bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and Management of Hypothermia at a Large Outdoor Endurance Event in the United Kingdom
Authors: Bhangu Aneel , Parmar Rinesh
Published: January 2011

Objective

Optimum detection of hypothermia in athletes during outdoor exposure events remains controversial. The aims of this study were firstly to assess whether temperature readings affected competitor discharge from the treatment station and secondly to assess agreement between oral and tympanic thermometer measurements.

Methods

All competitors treated for symptomatic hypothermia at an outdoor endurance event in the United Kingdom during January 2009 were included. Temperature readings were taken using oral (Digitemp digital oral thermometer) and tympanic (Braun Thermoscan IRT 4520 ExacTemp) thermometers, with a temperature <35°C classifying hypothermia.

Results

From 4700 competitors, 64 (1.4%) were treated for symptomatic hypothermia. Of these, 92% were male, the mean age was 26 years, and the mean treatment time was 25 minutes. There was no severe/life-threatening hypothermia, and no competitors required transport to a hospital for hypothermia. At discharge, 19% of competitors were still classed as hypothermic in the oral group and 28% in the tympanic group, despite competitors only being discharged when no longer symptomatic. Oral readings at discharge were significantly lower than tympanic readings (33.8°C [95% CI, 33.2°C to 34.5°C] vs 35.0°C [95% CI, 34.6°C to 35.3°C], respectively, P = .003).

Conclusions

The use of thermometers had a limited role in discharging competitors at this event, who were apparently safely discharged when no longer symptomatic. Treating clinicians and the thermometers did not always agree on whether a patient was hypothermic or not. Oral and tympanic thermometers had poor agreement. Routine thermometer readings at future events may be unnecessary, although screening competitors of concern will remain useful.
Liver Transplantation in a Patient with Pulmonary Hypertension at High Altitude
Authors: Dou Kefeng , Wang Desheng , Zhao Qingchuan , Song Zhenshun , Yue Shuqiang , Tao Kaishan , Chen Shaoyang , He Yong , Ti Zhenyu
Published: January 2011

Chronic hypoxia at high altitude stresses many of the body's homeostatic mechanisms. As a consequence, the body develops alveolar hypoxia, hypoxemia, and polycythemia, which in turn causes vasoconstriction, pulmonary hypertension, and an increased risk of atherothrombotic complications. We report a successful liver transplantation in a patient with pulmonary hypertension who lives 4500 m above sea level. Pulmonary hypertension and hypercoagulable state induced by chronic hypoxia at high altitude may increase the risk of cardiopulmonary complication and perioperative mortality. The patient was discharged in good condition with normal liver function at the 34th postoperative day. After 41 months of follow-up, the patient is alive and well with a continued normalization of hepatic function and is continuing to live at 4500 m above sea level.
Heart Rate Nonlinear Dynamics During Sudden Hypoxia at 8230 m Simulated Altitude
Authors: Vigo Daniel E. , Pérez Lloret Santiago , Videla Alejandro J. , Pérez Chada Daniel , Hünicken Horacio M. , Mercuri Jorge , Romero Ramón , Nicola Siri Leonardo C. , Cardinali Daniel P.
Published: January 2011

Objective

Acute hypobaric hypoxia is associated with autonomic changes that bring a global reduction of linear heart rate variability (HRV). Although changes in nonlinear HRV can be associated with physiologic stress and are relevant predictors of fatal arrhythmias in ischemic heart disease, to what extent these components vary in sudden hypobaric hypoxia is not known.

Methods

Twelve military pilots were supplemented with increasing concentrations of oxygen during decompression to 8230 m in a hypobaric chamber. Linear and nonlinear HRV was evaluated at 8230 m altitude before, during, and after oxygen flow deprivation. Linear HRV was assessed through traditional time-domain and frequency-domain analysis. Nonlinear HRV was quantified through the short-term fractal correlation exponent alpha (αs) and the Sample Entropy index (SampEn).

Results

Hypoxia was related to a decrease in linear HRV indexes at all frequency levels. A non-significant decrease in αs (basal, 1.39 ± 0.07; hypoxia, 1.11 ± 0.13; recovery, 1.41 ± 0.05; P = .054) and a significant increase in SampEn (basal, 1.07 ± 0.11; hypoxia, 1.45 ± 0.12; recovery, 1.43 ± 0.09; P = .018) were detected.

Conclusions

The observed pattern of diminished linear HRV and increased nonlinear HRV is similar to that seen in subjects undergoing heavy exercise or in patients with ischemic heart disease at high risk for ventricular fibrillation.
Advanced Wilderness Life Support Education Using High-Technology Patient Simulation
Authors: Lareau Stephanie A. , Kyzer Blake D. , Hawkins Seth C. , McGinnis Henderson D.
Published: January 2011

Objective

(1) To determine if, after using the simulation mannequin SimMan in a wilderness “megacode” exercise, participants believe high-tech simulators are an effective tool for learning wilderness medicine skills. (2) To determine if participants believe high-tech simulation mannequins should be used with more or less frequency in future wilderness medicine exercises.

