bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breast cancer in Canada: To screen or not to screen?
Authors: Taylor D. Wayne , Little Elizabeth
Published: May 2007

Lomas (1988) and Sabatier (1987) have suggested models by which to examine the roles that values, scientific knowledge, institutions, and the learning process play in the formulation of both national and clinical health‐care policies. Utilizing their frameworks, this article offers an explanation for the development of high‐volume screening mammography policies in Canada, despite the suggested inefficacy of screening technologies for ‘unavoidable’ illnesses such as carcinoma in the breast. The preliminary results of Canada's National Breast Screening Study further complicate this issue. Inappropriate framing of the ‘problem’ in the policy‐making process, by actors highly influenced by societal values and scientific evidence, is identified as the reason for present and planned policies and practices contradicting the first principles of health‐policy analysis.
Village health workers as medicine sellers?
Authors: van der Geest Sjaak
Published: May 2007

The Bamako Initiative proposed improving the sustainability of primary health care in Africa by requiring payment for health services; in particular, for drugs. The suggestion that the sale of drugs should be put into the hands of village health workers was almost unanimously rejected, however. The author argues that it is worthwhile, nevertheless, to explore the feasibility of this idea. The cautious commercialization of the sale of medicines by village health workers may prove advantageous for the entire community.
Professional autonomy and managed care in Dutch health centres: Stakeholders' perceptions of a strategic option
Authors: Bruijn Marion , Kirkman‐Liff Bradford L.
Published: May 2007

The on‐going reforms of the Dutch health care system call for the introduction of managed care elements. Health centres in the Netherlands already bear some resemblance to health maintenance organizations in the USA. However, managed care challenges provider autonomy, and the strategic development of managed care plans may be hampered by providers' perceptions. We draw a distinction between managed care within an insurance arrangement and managed care as a package of methods. Both options are evaluated as suitable for Dutch health centres, though with differences in terms of strategic logic and cultural fit. Lastly, some general conditions are formulated that should be considered before care management processes can be implemented. These include: specify clear objectives for introduction of managed care; strengthen corporate culture; develop internal motivation for change; develop a practice criterion with health centre professionals; reduce workloads in order to provide development time; and, promote better cooperation between general practitioners and specialists.
Community involvement in health development in post‐apartheid South Africa
Authors: Chimere‐Dan Golda C.
Published: May 2007

In this article, some challenges for the implementation of community involvement in health programmes in post‐apartheid South Africa are examined. Viewed against the background of racial segregation and inequalities in the South African health system, effective community involvement in health development would be an extension of ongoing democratization in which previously marginalized people in the majority population group are given the opportunity to participate in decisions and programmes affecting their health. This situation calls for sensitivity with respect to the criteria for adopting given models of community involvement and the political correlates of particular health programmes. Also, considerable patience would be required until the belated efforts to produce adequate personnel support for community involvement begins to yield returns, and until the communities experience a level of economic development which can support community health programmes financially.
The Kenyan model of the bamako initiative: Potential and limitations
Authors: McPake B , Ajuong F , Forsberg B , Liambillia W , Olenja J
Published: May 2007

Kenya has developed a model of the Bamako Initiative which differs in some respects to that developed in other African countries. It has established a system of community pharmacies in peripheral areas which acts as the locus of a community financing programme, focused on the provision of drugs and disease control activities carried out by Community Health Workers. This model addresses problems of geographical accessibility rather than quality in existing services. While it responds to the most urgent health service problems in Kenya, it ignores the communities felt needs for the extension of services to treat serious illnesses. Nevertheless, the Initiative has been successful in generating community enthusiasm and in establishing an affordable and sustainable services. It is important that the Bamako Initiative is not marginalized from the ‘main’ health service delivery system and is not seen as a substitute for extension of services. In the longer term, the Initiative should be used to support efforts to strengthen quality and improve accessibility at higher levels.
THE development of market approaches in Russia
Authors: Sheiman Igor
Published: May 2007

In the late 1980s, it became clear that poor outcomes of the Russian health system were caused not only by underfunding but also by inadequate management of health care. Some features of the system led to great inefficiency in medical care provision and an irrational structure of medical care. The recognition of this fact has intensified the search for new methods of finance and management

The underlying idea of health care reforms in Russia is to weaken providers' dominance, to make them more responsive to consumer preferences, and to change the structure of medical care. The main developments of the reform parallel the reforms in Western countries. These are primarily the separation of finance and provision of medical care, with the shift from an integrated to a contractual model of relationships between payers and providers. But the specific characteristics of the health care situation, primarily the great underfunding and the absolute dominance of state‐owned medical facilities, make the reform in the Russian health sector more radical

This paper highlights the issues of the current and planned developments in the Russian health sector. After presenting the main characteristics of the current health systems, it addresses economic experiments which are underway in several regions of the new Russian Federation. They are designed to introduce elements of market relations into a highly bureaucratic system. The main features and the impact of the experiments are discussed. Then the new model of finance, which is based on a transition from tax‐financed to the health insurance system, is presented.
Planning and decision‐making to develop performance contracts in Swiss public and private hospitals
Authors: Berger Daniel , Güuntert Bernhard
Published: May 2007

