bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Four-circle single-crystal neutron diffractometer at the High Flux Isotope Reactor
Authors: Chakoumakos Bryan C. , Cao Huibo , Ye Feng , Stoica Alexandru D. , Popovici Mihai , Sundaram Madhan , Zhou Wenduo , Hicks J. Steve , Lynn Gary W. , Riedel Richard A.
Published: May 2011

A four-circle neutron diffractometer with a new multi-wafer 331 Si monochromator has been installed and commissioned on a thermal beamline at the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The instrument is well suited to studies of nuclear and magnetic structures as a function of composition and temperature, resolving symmetry changes (lattice distortions and local structural changes), mapping the evolution of complex magnetic phases, determining hydrogen bonding, analyzing nuclear and spin densities, mapping diffuse scattering, and exploring fiber diffraction. Three incident wavelengths are available, 1.000, 1.536 and 2.540 Å, with intensities of 2.5 × 106, 2.2 × 107and 8.0 × 106 neutrons cm−2 s−1, respectively. Either high-resolution or high-intensity modes are possible by horizontal bending of the monochromator. With increased bending of the monochromator, the incident flux on the sample passes through a maximum, increasing by ×2.0 for 1.000 Å, by ×3.5 for 1.536 Å and by ×3.5 for 2.540 Å, as compared to the flat condition. The flux increases because the lattice strain in the silicon crystals increases. The ω-scan peak width increases with monochromator curvature and this widthversusscattering angle flattens. Given these effects, the monochromator bending can be adjusted to deliver high intensity primarily for crystal structure refinements or high resolution for resolving symmetry changes. In addition to the traditional step-scanning mode, a more efficient continuous-scanning mode was developed, and both these are implemented through aLabView-based control program,i.e.a modified version of theSPICEsoftware package. A 4 K closed-cycle helium refrigerator is permanently mounted on the χ-circle of the goniometer to provide temperature control between 4 and 450 K.
Investigation by coherent X-ray section topography of ferroelectric domain behaviour as a function of temperature in periodically poled Rb:KTP
Authors: Masiello Fabio , Lafford Tamzin A. , Pernot Petra , Baruchel José , Keeble Dean S. , Thomas Pam A. , Zukauskas Andrius , Strömqvist Gustav , Laurell Fredrik , Canalias Carlota
Published: May 2011

The behaviour of ferroelectric domains at high temperatures near the Curie temperature in a periodically poled rubidium-doped potassium titanyl phosphate crystal (Rb:KTP) has been studied by Bragg–Fresnel X-ray diffraction imagingin situusing a compact coherence-preserving furnace. The development and partial disappearance of the inverted domain structure as the temperature increases has been successfully modelled, and is explained by invoking a built-in electric field produced under heating in a low vacuum by out-diffusion of atoms from the sample.
Global optimization of an entire neutron guide hall
Authors: Bentley Phil M. , Fouquet Peter , Böhm Martin , Sutton Iain , Dewhurst Charles D. , Andersen Ken H.
Published: May 2011

This paper describes the optimization of an entire neutron guide system, from the moderator to the sample position for several instruments simultaneously, using no more than a desktop computer and a few days of CPU time. This is made possible by merging two relatively advanced computational techniques. Neutron acceptance diagram shading is a fast new method for modelling neutron beams, using an approach based on polygons similar to those featuring in computer games. Optimization algorithms based on swarm intelligence are efficient and reliable ways to maximize numerically calculable figures of merit with many strongly coupled geometry parameters. Recent developments in these methods are described, as well as their combination to optimize the geometry of the H5 beamlines at the Institut Laue–Langevin. The optimization was such that all instruments simultaneously gain as much on-sample flux as possible by taking unused phase space from their neighbours, whilst no instrument suffers any losses in its useful flux.
The genetics and genomics of Syngnathidae: pipefishes, seahorses and seadragons
Authors: Mobley K. B. , Small C. M. , Jones A. G.
Published: May 2011

The goal of this review was to provide a historical overview of how molecular techniques have increased the understanding of the ecology and evolution of the family Syngnathidae (pipefishes, seahorses and seadragons). Molecular studies based primarily on mitochondrial DNA markers have proved their worth by elucidating complex phylogenetic relationships within the family. Phylogeographic studies, which have revealed how life‐history traits and past climatic events shape geographic distributions and patterns of genetic variation within syngnathid species, also provide interesting case studies for the conservation and management of threatened species. The application of microsatellite DNA markers has opened a floodgate of studies concerned with the breeding biology of these fishes, which are interesting due to their unique reproductive mode of male pregnancy. Research in this area has contributed significantly to the understanding of mating patterns and sexual selection. Molecular markers may also be employed in studies of demography, migration and local breeding population sizes. Genomic studies have identified genes that are probably involved in male pregnancy and promise additional insights into various aspects of syngnathid biology at the level of the gene. Despite these advances, much more remains to be explored. Goals for future research should include: (1) a more inclusive phylogeny to resolve outstanding issues concerning the relationships within the family and higher order taxa, (2) a broader use of molecular studies to aid management and conservation efforts, (3) the inclusion of more genera in comparative behavioural studies and (4) the continued development of genomic resources for syngnathids to facilitate comparative genomic work.
Thrombocytopenia and bleeding in dental procedures of patients with Gaucher disease
Authors: GIVOL N. , GOLDSTEIN G. , PELEG O. , SHENKMAN B. , ZIMRAN A. , ELSTEIN D. , KENET G.
Published: May 2011

