bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growing at Work: Employees' Interpretations of Progressive Self-Change in Organizations
Authors: Sonenshein Scott , Dutton Jane E. , Grant Adam M. , Spreitzer Gretchen M. , Sutcliffe Kathleen M.
Published: May 2012

We develop theory about how growing at work is an interpretive accomplishment in which individuals sense that they are making progressive self-change. Through a study of how employees interpret themselves as growing at three organizations, we develop a theoretical account of how employees draw from contextual and personal resources to interpret their growing in ways that embed their idiosyncratic experiences within an organization. The data suggest that employees develop three different types of growing self-construals: achieving, learning, and helping. We use our data to ground theory that explains the development of growing self-construals as deeply embedded in organizations. At the same time, we suggest that growing self-construals reflect individual agency through how individuals work with available resources to weave interpretations of themselves into their growing self-construals. We further suggest that growing self-construals influence the actions employees take to support a sense of progressive self-change.
An Organizational Identity Approach to Strategic Groups
Authors: Anand Vikas , Joshi Mahendra , O'Leary-Kelly Anne M.
Published: May 2012

We argue that a firm forms three distinct relationships with strategic groups—identification, disidentification, and ambivalent identification. Firms can form any of these relationships with multiple strategic groups, and the set of these relationships comprises a firm's strategic group configuration (SGC). We propose that the nature of a firm's identity influences the characteristics of its SGC. We demonstrate the implications of our model by exploring how a firm's strategic group configuration affects its information-seeking behaviors. Finally, we describe how the SGC framework offers several key implications for this field of research.
Combined (mechanical and pharmacological) modalities for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in joint replacement surgery
Authors: Kakkos S. K. , Warwick D. , Nicolaides A. N. , Stansby G. P. , Tsolakis I. A.
Published: May 2012

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of intermittent mechanical compression combined with pharmacological thromboprophylaxis, against either mechanical compression or pharmacological prophylaxis in preventing deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement. A total of six randomised controlled trials, evaluating a total of 1399 patients, were identified. In knee arthroplasty, the rate of DVT was reduced from 18.7% with anticoagulation alone to 3.7% with combined modalities (risk ratio (RR) 0.27, p = 0.03; number needed to treat: seven). There was moderate, albeit non-significant, heterogeneity (I2 = 42%). In hip replacement, there was a non-significant reduction in DVT from 8.7% with mechanical compression alone to 7.2% with additional pharmacological prophylaxis (RR 0.84) and a significant reduction in DVT from 9.7% with anticoagulation alone to 0.9% with additional mechanical compression (RR 0.17, p < 0.001; number needed to treat: 12), with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). The included studies had insufficient power to demonstrate an effect on pulmonary embolism.

We conclude that the addition of intermittent mechanical leg compression augments the efficacy of anticoagulation in preventing DVT in patients undergoing both knee and hip replacement. Further research on the role of combined modalities in thromboprophylaxis in joint replacement and in other high-risk situations, such as fracture of the hip, is warranted.
Short- to mid-term results of metallic press-fit radial head arthroplasty in unstable injuries of the elbow
Authors: Flinkkilä T. , Kaisto T. , Sirniö K. , Hyvönen P. , Leppilahti J.
Published: May 2012

We assessed the short- to mid-term survival of metallic press-fit radial head prostheses in patients with radial head fractures and acute traumatic instability of the elbow.

The medical records of 42 patients (16 males, 26 females) with a mean age of 56 years (23 to 85) with acute unstable elbow injuries, including a fracture of the radial head requiring metallic replacement of the radial head, were reviewed retrospectively. Survival of the prosthesis was assessed from the radiographs of 37 patients after a mean follow-up of 50 months (12 to 107). The functional results of 31 patients were assessed using range-of-movement, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and the RAND 36-item health survey.

At the most recent follow-up 25 prostheses were still well fixed, nine had been removed because of loosening, and three remained implanted but were loose. The mean time from implantation to loosening was 11 months (2 to 24). Radiolucent lines that developed around the prosthesis before removal were mild in three patients, moderate in one and severe in five. Range of movement parameters and mass grip strength were significantly lower in the affected elbow than in the unaffected side. The mean MEPS score was 86 (40 to 100) and the mean DASH score was 23 (0 to 81). According to RAND-36 scores, patients had more pain and lower physical function scores than normal population values.

Loosening of press-fit radial head prostheses is common, occurs early, often leads to severe osteolysis of the proximal radius, and commonly requires removal of the prosthesis.
Injuries of the terminal branches of the infraclavicular brachial plexus
Authors: Hems T. E. J. , Mahmood F.
Published: May 2012

We reviewed 101 patients with injuries of the terminal branches of the infraclavicular brachial plexus sustained between 1997 and 2009. Four patterns of injury were identified: 1) anterior glenohumeral dislocation (n = 55), in which the axillary and ulnar nerves were most commonly injured, but the axillary nerve was ruptured in only two patients (3.6%); 2) axillary nerve injury, with or without injury to other nerves, in the absence of dislocation of the shoulder (n = 20): these had a similar pattern of nerve involvement to those with a known dislocation, but the axillary nerve was ruptured in 14 patients (70%); 3) displaced proximal humeral fracture (n = 15), in which nerve injury resulted from medial displacement of the humeral shaft: the fracture was surgically reduced in 13 patients; and 4) hyperextension of the arm (n = 11): these were characterised by disruption of the musculocutaneous nerve. There was variable involvement of the median and radial nerves with the ulnar nerve being least affected.