The Planning Department of the health authority for the Canton of Basel‐Stadt has decided to develop a process of planning and decision‐making to install performance contracts between them and the acute hospitals situated in the canton

In part I, a short description of the Swiss health system is given, followed by an analysis of the situation in the Canton of Basel‐Stadt. The second and main part describes the process of planning and decision‐making to achieve performance contracts for public and private hospitals.
New ways of financing and organizing health care in Sweden
Authors: Håkansson Stefan
Published: May 2007

The health care system in Sweden has been undergoing radical change since 1991. The mainly public financed (90%) system with 26 autonomous counties spent 8.5% of its gross domestic product on health care in 1991. The main features of the ‘paradigm shift’ are: separation of production and financing; resource allocation to health districts in relation to the needs of the population; and introduction of public competition between health districts (purchasers) and hospitals (providers). The health district boards are responsible for the health care of the population in their district hospitals financed by their activities (e.g. through diagnosis‐related groups (DRGs)) and quality aspects monitored by central authorities

A parliamentary committee (HSU 2000) is investigating how Sweden's health care system can be organized and financed in the future. Three models are analyzed: a reformed county council court model, a primary care‐managed model, and a compulsory insurance model. Each model must be consistent with equity and public financing

From 1992 in the Stockholm county, five surgical specialities were paid for their activities according to DRGs for inpatient care and another system for outpatient care. The number of treated patients during 1992 increased by 8% in inpatient care, 50% in day surgery and by 15% in outpatient care. Taken together, the activities increased by 11%, which is slightly more than the expected 10% increase in productivity. (There was a 10% decrease in DRG prices from 1 January 1992.) The total costs decreased by 1% due to fewer personnel. Nothing has been reported concerning the quality of care, neither before nor after the model was introduced. From 1993, all somatic acute specialities are paid by DRGs and the equivalent outpatient classification systems. The results from 1993 will be presented in the autumn of 1994.
Cost‐effectiveness of chemotherapy for sputum smear‐positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania
Authors: De Jonghe Eric , Murray Christopher J. L. , Chum H. J. , Nyangulu D. S. , Salomao A. , Styblo Karel
Published: May 2007

The cost‐effectiveness of chemotherapy for pulmonary sputum smear‐positive tuberculosis was examined in the national tuberculosis control programmes of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. In these three programmes, routine cure rates have exceeded 80 per cent. Average, average incremental and marginal unit costs for standard, shortcourse and retreatment regimens with and without hospitalization have been measured. The average incremental cost per year of life saved through chemotherapy ranged from US $O.90–3.10. In all conditions, short‐course chemotherapy is preferable to standard 12‐month chemotherapy. When hospitalization during the intensive phase of chemotherapy increases the cure rate by 10–15 percentage points, it can be relatively cost‐effective. Analysing the cost‐effectiveness of short‐course and standard chemotherapy, where the depth of the margin of benefit is different, illustrates some of the dangers of simplistic use of cost‐effectiveness ratios.
Contraceptive pricing and prevalence: Family planning self‐sufficiency in Indonesia
Authors: Jensen Eric R. , Kak Neeraj , Satjawinata Kusnadi , Wirawan Dewa Nyoman , Nangoy Nelly , Suproyoko
Published: May 2007

Imposing or increasing user fees can move family planning programs toward self‐sufficiency. But, economic theory predicts that quantities demanded decrease following price increases; and, that the size of the response depends, all else constant, upon the share of income accounted for by spending on the good or service. This article uses survey data collected in conjunction with an Indonesian self‐sufficiency program to assess the differential magnitudes of contraceptive usage responses to price differentials between sample‐wide and relatively poor households, and for both subsidized and full private‐sector prices. We find a much more substantial response among poor households. As prices move up toward full cost‐recovery, the effect is magnified.
Hospital or health centre? a comparison of the costs and quality of urban outpatient services in Maseru, Lesotho
Authors: Pepperall J. , Garner P. , Fox‐Rushby J. , Moji N. , Harpham T.
Published: May 2007

Urban hospital outpatient clinics in developing countries are said to be overburdened and some policy experts are proposing a new intermediate tier of advanced health centres between hospitals and health centres to solve this problem (termed ‘reference centres’ by the World Health Organization). In Maseru, Lesotho, hospital congestion led the Ministry of Health to decide to build reference centres. To delineate precisely how these centres should operate, research was carried out on the existing system comparing utilization, quality and cost between health centre and hospital outpatient care. The study showed that throughput per clinician at the hospital and the city health centres was similar; that the hospital service saw a greater proportion of adults and more men; that the technical care quality was similar; and, that health centre staff took longer with patients and had higher interpersonal consultation scores. Average costs at the hospital were 39 per cent greater, but, the calculated net costs to the provider at the hospital and at government centres were very similar once user fees had been taken into account. The results questioned the assumptions underlying the decision to build reference centres in Maseru, and also the relevance of a new tier to solve health service delivery problems in the city. The study highlights the need for national and municipal planners to examine carefully existing health services with respect to utilization, quality and cost before adopting urban reference centres as a standard solution to congested hospitals.
The uninsured in the united states: A strategic critical management review
Authors: Asubonteng Patrick , McCleary Karl , Munchus George
Published: May 2007

