bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percolation effects in the checkerboard Babinet series of metamaterial structures
Authors: Kempa K.
Published: July 2010

The proposed checkerboard Babinet series consists of pairs of Babinet complementary metamaterial structures, with the checkerboard pattern being the self‐complementary structure. In this work, formulas are derived for the effective dielectric function and transmittance of all structures in the series, and it is shown that the evolution of the structures from holes to islands is a topological analog of the percolation problem, and that the highly singular checkerboard pattern represents the percolation threshold. The results are in agreement with the percolation theory of Bergman and Imry. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Solvent effects in Spectroscopy and Reactivity of Molecular Liquids: Contributions from Sylvio Canuto
Authors: Ribeiro André A. S. T. , de Alencastro Ricardo B.
Published: July 2010

Sylvio Canuto obtained his PhD in 1979 at the University of Uppsala (Sweden). His scientific contributions include about 180 well‐cited articles. He is presently a fulltime Professor at the Institute of Physics of the Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. He was a member of the Editorial Board of Chemical Physics Letters for two terms and is presently serving on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Quantum Chemistry, (since 2001), Journal of Computational Methods in Science and Engineering (since 2006), Specialist Editor of Computer Physics Communications (1987–1989, 2002–2007), and of Research Letters in Physical Chemistry (from 2007). He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Journal of the Argentine Chemical Society and was an Associate Editor of the Brazilian Journal of Physics for 10 years. His scientific interests lie in Many Bodies Theory, in Computer Simulations and Molecular Modeling, specially Solvent Effects in Spectroscopy and the Reactivity of Molecular Liquids. This short communication is a brief account of his contribution to this latter field, and as such it is necessarily limited in scope and somewhat arbitrary in the choice of the articles here discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Optimal Moving Windows for Real‐Time Road Image Processing
Authors: Choi Sung Yug , Jin Tae Seok , Lee Jang Myung
Published: July 2010

In this paper, a “moving window” scheme for detecting lanes and obstacles from the images captured by a CCD camera in an automobile is proposed. Processing the input dynamic images in real time requires high performance hardware as well as efficient software. In order to relieve these requirements for detecting lanes and obstacles from the images in real time, a “moving window” scheme is proposed. The size of the moving window is optimally determined based upon road and automobile conditions to be big enough to detect the lanes and obstacles and to be small enough to process the detection procedure in real time. For each image frame, the “moving window” is newly defined and it is moved in a certain direction that is predicted by the Kalman filtering technique. By detecting the left and right lane marks of the driving lane, it becomes possible to search the obstacles within the lane. The obstacle can be verified through the correlation between the stochastic characteristics of the suspected obstacle and the actual obstacle in a database. The feasibility of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated through the simulated experiments of freeway driving. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Scheme for Collision Avoidance with Minimum Distance Traveling for Industrial Robots
Authors: Luh J. Y. S.
Published: July 2010

Maneuvering an industrial robot to avoid a collision with obstacles in real time involves not only the fast obstacle detection and descripton, but also fast decision making. The problem is complicated since no a priori knowledge about obstacles is assumed. In addition, they may appear in the robot's path unexpectedly. To detect and describe the three‐dimensional obstacles, stereo cameras are used to collect environmental images. Through the top view of the workspace, the cameras furnish the silhouette as well as heights of obstacles. To speed up the image processing, the pixel array is grouped into patches and the maximum height of each patch is determined. TO simplify the obstacle description in the computer, a “pillar” model of the bounding polyhedra is constructed. Fast decision making is accomplished by structuring a finite number of possible collision avoidance paths. Path feasibility is determined at the “module aisle” level while optimization is performed at the subpath level so that the magnitude of processing effort is reduced from the order of 6 to 3 × 6.
Offstream movements of fish during drought in a regulated lowland river
Authors: Conallin A. J. , Hillyard K. A. , Walker K. F. , Gillanders B. M. , Smith B. B.
Published: July 2010

Access to offstream habitats is vital for many freshwater fish, but details of their lateral movements are scarce. We describe the movements of fish between the channel of the River Murray and six perennially inundated wetlands in South Australia from August to November 2006. At this time there were unprecedented low flows in the river owing to the combined effects of river regulation, drought and over‐allocation to upstream users. Some 210 000 fish from 18 species (14 native, 4 alien) were recorded, including two uncommon native species listed by conservation agencies. Movements of juveniles and adults varied among wetlands despite the shared river reach and the proximity of the wetlands to each other, but showed no consistent directionality. This may reflect the prevailing low‐flow conditions, the virtually permanent connections between the wetlands and channel maintained by weirs, levees and barrages, and the dominance of ‘generalist’ species. We speculate that movements facilitate efficient resource utilization and nutrient exchange between homogenized river and wetland habitats in the absence of the flood‐pulse. We anticipate directional movements will become apparent when flows are increased, so that our data could provide a comparative baseline for future studies. As modifications to natural flow paths may impede access to/from wetlands by fish and other aquatic fauna, provisions for access should be incorporated into flow‐control structures, used locally to manipulate wetland hydrology. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skew‐normal Bayesian nonlinear mixed‐effects models with application to AIDS studies
Authors: Huang Yangxin , Dagne Getachew
Published: July 2010