Surgical intervention is not needed in most cases of infraclavicular injury associated with dislocation of the shoulder. Early exploration of the nerves should be considered in patients with an axillary nerve palsy without dislocation of the shoulder and for musculocutaneous nerve palsy with median and/or radial nerve palsy. Urgent operation is needed in cases of nerve injury resulting from fracture of the humeral neck to relieve pressure on nerves.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty for subacute and chronic painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can safely be undertaken in the first year after the onset of symptoms
Authors: Nieuwenhuijse M. J. , van Erkel A. R. , Dijkstra P. D. S.
Published: May 2012

The optimal timing of percutaneous vertebroplasty as treatment for painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) is still unclear. With the position of vertebroplasty having been challenged by recent placebo-controlled studies, appropriate timing gains importance.

We investigated the relationship between the onset of symptoms – the time from fracture – and the efficacy of vertebroplasty in 115 patients with 216 painful subacute or chronic OVCFs (mean time from fracture 6.0 months (sd 2.9)). These patients were followed prospectively in the first post-operative year to assess the level of back pain and by means of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We also investigated whether greater time from fracture resulted in a higher risk of complications or worse pre-operative condition, increased vertebral deformity or the development of nonunion of the fracture as demonstrated by the presence of an intravertebral cleft.

It was found that there was an immediate and sustainable improvement in the level of back pain and HRQoL after vertebroplasty, which was independent of the time from fracture. Greater time from fracture was associated with neither worse pre-operative conditions nor increased vertebral deformity, nor with the presence of an intravertebral cleft.

We conclude that vertebroplasty can be safely undertaken at an appropriate moment between two and 12 months following the onset of symptoms of an OVCF.
Translational hurdles for tissue engineering
Authors: Tayton E. R. , Smith J. O. , Aarvold A. , Kalra S. , Dunlop D. G. , Oreffo R. O. C.
Published: May 2012

When transferring tissue regenerative strategies involving skeletal stem cells to human application, consideration needs to be given to factors that may affect the function of the cells that are transferred. Local anaesthetics are frequently used during surgical procedures, either administered directly into the operative site or infiltrated subcutaneously around the wound. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of commonly used local anaesthetics on the morphology, function and survival of human adult skeletal stem cells.

Cells from three patients who were undergoing elective hip replacement were harvested and incubated for two hours with 1% lidocaine, 0.5% levobupivacaine or 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride solutions. Viability was quantified using WST-1 and DNA assays. Viability and morphology were further characterised using CellTracker Green/Ethidium Homodimer-1 immunocytochemistry and function was assessed by an alkaline phosphatase assay. An additional group was cultured for a further seven days to allow potential recovery of the cells after removal of the local anaesthetic.

A statistically significant and dose dependent reduction in cell viability and number was observed in the cell cultures exposed to all three local anaesthetics at concentrations of 25% and 50%, and this was maintained even following culture for a further seven days.

This study indicates that certain local anaesthetic agents in widespread clinical use are deleterious to skeletal progenitor cells when studied in vitro; this might have relevance in clinical applications.
The surgical treatment of pyogenic spondylitis using posterior instrumentation without anterior debridement
Authors: Fushimi K. , Miyamoto K. , Fukuta S. , Hosoe H. , Masuda T. , Shimizu K.
Published: May 2012

There have been few reports regarding the efficacy of posterior instrumentation alone as surgical treatment for patients with pyogenic spondylitis, thus avoiding the morbidity of anterior surgery. We report the clinical outcomes of six patients with pyogenic spondylitis treated effectively with a single-stage posterior fusion without anterior debridement at a mean follow-up of 2.8 years (2 to 5). Haematological data, including white cell count and level of C-reactive protein, returned to normal in all patients at a mean of 8.2 weeks (7 to 9) after the posterior fusion. Rigid bony fusion between the infected vertebrae was observed in five patients at a mean of 6.3 months (4.5 to 8) post-operatively, with the remaining patient having partial union. Severe back pain was immediately reduced following surgery and the activities of daily living showed a marked improvement. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was detected as the causative organism in four patients.

Single-stage posterior fusion may be effective in patients with pyogenic spondylitis who have relatively minor bony destruction.
A comparison of a conventionalversusa short, anatomical metaphyseal-fitting cementless femoral stem in the treatment of patients with a fracture of the femoral neck
Authors: Kim Y-H. , Oh J-H.
Published: May 2012

We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of two cementless femoral stems in the treatment of patients with a Garden III or IV fracture of the femoral neck. A total of 70 patients (70 hips) in each group were enrolled into a prospective randomised study. One group received a short anatomical cementless stem and the other received a conventional cementless stem. Their mean age was 74.9 years (50 to 94) and 76.0 years (55 to 96), respectively (p = 0.328). The mean follow-up was 4.1 years (2 to 5) and 4.8 years (2 to 6), respectively. Perfusion lung scans and high resolution chest CTs were performed to detect pulmonary microemboli.