The purpose of this article is to provide a critical review on studies of access and utilization of the uninsured, and some related proposals regarding the health care reform debate. Also, an attempt is made to determine if conclusions or trends can be identified to develop the groundwork for effective policy initiatives to assure access to the 37 million uninsured persons in the United States.
Accreditation trends in Spain
Authors: Simon Jose , Ruiz Ulises
Published: May 2007

The profound political changes that followed the Spanish Constitution of 1978 have had a major influence in the healthcare offered to the Spanish population. The healthcare provision once centred in a single government agency, the Instituto Nacional de la Salud (INSALUD), is now being decentralized to the 17 autonomous regions established by the Constitution.

Existing Spanish legislation, traditional accountability and established professional roles are determinant factors in defining the boundaries amongst the main stakeholders in the healthcare accreditation issue. Hospital accreditation has been traditionally understood by the central government agency as a way to assure regulated standards for licensing the operations of healthcare facilities.

However, recent public concern over the quality of healthcare, health departments' accountability and health professional technical knowledge are now creating the search for a common approach to accreditation in Spain.
An open‐label study of quetiapine in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Bosanac P. , Kurlender S. , Norman T. , Hallam K. , Wesnes K. , Manktelow T. , Burrows G.
Published: May 2007

Background

Atypical antipsychotics may be beneficial in treating the core psychopathology of anorexia nervosa (AN).

Methods

An 8 week open‐label study of quetiapine was conducted in eight severely ill DSM‐IV AN patients consecutively admitted to a specialist eating disorders unit. Participants were assessed by EDE‐12, MADRS, YBOCS, SAPS‐delusions and CDR neuropsychological battery at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, and by weekly body mass index (BMI), CGI and extrapyramidal scores. Quetiapine doses ranged from 50 mg to 800 mg per day, according to efficacy and tolerability.

Results

Seven participants completed 4 weeks and five participants completed 8 weeks. All participants had clinically significant levels of specific eating disorders psychopathology, and mild to moderately severe depressive symptomatology. Apart from initial mild sedation, no subjects experienced any significant adverse events. Over 4 weeks there was no significant difference in BMI, but a significant difference in the EDE‐12 restraint score. There were significant differences on BMI and EDE‐12 restraint subscale scores over 8 weeks.

Conclusions

A double‐blind placebo controlled study is required to further evaluate the therapeutic utility of quetiapine in severely ill AN patients beyond multidisciplinary specialist intervention. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness and tolerability of paroxetine controlled release (CR) in the treatment of major depressive disorder: an open‐label, prospective, multi‐center trial in Korea
Authors: Pae Chi‐Un , Bahk Won‐Myong , Jon Duk‐In , Lee Sang‐Yeol , Yoon Bo‐Hyun , Min Kyung Joon
Published: May 2007

Objectives

This study evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of paroxetine controlled release (CR) for the treatment of Korean patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a naturalistic treatment setting.

Methods

One hundred and ninety patients with MDD were enrolled in this study. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale‐17 item (HAMD‐17) and Clinical Global Impression‐Severity (CGI‐S) scores were measured at the baseline (day 0) and at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 (endpoint). The primary measure of effectiveness was a change in the mean HAMD‐17 scores from the baseline to the endpoint. The secondary effectiveness measures included a decrease in the HAMD‐17 scores of 50% or more at the endpoint compared with the baseline and a change in the mean CGI‐S scores from the baseline to the endpoint. Remission was defined as a HAMD‐17 score ≤ 7 at the endpoint.

Results

The HAMD‐17 scores decreased by 56.5% (observed difference, OD = −13.3) (t = 26.63, p < 0.0001) from the baseline. The CGI‐S scores also decreased by 50.0% (OD = −2.3) (t = 24.47, p < 0.0001). The response and remission rate at the endpoint was 64.2 and 48.4%, respectively. The adverse events were tolerable. No unexpected or serious side effects were observed.

Conclusions

Despite the methodological limitations, this study demonstrated that paroxetine CR is effective and tolerable for treating patients with MDD in an East Asian population. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nitric oxide from both exogenous and endogenous sources activates mitochondria‐dependent events and induces insults to human chondrocytes
Authors: Wu Gong‐Jhe , Chen Tyng‐Guey , Chang Huai‐Chia , Chiu Wen‐Ta , Chang Chia‐Chen , Chen Ruei‐Ming
Published: May 2007

