bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Five-year results of the prospective, randomized, multicenter, Food and Drug Administration investigational device exemption study of the ProDisc-L total disc replacement versus circumferential arthrodesis for the treatment of single-level degenerative disc disease
Authors: Zigler Jack E. , Delamarter Rick B.
Published: October 2012

Object

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of the ProDisc-L total disc replacement (TDR) as part of an FDA-mandated postmarket approval study. This report summarizes the clinical findings after 5 years of follow-up.

Methods

Two hundred thirty-six patients were treated and followed up for 5 years; 161 TDRs and 75 fusions had been performed in these patients. The primary outcome was a 10-component success end point. Secondary outcome measures included neurological status, secondary surgery, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), visual analog scale (VAS) assessing pain and satisfaction, radiographic data, narcotic use, activity, and recreation status. Patients were monitored through their 5-year postoperative visits under the FDA postmarket surveillance provisions in the original investigational device exemption approval.

Results

The overall follow-up rate at 5 years was 81.8%. Study success demonstrated that TDR was noninferior to fusion with a 12.5% margin (p = 0.0099). Both TDR and fusion treatment groups maintained significant improvement on the ODI at 5 years compared with baseline (p < 0.0001). Secondary surgeries at the index level were performed in 12% of fusion patients and 8% of TDR patients. Radiographically, none of the TDRs developed spontaneous fusion. The segmental range of motion following TDR remained within normal range, although it decreased by approximately 0.5° in years 3 to 5. The VAS pain scores decreased from preoperative values by 48% in both treatment groups at 5 years. Patient satisfaction remained high in both groups (77%), while the percentage of patients indicating that they would have the surgery again was higher in TDR patients (82.5%) than in fusion patients (68.0%).

Conclusions

Patients in both groups maintained significant improvement during the 5-year follow-up. The TDR group had significantly better improvement on some scales. Although TDR patients avoid the stiffness of fusion and are more satisfied than fusion patients, both fusion and TDR are reasonable surgical options in this specific patient population.
CHEMICAL PULPING. Oxidative degradation of AOX in softwood-based kraft mill effluents from E C F bleachin g
Authors: lsoaho Jukka Pekka , Tarkkanen Suvi , Alen Raimo , Fiskari Juha
Published: October 2012

Softwood-based kraft mill bleaching effluents from the initial bleaching stages D0 and E1 (the bleaching sequence being D0E 1D 1 E2D2) were treated by the oxidative Fenton method (H20rFeS04) to decompose organic pollutants contammg adsorbable organic halogens (AOX). Experiments designed using the Taguchi method were applied to predict the process conditions that would result in a cost-effective and adequate removal of AOX. In addition to the composition and concentration of the reagents (H202 and Fe2+), the main process parameters selected were temperature and reaction time, while pH was adj usted to an approximate value of 4 (the volumetric ratio of the mixed effluents D0:E 1 was 3 :2). The results indicated that an AOX removal of about 70% for this mixture ( corresponding to about 50% for the mill) was achieved when the eftluent samples were treated for 60 min at 70°C with H202 and Fe2+ at a concentration of 1 600 mg/1 and 28 mg/1, respectively.
COATING. lnfluence of the distribution of the shape and size distribution of pigment particles on cracking in coating layers during creasin
Authors: Rättö Peter , Hornatowska Joanna , Barbier Christophe
Published: October 2012

Abstract The crack area on a coated board was measured after creasing and folding and the crack area on a coated copy paper was measured after folding. A clay pigment and two Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) pigments were used. The GCC pigments differed in their particle size distribution. The binder was either an S/B Iatex or an S/B Iatex combined with starch. The type of pigment seemed to have the greatest intluence on the crack area in creased and folded board. Clay showed a !arger crack area than the GCC with a broad particle size distribution. The GCC with a narrow particle size distribution showed a considerably larger crack area than both the clay pigment and the GCC with a broad particle size distribution. The coatings containing starch generally showed a larger crack area than the coatings that only contained the S/8 latex. After the folding of the copy paper, the crack area showed a slightly different pattem. Here, it seemed that the binder was of greater irnportance than the type of pigment, with the coatings containing only latex showing a considerably lower crack area than the coatings containing starch. The coatings that were based on the clay pigment showed similar values as the coatings based on the GCC pigment with the broad particle size distribution. The coatings based on the GCC with the narrow particle size distribution showed displayed considerably higher crack areas than the coatings based on the other two pigments. The cracking tendency of the coatings, based on the GCC with the narrow particle size distributions was probably due to a greater demand for latex, i.e. smaller particles in the GCC with broad particle size distribution would probably fill in the voids and the GCC with the broad particle size distribution will therefore demand less binder. lt was further suggested that the different loadings on the coating layer during the creasing and folding of the board, compared to the folding of copy paper, explain the different results obtained with the two base-substrates.
PRINTING. The ageing resistance of offset and electrophotographic prints
Authors: Grilj Silva , Muck Tadeja , Gregor-Svetec Diana
Published: October 2012

