bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adenocarcinoma arising in a heterotopic pancreas (Heinrich type III): a case report
Authors: Inoue Yoshihiro , Hayashi Michihiro , Arisaka Yoshifumi , Higuchi Kazuhide , Egashira Yutaro , Tanigawa Nobuhiko
Published: February 2010

Introduction

Heterotopic pancreatic cancer in the duodenum is a very rare disease. Only twelve cases have been reported worldwide to date. We report a rare case of malignant transformation of heterotopic pancreas (Heinrich type III) in the duodenum with long-term survival of the patient, and review the 12 cases in the literature.

Case presentation

A 75-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital complaining of nausea and vomiting. Endoscopy and upper gastrointestinal contrast study showed marked duodenal stenosis. A pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Histopathological examination of the surgically resected specimen showed malignant transformation of heterotopic pancreas (Heinrich type III) in the duodenum. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 30. He is well and shows no signs of recurrence at the time of writing, six years after the surgery.

Conclusion

Adenocarcinoma arising within the heterotopic pancreas appears to be rare. It is difficult to obtain a correct diagnosis preoperatively. The management of heterotopic pancreas depends on the presence or absence of symptoms. If the patient is asymptomatic or benign, conservative treatment with regular follow-up is recommended. When the patient is symptomatic or there is a suspicion of malignancy, surgical management with intra-operative frozen section diagnosis is indicated.
Transcriptional profiling of bovine intervertebral disc cells: implications for identification of normal and degenerate human intervertebral disc cell phenotypes
Authors: Minogue Ben M , Richardson Stephen M , Zeef Leo AH , Freemont Anthony J , Hoyland Judith A
Published: February 2010

Introduction

Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells have a phenotype similar to articular cartilage (AC) cells. However, the matrix of the NP is clearly different to that of AC suggesting that specific cell phenotypes exist. The aim of this study was to identify novel genes that could be used to distinguish bovine NP cells from AC and annulus fibrosus (AF) cells, and to further determine their expression in normal and degenerate human intervertebral disc (IVD) cells.

Methods

Microarrays were conducted on bovine AC, AF and NP cells, using Affymetrix Genechip® Bovine Genome Arrays. Differential expression levels for a number of genes were confirmed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) on bovine, AC, AF and NP cells, as well as separated bovine NP and notochordal (NC) cells. Expression of these novel markers were further tested on normal human AC, AF and NP cells, and degenerate AF and NP cells.

Results

Microarray comparisons between NP/AC&AF and NP/AC identified 34 NP-specific and 49 IVD-specific genes respectively that were differentially expressed ≥100 fold. A subset of these were verified by qRT-PCR and shown to be expressed in bovine NC cells. Eleven genes (SNAP25, KRT8, KRT18, KRT19, CDH2, IBSP, VCAN, TNMD, BASP1, FOXF1 & FBLN1) were also differentially expressed in normal human NP cells, although to a lesser degree. Four genes (SNAP25, KRT8, KRT18 and CDH2) were significantly decreased in degenerate human NP cells, while three genes (VCAN, TNMD and BASP1) were significantly increased in degenerate human AF cells. The IVD negative marker FBLN1 was significantly increased in both degenerate human NP and AF cells.

Conclusions

This study has identified a number of novel genes that characterise the bovine and human NP and IVD transcriptional profiles, and allows for discrimination between AC, AF and NP cells. Furthermore, the similarity in expression profiles of the separated NP and NC cell populations suggests that these two cell types may be derived from a common lineage. Although interspecies variation, together with changes with IVD degeneration were noted, use of this gene expression signature will benefit tissue engineering studies where defining the NP phenotype is paramount.
High-density lipoproteins downregulate CCL2 production in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes stimulated by urate crystals
Authors: Scanu Anna , Oliviero Francesca , Gruaz Lyssia , Sfriso Paolo , Pozzuoli Assunta , Frezzato Federica , Agostini Carlo , Burger Danielle , Punzi Leonardo
Published: February 2010

Introduction

To investigate whether monosodium urate (MSU) crystals induce the production of CCL2 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; MCP-1) in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and whether this mechanism would be affected by high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

Methods

Human FLS isolated from synovial tissue explants were stimulated with MSU crystals (0.01 to 0.5 mg/ml) or interleukin (IL)-1β (10 pg/ml) in the presence or absence of HDL (50 and 100 μg/ml). The production and expression of CCL2 was evaluated with ELISA, confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence microscopy, chemotaxis assay, and real-time quantitative PCR.

Results

Exposure of FLS to MSU crystals induced CCL2 accumulation in culture medium in a dose- and time-dependent manner, reaching a plateau at 50 to 75 μg/ml MSU crystals and 20 to 24 hours. Although low, the induced CCL2 levels were sufficient to trigger mononuclear cell migration. In resting FLS, CCL2 was localized in small cytoplasmic vesicles whose number diminished with MSU crystal stimulation. Concomitantly, MSU crystals triggered the induction of CCL2 mRNA expression. All these processes were inhibited by HDL, which cause a 50% decrease in CCL2 mRNA levels and a dose-dependent inhibition of the release of CCL2. Similar results were obtained when FLS were pretreated with HDL and washed before activation by MSU crystals or IL-1β, suggesting a direct effect of HDL on the FLS activation state.

