bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sutureless technique to support anastomosis during thoracic aorta replacement
Authors: Apostolakis Efstratios E , Leivaditis Vassilios N , Anagnostopoulos Constantinos
Published: November 2009

Background

In aortic replacement procedures the aortic wall and Teflon strips form a double layer, with the use of continuous sutures. Surgical glues may or may not be used to enhance the durability of the anastomoses. In this technical report a modification of the aortic stumps preparation is devised.

The technique reduces substantially the preparation time of the aortic stumps by the use of ligation clips and a surgical sealant.

Technique

Suturing is the standard method for the aortic-teflon double-layer formation prior to Dacron anastomosis. In this study, instead of suturing, 5-6 ligation clips are primarily applied on the exterior of the double layer to facilitate proper cooptation. Secondarily, in order to fuse the two layers together, a sealant is injected in between the Teflon and aortic wall. Thus each stump is delivered quickly sutureless for the Dacron anastomosis.

Between January 2003 and March 2009 this modified operative technique was performed in 14 cases (group A) with a mean age of 50 ± 16 years. This was contrasted against 24 controls (group B), with a mean age of 40 ± 28 years, treated with the conventional method, where only continuous sutures were used during the anastomosis. All patients were cases of ascending aorta replacement and/or aortic hemi-arch replacement, for acute aortic dissection or aortic dilatation.

Results

The pure anastomosis time (stump preparation and Dacron connection) was shortened by approximately 25 minutes depending on surgeon's experience. The anastomosis blood-loss was also significantly reduced in the sutureless group A, as evident by the dry operative field and the limited use of blood products, post-prosthetic graft anastomosis. This reflected to a faster post-operative recovery, faster extubation and fewer complications. At a mean follow-up of 21 ± 7 days, there were no post-operative deaths being related to acute aortic dissection or rupture of the anastomotic site.

Conclusion

Aortic replacement with the combination of ligation clips and a surgical sealant vs. sutures alone allows easy manipulations of the aorta and adaptation of the diameters, thus optimizing aortic operational timings and hemostasis. Moreover, it prevents blood loss and aortic wall trauma from multiple sutures.
Fibrin glue in the treatment of anal fistula: a systematic review
Authors: Cirocchi Roberto , Farinella Eriberto , La Mura Francesco , Cattorini Lorenzo , Rossetti Barbara , Milani Diego , Ricci Patrizia , Covarelli Piero , Coccetta Marco , Noya Giuseppe , Sciannameo Francesco
Published: November 2009

Background

New sphincter-saving approaches have been applied in the treatment of perianal fistula in order to avoid the risk of fecal incontinence. Among them, the fibrin glue technique is popular because of its simplicity and repeatability. The aim of this review is to compare the fibrin glue application to surgery alone, considering the healing and complication rates.

Methods

We performed a systematic review searching for published randomized and controlled clinical trials without any language restriction by using electronic databases. All these studies were assessed as to whether they compared conventional surgical treatment versus fibrin glue treatment in patients with anal fistulas, in order to establish both the efficacy and safety of each treatment. We used Review Manager 5 to conduct the review.

Results

The healing rate is higher in those patients who underwent the conventional surgical treatment (P = 0,68), although the treatment with fibrin glue gives no evidence of anal incontinence (P = 0,08). Furthermore two subgroup analyses were performed: fibrin glue in combination with intra-adhesive antibiotics versus fibrin glue alone and anal fistula plug versus fibrin glue. In the first subgroup there were not differences in healing (P = 0,65). Whereas in the second subgroup analysis the healing rate is statistically significant for the patients who underwent the anal fistula plug treatment instead of the fibrin glue treatment (P = 0,02).

Conclusion

In literature there are only two randomized controlled trials comparing the conventional surgical management versus the fibrin glue treatment in patients with anal fistulas. Although from our statistical analysis we cannot find any statistically significant result, the healing rate remains higher in patients who underwent the conventional surgical treatment (P = 0,68), and the anal incontinence rate is very low in the fibrin glue treatment group (P = 0,08). Anyway the limited collected data do not support the use of fibrin glue. Moreover, in our subgroup analysis the use of fibrin glue in combination with intra-adhesive antibiotics does not improve the healing rate (P = 0.65), whereas the anal fistula plug treatment compared to the fibrin glue treatment shows good results (P = 0,02), although the poor number of patients treated does not lead to any statistically evident conclusion. This systematic review underlines the need of new RCTs upon this issue.
False positive diagnosis of malignancy in a case of cryptogenic organising pneumonia presenting as a pulmonary mass with mediastinal nodes detected on fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography: a case report
Authors: Ponnuswamy Aravind , Mediratta Neeraj , Lyburn Iain D , Finnerty James P
Published: November 2009

Introduction

We report the case of a patient with positive findings on a lung emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan, with possible contra lateral mediastinal involvement, which strongly suggested an inoperable lung carcinoma. The lung mass proved to be a cryptogenic organising pneumonia. While the latter has previously been shown to be PET/CT positive, mediastinal involvement simulating malignant spread has not been previously reported.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a history of unproductive cough and was found to have a mass in the right upper lobe as shown on chest X-ray and a computed tomography scan. A subsequent PET/CT scan showed strong uptake in the right upper lobe (maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax) 9.6) with increased uptake in the adjacent mediastinum and contralateral mediastinal nodes. Surgical resection and mediastinoscopy revealed cryptogenic organising pneumonia, with enlarged reactive mediastinal lymph nodes.