At final follow-up there were no statistically significant differences between the short anatomical and the conventional stems with regard to the mean Harris hip score (85.7 (66 to 100) versus 86.5 (55 to 100); p = 0.791), the mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (17 (6 to 34) versus 16 (5 to 35); p = 0.13) or the mean University of California, Los Angeles activity score (5 (3 to 6) versus 4 (3 to 6); p = 0.032). No patient with a short stem had thigh pain, but 11 patients (16%) with a conventional stem had thigh pain. No patients with a short stem had symptomatic pulmonary microemboli, but 11 patients with a conventional stem had pulmonary microemboli (symptomatic in three patients and asymptomatic in eight patients). One hip (1.4%) in the short stem group and eight (11.4%) in the conventional group had an intra-operative undisplaced fracture of the calcar. No component was revised for aseptic loosening in either group. One acetabular component in the short stem group and two acetabular components in the conventional stem group were revised for recurrent dislocation.

Our study demonstrated that despite the poor bone quality in these elderly patients with a fracture of the femoral neck, osseo-integration was obtained in all hips in both groups. However, the incidence of thigh pain, pulmonary microemboli and peri-prosthetic fracture was significantly higher in the conventional stem group than in the short stem group.
Sylatron: A Pegylated Interferon for Use in Melanoma
Authors: Patel Jai N , Walko Christine M
Published: May 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To review the currently available literature on peginterferon alfa-2b (pegIFN [Sylatron]), including its role in therapy and toxicity for adjuvant treatment of locally advanced melanoma.

DATA SOURCES:

A literature search was performed of PubMed and the American Society of Clinical Oncology abstracts from 1976 to February 2012, using the primary search terms peginterferon alfa-2b, interferon, Sylatron, and melanoma.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

All available English-language articles and trials that described the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical activity, or safety profile of pegIFN were reviewed.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

PegIFN was approved in March 2011 for the adjuvant treatment of node-positive melanoma. Interferon (IFN) is commonly used in patients with melanoma who remain at high risk for relapse following surgery; however, the optimal scheduling and dose are not agreed upon. Pegylation of IFN involves conjugation with polyethylene glycol. Following subcutaneous injection of pegIFN, the rate of absorption, renal and cellular clearance, and immunogenicity are reduced. As a result of the extended serum half-life, once-weekly administration is feasible, compared with the daily and/or thrice weekly dosing of IFN. When compared with observation alone in patients with resected stage III melanoma, pegIFN demonstrated a significant increase in relapse-free survival, with a marginal impact on overall survival. The most common adverse events were as expected with IFN and included fatigue, increased liver enzymes, pyrexia, headache, anorexia, myalgia, nausea, chills, depression, and injection site reactions. A large Phase 3 study is underway to further assess outcome and toxicity differences between pegIFN weekly and low-dose IFN thrice weekly.

CONCLUSIONS:

PegIFN is a modified version of the previously approved interferon indicated for the adjuvant treatment of melanoma. Although the safety profile remains similar between the pegylated and non-pegylated forms, once-weekly administration is feasible secondary to an extended serum half-life and may have improved convenience for the patient.
CFD Investigation of Hydrodynamic and Heat Transfer Phenomena around Trilobe Particles in Hydrocracking Reactor
Authors: Bandari Mohammad Reza , Behjat Yaghoub , Shahhosseini Shahrokh
Published: May 2012

In this work, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been employed to compute local convection heat transfer coefficient (h) that is the key parameter in calculation of heat transfer rate between the particle and fluids in packed bed reactors. In addition, the relation between Reynolds number and Nusselt number for spherical and trilobe catalyst particles have been investigated. Moreover, the parameters of Ranz-Marshall (R-M) correlation have been estimated in order to use it for trilobe catalyst particle. The heat transfer coefficients of the spherical and trilobe particles were compared and the effect of particle shape and configuration on heat transfer rate has been investigated. Eulerian-Eulerian approach was employed in order to investigate gas-liquid hydrodynamic especially liquid film formation around trilobe particles. The effects of liquid film around a trilobe particle and liquid volume fraction on heat transfer coefficient have also been studied. The CFD simulation results indicate that increasing inlet liquid volume fraction raises the liquid film thickness around the particles leading to reduction of heat transfer coefficient. In addition, the results revealed that flow field and temperature profiles around the particles became more complicated as a result of liquid film formation and gas-liquid interactions.
Magneto-Stabilization of Fluidized Beds as due to Short Ranged Interparticle Forces
Authors: Espin M. J. , Valverde Jose Manuel , Quintanilla M. A S.
Published: May 2012

