bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Trust-Assuring Arguments on Consumer Trust in Internet Stores: Application of Toulmin's Model of Argumentation
Authors: Kim Dongmin , Benbasat Izak 
Published: August 2006

A trust-assuring argument refers to “a claim and its supporting statements used in an Internet store to address trust-related issues.” Although trust-assuring arguments often appear in Internet stores, little research has been conducted to understand their effects on consumer trust in an Internet store. The goals of this study are (1) to investigate whether or not the provision of trust-assuring arguments on the website of an Internet store increase consumer trust in that Internet store and (2) to identify the most effective form of trust-assuring arguments to provide guidelines for their implementation. Toulmin's (1958) model of argumentation is proposed as a basis to identify the elements of an argument and to strengthen the effects of trust-assuring arguments on consumer trust in an Internet store. Based on Toulmin's (1958) model of argumentation, three elements of arguments that commonly appear in daily communication; namely, claim, data, and backing, are identified. Data refers to the grounds for a claim, while backing is used for providing reasons for why the data should be accepted. By combining these three elements, three forms of trust-assuring arguments (claim only, claim plus data, and claim plus data and backing) are developed. The effects of these three forms of trust-assuring arguments on consumer trust in an Internet store are tested by comparing them to a no trust-assuring argument condition in a laboratory experiment with 112 participants. The results indicate (1) providing trust-assuring arguments that consist of claim plus data or claim plus data and backing increases consumers' trusting belief but displaying arguments that contain claim only does not and (2) trust-assuring arguments that include claim plus data and backing lead to the highest level of trusting belief among the three forms of arguments examined in this study. Based on the results, we argue that Toulmin's (1958) model of argumentation is an effective basis for website designers to develop convincing trust-assuring arguments and to improve existing trust-assuring arguments in Internet stores.
From IT Leveraging Competence to Competitive Advantage in Turbulent Environments: The Case of New Product Development
Authors: Pavlou Paul A. , El Sawy Omar A. 
Published: August 2006

A burning question for information systems (IS) researchers and practitioners is whether and how IT can build a competitive advantage in turbulent environments. To address this question, this study focuses on the business process level of analysis and introduces the construct of IT leveraging competence—the ability to effectively use IT functionalities. This construct is conceptualized in the context of new product development (NPD). IT leveraging competence is shown to indirectly influence competitive advantage in NPD through two key mediating links: functional competencies (the ability to effectively execute operational NPD processes) and dynamic capabilities (the ability to reconfigure functional competencies to address turbulent environments). Environmental turbulence is also shown to moderate the process by which IT leveraging competence influences competitive advantage in NPD. Empirical data were collected from 180 NPD managers. Through the construct of IT leveraging competence, the study shows that the effective use of IT functionalities, even generic functionalities, by business units can help build a competitive advantage. The study also shows that the strategic effect of IT leveraging competence is more pronounced in higher levels of environmental turbulence. This effect is not direct: It is fully mediated by both dynamic capabilities and functional competencies. Taken together, these findings suggest that IS researchers should look beyond the direct effects of firm-level IT infrastructures and focus their attention on how business units can leverage IT functionalities to better reconfigure and execute business processes. In turbulent environments, focusing on these aspects is even more vital.
The epidemiology and aetiology of Perthes’ disease in Norway
Authors: Wiig O. , Terjesen T. , Svenningsen S. , Lie S. A. 
Published: August 2006