Methods

After completing a basic training session outlining the capabilities of SimMan and completing a wilderness megacode (defined as a series of progressive conditions that accumulate over time) using SimMan, participants were surveyed to ascertain whether they perceived SimMan to be an effective teaching tool for wilderness medical skills and to determine if they would like SimMan to be used with greater frequency at future wilderness medicine courses. The data were compiled and analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

Results

Participants found the wilderness SimMan experience to be an effective tool with an average score of 3.15 on a scale where 4 is most effective and 1 is least effective. Participants also desired to see high-tech simulation more frequently in wilderness courses with a score of 3, on a scale where 4 is more frequently and 1 is less frequently. There was little difference in responses based on previous experience with simulation.

Conclusions

High-tech simulation is an underused tool for wilderness medicine education. Currently, several barriers exist to its implementation in wilderness medicine. Participants in wilderness courses feel it is an effective tool and would like to see it used more frequently.
End-Tidal Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide and Acute Mountain Sickness in the First 24 Hours Upon Ascent to Cusco Peru (3326 meters)
Authors: Douglas Danielle J. , Schoene Robert B.
Published: January 2011

Objective

To explore the association of end-title partial pressure (Petco2) and oxygen saturation (Spo2) with the development of AMS in travelers rapidly ascending to Cusco, Peru (3326 m).

Methods

Using the 715 TIDAL WAVE Sp handheld, portable capnometer/oximeter, we measured Spo2 and Petco2 in 175 subjects upon ascent to Cusco, Peru (3326 m) from Lima (sea level) (a mean time of 3.9 hours.) Symptoms of AMS were recorded at the same initial time on arrival to altitude and 24 hours later using the Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ).

Results

This study showed that no subjects with the lowest Petco2 of 23 to 30 mm Hg had AMS ( P <.044). The data also demonstrate that subjects with a higher Petco2 (36–40 mm Hg) and lower Sao2 (72%–86%) have a higher incidence of AMS.

Conclusion

The most important finding of this study is that Petco2 upon ascent was found to have a more significant effect than Spo2 on a subject's ultimate ESQ score. This study demonstrates that those individuals with a brisk ventilatory response upon ascent to moderate altitude, as measured by Petco2, did not develop AMS, whereas a blunted ventilatory response, as reflected in the highest Petco2, was related to the subsequent development of AMS.
The Lack of Associations Between Alleles at the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1A C1772T Loci and Responses to Acute Hypoxia
Authors: Hennis Philip J. , Bussell Christopher , Darlison Mark G.
Published: January 2011

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between alleles of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1A ( HIF1A) C1772T polymorphism and several physiological responses to hypoxia, including the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), and serum erythropoietin (EPO), arterial oxygen saturation (Sao2), and acute mountain sickness (AMS) responses during 8 hours of exposure to normobaric hypoxia.

Methods

A total of 76 males participated in the study; 52 participants completed an 8-hour exposure to 12.7% oxygen, during which time Sao2, EPO concentrations, and AMS scores were measured, while 62 individuals took part in an HVR trial (in total 38 individuals completed both protocols). DNA was obtained from leukocytes, and a 346-bp fragment of the HIF1A gene containing the C1772T polymorphism was amplified using polymerase chain reaction. Fragments were sequenced to reveal individual genotypes, and the associations between HIF1A genotype and EPO, Sao2, AMS responses to hypoxia and HVR were examined.

Results

The magnitude of the hypoxic responses was highly variable between individuals. The increase in participants' EPO responses ranged from 89% to 388% of baseline values following hypoxia, while Sao2 values during the exposure ranged from 71% to 89%. The HVR ranged from −0.04 to +2.18 L · min−1 · Sao2%−1 among participants. No significant differences in EPO, Sao2, AMS, or HVR results were observed between the HIF1A CC genotype and the combined CT/TT genotype group.

Conclusion

In this study, the HIF1A C1772T polymorphism does not appear to influence EPO, Sao2, or AMS responses during acute hypoxic exposure, or the magnitude of the HVR.
Glycogen Levels in Wildland Firefighters During Wildfire Suppression
Authors: Cuddy John S. , Slivka Dustin R. , Tucker Tyler J. , Hailes Walter S. , Ruby Brent C.
Published: January 2011

Objective

The purpose of this project was to determine the effects of wildfire suppression on muscle glycogen utilization in wildland firefighters (WLFFs).

Methods

Wildland firefighters ( n = 11) participated in the study. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis pre- and post-work shift. Activity patterns were measured using an Actical activity monitor positioned on the chest. Food was consumed ad libitum and recorded using a food log and interview. Differences were analyzed using paired samples t-tests and relationships were assessed using Pearson r correlation coefficients. A significance level of p < .05 was set.

Results

Body weight was similar pre- to post-work shift (85.9 ± 9.1 and 85.6 ± 8.8 kg, respectively). Muscle glycogen decreased from pre- to post-work shift, 101 ± 7 to 80 ± 5 mmol/kg wet wt, p < .05. Average activity counts were 175 ± 60 counts/min. Mean percent of time spent in each intensity category included: sedentary (74 ± 7%), light (21 ± 5%), and moderate/vigorous (5 ± 2%). There was a significant relationship between minutes completing vigorous activity and glycogen utilization ( r = −.76, p < .05), and between minutes spent completing vigorous activity and pre-shift glycogen content ( r = .79, p < .05). Kilocalorie intake during the work shift was 9.2 ± 2.9 MJ/d (2195 ± 699 kcal/d).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the variety of self-selected nutritional and activity habits of WLFFs, and emphasizes the relationships between moderate/vigorous activity and muscle glycogen. The current data suggest that the food provided was adequate to maintain muscle glycogen levels pre- to post-work shift.
Spironolactone Does Not Prevent Acute Mountain Sickness: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial by SPACE Trial Group (Spironolactone and Acetazolamide Trial in the Prevention of Acute Mountain Sickness Group)
Authors: Basnyat Buddha , Holck Peter S. , Pun Matiram , Halverson Stephen , Szawarski Piotr , Gertsch Jeffrey , Steif Mike , Powell Skip , Khanal Subhash , Joshi Anip , Shankar Ravi , Karambay Jamie , Alexander Hattie D. , Stone Allyson , Morrissey Candice , Thompson Beth H. , Farrar Jeremy
Published: January 2011