Summary.  The risk of bleeding during dental procedures may be increased in patients with Gaucher disease. We aimed to evaluate potential coagulation and platelet function abnormalities and targeted therapy accordingly. Patients with type 1 Gaucher disease who were treated at the Oral and Maxilo‐Facial surgery clinic at Sheba Medical Center between 2003 and 2010 comprised the study cohort. Data collected included disease history, enzyme treatment, platelet counts, dental therapy and outcome. Bleeding was defined as excessive bleeding during or immediately following procedure. Coagulation studies and platelet function tests including aggregometry were performed on all patients. Dental procedures (n = 14, including eight teeth extractions, two crown lengthening procedures, one cyst enucleation and three deep dental scaling) of seven patients were studied. Mean platelet count prior to procedure was 73 K ± 14.8 mm3. Patients bleeding risk score was calculated according to previous history of bleeding tendency, degree of thrombocytopenia, presence of comorbid coagulopathy and the type of dental procedure. Two patients with highest risk score received prophylactic platelet transfusions, three patients (medium‐risk) received DDAVP preprocedure and all received systemic tranexamic acid, which was the only systemic therapy for low‐risk patients. Meticulous surgical local haemostasis was applied. No excessive intra‐operative or postoperative bleeding occurred. Patients with Gaucher disease who have thrombocytopenia and abnormal platelet function tests may be safely treated if meticulous haemostasis is applied along with systemic therapy as required. Platelet transfusions are not mandatory and should be applied considering the procedure‐related risk and the patient’s calculated haematological risk for bleeding.
Factor IX replacement to cover total knee replacement surgery in haemophilia B: a single‐centre experience, 2000–2010
Authors: UPRICHARD J. , ADAMIDOU D. , GODDARD N. J. , MANN H. A. , YEE T. T.
Published: May 2011

Summary.  Total knee replacement (TKR) is a well recognized treatment for haemophilic arthropathy. Successful haemostasis can be achieved by bolus doses or continuous infusion (CI) using either recombinant (r) or plasma‐derived (pd) factor IX (FIX). We retrospectively analysed our experience of factor replacement to cover TKR in haemophilia B patients and explored factors related to FIX use during surgery. Between 2000 and 2010, 13 primary TKRs were performed in 11 haemophilia B patients. Operations were performed by the same surgeon using standard techniques. Median age was 58 years (42–79). An adjusted CI protocol was used for 5 days followed by bolus doses. FIX:C was maintained at 100 IU dL−1 in the immediate postoperative period. There was no excess haemorrhage. There was no evidence of thrombosis or infection. All patients received mechanical thromboprophylaxis and only one chemical. CI was used in seven cases. Ten patients received pdFIX. Median hospital stay was 14 days (8–17). Median factor usage was 999 IU kg−1 (768–1248). During CI, factor consumption was 695 IU kg−1, 691 IU kg−1 and 495 IU kg−1 for BeneFix®, Replenine® and Haemonine, respectively. Clearance of both pdFIX and rFIX reduced during CI. All operations were uncomplicated. The decreased clearance in the CI setting reduced the amount of FIX required to maintain a therapeutic level. This reduction was greater with pdFIX and may be related to pharmacokinetic differences between pdFIX and rFIX. Given the excellent safety profile of the pdFIX products, CI of FIX and particularly pdFIX is safe, efficacious and convenient.
Spread and development of quambalaria shoot blight in spotted gum plantations
Authors: Pegg G. S. , Nahrung H. , Carnegie A. J. , Wingfield M. J. , Drenth A.
Published: May 2011

The aim of this study was to examine the disease development of quambalaria shoot blight, caused by the fungal pathogen Quambalaria pitereka, in plantation‐grown spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora subsp. citriodora, C. citriodora subsp. variegata, C. henryi and C. maculata) in south‐east Queensland, Australia. The results showed that native spotted gums are a primary source of inoculum followed rapidly by the production of secondary inoculum from infected trees in the plantation. The rate of spread and development of Q. pitereka within plantations increased exponentially over time as additional trees became infected and produced secondary inoculum. Spore concentration was shown to play an important role in disease development, with disease severity increasing with increasing disease incidence on individual trees and incidence across the plantation.
The Mesozoic palaeorelief of the northern Tian Shan (China)
Authors: Chen Ke , Gumiaux Charles , Augier Romain , Chen Yan , Wang Qingchen , Lin Wei , Wang Shengli
Published: May 2011