Conclusion

The case illustrates the limits of PET/CT scanning as a diagnostic tool, and emphasizes the importance of obtaining histological confirmation of malignant diseases whenever possible.
Anastomotic leak management after a low anterior resection leading to recurrent abdominal compartment syndrome: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Toutouzas Kostas , Kleidi Eleftheria S , Drimousis Panagiotis G , Balla Margarita , Papanikolaou Metaxia N , Larentzakis Andreas , Theodorou Dimitrios , Katsaragakis Stylianos
Published: November 2009

Introduction

Low anterior resection is usually the procedure of choice for rectal cancer, but a series of complications often accompany this procedure. This case report describes successful management of an intricate anastomotic leak after a low anterior resection.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with a low rectal adenocarcinoma. He underwent a low anterior resection but subsequently developed fecal peritonitis due to an anastomotic leak. He was operated on again but developed abdominal compartment syndrome, multi-organ failure and sepsis. He was aggressively treated in the intensive care unit and in the operating room. Overall, the patient underwent four laparotomies and stayed in the intensive care unit for 75 days. He was discharged after 3 months of hospitalization.

Conclusion

Abdominal compartment syndrome may present as a devastating complication of damage control laparotomy. Prompt recognition and goal-directed management are the cornerstones of treatment.
Intradiscal injection of simvastatin retards progression of intervertebral disc degeneration induced by stab injury
Authors: Zhang Huina , Wang Lin , Park Jun Beom , Park Paul , Yang Victor C , Hollister Scott J , La Marca Frank , Lin Chia-Ying
Published: November 2009

Introduction

Earlier work indicates that the cholesterol-lowering drug, simvastatin, is anabolic to chondrogenic expression of rat intervertebral disc (IVD) cells, which suggests a potential role for simvastatin in IVD regeneration. In this study, we expand on our earlier work to test the effectiveness of simvastatin on disc degeneration utilizing a rat tail disc degeneration model.

Methods

30 rats that underwent 21 G needle-puncture at rat tail discs were injected with simvastatin-loaded poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PLGA-PEG) gel (5 mg/ml) or vehicle control at 4 weeks after needle injury. All animals were sacrificed 2 weeks after simvastatin injection. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), aggrecan, collagen type II, and collagen type I messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in the rat nucleus pulposus (NP) were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to monitor changes in disc degeneration. Rat discs were also assessed by histology using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and safranin O staining. In addition, the NP weight, glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) and DNA content were also measured.

Results

A single dose of simvastatin loaded in thermo-sensitive PEG-PLGA-PEG gel injected into the NP had the trend to increase aggrecan expression and sGAG content, and significantly increased mRNA levels of BMP-2, collagen type II, and the differentiation index (the ratio of collagen type II to collagen type I). The decreased NP weight, T2 intensity, as well as MRI index in the rat tail discs induced by needle puncture were significantly reversed after 2 weeks of simvastatin treatment. In addition, simvastatin treatment also improved histological changes induced by needle puncture.

Conclusions

A single injection of simvastatin loaded in PEG-PLGA-PEG gel into rat tail discs had the potential to retard or regenerate the degenerative disc.
Modulated selection of IGHV gene somatic hypermutation during systemic maturation of human plasma cells
Authors: Jiménez-Gómez Gema , Gómez-Perales Jesús L , Ramos-Amaya Ana , González-García Inés , Campos-Caro Antonio , Brieva José A
Published: November 2009

This study focuses on the regulation of Ig gene variability and the rules and limits of the adaptability of IGHV genes from human plasma cells.

