bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acciones legales de los religiosos marianistas sobre sus obras colegiales durante los años de la Segunda República
Authors: Gascón Aranda Antonio
Published: September 2012

Al advenimiento de la II República, los religiosos marianistas se encontraban firmemente implantados en España a través de obras escolares. Ante las leyes republicanas contrarias a la acción pública de las Congregaciones religiosas, los Marianistas se anticiparon a la legislación dando una identidad legal secular a sus establecimientos docentes. No obstante la enorme preocupación que ello generó entre los superiores, el acierto de esta estrategia se manifestó en el aumento del número de alumnos y de la cantidad de grados académicos de los religiosos.
La batalla eclesial por Madrid (1923-1936). Los conflictos entre Eijo Garay y Federico Tedeschini
Authors: Rodríguez Lago José Ramón
Published: September 2012

Las relaciones entre los dirigentes de la jerarquía católica se ven condicionadas por sus propias cosmovisiones teológicas y sus diferentes estrategias pastorales, pero también por las ambiciones de poder y las expectativas de promoción en el “cursus honorum”. Los conflictos suscitados de 1922 a 1936 entre el Nuncio Pontificio en España, Federico Tedeschini, y el Obispo de Madrid, Leopoldo Eijo Garay, son una excelente prueba de ello.
Evaluación de la fuerza de doblado y de fricción en el conformado de chapa de acero inoxidable AISI 304 DDQ mediante ensayos de doblado en condiciones multiaxiales de embutición
Authors: Coello J. , Miguel V. , Ferrer C. , Calatayud A. , Martínez A.
Published: September 2012

El radio de entrada a la matriz se considera una de las zonas críticas en los procesos de conformado de chapa mediante embutición profunda. El análisis de la fuerza de fricción y de doblado existentes resulta importante para predecir el comportamiento de la chapa en dicha zona, así como para garantizar una lubricación adecuada a las condiciones de procesado. En el presente trabajo, se aplica un método de ensayo que evalúa las acciones en el proceso de doblado del acero AISI 304 DDQ bajo condiciones similares a las que sufre el material en los procesos de embutición y que no son reproducidas por los clásicos ensayos de doblado bajo tensión. Se establecen como variables la deformación experimentada previamente por el material en condiciones típicas de cortante puro, “pure shear”, el ángulo de doblado y el radio de doblado. Los resultados obtenidos permiten establecer la presión de contacto herramienta-chapa, creciente con el ángulo de doblado y decreciente con el radio. Aunque dichos resultados guardan tendencias similares a los obtenidos de forma analítica, aconsejan introducir correcciones con el fin de conseguir mayor grado de concordancia del método analítico.
Determinación de los mecanismos de fractura de un material multicapa de aluminio de alta resistencia y excelente tenacidad a impacto basado en la aleación aeroespacial Al 7075
Authors: Cepeda-Jiménez C. M. , Ruano O. A. , Carreño F.
Published: September 2012

En este trabajo se ha procesado mediante laminación en caliente un material multicapa constituido por 19 capas alternadas de aluminio de alta resistencia (Al 7075-T6, 82 %vol) y capas de aluminio puro (Al 1050-H24, 18 %vol) de menor espesor. Se ha caracterizado la microestructura de las aleaciones constituyentes después del procesado, así como el gradiente de composición generado alrededor de las intercaras. Las propiedades mecánicas a temperatura ambiente, tanto del material multicapa como de las aleaciones de partida, se han estudiado mediante microdureza Vickers, flexión en tres puntos y ensayos de impacto Charpy. El material multicapa procesado presenta una tenacidad a impacto Charpy 18 veces superior a la de la aleación de partida Al 7075. Este espectacular aumento de tolerancia al daño es debido a los mecanismos de fractura, tanto extrínsecos como intrínsecos, que operan en el material multicapa durante las diferentes solicitaciones mecánicas a las que ha sido sometido.
Delay Constrained Admission Control and Scheduling Policy for IEEE 802.11e HCCA Method
Authors: Deng Der-Jiunn , Huang Yueh-Ming , Chen Hsiao-Hwa
Published: September 2012

In order to obtain better Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements for multimedia traffic, the 802.11TGe has proposed HCF Controlled Channel Access (HCCA) method for the Controlled Access Period (CAP) in the HCF (Hybrid Coordination Function) to enhance the original IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol, and it is expected to provide integrated traffic service to realize mobile multimedia communications. However, the reference design of admission control and scheduling policy in HCCA still can not provide stringent delay requirements to fulfill a hard QoS guarantee, a necessary feature for most multimedia applications. In this chapter, the authors propose a pragmatic admission control scheme with a novel polling based packet scheduling policy for multimedia transmission, such as Constant Bit Rate (CBR) and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) traffic, for IEEE 802.11e HCCA method. Our design is simple, it is compatible with the standard, it can guarantee delay constraint, and it utilizes bandwidth efficiently. A simple and accurate analytical model is carried out to study the average queueing delay estimation of the proposed scheme. In addition to theoretical analysis, simulations are conducted in NS2 network simulator to verify our analysis and to validate the promising performance of the proposed scheme.
Two Spatial Watermarking Techniques for Digital Images
Authors: Burdescu Dumitru Dan , Stanescu Liana , Mihaescu Marian Cristian
Published: September 2012

