bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Important Historical Efforts at Emergency Department Categorization in the United States and Implications for Regionalization
Authors: Mehrotra Abhishek , Sklar David P. , Tayal Vivek S. , Kocher Keith E. , Handel Daniel A. , Myles Riner R.
Published: December 2010

This article is drawn from a report created for the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Emergency Department (ED) Categorization Task Force and also reflects the proceedings of a breakout session, “Beyond ED Categorization—Matching Networks to Patient Needs,” at the 2010 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference, “Beyond Regionalization: Integrated Networks of Emergency Care.” The authors describe a brief history of the significant national and state efforts at categorization and suggest reasons why many of these efforts failed to persevere or gain wider implementation. The history of efforts to categorize hospital (and ED) emergency services demonstrates recognition of the potential benefits of categorization, but reflects repeated failures to implement full categorization systems or limited excursions into categorization through licensing of EDs or designation of receiving and referral facilities. An understanding of the history of hospital and ED categorization could better inform current efforts to develop categorization schemes and processes.

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:e154–e160 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Research Priorities for Administrative Challenges of Integrated Networks of Care
Authors: Pilgrim Randy , Hilton Joshua A. , Carrier Emily , Pines Jesse M. , Hufstetler Greg , Thorby Suzette , Milling T. J. , Cesta Beth , Hsia Renee Y.
Published: December 2010

In 2006, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) advanced the concept of “coordinated, regionalized, and accountable emergency care systems” to address significant problems with the delivery of emergency medical care in the United States. Achieving this vision requires the thoughtful implementation of well‐aligned, system‐level structures and processes that enhance access to emergency care and improve patient outcomes at a sustainable cost.

Currently, the delivery of emergency medical care is supported by numerous administrative systems, including economic; reimbursement; legal and regulatory structures; licensure, credentialing, and accreditation processes; medicolegal systems; and quality reporting mechanisms. In addition, many regionalized systems may not optimize patient outcomes because of current administrative barriers that make it difficult for providers to deliver the best care. However, certain administrative barriers may also threaten the sustainability of integration efforts or prevent them altogether.

This article identifies significant administrative challenges to integrating networks of emergency care in four specific areas: reimbursement, medical–legal, quality reporting mechanisms, and regulatory aspects. The authors propose a research agenda for indentifying optimal approaches that support consistent access to quality emergency care with improved outcomes for patients, at a sustainable cost. Researching administrative challenges will involve careful examination of the numerous natural experiments in the recent past and will be crucial to understand the impact as we embark on a new era of health reform.

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:1330–1336 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Prehospital Care and New Models of Regionalization
Authors: Cone David C. , Brooke Lerner E. , Band Roger A. , Renjilian Chris , Bobrow Bentley J. , Crawford Mechem C. , Carter Alix J. E. , Kupas Douglas F. , Spaite Daniel W.
Published: December 2010

This article summarizes the discussions of the emergency medical services (EMS) breakout session at the June 2010 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference “Beyond Regionalization: Integrated Networks of Emergency Care.” The group focused on prehospital issues such as the identification of patients by EMS personnel, protocol‐driven destination selection, bypassing closer nondesignated centers to transport patients directly to more distant designated specialty centers, and the modes of transport to be used as they relate to the regionalization of emergency care. It is our hope that the proposed research agenda will be advanced in a way that begins to rigorously approach the unanswered research questions and that these answers, in turn, will lead to an evidence‐based, cohesive, comprehensive, and more uniform set of guidelines that govern the delivery and practice of prehospital emergency care.

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:1337–1345 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Regionalized Care for Time‐critical Conditions: Lessons Learned From Existing Networks
Authors: Carr Brendan G. , Matthew Edwards J. , Martinez Ricardo
Published: December 2010

The 2010 Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM) consensus conference “Beyond Regionalization” aimed to place the design of a 21st century emergency care delivery system at the center of emergency medicine’s (EM’s) health policy research agenda. To examine the lessons learned from existing regional systems, consensus conference organizers convened a panel discussion made up of experts from the fields of acute care surgery, interventional cardiology, acute ischemic stroke, cardiac arrest, critical care medicine, pediatric EM, and medical toxicology. The organizers asked that each member provide insight into the barriers that slowed network creation and the solutions that allowed them to overcome barriers. For ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) management, the American Heart Association’s (AHA’s) Mission: Lifeline aims to increase compliance with existing guidelines through improvements in the chain of survival, including emergency medical services (EMS) protocols. Increasing use of therapeutic hypothermia post–cardiac arrest through a network of hospitals in Virginia has led to dramatic improvements in outcome. A regionalized network of acute stroke management in Cincinnati was discussed, in addition to the effect of pediatric referral centers on pediatric capabilities of surrounding facilities. The growing importance of telemedicine to a variety of emergencies, including trauma and critical care, was presented. Finally, the importance of establishing a robust reimbursement mechanism was illustrated by the threatened closure of poison control centers nationwide. The panel discussion added valuable insight into the possibilities of maximizing patient outcomes through regionalized systems of emergency care. A primary challenge remaining is for EM to help to integrate the existing and developing disease‐based systems of care into a more comprehensive emergency care system.