Systemic antigen-induced PCs are generated in inductive lymphoid tissues. Some of them are selected to travel through the circulation and finally, to home onto BM niches. BM PCs show prolonged survival and secrete high-affinity antibodies. In this study, human PCs were isolated from tonsil, blood, and BM, their IGHV3 and IGHV6 genes were sequenced, and their SHM were evaluated. The SHM analysis reveals the existence of a maturational gradient in these genes, as demonstrated by a progressive increase in the frequency of total and R mutations and total and NC aa changes following the direction: tonsil → blood → BM. The ratio of R to S mutations in the CDR1 and -2, but not in the FRs, increases from tonsil to blood and BM; this parameter reaches a maximum threshold when more than 10 mutations/sequence occur. Further analyses indicate that CDR1 and CDR2 SHM followed different strategies to provide appropriate amino acid changes, but both exhibited maximal resistance to incorporating drastic molecular alterations in the BM PCs. Finally, all of the findings are similar in IGHV3 and IGHV6 sequences, indicating that they reflect general rules imposed by in vivo antigen selection.
The battlefield of perforin/granzyme cell death pathways
Authors: Hoves Sabine , Trapani Joseph A , Voskoboinik Ilia
Published: November 2009

The review discusses the controversies in the field of cytotoxic lymphocyte secretory granule death pathways.

A pore-forming protein, PRF, and serine proteases, Grz, are key effector molecules of CL. These toxins are stored within secretory granules, which exocytose their contents in response to immune synapse formation between the CL and virus-infected or transformed target cell. There, PRF and Grz synergize to induce various apoptotic death pathways and to maintain immune homeostasis. Mechanistic aspects of the synergy and apoptotic mechanisms are still not fully understood, and the current review will address some of the hotly debated controversies in the field.
High Glucose Potentiates Collagen Synthesis and Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2-Induced Early Osteoblast Gene Expression in Rat Spinal Ligament Cells
Authors: Li Hai , Jiang Lei-Sheng , Dai Li-Yang
Published: November 2009

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an independent risk factor for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, but the mechanism is unclear. We isolated cells from rat cervical spine ligaments and studied the effects of high glucose on expression of osteoblast genes to provide insight into molecular mechanism. Using these cells, high glucose stimulated the synthesis of type I collagen and significantly potentiated expression of early osteoblast genes (Runx2; alkaline phosphatase, ALP; and osteopontin, OP) induced by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Notably, these effects of high glucose were fully mimicked and augmented by H2O2, although blocked by the reactive oxygen species inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine. Furthermore, exposure of these cells to high glucose significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of p38MAPK while enhancing the phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC) in the cells. Consistent with these observations, an inhibitor of p38 augmented the potentiation of high glucose on BMP-2-induced early osteogenic gene expression, whereas the PKC inhibitor repressed the effect of high glucose on type I collagen synthesis of the cells. In conclusion, high glucose, via production of reactive oxygen species, subsequent activation of PKC, and inhibition of p38, enhances type I collagen synthesis and expression of early osteogenesis genes induced by BMP-2 in rat spinal ligament cells. Hyperglycemia may play an important role in the onset or progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament by promoting the responsiveness of ligament cells to osteogenic differentiation.
Stress-separation techniques in photoelasticity: A review
Authors: Solaguren-Beascoa Fernández M , Alegre Calderón J M , Bravo Díez P M , Cuesta Segura I I
Published: November 2009

Photoelasticity has been used for decades in the experimental measurement of stresses and strains. As data-acquisition techniques only identify the differences between principal stresses and strains, stress-separation techniques exist to identify each of their values separately. A variety of techniques have been developed since the early days of photoelasticity, aiming to automate the measurement process, to exploit the full potential of photoelastic methods, and to facilitate its application. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of the different stress-separation techniques, and their current state of development and usage. The paper presents the publications and the authors who have contributed to the development of new techniques.
Particle temperature distribution in a dust flame
Authors: Shahrbabaki A S , Dodangeh M
Published: November 2009

An unsteady one-dimensional heat conduction model is used to determine the particle temperature profile in suspension fuels by using a perturbation method. A second-order model is presented for transient heat conduction in a spherical particle. The radiation term is considered in the boundary conditions, which plays an important role in the dust flame. The effects of particle size and Biot number on the temperature profile are investigated. The results are in good agreement with the numerical solution.
Navigational path analysis of mobile robots using an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system controller in a dynamic environment
Authors: Parhi D R , Singh M K
Published: November 2009

This article focuses on the navigational path analysis of mobile robots using the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in a cluttered dynamic environment. In the ANFIS controller, after the input layer there is a fuzzy layer and the rest of the layers are neural network layers. The adaptive neuro-fuzzy hybrid system combines the advantages of the fuzzy logic system, which deals with explicit knowledge that can be explained and understood, and those of the neural network, which deals with implicit knowledge that can be acquired by learning. The inputs to the fuzzy logic layer include the front obstacle distance, the left obstacle distance, the right obstacle distance, and target steering. A learning algorithm based on the neural network technique has been developed to tune the parameters of fuzzy membership functions, which smooth the trajectory generated by the fuzzy logic system. Using the developed ANFIS controller, the mobile robots are able to avoid static and dynamic obstacles and reach the target successfully in cluttered environments. The experimental results agree well with the simulation results; this proves the authenticity of the theory developed.
Squeezability. Part 2: Getting stuff out of a bottle
Authors: Yoxall A , Kamat S R , Langley J , Rowson J
Published: November 2009

