bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Political Preferences of Seniors’ Organizations. The Swiss Case.
Authors: Lambelet Alexandre
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  According to numerous politicians, reforming the welfare state in aging societies has become increasingly necessary in spite of the growing influence of advocacy groups that have made reforms more difficult to realize. Studying the preferences of seniors’ organizations is therefore crucial to comprehending future welfare state policies. In this paper, I will examine recurrent variables that researchers working on seniors’ organizations study in order to explain the type of framing or political discourse that these organizations use. Using FARES/VASOS, the largest seniors’ organization in Switzerland, as a case study, I will show how common explanations (especially the ones that refer to the importance of the context or of the political opportunities structure), if they work, can also be seen as too incomplete or limited. We will see that focusing on how leaders are selected, their activism, and their reasons for involvement provides interesting data to help us understand the goals and political battles of this organization.
Political Ideology and Reactions to Crime Victims: Preferences for Restorative and Punitive Responses
Authors: Gromet Dena M. , Darley John M.
Published: October 2011

We investigate the hypothesis that there are ideological differences in views about how crime victims can be restored. Across two studies, we found that liberal responses to victimization (Study 1) and crime (Study 2) are more reflective of a reparative mindset that directly addresses the needs and concerns of victims, whereas conservative responses are at least equally reflective of a punitive mindset that addresses victim harm through offender punishment. Furthermore, the salience of victim concerns, and whether people could carefully evaluate their judgments, affected the expression of these differing justice mindsets on people's satisfaction with the use of restoration and punishment in response to serious wrongdoing. When participants' cognitive resources were depleted, liberal satisfaction remained constant, whereas conservative satisfaction with the use of restoration decreased when victim concerns were salient. These results indicate that there are ideological differences in the adoption of both punitive and reparative justice mindsets, which can facilitate differing responses to victim concerns.
Indigenous aged care service use and need for assistance: How well is policy matching need?
Authors: Cotter Philippa R , Condon John R , Anderson Ian PS , Smith Leonard R , Barnes Tony
Published: October 2011

Aim:  To investigate the effectiveness of the Australian Government's aged care planning framework for Indigenous Australians, particularly the use of a lower planning age of 50 years.

Methods:  We analysed published data and administrative datasets relating to population demographics, aged care assessments, admissions and usage, need for assistance and expenditure, comparing the Indigenous 50–69 and 70+ age groups with the non‐Indigenous 70+ age group.

Results:  Indigenous people aged 50–69 years have much lower utilisation, and a different pattern of utilisation, of aged care services than either Indigenous or non‐Indigenous people aged 70 and over. Community‐based services are much more important for Indigenous than non‐Indigenous people, regardless of age.

Conclusion:  The planning framework conflates the diverse needs of Indigenous people across a wide age range and does not set a meaningful target for service provision. It has not ensured the right balance of services across geographic areas and between different levels of care.
Cognitive functioning in older twins: The Older Australian Twins Study
Authors: Sachdev Perminder S , Lee Teresa , Lammel Andrea , Crawford John , Trollor Julian N , Wright Margaret J , Brodaty Henry , Ames David , Martin Nicholas G ,   the OATS research team
Published: October 2011

Aim:  To examine the concordance rates of common medical conditions and neurocognitive performance in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) older twins.

Methods:  Twins aged ≥65 years and living in the three Eastern states of Australia were recruited through the Australian Twin Registry and underwent detailed neuropsychological and medical assessment.

Results:  Assessments were conducted on 113 MZ and 96 DZ twin pairs, with a mean age of 70.5 years. MZ twins were more concordant than DZ twins for hypertension and asthma. MZ twins had higher correlations than DZ twins on most neuropsychological tests, with the exception of some tests related to processing speed. The concordance rate for mild cognitive impairment or dementia was 76.2% in MZ twins and 42.9% in DZ twins, a non‐significant difference.

Conclusions:  Except for some aspects of processing speed, most cognitive functions in older individuals show significant heritability. The heritability of neurocognitive disorders is, however, low.
Groundwater Dynamics of Fongafale Islet, Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu
Authors: Nakada Satoshi , Umezawa Yu , Taniguchi Makoto , Yamano Hiroya
Published: October 2011

Geoelectric and hydrologic surveys during spring tides revealed the spatiotemporal distribution of groundwater quality produced by tidal forcing in Fongafale Islet, Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu. The observed low resistivity showed that saline water largely immersed the surficial Holocene aquifer, indicating that there is no thick freshwater lens in Fongafale Islet, unlike in other atoll islands of comparable size. Half of the islet was constructed by reclaiming the original swamp with porous, highly permeable coral blocks; this reclaimed area should not be considered as part of the islet width for calculation of the expected thickness of the freshwater lens. The degree of aquifer salinization depends on the topographic characteristics and the hydrologic controls on the inland propagation of the tidal forcing. Large changes in bulk resistivity and the electrical conductivity of groundwater from wells indicate that periodic salinization in phase with the semidiurnal tides was occurring widely, especially in areas at lower elevation than the high‐tide level and in reclaimed areas with high permeability. Thin sheets of nearly fresh and brackish water were observed in the surficial aquifer in areas above the high‐tide level and in taro swamps, respectively. The thinness of the brackish and freshwater sheets suggests that the taro swamps and the fresh groundwater resources of the islet are highly vulnerable to salinization from anticipated sea‐level rise. An understanding of the inherent geologic and topographic features of an atoll is necessary to evaluate the groundwater resources of the atoll and assess the vulnerability of its water resources to climate change.
Sensitivity analysis of the DRAINWAT model applied to an agricultural watershed in the lower coastal plain, North Carolina, USA
Authors: Kim Hyunwoo , Amatya Devendra M. , Broome Stephen W. , Hesterberg Dean L. , Choi Minha
Published: October 2011

