bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of Engineering Research in Sustainable Manufacturing
Authors: Haapala Karl R. , Zhao Fu , Camelio Jaime , Sutherland John W. , Skerlos Steven J. , Dornfeld David A. , Jawahir I. S. , Zhang Hong Chao , Clarens Andres F.
Published: September 2011

Sustainable manufacturing has been defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce as the creation of manufactured products using processes that minimize negative environmental impacts, conserve energy and natural resources, are safe for employees, communities, and consumers, and are economically sound. Thus, it requires simultaneous consideration of economic, environmental, and social implications associated with production and delivery of goods. Research in sustainable manufacturing is an important activity that informs product development from a life cycle perspective. At the process level, sustainable manufacturing research addresses issues related to planning, analysis and improvement, and the development of processes. At a systems level, sustainable manufacturing research addresses challenges relating to supply chain design, facility design and operations, and production planning. Though economically vital, manufacturing processes and systems have retained the negative image of being inefficient, polluting, and dangerous. Through strategic activities focused on sustainable processes and systems, industrial and academic engineering researchers are re-imagining manufacturing as a source of innovation to meet society’s future needs. Recent research into concepts, methods, and tools for sustainable manufacturing are highlighted at the systems level, and explored more deeply as they relate to discrete manufacturing process development and analysis. Despite recent developments in decision making, and process- and systems-level research, many challenges and opportunities remain. Several of these in manufacturing research, development, implementation, and education are highlighted.
A Novel Variant, NDM-5, of the New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase in a Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli ST648 Isolate Recovered from a Patient in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hornsey Michael , Phee Lynette , Wareham David W.
Published: September 2011

A new variant of the New Delhi metallo-enzyme (NDM) carbapenemase was identified in a multidrug-resistant
Escherichia coli
ST648 isolate recovered from the perineum and throat of a patient in the United Kingdom with a recent history of hospitalization in India. NDM-5 differed from existing enzymes due to substitutions at positions 88 (Val→Leu) and 154 (Met→Leu) and reduced the susceptibility of
E. coli
TOP10 transformants to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins and carbapenems when expressed under its native promoter.
In Vitro
Activities of Daptomycin-, Vancomycin-, and Teicoplanin-Loaded Polymethylmethacrylate against Methicillin-Susceptible, Methicillin-Resistant, and Vancomycin-Intermediate Strains of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Chang Yuhan , Chen Wen-Chien , Hsieh Pang-Hsin , Chen Dave W. , Lee Mel S. , Shih Hsin-Nung , Ueng Steve W. N.
Published: September 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effects of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cements loaded with daptomycin, vancomycin, and teicoplanin against methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
(MSSA), methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA), and vancomycin-intermediate
Staphylococcus aureus
(VISA) strains. Standardized cement specimens made from 40 g PMMA loaded with 1 g (low-dose), 4 g (middle-dose) or 8 g (high-dose) antibiotics were tested for elution characteristics and antibacterial activities. The patterns of release of antibiotics from the cement specimens were evaluated using
in vitro
broth elution assay with high-performance liquid chromatography. The activities of broth elution fluid against different
Staphylococcus aureus
strains (MSSA, MRSA, and VISA) were then determined. The antibacterial activities of all the tested antibiotics were maintained after being mixed with PMMA. The cements loaded with higher dosages of antibiotics showed longer elution periods. Regardless of the antibiotic loading dose, the teicoplanin-loaded cements showed better elution efficacy and provided longer inhibitory periods against MSSA, MRSA, and VISA than cements loaded with the same dose of vancomycin or daptomycin. Regarding the choice of antibiotics for cement loading in the treatment of
Staphylococcus aureus
infection, teicoplanin was superior in terms of antibacterial effects.
Palmitoylation State Impacts Induction of Innate and Acquired Immunity by the Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium
msbB
Mutant
Authors: Kong Qingke , Six David A. , Liu Qing , Gu Lillian , Roland Kenneth L. , Raetz Christian R. H. , Curtiss Roy
Published: September 2011

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), composed of lipid A, core, and O-antigen, is a major virulence factor of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium, with lipid A being a major stimulator to induce the proinflammatory response via the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-MD2-CD14 pathway. While
Salmonella msbB
mutants lacking the myristate chain in lipid A were investigated widely as an anticancer vaccine, inclusion of the
msbB
mutation in a
Salmonella
vaccine to deliver heterologous antigens has not yet been investigated. We introduced the
msbB
mutation alone or in combination with mutations in other lipid A acyl chain modification genes encoding PagL, PagP, and LpxR into wild-type
S. enterica
serovar Typhimurium. The
msbB
mutation reduced virulence, while the
pagL
,
pagP
, and
lpxR
mutations did not affect virulence in the
msbB
mutant background when administered orally to BALB/c mice. Also, all mutants exhibited sensitivity to polymyxin B but did not display sensitivity to deoxycholate. LPS derived from
msbB
mutants induced less inflammatory responses in human Mono Mac 6 and murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells
in vitro
. However, an
msbB
mutant did not decrease the induction of inflammatory responses in mice compared to the levels induced by the wild-type strain, whereas an
msbB pagP
mutant induced less inflammatory responses
in vivo
. The mutations were moved to an attenuated
Salmonella
vaccine strain to evaluate their effects on immunogenicity. Lipid A modification caused by the
msbB
mutation alone and in combination with
pagL
,
pagP
, and
lpxR
mutations led to higher IgA production in the vaginal tract but still retained the same IgG titer level in serum to PspA, a test antigen from
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, and to outer membrane proteins (OMPs) from
Salmonella
.
Apple Flavonoid Phloretin Inhibits Escherichia coli O157:H7 Biofilm Formation and Ameliorates Colon Inflammation in Rats
Authors: Lee Jin-Hyung , Regmi Sushil Chandra , Kim Jung-Ae , Cho Moo Hwan , Yun Hyungdon , Lee Chang-Soo , Lee Jintae
Published: September 2011

