bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation of two‐dimensional Mo photonic crystal surface for high‐temperature solar‐selective absorber
Authors: Wang Jian , Chen Zijun , Li Dejie
Published: April 2010

A two‐dimensional (2D) Mo photonic crystal (PhC) surface is proposed for high‐temperature solar‐selective absorber. The influence of PhC structural parameters on the reflectance between 0.3 and 12 µm is studied by the rigorous coupled‐wave analysis (RCWA) method. Simulation results show that such a surface with submicrometer periodicity exhibits high solar absorbance α together with low thermal emittance ε, while the former can be improved by grading profile and high aspect ratio. Optimized microcone Mo PhC surface exhibits a normal solar absorbance αn = 0.919 and a hemispherical thermal emittance εh = 0.149 at 1000 °C, showing its promising potential for high‐temperature solar‐selective absorbers.

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The structure and reflectance of 2D Mo PhC surface.
Arbitrarily shaped Si nanostructures by glancing angle ion beam sputter deposition
Authors: Patzig Christian , Miessler André , Karabacak Tansel , Rauschenbach Bernd
Published: April 2010

Using glancing angle deposition by ion beam sputtering, sculptured thin films (STFs) consisting of various Si nanostructures of manyfold shapes, such as inclined and vertical columns, screws, and spirals, were deposited on Si substrates. It will be shown that morphology, shape, and diameter of the structures are influenced and can thus be controlled by adjusting various deposition parameters, including substrate temperature and ratio of substrate rotational speed to film deposition rate. Especially the temperature‐controlled surface diffusion is found to play an important role in the growth of STFs.

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Cross‐sectional scanning electron microscopy micrograph of helical Si nanostructures, deposited with ion beam sputter glancing angle deposition.
Bias polarity dependent local electrical conduction in resistive switching TiO2 thin films
Authors: Shin Yong Cheol , Lee Min Hwan , Kim Kyung Min , Kim Gun Hwan , Song Seul Ji , Seok Jun Yeong , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: April 2010

The localized electrical conduction behaviour of a resistive switching TiO2 film was examined by conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM). Localized filamentary electrical conduction was well resolved with a negative tip bias with respect to the Pt bottom electrode whereas almost uniform electrical conduction was observed with a positive bias. The bias dependence of the CAFM result was attributed to local electrochemical reactions mediated by the high electric field near the CAFM tip. A positive tip bias extended the electrically conducting area much more than the actual tip–surface contact area presumably due to facilitated oxygen loss by the high electric field. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Type I error rate control in adaptive designs for confirmatory clinical trials with treatment selection at interim
Authors: Posch Martin , Maurer Willi , Bretz Frank
Published: April 2010

Interest in confirmatory adaptive combined phase II/III studies with treatment selection has increased in the past few years. These studies start comparing several treatments with a control. One (or more) treatment(s) is then selected after the first stage based on the available information at an interim analysis, including interim data from the ongoing trial, external information and expert knowledge. Recruitment continues, but now only for the selected treatment(s) and the control, possibly in combination with a sample size reassessment. The final analysis of the selected treatment(s) includes the patients from both stages and is performed such that the overall Type I error rate is strictly controlled, thus providing confirmatory evidence of efficacy at the final analysis. In this paper we describe two approaches to control the Type I error rate in adaptive designs with sample size reassessment and/or treatment selection. The first method adjusts the critical value using a simulation‐based approach, which incorporates the number of patients at an interim analysis, the true response rates, the treatment selection rule, etc. We discuss the underlying assumptions of simulation‐based procedures and give several examples where the Type I error rate is not controlled if some of the assumptions are violated. The second method is an adaptive Bonferroni–Holm test procedure based on conditional error rates of the individual treatment–control comparisons. We show that this procedure controls the Type I error rate, even if a deviation from a pre‐planned adaptation rule or the time point of such a decision is necessary. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of atmospheric nitrate to stream‐water nitrate in Japanese coniferous forests revealed by the oxygen isotope ratio of nitrate
Authors: Tobari Y. , Koba K. , Fukushima K. , Tokuchi N. , Ohte N. , Tateno R. , Toyoda S. , Yoshioka T. , Yoshida N.
Published: April 2010

Evaluation of the openness of the nitrogen (N) cycle in forest ecosystems is important in efforts to improve forest management because the N supply often limits primary production. The use of the oxygen isotope ratio (δ18O) of nitrate is a promising approach to determine how effectively atmospheric nitrate can be retained in a forest ecosystem. We investigated the δ18O of nitrate in stream water in order to estimate the contribution of atmospheric NO in stream‐water NO (fatm) from 26 watersheds with different stand ages (1–87 years) in Japan. The stream‐water nitrate concentrations were high in young forests whereas, in contrast, old forests discharged low‐nitrate stream water. These results implied a low fatm and a closed N cycle in older forests. However, the δ18O values of nitrate in stream water revealed that fatm values were higher in older forests than in younger forests. These results indicated that even in old forests, where the discharged N loss was small, atmospheric nitrate was not retained effectively. The steep slopes of the studied watersheds (>40°) which hinder the capturing of atmospheric nitrate by plants and microbes might be responsible for the inefficient utilization of atmospheric nitrate. Moreover, the unprocessed fraction of atmospheric nitrate in the stream‐water nitrate in the forest (funprocessed) was high in the young forest (78%), although funprocessed was stable and low for other forests (5–13%). This high funprocessed of the young forest indicated that the young forest retained neither atmospheric NO nor soil NO effectively, engendering high stream‐water NO concentrations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of absolute photoionization cross‐sections of alkanes and cyclo‐alkanes
Authors: Zhou Zhongyue , Zhang Lidong , Xie Mingfeng , Wang Zhandong , Chen Dongna , Qi Fei
Published: April 2010