The DRAINWAT, DRAINmod for WATershed model, was selected for hydrological modelling to obtain water table depths and drainage outflows at Open Grounds Farm in Carteret County, North Carolina, USA. Six simulated storm events from the study period were compared with the measured data and analysed. Simulation results from the whole study period and selected rainfall events assured that the DRAINWAT model reasonably predicted the water table depths and drainage outflow events even though it underestimated outflows in very dry period after 24 April, 2001. The potential evapotranspiration by various calculation methods was found to be the most sensitive parameter in this study. The other three parameters (maximum surface depressional storage, Manning's channel roughness coefficient, and channel bedslope) were not significantly (α = 0.05) sensitive to the cumulative outflow as expected. The DRAINWAT model may be a useful tool for water management in flat agricultural areas with high water table if it can be calibrated properly with reliable measurements.
Changes of the sphincter of Oddi motility in dog after cholecystectomy
Authors: FAN Ming Ming , LI Fu , ZHANG Xi Wen
Published: October 2011

OBJECTIVE:  To determine the effect of cholecystectomy on the motility of the sphincter of Oddi (SO).

METHODS:  Pressures of common bile duct (CBD), SO motility and its response to bolus injections of cholecystokinin (CCK, 20 ng/kg and 100 ng/kg) were detected respectively by manometry in eight Beagle dogs before and after cholecystectomy.

RESULTS:  After cholecystectomy the CBD pressure increased 2.18 ± 1.86 mmHg, while the cyclical motion pattern of SO still existed but with a shortened cycle duration. The basal pressure (BP), phasic contraction amplitude (PCA), phasic contraction frequency (PCF) and its mode of propagation did not change significantly. Under the stimulation of CCK after cholecystectomy, although the motion patterns of SO were similar to those before cholecystectomy, the greatest inhibitory efficacy of BP and PCA all decreased with the prolonged excitement duration and the increased percentage of retrograde contraction.

CONCLUSIONS:  Shortly after a cholecystectomy in Beagle dogs, the CBD pressure increased, SO motilities did not change significantly during the interdigestive phase except with a shortened cycle duration. Its relaxation responded to CCK was weakened with a confused contraction pattern.
Single‐step versus two‐step endo–ultrasonography‐guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst
Authors: MANGIAVILLANO Benedetto , ARCIDIACONO Paolo Giorgio , MASCI Enzo , MARIANI Alberto , PETRONE Maria Chiara , CARRARA Silvia , TESTONI Sabrina , TESTONI Pier Alberto
Published: October 2011

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this prospective study was to compare the feasibility, technical success rate and complication between single‐step endo‐ultrasonography (EUS)‐guided and two‐step EUS‐guided drainage technique for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocyst (PP).

METHODS:  Twenty‐one PP patients with clear intra‐cystic fluid that needed to be drained were divided into two groups, depending on the availability of the therapeutic echoendoscope at the time of the procedure: Group 1 (13 patients) underwent a single‐step EUS‐guided endoscopic drainage and Group 2 (8 patients) underwent a two‐step EUS‐guided drainage technique.

RESULTS:  In Group 1 immediate technical success was achieved in 92.3% (12/13); two patients had recurrent PP and both were successfully treated by a second EUS‐guided drainage. Clinical success was achieved in all cases. In Group 2 technical success was achieved in 75.0% of the patients (6/8). One patient (12.5%) bled 36 h after the procedure. Five out of 6 patients had long‐term success. Clinical success was significantly greater in Group 1 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:  The technique of single‐step EUS‐guided drainage was superior to the technique of a two‐step EUS‐guided drainage technique for PP drainage.
Clinical presentation, endoscopic features, treatment and prognosis of synchronous upper gastrointestinal malignancies
Authors: BAI Yu , ZOU Duo Wu , LI Zhao Shen
Published: October 2011

OBJECTIVE:  To study the clinical presentation, endoscopic features and prognosis of patients with synchronous upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

METHODS:  A prospective database review of consecutive patients with synchronous upper GI malignancies was performed in a tertiary university hospital endoscopy unit. Gender, age, symptoms and cancer sites, endoscopic and pathological findings, as well as the long‐term survival of these patients were analyzed.

RESULTS:  A total of 64 patients with a median age of 56 years were included, in which 81.3% were male, 71.9% presented with notable features, 68.8% had familial history of cancer, 56.3% of gastric cancers were at the gastric body, 92.9% of the duodenal malignancies at the duodenal bulb, all esophageal cancers at the middle and lower part of esophagus and a significant proportion of tumors in the synchronous malignancies group were poorly differentiated. In all patients, 20 underwent curative surgical treatment and the 5‐year survival rate was only 20%.