Conclusions

The present results demonstrate that MSU crystals induce FLS to release CCL2 that is stored in vesicles in resting conditions. This mechanism is inhibited by HDL, which may limit the inflammatory process by diminishing CCL2 production and, in turn, monocytes/macrophages recruitment in joints. This study confirms the antiinflammatory functions of HDL, which might play a part in the limitation of acute gout attack.
A column on the history and culture of geophysics
Authors: Liner Christopher L.
Published: February 2010

I had a lot of work to do on arrival at the University of Houston in January 2008: planning classes, finding a house, managing a move from Saudi Arabia, and much more. You would think there could be a transition period to ramp up research, but that was a luxury cut short by a stranded Department of Energy (DOE) project—original principal investigator (PI) gone, interim PI wanting out, subcontractors performing erratically, matching funds not paid, and most of the money spent with a full year remaining. In short, it was a rescue operation. I stepped in to PI the project that centered on something I knew nothing about, geologic [Formula: see text] sequestration.
An introduction to this special section: CO2 sequestration
Authors: Sayers Colin , Wilson Tom
Published: February 2010

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies were formally addressed on the international stage 18 years ago at the First International Conference on Carbon Dioxide Removal in Amsterdam. The first commercial application of CCS technologies was deployed by Statoil in 1996 at the Sleipner gas field in the North Sea. Widespread deployment of large-scale [Formula: see text] sequestration efforts can only proceed if storage permanence is assured. The current definition of storage permanence is that 99% of injected [Formula: see text] remain securely confined after 100 years (see Carbon Sequestration Technology Roadmap and Program Plan, 2007, available at http://www.netl.doe.gov/technologies/carbon_seq/refshelf/project%20portfolio/2007/2007Roadmap.pdf). However, storage permanence cannot be assured without development of reliable and highly accurate leakage monitoring, plume detection and monitoring, and volume accounting technologies.
Time-lapse VSP data processing for monitoring CO2 injection
Authors: Cheng Arthur , Huang Lianjie , Rutledge Jim
Published: February 2010

As a part of the effort of the Southwest Regional Part-nership on Carbon Sequestration supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory, two sets of time-lapse VSPs were acquired and processed in oil fields undergoing [Formula: see text] injection. One set of VSPs was acquired at the Aneth oil field in Utah, the other set at the Scurry Area Canyon Reef Operators Committee (SACROC) Field in West Texas.
Passive seismic monitoring of carbon dioxide storage at Weyburn
Authors: Verdon James P. , Kendall J-Michael , White Don J. , Angus Doug A. , Fisher Quentin J. , Urbancic Ted
Published: February 2010

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is currently one of several candidate technologies for reducing the emission of industrial [Formula: see text] to the atmosphere. As plans for large-scale geological storage of [Formula: see text] are being considered, it is clear that monitoring programs will be required to demonstrate security of the [Formula: see text] within the storage complex. Numerous geophysical monitoring techniques are currently being tested for this purpose, including controlled-source time-lapse reflection seismology, satellite synthetic aperture radar interferometry, electromagnetic sounding, gravity, and others. Passive seismic monitoring is an additional technique under consideration that complements these other techniques, and has potential as a cost-effective method of demonstrating storage security. This is particularly true over longer periods of time, as passive seismic arrays cost relatively little to maintain. Of the large-scale CCS pilot projects currently operational, thus far only the IEA GHG Weyburn-Midale [Formula: see text] Monitoring and Storage Project has included passive seismic monitoring. Here we present the results from five years of passive seismic monitoring at Weyburn, and discuss the lessons learnt that can be applied when deploying passive seismics to monitor future CCS operations.
CO2 sequestration monitoring and verification technologies applied at Krechba, Algeria
Authors: Mathieson Allan , Midgley John , Dodds Kevin , Wright Iain , Ringrose Philip , Saoul Nabil
Published: February 2010

The In Salah project in Algeria is an industrial-scale [Formula: see text] storage project that has been in operation since 2004. [Formula: see text] from several gas fields, which have a [Formula: see text] content of 5–10%, is removed from the production stream to meet the sales gas-export specification of 0.3% [Formula: see text]. Rather than vent that separated [Formula: see text] to the atmosphere (as was normal industry practice for such gas plants), BP and its joint venture (JV) partner, Sonatrach, invested an incremental US$100 million in a project to compress, dehydrate, transport, and inject that [Formula: see text] into a deep saline formation downdip of the producing gas horizon. Statoil then joined the JV at production start-up in August 2004.
Flow simulations for carbon sequestration at a coal-seam pilot site
Authors: Smith Duane H. , Gondle Raj , Siriwardane Hema
Published: February 2010