Studies of HIV dynamics in AIDS research are very important in understanding the pathogenesis of HIV‐1 infection and also in assessing the effectiveness of antiviral therapies. Nonlinear mixed‐effects (NLME) models have been used for modeling between‐subject and within‐subject variations in viral load measurements. Mostly, normality of both within‐subject random error and random‐effects is a routine assumption for NLME models, but it may be unrealistic, obscuring important features of between‐subject and within‐subject variations, particularly, if the data exhibit skewness. In this paper, we develop a Bayesian approach to NLME models and relax the normality assumption by considering both model random errors and random‐effects to have a multivariate skew‐normal distribution. The proposed model provides flexibility in capturing a broad range of non‐normal behavior and includes normality as a special case. We use a real data set from an AIDS study to illustrate the proposed approach by comparing various candidate models. We find that the model with skew‐normality provides better fit to the observed data and the corresponding estimates of parameters are significantly different from those based on the model with normality when skewness is present in the data. These findings suggest that it is very important to assume a model with skew‐normal distribution in order to achieve robust and reliable results, in particular, when the data exhibit skewness. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semiconductor‐Nanocrystals‐Based White Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Dai Quanqin , Duty Chad E. , Hu Michael Z.
Published: July 2010

In response to the demands for energy and the concerns of global warming and climate change, energy efficient and environmentally friendly solid‐state lighting, such as white light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs), is considered to be the most promising and suitable light source. Because of their small size, high efficiency, and long lifetime, WLEDs based on colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (or quantum dots) are emerging as a completely new technology platform for the development of flat‐panel displays and solid‐state lighting, exhibiting the potential to replace the conventionally used incandescent and fluorescent lamps. This replacement can cut the ever‐increasing level of energy consumption, solve the problem of rapidly depleting fossil fuel reserves, and improve the quality of the global environment. In this review, the recent progress in semiconductor‐nanocrystals‐based WLEDs is highlighted, the different approaches for generating white light are compared, and the benefits and challenges of the solid‐state lighting technology are discussed.
GraphSET, a tool for simultaneous graph drawing
Authors: Estrella‐Balderrama A. , Fowler J. J. , Kobourov S. G.
Published: July 2010

Problems in simultaneous graph drawing involve the layout of several graphs on a shared vertex set. This paper describes a Graph Simultaneous Embedding Tool, GraphSET, designed to allow the investigation of a wide range of graph embedding problems. GraphSET can be used in the study of several variants of simultaneous embedding including simultaneous geometric embedding, simultaneous embedding with fixed edges, and colored simultaneous embedding with the vertex set partitioned into color classes. The tool has three primary uses: (i) studying theoretical problems in simultaneous graph drawing through the production of examples and counterexamples, (ii) producing layouts of given classes of graphs using built‐in implementations of known algorithms, and (iii) providing a platform for development and implementation of new algorithms and data structures for all variants of simultaneous graph embedding. We also describe the design decisions involved in the construction of GraphSET in terms of the requirements dictated by its applications. GraphSET along with movies illustrating its utility are available at http://graphset.cs.arizona.edu. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fine‐grained management of software artefacts: the ADAMS system
Authors: De Lucia Andrea , Fasano Fausto , Oliveto Rocco , Tortora Genoveffa
Published: July 2010

We present ADvanced Artefact Management System (ADAMS), a web‐based system that integrates project management features, such as work‐breakdown structure definition, resource allocation, and schedule management as well as artefact management features, such as artefact versioning, traceability management, and artefact quality management. In this article we focus on the fine‐grained artefact management approach adopted in ADAMS, which is a valuable support to high‐level documentation and traceability management. In particular, the traceability layer in ADAMS is used to propagate events concerning changes to an artefact to the dependent artefacts, thus also increasing the context‐awareness in the project. We also present the results of experimenting with the system in software projects developed at the University of Salerno. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ML performance analysis of digital relaying in bi‐directional relay channels
Authors: Özdemir Özgür , Yilmaz Ali Özgür
Published: July 2010

