bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Somatostatin receptor-based imaging and therapy of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Kwekkeboom Dik J , Kam Boen L , van Essen Martijn , Teunissen Jaap J M , van Eijck Casper H J , Valkema Roelf , de Jong Marion , de Herder Wouter W , Krenning Eric P
Published: December 2009

Somatostatin receptor imaging (SRI) with [111In-DTPA0]octreotide has proven its role in the diagnosis and staging of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNETs). Newer radiolabeled somatostatin analogs which can be used in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and which have a higher affinity for the somatostatin receptor, especially receptor subtype-2, have been developed. It would be desirable, however, if one radiolabeled analog became the new standard for PET imaging, because the current application of a multitude of analogs implies a fragmented knowledge on the interpretation of the images that are obtained in clinical practice. In our view, the most likely candidates for such a universal PET tracer for SRI are [68Ga-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate or [68Ga-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotide. Treatment with radiolabeled somatostatin analogs is a promising new tool in the management of patients with inoperable or metastasized neuroendocrine tumors. Symptomatic improvement may occur with all 111In-, 90Y-, or 177Lu-labeled somatostatin analogs that have been used for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The results that were obtained with [90Y-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotide and [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate are very encouraging in terms of tumor regression. Also, if kidney protective agents are used, the side effects of this therapy are few and mild, and the median duration of the therapy response for these radiopharmaceuticals is 30 and 40 months respectively. The patients' self-assessed quality of life increases significantly after treatment with [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate. Lastly, compared to historical controls, there is a benefit in overall survival of several years from the time of diagnosis in patients treated with [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate. These data compare favorably with the limited number of alternative treatment approaches. If more widespread use of PRRT can be guaranteed, such therapy may well become the therapy of first choice in patients with metastasized or inoperable GEPNETs.
Stress to the Rescue: Is Hormesis a ‘Cure’ for Aging?
Authors: Kahn Arnold , Olsen Anders
Published: December 2009

Despite the fact that the phenomenon of hormesis has been known for many years it is still very much an area of controversy just how useful hormetic treatments are in preventing age-related human diseases and increasing life expectancy. Since there are no data in humans demonstrating hormesis as an effective anti-ageing strategy we turn to a simple model organism for insight. In this review we explore what can be predicted about the usefulness of hormetic treatments in humans based upon studies conducted in the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Training through Information Feedback - The Case of Slovenia's Public Administration
Authors: Rodič Blaž , Miglič Gozdana , Vukovič Goran , Završnik Bruno , Leskovar Robert
Published: December 2009

Enhancing the Effectiveness of Training through Information Feedback - The Case of Slovenia's Public Administration

After the fall of the Berlin wall, the public administrations in Central and Eastern European countries have had to adapt to an enormous number of changes in a relatively short time. Their civil servants are still facing a constantly changing regulatory framework which needs implementation and enforcement, as well as new demands from the growing private sector and the citizens. These challenges can only be met if the civil servants are highly qualified and constantly updating their qualifications. A sound system of in-service training is therefore crucial to keep the public servants on equal footing with the rapidly changing environment. The research presented in this paper analyzed the practices of training evaluation as an information feedback in a branch of Slovene state administration. We analyzed the attitudes of employees towards evaluation with the assumption that there probably are notable differences between the attitudes of public servants depending on their demographic qualities. The results of the research, that 414 public servants have participated in, show that the position in the hierarchy has the strongest influence on their attitude towards evaluation. Empirical data also show that most of the employees are willing to participate in a continuous and objective training evaluation, but the leading public servants are less involved in the evaluation than expected.
An Analysis of Corruption in Micro-Enterprises
Authors: Tomašič Mladen
Published: December 2009

An Analysis of Corruption in Micro-Enterprises

The purpose of this study is to present the research work made whilst studying the presence of corruption in the operations of Slovenian micro-enterprises. Our study builds on research which we carried out in 2005 and compares the findings of both studies. We wish to present our findings to public experts for a professional assessment and provide a basis for further work. We hope that in this way we can contribute to the development of new guidelines for the preparation of further analysis, the causes and elimination or at least limitation of corruption in business operations. Notable studies, which address corporate corruption in Slovenia, are non-existent. The results have confirmed the basic research hypothesis that the presence of corruption in the micro-business environment compared to a previous study in the last five years has increased.
Comparison of Human Resource Management in Slovenian Family and Non-Family Businesses
Authors: Kopriva Iztok , Bernik Mojca
Published: December 2009

Comparison of Human Resource Management in Slovenian Family and Non-Family Businesses