Absolute photoionization and dissociative photoionization cross‐sections of eleven n‐alkanes (n‐pentane, n‐hexane, n‐heptane, n‐nonane, n‐decane, n‐undecane, n‐dodecane, n‐tridecane, n‐tetradecane, n‐pentadecane and n‐hexadecane), three cyclo‐alkanes (cyclopentane, methylcyclohexane and trans‐decahydronaphthalene) and iso‐octane were measured for photon energies from the ionization thresholds to 11.5 eV. The measurements were performed with the binary‐liquid‐mixture method utilizing the photoionization cross‐sections of benzene as a calibration standard. The ionization energies of n‐alkanes and cyclo‐alkanes were also calculated at the B3P86/6‐31 + +G(d,p) level and by the G3B3 method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Bayesian model averaging approach with non‐informative priors for cost‐effectiveness analyses
Authors: Conigliani Caterina
Published: April 2010

We consider the problem of assessing new and existing technologies for their cost‐effectiveness in the case where data on both costs and effects are available from a clinical trial, and we address it by means of the cost‐effectiveness acceptability curve. The main difficulty in these analyses is that cost data usually exhibit highly skew and heavy‐tailed distributions, so that it can be extremely difficult to produce realistic probabilistic models for the underlying population distribution. Here, in order to integrate the uncertainty about the model into the analysis of cost data and into cost‐effectiveness analyses, we consider an approach based on Bayesian model averaging (BMA) in the particular case of weak prior informations about the unknown parameters of the different models involved in the procedure. The main consequence of this assumption is that the marginal densities required by BMA are undetermined. However, in accordance with the theory of partial Bayes factors and in particular of fractional Bayes factors, we suggest replacing each marginal density with a ratio of integrals that can be efficiently computed via path sampling. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pattern‐mixture models for analyzing normal outcome data with proxy respondents
Authors: Shardell Michelle , Hicks Gregory E. , Miller Ram R. , Langenberg Patricia , Magaziner Jay
Published: April 2010

Studies of older adults often involve interview questions regarding subjective constructs such as perceived disability. In some studies, when subjects are unable (e.g. due to cognitive impairment) or unwilling to respond to these questions, proxies (e.g. relatives or other care givers) are recruited to provide responses in place of the subject. Proxies are usually not approached to respond on behalf of subjects who respond for themselves; thus, for each subject, data from only one of the subject or proxy are available. Typically, proxy responses are simply substituted for missing subject responses, and standard complete‐data analyses are performed. However, this approach may introduce measurement error and produce biased parameter estimates. In this paper, we propose using pattern‐mixture models that relate non‐identifiable parameters to identifiable parameters to analyze data with proxy respondents. We posit three interpretable pattern‐mixture restrictions to be used with proxy data, and we propose estimation procedures using maximum likelihood and multiple imputation. The methods are applied to a cohort of elderly hip‐fracture patients. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A flexible unified approach to the analysis of pre‐clinical combination studies
Authors: Harbron Chris
Published: April 2010

Combinations of drugs are increasingly being used in a variety of diseases. Pre‐clinical experiments allow the responses of many drug compounds to be studied in combination with the goal of identifying compounds acting synergistically. This paper presents a unified approach to analysing data from combination studies, calculating a hierarchy of interaction indices to powerfully and flexibly describe the synergistic profile of the combination space studied, utilizing standard statistical software to generate estimates of confidence and provide statistical tests. The approach can work with a wide variety of experimental designs and response patterns and will deal with partial responses and inactive compounds. As well as identifying synergy or antagonism, the same approach can also be used to identify a benefit or detriment to monotherapy. The approach is illustrated with data from anin vitrostudy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microbial Synthesis of Multishaped Gold Nanostructures
Authors: Das Sujoy K. , Das Akhil R. , Guha Arun K.
Published: April 2010

The development of methodologies for the synthesis of nanoparticles of well‐defined size and shape is a challenging one and constitutes an important area of research in nanotechnology. This Full Paper describes the controlled synthesis of multishaped gold nanoparticles at room temperature utilizing a simple, green chemical method by the interaction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4 · 3H20) and cell‐free extract of the fungal strain Rhizopus oryzae. The cell‐free extract functions as a reducing, shape‐directing, as well as stabilizing, agent. Different shapes of gold nanocrystals, for example, triangular, hexagonal, pentagonal, spherical, spheroidal, urchinlike, two‐dimensional nanowires, and nanorods, are generated by manipulating key growth parameters, such as gold ion concentration, solution pH, and reaction time. The synthesized nanostructures are characterized by UV/Vis and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis studies. Electron diffraction patterns reveal the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles and a probable mechanism is proposed for the formation of the different structural entities.
Modeling on Dendrite Growth of Medium Carbon Steel during Continuous Casting
Authors: Guo W. , Zhang L. , Zhu M.
Published: April 2010

