bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction of Intermetatarsal Angle in Hallux Valgus Using Small Suture Button Device
Authors: Holmes George B. , Hsu Andrew R.
Published: April 2013

Background:

Hallux valgus is a common foot ailment causing pain and disability, and correction of the intermetatarsal angle (IMA) deformity is often accomplished using a first metatarsal distal or proximal osteotomy. These osteotomies can be technically challenging and may lead to complications such as loss of fixation, shortening of the first metatarsal, avascular necrosis, malunion, and nonunion. Endobuttons (Mini TightRope device) provide an alternative to first metatarsal osteotomies for correction of the IMA. The purpose of this preliminary study was to determine the short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of hallux valgus correction using the Mini TightRope.

Methods:

A total of 14 cases of hallux valgus correction using the Mini TightRope technique with a 1.1-mm drill and mini-buttress plate were reviewed. Clinical examinations and radiographs were performed preoperatively and postoperatively at 1-week (non-weight-bearing), 3-month (weight-bearing), and 6-month (weight-bearing) follow-up.

Results:

The overall 1-week postoperative decreases in IMA and hallux valgus angle (HVA) of all cases compared with preoperative status were 9 degrees and 28 degrees, respectively. Decreases in IMA and HVA continued at 3 months postoperatively but to a lesser extent, with decreases of 7 degrees and 20 degrees, respectively. Reductions in IMA and HVA were maintained through 6 months of follow-up compared with preoperatively, with IMA and HVA decreases of 6 degrees and 19 degrees, respectively. Two minor soft-tissue complications and 1 intraoperative second metatarsal fracture were treated with a buttress plate, with uneventful healing.

Conclusions:

Overall short-term results demonstrated notable improvements in IMA and HVA with use of the Mini TightRope, and few early complications were associated with the procedure.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Preliminary Nonclinical Toxicity, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of ALXN4100TPO, a Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonist, in CD2F1 Mice
Authors: Satyamitra Merriline , Lombardini Eric , Peng Tao , Devore Denise , Graves John , Mullaney Conor , Ney Patrick , Srinivasan Venkataraman
Published: April 2013

ALXN4100TPO, a thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist, increases platelets, abrogates radiation-induced thrombocytopenia and affords significant survival benefit to lethally irradiated mice. This preliminary nonclinical safety study assessed effects of a single subcutaneous (sc) administration of ALXN4100TPO in CD2F1 mice randomized into naïve, control antibody (ALXN4200, 100 mg/kg), low (1 mg/kg), medium (10 mg/kg), or high (100 mg/kg) ALXN4100TPO doses. End points included clinical observations, body weight changes, hematology, histopathology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics by measuring platelet counts, and endogenous TPO (eTPO) levels. Salient findings were prominent increase in platelet counts and end cells of myeloid and lymphoid lineages; elevated megakaryopoiesis in bone marrow; and extramedullary hematopoiesis in spleen and liver. Serum ALXN4100TPO levels were maximum 24 hours after administration, with a half-life of 13 days. Endogenous TPO levels were elevated in 10 and 100 mg/kg ALXN4100TPO-treated groups. In conclusion, ALXN4100TPO (1-100 mg/kg, sc) treatment in CD2F1 mice resulted in profound pharmacological changes in the hematopoietic tissue; however, no life-threatening adverse events were observed.
Prevention of falls in the elderly: A review
Authors: Karlsson Magnus K. , Vonschewelov Thord , Karlsson Caroline , Cöster Maria , Rosengen Björn E.
Published: April 2013

Aims: Falls often result in soft tissue injuries, dislocations, fractures, longstanding pain and reduced quality of life. Therefore, fall preventive programmes have been developed. Methods: In this review, we evaluate programmes that in randomized controlled trials (RCT) have been shown with fall reducing effect. Results: Physical exercise that includes several training modalities, especially balance and strength training, is the only intervention programme that reduces both the number of fallers and the number of falls in community dwellers. Home hazards modification reduces the fall risk in community-living elderly but has the best effects in high risk groups when the programme is led by occupational therapists. Vitamin D supplement in those with low levels of vitamin D, adjustment of psychotropic medication and modification of multi-pharmacy are drug-related programmes that reduce the fall risk. Anti-slip shoe devices in elderly who walk outdoors during icy conditions and multifaceted podiatry to patients with specific foot disability are interventions targeted at the lower extremities with a fall-reducing effect. First eye cataract surgery and pacemakers in patients with cardio-inhibitory carotid sinus hypersensitivity are surgical procedures with fall-reducing effect. Multifactorial standardized preventive programmes that include an exercise component and individually-designed subject-specific programmes also reduce the number of falls. Conclusions: Fall preventive interventions should be provided to elderly by a structured approach, especially to high risk groups, as to reduce the number of falls and fallers.
Self-care at the margins of healthcare: ‘Malingering’ and ‘self-neglecting’ cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Greenop Daz , Glenn Sheila
Published: April 2013