The moist heat (80°C and 65% relative humidity) and light (xenon arc lamp) treatments of accelerated ageing were applied to investigate the colour stability of offset and electrophotographic prints on papers made of virgin and I 00% recycled fibres. The prints were evaluated using spectrophotometric measurements and additional colour differences calculations. In addition to the colour differences, the 2D and 3D colour gamuts are presented. The results reveal the different colour stability of prints. The effect depends on the type of accelerated ageing, printing technique, composition of ink and paper characteristics. Moist heat ageing has less influence on colour stability than light ageing. The electrophotographic prints show better ageing resistance than offset prints. The intluence of ink on print light fastness is considerable. Azo pigments in magenta and yellow have lower light fastness than phthalocyanine pigments in cyan or carbon black. The surface coating has an intluence on light fastness of prints. Meanwhile, prints on recycled papers show similar colour stability compared to prints on papers made of virgin fibres
Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of the Isolated of Urinary Pathogens at Dhaka National Medical College & Hospital
Authors: Islam Md Badrul , Hasan Munir
Published: October 2012

Urinary tract infection is the most common infection causing illness in children and adults. This study was aimed to identify the uropathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. This study was done in Microbiology Department at Dhaka National Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka, during January, 2010 to December, 2010. A total of 1874 samples of urine were collected from suspected cases of urinary tract infections, from Dhaka National Medical College & Hospital. Among them, 290 (15.48%) showed significant bacterial growth. The most common uropathogens isolated were E.coli 229 (78.97%), Staph. saphrophyticus 15 (5.18%), Coliform 12 (4.13%), Klebsiella spp. 10 (3.44%), Enteococous 10 (3.44%), Staph. aureus 05 (1.72%), Streptococcus spp. 05 (1.72%) and Pseudomonas spp. 04 (1.38%). E.coli is the most common urupathogen and showed sensitivity pattern to Imipenem 84.28%, Amikacin 83.41%, Nitrofurantoin 73.80%, Gentamycin 66.88%, Ciprofloxacin 41.48%, Doxycycline 36.30%, Ceftazidime 34.50%, Ceftriaxone 33.62%, Cefexime 31.0%, Cotrimoxazole 32.31%, Nalidixic acid 24.01%, Cephradine 17.47% and Ampicillin 11.35%. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12223 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 4-6
Pattern of acne vulgaris in women, attending in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Khondker L , Rahman MM , Mahmud MM , Khan MSI , Khan H , Kabir H
Published: October 2012

A cross-sectional study was carried out for a period of one year in the outpatient department of Dermatology and Venereology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Seventy female patients having acne vulgaris were selected. The study showed that the mean age of the cases was 22.43 with standard deviation 5.2 years and highest percentage of patients were in the age group 20-24 years (41.4%), highest percentage of patients was unmarried among the cases (74.3%) and proportion of secondary (35.7%) and higher secondary education (20%) were found to be high among the cases. The study showed that proportion of student (65.7%) and housewife (17.1%) were found to be high among the cases. The mean duration of disease was 62.6 months and all the patients had presented with comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). All the patients had acne in the face and it was found that 60% had moderate type acne. Considering the pattern of treatment received, 42.9% of the patients mentioned that they used topical ointment, 37.1% had received herbal medication and 25.7% had received systemic medication. To get an overall impression of the country regarding acne vulgaris, more integrated study is needed. This was a study on a limited number of cases. Future studies must include economical support, then large sample size could be ensured and study finding would be more reliable. There is a great need of epidemiological studies also, with sufficient follow-up, systematic reviews and meta-analyses on this issue. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12234 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 18-23
Pattern of Injuries Among Children of Urban Slum Dwellers in Dhaka City
Authors: Alamgir Mithun , Mahboob Sarwar , Ahmed Khan Shakil , Islam Md Shofiqul , Gazi Shafinaz , Ahmed Afsana
Published: October 2012

This cross sectional study was conducted among the children aged 18 years and below at korail slum, near Gulshan Lake, Banani, Dhaka during March to June 2007 to ascertain the pattern of injuries and the risk factors associated with those injuries. Data were collected using cluster sampling technique. The total numbers of children under study in the surveyed house-holds were 486 and out of them 210 were injured. The prevalence of injury was, therefore, 43.2% or 432 per 1000 children. Nearly half (47%) of the participants were between 10-15 years of age and only about 2% were 15-18 years. The mean age was 8.8 ±3.4 years and the lowest and highest ages were 6 months and 17 years respectively. Male-female ratio was almost 1:1 and injury rate did not vary at all with respect to sex. The highest injury rate was observed among <5 yrs children (49%) and the lowest among those aged 15-18 yrs (39%). However, variation in age specific injury rates was not remarkable. The highest number of child injury was due to burn (33%), followed by road accident (29%) and occupational injury (14%). Other causes of child injuries were fall on the street (8%), animal bite (4%), fall from tree (1.5%), drowning (2%), fall from roof (3%), electric burn (1.5%), poisoning (1%) and chemical burn (0.5%) respectively. The overall high rate of prevalence of child injury and major causes (burn, road traffic accident, occupational injury) suggest for launching preventive strategy. Further in depth studies are recommended. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12235 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 24-28
Gross and histomorphological study of thickness of the gallbladder wall
Authors: Khan Laila Farzana , Naushaba Humaira , Paul Uttam Kumar , Banik Shibani , Al-Safri Mostak Ahmed
Published: October 2012

