bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust design of circuits susceptible to electromigration
Authors: van Geest Erik , Brombacher Aarnout , Herrmann Otto
Published: July 2007

Building in reliability requires a translation of failures to designable parameters and optimization of these parameters. This paper presents a systematic approach to optimize the reliability of an IC, susceptible to electromigration, in its application.
On the use of DC measurements for ESD‐related process monitoring
Authors: Luchies Jan Marc , Kuper Fred , Verweij Jan
Published: July 2007

DC measurements and transmission line method measurements have been carried out on field oxide NMOSTs made in a 0‐8 μm CMOS process. Analysis shows that DC measurements can be applied for fast ESD related feedback to submicron process development.
Analysis of ESD protection networks for DMOS power transistors by means of static and time‐resolved emission microscopy
Authors: Bonati Bruno , Canclini Athos , Cavone Marianna , Novarini Enrico , Pavan Paolo , Rivoir Roberto , Stucchi Michele , Zanoni Enrico
Published: July 2007

Different ESD input/output protection networks, based on Zener diodes and lateral npn transistors have been implemented with the aim of characterizing their effectiveness in protecting vertical DMOS power transistors. Failure mechanisms have been identified by means of static emission microscopy. Gated emission microscopy, in synchronism with a voltage pulse emulating the ESD event, enables the dynamic behaviour of protection structures to be analysed, identifying lateral current crowding effects which explain the observed failure mechanisms.
Two‐dimensional modelling and characterization of gate‐to‐drain overlap contribution on the leakage current of a MOSFET, used as a GCD
Authors: Ciantar E. , Burgniard S. , Jérisian R. , Oualid J.
Published: July 2007

We have studied the contribution of the gate‐to‐drain overlap on the hot‐carrier induced leakage current of an NMOSFET used as gate‐controlled diode (GCD) after stress. The experimental GCD characteristic is compared to the model obtained by a home‐modified version of MINIMOS. We have introduced an arbitrary or calculated profile of interface states and charges created by hot electrons (models given by C. Hu and P. Roblin, respectively) in order to calculate by fitting their spatial distributions. We have studied also the influence of stress conditions on simulated GCD characteristics.
Enhanced anaerobic bioremediation of a TCE source at the Tarheel Army Missile Plant using EOS
Authors: Borden Robert C. , Beckwith Walter J. , Lieberman M. Tony , Akladiss Naji , Hill Steve R.
Published: June 2007

EOS, or emulsified oil substrate, was used to stimulate anaerobic biodegradation of trichloroethene (TCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE) at a former Army‐owned manufacturing facility located in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. Previous use of chlorinated solvents at the facility resulted in soil and groundwater impacts. Ten years of active remediation utilizing soil vacuum extraction and air sparging (SVE/AS) were largely ineffective in reducing the TCE/PCE plume. In 2002, the Army authorized preparation of an amended Remedial Action Plan (RAP) to evaluate in situ bioremediation methods to remediate TCE in groundwater. The RAP evaluated eight groundwater remediation technologies and recommended EOS as the preferred bioremediation alternative for the site. Eight wells were drilled within the 100 × 100 feet area believed to be the primary source area for the TCE plume. In a first injection phase, dilute EOS emulsion was injected into half of the wells. Distribution of the carbon substrate through the treatment zone was enhanced by pumping the four wells that were not injected and recirculating the extracted water through the injection wells. The process was repeated in a second phase that reversed the injection/extraction well pairs. Overall, 18,480 pounds of EOS were injected and 163,000 gallons of water were recirculated through the source area. Anaerobic groundwater conditions were observed shortly after injection with a corresponding decrease in both PCE and TCE concentrations. Dissolved oxygen, oxidation‐reduction potential, and sulfate concentrations also decreased after injection, while TCE‐degradation products, ferrous iron, and methane concentrations increased. The reduction in TCE allowed the Army to meet the groundwater remediation goals for the site. Approximately 18 months after injection, eight wells were innoculated with a commercially prepared dechlorinating culture (KB‐1) in an attempt to address lingering cis‐1,2‐dichloroethene (cis‐DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) that continued to be observed in some wells. Dehalococcoides populations increased slightly post‐bioaugmentation. Both cis‐DCE and VC continue to slowly decrease. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Remediation with cyclodextrin: Recovery of the remedial agent by membrane filtration
Authors: Boving Thomas B. , Barnett Stanley M. , Perez Gustavo , Blanford William J. , McCray John E.
Published: June 2007

