bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining excellence in health service management: Evidence from an international study
Authors: Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: May 2007

Health service executives are striving to implement the best managerial practices amid the major turbulence and restructuring which is prevalent in many health care systems today. All too often, guidance about what the best practices are needs to be sought from studies contained within the general management literature. It is problematical whether this literature is applicable to health service organizations. This article reports the results of a study which examined the views of 93 executives in 14 hospitals in Britain. Canada and the United States about what constitutes managerial excellence. The hospitals were selected on the basis of their reputed success in health service management. Using grounded theory methodology, eight factors of excellence were derived from the interview data which were supplemented by data made available from hospital documentation supplied by participants. The results of this study are compared with those of Peters and Waterman (1982). This is the most frequently cited study of managerial excellence in the general management literature. The main conclusions drawn are that a current definition of health service management excellence has been identified; there was a high degree of unanimity among participant executives about the constituents of success and excellence in health service management; and, that there are some marked differences between this definition of excellence and that propounded by Peters and Waterman (1982). The implications of this definition of excellence for health service executives are discussed.
Dissecting the patient stay in the UK
Authors: Richardson P. C. , Barwick D. E. , Bagut A. , Young R. J. , Horsley S. D. , Allen D. E.
Published: May 2007

A method of analysing the factors which contribute to the length of stay in England as an acute medical in‐patient has been developed, and applied in both real‐time and cross‐sectional studies. The major factors delaying discharge were found to be the time taken to respond to treatment and the actions of agencies other than the acute medical unit of the hospital. Areas where improvement could be made have been identified and some changes implemented. The system can be applied to monitor the effect of such changes.
Health insurance and the bamako initiative in Burundi: Value for money?
Authors: Baza Anaclet , Hakizimana Ali , Hanson Kara , Kwizera Fidele , Geest Sjaak Van Der
Published: May 2007

Despite its a priori attractiveness, health insurance schemes are rare in developing countries. A recent external review of the Bamako Initiative in Burundi considered the extent to which the ‘Carte d'Assurance Maladie’ (CAM) has the potential to improve the quality of, and access to, health services. Although utilization of the CAM was found to be low overall, most of those visiting the health centres were in possession of a card, leading the team to conclude that health service utilization for curative care is extremely low. Focus group discussion revealed that users perceive the quality of health services to be poor, and that frequent shortages of basic drugs and supplies create uncertainty as to whether the CAM will provide good value for money, the shortage of basic drugs, the lack of community participation in the management of health services, and the fact that very little of the revenue from sales of the CAM is spent on health service provision provide possible explanations for the weak uptake of health insurance. Closing the link between the payment for health services and the financing of those services would contribute to an improvement in the quality and the confidence of the population in government health services.
Health care reforms in the french hospital system
Authors: Bach Stephen
Published: May 2007

The French health care system, like other health care systems, entered the 1990s in a state of flux. During the 1980s, attempts to curb health care expenditure had a limited impact with the liberal and pluralist values of the health system undermining reform strategies. In 1991 the French government introduced a new hospital reform which had four main strands: rationalizing public and private health care provision; introducing a medical logic into the hospital service; increasing hospital autonomy and strengthening participation and involvement in the hospital system. However, these reforms left untouched the financing of the health service. Consequently there remains a need for a more fundamental reform of the management and financing of the French health care system.
Managing public services in the 1990s president's lecture: 1ST October, 1993 centre for health planning and management, Keele university, MBA (health executive) Alumni association
Authors: Davies Howard
Published: May 2007

The management of public services in the 1990s raises a number of central issues which require to be resolved. On the one hand, efficiency and effectiveness require attention, as in the 1980s or indeed anytime. On the other hand, the distinctive nature of public (and governmental) services needs to be recognized or reasserted. This Keynote Address to the Keele University, Centre for Health Planning and Management MBA (Health Executive) Programme Alumni Association by Howard Davies, Director General of the Confederation of British Industry, sets out some key principles based on the ‘British Debate’ which are nevertheless generalizable in a number of cases to a wholly international audience.
The impact of maternal health improvement on perinatal survival: Cost‐effective alternatives
Authors: Walsh Julia A. , Measham Anthony R. , Feifer Christine N. , Gertler Paul J.
Published: May 2007

Each year, an estimated half million women die from complications related to child birth either during pregnancy, delivery or within 42 days afterwards. When pregnant women have complications, their infants are at greater risk of becoming ill, permanently disabled or dying. For every maternal death, there are at least 20 infant deaths: stillbirths, neonatal or postneonatal deaths. Altogether, an estimated 7 million infants each year die perinatally (stillborn or deaths within the first week of life). Low cost, feasible, and effective intervention strategies include: a) improved family planning and abortion services; b) obstetric care at delivery; and, c) prenatal services