Academic Emergency Medicine 2010; 17:1354–1358 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Seasonality in the uropygial gland size and feather mite abundance in house sparrows Passer domesticus: natural covariation and an experiment
Authors: Pap Péter L. , Vágási Csongor I. , Osváth Gergely , Mureşan Cosmin , Barta Zoltán
Published: December 2010

The seasonal change, i.e. the marked differences between seasons of low and high productivity, in the abundance of ectosymbionts and the defence intensity of the host against pathogens is a well defined characteristic of temperate zone organisms. Here we investigate the seasonal variation in the uropygial gland size and the abundance of Proctophyllodes feather mites on the wing feathers of house sparrows Passer domesticus in two breeding populations. The size of the uropygial gland varied significantly in male and female house sparrows over the annual cycle. The gland was small during the non‐breeding and mating season, after that it started to grow sharply, reaching its maximum size during breeding. Females had larger gland volumes than males during breeding, and the increase in gland size during breeding was more pronounced in females than in males. The number of feather mites was the lowest during breeding, followed by an increase during moult, and reaching its maximum between the wintering and mating seasons. The absence of a significant relationship between the uropygial gland size and the abundance of feather mites, after controlling for potential confounding variables, supports the view that gland oils do not regulate the number of mites. To investigate further this hypothesis, through a full factorial experimental design we tested the effect of uropygial gland and photoperiod manipulation on the population size and population dynamics of feather mites. The manipulation of uropygial gland had no effect on mites, supporting our observational results. As a result of the experimentally increased day‐length, the abundance of feather mites on wing feathers decreased significantly and more sharply than in the control group, supporting the previous anecdotal evidence about the photosensitivity of these organisms. Using photoperiodic cues, feather mites may respond to seasonal changes that affect their life‐history and population dynamics.
Routes to breeding in cooperatively breeding pied babblers Turdoides bicolor
Authors: Raihani Nichola J. , Nelson‐Flower Martha J. , Golabek Krystyna A. , Ridley Amanda R.
Published: December 2010

In cooperatively breeding and other family living species, there are often more individuals of reproductive age than available breeding positions. Asking how individuals attain reproductive status is therefore crucial if we are to understand the selection pressures that operate in these groups. Here, we present data on routes to breeding in pied babblers Turdoides bicolor, cooperatively breeding passerines from the Kalahari Desert. Individuals of both sexes remained on the natal territory into adulthood, despite being relatively unlikely to breed there. Instead, individuals seemed to use the natal territory as a base to monitor the availability of breeding positions elsewhere. Both sexes were most likely to attain breeding status by moving into vacant breeding positions on non‐natal territories, although females also occasionally seized breeding positions by overthrowing breeding females on foreign territories. We discuss these patterns in the context of existing theoretical and empirical data.
2009 Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy Guidelines for Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors:   Working Group Committee for the Preparation of Guidelines for Peritoneal Dialysis, Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy
Published: December 2010

The guidelines for peritoneal dialysis (PD) of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Treatment were prepared at 2009. Upon presenting a concrete frame of PD practiced in Japan, it aims to promote PD as a standardized therapy in Japan. Notably, the guidelines recommended combination therapy of PD and hemodialysis as a part of integrated renal replacement therapy for end‐stage renal disease, as well as timely PD withdrawal by peritoneal degeneration in order to prevent progression of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.
Use of tamoxifen in a German shepherd dog with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis
Authors: Etchepareborde S. , Heimann M. , Cohen‐Solal A. , Hamaide A.
Published: December 2010

A German shepherd dog was diagnosed with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis after an episode of peritonitis caused by a free intra‐abdominal foreign body (stick). The foreign body had initially been treated by surgical removal and abdominal lavage. Postoperatively, peritoneal effusion persisted despite the use of methylprednisolone for 1 month and a second surgical exploration and abdominal lavage. After a third surgery at our institution (to breakdown abdominal adhesions) followed by open abdominal drainage, treatment with tamoxifen orally was initiated and within 2 weeks the dog’s condition improved dramatically. Two months later, no fluid was present in the abdomen. The only apparent adverse reaction to tamoxifen therapy was swelling of the vulva. In humans, sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is a known life‐threatening complication following peritoneal dialysis. In veterinary medicine, most animals with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis die because of chronic weight loss, peritoneal effusion and progression of concurrent disease. This dog’s condition was unresponsive to methylprednisolone alone but was successfully treated with aggressive surgery including enterolysis and open abdominal lavage and the addition of tamoxifen.
Probable cutaneous hypersensitivity to carboplatin single‐agent chemotherapy in a dog
Authors: Lanore D. , Sayag D.
Published: December 2010