Diffuse gallbladder wall thickening is a nonspecific alteration caused by both intrinsic and extracholecystic diseases. The incidence of gallbladder illness in our country is increasing day by day. Details morphological and histomorphological knowledge is essential for proper diagnosis & management of the gallbladder diseases. This is a cross sectional descriptive type of study which was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka from July 2010 to June 2011. The number of sample was 62 postmortem human gallbladder which were collected from unclaimed dead bodies of the morgue of Dhaka Medical College and Sir Salimullah Medical College. The samples were divided into three different age groups. Morphological study was carried out on all samples by fine dissection method and histomorphological study was carried out on 18 relatively fresh samples by light microscopic method. There was statistically significant difference found when values were compared between different age groups. This study has revealed an age related change in the thickness of the gallbladder wall. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12238 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 34-38
Factors of Post-operative wound infection in abdominal surgeries of Obstetrics and Gynaecology department
Authors: Rahman Jahanara , Sultana Nasreen , Hasan Munir , Begum Hosne Ara
Published: October 2012

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in Obstetrics and Gynecology department, unit I of Dhaka National Medical College Hospital between June 2010 and May 2011. The objectives of the study were to find out the predisposing factors and to identify the organism causing post-operative wound infection. Out of 530 patients who underwent major abdominal surgery, 40 developed wound infection and were included in this study. Mean age of the population was 29.73 SD± 94, ranges 18 to 60 years, all were female, 75% of them were literate and 55% respondents came from middle class and affluent society. Sixty percent population was multiparous. Anaemia and raised blood sugar was found in 70% and 27% of the population respectively. The respondents under went caesarean section (71%), total abdominal hysterectomy (27%) and laparotomy (2%). Wound infection appeared within 5th day, 6th to 10th day and beyond 10th day of operation in 22.5%, 52.5% and 25% cases respectively. Wound discharge was serosanguinous in 50% cases. Bloody, purulent and no discharge was found in 10%, 30% and 10% wound respectively. Growth of Staphylococcus was noticed in 30% culture wound swab. Besides this, E coli, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other Coliform bacilli was found in 20%, 5%, 5%, 2.5% and 2.5% of growth. In 35% cases no growth of organism took place. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12239 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 39-42
Oral hygiene practice among the primary school children in selected rural areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Sarwar AFM , Kabir MH , Rahman AFMM , Haque A , Kasem MA , Ahmad SA , Debnath PK , Mallick PC , Hoque MM , Hossain KA , Khan SI , Ahmed AHHU , Parveen S
Published: October 2012

Objectives: To determine the oral hygiene practices, periodontal status and bad mouth breath (BMB) among the children age between 5 to 15 years. Study participants and methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted at at four-selected primary school at Fultola and Juri Upazilla of Moulovi Bazar District. Total 250 children aged 515 years, were interviewed on oral hygiene practices and BMB using structured questionnaire and a checklist. Oral hygiene and periodontal status were assessed by using disposable dental explorer and a dental mirror. Results: Oral hygiene practice were; where (66.8%) non tooth brush and tooth brush users were (33.2%). The prevalence of dental caries plaque, gingival bleeding and BMB on probing was (69.6%), (91.6%), (66.8 %) and (64%) respectively. Conclusion: Bad mouth breath is a cause of concern among children associated significant factors were gum bleeding. Research involving clinical diagnosis of bad mouth breath and intervention through oral health promotion and periodontal therapy are recommended. Clinical relevance: This study provides baseline information on oral health status and bad mouth breath which necessitates in the future need for objective assessment, diagnosis and management of bad mouth breath for enhanced social and professional interaction without embarrassments. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12240 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 43-48
Hanging case of an Adult Male: A Case Report
Authors: Bari Md Rafiqul , Das TC , Hussain Anwar , Islam Md Mazharul , Yousuf Abul Kalam Mohommad
Published: October 2012