Western Europe, the USA, and Japan are experiencing rapidly ageing societies. That ageing brings with it a host of issues, not least a society in which a large proportion is likely to have relative difficulties with strength, dexterity, and cognition. One specific area that stimulates a significant amount of controversy is the accessibility and functionality of product packaging. Newspapers and television frequently report on consumer frustration with regard to ‘over’ packaged or poorly accessible goods. In response, researchers, designers, brand-owners, and manufacturers have been undertaking significant work to address these concerns. Developments in ‘easy to open’ packaging are all around. However, the question remains ‘how easy is easy?’ In a previous study, the authors used analytical and experimental techniques to look at accessibility of the contents of ‘squeezy’ bottles; bottles that have, in essence, been specifically designed to improve physical access to the product. This work demonstrated that ease of access is affected by a complex combination of several factors, not least of these are bottle stiffness, shape, and orifice type. This article outlines a continuation of this study, using thin-film force sensors to study grip forces applied when squeezing a bottle and assessing how that force changes with gender and age. The article goes further to derive what the authors term bottle ‘efficiency’ and illustrates that this varies significantly with the bottle design.
Adaptive control of an active mount for shipboard equipment subjected to broadband excitation
Authors: Nguyen V-Q , Choi S-M , Choi S-B
Published: November 2009

In this work, a new active mount featuring piezostack actuators and a rubber element is proposed, and its vibration control performance is evaluated by implementing an adaptive controller. The proposed mount is designed for particular applications that require high-performance isolation against broadband excitation, such as vibration-sensitive shipboard equipment. After describing the configuration of the proposed mount, the design and manufacture of the rubber element and piezostack actuators are described. A vibration control system is then constructed, in which the proposed mount is loaded with a lumped mass subjected to base excitations. To attenuate vibrations on the supported mass, an adaptive frequency-shaped sliding mode controller is formulated based on the Lyapunov's theorem. In the presence of inexactly known parameters, the proposed controller tends to drive the system to a desired dynamic while the system parameters are updated by adaptive laws. Finally, the controller is experimentally realized, and vibration control performances are evaluated in time and frequency domains.
A closed form solution for bending/stretching analysis of functionally graded circular plates under asymmetric loading using the Green function
Authors: Saidi A R , Naderi A , Jomehzadeh E
Published: November 2009

In this article, a closed-form solution for bending/stretching analysis of functionally graded (FG) circular plates under asymmetric loads is presented. It is assumed that the material properties of the FG plate are described by a power function of the thickness variable. The equilibrium equations are derived according to the classical plate theory using the principle of total potential energy. Two new functions are introduced to decouple the governing equilibrium equations. The three highly coupled partial differential equations are then converted into an independent equation in terms of transverse displacement. A closed-form solution for deflection of FG circular plates under arbitrary lateral eccentric concentrated force is obtained by defining a new coordinate system. This solution can be used as a Green function to obtain the closed-form solution of the FG plate under arbitrary loadings. Also, the solution is employed to solve some different asymmetric problems. Finally, the stress and displacement components are obtained exactly for each problem and the effect of volume fraction is also studied.
Performance index analysis of a six-axis heavy force sensor based on the Stewart platform
Authors: Jia Z-Y , Lin S , Liu W
Published: November 2009

A novel six-axis heavy force sensor based on the Stewart platform is proposed. To improve the capability of load bearing, the upper platform and the lower platform of the Stewart platform is fixed to a load sharing beam. Based on the deduced force/moment mapping matrix, the isotropy and sensitivity performance indices of the sensor are analysed comprehensively by employing the performance atlases. Theory analysis and experimental research of the effects of the load sharing beam on the performance indices are conducted. The results show that the change rule of the experiments basically agrees with the curve of theory, which provides necessary references of the theory and experiment for the design of a six-axis heavy force sensor with a large measuring range.
The assessment of microvascular flow and tissue perfusion using ultrasound imaging
Authors: Sboros V , Tang M-X
Published: November 2009

Imaging microvascular flow is of diagnostic value for a wide range of diseases including cancer, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. The introduction of microbubbles as ultrasound contrast agents offers significant signal enhancement to the otherwise weakly scattered signal from blood in the circulation. Microbubbles provide maximum impedance mismatch, but are not linear scatterers. Their complex response to ultrasound has generated research on both their behaviour and their scattered-signal processing. Nearly 20 years ago signal processing started with simple spectral filtering of harmonics showing contrast-enhanced images. More recent pulse encoding techniques have achieved good cancellation of tissue echoes. The good quality contrast-only images enabled ultrasound contrast-imaging applications to be established in microvascular measurements in the liver and the myocardium. The field promises to advance the quantification of microvascular flow kinetics.
In-vitro evaluation of a polyurethane compliant-layer glenoid for use in shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Geary C , Jones E , Fitzpatrick D , Kelly C P , Birkinshaw C
Published: November 2009