CONCLUSIONS:  Patients with synchronous upper GI cancers are mainly male and present with different anatomic distribution and endoscopic features. They carry a poor prognosis as compared with single primary cancer patients. This case series describes the clinical profiles and emphasizes the necessity of a thorough examination for additional cancers before treatment of upper GI cancer.
Down in the flood? How moth communities are shaped in temperate floodplain forests
Authors: TRUXA CHRISTINE , FIEDLER KONRAD
Published: October 2011

Abstract.  1. We investigated moth communities in relation to flood regime across three riparian regions in lowland eastern Austria. Moths sampled with light traps were segregated into resident and stray species. Resident moths were further partitioned into arboreal and ground‐layer species based on their larval habitat.

2. Regional differences in species diversity and species composition were far stronger than local differences related to flood regime.

3. Stray species (17% of all species and 6% of all individuals sampled) as well as uniques had only negligible influence on diversity and species composition patterns. The single most abundant species turned out to be more problematic for diversity comparisons across regions and habitats than the many rare species and strays.

4. Overall moth diversity and ground‐layer moth diversity were generally not reduced in flooded habitats relative to non‐flooded habitats, and diversity of arboreal moths did not show significant differences between flood regimes.

5. Differences between habitats in their ground‐layer vegetation appear to be more important for floodplain forest moth diversity than variation in woody vegetation with its associated arboreal moth fauna.

6. Patterns in species composition were largely governed by ubiquitous forest species and not by floodplain or wetland habitat specialists. Eighteen of the 44 commonest species were more abundant in flooded habitats, and only 10 of them were more frequent in non‐flooded habitats.

7. Our results revealed no general negative impact of flooding on the diversity and species composition of one rich group of terrestrial herbivorous insects.
Comparison and assessment of semi‐automatic image segmentation in computed tomography scans for image‐guided kidney surgery
Authors: Glisson Courtenay L. , Altamar Hernan O. , Herrell S. Duke , Clark Peter , Galloway Robert L.
Published: October 2011

Purpose:

Image segmentation is integral to implementing intraoperative guidance for kidney tumor resection. Results seen in computed tomography (CT) data are affected by target organ physiology as well as by the segmentation algorithm used. This work studies variables involved in using level set methods found in the Insight Toolkit to segment kidneys from CT scans and applies the results to an image guidance setting.

Methods:

A composite algorithm drawing on the strengths of multiple level set approaches was built using the Insight Toolkit. This algorithm requires image contrast state and seed points to be identified as input, and functions independently thereafter, selecting and altering method and variable choice as needed.

Results:

Semi‐automatic results were compared to expert hand segmentation results directly and by the use of the resultant surfaces for registration of intraoperative data. Direct comparison using the Dice metric showed average agreement of 0.93 between semi‐automatic and hand segmentation results. Use of the segmented surfaces in closest point registration of intraoperative laser range scan data yielded average closest point distances of approximately 1 mm. Application of both inverse registration transforms from the previous step to all hand segmented image space points revealed that the distance variability introduced by registering to the semi‐automatically segmented surface versus the hand segmented surface was typically less than 3 mm both near the tumor target and at distal points, including subsurface points.

Conclusions:

Use of the algorithm shortened user interaction time and provided results which were comparable to the gold standard of hand segmentation. Further, the use of the algorithm's resultant surfaces in image registration provided comparable transformations to surfaces produced by hand segmentation. These data support the applicability and utility of such an algorithm as part of an image guidance workflow.
Postfertilization Autophagy of Sperm Organelles Prevents Paternal Mitochondrial DNA Transmission
Authors: Al Rawi Sara , Louvet-Vallée Sophie , Djeddi Abderazak , Sachse Martin , Culetto Emmanuel , Hajjar Connie , Boyd Lynn , Legouis Renaud , Galy Vincent
Published: October 2011

Maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA results from autophagy-dependent clearance of paternal mitochondria.
Functional Links Between Aβ Toxicity, Endocytic Trafficking, and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Factors in Yeast
Authors: Treusch Sebastian , Hamamichi Shusei , Goodman Jessica L. , Matlack Kent E. S. , Chung Chee Yeun , Baru Valeriya , Shulman Joshua M. , Parrado Antonio , Bevis Brooke J. , Valastyan Julie S. , Han Haesun , Lindhagen-Persson Malin , Reiman Eric M. , Evans Denis A. , Bennett David A. , Olofsson Anders , DeJager Philip L. , Tanzi Rudolph E. , Caldwell Kim A. , Caldwell Guy A. , Lindquist Susan
Published: October 2011

The use of yeast as a model organism reveals cellular factors involved in beta-amyloid toxicity.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLC1
Authors: Bottacini Francesca , Dal Bello Fabio , Turroni Francesca , Milani Christian , Duranti Sabrina , Foroni Elena , Viappiani Alice , Strati Francesco , Mora Diego , van Sinderen Douwe , Ventura Marco
Published: October 2011

Bifidobacterium animalis
subsp.
lactis
BLC1 is a probiotic bacterium that is widely exploited by food industries as the active ingredient of various functional foods. Here we report the complete genome sequence of
B. animalis
subsp.
lactis
BLC1, which is expected to provide insights into the biology of this health-promoting microorganism and improve our understanding of its phylogenetic relatedness with other members of the
B. animalis
subsp.
lactis
taxon.
Genome Sequence of the Diazotrophic Gram-Positive Rhizobacterium Paenibacillus riograndensis SBR5
T
Authors: Beneduzi Anelise , Campos Samanta , Ambrosini Adriana , de Souza Rocheli , Granada Camille , Costa Pedro , Arruda Letícia , Moreira Fernanda , Vargas Luciano K. , Weiss Vinícius , Tieppo Eduardo , Faoro Helisson , de Souza Emanuel M. , Pedrosa Fábio O. , Passaglia Luciane M. P.
Published: October 2011