Two hypothetical populations of one million (a low mortality and a high mortality country) are used to illustrate maternal and perinatal program strategies and priorities. In countries with high fertility, major reductions in maternal and infant deaths result both from reductions in the number of pregnancies through family planning and from improved obstetric care. Where fertility is already low, reductions result almost entirely from improved obstetric and prenatal care. The investments required are relatively low, while the potential gains are great. The cost to avert each death in a high mortality population is estimated between $800 and $1500 or as low as $0.50 per capita per year

The priorities for programs targeting maternal and perinatal health depend on demographic, ecologic and economic factors, and should include the promotion of good health, not merely the avoidance of death. More operational research is required on various aspects of maternal and perinatal health; in particular, on the cost‐effectiveness of different service components.
Using hospital activity indicators to evaluate performance in Andhra pradesh, India
Authors: Mahapatra Prasanta , Berman Peter
Published: May 2007

The performance of secondary level public hospitals in Andhra Pradesh, India was evaluated with the help of input‐output ratios of hospital activity and service mix. Indicators for emergency, clinical, diagnostic and medico‐legal services have been defined. Wide variability of global hospital activities was observed. Variability of turnover rate and bed occupancy was much more than length of stay. Combined utilization and productivity analysis showed that all outlying hospitals were either in the low turnover, low occupancy group or in the high turnover, high occupancy group. Low productivity or inadequate hospital capacity seem to be the major problems. All low turnover, low occupancy hospitals also had low levels of outpatient consultations, and high turnover, high occupancy hospitals had above‐average outpatient activity. About 40 per cent of hospitals did not provide emergency services. About 10 per cent of hospitals were not performing any diagnostic tests. Strengthening emergency service delivery capacity, as well as diagnostic facilities, could improve productivity and capacity utilization. Extremes of turnover and occupancy were not associated with any particular case‐mix pattern. Thus, neither poor productivity and capacity utilization nor overcrowding can be explained by case‐mix differences. Problems of poor performance and inadequate capacity seem to be real.
Is there a relation between waiting‐list length and surgery rate?
Authors: Nordberg Mai , Keskimǎki Ilmo , Hemminki Elina
Published: May 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the differences in waiting‐list lengths between hospitals can result from differences in demand for surgery. We compared waiting‐list lengths for seven surgical procedures to the rates of these procedures. The numbers of procedures were obtained from the 1987 Finnish Hospital Discharge Register, and the numbers of patients on the waiting lists were obtained from an inquiry made to Finnish hospitals in 1987. Correlation coefficients were calculated between population‐based waiting‐list lengths and procedure rates

Significant, positive correlations were found between population‐based waiting‐list lengths and rates for operations on hallux valgus, for herniorrhaphy and for hysterectomy. Rates for cholecystectomy and haemorrhoidectomy were also positively correlated with waiting‐list lengths, but these correlations were not statistically significant. There was no correlation for varicose‐vein operations, and a negative correlation for cataract extraction. These results suggest that insufficient resources are not the only reason for long waiting lists; but, both long waiting lists and a high rate of surgery can result from a high demand for surgery, influenced by physicians' decisions. If the waiting list is long because surgical treatment is preferred, the answer is not necessarily to increase resources, but to examine critically the indications for surgery.
The Israeli health care reform: A study of an evolutionary major change
Authors: Shirom Arie
Published: May 2007

Like other advanced market economies, Israel has been engaged in a reform of its health care system, more intensely so since 1994. The first two sections describe the key features of the Israeli health care system before the reform, and their strengths and weaknesses. A State Commission of Inquiry, established by the government in 1988, proposed in its 1990 report two different reform strategies, respectively developed by the majority and the minority in it. The Commission diagnoses, recommendations and strategies are assessed and explained in the next sections. Legislators and policy makers opted for the incremental, evolutionary reform strategy, proposed by the minority in the Commission. The essence of the reform strategy being implemented as from 1995 is presented and examined in the penultimate section. In the concluding part, the Israeli experience with the formulation and implementation of a health care reform is discussed.
Incentives and provider payment methods
Authors: Barnum Howard , Kutzin Joseph , Saxenian Helen
Published: May 2007

The mode of payment creates powerful incentives affecting provider behavior and the efficiency, equity and quality outcomes of health finance reforms. This article examines provider incentives as well as administrative costs, and institutional conditions for successful implementation associated with provider payment alternatives. The alternatives considered are budget reforms, capitation, fee‐for‐service, and case‐based reimbursement. We conclude that competition, whether through a regulated private sector or within a public system, has the potential to improve the performance of any payment method. All methods generate both adverse and beneficial incentives. Systems with mixed forms of provider payment can provide tradeoffs to offset the disadvantages of individual modes. Low‐income countries should avoid complex payment systems requiring higher levels of institutional development.
Planning for health: The significance of life style
Authors: Rosengren Bengt , Borgenhammar Edgar
Published: May 2007