We present an experimental study on the stabilization of bubbling gas-fluidized beds of magnetic powders by interparticle forces induced by an externally applied magnetic field in the cross-flow configuration. The samples tested consist of magnetite and steel powders in a range of particle size dp between 35 and 110 microns, allowing us to investigate the effect of particle size and material properties on magnetic stabilization. According to our observations, the stabilization physical mechanism is ruled by the jamming of particle chains created due to attractive forces induced between the magnetized particles. Even in the case of the horizontally applied field, these chains are mechanically stable at orientations close to the gas flow direction in agreement with the prediction of a chain model based on the balance between gas flow shear and interparticle magnetic force fm. Since fm is increased as dp is increased, the critical gas velocity at marginal stability vc for a fixed field strength B is seen to increase with dp. The yield stress of the stabilized bed s increases steadily as the gas velocity v0 is decreased below vc. Thus, s is increased with dp for fixed v0 and B. It is inferred also from our results that natural aggregation of fine particles due to the universal van der Waals interaction enhances the yield stress of the magnetically stabilized bed. A main conclusion is that interparticle short ranged attractive forces play an essential role on magnetic stabilization of fluidized beds.
Gas-Fluidization Characteristics of Binary Mixtures of Particles in 2D Geometry
Authors: Busciglio Antonio , Vella Giuseppa , Micale Dr. G.
Published: May 2012

The bubbling behaviour of fluidized beds has been thoroughly investigated in the last decades by means of several techniques, e.g. X-ray, Inductance, Resistance and Impedance based techniques, PIV. In recent years, Digital Image Analysis Techniques have shown their potential for accurate and cost effectively measurements.Most of the work related to bubble behaviour analysis deals with single-sized particles, while almost all industrial equipment operates with multi-sized particles. Although considerable work has been done in the past with focus on the analysis of the mixing-segregation behaviour and predictions of fluid dynamics regime transitions, a lack of knowledge still exists in the analysis of bubbles properties measurements for the case of polydispersed systems.In this work, digital image analysis has been adopted to accurately measure fundamental global parameters such as bubble hold up and bed expansion as well as average bubble hold-up distribution maps or bubble size distributions in bubbling fluidized beds of binary mixtures of particles. The experiments have been carried out at steady state conditions with binary mixtures of corundum particles, at various inlet gas velocities. This preliminary study has been performed with the aim to collect valuable data for future development of predictive models and validation of CFD codes.
Thermal Drying of Pepper Berries
Authors: Vakhguelt Anatoli , Chong Chee Jiun , Dueck Johann
Published: May 2012

This paper focuses on the drying kinetics at different temperatures of air in the chamber (lab scale dryer). A theoretical drying model was suggested. A number of experiments were carried out to study the drying characteristics of the fresh pepper berries in a lab scale dryer at six different temperatures which ranged from 30o C to 55o C at 5oC interval. In accordance with the experiments and the proposed model of drying of pepper fruits, the main parameters that contribute to accelerate the process can be distinguished. The parameters include the temperature of drying, the air humidity of the fruits surrounding and velocity of saturated water vapour transfer between the fruits and the surrounding. From the experiments, it was noticed that the change in size over time depends on the drying temperature. The drying process was accompanied by a number of processes that may be taken into account in refining the theoretical model. Characteristic drying time, according to the developed model exponentially depends on temperature, is proportional to the volume of pepper fruit, and inversely proportional to the coefficient of mass transfer. Mass transfer coefficient can be changed by changing of the air flow surrounding the berries in the drying chamber. This will work effectively in case when the drying is limited by high humidity in the surrounding.
Refining of Crude Canola Oil using PSA Ultrafiltration Membrane
Authors: Rafe Ali , Razavi Seyed Mohammad Ali , Haddad Khodaparast M.H.
Published: May 2012

The aim of this paper was to study the behavior of spiral wound configuration of polysulfone amide (PSA) membrane with 20 kDa molecular weight cut off (MWCO) in pilot-plant scale equipment used for refining micella canola oil under different operating conditions. Refining process parameters including phospholipids (PLs), color and free fatty acids (FFAs) were measured to express retentions (R%) and the permeate flux, membrane fouling and hydraulic resistances were determined to analyze the ultrafiltration process performance. The results showed that the permeate flux was decreased considerably with increasing process time, although it was increased by increasing temperature from 30 to 50˚C and transmembrane pressure from 1.5 to 2 bar. The irreversible fouling resistance (Rif) and percentage of fouling were decreased as the temperature or transmembrane pressure increased. The concentration polarization resistance (Rrf) was much higher than other resistances; therefore reversible resistance had an important role in total hydraulic resistance. The retention of PLs, FFAs and color was so interesting since it can improve greatly the efficiency of oil refining process. The retention of PLs and FFAs was increased by temperature and decreased by transmembrane pressure and time; however, there was no significant difference in removing color under different operating conditions.
Modeling Oil Extraction from Green and Roasted Coffee by Means of Supercritical CO2
Authors: Sandi Délcio , Araújo Júlio M.A. , Montes-Montes Everaldo J. , Coimbra Jane S.R. , Ferreira Sandra R.S.
Published: May 2012