The room to reach a competitive advantage in today's dynamic world, companies have in unutilized and even unknown human abilities of own employees. Treatment of people at work in large organizations is well analyzed, but little focus is directed at small and medium-sized enterprises. This is particularly true for family businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises are largely owned by individual families and are an extremely important part of developed economies. Complexity of internal relationships and interplay between the two systems: families and businesses, which often lead to conflicts in interaction, however, is the reason that many managers and professionals are not willing to work in family businesses. It is justified to set the research question; Are we obligate to treated family businesses as a special case when considering the management of people at work? This paper presents the need to address the family businesses as a special case. In a successful and long living family businesses undoubtedly are closely and carefully working with the employees. It is little known about dealing with people in a Slovenian family businesses and how management practices differ from non-family firms. Based on the study of literature and conclusions from a qualitative empirical study the differences are presented in this article. There are also presented differences in practices of dealing with people at work in foreign and Slovenian non-family and family businesses. At the end there are exposed a good practices of each type of business and recommendations for their use.
Electronic Journals: Scholarly Invariants in a Changing Medium
Authors: O'Donnell Michael J.
Published: December 2009

Electronic media will capture a large share of scholarly publication over the next five years. We must discover how to preserve the fundamental values of publication while the form of the medium changes. The success of a journal editoris measured by the continuing attention of readers. The best electronic publication formats will display as clearly as possible the organizational structure of the text as paragraphs, sections, and so forth, rather than the geometric look of printed pages. For electronic publishing to progress successfully, participants are urged to think ideally, but act opportunistically.
Where Does Scholarly Electronic Publishing Get You?
Authors: Butler H. Julene
Published: December 2009

The purpose of scientific enquiry is the production and dissemination of original knowledge. In return, scholars require recognition for their efforts if they are to enjoy access to the resources that will enable them to continue their work. Has the electronic journal been accepted as a legitimate vehicle for disseminating scholarly thought? The study suggests that measurable negative response is minimal, although scholars who have published electronically believe that there is a widespread perception that electronic publication is less significant than print publication.
Boarding and Alighting in Frequency-Based Transit Assignment
Authors: Nökel Klaus , Wekeck Steffen
Published: December 2009

Several models of route choice in frequency-based assignment are compared for underlying assumptions on service regularity, passenger information, and choice set structure. Numerical results for some simple examples show that route splits differ significantly under different assumptions, so for practical applications the selection of the most suitable choice model is important and none of the models can be regarded as a good approximation for all possible assumptions. Sensitivity of route choice against perturbations of running times or service frequencies is another consideration, because a continuous response improves convergence in demand models with feedback. Finally, it is demonstrated that in terms of expected travel time, the decision about when to alight (and where to continue the journey) is just as important as the decision of which line to board.
Cost Contingencies, Development Basis, and Project Application
Authors: Schneck Donald , Laver Richard , O'Connor Michael
Published: December 2009

Research was conducted for the FTA Office of Program Management to refine contingency estimation and application within the transit project development process. General analytical methodologies were developed for contingencies, and applications were suggested for the estimation of contingency values, including cost and schedule contingencies proposed for the related Project Management Oversight Program guidance. The results present various cost and schedule contingency approaches that have been applied successfully to major transit projects and other public infrastructure projects examined within the research. The results of the research indicate which contingency applications and values may contribute to more successful project management in the future. These strategies, tools, and techniques form the basis to the conclusions for this research. The cost performance of construction projects is a key success criterion for project sponsors, including the grantees and the FTA. Major transit capital projects have, at times, overrun initial and subsequent project budgets. Cost contingency has been proposed by many funding and research organizations to manage cost escalation and maintain project budgets. Schedule contingencies have been proposed more recently similarly to control and manage schedule delays, because of their identified cost impacts. Estimation of cost and schedule contingencies and its ultimate adequacy is of critical importance to projects. The results of the research present various cost and schedule contingency concepts, including definition of terms, estimation of values, and application of contingency approaches within the transit project development process.
Beyond Generating Transit Performance Measures
Authors: Berkow Mathew , El-Geneidy Ahmed M. , Bertini Robert L. , Crout David
Published: December 2009