The rapid growth of digital multimedia technologies brings tremendous attention to the field of digital authentication. Digital watermarking has become widely recognized as an effective measure for copyright protection of multimedia data. The owner or the distributor of the digital images can insert a unique watermark into copies for different customers or receivers, which will be helpful to identify the source of illegal copies. In this chapter the authors present two original spatial authentication techniques for digital images. These new algorithms yield an invisible watermark that is robust to various kinds of attacks. The main principle is the utilization of a virtual (2D or 3D) graph embedded into the digital images. Then, the colors of some vertices of the virtual graph are slightly modified for obtaining the watermark. The proposed techniques modify pixels or voxels of the object by a spatial watermark insertion scheme. These techniques can be used for all kinds of digital images, color or black and white, and the new algorithms produce an invisible robust watermark. The techniques lower the computational complexity that normally rises with the traditional watermarking algorithms. This approach reduces computation and implementation complexity of the algorithms. These techniques seem to replace advantages of the transform domain techniques with those of the spatial domain techniques.
Facilitating Access to Indian Cultural Heritage
Authors: Gaur
Published: September 2012

It is estimated that India possesses more than five million manuscripts on varied subjects lying scattered or fragmented in India and foreign collections. This invaluable and unique pool of knowledge is under threat. Recognizing the need to encompass and preserve this knowledge resource and to make these accessible to scholars and researchers, Kala Nidhi Division of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) initiated a microfilming of manuscripts programme of private and public institutions in 1989. IGNCA has, so far, microfilmed over 250000 manuscripts in 20,600 microfilm rolls, out of that 14,400 rolls have been digitized. National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) established in February 2003 seeks to unearth and preserve the vast manuscript wealth of India. The digitization of over 25000 manuscripts under NMM, IGNCA and also under project mode by Cultural Informatics Laboratory (CIL), IGNCA makes largest repository of copies of manuscripts at IGNCA. Besides, IGNCA is also having a unique collection of 2500 rare books, about 1,0,5000 slides, 2000 paintings, 3000 photographs, more than 3000 hours of video recordings, art objects, 10 personal collections of eminent scholars such as Dr. Suniti Kumar Chatterjee, Prof. Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan and Prof. Maheswar Neog, photo documentation work on Rock Art, and various museums in India etc. Many of these collections such as rare books, photographs etc are well covered and some are not covered under copyright laws. However, there are issues such as ownership rights, permission rights and access rights etc, which do not allow open access to these collections. As per the existing arrangements, consultation to all collections at IGNCA is allowed to all, 25% copies of the material are also allowed on cost basis. However, to get a copy of the material, user need to approach the concerned library (from where the copies have been obtained) to seek permission. This chapter attempts to describe factors considered as hindrance to providing access to Indian cultural heritage material. Lack of proper policy guidelines especially on copyright issues and intellectual property rights concerning both cultural heritage materials in original as well as in digital form are an obstacle. Open access initiatives worldwide are advocating access to even current information. Cultural heritage belongs to the humanity worldwide, therefore, access should be given to all. These issues, which may not be solved at individual level or institutional level, require debate, deliberations and formulation of policy framework at the highest level.
Challenges to Intellectual Property Rights from Information and Communication Technologies, Nanotechnologies and Microelectronics
Authors: Driouchi Ahmed , Kadiri Molk
Published: September 2012

Information and communication technologies, nanotechnologies and microelectronics are progressively challenging the current state of intellectual property rights. This is related to the economic features underlying these technologies. The directions of changes in intellectual property rights are found to require further coping with the overall chain of innovation and with the uncertainty that can be embedded in the new trends of technological development.
Pricing and Replenishment Policies for Imperfect Quality Deteriorating Items under Inflation and Permissible Delay in Payments
Authors: Jaggi Chandra K. , Goel Satish K. , Mittal Mandeep
Published: September 2012

Usually it is assumed that all items in a lot are of good quality, but in reality this assumption may not always be pertinent. Thus, the inspection of lots becomes essential in almost all organizations. Moreover, its role becomes more vital when the items are deteriorating in nature. Owing to this fact, this paper investigates the impact of initial inspection on retailer’s pricing and ordering policy for deteriorating items under inflation and permissible delay in payments using discounted cash flow approach over a finite planning horizon. Demand rate is assumed to be a function of selling price. The proposed model jointly optimizes the number of replenishments and price by maximizing the retailer’s total profit. Results have been demonstrated with the help of a numerical example, and sensitivity analyses are also presented to provide managerial insights into practice.
Customer Centric Marketing Strategies
Authors: Serpico Elsa , Aquilani Barbara , Ruggieri Alessandro , Silvestri Cecilia
Published: September 2012