Cyclodextrin‐enhanced flushing of contaminants from the subsurface is a promising innovative remediation technology. It will become more economically viable at more sites if methods can be developed to recover and reconcentrate the cyclodextrin solution after it has been flushed through an aquifer. The goal of this study was to determine if membrane technology is capable of meeting that need. Five membranes with different material properties were tested for this purpose in the laboratory. The results of these tests indicate that there are large differences both in the efficiency of these membranes to extract hydroxpropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HPCD) and their stability when exposed to trichloroethylene (TCE) at concentrations near aqueous solubility. Not only does the molecular weigh cutoff (MWCO) of a membrane determine if HPCD can be retained, but crucial selection criteria are the membrane's resistance and compatibility with TCE. Of the five membrane materials tested, only two (polymer composite membrane and polysulfone) met both these requirements. The polymer composite membrane (MPF‐44) showed reliable and stable HPCD recoveries (>95 percent) even when exposed to high TCE concentrations. The polysulfone membrane showed high HPCD recoveries, 88.5 ± 0.4 percent to 97 percent ±1 percent for ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes, respectively. However, membrane swelling and deterioration became a problem at high TCE concentrations (>1,000 mg/L). These problems diminished when the TCE concentration was less than 1 mg/L. Field tests demonstrated that batch mode treatment by ultrafiltration doubled the cyclodextrin concentration from 5 to 10 percent within three hours at a constant operating pressure of 13 psi. Under continuous single‐pass treatment conditions, cyclodextrin concentration also increased, although the rate of increase was much smaller than in batch mode. Overall, these tests showed that cyclodextrin recovery is possible under field conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Remediation process optimization: A status report
Authors: Madabhushi Sriram , O'Neill Tom
Published: June 2007

There are hundreds of contaminated sites with remediation systems that require evaluation and modification to accomplish cleanup goals. These systems are operating well past projected cleanup schedules, cost more than projected to operate, and may not be as protective of human health and the environment as planned. Remediation process optimization (RPO) is an effective method to assess the progress of a system toward achieving cleanup goals within desired time frames and to make the necessary changes in order to reach those goals. Eight main components to the RPO process are evaluated during a review and an implementation plan of recommended changes to the system is developed. Follow‐up and tracking are essential to successful RPO programs. In this article, the authors present a summary of a recent Technical and Regulatory (TechReg) Guidance Document (Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council [ITRC], 2004) and related Technology Overview Series on Advanced Topics in RPO (ITRC, 2006) in a distilled form. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of soil solid amendments for TCE biodegradation in a biobarrier system
Authors: Katsenovich Yelena , Öztürk Zuhal , Allen Marshall , Wein Gary
Published: June 2007

Permeable biobarrier systems (PBSs) are being recognized as low‐cost passive bioremediation technologies for chlorinated organic contamination. This innovative technology can play a crucial and effective role in site restorations. Laboratory‐scale experiments were conducted to investigate the biodegradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) to ethylene in shallow groundwater through the use of a PBS enhanced by bioaugmentation at the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS). Two composts and two plant amendments, eucalyptus mulch (EM) and corncobs (CC), were examined for their effectiveness at creating and maintaining conditions suitable for TCE anaerobic dechlorination. These materials were evaluated for their (1) nutrient and organic carbon content, (2) TCE sorption characteristics, and (3) longevity of release of nutrients and soluble carbon in groundwater to support TCE dechlorination. Native bacteria in the columns had the ability to convert TCE to dichloroethenes (DCEs); however, the inoculation with the TCE‐degrading culture greatly increased the rate of biodegradation. This caused a significant increase in by‐product concentration, mostly in the form of DCEs and vinyl chloride (VC) followed by a slow degradation to ethylene. Of the tested amendments, eucalyptus mulch was the most effective at supporting the reductive dechlorination of TCE. Corncobs created a very acidic condition in the column that inhibited dechlorination. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The ART In‐Well Technology test at a chlorinated solvent site in central Iowa
Authors: Donnerberg Cynthia R. , Cleary John P. , Odah Marco M.
Published: June 2007

An Accelerated Remediation Technologies (ART) In‐Well Technology pilot test was performed to evaluate the removal of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from groundwater. The ART In‐Well Technology was installed in one well located in the source area where dense nonaqueous‐phase liquid has been identified and VOC concentrations exceed 140,000 μg/L. Monitoring wells at the site were positioned between 10 and 170 feet from the ART test well. Overall, VOC concentrations from samples collected from the groundwater monitoring wells and in the vapors extracted for discharge from the ART treatment well were analyzed over the testing period. Monitoring results showed that concentrations of perchloroethylene were reduced in the closest monitoring well to nondetectable concentrations within 90 days. The cumulative removal of chlorinated VOCs from the ART test well over the six‐month pilot test period exceeded 9,500 pounds based on air monitoring data. The ART technology proved effective and cost‐efficient in reducing contaminant concentrations and removing a large mass of contamination from the subsurface in a short period of time. The radius of influence of the ART technology at the site was estimated to range between 65 and 170 feet. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Monitored natural attenuation forum: The use of carbon isotope analysis at MNA sites
Authors: Paul Philp R. , Pirkle Robert J. , McLoughlin Patrick W. , Peacock Aaron D. , Yang Xiaomin
Published: June 2007

