bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Biosensors with Built‐in Logic for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Wang Joseph , Katz Evgeny
Published: January 2011

This article overviews recent advances in biomedical applications of enzyme‐based logic systems, particularly for the analysis of pathophysiological conditions associated with various injuries. Novel biosensors digitally processing multiple biomarker signals produce a final output in the form of YES/NO response through Boolean logic networks composed of biomolecular systems. The biocomputing approach applied to biosensors leads to high‐fidelity biosensing compared to traditional single‐analyte sensing devices. By processing complex patterns of multiple physiological biomarkers, such multi‐signal digital biosensors should have a profound impact on the rapid diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and particularly can provide timely detection and alert of medical emergencies (along with immediate therapeutic intervention). The novel biosensing concept has been exemplified with the systems for logic analysis of various injuries, including soft tissue injury, traumatic brain injury, liver injury, abdominal trauma, hemorrhagic shock, and oxidative stress.
Predicting the form and direction of work role performance from the Big 5 model of personality traits
Authors: Neal Andrew , Yeo Gillian , Koy Annette , Xiao Tania
Published: January 2011

This research examined the prediction of the form and direction of work role performance from the Big 5 model of personality traits. Nine dimensions of work role performance are created by cross‐classifying the form of work role behavior (proficient, adaptive, and proactive) with the level at which that behavior contributes to effectiveness (individual, team, and organizational). The authors collected self‐report measurements of personality from 1447 government employees and supervisor ratings of performance. Openness to experience and agreeableness had opposing effects on individual proactivity – openness was positively related, whereas agreeableness was negatively related to this dimension. Openness to experience also had opposing effects on the form of work role performance – it was positively related to individual and organizational proactivity but negatively related to team and organizational proficiency. Conscientiousness was a stronger predictor of individual task proficiency than the remaining eight dimensions, whereas the reverse was true for neuroticism. Extraversion was negatively related to individual proficiency. Using a broad taxonomy of performance that incorporates a theoretical framework for distinguishing between constructs shows promise for identifying which personality traits are important for which aspects of work role performance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water‐stress mitigation by selenium in Trifolium repens L.
Authors: Wang Chang‐Quan
Published: January 2011

This study was designed to examine whether external selenium (Se) may improve the tolerance of Trifolium repens L. to polyethylene glycol (PEG)–induced water deficit, and to determine the physiological mechanisms of the possibly enhanced tolerance. Trifolium repens seedlings were subjected to PEG‐induced water deficit alone or combined with 5 μM Na2SeO4 for 24, 48, and 72 h. During the experimental period, the fresh weight (FW) of T. repens seedlings and the relative water content (RWC) of the leaves decreased gradually, and the chlorophyll concentration increased after 24 and 48 h, but decreased after 72 h. The PEG+Se‐treated plants had higher FW, RWC, and chlorophyll concentration than the PEG‐treated plants. Smaller amounts of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) and H2O2 accumulated in PEG+Se‐treated plants than in plants treated only with PEG. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased gradually during the water‐deficit period, and Se application promoted SOD activity further. Catalase (CAT) activity remained unchanged after 24 and 48 h and insignificantly increased after 72 h of water deficit, whereas ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) activity increased linearly and glutathione reductase (GR) activity increased slightly over the course of treatment. Whereas the Se application exhibited no effect on the CAT activity, seedlings treated with PEG+Se had higher APOX activity during the whole experimental period and a higher GR activity after 48 and 72 h than PEG‐treated plants. These results suggest that exogenous Se treatment enhanced T. repens tolerance to PEG‐induced water deficit, and this enhancement was related to alleviation of lipid peroxidation and activation of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, APOX, and GR.
Re‐visiting potassium‐ and phosphate‐fertilizer responses in field experiments and soil‐test interpretations by means of data mining
Authors: Kuchenbuch Rolf O. , Buczko Uwe
Published: January 2011

Currently, potassium (K)‐ and phosphate (P)‐fertilizer recommendation in Germany is based on standardized soil‐testing procedures, the results of which are interpreted in terms of nutrient availability. Although site‐specific soil and plant properties (e.g., clay and carbon content, pH, crop species) influence the relation between soil nutrient content and fertilizer effectiveness, most of these factors are not accounted for quantitatively when assessing fertilizer demand. Recent re‐evaluations of field observations suggest that even for soil nutrient contents well within the range considered to indicate P or K deficiency, fertilizer applications often resulted in no yield increase. In this study, results from P‐ and K‐fertilization trials (in total about 9000 experimental harvests) conducted during the past decades in Germany and Austria were re‐analyzed using a nonparametric data‐mining procedure which consists of a successive segmentation of the data pool in order to elaborate a modified recommendation scheme. In addition to soil nutrient content, fertilizer‐application rates, nutrient‐use efficiency, and site properties such as pH, clay content, and soil organic matter, have a distinct influence on yield increase compared to an unfertilized control. For K, nutrient‐use efficiency had the largest influence, followed by soil‐test K content, whereas for P, the influence of soil‐test P content was largest, followed by pH and clay content. The results may be used in a novel approach to predict the probability of yield increase for a specified combination of crop species, fertilizer‐application rate, and site‐specific data.
Subcellular distribution and chemical forms of chromium in rice plants suffering from different levels of chromium toxicity
Authors: Zeng Fanrong , Zhou Weihui , Qiu Boyin , Ali Shafaqat , Wu Feibo , Zhang Guoping
Published: January 2011