This article focuses on two small groups of adult cystic fibrosis patients (from a larger sample) who, for very different reasons, do not self-care. These two distinct counter-narratives may be located at the extreme margins of a continuum of responses to the demands of body and society. They are described and contrasted here as controlled and chaotic and are dominated by ‘supportive’ and ‘unsupportive’ voices respectively. The patient’s own voice, by way of contrast, is often silent or silenced by these dominant others. Despite the loss of self that becomes evident in these narratives, limited sites of resistance remain as both sets of participants sought to disrupt, parody and subvert expectations to self-care with stories of ‘malingering’ and ‘self-neglect’. Finally, some practical suggestions are provided for social workers to engage patients whom might otherwise be regarded as ‘difficult’.
Efficient techniques for genotype‐phenotype correlational analysis
Authors: Saha Subrata , Rajasekaran Sanguthevar , Bi Jinbo , Pathak Sudipta
Published: April 2013

Background

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are sequence variations found in individuals at some specific points in the genomic sequence. As SNPs are highly conserved throughout evolution and within a population, the map of SNPs serves as an excellent genotypic marker. Conventional SNPs analysis mechanisms suffer from large run times, inefficient memory usage, and frequent overestimation. In this paper, we propose efficient, scalable, and reliable algorithms to select a small subset of SNPs from a large set of SNPs which can together be employed to perform phenotypic classification.

Methods

Our algorithms exploit the techniques of gene selection and random projections to identify a meaningful subset of SNPs. To the best of our knowledge, these techniques have not been employed before in the context of genotype‐phenotype correlations. Random projections are used to project the input data into a lower dimensional space (closely preserving distances). Gene selection is then applied on the projected data to identify a subset of the most relevant SNPs.

Results

We have compared the performance of our algorithms with one of the currently known best algorithms called Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) technique. Experimental results demonstrate that our algorithms are superior in terms of accuracy as well as run time.

Conclusions

In our proposed techniques, random projection is used to map data from a high dimensional space to a lower dimensional space, and thus overcomes the curse of dimensionality problem. From this space of reduced dimension, we select the best subset of attributes. It is a unique mechanism in the domain of SNPs analysis, and to the best of our knowledge it is not employed before. As revealed by our experimental results, our proposed techniques offer the potential of high accuracies while keeping the run times low.
Traumatic axonal injury in the mouse is accompanied by a dynamic inflammatory response, astroglial reactivity and complex behavioral changes
Authors: Ekmark-Lewén Sara , Flygt Johanna , Kiwanuka Olivia , Meyerson Bengt J , Lewén Anders , Hillered Lars , Marklund Niklas
Published: April 2013

Background

Diffuse traumatic axonal injury (TAI), a common consequence of traumatic brain injury, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Inflammatory processes may play an important role in the pathophysiology of TAI. In the central fluid percussion injury (cFPI) TAI model in mice, the neuroinflammatory and astroglial response and behavioral changes are unknown.

Methods

Twenty cFPI-injured and nine sham-injured mice were used, and the neuroinflammatory and astroglial response was evaluated by immunohistochemistry at 1, 3 and 7 days post-injury. The multivariate concentric square field test (MCSF) was used to compare complex behavioral changes in mice subjected to cFPI (n = 16) or sham injury (n = 10). Data was analyzed using non-parametric statistics and principal component analysis (MCSF data).

Results

At all post-injury time points, β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) immunoreactivity revealed widespread bilateral axonal injury and IgG immunostaining showed increased blood–brain barrier permeability. Using vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry, glial cell reactivity was observed in cortical regions and important white matter tracts peaking at three days post-injury. Only vimentin was increased post-injury in the internal capsule and only GFAP in the thalamus. Compared to sham-injured controls, an increased number of activated microglia (MAC-2), infiltrating neutrophils (GR-1) and T-cells (CD3) appearing one day after TAI (P<0.05 for all cell types) was observed in subcortical white matter. In the MCSF, the behavioral patterns including general activity and exploratory behavior differed between cFPI mice and sham-injured controls.

Conclusions

Traumatic axonal injury TAI resulted in marked bilateral astroglial and neuroinflammatory responses and complex behavioral changes. The cFPI model in mice appears suitable for the study of injury mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, and the development of treatments targeting TAI.
Invasive cells in animals and plants: searching for LECA machineries in later eukaryotic life
Authors: Vaškovičová Katarína , Žárský Viktor , Rösel Daniel , Nikolič Margaret , Buccione Roberto , Cvrčková Fatima , Brábek Jan
Published: April 2013