Terra Nova, 23, 195–205, 2011

The Tian Shan range offers a natural laboratory to study orogenic processes. Most of the previous studies focused on either the Palaeozoic evolution of the range or its Cenozoic intracontinental evolution linked with the India–Asia collision. In this study, it is shown that detailed field investigations on the relationship between sedimentary cover and basement constrain the Mesozoic evolution of the northern Tian Shan. Sedimentological observations argue for a limited transport distance for Lower and Uppermost Jurassic deposits. Geological sections presented in this paper show that, in preserved locations, Triassic to Jurassic sedimentary series present a continuous onlap type sedimentary unconformity on the top of the basement. At different scales, observations clearly evidence the existence of major palaeorelief during the Mesozoic. According to the present study, the topography of the current Tian Shan range and the associated movements along its northern front structures cannot be considered as the consequence of Cenozoic reactivation alone.
Outpatient treatment of children with severe pneumonia with oral amoxicillin in four countries: the MASS study
Authors: Addo‐Yobo Emmanuel , Anh Dang D. , El‐Sayed Hesham F. , Fox LeAnne M. , Fox Matthew P. , MacLeod William , Saha Samir , Tuan Tran A. , Thea Donald M. , Qazi Shamim ,   for the Multicenter Amoxicillin Severe pneumonia Study (MASS) Group
Published: May 2011

Objective  A recent randomized clinical trial demonstrated home‐based treatment of WHO‐defined severe pneumonia with oral amoxicillin was equivalent to hospital‐based therapy and parenteral antibiotics. We aimed to determine whether this finding is generalizable across four countries.

Methods  Multicentre observational study in Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana and Vietnam between November 2005 and May 2008. Children aged 3–59 months with WHO‐defined severe pneumonia were enrolled at participating health centres and managed at home with oral amoxicillin (80–90 mg/kg per day) for 5 days. Children were followed up at home on days 1, 2, 3 and 6 and at a facility on day 14 to look for cumulative treatment failure through day 6 and relapse between days 6 and 14.

Results  Of 6582 children screened, 873 were included, of whom 823 had an outcome ascertained. There was substantial variation in presenting characteristics by site. Bangladesh and Ghana had fever (97%) as a more common symptom than Egypt (74%) and Vietnam (66%), while in Vietnam, audible wheeze was more common (49%) than at other sites (range 2–16%). Treatment failure by day 6 was 9.2% (95% CI: 7.3–11.2%) across all sites, varying from 6.4% (95% CI: 3.1–9.8%) in Ghana to 13.2% (95% CI: 8.4–18.0%) in Vietnam; 2.7% (95% CI: 1.5–3.9%) of the 733 children well on day 6 relapsed by day 14. The most common causes of treatment failure were persistence of lower chest wall indrawing (LCI) at day 6 (3.8%; 95% CI: 2.6–5.2%), abnormally sleepy or difficult to wake (1.3%; 95% CI: 0.7–2.3%) and central cyanosis (1.3%; 95% CI: 0.7–2.3%). All children survived and only one adverse drug reaction occurred. Treatment failure was more frequent in young infants and those presenting with rapid respiratory rates.

Conclusions  Clinical treatment failure and adverse event rates among children with severe pneumonia treated at home with oral amoxicillin did not substantially differ across geographic areas. Thus, home‐based therapy of severe pneumonia can be applied to a wide variety of settings.
Disseminated zygomycosis due to Mycocladus corymbifera with cutaneous and cerebral involvement
Authors: Schofield Clare , Stern Alexander , Jevtic Andrew
Published: May 2011

Fungal infections caused by zygomycetes are important and potentially life threatening infections. These opportunistic moulds have been increasingly implicated in human disease and are most frequently seen in immune compromised patients. We report a case of disseminated infection with Mycocladus corymbifera involving the brain, lungs, kidneys and skin in a 16‐year‐old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The skin lesions played a significant role in the diagnosis of mucormycosis. These infections have an exceedingly high mortality rate and early recognition of cutaneous lesions is essential to successful management.
Development and plasticity of endangered shrubLindera melissifolia(Lauraceae) seedlings under contrasting light regimes
Authors: LOCKHART BRIAN ROY , GARDINER EMILE S. , STAUTZ THERAN , LEININGER THEODOR D.
Published: May 2011

Lindera melissifolia(Walt.) Blume seedlings were raised in a growth chamber to determine the effects of light availability on shoot growth pattern, and basic leaf and stem growth.Lindera melissifoliaseedlings exhibited a sympodial shoot growth pattern for 3 months following emergence from the soil medium, but this pattern was characterized by a reduction in leaf blade area approximately 30 days after emergence, followed by increases in leaf blade area. Seedlings receiving low light were 76% taller than seedlings receiving high light. Seedlings receiving low light also had larger leaf blade dimensions, blade area, seedling leaf area, and greater mass. Seedlings raised in high light had a greater proportional distribution of biomass in the roots, suggesting possible water stress from greater vapor pressure deficits. Furthermore, these seedlings displayed sharp angles of blade inclination and blade folding – acclimation that reduces exposure to light and subsequent higher leaf temperatures in open environments. These differences in morphological response to light resulted in high phenotypic variability inL. melissifoliaseedlings.Lindera melissifoliaseedling development showed a brief period of phenotypic plasticity, followed by ontogenetic plasticity. The short period of phenotypic plasticity may, however, have profound ecological implications for the conservation and recovery of this federally endangered shrub. Further experimentation should take into account the development of ontogenetic standards for comparisons of plant traits in addition to temporal standards.
Can the New Cooperative Medical Scheme promote rural elders' access to health‐care services?
Authors: Dai Baozhen , Zhou Jianzai , Mei Y. John , Wu Bei , Mao Zongfu
Published: May 2011