Carboplatin is usually a well‐tolerated drug and has many applications in veterinary oncology. The side effects of carboplatin described in the veterinary literature include myelotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, digestive and appetite disorders. In 114 dogs treated by single‐agent chemotherapy with carboplatin, we observed a rate of non‐haematological toxicities of 19·3% (personal observation). This case report describes the first case of cutaneous delayed‐hypersensitivity to carboplatin in a dog, diagnosed according to the official ABON‐system, which determines a causal association between a suspected product and a reported reaction (A=probable, B=possible, O=unclassifiable and N=unlikely), and an experimental intradermal skin test. Antihistamines were used to treat the reaction, and future carboplatin treatments were adjusted by premedication with corticosteroids, prolonged infusion and a reduction of 20% of the first dose of carboplatin. No further reactions were noted during the following treatments.
Saving wild tigers: A case study in biodiversity loss and challenges to be met for recovery beyond 2010
Authors: SEIDENSTICKER John
Published: December 2010

Wild tigers are being annihilated. Tiger range countries and their partners met at the 1st Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation in January 2010 to mandate the creation of the Global Tiger Recovery Program to double the number of tigers by 2022. Only 3200–3600 wild adult tigers remain, approximately half of the population estimated a decade ago. Tigers now live in only 13 countries, all of which are experiencing severe environmental challenges and degradation from the effects of human population growth, brisk economic expansion, rapid urbanization, massive infrastructure development and climate change. The overarching challenge of tiger conservation, and the conservation of biodiversity generally, is that there is insufficient demand for the survival of wild tigers living in natural landscapes. This allows the criminal activities of poaching wild tigers and their prey and trafficking in tiger derivatives to flourish and tiger landscapes to be diminished. The Global Tiger Recovery Program will support scaling up of practices already proven effective in one or more tiger range countries that need wider policy support, usually resources, and new transnational actions that enhance the effectiveness of individual country actions. The program is built on robust National Tiger Recovery Priorities that are grouped into themes: (i) strengthening policies that protect tigers; (ii) protecting tiger conservation landscapes; (iii) scientific management and monitoring; (iv) engaging communities; (v) cooperative management of international tiger landscapes; (vi) eliminating transnational illegal wildlife trade; (vii) persuading people to stop consuming tiger; (viii) enhancing professional capacity of policy‐makers and practitioners; and (ix) developing sustainable, long‐term financing mechanisms for tiger and biodiversity conservation.
Using dogs for tiger conservation and research
Authors: KERLEY Linda L.
Published: December 2010

This paper is a review of the history, development and efficacy of using dogs in wildlife studies and considers the use of dogs in the research and conservation of wild tigers (Panthera tigris Linnaeus, 1758). Using scat detection dogs, scent‐matching dogs, law enforcement detection dogs and protection dogs are proven methods that can be effectively used on tigers. These methods all take advantage of the dog's extremely evolved sense of smell that allows them to detect animals or animal byproducts (often the focus of tiger studies). Dogs can be trained to communicate this information to their handlers.
Securing a future for wild Indochinese tigers: Transforming tiger vacuums into tiger source sites
Authors: LYNAM Antony J.
Published: December 2010

A century ago, tigers (Panthera tigris Linnaeus, 1758) were so common in parts of Southeast Asia as to be considered pests, and governments sponsored their killing. Habitat loss and fragmentation, market‐driven poaching and loss of prey have since led to the disappearance of Indochinese tigers from most their former range. Despite 15 years of dedicated tiger conservation funding, national estimates of Indochinese tiger subpopulations can at best only be roughly approximated. The future for the subspecies appears grim unless very focused efforts can be applied to stabilize and recover subpopulations. On a regional scale, the 2 proposed subspecies Panthera tigris corbetti and P. tigris jacksoni are effectively managed as separate conservation units. Evaluating where to place conservation efforts should consider the vulnerability (likelihood of extinction) and irreplaceability (likelihood that an area contributes uniquely to regional conservation) of tiger subpopulations. Only 1 site in Thailand supporting <200 individuals (Huai Kha Khaeng–Thung Yai) is considered low vulnerability, and is irreplaceable. Five sites in Lao, Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia are medium vulnerability and irreplaceable. Priorities at these 6 sites are to double tiger numbers within 10 years through protection and monitoring. Seven sites in Lao, Thailand and Myanmar are high vulnerability and irreplaceable, and might be recovered if government commitment to tigers, staff capacity and legal frameworks for tiger protection are established. Tigers are extremely vulnerable or even extinct in Cambodia's Eastern Plains and the site is irreplaceable for tigers because it represents the only large (>10 000 km2) block of dry forest habitat available in the region. A reintroduction program is the only option to recover tigers there.
Improving effectiveness of protection efforts in tiger source sites: Developing a framework for law enforcement monitoring using MIST
Authors: STOKES Emma J.
Published: December 2010