During inflammation, overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) can damage chondrocytes. In this study, we separately evaluated the toxic effects of exogenous and endogenous NO on human chondrocytes and their possible mechanisms. Human chondrocytes were exposed to sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, or a combination of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) as the exogenous and endogenous sources of NO, respectively. Administration of SNP or a combination of LPS and IFN‐γ in human chondrocytes increased cellular NO levels but decreased cell viability. Exposure to exogenous or endogenous NO significantly induced apoptosis of human chondrocytes. When treated with exogenous or endogenous NO, the mitochondrial membrane potential time‐dependently decreased. Exposure to exogenous or endogenous NO significantly enhanced cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytochrome c (Cyt c) levels. Administration of exogenous or endogenous NO increased caspase‐3 activity and consequently induced DNA fragmentation. Suppression of caspase‐3 activation by Z‐DEVD‐FMK decreased NO‐induced DNA fragmentation and cell apoptosis. Similar to SNP, exposure of human chondrocytes to S‐nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), another NO donor, caused significant increases in Cyt c levels, caspase‐3 activity, and DNA fragmentation, and induced cell apoptosis. Pretreatment with N‐monomethyl arginine (NMMA), an inhibitor of NO synthase, significantly decreased cellular NO levels, and lowered endogenous NO‐induced alterations in cellular Cyt c amounts, caspase‐3 activity, DNA fragmentation, and cell apoptosis. Results of this study show that NO from exogenous and endogenous sources can induce apoptotic insults to human chondrocytes via a mitochondria‐dependent mechanism. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 1520–1531, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Different expression of NOS isoforms in early endothelial progenitor cells derived from peripheral and cord blood
Authors: Muscari Claudio , Gamberini Chiara , Carboni Marco , Basile Ilaria , Farruggia Giovanna , Bonafè Francesca , Giordano Emanuele , Caldarera Claudio Marcello , Guarnieri Carlo
Published: May 2007

Cord blood and peripheral‐adult blood were compared as different sources of early endothelial precursor cells (eEPCs). Total mononuclear cells (MNCs) were obtained from both blood types and committed to eEPCs by exposure to fibronectin, VEGF, IGF‐I, and bFGF. Under this condition, MNCs seeded at the density of 3 × 105 cells/cm2 assumed a spindle shape, which was indicative of developing eEPCs, and expanded in a similar manner irrespective to the blood sources. Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA‐1) and acetylated low density lipoprotein (acLDL) double staining was present in 90% in both peripheral‐ and cord‐blood eEPCs after 2‐week expansion. Also, the ability of eEPCs to form tubule‐like structures in Matrigel was independent of their blood source, but dependent on the presence of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). eNOS and nNOS were not detectable by Western blotting in both peripheral and cord‐blood eEPCs upon 3 weeks and their mRNA levels were lower than 2% relative to those present in HUVECs. On the contrary, iNOS protein was detectable in peripheral‐blood eEPCs, but not in cord‐blood eEPCs and HUVECs, as well as iNOS mRNA was more concentrated in peripheral‐blood eEPCs than in cord‐blood eEPCs and HUVECs. These data suggest that: (a) peripheral and cord blood can be considered comparable sources of eEPCs when they are expanded and differentiated in a short‐term period; (b) the extremely low expression of constitutive NOS isoforms in the eEPCs of both blood types should markedly reduce their ability to regulate NO‐dependent vasorelaxation; (c) the presence of iNOS in peripheral‐blood eEPCs could improve the process of vasculogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 992–1001, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Micro‐Raman investigation of transition‐metal‐doped ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Sato‐Berrú R. Y. , Vázquez‐Olmos A. , Fernández‐Osorio A. L. , Sotres‐Martínez S.
Published: May 2007

We measured the Raman spectra of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs), as well as transition‐metal‐doped (5% Mn(II), Fe(II) or Co(II)) ZnO nanoparticles, with an average size of 9 nm. A typical Raman peak at 436 cm−1 is observed in the ZnO‐NPs, whereas Zn1−xMnxO, Zn1−xFexO and Zn1−xCoxO presented characteristic peaks at 661, 665 and 675 cm−1, respectively. These peaks can be related to the formation of Mn3O4, Fe3O4 and Co3O4 species in the doped ZnO‐NPs. Moreover, these samples were analyzed at various laser powers. Here, we observed new vibrational modes (512, 571 and 528 cm−1), which are specific to Mn, Fe and Co dopants, respectively, and ZnO‐NPs did not reveal any additional modes. The new peaks were interpreted either as disorder activated phonon modes or as local vibrations of Mn‐, Fe‐ and Co‐related complexes in ZnO. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopy of nanostructures and nanosized materials
Authors: Gouadec Gwénaël , Colomban Philippe
Published: May 2007

The interest in micro and tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy in analyzing nanosized and nanostructured materials, chiefly semiconductors, oxides and pristine or functionalized carbon nanotubes, is reviewed in the light of contributions to this Special Issue. Particular attention is paid to the fact that chemical reactions, size or shape distribution, defects, strain and couplings may add to nanodimensionality in defining the Raman signature. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of the largest metastasis size on nodal tumor burden in colorectal carcinomas: implications for the sentinel lymph node theory in cancers of the large intestine
Authors: Bori Rita , Vinh‐Hung Vincent , Vajda Kornél , Svébis Mihály , Cserni Gábor
Published: May 2007

Background and Objectives

Successful sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has been reported in colorectal cancer (CRC), but its results are still controversial. The SLN theory suggests that there is an orderly spread from the primary tumor to the SLNs first, and from the SLNs to further nodes later. This study examines the influence of nodal metastasis size on further nodal involvement.