The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) on rural elders' access to health‐care services. Articles were identified from PubMed, Elsevier, Wiley, EBSCO, EMBASE, SCI Expanded, ProQuest, Google, and CNKI which is the most informative database in Chinese, with the search terms “rural”, “China”, “old”, “older”, or “elder”, “elderly”, or “aged”, “aging”, “medical insurance”, or “community‐based medical insurance”, or “cooperative medical scheme”. Related websites and yearbooks were searched as well. The NCMS has improved the health‐care utilization of rural elders, and they have the highest satisfaction with it among all age groups. However, affordability difficulty remained the common barrier for the rural elderly to access quality health care, in spite of the special considerations given to the rural elderly, such as premium remission and free check‐ups. Faced with ever‐growing health challenges, some impoverished rural elders with poor physical health and functional limitations may lack sufficient access to basic health‐care services. Followed by the provider payment reform initiated by the NCMS, a stricter regulation for doctors' prescriptions, clinical practice and disease management is needed to promote rural elders' access to health‐care services. Health management for rural elders can be expected for the NCMS to promote rural elders' health‐care access once a better coordination between the NCMS and health‐care system can be achieved. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2011; 11: 239–245.
Association of polypharmacy with fall risk among geriatric outpatients
Authors: Kojima Taro , Akishita Masahiro , Nakamura Tetsuro , Nomura Kazushi , Ogawa Sumito , Iijima Katsuya , Eto Masato , Ouchi Yasuyoshi
Published: May 2011

Aim:  To investigate the association of fall risk with comorbidities and medications in geriatric outpatients in a cross‐sectional design.

Methods:  A total of 262 outpatients (84 men and 178 women, mean age 76.2 ± 6.8 years) were evaluated. Physical examination, clinical histories and medication profile were obtained from each patient. History of falls in the past year, 22‐item fall risk index, 13‐point simple screening test for fall, and time interval of one‐leg standing test were examined as markers of fall risk.

Results:  On univariate analysis, older age, female sex, hypertension, osteoporosis, history of stroke, number of comorbidities, use of antihypertensives, aspirin, bisphosphonates, hypnotics and number of prescribed drugs were significantly associated with either of four indices. On multiple regression analysis, the number of drugs was associated with all of the four indices, independent of other factors associated in the univariate analysis. The association of number of drugs with fall risk indices was stepwise.

Conclusion:  In geriatric outpatients, polypharmacy rather than number of comorbidities was associated with fall risk. Prospective and intervention studies are needed to clarify the causal relationship between polypharmacy, comorbidities and fall risk. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2011; 11: 438–444.
Acceptability of cognitive‐behaviour therapy via the Internet for cessation of benzodiazepine use
Authors: PARR JANNETTE M. , KAVANAGH DAVID J. , YOUNG ROSS McD. , MITCHELL GEOFFREY
Published: May 2011

Introduction and Aims:  Long‐term use of benzodiazepines remains common, and conveys significant risk. Providing psychological intervention in association with gradual dose reduction increases cessation rates above dose reduction alone, but appropriate psychological support is difficult to obtain. This study was undertaken to assess the outcomes of an uncontrolled case series of an Internet‐based cognitive‐behaviour therapy for benzodiazepine cessation.

Design and Methods:  Users of benzodiazepines for >3 months who wanted to reduce or cease benzodiazepines participated in the trial. They completed online assessments and accessed 13 newsletters on managing withdrawal symptoms and developing alternate ways to cope with life events. Therapist assistance was provided by email. Follow up was at 3 and 6 months and feedback was obtained via comments and emails.

Results:  Program ratings and emailed comments of the program were positive. Thirty‐two people registered for the program and 14 (44%) completed a 6 month follow up. Of these, eight (57%) reduced weekly intake by at least half, including five (36%) who ceased use. Shorter duration of use and birth outside Australia predicted greater percentage reductions at 3 months, while being living with a partner and being in paid employment predicted reductions at 6 months.

Discussion and Conclusions:  While results were encouraging, controlled research is required to confirm the efficacy of the program, and engagement of both users and prescribers needs further attention. [Parr JM, Kavanagh DJ, Young RM, Mitchell G. Acceptability of cognitive‐behaviour therapy via the Internet for cessation of benzodiazepine use. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:306–314]
The prescription drug epidemic in the United States: A perfect storm
Authors: MAXWELL JANE CARLISLE
Published: May 2011

Introduction and Aims. Abuse of prescription analgesics in the USA is increasing. The epidemic has been driven by many factors, including marketing strategies, incorrect prescribing practices, a variety of legal and illegal drug sources, belated governmental responses and increases in the number of prescriptions written.