Computer simulations of the flow and diffusion of [Formula: see text]O, [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] through unmineable coal seams are integral parts of the design, implementation, and interpretation of carbon sequestration field projects. Although it has seldom been discussed in the literature, coal seams may also effect-ively serve as “cap rock” for sequestration into underlying formations (brine-saturated, oil and gas reservoirs, or other coal seams). In this case, the very large sorption capacities of coal, even at low [Formula: see text] pressures; the blockage of [Formula: see text] flow through cleats when they are saturated with [Formula: see text]O; and the tendency of coal to swell when it sorbs [Formula: see text], thus reducing cleat apertures and Darcy flow, all may contribute to make coal seams effective caprock.
The use of patient complaints to drive quality improvement: an exploratory study in Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh Sophie Y
Published: February 2010

This study aims to investigate the nature and resolutions of patient complaints and further to explore the use of complaints to drive quality improvement in a selected hospital in Taiwan. A teaching hospital (i.e. the Case Hospital) in Taiwan was purposefully chosen for a case study. The author conducted the critical incident technique (CIT) using questionnaires to obtain information about the complaints and the process of their resolutions. To enhance the reliability of the study, the author also conducted non-participant observations as an outsider at the Case Hospital. In this study, 59 complainants registered 87 complaints. The CIT found that care/treatment, humaneness and communication were the most common causes of complaints. The response time of patient complaints averaged 1.76 days, except for five cases in which response time was not reported. The majority of complaints were resolved within three days. Moreover, this study found that of 149 resolutions, 105 taken by the hospital involved an explanation of the facts to complainants ( n = 41), investigation of events ( n = 33) and empathy with complainants ( n = 31). The lack of any systematic use of complaints data was one of the most crucial failures of the Case Hospital. Instead of attempting to use such data as the basis for initiating quality improvement measures, complaints were consigned to a ‘black hole’ where their existence was conveniently forgotten. Based on this study, the author suggests ways to strengthen the capacity of the hospital in terms of using patient feedback and complaints to improve the quality.
One question, two answers: do the two most commonly used methods of sampling describe the length of the prospective wait for admission to hospital?
Authors: Armstrong Paul W
Published: February 2010

To demonstrate that the incomplete waits captured at the time and by means of a census may not have the same distribution as the completed waits captured as a result of admission during a specified calendar period, cataracts added to waiting lists in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland between 1 July 2003 and 31 December 2005, and admitted no more than two years after the date of their enrolment, were identified using Hospital Episode Statistics, Scottish Morbidity Records, the Admitted Patient Care database and the Hospital Inpatient System. Census- and event-based sampling produced two sets of records for each closed population in which the eventual outcome, and rules about suspension and deferral, were the same. The census-based sample (30 September 2005) yielded a smaller percentage of waits with a length of one or more days, and the same was true for every other length up to the maximum of the event-based sample, e.g. up to 728 days (1 July–30 September 2005) and up to 723 days (1 October–31 December 2005) in Hospital Episode Statistics. The two methods of sampling did not yield the same distribution: one might capture the wait in prospect for those newly added to the list, but the other does not.
Data mining for health executive decision support: an imperative with a daunting future!
Authors: Glover Saundra , Rivers Patrick A , Asoh Derek A , Piper Crystal N , Murph Keva
Published: February 2010

Data mining is highly profiled. It has the potential to enhance executive information systems. Such enhancement would mean better decision-making by management, which in turn would mean better services for customers. While the future of data mining as technology should be exciting, some are worried about privacy concerns, which make the future of data mining daunting. This paper examines why data mining is highly profiled – the imperative toward data mining, data mining models and processes. Additionally, the paper examines some of the benefits and challenges of using data mining processes within the health-care arena. We cast the future of data mining by highlighting two of the many data mining tools available – one commercial and one freely available. Subsequently, we discuss a number of social and technical factors that may thwart the extensive deployment of data mining, especially when the intent is to know more about the people that organizations have to serve and cast a view of what the future holds for data mining. This component is especially important when attempting to determine the longevity of data mining within health-care organizations. It is hoped that our discussions would be useful to organizations as they engage data mining, strategies for executive information systems and information policy issues.
Local Decision-Makers Views' of National Guidance on Interventional Procedures in the Uk
Authors: Lourenco Tania , Grant Adrian , Burr Jennifer , Vale Luke
Published: February 2010

Objectives

To identify how decision-makers in the NHS perceive and manage interventional procedures guidance and to determine whether additional information would be useful.

Methods

Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with seven providers, six commissioners and one policy-maker. The framework approach was used to analyse transcribed data, and emergent themes coded. Data were analysed separately for providers and commissioner organizations.