Invasive cell growth and migration is usually considered a specifically metazoan phenomenon. However, common features and mechanisms of cytoskeletal rearrangements, membrane trafficking and signalling processes contribute to cellular invasiveness in organisms as diverse as metazoans and plants – two eukaryotic realms genealogically connected only through the last common eukaryotic ancestor (LECA). By comparing current understanding of cell invasiveness in model cell types of both metazoan and plant origin (invadopodia of transformed metazoan cells, neurites, pollen tubes and root hairs), we document that invasive cell behavior in both lineages depends on similar mechanisms. While some superficially analogous processes may have arisen independently by convergent evolution (e.g. secretion of substrate- or tissue-macerating enzymes by both animal and plant cells), at the heart of cell invasion is an evolutionarily conserved machinery of cellular polarization and oriented cell mobilization, involving the actin cytoskeleton and the secretory pathway. Its central components - small GTPases (in particular RHO, but also ARF and Rab), their specialized effectors, actin and associated proteins, the exocyst complex essential for polarized secretion, or components of the phospholipid- and redox- based signalling circuits (inositol-phospholipid kinases/PIP2, NADPH oxidases) are aparently homologous among plants and metazoans, indicating that they were present already in LECA.

Reviewer:This article was reviewed by Arcady Mushegian, Valerian Dolja and Purificacion Lopez-Garcia.
Wild edible plants of Belarus: from Rostafiński’s questionnaire of 1883 to the present
Authors: Łuczaj Łukasz , Köhler Piotr , Pirożnikow Ewa , Graniszewska Maja , Pieroni Andrea , Gervasi Tanya
Published: April 2013

Background

Belarus is an Eastern European country, which has been little studied ethnobotanically. The aim of the study was to compare largely unpublished 19th century sources with more contemporary data on the use of wild food plants.

Methods

The information on 19th century uses is based on twelve, mainly unpublished, responses to Józef Rostafiński’s questionnaire from 1883, and the newly discovered materials of the ethnographer Michał Federowski, who structured his data according to Rostafiński’s questionnaire and documented it with voucher specimens. Rostafiński’s questionnaire was concerned mainly with Polish territories, but for historical reasons this also encompassed a large part of Belarus, and we analyzed only the twelve responses (out of the few hundred Rostafiński obtained), which concerned the present Belarus. These data were compared with a few 20th century ethnographic sources, and our own 40 interviews and questionnaires from Belarus.

Results and discussion

58 taxa of wild food plants used in the 19th century were identified. Some of them are still used in modern Belarus, others are probably completely forgotten. In the 19th century several species of wild greens were widely used for making soups. Apart from Rumex, other wild greens are now either forgotten or rarely used. The list of species used in the 20th and 21st century encompasses 67 taxa. Nearly half of them were mentioned by Rostafiński’s respondents. The list of fruit species has not changed much, although in the 19th century fruits were mainly eaten raw, or with dairy or floury dishes, and now apart from being eaten raw, they are incorporated in sweet dishes like jams or cakes. Modern comparative data also contain several alien species, some of which have escaped from cultivation and are gathered from a semi-wild state, as well as children's snacks, which were probably collected in the 19th century but were not recorded back then.

Conclusion

The responses to Rostafiński from 1883 present extremely valuable historical material as the use of wild food plants in Belarus has since undergone drastic changes, similar to those, which have taken place in other Eastern European countries.
A Novel Triangular Macrocyclic Compound, [(tmeda)Pt(azpy)]3(PF6)6·13H2O (tmeda: Tetramethylethylenediamine, azpy: 4,4′-Azopyridine)
Authors: Hashiguchi Ryota , Otsubo Kazuya , Ohtsu Hideki , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: April 2013

A novel triangle-shaped macrocyclic complex, [(tmeda)Pt(azpy)]3(PF6)6·13H2O (tmeda: tetramethylethylenediamine, azpy: 4,4′-azopyridine) has been successfully synthesized via self-assembly of [(tmeda)PtCl2] with a bulky capping ligand, tmeda and flexible organic linker, azpy. 1H NMR results show the realization of a triangle-shaped complex as a major component of the self-assembly. The single-crystal X-ray study shows its shape to be an equilateral triangle with ca. 2.1 nm sides.
Synthesis of Porous Gold Based on Gold–Thiol Coordination Polymer and Its Application in SERS Detection with High Activity and High Reproducibility
Authors: He Min , Zhang Nan-Tong , Yu Xin-Yao , Jia Yong , Sun Bai , Meng Fan-Li , Jin Zhen , Liu Jin-Huai , Luo Tao
Published: April 2013

The Au–thiol coordination polymer with the structure of [–S–(CH2)3–S–Au–]n was synthesized from 1,3-propanedithiol and hydrogen tetrachloroaurate via a hydrothermal method. Through reduction, the as-synthesized polymer was transformed to a porous Au, which was studied as a SERS-active material. Dependent on the uniform spacing of Au atoms sustained by the ligand of thiol, outstanding SERS reproducibility of the as-prepared porous Au was achieved.
A thyroxine absorption test followed by weekly thyroxine administration: a method to assess non-adherence to treatment
Authors: Walker J N , Shillo P , Ibbotson V , Vincent A , Karavitaki N , Weetman A P , Wass J A H , Allahabadia A
Published: April 2013

Objective

For patients who remain hypothyroid despite the administration of what would seem adequate doses of levothyroxine (l-T4), the underlying cause can be difficult to determine. The possibility of a biological cause should first be explored; however, in the majority of cases, poor adherence to medication is likely to be the main cause of treatment failure. When non-adherence is suspected but not volunteered, options to confirm the suspicion are limited. In this study, we identified patients for whom known drugs and pathological causes of l-T4 malabsorption were excluded, and despite often high doses of l-T4, the patients remained hypothyroid.