Design and Methods. Data sources including surveys, emergency room visits, treatment admissions, overdose deaths, toxicology laboratory findings and journal articles were examined to identify trends.

Results. The surveys and emergency department visits show use lowest among young teenagers and highest among older teenagers and young adults, with significant increases among those aged 55 and older. The length of time between initial use of an opioid other than heroin and admission to treatment is shortening. Mortality data and toxicology exhibits confirm the increases and show the variation in the prevalence of various drugs across the USA.

Discussion and Conclusions. Abuse is increasing, with varying patterns of use by high‐risk groups and different geographic preferences. Prescription drug monitoring programs are being developed in each of the US states to deter ‘doctor shopping’; the Food and Drug Administration has increased authority over manufacturers; and options for proper disposal of leftover medications exist. There is increased emphasis on responsible prescribing including risk assessments, prescribing agreements, treatment plans, and training for clinicians, as well as monitoring the interactions with benzodiazepines. However, unless these efforts decrease diversion, abuse and addiction, clinicians may lose the ability to use some of these opioids for effective pain management or so many barriers will be raised that pain will go undertreated or untreated.[Maxwell JC. The prescription drug epidemic in the United States: A perfect storm. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:264–270]
Trends over time in characteristics of pharmaceutical drug‐related ambulance attendances in Melbourne
Authors: LLOYD BELINDA K. , McELWEE PAUL R.
Published: May 2011

Introduction and Aims. There is growing concern regarding pharmaceutical drug‐related harms. Evidence suggests increasing non‐medical use of pharmaceutical drugs, along with associated morbidity and mortality. This paper explores trends of pharmaceutical‐related ambulance attendances over the past decade in order to identify populations experiencing acute harm, and levels of harms in the community.

Design and Methods. A retrospective analysis of pharmaceutical drug‐related ambulance attendances in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, is presented, with rates of attendances over the period 2000 to 2009 and change over time examined. Characteristics of attendances are explored to understand the nature of presentation and demographic characteristics.

Results. Benzodiazepines represented the drug group with the highest rates of attendances over the 10 year period. Rates of attendances increased significantly for opioid analgesics, while significant decreases were noted for benzodiazepines, antidepressant and anticonvulsants. While women represented the majority of patients for each drug category presented over the period examined, there was an increase in the proportion of men attended in relation to opioid analgesics. Alcohol involvement in presentations has increased significantly for all drug groups.

Discussion and Conclusions. Increasing pharmaceutical‐related ambulance attendances for opioid analgesics reflect increasing use, with the increase in other analgesic‐related attendances also concerning. The overrepresentation of female patients reflects a population experiencing drug‐related harm not reflected in illicit drug research. The rise of alcohol involvement represents heightened risk of adverse events including death, and suggests an area for public education to prevent alcohol and drug‐related harms.[Lloyd BK, McElwee PR. Trends over time in characteristics of pharmaceutical drug‐related ambulance attendances in Melbourne. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:271–280]
Increasing the benefits and reducing the harms of prescription opioid analgesics
Authors: HALLINAN RICHARD , OSBORN MARY , COHEN MILTON , DOBBIN MALCOLM , WODAK ALEX
Published: May 2011

Issues. Consumption of prescription opioid analgesics (POAs) in Australia has increased steadily in recent years, raising concerns of increasing harms including overdose and dependence, as has occurred in the USA.

Approach. Exposition of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Prescription Opioid Policy with reference to the published literature, drawing out principles for harm reduction for psychoactive pharmaceutical drugs.

Key Findings. Complex professional, patient, regulatory and market factors influence health professionals balancing the benefits and harms of POAs. Owing to the potential for diversion, overlapping markets probably exist for pharmaceutical opioids used for populations with cancer pain, chronic non‐cancer pain, and people dependent on pharmaceutical and illicit opioids (including those needing opioid substitution treatment). Attempts to reduce or restrict supply in one area may increase demand in others. There is a need to consider new harm reduction strategies for people with problematic pharmaceutical opioid use. These people are demographically not well characterised, and may be distinct from the more familiar population of injection drug users.

Implications. Harm reduction is a valid approach for POAs. However, the role of health professionals as gatekeepers of opioid supply, the need to optimise health benefits of POAs, and the likely interplay of complex market forces among populations consuming opioids have no close parallel in harm reduction for other substances. This poses fundamentally different challenges.