Dendrite growth is an important phenomenon during steel solidification. In the current paper, a numerical method was used to analyse and calculate the dendrite tip radius, dendrite growth velocity, liquid concentration, temperature gradient, cooling rate, secondary dendrite arm spacing, and the dendrite tip temperature in front of the solid/liquid (S/L) interface for the solidification process of medium carbon steels during continuous casting. The current model was well validated by published models and measurement data. The results show that in the continuous casting process, the dendrite growth rate is dominated by the casting speed. Dendrite growth rate, liquid concentration at the S/L interface, temperature gradient and cooling rate decrease with proceeding solidification and solid shell thickness growth, while other parameters such as dendrite tip radius, secondary dendrite arm spacing, and dendrite tip temperature in front of the S/L interface become larger with solidification progress and solid shell thickness growth. Parametric investigations were carried out. The effects of the stability coefficient, temperature gradient and casting speed on the micro‐structural parameters were discussed. Under the same conditions, higher casting speed promotes coarser secondary dendrite arm spacing and enlarges the dendrite tip radius, while decreasing temperature gradient, reducing the dendrite growth rate and making the solute distribute more uniform.
Numerical Solution of Thin‐walled Tube Bending Springback with Exponential Hardening Law
Authors: E Daxin , Chen Minfeng
Published: April 2010

The process of manufacturing thin‐walled tubes which show exponential hardening is investigated. The analysis is based on the feedback analysis of bending springback tests. The springback angle is calculated using a formula which is derived from numerical methods. The experiments and finite element calculations prove that the formula agrees well with the test results. However, for tubes with strong hardening characteristics, certain discrepancies exist. The springback angle increases linearly with the ratio of plastic and elastic modulus, and decreases nonlinearly with increasing hardening index. The larger the ratio of plastic and elastic modulus, the greater the amount of reduction as the hardening index increases. The amount of increment in the springback angle incurred by the increase of the normalized bending radius is greater for smaller hardening index values. For thin‐walled tubes, after unloading, the elastic component takes a higher percentage in the total deformation as the relative wall thickness increases, causing the springback angle to increase slightly. However, when the growth rate of the cross section inertia moment is greater than that of the proportion of elastic deformation, the springback angle tends to decrease slightly as the normalized wall thickness increases. The formula will be applied to promote the technical development in springback prediction, control and compensation.
New Algorithms for Thermo‐mechanical FE‐Simulation of Quasi‐periodic Processes
Authors: Groche P. , Abrass A.
Published: April 2010

With the aid of the finite element method, a lot of mechanical and thermal phenomena in forming processes can be analysed successfully. However, for industrial purposes the necessary computational time for complex processes is often not acceptable. Many researches have attempted to reduce the computational time which is needed to find a solution. In this paper, new algorithms are described which make use of the existing similarity in some forming processes, especially incremental forming process. Incremental forming processes are characterised by very small deformation zones and approximate self similarity. The described algorithms are based on the transformation and interpolation of already computed solutions. The results from transformation and interpolation are verified by means of some physical constraints. If the results pass the latter check, they will be archived as solution. Consequently, at this time step, no iterative computation will be accomplished by the mechanical solver. Then the calculations by the thermo solver are accomplished conventionally in dependence on the archived mechanical results. With the help of these algorithms, the number of iterations will obviously be reduced and the results will be reasonably acceptable.

In this paper, all details are described and two forming processes as validation occur to depict the advantages of this method.
A Study of Surface Reactions on Steel Samples Using a Mass Spectrometer Probe
Authors: Falk Heinz , Falk Martin
Published: April 2010

This study presents a new probe to analyse the gas composition near a metal surface. The probe uses a mass spectrometric detector and is incorporated in an experimental reactor for the thermal treatment and surface formation of steel sheet samples. Steel samples were exposed to various oxidizing and reducing gas flows at pressures between ambient and 3 bar. The reaction product H2O was measured with the MS‐probe while reducing oxidized steel surfaces with H2as well as the consumption of H2as a function of the sample temperature. Similarly, the reaction products CO and H2were monitored during the oxidation of the bulk carbon with H2O. The sample temperature was ramped linearly from ambient to 900 °C. From these measurements it was possible to evaluate the onset temperatures and the activation energies for the respective reactions. The in‐situ monitoring of the gas phase near the steel surface within the experimental reactor allows controlling the formation of a layer of iron as a result of the iron oxide reduction. Similarly, the decarburization of steel can be followed up by measuring the time course of the CO concentration. It is expected that the MS‐probe will become an efficient tool for the understanding and optimization of the annealing and formation processes during strip annealing before hot dipping.
Technologie von kompakten Excimerlasern
Authors: Görtler Andreas , Strowitzki Claus F.
Published: April 2010