Objectives

Over the last 20 years a number of small trials have reported that spironolactone effectively prevents acute mountain sickness (AMS), but to date there have been no large randomized trials investigating the efﬁcacy of spironolactone in prevention of AMS. Hence, a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efﬁcacy of spironolactone in the prevention of AMS.

Methods

Participants were sampled from a diverse population of western trekkers recruited at 4300 m on the Mount Everest base camp approach (Nepal side) en route to the study endpoint at 5000 m. Three hundred and eleven healthy trekkers were enrolled, and 251 completed the trial from October to November 2007. Participants were randomly assigned to receive at least 3 doses of spironolactone 50 mg BID, acetazolamide 250 mg BID, or visually matched placebo. A Lake Louise AMS Score of 3 or more, together with the presence of headache and 1 other symptom, was used to evaluate the incidence and severity of AMS. Secondary outcome measures were blood oxygen content and the incidence and severity of high altitude headache (HAH).

Results

Acetazolamide was more effective than spironolactone in preventing AMS (OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.12–0.60, p < 0.01). Spironolactone was not signiﬁcantly different from placebo in the prevention of AMS. AMS incidence for placebo was 20.3%, acetazolamide 10.5%, and spironolactone 29.4%. Oxygen saturation was also signiﬁcantly increased in the acetazolamide group (83% ± 0.04) vs spironolactone group (80% ± 0.05, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Spironolactone (50 mg BID) was ineffective in comparison to acetazolamide (250 mg BID) in the prevention of AMS in partially acclimatized western trekkers ascending to 5000 m in the Nepali Himalaya.
Dualization of the Hopf algebra of secondary cohomology operations and the Adams spectral sequence
Authors: Baues Hans-Joachim , Jibladze Mamuka
Published: January 2011

We describe the dualization of the algebra of secondary cohomology operations in terms of generators extending the Milnor dual of the Steenrod algebra. In this way we obtain explicit formulæ for the computation of the E3-term of the Adams spectral sequence converging to the stable homotopy groups of spheres.
Fixed-point free action of an abelian group of odd non-squarefree exponent
Authors: Ercan Gülin , Güloğlu İsmail Ş. , Sağdiçoğlu Öznur Mut
Published: January 2011

Let A be a finite group acting fixed-point freely on a finite (solvable) group G. A longstanding conjecture is that if (|G|, |A|) = 1, then the Fitting length of G is bounded by the length of the longest chain of subgroups of A. It is expected that the conjecture is true when the coprimeness condition is replaced by the assumption that A is nilpotent. We establish the conjecture without the coprimeness condition in the case where A is an abelian group whose order is a product of three odd primes and where the Sylow 2-subgroups of G are abelian.
Weak-type (1, 1) estimates for parabolic singular integrals
Authors: Sato Shuichi
Published: January 2011

We prove weak-type (1, 1) estimates for rough parabolic singular integrals on ℝ2 under the L log L condition on their kernels.
Surface groups within Baumslag doubles
Authors: Fine Benjamin , Rosenberger Gerhard
Published: January 2011

A conjecture of Gromov states that a one-ended word-hyperbolic group must contain a subgroup that is isomorphic to the fundamental group of a closed hyperbolic surface. Recent papers by Gordon and Wilton and by Kim and Wilton give sufficient conditions for hyperbolic surface groups to be embedded in a hyperbolic Baumslag double G. Using Nielsen cancellation methods based on techniques from previous work by the second author, we prove that a hyperbolic orientable surface group of genus 2 is embedded in a hyperbolic Baumslag double if and only if the amalgamated word W is a commutator: that is, W = [U, V] for some elements U, V ∈ F. Furthermore, a hyperbolic Baumslag double G contains a non-orientable surface group of genus 4 if and only if W = X2Y2 for some X, Y ∈ F. G can contain no non-orientable surface group of smaller genus.
On an automorphism of Hilb[2] of certain K3 surfaces
Authors: Amerik Ekaterina
Published: January 2011

Following some remarks made by O'Grady and Oguiso, the potential density of rational points on the second punctual Hilbert scheme of certain K3 surfaces is proved.
Direct numerical simulation of turbulence in injection-driven three-dimensional cylindrical flows
Authors: ZHANG JU , JACKSON THOMAS L.
Published: January 2011