In recent years, the use of performance measures for transit planning and operations has gained a great deal of attention, particularly as transit agencies are required to provide service under increasing demand and with diminishing resources. The widespread application of the technologies of intelligent transportation systems to transit encourages automating the generation of comprehensive performance measures. In Portland, Oregon, the local transit provider, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), has been on the leading edge of the transit industry since it implemented its bus dispatch system (BDS) in 1997. The BDS comprises automatic vehicle location on all buses, a radio communications system, automatic passenger counters on most vehicles, and a central dispatch center. Most significant, TriMet developed a system to archive all its stop-level data, which are then available for conversion to performance indicators. In the past decade, TriMet has used this system extensively to generate performance indicators through monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting. TriMet generates a wide range of performance indicators, yet an opportunity remains to explore metrics beyond general transit performance measures (TPMs). On the basis of an analysis of 1 year of archived BDS data for all routes and stops, the power of using visualization tools to understand the abundance of BDS data is demonstrated. In addition, several statistical models are generated to demonstrate the power of statistical analysis in conveying valuable and new TPMs beyond what is currently generated at TriMet or in the transit industry in general. It is envisioned that systematic use of these new methods and TPMs can help TriMet and other transit agencies improve the quality and reliability of their service.
Methodology to Predict Driver Vision Impairment Situations Caused by Sun Glare
Authors: Jurado-Piña Rafael , Mayora José M. Pardillo
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a methodology to determine the days and times of the year when sun glare may impair drivers’ vision on a particular road section, depending on the geographic location, the geometric design of the road, and the physical characteristics of the environment. The methodology is based on applying cylindrical charts to represent the entire set of variables involved in the problem. The results may be used to study in detail the problem at critical sections of existing or newly designed roads such as intersections, freeway ramps, and tunnel exits. The methodology may also support the use of variable message signs to warn drivers of the risk of vision impairment at the exact times and locations where high-glare conditions occur.
Typologie des groupements végétaux forestiers du canton de Vaud: rupture nécessaire d'une tradition | Classification of forest vegetation types in Canton Vaud: a necessary break with tradition
Authors: Clot François , Delarze Raymond
Published: December 2009

The classification of forest vegetation types in Switzerland is based on the nomenclature of Ellenberg and Klötzli (1972), consisting of a list of units and a closed coding system with no apparent structure. The system leaves little room for adjustments to new phytosociological findings and has been fundamentally called in question by the analysis of the forest data base of the Canton Vaud, containing the results of 12,000 vegetation survey samples covering all forests in the Canton. A new, logical 4-digit coding system has therefore been developed, based on a revised set of indicators, allowing for the addition of new units, yet conserving the link to the classical range of forest vegetation types recognized in Switzerland.
Productivité et exploitabilité des forêts du canton de Vaud: vers plus de réalisme | Productivity and levels of exploitation of the forests in canton Vaud: a step towards more realism
Authors: Horisberger Denis , Meylan Micheline
Published: December 2009

The present debate concerning the sustainable management of natural resources, accentuated by a climate change already well attested but the effects of which are still largely uncertain, is reviving interest in previsions of productivity and possible exploitation of the forests. The repetition of inventories, and the interpretation of these taking into account the particularities of each station, do make it possible to construct coherent scenarios of future development, despite the considerable age of the available reference models. A moderate reaction to the observed ageing and weakening of the forests in canton Vaud should be to support the continuation of the strategy of constant intensification of exploitation followed throughout the twentieth century, a strategy which is, moreover, indispensable for the strengthening ofthe multifunctional use of woodlands.
‘Emigrants’ and ‘Exiles’: migration in the early Irish and Scottish church
Authors: Lambkin Brian
Published: December 2009

A central theme in both Irish and Scottish migration studies is the distinction between voluntary and forced migration, which is highlighted in the titles of major books in the field by the contrasting terms ‘emigrants’, or ‘adventurers’, and ‘exiles’.1 However, it has received relatively little attention with regard to the medieval period.2 Migration was central to the process by which the early Irish Church established itself in Scotland, most notably on Iona, in the sixth century. This article is concerned mainly with migration between Ireland and Scotland as evidenced by Adomnán's Life of Columba – ‘a source of the first importance for the early history of Ireland and Scotland’.3 In particular it is concerned with how the distinction between ‘emigrants’ and ‘exiles’ was understood, in both secular and sacred contexts, and it finds that in the early medieval period, c.300–800, as distinct from later periods, Irish migrants to Scotland and Irish and Scottish migrants further afield were thought of less as ‘exiles’ than as ‘emigrants’ or ‘adventurers’
Royal connections: the Scottish Observants and the house of Stewart
Authors: Strauch Christina A.
Published: December 2009

The emergence of the mendicant orders at the beginning of the thirteenth century not only re-focussed medieval spirituality, it also provided those of a certain social and economic standing with a new choice: rather than patronising the large established monasteries, those with the means to do so turned to orders which operated within, and provided immediate support to, medieval society. Alongside the foundation of hospitals and other ‘institutions of social welfare’, the mendicant orders were eminently attractive to the medieval mind. They offered new paths to salvation, no longer through the intercession of others, but through one's own actions, which can be linked to the devotional exercises championed by the Franciscans.1
Four Scottish indulgences at Sens
Authors: Shead Norman F.
Published: December 2009