The subcellular distribution and chemical forms of different heavy metals in rice are correlated with their bio‐toxicity. An experiment was conducted to investigate the subcellular distribution and chemical forms of chromium (Cr) in two rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L. cv. Xiushui 113 and cv. Dan K5) differing in Cr accumulation, to understand the mechanisms of Cr toxicity and resistance in rice plants. The results show that Cr in the roots of rice plants exposed to Cr stress was mainly localized in cell walls, whereas Cr in leaves and stems was mainly present in both cell walls and vacuoles, suggesting that both compartments act as important protective barriers against Cr toxicity in rice plants. Although Cr ions in all plant tissues exist predominantly in the forms extracted by 80% ethanol and distilled water, the amount of Cr in the chemical forms extracted by 2% HAc, 0.6 M HCl, and in residues was significantly increased under the highest Cr level (100 μM Cr) compared to the plants grown under lower Cr levels. These results indicate that excess Cr accumulated in rice plants under Cr stress is bound to undissolved or low‐bioavailable compounds, such as undissolved phosphate and oxalate, being beneficial for rice plants to alleviate Cr toxicity. In addition, under the highest Cr level (100 μM), Dan K5 had a higher percentage of Cr in the chemical forms extracted by 2% HAc, 0.6 M HCl, and in residues compared to Xiushui 113 in both stems and leaves, indicating that more Cr ions in shoots of Dan K5 were bound to undissolved or low‐bioavailable compounds, in comparison with those of Xiushui 113. It is evident that the low bioavailability of Cr in the shoots of Dan K5 is related to a high Cr accumulation.
Reintroduction of a native Glomus to a tropical Ultisol promoted grain yield in maize after fallow and restored the density of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores
Authors: Poomipan Phakpen , Suwanarit Amnat , Suwanarit Poonpilai , Nopamornbodi Omsub , Dell Bernard
Published: January 2011

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop in central Thailand where fallow is widely practiced and farmers are interested in crop rotation and beneficial soil biota. A pot experiment using a Typic Paleustult (topsoil + subsoil) from the National Corn and Sorghum Research Centre, Nakhonratchasima Province, Thailand was undertaken over three successive crops to evaluate effects of agronomic practices on populations of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and to determine whether reintroduction of a local Glomus was beneficial to maintain maize yield. The three crops and their treatments were: (1) preceding crop: maize grown in all pots; (2) subexperiment 1: agronomic practices [maize, fallow ± soil disturbance, fallow with solarization, non–AM host (cabbage)]; and (3) subexperiment 2: maize ± Glomus sp. 3 at three rates of P fertilization (0, 33, 92 kg P ha–1). The AM‐fungal community was established under the preceding crop. In subexperiment 1, the three fallow treatments decreased (30%–40%) the total AM spore number in the topsoil whereas there was no change under maize or cabbage. Glomus, the dominant genus, showed sensitivity to fallow. In subexperiment 2, inoculation with Glomus sp. 3 enhanced total AM spore number and root colonization when applied following the three fallow treatments. Furthermore, inoculation promoted grain yield; at nil P following fallow ± soil disturbance, at 33 kg P ha–1 following fallow without soil disturbance, and following solarization. Two treatments, maize following maize and maize following cabbage, did not respond to inoculation with Glomus sp. 3. Overall, the results suggest that reintroduction of Glomus sp. 3, a local AM fungus in this soil, may overcome negative effects of fallow and promote effectiveness of P fertilizer. Further work is needed to evaluate the benefits of other indigenous AM species that persist under modern fertilization practices.
Patterns and processes of initial terrestrial‐ecosystem development
Authors: Schaaf Wolfgang , Bens Oliver , Fischer Anton , Gerke Horst H. , Gerwin Werner , Grünewald Uwe , Holländer Hartmut M. , Kögel‐Knabner Ingrid , Mutz Michael , Schloter Michael , Schulin Rainer , Veste Maik , Winter Susanne , Hüttl Reinhard F.
Published: January 2011

Ecosystems are characterized as complex systems with abiotic and biotic processes interacting between the various components that have evolved over long‐term periods. Most ecosystem studies so far have been carried out in mature systems. Only limited knowledge exists on the very initial phase of ecosystem development. Concepts on the development of ecosystems are often based on assumptions and extrapolations with respect to structure–process interactions in the initial stage. To characterize the effect of this initial phase on structure and functioning of ecosystems in later stages, it is necessary to disentangle the close interaction of spatial and temporal patterns of ecosystem structural assemblages with processes of ecosystem development. The study of initial, less complex systems could help to better identify and characterize coupled patterns and processes.