A polyurethane glenoid component has been designed and manufactured as part of a total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) system based on compliant-layer (CL) technology. Compared with conventional TSA designs, this biomimetic approach offers reduced friction and wear and potentially improved longevity. In-vitro evaluation of the glenoid system has included loosening and stability tests, and wear measurement using a specially constructed wear simulator. The results obtained support the hypothesis that a CL glenoid design may provide improved resistance to dynamic loosening and rim erosion, and demonstrate superior wear performance over a standard ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene design. This study not only confirms the feasibility of a CL glenoid component but also highlights the potential to increase implant longevity, thereby allowing earlier surgical intervention before poor glenoid bone stock and soft tissue compromise the outcome of TSA.
Measurements, phantoms, and standardization
Authors: Zeqiri B , Hodnett M
Published: November 2009

The last 25 years has seen a number of significant developments in the establishment of a measurement infrastructure supporting medical applications of ultrasound. This has allowed manufacturers and users of medical ultrasonic equipment to undertake and compare measurements of key parameters describing the magnitude or strength of the applied ultrasonic field in a meaningful and traceable way: for equipment development, standards compliance, and quality assurance purposes. This paper describes the current state of the art for measurement techniques used to determine the key properties of an ultrasonic field, principally acoustic pressure and acoustic power. Measurement tools and methodologies are described in detail, alongside considerations of how these are likely to develop, shaped by user need. The way that these measurement methods underpin a range of international and national specification standards enabling equipment manufacturers to demonstrate that their equipment is safe and fit for purpose is covered.
The stability of a hip fracture determines the fatigue of an intramedullary nail
Authors: Eberle S , Bauer C , Gerber C , von Oldenburg G , Augat P
Published: November 2009

The purpose of this study was to address the question of how the stability of a proximal hip fracture determines the fatigue and failure mechanism of an intramedullary implant. To answer this question, mechanical experiments and finite element simulations with two different loading scenarios were conducted. The two load scenarios differed in the mechanical support of the fracture by an artificial bone sleeve, representing the femoral head and neck. The experiments confirmed that an intramedullary nail fails at a lower load in an unstable fracture situation in the proximal femur than in a stable fracture. The nails with an unstable support failed at a load 28 per cent lower than the nails with a stable support by the femoral neck. Hence, the mechanical support of a fracture is crucial to the fatigue failure of an implant. The simulation showed why the fatigue fracture of the nail starts at the aperture of the lag screw. It is the location of the highest von Mises stress, which is the failure criterion for ductile materials.
Analytical investigations on different air injection angles to optimize power output of a vaned-type air turbine
Authors: Singh B R , Singh O
Published: November 2009

In view of the fast depleting fossil fuel reserves, the major thrust has now been laid upon the search for alternative and cost-effective energy sources. Compressed air is utilized as a working fluid for producing shaft work. The air may be compressed by using a natural energy source such as wind, hydraulic, and/or solar energy; thus, the availability of compressed air and its utilization in an air turbine is completely pollution free. This article deals with the mathematical modelling and performance evaluation of a small capacity compressed-air-driven vaned-type novel air turbine. The effect of expansion action and steady flow work of high-pressure air for varying injection angles in a turbine have been quantified and analysed here. The study shows that apart from the major role of expansion power, the steady flow power also has significant contribution in the total power output and varies from 32.4 to 1.5 per cent as injection pressure varies from 2 to 6 bar. It is also concluded that when parameters such as the injection angle is kept above 30° and the vane angle is fixed at either 45° or 60° (which means 8 to 6 vanes), then the expansion work becomes large and ultimately increases the total power output.
A Simple Quantitative Model to Estimate Consumptive Evaporation Impacts of Discharged Cooling Water with Minimal Data Requirements
Authors: Williams Gustavious P. , Tomasko David
Published: November 2009

This paper provides a early-stage analysis tool with minimal data requirements that can be used to quantify the consumptive water use from cooling operations and determine if additional data gathering or more detailed analysis is required. We develop and present a quantitative model to predict increased evaporation rates from the discharge of heated cooling water to a receiving water body. This model can be a screening tool for policy and decision makers, requiring minimal data to quickly estimate water loss from evaporation for various alternatives and impact evaluations. The model is based on standard evaporation estimation methods, modified to consider the higher atmospheric saturation gradient resulting from the heated water. The model requires minimal data; ambient air temperature, heated plume temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. When comparing impacts from various alternatives, the change in evaporation is more important than the total evaporation and we show that the change in evaporation from the discharge of heated cooling water is independent of relative humidity, further reducing data requirements. We present graphs of model behavior over a range of expected conditions and discuss this behaviour.
The Choice between Auctioning and Grandfathering in the Eu
Authors: Brandt Urs Steiner , Svendsen Gert Tinggaard
Published: November 2009