Incompressible turbulent flow in a periodic circular pipe with strong injection is studied as a simplified model for the core flow in a solid-propellant rocket motor and other injection-driven internal flows. The model is based on a multi-scale asymptotic approach. The intended application of the current study is erosive burning of solid propellants. Relevant analysis for easily accessible parameters for this application, such as the magnitudes, main frequencies and wavelengths associated with the near-wall shear, and the assessment of near-wall turbulence viscosity is focused on. It is found that, unlike flows with weak or no injection, the near-wall shear is dominated by the root mean square of the streamwise velocity which is a function of the Reynolds number, while the mean streamwise velocity is only weakly dependent on the Reynolds number. As a result, a new wall-friction velocity $\(u_\tau{\,=\,}\sqrt{\tau_w/\rho}\)$, based on the shear stress derived from the sum of the mean and the root mean square, i.e. $\(\tau_{w,inj} {\,=\,} \mu |{\partial (\bar{u}+u_{rms})}/{\partial r}|_w\)$, is proposed for the scaling of turbulent viscosity for turbulent flows with strong injection. We also show that the mean streamwise velocity profile has an inflection point near the injecting surface.
Transient evolution of multiple bubbles in laser induced breakdown in water
Authors: Nath A. , Khare A.
Published: January 2011

Pulsed laser induced plasma in water produces multiple bubbles with the passage of laser pulse. Shadowgraphy and beam deflection set-up is used to study the temporal and spatial evolution of these bubbles as a function of distance from the laser focus. The formation of multiple bubbles, bubble coalescence, and their effect onto cavity dynamics is reported. Bubble radius and the corresponding velocities from shadowgraphy is used to calculate the maximum gas pressure inside the bubble using Neppiras model. The maximum pressure inside the cavity is found to be 0.4 MPa at the laser focus.
Relative energy level shifts of hydrogen-like carbon bound-states in dense matter
Authors: Meister C.-V. , Imran M. , Hoffmann D.H.H.
Published: January 2011

The aim of the present work is the further development of the thermodynamics of hydrogen-like plasmas with densities on the order of 1027–1029 m−3 at temperatures of 106−108 K. Therefore, the Jacobi-Padé approximation for the so-called relative energy level shifts is applied to a quasineutral plasma consisting of six-fold and five-fold ionized carbon atoms and electrons. The relative energy level shift of the five-fold ionized carbon is determined by the difference between Coulomb and Debye potential, and by the kinetic energy of the particles. The shift caused by the kinetic energy (KES) has to be found considering the momentum space of the particles, so that nine-fold integrals in phase space have to be calculated. Quantum-physically, former numerical calculations of KES were only performed for particle states with zero angular quantum numbers. In the present work, a detailed, to a large extent analytical analysis of the KES is given for any angular quantum number, enabling also an improved analysis of future further-developed Jacobi-Padé formulae. Relative energy shifts of the bound-states of the fivefold ionized carbon are numerically obtained as function of the Mott parameter of the plasma. Dependencies of the shifts on main quantum numbers and orbital quantum numbers are discussed.
Inertial confinement fusion fast ignition with ultra-relativistic electron beams
Authors: Deutsch C. , Didelez J.-P.
Published: January 2011

Inertial confinement fusion fast ignition at very high relativistic electron beam energy is systematically explored through a possible combination of various stopping mechanisms including strong Langmuir turbulence, elastic, and inelastic electron interactions with target particles. A specific attention is given to final state interaction through catalysis by negative pion.
Radiant Moments of Remembrance: on Sound Sheets in Schoenberg's Late Chamber Works
Authors: MATTES ARNULF CHRISTIAN
Published: January 2011

The return of expressionistic textures in Arnold Schoenberg's late chamber works creates a play of allusion that raises important questions about his creative process in the ‘American’ period. Passages in thePhantasyand the String Trio resemble the characteristic sound of the so-calledKlangflächen(‘sound sheets’) that were located at key expressive moments in his music from the first two decades of the century. Their return in these two late instrumental works evokes associations with the mystical and spiritual, and gives rise to intertextual resonances that extend beyond the confines of closed form and the immanent referentiality of the musical material.

This article seeks to reassess Schoenberg's concept of expression by means of a hermeneutic understanding of his belated expressionism. Rather than adopting a conventional analytical approach that emphasizes structure and pitch, it makes the musical surface of the works the primary focus of attention. By pursuing the mimetic and allusive properties of sensuous similarity in certain textures within these works, the discussion elucidates how a hermeneutic approach might cause us to redefine Schoenberg's belated expressionism as self-reflexive Late Style.
BACKLASH, FIGHT BACK, AND BACK-PEDALING: RESPONSES TO STATE FEMINISM IN CONTEMPORARY JAPAN
Authors: Kano Ayako
Published: January 2011

From the mid-1990s, the Japanese government has promoted the creation of a “gender-equal society,” but since about 2000 this example of “state feminism” has faced a severe backlash. This article addresses the following questions about the phenomenon of Japanese state feminism, its history and its consequence: (1) How did the government policy for a “gender equal society” come into existence, and what explains its remarkably progressive nature? (2) What was the impact of the involvement of feminist scholars on policy-making? (3) What was the initial response to the policy? (4) What was the background of the backlash, who were the people and organizations involved, and what were the main arguments? (5) What has been the response to the backlash? (6) What are the connections and differences between the present controversy and the collaboration between feminism and the state in previous moments in Japanese history?
THE WANLI EMPEROR AND MING CHINA'S DEFENCE OF KOREA AGAINST JAPAN
Authors: Lewis James B.
Published: January 2011