A nationwide study of Perthes’ disease in Norway was undertaken over a five-year period from January 1996. There were 425 patients registered, which represents a mean annual incidence of 9.2 per 100 000 in subjects under 15 years of age, and an occurrence rate of 1:714 for the country as a whole. There were marked regional variations. The lowest incidence was found in the northern region (5.4 per 100 000 per year) and the highest in the central and western regions (10.8 and 11.3 per 100 000 per year, respectively). There was a trend towards a higher incidence in urban (9.5 per 100 000 per year) compared with rural areas (8.9 per 100 000 per year). The mean age at onset was 5.8 years (1.3 to 15.2) and the male:female ratio was 3.3:1. We compared 402 patients with a matched control group of non-affected children (n = 1 025 952) from the Norwegian Medical Birth Registry and analysed maternal data (age at delivery, parity, duration of pregnancy), birth length and weight, birth presentation, head circumference, ponderal index and the presence of congenital anomalies. Children with Perthes’ disease were significantly shorter at birth and had an increased frequency of congenital anomalies. Applying Sartwell’s log-normal model of incubation periods to the distribution of age at onset of Perthes’ disease showed a good fit to the log-normal curve. Our findings point toward a single cause, either genetic or environmental, acting prenatally in the aetiology of Perthes’ disease.
Continuous interscalene infusion and single injection using levobupivacaine for analgesia after surgery of the shoulder
Authors: Kean J. , Wigderowitz C. A. , Coventry D. M. 
Published: August 2006

We performed a double-blind, randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a continuous-infusion brachial plexus block with levobupivacaine compared with that of a standard single injection for the management of post-operative pain after surgery on the shoulder. Eight patients were randomised to receive a pre-operative brachial plexus block using 30 ml of levobupivacaine 0.5% with adrenaline 1:200 000 followed by insertion of a 20-gauge polyamide catheter. This was connected to a disposable elastometric pump, set immediately after surgery to administer a continuous flow of levobupivacaine 0.25% at a rate of 5 ml per hour. The other eight patients were randomised to receive only the initial injection of 30 ml. The study was double-blinded with the aid of sham catheters and clamped pumps. All patients were given regular paracetamol and were prescribed morphine through a patient-controlled analgesia pump. Motor and sensory block assessments, visual analogue scale pain scores and consumption of morphine were recorded after the operation and then at 6, 12 and 24 hours after administration of the block. Satisfactory motor and sensory block was achieved in all patients. The mean visual analogue scale pain score at 12 hours and consumption of morphine at 24 hours after injection were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the continuous-infusion group. This group also took longer to request their first additional analgesia and reported a significantly higher overall level of satisfaction. Our study has shown that continuous interscalene infusion of levobupivacaine is an effective method of post-operative analgesia after major surgery of the shoulder.
Use of freeze-dried bone allograft with platelet-derived growth factor for revision of a glenoid component
Authors: Peidro L. , Segur J. M. , Poggio D. , de Retana P. Fernandez 
Published: August 2006

Glenoid replacement is technically challenging. Removal of a cemented glenoid component often results in a large osseous defect which makes the immediate introduction of a revision prosthesis almost impossible. We describe a two-stage revision procedure using a reversed shoulder prosthesis. Freeze-dried allograft with platelet-derived growth factor was used to fill the glenoid defect. Radiological incorporation of the allograft was seen and its consistency allowed the placement of a screwed glenoid component. There were no signs of new mature bone formation on histological examination. The addition of platelet-derived growth factor to the allograft seems to contribute to an increase in incorporation and hardness, but does not promote the growth of new bone.
Uncompromised quality of the cement mantle in Exeter femoral components implanted through a minimally-invasive direct anterior approach
Authors: Mayr E. , Krismer M. , Ertl M. , Kessler O. , Thaler M. , Nogler M. 
Published: August 2006

A complete cement mantle is important for the longevity of a total hip replacement. In the minimally-invasive direct anterior approach used at the Innsbruck University hospital, the femoral component has to be inserted into the femoral canal by an angulated movement. In a cadaver study, the quality and the extent of the cement mantle surrounding 13 Exeter femoral components implanted straight through a standard anterolateral transgluteal approach were compared with those of 13 similar femoral components implanted in an angulated fashion through a direct anterior approach. A third-generation cementing technique was used. The inner and outer contours of the cement mantles was traced from CT scans and the thickness and cross-sectional area determined. In no case was the cement mantle incomplete. The total mean thickness of the cement mantle was 3.62 mm (95% confidence interval 3.59 to 3.65). The mean thickness in the group using the minimally-invasive approach was 0.16 mm less than that in the anterolateral group. The distribution of the thickness was similar in the two groups. The mean thickness was less on the anteromedial and anterolateral aspect than on the posterior aspect of the femur. There is no evidence that the angulated introduction of Exeter femoral components in the direct anterior approach in cadavers compromises the quality, extent or thickness of the cement mantle.
Outcome of surgery for reconstruction of fractures of the acetabulum
Authors: Madhu R. , Kotnis R. , Al-Mousawi A. , Barlow N. , Deo S. , Worlock P. , Willett K. 
Published: August 2006