Conclusions. Reducing inappropriate supply and demand for POAs while maximising their benefits and minimising their harms may improve health outcomes.[Hallinan R, Osborn M, Cohen M, Dobbin M, Wodak A. Increasing the benefits and reducing the harms of prescription opioid analgesics. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:315–323]
COMBINING MULTI‐AGENT PARADIGM AND MEMETIC COMPUTING FOR PERSONALIZED AND ADAPTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Authors: Acampora Giovanni , Gaeta Matteo , Loia Vincenzo
Published: May 2011

Learning is a critical support mechanism for industrial and academic organizations to enhance the skills of employees and students and, consequently, the overall competitiveness in the new economy. The remarkable velocity and volatility of modern knowledge require novel learning methods offering additional features as efficiency, task relevance and personalization. Computational Intelligence methodologies can support e‐Learning system designers in two different aspects: (1) they represent the most suitable solution able to support learning content and activities, personalized to specific needs and influenced by specific preferences of the learner and (2) they assist designers with computationally efficient methods to develop “in time” e‐Learning environments. This article attempts to achieve both results by exploiting an ontological representations of learning environment and memetic approach of optimization, integrated into a cooperative distributed problem solving framework. This synergy enables multi‐island memetic approach managing a collection of models and processes for adapting an e‐Learning system to the learner expectations and to formulate objectives in an effective and dynamic intelligent way. More precisely, our proposal exploits ontological representations of learning environment and a memetic distributed problem‐solving approach to generate the best learning presentation and, at the same time, minimize the computational efforts necessary to compute optimal learning experiences.
AN EVOLUTIONARY STRATEGY FOR A COMPUTER TEAM GAME
Authors: Tsai Ching‐Tsorng , Liaw Chishyan , Huang Huan‐Chen , Ko Chao‐Hui
Published: May 2011

Computer team games have attracted many players in recent years. Most of them are rule‐based systems because they are simple and easy to implement. However, they usually cause a game agent to be inflexible, and it may repeat a failure. Some studies investigated the learning of a single game agent, and its learning capability has been improved. However, each agent in a team is independent and it does not cooperate with others in a multiplayer game. This article explores an evolution strategy for a computer team game based on Quake III Arena. The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm will be applied to evolve a non‐player character (NPC) team in Quake III to be more efficient and intelligent. The evolution of a single NPC, which accommodates to its team and, moreover, the team has learning and cooperating abilities, will be discussed. An efficient team is composed of various members with their own specialties, and the leader is capable of evaluating the performance of a member and assigning it a proper job. Furthermore, the leader of an intelligent team will adapt a strategy appropriate for various circumstances and obtain the team's best performance. Instead of considering the tactic of an individual bot, this article takes the strategy of a team into account.
AN ALGORITHM FOR SOLVING RULE SETS–BASED BILEVEL DECISION PROBLEMS
Authors: Zhang Guang‐Quan , Zheng Zheng , Lu Jie , He Qing
Published: May 2011

Bilevel decision addresses the problem in which two levels of decision makers each tries to optimize their individual objectives under certain constraints, and to act and react in an uncooperative and sequential manner. Given the difficulty of formulating a bilevel decision problem by mathematical functions, a rule sets–based bilevel decision (RSBLD) model was proposed. This article presents an algorithm to solve a RSBLD problem. A case‐based example is given to illustrate the functions of the proposed algorithm. Finally, a set of experiments is analyzed to further show the functions and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Using GIS and perceived distance to understand the unequal geographies of healthcare in lower‐income urban neighbourhoods
Authors: HAWTHORNE TIMOTHY L. , KWAN MEI‐PO
Published: May 2011

Geographers play important roles in public health research, particularly in understanding healthcare accessibility, utilisation, and individual healthcare experiences. Most accessibility studies have benefited from the increased sophistication of geographic information systems (GIS). Some studies have been enhanced with semi‐structured in‐depth interviews to understand individual experiences of people as they access healthcare. However, few accessibility studies have explicitly utilised individual in‐depth interview data in the construction of new GIS accessibility measures. Using mixed methods including GIS analysis and individual data from semi‐structured in‐depth interviews, we offer satisfaction‐adjusted distance as a new way of conceptualising accessibility in GIS. Based on fieldwork in a predominantly lower‐income community in Columbus, Ohio (USA), we find many residents felt neighbourhood healthcare facilities offered low‐quality care, which suggested an added perceived distance as they attempt to access high‐quality healthcare facilities. The satisfaction‐adjusted distance measure accounts for the perceived distance some residents feel as they search for high‐quality healthcare in lower‐income urban neighbourhoods. In moving beyond conventional GIS and re‐conceptualising accessibility in this way, we offer a more realistic portrayal of the issues lower‐income urban residents face as they attempt to access high‐quality healthcare facilities. The work has theoretical implications for conceptualising healthcare accessibility, advances the mixed‐methodologies literature, and argues for a more equitable distribution of high‐quality healthcare in urban neighbourhoods.
‘Geography matters’: the role distance plays in reproducing educational inequality in East London
Authors: Hamnett Chris , Butler Tim
Published: May 2011