This paper gives an overview of concepts for the initial development of different ecosystem compartments and identifies open questions and research gaps. The artificial catchment site “Chicken Creek” is introduced as a new research approach to investigate these patterns and processes of initial ecosystem development under defined boundary conditions. This approach allows to integrate the relevant processes with related pattern and structure development over temporal and spatial scales and to derive thresholds and stages in state and functioning of ecosystems at the catchment level.
Formation of hybrid N2O in a suspended soil due to co‐denitrification of NH2OH
Authors: Spott Oliver , Florian Stange Claus
Published: January 2011

A few studies have shown that amine compounds (e.g., hydroxylamine) can be co‐metabolically introduced into the reaction pathway of denitrification. During this microbial process, the N atom of the amine species is bound to a N atom of nitrite. In case of hydroxylamine, this concomitant reaction ultimately results in the formation of hybrid N2O. Due to its co‐metabolic character the process has been termed co‐denitrification. Hybrid N2O production during co‐denitrification has been proven to occur in prokaryotic (e.g., Pseudomonas sp.) as well as eukaryotic (e.g., Fusarium sp.) species. Many of them are already well‐known as common denitrifiers. However, until now no clear evidence has been provided to show that N2O production by co‐denitrification really takes place in a soil. In the present study, a formation of hybrid N2O was revealed by an adapted 15N‐tracer model, when both hydroxylamine and 15N‐nitrate were applied (mol ratio 10:1) to an anaerobically incubated soil suspension from a Haplic Chernozem. The presence of hybrid N2O was also indicated by a novel characteristic factor (Rbinom) developed for a hybrid‐N‐N‐gas detection. By contrast, no hybrid N2O was found when either an autoclaved soil suspension, only nitrate or only hydroxylamine was used. Thus, it appears that hybrid‐N2O formation occurred due to co‐denitrification of hydroxylamine. Hence, this is the first study which demonstrates hybrid‐N2O production by co‐denitrification beyond a microbial species level. The 15N‐tracer model revealed that under the given experimental conditions N2O production by co‐denitrification prevailed against N2O from denitrification and abiotic hydroxylamine decomposition. In addition, a formation of hybrid N2 was also calculated by the model. However, the experimental results lead to the conclusion that it was most likely caused by a reduction of hybrid N2O due to conventional denitrification.
Relation between soil organic matter and yield levels of nonlegume crops in organic and conventional farming systems
Authors: Brock Christopher , Fließbach Andreas , Oberholzer Hans‐Rudolf , Schulz Franz , Wiesinger Klaus , Reinicke Frank , Koch Wernfried , Pallutt Bernhard , Dittman Bärbel , Zimmer Jörg , Hülsbergen Kurt‐Jürgen , Leithold Günter
Published: January 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between yield levels of nonleguminous crops and soil organic matter (SOM) under the specific conditions of organic and conventional farming, respectively, and to identify implications for SOM management in arable farming considering the farming system (organic vs. conventional). For that purpose, correlations between yield levels of nonlegume crops and actual SOM level (Corg, Nt, Chwe, Nhwe) as well as SOM‐level development were examined including primary data from selected treatments of seven long‐term field experiments in Germany and Switzerland. Yield levels of nonlegume crops were positively correlated with SOM levels, but the correlation was significant only under conditions of organic farming, and not with conventional farming treatments.

While absolute SOM levels had a positive impact on yield levels of nonlegumes, the yield levels of nonlegumes and SOM‐level development over time correlated negatively. Due to an increased demand of N from SOM mineralization, higher yield levels of nonlegumes obviously indicate an increased demand for OM supply to maintain SOM levels. Since this observation is highly significant for farming without mineral‐N fertilization but not for farming with such fertilization, we conclude that the demand of SOM‐level maintenance or enhancement and thus adequate SOM management is highly relevant for crop production in organic farming both from an agronomical and ecological point of view. Under conventional management, the agronomic relevance of SOM with regard to nutrient supply is much lower than under organic management. However, it has to be considered that we excluded other possible benefits of SOM in our survey that may be highly relevant for conventional farming as well.
Helping first‐generation college students succeed
Authors: Shelton Charlita
Published: January 2011

