bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Fourier dimension and a modification
Authors: Ekström Fredrik , Persson Tomas , Schmeling Jörg
Published: August 2015

We give a sufficient condition for the Fourier dimension of a countable union of sets to equal the supremum of the Fourier dimensions of the sets in the union, and show by example that the Fourier dimension is not countably stable in general. A natural approach to finite stability of the Fourier dimension for sets would be to try to prove that the Fourier dimension for measures is finitely stable, but we give an example showing that it is not in general. We also describe some situations where the Fourier dimension for measures is stable or is stable for all but one value of some parameter. Finally we propose a way of modifying the definition of the Fourier dimension so that it becomes countably stable, and show that for each

s

there is a class of sets such that a measure has modied Fourier dimension greater than or equal to s if and only if it annihilates all sets in the class.
On the packing measure of slices of self-similar sets
Authors: Orponen Tuomas
Published: August 2015

Let

K \subset \mathbb R^{2}

be a rotation and reflection free self-similar set satisfying the strong separation condition, with dimension

\mathrm {dim} \: K = s > 1

. Intersecting

K

with translates of a fixed line, one can study the

(s - 1)

-dimensional Hausdorff and packing measures of the generic non-empty line sections. In a recent article, T. Kempton gave a necessary and sufficient condition for the Hausdorff measures of the sections to be positive. In this paper, I consider the packing measures: it turns out that the generic section has infinite

(s - 1)

-dimensional packing measure under relatively mild assumptions.
Leveraging Traditional Knowledge on the Medicinal Uses of Plants within the Patent System: The Digitisation and Disclosure of Knowledge in South Africa
Authors: Amechi Emeka Polycarp
Published: August 2015

Traditional knowledge (TK) plays an important role in the global economy and is valuable not only to those who traditionally depend on it in their daily lives, but also to modern industry, especially the global biotechnology, pharmaceutical and agribusiness corporations. Yet the exploitation of TK by these industries does not usually lead to corresponding benefits to indigenous communities either in the form of attribution or compensation. Such misappropriations of TK are aided by the fact that the global intellectual property (IP) regime as presently structured is based entirely on the traditionally western or conventional description of knowledge, as are its conceptions of individual intellectual property ownership. In response to the fact that their calls for the reform of the global patent system have not be heeded, most developing countries, including South Africa, have resorted to the adoption of a radically different strategy in their approach to intellectual property, particularly as it concerns the protection of their TK from misappropriation. This is evident in the adoption of strategic measures in South Africa for the protection of various aspects of its TK forms from misappropriation, such as the National Recordal System (NRS) and Disclosure of Origins (DRs). This paper seeks to explore the implications of these measures in leveraging TK within the structure, content and conceptual framework of the patent system in South Africa. The focus is on TK associated with the medicinal uses of plants (TKMUP).
Huidige Regsontwikkeling ten aansien van Uitwinbaarverklaring van ŉ Verband oor ŉ Onroerende Saak
Authors: Fuchs Michelle M. M.
Published: August 2015

Wanneer . verbandskuldeiser . verbandskuldenaar se onroerende saak weens wanprestasie uitwinbaar wil laat verklaar, is hy aan streng formaliteite onderworpe ter beskerming van die verbandskuldeiser en verbandskuldenaar wat saaklike sekerheidsregte oor . onroerende saak het. Daar is verskillende stadiums waaraan die verbandskuldeiser moet voldoen voordat hy 'n verband oproep ten einde eksekusie teen die sekerheidsobjek te verkry. Die oproepingsproses kan in vier stadiums verdeel word: eerstens, die voorverhoorprosedure; tweedens, die bepaling van die geskikte hof . jurisdiksie; derdens, die oproeping van 'n verband in die hof, hofprosedure; en, vierdens, beslaglegging en die eksekusieverkoping (eksekusie). Hierdie stadiums het onlangs verskeie veranderings ondergaan wat hoofsaaklik deur die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, 1996 (die Grondwet) en ander verbruikers-beskermingsmaatreels soos die Nasionale Kredietwet 34 van 2005 teweeggebring is. Volledigheidshalwe bespreek ek onlangse regsontwikkeling met verwysing na nuwe regspraak en wetgewing ten aansien van die eerste drie stadiums van die oproepingsproses van 'n verband op 'n onroerende saak. Daar word besondere klem gele op ontwikkeling ten aansien van die hofprosedure (litigasieprosedure) by die uitwinbaarverklaring van. verband, wat die derde stadium in die oproepingsproses is. Beslaglegging en die daaropvolgende eksekusieverkoping kom egter nie in hierdie artikel aan bod nie.
The Regulation of Market Manipulation in Australia: A Historical Comparative Perspective
Authors: Chitimira H
Published: August 2015