Methods

CRC resection specimens with nodal metastasis have been evaluated for the maximum nodal metastasis size for a period of 5 years. All lymph nodes (LNs) were submitted to standard histological examination.

Results

Two hundred thirty‐five CRC specimens with a single invasive tumor were assessed. The mean numbers of LNs examined and involved were 18 and 4, respectively. The largest metastasis size ranged from 0.14 to 22.1 mm. There was a significant correlation between this parameter and the number or the ratio of LNs involved (Spearman's Rho: 0.517, and 0.382, respectively; P < 0.0001). A cluster analysis identified three relatively distinct groups of low, intermediate, and extensive nodal involvement.

Conclusions

The correlation of the largest metastasis size with the number and the ratio of involved nodes may be an indirect proof of the sequential spread from first echelon LNs to further nodes. However, the data suggest a more complex process: with increasing metastasis size, the number of involved nodes and its variability increase more than might be expected. This suggests a recruitment or cascade process, which becomes more unpredictable as nodal tumor burden increases. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;95:629–634. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anus‐preservation treatment for anal cancer: Retrospective analysis at a single institution
Authors: Chen Yi‐Wei , Yen Sang‐Hue , Chen Sheng‐Yu , Huang Pin‐I , Shiau Cheng‐Ying , Liu Yu‐Ming , Lin Jen‐Kou , Wang Ling‐Wei
Published: May 2007

Background

To evaluate anus‐preservation treatment for anal cancer.

Methods

Review of 42 patients (24 M/18 F; median age, 70 years; range, 13–95) with stage I–IIIB disease (squamous cell carcinoma [SqCC], 33; adenocarcinoma, 9) who received curative radiotherapy between 1991 and 2004. Eleven patients had prior surgical excision. Radiotherapy comprised lower‐pelvis irradiation with boost to primary tumor (median lower‐pelvis dose, 45 Gy; range, 17.2–59; median primary‐site dose, 56 Gy; range, 40–72). Of 31 patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy, 25 received 5‐fluorouracil/mitomycin‐C.

Results

Median follow‐up was 32 months. The most common toxicity was dermatological; 25 patients (59%) developed moderate‐to‐severe wet desquamation. Radiotherapy was interrupted in 18 patients (43%). The complete response rate was 67% (SqCC, 23/33; adenocarcinoma, 5/9); of 12 patients who failed treatment, primary tumor was the recurrent site in seven (median failure time, 5 months): six patients underwent salvage abdominoperineal resection. Three‐year overall (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were 53% and 64%. Five‐year functional anus‐preservation rate was 64%. In multivariate analysis, OS was affected by performance status (P < 0.001), N stage (P = 0.009), and pathological type (P = 0.006). Only N stage (P = 0.001) affected DFS.

Conclusion

With careful monitoring of toxicity, non‐surgical anus‐preservation treatment with good tumor control is feasible. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:374–380. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ionic conductance of nanopores in microscale analysis systems: Where microfluidics meets nanofluidics
Authors: Höltzel Alexandra , Tallarek Ulrich
Published: May 2007

In this tutorial review we illustrate the origin and dependence on various system parameters of the ionic conductance that exists in discrete nanochannels as well as in nanoporous separation and preconcentration units contained as hybrid configurations, membranes, packed beds, or monoliths in microscale liquid phase analysis systems. A particular complexity arises as external electrical fields are superimposed on internal chemical and electrical potential gradients for tailoring molecular transport. It is demonstrated that the variety of geometries in which the microfluidic/nanofluidic interfaces are realized share common, fundamental features of coupled mass and charge transport, but that phenomena behind the key steps in a particular application can be significantly tuned, depending on the morphology of a material. Thus, the understanding of morphology‐related transport in internal and external electrical potential gradients is critical to the performance of a device. This addresses a variety of geometries (slits, channels, filters, membranes, random or regular networks of pores, etc.) and applications, e. g., the gating, sensing, preconcentration, and separation in multifunctional miniaturized devices. Inherently coupled mass and charge transport through ion‐permselective (charge‐selective) microfluidic/nanofluidic interfaces is analyzed with a stepwise‐added complexity and discussed with respect to the morphology of the charge‐selective spatial domains. Within this scenario, the electrostatics and electrokinetics in microfluidic and nanofluidic channels, as well as the electrohydrodynamics evolving at microfluidic/nanofluidic interfaces, where microfluidics meets nanofluidics, define the platform of central phenomena.
Quantitative evaluation of the interaction between netropsin and double stranded oligodeoxynucleotides by microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis
Authors: Shen Zheng , Liu Xiaojun , Zhou Xiaomian , Liang Aiye , Wu Dapeng , Yu Linfen , Dai Zhongpeng , Qin Jianhua , Lin Bingcheng
Published: May 2007

Microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis (μ‐CAE) was applied to study the interaction between minor groove binder netropsin and a non‐selfcomplementary 12 mer double stranded oligodeoxynucleotide: d(CCCCTATACCGC)·d(GCGGTATAGGGG). ESI‐MS was used to provide an independent verification of the microchip electrophoresis derived data. Simultaneous parallel quantitative assay of multiple samples was performed in a single run (<50 s) on the self‐developed μ‐CAE device. The binding constant and stoichiometry calculated from Scatchard plot were (2.88 ± 0.23)×105 M–1 and 1:1, respectively. The values showed a good quantitative agreement with the results determined by ESI‐MS and those using other methods reported in the literature.
A combinatorial approach to studying protein complex composition by employing size‐exclusion chromatography and proteome analysis
Authors: Li Shi‐Sheng , Giometti Carol S.
Published: May 2007

The genome sequences of numerous organisms are available now, but gene sequences alone do not provide sufficient information to accurately deduce protein functions. Protein function is largely dependent on the association of multiple polypeptide chains into large structures with interacting subunits that regulate and support each other. Therefore, the mapping of protein interaction networks in a physiological context is conducive to deciphering protein functions, including those of hypothetical proteins. Although several high‐throughput methods to globally identify protein interactions have been reported in recent years, these approaches often have a high rate of nonspecific or artificial interactions detected. For instance, the fraction of false positives of the protein interactions identified by yeast two‐hybrid assay has been predicted to be of the order of 50%. We have developed a strategy to globally map Bacillus subtilis protein–protein interactions in a physiological context by fractionating the cell lysates using size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC), followed by proteome analysis. Components of both known and unknown protein complexes, multisubunits and multiproteins, have been identified using this strategy. In one case, the partners of the B. subtilis protein complex have been coexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the formation of the overexpressed protein complex has been further confirmed by a pull‐down assay.
Assessing a novel microfluidic interface for shotgun proteome analyses
Authors: Staes An , Timmerman Evy , Van Damme Jozef , Helsens Kenny , Vandekerckhove Joël , Vollmer Martin , Gevaert Kris
Published: May 2007

Microfluidic interfaces coupled to ESI mass spectrometers hold great potential for proteomics as they have been shown to augment the overall sensitivity of measurements and require only a minimum of operator manipulations as compared to conventional nano‐LC interfaces. Here, we evaluated a new type of HPLC‐Chips holding larger enrichment columns (thus an increased sample loading capacity) for gel‐free proteome studies. A tryptic digest of a human T‐cell proteome was fractionated by strong cation exchange chromatography and selected fractions were analyzed by MS/MS on an IT mass spectrometer using both the new HPLC‐Chip as well as a conventional nano‐LC‐MS/MS interface. Our results indicate that the HPLC‐Chip is capable of handling very complex peptide mixtures and, in fact, leads to the identification of more peptides and proteins as compared to when a conventional interface was used. The HPLC‐Chip preferentially produced doubly charged tryptic peptides. We further show that MS/MS spectra of doubly charged tryptic peptide ions are more readily identified by MASCOT as compared to those from triply charged precursors and thus argue that besides the improved chromatographic conditions provided by the HPLC‐Chip, its peptide charging profile might be a secondary factor leading to an increased proteome coverage.
Reconstruction of an arbitrarily polarized few-cycle laser pulse by two-dimensional streaking
Authors: Shvetsov-Shilovski N I , Goreslavski S P , Popruzhenko S V , Becker W , Paulus G G
Published: May 2007

The application of the streaking principle for the reconstruction of the temporal evolution of the electric field of a few-cycle laser pulse with arbitrary polarization is discussed. A full characterization of the field can be achieved by measuring the photoelectron energy-angular distribution in the polarization plane for various delays of the attosecond XUV burst with respect to the probed laser pulse. A simplified realization of the procedure, which is unable to determine the sign of the ellipticity, requires a measurement of the photoelectron momentum in two opposite directions along an arbitrary axis. The reconstructed field is robust against the detailed shape of the angular dependence, as well as details of the theoretical model employed in the reconstruction. An error analysis shows that, for moderate intensities of the probed pulse, high accuracy of the reconstruction can be achieved.
High temperature alloy chloridation at 850°C
Authors: Chevalier S. , Ched'Homme S. , Bekaddour A. , Amilain‐Basset K. , Buisson L.
Published: May 2007

The resistance of eight alloys against chloridation was tested at 850°C in Ar/Cl2 (2.5% Cl2) for 15 min. Pre‐oxidation treatments were performed for 1 h and 8 h at 850°C in order to produce a thin, adherent and protective oxide scale able to improve the chloridation behaviour of the tested materials. The chloridised sample morphologies were compared to the morphologies observed on the non pre‐oxidised samples. The alloys containing a large amount of iron did not exhibit any chloridation resistance, even after pre‐oxidation, and were severely damaged. The nickel based alloys gave interesting results but were also attacked by chloride, probably by the “active oxidation” mechanism. The duration of the pre‐oxidation treatment plays an important role, since the 8 h pre‐oxidation appears more beneficial than the 1 h pre‐oxidation, to delay the chloridation, probably because of the best quality of the oxide layer grown during 8 h. For the nickel based materials, the effects of chloride appear less severe than for the iron‐based alloys, but are not stopped. The “active oxidation” mechanism is proposed to be responsible for the degradation of the tested materials.
Corrosion of an aluminum alloy chilled in flowing seawater and the effect of cathodic prevention
Authors: Yabuki A. , Yasunaga D. T. , Shibutani T. , Shinkai K.
Published: May 2007