Excimerlaser sind gepulste Gaslaser, die abhängig von den verwendeten Gasen auf diskreten Linien im UV‐ und VUV‐Bereich des elektromagnetischen Spektrums emittieren, bei Wellenlängen zwischen 355 nm und 157 nm. Die Pulslänge der emittierten Laserstrahlung beträgt 5 – 20 ns. Kompakte Excimerlaser haben Einzelpulsenergien von typisch 10 mJ bei Repetitionsraten bis zu 1 kHz. Große Industrielaser erreichen bis 1 J, jedoch bei Repetitionsraten von nur einigen hundert Hz. Die Erzeugung der Laseremission erfolgt durch eine elektrische Entladung im Hochdruckgas, einer Mischung aus Edelgasen und Halogenen. Durch den Einsatz der Halogene Fluor oder Chlor ergeben sich spezielle Anforderungen an die verwendeten Werkstoffe und die Vermeidung von Kontaminationen beim Aufbau und Betrieb der Lasersysteme. Die modernste Generation derartiger Lasersysteme ist komplett metallisch gedichtet und hat entsprechend oberflächenveredelte Bauteile, die dem korrosiven Lasergas ausgesetzt sind. Dadurch ist es im vergangenen Jahrzehnt gelungen, die Lebensdauer der Laserröhre von einigen hundert Millionen Laserpulsen auf mehr als 10 Milliarden zu steigern. Hauptanwendungen kompakter Excimerlaser sind die Augenheilkunde, die Korrektur der Sehschärfe (LASIK), und die optische Messtechnik. Große Excimerlaser finden sich in industriellen Anwendungen zur Oberflächenmodifikation und in der Halbleiterindustrie in Wafersteppern zur Herstellung von hochintegrierten Prozessoren und Speicherchips.
Perspektiven der Plasmamedizin
Authors: Kramer Axel , Assadian Ojan , Below H. , Bender Claudia , Hammann Aylin , Hartmann Bernd , Hübner Nils‐Olaf , Kocher Thomas , Lademann Jürgen , Matthes Rutger , Koban Ina , Weltmann Klaus‐Dieter
Published: April 2010

Auf der Grundlage des aktuellen Wissenstands zu den physikalischen Eigenschaften und den biologischen Wirkungen von Gewebekompatiblen Atmosphärendruckplasmen (Tissue Tolerable Plasma, TTP) werden die Perspektiven der Plasmamedizin diskutiert. Für folgende Möglichkeiten der medizinischen Anwendung von TTP werden derzeit die Grundlagen in interdisziplinärer Forschung erarbeitet:

Prävention und/oder Therapie von Erkrankungen mit den Schwerpunkten chronische Wunden, infektiöse Haut– und Schleimhauterkrankungen, lokalisierte Tumoren, Gewebeabtragung

Hemmung und/oder Elimination von Biofilmen: Verhinderung der Biofilmentwicklung auf in den Menschen eingebrachte Materialien durch Oberflächenbehandlung und/oder plasmagesteuerte Auftragung antimikrobiell wirksamer Schichten mit der Funktion eines „Drug Delivery Systems”︁ (Implantate, Kontaktlinse, Stents usw.) sowie Bekämpfung von Biofilmen auf der Körperoberfläche (chronische Wunde, Zahnoberfläche, Prothese)

Förderung der Penetration topisch applizierter Arzneimittel mit verbessertem Therapieergebnis

Einsatz für veterinärmedizinische Indikationen

Verbesserte Reinigungsleistung im Aufbereitungsprozess von Medizinprodukten durch Oberflächenveränderung.
Two systems of reasoning: architecture and relation to emotion
Authors: Darlow Adam L. , Sloman Steven A.
Published: April 2010

Distinguishing cognitive systems that support intuition and deliberation has proven necessary to explain how people reason,1,2decide,3categorize,4form attitudes,5make confidence6and moral7judgments, and prioritize goals.8Both behavioral and neuroimaging evidence show that the evidence supports similar distinctions in each field. Deliberative processing enlists working memory, and intuitive processing depends more directly on long‐term memory retrieval. One of the key unanswered questions concerns how the systems interact. The data suggest that one of the key functions of deliberation is to suppress intuition. It does not invariably succeed, however, and leakage is common. Another question concerns the relations between affect and reasoning systems. The evidence suggests that emotions are not exclusively related to the intuitive system. Instead, emotional reactions that are directly tied to the perception of objects and events (e.g., fear) are associated with intuition, emotions that arise when alternative possibilities are considered (e.g., regret) are tied to deliberation, and moods (e.g., happy, sad) influence how much each system is relied on. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Reasoning and Decision Making
1,3‐Bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,3,2‐diazaphospha‐[3]ferrocenophanes
Authors: Wrackmeyer Bernd , Klimkina Elena V. , Milius Wolfgang
Published: April 2010

The 2‐tert‐butyl, 2‐phenoxy, and 2‐diethylamino derivatives of 1,3‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,3,2‐diazaphospha‐[3]ferrocenophane were prepared, and the molecular structure of the latter was determined by X‐ray diffraction. The phosphines could be oxidized by their slow reactions with sulfur or selenium, and the molecular structures of three sulfides and one selenide were determined. In contrast, the synthesis of oxides was less straightforward. All new compounds were characterized in solution by multinuclear magnetic resonance methods (1D and 2D 1H, 13C, 15N, 29Si, 31P, and 77Se NMR spectroscopy).
Intramuscular Injection of Parathyroid Autografts is a Viable Option After Total Parathyroidectomy
Authors: Tan Choon Chieh , Cheah Wei Keat , Tan Charles Tse Kuang , Rauff Abu
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Surgical transplantation of parathyroid gland into muscle is an established technique after total parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism. However, no study has examined the role of injecting parathyroid tissue in these patients. We compared the outcome of surgical transplantation of parathyroid glands by implantation (“implant”) versus that of intramuscular injection (“inject”).