English interest in the great Cistercian abbey of Pontigny was stimulated by the exiles there of two archbishops of Canterbury, Thomas Becket and Stephen Langton.1 As archbishops of Canterbury, Langton and Edmund of Abingdon made gifts to Pontigny abbey in consideration of the welcome given to Becket.2 Edmund did not die at Pontigny, but was a confraterof the community, and the abbot claimed the body, asserting that Edmund had expressed a wish to be buried there. The process of canonisation was rapid.3 After Edmund's canonisation, Henry III sent a chasuble and a chalice for the first celebration of the feast, and granted money to maintain four candles round the saint's shrine.4 In 1254, en route from Gascony to meet Louis IX in Chartres and Paris,5 Henry visited Pontigny, as his brother Richard of Cornwall, who seems to have pressed for canonisation, had done in 1247.6 Archbishop Boniface of Canterbury ordered the celebration of the feast to be observed throughout his province.7 Pope Alexander IV granted a dispensation to allow Englishwomen to enter the precinct of Pontigny abbey on the feast of the translation of the relics of St Edmund8 (women were normally forbidden to enter a Cistercian monastery). Matthew Paris, the greatest English chronicler of the age, wrote a life of the saint.9 English interest continued into the fourteenth century. In 1331 an English priest was given a licence to visit the shrine,10 but it seems likely that the Hundred Years’ War made pilgrimage to Pontigny difficult.11 The indulgences preserved by the abbey reveal an interest in the shrine throughout the Western Church, granted as they were by prelates from Tortosa to Livonia and Estonia, and from Messina to Lübeck.12
Some Unpublished Letters from John Knox to Christopher Goodman
Authors: Dawson Jane , Glassey Lionel K. J.
Published: December 2009

The unexpected discovery of five unknown letters from John Knox to his English friend and ally Christopher Goodman, all dating from the period 1566–9, elucidates several aspects of the Scottish Reformer's later career. The provenance and appearance of these letters, four of which survive only as eighteenth-century transcripts, are described in Sections I-IV. Section V discusses the significance of the letters. It is argued that Knox was strongly tempted by the prospect of a mission to Ireland, jointly with Goodman, in 1566; that Goodman persuaded Knox to adopt the radical Puritan position in the English Vestiarian controversy; that Knox became increasingly pessimistic about the ecclesiastical and political situation in Scotland in the late 1560s, notwithstanding the elimination of Mary, Queen of Scots (whom Knox described as ‘that cursed Jesabel’) from the Scottish scene; that Knox maintained a range of contacts that provided him with extensive and up-to-date information about affairs in England and Ireland as well as in Scotland; and, especially, that Knox retained to the end of his life a perception that the Protestant Reformation constituted a ‘British’, rather than a specifically Scottish, phenomenon, in which the three countries making up the British Isles were inextricably interlinked as Protestant evangelists of all nationalities worked together to establish the new religion. The letters themselves (with one additional letter derived from the same archival source and written by Knox's secretary Richard Bannatyne to Goodman) are reproduced as accurately as possible in the Appendices.
Physician to The Bruce: Maino De Maineri in Scotland
Authors: Proctor Caroline
Published: December 2009

This article pieces together evidence from fourteenth-century Scottish royal records to identify one of the physicians to King Robert I as the Milanese Maino de Maineri (ca 1295–1368), regent master of the University of Paris and later court physician and astrologer to the Visconti rulers of Milan. The implications for the history of medicine in medieval Scotland are significant, suggesting that, at least at court level, Scots demanded and could afford and attract a high quality of medical treatment. Also emphasised are the strong links that existed between Scotland, Ireland and continental Europe, through the travels of physicians and the transmission of medical literature. Three fifteenth-century manuscripts of one of Maino's works are used as an example of just this type of transmission. The article urges a reevaluation of medical culture in medieval Scotland.
The Treaty of Northampton (1290): A Scottish Charter of Liberties?
Authors: Stevenson Wendy B.
Published: December 2009

Although little detailed consideration has been given to the Treaty of Northampton of 1290 by Scottish historians, it seems to have been implicitly accepted as the sort of treaty which might have been expected in connection with the marriage of two independent rulers at that time. This is in spite of the fact that throughout the twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth centuries the traditional practice of the rulers of the Angevin and Plantagenet dominions was to rule each constituent part according to its own law and customs. This article examines the reasons why the Scots were not prepared to rely on tradition but insisted on a written promise from Edward I that Scotland would remain independent of England. It also suggests that the treaty is more than a written expression of traditional practice. It has a number of specific clauses which, it is argued, give the treaty the character of a charter of liberties. These were intended to prevent the imposition on the Scots of particular aspects of Plantagenet rule in England which burdened its subjects much more severely than the rule of Scottish kings had burdened the Scots. The Scots' wish to remain independent after the proposed union of the crowns and their struggle to maintain that independence after the death of the Maid are generally seen as manifestations of a sense of community or regnal solidarity. The terms of the Treaty of 1290 suggest that it was not just from a desire to be a separate political entity per se that the Scots fought during the so-called Wars of Independence but also because the Scots were anxious to avoid the more oppressive aspects of Plantagenet rule even before they had experience of this after Edward I's conquest of 1296.
Compassed About with so Great a Cloud: The Witnesses of Scottish Episcopal Acta Before ca 1250
Authors: Shead Norman F.
Published: December 2009