Pathogenic biofilms have been associated with persistent infections due to their high resistance to antimicrobial agents, while commensal biofilms often fortify the host's immune system. Hence, controlling biofilm formation of both pathogenic bacteria and commensal bacteria is important in bacterium-related diseases. We investigated the effect of plant flavonoids on biofilm formation of enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
O157:H7. The antioxidant phloretin, which is abundant in apples, markedly reduced
E. coli
O157:H7 biofilm formation without affecting the growth of planktonic cells, while phloretin did not harm commensal
E. coli
K-12 biofilms. Also, phloretin reduced
E. coli
O157:H7 attachment to human colon epithelial cells. Global transcriptome analyses revealed that phloretin repressed toxin genes (
hlyE
and
stx
2
), autoinducer-2 importer genes (
lsrACDBF
), curli genes (
csgA
and
csgB
), and dozens of prophage genes in
E. coli
O157:H7 biofilm cells. Electron microscopy confirmed that phloretin reduced fimbria production in
E. coli
O157:H7. Also, phloretin suppressed the tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced inflammatory response
in vitro
using human colonic epithelial cells. Moreover, in the rat model of colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), phloretin significantly ameliorated colon inflammation and body weight loss. Taken together, our results suggest that the antioxidant phloretin also acts as an inhibitor of
E. coli
O157:H7 biofilm formation as well as an anti-inflammatory agent in inflammatory bowel diseases without harming beneficial commensal
E. coli
biofilms.
ANALYSIS ON MEMBRANE HEAT EXCHANGER APPLIED TO ABSORPTION CHILLER
Authors: WANG ZAN-SHE , GU ZHAO-LIN , WANG GUO-ZHENG , CUI FENG , FENG SHI-YU
Published: September 2011

A novel membrane heat exchanger was proposed and analyzed. It was expected that the novel heat exchanger could be applied to the lithium bromide absorption chiller. Polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fiber module was adopted as the solution heat exchanger. The hot feed solution from the generator flowed into the lumen side of the membranes while the cold feed solution from the absorber flowed away from the shell side. Heat transfer and mass transfer occurred simultaneously in the membrane module, and only water vapor could diffuse across the membrane pore due to the water vapor pressure difference between the inside and outside of the membrane. Mathematical equations of the heat and mass transfer processes in the membrane heat exchanger were built, and the parallel flow process and the counter flow process were compared by numerical simulation. The simulation results show that the counter flow process was the better flow mode because the mean temperature difference was larger and the mass transfer was more steadily from the lumen side to the shell side. The heat caused by water vapor mass transfer may account for one-third of the total heat transfer. As a result, the membrane heat exchanger not only reinforced the heat recovery but also enlarged the deflation range and reduced the circulation rate and the heat loads of the generator and absorber. Eventually, the coefficient of performance of the heat exchanger was increased.
INVESTIGATION OF THERMO-PHYSICAL AND FLOW PROPERTIES OF CO2 HYDRATE SLURRY
Authors: HU J. , SARI O. , HOMSY P.
Published: September 2011

A pilot CO2 hydrate slurry production system was built and tested. The density of CO2 hydrate slurry was experimentally investigated and the relation between the density and the solid fraction has been established. The apparent viscosity of water, CO2 solution and CO2 hydrate slurry was investigated with a XL7-100 online resonant viscometer. We find that when the solid mass fraction in slurry increases, the density and apparent viscosity of CO2 slurry also increase. CO2 hydrate solid particles contribute only slightly to the viscosity increase when the solid mass fraction increased from 1.59% to 28% from our experimental results. Higher solid mass fraction can be achieved when more CO2 gas is injected into the loop under suitable hydrate formation conditions. The pure hydrate's dissociation enthalpy was evaluated by Micro Differential Scanning Calorimetry system. The enthalpy of CO2 hydrate slurry mainly depends on solid mass fraction. Real-time coupled multielectrode array sensor probes were applied to measure the maximal localized corrosion rate of three different materials subjected to CO2 hydrate slurry and saturated CO2 solution in the temperature range of 274.15–291.15 K and pressure range of 2.5–3.0 MPa. For a long-term usage in a mixture of CO2 saturated aqueous solution and hydrate slurry environment, carbon steel materials are to be unacceptable from the corrosion resistance point of view. In contrast, stainless steel type 304L and copper 110 have presented very low corrosion rates.
What are our responsibilities when designing sociotechnical health interventions?
Authors: Siek Katie A.
Published: September 2011

This forum is dedicated to personal health in all its many facets: decision-making, goal setting, celebration, discovery, reflection, coordination---even entertainment. We'll look at innovations in interactive technologies and how they help address current critical healthcare challenges.