The health of a population is related to more than the volume and quality of health services available. Ischaemic heart diseases and cancers are the main causes of death for adults in most developed countries. Partly, these diseases are related to diet and other life style variables. The purpose of this article is to discuss some prevention possibilities related to health practices. Empirical data were collected by means of a questionnaire on health status and ‘life style’ among long‐standing members of a Swedish popular movement for physical culture. The principal question was what could be learned for health planning and management. Genetic factors have lately come more in focus as an explanation of untimely death and disease while, for example, life style has been de‐emphasized. There is a risk, thereby, that a purchaser—provider approach, where short‐sighted returns are in focus, will give too low a priority to health promotion.
Principles of health infrastructure planning in less developed countries
Authors: Unger J.‐P. , Criel Bart
Published: May 2007

This article proposes a number of key principles for health infrastructure planning, based on a literature review on the one hand, and on a process of internal deduction on the other. The principles discussed are the following: an integrated health system; a thrifty planning of tiers within that health system; a specificity of tiers; a homogeneity of the tiers' structures; a minimum package of activities; a territorial responsibility and/or an explicit and discrete responsibility for a well‐defined population; a necessary and sufficient population basis; a partial separation of administrative and public health planning bases; and, finally, rules for a geographical division and integration of nongovernmental organizations. The definition of two strategies, primary health care and district health systems, is also revisited.
Culturally acceptable health care services for saudi's elderly population: The decision‐maker's perception
Authors: Al‐Shammari Sulaiman A. , Felemban Ferial M. , Jarallah Jamal S. , Ali El‐Shabrawy , Al‐Bilali Suleiman A. , Hamad Jaafer M.
Published: May 2007

This article reports on a study carried out in 1993 to elicit the opinions of decision makers (medical and non‐medical) as to the types of facilities, locations and culturally acceptable levels of health care appropriate for the elderly in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the study sought to find out the procedures and likely constraints in the development of future health care services for the elderly.

An opinion survey was carried out on a randomly selected sample of decision makers, drawn from: hospitals of 100‐bed capacity or more; and, from directorates of education, agriculture, police, municipalities, commerce, transport and media, in each of the regions of Saudi Arabia. A predesigned Arabic questionnaire was completed by the respondents during February‐April, 1993.

Of the 244 respondents, the most important categories of elderly to be cared for were considered to be those with handicaps, the chronically ill, and those without family support. The non‐medical decision makers gave higher scores to these alternatives than did the medical decision makers (P<0.05). Use of the family home for elderly health care was rated as the most appropriate, followed by medical rehabilitation centres, and only then by hospitals. Non‐medical respondents gave more emphasis on rehabilitation centres (P<0.02). Medical respondents thought that primary care doctors (87.2%), physiotherapists (87.2%) and general nurses (78.2%) can adequately fulfil the needs of most elderly patients. In contrast, non‐medical respondents demanded the presence of specialist doctors (72.3%), specialist nurses (78.9%), laboratory and X‐ray facilities to run such services (P<0.05).

Medical decision makers were also more concerned than the non‐medical respondents that the availability of such medical facilities might encourage some people to neglect their elderly parents (P<0.04). Equally, medical respondents were seemingly more aware of the high cost of hospital beds than their non‐medical counterparts (P<0.0001).

The conclusion to be drawn is that there is a need to provide both acceptable and suitable health care facilities tailored to the needs of the elderly in Saudi Arabia. Any proposed setting should be both cost‐effective and avoid socially adverse outcomes. Above all, the community should be encouraged to participate positively in the development, running and periodic evaluation of such facilities.
International trends in accreditation
Authors: Scrivens Ellie
Published: May 2007

Accreditation of hospitals began in the early part of the twentieth century in the USA as a mechanism to ensure an appropriate environment in which clinicians could practise effectively. It was adopted in Canada and Australia, where it conformed to the early design of standards to control the hospital environment. In the past decade, these accreditation systems have been forced to change in response to the decline in the role of the hospital in health care delivery; the demands of governments and the public for greater information about quality of health care. They have also responded to pressure for greater knowledge of clinical effectiveness by introducing indicators of clinical performance. Within the past 5 years, accreditation has been adopted in a number of other countries where governments have extended their role into assuring the quality of health care. Accreditation, originally perceived as a vehicle to enable organizational development, is increasingly an agent of government regulation.
Hospital accreditation in catalunya: An assessment of the performance in quality of hospitals
Authors: Bohigas Lluis , Asenjo Miguel Angel
Published: May 2007

Information about a hospital accreditation program generally goes unpublished, and when published, it is seldom used to analyse the quality performance in a group of hospitals. This article uses the information derived from the Accreditation Program of Hospitals in Catalunya to assess the quality of the performance of hospitals in this region. Catalunya's accreditation program is publicly administered, and the advantages and disadvantages of such a model in comparison to others will also be analysed.
Models for relating performance measurement and accreditation
Authors: Schyve Paul
Published: May 2007

