well‐being domain. More women than men identified that the practitioner's attitude toward their non‐heterosexual identity was important when choosing a primary healthcare provider. Statistically significantly more women than men reported that their healthcare provider usually or always presumed that they were heterosexual and in addition more women had disclosed their sexual identity to their healthcare provider.Conclusion.  Nurses need to reconsider their approach to all users of healthcare services by not assuming everyone is heterosexual, integrating questions about sexual identity into health interviews and ensuring that all other aspects of the assessment process are appropriate and safe for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.