Elizabeth D. Mynatt, Editor
A semantic model for graphical user interfaces
Authors: Krishnaswami Neelakantan R. , Benton Nick
Published: September 2011

We give a denotational model for graphical user interface (GUI) programming using the Cartesian closed category of ultrametric spaces. The ultrametric structure enforces causality restrictions on reactive systems and allows well-founded recursive definitions by a generalization of guardedness. We capture the arbitrariness of user input (e.g., a user gets to decide the stream of clicks she sends to a program) by making use of the fact that the closed subsets of an ultrametric space themselves form an ultrametric space, allowing us to interpret nondeterminism with a "powerspace" monad.

Algebras for the powerspace monad yield a model of intuitionistic linear logic, which we exploit in the definition of a mixed linear/non-linear domain-specific language for writing GUI programs. The non-linear part of the language is used for writing reactive stream-processing functions whilst the linear sublanguage naturally captures the generativity and usage constraints on the various linear objects in GUIs, such as the elements of a DOM or scene graph.

We have implemented this DSL as an extension to OCaml, and give examples demonstrating that programs in this style can be short and readable.
Geometry of synthesis iv
Authors: Ghica Dan R. , Smith Alex , Singh Satnam
Published: September 2011

Abramsky's Geometry of Interaction interpretation (GoI) is a logical-directed way to reconcile the process and functional views of computation, and can lead to a dataflow-style semantics of programming languages that is both operational (i.e. effective) and denotational (i.e. inductive on the language syntax). The key idea of Ghica's Geometry of Synthesis (GoS) approach is that for certain programming languages (namely Reynolds's affine Syntactic Control of Interference - SCI) the GoI processes-like interpretation of the language can be given a finitary representation, for both internal state and tokens. A physical realisation of this representation becomes a semantics-directed compiler for SCI into hardware. In this paper we examine the issue of compiling affine recursive programs into hardware using the GoS method. We give syntax and compilation techniques for unfolding recursive computation in space or in time and we illustrate it with simple benchmark-style examples. We examine the performance of the benchmarks against conventional CPU-based execution models.
Binders unbound
Authors: Weirich Stephanie , Yorgey Brent A. , Sheard Tim
Published: September 2011

Implementors of compilers, program refactorers, theorem provers, proof checkers, and other systems that manipulate syntax know that dealing with name binding is difficult to do well. Operations such as α-equivalence and capture-avoiding substitution seem simple, yet subtle bugs often go undetected. Furthermore, their implementations are tedious, requiring "boilerplate" code that must be updated whenever the object language definition changes.

Many researchers have therefore sought to specify binding syntax declaratively, so that tools can correctly handle the details behind the scenes. This idea has been the inspiration for many new systems (such as Beluga, Delphin, FreshML, FreshOCaml, Cαml, FreshLib, and Ott) but there is still room for improvement in expressivity, simplicity and convenience.

In this paper, we present a new domain-specific language,
Unbound
, for specifying binding structure. Our language is particularly expressive - it supports multiple atom types, pattern binders, type annotations, recursive binders, and nested binding (necessary for telescopes, a feature found in dependently-typed languages). However, our specification language is also simple, consisting of just five basic combinators. We provide a formal semantics for this language derived from a locally nameless representation and prove that it satisfies a number of desirable properties.

We also present an implementation of our binding specification language as a GHC Haskell library implementing an embedded domain specific language (EDSL). By using Haskell type constructors to represent binding combinators, we implement the EDSL succinctly using datatype-generic programming. Our implementation supports a number of features necessary for practical programming, including flexibility in the treatment of user-defined types, best-effort name preservation (for error messages), and integration with Haskell's monad transformer library.
Queueing networks with a single shared server
Authors: Boon M. A.A. , van der Mei R. D. , Winands E. M.M.
Published: September 2011

We study a queueing network with a single shared server, that serves the queues in a cyclic order according to the gated service discipline. External customers arrive at the queues according to independent Poisson processes. After completing service, a customer either leaves the system or is routed to another queue. This model is very generic and finds many applications in computer systems, communication networks, manufacturing systems and robotics. Special cases of the introduced network include well-known polling models and tandem queues. We derive exact limits of the mean delays under both heavy-traffic and light-traffic conditions. By interpolating between these asymptotic regimes, we develop simple closed-form approximations for the mean delays for arbitrary loads.
Establishing a Markerless Genetic Exchange System forMethanosarcina mazeiStrain Gö1 for Constructing Chromosomal Mutants of Small RNA Genes
Authors: Ehlers Claudia , Jäger Dominik , Schmitz Ruth A.
Published: September 2011