First‐generation college students are traditionally defined as students whose parents did not attend college and have a high school education or less. These students, an ever increasing part of the college and university demographic, face many challenges, including educational persistence, precollege academic preparation, and financing their college education, and they are less likely to obtain a bachelor's degree compared to their non‐first‐generation counterparts. This article reviews the demographics and challenges of first‐generation college students and makes recommendations for good practices that aid their educational persistence or retention and college success.
Executive coaching: Where it is and where it's going
Authors: Campone Francine
Published: January 2011

Advancing Executive Coaching: Setting the Course for Successful Leadership Coaching

Edited by Gina Hernez‐Broome and Lisa A. Boyce

Reviewed by Francine Campone, EdD, MCC
Personal issues affecting clergy competency: Barriers to resolution and resources available
Authors: Oraker Jim , Malmstrom Frederick , Roby Emily
Published: January 2011

This article draws from a survey of pastors regarding their careers as healers. The purpose was to identify personal and health issues affecting clergy competency and their barriers to seeking help and to help develop resources to assist them. An earlier survey of psychologists with personal and health issues threatening their competency was modified to better serve pastors, while keeping the content consistent to the purpose of the research. Both pastors and psychologists provide help in time of trouble, work with belief systems, and provide intervention. Both rely on interpersonal helping skills and acknowledge the importance of ethical principles. Finally, a training program is suggested, designed to train senior ministry‐partners to serve as resources for pastors in need of help.
Postharvest technology for developing countries: challenges and opportunities in research, outreach and advocacy
Authors: Kitinoja Lisa , Saran Sunil , Roy Susanta K , Kader Adel A
Published: January 2011

This article discusses the needs and challenges of developing good, science‐based, simple methods for postharvest handling that can be made available in developing countries. Some of the traditional challenges have been successfully met (i.e. identifying causes and sources of losses for key crops, identifying many potential postharvest technologies of practical use for reducing losses), but many challenges remain. These include the characterization of indigenous crops in terms of their unique postharvest physiology (e.g. respiration rate, susceptibility to water loss, chilling sensitivity, ethylene sensitivity), ascertaining the differences between handling recommendations made for well‐known varieties and the needs of local varieties of crops, and determining cost effectiveness of scale‐appropriate postharvest technologies in each locale and for each crop. Key issues include building capacity at the local level in postharvest science, university teaching and extension, and continued adaptive research efforts to match emerging postharvest technologies to local needs as these continue to change over time. Development of appropriate postharvest technology relies upon many disciplines that are relevant to the overall success of horticulture, i.e. plant biology, engineering, agricultural economics, food processing, nutrition, food safety, and environmental conservation. The expanding pool of new information derived from postharvest research and outreach efforts in these areas can lead in many directions which are likely to have an impact on relieving poverty in developing countries. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel approach to improve the detection of colchicine via online coupling of ionic liquid‐based single‐drop microextraction with capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Wang Qing , Qiu Hongdeng , Li Jing , Han Haifeng , Liu Xia , Jiang Shengxiang
Published: January 2011

A novel approach based on ionic liquid‐single‐drop microextraction (IL‐SDME) online coupling with capillary electrophoresis (CE) was used to determine a toxic alkaloid – colchicine. The IL‐SDME procedure was optimized by extraction solvent, drop volume controlling, sample volume and pH, extraction time, and ionic strength. Under optimum conditions, enrichment factor was as much as 41‐fold with a relative standard deviation of 2.8% (n=3). Linear range of response was observed from 1 to 100 μg/mL, with detection limit of 0.25 μg/mL and correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9994. The extraction of colchicine from spiked Lanzhou lily sample was performed and obtaining good result with an average recovery rate of 102.4 and 98.8% at 5 and 50 μg/mL, respectively. Comparing with the previous methods, IL‐SDME‐CE is really a convenient, economical, and environmentally benign way for determining colchicine.
Practical relevance of knowledge management and intellectual capital scholarly research: Books as knowledge translation agents
Authors: Serenko Alexander , Bontis Nick , Hull Emily
Published: January 2011

To enhance our understanding of the relevance of knowledge management/intellectual capital (KM/IC) academic research, this study explores the sources authors utilize to develop their book content. Ten prominent KM/IC book authors were interviewed to identify if and how the KM/IC academic literature is being disseminated through books. It was confirmed that the body of knowledge present in peer‐reviewed journals is utilized in the development of book/textbook content. Thus, books serve as knowledge translation agents through which academic literature is summarized, aggregated, and transformed into a format that may be easily comprehended by non‐academics. In addition to peer‐reviewed journals, KM/IC book authors utilize other sources, including personal research, experts' opinions, personal experience, practitioner magazines, conferences, books, and informal discussions with academics. The model, which was developed within this study, demonstrates that the book's target audience and author's motivation serve as a pure moderator of the relationship between the available content sources and actual book content. Books targeted to practitioners and inspired by a desire to bring theory to practice are based on the author's personal experience and contain many non‐peer reviewed sources, whereas books written for academic readers have content that is mostly derived from peer‐reviewed journals, books, and the author's personal research. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effort based performance measurement in business process management
Authors: Glykas Michael Markos
Published: January 2011