Green and roasted coffee oil was extracted using supercritical CO2 at temperatures of (333, 343, 353 and 363) K and pressures from (235 to 380) bar, providing a CO2 densities range from (680 to 880) kg.m-3. The mathematical models of Del Valle-Aguilera and Chrastil were applied to predict the oil solubility. The Del Valle-Aguilera led to elevated deviations between the predict solubility values and those observed experimentally. The Chrastil model provided better results, with better fitting being observed. With this procedure, the mean percentage deviation was 0.16 and 0.19, respectively, for green and roasted coffee oil, showing a good correlation between the observed and predicted values.
Design and Performance Assessment of a Low Cost Evaporative Cooler for Storage of Camel Milk in Arid Pastoral Areas of Kenya
Authors: Wayua Francis O. , Okoth Michael W. , Wangoh John
Published: May 2012

A low-cost charcoal evaporative cooler was designed and tested for the storage of camel milk in an arid pastoral area of northern Kenya. The cooler, 0.75 m3 in capacity, was made of galvanised iron frame reinforced with wire mesh inside and out, leaving a 10 cm-wide cavity which was filled with charcoal. A water reservoir linked to the cooler at the top through a perforated pipe kept the charcoal continuously wet through drip system. A wind driven fan on the roof enhanced air movement through the charcoal walls by sucking out the air in the cooler. The cooler was evaluated for temperature and product response. The inside temperature was 1-11°C lower than outside temperature and inside humidity was 0-49% higher than outside. During the hottest time of the day (14.00 hrs) when cooling was most needed, the cooler consistently maintained an average temperature drop of 10.5±0.4°C below ambient temperature, which varied from 29-32°C. This reduction in temperature was 35.6% and statistically significant (p≤0.05). During this time, cooling efficiency varied between 74.2 to 86.7%. Temperature of camel milk inside the cooler did not significantly increase (p>0.05) between morning time and evening time. However, temperature of control milk at ambient conditions significantly (p≤0.05) changed over the same period, from 22.6±0.08°C to 28.1±0.08°C. Milk inside the cooler was also significantly cooler (p≤0.05) than control milk in the evening, with a net temperature reduction of 27.0%. Total bacterial count changed from 31.4±2.1 x 104 cfu/ml to 43.1±1.9 x 104 and 1638±81 x 104 cfu/ml for test and control milk, respectively, after storage for 10 hours. As an inexpensive alternative to mechanical refrigeration, evaporative cooling technology is promising and suitable for rural application in arid pastoral areas without grid electricity, to minimise risk of milk spoilage at collection points and retail level, and thereby encourage organised women groups to get involved in milk marketing as a source of income.
Physico-mechanical Properties and Colour Characteristics of Apple as Affected by Methyl Jasmonate Treatments
Authors: Altuntas Ebubekir , Ozturk Burhan , Özkan Yakup , Yildiz Kenan
Published: May 2012

Physical (geometric, volumetric and colour) and mechanical properties of apple (cv. Fuji) as affected by Methyl Jasmonate treatments were analyzed. Geometric mean diameter, fruit mass, sphericity and surface area ranged from 71.36 to 69.97 mm, 196.53 to 194.83 g, 1.126 to 1.129, and 161.32 to 158.11 cm2 with MeJA doses, respectively. The bulk and fruit densities varied from 383.65 to 364.22 kg/m3 and from 967.96 to 954.63 kg/m3, with MeJA treatments. L*, a*, b* value of skin apple changed from 50.76 to 46.89, from 28.06 to 30.35, and from 24.58 to 22.43, respectively with MeJA doses. The skin and flesh firmnesses varied from 101.49 to 112.60 N and 74.18 to 72.71 N, respectively. The sphericity and projected area increased with MeJA doses used. As the MeJA doses increased, the bulk and fruit densities decreased, whereas volume increased. L*, b* and hue angle characteristics of skin apple were found to decrease, whereas a* was found to increase with MeJA doses. The fruit-removal-force was decreased linearly with increasing MeJA doses. The rubber surface offered the maximum friction followed by plywood and galvanized metal for MeJA doses.
Effect of Different Drying Methods on the Physico-Chemical Properties of Tomato Variety 'Rio Grande'
Authors: Mechlouch Ridha Fethi , Elfalleh Walid , Ziadi Manel , Hannachi Hédia , Chwikhi Mabrouka , Ben Aoun Amira , Elakesh Ismail , Cheour Foued
Published: May 2012

The aim of this work is to study the physico-chemical properties of dried tomatoes, variety Rio grande using direct solar dryer (DSD), open-air sun drying (OASD) and microwave drying (MW) with three output powers density (1w/g; 2w/g; 3w/g) at different temperatures (57, 67°C). Radical scavenging activity of tomatoes extracts was investigated. Results indicated that drying tomatoes by microwave (3W/g; 67°C) is faster than open-air sun drying (OASD) and direct solar dryer (DSD). The studied parameters (moisture, pH, °Brix, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and carotenoids content) were significantly affected by different drying processes, with minimal effects on pH. The highest activity against the DPPH radical oxidation is investigated in methanolic extracts of tomatoes dried by direct solar dryer (DSD). Nevertheless, the highest ABTS value was observed in methanolic extracts of tomatoes dried by microwave (MW) with 3w/g at 57°C.
Micelle-enhanced Ultrafiltration of Chemical Pretreated Crude Canola Oil Miscella
Authors: Niazmand Razieh , Farhoosh Reza , Razavi Seyed Mohammad Ali , Mousavi Seyed Mahmoud
Published: May 2012