The research challenges to enhance the throughput of communication networks revealed the concept of network coding which is based on the idea of coding at packet level. The bi‐directional relay channel in which two user terminals exchange independent information with the help of a relay terminal is among the prominent applications of network coding in wireless cooperative communications. In this paper, maximum likelihood (ML) performance analysis of digital relaying based bi‐directional communication is presented. The three stage communication scenario is considered where the first and second stages are allotted to the transmissions of the users and after demodulation the relay broadcasts the network encoded packet obtained by a bit‐wise XOR operation to the users in the third stage. The average bit error rate of this scheme with ML detection is derived for Rayleigh fading channels under noncoherent BFSK and coherent BPSK signaling. Simulation results are also presented to validate the theoretical analysis. Analytical and simulation results show that digital relaying based three stage bi‐directional communication scheme with ML detection not only outperforms the noncooperative system that involves direct transmissions between user terminals but also prevents the diversity level reduction due to error propagation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced video phone services for NGN/IMS
Authors: Fan Gong‐Da , Huang Chao‐Chun , Lin Yi‐Bing , Tang Chung‐Shih , Twu Chin‐Ywu , Wen Yun‐Hui
Published: July 2010

A Next Generation Network (NGN) has been developed in Taiwan, where IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) plays an important role to offer IP‐based multimedia services. Such NGN/IMS networks have also been deployed worldwide. However, details of commercial‐grade NGN service implementations are seldom reported in public. In this paper, we show how existing video phone service can be enhanced through Chunghwa Telecom's NGN/IMS. Specifically, we illustrate three examples including Multimedia on Demand (MOD) TV, Multimedia Ringback Tone (MRBT), and Easy Go (EzGo). We also measure the delay times for accessing these services. The measurements indicate that performance for these IMS‐based services is satisfactory. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A screen for deficiencies in GPI‐anchorage of wall glycoproteins in yeast
Authors: Gonzalez Marlyn , Goddard Noel , Hicks Charles , Ovalle Rafael , Rauceo Jason M. , Jue Chong K. , Lipke Peter N.
Published: July 2010

Many of the genes and enzymes critical for assembly and biogenesis of yeast cell walls remain unidentified or poorly characterized. Therefore, we designed a high throughput genomic screen for defects in anchoring of GPI‐cell wall proteins (GPI‐CWPs), based on quantification of a secreted GFP‐Sag1p fusion protein. Saccharomyces cerevisiae diploid deletion strains were transformed with a plasmid expressing the fusion protein under a GPD promoter, then GFP fluorescence was determined in culture supernatants after mid‐exponential growth. Variability in the amount of fluorescent marker secreted into the medium was reduced by growth at 18 °C in buffered defined medium in the presence of sorbitol. Secondary screens included immunoblotting for GFP, fluorescence emission spectra, cell surface fluorescence, and cell integrity. Of 167 mutants deleted for genes affecting cell wall biogenesis or structure, eight showed consistent hyper‐secretion of GFP relative to parental strain BY4743: tdh3 (glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase), gda1 (guanosine diphosphatase), gpi13 and mcd4 (both ethanolamine phosphate‐GPI‐transferases), kre5 and kre1 (involved in synthesis of β1,6 glucan), dcw1(implicated in GPI‐CWP cross‐linking to cell wall glucan), and cwp1 (a major cell wall protein). In addition, deletion of a number of genes caused decreased secretion of GFP. These results elucidate specific roles for specific genes in cell wall biogenesis, including differentiating among paralogous genes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasmids for in vivo construction of integrative Candida albicans vectors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Vieira Neide , Pereira Filipa , Casal Margarida , Brown Alistair J. P. , Paiva Sandra , Johansson Björn
Published: July 2010

A general system has been devised for the in vivo construction of Candida albicans integrative vectors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The system is especially useful for the integration of genes in C. albicans that cannot be propagated in Escherichia coli, possibly because of their toxic effects. The ligation of S. cerevisiae 2 µ sequences to a C. albicans integrative vector permits in vivo maintenance and gap repair cloning within S. cerevisiae. After the vector assembly, it can be purified from S. cerevisiae or amplified by PCR and then used for transformation of C. albicans. The S. cerevisiae 2 µ sequence is completely removed by linearization prior to C. albicans transformation, such that no unwanted DNA is transferred in the final construct. The system was successfully used to clone and reintegrate the C. albicans JEN2 gene, which encodes a membrane protein that is apparently toxic to E. coli. Three popular C. albicans integrative vectors, CIp10, CIp20 and CIp30, are now available in versions that permit gap repair in S. cerevisiae. GenBank Accession Nos CIp10–2 µ (GU550119), CIp20–2 µ (GU550120) and CIp30–2 µ (GU550121). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
45Sc Solid State NMR Spectroscopy – A Complementary Tool to X‐ray Crystallography for Structure Determination of Intermetallic Compounds
Authors: Eckert Hellmut , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: July 2010