Wild tigers are in a critical state with an estimated population decline of more than 95% over the past century. Improving the capacity and effectiveness of law enforcement in reducing poaching of tigers is an immediate priority to secure remaining wild populations in source sites. From 2008–2010, standardized patrol‐based law enforcement monitoring (LEM) was established under the Tigers Forever Program across 8 key tiger sites in order to improve and evaluate law enforcement interventions. Patrol‐based monitoring has the distinct advantage of providing regular and rapid information on illegal activities and ranger performance, although, until recently, it has received relatively little scrutiny from the conservation community. The present paper outlines a framework for implementation of LEM in tiger source sites using MIST, a computerized management information system for ranger‐based data collection. The framework addresses many of the technical, practical and institutional challenges involved in the design, implementation, sustainability and evaluation of LEM. Adoption of such a framework for LEM is a cost‐effective strategy to improve the efficiency of law enforcement efforts, to increase the motivation of enforcement staff and to promote the accountability of law enforcement agencies in addressing threats to tigers. When combined with independent, systematic and science‐based monitoring of tigers and their prey, LEM has great potential for evaluating the effectiveness of protection‐based conservation investments.
Effect of Storage Conditions on the Solubility and Viscosity of β‐Glucan Extracted from Bread under In Vitro Conditions
Authors: Moriartey Stephanie , Temelli Feral , Vasanthan Thava
Published: December 2010

Abstract:  The viscosity and solubility of β‐glucan in muffins have been shown to be reduced by certain storage conditions, though the effect of storage on bread fortified with barley β‐glucan concentrate has not been investigated. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of storage temperature and time (23 °C for 1, 4, and 7 d, 4 °C for 4, 7, and 14 d, and −20 °C for 1, 2, 4, and 8 wk) on the solubility and viscosity of β‐glucan upon incorporation into bread at levels corresponding to 0 or 1.5 g β‐glucan/serving, with or without vital gluten addition. The firmness and moisture content of bread following each storage treatment were also evaluated. The highest moisture and lowest firmness values were found in fresh bread, though these parameters were still maintained at appreciable levels upon room temperature storage of the 1.5 g β‐glucan/serving bread with added gluten and at either room temperature or frozen storage for the 1.5 g β‐glucan/serving bread for 4 d. If it is desirable to store bread for 7 d or more, frozen storage should be utilized in order to best maintain bread moisture and firmness levels. It is recommended that β‐glucan‐fortified bread be consumed fresh for greatest β‐glucan solubility and viscosity, though β‐glucan solubility of approximately 40% is still achievable upon frozen storage of the bread for up to 2 wk. It is still unclear, however, as to what extent of reductions in the solubility and viscosity of β‐glucan would lower its physiological effectiveness.

Practical Application:  Previous research has demonstrated that solubility and thus viscosity of β‐glucan, which is an important property associated with its health benefits can be impacted by different storage conditions applied to some bakery products, like muffins. This study demonstrates the extent of changes in the solubility and viscosity of β‐glucan incorporated into bread. Therefore, storage time and temperature should be optimized to minimize changes in β‐glucan for maintaining its efficacy for its health benefits.
Antimicrobial Activity of Plant Extracts Against Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes on Fresh Lettuce
Authors: Kim Sung‐Youn , Kang Dong‐Hyun , Kim Jin‐Ki , Ha Yong‐Geun , Hwang Ju Young , Kim Taewan , Lee Seon‐Ho
Published: December 2010

Abstract:  Plant extracts have been found to be effective in reducing microorganisms. This study evaluated antimicrobial activity of 12 plant extracts against Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes by using a disk diffusion assay, and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) showed the highest inhibitory effect. To investigate the efficacy of clove extract that inactivates pathogens on lettuce, inoculated lettuce with S. Typhimurium, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes was treated with diluted clove extracts or distilled water for 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 min. Clove extract treatment significantly reduced populations of the 3 tested pathogens from the surface of lettuce.

Practical Application:  This result indicated that clove extract is a useful antimicrobial agent to reduce the microbial level of foodborne pathogens on fresh lettuce. It also might be a natural antimicrobial for reducing or replacing chemical sanitizers in food preservation.
Automatic Nematode Detection in Cod Fillets (Gadus Morhua) by Transillumination Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Sivertsen Agnar Holten , Heia Karsten , Stormo Svein Kristian , Elvevoll Edel , Nilsen Heidi
Published: December 2010

Abstract:  Traditional quality control of cod fillets is currently made by manual inspection on candling tables. This is a time consuming and expensive operation, contributing to a significant share of the cost with cod fillet production. In this study, transillumination hyperspectral imaging was implemented as a method for automatic nematode detection in cod fillets moving on a conveyer belt, and evaluated on industrially processed cod fillets. An overall detection rate of 58% of all nematodes (N= 922), with detection rate of 71% and 46% for dark and pale nematodes, respectively, is reported. This is comparable, or better, than what is reported for manual inspection under industrial conditions. The false alarm rate was high, with 60% of the fillets reported with one or more false alarms. These results show that the method is promising, but needs further refinements to reduce the false alarm rate and increase the imaging speed from 25 to 400 mm/s.