In the present work, the chemical pretreatment as well as micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration for refining canola oil miscella was investigated. The research has been conducted on adding chemical agents (CaCl2, EDTA and SDS aqueous solutions) to canola oil miscella before ultrafiltration through polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane with molecular weight cut-offs (MWCO) 100kDa and 50kDa in a magnetically stirred flat membrane cell. Results showed that SDS solution lowered phospholipids content almost completely. The reduction of phenolic compounds in SDS- and EDTA-pretreated filtered oil was more noticeable than in the processed miscella. On the contrary, the reduction of FFAs was more in the miscella filtered without any chemical agents. The membrane exhibited no appreciable affinity towards tocopherols and carbonyl compounds in the oil samples. SDS and EDTA played an important role in oil oxidation, so that they led to increase in peroxide value.
The Effect of Mandated Exclusive Territories in the US Brewing Industry
Authors: Rojas Christian
Published: May 2012

Theories on the welfare and competitive effects of exclusive territories are numerous, yet they provide ambiguous results. This paper exploits a natural experiment in the U.S. brewing industry to identify the direction of change in welfare caused by the use of exclusive territories. On January 31, 1991, the state of Arkansas enacted legislation which mandated all beer manufacturers to have exclusive territory clauses in their agreements with distributors. To identify the effect, I employ brand-level sales data before and after the legal change both in Arkansas as well as in nearby Oklahoma and Texas. Results are broadly consistent with a positive relationship between the use of exclusive territories and welfare: the most credible results suggest that the legal mandate increased brand-level volume sales by 45%. I conduct several falsification exercises and robustness tests to rule out other possible explanations for this large effect.
The CPS Redesign's Effects on Measured Unemployment Duration in the Great Recession
Authors: Busch Michael E.
Published: May 2012

During the Great Recession, reported unemployment duration has increased to much higher levels than during earlier severe recessions. Previous studies using data from non-recessionary periods have found that part of this increase was caused by a 1994 redesign in the way the Current Population Survey measures unemployment duration. This paper uses data from recessionary and non-recessionary periods to determine how the size of the redesign’s effect on the distribution of unemployment duration changes over the business cycle. I find that, for most measures of unemployment duration, the redesign effect is relatively constant across business cycle conditions, but the redesign effect on median unemployment duration tends to shrink during recessionary periods. This suggests a constant adjustment factor will adequately correct for the CPS redesign for most variables I consider, but for median duration the use of a constant adjustment factor will lead to underestimating the true median duration during high unemployment periods such as the Great Recession.
Greater Choice and Control? Health Policy in England and the Online Health Consumer
Authors: Powell John A. , Boden Sharon
Published: May 2012

One health policy approach to addressing the demographic challenge of an ageing population with high levels of chronic disease is to encourage self‐care. At the same time there have been shifts in the organisation of health services and practitioner‐patient relations, to a model of ‘patient‐centred’ care. The emergence of the internet over the last twenty years has coincided with these shifts in policy priorities to the self‐management of long‐term conditions and the centrality of the informed, expert user. Current policy seeks to achieve user empowerment through harnessing technology to provide ‘greater choice and control’. In this paper we assess the extent to which this aim is realistic from an examination of health queries submitted to an online enquiry service. Our data supports other research which shows that while empowerment does occur in the use of online health services, this is constrained and context dependent. Current health reforms in England are leading to a fragmented, marketised NHS, where competitive choice designed to drive quality improvement and efficiency savings is informed by transparent performance data and patient experience ratings, and with the notion of an empowered health consumer at its centre. It is therefore essential that policy makers are aware of the limits to online health consumer empowerment.
Code-switching practices in Luxembourg’s
Portuguese-speaking minority: A pilot study on
the distinctive characteristics of an immigrant
community’s code-switching practices within a
trilingual majority
Authors: Stell Gerald , Parafita Couto Carmen
Published: May 2012

Luxembourg is a multilingual country with Luxembourgish, French and
German as official languages. It nowadays counts a large population
(roughly 15 %) of native Portuguese speakers, of which the linguistic behaviour
has come under close attention. This article purports to illustrate
the grammatical and conversational characteristics of in-group codeswitching
as observable among a small sample of Portuguese native speaking
students, and to assess to what extent it differs from in-group codeswitching
practices among a control group of native Luxembourgish-speaking
students, with both samples having theoretically enjoyed similar access
to the country’s official languages. It shows that grammatical patterns of
code-switching in the former sample are both insertional and alternational,
while they are overwhelmingly insertional in the latter sample, with French
and Portuguese matrix clauses being generally less prone to insertions than
Luxembourgish matrix clauses. It shows at a conversational level that the
former sample mostly uses Luxembourgish as a language of in-group interaction,
but also French and Portuguese, while the latter only uses Luxembourgish
as a language of in-group interaction. Finally, it shows that
alternations between Luxembourgish utterances and utterances in other
languages in the former sample are not necessarily functional, while they
tend to be in the latter sample.
Export und Entwicklung: Westliche Wirtschaftsinteressen in Indien im Kontext der Dekolonisation und des Kalten Krieges
Authors: Unger Corinna
Published: May 2012