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has attempted to move away from simple measures of organizational process to measures of organizational performance. As no measures of organizational performance existed, the Joint Commission was forced to embark upon a lengthy search for methodologies and technologies to measure organizational performance. In addition, an approach to the use of performance measures, which would be acceptable to the health service community, and which was compatible with the process of accreditation, had to be found.
Shaping the health future in Turkey: A new role for human resource planning
Authors: Ozcan Serpil , Taranto Yael , Hornby Peter
Published: May 2007

The expanding health needs and expectations of a growing and changing population in Turkey are placing new pressures on a health system that is increasingly financially constrained. These pressures are bringing into sharp focus the need to take radical approaches to the organization, planning and management of the health sector; and, in particular, in the planning and management of health human resources. Issues of effectiveness, efficiency and value for money are increasingly becoming the central issues for the 1990s and beyond. The article examines the development of the Turkish health system. Within a framework of health care reform proposals emerging from a major development project in the Ministry of Health itself, the text explores current initiatives and future needs in developing human resource planning if the health care reforms are to be successful in meeting the health needs of the population.
Rapid dose initiation of quetiapine for the treatment of acute schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: a randomised, multicentre, parallel‐group, open study
Authors: Boidi Giuseppina , Ferro Maurizio
Published: May 2007

Objective

Rapid resolution of symptoms is a priority for clinicians treating acute psychosis, and rapid initiation of pharmacotherapy may prove beneficial. This study examined rapid dose initiation of quetiapine in acutely ill patients.

Methods

A 2‐week, multicentre, randomised, parallel‐group, open study. Inpatients (n = 269) diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder received rapid (n = 139) or conventional (n = 130) initiation of quetiapine, followed by flexible dosing (maximum 800 mg/day). Primary outcome included proportion of patients experiencing ≥1 episode of selected AEs (somnolence, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension) during Week 1. Secondary outcomes included discontinuations due to AEs, and efficacy assessed by BPRS and CGI‐S scores.

Results

The proportion of patients with ≥1 selected AE during Week 1 was 5.4% and 10.1% in the conventional and rapid initiation groups, respectively. Most common AEs (>5% patients) were hypotension, tachycardia, somnolence and sedation. Overall, four (3.1%) and three (2.1%) patients from the conventional and rapid initiation group, respectively, withdrew due to AEs. BPRS and CGI‐S scores decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from baseline in both groups.

Conclusion

A higher proportion of patients experienced AEs with rapid initiation of quetiapine (800 mg/day by Day 4), although withdrawals due to AEs were comparable. Rapid initiation of quetiapine was generally well tolerated and effective in this setting. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Progesterone increases csk homologous kinase in HMC‐1560 human mast cells and reduces cell proliferation
Authors: Belot Marie‐Pierre , Abdennebi‐Najar Latifa , Gaudin Françoise , Emilie Dominique , Machelon Véronique
Published: May 2007

Mast cells proliferate in vivo in areas of active fibrosis, during parasite infestations, in response to repeated immediate hypersensitivity reactions and in patients with mastocytosis. We investigated how progesterone reduces the proliferation of HMC‐1560 mast cells that proliferate spontaneously in culture. Cells were incubated with 1 µM to 1 nM progesterone for 24–48 h. Progesterone (1 µM) reduced the spontaneous proliferation of HMC‐1560 mast cells to half that of cells cultured without hormone. [3H] thymidine incorporation was only 50% of control; there were fewer cells in G2/M and more cells in G0/G1. The amounts of phospho‐Raf‐1 (Tyr 340–341) and phospho‐p42/p44 MAPK proteins were also reduced. In contrast progesterone had no effect on MAP kinase‐phosphatase‐1. The Raf/MAPK pathway, which depends on Src kinase activity, is implicated in the control of cell proliferation. HMC‐1560 cells incubated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP1 proliferated more slowly than controls and had less phospho‐Raf‐1 (Tyr 340–341) and phospho‐p42/p44 MAPK. The Csk homologous kinase (CHK), an endogenous inhibitor of Src protein tyrosine kinases, was also enhanced in progesterone‐treated cells. In contrast, progesterone had no effect on the growth of cells transfected with siRNA CHK. We conclude that progesterone increases the amount of csk homologous kinase, which in turn reduces HMC‐1560 mast cell proliferation. This effect parallels decreases in the phosphorylated forms of Raf‐1 and p42/44 MAPK, as their production depends on Src kinase activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 1271–1280, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simplifying the extracellular matrix for 3‐D cell culture and tissue engineering: A pragmatic approach
Authors: Prestwich Glenn D.
Published: May 2007