This article is the result of examining the witnesses to some 600 episcopal acta. Despite the unequal incidence of survival from one diocese to another and the difficulty of identifying those men who had no surname, it is possible to draw some conclusions from this type of evidence. Some-thing can be said about the bishops' clerks and chaplains, other members of their households and their relatives. There is evidence of considerable continuity of personnel from one episcopate to the next. Promotion, including movement to another diocese, can be traced, as can the arrival, growth in numbers and careers of magistri. Surnames allow a consider-ation of the origins of witnesses. Some light is thrown on the growth of cathedral chapters, the introduction of bishops' officials, the role of the Céli Dé, and on clerical dynasties, illegitimacy and pluralism. The Scottish Church is seen to be integrated into the wider Western Church.
Jacobitism in Scotland: Episodic Cause or National Movement?
Authors: Macinnes Allan I.
Published: December 2009

The primary purpose of this article is to examine the strength in depth of Jacobitism within Scotland and to reappraise its national impact. Notwith-standing disparaging Whig polemicists and their apologists in Anglo-British historiography, there was undoubted political substance to the appeal of Jacobitism in Scotland that stretched over seven decades. But the search for this substance raises a series of questions. Was Jacobitism anything more than an occasional interruption in the body politic? Can it be viewed as a patriotic agenda that engaged Scots politically and culturally as well as militarily and subversively? Above all, was Jacobitism a sustained political movement or merely an episodic cause in Scotland? Accordingly, the distinctiveness of Scottish Jacobitism is explored through fresh archival research and extensive polemical material prior to determining whether this distinctiveness found expression more as a movement than as a cause. The focus of debate is shifted away from the Stuart courts in exile, from dynastic identification, and from espionage and diplomacy towards Jacobite communities at home and abroad, towards patriotic identification with Scotland and towards issuesof po litical economy. In the process, a political culture of Scottish Jacobitism can be sustained in terms of its confessional and intellectual development, its organizational structure and its commercial and social networking. Nevertheless, the argument favouring a movement over a cause remains finely balanced but is shaded by the distinctive capacity of Scottish as against English or Irish Jacobitism to form alternative governments, nationally and locally in the course of major risings. More than an episodic cause, Jacobitism's persistence provoked a counter movement in Scotland, that of antiJacobitism, a wholly worthwhile area of study that has yet to be examined systematically and with intellectual rigour. It is hoped that this article will provoke such an examination.
On the Physical Meaning of the Isothermal Titration Calorimetry Measurements in Calorimeters with Full Cells
Authors: Grolier Jean-Pierre E. , Del Río Jose Manuel
Published: December 2009

We have performed a detailed study of the thermodynamics of the titration Process in an isothermal titration calorimeter with full cells. We show that the relationship between the enthalpy and the heat measured is better described in terms of the equation ΔH = Winj + Q (where Winj is the work necessary to carry out the titration) than in terms of ΔH = Q. Moreover, we show that the heat of interaction between two components is related to the partial enthalpy of interaction at infinite dilution of the titrant component, as well as to its partial volume of interaction at infinite dilution.
Synthesis of Chiral 1,4-Disubstituted-1,2,3-Triazole Derivatives from Amino Acids
Authors: Klein Michael , Krainz Karin , Redwan Itedale Namro , Dinér Peter , Grøtli Morten
Published: December 2009

A versatile method for the synthesis of chiral 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazole derivatives starting from easily accessible naturally occurring D-or L-amino acids as chiral synthons is described. The amino acids were converted into azido alcohols, followed by copper catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions between the azido alcohols and methyl propiolate and subsequent ester aminolysis with primary and secondary amines furnished the target compounds, which were obtained in excellent yields with no racemization. Docking of selected target compounds shows that the chiral 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles derivatives has the potential of mimicking the binding mode of known purine analogues.
Oxytocin: Old Hormone, New Drug
Authors: Gutkowska Jolanta , Jankowski Marek
Published: December 2009