A markerless genetic exchange system was successfully established inMethanosarcina mazeistrain Gö1 using thehptgene coding for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase. First, a chromosomal deletion mutant of thehptgene was generated conferring resistance to the purine analog 8-aza-2,6-diaminopurine (8-ADP). The nonreplicating allelic exchange vector (pRS345) carrying thepac-resistance cassette for direct selection of chromosomal integration, and thehptgene for counterselection was introduced into this strain. By a pop-in and ultimately pop-out event of the plasmid from the chromosome, allelic exchange is enabled. Using this system, we successfully generated aM. mazeideletion mutant of the gene encoding the regulatory non-coding RNA sRNA154. CharacterizingM. mazeiunder nitrogen limiting conditions demonstrated differential expression of at least three cytoplasmic proteins and reduced growth strongly arguing for a prominent role of sRNA154in regulation of nitrogen fixation by posttranscriptional regulation.
Characterization of Plasmid pPO1 from the HyperacidophilePicrophilus oshimae
Authors: Angelov Angel , Voss Jörn , Liebl Wolfgang
Published: September 2011

Picrophilus oshimaeandPicrophilus torridusare free-living, moderately thermophilic and acidophilic organisms from the lineage ofEuryarchaeota. With a pH optimum of growth at pH 0.7 and the ability to even withstand molar concentrations of sulphuric acid, these organisms represent the most extreme acidophiles known. So far, nothing is known about plasmid biology in these hyperacidophiles. Also, there are no genetic tools available for this genus. We have mobilized the 7.6 Kbp plasmid fromP. oshimaeinE. coliby introducing origin-containing transposons and described the plasmid in terms of its nucleotide sequence, copy number in the native host, mode of replication, and transcriptional start sites of the encoded ORFs. Plasmid pPO1 may encode a restriction/modification system in addition to its replication functions. The information gained from the pPO1 plasmid may prove useful in developing a cloning system for this group of extreme acidophiles.
Meniscal Regeneration: A Cause of Persisting Pain following Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Matar Hosam E. , Dala-Ali Benan , Atkinson Henry D.
Published: September 2011

Many patients have persisting knee pain following total knee arthroplasty. We report the unusual case of a patient whose chronic lateral and medial knee pain were caused by entrapped regenerated meniscal tissue. This was diagnosed and successfully treated by arthroscopic debridement.
Evaluation and Optimization of an Innovative Low-Cost Photovoltaic Solar Concentrator
Authors: Cotana Franco , Rossi Federico , Nicolini Andrea
Published: September 2011

Many researches showed that the cost of the energy produced by photovoltaic (PV) concentrators is strongly reduced with respect to flat panels, especially in those countries that have a high solar irradiation. The cost drop comes from the reduction of the expensive high-efficiency photovoltaic surface through the use of optical concentrators of the solar radiation. In this paper, an experimental innovative PV low-concentration system is analysed. Numerical simulations were performed to determine the possible reasons of energy losses in the prototype, primarily due to geometrical factors. In particular, the effect of the shadows produced from the mirrors on the prototype performances was analysed: shadows are often neglected in the design phase of such systems. The study demonstrates that shadows may affect the performances of a hypothetical optimized PV low-concentration system up to 15%. Finally, an economical evaluation was carried out comparing the proposed optimized system to a traditional flat PV panel.
Recombinant Human Thyrotropin-Aided Radioiodine Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Zagar Ivana , Schwarzbartl-Pevec Andreja A. , Vidergar-Kralj Barbara , Horvat Rika , Besic Nikola
Published: September 2011

Our aim was to test the efficacy of 131-I therapy (RIT) using recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in whom endogenous TSH stimulation was not an option due to the poor patient's physical condition or due to the disease progression during L-thyroxin withdrawal. The study comprised 18 patients, who already have undergone total or near-total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation and 0–12 (median 5) RITs after L-thyroxin withdrawal. Our patients received altogether 44 RITs using rhTSH while on L-thyroxin. Six to 12 months after the first rhTSH-aided RIT, PR and SD was achieved in 3/18 (17%) and 4/18 patients (22%), respectively. In most patients (n= 12; 61%) disease progressed despite rhTSH-aided RITs. As a conclusion, rhTSH-aided RIT proved to add some therapeutic benefit in 39% our patients with metastatic DTC, who otherwise could not be efficiently treated with RIT.
Oral Nicorandil for Prevention of Cardiac Death in Hemodialysis Patients without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: A Propensity-Matched Patient Analysis
Authors: Nishimura Masato , Sakoda Chikako , Murakawa Mayuko , Okamoto Yu , Tokoro Toshiko , Sato Nodoka , Nishida Masaya , Hashimoto Tetsuya , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Yamazaki Satoru , Iwamoto Noriyuki , Takahashi Hakuo , Ono Toshihiko
Published: September 2011