Practical Application:  Manual inspection of cod fillets is a huge bottleneck for the industry, accounting for half the production cost with cod fillet processing and reducing the processing speed. Transillumination hyperspectral imaging has the potential to reduce the manual labor required for cod fillet inspection and hence reduce the cost and increase the end product quality.
Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Capacities in Rice Brans of Different Color
Authors: Min Byungrok , McClung Anna M. , Chen Ming‐Hsuan
Published: December 2010

Abstract:  Rice bran, a byproduct of the rice milling process, contains most of the phytochemicals. This study aimed at determining the concentrations of lipophilic, solvent‐extractable (free), and cell wall‐bound (bound) phytochemicals and their antioxidant capacities from brans of white, light brown, brown, purple, and red colors, and broccoli and blueberry for comparison. The concentrations of lipophilic antioxidants of vitamin E (tocopherol and tocotrienols) and γ‐oryzanols were 319.67 to 443.73 and 3861.93 to 5911.12 μg/g bran dry weight (DW), respectively, and were not associated with bran color. The total phenolic, total flavonoid, and antioxidant capacities of ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging, and iron‐chelating in the free fraction were correlated with the intensity of bran color, while variations of these in the bound fraction were less than those in the free fraction among brans. Compounds in the bound fraction had higher antioxidant capacity of ORAC than DPPH, relative to those in the free fraction. The bound fraction of light‐color brans contributed as much to its total ORAC as the free fraction. Total proanthocyanidin concentration was the highest in red rice bran, while total anthocyanin was highest in purple brans. The predominant anthocyanin was cyanidin‐3‐glucoside. Red and purple brans had several fold higher total phenolics and flavonoids as well as ORAC and DPPH, from both free and bound fractions, than freeze‐dried blueberry and broccoli. These results indicate that rice brans are natural sources of hydrophilic and lipophilic phytochemicals for use in quality control of various food systems as well as for nutraceutical and functional food application.
Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia: evaluation of IgG and IgGAM ELISA assays
Authors: MOREL‐KOPP M.‐C. , ABOUD M. , TAN C. W. , KULATHILAKE C. , WARD C.
Published: December 2010

Background:  Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare complication of heparin therapy resulting from antibody production to platelet factor 4 and heparin complexes (H‐PF4).

Methods:  We have evaluated four enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)‐based screening tests to identify the best assay(s) with the highest specificity but without underdiagnosis of HIT. As functional assays are difficult to perform, ELISAs are useful to provide clinicians with a timely answer. Over a 10‐month period, all samples (N = 107) referred to our laboratory were tested for HIT antibodies using four commercially available ELISA kits, two detecting IgG/A/M anti‐H‐PF4 antibodies and the other two IgG specific.

Results:  Twenty‐eight samples were positive by at least one assay; IgGAM ELISAs were found to be more sensitive with 24 samples positive by Asserachrom IgGAM and 23 by Zymutest IgGAM. Only 18 samples were positive by GTI‐PF4‐IgG and Zymutest IgG. The gold standard serotonin release assay (SRA) was used as a confirmation assay, and 11/28 samples tested positive. All these SRA‐positive samples were positive by all four assays. None of the IgGAM‐only‐positive samples was found to be positive by SRA suggesting a better specificity for the IgG‐only assays.

Conclusion:  Our data strongly support the use of IgG‐only assays for the detection of HIT antibodies.
Evaluation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) reagents for application in biomedical diagnostic device development
Authors: DUDEK M. M. , HARRIS L. F. , KILLARD A. J.
Published: December 2010

Introduction:  The most commonly used test for monitoring heparin therapy is the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). The response of available aPTT reagents to heparin varies significantly. The aim of this study was to highlight the differences between aPTT reagents stored in a dried format to select the most suitable formulations to be used for the development of point‐of‐care diagnostic devices used for monitoring of unfractionated heparin dose response.

Methods:  Ten reagents were analysed in terms of their performance in liquid and in dried form after storage for 24 h and 14 days. Performance was assessed by measurement of the clotting time (CT) as evidenced by the onset of thrombin formation using a chromogenic thrombin substrate in plasma samples activated with these formulations.

Results:  Reagents in all of the three forms tested (liquid, 24 h and 14 days) resulted in significant shortening of CTs in comparison with the nonactivated plasma CT. Liquids returned more rapid CTs in comparison with dried reagents. Most of the reagents were more sensitive to heparin in dried, rather than in liquid form. Dried reagents based on kaolin as a surface activator were notably more effective in achieving short CT than others, while dried reagents composed of silica and synthetic phospholipids were the most sensitive to heparin.