Based on Hillman's (1982) political support function model, we explain the shift from auctioned to grandfathered emission trading in the European Union (EU). The analysis focuses on the three main interest groups, namely industry, consumers and environmentalists, in the framework of a support function approach where the relative lobby effort is determined by the relative gain the lobby groups experience from the proposed policy. Our general model suggests that even though the three main interest groups clearly support the switch from auctioning to grandfathering, this does not necessarily imply that there will be more support for achieving the Kyoto target level. An additional effect emerges when choosing grandfathering compared to auctioning since grandfathering means that the industry will be less willing to reduce emissions due to rent seeking motives that encourage lobbying for more permits and capturing additional rents. When rent seeking motives are sufficiently strong, they will jeopardize the overall achievement of the Kyoto target level in the EU. However, this effect will be eliminated if EU's recent plan to auction most of the permits from 2013 onwards succeeds.
On the Increased Rate of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Accumulation 1980–2008
Authors: Ahlbeck Jarl R.
Published: November 2009

An attempt was made to statistically explain the yearly increased rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide accumulation by means of the yearly emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide and the global mean temperature using data from the period 1980–2007. It is commonly assumed (e.g. by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; IPCC) that a part of the emitted carbon dioxide will stay in the atmosphere and, therefore, large emission rate of carbon dioxide should cause large increase rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide. High temperature should also increase the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration due to lowered solubility of carbon dioxide in the backmixed ocean surface water. However, using two-dimensional regression analysis, the increase rate could not be explained by the emissions because temperature was the dominating parameter that controlled the increase rate. The fraction of the emissions that remained in the atmosphere—or the airborne fraction—decreased significantly despite global warming. This may be explained by increased diffusion or sink flow to the biosphere and the oceans due to increased atmospheric partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
Climate Change and Food Production
Authors: Curtin T. R. C.
Published: November 2009

The availability of atmospheric carbon dioxide is the sine qua non for all plant growth and thence for all marine and terrestrial life forms. The purpose of this paper is to show that proposed reductions in anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) to below the level of observed annual incremental biospheric absorption of those emissions would reduce the growth of the basic feedstock of all life forms. Agronomists have for long known and demonstrated in controlled experiments both in greenhouses and in field studies the dramatic impact of increases in its level on crop yields. These studies have all been local. The regression analysis here of historic data on global food production shows it may well be more dependent on increases in the availability of atmospheric carbon dioxide (henceforth written as [CO2]) than on changes in fertilizer consumption and global mean temperature (GMT). This implies that if the drastic reductions in total anthropogenic emissions of CO2 to be sought at Copenhagen (December 2009) are adopted and applied, they will, even if they aim at only a 60% reduction on the 2000 global level by 2050, bring emissions to below the incremental volume of their biospheric absorption. That could seriously imperil growth of global food production. We show how in its role as a fertilizer that raises global Net Primary Productivity (NPP), increases in [CO2] have a natural negative feedback mechanism that offsets a large proportion of growing emissions: more [CO2] causes more plant growth, but more plant growth takes up more CO2 thus limiting the further rise. This contrasts with the unproven positive feedback assumed in all models deployed by the IPCC whereby, allegedly, rising [CO2] will result in falling biospheric absorption and ever larger increases in [CO2]. We show there is no sign in the observations since 1958 of “saturation” of the capacity of the planet to continue absorbing more than half of all anthropogenic emissions of CO2, so there is no evidence for the IPCC's positive feedback. Biospheric absorption of increases in anthropogenic CO2 emissions would only have to increase from the average 57% of all anthropogenic emissions from 1958 to 2008 to 60% to achieve the likely Copenhagen 60% emissions reduction target. The rapid growth of absorption of total anthropogenic emissions to over 6% p.a. between 1997 and 2006 relative to total emissions growth at 2.6% p.a. over that period (Le Quéré 2008) confirms this manner of attaining the Copenhagen target is easily attainable—and helps to explain the growth of food production at rates in excess of global population growth. It also limited the growth rate of aggregate [CO2] between 1958 and 2008 to only 0.41% p.a. Our results show that with warming in the absence of growing carbon fertilization, agricultural production could be less by more than 10% by 2080 than at present (2007: Table 5.8). That means starvation for most of a global population likely then to be at least 50% larger than now.
Gravitation and Gas Laws: An Alternative Approach to Climatology
Authors: Brune Wolfgang
Published: November 2009