This is a retrospective case review of 237 patients with displaced fractures of the acetabulum presenting over a ten-year period, with a minimum follow-up of two years, who were studied to test the hypothesis that the time to surgery was predictive of radiological and functional outcome and varied with the pattern of fracture. Patients were divided into two groups based on the fracture pattern: elementary or associated. The time to surgery was analysed as both a continuous and a categorical variable. The primary outcome measures were the quality of reduction and functional outcome. Logistic regression analysis was used to test our hypothesis, while controlling for potential confounding variables. For elementary fractures, an increase in the time to surgery of one day reduced the odds of an excellent/good functional result by 15% (p = 0.001) and of an anatomical reduction by 18% (p = 0.0001). For associated fractures, the odds of obtaining an excellent/good result were reduced by 19% (p = 0.0001) and an anatomical reduction by 18% (p = 0.0001) per day. When time was measured as a categorical variable, an anatomical reduction was more likely if surgery was performed within 15 days (elementary) and five days (associated). An excellent/good functional outcome was more likely when surgery was performed within 15 days (elementary) and ten days (associated). The time to surgery is a significant predictor of radiological and functional outcome for both elementary and associated displaced fractures of the acetabulum. The organisation of regional trauma services must be capable of satisfying these time-dependent requirements to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
Combined reconstruction of chronic posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner deficiency
Authors: Khanduja V. , Somayaji H. S. , Harnett P. , Utukuri M. , Dowd G. S. E. 
Published: August 2006

We report a retrospective analysis of the results of combined arthroscopically-assisted posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and open reconstruction of the posterolateral corner in 19 patients with chronic (three or more months) symptomatic instability and pain in the knee. All the operations were performed between 1996 and 2003 and all the patients were assessed pre- and post-operatively by physical examination and by applying three different ligament rating scores. All also had weight-bearing radiographs, MR scans and an examination under anaesthesia and arthroscopy pre-operatively. The posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed using an arthroscopically-assisted single anterolateral bundle technique and the posterolateral corner structures were reconstructed using an open Larson type of tenodesis. The mean follow up was 66.8 months (24 to 110). Pre-operatively, all the patients had a grade III posterior sag according to Clancy and demonstrated more than 20° of external rotation compared with the opposite normal knee on the Dial test. Post-operatively, seven patients (37%) had no residual posterior sag, 11 (58%) had a grade I posterior sag and one (5%) had a grade II posterior sag. In five patients (26%) there was persistent minimal posterolateral laxity. The Lysholm score improved from a mean of 41.2 (28 to 53) to 76.5 (57 to 100) (p = 0.0001) and the Tegner score from a mean of 2.6 (1 to 4) to 6.4 (4 to 9) (p = 0.0001). We conclude that while a combined reconstruction of chronic posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner instability improves the function of the knee, it does not restore complete stability.
Surgical biopsy with intra-operative frozen section
Authors: Ashford R. U. , McCarthy S. W. , Scolyer R. A. , Bonar S. F. , Karim R. Z. , Stalley P. D. 
Published: August 2006