Oxytocin (OT), traditionally associated with reproductive functions, was revisited recently, and several new functions in cardiovascular regulation were discovered. These functions include stimulation of the cardioprotective mediators nitric oxide (NO) and atrial natriuretic peptide. OT’s cardiovascular outcomes comprise: (i) natriuresis, (ii) blood pressure reduction, (iii) negative inotropic and chronotropic effects, (iv) parasympathetic neuromodulation, (v) NO pathway involvement in vasodilatation and endothelial cell growth, (vi) anti-inflammatory and (vii) antioxidant activities as well as (viii) metabolic effects. In addition, we have reported abundant OT in the early developing heart with its capacity to generate cardiomyocytes (CMs) from mouse embryonic stem cells and stem cells residing in the heart. OT increases glucose uptake by cultured CMs, in normal, hypoxic and even in insulin resistance conditions. In experimentally-induced myocardial infarction in rats, continuous in vivo OT delivery improves the cardiac healing process and cardiac work, diminishes inflammation, and stimulates angiogenesis. Therefore, in pathological situations, OT plays an anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective role, enhancing vascular and metabolic functions, with potential therapeutic application(s).
A Novel Duplex Real-Time Reverse-Transcription PCR Assay for the Detection of Influenza A and the Novel Influenza A(H1N1) Strain
Authors: Rockett Rebecca  J. , Bialasiewicz Seweryn , Whiley David  M. , Bletchly Cheryl , Faux Cassandra  E. , Lambert Stephen  B. , Nimmo Graeme  R. , Nissen Michael  D. , Sloots Theo  P.
Published: December 2009

Timely implementation of antiviral treatment and other public health based responses are dependent on accurate and rapid diagnosis of the novel pandemic influenza A(H1N1) strain. In this study we developed a duplex real-time PCR (RT-PCR) (dFLU-TM) assay for the simultaneous detection of a broad range of influenza A subtypes and specific detection of the novel H1N1 2009 pandemic strain. The assay was compared to the combined results of two previously described monoplex RT-PCR assays using 183 clinical samples and 10 seasonal influenza A isolates. Overall, the results showed that the dFLU-TM RT-PCR method is suitable for detection of influenza A, including the novel H1N1 pandemic strain, in clinical samples.
Solvent-free phase-vanishing reactions with PTFE (Teflon®) as a phase screen
Authors: Pels Kevin , Dragojlovic Veljko
Published: December 2009

In a solvent-free phase-vanishing reaction with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, Teflon®) tape as the phase screen, a thermometer adapter is utilized to insert a PTFE-sealed tube into the vapor phase above the substrate. Besides avoiding use of solvents, the experimental design is not dependent upon the densities of the reactants and the procedure generates little or no waste while providing the reaction products in high yield and in high purity.
Association between HSV-2 and HIV serostatus in pregnant women of known HIV serostatus attending Mulago Hospital antenatal clinic, Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Nakubulwa Sarah , Mirembe Florence M , Kaye Dan K. , Kaddu-Mulindwa Deogratias
Published: December 2009

Background: Studies show that STIs such as HSV-2 increase the probability of HIV-1 acquisition and enhance transmission by increasing susceptibility and infectiousness respectively. The objective of this study was to compare the proportion of HSV-2 in HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant mothers attending the antenatal clinic in Mulago Teaching Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: This case control study included 50 pregnant women who were HIV positive and 200 controls of pregnant women who were HIV negative and were aware of their serostatus. Data was collected in two parts: the first part involved a pretested interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire for socio-demographic characteristics, sexual and behavioral history. The second part consisted of a serological test using an ELISA assay specific for IgG against viral glycoprotein G, specific to HSV-2. Results: The proportion of HSV-2 was 86% (43/50) among the HIV-positive cases and 62% (125/200) among the HIV-negative controls. The odds of being HSV-2 seropositive was 3.7 times higher (95% CI was 1.58 - 8.61) in HIV-positive cases than in the HIV negative controls. The odds of HSV-2 was significantly increased to 5.32 (95 CI was 1.92 - 14.73) among cases when adjustment was done for age, education, marital status, religion, age at first sexual experience, lifetime partners, type of earning, and whether the mother involved the partner in seeking treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Conclusion: The proportion of HSV-2 was higher in HIV-positive cases than in the HIV negative controls.
Effect of Ibicella lutea on uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis growth, virulence, and biofilm formation
Authors: Sosa Vanessa , Zunino Pablo
Published: December 2009

Background: Proteus mirabilis, an important uropathogen that can cause complicated urinary tract infections (UTI), has emerged as a therapeutic problem following mutations that compromise the use of antimicrobial drugs. Due to the serious effects associated with uropathogenic P. mirabilis and the problems related to the use of antibiotics, it is necessary to develop alternative strategies for its control. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Ibicella lutea extract, a South American indigenous plant, on growth, virulence and biofilm production of uropathogenic P. mirabilis. Methodology:  This study was based on the extract generation and the assessment of its effect on bacterial features related to virulence. These assays involved determination of antibacterial activity, swarming motility, Western blot to assess expression of fimbriae and flagella, biofilms formation, haemagglutination, haemolysis, and electron microscopy.   Results and Conclusions: I. lutea extract had an effect on bacterial growth rate and bacterial morphology. It also affected P. mirabilis swarming differentiation, hemagglutination and biofilm formation on glass and polystyrene. These findings suggest that I. lutea may have a role as an agent for the control of P. mirabilis UTI.
Passive immunity to pandemic H1N1 2009 by swine flu parties
Authors: Aggarwal Nitish , Aggarwal Pushkar
Published: December 2009