In case of hanging the process of respiration i.e. the exchange of air between the atmosphere and the alveoli of lungs is prevented by ligature in neck, leading to asphyxia and death. Hanging may be complete/incomplete (partial) where the constricting forces are the body weight or even only the weight of the head. In complete hanging whole body is suspended, no part of the body touches the ground. Complete hanging is suicidal in nature unless otherwise proved. In partial hanging any part of the body touches the ground. Partial hanging is suicidal (100%) in nature & there is no 2nd thought. Generally Medical and non-medical personals think that complete hanging may be suicidal, but partial hanging is definitely homicidal in nature which is not the actual fact. Hanging with signs of torture in various parts of body goes in favour of (provoked) suicidal nature. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12244 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 63-64
Automated three-component synthesis of a library of γ-lactams
Authors: Fenster Erik , Hill David , Reiser Oliver , Aubé Jeffrey
Published: October 2012

A three-component method for the synthesis of γ-lactams from commercially available maleimides, aldehydes, and amines was adapted to parallel library synthesis. Improvements to the chemistry over previous efforts include the optimization of the method to a one-pot process, the management of by-products and excess reagents, the development of an automated parallel sequence, and the adaption of the method to permit the preparation of enantiomerically enriched products. These efforts culminated in the preparation of a library of 169 γ-lactams.
Botswana et Maurice, deux miracles africains
Authors: Silve Arthur
Published: October 2012

Résumé Cet article établit un état des lieux sur les trajectoires de développement exceptionnelles du Botswana et de l’île Maurice et sur les éléments de compréhension offerts par la littérature économique. Notamment, il revient en détail sur trois politiques – industrielle, commerciale et de change – et la manière dont elles ont permis de tirer parti de différentes rentes économiques. Enfin, il pose les bases d’une nouvelle grille d’analyse, qui articule les caractéristiques du processus productif avec la structure économique de la société. Le mécanisme décrit permet d’éclairer tant le succès de développement que la stabilité politique de ces deux pays africains.
La population en droit constitutionnel
Authors: Ondoua Alain
Published: October 2012

Résumé L’approche classique de la souveraineté ne renseigne pas suffisamment sur l’organisation singulière des espaces politiques africains. En effet, placer la focale sur les concepts de peuple ou de nation peut conduire à une sorte de « myopie constitutionnelle », dès lors que de nombreux conflits politiques ou postélectoraux résultent souvent de l’absence de véritable prise en compte de la composition humaine des collectivités étatiques africaines. Une autre voie mérite par conséquent d’être explorée : mobiliser le concept de population (concept davantage utilisé dans les études démographiques) dans la compréhension et la construction des sociétés politiques à substrat humain complexe, à l’exemple des pays d’Afrique francophone.
Quelques réserves sur l'élection du président de la République au suffrage universel
Authors: Fall Ismaïla Madior
Published: October 2012

Résumé Discuter de la pertinence ou de la légitimité de l’élection du président de la République au suffrage universel direct dans les sociétés politiques contemporaines, n’est-ce pas tabou ? Peut-être pas si l’on considère que la science du droit et de la politique s’autorise à discuter de tout. Mais il est vrai qu’une discussion sur la pertinence de la désignation populaire du président peut quand même paraître taboue, au moins incongrue, si l’on pense aux vertus de celle-ci qui a fini de conquérir ses lettres de noblesse dans des grandes démocraties avant de s’étendre aux systèmes politiques de tous les continents.
Les compétences du contrôleur de gestion : des besoins autant humains que techniques
Authors: Ducrocq Charles , Bironneau Laurent , Le Roy Bruno , Thenet Gervais
Published: October 2012

Résumé Les contrôleurs de gestion doivent faire face à des changements majeurs, liés au développement des technologies de l’information et de la communication, mais aussi à l’émergence d’outils de modélisation et d’analyse. Nous nous intéressons aux conséquences de ces mutations sur les besoins en compétence des contrôleurs de gestion : quelles sont les compétences dont doit disposer aujourd’hui un contrôleur de gestion et celles qui seront importantes dans le futur ? Notre analyse s’appuie sur une enquête auprès de 129 contrôleurs de gestion, au moyen d’un questionnaire qui recense aussi bien des compétences techniques que de compétences humaines. Nos résultats confirment que les compétences techniques métiers constituent toujours le socle du quotidien d’un contrôleur de gestion, mais les répondants accordent une importance tout aussi forte aux compétences sociales et intra-personnelles.
Bilan social et personnel à l'épreuve de la nouvelle gouvernance des universités
Authors: Leroux Erick , Pupion Pierre-Charles
Published: October 2012

Résumé L’université française est, dans un contexte de nouvelle gouvernance, influencée par de multiples parties prenantes. L’analyse des discours des présidents en préambule du bilan social vient confirmer l’importance stratégique accordée aux parties prenantes personnel tant en raison de sa représentation dans les instances que de son apport central en termes de ressources et compétences.
Le contrôle stratégique des Instituts Confucius
Authors: Dorbaire Philippe , Chen Guo , Chen Mengwen
Published: October 2012