Building strong relationships with customers has become strategic for firms wishing to sustain their competitive advantage. In order to reach this goal, it is fundamental to continuously work towards an even higher experienced customer satisfaction. Thus, the aim of this chapter is: (a) to review customer satisfaction studies in both offline and online environments, (b) to analyze tools and methods already used to measure it, and (c) to propose a new, comprehensive, and complete theoretical framework that helps evaluate e-customer satisfaction. The last point represents a prerequisite to reach a best and exhaustive understanding of e-customer satisfaction, able to take into account the joint effects of its different antecedents and clearly suggest how to design and shape a website in order to generate an even higher overall customer satisfaction online.
Behavioral Branding as a Customer-Centric Strategy
Authors: Slavova Milanka , Yalman Neva
Published: September 2012

Behavioral branding is an integral part of contemporary business strategy. It aims to align external brand promise with employees’ brand building. Two-way branding strategy reinforces the brand and increases customer satisfaction because people are the ones who convey the message regardless of their hierarchical level or job description. The purpose of this chapter is to provide conceptual discussion on the major issues of behavioral branding, to summarize the existing models so far developed in various conceptual and empirical studies, and to present the two-way branding strategy construct. It reviews the critical success factors of behavioral branding, and based on the arguments from the existing body of knowledge, presents strategy, internal communication, leadership, and the organizational culture as the most important and effective ones. Finally, the influence of behavioral branding strategy on the marketing and financial performance of the company is discussed.
Detection of Primitive Collective Behaviours in a Crowd Panic Simulation Based on Multi-Agent Approach
Authors: Patrix Jérémy , Mouaddib Abdel-Illah , Gatepaille Sylvain
Published: September 2012

In case of emergency and evacuation, it is often impossible to interpret manually the complex behaviour of a crowd, essentially due to the lack of staff and time needed to understand a situation. In the literature, a monitored system using data fusion methods makes it possible to perform automatic situation awareness. Using Swarm Intelligence domain, the authors propose an approach based on multi-agent system to simulate and detect primitive collective behaviours emerging from a crowd panic. It enables anticipating collective behaviours in real-time as well as their anomalies according to specific scenarios. Detection is the possibility to learn, recognize and anticipate different behaviours by a probabilistic model. The collective behaviour detection of a crowd panic in real-time is based on a learning method on an extended model of Hidden Markov Model. This paper presents experiments of simulation and detection using an implementation of a virtual environment.
Increased Memory Differentiation Is Associated with Decreased Polyfunctionality for HIV but Not for Cytomegalovirus-Specific CD8+ T Cells
Authors: Riou Catherine , Treurnicht Florette , Abrahams Melissa-Rose , Mlisana Koleka , Liu Michael K. P. , Goonetilleke Nilu , Koup Richard , Roederer Mario , Abdool Karim Salim , de Bruyn Guy , Williamson Carolyn , Gray Clive M. , Burgers Wendy A. ,   the CAPRISA 002 Study Team
Published: September 2012

The generation of polyfunctional CD8+ T cells, in response to vaccination or natural infection, has been associated with improved protective immunity. However, it is unclear whether the maintenance of polyfunctionality is related to particular cellular phenotypic characteristics. To determine whether the cytokine expression profile is linked to the memory differentiation stage, we analyzed the degree of polyfunctionality of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells within different memory subpopulations in 20 antiretroviral therapy-naive HIV-1–infected individuals at ∼34 wk postinfection. These profiles were compared with CMV-specific CD8+ T cell responses in HIV-uninfected control subjects and in individuals chronically infected with HIV. Our results showed that the polyfunctional abilities of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells differed according to their memory phenotype. Early-differentiated cells (CD45RO+CD27+) exhibited a higher proportion of cells positive for three or four functions (p < 0.001), and a lower proportion of monofunctional cells (p < 0.001) compared with terminally differentiated (TD; CD45RO−CD27−) HIV-specific CD8+ T cells. The majority of TD HIV-specific CD8+ T cells were monofunctional (median 69% [interquartile range: 57–83]), producing predominantly CD107a or MIP1β. Moreover, proportions of HIV-specific monofunctional CD8+ T cells positively associated with proportions of TD HIV-specific CD8+ T cells (p = 0.019, r = 0.54). In contrast, CMV-specific CD8+ T cell polyfunctional capacities were similar across all memory subpopulations, with terminally and early-differentiated cells endowed with comparable polyfunctionality. Overall, these data show that the polyfunctional abilities of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells are influenced by the stage of memory differentiation, which is not the case for CMV-specific responses.
Analysing lawyers’ attitude towards knowledge sharing
Authors: Olatokun Wole M. , Elueze Isioma N.
Published: September 2012