The “natural greenhouse effect” is one of the fundamentals of traditional climatology. To maintain the outgoing thermal radiation from the Earth's surface in equilibrium with solar irradiation requires the mathematical construct of back-radiation emitted by some infrared-active constituents in the atmosphere; otherwise, the convection and evapotranspiration flows from the surface and the corresponding back flows cannot be explained in view of the net radiation budget. To surmount the biased view of all-dominating radiative processes in the atmosphere, an alternative approach should take into account the effects of gravity on the atmosphere. An atmospheric temperature effect is completely determined by the mean global temperature at the surface, the radiative-equilibrium temperature of the earth/atmosphere system (in an altitude of some kilometres) and the pseudoadiabatic temperature lapse rate. There is no separate conservation law for radiation at the Earth's surface but only one for energy. In the unequal competition with atmospheric thermal radiation, solar radiation has an unique position relating to the transformation into heat in the absorbing material.
Trend Analysis of Satellite Global Temperature Data
Authors: Loehle Craig
Published: November 2009

Global satellite data is analyzed for temperature trends for the period January 1979 through June 2009. Beginning and ending segments show a cooling trend, while the middle segment evinces a warming trend. The past 12 to 13 years show cooling using both satellite data sets, with lower confidence limits that do not exclude a negative trend until 16 years. It is shown that several published studies have predicted cooling in this time frame. One of these models is extrapolated from its 2000 calibration end date and shows a good match to the satellite data, with a projection of continued cooling for several more decades.
On the Confusion of Planck Feedback Parameters
Authors: Kimoto Kyoji
Published: November 2009

The Planck feedback parameter Λ0 is the most fundamental quantity in the theory of global warming, because the surface temperature change ΔTs,0 is calculated by—(radiative forcing due to CO2 doubling)/Λ0 in the absence of feedbacks other than that of surface temperature change. The following three groups of Planck feedback parameters are found in the literature depending on the choice of temperature Ts and the outgoing long wave radiation (OLR) at the top of atmosphere in equation of Λ0 = −4OLR/Ts, which is derived from the Stefan-Boltzmann Law.

GROUP A: Ts = 288K and OLR = 231–243W/m2 Λ0 = −3.21 − −3.37(W/m2)/K

GROUP B: Ts = 255K and OLR = 242W/m2, Λ0 = −3.8(W/m2)/K

GROUP C: Ts = 288K and OLR = 492–514W/m2 Λ0 = −6.8 – −7.1(W/m2)/K

This study shows that Λ0 of GROUP C is a theoretically relevant choice for Ts and OLR, rather than those of GROUP A and GROUP B, while the IPCC adopted Λ0 of GROUP A. Although the surface temperature change Δ Ts is 3.0K with Λ0 = −3.21(W/m2)/K for CO2 doubling when lapse rate, water vapor, surface albedo and cloud feedbacks are included in the IPCC AR4, it is shown to be 0.5–0.75K with Λ0 = −6.8(W/m2)/K in the present study.

Since the IPCC overestimates the threat of carbon dioxide by 4–6 times, the revaluation will be needed for the CO2 reduction policies in terms of cost and potential hazards.
Late 20th Century Warmed within Natural Limits: Evidence from Gaussian Distributions
Authors: Jelffs Peter
Published: November 2009

An examination of long-term historic temperature records shows that they conform closely to a Normal frequency distribution curve. The frequency of high temperatures has remained the same both before and after the advent of anthropogenic CO2 in the mid 19th century. The present high temperatures are therefore in all probability another warm temperature cycle which is confirmed by a fall in 2007 and 2008 annual temperatures. This paper also describes how frequency distribution can be employed for monitoring whether climate change is occurring or there is a continuing cycle of high and low temperatures
New Perspective on Global Warming & Sea Level Rise: Modest Future Rise with Reduced Threat
Authors: Khandekar Madhav L
Published: November 2009

Sea Level Rise (SLR) in response to the present and future warming of the earth's surface is probably the most contentious issue being debated at present. This brief commentary surveys the most recent literature on ongoing SLR and on the major factors contributing to future rise. It is concluded that the best guess value of SLR for the next 100 years is a relatively modest 23 cm +/- 5 cm which poses little threat to coastal areas of the world either at present or in future.
Finite-Difference Time-Domain Analysis of Sound Insulation Performance of Wall Systems
Authors: Asakura Takumi , Sakamoto Shinichi
Published: November 2009

A prediction method for the sound insulation of walls by vibro-acoustical numerical analysis using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is described. In order to accurately predict the sound insulation performance of walls, numerical modeling of the vibration energy loss of walls in the vibration analysis is necessary. In this study, the energy loss at the boundary part of the plates and the internal damping of the plates are modeled and the sound transmission loss of glass plates and plasterboard walls is calculated. A reasonable agreement is found between the calculation and measurement results and the applicability of the numerical analysis is confirmed.
The Effect of Source Location, Posture and Language on Speech Intelligibility in Goan Churches
Authors: Tavares Menino A. S. M. P. , Rajagopalan S. , Sharma Satish J. , Carvalho António P. O.
Published: November 2009