This paper presents a holistic methodology and associated toolset for business process modelling and analysis. The importance of integrating performance measurement (PM) indicators and tools in business process management has been identified in the literature as well as contemporary approaches that attempt to give a solution to this problem. However, most of these approaches propose solutions based on theories and techniques used in other disciplines or research fields which approach the issue of performance measurement in BPR from their individualistic perspective. In the majority of cases the proposed theories and techniques prove to be inadequate to measure performance holistically and integrate, organizational, human resource management, process management and workflow management concepts. The resulting methodology and toolset is based on business analysis ratios that define and measure key performance indicators in qualitative and quantitative terms and identify the relationships between them. These ratios allow enterprises to achieve a performance evaluation tool for continuous improvement in their attempt to respond and adapt quickly to turbulent markets. The performance measurement toolset (called ADJUST) is used for (1) planning different reorganization scenarios for the achievement of desired performance, (2) for assessing real time performance and (3) reporting deviations from desired planned performance.

In order to monitor and assess real time performance the ADJUST software tool provides interfaces to three kinds of management tool categories, namely:

Process management tools (PMT): business models, cycle time, primitive cost, etc.

Human resource management (HRM) tools: job descriptions, performance measures, etc.

Workflow management (WFM) tools: transactions, business rules, workflow models, etc.

The ADJUST business analysis engine is based on employee effort analysis and provides meta‐analysis of data analysed in PMT and HRM tools. Data like activity sequencing, cycle times, primitive costing, etc. from PMT tools are analysed in ADJUST in order to assess the percentage of high‐business and low value added activities, mission‐non mission activities, concentration analysis, etc. Knowledge management elements are integrated to job descriptions and associated with performance measures and workflow elements. Similarly, job descriptions and performance measurement data that are provided by HRM tools are analysed further in terms of cost to manage, principal‐agent analysis etc. In the case of WFM tools the ADJUST system provides not only meta‐analysis of workflow processes, transactions and document flows but also dynamic monitoring of their performance in real time. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An AHP‐based framework for selecting knowledge management tools to sustain innovation process
Authors: Grimaldi Michele , Rippa Pierluigi
Published: January 2011

This paper presents a framework based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methodology to select the most appropriate set of Knowledge Management (KM) tools to support the innovation processes in organizations. The framework builds on the theoretical foundations underlying organizational KM to identify key KM processes enabling innovation. The AHP is a multi‐criteria decision support technique that can be used to analyse and compare those KM tools that best support innovation processes. Organizations can select the most suitable KM tool by using the proposed framework to identify gaps and overlaps in the extent to which the capabilities provided and utilized by their current KM tools portfolio meet the KM needs of the organization to sustain the innovation. The main contributions of this work are the list of KM processes to support an innovation activity and the hierarchy of importance of such processes able to support the selection process of a KM tool. The framework can be of use to managers and other practitioners because of its ease of implementation. An illustrative example of a case study for the application of the framework is provided. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A typology of knowledge sharing networks in practice
Authors: Verburg Robert M. , Andriessen Erik J.H.
Published: January 2011

Knowledge intensive organizations often rely on knowledge sharing networks. Such networks, often called ‘communities of practice’ are found in many organizations but their forms and functions appear to be quite diverse. In this article we determine and discuss a number of basic types of knowledge networks. A literature analysis and a study of 38 networks in large organizations yielded two dimensions of networks, institutionalization and proximity. On the basis of these dimensions four basic types of knowledge networks were discerned: strategic networks, informal networks, question and answer networks, and on‐line strategic networks. The recognition of this variety of knowledge networks highlights the different ways in which knowledge sharing and creating can be organized and shows that these different forms of organizing require different technological and organizational support. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electromyographic and histologic evolution of the recurrent laryngeal nerve from transection and anastomosis to mature reinnervation
Authors: Pitman Michael J. , Weissbrod Philip , Roark Rick , Sharma Sansar , Schaefer Steven D.
Published: January 2011

Objectives:

To describe the natural evolution of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) reinnervation in an animal model.

Study Design:

Twenty Sprague Dawley rats underwent unilateral RLN transection and anastomosis. Animals were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks. Prior to sacrifice, each rat underwent electromyography (EMG) and visual grading of vocal fold motion. Bilateral RLNs were harvested and evaluated histologically.

Results:

EMG revealed synkinetic reinnervation at all time periods except at 4 weeks. EMG evolution plateaued at 16 weeks. Vocal fold motion was slight in three rats at 4 weeks but was otherwise absent except for one rat at 12 weeks. Histologic changes of the axons and their myelin sheaths were consistent at each time period. At 16 weeks, histologic changes plateaued.