Background/Aims: We examined the potential of oral administration of nicorandil for protecting against cardiac death in hemodialysis patients without obstructive coronary artery disease. Methods: This study was based on a cohort study of 155 hemodialysis patients with angiographic absence of obstructive coronary lesions, with analysis performed in 100 propensity-matched patients (54 men and 46 women, 64 ± 10 years), including 50 who received oral administration of nicorandil (15 mg/day, nicorandil group) and 50 who did not (control). The efficacy of nicorandil in preventing cardiac death was investigated. Results: Over a mean follow-up period of 5.3 ± 1.9 years, we observed 25 cardiac deaths among 100 propensity-matched patients, including 6 due to acute myocardial infarction, 11 due to heart failure, and 8 due to sudden cardiac death. The incidence of cardiac death was lower (p < 0.001) in the nicorandil group (4/50, 8%) than in the control (21/50, 42%). On multivariate Cox hazard analysis, cardiac death was inversely associated with oral nicorandil (hazard ratio, 0.123; p = 0.0002). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, cardiac death-free survival rates at 5 years were higher in the nicorandil group than in the control group (91.4 vs. 66.4%). Conclusion: Oral nicorandil may inhibit cardiac death of hemodialysis patients without obstructive coronary artery disease.
Reduction of Maximal Oxygen Uptake in Sarcoidosis: Relationship with Disease Severity
Authors: Wallaert Benoit , Talleu Christelle , Wemeau-Stervinou Lidwine , Duhamel Alain , Robin Sophie , Aguilaniu Bernard
Published: September 2011

Background: Patients with sarcoidosis frequently exhibit exertional dyspnea. Although the functional limitation might be related to ventilatory problems, some patients exhibited exertional dyspnea without significant abnormalities of pulmonary function tests (PFT). Therefore, the mechanisms responsible for exercise intolerance remain unclear. Objectives: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the mechanisms responsible for exercise intolerance. Methods: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed in 157 dyspneic sarcoid patients (stage I: 29; stage II–III: 95; stage IV: 33) and VO2 peak was correlated with radiological stage and resting PFT. Results: VO2 peak was decreased in 73% patients, did not differ according to radiological stage and was correlated with VC, FVC, FEV1, TLC and DLCO. FVC was the major significant predictor of VO2 peak explaining 17% of VO2 variation. Among CPET variables, peak heart rate and VE/VO2 at ventilatory threshold explained 22% of VO2 alteration in stage I and stage II–III, and 9% in stage IV. In stage IV, VD/VT peak explained 41% of VO2 alteration. Conclusion: In conclusion, in the lower stages circulatory impairment and impaired heart rate response to exercise are involved in the exercise capacity limitation, whereas in stage IV the ventilatory and gas exchange impairment may be more important. CPET must be performed to accurately characterize the mechanisms responsible for exercise limitation and help the clinician in the management of the disease.
Is Neuropathy Involved with Restless Legs Syndrome in Machado-Joseph Disease?
Authors: Pedroso José Luiz , Bezerra Márcio Luiz Escórcio , Braga-Neto Pedro , Pinheiro Denise Spinola , Minett Thais , do Prado Gilmar Fernandes , Manzano Gilberto Mastrocola , Barsottini Orlando Graziani Povoas
Published: September 2011

Objective: To evaluate a group of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) or Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) (SCA3/MJD) patients and assess whether there is an association between neuropathy and serum ferritin levels and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Methods: Twenty-six SCA3/MJD patients underwent electromyography studies to check for neuropathy. Their serum ferritin levels were measured as well. These findings were evaluated based on the presence or not of RLS and its severity. Results: The proportion of neuropathy in the RLS group was not significantly higher compared to the non-RLS group (23 vs. 15%, Fisher’s exact test, p = 1.000). Furthermore, no association was found between RLS and ferritin levels. Conclusion: We found no correlation between neuropathy or ferritin levels and RLS in SCA3/MJD patients.
Comparison of Transplacental Treatment of Fetal Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias With Digoxin, Flecainide, and Sotalol
Authors: Jaeggi Edgar T. , Carvalho Julene S. , De Groot Ernestine , Api Olus , Clur Sally-Ann B. , Rammeloo Lukas , McCrindle Brian W. , Ryan Greg , Manlhiot Cedric , Blom Nico A.
Published: September 2011

Background—

Fetal tachyarrhythmia may result in low cardiac output and death. Consequently, antiarrhythmic treatment is offered in most affected pregnancies. We compared 3 drugs commonly used to control supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and atrial flutter (AF).

Methods and Results—

We reviewed 159 consecutive referrals with fetal SVT (n=114) and AF (n=45). Of these, 75 fetuses with SVT and 36 with AF were treated nonrandomly with transplacental flecainide (n=35), sotalol (n=52), or digoxin (n=24) as a first-line agent. Prenatal treatment failure was associated with an incessant versus intermittent arrhythmia pattern (n=85; hazard ratio [HR]=3.1;
P
<0.001) and, for SVT, with fetal hydrops (n=28; HR=1.8;
P
=0.04). Atrial flutter had a lower rate of conversion to sinus rhythm before delivery than SVT (HR=2.0;
P
=0.005). Cardioversion at 5 and 10 days occurred in 50% and 63% of treated SVT cases, respectively, but in only 25% and 41% of treated AF cases. Sotalol was associated with higher rates of prenatal AF termination than digoxin (HR=5.4;
P
=0.05) or flecainide (HR=7.4;
P
=0.03). If incessant AF/SVT persisted to day 5 (n=45), median ventricular rates declined more with flecainide (−22%) and digoxin (−13%) than with sotalol (−5%;
P
<0.001). Flecainide (HR=2.1;
P
=0.02) and digoxin (HR=2.9;
P
=0.01) were also associated with a higher rate of conversion of fetal SVT to a normal rhythm over time. No serious drug-related adverse events were observed, but arrhythmia-related mortality was 5%.