45Sc solid state NMR spectroscopy is a useful complementary tool to X‐ray crystallography for structure determination. Recent developments in the field of intermetallic scandium compounds are reviewed. The structural topics concern defect formation, structural disorder, superstructure formation, as well as the detection of multiple scandium sites. To address questions of this kind, high‐resolution 45Sc NMR spectroscopic techniques were established as a new structural tool for the quantification of the local coordination scandium environments and the detailed characterization of their internal NMR interaction parameters. Owing to the moderately sized nuclear electric quadrupole moment of 45Sc, the magic‐angle spinning spectra are affected both by first‐ and second‐order quadrupolar perturbations, which can be analyzed and quantified by fast magic angle spinning, assisted by lineshape simulations. The resolution can be further improved by correlating triple quantum (TQ) with single quantum coherences. Using this 2D NMR spectroscopic methodology, the effects of magnetic shielding and second‐order quadrupolar perturbations on the MAS NMR lineshape can be separated, enabling a more precise experimental characterization of electric field gradients present at the 45Sc nuclei. Structure validation includes the precise measurement of these parameters and comparison with quantum mechanically calculated values based on the atomic positions. In this regard, satisfactory results were obtained using the WIEN2k program.
Synthesis, Characterization, DNA Binding Properties, and Antioxidant Activity of Novel Copper(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes with Bis(pyrrol‐2‐yl‐methylamine) Ligands
Authors: Li Yong , Yang Zheng‐Yin , Wang Yuan
Published: July 2010

Three novel ligands H4Ln (n = 1–3) and their copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes were prepared and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, molar conductivity, 1H NMR, UV/Vis, and IR spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry. DNA binding properties of the ligands and their complexes were investigated by absorption spectroscopy, ethidium bromide displacement experiments, and viscosity measurements. The experimental results indicate that the new ligands and their complexes can bind to DNA and the binding affinities of the complexes are higher than those of the ligands. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the ligands and complexes was determined by superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging methods in vitro, indicating that the complexes exhibit more effective antioxidant activity than the ligands alone.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of LiZn13
Authors: Fischer Dieter , Jansen Martin
Published: July 2010

By simultaneous deposition of zinc and lithium onto a cooled sapphire substrate, LiZn13 was obtained for the first time. It crystallizes in the NaZn13 structure type (Fmc, a = 1234.92(6) pm, Rp = 5.4 %, Rwp = 6.9 %, structure analysis with the Rietveld‐method). Single‐phase LiZn13 forms from a hexagonal Li0.07Zn0.93 alloy, deposited at –196 °C, during heating up to room temperature. Above room temperature LiZn13 decomposes.
Is Breast Cancer the Same Disease in Asian and Western Countries?
Authors: Leong Stanley P. L. , Shen Zhen‐Zhou , Liu Tse‐Jia , Agarwal Gaurav , Tajima Tomoo , Paik Nam‐Sun , Sandelin Kerstin , Derossis Anna , Cody Hiram , Foulkes William D.
Published: July 2010

A mini‐symposium was held in Montreal, Canada, at the International Surgical Week for the Breast Surgical International in 2007 addressing the question whether breast cancer is the same disease in Asian and Western countries. Numerous investigators from Asian and Western countries presented the epidemiologic and clinical outcome data of women with breast cancer. Although there are significant similarities, the striking difference is that the peak age for breast cancer is between 40 and 50 years in the Asian countries, whereas the peak age in the Western countries is between 60 and 70 years. Also, the incidence of breast cancer in Asia is rising and is associated with increased mortality. In the West, although the incidence is increasing, the mortality rate is definitely decreasing. Future prospective data collection from Asian and Western countries may provide further interesting epidemiologic and outcome data regarding the outcome of women with breast cancer from Asian and Western countries.

Background

Whether breast cancer is the same disease in Asian and Western countries was the topic of a 2007 Breast Surgery International symposium at International Surgical Week.

Methods

Participating investigators from China, Taiwan, India, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Canada, and the United States were asked beforehand to provide data on the epidemiology and treatment outcome of women in their countries.

Results

Comparisons of the epidemiologic and clinical outcome data of women with breast cancer showed significant similarities, but the striking difference is that the peak age is between 40 and 50 years in Asian countries, but is between 60 and 70 years in Western countries. The incidence of breast cancer in Asia is rising and is associated with increased mortality. In the West, although the incidence is also increasing, the mortality rate is definitely decreasing.