As recently as 2001, there were few lengthy discussions in English on the Imjin Waeran (Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea) aside from William George Aston's contribution to theTransactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan(‘Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea’) from the 1870s and 1880s and a clutch of articles. The last nine years, though, have seen an extraordinary production of published works and the appearance of translations of primary sources, some full, some partial, some finished, and some on the way. Stephen Turnbull'sSamurai Invasionappeared in 2002. Just three years later, in 2005, Samuel Hawley publishedThe Imjin War, and now we have Kenneth M. Swope'sA Dragon's Head and a Serpent's Tail.The three books are each written from the perspective of the three main belligerents: Turnbull working from Japanese sources, Hawley from a Korean perspective, and Swope from Ming sources. These three offer detailed narratives on the war and allow English-language scholarship to set aside general narrative in favour of specific research agendas.
THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE PAST IN THE CREATIVITY OF THE PRESENT:MODERN TIBETAN LITERATURE AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Authors: Jabb Lama
Published: January 2011

Thus sings Sangdhor in a metrical poem in praise of Tibetan versification, countering an anti-verse sentiment that is prevalent on the contemporary Tibetan literary scene. Since the flourishing of free verse form in the 1980s, thanks to the pioneering works of Dhondup Gyal, many Tibetan writers have attacked metrical composition for its perceived inflexible, archaic and inadaptable form and uniformity of content. Sangdhor, one of the most iconoclastic and forward-thinking intellectuals writing in Tibetan today, vehemently refutes such a stance on the grounds that the bulk of great Tibetan works, literary or otherwise, are set in verse. To underscore his point he writes the cited poem in a “leaping and flying” style of themgur(‘poem-songs’) genre. In fact, most of his many innovative poems are written in an eclectic style drawing on Tibet's rich literary tradition, Buddhist texts, oral sources and contemporary writings. Their content is equally diverse yet most of all current. It is infused with social and religious criticism, themes of romance and eroticism, critical literary commentary and current Tibetan affairs. His poems, like those of many other writers, show that metered poetry is very much a part of modern Tibetan literature. As he draws on classical literature and indigenous oral traditions for his own literary innovation, to borrow a concept from Northrop Frye, in Sangdhor's work we can “see an enormous number of converging patterns of significance” that is a complication of Tibetan literary formulas stretching to the narratives of the distant past.2Therefore, it must be borne in mind that modern Tibetan literature transcends a theory of rupture which many scholars overstress to the point of overlooking its deep, outspread roots. Some parts of these roots predate both the 1980s, which saw a flourishing of new Tibetan writing, and the Chinese takeover of Tibet in the 1950s that has had a profound impact on Tibetan cultural production.
The ‘healthy immigrant’ effect: initial evidence for Ireland
Authors: Nolan Anne
Published: January 2011

The period from 1996 to 2008 was one of rapid economic and social change in Ireland, with one of the most significant changes being the transition from a situation of net emigration to one of substantial net immigration. Although research on the impact of immigration on Irish society, as well as the labour market characteristics and experiences of immigrants in Ireland has increased in recent years, comparatively little is known about the health status of immigrants to Ireland. An extensive international literature has documented a ‘healthy immigrant’ effect for large immigrant-receiving countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia, whereby the health status of immigrants is better than comparable native-born individuals. There is also evidence to suggest that immigrants’ health status deteriorates with time spent in the host country. However, the Irish immigration experience differs considerably from that of countries that have been the focus of research on the ‘healthy immigrant’ effect. Using microdata from a nationally representative survey of the population in 2007, this paper finds only limited evidence in favour of a ‘healthy immigrant’ effect for Ireland, although the distinctive features of the Irish immigrant population, and the nature of the data available, may partly explain the results.
Klinikinterne und -externe Determinanten der Spitalaufenthaltsdauer
Authors: Schariatzadeh  , Imoberdorf  , Ballmer
Published: January 2011

Ziel dieser Studie war es Faktoren zu finden, welche Einfluss auf die Spitalaufenthaltsdauer haben. Während zwei Monaten wurden die stationären Patienten und die Eckdaten des diagnostischen und therapeutischen Ablaufs, der Massnahmen für die Weiterbetreuung nach der Hospitalisation und dabei entstandene Verzögerungen erfasst. Von 124 Patienten wiesen 73.4% eine Spitalaufenthaltsdauer ohne und 26.6% mit Verzögerungen auf. Die gesamten Spitalaufenthaltstage aller Patienten betrugen 1314 Tage, davon waren 16.4% infolge Verzögerungen. 5.1% dieser Verzögerungstage entstanden durch klinikinterne, 11.3% durch klinikexterne Faktoren. Die grosse Vielfalt klinikinterner Faktoren erschwert eine Lösungsfindung zur Verminderung der Aufenthaltsdauer, während bei klinikexternen Verzögerungen eine frühe Organisation der Massnahmen nach der Hospitalisation, die Abschaffung der kantonalen Begrenzung bei allgemein versicherten Patienten für Rehabilitationsaufenthalte sowie eine zeitliche Begrenzung zur Bearbeitung des Kostengutsprachengesuches von Seiten der Versicherung mögliche Ansatzpunkte wären.
Exploring Factors That Affect Score Reliability and Variability
Authors: Kieffer Kevin M. , MacDonald George
Published: January 2011