The most appropriate protocol for the biopsy of musculoskeletal tumours is controversial, with some authors advocating CT-guided core biopsy. At our hospital the initial biopsies of most musculoskeletal tumours has been by operative core biopsy with evaluation by frozen section which determines whether diagnostic tissue has been obtained and, if possible, gives the definitive diagnosis. In order to determine the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of this protocol we have undertaken a retrospective audit of biopsies of musculoskeletal tumours performed over a period of two years. A total of 104 patients had biopsies according to this regime. All gave the diagnosis apart from one minor error which did not alter the management of the patient. There was no requirement for re-biopsy. This protocol was more labour-intensive and 38% more costly than CT-guided core biopsy (AU$1804 vs AU$1308). However, the accuracy and avoidance of the anxiety associated with repeat biopsy outweighed these disadvantages.
MRI study of the lumbar spine in achondroplasia
Authors: Jeong S.-T. , Song H.-R. , Keny S. M. , Telang S. S. , Suh S.-W. , Hong S.-J. 
Published: August 2006

We carried out an MRI study of the lumbar spine in 15 patients with achondroplasia to evaluate the degree of stenosis of the canal. They were divided into asymptomatic and symptomatic groups. We measured the sagittal canal diameter, the sagittal cord diameter, the interpedicular distance at the mid-pedicle level and the cross-sectional area of the canal and spinal cord at mid-body and mid-disc levels. The MRI findings showed that in achondroplasia there was a significant difference between the groups in the cross-sectional area of the body canal at the upper lumbar levels. Patients with a narrower canal are more likely to develop symptoms of spinal stenosis than others.
Treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts with percutaneous sclerotherapy using polidocanol
Authors: Rastogi S. , Varshney M. K. , Trikha V. , Khan S. A. , Choudhury B. , Safaya R. 
Published: August 2006

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a rare tumour-like lesion which develops during growth. Our aim was to determine the efficacy of the administration of percutaneous intralesional 3% polidocanol (hydroxypolyaethoxydodecan) as sclerotherapy. Between July 1997 and December 2004 we treated 72 patients (46 males, 26 females) with a histologically-proven diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst, at various skeletal sites using this method. The sclerotherapy was performed under fluoroscopic guidance and general anaesthesia or sedation and local anaesthesia. The mean follow-up period was 34 months (26.5 to 80). The patients were evaluated using the Enneking system for functional assessment and all the lesions were radiologically quantified into four grades. The mean age of patients was 15.6 years (3 to 38) and the mean number of injections was three (1 to 5). Ten patients were cured by a single injection. The mean reduction in size of the lesion (radiological healing) was found to be 76.6% (61.9% to 93.2%) with a mean clinical response of 84.5% (73.4% to 100%). Recurrence was seen in two patients (2.8%) within two years of treatment and both were treated successfully by further sclerotherapy. Percutaneous sclerotherapy with polidocanol is a safe alternative to conventional surgery for the treatment of an aneurysmal bone cyst. It can be used at surgically-inaccessible sites and treatment can be performed on an out-patient basis.
Inter-observer reliability and intra-observer reproducibility of the Weber classification of ankle fractures
Authors: Malek I. A. , Machani B. , Mevcha A. M. , Hyder N. H. 
Published: August 2006

Our aim was to assess the reproducibility and the reliability of the Weber classification system for fractures of the ankle based on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Five observers with varying clinical experience reviewed 50 sets of blinded radiographs. The same observers reviewed the same radiographs again after an interval of four weeks. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed based on the proportion of agreement and the values of the kappa coefficient. For inter-observer agreement, the mean kappa value was 0.61 (0.59 to 0.63) and the proportion of agreement was 78% (76% to 79%) and for intra-observer agreement the mean kappa value was 0.74 (0.39 to 0.86) with an 85% (60% to 93%) observed agreement. These results show that the Weber classification of fractures of the ankle based on two radiological views has substantial inter-observer reliability and intra-observer reproducibility.
Survivorship of the St Georg Sled medial unicompartmental knee replacement beyond ten years
Authors: Steele R. G. , Hutabarat S. , Evans R. L. , Ackroyd C. E. , Newman J. H. 
Published: August 2006