Conclusion—

Flecainide and digoxin were superior to sotalol in converting SVT to a normal rhythm and in slowing both AF and SVT to better-tolerated ventricular rates and therefore might be considered first to treat significant fetal tachyarrhythmia.
Intrathoracic Impedance Monitoring, Audible Patient Alerts, and Outcome in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Braunschweig Frieder , Conraads Viviane , Ford Ian , Cowie Martin R. , Jondeau Guillaume , Kautzner Josef , Muñoz Aguilera Roberto , Lunati Maurizio , Yu Cheuk Man , Gerritse Bart , Borggrefe Martin ,   for the DOT-HF Investigators
Published: September 2011

Background—

Heart failure is associated with frequent hospitalizations, often resulting from volume overload. Measurement of intrathoracic impedance with an implanted device with an audible patient alert may detect increases in pulmonary fluid retention early. We hypothesized that early intervention could prevent hospitalizations and affect outcome.

Methods and Results—

We studied 335 patients with chronic heart failure who had undergone implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator alone (18%) or with cardiac resynchronization therapy (82%). All devices featured a monitoring tool to track changes in intrathoracic impedance (OptiVol) and other diagnostic parameters. Patients were randomized to have information available to physicians and patients as an audible alert in case of preset threshold crossings (access arm) or not (control arm). The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalizations. During 14.9±5.4 months, this occurred in 48 patients (29%) in the access arm and in 33 patients (20%) in the control arm (
P
=0.063; hazard ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.97–2.37). This was due mainly to more heart failure hospitalizations (hazard ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–2.95;
P
=0.022), whereas the number of deaths was comparable (19 versus 15;
P
=0.54). The number of outpatient visits was higher in the access arm (250 versus 84;
P
<0.0001), with relatively more signs of heart failure among control patients during outpatient visits. Although the trial was terminated as a result of slow enrollment, a post hoc futility analysis indicated that a positive result would have been unlikely.

Conclusion—

Use of an implantable diagnostic tool to measure intrathoracic impedance with an audible patient alert did not improve outcome and increased heart failure hospitalizations and outpatient visits in heart failure patients.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT 00480077.
Importance of air spaces when comparing fabric thermal resistance
Authors: MacRae Braid A , Laing Raechel M , Wilson Cheryl A
Published: September 2011

Comparing fabrics on the basis of properties determined in the laboratory can provide information valuable to manufacturers and users of fabrics and garments, although small changes to test methods seem to have the potential to yield data which is more relevant. Thermal resistance is the focus of a small experiment highlighting this conclusion.
Nocturnal Rights to the City: Property, Propriety and Sex Premises in Inner Sydney
Authors: Prior Jason , Boydell Spike , Hubbard Philip
Published: September 2011

Questions of property rights are central to the organisation of urban space yet remain weakly theorised in the context of sexuality. Tracing battles over spaces of commercial sex in inner Sydney, this paper argues that particular claims to privacy and property underpin exclusionary actions restricting the boundaries of sexual citizenship. However, the paper also notes the potential for the emergence of ‘sexual commons’ where claims to an enhanced notion of sexual citizenship can be made. The paper concludes that property rights consist of overlapping and complex claims to space in which questions of sexuality and the sanctity of family life are often brought to the fore. In arguing this, the paper demonstrates that property rights constitute a key mechanism in the management and regulation of the (nocturnal) city.
Power quality improvement for matrix converter using unified power quality conditioner
Authors: JenoPaul P , Deva Prakash T Ruban , Raglend I Jacob
Published: September 2011

This paper proposes a unified power quality conditioner to minimize the power quality impact present in the matrix converter instead of a passive filter. A matrix converter produces significant harmonics and converts non-standard frequency components into load. The proposed approach eliminates the total harmonic distortions (THD) efficiently, and mitigates sag and swell present in the matrix converter′s load voltage. Because of the smaller THD, the harmonic pollution in the power system will be reduced and the power quality will be increased. The proposed approach has been tested and validated on the matrix converter using Matlab/Simulink software. The simulation results are shown to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed scheme.
Venous drainage - gravity or assisted?
Authors: De Somer F
Published: September 2011

Since the early start of cardiopulmonary bypass, vascular access has been recognized as a main variable for obtaining optimal blood flow during cardiopulmonary bypass. In particular, venous drainage can limit the maximum flow as the wide, low-resistance, collapsible veins are connected with smaller stiff cannulas and tubing. Due to the introduction of long venous cannulas for minimally invasive cardiac surgery and the desire to limit hemodilution during cardiopulmonary bypass, more and more centers have started using assisted venous drainage techniques. This article gives an overview of these techniques, with their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest: Alternative strategies for cerebral perfusion. A review article
Authors: Elmistekawy E M , Rubens F D
Published: September 2011

Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is an essential tool in the surgeon’s armamentarium. There are essentially three strategies to address cerebral ischemia during arrest periods. Early surgical case series pioneered the option of complete anoxia with deep hypothermia. Subsequent innovators introduced the concept of retrograde perfusion of the cerebral vessels through the venous system, and others have advocated the use of selective and non-selective antegrade perfusion of the cerebral arteries. Clinical studies assessing outcomes of the three approaches are compromised by small patient numbers, retrospective design and surgeon bias.