Paenibacillus riograndensis
SBR5
T
, a nitrogen-fixing Gram-positive rhizobacterium isolated from a wheat field in the south of Brazil, has a great potential for agricultural applications due to its plant growth promotion effects. Here we present the draft genome sequence of
P. riograndensis
SBR5
T
. Its 7.37-Mb genome encodes determinants of the diazotrophic lifestyle and plant growth promotion, such as nitrogen fixation, antibiotic resistance, nitrate utilization, and iron uptake.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Denitrifying and N
2
O-Reducing Bacterium Pseudogulbenkiania sp. Strain NH8B
Authors: Ishii Satoshi , Tago Kanako , Nishizawa Tomoyasu , Oshima Kenshiro , Hattori Masahira , Senoo Keishi
Published: October 2011

Pseudogulbenkiania
sp. strain NH8B is a
Neisseriales
bacterium isolated from an agricultural field. This strain has strong denitrification and N
2
O reduction activities. Here, we report the finished and annotated genome sequence of this organism.
Genome Sequence of Lentibacillus jeotgali Grbi
T
, Isolated from Traditional Korean Salt-Fermented Seafood
Authors: Jung Mi-Ja , Roh Seong Woon , Kim Min-Soo , Whon Tae Woong , Bae Jin-Woo
Published: October 2011

Lentibacillus jeotgali
Grbi
T
, isolated from a traditional Korean salt-fermented seafood, is a strictly aerobic, Gram-positive, nonmotile, endospore-forming, moderately halophilic bacterium belonging to the family
Bacillaceae
in the phylum
Firmicutes
. Here, the draft genome sequence of
L. jeotgali
Grbi
T
(3,775,822 bp with a G+C content of 42.5%) is reported. This is the first reported genome sequence from a
Lentibacillus
species.
Genome Sequence of the Thermophilic Strain Bacillus coagulans XZL4, an Efficient Pentose-Utilizing Producer of Chemicals
Authors: Su Fei , Xu Ke , Zhao Bo , Tai Cui , Tao Fei , Tang Hongzhi , Xu Ping
Published: October 2011

Bacillus coagulans
XZL4 is an efficient pentose-utilizing producer of important platform compounds, such as
l
-lactic acid, 2,3-butanediol, and acetoin. Here we present a 2.8-Mb assembly of its genome. Simple and efficient carbohydrate metabolism systems, especially the transketolase/transaldolase pathway, make it possible to convert pentose sugars to products at high levels.
Mortality from Parkinson's disease and other causes among a workforce manufacturing paraquat: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tomenson John Andrew , Campbell Clive
Published: October 2011

Objective

To assess the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) and update information on mortality from major causes of death among a UK workforce who manufactured paraquat (PQ) between 1961 and 1995. There have been no previous studies of the incidence of PD among PQ production workers, although much epidemiological literature exists concerning the relationship between pesticides and PD, and interest has focused on PQ and its users.

Methods

The cohort included all employees who had ever worked on any of the four plants at Widnes where PQ was manufactured between 1961 and 1995, and 926 male and 42 female workers were followed through 30 June 2009. Mortalities for males were compared with national and local rates, including rates for PD as a mentioned cause of death.

Results

Overall, 307 workers had died by 30 June 2009. One male death was due to PD, and no other death certificate mentioned PD. At least 3.3 death certificates of male employees would have been expected to have mentioned PD (standardised mortality ratio=31; 95% CI 1 to 171). Personal monitoring results were indicative that the exposure of a PQ production worker on a daily basis was at least comparable with that of a PQ sprayer or mixer/loader. Reduced mortalities compared with local rates were found for major causes of death.

Conclusions

The study provided no evidence of an increased risk of PD, or increased mortalities from other causes.
Characteristics of randomised trials on diseases in the digestive system registered in ClinicalTrials.gov: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Wildt Signe , Krag Aleksander , Gluud LiseLotte
Published: October 2011

Objectives

To evaluate the adequacy of reporting of protocols for randomised trials on diseases of the digestive system registered inhttp://ClinicalTrials.govand the consistency between primary outcomes, secondary outcomes and sample size specified inhttp://ClinicalTrials.govand published trials.

Methods

Randomised phase III trials on adult patients with gastrointestinal diseases registered before January 2009 inhttp://ClinicalTrials.govwere eligible for inclusion. Fromhttp://ClinicalTrials.govall data elements in the database required by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) member journals were extracted. The subsequent publications for registered trials were identified. For published trials, data concerning publication date, primary and secondary endpoint, sample size, and whether the journal adhered to ICMJE principles were extracted. Differences between primary and secondary outcomes, sample size and sample size calculations data inhttp://ClinicalTrials.govand in the published paper were registered.

Results

105 trials were evaluated. 66 trials (63%) were published. 30% of trials were registered incorrectly after their completion date. Several data elements of the required ICMJE data list were not filled in, with missing data in 22% and 11%, respectively, of cases concerning the primary outcome measure and sample size. In 26% of the published papers, data on sample size calculations were missing and discrepancies between sample size reporting inhttp://ClinicalTrials.govand published trials existed.