Résumé La littérature managériale et, plus particulièrement, la théorie des leviers de contrôle formulée par Robert Simons (1987), (1990), (1991), (1994), (1995), (2000), (2005) peut être utilisée pour comprendre la démarche des Instituts Confucius de la République populaire de Chine. Elle fournit un cadre d’analyse pour expliquer l’émergence d’une stratégie et donc appréhender le système de pilotage de ces établissements publics.
Les programmes de formation à l'entre-preneuriat sont-ils réellement utiles ? Le cas des concours pédagogiques de création d'entreprise
Authors: Arlotto Jacques , Jourdan Philippe , Sahut Jean-Michel , Teulon Frédéric
Published: October 2012

Résumé Cet article traite de l’impact du concours « Challenge Projets d’Entreprendre » sur l’intention entrepreneuriale des étudiants, mais également sur sa véritable contribution à la création d’entreprises innovantes comme facteur de motivation et de stimulation. Les résultats confirment son rôle « d’éveil » auprès des étudiants, mais ils ne permettent pas de conclure que ce type de formation influence de manière prépondérante le passage à l’acte de création, même pour les lauréats du concours.
Assessment of NASA’s Physiographic and Meteorological Datasets as Input to HSPF and SWAT Hydrological Models
Authors: Alarcon Vladimir J. , Nigro Joseph D. , McAnally William H. , O’Hara Charles G. , Engman Edwin T. , Toll David
Published: October 2012

This chapter documents the use of simulated Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer land use/land cover (MODIS 12 Q1), NASA-LIS generated precipitation and evapo-transpiration (ET), and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) datasets (in conjunction with standard land use, topographical and meteorological datasets) as input to hydrological models routinely used by the watershed hydrology modeling community. The study is focused in coastal watersheds in the Mississippi Gulf Coast, although one of the test cases focuses in an inland watershed located in northeastern Mississippi, USA. The decision support tools (DSTs) into which the NASA datasets were assimilated were the Soil Water & Assessment Tool (SWAT) and the Hydrological Simulation Program Fortran (HSPF). These DSTs are endorsed by several US government agencies (EPA, FEMA, USGS) for water resources management strategies. These models use physiographic and meteorological data extensively. Precipitation gages and USGS gage stations in the region were used to calibrate several HSPF and SWAT model applications. Land use and topographical datasets were swapped to assess model output sensitivities. NASA-LIS meteorological data were introduced in the calibrated model applications for simulation of watershed hydrology for a time period in which no weather data were available (1997-2006). The performance of the NASA datasets in the context of hydrological modeling was assessed through comparison of measured and model-simulated hydrographs. Overall, NASA datasets were as useful as standard land use, topographical, and meteorological datasets. Moreover, NASA datasets were used for performing analyses that the standard datasets could not made possible, e.g., introduction of land use dynamics into hydrological simulations.
Cartography and Geovisualization in Groundwater Modelling
Authors: Cascelli E. , Crestaz E. , Tatangelo F.
Published: October 2012

This chapter investigates role of cartography and geovisualization in quantitative hydrogeology and groundwater modeling processes, stressing, further to their communication role, their relevant impacts on cognitive processes in the framework of a spatial exploratory paradigm. Review of current methods and tools reveal a very fragmented framework with an undesired prevalence of loose coupling strategies among spatial databases, GISs, and advanced analysis and groundwater modeling environments. This approach leads to both technical (as data integrity failure and exponentially increased development times) and management effectiveness problems. Case studies, focused on water supply at regional scale and groundwater flow containment for environmental remediation, document both benefits and shortcomings of current practice, including advanced issues as 3D and time-dependent analysis. Definitely, following current trends in GIScience towards standardization and interoperability, requirements for seamless integration of different approaches and tools are further stressed.
Insurance in Italy
Authors: Millo Giovanni , Carmeci Gaetano
Published: October 2012

The authors analyze the demand for life and non-life insurance across 103 Italian provinces in 1994-2004, assessing the determinants of insurance consumption in the light of the empirical literature and the distinctive features of the Italian market, which we thoroughly describe. The authors discuss common issues in the empirical literature on insurance development, presenting the sub-regional perspective as a partial solution; at the same time, they elaborate on the peculiar issues arising from the use of sub-regional data: spatial heterogeneity and spatial correlation. They describe the evolution of provincial heterogeneity and of the spatial features of the data over the observation period. In order to control for both unobserved heterogeneity and spatial correlation, they specify a spatial panel model with random provincial effects and macroregional fixed effects, which is estimated by maximum likelihood. The chapter carefully assesses the properties of model residuals, concluding that the specification allows for reliable inference on the drivers of insurance consumption. It concludes describing the empirical findings and giving some suggestions for future research.
Urban Environment Quality in the Italian Spatial Data Infrastructure
Authors: Congedo L. , Baiocco F. , Brini S. , Liberti L. , Munafò M.
Published: October 2012