The general population is concerned about the probable devastating effects of pandemic H1N1 2009.  Based upon the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, scientific publications and theories, the idea of swine flu parties to achieve passive immunity against pandemic H1N1 2009 has been proposed. Public health officials have asked the general public not to resort to this method. However, no concrete evidence of the reasoning behind the recommendation has been given. In this paper, we have dynamically modeled the effect of swine flu parties on the immunity achieved and associated mortality for a period of two years. The simulations show that the public should not organize or participate in swine flu parties as they will likely increase swine flu-associated mortality.
Hydatid cyst of the cranial vault
Authors: Limaiem Faten , Bellil Selma , Bellil Khadija , Chelly Ines , Mekni Amina , Kallel Jalel , Haouet Slim , Zitouna Moncef , Kchir Nidhameddine
Published: December 2009

Only 0.5 to 2% of hydatid cysts are localized in the skeleton and of these, 3 to 4% are found in the skull. In this paper, the authors report a case of primary hydatidosis involving the cranial vault revealed by a bulging mass of the forehead and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure that occurred in a 22-year-old woman who came from a rural area. Through this case and literature review, the authors analyse the epidemiological, clinical and radiological aspects of skull hydatidosis. They conclude that hydatid cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any soft tissue swelling or osteolytic lesion in the scalp of patients living in endemic areas.
Enteric Fever in Mediterranean North Africa
Authors: Ghenghesh Khalifa Sifaw , Franka Ezzedin , Tawil Khaled , Wasfy Momtaz , Ahmed Salwa F. , Rubino Salvatore , Klena John D.
Published: December 2009

Typhoid fever is endemic in the Mediterranean North African countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt) with an estimated incidence of 10-100 cases per 100,000 persons. Outbreaks caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi are common and mainly due to the consumption of untreated or sewage-contaminated water. Salmonella enterica Paratyphi B is more commonly involved in nosocomial cases of enteric fever in North Africa than expected and leads to high mortality rates among infants with congenital anomalies. Prevalence among travellers returning from this region is low, with an estimate of less than one per 100,000. Although multidrug resistant strains of Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi are prevalent in this region, the re-emergence of chloramphenicol- and ampicillin-susceptible strains has been observed. In order to better understand the epidemiology of enteric fever in the Mediterranean North African region, population-based studies are needed. These will assist the health authorities in the region in preventing and controlling this important disease.
Influenza Vaccines: The Key to Disease Prevention and Control
Authors: Krilov Leonard R.
Published: December 2009

CME Educational Objectives

1.

Review the current status of influenza vaccines for seasonal strains and the 2009 novel H1N1 strain.

2.

List issues surrounding the appropriate use of these vaccines in their currently available forms.

3.

Identify the compelling reasons for advocating the appropriate use of these vaccines to optimize protection for children and the population as a whole.
Impact of a Patient Safety Curriculum for Nurse Anesthesia Students
Authors: Ardizzone Laura L. , Enlow William M. , Evanina Eileen Y. , Schnall Rebecca , Currie Leanne
Published: December 2009

Patient safety has become an important aspect of national health care initiatives. The purpose of this evaluation was to measure the impact of a patient safety education series for students enrolled in a nurse anesthesia program. Baseline surveys that measured patient safety competencies across three domains, attitudes, skills and knowledge, were administered to the students. A patient safety education series was delivered to the cohort and the survey was then readministered. Mean scores were compared using independent samples
t
tests. Attitude scores did not change from baseline to posttest. Participants scored higher on posttest means for both the patient safety skills and knowledge domains. Incorporating patient safety content into the nurse anesthesia master's degree curriculum may enhance clinicians' skills and knowledge related to patient safety, and the addition of a patient safety curriculum is important during the formative education process.
Realist Evaluation as a Framework for the Assessment of Teaching About the Improvement of Care
Authors: Ogrinc Greg , Batalden Paul
Published: December 2009

Health professions education researchers continually search for tools to measure, evaluate, and disseminate the findings from educational interventions. Clinical teaching, particularly teaching about the improvement of care and systems, is marked by complexity and is invariably influenced by the context into which the intervention is placed. The traditional research framework states that interventions should be adjudicated through a
yes
or
no
decision to determine effectiveness. In reality, educational interventions and the study of the interventions rarely succumb to such a simple
yes
or
no
question. The realist evaluation framework from Pawson and Tilley provides an explanatory model that links the context, mechanisms, and outcome patterns that are discovered during implementation of a project.