Results

Perceptions about how guidance is managed in provider organizations varied. Some decision-makers considered that guidance is handled very well whereas others think it is suboptimal and haphazard. It is unclear whether clinicians follow procedure for cautionary guidance. In commissioner organizations, guidance is not seen as a priority by most and is not considered an area that will soon enter routine clinical practice. Moreover, commissioners felt that guidance lacked relevance as there is no consideration of whether procedures are cost-effective or affordable. Despite this, respondents perceived that the content and quality of guidance is satisfactory. Useful additional information for inclusion in guidance would be: prevalence, incidence, cost, patients' views, consequences of using the new intervention, comparative information, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions

Management of interventional procedures guidance in the NHS can be improved. It is important to understand the ways in which guidance meets and fails to meet decision-makers' needs.
HIV Testing of Health Care Workers in England - A Flawed Policy
Authors: Salkeld Lee , McGeehan Sarah
Published: February 2010

A new Department of Health policy in England, published in 2007, recommended changes to the pre-employment health checks performed on health care workers before taking up their employment. The policy proposed that all new health care workers should receive immunization against TB and hepatitis B and should be offered testing for hepatitis C and HIV. It also advanced a new requirement that staff who perform exposure-prone procedures must be tested for TB, hepatitis B and C and HIV and must test negative for these diseases. Essentially mandatory HIV testing has been introduced for a large number of health care workers.

The aim of the recommendations is to protect patients from contracting serious communicable diseases from health care professionals. Secondary objectives of the directive are to maintain confidence in the workforce and reduce the burden of patient notification exercises.

This essay explores some of the shortcomings of this policy and examines the reasons why this policy will fail to meet its objectives. The justification for this new guidance is questioned and some of the ethical issues are highlighted.
Impact of Clinician Judgement on Formulary Committees’ Recommendations in Canada
Authors: Oremus Mark , Raina Parminder , Eva Kevin , Lavis John , Nair Kalpana , Lo Amanda , Smith Sarah
Published: February 2010

Objectives

In formulary committee deliberations, evidence for the efficacy of medications is often based on changes in the scale scores of patient-reported outcome measures. Our aim was to examine whether clinician judgement about the efficacy of medications for Alzheimer's disease, when added to scale score evidence, affects formulary committee members’ recommendations about providing these medications under public insurance.

Methods

The study was conducted using mixed methods. In a survey of formulary committee members in Canada, 32 participants were presented with scenarios that outlined different levels of efficacy for a medication. For each scenario, participants were asked to specify their likelihood of recommending that the medication be provided under public insurance. Of the 32 participants, 23 agreed to take part in an interview to explain the survey results. Content analysis was used to elicit recurrent themes across the interviews.

Results

When a medication was disease modifying, use of clinician judgement increased the mean likelihood of recommending that the medication be provided under public insurance. Despite this, some participants felt formulary committees should not use clinician judgement because of risks of subjectivity and bias. However, other participants believed the addition of clinician judgement would enhance the clinical relevance of evidence that might otherwise be based entirely on changes in scale score.

Conclusions

Clinician judgement about the efficacy of medications can influence formulary committee recommendations. This suggests the need for a new approach to govern the consideration of expert evidence during formulary committee deliberations.
Ciprofloxacin-Induced Hepatotoxicity Resolved with Levofloxacin: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Hirsch Adina C. , Lundquist Lisa M.
Published: February 2010

Objective

To report a case of elevated hepatic transaminases in a patient receiving ciprofloxacin that resolved upon discontinuation and initiation of levofloxacin.

A 45-year-old white woman was initiated on ciprofloxacin and gentamicin after a blood culture revealed gram-negative rods. On day 2 of antibiotic therapy, the patient's aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased to 2,352 units/L and 783 units/L, respectively, and remained elevated for the following 4 days. Baseline AST and ALT were within normal limits. On day 5 of therapy, ciprofloxacin was discontinued and levofloxacin was initiated. On the following day, the hepatic transaminases decreased (AST, 192 units/L; ALT, 582 units/L) and continued to normalize prior to hospital discharge. On a subsequent admission later in the month, levofloxacin was again administered for treatment of a gram-positive bacteremia, with no subsequent elevation of hepatic transaminases.

Discussion

An objective causality assessment revealed that the adverse drug reaction (ADR) was probable. Although reports of this ADR have been noted, there is no previously documented occurrence of resolution of elevated hepatic transaminases on therapeutic modification to another fluoroquinolone.

Conclusion

Ciprofloxacin may significantly elevate hepatic transaminases. The clinician should be aware of the unique ADR profiles of the different fluoroquinolones because hepatotoxicity may not be a class effect.
Prasugrel: A New Antiplatelet for the Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Howard Patricia A.
Published: February 2010

Based on recommendations from the Renal and Cardiovascular Advisory Committee, the Food and Drug Administration approved prasugrel ( Effient) for the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in July of this year. 1 Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin is currently the standard of care for these patients. Similar to clopidogrel, prasugrel is a thienopyridine that inhibits the adenosine diphosphate P2Y12 receptor in platelets, preventing aggregation, which may trigger subsequent thrombus formation. 2 The FDA approval of prasugrel followed an extensive 18-month review. Numerous issues have been raised concerning the comparative efficacy and safety of this agent and whether it offers any significant clinical advantage over clopidogrel. This article will discuss these issues and the likely role of prasugrel in clinical practice.
Bortezomib and Dexamethasone (BD) Regimen for Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Rutledge Matthew R. , Waddell J. Aubrey , Solimando Dominic A.
Published: February 2010

The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires that pharmacists be familiar with the complicated regimens and highly toxic agents used. This column reviews various issues related to preparing, dispensing, and administering antineoplastic therapy, and to the agents, commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases.
Prasugrel
Authors: Cada Dennis J. , Levien Terri L. , Baker Danial E.
Published: February 2010

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing inservices. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation (DUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are sent in print and are also available online. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. Subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service also receive access to a pharmacy bulletin board, The Formulary Information Exchange (The F.I.X.). All topics pertinent to clinical and hospital pharmacy are discussed on The F.I.X.

Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service or The F.I.X., call The Formulary at 800-322-4349. The January 2010 monograph topics are peramivir, pazopanib, ofatumumab, guanfacine extended-release tablets, and C1 esterase inhibitor (human). The DUE is on peramivir.
Workforce Implications of Meaningful Use Criteria
Authors: Fox Brent I. , Felkey Bill G.
Published: February 2010

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; the Stimulus) has remained a hot topic in the lay media and in health care circles alike. We previously provided an overview of the broad implications of the Stimulus for the health care sector. There are many aspects to the ambitious plan of nationwide electronic medical record (EMR) and electronic health record (EHR) adoption, including technical and privacy considerations. This column addresses workforce, another critical component of the effort.
Team capability beliefs over time: Distinguishing between team potency, team outcome efficacy, and team process efficacy
Authors: Collins Catherine G. , Parker Sharon K.
Published: February 2010

Teams that have positive beliefs about their capability tend to perform more effectively. However, relatively little is known about the nature and change of different types of team capability beliefs. Team potency and team efficacy are two approaches to understanding team capability beliefs, but few studies have considered these beliefs simultaneously. We investigate their distinctiveness and relative predictive power. Additionally, we propose two types of team efficacy: team outcome efficacy and team process efficacy. In two longitudinal samples of executive MBA study teams (sample 1, N=213 individuals in 41 teams; sample 2, N=360 individuals in 89 teams), we showed that team potency, team outcome efficacy, and team process efficacy are factorially distinct and measure invariant at four time points over 7 months (except for high levels of team outcome efficacy for which factorial invariance emerged). We also show differential predictive validity. Team outcome efficacy was the strongest predictor of objective team performance, whereas team process efficacy was the best predictor of citizenship behaviours. Team potency predicted both outcomes, albeit more weakly. Collectively, the findings show the value of a more fine‐grained approach to teams' capability beliefs, including a new validated measure of team process efficacy.
One-to-One Paraprofessionals for Students With Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms: Is Conventional Wisdom Wrong?
Authors: Giangreco Michael F.
Published: February 2010

Assigning one-to-one paraprofessionals has become an increasingly common response to support students with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in general education classrooms. This article challenges the conventional wisdom that such an approach to service provision is necessarily a desirable and supportive action. Five main reasons are presented that challenge overreliance on the use of one-to-one paraprofessionals in inclusive classrooms, establishing it as a critical issue in special education. A series of recommended positions and initial actions are offered to spur debate and encourage development of alternatives to the status quo.
“Why Not Have Fun?”: Peers Make Sense of an Inclusive High School Program
Authors: Naraian Srikala
Published: February 2010

Including students with significant disabilities at the high school level has been a subject of increasing research in recent years. This study explores the experiences of a high school student with significant disabilities, Michael, through the narratives of his peers. Participant observation in the building indicated that Michael remained on the periphery of mainstream school experiences as his peers worked with an institutional narrative that was predicated on normative expectations of all students. Using data from interviews, the article investigates how Michael's peers made sense of the process of inclusion that was implemented within this building. It documents the practical constructions of students as they used various elements of the normative discourse within the building to fashion their own interpretations of significant disability. These candid student commentaries retained a persistent focus on the extent to which Michael's program addressed (or failed to address) his fun-loving disposition while remaining critical of the rationale behind the practices it supported. As the data showed, peers' notions of fun for Michael were deeply intertwined with the opportunities for participation made available to him and the critical necessity for social interaction with his peers.
Adult Female and Male Siblings of Persons With Disabilities: Findings From a National Survey
Authors: Hodapp Robert M. , Urbano Richard C. , Burke Meghan M.
Published: February 2010

In this study, the authors used a national, Web-based survey to examine female and male siblings of individuals with disabilities. More than 1,160 adult siblings completed a 163-question survey about themselves, their siblings, and their sibling relationships. Most respondents reported fairly close contact with their siblings and positive sibling relationships, good health, and benefits from being a sibling to a brother–sister with disabilities. Compared with men, women reported benefiting more from the sibling relationship. Relative to the U.S. population, female (though not male) siblings married later and divorced less often, and these women had their first child at later ages. Implications are discussed regarding future research and service needs.
Augmented Multisensory Interface Design (AMID): A Human-Centric Approach to Unisensory and Multisensory Augmented Reality Design
Authors: Stone Richard T. , Bisantz Ann M. , Llinas James , Paquet Victor
Published: February 2010