Objectives: The study examined and identified the factors that affect lawyers’ attitudes to knowledge sharing, and their knowledge sharing behaviour. Specifically, it investigated the relationship between the salient beliefs affecting the knowledge sharing attitude of lawyers’, and applied a modified version of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) in the knowledge sharing context, to predict how these factors affect their knowledge sharing behaviour.Method: A field survey of 273 lawyers was carried out, using questionnaire for data collection. Collected data on all variables were structured into grouped frequency distributions. Principal Component Factor Analysis was applied to reduce the constructs and Simple Regression was applied to test the hypotheses. These were tested at 0.05% level of significance.Results: Results showed that expected associations and contributions were the major determinants of lawyers’ attitudes towards knowledge sharing. Expected reward was not significantly related to lawyers’ attitudes towards knowledge sharing. A positive attitude towards knowledge sharing was found to lead to a positive intention to share knowledge, although a positive intention to share knowledge did not significantly predict a positive knowledge sharing behaviour. The level of Information Technology (IT) usage was also found to significantly affect the knowledge sharing behaviour of lawyers’.Conclusion: It was recommended that law firms in the study area should deploy more IT infrastructure and services that encourage effective knowledge sharing amongst lawyers.
Evolution of Type II Antifreeze Protein Genes in Teleost Fish: A Complex Scenario Involving Lateral Gene Transfers and Episodic Directional Selection
Authors: Sorhannus Ulf
Published: September 2012

I examined hypotheses about lateral transfer of type II antifreeze protein (AFP) genes among “distantly” related teleost fish. The effects of episodic directional selection on amino acid evolution were also investigated. The strict consensus results showed that the type II AFP and type II antifreeze-like protein genes were transferred from Osmerus mordax to Clupea harengus, from the ancestral lineage of the Brachyopsis rostratus—Hemitripterus americanus clade to the ancestor of the Hypomesus nipponensis—Osmerus mordax group and from the ancestral lineage of Brachyopsis rostratus—Hemitripterus americanus—Siniperca chuatsi—Perca flavescens to Perca flavescens. At the present time, the available evidence is more consistent with the LGT hypothesis than with other alternative explanations. The overall results indicate that evolutionary history of the type II AFP gene is complex, and that episodic directional selection was instrumental in the evolution of this freeze-preventing protein from a C-type lectin precursor.
Predictors of Relapse in a Bupropion Trial for Smoking Cessation in Recently-Abstinent Alcoholics: Preliminary Results Using an Aggregate Genetic Risk Score
Authors: McGeary John E. , Knopik Valerie S. , Hayes John E. , Palmer Rohan H. , Monti Peter M. , Kalman David
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Rates of smoking in the US population have decreased overall, but rates in some groups, including alcoholic smokers, remain high. Many newly sober alcoholics are concerned about their smoking and some attempt to quit. However, quit rates in this population are low. Prior studies suggest risk for relapse in this population may be genetically influenced and that genetic factors may moderate response to treatment.

Methods

In this exploratory study, we had two specific aims: (1) to investigate associations between genetic risk and outcome; (2) to investigate whether genetic risk moderates the efficacy of a medication intervention. Data are from a subsample of 90 participants from a clinical trial of smoking cessation treatment for smokers with between 2 and 12 months of alcohol abstinence. Subjects were randomly assigned to bupropion or placebo. All subjects received counseling and nicotine patches. To examine the possibility that bupropion may have been efficacious in participants with a specific genetic profile (ie, a pharmacogenetic approach), an aggregate genetic risk score was created by combining risk genotypes previously identified in bupropion treatment studies.

Results

Although medication efficacy was not moderated by the aggregate genetic risk score, there was an interaction between nicotine dependence and genetic risk in predicting smoking abstinence rates at the end of treatment (10 weeks).

Conclusions

Results suggest an aggregate genetic risk score approach may have utility in treatment trials of alcoholics who smoke. Additionally, these findings suggest a strategy for understanding and interpreting conflicting results for single genetic markers examined as moderators of smoking cessation treatment.
Dental Caries Prevalence among 3- to 14-Year-Old School Children, Uran, Raigad District, Maharashtra
Authors: Sevekar Shrirang , Shingare Poonam , Jogani Vivek , Patil Sonal , Jha Mihir
Published: September 2012

Schools remain an important setting offering an efficient and effective way to reach over 1 billion children worldwide and, through them, families and community members. This study is planned to assess the prevalence of dental caries in primary and secondary school students in rural area of Uran, so as to provide baseline data for planning intervention programs that will assist in reducing the prevalence of dental diseases. The study is designed to include 472 school children, which will be examined by basic examination instruments and scored according to World Health Organization criteria.

How to cite this article

Shingare P, Jogani V, Sevekar S, Patil S, Jha M. Dental Caries Prevalence among 3- to 14-Year- Old School Children, Uran, Raigad District, Maharashtra. J Contemp Dent 2012;2(2):11-14.
Multilocular Radiolucency in the Body of Mandible: A Systematic Diagnostic Approach
Authors: Gadda Rohit B , Patil Neha , Salvi Rohini
Published: September 2012

Multilocular radiolucencies are produced by multiple, adjacent, frequently coalescing and overlapping pathologic compartments in bone. A number of lesions produce multilocular radiolucencies of the jaws. These are more common in the mandible as compared to the maxilla. To help the practitioner arrive at a working (clinical) diagnosis through the differential diagnosis process a systematic approach is needed. We present a case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma of the mandible and the possible lesions considered in the differential diagnosis to arrive at a clinical diagnosis.