Design

Using a weight-determined oral l-T4 bolus administration, absorption was initially assessed in 23 patients. In nearly all patients, this was shown to be maximal at 120 min post-ingestion. This was then followed by the continued administration of a weekly T4 bolus for a 4-week period after which TSH and free T4 (fT4) levels were recorded.

Results

All patients showed a rise in fT4 at 120 min following the administration of the l-T4 bolus, with a mean increase of 54±3% from baseline. Following the treatment period, using an equivalent weekly l-T4 dose, which was significantly less than that of the daily dose taken by the patients before the test, TSH reduced from baseline in ∼75% of cases.

Conclusion

Using this combination of tests allows significant malabsorptive problems to be identified first and then potential non-adherence to be demonstrated. A management plan can then be implemented to increase adherence, aiming to improve treatment outcomes.
Desempenho de idosos em uma tarefa motora de demanda dupla de controle
Authors: Gehring Paula Regina , Bertolassi Marco Antonio , Nunes Marcelo Eduardo Souza , Basso Luciano , Meira Júnior Cássio de Miranda , Santos Suely dos
Published: April 2013

A literatura sobre o processo de envelhecimento tem sistematicamente demonstrado a diferença de desempenho entre populações jovens e idosas. Em geral, os delineamentos de pesquisa envolvem indivíduos de 60 e até mesmo de 90 anos de idade, enquanto o grupo de jovens é representado por indivíduos em torno de 20 anos de idade. Esse procedimento pode ocultar mudanças de desenvolvimento que talvez influencie a interpretação dos resultados. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi examinar o efeito da idade cronológica no desempenho de uma habilidade motora. Foi utilizado um aparelho que possibilitou a execução de uma tarefa de posicionamento linear combinada ao controle de força. Os participantes receberam conhecimento de resultados verbal após a execução de 10 tentativas sobre o objetivo de atingir 20% da força máxima e o deslocamento de 35 cm. O desempenho foi medido pelo erro absoluto. A amostra contou com 150 participantes de 60 a 86 anos de idade, que realizaram as tentativas com a mão não-dominante e vendados. Os participantes foram divididos em três grupos etários (60, 70, 80 anos) e o desempenho também foi comparado a um grupo jovem (21 a 30 anos de idade). Houve correlação baixa, mas significante entre idade e controle de distância. Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos (exceto G20 e G80). Apesar da observação empírica dos instrutores sobre a diferença no desempenho motor de idosos de diferentes faixas etárias, o presente estudo não mostrou tais diferenças no desempenho dessa tarefa em particular. Talvez, considerando que os participantes eram fisicamente ativos, possíveis diferenças de desempenho relativas ao processo de envelhecimento, possam ter sido sobrepostas pelo estilo de vida ativo.
Feeding Infants with Cleft Lip and/or Palate in Brazil: Suggestions to Improve Health Policy and Research
Authors: Gil-Da-Silva-Lopes Vera Lúcia , Xavier Ana Carolina , Klein-Antunes Denise , Ferreira Ana Carolina R. G. , Tonocchi Rita , Fett-Conte Agnes C. , Silva Raquel N. , Leirião Vera H. V. , Caramori Lázara P. C. , Magna Luiz A. , Amstalden-Mendes Lívia G.
Published: April 2013

Objective

To verify feeding resources used prior to corrective surgery among cleft babies from Brazil and to discuss suggestions to improve common feeding problems around the world.

Design

Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at eight medical centers.

Participants

A total of 215 parents or guardians of cleft children.

Methods

Interview based upon a prevalidated questionnaire. The chi-square test and comparison of means by analysis of variance were used; significance level adopted was 5% ( P < .05).

Results

Feeding guidelines were provided in the maternity unit to 53% of the families. Breastfeeding was encouraged among 80% of mothers, predominantly in the South ( P = .016). However, follow-up after maternity discharge was not appropriately carried out and failure to breast-feed occurred in 78% of families. The feeding tube was used in 21%. According to families, for those who used the ordinary nipple, it was considered the best option by the majority (29%).