One instrument cited in the literature as an effective measure of approaches to coping is the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WAYS; Folkman & Lazarus, 2005 ). This study is a reliability generalization (RG) study of the WAYS that strives to further distill psychometric properties of the scores generated by this measure. Results from this meta-analytic investigation of 130 previously published research studies indicate that the Confrontive Coping and Distancing subscales generate the most variable reliability coefficients across studies. Regression analyses suggest that the variables type of scoring, sample size, population type, sample source, gender homogeneity, and racial homogeneity were most important in determining reliability estimates on the Seeking Social Support, Escape-Avoidance, Planful Problem Solving, and Positive Reappraisal subscales. Implications for the use of the WAYS are offered.
Procedural and Distributive Justice Beliefs for Self and Others
Authors: Lucas Todd , Zhdanova Ludmila , Alexander Sheldon
Published: January 2011

Both theory and research suggest that beliefs about justice for the self are distinct from beliefs about justice for others. Self-other differences, however, have not yet intersected with research on procedural and distributive justice. We examined the psychometrics and validity of a proposed four-dimensional measure of procedural and distributive justice beliefs for self and others. Participants from three samples (total N = 1463) completed dispositional measures of beliefs about fair outcomes (distributive justice beliefs) and processes (procedural justice beliefs). These measures were modified and expanded to record beliefs about justice for the self and justice for others. We also administered measures of well-being and harsh social attitudes. Factor analyses strongly supported the proposed four-factor model. In addition, higher-order self-others and procedural-distributive factors were indicated by theoretically appropriate lower-level factors. Finally, multiple regression analyses provided evidence for idiosyncratic links between four-factor individual differences and measures of well-being and harsh social attitudes. The proposed four-factor operationalization can provide individual differences researchers with a useful tool for bridging two important areas of justice theory and research that previously have been linked to health behavior, well-being, and harsh social attitudes.
Gender Influences on the Work-Related Stress-Coping Process
Authors: Watson Sarah B. , Goh Yong Wah , Sawang Sukanlaya
Published: January 2011

The increasing incidence of occupational stress is recognized as a global phenomenon that is having a detrimental impact on both individuals and organizations. This study aims to identify whether men and women adopt different stress and coping processes when subjected to stress in a work context. A total of 258 workers of various professions (males = 106, females = 152) participated in the study. Results indicated that men and women differ in their stress and coping processes, forming two very distinct groups and adopting specific process models when encountering a stressful situation at work. Limitations and implications from this study are discussed.
A comparison of space weather analysis techniques used to predict the arrival of the Earth‐directed CME and its shockwave launched on 8 April 2010
Authors: Davis C. J. , de Koning C. A. , Davies J. A. , Biesecker D. , Millward G. , Dryer M. , Deehr C. , Webb D. F. , Schenk K. , Freeland S. L. , Möstl C. , Farrugia C. J. , Odstrcil D.
Published: January 2011

The Earth‐directed coronal mass ejection (CME) of 8 April 2010 provided an opportunity for space weather predictions from both established and developmental techniques to be made from near–real time data received from the SOHO and STEREO spacecraft; the STEREO spacecraft provide a unique view of Earth‐directed events from outside the Sun‐Earth line. Although the near–real time data transmitted by the STEREO Space Weather Beacon are significantly poorer in quality than the subsequently downlinked science data, the use of these data has the advantage that near–real time analysis is possible, allowing actual forecasts to be made. The fact that such forecasts cannot be biased by any prior knowledge of the actual arrival time at Earth provides an opportunity for an unbiased comparison between several established and developmental forecasting techniques. We conclude that for forecasts based on the STEREO coronagraph data, it is important to take account of the subsequent acceleration/deceleration of each CME through interaction with the solar wind, while predictions based on measurements of CMEs made by the STEREO Heliospheric Imagers would benefit from higher temporal and spatial resolution. Space weather forecasting tools must work with near–real time data; such data, when provided by science missions, is usually highly compressed and/or reduced in temporal/spatial resolution and may also have significant gaps in coverage, making such forecasts more challenging.
Interoperable Semantic Web services (Tutorials)
Authors: Kalaš Matúš , Ison Jon
Published: January 2011

Life-scientific Web services are increasingly available and diverse. Their semantic interoperability is crucial to enable automated workflow construction and efficient searching for the right service. At the same time, smooth programmatic access must be possible with all the main programming, scripting, or workflow languages.This tutorial gave an introduction to the "SAWSDL":http://www.w3.org/standards/techs/sawsdlw3c_all standard for semantic annotation of Web services and XML Schemas; the "EDAM":http://edamontology.sourceforge.net ontology for describing bioinformatics tools; and "BioXSD":http://bioxsd.org as a canonical data model for bioinformatics Web services. EDAM (EMBRACE Data And Methods) defines terms for annotating the service scope, functions and the types of input and output data. BioXSD defines an exchange format for common bioinformatics data types which are not covered by specialised standards. BioXSD is annotated with EDAM terms, thus serving as an example of XML Schema annotation and as a set of ready-made building blocks for Semantic Web service interfaces.The practical, combined approach of XML Schema and SAWSDL annotation (recommended by the _EMBRACE_ FP6 project) ensures maximum interoperability with both the Semantic Web and the common SOAP and XML libraries. Tutorial included a hands-on exercise session of editing and annotationg a WSDL file(s).
Charge-transfer separability and size-extensivity in the equation-of-motion coupled cluster method: EOM-CCx
Authors: Musiał Monika , Bartlett Rodney J.
Published: January 2011