There is a longstanding literature on the unequal geographical distribution of welfare. In this paper we argue that increasingly geography is becoming the basis for rationing access to some forms of welfare. Focusing on access to secondary schools in East London, England, where the demand for places at the more popular schools generally far exceeds the number of places available, we show how distance from school has now become the primary means of allocating places. Rather than educational resources attempting to compensate for geographical disadvantage, geography (in the form of distance from school) has become the rationale by which those living in advantaged areas continue to have privileged access to educational resources. Whereas previously the role of the state was to compensate for the unfairness of such geographical inequalities, geography (via distance to school) is now used to justify the unequal allocation of scarce school places. The paper demonstrates that not only does the near universal adoption of distance‐based allocation policies in East London lead to the reproduction of social advantage and disadvantage, but also it is creating new hierarchies of school popularity and more important unpopularity which are not always clearly related to issues of school attainment.
QRA Model‐Based Risk Impact Analysis of Traffic Flow in Urban Road Tunnels
Authors: Meng Qiang , Qu Xiaobo , Yong Kum Thong , Wong Yoke Heng
Published: May 2011

Road tunnels are vital infrastructures providing underground vehicular passageways for commuters and motorists. Various quantitative risk assessment (QRA) models have recently been developed and employed to evaluate the safety levels of road tunnels in terms of societal risk (as measured by the F/N curve). For a particular road tunnel, traffic volume and proportion of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are two adjustable parameters that may significantly affect the societal risk, and are thus very useful in implementing risk reduction solutions. To evaluate the impact the two contributing factors have on the risk, this article first presents an approach that employs a QRA model to generate societal risk for a series of possible combinations of the two factors. Some combinations may result in F/N curves that do not fulfill a predetermined safety target. This article thus proposes an “excess risk index” in order to quantify the road tunnel risk magnitudes that do not pass the safety target. The two‐factor impact analysis can be illustrated by a contour chart based on the excess risk. Finally, the methodology has been applied to Singapore's KPE road tunnel and the results show that in terms of meeting the test safety target for societal risk, the traffic capacity of the tunnel should be no more than 1,200 vehs/h/lane, with a maximum proportion of 18% HGVs.
Hospital‐reported Data on the Pneumonia Quality Measure “Time to First Antibiotic Dose” Are Not Associated With Inpatient Mortality: Results of a Nationwide Cross‐sectional Analysis
Authors: Quattromani Erin , Powell Emilie S. , Khare Rahul K. , Cheema Navneet , Sauser Kori , Periyanayagam Usha , Pirotte Matthew J , Feinglass Joe , Mark Courtney D.
Published: May 2011

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:496–503 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  Significant controversy exists regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) “time to first antibiotics dose” (TFAD) quality measure. The objective of this study was to determine whether hospital performance on the TFAD measure for patients admitted from the emergency department (ED) for pneumonia is associated with decreased mortality.

Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional analysis of 95,704 adult ED admissions with a principal diagnosis of pneumonia from 530 hospitals in the 2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The sample was merged with 2007 CMS Hospital Compare data, and hospitals were categorized into TFAD performance quartiles. Univariate association of TFAD performance with inpatient mortality was evaluated by chi‐square test. A population‐averaged logistic regression model was created with an exchangeable working correlation matrix of inpatient mortality adjusted for age, sex, comorbid conditions, weekend admission, payer status, income level, hospital size, hospital location, teaching status, and TFAD performance.

Results:  Patients had a mean age of 69.3 years. In the adjusted analysis, increasing age was associated with increased mortality with odds ratios (ORs) of >2.3. Unadjusted inpatient mortality was 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.9% to 4.2%). Median time to death was 5 days (25th–75th interquartile range = 2–11). Mean TFAD quality performance was 77.7% across all hospitals (95% CI = 77.6% to 77.8%). The risk‐adjusted OR of mortality was 0.89 (95% CI = 0.77 to 1.02) in the highest performing TFAD quartile, compared to the lowest performing TFAD quartile. The second highest performing quartile OR was 0.94 (95% CI = 0.82 to 1.08), and third highest performing quartile was 0.91 (95% CI = 0.79 to 1.05).

Conclusions:  In this nationwide heterogeneous 2007 sample, there was no association between the publicly reported TFAD quality measure performance and pneumonia inpatient mortality.
Utilization of Radiographs for the Diagnosis of Ankle Fractures in Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Dowdall Hilary , Gee Marianne , Brison Robert J. , Pickett William
Published: May 2011

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:555–558 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  This study assessed the utilization and clinical yield of radiographs ordered to assist in the diagnosis of acute ankle injuries presenting to two emergency departments (EDs) in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, over a 7‐year period.

Methods:  A large case series was assembled. Records of ankle injuries from the Kingston sites of the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) were linked to hospital discharge records containing procedure codes. Utilization of radiographs and the clinical yield of these assessments were analyzed over time.

Results:  Following exclusions, 7,706 acute ankle injuries were identified for analysis. Utilization of radiography increased modestly over time, to a high of 70.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 67.3% to 72.9%) in 2007. The percentage of cases positive for fracture remained consistent (18.3% to 21.9% annually).

Conclusions:  Explanations for the observed increase in utilization of radiographs remain uncertain. Increased use of clinical decision tools such as the Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR) appear to be required to reduce procedure costs within the ED and to limit patient exposure to radiography.
Prognostic parameters contributing to palatal implant failures: a long‐term survival analysis of 239 patients
Authors: Jung Britta A. , Kunkel Martin , Göllner Peter , Liechti Thomas , Wagner Wilfried , Wehrbein Heinrich
Published: May 2011

Objective: To evaluate the demographic, radiological and therapeutic parameters that influence the overall clinical performance of palatal implants subjected to orthodontic loading.