In this review, the authors will briefly discuss the conceptual basis of these strategies and the literature comparing these approaches in terms of key neurologic outcomes. The importance of this topic will emphasize the key role the perfusion community plays in establishing guidelines for best practice in circulatory arrest to go forward with education and research in this area.
Brain damage and cardiopulmonary bypass: is there really any association?
Authors: Alston RP
Published: September 2011

Brain damage, in the form of stroke and cognitive deficit associated with heart surgery, has long been attributed unquestioningly to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of this paper is to review the randomised control trials (RCT), systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies, comparing patients who have undergone on- or off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgeries that have used stroke or cognition as an outcome to determine whether CPB is associated with brain damage. Although not definitive, the evidence base to date strongly suggests that the incidence of stroke and the effect on cognition, if any, are no different whether CABG surgery is undertaken on- or off-pump. In addition and contrary to long-held beliefs, this review leads to the conclusion that CPB may well not be the cause of the brain damage associated with heart surgery.
Can assessing caregiver needs and activating community networks improve caregiver-defined outcomes? A single-blind, quasi-experimental pilot study: Community facilitator pilot
Authors: Greene Aine , Aranda Sanchia , Tieman Jennifer J , Fazekas Belinda , Currow David C
Published: September 2011

Background:

Although the unit of care in palliative care is defined as the patient and their family, there are few rigorous studies on how to improve support for family and friends as they take on the role of caregiver for someone at the end of life.

Aim:

Separate to patient evaluation and care, this pilot study aimed to define the feasibility and possible outcome measures to evaluate routine assessments and supports specifically for caregivers.

Design:

In a quasi-experimental design, two communities were included: one received standard specialist palliative care support and one additionally was allocated to a community network facilitator who assessed caregivers’ needs and helped mobilize the caregiver’s own support network or initiated contact with other community supports in three planned visits. Data were collected at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks using three caregiver assessment tools. Within group comparisons were made using Wilcoxon signed rank test and between group using the Mann–Whitney U-test.

Participants:

Sixty-six caregivers participated.

Results:

At 8 weeks, participants in the intervention arm showed significant within-group improvement in caregiver fatigue, sufficient support from others, decreased resentment in the role, greater confidence in asking for assistance and were better able to find resources and support. No between-group changes were seen in this pilot study.

Conclusions:

There were objective measures of improved support within the intervention group over time for caregivers through the active engagement of the community network facilitator. This pilot supports the case for an adequately powered study.
Utilization of red mud in cement production: a review
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Zhang Na
Published: September 2011

Red mud is a solid waste residue of the digestion of bauxite ores with caustic soda for alumina production. Its disposal remains a worldwide issue in terms of environmental concerns. During the past decades, extensive work has been done by a lot of researchers to develop various economic ways for the utilization of red mud. One of the economic ways is using red mud in cement production, which is also an efficient method for large-scale recycling of red mud. This paper provides a review on the utilization of red mud in cement production, and it clearly points out three directions for the use of red mud in cement production, namely the preparation of cement clinkers, production of composite cements as well as alkali-activated cements. In the present paper, the chemical and mineralogical characteristics of red mud are summarized, and the current progresses on these three directions are reviewed in detail.
Influence of semi-aerobic and anaerobic landfill operation with leachate recirculation on stabilization processes
Authors: Yang Yangfei , Yue Bo , Yang Yu , Huang Qifei
Published: September 2011

To investigate the influence of semi-aerobic and anaerobic landfill operation on stabilization processes of landfill sites with leachate recirculation, in situ simulated semi-aerobic landfill sites with leachate recirculation (SLR) and anaerobic landfill sites with leachate recirculation (ALR) were constructed. Refuse properties and landfill settlement were determined. Leachate quality and landfill gas compositions were monitored regularly. Based on the data obtained, leachate quality, landfill gas and final refuse characteristics were adopted as assessment factors to quantitatively evaluate stabilization of landfill sites. The results showed that volatile solids (VS), total organic carbon (TOC) and biologically degradable matter (BDM) of aged refuse in SLR (15.8, 7.3 and 9.9%, respectively) were lower than those in ALR, which were 19.1, 9.2 and 11.3%, respectively. Settlement and reduction ratio of SLR were 1.71 m and 30.91%, respectively, and 1.40 m and 25.45% in the case of ALR. Concentrations of organic pollutants, especially ammonia, were reduced in SLR, and variation in leachate quality was also smoother than ALR. Throughout the experiment the average concentration of CH4 in ALR was higher than that in SLR (36.7 and 14.5%, respectively). At the end of the experiment, SLR was moderately stable, while ALR was moderately unstable. The comprehensive assessment index ( I) for SLR and ALR was 200 and 355, respectively.
Leaching from waste incineration bottom ashes treated in a rotary kiln
Authors: Hyks Jiri , Nesterov Igor , Mogensen Erhardt , Jensen Peter A. , Astrup Thomas
Published: September 2011