Conclusions:

Consistent EMG, histologic, and vocal fold motion changes occur at specific time periods during RLN reinnervation after transection and anastomosis in a rat model. Reinnervation is mature at 16 weeks. Findings corroborate theories of preferential and synkinetic reinnervation after RLN transection. Use of a rat model to investigate the effect of interventions on RLN reinnervation requires a minimum of 16 weeks between transection and investigation to allow for maturation of reinnervation. Laryngoscope, 2011
Principles of inner ear sustained release following intratympanic administration
Authors: Wang Xiaobo , Dellamary Luis , Fernandez Rayne , Ye Qiang , LeBel Carl , Piu Fabrice
Published: January 2011

Objective/Hypothesis:

Previous studies revealed that intratympanic administration of the steroid dexamethasone in poloxamer 407 hydrogel, a class of thermoreversible polymers, resulted in significant and durable exposure in the inner ear. Interestingly, varying the concentrations of the poloxamer vehicle and of the steroid impacted the pharmacokinetic profile of dexamethasone in the perilymphatic compartment. Here, the respective contributions of different vehicles (aqueous solution, poloxamer hydrogel) and steroid drugs (dexamethasone, methylprednisolone) were investigated. In particular, various forms of the steroids, discriminated by their aqueous solubility, were compared.

Study Design:

In vitro studies characterized the gelation profile and drug release kinetics of the various formulations. The inner ear pharmacokinetic profile of the different formulations was investigated in guinea pigs.

Results:

Drugs formulated in poloxamer 407 shared significantly more prolonged exposure than those formulated in aqueous solutions both in vitro and in vivo in the inner ear. Furthermore, drugs with low aqueous solubility yielded increased degree and duration of exposure in the inner ear relative to water‐soluble drugs.

Conclusions:

The inner ear pharmacokinetic profile of drugs administered intratympanically is not only highly dependent upon the nature of the vehicle but also upon the physicochemical properties of the drug delivered. Laryngoscope, 2011
Soft palate sensory neuropathy in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Sunnergren Ola , Broström Anders , Svanborg Eva
Published: January 2011

Objectives/ Hypothesis:

In general, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) seems to be a progressive disorder whose pathogenesis is not fully understood. One hypothesis is that long‐standing snoring vibrations cause a local neuropathy in the upper airway, which predisposes to obstructive events during sleep. The aim of this study was to investigate sensory function in the upper airway in a cohort of subjects comprising nonsnorers, snorers, and untreated subjects with OSA, and to correlate data to apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and duration of snoring.

Study Design:

Cross‐sectional cohort study.

Methods:

Subjects were recruited from primary care hypertension clinics. Whole‐night respiratory recordings were performed to determine presence and degree of OSA. Three groups were formed based on AHI and snoring history: 1) nonsnorers (n = 25); 2) snorers, AHI < 10 (n = 32); 3) OSA subjects, AHI ≥ 10 (n = 33). Quantitative cold sensory testing of the soft palate and lip was used to assess neuropathy.

Results:

There were no significant differences concerning lip sensory function between groups. Nonsnorers showed significantly lower thresholds for cold (i.e., better sensitivity) in the soft palate compared to both other groups (P < .01). Snorers had lower thresholds than OSA subjects (P < .05). There were significant correlations (P < .01) between decreased sensory function and AHI (rs = .41) and to duration of snoring (rs = .47).

Conclusions:

The degree of sensory neuropathy in the upper airway correlates with degree of obstructive sleep disorder. Our results strengthen the hypothesis that snoring vibrations may cause a neuropathy in the upper airway, which contributes to the progression and development of OSA. Laryngoscope, 2011
Low‐stage computed tomography chronic rhinosinusitis: What is the role of endoscopic sinus surgery?
Authors: Rudmik Luke , Mace Jess , Smith Timothy
Published: January 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To measure the change in quality‐of‐life (QoL) after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with medically recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and minimally affected computed tomography (CT) scans of the paranasal sinuses.

Study Design:

Prospective, multicenter cohort study at three academic, tertiary care centers.

Methods:

A total of 778 patients with CRS were enrolled between January 2001 and April 2009 after electing ESS. For the purposes of this analysis, patients with nasal polyposis, history of prior sinus surgery, or follow‐up <6 months were excluded. Final study patients were categorized as low‐stage CT CRS (Lund‐Mackay ≤3; n = 17) and high‐stage CT CRS (Lund‐Mackay >3; n = 207). Primary outcome measures included two disease‐specific QoL instruments: the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index and the Chronic Sinusitis Survey.

Results:

In patients with low‐stage CT CRS, a statistically significant improvement was found across all disease‐specific QoL scores (all P ≤ .012), with the exception of the CSS medication usage subscale (P = .073). These QoL improvements were comparable to those in patients with high‐stage CT CRS.