Methods

Patients who had total parathyroidectomy for tertiary hyperparathyroidism due to chronic renal failure from 2001–2008 are included in this study. For the implant group, a parathyroid gland is divided into 10–12 pieces (each of 2‐mm in diameter) before embedding into the deltoid or brachioradialis muscle. Patients in the inject group, each had a finely minced gland injected into the deltoid. Postoperatively, the graft is deemed to be functioning if 1) serum PTH is normal, or 2) serum calcium is normal in the absence of calcium supplements or reduced dosage requirements; these assays are performed at least 1 month after initial surgery. Recurrence is defined by the presence of hyperparathyroidism requiring autograft excision.

Results

A total of 66 patients (23 men, 43 women) were included in the study. The implant group comprised 31 patients (mean age 49.9 ± 14.0), and the inject group had 35 patients (mean age 49.2 ± 10.4; P = 0.80). The mean follow‐up period for implant was longer at 40.1 months compared with 16.2 months for inject (P = 0.001). Operative time for implant was slightly longer at 111 min versus 106 min for inject (P = 0.51). Graft function was achieved in 27 (87.1%) implant patients and 20 (69%) inject patients (P = 0.08). Recurrence was seen in four (12.9%) implant patients compared with one (2.9%) inject patient, after a mean period of 28.8 months. This difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.18).

Conclusions

Intramuscular injection of parathyroid tissue is a feasible alternative to surgical transplantation by implantation after total parathyroidectomy in tertiary hyperparathyroidism. The injection method was slightly faster to perform. However, injection achieved a slightly lower graft function rate but the risk of autograft hyperplasia also was lower.
Mesh Graft Infection Following Abdominal Hernia Repair: Risk Factor Evaluation and Strategies of Mesh Graft Preservation. A Retrospective Analysis of 476 Operations
Authors: Stremitzer Stefan , Bachleitner‐Hofmann Thomas , Gradl Bernhard , Gruenbeck Matthias , Bachleitner‐Hofmann Barbara , Mittlboeck Martina , Bergmann Michael
Published: April 2010

Background

Mesh graft infection after prosthetic hernia repair is a challenging complication usually treated by mesh removal. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with mesh infection and to assess the efficacy of conservative wound therapy in preserving an infected mesh.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 476 consecutive patients with incisional hernia who received mesh graft repair between February 1, 2000 and February 28, 2005 at our institution using chart review and clinical investigation.

Results

Thirty‐one of 476 (6.5%) patients developed a deep surgical site infection involving the implanted mesh graft. Upon multivariate analysis, operation time was the only significant risk factor associated with mesh infection (p = 0.0038). Seventeen (55%) of 31 infected mesh grafts were preserved by conservative means. There was a significant association between the type of mesh graft used and the probability of mesh preservation in case of infection: While conservative therapy led to preservation of 100% of infected polyglactin/polypropylene meshes, only 20% of infected polypropylene and 23% of infected PTFE/polypropylene meshes could be salvaged using conservative means (p < 0.0001). In none of the patients with preserved mesh graft was hernia recurrence at the former site of infection observed.

Conclusions

Operation time is the only significant risk factor associated with mesh graft infection following incisional hernia repair. Conservative treatment should be applied in case of infection of absorbable mesh grafts such as polypropylene/polyglactin, while nonabsorbable meshes such as PTFE/polypropylene or pure polypropylene are much less amenable to conservative treatment, usually requiring early surgical removal.
Laparoscopic Approach to Colonic Perforation due to Colonoscopy
Authors: Rotholtz Nicolas A. , Laporte Mariano , Lencinas Sandra , Bun Maximiliano , Canelas Alejandro , Mezzadri Norberto
Published: April 2010

Background

Iatrogenic perforation due to colonoscopy is the most serious complication of this procedure. Usually, resolution of this event requires segmental resection. The laparoscopic approach could be an option to minimize the outcome of this complication. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of the laparoscopic approach in treating colonic perforations due to colonoscopy.

Methods

Between July 1997 and November 2008 data were collected retrospectively on all patients who underwent colonoscopy and had a perforation caused by the procedure. Patients with other complications after colonoscopy as well as other colonic perforations were excluded. According to the method employed for the approach, the series was divided in two groups: those treated by the laparoscopic approach (group I; GI) and those treated via laparotomy (group II; GII). Morbidity and recovery parameters were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t‐test and the chi square test.