The common technique of growing cells on tissue culture plastic (TCP) is gradually being supplanted by methods for culturing cells in two‐dimensions (2‐D) on matrices with more appropriate physical and biological properties or by encapsulation of cells in three‐dimensions (3‐D). The universal acceptance of the new 3‐D paradigm is currently constrained by the lack of a biocompatible material in the marketplace that offers ease of use, experimental flexibility, and a seamless transition from in vitro to in vivo applications. In this Prospect, I argue that the standard for 3‐D cell culture should be bio‐inspired, biomimetic materials that can be used “as is” in drug discovery, toxicology, cell banking, and ultimately in medicine. Such biomaterials must therefore be highly reproducible, manufacturable, approvable, and affordable. To obtain integrated, functional, multicellular systems that recapitulate tissues and organs, the needs of the true end‐users—physicians and patients—must dictate the key design criteria. Herein I describe the development of one such material that meets these requirements: a covalently crosslinked, biodegradable, simplified mimic of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that permits 3‐D culture of cells in vitro and enables tissue formation in vivo. In contrast to materials that were designed for in vitro cell culture and then found unsuitable for clinical use, these semi‐synthetic hyaluronan‐derived materials were developed for in vivo tissue repair, and are now being re‐engineered for in vitro applications in research. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 1370–1383, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pillar‐structured microchannels for on‐chip liquid chromatography: Evaluation of the permeability and separation performance
Authors: De Pra Mauro , De Malsche Wim , Desmet Gert , Schoenmakers Peter J. , Kok Wim Th.
Published: May 2007

The chromatographic characteristics were determined for a set of microfabricated separation channels structured with cylindrical and diamond‐shaped pillars with a characteristic size of 5 μm. Channels with different structures and porosities were etched in a silicon wafer using lithographic techniques. The permeability for flow of the channels was shown to increase strongly with the overall porosity. Diamond‐shaped pillars appeared to yield a slightly higher permeability than cylindrical pillars at the same channel porosity. Compared to packed columns, permeabilities were higher by a factor of up to 5. Band dispersion in the channels was measured with an unretained fluorescent probe compound using a fluorescence microscope. A relatively large variation in the observed plate heights between channels was found, which was mainly attributed to the inaccurate geometry of the structure close to the side walls. Reduced plate heights between 0.2 and 1.0 were obtained. The lowest plate heights were found for channels with low porosity. The chromatographic impedances were calculated and compared to the values for the traditional chromatographic systems. For one of the structured microchannels the impedance was found to be more than ten times lower than for a column packed with nonporous spherical particles. With the data collected, predictions are given on the possibilities in terms of efficiency and speed offered by structured microchannels for pressure‐driven separations, taking practical constraints into account.
Automated screening platform with isochronal‐parallel analysis and conditioning for rapid method development of chiral separations
Authors: Wetli Herbert A. , Francotte Eric
Published: May 2007

An automated chiral separation‐screening platform was developed, allowing separation analysis on one column while another column is simultaneously equilibrated with a different mobile phase (MP). The platform can be set up from usual HPLC components at moderate cost and it considerably speeds up the screening process, allowing numerous chromatographic conditions to be tested within a short period of time and leading to a significant gain in time and productivity in preparative separations.
Optimization of extraction chromatography separations of trace levels of actinides with ICP‐MS detection
Authors: Peterson Dominic S. , Plionis Alexander A. , Gonzales Edward R.
Published: May 2007

The separation of trace level actinides has been evaluated on extraction chromatography columns. Detection of the actinides was achieved through the use of an inductively coupled plasma MS (ICP‐MS). The columns that we tested were prepared from a commercial TRU resin. The separation of the actinides was optimized for several parameters including particle size, column length, packing pressure, and eluent flow rate. We also examined the possibility of reducing or eliminating oxalic acid in the eluents in order to improve the performance of the mass spectrometer. We were able to separate a mixture of five actinides (232Th, 238U, 237Np, 239Pu, 243Am) in less than 4 min. This work has application to rapid bioassay as well as for automated separations of actinide materials.
Ultrafast 2D-IR vibrational echo spectroscopy: a probe of molecular dynamics
Authors: Park S , Kwak K , Fayer M D
Published: May 2007

Ultrafast two dimensional infrared (2D-IR) vibrational echo spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful method for the study of molecular dynamics under thermal equilibrium conditions occurring on ultrafast time scales. Here, we describe experimental details of 2D-IR vibrational echo spectroscopy including the experimental setup, pulse sequence, heterodyne detection, and extraction of the mainly absorptive part of the 2D-IR spectrum. As an experimental example, the measurements of the hydrogen bond dynamics of neat water and water in a high concentration of NaBr solution are presented and compared. The experiments are performed on OD stretching vibration of dilute HOD in H2O to eliminate contributions from vibrational excitation transport. A new experimental observable for extracting dynamical information that yields the frequency-frequency correlation function is presented. The observable is the inverse of the center line slope (CLS) of the 2D spectrum, which varies from a maximum of 1 to 0 as spectral diffusion proceeds. The CLS is the inverse of the slope of the line that connects the maxima of the peaks of a series of cuts through the 2D spectrum that are parallel to the frequency axis associated with the first radiation field-matter interaction. Comparisons of the dynamics obtained from the data on water and the concentrated NaBr solutions show that the hydrogen bond dynamics of water around ions are much slower than in bulk water.
Application of laser spectroscopic methods for in vivo diagnostics in dermatology
Authors: Meyer L E , Lademann J
Published: May 2007