Conclusion

The quality of registration of randomised controlled trials still needs improvement.
What determines adherence to treatment in cardiovascular disease prevention? Protocol for a mixed methods preference study: Table 1
Authors: Jan Stephen , Usherwood Tim , Brien Jo Anne , Peiris David , Rose John , Hayman Noel , Howard Kirsten , Redfern Julie , Laba Tracey , Cass Alan , Patel Anushka
Published: October 2011

Background

Significant gaps exist between guidelines-recommended therapies for cardiovascular disease prevention and current practice. Fixed-dose combination pills (‘polypills’) potentially improve adherence to therapy. This study is a preference study undertaken in conjunction with a clinical trial of a polypill and seeks to examine the underlying reasons for variations in treatment adherence to recommended therapy.

Methods/design

A preference study comprising: (1) Discrete Choice Experiment for patients; and (2) qualitative study of patients and providers. Both components will be conducted on participants in the trial. A joint model combining the observed adherence in the clinical trial (revealed preference) and the Discrete Choice Experiment data (stated preference) will be estimated. Estimates will be made of the marginal effect (importance) of each attribute on overall choice, the extent to which respondents are prepared to trade-off one attribute for another and predicted values of the level of adherence given a fixed set of attributes, and contextual and socio-demographic characteristics. For the qualitative study, a thematic analysis will be used as a means of exploring in depth the preferences and ultimately provide important narratives on the experiences and perspectives of individuals with regard to adherence behaviour.

Ethics and dissemination

Primary ethics approval was received from Sydney South West Area Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital zone). In addition to usual scientific forums, the findings will be reported back to the communities involved in the studies through site-specific reports and oral presentations.
Impact of influenza across 27 public emergency departments in Australia: a 5-year descriptive study
Authors: Boyle Justin , Crilly Julia , Keijzers Gerben , Wallis Marianne , Lind James , Sparks Ross , Ryan Louise
Published: October 2011

Objective

To describe the incidence, characteristics and outcomes of patients with influenza-like symptoms presenting to 27 public hospital emergency departments (EDs) in Queensland, Australia.

Methods

A descriptive retrospective study covering 5 years (2005–9) of historical data from 27 hospital EDs was undertaken. State-wide hospital ED Information System data were analysed. Annual comparisons between influenza and non-influenza cases were made across the southern hemisphere influenza season (June–September) each year.

Results

Influenza-related presentations increased significantly over the 5 years from 3.4% in 2005 to 9.4% in 2009, reflecting a 276% relative increase. Differences over time regarding characteristics of patients with influenza-like symptoms, based on the influenza season, occurred for admission rate (decreased over time from 28% in 2005 to 18% in 2009), length of stay (decreased over time from a median of 210 min in 2005 to 164 min in 2009) and access block (increased over time from 33% to 41%). Also, every year there was a significantly (p<0.001) higher percentage of access block in the influenza cohort than in the non-influenza cohort.

Conclusions

Although there was a large increase over time in influenza-related ED presentations, most patients were discharged home from the ED. Special consideration of health service delivery management (eg, establishing an ‘influenza clinic border protection and public rollout of vaccination, beginning with those most at risk’) for this group of patients is warranted but requires evaluation. These results may inform planning for service delivery models during the influenza season.
ED, email, emess!
Authors: Hill Daniel S , Cowling Leigh , Jackson Fleur , Parry Richard , Taylor Robert G , Wyatt Jonathan P
Published: October 2011

Email has transformed communication in the National Health Service. Handling a torrent of unfocused communication is a potential burden on the clinician's time and a source of stress at work. A prospective study of the number of emails, links and attachments received during a 14-day period by four doctors of an emergency department has revealed the large number of emails received, with consultants receiving more emails than registrars. The time required to merely read this mass communication is substantial. It is suggested that time needs to be allocated to handle emails and that doctors may benefit from training on how to handle them.
Emergency department presentations in determining the effectiveness of drug control in the United Kingdom: mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) control appears to be effective using this model
Authors: Wood David M , Greene Shaun L , Dargan Paul I
Published: October 2011

Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) and related cathinones were controlled in the United Kingdom on 16 April 2010. An analysis of presentations to the emergency department of patients with acute toxicity related to the use of mephedrone demonstrated that there was a peak in presentations prior to and a significant fall in presentations following the control of mephedrone. This suggests that the control of mephedrone in the United Kingdom may have been effective in reducing the acute harm associated with the drug.
Comparative performance of culture using swabs transported in Amies medium and the Aptima Combo 2 nucleic acid amplification test in detection ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaefrom genital and extra-genital sites: a retrospective study: Table 1
Authors: Harryman Lindsey , Scofield Sara , Macleod John , Carrington David , Williams O Martin , Fernandes Arnold , Horner Paddy
Published: October 2011

Background

Nucleic acid amplification tests are being increasingly used for the routine diagnosis ofNeisseria gonorrhoeae(GC), although culture remains essential for monitoring antimicrobial resistance. The authors investigated how symptoms and infection site influenced test sensitivity.

Methods

This was a retrospective study at two centres of patients diagnosed as having GC by Aptima Combo 2 (AC2) confirmed with Aptima GC and/or culture.