Results

A total of 14,713 colonoscopies were performed during the study period. Of these, 10,299 (73 %) were diagnostics and 4,414 (27%) were therapeutics. There were 20 (0.13%) iatrogenic perforations (GI = 14 versus GII = 6). The mean age of the patients was 62 ± 12.1 years. There were no differences in patient demographics, co‐morbidities, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades between the groups. Seventeen patients had segmental colectomy with primary anastomosis (GI: 13 versus GII: 4). One patient in each group had simple suture with diverting ileostomy, and one patient from GII underwent a Hartmann’s procedure. Patients from GI had a shorter hospital stay (GI: 4.2 ± 2.06 days versus GII 11.5 ± 8.8 days; P = 0.007) and there were no differences in complication rate compared with GII (GI: 3 versus GII: 5; P = 0.058).

Conclusions

Laparoscopic colectomy is effective in resolving colonic perforation due to colonoscopy, and it might offer benefits over the open approach.
Assessment of Intraoperative Liver Deformation During Hepatic Resection: Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: Heizmann Oleg , Zidowitz Stephan , Bourquain Holger , Potthast Silke , Peitgen Heinz‐Otto , Oertli Daniel , Kettelhack Christoph
Published: April 2010

Background

The implementation of intraoperative navigation in liver surgery is handicapped by intraoperative organ shift, tissue deformation, the absence of external landmarks, and anatomical differences in the vascular tree. To investigate the impact of surgical manipulation on the liver surface and intrahepatic structures, we conducted a prospective clinical trial.

Methods

Eleven consecutive patients [4 female and 7 male, median age = 67 years (range = 54–80)] with malignant liver disease [colorectal metastasis (n= 9) and hepatocellular cancer (n= 2)] underwent hepatic resection. Pre‐ and intraoperatively, all patients were studied by CT‐based 3D imaging and assessed for the potential value of computer‐assisted planning. The degree of liver deformation was demonstrated by comparing pre‐ and intraoperative imaging.

Results

Intraoperative CT imaging was successful in all patients. We found significant deformation of the liver. The deformation of the segmental structures is reflected by the observed variation of the displacements. There is no rigid alignment of the pre‐ and intraoperative organ positions due to overall deflection of the liver. Locally, a rigid alignment of the anatomical structure can be achieved with less than 0.5 cm discrepancy relative to a segmental unit of the liver. Changes in total liver volume range from −13 to +24%, with an average absolute difference of 7%.

Conclusions

These findings are fundamental for further development and optimization of intraoperative navigation in liver surgery. In particular, these data will play an important role in developing automation of intraoperative continuous registration. This automation compensates for liver shift during surgery and permits real‐time 3D visualization of navigation imaging.
Environmental disease: environmental alteration and infectious disease
Authors: Yamaguchi Nobuyasu , Ichijo Tomoaki , Nasu Masao
Published: April 2010

Humans have changed their environment to survive and to achieve a safer and more comfortable life. For example, drinking water and wastewater infrastructures are indispensable for civilized societies to flourish and to prevent water‐borne infectious diseases. However, excessive loading on environments might disturb microbial ecosystems, resulting in outbreaks of pathogenic microbes and the expansion of infectious diseases. Clarifying the relationship between environmental alterations and changes in microbial ecosystems is thus important to prevent further outbreaks of infectious diseases. The present study aims to understand the links between the following factors: environmental alterations; ecosystem disturbance and the occurrence of infectious disease; and impact on society. We focus on legionellosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases from the viewpoint of their environmental linkage. While Legionella spp. are ubiquitous in aquatic environments, Legionella pneumophila often increases in anthropogenic environments, such as cooling towers or spas, and can cause outbreaks of legionellosis. Recently, travel‐associated Legionnaires’ disease has caused concern in many countries. The numbers of patients infected with nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) have increased worldwide since the 1990s. Disturbances to microbial ecosystems caused by changes in water usage might be one cause of NTM diseases. Clarifying the dynamics of Legionella pneumophila and NTM in aquatic environments should help prevent outbreaks of diseases associated with these bacteria.
Effects of altitude and competition on growth and mortality of the conifer Abies sachalinensis
Authors: Takahashi Koichi
Published: April 2010

Altitudinal gradients are convenient subjects to investigate plant responses to air temperature. Plant growth and mortality are also affected by competition at any altitude. This study investigated the effects of altitude and competition on absolute diameter growth rate (ADGR) and mortality of the conifer Abies sachalinensis by using 13‐year data. This study was done at two altitudes (200 and 1,000 m a.s.l.) in northern Japan. Local crowding by conifers and broad‐leaved trees reduced ADGR of target trees. ADGR was lower in high altitude than low altitude at any DBH and any degree of local crowding because of the short growing season. Observed size‐dependent mortality was a U‐shaped pattern against DBH at the two altitudes. Smaller and larger trees tended to die of suppression (standing‐dead) and disturbances (stem‐broken and uprooting), respectively. Mortality of standing‐dead trees was negatively correlated with ADGR, irrespective of altitude, i.e., ADGR was a good predictor of mortality. Thus, mortality of standing‐dead trees was estimated to be greater at high altitude than low altitude at any degree of local crowding because ADGR was lower at high altitude than low altitude. By contrast, mortality due to disturbances was slightly greater at low altitude than high altitude. Thus, this study showed that a short growth period decreases growth and increases mortality due to suppression at high altitude. Although global warming may increase growth and survival of individual trees at high altitude by prolonging the growth period, prediction on mortality due to disturbances needs caution because the mortality is largely affected by frequency and intensity of disturbances.
Habitat use by spinous loach (Cobitis shikokuensis) in southwestern Japan: importance of subsurface interstices
Authors: Kawanishi Ryota , Kudo Yuta , Inoue Mikio
Published: April 2010