The importance of dermatologic non-invasive imaging techniques has increased over the last decades. Technological advancements have led to the development of various scanning tools, enabling in vivo examination of living human skin. All provide a preservation of the tissue's physical structure whilst being studied in its native state. Different modalities are currently being used to investigate the skin tissue. Although many of these scanning instruments are still undergoing research, promising imaging techniques, such as high-resolution ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopic methods, may yet find a role in dermatologic diagnosis and disease monitoring. In this article, the authors demonstrate their own results and review the influence of laser spectroscopic methods as non-invasive diagnostic tools in dermatology.
Electrochemical studies on the effect of (2E)‐3‐amino‐2‐phenylazo‐but‐2‐enenitrile and its derivative on the behaviour of copper in nitric acid
Authors: Abd El‐Maksoud S.A. , Hassan H.H.
Published: May 2007

The objective of this work is to provide additional insight on the influence of (2E)‐3‐amino‐2‐phenylazo‐but‐2‐enenitrile and its derivative as corrosion inhibitors for copper in 0.5 M HNO3. Electrochemical techniques (potentiodynamic polarization, polarization resistance and impedance spectroscopy) as well as weight loss measurements have been employed to study the corrosion inhibition. The investigated compounds have shown inhibition efficiency in 0.5 M HNO3. Inhibition efficiency of these compounds has been found to vary with the concentrations of the compounds. The adsorption of these compounds on the copper surface from the acid solution has been found to obey Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The results revealed that the compounds are mixed type inhibitors. The effect of temperature on the inhibition efficiency was studied.
Electrochemical evaluation of Ti‐13Nb‐13Zr, Ti‐6Al‐4V and Ti‐6Al‐7Nb alloys for biomedical application by long‐term immersion tests
Authors: Assis S. L. , Costa I.
Published: May 2007

In this investigation the electrochemical behaviour of the Ti‐13Nb‐13Zr, Ti‐6Al‐4V and Ti‐6Al‐7Nb alloys, for application as implant materials was evaluated in Hanks' solution by electrochemical techniques. The alloys were immersed in this solution for 410 days and periodically they were tested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. At the end of this period, polarization curves of the three titanium alloys were obtained. The electrochemical impedance experimental results were interpreted using an equivalent electrical circuit that simulates a duplex structure oxide composed of an inner compact layer, here called barrier layer, and an outer and porous layer. The results indicated that all the alloys present a very high corrosion resistance in the electrolyte used, typical of passive alloys, and that the corrosion resistance is mainly due to the barrier layer. The passive like behaviour was maintained during the whole period of test.
Corrosion resistance of steel with hot‐dipped galvanized zinc and zinc alloy coatings in seawater
Authors: Li Y. , Liu J. , Zhang J. , Chu S.
Published: May 2007

Hot‐dipped galvanized zinc and zinc alloy coatings were used as protective metallic coatings for steel structures in seawater in China. Corrosion of the two coatings immersed in sea water in Qingdao and Xiamen for 6 years were introduced and analyzed, which provides a basis for further development and applications of these coatings in China. Tests proved that the anti‐corrosion performance of the hot‐dipped low alloy zinc coatings (aluminum content less than or equal to 10 wt%) is equal to or even lower than that of the pure zinc sheet, while the performance of the hot‐dipped high alloy zinc coatings is higher than that of the pure zinc sheet. The hot‐dipped high alloy zinc coatings can be further developed for optimal performance in the future.
Gel Point Investigation of a Chitosan System Using Fourier Transform Rheometry and Multi‐Frequency Excitation
Authors: Cho Jaepyoung , Heuzey Marie‐Claude , Hamdine Mélina
Published: May 2007

In this study, the sol‐gel transition temperature of a thermosensitive chitosan system was measured using SAOS, in‐real time FTR and multi‐frequency SAOS excitation. From FT analysis, we found that the intensity of the harmonics stayed constant while the chitosan system remained in the solution state, while it increased passed the gelation point. Multi‐frequency SAOS excitation was also carried out using a summation function of sine waves that allowed performing the measurements in the LVR. This last technique could determine the unique (frequency independent) critical sol‐gel transition temperature, and was found to be less tedious than the application of the traditional Chambon and Winter's method.