The results presented here are based on field measurements carried out in six Catholic churches (Goa, India). Rapid Speech Transmission Index ( RASTI) and Subjective Speech Intelligibility ( SSI) measurements were made in four different seating zones of a church for three speech source locations (altar, pulpit, high altar), two languages (English, Konkani) and two postures (standing, sitting). The effects of language and postures were not significant. The altar location and the sanctuary of the church were preferable for speech intelligibility. Although the altar location showed better averages than the other speech source locations, the best predictive relationship between RASTI and SSI was the exponential growth of RASTI for the high altar source location with SSI for the English language.
Poor Listening Conditions Impair Memory for Intelligible Lectures: Implications for Acoustic Classroom Standards
Authors: Ljung Robert , Sörqvist Patrik , Kjellberg Anders , Green Anne-Marie
Published: November 2009

This paper reports two experiments on the effects of degraded speech signals on memory for spoken lectures. Experiment 1 showed that broadband noise impairs university students' memory for a spoken lecture, even though the participants heard what was said. Experiment 2 showed that reverberation has detrimental effects to school adolescents' memory for spoken lectures, similar to broadband noise. The results suggest that poor listening conditions (resulting from background noise and/or long reverberation time) impair memory and learning, even if the conditions allow the listeners to hear what is said. Since the goal for students and pupils attending to lectures is to remember the lecture rather than just hearing what is said, the results presented here indicate that standards for acceptable signal-to-noise ratios and reverberation times in buildings designed for learning should consider the distinction between speech intelligibility and memory. Standards should be based on memory criteria instead of intelligibility criteria.
On the Uncertainty of the EN12354-1: Estimate of the Flanking Sound Reduction Index Due to the Uncertainty of the Input Data
Authors: Mahn Jeffrey , Pearse John
Published: November 2009

Equations to calculate the uncertainty of the EN12354-1 estimate of the flanking sound reduction index due to the uncertainty of the input data are derived using the method of the ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM). The uncertainty equations have been validated using Monte Carlo simulations. It is shown that the magnitude of the uncertainty depends on the uncertainty of the resonant sound reduction indices of the elements, the uncertainty of the vibration reduction index and the uncertainty of the equivalent absorption lengths and areas of the elements. However, equations could not be derived to calculate the uncertainty of the EN12354 estimate of the apparent sound reduction index which has a lognormal probability density function and is therefore outside of the scope of the method of GUM. Monte Carlo simulations must be used to calculate the uncertainty of the apparent sound reduction index. It is recommended that guidance for calculating and declaring the uncertainty is included in future versions of EN12354, ISO10848 and ISO15712.
Ex Ante Information and the Design of Keyword Auctions
Authors: Liu De , Chen Jianqing , Whinston Andrew B.
Published: November 2009

Keyword advertising, including sponsored links and contextual advertising, powers many of today's online information services such as search engines and Internet-based emails. This paper examines the design of keyword auctions, a novel mechanism that keyword advertising providers such as Google and Yahoo! use to allocate advertising slots. In our keyword auction model, advertisers bid their willingness-to-pay per click on their advertisements, and the advertising provider can weight advertisers' bids differently and require different minimum bids based on advertisers' click-generating potential. We study the impact and design of such weighting schemes and minimum-bid policies. We find that weighting scheme determines how advertisers with different click-generating potential match in equilibrium. Minimum bids exclude low-valuation advertisers and at the same time may distort the equilibrium matching. The efficient design of keyword auctions requires weighting advertisers' bids by their expected click-through-rates, and requires the same minimum weighted bids. The revenue-maximizing weighting scheme may or may not favor advertisers with low click-generating potential. The revenue-maximizing minimum-bid policy differs from those prescribed in the standard auction design literature. Keyword auctions that employ the revenue-maximizing weighting scheme and differentiated minimum bid policy can generate higher revenue than standard fixed-payment auctions. We draw managerial implications for pay-per-click and other pay-for-performance auctions and discuss potential applications to other areas.
Predicting Web Page Status
Authors: Pant Gautam , Srinivasan Padmini
Published: November 2009

The World Wide Web has become a key intermediary between producers and consumers of information. Web's linkage structure has been exploited by contemporary search engines to decrease the search cost for consumers while usually also rewarding the producers of higher status Web pages. In addition to influencing visibility and accessibility, in-links, as marks of recognition, accord status to a Web page. In this paper we show how Web page status may be predicted at least in part by page location and topic specificity. Moreover, we observe that the “philanthropic” contributions of a Web page—specifically, contributions of information brokerage function—are also good predictors of in-links. The observations are made in the presence of domain- and topic-specific effects. Interestingly, all of these features that may predict status are “local” to a given Web page and within the control of the owner/author of the page. This is in contrast to the “global” nature of Web linkage-based metrics such as in-link count that are derived as a result of downloading and indexing billions of pages. Because the linkage structure of the Web affects browsing, crawling, and retrieval, our results have implications for vertical and general search, business intelligence, and content management.