Discussion

Future prospective data collection from Asian and Western countries may provide further interesting epidemiologic and outcome data regarding the outcome of women with breast cancer from Asian and Western countries.
Vascular Reconstruction During Pancreatoduodenectomy for Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas Improves Resectability but does not Achieve Cure
Authors: Ouaissi Mehdi , Hubert Catherine , Verhelst Robert , Astarci Parla , Sempoux Christine , Jouret‐Mourin Anne , Loundou Anderson , Gigot Jean‐François ,   The Multidisciplary HPB Group of Center of Cancer
Published: July 2010

Objective

Combined vascular and pancreatic resection improves long‐term survival of patients suffering from ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. This study was designed to compare the results of surgical resection in patients with pancreatic cancer with or without vascular resection. Late 10‐year disease‐free survival was considered as an indicator of patients’ disease cure.

Methods

A total of 149 consecutive patients have undergone pancreatoduodenectomy without vascular resection (group 1: 82 patients), with isolated venous resection (group B: 67 patients), or with arterial and/or venous resection (group C: 8 patients).

Results

The duration of surgery and blood losses were significantly more important in groups B and C compared with group A; however, postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were similar. R1 resection was significantly more frequent in groups B (42%) and C (50%) compared with group A (13%; p = 0.0002), but there were more advanced tumors in these groups, as demonstrated by a lower Karnowsky index, higher Ca 19‐9 plasmatic level, greater tumor size, more advanced stage in the AJCC classification, and more tumor location in the uncinate process of the pancreas. Ten‐year overall and disease‐free survivals were significantly better in group A (19 and 20%) compared with group B (2.8 and 0%) and group C (0% and 0%). Multivariate analysis proved vascular resection and metastatic nodal status as being independent predictive factors of disease‐free survival.

Conclusions

Vascular resection combined to pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer increases local resectability without increasing mortality and morbidity rates but does not improve patients’ disease cure rate.
Traumatic Lateral Plantar Artery Pseudoaneurysm and the Use of Time-Resolved MR Angiography
Authors: Murakami Akira M. , Chang Anthony , Foo Li Foong
Published: July 2010

Vascular injury resulting in pseudoaneurysm formation in the plantar aspect of the foot is an uncommon injury after trauma. Such injuries are more often reported in the lateral plantar artery rather than the medial plantar artery, most likely because of its more superficial location. Traditional modalities in diagnosis have included ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography. We present a case of traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the lateral plantar artery following a foot laceration. Diagnosis was made by the use of high-resolution, time-resolved contrast-enhanced 3D magnetic resonance angiography, also referred to as “TRICKS” (time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics). This technique provided high spatial resolution for the arterial anatomy as well as temporal resolution which allowed better delineation of the hemodynamic characteristics of the pseudoaneurysm.
Energy conservation and blowup of solutions for focusing Gross–Pitaevskii hierarchies
Authors: Chen Thomas , Pavlović Nataša , Tzirakis Nikolaos
Published: July 2010

We consider solutions of the focusing cubic and quintic Gross–Pitaevskii (GP) hierarchies. We identify an observable corresponding to the average energy per particle, and we prove that it is a conserved quantity. We prove that all solutions to the focusing GP hierarchy at the

L^{2}

-critical or

L^{2}

-supercritical level blow up in finite time if the energy per particle in the initial condition is negative. Our results do not assume any factorization of the initial data.
Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element‐like sequences are involved in dendritic targeting of BDNF mRNA in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Oe Souichi , Yoneda Yoshihiro
Published: July 2010

Several mRNAs are known to be targeted to dendrites in hippocampal neurons. In this study, we show that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA has two distinct cis‐acting dendritic targeting elements in the short 3′ untranslated region (UTR): a constitutive element and an activity‐dependent one. Moreover, deletion of serial cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE)‐like sequences in the short 3′UTR suppressed both constitutive and activity‐dependent dendritic targeting. In addition to the interaction with cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein‐1 (CPEB‐1), depolarization enhanced CPEB‐1 recruitment to the activity‐dependent targeting element. These results suggest that CPE‐like sequences are involved in the activity‐dependent as well as constitutive dendritic targeting of BDNF mRNA.
Uterine massage to reduce postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery
Authors: Abdel‐Aleem Hany , Singata Mandisa , Abdel‐Aleem Mahmoud , Mshweshwe Nolundi , Williams Xoliswa , Hofmeyr G. Justus
Published: July 2010

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of sustained uterine massage started before delivery of the placenta in reducing postpartum hemorrhage.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial conducted in Egypt and South Africa between September 2006 and February 2009. A total of 1964 pregnant women were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatment groups: intramuscular oxytocin, sustained uterine massage, or both treatments. Blood loss within 30 minutes of delivery was recorded.

Results

The incidence of blood loss of 300 mL or more within 30 minutes of delivery was significantly higher in the massage group than in the massage plus oxytocin (RR 1.88; 95% CI, 1.29–2.74 in Assiut, and RR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.00–1.68 in SA) and the oxytocin only group (RR 1.7; 95% CI, 1.11–2.61 in Assiut, and RR 2.24; 95% CI, 1.54–3.27 in SA). In both centers, use of additional uterotonics was significantly higher in the uterine massage group compared with the other 2 groups.