Conclusion:  Two reagents, namely aPTT‐SP and SynthASIL both of which are based on synthetic phospholipids and silica, were identified as promising candidates for incorporation into point‐of‐care diagnostic device platforms as dried reagents.
Unpacking Contemporary German Poetry: Hinsehen, Lesen, Hören
Authors: Melin Charlotte
Published: December 2010

Contemporary German poetry is characterized by a dynamic relationship to history, language, new media, and performance that makes it well suited for integration into culture and language courses. This article offers three interpretive approaches to working with poems and provides a concise compendium of readily accessible teaching resources. Current research on the teaching of literature is reviewed and poems by Herta Müller and Durs Grünbein are used to give examples of pedagogical treatments.
Early Efficacy of an α1 Adrenoceptor Antagonist, Naftopidil, against Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Suggestive of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: ISHIZUKA Osamu , NISHIZAWA Osamu , TAKEDA Masayuki , NOMURA Teruhisa , KAGAWA Susumu
Published: December 2010

Objectives: The present study investigated the early efficacy of naftopidil against lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: Subjects comprised patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH who were followed prospectively for 8 weeks. Inclusion criteria were: (i) international prostate symptom score (IPSS) ≥8; (ii) no previous treatment for BPH; and (iii) eligibility for naftopidil monotherapy. IPSS and quality of life index were evaluated, and uroflowmetry and residual urine volume were determined optionally. In the previous study, patients who demonstrated a decrease in total American Urological Association symptom score of 25% or more from baseline were considered responders. The ratio of onset of efficacy of naftopidil was calculated by the ratio of the number of responder in each group with the starting dose.

Results: Naftopidil efficacy was analyzed for 243 patients. Significant improvement of IPSS was achieved within 1–3 days after medication. Starting dosage and average dosage were identified as factors associated with the period until onset of naftopidil efficacy. Onset of efficacy was significantly quicker with a starting dosage of 50 mg/day as compared with 25 mg/day (P = 0.0047). However, ratios of onset of efficacy with starting dosages of 25, 50 and 75 mg/day were 77.9, 76.7 and 85.7%, respectively, showing no significant difference between groups (P = 0.7463). Duration to onset of efficacy with naftopidil dosage ≥50 mg/day was 11.2 days, significantly early compared to dosage <50 mg/day. Incidence of adverse effect was 3.8%.

Conclusion: Naftopidil showed early effects against LUTS suggestive of BPH within a few days.
A Pioneering Legacy: The Devas Elbow Replacement 31 Years on
Authors: Jagodzinski Nikolas A. , Bunker Timothy D.
Published: December 2010

We present a case report of a total elbow replacement that survived 31 years in a young female patient with, early onset rheumatoid arthritis. Professor Michael Devas inserted this self-designed, unlinked elbow prosthesis in 1973. The ulnar component loosened after 17 years and was revised using impaction grafting to restore bone stock. The original prosthesis demonstrated minimal wear and it was therefore reinserted. It functioned for a further 14 years, allowing the patient to continue working virtually pain free as a secretary, mother and housewife. To our knowledge, this is the longest surviving unlinked elbow replacement reported in the literature.
Management of Anterior Shoulder Instability without Bone Loss: Arthroscopic and Mini-Open Techniques
Authors: Bhatia Deepak N. , De Beer Joe F.
Published: December 2010

Anterior shoulder instability is a complex problem and necessitates accurate pre- and intraoperative assessment of soft-tissue and bony pathology. Soft tissue pathology plays a major role in anterior instability without bone loss, and includes glenoid lesions (glenoid labral tears/avulsions), capsular lesions (plastic deformation and tears), and humeral side lesions (humeral avulsion of glenohumeral ligament lesion referred to as “HAGL” lesions). Glenoid labral tears and capsular lesions are adequately addressed with the “labroplasty” procedure. This involves a sequential capsulolabral shift using correctly oriented suture-anchors, to effectively reduce the capsular volume. In addition, technical maneuvers like the “double-grasper shift” and “Noose maneuver” are crucial to recreate a labral bumper effect at the glenoid edge. HAGL lesions may be difficult to detect, and use of the axillary-pouch portal (Bhatia portal) facilitates identification of the tear. A new mini-open subscapularis-sparing technique permits secure repair of the HAGL lesion without a subscapularis tenotomy or even a split. Postoperative rehabilitation is guided by intra-operative tensioning of the capsulolabral tissue.
Enstatite chondrite density, magnetic susceptibility, and porosity
Authors: MACKE Robert J. , CONSOLMAGNO Guy J. , BRITT Daniel T. , HUTSON Melinda L.
Published: December 2010

Abstract– As part of our continuing survey of meteorite physical properties, we measured grain and bulk density, porosity, and magnetic susceptibility for 41 stones from 23 enstatite chondrites (ECs), all with masses greater than 10 g, representing the majority of falls and a significant percentage of all available non‐Antarctic EC meteorites. Our sampling included a mix of falls and finds. For falls, grain densities range from 3.45 to 4.17 g cm−3, averaging 3.66 g cm−3; bulk densities range from 3.15 to 4.10 g cm−3, averaging 3.55 g cm−3; porosities range from 0 to 12% with the majority less than 7%, and magnetic susceptibilities (in log units of 10−9 m3 kg−1) from 5.30 to 5.64, with an average of 5.47. For finds, weathering reduces both grain and bulk densities as well as magnetic susceptibilities. On average, finds have much higher porosity than falls. The two EC subgroups EH and EL, nominally distinguished by total iron content, exhibit similar values for all of the properties measured, indicating similar metallic iron content in the bulk stones of both subgroups. We also observed considerable intra‐meteorite variation, with inhomogeneities in bulk and grain densities at scales up to approximately 40 g (approximately 12 cm3).
Closed Form Control Gains for Zero Assignment in the Time Delayed System
Authors: Singh Kumar Vikram , Datta Biswa Nath , Tyagi Mayank
Published: December 2010