Conclusion

Neonatal feeding in cleft babies is a global challenge. Reports about the difficulties encountered and successful experiences would be helpful to disseminate strategies and stimulate research directed at the large-scale applicability of neonatal feeding for cleft babies on public health. This study detected the need to increase professional training and emphasizes the need for public policies addressing neonatal referral to specialized care wherever possible. It also stimulates research into using an ordinary nipple as another resource for feeding cleft babies and suggests an international discussion about specific recommendations for humanized primary health care.
Application of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid in boiler water for industrial boilers
Authors: Zeng Bin , Li Mao-dong , Zhu Zhi-ping , Zhao Jun-ming , Zhang Hui
Published: April 2013

The primary method used for boiler water treatment is the addition of chemicals to industrial boilers to prevent corrosion and scaling. The static scale inhibition method was used to evaluate the scale inhibition performance of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP). Autoclave static experiments were used to study the corrosion inhibition properties of the main material for industrial boilers (20# carbon steel) with an HEDP additive in the industrial boiler water medium. The electrochemical behavior of HEDP on carbon steel corrosion control was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel polarization techniques. Experimental results indicate that HEDP can have a good scale inhibition effect when added at a quantity of 5 to 7 mg/L at a test temperature of not more than 100 °C. To achieve a high scale inhibition rate, the HEDP dosage must be increased when the test temperature exceeds 100 °C. Electrochemical and autoclave static experimental results suggest that HEDP has a good corrosion inhibition effect on 20# carbon steel at a concentration of 25 mg/L. HEDP is an excellent water treatment agent.
A mathematical approach to find long-term strategies for the implementation of resource-orientated sanitation
Authors: Kaufmann Alves I.
Published: April 2013

In the present discussion of sustainability centralised water infrastructures are exposed to new challenges, which may cause a conceptual alteration in urban water management. If technologies for closing urban water and nutrient cycles are to at least partially replace existing systems, then intensive reconstruction work becomes essential. The paper presents the development and implementation of a mathematical approach to minimise environmental impact and economic costs on the way to more source-controlled future states in urban water management. To find an optimal transformation strategy, a simultaneous project scheduling and network flow problem was defined as a bi-criteria mixed-integer program. An optimal solution is found by minimising two objective functions concurrently – the economic costs and ‘ecologic costs’ for the period of consideration. This paper discusses the influence of the weighting of these two costs on optimal transformation strategies for a real catchment in Germany. The results show that the approach can very well support decision makers when showing all impacts of transformation processes in detail. All in all, the developed model can be seen as a first step in strategy-finding for transformations in existing urban water systems.
Using a Serious Game Approach to Teach Secure Coding in Introductory Programming: Development and Initial Findings
Authors: Adamo-Villani Nicoletta , Oania Marcus , Cooper Stephen
Published: April 2013

We report the development and initial evaluation of a serious game that, in conjunction with appropriately designed matching laboratory exercises, can be used to teach secure coding and Information Assurance (IA) concepts across a range of introductory computing courses. The IA Game is a role-playing serious game (RPG) in which the student travels through seven computer techno-inspired environments (IA concept rooms); in each environment he/she learns a different IA concept. After playing each level, the student completes a related CS educational module comprised of a theory lesson and a lab assignment. The game is being created with a user-centered iterative approach that includes two forms of evaluation: formative and summative. In this article we describe the design and development of the first four levels of the game, and report the findings of an initial formative evaluation of two game levels with a group of undergraduate students.
Using Multiple Technologies to Teach Nursing Students about Adoption
Authors: Harrison Sharonlyn , Brooks Evelyn , Henneman Kris , Darland Nancy , Herrera Maida Y. , Kulik Noel , Hockman Elaine , Sandy-Hanson Anika E.
Published: April 2013

Technology is becoming increasingly more important in the enhancement of educating university students. Very little research has been done regarding how the combination of educational technologies affects test scores, compared to the use of one technology alone. This research article examines whether the post-scores of nursing students increased by the type and combination of educational technology used in their instruction. By testing the use of various educational technologies and various combinations of these technologies on three different groups of learners, a pre- and post-test design was conducted to identify changes in post-test knowledge scores. Findings from this study suggest the use of combined educational technology may improve a student's ability to learn material as students in the group that used a combination of technologies scored higher on the knowledge post-test than the other groups studied.
Ulam stability for a delay differential equation
Authors: Otrocol Diana , Ilea Veronica
Published: April 2013

We study the Ulam-Hyers stability and generalized Ulam-Hyers-Rassias stability for a delay differential equation. Some examples are given.
Fractional dynamics of tracer transport in fractured media from local to regional scales
Authors: Zhang Yong , Reeves Donald , Pohlmann Karl , Chapman Jenny , Russell Charles
Published: April 2013