Stable carbon isotopes have been used in various applications for approximately 50 years, in many applications including the fields of medicine, criminology, and biology and recently has been used in the remediation field to track the degradation of various organic compounds. It is a commercially available investigation technology that is gaining in popularity and has unique applications related to monitored natural attenuation (MNA). To further discuss this technology and how it is used at MNA sites, we presented the following question to five guest panel members. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of bottom sediment restoration on interstitial habitat characteristics and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in a headwater stream
Authors: Sarriquet P. E. , Bordenave P. , Marmonier P.
Published: June 2007

The restoration of in‐stream habitats by structural improvement of stream beds is more and more frequent, but the ecological consequences of such works are still little known. We have examined the influence of the deposit of a 15 cm gravel layer over the stream bottom on the chemical characteristics of the interstitial water, the sediment grain size and the composition of the benthic assemblages. We have compared a restored reach to an upstream control over three years and at three seasons each year. Dissolved oxygen, ammonium, nitrite and nitrate contents were measured in both surface and interstitial (−15 cm deep) waters, together with the depth of anoxia estimated using wooden stakes and fine sediment content at the surface. During the same period and seasons, benthic invertebrates were sampled at five points in each reach. The restoration induced an increase in vertical exchanges of water between surface and interstitial habitats, with an increase in the depth of hypoxia. Changes were observed in the composition of invertebrate communities, but not in the density or in the taxonomic richness of assemblages. These changes in assemblages were fragile: a local disturbance (such as a drying period) diminished the beneficial effect of the restoration with the disappearance of several organisms. The viability of such restoration works may be associated with catchment management designed to reduce fine sediment inputs to the river. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A parallel optimization algorithm for minimum execution‐time multiprocessor scheduling problem
Authors: Kasahara Hironori , Itoh Atsusi , Tanaka Hisamitsu , Itoh Keisuke
Published: July 2007

This paper proposes a parallel optimization algorithm PDF/IHS for the minimum execution‐time multiprocessor scheduling problem which is a strong NP‐hard optimization problem. PDF/IHS is a parallelization and efficient implementation of the only practical optimization algorithm DF/IHS among those which have been proposed for this scheduling problem. In PDF/IHS, processors perform depth‐first search in parallel on a heuristically generated search tree in such a way that it is searched hierarchically from the left‐ and right‐hand sides.

The effectiveness of PDF/IHS has been verified by simulation and practical parallel processing on Alliant FX4. As a result, it has been recognized that most of the problems which required a long time by DF/IHS can be solved approximately in time 1/m by PDF/IHS using m processors. Moreover, even for a problem which required a very long time or could not be solved in a practical time by DF/IHS, it has been verified that PDF/IHS can give solutions in time less than 1/m.
Nanostructuring with a Crosslinkable Discotic Material
Authors: Kastler Marcel , Pisula Wojciech , Davies Richard J. , Gorelik Tatiana , Kolb Ute , Müllen Klaus
Published: June 2007

A high‐yielding synthesis afforded a hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene carrying acrylate units at the end of six attached alkyl spacers. The polymerization of these acrylate moieties could be initiated with thermal energy and through direct photoactivation without the addition of a photoinitiator. This allowed the organization of the liquid‐crystalline material to be fixed in either the crystalline state or the mesophase, which preserved the organization in the respective phase. The use of a focused synchrotron beam permitted selected regions of a thin film to be rendered insoluble. After “developing” the film in this lithographic process by dissolving the soluble, unpolymerized material, defined nano‐objects remained on the substrate. In addition, the pronounced aromatic π stacking of the novel material allows an organization in mesoporous membranes that could be fixed by thermal crosslinking. After the removal of the inorganic template, mechanically stable nanotubes were obtained, which were characterized by different microscopy techniques.
Software evolution in open source projects—a large‐scale investigation
Authors: Koch Stefan
Published: June 2007

In this paper, the evolution of a large sample of open source software systems will be analysed. The evolution of commercial systems has been an issue that has long been a centre of research, thus a coherent theoretical framework of software evolution has been developed and empirically tested, most notably the laws of software evolution. In exploring the evolutionary behaviour of open source systems, these results can serve as a point of reference, allowing to assess if differences exist, or which aspects of open and collaborative development styles have an impact on evolutionary behaviour. The data collection method relying on a large software repository and the respective source code control systems is described, and an overview on the collected data on several thousand projects is given. The evolutionary behaviour is explored using both a linear and a quadratic model, with the quadratic model being shown as better suited. The most interesting fact is that while in the mean the growth rate is linear or decreasing over time according to the laws of software evolution, a significant percentage of projects is able to sustain super‐linear growth. There is a positive relationship between the size of a project, the number of participants, and the inequality in the distribution of work within the development team with the presence of super‐linear growth patterns. On the other hand, there is evidence for a group of projects of moderate size which shows decreasing growth rates, while small projects in general exhibit linear growth. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A component‐based framework for radio‐astronomical imaging software systems
Authors: Kemball A. J. , Crutcher R. M. , Hasan R.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a component‐based framework for radio‐astronomical imaging software systems. We consider optimal re‐use strategies for packages of disparate architectures brought together within a modern component framework. In this practical case study, the legacy codes include both procedural and object‐oriented architectures. We consider also the special requirements on scientific component middleware, with a specific focus on high‐performance computing. We present an example application in this component architecture and outline future development planned for this project. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dimensions of food insecurity and livelihood strategies among rural households in Dire Dawa, eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Shimelis Abebaw , Bogale Ayalneh
Published: June 2007