This study demonstrates that the use of augmented reality interfaces, designed based on a theoretically driven human-centered framework, can significantly improve task performance. The domain of unmanned ground vehicle landmine/unexploded ordnance detection and disposal was selected because it is a real-world example of a complex human-robot interaction task. Participants in this study were assigned to one of seven experimental conditions. A new method (the augmented multisensory interface design, or AMID, method) was used to identify two unisensory and one multisensory performance-enhancing augmented reality (AR) interface solutions, along with three less appropriate interface solutions. All participants were trained in the operation of the AR devices they were assigned and also in telerobotic landmine detection operations. After completing the training, participants were given the task of clearing a minefield. Results show that participants in the AMID-compliant solution groups significantly outperformed the control group and their non-AMID-compliant group counterparts in terms of the numbers of landmines correctly identified. The AMID-compliant multisensory condition was found to result in significantly increased landmine detection, increased sensitivity, and decreased task time.
Surface Diffusion Studies Using Neutron and Helium Spin-echo Spectroscopy
Authors: Fouquet Peter , Hedgeland Holly , Jardine Andrew P.
Published: February 2010

We review recent advances in neutron and helium spin-echo spectroscopy, applied to the diffusion of atoms and simple molecules adsorbed on surfaces. A comparative introduction to the techniques is given, including advances in theory and simulation techniques, followed by a summary of several recent sets of experimental results.
Concrete and Cement Paste Studied by Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering
Authors: Bordallo Heloisa N. , Aldridge Laurence P.
Published: February 2010

In a world where the effects of climate change on weather patterns is accepted as real and serious, the problem of decreasing the production of carbon dioxide is perceived as increasingly important. The cement industry produces 5–7% of the world’s carbon dioxide emission and its survival will depend on improvements in the production of concrete which will be both more durable and require less carbon dioxide per unit of manufacture than the currently produced concrete. The durability of concrete is related to its ability to limit fluid transmission and knowledge of how to reduce the rate at which water will be transmitted through cement paste is critical to improving durability. However, because of the complex chemical and physical nature of cement pastes, understanding water mobility is a great challenge. Many techniques are not applicable simply because they are not sensitive to the range of size from angstroms to microns and the extent of water interaction with the cement where water can either be chemically bound at hydroxyls or physically free in large pores. In this review paper, we present the most up to date results on the physical chemistry of the water/ cement paste interactions studied by quasi-elastic neutron scattering. These results bring new insight to the mobility of water in the gel pores, the small pores (radius less than 50Å) that control the rate of water transmission in the cement pastes from which high quality concrete will be made.
Dynamics in Biological Systems as seen by QENS
Authors: Stadler A. M.
Published: February 2010

Quasielastic incoherent neutron scattering is a well suited and established experimental method to study protein and water dynamics in the picosecond to nanosecond time- and Ångstrom length-scale. Using deuterium labelling either protein or water motions can be selected and brought into focus. Protein and cell water dynamics were separately studied in red blood cells. A consistent picture of cytoplasmic water and protein dynamics in whole cells is emerging from recent experimental results.
Dynamics of Nanostructures for Drug Delivery: the Potential of QENS
Authors: Deriu Antonio , Bari Maria Teresa Di , Gerelli Yuri
Published: February 2010

In recent biomedical studies different nanocarrier systems have been proposed for ´smart´ drug delivery. The engineering of these systems requires as a prerequisite a detailed knowledge of their structure and dynamics at the molecular level. Quasielastic neutron scattering is an ideal tool for dynamic studies of these complex systems since it provides information on molecular motions in a time window which is important to relate the local dynamics to the macroscopic functional properties of the drug vectors. Some selected examples referring to different nanostructures will be analysed in the following.
Compressibility of Oxisol aggregates under no-till in response to soil water potential
Authors: Tavares Filho João , Tessier Daniel
Published: February 2010

The system of no-till sowing stands out as being a technology that suits the objectives of more rational use of the soil and greater protection against the erosion. However, through till, any of it, occurs modifications of the soil's structure. This current work aims to study the influence of the energy state of the water and of the organic matter on the mechanism of compaction of Red Oxisol under no-till management system. Humid and non-deformed sample were collected in horizon AP of two agricultural areas under no-till, with and without rotation of cultures. In the laboratory, these samples were broken into fragments and sifted to obtain aggregates of 4 to 5 mm sized, which were placed in equilibrium under four matrix potentials. Thereafter, they were exposed to uni-dimensional compression with pressures varying from 32 to 1,000 kPa. The results in such a way show that the highest compressibility of aggregates both for the tilling with rotation of cultures as for the tilling without rotation of cultures, occurred for matrix potential -32 kPa (humidity of 0.29-0.32 kg kg-1, respectively), while the minor occurred for the potentials of -1 and -1,000 kPa (humidity of 0.35 and 0.27 kg kg-1, respectively), indicating that this soil should not be worked with humidity ranging around 0.29 to 0.32 kg kg-1 and the highest reduction of volume of aggregates was obtained for the mechanical pressures lower than 600 inferior kPa, indicating that these soils showed to be very influenced by compression, when exposed to mechanical work. Also, the aggregates of soil under no-till and rotation of crops presented higher sensitivity to the compression than the aggregates of soil under no-till and without rotation of crops, possibly for having better structural conditions given to a higher content of organic matter.
Efeitos alelopáticos de extratos vegetais na germinação, colonização micorrízica e crescimento inicial de milho, soja e feijão
Authors: Faria Tiago Mendes , Gomes Júnior Francisco Guilhien , Sá Marco Eustáquio de , Cassiolato Ana Maria Rodrigues
Published: February 2010