Control of the vibrating structures is desirable in various engineering applications for preventing fatigue and failure. It can be achieved by passive means using dynamic absorbers or by active means using sensors and actuators. In some cases, it is also not practical to apply a desirable control force in those locations at which the dynamics of the structure are to be controlled. In recent years, dynamic absorption schemes are investigated in which control strategies that absorb a steady state motion of a desired location in the structure have been developed. Such a vibration control strategy is termed as zero assignment. Unlike conventional full-state feedback control, which requires all the states of the system to be measured, zero assignment requires least numbers of sensors and actuators (depending on the number of dynamic absorption points) for estimating the control gains and, hence, it may provide economical engineering solution. However, while applying control strategy by active zero assignment, small time delay from the sensors and actuators in the feedback loop is unavoidable and they influence the control gains as well as the stability of the system. In this paper, we have developed vibration control strategy by active zero assignment and obtained closed form control gains for systems with and without time delays by using truncated and full Taylor series expansion. Some examples related to conservative and nonconservative systems as well as realistic distributed parameter systems are presented to demonstrate the active dynamic absorption and the effects of time delay on control gains. The effect of delay in the stability of the controlled system is also summarized.
Analysis of Wheel/Rail Contact Geometry on Railroad Turnout Using Longitudinal Interpolation of Rail Profiles
Authors: Sugiyama Hiroyuki , Tanii Yoshimitsu , Matsumura Ryosuke
Published: December 2010

In this investigation, a numerical procedure that can be used for the analysis of wheel/rail two-point contact geometries in turnout sections is developed. In turnout section, the tongue rail changes its shape along the track. Cross-sectional shapes of the tongue rail, therefore, need to be generated by interpolations along the track and these profiles are used to determine the location of contact points for the given location of wheelset. Several numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the procedure developed in this investigation and the effect of wheel profiles on contact geometry in turnout section is discussed.
Nonlinear Fractional Derivative Models of Viscoelastic Impact Dynamics Based on Entropy Elasticity and Generalized Maxwell Law
Authors: Fukunaga Masataka , Shimizu Nobuyuki
Published: December 2010

Two types of models are proposed for describing nonlinear fractional derivative dynamical behavior of viscoelastic materials subject to impulse forces. The models are derived based on the thermodynamic elasticity in terms of entropy and on the “scale-free response of the material” under the basic assumption that the viscoelastic materials consist of stable coils of polymers, which we refer to as blobs. The blobs, which may be connected to each other by chemical bonds or physical bonds, are considered here as the elementary constituent of viscoelastic materials from which the nonlinear fractional derivative models are derived. Responses of individual blobs can determine the net collective response of the viscoelastic material to impulse forces. From the above consideration, two types of models are proposed in which the force elements or the stress elements are connected by the generalized Maxwell law.
Rule-Based Fractional Control of an Irrigation Canal
Authors: Domingues Jorge , Valério Duarte , Sá da Costa José
Published: December 2010

In this paper, a SIMULINK simulation of a four-pool irrigation canal extant in Évora, Portugal is controlled using PID and fractional PID controllers, adjusted using an optimization method and tuning rules. Fractional control and rule-tuning emerge as the best options.
Unified Galerkin- and DAE-Based Approximation of Fractional Order Systems
Authors: Singh Satwinder Jit , Chatterjee Anindya
Published: December 2010

We consider numerical solutions of nonlinear multiterm fractional integrodifferential equations, where the order of the highest derivative is fractional and positive but is otherwise arbitrary. Here, we extend and unify our previous work, where a Galerkin method was developed for efficiently approximating fractional order operators and where elements of the present differential algebraic equation (DAE) formulation were introduced. The DAE system developed here for arbitrary orders of the fractional derivative includes an added block of equations for each fractional order operator, as well as forcing terms arising from nonzero initial conditions. We motivate and explain the structure of the DAE in detail. We explain how nonzero initial conditions should be incorporated within the approximation. We point out that our approach approximates the system and not a specific solution. Consequently, some questions not easily accessible to solvers of initial value problems, such as stability analyses, can be tackled using our approach. Numerical examples show excellent accuracy.
Modelling and Simulation of the Prop Control System of Hydraulic Support
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Jianwu , Zeng Qingliang , Wang Chenglong , Wang Lei
Published: December 2010