Tracer transport through fractured media exhibits concurrent direction-dependent super-diffusive spreading along high-permeability fractures and sub-diffusion caused by mass transfer between fractures and the rock matrix. The resultant complex dynamics challenge the applicability of conventional physical models based on Fick’s law. This study proposes a multi-scaling tempered fractional-derivative (TFD) model to explore fractional dynamics for tracer transport in fractured media. Applications show that the TFD model can capture anomalous transport observed in small-scale single fractures, intermediate-scale fractured aquifers, and two-dimensional large-scale discrete fracture networks. Tracer transport in fractured media from local (0.255-meter long) to regional (400-meter long) scales therefore can be quantified by a general fractional-derivative model. Fractional dynamics in fractured media can be scale dependent, owning to 1) the finite length of fractures that constrains the large displacement of tracers, and 2) the increasing mass exchange capacity along the travel path that enhances sub-diffusion.
Cost-Effectiveness of Systemic Therapies for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Tam V.C. , Ko Y.J. , Mittmann N. , Cheung M.C. , Kumar K. , Hassan S. , Chan K.K.W.
Published: April 2013

Purpose: Gemcitabine and capecitabine (gem-cap), gemcitabine and erlotinib (gem-e), and folfirinox (5-fluorouracil–leucovorin–irinotecan–oxaliplatin) are new treatment options for metastatic pancreatic cancer, but they are also more expensive and potentially more toxic than gemcitabine alone (gem). We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of these treatment options compared with gem. Methods: A Markov model was constructed to examine costs and outcomes of gem-cap, gem-e, folfirinox, and gem in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer from the perspective of a government health care plan. Ontario health economic and costing data (2010 Canadian dollars) were used. Efficacy data for the treatments were obtained from the published literature. Resource utilization data were derived from a chart review of consecutive metastatic patients treated for pancreatic cancer at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, 2008–2009, and supplemented with data from the literature. Utilities were obtained by surveying medical oncologists across Canada using the EQ-5D. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (icers) were calculated. Results: The icers for gem-cap, gem-e, and folfirinox compared with gem were, respectively, CA$84,299, CA$153,631, and CA$133,184 per quality-adjusted life year (qaly). The model was driven mostly by drug acquisition costs. Given a willingness-to-pay (wtp) threshold greater than CA$130,000/qaly, folfirinox was most cost-effective treatment. When the wtp threshold was less than CA$80,000/qaly, gem alone was most cost-effective. The gem-e option was dominated by the other treatments. Conclusions: The most cost-effective treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer depends on the societal wtp threshold. If the societal wtp threshold were to be relatively high or if drug costs were to be substantially reduced, folfirinox might be cost-effective.
Sustainable Wellness
Authors: Giddings G.
Published: April 2013

One of the underlying themes of the book Sustainable Wellness: An Integrative Approach to Transform Your Mind, Body and Spirit by Matt Mumber md and Heather Reed is that of “uncertainty.” [...]
Skill and Foreign Firm Premium
Authors: Saglam Bahar Bayraktar , Sayek Selin
Published: April 2013

In this chapter, the authors construct a model that allows for joint discussion of foreign firm and skill premium in wages, and their evolution upon increased foreign firm activities. They allow for (1) dynamic interaction between the domestic and foreign firms in the labor market, via a two-sided search model, (2) technology differentials between domestic and foreign firms, and (3) varying cost of doing business between domestic and foreign firms. Analytical and numerical results point to the importance of modeling all three features. Both the level and the changes in the relative wages depend on the productivity differential (technology gap) and the job creation costs.
E-Health and Digital Inclusion
Authors: Gibson Lorna , Sloan David , Moncur Wendy
Published: April 2013

In this chapter, we describe in detail the opportunities e-health can offer in the context of digital inclusion by reducing social exclusion and enhancing quality of life through thoughtful technology intervention. We highlight the problems that may emerge or persist if the design of e-health systems does not fully take into account the challenges of user access and adoption. We show how principles of user-centred and inclusive design can be used as a basis on which successful e-health systems can be developed and implemented and offer suggestions for how these principles can best influence design of future systems.
Online Health Communities and Health Literacy
Authors: Willis Erin , Wang Ye , Rodgers Shelly
Published: April 2013

The purpose of the chapter is to define health literacy and e-health literacy in the context of online health communities (OHCs). The chapter has three sections. The first section defines and discusses features of OHCs. The second section defines health literacy and e-health literacy, including domains of health literacy, which, as the authors argue, is necessary for a greater understanding of health literacy and OHCs. The third section applies the health literacy domains using The Biggest Loser League weight-loss OHC as a case study. A content analysis of posts was conducted between September 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. Domains of health literacy were coded. Results show that functional literacy and interactive literacy were present in the OHC discussions to a greater degree than any of the other health literacy domains examined. Results are discussed in light of health literacy and e-health literacy, and practical implications of OHCs are explored.
A QoS-Aware Service Bus with WSLA-Based Monitor for Media Production Systems
Authors: Chen Ing-Yi , Ni Guo-Kai , Lee Rich C.
Published: April 2013