Based on household‐level data gathered from 115 randomly selected rural locations in Dire Dawa, the extent of food security and livelihoods strategies was scrutinised. Food insecurity was found to be a severe problem in the area with 76% of the households being food insecure, and with a food‐insecurity gap and severity of food insecurity of 31% and 15%, respectively. The study also identified various livelihood strategies of the rural households, which were found to be a composite of different activities to enable them to make a living. These activities included mixed crop‐livestock farming, diversification of crop production, diversification of livestock production, and supplementation of crop and livestock production with off‐farm activities. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Space‐time diversity‐enhanced QoS provisioning for real‐time service over MC‐DS‐CDMA based wireless networks
Authors: Zhang Xi , Tang Jia , Chen Hsiao‐Hwa
Published: June 2007

In order to support the quality‐of‐service (QoS) requirements for real‐time traffic over broadband wireless networks, advanced techniques such as space‐time diversity (STD) and multicarrier direct‐sequence code division multiple access (MC‐DS‐CDMA) are implemented at the physical layer. However, the employment of such techniques evidently affects the QoS provisioning algorithms at the medium access control (MAC) layer. In this paper, we propose a space‐time infrastructure and develop a set of cross‐layer real‐time QoS‐provisioning algorithms for admission control, scheduling, and subchannel‐allocations. We analytically map the parameters characterizing the STD onto the admission‐control region guaranteeing the real‐time QoS. Our analytical analyses show that the proposed algorithms can effectively support real‐time QoS provisioning. Also presented are numerical solutions and simulation results showing that the STD can significantly improve the QoS provisioning for real‐time services over wireless networks. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of WTG dynamic response to parameter variations of analytic wind stochasticity
Authors: Muhando Endusa Billy , Senjyu Tomonobu , Yona Atsushi , Kinjo Hiroshi , Funabashi Toshihisa
Published: June 2007

Although variable‐speed operation can reduce the impact of transient wind gusts and subsequent component fatigue, this is still an unknown factor that must now be quantified. Reduction in drive‐train stresses caused by fatigue loads in high wind turbulence is fundamental to realizing both output power leveling and long service life for a wind turbine generator (WTG). This paper presents an evolutionary controller comprising a linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) and neurocontroller acting in tandem to effect optimal performance under high turbulence intensities, for a variable‐speed, fixed‐pitch WTG. The control objectives are maximum energy conversion and reduction in mechanical stresses on the system components. The proposed paradigm utilizes generator torque in controlling the rotor speed in relation to the highly turbulent wind speed, thereby ensuring the extracted aerodynamic power is maintained at a constant value, while shaft moments are regulated. The performance of the proposed controller is compared with that of the LQG and it is found that the former is more efficient in maintaining rated power, minimizing shaft torque variations, and shows robustness to parameter variations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A suite of Gateway® cloning vectors for high‐throughput genetic analysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Alberti Simon , Gitler Aaron D. , Lindquist Susan
Published: June 2007

In the post‐genomic era, academic and biotechnological research is increasingly shifting its attention from single proteins to the analysis of complex protein networks. This change in experimental design requires the use of simple and experimentally tractable organisms, such as the unicellular eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and a range of new high‐throughput techniques. The Gateway® system has emerged as a powerful high‐throughput cloning method that allows for the in vitro recombination of DNA with high speed, accuracy and reliability. Two Gateway‐based libraries of overexpression plasmids containing the entire complement of yeast open reading frames (ORFs) have recently been completed. In order to make use of these powerful resources, we adapted the widely used pRS series of yeast shuttle vectors for use in Gateway‐based cloning. The resulting suite of 288 yeast Gateway vectors is based upon the two commonly used GPD and GAL1 promoter expression systems that enable expression of ORFs, either constitutively or under galactose‐inducible conditions. In addition, proteins of interest can be fused to a choice of frequently used N‐ or C‐terminal tags, such as EGFP, ECFP, EYFP, Cerulean, monomeric DsRed, HA or TAP. We have made this yeast Gateway® vector kit available to the research community via the non‐profit Addgene Plasmid Repository (http://www.addgene.org/yeast_gateway). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nutrient intake in lysinuric protein intolerance
Authors: Tanner L. M. , Näntö‐Salonen K. , Venetoklis J. , Kotilainen S. , Niinikoski H. , Huoponen K. , Simell O.
Published: June 2007

Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by defective transport of cationic amino acids. Poor intestinal absorption and increased renal loss of arginine, ornithine and lysine lead to low plasma concentrations of these amino acids and, subsequently, to impaired urea cycle function. The patients therefore have decreased nitrogen tolerance, which may lead to hyperammonaemia after ingestion of normal amounts of dietary protein. As a protective mechanism, most patients develop strong aversion to protein‐rich foods early in life. Oral supplementation with citrulline, which is absorbed normally and metabolized to arginine and ornithine, improves protein tolerance to some extent, as do sodium benzoate and sodium phenylbutyrate also used by some patients. Despite effective prevention of hyperammonaemia, the patients still consume a very restricted diet, which may be deficient in energy, essential amino acids and some vitamins and minerals. To investigate the potential nutritional problems of patients with lysinuric protein intolerance, 77 three‐ to four‐day food records of 28 Finnish LPI patients aged 1.5–61 years were analysed. The data suggest that the patients are clearly at risk for many nutritional deficiencies, which may contribute to their symptoms. Their diet is highly deficient in calcium, vitamin D, iron and zinc. Individualized nutritional supplementation accompanied by regular monitoring of dietary intake is therefore an essential part of the treatment of LPI.
Temporomandibular joint inflammation decreases the voltage‐gated K+channel subtype 1.4‐immunoreactivity of trigeminal ganglion neurons in rats
Authors: Takeda Mamoru , Tanimoto Takeshi , Nasu Masanori , Matsumoto Shigeji
Published: June 2007

Voltage‐gated K+(Kv) channels are one of the important physiological regulators of the membrane potentials in excitable cells, including sensory ganglion neurons. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation alters expression of Kv channel subtype 1.4 (Kv1.4) of trigeminal ganglion (TRG) neurons innervating TMJ relating allodynia (pain caused by normally innoxious stimulation), by using both behavioral and immunohistochemical techniques. TMJ inflammation was induced by injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the rat TMJ. The threshold for escape from mechanical stimulation applied to the orofacial area in TMJ inflamed rats was significantly lower than that in naïve rats. TMJ afferents were identified by fluorogold (FG) labeling. The mean numbers of Kv1.4‐/neurofilament (NF) 200(myelinated fiber marker) positive‐ and negative‐immunoreactivities FG‐labeled small‐/medium‐diameter TRG neurons in inflamed rats were significantly decreased when compared with those in the naïve rats. These findings suggest that TMJ inflammation reduces the expression of Kv1.4 subunits in the small‐/medium sized (Aδ‐/C‐) TRG neurons and this may contribute to trigeminal inflammatory allodynia in TMJ disorder. These results lead us to suggest that Kv channel openers may be a potential therapeutic agents for prevention of mechanical allodynia.
Examination of gap junctional, intercellular communication by in situ electroporation on two co‐planar indium‐tin oxide electrodes
Authors: Anagnostopoulou Aikaterini , Cao Jun , Vultur Adina , Firth Kevin , Raptis Leda
Published: June 2007

Gap junctions are plasma membrane channels between neighboring cells. We previously described a powerful technique where gap junctional, intercellular communication (GJIC) of adherent cells can be examined by in situ electroporation on a slide, part of which is coated with electrically conductive and transparent indium‐tin oxide. An electric pulse is applied through an electrode placed on the cells in the presence of the tracking dye, Lucifer yellow (LY). The pulse causes LY's penetration into the cells growing on the conductive part of the slide, and the subsequent migration of the dye to the non‐electroporated cells growing on the non‐conductive area is microscopically observed under fluorescence illumination. Although this technique is adequate for a number of cell lines, the turbulence generated as the electrode is removed can cause cell detachment, which makes GJIC examination problematic. In this communication, we describe a slide configuration where junctional communication can be examined in the absence of an upper electrode: Cells are grown on two co‐planar electrodes separated by a barrier which diverts the electric field, rendering it vertical to the cell layer. The elimination of an upper electrode is especially valuable for the electroporation of sensitive cells, such as terminally differentiated adipocytes. This technique can also be used for the introduction of other non‐permeant molecules such as peptides or siRNA, followed by examination of the cellular phenotype or gene expression levels in situ.
Ultrastructure of the egg shell of the acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus crassus
Authors: Nikishin V.P.
Published: June 2007

In the acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus crassus five embryonic envelopes have been identified, including four, which are similar to those in previously studied acanthocephalans and a supplementary one, located between the outer and the second envelopes, which is characteristic of only a few Eoacanthocephala. The terminology of the envelopes in relation to their origin and possible function is discussed.
Comparison of the cost-effectiveness of infliximab in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in the United Kingdom based on two different clinical trials
Authors: Kobelt Gisela , Sobocki Patrik , Sieper Joachim , Braun Jürgen
Published: June 2007

Objectives:To compare the cost-effectiveness of the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with infliximab in the United Kingdom over lifetime estimated from two different clinical trials and adjusted for clinical practice guidelines.