Public access to environmental information is granted by international law. The European Community has established an Infrastructure for Spatial Information (INSPIRE) in order to provide data and information to effected environmental policies. ISPRA coordinates the Italian Environmental Information and Monitoring System (SINA) and represents the national Inspire coordination structure. Moreover, ISPRA disseminates environmental information through reports, on-line services, and WebGis. Recently, a new WebGis has been developed to provide public access to environmental indicators data contained in the annual report on urban environment quality. Soil, water and air quality, waste, industrial risk, transport and mobility, acoustic and electromagnetic pollution, nature and biodiversity, tourism, and energy were analysed in 34 urban areas. The WebGis provides simple and powerful tools to analyze environmental dynamics of urban areas promoting participatory planning. It was designed to easily access and select the indicators data and to represent their spatial and temporal distribution.
Spatial Clustering Phenomena of the Non-Native Resident Population in Italy
Authors: Montrone Silvestro , Perchinunno Paola
Published: October 2012

The profound economic, social, and cultural rights battles have taken place in recent years raise the issue of migration the subject of extensive scientific debate. In Italy, it is the presence of a diffusion model, more or less evenly distributed throughout the national territory, with some differences in the different Italian provinces (Caritas Migrantes, 2008; 2009). In the work, the authors study aims primarily to check for actual regular foreigners in their country, analyzing the economic system at the provincial level and comparing the level of employment of non-resident foreign population than foreign. This objective is reached also through the use of methods of spatial cluster aimed at the aggregation of spatial units territorially contiguous, by forcing the various units making up each cluster.
A Dynamic Method and Interactive Software to Monitor and Design Place Identity
Authors: Sepe Marichela
Published: October 2012

The rapid consumption of culture for chiefly economic benefit is leading the contemporary city towards the loss of place identity which is increasingly becoming hybrid, transitory and compromised. In order to analyse the new urban complexity several researchers have tested methods, maps, multimedia images, hypertext, and software. Indeed, computer science has in recent decades become a useful support for improving studies and applications in the field of area investigations. Starting from these premises, the aim of this chapter is to propose the PlaceMaker method and software as well as a synopsis of the experiments which were carried out. PlaceMaker is an original urban analysis and design method which both detects elements that do not feature in traditional mapping and constitutes the contemporary identity resources of the places, and it also identifies appropriate planning interventions also related to new needs and enterprises related to cultural resources. The questions related to the software development will complete the chapter.
Intelirel's Transition to E-Business
Authors: Kshetri Nir , Jayadev Satya
Published: October 2012

Intelirel is a U.S.-based multinational corporation that produces a variety of items with apparel as one of the business divisions. This case provides an overview of Intelirel’s transition to electronic business (e-business) of its apparel division. The company introduced the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) technologies in the mid-1980s. Before starting the implementation of e-business technologies in the late-1990s, the company conducted extensive surveys to assess the attractiveness and convertibility of its various market segments. The analysis of the surveys indicated that a strategic imperative for the company is to optimally combine EDI and the Internet so as to reap the benefits of both technologies.
Getting Customers Online
Authors: Suomi Reima
Published: October 2012

This article discusses the introduction of a Web-based electronic reservation system to an established Finnish shipping company. It is based on a real-life example and original research. In the literature, we see that online reservation systems in the airline industry are well studied, but less so in the maritime industries. We describe major changes in the business environment of the company. Our case company, Luxury Ferries Inc., introduced a new electronic reservation system in August 2000. Some of the findings include: established companies have very different needs and priorities in e-commerce than start-ups. E-commerce puts companies operating in several countries and several language areas under high pressure: through Web services the customers now find it easier to compare offerings in different countries and to display opportunistic behavior.
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Overlap: The Importance of the Phenotype
Authors: Kaski Juan Pablo , Biagini Elena , Lorenzini Massimo , Rapezzi Claudio , Elliott Perry
Published: October 2012

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is defined on the basis of the haemodynamic finding of restrictive ventricular physiology. However, restrictive ventricular pathophysiology is also a feature of other subtypes of cardiomyopathy, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Clinically and aetiologically, there is an overlap between RCM and HCM with restrictive physiology. However, the clinical distinction between these two entities can be an important pointer towards the underlying aetiology. This review highlights the importance of the recognition of the clinical phenotype as the first step in the classification of cardiomyopathies.
Low dose intradetrusor injections of onabotulinumtoxinA in women with overactive bladder symptoms or the painful bladder syndrome: unfavorable balance between clinical efficacy and the need for catheterization
Authors: Groen Jan , Marchand Wouter J.C. , Blok Bertil F.M. , Dohle Gert R.
Published: October 2012