A new type of jet‐in‐slit testing apparatus for a specimen, chilled with a peltier element, was developed to investigate corrosion on the heat transfer surface of an aluminum alloy heat exchanger, in contact with a liquefaction gas at cryogenic temperature and in flowing seawater. The specimen can be chilled, even under flowing conditions, using this apparatus. Corrosion tests and polarization measurements of a specimen chilled by a peltier element were carried out in flowing seawater at various temperatures. The effect of chilling a specimen was equivalent to the effect achieved for a test in solution at a lower temperature. The process was dependent on a passive film, formed on the surface of the aluminum alloy specimen, as evidenced by polarization measurements. The extent of corrosion damage increased with increasing temperature of the solution, and showed maximum damage at high temperature. At high temperatures, erosion‐corrosion was found at the central part of the specimen, but the effect of flow was negligible at low temperature. Corrosion tests for a cathodically polarized specimen were conducted under flowing conditions. Corrosion damage was accelerated by cathodic polarization at lower temperatures.
Thermochemistry, bonding, and reactivity of Ni+and Ni2+in the gas phase
Authors: Mó Otilia , Yáñez Manuel , Salpin Jean‐Yves , Tortajada Jeanine
Published: May 2007

In this review, we present a general overview on the studies carried out on Ni+‐‐ and Ni2+‐containing systems in the gas phase since 1996. We have focused our attention in the determination of binding energies in parallel with an analysis of the structure and bonding of the complexes formed by the interaction of Ni+with one ligand, or in clusters where this metal ion binds several identical or different ligands. Solvation of Ni2+by different ligands is also discussed, together with the theoretical information available of doubly charged Ni‐containing species. The final section of this review is devoted to an analysis of the gas‐phase uni‐ and bimolecular reactivity of Ni+and Ni2+complexes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spectrom. Rev.
Bioactive compounds in cranberries and their role in prevention of urinary tract infections
Authors: Howell Amy B.
Published: May 2007

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) ingestion has long been associated with prevention of urinary tract infections. The beneficial mechanism was historically thought to be due to the fruit acids causing a bacteriostatic effect in the urine. However, recently, a group of proanthocyanidins (PACs) with A‐type linkages were isolated from cranberry which exhibit bacterial antiadhesion activity against both antibiotic susceptible and resistant strains of uropathogenic P‐fimbriated Escherichia coli bacteria. The link between cranberry ingestion and maintenance of urinary tract health as well as the structural diversity, pharmacokinetics, quantification, and bacterial antiadhesion bioactivity of the A‐linked cranberry PACs are reviewed.
Macromol. React. Eng. 3/2007
Authors: Yi Qing‐Feng , Wen Xiao‐Jing , Dong Jin‐Yong , Han Charles C.
Published: May 2007

Cover: The nucleation agent 1,3,2,4‐dimethylbenzylidene sorbitol (DMBS) is used as a support for a C2‐symmetric metallocene catalyst of i‐PP polymerization. The obtained polymers possess granular morphology and contain well dispersed nucleation agent crystals, which exert strong nucleation effect during i‐PP crystallization. Further details can be found in the article by Q.‐F. Yi, X.‐J. Wen, J.‐Y. Dong,* and C. C. Han on page 307.
MAD: Mathematical analysis of downtime
Authors: Brandt Edward B. , Limaye Dilip R.
Published: May 2007

The MAD model presents a mathematic treatment of the relationship between aircraft reliability and maintainability, system manning and inspection policies, scheduling and sortie length, and aircraft downtime. Log normal distributions are postulated for subsystem repair times and simultaneous repair of malfunctions is assumed. The aircraft downtime for maintenance is computed with the distribution of the largest of k log normal distributions. Waiting time for maintenance men is calculated either by using a multiple‐channel queuing model or by generating the distribution of the number of maintenance men required and comparing this to the number of men available to determine the probability of waiting at each inspection.
Operations analysis during the underwater search for Scorpions
Authors: Richardson Henry R. , Stone Lawrence D.
Published: May 2007

This paper discusses the operations analysis in the underwater search for the remains of the submarine Scorpion

The a priori target location probability distribution for the search was obtained by monte‐carlo procedures based upon nine different scenarios concerning the Scorpion loss and associated credibility weights. These scenarios and weights were postulated by others. Scorpion was found within 260 yards of the search grid cell having the largest a priori probability

Frequent computations of local effectiveness probabilities (LEPs) were carried out on scene during the search and were used to determine an updated (a posteriori) target location distribution. This distribution formed the basis for recommendation of the current high probability areas for search