Conclusion

Uterine massage was less effective than oxytocin for reducing blood loss after delivery. When oxytocin was used, there was no additional benefit from uterine massage. The effectiveness of uterine massage in the absence of oxytocin was not studied. ACTRN: 12609000372280.
Spatially variable sedimentary responses to orbitally driven pluvial climate during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 5.1, Dakhla Oasis region, Egypt
Authors: Brookes Ian A.
Published: July 2010

Pleistocene basinal sediments (PBS) in the Dakhla region of Egypt's hyperarid Western Desert comprise four facies: (A) fluvio-lacustrine, (B) mixed lacustrine/pluvio-eolian, (C) pluvio-eolian, and (D) mixed eolian/pluvio-eolian. Contiguity of basins containing each facies, and their stratigraphic position between two bajada gravel formations, P/B-II and P/B-III, confirm their equivalence. Facies A and B, with lacustrine components, are attributed to orbitally forced poleward incursion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), resulting in increased summer insolation/temperature/precipitation. Facies C and D, comprising pluvio-eolian and eolian sediments, reflect geologic/topographic influences overprinted on regional 'pluvial' conditions, eliminating lacustrine response. A Th/U age of ∼ 62 ka on lacustrine marl within Facies B is minimal, and an OSL age of 110 ± 18 ka on sediments immediately below Facies B is maximal. Since bajada gravels P/B-III are the youngest Pleistocene formation, they must represent the final strong incursion of the ITCZ into the Dakhla region at MIS 5.1, ∼ 80 ka. Because PBS Facies A pass rapidly up into P/B-III bajada gravels, PBS are assigned to the rising limb of the MIS 5.1 insolation/temperature/precipitation curve, slightly younger than 80 ka.
A Framework for Assessing the Performance of Integrated Health Delivery Systems
Authors: Leggat Sandra G. , Leatt Peggy
Published: July 2010

Competing demands for resources within the health care system require health care providers to ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources. The evidence from the United States, the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions suggests that integrated health delivery systems (IDS) may be a cost-effective way to meet the health care needs of a population. This article introduces a framework for use in monitoring and evaluating the performance of an integrated delivery system. The establishment of a consistently used evaluation framework for integrated delivery systems will provide the government, governing bodies and other evaluators with an effective assessment tool that will enable greater understanding of the impact of the IDS on the health care system. It will also provide information to enable ongoing performance improvements within the system.
Clinical Program Development in an Alberta Capital Health Authority
Authors: Towers Donna , Jirsch Dennis
Published: July 2010

Developing a continuum of service delivery with provider input in a new health region has posed a major challenge. Planning service delivery by program has recently been considered an improvement over site-specific and discipline-specific planning. Implementing program councils has fundamentally restructured service planning in the Capital Health region: providers now plan together, focusing on the needs of patients/clients and the community.
Restructuring Canada's Blood System: What Will Be the Impact on Hospitals?
Authors: McKerracher Krista , Perrier Louise
Published: July 2010

With the amount of publicity given to the Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada (Krever Commission), hospitals will be pressured to change policies and procedures regarding transfusions and the use of drug alternatives to surgical blood transfusions. Over the next year, hospital administrators will be forced to implement changes regarding allocation of resources, upgrades to information systems and revised patient care practices for patients requiring transfusions or blood alternatives. At a series of focus groups organized by the Canadian College of Health Service Executives and Janssen-Ortho Inc. in early 1996, 57 health care administrators from across Canada discussed their vision of how the Krever Commission has and will affect hospital policies and procedures over the next few years. This article summarizes the groups' findings relating to the changes that hospital administrators are likely to implement across Canada in the next two to three years as a result of the Commission's activities.
Financial Markets and European Monetary Cooperation
Authors: Buiter Willem H. , Corsetti Giancarlo , Pesenti Paolo A.
Published: July 2010

A blend of theoretical and policy-oriented analysis, this book provides a comprehensive assessment of the causes and implications of the 1992–3 crisis of the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system. Cogent factual presentation - including new details on the crisis - original theoretical analysis, and an interpretation rooted in the theory, make this treatment essential reading to understand the process toward economic and political integration in Europe. The authors first sketch the history of monetary cooperation in Europe from Bretton Woods to Maastricht. A step-by-step account of the 1992–3 events follows, including a discussion of the extent to which financial markets anticipated the crisis. A survey of the literature on the subject introduces the authors' center-periphery model of currency crisis. The authors argue that the vulnerability of Europe to financial crisis was - and still is - the result of the lack of concern with the systemic dimensions of monetary policy-making.
Principles of Agricultural Economics
Authors: Colman David , Young Trevor
Published: July 2010