Patients and methods: The data of all patients who had received an orthodontic palatal implant for skeletal anchorage between January 1998 and December 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The primary endpoint was the implant loss. The following parameters were assessed by univariate (log‐rank test) and multivariate (Cox's regression) analysis: (a) age and gender, (b) vertical bone height along the prospective implant axis, (c) surgeon's experience and (d) implant type.

Results: Two‐hundred and thirty‐nine palatal implants were inserted in patients aged between 10 and 65 years. In all, 11/239 (4.6%) implants were lost: nine during the healing phase and two under functional loading. On univariate analysis, “surgeon's experience” was associated with a better implant survival and vice versa (P=0.0005; log‐rank test). The significance of “surgeon's experience” was confirmed by Cox's regression analysis (P=0.001; Wald test). All other parameters had no impact on implant loss.

Conclusions: The survival probability of palatal implants is not related to demographic and radiological parameters. Implant losses mainly occurred early in the healing phase of the palatal implant. According to our data, “surgeon's experience” is the cornerstone of palatal implant success.
Spatial patterns and ecological drivers of historic piñon–juniper woodland expansion in the American southwest
Authors: Jacobs Brian F.
Published: May 2011

Apparent changes in the local occurrence and regional extent of southwestern U.S. piñon–juniper woodlands since Euro‐American settlement (i.e. historic expansion) are widely reported. These changes are commonly attributed to rapid onset of intensive and unregulated livestock grazing in western rangelands beginning ca 1850. However, other potential drivers of historic expansion including climatic warming, biological inertia, elevated CO2, and post‐disturbance successional recovery have also been noted. Landscape patterns of woodland expansion have not been well characterized, thus the magnitude, extent, and timing of historic change remains uncertain and the relative importance of ecological drivers difficult to assess. Previous work within a monsoonal north‐central New Mexico study area demonstrated the utility of logistic modeling to address these questions. Here I expand these efforts by sampling and modeling piñon‐juniper woodlands across a climatically variable four‐state area (i.e. New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah). Using MARS, a piece‐wise linear procedure, I model occurrence of pre‐ versus post‐settlement aged stands in relation to environmental factors, predictively map woodland expansion patterns, and evaluate grazing versus other potential drivers of historic change. Pre‐settlement woodlands were most commonly found in upland settings consistent with previous work, although this relationship was less pronounced in winter moisture areas on the Colorado Plateau. Post‐settlement stands in contrast were typically associated with more productive valley‐terrace and toe‐slope settings. However, predicted extent of expansion regionally was largely restricted to summer moisture areas within the range of one‐seed juniper. This dichotomy, where historic expansion was directional into depositional settings atypical of pre‐settlement woodland occurrence supports the view of intensive grazing as a disruptive disturbance. However, the more limited expansion predicted for winter moisture areas suggests grazing effects were likely contingent on bio‐climatic context including ecological potential of different juniper species and affected sites.
Can we model the probability of presence of species without absence data?
Authors: Li Wenkai , Guo Qinghua , Elkan Charles
Published: May 2011

In ecological studies, it is useful to estimate the probability that a species occurs at given locations. The probability of presence can be modeled by traditional statistical methods, if both presence and absence data are available. However, the challenge is that most species records contain only presence data, without reliable absence data. Previous presence‐only methods can estimate a relative index of habitat suitability, but cannot estimate the actual probability of presence.

In this study, we develop a presence and background learning algorithm (PBL) that is successful in modeling the conditional probability of presence of a simulated species. The model is trained by two completely separate sets: observed presence and background data. Assuming that the probability of presence is one for ‘prototypical presence’ locations where the habitats are maximally suitable for a species, we can estimate a constant that can calibrate the trained model into the actual probability of presence. Experimental results show that the PBL method performs similarly to a presence‐absence method, and significantly better than the widely used maximum entropy method. The new algorithm enables us to model the probability that a species occurs conditional on environmental covariates without absence data. Hence, it has potential to improve modeling of the geographical distributions of species.
GuanxiRevisited: An Exploratory Study of Familiar Ties in a Chinese Workplace
Authors: Luo Jar-Der
Published: May 2011

Do Chinese people restrict their complex transactions to a trusted inner circle composed of strong ties? Hwang's (1988) study points out that Chinese people often convert unfamiliar ties into familiar ties when the latter become trustworthy people. This conversion is instrumental in ensuring the fulfilment of promises in complex transactions because it contains an element of emotional attachment or moral obligation. This paper employs network data in a Chinese workplace to demonstrate the following points: first, there is indeed a type ofguanxiin the Chinese workplace that can be described as ‘familiar ties’. Second, familiar ties contain as much trust as friendship ties and more than acquaintance ties. A Chinese person may search for his or her possible partners among strangers, then develop trust within thisguanxiand gradually transform the relationship into familiar ties. It is through these ties that interpersonal trust can grow and enable complex transactions.