We study the charge-transfer separability (CTS) property of the Fock space (FS) and equation-of-motion (EOM) coupled cluster (CC) methods by analysing the charge-transfer (CT) excitation energy versus the donor–acceptor (D–A) distance. All FS-CC approaches fulfill the CT separability condition which is not the case for the standard EOM-CC approaches. This defect of the EOM-CC scheme can be fixed by slight modification of the \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\bar{H}$\end{document}H¯ matrix's diagrammatic structure, namely by adding some “dressing” composed of disconnected terms. The latter guarantee CTS of the respective EOM-CC scheme and marginally improve local excitations. The newly proposed variant of the EOM-CCSD approach is termed EOM-CCSDx (size-extensive EOM-CCSD).
Excitation and dissociation of tungsten hexacarbonyl W(CO)6: Statistical and nonstatistical dissociation processes
Authors: Martin S. , Chen L. , Brédy R. , Bernard J. , Montagne G. , Zhu X.
Published: January 2011

We have studied the excitation and dissociation processes of the molecule W(CO)6 in collisions with low kinetic energy (3 keV) protons, monocharged fluorine, and chlorine ions using double charge transfer spectroscopy. By analyzing the kinetic energy loss of the projectile anions, we measured the excitation energy distribution of the produced transient dications ${\rm W(CO)}_{\rm 6}{^{{\rm 2 + }}}$W( CO )62+. By coincidence measurements between the anions and the stable or fragments of ${\rm W(CO)}_{\rm 6}{^{{\rm 2 + }}}$W( CO )62+, we determined the energy distribution for each dissociation channel. Based on the experimental data, the emission of the first CO was tentatively attributed to a nonstatistical direct dissociation process and the emission of the second or more CO ligands was attributed to the statistical dissociation processes. The dissociation energies for the successive breaking of the W-CO bond were estimated using a cascade model. The ratio between charge separation and evaporation (by the loss of CO+ and CO, respectively) channels was estimated to be 6% in the case of Cl+ impact.
Nonexistence of Skyrmion–Skyrmion and Skyrmion–anti-Skyrmion static equilibria
Authors: Gibbons G. W. , Warnick C. M. , Wong W. W.
Published: January 2011

We consider classical static Skyrmion–anti-Skyrmion and Skyrmion–Skyrmion configurations, symmetric with respect to a reflection plane, or symmetric up to a G-parity transformation, respectively. We show that the stress tensor component completely normal to the reflection plane, and hence its integral over the plane, is negative definite or positive definite, respectively. Classical Skyrmions always repel classical Skyrmions and classical Skyrmions always attract classical anti-Skyrmions and thus no static equilibrium, whether stable or unstable, is possible in either case. No other symmetry assumption is made and so our results also apply to multi-Skyrmion configurations. Our results are consistent with existing analyses of Skyrmion forces at large separation, and with numerical results on Skymion–anti-Skyrmion configurations in the literature which admit a different reflection symmetry. They also hold for the massive Skyrme model. We also point out that reflection symmetric self-gravitating Skyrmions or black holes with Skyrmion hair cannot rest in symmetric equilibrium with self-gravitating anti-Skyrmions.
Dynamic disorder in molecular semiconductors: Charge transport in two dimensions
Authors: Troisi Alessandro
Published: January 2011

A semiclassical model to study charge transport in molecular semiconductors is extended from one to an arbitrary number of dimensions. The model is applied to the calculation of the charge mobility of the holes in the two dimensional plane of rubrene with the largest charge mobility. The absolute values of the computed mobility tensor, evaluated without adjustable parameters, are in excellent agreement with the experimental results of Podzorov et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 226601 (2005)] and have the correct temperature dependence. The localization length and density of states determined by dynamic disorder are analyzed in detail and provide a global description of the charge transport process in agreement with the spectroscopic experiments. The effect of correlation in the modeling of dynamic disorder is also investigated.
Enhanced magnetoelectric effect in heterostructure of magnetostrictive alloy bars and piezoelectric single-crystal transformer
Authors: Leung Chung Ming , Or Siu Wing , Wang Feifei , Ho S. L. , Luo Haosu
Published: January 2011

We report an enhanced magnetoelectric (ME) effect in a heterostructure consisting of a long-type, longitudinally–longitudinally polarized 0.71Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.29PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) piezoelectric single-crystal transformer with its input part sandwiched between two longitudinally magnetized Tb0.3Dy0.7Fe1.92 (Terfenol-D) magnetostrictive alloy bars. The observed ME effect has two independent operational modes: namely, ME sensing mode and ME transduction mode. The ME sensing mode features a large ME voltage coefficient (αV) of ∼0.32 V/Oe over a flat frequency range of 1–50 kHz, while the ME transduction mode possesses two colossal resonance αV of 7.6 and 7.9 V/Oe, corresponding to the first and second longitudinal resonances, at 56.2 and 127.9 kHz, respectively. This enhanced dual-mode ME effect not only enables the application potential of the heterostructure, but also advances the technology of power-free ME sensors and transducers.
Does transparent nematic phase exist in 5CB/DDAB/water microemulsions? From the viewpoint of temperature dependent dielectric spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Zhen , Nozaki Ryusuke
Published: January 2011