There have been several reports of good survivorship and excellent function at ten years with fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee replacement. However, little is known about survival beyond ten years. From the Bristol database of over 4000 knee replacements, we identified 203 St Georg Sled unicompartmental knee replacements (174 patients) which had already survived ten years. The mean age of the patients at surgery was 67.1 years (35.7 to 85) with 67 (38.5%) being under 65 years at the time of surgery. They were reviewed at a mean of 14.8 years (10 to 29.4) from surgery to determine survivorship and function. There were 99 knees followed up for 15 years, 21 for 20 years and four for 25 years. The remainder failed, were withdrawn, or the patient had died. In 58 patients (69 knees) the implant was in situ at the time of death. Revision was undertaken in 16 knees (7.9%) at a mean of 13 years (10.2 to 21.6) after operation. In seven knees (3.4%) this was for progression of arthritis, in three (1.5%) for wear of polyethylene, in four (2%) for tibial loosening, in two (1%) for fracture of the femoral component and in two (1%) for infection. Two knees (1%) were revised for more than one reason. The mean Bristol knee score of the surviving knees fell from 86 (34 to 100) to 79 (42 to 100) during the second decade. Survivorship to 20 years was 85.9% (95% CI 82.9% to 88.9%) and at 25 years was 80% (95% CI 70.2% to 89.8%). Satisfactory survival of a fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee replacement can be achieved into the second decade and beyond.
Amiodarone Treatment of Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia in a Neonate Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Kendrick Jennifer G , Macready John J , Kissoon Niranjan 
Published: August 2006

Objective: To describe the administration of amiodarone and the resulting serum concentrations in a neonate receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Case Summary: A 3463 g, 38 week gestational age male diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot developed junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) and required ECMO support following cardiac surgery. The patient continued to show JET despite cooling, pacing, and intravenous amiodarone infusion, with the dose initiated at 10 μg/kg/min. Sinus rhythm was achieved following 5 days of treatment, additional amiodarone boluses, and an increase in the infusion rate to 20 μg/kg/min. Two serum concentrations of amiodarone were obtained during therapy. On day 4, the concentration was 0.9 mg/L at the 20 μg/kg/min infusion rate; a bolus dose of 5 mg/kg was administered 1 hour later. The serum concentration the following day, with the infusion rate unchanged, was 2 mg/L. Discussion: ECMO is used increasingly postoperatively in patients with congenital cardiac abnormalities. The incidence of JET following repair of tetralogy of Fallot is 22%. Despite the minimal information on the pharmacokinetics of amiodarone in neonates, it has been used in doses up to 20 μg/kg/min for the treatment of postoperative JET. As of August 25, 2006, we found no reports describing its dosage and use in patients undergoing ECMO. Conclusions: The delivery of amiodarone to a patient receiving ECMO may be complicated by the administration of large blood volumes, circuit changes, and binding to the circuit. Neonates receiving ECMO may require larger amiodarone doses to achieve a therapeutic effect. Further investigation is required to define the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of amiodarone in neonates receiving ECMO.
Size and Shape of Montmorillonite Crystallites
Authors: Jonas Edward C. , Oliver Robert M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSpray drying dilute suspensions of bentonitic montmorillonite produces a powder that shows totally random orientation of the crystallites within a sample large enough to diffract X-rays. The powder is collected by an electrostatic precipitator and can be handled in the normal mounting processes without introducing preferred orientation. Electron micrographs show this powder to be composed on a small scale of thin, crumpled, and rolled films. The extremely small montmorillonite crystallites that make up the film are oriented with [001] directions perpendicular to the film surface. Orientation within the plane of the film is random as shown by selected area electron diffraction. Crumpling and rolling of the film is sufficient to make the orientation of [001] directions random in three dimensions in a large sample when X-ray diffraction is registered.The X-ray diffraction patterns all show diffraction maxima (both hk and 00l), and their relative intensities with respect to each other can be determined. The line broadening of the 06 and the 003 peaks was studied. The average crystallite size as calculated from the line broadening varied from six to eleven unit layers thick for four bentonitic montmorillonites. The average lateral dimension of crystallites varied from 140 Å to 250 Å. Ratios of lateral dimensions to thickness varied from 2.3 to 3.4.