This textbook addresses the main economic principles required by agricultural economists involved in rural development. The principles of 'micro-economics' or 'price-theory' are of relevance to economists everywhere, but this book reinforces the message of their relevance for rural development by explaining the theory in the specific context of the agricultural and food sectors of developing countries. Hypothetical and actual empirical illustrations drawn almost exclusively from such countries distinguish this book from other economic principles texts that draw their examples almost invariably from industrialised countries, and also from books more oriented to the issue of rural development. The first half of the book deals with the underlying principles of production, supply and demand. These are essential tools for the study and management of the agricultural sector and food markets. In the second half, supply and demand are bought together into a chapter of equilibrium and exchange. This is followed by chapters on trade and the theory of economic welfare. In the final chapter it is shown that much of the material in the earlier chapters can be combined by agricultural economists into a system for analysing and comparing the effects of alternative agricultural policies. The ability of agricultural economics to provide a consistent framework for the analysis of policy problems thus enables it to make a key contribution to rural development.
Term Limits and Legislative Representation
Authors: Carey John M.
Published: July 2010

Virtually all legislative theory is built on the assumption that politicians are first and foremost reelection-seekers, and because so few countries have ever limited legislative reelection, this assumption has rarely been questioned. As a result, political science has been ill-equipped to offer insights on the impact of legislative term limits. Term Limits and Legislative Representation, first published in 1996, tests the central arguments made by both supporters and opponents of such reform by examining the experience of Costa Rica, the only long-term democracy to impose term limits on legislators, and by providing extensive comparisons with legislatures in Venezuela and the United States. Professor Carey challenges claims made about the effects of term limits on political careers, pork barrel politics, and the effectiveness of political parties in passing their programs.
Morpheme Order and Semantic Scope
Authors: Rice Keren
Published: July 2010

Athapaskan languages are well known for their intricate morphology, in particular the complexity of their verbs. The significance of these languages for linguistic theory is widely acknowledged. In this book, Keren Rice offers a rich typological survey of morpheme ordering in Athapaskan verbs, with implications for both synchronic grammar and language change. She shows that verb structure is in fact widely predictable across Athapaskan languages if appropriate syntactic factors and an overarching principle of semantic scope are taken into account. The presentation also includes a detailed study of argument and aspectual systems. This landmark volume was the first major comparative study of its type for the Athapaskan language family, combining descriptive depth with a contemporary theoretical perspective. Clear and insightful, it will interest Athapaskanists, typologists, historical and theoretical linguists alike.
Between Rome and Carthage
Authors: Fronda Michael P.
Published: July 2010

Hannibal invaded Italy with the hope of raising widespread rebellions among Rome's subordinate allies. Yet even after crushing the Roman army at Cannae, he was only partially successful. Why did some communities decide to side with Carthage and others to side with Rome? This is the fundamental question posed in this book, and consideration is given to the particular political, diplomatic, military and economic factors that influenced individual communities' decisions. Understanding their motivations reveals much, not just about the war itself, but also about Rome's relations with Italy during the prior two centuries of aggressive expansion. The book sheds new light on Roman imperialism in Italy, the nature of Roman hegemony, and the transformation of Roman Italy in the period leading up to the Social War. It is informed throughout by contemporary political science theory and archaeological evidence, and will be required reading for all historians of the Roman Republic.
Portuguese
Authors: Azevedo Milton M.
Published: July 2010

This accessible 2005 book provides a comprehensive introduction to the linguistic structure of Portuguese. Clearly organised, it covers the central topics of syntax, phonology, morphology, semantics and pragmatics, and explores the social and historical background of Portuguese, its development and spread in the world, and related sociolinguistic issues such as dialect variation and language planning. It also includes a chapter on Portuguese in Brazil, where approximately 80% of Portuguese speakers live. Assuming very little prior knowledge of linguistic terminology, Portuguese: A Linguistic Introduction is designed to help intermediate and advanced students of Portuguese understand how the language functions at all levels, and to give students of linguistics a useful starting point for work on the structure of Portuguese. Keeping linguistic theory to a minimum, it focuses on presenting the linguistic facts in a clear and lucid way, providing a useful global overview of the Portuguese language and its surrounding issues.
Atomic Structure and Lifetimes
Authors: Curtis Lorenzo J.
Published: July 2010