Liquid crystal colloids have received tremendous attention because of its great potential both in the understanding of the liquid crystalline phase and in searching for new application of liquid crystals. Inverse microemulsion composed of 4-cyano-4-n-pentylbiphenyl (5CB), didodecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, and water was investigated by means of broadband dielectric spectroscopy in this study. Based on the understanding of previous investigations on the same system, the isotropic phase was taken into account to quantitatively characterize the bulklike relaxations after the isotropic-to-nematic phase transition. Analogous results concerning the phase transition and phase composition to other investigations were obtained. In addition to bulklike relaxations, a new relaxation was observed at the frequency range about two orders lower than bulklike relaxations. This new relaxation shows abnormal temperature dependence, suggesting that superstructures composed of water droplets and confined 5CB molecules exist. This superstructure possibly possesses a confined nanoscaled liquid crystal ordering and may correspond to the notion of the transparent nematic phase.
Air-spaced GaN nanopillar photonic band gap structures patterned by nanosphere lithography
Authors: Li K. H. , Choi H. W.
Published: January 2011

We report on the fabrication of ordered hexagonal arrays of air-spaced GaN nanopillars by nanosphere lithography. A self-assembled two-dimensional silica nanosphere mask was initially formed by spin-coating. Prior to pattern transfer to the GaN substrate, a silica-selective dry etch recipe was employed to reduce the dimensions of the nanospheres, without shifting their equilibrium positions. This process step was crucial to be formation of air-spaced hexagonal arrays of nanospheres, as opposed to closed-packed arrays normally achieved by nanosphere lithography. This pattern is then transferred to the wafer to form air-spaced nanopillars. By introducing air gaps between pillars, a photonic band gap (PBG) in the visible region can be opened up, which is usually nonexistent in closed-packed nanopillar arrays. The PBG structures were designed using the plane wave expansion algorithm for band structure computations. The existence and positions of band gaps have been verified through optical transmittance spectroscopy, which correlated well with predictions from simulations. From photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, a fourfold increase in PL intensity was observed and compared to an as-grown sample, demonstrating the effectiveness of well-designed self-assembled PBG structures for suppressing undesired optical guiding mode via PBG and for promoting light extraction. The effects of defects in the nanopillar array on the optical properties are also critically assessed.
Ambipolar charge transport in microcrystalline silicon thin-film transistors
Authors: Knipp Dietmar , Chan Kah-Yoong , Gordijn Aad , Marinkovic M. , Stiebig Helmut
Published: January 2011

Hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) is a promising candidate for thin-film transistors (TFTs) in large-area electronics due to high electron and hole charge carrier mobilities. We report on ambipolar TFTs based on μc-Si:H prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at temperatures compatible with flexible substrates. Electrons and holes are directly injected into the μc-Si:H channel via chromium drain and source contacts. The TFTs exhibit electron and hole charge carrier mobilities of 30–50 cm2/V s and 10–15 cm2/V s, respectively. In this work, the electrical characteristics of the ambipolar μc-Si:H TFTs are described by a simple analytical model that takes the ambipolar charge transport into account. The analytical expressions are used to model the transfer curves, the potential and the net surface charge along the channel of the TFTs. The electrical model provides insights into the electronic transport of ambipolar μc-Si:H TFTs.
Unusual magnetization process of Gd5Ge4: Effects of impurities of Gd
Authors: Ouyang Z. W. , Xia Z. C. , Wang Y. C. , Rao G. H.
Published: January 2011

Unusual magnetization process has been observed in Gd5Ge4 prepared with commercial Gd of 99.9 wt %. First, the zero-field-cooled M(H) curves below 25 K contain a significant low-field ferromagnetic (FM) component followed by an unusually broadened field-induced antiferromagnetic (AFM)–FM transition, which was not observed in previous reports no matter if the sample owns a residual FM component or not. Second, the M(H) curves at 4.2 K collected using pulsed magnetic fields reveal some unusual dynamics on the low-field FM state and the following AFM–FM transition. Thus, the present sample of Gd5Ge4 is a new example showing complexity of the influence from impurities of Gd upon the magnetization process.
Ab initio study of the bandgap engineering of Al1−xGaxN for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Amin B. , Ahmad Iftikhar , Maqbool M. , Goumri-Said S. , Ahmad R.
Published: January 2011

A theoretical study of Al1−xGaxN, based on the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method, is used to investigate the variations in the bandgap, optical properties, and nonlinear behavior of the compound with the change in the Ga concentration. It is found that the bandgap decreases with the increase in Ga. A maximum value of 5.50 eV is determined for the bandgap of pure AlN, which reaches a minimum value of 3.0 eV when Al is completely replaced by Ga. The static index of refraction and dielectric constant decreases with the increase in the bandgap of the material, assigning a high index of refraction to pure GaN when compared to pure AlN. The refractive index drops below 1 for higher energy photons, larger than 14 eV. The group velocity of these photons is larger than the vacuum velocity of light. This astonishing result shows that at higher energies the optical properties of the material shifts from linear to nonlinear. Furthermore, frequency dependent reflectivity and absorption coefficients show that peak values of the absorption coefficient and reflectivity shift toward lower energy in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum with the increase in Ga concentration. This comprehensive theoretical study of the optoelectronic properties predicts that the material can be effectively used in the optical devices working in the visible and UV spectrum.