We examined habitat use by spinous loach (Cobitis shikokuensis), an endangered benthic fish in Japan, in relation to distance to the stream bank, water depth, current velocity, substrate types and bed‐subsurface conditions (fine‐sediment volume, vertical hydraulic gradient). In the study reach (Shigenobu River in Shikoku Island), spinous loach exhibited a patchy distribution within the channel, being limited to sloping bed of channel margins. Although high selectivities were detected for three variables (close to the stream bank, pebble‐dominant substrates, and low fine‐sediment volume) from univariate perspective, decision‐tree analysis indicated that their distribution pattern was best explained by the two variables representing subsurface conditions. Locations occupied by spinous loach were characterized by extremely low fine‐sediment volume (≤1.5%), or by moderate fine‐sediment volume (1.5–9.8%) with positive vertical hydraulic gradient (indicative of upwelling). Our results suggest that subsurface interstices are essential habitat for spinous loach and that prevention of excessive inputs and deposition of fine sediments, which cause interstitial sedimentation, is crucial for conservation of this endangered species.
Emergency ultrasound diagnosis of a ruptured angiomyolipoma causing acute anemia
Authors: Sutijono Darrell , Pace Caroline , Moore Christopher L.
Published: April 2010

A 32-year-old female presented with acute, asymptomatic anemia. While vital signs and physical examination were stable and non-diagnostic, utilizing goal-directed bedside ultrasound, a perinephric hematoma consistent with a ruptured angiomyolipoma was discovered as the cause of the patient’s condition.
Emergency ultrasound diagnosis of traumatic renal cyst rupture
Authors: Walsh Brooks , Sutijono Darrell , Moore Christopher L.
Published: April 2010

Renal cyst rupture secondary to trauma is a rare occurrence. A case is reported of a ruptured renal cyst after a fall in a 79-year-old man with a history of multicystic kidney disease. The focused sonographic findings of the renal cyst rupture are described.
Real-time video transmission of ultrasound images to an iPhone
Authors: Liteplo Andrew S. , Noble Vicki E. , Attwood Ben
Published: April 2010

Background

As point-of-care ultrasound spreads across the globe, there is an increased need for training and supervision of ultrasound studies. Real-time oversight is important, especially in critically ill patients, but often an expert ultrasound over-read is not available on location. Technological advances have improved data transmission so that images and videos can be sent great distances very rapidly. In this study, we examine the feasibility of real-time wireless transmission of ultrasound video to an iPhone.

Methods

An ultrasound machine was connected via a video converter to a laptop. iCam (SKJM, LLC) software was used to transmit the video across the Atlantic Ocean to an iPhone. Images typical for those performed in an emergency department were sent, in random order by a ‘scanning physician.’ An ‘interpreting physician’ overseas was asked to identify the anatomy, presence or absence of pathology, and comment on the quality, speed, and delay of transmission.

Results

Rapid image transmission was feasible and the ‘interpreting physician’ was always able to correctly identify the anatomy and orientation. The average delay was minimal (2.7 s), allowing for real-time feedback. The frame rate was markedly slower in the received images as compared to the transmitted images, and was faster when the iPhone was connected via WiFi (1.1 fps) versus a 3G connection (0.4 fps).

Conclusion

Transmission of real-time ultrasound video to a remote iPhone using inexpensive technology is feasible, with the preservation of image quality and minimal delay. Transmission speed was superior with a WiFi connection than with a 3G connection.
Comparison of daily and weekly retrospectively reported pain intensity in patients with localized and generalized musculoskeletal pain
Authors: Giske Liv , Sandvik Leiv , Røe Cecilie
Published: April 2010

The purpose of the study was to compare daily and weekly recalled pain intensity over time and their correspondence with real‐time pain intensity in patients with localized (LP) and generalized (GP) musculoskeletal pain. Daily recalled pain, averaged over seven consecutive days, and weekly recalled pain at day 8 were recorded on 100 mm visual analogue scales monthly over 4 months for 40 LP and 50 GP patients. Multiple real‐time pain ratings on numerical rating scales (0–10) were averaged over the week for 23 LP and 33 GP patients in Month 4. Reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and the standard deviations of the repeated measurements.

Daily pain ratings were lower than weekly ratings across the 4‐month period. Reliability was lower for weekly than for daily recalled pain in the GP group, and lower than in the LP group. These results were independent of the magnitude of pain intensity. No difference was found between daily recalled and real‐time ratings. The ICC was higher between daily and real‐time ratings than between weekly and real‐time ratings in Month 4. Weekly ratings were higher than real‐time ratings in the GP group, and the overestimation increased with increasing pain intensity.