Methods:A cost-effectiveness model was developed to incorporate clinical, epidemiological, and economic data and allow extrapolation of trial results and incorporation of long-term treatment. Assumptions regarding treatment beyond the trials were based on open extensions from the trials and treatment guidelines by the British Society for Rheumatology. Results are presented for both the societal perspective and the perspective of the National Health Service (UK £, discounted 3.5 percent).

Results:Under the assumption that disease activity would be controlled and functional capacity would remain stable while on drug, treatment with infliximab (5 mg/kg every 6 weeks) dominates standard treatment in the societal perspective. In the National Health Service perspective, the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained over lifetime was £28,300 and £26,800 for the two trials. If functional capacity were to deteriorate at half the rate of untreated patients, the cost per QALY gained would be £35,300 and £34,100, respectively. The results are sensitive to the dosing regimen adopted, the discontinuation rate, and assumptions concerning disease progression while on treatment.

Conclusions:The two clinical trials yield the same cost-effectiveness results and the cost per QALY gained with treatment was found to be in the acceptable range.
Properties of the 15D and the Nottingham Health Profile questionnaires in patients with lower limb atherosclerotic disease
Authors: Koivunen Kirsi , Sintonen Harri , Lukkarinen Hannele
Published: June 2007

Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare the generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments, the 15D and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), in terms of feasibility, cross-sectional construct validity, discriminatory power, and responsiveness to the change in patients with lower limb atherosclerosis disease (LLAD).

Methods:Patients who were treated conservatively (64 patients), scheduled for endovascular treatment (85 patients), or for elective surgery (31 patients) filled in the NHP and the 15D questionnaires before treatment and 12 months after. The methods of analysis included calculations of the completion rate, the multitrait–multimethod matrix, extreme group comparisons with thet-test, and calculations of “floor” and “ceiling” effects and effect sizes.

Results:Both the 15D and the NHP instruments were feasible because full data were obtained at baseline from 84.1 percent of patients and 82 percent at 12 months with the 15D and, respectively, 75.8 percent and 79 percent with the NHP. The multitrait–multimethod matrix and extreme group comparisons provided a clear convergent and discriminant evidence of the cross-sectional construct validity of the instruments. The convergent validity correlations were quite high, ranging between .40 and .682. The tendency for higher percentages at the “ceiling” and “floor” for the NHP suggests that it has less discriminatory power than the 15D on roughly comparable dimensions. The 15D and the NHP were almost equally responsive to change.

Conclusions:This study provided evidence that both the 15D and the NHP are appropriate for measuring HRQoL among patients with LLAD.
Establishing a comprehensive continuum from an evidentiary base to policy development for health technologies: The Ontario experience
Authors: Levin Leslie , Goeree Ron , Sikich Nancy , Jorgensen Birthe , Brouwers Melissa C. , Easty Tony , Zahn Catherine
Published: June 2007

Objectives:The aim of this study was to describe a comprehensive continuum that has developed in Ontario between government and key stakeholder groups, including hospitals, physicians, academic institutions, clinical epidemiologists, health economists, industry, and bioethicists to achieve evidence-based recommendations for policy development.

Methods:The various components of the comprehensive model that has evolved to develop an evidentiary platform for policy development are summarized, and the flow between these components is described.

Results:The development of the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee (OHTAC) and associated programs demonstrate the need to go beyond the traditional steps taken within most health technology assessment paradigms. These components include pragmatic postmarketing studies, human factors, and safety analyses, and formalized interactions with a broad spectrum of potential end-users of each technology, experts, and industry. These components, taken together with an expanded systematic review to include a range of economic analyses, and societal impacts augment the traditional systematic review processes. This approach has been found to be important in assisting decision making and has resulted in an 81 percent conversion from evidence to policy consideration for eighty-three technologies that had been assessed at the time this article was submitted.

Conclusions:The comprehensive model, centered around OHTAC, has added important new dimensions to health policy by improving its relevance to decision makers and providing an accountable and transparent basis for government to invest appropriately in health technologies. This study could also form a basis for further research into appropriate methodologies and outcome measurements as they relate to each component of this approach.
Does the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence only appraise new pharmaceuticals?
Authors: Linden Luan , Vondeling Hindrik , Packer Claire , Cook Alison
Published: June 2007

Objectives: To determine the relative extent to which the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) appraises new versus existing technologies, and pharmaceutical versus nonpharmaceutical health technologies.