A new modelling method of the prop control system of hydraulic support is presented in this paper, and a certain prop control system is modeled based on the software MSC.EASY5. Then the dynamic characteristic of prop control system is gotten, and the effects of prop's different working parameters are analyzed. A test about yielding characteristics of prop in overflow load stage is done to verify the simulation model. Finally, some suggestions for improvements are presented which are helpful to the designer of hydraulic support.
4-Bit Pipeline ADC for Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors
Authors: Agieb Ramy Said , El_Ghitany Hassan Ahmed , Shehata Khaled Ali
Published: December 2010

Low voltage low power 4-bits 90Ms/s, 40uw, with DNL (+0.19/−0.4)LSB and INL (+0.47/−0.46)LSB is designed using 0.13um UMC CMOS technology operated with 1.2V voltage supply. The converter is composed of three stages the first, second stages produce 1.5bit/stage and last stage produce 2 bit/stage. Using Bottom-Plate Switching and fully digital error correction which corrects errors due to capacitor mismatch, charge injection, and comparator offsets. The calibration is performed without any additional analog circuitry, and the conversion does not need extra clock cycles.
Towards a Multi-Agents Simulation Meta-Model for Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Boubetra Abdelhak , Mouhoub Nassreddine , Fares Nour El Houda
Published: December 2010

This study is related to multi-agents modeling of complex systems. This interest deals more particularly with situation where the spatial and temporal components make a great part of the system to model (for example systems of production). Within the framework of this article, we will be interested in the production systems where the multi-agent systems are well suited to model phenomena in which the interactions between diverse entities are so complicated to be expressed by classic mathematical tools. This paper proposes an approach based on the producer consumer computing problem and Petri net tool to present an oriented Petri net meta-model to model a production multi-agent system.
Study on Evaluation for Parallelism Errors of Planar Lines with GA Algorithms
Authors: Zhang Ke
Published: December 2010

Based on the analysis of existent evaluation methods for form and position errors, a novel evaluation method is provided for parallelism error evaluation of planar lines. The evolutional optimum model and the calculation process are introduced in detail. According to characteristics of parallelism error evaluation, genetic algorithm (GA) based on real-code is proposed to evaluate the minimum zone error. Compared with conventional optimum evaluation methods, it can find the global optimal solution, and the precision of calculating result is very high. Then, the objective function calculation approaches for using the GA to evaluate minimum zone error are formulated. Finally, the control experiment results evaluated by different methods indicate that the proposed method does provide better accuracy on parallelism error evaluation. The evaluation method can also be extended to other position errors.
Improvement of Session Authentication Protocol for Web Services
Authors: Tang Weidong , Li Qiang
Published: December 2010

WS-Security provided a total framework for web services, but it is only abstract standard. On the basis of WS-Security, experts in IBM Tokyo laboratory bought forward Session Authentication Protocol which would be new solution for session entity authentication. In the paper, we give security defects of the original protocol, then make some improvements by selecting Diffie-Hellman algorithm improved with PKI certificate as new key-exchanging mechanism.
Hybrid Cryptographic Scheme for Data Communication
Authors: Al-Aidroos Naziha M. , Mohamed Marghny H. , Bamatraf Mohamed A.
Published: December 2010

In this paper, a new cryptosystem based on hybrid approaches is proposed. This scheme provides multi-security services. The proposed scheme takes the advantage of neural networks computation power to build an encryption algorithm to serve data confidentiality, where the encrypting process is done by used shard key as input to the ANN model, and the data need to be secured will be the output of it, the generated set of weights will act as the cipher. Also, made combination between MAC technique and RSA encryption algorithm produced digital signature of the scheme which provided the integrity and authentication services. The experimental results indicate that the proposed cryptosystem has a high confusion and diffusion properties, therefore it has a high security and it is suitable for secure communications.
Mobile Robot Path Planning Using Wavefront Approach with WEFO
Authors: Nooraliei Amir , Mostafa Sami A.
Published: December 2010

This paper presents a new method for motion planning of mobile robots in dynamic environments based on wave expansion approach which avoids full wave expansion in sudden and moving obstacles case. Full Wave expansion in large scale environments takes considerable amount of time and process. A new wave expansion algorithm for path finding, local minima, sudden obstacles and moving obstacle are met, has been suggested, as so-called wave expansion from obstacle (WEFO) algorithm that prevents re-expansion of wave. In moving obstacle case, the wave expanse in each step of the obstacle movement. Moreover, the simulation results reflects that how the work has enhanced the already-existing methods for path finding. By the use of WEFO algorithm it's been tried to prevent the re-expansion of the wave.
An Improved Power Diode Model Based on Finite Difference Method
Authors: Shaker A. , Omar O. A. , Zekry Abdelhalim , Gamal Salah H.
Published: December 2010

In this paper, we present a physically based model of power diodes. The model is based on the numerical solution of the ambipolar diffusion equation using a modified finite difference method. The model is implemented using Matlab. Optimization routines are executed within Matlab to extract the design parameters of the power diode under investigation. Comparisons between the results of the Matlab model with Silvaco mixed-mode simulations are presented. The model is used to extract design parameters of selected power diodes whose experimental waveforms are given.