This article describes the unique qualities of the realist evaluation, the basic components and steps in a realist evaluation, and an example that uses this technique to evaluate teaching about improvement of care in a clinical setting.
Embracing Quality and Safety Education for the 21st Century: Building Interprofessional Education
Authors: Thompson Sarah A. , Tilden Virginia P.
Published: December 2009

The education of health professions students is rooted historically in time-honored and silo-bound traditions of pedagogy and content not easily influenced by outside forces. However, the quality chasm work of the Institute of Medicine, Institute of Healthcare Improvement, Quality and Safety Education for Nurses, and other groups has led to a remarkable willingness to change at one academic health sciences university. This article describes one university's strategies, challenges, and successes in delivering interprofessional educational programs. Four interprofessional learning activities, developed using a plan-do-study-act model and focused on teamwork, quality, and safety, are presented. Challenges and successes encountered are described as well as a curricular framework to enhance sustainability.
On the performance of fish stock parameters derived from VIT pseudo-cohort analysis
Authors: Rätz Hans-Joachim , Cheilari Anna , Lleonart Jordi
Published: December 2009

The comparison of VIT model results with those of the virtual population analysis assessment of the cod stock in the Skagerrak, North Sea and Eastern Channel established by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) reveal that overall trends in fishing mortality and stock size are well captured over a period of three decades (1963-1992). However, the implications of the equilibrium assumption (steady state) made by the VIT model are enormous, as it forces strong inter-annual variations in the estimated fishing mortality, especially in years when the age composition shows strong year class effects. Estimated VIT output parameters should be carefully interpreted when the assessed stock suffers from reduction in abundance and high exploitation, as this condition is likely to deviate from steady state. The VIT estimates of the virgin stock biomass appear very variable, extremely high and fairly dependent on annual stock size estimates. Their use in fisheries management as a realistic biological stock biomass reference is not recommended. The VIT estimates of F0.1 and Fmax are found to be in line with the ICES estimates. Therefore, model results should allow qualitative conclusions regarding the status of marine living resources in relation to a target reference of exploitation rate. Quantitative conclusions regarding the assessment of the exploitation status are only recommended when the model is applied to short time series of consecutive annual data and the resulting variation in the estimated stock parameters appears reasonably low. As such, the model results may form the basis for scientifically sound fisheries management advice covering the actual state of the stock as well as medium-term forecasts of catch and biomass under different options.
On the Performance of the Parallel Implementation of the Shallow Water Model on Distributed Memory Architectures
Authors: Ganeshamoorthy K , Ranasinghe DN , Silva KPMK , Wait R
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a study of the impact of memory architectures, distributed memory (DM) and virtual shared memory (VSM), in the solution of parallel numerical algorithms on a multi-processor cluster. A parallel implementation of the shallow water equations to model a Tsunami is chosen as the case study. Data is partitioned into sub-domains, namely a four by three grid scheme and an eight by six grid scheme which are used for the parallel implementation of this model. There are four versions of the parallel algorithm for each grid scheme: distributed memory without threads, distributed memory with threads, virtual shared memory without threads, and virtual shared memory with threads. These four parallel versions have been implemented on a high performance cluster, connected to the "Nordugrid". Experiments are realized using the Message Passing Interface (MPI) library, the C/Linda, and the Linux pthreads. Subject to the availability of memory, the virtual shared memory version without threads performs best, and as the task is scaled up, the threaded version becomes efficient in both DM and VSM implementations. Index Terms: MPI, Linda, multi processors, Shallow water equations, tsunami model.DOI: 10.4038/icter.v2i1.1399The International Journal on Advances in ICT for Emerging Regions 2009 02 (01): 3-10
Recanalization Therapies in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Pharmacological Agents, Devices, and Combinations
Authors: Sharma Vijay K. , Teoh Hock Luen , Wong Lily Y. H. , Su Jie , Ong Benjamin K. C. , Chan Bernard P. L.
Published: December 2009

The primary aim of thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke is recanalization of an occluded intracranial artery. Recanalization is an important predictor of stroke outcome as timely restoration of regional cerebral perfusion helps salvage threatened ischemic tissue. At present, intravenously administered tissue plasminogen activator (IV-TPA) remains the only FDA-approved therapeutic agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke within 3 hours of symptom onset. Recent studies have demonstrated safety as well as efficacy of IV-TPA even in an extended therapeutic window. However, the short therapeutic window, low rates of recanalization, and only modest benefits with IV-TPA have prompted a quest for alternative approaches to restore blood flow in an occluded artery in acute ischemic stroke. Although intra-arterial delivery of the thrombolytic agent seems effective, various logistic constraints limit its routine use and as yet no lytic agent have not received full regulatory approval for intra-arterial therapy. Mechanical devices and approaches can achieve higher rates of recanalization but their safety and efficacy still need to be established in larger clinical trials. The field of acute revascularization is rapidly evolving, and various combinations of pharmacologic agents, mechanical devices, and novel microbubble/ultrasound technologies are being tested in multiple clinical trials.