Results

The study included 251 men (71%) and 105 women (29%). The sensitivity for AC2 and culture in the lower genital tract of men with symptoms was 99% (95% CI 95% to 100%) and 79% (95% CI 71% to 85%) and for asymptomatic men was 94% (95% CI 69% to 100%) and 29% (95% CI 11% to 56%), respectively. At the rectum, the sensitivity in symptomatic men was 91% (95% CI 57% to 100%) and 55% (95% CI 25% to 82%) and in asymptomatic men 75% (95% CI 47% to 92%) and 44% (95% CI 21% to 69%) for AC2 and culture, respectively. In symptomatic women, the sensitivity from the genital site was 100% (95% CI 95% to 100%) and 53% (95% CI 38% to 68%) and for asymptomatic women 100% (95% CI 87% to 100%) and 47% (95% CI 30% to 65%) for AC2 and culture, respectively.

Conclusions

The AC2 with AGC confirmation performs well at genital and extra-genital sites for detecting GC. Culture for GC using transport swabs performs poorly in asymptomatic men, symptomatic and asymptomatic women and at extra-genital sites. With the improved performance of nucleic acid amplification tests and the increase in GC antimicrobial resistance, research is needed into how best to optimise GC culture in settings where direct plating is not feasible.
Threshold Voltage Instability in Al2O3/GaN/AlGaN/GaN Metal–Insulator–Semiconductor High-Electron Mobility Transistors
Authors: Huang Sen , Yang Shu , Roberts John , Chen Kevin J.
Published: October 2011

The threshold voltage (V
th) instability in GaN-based metal–insulator–semiconductor high-electron mobility transistors (MIS-HEMTs) with 15-nm atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) Al2O3 as gate dielectrics is systematically investigated by dc current–voltage (I–V), high-frequency capacitance–voltage (C–V) (HFCV), and quasi-static C–V (QSCV) characterizations. Both Al2O3/GaN/AlGaN/GaN MIS diode and GaN/AlGaN/GaN Schottky diode only exhibit tiny threshold-voltage hysteresis (ΔV
th) (<10 mV) in double-mode (up and down sweep) HFCV characteristics as the maximum forward bias (V
Fmax) during the sweep is set to 0 V, while an apparent ΔV
th (as large as 0.9 V) emerges as V
Fmax is increased to +5 V for the MIS diode. The stability of V
th in the corresponding MIS-HEMTs is thus studied by increasing the maximum V
GS (V
GSmax) in the measurement of transfer characteristics. Significant positive V
th shift occurred once the V
GSmax exceeds +1 V, while such V
th-instability is still absent in Schottky-gate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. It is suggested that the acceptor-like deep states at Al2O3/GaN interface account for the V
th-instability in Al2O3/GaN/AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMTs. As the filling and emission processes of these interface states are slow, they are successfully captured by low-frequency QSCV techniques.
Void-Free Cuprous Oxide Tube Prepared by Thermal Oxidation on Outside of Copper Tube
Authors: Tanaka Akira , Katsuno Hironobu
Published: October 2011

A new setup in an oxidation system was proposed to remove voids from cuprous oxide during the oxidation of copper. The key is the formation of a single cuprous oxide layer. To form the layer on the outside surface of a copper tube, argon gas was introduced into the tube. In the cuprous oxide wall oxidized at 920–950 °C in air for 8 h, no voids were found. The diameter of the tube indicated that the voids were swept out from the inner unoxidized surface. This knowledge contributes to the development of the growth of high-quality cuprous oxide crystals.
Polymer Organic Light-Emitting Devices with Cathodes Transferred under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Lee Dong-Hyun , Liu Yan-Peng , Jung Eun , Seo Seung-Woo , Chae Heeyeop , Cho Sung M.
Published: October 2011

We fabricated polymer organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) with an aluminum cathode transferred under ambient conditions from a separately prepared transfer film in order to achieve complete, vacuum-free fabrication of polymer OLEDs. Transfer of aluminum (Al) and lithium fluoride on aluminum (LiF/Al) onto polymer OLEDs as a cathode revealed problems in device performance due to native aluminum oxide and the stability of the LiF layer under ambient conditions, respectively. In contrast, the device fabricated with the transfer of cesium carbonate (Cs2CO3)-doped poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) on aluminum as a cathode showed lower turn-on voltage, and enhanced efficiency and stability. This method may provide an easy way to fabricate low-cost polymer OLEDs using complete, vacuum-free processes.
Electron Emission Properties of Nitrogen-Induced Localized Defects in InAsN/GaAs Quantum Dots
Authors: Yang Cheng-Hong , Hsieh Meng-Chien , Wu Chia-Wei , Chang Yen-Ting , Wu Yue-Han , Chang Li , Chen Jenn-Fang
Published: October 2011

The electron-emission properties of nitrogen-induced (N-induced) localized defects in InAsN/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) are investigated in detail by capacitance–voltage (C–V) profiling and bias-dependent deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). The incorporation of nitrogen (N) into InAs QDs is shown to produce localized defects near QDs and threading-dislocation-related defects in the top GaAs layer. The threading dislocation is associated with an electron-emission energy of approximately 0.648 eV and emission from the sample surface toward the QDs. The electron-emission energy from the QDs associated with the localized defects increases from 0.19 to 0.36 eV, indicating that both types of defect near QDs have low electron emission energies. Therefore, the change in emission energy is attributable to the defects across the QD interface where a band offset exists. The C–V profile at 300 K shows extended carrier depletion near the QDs. As ac frequency increases, an electron-emission peak emerges at the QDs; this peak is followed by another prominent peak, suggesting that the localized defect that is responsible for this latter peak has an energy below the QD electron ground state. On the basis of a C–V profile simulation, this defect is located at the QD at the observed emission energy below the GaAs conduction band, 360 meV. A comparison with InAsN QD and strain relaxation InAs QD samples reveals that the localized defect arises from a nitrogen alloy fluctuation in the QD. The energy location of this defect reveals a possibility that incorporated N is associated with a particular mode.
Efficient Hole Injection for Top-Emitting Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Using Nickel Oxide by Oxygen Plasma Treatment
Authors: Hyung Gun Woo , Lee Seok Jae , Lee Ho Won , Koo Ja-Ryong , Park Jaehoon , Kim Woo Young , Kim Yong Seog , Kim Young Kwan
Published: October 2011