How to cite this article

Gadda RB, Patil N, Salvi R. Multilocular Radiolucency in the Body of Mandible: A Systematic Diagnostic Approach. J Contemp Dent 2012;2(2):39-42.
Global sensitivity of aviation NOx effects to the HNO3-forming channel of the HO2+NO reaction
Authors: Gottschaldt K. , Voigt C. , Jöckel P. , Righi M. , Deckert R. , Dietmüller S.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. The impact of a recently proposed HNO3-forming channel of the HO2+NO reaction (Butkovskaya et al., 2005, 2007) on atmospheric mixing ratios of ozone, methane and their precursors is assessed with a global stratosphere-troposphere chemistry-climate model. Previous modelling studies applied a rate coefficient that depends only on pressure and temperature. We additionally considered a possible enhancement of the reaction by humidity, as found by a laboratory study (Butkovskaya et al., 2009). This particularly reduces the oxidation capacity of the atmosphere, increasing methane lifetime significantly. The effects of aircraft NOx emissions on atmospheric chemistry are altered when considering the above reaction, resulting in a negative net radiative forcing relative to an atmosphere without aviation NOx. Uncertainties associated with the inclusion of the HO2+NO → HNO3 reaction and with its corresponding rate coefficient propagate a considerable additional uncertainty on estimates of the climate impact of aviation and on NOx-related mitigation strategies.
Towards the use of dynamic growing seasons in a chemical transport model
Authors: Sakalli A. , Simpson D.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Chemical transport models (CTMs), used for the prediction of, for example, nitrogen deposition or air quality changes, require estimates of the growing season of plants for a number of reasons. Typically, the growing seasons are defined in a very simplified way in CTMs, using e.g. fixed dates or simple functions. In order to explore the importance of more realistic growing season estimates, we have developed a new and simple method (the “T5” method) for calculating the start of the growing season (SGS) of birch (which we use as a surrogate for deciduous trees), suitable for use in CTMs and other modelling systems. We developed the “T5” method from observations, and here we compare with these and other methodologies, and show that with just two parameters “T5” captures well the spatial variation in SGS across Europe. We use the EMEP MSC-W chemical transport model to illustrate the importance of improved SGS estimates for ozone and two metrics associated with ozone-damage to vegetation. This study shows that although inclusion of more realistic growing seasons has only small effects on annual average concentrations of pollutants such as ozone, the metrics associated with vegetation-risk from ozone are significantly affected. This work demonstrates a strong need to include more realistic treatments of growing seasons in CTMs. The method used here could also be suitable for other types of models which require information on vegetation cover, such as meteorological and regional climate models. In future work, the “T5” and other methods will also be further evaluated for use with agricultural and grassland land-covers, which are important for emissions and deposition of reactive nitrogen compounds.
Anomalous pattern based clustering of mental tasks with subject independent learning – some preliminary results
Authors: Amorim Renato , Mirkin Boris , Gan John Q.
Published: September 2012

In this paper we describe a new method for EEG signal classification in which the classification of one subject’s EEG signals is based on features learnt from another subject. This method applies to the power spectrum density data and assigns class-dependent information weights to individual features. The informative features appear to be rather similar among different subjects, thus supporting the view that there are subject independent general brain patterns for the same mental task. Classification is done via clustering using the intelligent k-means algorithm with the most informative features from a different subject. We experimentally compare our method with others.
Emergency department visits by patients with venous thromboembolism, 1998-2009
Authors: Yusuf Hussain , Tsai James , Siddiqi Azfar-E-Alam , Boulet Sheree , Soucie J. Michael
Published: September 2012

Background: Substantial morbidity and mortality may result from venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Many VTE cases are diagnosed in outpatient settings, such as emergency departments. The purpose of this study was to estimate and characterize emergency department visits by patients with a primary diagnosis of VTE. Methods: Data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) for the years 1998-2009 were analyzed.  NHAMCS uses a complex multistage design to sample non-federal short-term care hospitals across the United States.  Emergency department visits with a primary diagnosis of VTE were identified using ICD-9-CM codes indicating a primary diagnosis of DVT or PE. Results: Between 2006-2009, an annual average of 201,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 152,000-251,000) emergency department visits were made in the U.S. by patients with a primary diagnosis of VTE as per the criteria used in this study, which was a rate of approximately 67 (95% CI 50-83) per 100,000 population.  The rates during 1998-2001 and 2002-2005 were 31 (95% CI 21-40) and 46 (95% CI 35-57), respectively. The rate of visits with a primary diagnosis of VTE was higher among patients >61 years of age, when compared to younger patients.  Among visits between 1998-2009, selected characteristics that differed between visits by patents with  and without a primary diagnosis of VTE included the patient having been discharged from a hospital in the past seven days (11.7%, vs. 2.1%, p<0.01). Conclusion: A substantial number of emergency department visits are made by patients with a primary diagnosis of VTE. Groups with higher likelihood of VTE related visits may include older adults and those recently discharged from a hospital.
A case study of systems analysis to improve service in a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic
Authors: Basu Abhijit
Published: September 2012