Leaching from municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash treated in a rotary kiln was quantified using a combination of lab-scale leaching experiments and geochemical modelling. Thermal treatment in the rotary kiln had no significant effect on the leaching of Al, Ba, Ca, Mg, Si, Sr, Zn, sulfate and inorganic carbon. Leaching of these elements from the treated residues remained unchanged and was, in general, controlled by solubility of the same minerals as in the untreated residues. Leaching of Cd, Co, Ni, Ti, Be, Bi, and Sn from both untreated and treated residues was found to be close to or below their detection limits; no effects of the thermal treatment on leachability of these metals were observed. The leaching of Cl, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), Cu and Pb decreased by at least one order of magnitude after the thermal treatment. This could be explained by evaporation (Cl) and by a better burnout of organic matter which then limited metal–DOC complexation and mobility. At the same time, leaching of Mo and Cr appeared to increase by a factor of 4 and more than two orders of magnitude, respectively. The large changes in Cr leaching may be explained by decreases in Al reduction capacity after the thermal treatment. Overall, rotary kiln thermal treatment of bottom ashes can be recommended to reduce the leaching of Cu, Pb, Cl and DOC; however, increased leaching of Cr and Mo should be expected.
Projection of waste quantities: The case of e-waste of the People’s Republic of China
Authors: Chung Shan-shan
Published: September 2011

Although waste quantification and projection are important data for waste management, the reliability of their results is difficult to verify. The present study attempted to identify the best waste quantification methods using e-waste quantification studies of mainland China as case studies. Large discrepancies in the predicted amounts of e-waste generated were found no matter whether the same or different methods of estimation are used. Moreover, even when agreements between studies were found, the agreed figures were not necessarily the correct figures. However, since without hindsight it is not possible to tell whether a projection figure is accurate, the convergence rule and a prudent approach to counting on studies conducted with meticulous scientific procedures should be adopted. Two worrying trends are noted. First, the transparency of data collection and computation methods in these studies was not high; second, irresponsible citation practices were found to have already spread to academic studies. As a result, leading organizations in the academic community should consider establishing a platform devoted to the reporting of false or dubious citations.
Evidence-Based Practice for Teaching Academics to Students With Severe Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Spooner Fred , Knight Victoria F. , Browder Diane M. , Smith Bethany R.
Published: September 2011

A review of the literature was conducted for articles published between 2003 and 2010 to build a case for the degree to which evidence-based practices were documented for teaching academic skills to students with severe developmental disabilities. This review extended earlier comprehensive work in literacy, mathematics, and science for the population in question. A total of 18 studies met the Horner et al. (2005) quality indicator criteria. In general, time delay and task analytic instruction were found to be evidence-based practices. In addition, specific target responses were defined to show academic learning, with the most prevalent target responses being discrete responses; the type of systematic prompting and feedback used most often was time delay, while the component used least often was stimulus fading/shaping; and teaching formats used most often were massed trials and one-to-one instruction.
Article
Authors:   BMS-RC33 distribution list
Published: September 2011

Full presentations of many of the entries below have already been distributed to BMS subscribers and RC33 members over the BMS-RC33 distribution list1
Pourquoi traduire sous forme de probabilités les résultats d’une modélisation logit ? : Réaction à J. Deauvieau (BMS 2010) Première réponse à Marion Selz
Authors: Selz Marion , Deauvieau Jérôme
Published: September 2011

Why Translate into Probabilities the Results of Logit Models?: Jérôme Deauvieau suggested in the BMS (2010, 105: 5-23) different ways of translating the results of a logit model into the language of two-way tables. This note shows the limits and drawbacks of such operations, which are lose the notion of ‘‘all things equal otherwise’’, or the significance of the result.
Simulation and implementation of a new crankshaft and connecting rod-type radial-plunger low-speed-high-torque hydraulic motor with digital distributor
Authors: Pan J , Shi G L
Published: September 2011

A new type of radial-plunger low-speed-high-torque (LSHT) hydraulic motor with digital distributor, which has ten high-speed solenoid on/off valves (HSVs) is proposed. It is a reconstructed hydraulic motor of the traditional one (Staffa motor). Compared with the traditional LSHT hydraulic motor with shaft or plane distribution mechanism, the operating principle of the new hydraulic motor is introduced and the distribution tables for both rotary directions are given at first. Then, the mathematical model of the new hydraulic motor is established by analysing piston dynamics for every section of angle. After that, the related simulations are made and the results show that the new hydraulic motor can work well with the digital distributor. The rotary speed of the new hydraulic motor can be easily changed by altering the duty cycle of the control signal which applies to the HSVs. To validate the feasibility of the proposed new hydraulic motor, the model machine is developed and the experiments are carried out. The experimental results demonstrate that the new hydraulic motor can rotate continuously with the digital distributor. In addition to that, the rotary speed and direction can also be easily changed by applying the proper control signal to the HSVs.