Conclusions:

Some patients will present with CRS that is refractory to medical therapy even though their CT demonstrates relatively minimal disease. Based on the results of this study, ESS is associated with improved QoL in patients with low‐stage CT CRS and can provide significant benefit to carefully selected patients with minimally affected CT scans. Laryngoscope, 2011
Power management adaptation techniques for video transmission over TFRC
Authors: Bouras Christos , Gkamas Apostolos , Kapoulas Vaggelis , Papapanagiotou Vassilis , Stamos Kostas , Zaoudis Giannis
Published: January 2011

In this paper, we describe power management adaptation techniques for wireless video transmission using the TCP Friendly Rate Control (TFRC) protocol that take into account feedback about the received video quality and try to intelligently adapt transmitting power accordingly. The purpose of the mechanisms is to utilize TFRC feedback and thus achieve a beneficial balance between power consumption and the received video quality. There are two power adaptation mechanisms proposed, each one with its own advantages. They both offer significant improvements when used in terms of both power consumption and received video quality. We use simulation in order to compare and evaluate our approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient routing and centralized scheduling algorithms for IEEE 802.16 Mesh Networks
Authors: Lo Shou‐Chih , Ou Lyu‐Chen
Published: January 2011

An IEEE 802.16 wireless system can provide broadband wireless access to subscriber stations and operate in mesh mode. The communication between a subscriber station and a base station can pass through one or more intermediate subscriber stations. The IEEE 802.16 standard provides a centralized scheduling mechanism that supports contention‐free and resource‐guarantee transmission services in mesh mode. However, the corresponding algorithm to this schedule is quite primitive in the standard. In this paper, we propose a more efficient way to realize this schedule by maximizing channel utilization. Our designs are divided into two phases: routing and scheduling. First, a routing tree topology is constructed from a given mesh topology by our proposed tree construction algorithm. Secondly, we allocate channel resources to the edges in the routing tree by our proposed scheduling algorithm. To further support the quality‐of‐service schedule, we extend our designs by addressing some issues such as service class, admission control and fairness. Simulation results show the superiority of our proposed algorithms over others. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal guaranteed cost stabilization of networked systems with bounded random packet losses
Authors: Zhang Wen‐An , Yu Li
Published: January 2011

This paper is concerned with the optimal guaranteed cost stabilizing controller design problem for a class of networked control systems (NCSs) with random packet losses. The number of consecutive packet losses is assumed to be upper bounded, and the closed‐loop NCS is described as a discrete‐time stochastic delay system with a time‐varying input delay and a stochastic parameter. A sufficient condition is derived for the closed‐loop NCS to be exponentially stable and achieve an optimal guaranteed cost performance level. The relationships among the exponential decay rate, the guaranteed cost performance level, and two parameters characterizing the random packet losses, namely, the packet loss probability and the maximal number of consecutive packet losses, are simultaneously established in the obtained condition. Furthermore, design procedures for the state feedback stabilizing controllers are also presented. Finally, an illustrative example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved approach for passive stability of discrete‐time Markovian jump linear systems via mode‐dependent time‐delayed controllers
Authors: Lu Kunfeng , Mahmoud Magdi S. , Qiu Jiqing
Published: January 2011

In this paper, we investigate the problem of passive stability for discrete‐time Markovian jump linear systems via mode‐dependent time‐delayed controllers by employing an improved free‐weighting matrix approach. A Markov process as discrete‐time, discrete‐state Markov process is considered. First, a new result of mode‐dependent stability analysis is first established for error systems without ignoring any terms in the derivative of Lyapunov–Krasovskii function by considering the relationship between the time‐varying delay and its upper bound. Then, the delay‐dependent passivity criterion is provided and a mode‐dependent time‐delayed controller is designed in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness and less conservativeness of our proposed method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Public–private partnerships: Perspectives on purposes, publicness, and good governance
Authors: Brinkerhoff Derick W. , Brinkerhoff Jennifer M.
Published: January 2011

Public–private partnerships (PPPs) have long been advocated and analyzed as organizational solutions to pressing societal problems that call for the comparative advantages of government, business, and civil society. However, ongoing questions remain about how to design, manage, and assess PPPs. The large literature on PPPs suffers from conceptual imprecision, and is weakly integrated. This article seeks to address these problems. It offers a discussion of partnership definitions and builds a framework that examines the features of PPPs as they relate to achieving particular purposes: policy, service delivery, infrastructure, capacity building, and economic development. The article summarizes the contributions to the symposium: social enterprise PPPs that target poverty reduction, health service delivery partnerships with faith‐based organizations, diasporas as partners for international development, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, and the Better Factories Cambodia partnership. In examining cross‐cutting themes, the analysis focuses on publicness and potential to promote international norms associated with good governance. Conclusions address the role of new partners in PPPs, the difficulties in finding a balance of interests and incentives among partners, the implications of embodying and promoting international good governance norms and values, the different sources of authority that operate within PPPs, and the trade‐offs among PPPs' advantages. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Profits and alms: Cross‐sector partnerships for global poverty reduction
Authors: Goldsmith Arthur A.
Published: January 2011