Methods: We categorized technologies within NICE appraisals published between March 2000 and June 2006 by type and classified them as new or existing using the timeline between launch in the United Kingdom and referral to NICE. We used a 3-year postlaunch cutoff to determine whether a technology was new, with a sensitivity analysis of 1 and 5 years.

Results: We reviewed 159 technologies from 88 appraisals. Of these, 84 (53 percent) were new (sensitivity analysis 36 to 67 percent) and 75 (47 percent) were existing technologies. A total of 119 (75 percent) were pharmaceuticals, 22 (14 percent) were devices, 14 (9 percent) were procedures, and 4 (3 percent) were categorized as miscellaneous. Classification according to newness and technology type showed that 62 percent (42 to 75 percent) of the pharmaceuticals appraised were new.

Conclusions: By developing and applying a definition of new, we have found that the criticism of the bias toward new technologies is unfounded when applied to the appraisal program overall. At the same time, new pharmaceuticals are over-represented in the program compared with devices and procedures. This domination may cause inflationary pressures on the health service, but any wholesale move away from the technological frontier may be more costly.
Health technology assessment and ill-structured problems: A case study concerning the drug mebeverine
Authors: Moret-Hartman Margriet , van der Wilt Gert Jan , Grin John
Published: June 2007

Objectives:The practical significance of health technology assessment (HTA) in policy decisions or clinical practice has been challenged. Possibly, problem definitions underlying HTA do not concur sufficiently with the problem definitions held by policy makers or clinicians. We performed an in-depth case study on mebeverine, a drug prescribed to patients with irritable bowel syndrome, to explore this hypothesis.

Methods:The theoretical framework was provided by the theory of argumentative policy analysis. We analyzed documents and held semistructured interviews to collect data. We reconstructed interpretative frames to analyze actors' argumentation.

Results:The funding and usage problems relating to mebeverine were ill-structured. Actors disagreed on the information needed and the norms at stake. As a result, the problem definition shifted, and the resulting problem definitions failed to correspond with the problems perceived by the target populations.

Conclusions:To ensure that future studies on healthcare problems are useful, it is imperative that policy makers take the problem definitions of potential users into account.
Priority setting for health technology assessments: A systematic review of current practical approaches
Authors: Noorani Hussein Z. , Husereau Donald R. , Boudreau Rhonda , Skidmore Becky
Published: June 2007

Objectives: This study sought to identify and compare various practical and current approaches of health technology assessment (HTA) priority setting.

Methods: A literature search was performed across PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and Cochrane. Given an earlier review conducted by European agencies (EUR-ASSESS project), the search was limited to literature indexed from 1996 onward. We also searched Web sites of HTA agencies as well as HTAi and ISTAHC conference abstracts. Agency representatives were contacted for information about their priority-setting processes. Reports on practical approaches selected through these sources were identified independently by two reviewers.

Results: A total of twelve current priority-setting frameworks from eleven agencies were identified. Ten countries were represented: Canada, Denmark, England, Hungary, Israel, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, and United States. Fifty-nine unique HTA priority-setting criteria were divided into eleven categories (alternatives; budget impact; clinical impact; controversial nature of proposed technology; disease burden; economic impact; ethical, legal, or psychosocial implications; evidence; interest; timeliness of review; variation in rates of use). Differences across HTA agencies were found regarding procedures for categorizing, scoring, and weighing of policy criteria.

Conclusions: Variability exists in the methods for priority setting of health technology assessment across HTA agencies. Quantitative rating methods and consideration of cost benefit for priority setting were seldom used. These study results will assist HTA agencies that are re-visiting or developing their prioritization methods.
Impact of the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Program on stimulating National Institutes of Health–funded research, 1998 to 2001
Authors: Portnoy Barry , Miller Jennifer , Brown-Huamani Kathryn , DeVoto Emily
Published: June 2007

Objectives:The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Conference (CDC) was instituted to provide evidence-based guidance on controversial medical issues to researchers, health practitioners, and the public; however, the degree of impact this activity has on stimulating relevant research is unclear. This study examines the impact of CDC statements on the initiation of related NIH-funded research projects.

Methods:Six CDCs from 1998 to 2001 were examined. Research initiatives related to the Conferences' topics were collected through two discrete methods: (i) the overall number of relevant pre- and postconference research activities was compiled using NIH's Information for Management, Planning, Analysis, and Coordination II (IMPAC II) and the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects (CRISP) grant application and award databases; (ii) for each CDC, the sponsoring institute's conference coordinator and other identified Program Directors were queried for their knowledge of new conference-specific research initiatives sponsored by their institute. The main outcome measure was the total number of requests for applications, requests for proposals, program announcements, broad agency announcements, notices, and funded investigator-initiated research program grants (RO1s) for a given Consensus topic in the 3 years before (baseline measure) and following (measure of impact) a CDC.