We evaluated our results with low dose intradetrusor injections of onabotulinu - mtoxinA in women with overactive bladder symptoms and the painful bladder syndrome in terms of clinically successful outcomes and the need for clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) and in relation to urodynamic aspects. The files of patients treated with 100 U of onabotulinumtoxinA injected at 20 sites with sparing of the trigone were retrospectively analyzed. Nearly all patients completed voiding- incontinence diaries and the King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ) pre- and post-operatively. Cystometric and pressure-flow studies were done in the majority of patients. Success was defined as the patient’s and clinician’s joint choice for re-treatment with the same dose of onabotulinumtoxinA after a period of at least six months of clinical satisfaction. Twenty-six women were treated. On average, the improvement in most voiding diary parameters and in most KHQ categories lasted less than six and three months, respectively. Eight patients (31%) were scheduled for re-treatment with 100 U again after at least six months. No prognostic cystometric parameters were found. Six patients (23%) needed CISC. None of the bladder contraction strength parameters derived from the pressure-flow studies appeared predictive of the need of CISC. We obtained a success rate of 31% after six months with 100 U of onabotulinumtoxinA, while 23% of the patients applied CISC. We consider this success rate low and find the balance between the success rate and the rate of patients needing CISC inadequate.
Medical Management of Ulcerative Colitis with a Specific Focus on 5-Aminosalicylates
Authors: Freeman Hugh James
Published: October 2012

Medical management of ulcerative colitis has continued to evolve over more than half of a century. Perhaps, the important advance was the development of sulfasalazine, a drug initially used for the treatment of inflammatory joint disease and only later in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Sulfasalazine was a combination designer drug consisting of sulfapyridine, a sulfa-containing antibacterial agent, and 5-amino-salicylate (5-ASA), an anti-inflammatory agent. Its value appeared to be its ability to target a therapeutic concentration of the 5-ASA component of the medication primarily in the colon, largely avoiding proximal small intestinal absorption. With increasing experience, however, it also became evident that many patients treated with sulfasalazine developed intolerance to the drug and, in some rare instances, serious drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions, largely to the sulfapyridine portion. As a result, a number of alternative forms of delivery of 5-ASA were developed consisting of either a similar sulfasalazine-like prodrug formulation requiring luminal destruction of an azo-bond releasing the 5-ASA or a pH-dependent 5-ASA packaging system that permitted release in the distal intestine, particularly in the colon. As a result, 5-ASA—containing medications continue to provide a valuable management tool for remission induction in mildly to moderately active distal or extensive ulcerative colitis, an additional option for more severely symptomatic disease and value for maintenance therapy with limited potential side effects, even with long-term use.
Phenotypes of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes and Cytokine Expression in Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis before Treatment and after Clinical Remission
Authors: Shimojima Yasuhiro , Ishii Wataru , Matsuda Masayuki , Ikeda Shu-ichi
Published: October 2012

Objective

To investigate peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, particularly helper T (Th) cells and cytokine expression before and after treatment in polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM).

Patients and Methods

Ten patients with PM and 15 with DM were enrolled in this study. As a control we used 11 age-matched healthy subjects. We analyzed peripheral blood lymphocytes using flow cytometry. Serum cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Th2/Th1 and Th2/Th17 ratios were significantly higher in both PM and DM than in controls and this Th2-predominancy is marked in DM associated with interstitial pneumonia. IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β were significantly higher in both PM and DM and IL-4 showed a significant increase in DM when compared to controls. There was no significant correlation between either any lymphocyte subpopulations or serum cytokines and clinical severity markers such as the manual muscle strength test, serum creatine kinase, and the total CT score. Th2/Th17 in both PM and DM, as well as Th2/Th1 in the latter, significantly decreased after clinical remission compared with before treatment.