To improve the performance of top-emitting organic light-emitting diodes (TEOLEDs), the effect of oxygen plasma treatment duration on the electrical properties of multi metal Ni/Ag/Ni thin film anodes was investigated. The results revealed that a Ni/Ag/Ni thin-film layer formed upon oxygen plasma treatment for 180 s effectively increased electron-hole recombination probability by improving their charge balance.
Absolute Detection Efficiency of a High-Sensitivity Microchannel Plate with Tapered Pores
Authors: Matoba Shiro , Takahashi Ryota , Io Chihiro , Koizumi Tetsuo , Shiromaru Haruo
Published: October 2011

We developed a microchannel plate (MCP) with tapered micropores that form a large effective open-area ratio (90%). The absolute detection efficiencies of conventional and tapered MCPs were measured for singly and multiply charged Xe ions at incident energies between 0.5 and 13.5 keV. Asymptotic values of the absolute detection efficiencies for the conventional and tapered MCPs were 65% and 88%, respectively. These values are nearly equal to the open-area ratios, indicating the MCPs with even higher detection efficiency can be developed.
Numerical Investigations on Birefringent Holey Fibers by Modified Elliptical Air Holes in Fiber Cladding
Authors: Chau Yuan-Fong , Lin Gui-Min , Liao Chiung-Chou , Wang Shinn-Fwu , Wei Jeng-Hua
Published: October 2011

In this study, we numerically propose a high-birefringence and low-loss index-guiding photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and compare it with three other types of PCF. Four cases of PCFs are investigated by the finite element method. A high modal birefringence is obtained when the cladding is composed of elliptical air holes placed asymmetrically, with two half-size elliptical air holes on the top and bottom of the PCF core. The size control of these air holes is the key to reaching a high birefringence and a low confinement loss. Numerical results confirm that the proposed structure at an excitation wavelength λ= 1550 nm shows a birefringence of up to 2.085×10-2 and a confinement loss of less than 1.63×10-5 dB/km.
Controllable Conditional Quantum Oscillations and Quantum Gate Operations in Superconducting Flux Qubits
Authors: Chen Ai Min , Cho Sam Young
Published: October 2011

Conditional quantum oscillations are investigated for quantum gate operations in superconducting flux qubits. We present an effective Hamiltonian which describes a conditional quantum oscillation in two-qubit systems. Rabi-type quantum oscillations are discussed in implementing conditional quantum oscillations to quantum gate operations. Two conditional quantum oscillations depending on the states of control qubit can be synchronized to perform controlled-gate operations by varying system parameters. It is shown that the conditional quantum oscillations with their frequency synchronization make it possible to operate the controlled-NOT and -U gates with a very accurate gate performance rate in interacting qubit systems. Further, this scheme can be applicable to realize a controlled multi-qubit operation in various solid-state qubit systems.
Electron Spin Resonance Observation of Bias-Temperature Stress-Induced Interface Defects at NO/N2O-Annealed Chemical-Vapor-Deposition SiO2/(100) p-Si Substrates
Authors: Mitoh Hiroyuki , Ando Shinichiro , Miyagawa Hayato , Koshiba Shyun , Liu Ziyuan , Ishigaki Hirokazu , Aozasa Hiroshi , Kamigaki Yoshiaki
Published: October 2011

Using an electron spin resonance (ESR) technique, we observed bias-temperature (BT) stress-induced interface defects at chemical-vapor-deposition (CVD) SiO2/(100) p-Si substrates annealed in either NO or N2O gas. The g-factors and peak widths detected by ESR measurements are 2.0058 and 0.35 mT, and 2.0035 and 0.40 mT for interface defects, Pb0 and Pb1 centers, respectively. Before BT stress application, the total density of ESR-active defects at the interface was determined to be 1.51×1012 cm-2 for the NO-annealed sample, which is supposed to include a large number of hydrogen (H) atoms near the interface, and 1.85×1012 cm-2 for the N2O-annealed sample, which is supposed to include a small amount of H atoms. After BT stress application, the total interface defect density increases with positive BT stress time monotonically, which is mainly caused by H desorption reaction. In contrast, in the case of negative BT stress application, the total density decreases first, and then increases, which might be caused by two reactions; the first reaction is [·Si\tbondSi3→Si\tbondSi3], and the second reaction is [HSi\tbondSi3→H·Si\tbondSi3→·Si\tbondSi3].
Removal of Surface Oxide Layer from Silicon Nanocrystals by Hydrogen Fluoride Vapor Etching
Authors: Nakamine Yoshifumi , Kodera Tetsuo , Uchida Ken , Oda Shunri
Published: October 2011