The sum of LEPs weighted by the a priori target location probabilities is called search effectiveness probability (SEP) and was used as the overall measure of effectiveness for the operation. SEP and LEPs were used previously in the Mediterranean H‐bomb search

On‐scene and stateside operations analysis are discussed and the progress of the search is indicated by values of SEP for various periods during the operation.
A note on a comparison of confidence interval techniques in truncated life tests
Authors: Coleman W. E. , Jayachandran T. , Barr D. R.
Published: May 2007

Several approximate procedures are available in the literature for obtaining confidence intervals for the parameter A of an exponential distribution based on time truncated samples. This paper contains the results of an empirical study comparing three of these procedures.
Impact of an all volunteer force upon the navy in the 1972‐1973 timeframe
Authors: Rhode A. S. , Gelke J. J. , Cook F. X.
Published: May 2007

This paper develops estimates of true volunteer levels for 1972 and 1973, based on experience gained through 1970 draft lottery data. The paper also formulates estimates of the qualitative characteristics of a 1972‐1973 Navy volunteer force, and establishes a relationship between rate of volunteerism and military pay. Utilizing estimates generated in the paper, Navy military personnel budget requirements for FY '72 and '73 are presented.
The law of averages as a computing tool
Authors: Delbrouck L. E. N.
Published: May 2007

This paper is concerned with the description of a computational technique designed to formulate and then calculate delay probabilities as long run averages of series of independent statistical trials. Specific examples illustrating the effectiveness of the method are also given.
Quadratic as parametric linear programming
Authors: Townsley Robert J. , Candler Wilfred
Published: May 2007

This paper describes an approximate solution procedure for quadratic programming problems using parametric linear programming. Limited computational experience suggests that the approximation can be expected to be “good”.
Inventory allocation among an assembly and its repairable subassemblies
Authors: Silver Edward A.
Published: May 2007

In this paper we consider a major assembly composed of two or more subassemblies. The failure of any subassembly causes the major assembly to not function. Every failed subassembly is repaired or replaced. A total investment in stocks of spare components is to be distributed among the various subassemblies and the major assembly so as to provide the best possible customer service. This is a complicated problem: relevant factors are the failure rates, unit costs, and repair times of the various components. For the case of Poisson failures, a heuristic solution is developed which is a compromise between theoretical optimality and practical usefulness.
Tolerance intervals for univariate distributions
Authors: Guenther William C.
Published: May 2007

A review of univariate tolerance intervals is presented from an application‐oriented point of view. Both β‐content and β‐expectation intervals are defined and considered. Standard problems are discussed for the distribution‐free case and with various distributional assumptions (normal, gamma, Poisson) which occur most frequently in practice. The determination of sample size is emphasized. A number of examples are used to illustrate the types of problems which permit solutions with the excellent tables now available.
Expectation of contract incentives
Authors: Finchum John A.
Published: May 2007

The application of statistical expectation to risk density functions and fee/incentive‐element relationships is shown to be useful in structuring contract incentives. A mathematical procedure for calculating the expected value of fee for a given risk/incentive arrangement is described along with cost examples and related sensitivity analyses. The structuring of equivalent incentives is demonstrated by the use of the contracting procedure used for procuring the C‐5A aircraft.
Toward optimal bidding strategies
Authors: Stedry Andrew C. , Brecht H. David
Published: May 2007

In this paper we investigate a form of rational behavior in response to an oligopoly pricing problem where only one buyer is involved. We investigate the problem from the standpoint of the seller who wants to maximize his gain from the transaction. In particular, we deal with the problem of one seller's response to an invitation to submit a sealed (i. e., noncooperative) bid to a government or other dominant purchasing agency for supplying a specified bundle of goods and services for which either (1) no other demand exists, or (2) the terms or quantities involved cannot, at least in the short run, be obtained from another source.

Although treated from a normative standpoint, i. e., what bid the supplier should make, the paper also has implications for the buyer's behavior and oligopoly‐monopsony pricing in a more general sense.
A class of inventory models with customer impatience
Authors: Posner M. J. M. , Yansouni B.
Published: May 2007

Classical inventory models generally assume either no backlogging of demands or unlimited backlogging. This paper treats the case wherein backlogged customers are willing to wait for a random period of time for service. A broad class of such models is discussed, with a more complete analysis performed on a simple subclass. Steady state equations are derived and solved assuming exponentially distributed interarrival times of customers, order delivery lead times, and customer patience.
Systems approach to the multistage manufacturing connected‐unit situation
Authors: Ercan Sedat Sami
Published: May 2007

This paper investigates the relationships among incoming quality limit (AIQL), manufacturing quality level in each stage of production, and outgoing quality limit (AOQL), for a multistage manufacturing connected‐unit situation from the systems cost‐effectiveness point of view. An objective function is developed and the formulated problem is solved using discrete optimization technique.

The study is restricted to the development of single sampling plans where inspection is by attribute. Lot size and sample size are fixed for incoming and outgoing inspection for each stage of manufacturing.