Conclusions

Th2-predominancy as shown by the increase in Th2/Th1 and Th2/Th17 ratios may suggest active disease in PM/DM but does not reflect clinical severity.
The impact of differences in large-scale circulation output from climate models on the regional modeling of ozone and PM
Authors: Manders A. M. M. , van Meijgaard E. , Mues A. C. , Kranenburg R. , van Ulft L. H. , Schaap M.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Climate change may have an impact on air quality (ozone, particulate matter) due to the strong dependency of air quality on meteorology. The effect is often studied using a global climate model (GCM) to produce meteorological fields that are subsequently used by chemical transport models. However, climate models themselves are subject to large uncertainties and fail to reproduce the present-day climate adequately. The present study illustrates the impact of these uncertainties on air quality. To this end, output from the SRES-A1B constraint transient runs with two GCMs, i.e. ECHAM5 and MIROC-hires, has been dynamically downscaled with the regional climate model RACMO2 and used to force a constant emission run with the chemistry transport model LOTOS-EUROS in a one-way coupled run covering the period 1970–2060. Results from the two climate simulations have been compared with a RACMO2-LOTOS-EUROS (RLE) simulation forced by the ERA-Interim reanalysis for the period 1989–2009. Both RLE_ECHAM and RLE_MIROC showed considerable deviations from RLE_ERA for daily maximum temperature, precipitation and wind speed. Moreover, sign and magnitude of these deviations depended on the region. The differences in average present-day concentrations between the simulations were equal to (RLE_MIROC) or even larger than (RLE_ECHAM) the differences in concentrations between present-day and future climate (2041–2060). The climate simulations agreed on a future increase in average summer ozone daily maximum concentrations of 5–10 μg m−3 in parts of Southern Europe and a smaller increase in Western and Central Europe. Annual average PM10 concentrations increased 0.5–1.0 μg m−3 in North-West Europe and the Po Valley, but these numbers are rather uncertain: overall, changes for PM10 were small, both positive and negative changes were found, and for many locations the two climate runs did not agree on the sign of the change. This illustrates that results from individual climate runs can at best indicate tendencies and should therefore be interpreted with great care.
The spatial scale of ozone depletion events derived from an autonomous surface ozone network in coastal Antarctica
Authors: Jones A. E. , Wolff E. W. , Brough N. , Bauguitte S. J.-B. , Weller R. , Yela M. , Navarro-Comas M. , Ochoa H. A. , Theys N.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. To probe the spatial extent of tropospheric ozone depletion events during Antarctic spring, a network of 10 autonomous ozone monitors was established around the Dronning Maud Land sector of Antarctica for a full calendar year. Together with manned stations in the area, the network covered a ~1200 km stretch of coast, as well as a transect ~300 km inland and to ~2000 m above sea level (a.s.l.). Here we present results from the spring period (August to October 2008). While some ozone depletion events were evident at only a single site, implying localised ozone destruction, others were evident across the network. The fact that, on occasions, ozone depletion events were observed at all coastal sites simultaneously, suggests the depleted air mass had a scale of at least 1200 km. As the ozone-poor air was advected from the Weddell Sea sea ice zone, the data imply that large areas over the Weddell Sea sea ice zone are significantly depleted in ozone on occasions during Antarctic spring.
Role of regression model selection and station distribution on the estimation of oceanic anthropogenic carbon change by eMLR
Authors: Plancherel Y. , Rodgers K. B. , Key R. M. , Jacobson A. R. , Sarmiento J. L.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Differencing predictions of linear regression models generated from hydrographic data collected at different times (the eMLR method) was proposed as a means of quantifying the dominant patterns of change in oceanic anthropogenic carbon in the context of sparse data sets subject to natural variability. The ability of eMLR to recover the anthropogenic carbon signal in the North Atlantic was tested using a global circulation and biogeochemistry model. Basin-scale applications of eMLR on horizontal layers can estimate the change in anthropogenic carbon inventory with an accuracy typically better than 10%. Regression model selection influences the distribution of the recovered anthropogenic carbon change signal. The systematic use of statistically optimum regression formulae does not produce the best estimates of anthropogenic carbon change if the distribution of the station locations emphasizes hydrographic features differently in time. Additional factors, such as a balanced station distribution and vertical continuity of the regression formulae should be considered to guide model selection. Accurate results are obtained when multiple formulae are used throughout the water column. Different formulae can yield results of similar quality. The fact that good results are obtained in the hydrographically complex North Atlantic suggests that eMLR can produce accurate estimates in other basins.
Volcano impacts on climate and biogeochemistry in a coupled carbon–climate model
Authors: Rothenberg D. , Mahowald N. , Lindsay K. , Doney S. C. , Moore J. K. , Thornton P.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Volcanic eruptions induce a dynamical response in the climate system characterized by short-term global reductions in both surface temperature and precipitation, as well as a response in biogeochemistry. The available observations of these responses to volcanic eruptions, such as to Pinatubo, provide a valuable method to compare against model simulations. Here, the Community Climate System Model Version 3 (CCSM3) reproduces the physical climate response to volcanic eruptions in a realistic way, as compared to direct observations from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. The model's biogeochemical response to eruptions is smaller in magnitude than observed, but because of the lack of observations, it is not clear why or where the modeled carbon response is not strong enough. Comparison to other models suggests that this model response is much weaker over tropical land; however, the precipitation response in other models is not accurate, suggesting that other models could be getting the right response for the wrong reason. The underestimated carbon response in the model compared to observations could also be due to the ash and lava input of biogeochemically important species to the ocean, which are not included in the simulation. A statistically significant reduction in the simulated carbon dioxide growth rate is seen at the 90% level in the average of 12 large eruptions over the period 1870–2000, and the net uptake of carbon is primarily concentrated in the tropics, with large spatial variability. In addition, a method for computing the volcanic response in model output without using a control ensemble is tested against a traditional methodology using two separate ensembles of runs; the method is found to produce similar results in the global average. These results suggest that not only is simulating volcanoes a good test of coupled carbon–climate models, but also that this test can be performed without a control simulation in cases where it is not practical to run separate ensembles with and without volcanic eruptions.