Background/objective: Innovative ways of improving service delivery often requires testing new ideas. Systems analysis is a validated tool to investigate adverse incidents. This paper describes an innovative usage of this tool for service improvement and redesign in an out-patient setting involving a multidisciplinary team treating women with diabetes in pregnancy at an outer metropolitan health facility in Australia. Methods: Systems analysis tool was chosen to determine the probable causes for prolongation of clinic time causing dissatisfaction amongst the service users and the staff. It provided the template for an action plan regarding work and environmental, organizational process, team, individual, task and patient factors. Remedial actions were implemented over a six month period following this analysis. Timely completion of clinic was the chosen indicator of successful implementation. Results: Several interlinked layers of contributory factors were identified through systems analysis. The large patient load regardless of disease severity was the major contributor. Space restriction for consultation, lesser continuity in the team structure, dated guideline and limited communication between the team members were other factors. Changes implemented included redistribution of patients, adopting new evidence based guidelines, better patient selection accessing the dedicated one-stop clinic and a small change in capacity involving human resources. The service delivery process was restructured in tandem over six months. As a result of these interventions the clinics finished on time generating much greater level of satisfaction among the women attending the clinic and the staff. Conclusions: Redesigning service is an ongoing quality improvement process linked to user and provider satisfaction. Systems analysis is a tool designed to address adverse incidents and identify contributing factors. This study describes an innovative use of the systems analysis tool to improve outpatient services at a district general hospital.
Quantification of the subjective labour load of a filmless radiology system by the contingent valuation method: a pilot study
Authors: Muto Hiroshi , Tanikawa Takumi , Terashita Takayoshi , Ogasawara Katsuhiko
Published: September 2012

Background: A filmless radiology system, which implements a radiology information system and picture archiving and communication system, brings major changes in the work patterns of radiologists and radiological technologists. The purpose of this study was to prospectively quantify the subjective labour load of a filmless radiology system for radiologists and radiological technologists by the contingent valuation method (CVM) and to evaluate the economic labour value. Methods: The questionnaire survey included 14 radiologists and 46 radiological technologists. There was a 75% effective response rate with a total of 45 respondents. The subjective labour load of a filmless radiology system was quantified by the CVM as willingness to accept (WTA). The double-bound dichotomous choice approach was employed for the questionnaire format for WTA. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting WTA. Results: The median and mean WTA per month for radiologists were estimated to be 82,902 yen ($829) and 46,808 yen ($468), respectively. The median and mean WTA for radiological technologists were estimated to be 15,622 yen ($156) and 16,784 yen ($168), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed promotional view (i.e., willingness to introduce computerization of medical information) as the only significant factor affecting WTA for radiological technologists (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The change from film-based- to filmless- radiology system would be acceptable providing that medical staff in the department of radiology think their labour changes would yield an increase of satisfaction equivalent to 1,430,000 ($14,300) -1,880,000 yen ($18,800).
A simple descriptive analysis of hospital admissions’ progress: a case study of the Greatest Public Gene- ral Hospital, Athens, Greece
Authors: Boutsioli Zoe
Published: September 2012

This paper studies the progress of hospital admissions over the time period 1995-2005 for the largest Greek general public hospital. Daily admissions data, disaggregated into elective and emergency were collected from the IT Department of the hospital. Great seasonality for hospital admissions was found. They reduce during weekends, the summer months and official holidays.  Emergency admissions are at their peak in the beginning of the week and decline afterwards. During weekends, emergency admissions decrease by 25%. The majority of hospital elective admissions enter into the hospital from Monday to Thursday. During Friday and weekends, elective hospital admissions fall sharply, by 63%. However, on Sunday, they slightly increase. The mean number of total hospital admissions increased by 17% from 1995 to 2005. This increase in total admissions results from the significant increase of elective admissions (by 56%) and not from the emergency admissions that fell by 17%.
Folic acid usage and awareness in pregnant women in Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Tekkeşin Nilgün , Taser Figen
Published: September 2012

Intake of folic in the periconceptional period reduces the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness regarding the use of folic acid in pregnacy. We assessed the consumption of folic acid during pregnancy among Turkish women presented to the hospital and analyzed the difference of folic acid supplementation between planned and unplanned pregnancies. Of the 1076 women, 677 (62.9%) reported current use of a prenatal folic acid at the time of the department visit, while 399 pregnant women (37.0%) identified themselves as non-users (p = 0.006). In the unplanned pregnancy group, 302 (65.22%) women reported taking folic acid during pregnancy, but 161 (34.77%) women began three months prior to conception as recommended by their gynecologists (p<0.0001). Although, the study group was a significant user with a high awareness of folic acid, our findings may not be generalizable to other areas of the country. Because, parcitipants were likely to be one of the most educated group with a medium or high socio-economical status. Besides these hopeful results, we believe the necessity to re-evaluate our educational strategies and consider reduction of unplanned pregnancies as part of our goals.
The development of on-farm welfare assessment protocols for foxes and mink: the WelFur project
Authors: Mononen J , Møller SH , Hansen SW , Hovland AL , Koistinen T , Lidfors L , Malmkvist J , Vinke CM , Ahola L
Published: September 2012