A growing movement commends a targeted business‐oriented approach as the best chance to reduce global poverty. It offers the promise of dual returns—empowerment for the world's neediest citizens and earned income for investors in pro‐poor ventures at the same time. This appealing vision may underplay the importance of multi‐stakeholder collaboration to make it work. There is no unambiguous free‐standing business paradigm for helping the poor better themselves. A review of previously documented cases shows the market‐oriented approach can reach low‐income and socially excluded households, but the payoff usually depends on cross‐sector subsidies from non‐profit or government organizations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating the strength of faith: Potential comparative advantages of faith‐based organizations providing health services in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Lipsky Alyson B.
Published: January 2011

Governments and funding agencies are increasingly partnering with faith‐based organizations (FBOs) to deliver sought after health services in sub‐Saharan Africa. Despite the fact that FBOs have been major providers of health services for hundreds of years, governments and funding agencies are increasingly seeking to formally partner with them, understanding that they can be found in most communities around the world, and may also be more effective than other types of non‐governmental organizations (NGOs). However, there is currently no comprehensive theoretical framework to compare faith‐based and secular non‐profits. This article proposes an analytic framework for identifying potential FBO comparative advantages above and beyond those of NGOs, looking specifically at FBO health service delivery in sub‐Saharan Africa. This article suggests that the most important comparative advantage that FBOs bring to health service delivery in sub‐Saharan Africa is moral and ethical standing. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
David and Goliath: Diaspora organizations as partners in the development industry
Authors: Brinkerhoff Jennifer M.
Published: January 2011

Diasporas are a potential resource for development and are receiving more attention from governments, international donors, and other development actors. Increasing rapprochement among these actors for the purpose of development may yield a mix of costs and benefits, depending on how it evolves. This article draws lessons from NGOs' experience; identifies diasporas' potential comparative advantages for development; illuminates limitations to their instrumentalization by these actors; and provides assessment tools and frameworks for informing strategic partnerships that can sustain diasporas' organization identity over time. Attention to diasporas as potential development actors rarely moves beyond remittances, though diasporas may embody a range of significant comparative advantages. For example, diasporans may come from the poorest, most marginalized places in their country of origin (COO), and may be the only actors with sustained reach and interest into these locations and populations. The analysis focuses on informing DOs' decision‐making with respect to strategically partnering with governments and donors to advance shared development aims. On their part, if donors and governments seek to maximize diaspora development contributions rather than rushing to instrumentalize diasporas, they would do well simply to embrace diasporans as independent partners, not extensions of their own agendas. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Limited partnership: Business, government, civil society, and the public in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
Authors: Aaronson Susan Ariel
Published: January 2011

This article assesses the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a public‐private partnership designed to help resource‐rich countries avoid corruption in the management of extractive industry revenues. Thirty‐two nations have adopted EITI, and the numbers of implementing nations are rapidly increasing. However, the EITI partnership is not as effective as it could be for three reasons. First, the partners (governments, civil society, and business) have different visions of EITI. Second, some implementing governments have not allowed civil society to participate fully in the process or have not consistently provided civil society with the information they need to hold their governments to account. In this regard it is a limited partnership. Third, in many participating countries, the public and legislators may not be aware of EITI. Thus, although public participation is essential to the success and potential positive spillovers of EITI, the public is essentially a silent partner, limiting the ability of the EITI to succeed as a counterweight to corruption. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Public–private partnership in labor standards governance: Better factories Cambodia
Authors: Wetterberg Anna
Published: January 2011

The growth of outsourcing in apparel manufacturing has raised concerns about increasingly exploitative working conditions. Given the failure of existing enforcement mechanisms, we need to look to alternate institutional structures to address the global challenge of declining labor standards. This paper examines the case of Better Factories Cambodia (BFC), a public–private partnership (PPP) that has effectively protected workers' rights through collaboration between the Government of Cambodia, the International Labour Organization, and multi‐national apparel firms. Prior to the BFC, none of these actors was able to independently draw up and enforce stronger standards through effective monitoring. In collaboration, however, this mix of private, state, and inter‐governmental organizations have been able to achieve the twin goals of stronger labor protections and effective enforcement by building on each partner's distinct organizational strengths. While this case may have broader relevance, its successes are tempered by dependence on a single industry and on buyers' preferences for inspected production sites. Further, similar partnerships may not emerge without strong state intervention to demonstrate their positive outcomes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.