We describe the natural oxidation of silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) and the method of etching the natural oxide layer of SiNC with hydrogen fluoride (HF) vapor. Electrical measurements are conducted in order to investigate the influence of the natural oxidation of SiNCs. The wet HF etching process, which is currently used in the semiconductor industry, results in the removal of all SiNCs from the substrate. Therefore, we use HF vapor etching, which can remove only the natural oxide layer without the removal of SiNCs from the substrate. Consequently, the HF vapor process is suitable for SiNC devices. From electrical measurements, it is observed that current increases by four orders of magnitude after the HF vapor etching treatment. In addition, it is revealed that we can control the thickness of the oxide layer of SiNCs by changing the HF vapor etching time.
Molecular Orientation of the Decyl Monolayer Chemically Bonded to Si(111) Determined by Angle-Dependent Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Furuhashi Masayuki , Yoshinobu Jun
Published: October 2011

We applied angle-dependent transmission infrared spectroscopy for determination of the molecular orientation of a decyl monolayer chemically bonded to the Si(111) surface. The peak intensities for CH2 symmetric and antisymmetric stretching modes show similar variations as a function of incident angle. CH3 antisymmetric in-plane stretching mode shows a prominent increase in proportion to incident angle, but CH3 out-of-plane stretching mode decreases. By analyzing these experimental data, we estimated the orientation angles of dynamic dipole moments for these modes. We have evaluated the tilt angle of a carbon framework from the surface normal to be 27–30°, when the multireflection in a Si wafer is taken into account. However, without considering multireflection, the tilt angle becomes 15–20°. We conclude that the multireflection in the Si substrate should be considered in the analysis of angle dependent transmission IR spectra.
Electron Density Range Measurable by Microwave Resonator Probe with Higher Mode Resonance
Authors: Liang Yizi , Kato Kimitaka , Nakamura Keiji , Sugai Hideo
Published: October 2011

A microwave resonator probe is a simple tool for measuring the electron density of 1010–1012cm-3based on the plasma-induced shift Δfin the resonance frequency of a U-shaped wire antenna. However, when the electron density is as low as 108–1010cm-3, the measurement becomes difficult because of the small Δf(low-density limit), and partly because of the reduction in resonance signal amplitude (high-density limit). Here, the measurable electron density range for the given antenna length is elucidated by taking into account these limitations and theinstrumental limitof the network analyzer system used in the measurement. To expand the measurable electron density range to measure lower densities, we propose the use of the second-harmonic resonance. In addition to the analysis of the measurable electron density range, the experiments using the harmonic resonance are presented in terms of the electron density dependences on the discharge power and pressure in a surface wave plasma at 2.45 GHz.
Parameter Study on Radiation Therapy with Laser-Accelerated Electrons Using a Sharp Density Transition Scheme
Authors: Yoo Seung Hoon , Kim Dae-Hyun , Min Byung Jun , Shin Dongho , Lee Se Byeong , Park Sung Yong , Kim Jaehoon , Hahn Sang June
Published: October 2011

A parameter study of radiation therapy with laser-accelerated electrons using a sharp density transition scheme was performed via computer simulations. Through particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, a study of the optimum conditions for the generation of a monoenergetic electron beam was conducted. The beam quality can be controlled by adjusting the laser focal spot size. The charge of the electron bunch is related to the area of the phase mixing region. An electron bunch with the maximum charge was produced in the maximum area of the mixing region in a specific focal spot case. The energy spread of the electron bunch increases with increasing focal spot size owing to the nonlocalized acceleration phase of the wakefield in the larger focal spot case. The transverse bunch size decreases with increasing focal spot size from the narrower transverse size of the ion cavity in the larger focal spot. The dosimetric properties of these very-high-energy electron beams were calculated using Monte Carlo simulations.
Nondestructive Measurement of Nonlinear Conduction of Nanoscale Materials, Nanoscale SiO2, and K0.3MoO3 by Pulse Photoconductivity Method
Authors: Nishi Yuya , Hirano Toshimasa , Soh Yuki , Kubota Hiroshi , Kobayashi Kazuhiro , Yoshino Akira , Kanayama Toshihiko
Published: October 2011

We propose a pulse photoconductivity method (PPCM) for the nondestructive measurement of nanoscale materials with abrupt transitions into higher conduction states from insulated states. The nonlinear conductivity of the highly insulating SiO2 and the charge density wave (CDW) are observed and demonstrated in a short time even for long-time-constant circuits. One can determine the instantaneity of the PPCM in the case of applying an in-line evaluation technique to the LSI industry.
Magnetic Field Mapping and Biaxial Vector Operation for Biomagnetic Applications Using High-Sensitivity Optically Pumped Atomic Magnetometers
Authors: Taue Shuji , Sugihara Yasuyuki , Kobayashi Tetsuo , Ishikawa Kiyoshi , Kamada Keigo
Published: October 2011

Optically pumped alkali-metal atomic magnetometers are expected to be used not only for biomagnetic field measurements but also for magnetic resonance imaging because of their potential ultrahigh sensitivity. Here, we studied magnetic field mapping and biaxial vector operation using atomic magnetometers. A potassium atomic magnetometer was used in these measurements. First, we obtained sensor output signals by solving the Bloch equation. Next, we measured magnetic field distributions generated by a current dipole electrode that was placed in a spherical phantom, which simulated a group of simultaneously activated neurons in the human brain. We obtained vector contour maps of the magnetic field distributions from the dipoles oriented parallel and orthogonal to the pump laser beam and have found good agreement with theoretical magnetic field distributions. These results demonstrate practical applications of magnetic field mapping and biaxial vector operation using optically pumped atomic magnetometers.