This book presents an approach to introductory graduate courses on atomic structure. The author's approach utilizes conceptually powerful semiclassical modeling methods, and demonstrates the degree to which the Maslov-indexed EBK quantization elucidates the quantum mechanical formulation of level energies and lifetimes. It merges this with an update and extension of semiempirical data systematizations developed by Bengt Edlén to describe complex atoms, and adapts them to include the specification of lifetimes. The text emphasizes the historical basis of the nomenclature and methodologies of spectroscopy. However, interaction mechanisms are presented deductively, based on quantum mechanical and field theoretical models, rather than tracing their indirect paths of discovery. Many worked examples provide applications to areas such as astrophysics, hyperfine structure, and coherent anisotropic excitation. The book presents a firm foundation for specialists in atomic physics, as well as a capstone application for specialists in astrophysics, chemistry, condensed matter, and other related fields.
Rightful Resistance in Rural China
Authors: O'Brien Kevin J. , Li Lianjiang
Published: July 2010

How can the poor and weak 'work' a political system to their advantage? Drawing mainly on interviews and surveys in rural China, Kevin O'Brien and Lianjiang Li show that popular action often hinges on locating and exploiting divisions within the state. Otherwise powerless people use the rhetoric and commitments of the central government to try to fight misconduct by local officials, open up clogged channels of participation, and push back the frontiers of the permissible. This 'rightful resistance' has far-reaching implications for our understanding of contentious politics. As O'Brien and Li explore the origins, dynamics, and consequences of rightful resistance, they highlight similarities between collective action in places as varied as China, the former East Germany, and the United States, while suggesting how Chinese experiences speak to issues such as opportunities to protest, claims radicalization, tactical innovation, and the outcomes of contention.
Impact of a falling jet
Authors: CHRISTODOULIDES PAUL , DIAS FRÉDÉRIC
Published: July 2010

Given the complexity of the problem of the impact of a mass of liquid on a solid structure, various simplified models have been introduced in order to obtain some insight on particular aspects of the problem. Here the steady flow of a jet falling from a vertical pipe, hitting a horizontal plate and flowing sideways is considered. Depending on the elevation H of the pipe relative to the horizontal plate and the Froude number F, the flow can either leave the pipe tangentially or detach from the edge of the pipe. When the flow leaves tangentially, it can either be diverted immediately by the plate or experience squeezing before being diverted. First, the problem is reformulated using conformal mappings. The resulting problem is then solved by a collocation Galerkin method; a particular form is assumed for the solution, and certain coefficients in that representation are then found numerically by satisfying Bernoulli's equation on the free surfaces at certain discrete points. The resulting equations are solved by Newton's method, yielding various configurations of the solution based on the values of F and H. The pressure exerted on the plate is computed and discussed. For a fixed value of F, the maximum pressure along the plate goes through a minimum as H increases from small to large values. Results are presented for the three possible configurations: (i) tangential departure from the pipe and no squeezing, (ii) tangential departure from the pipe followed by squeezing of the liquid and (iii) detachment of the liquid from the pipe (with subsequent squeezing).
Assessment of early post-operative pain following septorhinoplasty
Authors: Szychta P , Antoszewski B
Published: July 2010

Objective:

To evaluate pain incidence and intensity in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty, and to assess analgesic treatment effectiveness, in the first 7 days after surgery.

Design:

Prospective outcomes analysis using visual analogue scale assessment of pain intensity in the first 7 post-operative days.

Subjects:

Fifty-seven patients were enrolled in the study, 29 women and 28 men, aged 18 to 51 years. All were treated for post-traumatic deformity of the external nose and/or nasal septum, with either septorhinoplasty or septoplasty.

Results:

In the first 3 days after septorhinoplasty, patients' mean visual analogue scale pain score exceeded the range denoting ‘analgesic success’, and showed considerable exacerbation in the evening. Patients' pain decreased to a mean score of 15.4 one hour after administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (metamizole).

Conclusion:

Analgesia is recommended for all patients in the first 3 days after septorhinoplasty, especially in the early evening.
Jugular foramen schwannoma presenting with glossopharyngeal neuralgia syncope syndrome
Authors: Saman Y , Whitehead D , Gleeson M
Published: July 2010

Introduction:

Jugular foramen schwannomas are rare skull base tumours which typically have a variable clinical presentation. Glossopharyngeal syncope syndrome is an unusual clinical presentation; in the following case report, it was the sole presentation of an extracranial jugular foramen tumour.

Methods:

The presentation of a patient with glossopharyngeal neuralgia syncope syndrome is reviewed and the pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment discussed.

Results:

A 45-year-old woman presented with unilateral throat pain, bradycardia and hypotension leading to episodes of impaired consciousness when lying on her left side or turning her head to the left. Imaging detected a left-sided extracranial jugular foramen schwannoma. The tumour was excised, and the patient had no more syncopal attacks.

Conclusion:

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia syncope syndrome can be the sole presentation of a jugular foramen schwannoma. Although this syndrome may be treated with anti-dysrhythmic drugs, cardiac pacing or nerve section, in the presented patient excision of the jugular foramen schwannoma was successful in preventing further episodes of syncope.