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Pulse doppler and M‐mode to assess viability of cardiac allografts using heterotopic femoral heart transplantation in rats
Authors: Gordon Chad R. , Lefebvre Daniel R. , Matthews Martha S. , Strande Louise F. , Marra Steven W. , Guglielmi Massimiliano , Skaf Jad , Hollenberg Steven M. , Hewitt Charles W.
Published: May 2007

Noninvasive assessment of heterotopic heart transplants using Doppler echocardiography was first described in two patients by Allen at Stanford in 1981. Since then, numerous experiments studying heterotopic heart transplantation in humans and large animals have confirmed its utility by employing either an intra‐abdominal or cervical model. In rats, however, prior research investigating intra‐abdominal heterotopic hearts has showed echocardiography to be ineffective. We have recently developed a new technique for heterotopic femoral heart transplantation in rats, which employs the novel use of trans‐femoral echocardiography. Therefore, our goal was to re‐examine the efficacy of echocardiography for detection of graft rejection. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007.
On the solutions of the linear integral equations of Volterra type
Authors: Özdemir İsmet , Temizer Ö. Faruk
Published: May 2007

Some boundaries about the solution of the linear Volterra integral equations of the form f(t)=1−K*f were obtained as |f(t)|⩽1, |f(t)|⩽2 and |f(t)|⩽4 in (J. Math. Anal. Appl. 1978; 64:381–397; Int. J. Math. Math. Sci. 1982; 5(1):123–131). The boundary of the solution function of an equation in this type was found as |f(t)|⩽2n in (Integr. Equ. Oper. Theory 2002; 43:466–479), where t∈[0, ∞) and n is a natural number such that n⩾2. In (Math. Comp. 2006; 75:1175–1199), it is shown that the boundary of the solution function of an equation in the same form can also be derived as that of (Integr. Equ. Oper. Theory 2002; 43:466–479) under different conditions than those of (Integr. Equ. Oper. Theory 2002; 43:466–479).

In the present paper, the sufficient conditions for the boundedness of functions f, f′, f′′, …, f(n+3), (n∈ℕ) defined on the infinite interval [0, ∞) are given by our method, where f is the solution of the equation f(t)=1−K*f. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Berry phytochemicals, genomic stability and cancer: Evidence for chemoprotection at several stages in the carcinogenic process
Authors: Duthie Susan J.
Published: May 2007

Consumption of a diet high in plant‐based foods is associated with a decreased risk of epithelial cell cancers at several sites. Cytoprotectants in fruits and vegetables include vitamins, minerals and numerous micronutrients. While there is little evidence uniquely linking berry consumption with lower cancer risk, berries contain high levels of compounds believed to reduce malignant transformation, including the polyphenol flavonoids and anthocyanins. There is strong and convincing evidence that berry extracts and berry phytochemicals modulate biomarkers of DNA damage and indicators of malignant transformation in vitro and in vivo. Data from numerous cell culture and animal models indicate that berry components such as the anthocyanins are potent anticarcinogenic agents and are protective against genomic instability at several sites in the carcinogenic pathway. Anticarcinogenic mechanisms include modulation of carcinogen activation and detoxification, decreased DNA binding of the carcinogen, inhibition of oxidative DNA damage, alteration in cell signalling and malignant transformation and inhibition of cell invasiveness and metastasis. Exactly which berry constituents are cytoprotective remains uncertain and in the majority of in vitro and in vivo studies the concentration of extract or phytochemical employed is non‐nutritional. Evidence for an anticarcinogenic effect in human studies is weak.
Cranberry cocktail juice, cranberry concentrates, and proanthocyanidins reduce reovirus infectivity titers in African green monkey kidney epithelial cell cultures
Authors: Lipson Steven M. , Cohen Patrice , Zhou Juliana , Burdowski Allan , Stotzky Guenther
Published: May 2007

Studies were performed to investigate the effect of several cranberry and grape juice extracts on the inhibition of reovirus infectivity following cell culture inoculation. Infectivity testing was performed utilizing cranberry juice extracts NutriCran‐100TM and NutriCran‐90TM. At 5% extract concentrations, titers were reduced by ca. 50%. Cranberry cocktail juice caused an infectivity loss of ca. 10%. We ascribe these data to higher concentrations of proanthocyanidins (PACs) in the cranberry extracts. Further testing was performed utilizing purified high and low molecular weight cranberry PAC fractions (CB HMW and CB LMW, respectively), a cranberry flavonol glycoside (CB EToAc), cranberry anthocyanins (CB CA), and a grape PAC extract. Reovirus titers were reduced to undetectable levels at PAC concentrations ≤0.2%. CB CA had no effect on the inhibition of infectivity titers. Loss of infectivity titers was in the order: GP PAC>CB HMW>CB LMW>CB EToAc. Probe homogenization of CB HMW enhanced the extract to efficacy levels equal to that of grape PAC. Reovirus dsRNA segments were undetectable 96‐h postcranberry cocktail juice pretreatment of MA‐104 cell cultures. This study indicates an inhibition of reovirus infectivity titers by cranberry or grape juices or their purified PAC extracts. Viral inhibition probably occurs at the host cell surface.
Availability of blueberry phenolics for microbial metabolism in the colon and the potential inflammatory implications
Authors: Russell Wendy R. , Labat Aurélie , Scobbie Lorraine , Duncan Sylvia H.
Published: May 2007