The past few years have seen a dramatic rise in the distribution channels available to media companies. While media companies once distributed their programming through one or two mediums, such as TV broadcasts and video tapes, the same programming is now also distributed through additional mediums such as the Internet and mobile phones. In consequence, media companies are faced with increasingly complex problems associated with translating one piece of programming into multiple formats for distribution. As a result, the IT systems of these companies are now required to handle both new content formats and to ensure that content is simultaneously and successfully prepared in order to meet scheduling and distribution requirements for multiple delivery pathways. This paper describes a solution that was developed to address this problem. It consists of a media asset management system that is used to support media content production and distribution. In addition, this work implements service oriented architecture (SOA) that relies on an enhanced enterprise service bus (ESB). This enhanced ESB, referred to here as a QoS-Aware service bus (QASB), makes it possible to designate which of the available transcoding servers will perform a required task, thus providing a service selection scheme that improves the efficiency of media content production and distribution processes. This system was implemented at Taiwan’s Public Television Service (PTS) in January 2010 and is currently providing complete support to the company’s daily operations. Since implementation, this automated process has increase the average number of transcoding jobs completed daily from 500 to 700 – and increase of 40 percent. This increased productivity has in turn resulted in a decrease in the amount of time staff must wait for jobs to be completed to 3-5 days from a pre-QASB time of 7-10 days.
A Model-Driven Approach to Service Composition with Security Properties
Authors: Chollet Stéphanie , Lalanda Philippe
Published: April 2013

The software engineering community is striving to handle a significant number of new critical demands. Productivity, quality, and runtime flexibility are only few of them. To satisfy such requirements, new development paradigms are regularly proposed. Service-Oriented Computing (SOC) is one of them. SOC is based on the notion of services, which are well-defined composition units, to support rapid application development. This chapter presents a brief state of the art of services. Although SOC brings properties of major interest, it suffers from usual limitations of reused-based approach. In particular, service composition is much more complicated than often pretended. In this chapter, we propose to present a model-driven approach to service composition dealing with non-functional aspects, including security.
SOA Designed Health Care System for Taiwan Government
Authors: Shi Jun-Bin , Yang Shu-Fen , Huang Tsung-Jen
Published: April 2013

SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture) is gaining popularity in becoming the mainstream in corporate integrated applications in recent years. However, at the early stage of proposal for SOA, due to the lack of a completion in relevant standards and infrastructure, corporations still need to evaluate the effect and risks involved in investment for SOA. For this reason, the introduction for SOA among corporations becomes relatively conservative. In contrast to the conservation projected by corporations at the initial stage, the government agents took position in promoting SOA and developing e-Government, who were the forerunners first committed in the integration of SOA applications.
Observe, Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate
Authors: Díaz Javier Alejandro Carvajal , Cajiao María Catalina Ramírez , Peñaloza José Tiberio Hernández
Published: April 2013

Innovation within organisations permits the transformation of knowledge into applications for the development of new knowledge and new organisations that are able to respond to the needs and changes of the society. However, how can we establish a framework for acquisition of the skills needed to manage successful initiatives for innovation in organisations and how can we guarantee the sustainability of these innovations? In order to provide an answer to these questions, this chapter presents a proposal for the promotion of sustainable innovation based on the engineering cycle of Observe, Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate (OCDIO). For this purpose, we reviewed examples of innovation in some world class universities, analized cases of education for innovation and developed a case study. We conclude that the OCDIO cycle was set up in a framework that enables the development of sustainable innovations through a permanent cycle of observation and adjustment of the systems designed to resolve problematic situations. The phase of observation allows the professionals facing the challenges of innovation inside organisations to obtain the relevant information for the conception, design, implementation and operation of sustainable engineering systems that take into account the relevant economic, social, technical, environmental and cultural aspects.
Natural Resource Dependency and Innovation in the GCC Countries
Authors: Andersson Thomas
Published: April 2013

Whether the current strong performance displayed by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries proves sustainable for the long term will cast new light on the extent to which natural resource abundance can be turned into a “blessing”, rather than a “curse”, and then the requirements for that. This chapter synthesizes new evidence on the conditions for innovation in these economies, including through examination of innovative performances at firm level, collected through the first Community Innovation Survey (CIS) carried out in the GCC countries. Whereas strengths are recorded in some respects, e.g., Information and Communication Technology (ICT), education and some conditions for start-up activity, challenges remain in others, including with regard to governance. The chapter ends with recommendations what further action is required to enable better conditions for innovation both in the natural resource sector itself, and broadly in the economy.
Innovation in Scenario Building
Authors: Schneider Ariane Hinça , Seleme Laila Del Bem , Rodrigues Felipe Fontes , de Souza Marilia , Gomes de Carvalho Helio
Published: April 2013