Restos vegetais e liteira podem interferir no desenvolvimento de plantas. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar os efeitos alelopáticos de extratos aquosos de Pinus sp., milheto (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) e mucuna (Stizolobium aterrimum Piper & Tracy) sobre a germinação, colonização micorrízica e crescimento inicial de milho (Zea mays L.), soja (Glycine max L.) e feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Os extratos foram elaborados utilizando folhas trituradas. O experimento in vitro empregou papel Germitest umedecido com extratos ou água destilada por sete dias. O experimento em casa de vegetação teve esquema fatorial 3 x 3 x 4, com quatro repetições: três espécies vegetais (soja, milho e feijão), três extratos aquosos (Pinus, milheto e mucuna) e quatro doses de extrato (0,0; 0,5; 1,0; e 2,0 kg L-1). O substrato foi Latossolo Vermelho coletado no município de Selvíria-MS, no bioma Cerrado. Após a semeadura, os vasos receberam, a cada cinco dias, por 45 dias, 50 mL dos extratos. Para a soja, extratos de mucuna e milheto diminuíram o comprimento do hipocótilo e da radícula e os de Pinus aumentaram esses comprimentos. Em feijão, o extrato de Pinus diminuiu o comprimento do hipocótilo e da radícula, mas os extratos de mucuna e milheto aumentaram-no. O extrato do milheto reduziu a percentagem e a velocidade de germinação em feijão. Todos os extratos reduziram a colonização micorrízica e o número de esporos de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares em soja, milho e feijão.
Simulação da dinâmica do carbono e nitrogênio em um Argissolo do Rio Grande do Sul usando modelo Century
Authors: Bortolon Elisandra Solange Oliveira , Mielniczuk João , Tornquist Carlos Gustavo , Lopes Fabíola , Fernandes Flavia Fontana
Published: February 2010

Diversas pesquisas têm mostrado desempenho satisfatório do modelo Century no estudo da dinâmica da matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) nas condições edafoclimáticas do Rio Grande do Sul, porém os estoques de N do solo são normalmente superestimados. O objetivo deste estudo foi ajustar parâmetros do modelo Century em relação ao ciclo do N, para torná-lo uma ferramenta útil no estudo da dinâmica do N em nosso meio. As simulações foram realizadas com dados experimentais de um estudo de longa duração instalado em 1985 em um Argissolo Vermelho distrófico da EEA-UFRGS, em Eldorado do Sul (RS). A inicialização do modelo consistiu na entrada de dados de solo, clima e ajuste de variáveis locais relacionadas à adição de N por fixação não simbiótica e parâmetros relativos a perdas de N por volatilização e relação C/N de resíduos de culturas que entram nos compartimentos lento e passivo da MOS. O modelo foi executado por um período de 6.000 anos nas condições do bioma de campos nativos do Sul do Brasil (bioma mesic/subhumid grassland), para obtenção dos estoques estáveis do C orgânico total (COT) e N total (NT) do solo e dos compartimentos de C e N do solo. Com o modelo assim ajustado, simularam-se oito tratamentos (dois tipos de preparo de solo, dois sistemas de cultura e duas doses de N mineral em fatorial 2 x 2 x 2) selecionados do experimento, conforme o histórico d estudo, alterando-se o parâmetro de cultivo CLTEFF(2) (multiplicador para decomposição do compartimento lento), o qual dependeu do potencial de adição de C pelas culturas e do grau de revolvimento do solo. Adicionalmente, foi acrescentado às sequências de eventos de manejo de solo sob preparo convencional um "efeito adicional de cultivo", persistindo por dois meses após cada evento de revolvimento do solo. Esse prolongamento do efeito do revolvimento do solo permitiu melhor ajuste da dinâmica do C no solo sob sistema de preparo convencional, pois refletiu a maior decomposição da MOS observada nas condições locais. De maneira geral, a aplicação do modelo Century com a parametrização proposta demonstrou bom ajuste das estimativas de COT e NT em relação aos valores observados em 1998, evidenciando que o modelo C tem potencial para ser utilizado no planejamento e na definição de estratégias de manejo de solo.
Macrofauna edáfica em estádios sucessionais de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual e pastagem mista em Pinheiral (RJ): Rio de Janeiro State
Authors: Menezes Carlos Eduardo Gabriel , Correia Maria Elizabeth Fernandes , Pereira Marcos Gervasio , Batista Itaynara , Rodrigues Khalil de Menezes , Couto Wanderson Henrique , Anjos Lúcia Helena Cunha dos , Oliveira Ísis Pinto de
Published: February 2010