Blueberries are a rich source of phenylpropanoid‐derived phytochemicals, widely studied for their potential health benefits. Of particular interest for colonic health are the lower molecular weight phenolic acids and their derivatives, as these are the predominant phenolic compounds detected in the colon. Blueberries contained a wide variety of phenolic acids, the majority of which (3371.14 ± 422.30 mg/kg compared to 205.06 ± 45.34 mg/kg for the free phenolic acids) were attached to other plant cell‐wall components and therefore, likely to become available in the colon. Cytokine‐induced stimulation of the inflammatory pathways in colon cells was four‐fold up‐regulated in the presence of the free phenolic acid fraction. Incubation of the bound phenolic acids with human faecal slurries resulted in qualitative and quantitative differences in the phenolic compounds recovered. The metabolites obtained by incubation with faecal slurries from one volunteer significantly decreased (1.67 ± 0.69 ng/cm3) prostanoid production, whereas an increase (10.78 ± 5.54 ng/cm3) was obtained with faecal slurries from another volunteer. These results suggest that any potential protective effect of blueberry phenolics as anti‐inflammatory agents in the colon is a likely result of microbial metabolism. Studies addressing a wide‐range of well‐characterised human volunteers will be required before such health claims can be fully established.
Optimum sequential search with discrete locations and random acceptance errors
Authors: Smith Mark W. , Walsh John E.
Published: May 2007

Much work has been done in search theory; however, very little effort has occurred where an object's presence at a location can be accepted when no object is present there. The case analyzed is of this type. The number of locations is finite, a single object is stationary at one location, and only one location is observed each step of the search. The object's location has a known prior probability distribution. Also known are the conditional probability of acceptance given the object's absence (small) and the conditional probability of rejection given the object's presence (not too large); these Probabilities remain fixed for all searching and locations. The class of sequential search policies which terminate the search at the first acceptance is assumed. A single two‐part optimization criterion is considered. The search sequence is found which (i) minimizes the probability of obtaining n rejections in the first n steps for all n, and (ii) maximizes the probability that the first acceptance occurs within the first n steps and occurs at the object's location for all n. The optimum sequential search policy specifies that the next location observed is one with the largest posterior probability of the object's presence (evaluated after each step from Bayes Rule) and that the object is at the first location where acceptance occurs. Placement at the first acceptance seems appropriate when the conditional probability of acceptance given the object's absence is sufficiently small. Search always terminates (with probability one). Optimum truncated sequential policies are also considered. Methods are given for evaluating some pertinent properties and for investigating the possibility that no object occurs at any location.
Information in two‐stage programming under uncertainty
Authors: Baron David P.
Published: May 2007

The random variables in two‐stage programming under uncertainty are generally treated in a passive manner in that no information regarding the random variables or the process generating the random variables may be obtained. This paper develops the economics of information for the case in which the probability distributions are discrete. A multinomial process is assumed to generate the random variables, and the parameter vector of that process is assumed to be unknown. A Dirichlet prior distribution on the parameter vector is used, and the computation of the value of information thus involves a Dirichlet‐multinomial distribution on the random variables. An example involving producing to meet uncertain demands is presented.
Extended iterative weighted least squares: Estimation of a linear model in the presence of complications
Authors: Goodman A. F.
Published: May 2007

This paper introduces an extended iterative weighted least squares procedure, denoted by EIWLS, for solution of a classical problem in analysis of scientific and technical information: estimation in the presence of complications, of the coefficients for linearly independent component signals in a linear model, from observations on the component signals and a composite signal containing the linear model plus noise which is nonstationary and/or correlated with unknown covariance matrix. An iterative weighted least squares procedure, denoted by IWLS, is developed for estimation in the absence of complications. Then IWLS is extended to perform the estimation subject to: (1) estimators being consistent with a priori information describing the random variation of coefficients over all possible states of nature (e. g., all systems of a specified type from a production process); (2) utilization of data from all pertinent channels in the estimation of coefficients which appear in the linear models for more than one data channel; and (3) replacment of the linear model by a new linear model containing only representative component signals which are highly‐descriptive, but not highly‐related, when there is a large number of component signals in the linear model and some of them are highly‐related. FORTRAN computer programs have been written to implement IWLS and EIWLS on the IBM 7094 for the case of nonstationary and uncorrelated noise.
Control variable methods in the simulation of a model of a multiprogrammed computer system
Authors: Gaver D. P. , Shedler G. S.
Published: May 2007

One approach to the evaluation of the performance of multiprogranmed computer systems includes the development of Monte Carlo simulations of transitions of programs within such systems, and their strengthening by control variable and concomitant variable methods. An application of such a combination of analytical, numerical, and Monte Carlo approaches to a model of system overhead in a paging machine is presented.