Situated in Paraná state in southern Brazil, the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba (MRC) is home to an automotive sector which plays a major role in the local and national economy. In order to expand the development of the automotive sector and to create new local and worldwide opportunities, the Federation of Industries of Paraná (FIEP) developed and employed an innovative scenario building methodology to analyze the automotive industry’s potential for innovation and attendance of new market demands for 2020; which is Sector Foresight. Therefore, results allow the players to have a clearer managerial view of the industry’s possible future. This chapter seeks to publicize the experience as well as the results of this innovative project by focusing on the methodology and tools. Data sources included a review of the literature, document analysis, direct observation, semi-structured interviews and two rounds of questionnaires. This experience contributed to innovate the organizational and methodological processes of FIEP, and to improve the perspective of innovation in the automotive sector through a new approach to scenario building. Results also shown this methodology can be applied to other industries in future studies.
The New Product Development Process as a Communication Web Part II
Authors: Ferrín Pilar Fernández , González José Antonio Varela , Vilela Belén Bande , Andia Oihana Valmaseda
Published: April 2013

In the previous chapter (Part I), we proposed a model relating the composition and external communication activities of NPD teams to the performance of NPD programmes. In this chapter (Part II), through the use of structural equations analysis, we compare the model to a sample of 136 managers from different functional areas at 121 innovative Spanish firms. The results indicate that the impact of explanatory variables on new product programme performance differs according to the measure of performance considered. The cross-functional nature of NPD teams, the presence of product champions in NPD teams and the gathering of information by all NPD team members were all shown to positively influence new product performance. Firms should be aware of the importance of the aforementioned variables.
Innovations and Financing of SMEs Part II
Authors: Walker David S. , Scholz Horst-Hendrik
Published: April 2013

Financing is one of the most critical boundaries for the establishment and growth of a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise: SME (Moore, 1993). This chapter describes traditional and non-traditional financing opportunities for SMEs in Germany by focusing on its applicability. The disclosure of financial business information and giving a say to an equity financier is a difficult topic for owners of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), because these companies are often run as a ‘one-man-show’ (by a single manager) and this person identifies itself with the company. The request for external funds is in that perspective still regarded as a disability of a business to be self-financed. A comparison of the organisational structure of a SME and that of a Large Scale Enterprise (LSE) reveals the structural weaknesses in terms of research and development (R&D) activities. While LSE have an extra department, budget and procedures to develop product and process innovations similarly to a knowledge push, in SMEs, innovations are often originated from customers—similarly to a need pull process (Tidd & Bessant, 2009). Furthermore, CEOs and customer contribute to a great extend to innovations in SMEs (BDI, 2010). The results of an online-based survey presented in the BDI-Mittelstandspanel 2010, show that less than 13% of innovations are originated by external scientists, R&D organisations and consultants. This proofs that external R&D sources (to compensate missing internal resources and structures) are rarely employed; impeding or slowing down the development of innovations.
Aesthetics of Serendipity
Authors: Germen Murat
Published: April 2013

Creativity is stochastic and assumptive in nature. The importance of randomness in the creative process must not be ignored, underestimated, or intentionally disregarded in a condescending way. Notions of chance, randomness, or unpredictability are important, especially when it comes to artistic creation. In addition to these notions, serendipity can be seen as the expected contribution for making expedient discoveries by coincidence or by chance. To put serendipity into work, a need exists to accumulate a list of questions that need solving, acquaintance with already existing answers, and their use in daily life. Only when this knowledge is present, ‘chance’ can take its part in establishing the perfect milieu for the ‘problem’ and the ‘solution’ to find each other. If there is a great deal of knowledge accrued about the problem and the requisites for the solution, chance adds the final piece to the puzzle. Traditional ‘prescriptive, authoritarian and rather conventional’ aesthetics vs. a new ‘generative, irregular, unprescribed’ aesthetics can then be examined.
Macroeconomic Factors of Competitiveness of Serbian Economy and ICT Sector
Authors: Cvijanovic Drago , Milojevic Ivan , Pejanovic Radovan
Published: April 2013

Information and communication technology is an initiating and driving force behind economic development. The contribution of the ICT sector is in production and export increase within the sector itself and of the competitiveness of the economy as a whole. Competitiveness is synonymous with productivity and can be enhanced by rational utilization and investment in resources, application of the latest knowledge, investment, by increase of operating efficiency, and implementation of modern technologies in production. Competitiveness implies development of infrastructure and telecommunications, and intensive Internet usage. According to the Global Competitiveness Index, Serbia is lowly ranked. Serbia has the greatest advantage in the area of elementary and higher education, technological readiness and innovativeness. The analysis of technological readiness and the level of innovativeness within the global competitiveness of Serbian economy in 2009, indicates a high level of competitiveness and potential to be developed. Technology transfer from the developed countries is the basis for long-term sustainable economic growth and development. The paper focuses on the analysis of competitiveness of Serbian economy, international economic environment and the determinants of competitiveness.