The WelFur project aims at the development of on-farm welfare assessment protocols for farmed foxes (the blue fox[Vulpes lagopus], the silver fox[Vulpes vulpes]) and mink(Neovison vison). The WelFur protocols are based on Welfare Quality® (WQ) principles and criteria. Here, we describe the WelFur protocols after two years of developmental work. Reviews for each of the 12 WQ welfare criteria were written for foxes and mink to identify the welfare measures that have been used in scientific studies. The reviews formed the basis for potential measures to be included in the WelFur protocols. All measures were evaluated for their validity, reliability and feasibility. At present, we have identified 15 fox and 9 mink animal-based (or outcome-based) welfare measures, and 11 and 13 input-based (resource-based or management-based) measures. For both foxes and mink, each of the four WQ principles is judged by at least one criterion, and seven out of the 12 criteria include animal-based measures. The protocols will be piloted in 2012. Using the WQ project and protocols as a model has been a fruitful approach in developing the WelFur protocols. The effects of the WelFur protocols will provide benchmarks from which the welfare of animals on European fur farms can be assessed.
Carbon Nanotube Based Multifunctional Ambipolar Transistors for AC Applications
Authors: Wang Zhenxing , Zhang Zhiyong , Zhong Hua , Pei Tian , Liang Shibo , Yang Leijing , Wang Sheng , Peng Lian‐Mao
Published: September 2012

Field‐effect transistors (FETs) fabricated on large diameter carbon nanotubes (CNTs) present typical ambipolar transfer characteristics owing to the small band‐gap of CNTs. Depending on the DC biasing condition, the ambipolar FET can work in three different regions, and then can be used as the core to realize multifunctional AC circuits. The CNT FET based circuits can work as a high‐efficiency ambipolar frequency doubler in the ambipolar transfer region, and also can function as in‐phase amplifier and inverted amplifier in the linear transfer region. Due to current saturation of the CNT FET, an AC amplifier with a voltage gain of 2 is realized when the device works in the linear transfer region. Achieving an actual amplification and frequency doubling functions indicates that complicated radio frequency circuits or systems can be constructed based on just one kind of device: ambipolar CNT FETs.
Rapid and Continuous Hydrodynamically Controlled Fabrication of Biohybrid Microfibers
Authors: Daniele Michael A. , North Stella H. , Naciri Jawad , Howell Peter B. , Foulger Stephen H. , Ligler Frances S. , Adams André A.
Published: September 2012

Cell encapsulation is critical for many biotechnology applications including environmental remediation, bioreactors, and regenerative medicine. Here, the development of biohybrid microfibers comprised of encapsulated bacteria in hydrogel matrices produced on‐chip using microfluidics is reported. The fiber production process utilizes hydrodynamic shaping of a cell‐laden core fluid by a miscible sheath fluid. Production of the fibers containing viable bacteria was continuous in contrast to the more typical methods in which cells infiltrated or were attached to prepared fibers. The biohybrid fibers were composed of poly (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) matrices and individually both E. coli and B. cereus were explored as model cellular payloads. Post processing growth curves (24 h) of bacteria within fibers were in excellent agreement with that of controls suggesting minimal impact. Finally, the biohybrid fibers showed even distribution of encapsulated cells and >90% cell viability.
Materials Challenges for High Performance Magnetocaloric Refrigeration Devices
Authors: Smith Anders , Bahl Christian R.H. , Bjørk Rasmus , Engelbrecht Kurt , Nielsen Kaspar K. , Pryds Nini
Published: September 2012

Magnetocaloric materials with a Curie temperature near room temperature have attracted significant interest for some time due to their possible application for high‐efficiency refrigeration devices. This review focuses on a number of key issues of relevance for the characterization, performance and implementation of such materials in actual devices. The phenomenology and fundamental thermodynamics of magnetocaloric materials is discussed, as well as the hysteresis behavior often found in first‐order materials. A number of theoretical and experimental approaches and their implications are reviewed. The question of how to evaluate the suitability of a given material for use in a magnetocaloric device is covered in some detail, including a critical assessment of a number of common performance metrics. Of particular interest is which non‐magnetocaloric properties need to be considered in this connection. An overview of several important materials classes is given before considering the performance of materials in actual devices. Finally, an outlook on further developments is presented.
Incidence and costs of family member hospitalization following injuries of workers' compensation claimants
Authors: Asfaw Abay , Pana‐Cryan Regina , Bushnell P. Timothy
Published: September 2012

Background

The consequences of occupational injuries for the health of family members have rarely been studied. We hypothesized that non‐fatal occupational injury would increase the incidence and costs of hospitalization among workers' families, and that family members of severely injured workers would be likely to experience greater increases in hospitalizations than family members of non‐severely injured workers.

Data and Methods

We used the MarketScan databases from Thomson Reuters for 2002–2005, which include workers' compensation and inpatient medical care claims data for injured workers' families. We used a before–after analysis to compare the odds and costs of family hospitalization 3 months before and after the index occupational injury among 18,411 families. Severe injuries were defined by receipt of indemnity payments and at least 7 days of lost work. Family hospitalizations were measured by the incidence of hospitalization of at least one family member.