The results of the present study indicated that reliability was improved by using ratings of daily recalled pain averaged over a week rather than single ratings of weekly recalled pain in subjects with localized or generalized pain. Weekly recalled pain was overestimated in subjects exhibiting generalized pain and high pain intensity.
Stopping Time Techniques for Analysts and Probabilists
Authors: Egghe L.
Published: April 2010

This book considers convergence of adapted sequences of real and Banach space-valued integrable functions, emphasizing the use of stopping time techniques. Not only are highly specialized results given, but also elementary applications of these results. The book starts by discussing the convergence theory of martingales and sub-( or super-) martingales with values in a Banach space with or without the Radon-Nikodym property. Several inequalities which are of use in the study of the convergence of more general adapted sequence such as (uniform) amarts, mils and pramarts are proved and sub- and superpramarts are discussed and applied to the convergence of pramarts. Most of the results have a strong relationship with (or in fact are characterizations of) topological or geometrical properties of Banach spaces. The book will interest research and graduate students in probability theory, functional analysis and measure theory, as well as proving a useful textbook for specialized courses on martingale theory.
Quantum Theory as an Emergent Phenomenon
Authors: Adler Stephen L.
Published: April 2010

Quantum mechanics is our most successful physical theory. However, it raises conceptual issues that have perplexed physicists and philosophers of science for decades. This 2004 book develops an approach, based on the proposal that quantum theory is not a complete, final theory, but is in fact an emergent phenomenon arising from a deeper level of dynamics. The dynamics at this deeper level are taken to be an extension of classical dynamics to non-commuting matrix variables, with cyclic permutation inside a trace used as the basic calculational tool. With plausible assumptions, quantum theory is shown to emerge as the statistical thermodynamics of this underlying theory, with the canonical commutation/anticommutation relations derived from a generalized equipartition theorem. Brownian motion corrections to this thermodynamics are argued to lead to state vector reduction and to the probabilistic interpretation of quantum theory, making contact with phenomenological proposals for stochastic modifications to Schrödinger dynamics.
Professing Performance
Authors: Jackson Shannon
Published: April 2010

Today's academic discourse is filled with the word 'perform'. Nestled amongst a variety of prefixes and suffixes (re-, post-, -ance, -ivity?), the term functions as a vehicle for a host of contemporary inquiries. For students, artists, and scholars of performance and theatre, this development is intriguing and complex. By examining the history of theatre studies and related institutions and by comparing the very different disciplinary interpretations and developments that led to this engagement, Professing Performance offers ways of placing performance theory and performance studies in context. This 2004 book considers the connection amongst a range of performance forms such as oratory, theatre, dance, and performance art and explores performance as both a humanistic and technical field of education. Throughout, she explores the institutional history of performance in the US academy in order to revise current debates around the role of the arts and humanities in higher education.
Succession in the Muslim Family
Authors: Coulson N. J.
Published: April 2010

Muslim law and rules for dealing with the distribution of a dead person's property differ greatly from western law. The system of Muslim law, the SharVa, is derived from the Qur'an and the words of the Prophet himself, and is therefore believed to be of divine inspiration, and not man-made. A variety of schools of law have grown up which interpret the Prophet's sayings, and the practical effect of these different rules of interpretation varies considerably. Recent codifications have not necessarily remained within the classical Muslim legal traditions, and have introduced further differences. With western law it is assumed that a man will make a will, and, broadly speaking, his property will be distributed in accordance with its provisions. It is only in the event of a man dying without making a will that the rules of intestacy are applied. Muslim law makes the opposite assumption.
The State and International Relations
Authors: Hobson John M.
Published: April 2010

This book, first published in 2000, provides students with an overview of the main theories of the state found in International Relations. Many International Relation scholars are proclaiming the state to be 'dead', while others lament the lack of an adequate theory of the state in International Relations. John Hobson seeks to resolve this confusion by introducing readers to state theory, arguing that existing theories of the state are limited, and proposing a framework based around the 'agent-structure' debate. The book surveys realist, liberal, Marxist, constructivist and neo-Weberian approaches to the state, and places each perspective's view of the state in relation to its theory of International Relations as a whole. It offers readers a unique introduction to state theory in International Relations, and will be of interest to students and scholars of sociology and politics, as well as International Relations.
Molecular Models for Fluids
Authors: Lucas Klaus
Published: April 2010

This book presents the development of modern molecular models for fluids from the interdisciplinary fundamentals of classical and statistical mechanics, of electrodynamics and of quantum mechanics. The concepts and working equations of the various fields are briefly derived and illustrated in the context of understanding the properties of molecular systems. Special emphasis is devoted to the quantum mechanical basis, since this is used throughout in the calculation of the molecular energy of a system. The book is application oriented. It stresses those elements that are essential for practical model development. The fundamentals are then used to derive models for various types of applications. Finally, equation of state models are presented based on quantum chemically based models for the intermolecular potential energy and perturbation theory. The book is suited for graduate courses in chemical and mechanical engineering, physics and chemistry, but may also, by proper selection, be found useful on the undergraduate level.