Entre os diferentes tipos de organismos da macrofauna do solo, distribuídos em diversos tipos de habitats, com variados hábitos alimentares e ciclos de vida, alguns são capazes de responder rapidamente às alterações ambientais e, por isso, considerados bons indicadores do funcionamento dos ecossistemas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito dos seguintes estádios sucessionais de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Submontana do domínio ecológico da Mata Atlântica: floresta secundária estádio inicial (FSEI), floresta secundária estádio médio (FSEM), floresta secundária estádio avançado (FSEA) e uma área de pasto misto manejado (PMM) sobre a densidade, diversidade e composição da comunidade da macrofauna edáfica em duas épocas do ano, no município de Pinheiral (RJ). Para amostragem da macrofauna, foram retiradas oito amostras da serapilheira e da camada superficial (0-10 cm) do solo pelo método recomendado pelo programa Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF), com adaptações. Predominaram Isoptera, Formicidae e Oligochaeta em FSEI, FSEM e FSEA e Formicidae e Oligochaeta em PMM. Não houve diferença significativa na densidade da macrofauna edáfica entre as áreas. Os maiores valores dos estimadores de diversidade utilizados (equabilidade de Pielou, riqueza total e média) foram encontrados em FSEA. Os valores de riqueza total mostraram aumento gradual de acordo com o estádio de sucessão, desde PMM até FSEI. Constatou-se maior número de indivíduos no solo do que na serapilheira em todas as áreas de floresta, nas duas épocas. Pela análise de componentes principais (ACP) realizada para os períodos seco e chuvoso, foi possível identificar maiores diferenças na composição das comunidades entre os estádios sucessionais para o período chuvoso. Nesta época, os estádios FSEM e FSEA estiveram associados a uma maior diversidade de invertebrados saprófagos e predadores do que PMM e FSEI, demonstrando influência do processo sucessional sobre a comunidade da macrofauna do solo.
Utilization of Boron (10B) derived from fertilizer by sugar cane
Authors: Franco Henrique Coutinho Junqueira , Trivelin Paulo Cesar Ocheuze , Vitti André César , Otto Rafael , Faroni Carlos Eduardo , Tovajar João Gabriel
Published: February 2010

The response to B in agricultural systems of sugar cane is still an unexplored issue; B application has however recently been widely publicized and used with a certain degree of frequency. The use of 10B-labeled fertilizers may further contribute to clarify this practice. With the objective of evaluating sugar cane use of B (10B) derived from fertilizer (boric acid), an experiment was conducted under field conditions in the 2005/2006 growing season. The experiment consisted of the installation of microplots (2 x 1.5 m) where 4 kg ha-1 B (boric acid with 85.95 % in 10B atoms) dissolved in water was applied 90 days after planting (May 2005). The solution was applied to the soil on both sides of the plant row at a distance of 20 cm. After harvest (June 2006) the B content and 10B abundance in % atoms in all parts of the sugar cane plants (stalks, dry leaves, tips and roots) were determined. Results showed that the total B accumulated was 471 g ha-1 in the entire plant (35 % in the stalks, 22 % in the dry leaves, 9 % in the tips and 34 % in the roots). The sugar cane plants used on average 14 % of the total accumulated B in the above-ground part (44 g ha-1) and 11 % in the roots (19 g ha-1), totaling 13 % in the entire plant (63 g ha-1). The recovery of 10B-fertilizer by sugar cane plants was low, around 2 % of the total applied amount.
Concentração do potássio do solo em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária em plantio direto submetido a intensidades de pastejo
Authors: Ferreira Eric Victor de Oliveira , Anghinoni Ibanor , Carvalho Paulo César de Faccio , Costa Sergio Ely Valadão Gigante de Andrade , Cao Eduardo Giacomelli
Published: February 2010

A dinâmica de K em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP) diverge daquelas de outros sistemas de manejo, porque os sistemas ILP são mais complexos e envolvem, além das práticas relacionadas à cultura de interesse econômico, a introdução do animal. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar as concentrações do K do solo em um sistema ILP, em plantio direto, com diferentes intensidades de pastejo (aveia-preta + azevém) de bovinos no inverno e a cultura da soja cultivada no verão. O experimento foi iniciado em maio de 2001 em área pertencente à Fazenda do Espinilho, localizada no município de São Miguel das Missões - RS, em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico que vinha sendo cultivado em plantio direto desde 1991. Os tratamentos constaram de intensidades de pastejo: 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm de altura do pasto e um tratamento sem pastejo, distribuídos num delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. Os teores de K disponível eram originalmente altos e assim se mantiveram ao longo do tempo, independentemente do tratamento de pastejo. Em todas as situações houve a formação de um gradiente decrescente de concentração de K a partir da superfície, sendo maior após pastagem que após soja. A ausência do pastejo, apesar de propiciar menor ciclagem de K, resultou em maiores teores do nutriente no solo, em relação às áreas com animais, especialmente aquelas intensamente pastejadas, devido às perdas causadas, provavelmente, pelas excretas.