Results:As identified through NIH's IMPAC II and DHHS' CRISP grants and announcements databases, the total number of relevant postconference research initiatives increased for five of six CDCs when compared with baseline activity levels; research activities remained constant for the sixth. When inclusion criteria were restricted to institute-identified research initiatives, two of six CDC topics had overall increases in relevant research activity in the postconference period.

Conclusions:CDCs appear to have a positive impact on the stimulation of related NIH-funded research initiatives. Future outcomes evaluations using prospective data collection methods and more robust participation by sponsoring and cosponsoring institutes should strengthen the reliability of the association between new research initiatives on a given topic and their causal relationship to a given CDC.
Assessing automated external defibrillators in preventing deaths from sudden cardiac arrest: An economic evaluation
Authors: Sharieff Waseem , Kaulback Kellee
Published: June 2007

Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of on-site automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the initial management of cardiac arrest in Ontario.

Methods:This was a cost-effectiveness analysis based on published literature and data from the Canadian Institute of Health Information. The participants were fictitious male and female cardiac arrest patients who were initially managed with on-site AEDs, compared with similar patients managed without on-site AEDs. This group included a subgroup of high-risk patients (i.e., heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction <35 percent). The analysis was conducted in a variety of settings including hospitals and homes in Ontario, Canada. The main outcome evaluated was cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained from a payer's perspective.

Results:Cost per QALY (all costs reported in Canadian dollars) was $12,768 when AEDs were deployed in hospitals, $511,766 when deployed in office buildings, $2,360,023 when deployed in apartment buildings, $87,569 when deployed in homes of high-risk patients, and $1,529,371 when deployed in homes of people older than 55 years of age.

Conclusions:Indiscriminate deployment of AEDs is not a cost-effective means of improving health outcomes of cardiac arrest. Their use should be restricted to emergency response programs, high-risk sites (such as hospitals), and high-risk patients.
Assessing emerging technologies—The case of organ replacement technologies: Volume, durability, cost
Authors: Stahl James E. , Vacanti Joseph P. , Gazelle Scott
Published: June 2007

Objectives:The aim of this study was to estimate thresholds for production volume, durability, and cost of care for the cost-effective adoption of liver organ replacement technologies (ORTs).

Methods:We constructed a discrete-event simulation model of the liver allocation system in the United States. The model was calibrated against UNOS data (1994–2000). Into this model, we introduced ORTs with varying durability (time to failure), cost of care, and production volume. Primary outputs of interest were time to 5 percent reduction in the waiting list and time to 5 percent increase in expected transplant volume.

Results:Model output for both calibration and validation phases closely matched published data: waiting list length (±2 percent), number of transplants (±2 percent), deaths while waiting (±5 percent), and time to transplant (±11 percent). Reducing the waiting list was dependent on both ORT durability and production volume. The longer the durability, the less production volume needed to reduce the waiting list and vice versa. However, below 250 ORT/year, durability needed to be >2 years for any significant change to be seen in the waiting list. For base-case costs, all ORT production volume and durability scenarios result in more transplants per year at less total cost of care/patient than the current system. ORTs remain cost saving until manufacturing costs are >5 times base-case costs, production is less 500 ORT/year, and durability <6 months.

Conclusions:Although there remain many technical challenges to overcome, as long as ORTs can meet these threshold criteria, they have the potential of transforming the world of end-stage liver disease.
Declines in dietary macronutrient intake in persons with HIV infection who develop depression
Authors: Isaac Rita , Jacobson Denise , Wanke Christine , Hendricks Kristy , Knox Tamsin A , Wilson Ira B
Published: June 2007

Background

The effect of depression on dietary intake has not, to our knowledge, been examined in persons with HIV infection.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal analysis of participants in the Nutrition for Healthy Living Study (NFHL). We measured changes in dietary macronutrient intake in participants who developed depression and, using multiple regression analysis, compared the changes with a control group of patients who did not become depressed.

Results

Ninety patients developed depression during the observation period, and we compared these with 152 non-depressed controls. The two groups had similar age and body mass index (BMI) at baseline, but those who developed depression were more likely to be female, less educated and had lower incomes. After adjustment, compared with non-depressed participants, those who developed depression had significantly greater decreases in the following daily intakes: total energy (−341 kcal, P = 0.006), protein (−12.3 g, P = 0.02), total fat (−18.5 g, P = 0.008), carbohydrate (−36.8 g, P = 0.02), total fibre (−4.3 g, P = 0.001) and saturated fat (−6.7 g, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the daily intakes of simple sugars and long-chain n−3 fatty acids, or BMI.

Conclusion

Depression is associated with decreases in total daily energy intake and in six of the eight dietary components we measured. Clinicians should be aware that depression-associated nutritional deficiencies may complicate the care of persons with HIV.