In the eyes of many Western entrepreneurs, the newly independent nations in Asia and Africa presented promising export markets for industrial and consumer goods, and they demonstrated an active interest in ‘developing’ those largely ‘untapped’ markets. Their entrepreneurial goals overlapped with the new nations’ effort to industrialize as quickly as possible. To achieve industrialization, many of them relied on the transfer of technologies and know-how as well as on credits from the industrial nations. Development aid provided such technical and financial help. It also allowed economically strong, exportoriented nations like the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States to promote their own economic interests abroad. Further, in the context of the Cold War, international trade and aid were used by the industrialized countries to influence the development paths of the former colonies, many of which were trying to follow a policy of non-alignment to stay free from political and economic dependencies. This article looks at the interconnection between development, trade, and aid by studying trade and aid relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States with India in the 1950s and 1960s. The overarching interest lies in the question of how trade between the ‘First’ and the ‘Third’ World was influenced by and helped to shape the relations between North and South in the context of decolonization and the Cold War.
Kartelle als Kriseninstrumente in Europa nach 1970. Das Beispiel des europäischen Chemiefaserkartells
Authors: Schröter Harm G.
Published: May 2012

This article looks into the useof legal cartels in certain branches of industriesduring structural crises, exceptionally acknowledged by the European Commission. From the government’s point of view the advantage of such a crisis-cartel is that non state-money is invested, in order to save a branch of industry. The advantage for industry is a lower level of government interference, compared to state-aid and other schemes. The article explores the fate of the crisis-cartel on artificial fibers (1982–1985) in particular. Finally, the question is raised as to what extent states remember cartels as instruments for solving crises and saving finances whilst experiencing phases of financial stress such as the current one.
Transnationale Wirtschaftseliten? Die Krise der europäischen Industriegesellschaften und die Wirtschaftseliten in „West“ und „Ost“ seit den 1970er Jahren
Authors: Sattler Friederike , Boyer Christoph
Published: May 2012

Since the beginning of the 1970s, democratic capitalist Western Europe as well as state-socialist Eastern Europe has faced the double challenge of the third – the electronic-digital – industrial revolution and the second globalization. This article discusses the consequences of the “great transformation” for the economic elites in both the ‘West’ and the ‘East’. The emerging convergences have undoubtedly contributed to the internationalization of the European economic elites; the question is how strong this tendency was (and is), and whether a new type of transnational business elites more or less separated from the national context has emerged, and if it has, which theoretical concepts can be used to characterizeand analyze them.
SIMULATION OF NANOSCALE ETCHING FOR NANOTUBE AND GRAPHENE DEVICES
Authors: Kusakabe Koichi
Published: May 2012

In order to find an efficient method to etch nano-carbon materials by hydrogenation in a controlled manner, we have studied hydrogen-atom adsorption on various deformed nanotubes using computer simulations based on the density-functional theory. The nanotube with an atomic lack is compared to a deformed tube with the Stone-Wales defect and a twisted tube wall. Similar to the known experimental etching condition for graphene, an atomic lack is effective to accumulate hydrogen atoms around the defect. Compared to the flat graphene, however, nanotube walls with curvature allow on-top adsorption of a hydrogen atom and selectivity in the hydrogenated site becomes worse. To achieve a controlled etching process, usage of a tungsten tip which realizes focused hydrogenation is proposed for natotubes and curved graphene.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity in Nonsmoking Women: A New and Unusual Complication of Chemotherapy for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer?
Authors: Cannon Timothy L. , Lai Dominic W. , Hirsch David , Delacure Mark , Downey Andrea , Kerr Alexander R. , Bannan Michael , Andreopoulou Eleni , Safra Tamar , Muggia Franco
Published: May 2012

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Compare the risk of secondary cancer versus benefits of maintenance therapy for women with ovarian cancer who have a complete response to pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.Explain the need to perform regular and frequent oral examinations in women with ovarian cancer who received treatment with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.

CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Purpose.

To describe occurrences of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in patients who had received long-term pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) for ovarian cancer.

Patients and Methods.

In our cohort of patients on maintenance PLD for ovarian and related mullerian epithelial malignancies, we encountered two patients with invasive SCC of the oral cavity (one of them multifocal) and one with high-grade squamous dysplasia. Review of patients at our institution receiving PLD for recurrent ovarian cancer identified three additional patients. The duration of treatment, cumulative PLD dose, human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity, BRCA status, stage at diagnosis, outcome, and other characteristics are reviewed.

Results.