Results

Among families of all injured workers, the odds of at least one family member being hospitalized were 31% higher [95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.11–1.55] in the 3 months following occupational injury than in the 3 months preceding injury. Among the families of severely injured workers, the odds of hospitalization were 56% higher [95% CI = 1.05–2.34] in the 3 months following injury. Hospitalization costs were found to rise by approximately the same percentage as hospitalization incidence.

Conclusion

The impact of occupational injury may extend beyond the workplace and adversely affect the health and inpatient medical care use of family members. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:1028–1036, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Embryo‐Fetal Transfer of Bevacizumab (Avastin) in the Rat Over the Course of Gestation and the Impact of Neonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn) Binding
Authors: Thorn Mitchell , Piche‐Nicholas Nicole , Stedman Donald , Davenport Scott W. , Zhang Ning , Collinge Mark , Bowman Christopher J.
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND

There is concern about embryo‐fetal exposure to antibody‐based biopharmaceuticals based on the increase of such therapies being prescribed to women of childbearing potential. Therefore, there is a desire to better characterize embryo‐fetal exposure of these molecules. The pregnant rat is a standard model for evaluating the potential consequences of exposure but placental transfer of antibody‐based biopharmaceuticals is not well understood in this model.

METHODS

The relative embryo‐fetal distribution of an antibody‐based biopharmaceutical was evaluated in the rat. Bevacizumab (Avastin) was chosen as a tool antibody since it does not have significant target binding in the rat that might influence embryo‐fetal biodistribution. Avastin was labeled with a fluorescent dye, characterized, and injected into pregnant rats at different gestation ages. Labeled Avastin in fetal tissues was visualized ex vivo using an IVIS 200 (Caliper, A PerkinElmer Company, Alameda, CA).

RESULTS

Avastin localized to the fetus as early as 24‐hr post intravenous injection of the dam, and was taken up by the fetus in a dose‐dependent manner. Avastin was detectable in the developing embryo as early as gestation day 13 and continued to be transferred until the end of gestation. Fetal transfer of Avastins mutated in the portion of the antibody that binds the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) was tested in late gestation and was found to correlate with affinities of the mutant Avastin antibody to FcRn.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel application of this imaging technology was used to characterize the onset and duration of Avastin maternal–fetal transfer in rats and the importance of FcRn binding.
Haloalkane dehalogenases: Biotechnological applications
Authors: Koudelakova Tana , Bidmanova Sarka , Dvorak Pavel , Pavelka Antonin , Chaloupkova Radka , Prokop Zbynek , Damborsky Jiri
Published: September 2012

Haloalkane dehalogenases (EC 3.8.1.5, HLDs) are α/β‐hydrolases which act to cleave carbon‐halogen bonds. Due to their unique catalytic mechanism, broad substrate specificity and high robustness, the members of this enzyme family have been employed in several practical applications: (i) biocatalytic preparation of optically pure building‐blocks for organic synthesis; (ii) recycling of by‐products from chemical processes; (iii) bioremediation of toxic environmental pollutants; (iv) decontamination of warfare agents; (v) biosensing of environmental pollutants; and (vi) protein tagging for cell imaging and protein analysis. This review discusses the application of HLDs in the context of the biochemical properties of individual enzymes. Further extension of HLD uses within the field of biotechnology will require currently limiting factors – such as low expression, product inhibition, insufficient enzyme selectivity, low affinity and catalytic efficiency towards selected substrates, and instability in the presence of organic co‐solvents – to be overcome. We propose that strategies based on protein engineering and isolation of novel HLDs from extremophilic microorganisms may offer solutions.
An autonomously self‐assembling dendritic DNA nanostructure for target DNA detection
Authors: Chandran Harish , Rangnekar Abhijit , Shetty Geetha , Schultes Erik A. , Reif John H. , LaBean Thomas H.
Published: September 2012

There is a growing need for sensitive and reliable nucleic acid detection methods that are convenient and inexpensive. Responsive and programmable DNA nanostructures have shown great promise as chemical detection systems. Here, we describe a DNA detection system employing the triggered self‐assembly of a novel DNA dendritic nanostructure. The detection protocol is executed autonomously without external intervention. Detection begins when a specific, single‐stranded target DNA strand (T) triggers a hybridization chain reaction (HCR) between two, distinct DNA hairpins (α and β). Each hairpin opens and hybridizes up to two copies of the other. In the absence of T, α and β are stable and remain in their poised, closed‐hairpin form. In the presence of T, α hairpins are opened by toe‐hold mediated strand‐displacement, each of which then opens and hybridizes two β hairpins. Likewise, each opened β hairpin can open and hybridize two α hairpins. Hence, each layer of the growing dendritic nanostructure can in principle accommodate an exponentially increasing number of cognate molecules, generating a high molecular weight nanostructure. This HCR system has minimal sequence constraints, allowing reconfiguration for the detection of arbitrary target sequences. Here, we demonstrate detection of unique sequence identifiers of HIV and Chlamydia pathogens.