All five cases were nonsmokers with no known risk factors for HPV and four were negative for p16 expression. Four of the patients had known BRCA mutations whereas one tested negative. Cumulative doses of PLD were >1,600 mg/m2 given over 30–132 months. Three had SCCs staged as T1N0 oral tongue, alveolar ridge (gingival), and multifocal oral mucosa; one had a T2N0 oral tongue; and one had dysplasia. After excision, two were given radiation but recurred shortly thereafter; the others remain well and have had no further exposure to cytotoxic drugs, including PLD.

Conclusion.

Awareness of this possible long-term complication during PLD treatment should enhance the likelihood of early detection of oral lesions in these patients. Decisions to continue maintenance PLD after complete response of the original cancer should perhaps consider the benefits of delaying ovarian cancer recurrence versus the possible risk for a secondary cancer.
Diabetes Mellitus Is Associated with Increased Mortality in Patients Receiving Curative Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shau Wen-Yi , Shao Yu-Yun , Yeh Yi-Chun , Lin Zhong-Zhe , Kuo Raymond , Hsu Chih-Hung , Hsu Chiun , Cheng Ann-Lii , Lai Mei-Shu
Published: May 2012

Background.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is closely associated with hepatocarcinogenesis. This study explores the prognostic impact of DM in patients who received curative therapy for localized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods.

Patients who had been diagnosed with stage I or II HCC in 2003 and 2004 and received surgical resection or local ablation therapy were identified from the population-based Taiwan National Cancer Registry. Data pertaining to DM and other comorbidities were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. Liver cancer-specific survival (LCS), liver disease-related survival (LDS) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared between patients with and without DM. The presence of other comorbidities and tumor status were adjusted using multivariate analysis.

Results.

A total of 931 patients who fulfilled the study criteria were analyzed; 185 (20%) of them had DM (type 1 or type 2). The LCS, LDS, and OS rates were significantly worse for patients with DM than patients without DM (all p < .001). After adjusting for age, sex, tumor stage, treatment, and the presence of other comorbidities, DM remained an independent predictor of poorer LCS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.57; p < .001), LDS (HR = 1.70; p < .001), and OS (HR = 1.69; p < .001). The associations between DM and mortality were consistent among subgroups, irrespective of tumor size, stage, treatment modality, and liver cirrhosis.

Conclusions.

DM is an independent factor for poorer prognosis in patients who received curative therapy for localized HCC.
A Randomized, Phase II Trial of Standard Triweekly Compared with Dose-Dense Biweekly Capecitabine Plus Oxaliplatin Plus Bevacizumab as First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: XELOX-A-DVS (Dense Versus Standard)
Authors: Hurwitz Herbert , Mitchell Edith P. , Cartwright Thomas , Kwok Ambrose , Hu Sylvia , McKenna Edward , Patt Yehuda Z.
Published: May 2012

Background.

Capecitabine administered for 7 days biweekly with oxaliplatin (XELOX) biweekly has been reported to have activity and safety profiles similar to those of standard capecitabine given for 14 days triweekly. Multiple studies have shown that the addition of bevacizumab to 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy is active and well tolerated.

Methods.

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) were randomized to XELOX plus bevacizumab using a standard triweekly cycle (Q3W) or a dose-dense biweekly cycle (Q2W) schedule. The primary endpoint was the progression-free survival (PFS) interval. This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier, NCT00159432).

Results.

In total, 435 U.S. patients were randomized. The median PFS intervals were 9.6 months in the Q3W group and 9.1 months in the Q2W group. The median overall survival times were 28.4 months and 22.1 months and the median times to treatment failure were 5.5 months and 3.4 months, respectively. Overall, gastrointestinal disorders were the most common (93%) adverse event (AE). Grade 3 or 4 AEs occurred in 75% and 81% of patients in the Q3W and Q2W groups, respectively. Treatment discontinuation as a result of diarrhea (5% versus 10%) and hand–foot syndrome (2% versus 9%) was less common in the Q3W group than in the Q2W group, respectively.

Conclusions.

Based on these results, the first-line treatment of U.S. patients with mCRC using a biweekly combination of XELOX and bevacizumab at the doses studied cannot be recommended. XELOX Q3W remains the preferred schedule for the management of mCRC.
A three-dimensional discrete element model using arrays of ellipsoids
Authors: Lin X. , Ng T.-T.
Published: May 2012

For the purpose of improving computer simulation of granular materials, a three-dimensional discrete element model using random arrays of elastic ellipsoidal particles is developed. Major technical implementations relating to the development of this new numerical model (computer code ELLIPSE3D) include the contact detection algorithm based on a geometric potential concept, elastic contact laws based on Hertzian theory and Mindlin's solution, geometric representation and kinetic computation for ellipsoidal particles, and the explicit finite difference scheme for 3-D rotational kinematic equations of ellipsoids. Numerical results produced by ELLIPSE3D show the important effects of particle shape on shear strength, deformation behaviour and fabric statistics of particle arrays. These results demonstrate that using nonspherical particles in a discrete element model improves the simulations of granular materials and creates the possibility to study the effect of particle shape on engineering properties systematically.