Notably, in Australia, market abuse practices like market manipulation and other market misconduct practices are expressly prohibited under the Corporations Act as amended by the Financial Services Reform Act. In the light of this, and for the purposes of this article, a brief historical analysis of the market manipulation prohibition will be presented first. Secondly, the available penalties and remedies for market manipulation are discussed. Thereafter, possible recommendations and significant Australian anti-market abuse enforcement approaches that may be utilised in South Africa are briefly stated. Lastly, concluding remarks are provided.
Apartheid's Alcatraz: The Barberton Prison Complex During the Early 1980s - Part Two
Authors: Peté SA
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this two-part article is to examine in detail the public discourse surrounding the Barberton Prison Complex during the early 1980s, at the height of the apartheid era. The prisons within the Barberton Prison Complex were notorious as being among the most punitive of the many prisons within apartheid South Africa. Barberton was the place to which the most dangerous and intractable prisoners were sent to serve their sentences, making it apartheid's "Alcatraz". The focus of this article is on the treatment of "normal" as opposed to "political" prisoners during the period in question, allowing the "voices" of ordinary prisoners – often sidelined and silenced – to be brought to the fore. The Barberton Prison Complex is examined through the lens of public discourse, as reflected in a wide range of South African newspapers published at the time. By analysing a large number of reports dealing with events at Barberton during the period in question, in both English and Afrikaans language newspapers, as well as in both politically conservative and politically liberal newspapers, this article attempts to capture both the "smell" and the "feel" of what it was like to be imprisoned in one of apartheid's toughest prison complexes. Furthermore, this article seeks to show that – despite legislative measures restricting the publication of information on conditions inside apartheid prisons – the press was able to provide a steady stream of information to the South African public on the shocking events which occurred at Barberton during the period in question. Part Two of the article examines a string of violent incidents which occurred within the Barberton Prison Complex during the course of 1983, leading to nine inmate deaths. The response of the authorities to this orgy of violence at Barberton is discussed, including the findings of a committee of enquiry. It is concluded that the events at Barberton during the early 1980s were symptomatic of what was happening to the apartheid system as a whole. The South African penal system - in particular at its harshest extremity - acted as a kind of barometer, revealing both the cruelty of the system, as well as the considerable constraints and pressures under which it was operating.
Section 294 of the Children's Act: Do Roots Really Matter?
Authors: Van Niekerk C
Published: August 2015

Section 294 of the Children's Act 38 of 2005 currently only permits commissioning parents to engage in surrogacy arrangements in instances where they are able to provide a genetic link to their future offspring. This provision then excludes other infertile individuals, who due to the cause of their infertility are unable to provide genetic material, from engaging in surrogacy as a means of becoming parents, often at times when adoption as an alternative is not available to them. This article critically analyses section 294 and the issues it raises. In particular, it considers the constitutionality of section 294 and the remedies available to infertile parties who cannot meet the genetic link requirement. This article further considers the importance of genetic links in acquiring a child and the alternatives thereto, and concludes by proposing a way forward.
S v Litako 2014 SACR 431 (SCA): A Clarification on Extra Curial Statements and Hearsay
Authors: Lutchman S
Published: August 2015

On 16 April 2014, the Supreme Court of Appeal handed down judgment in the matter of S v Litako 2014 2 SACR 431 (SCA) ("Litako"). The judgment reconsiders the landmark decision of the same court, S v Ndhlovu 2002 2 SACR 325 (SCA) ("Ndhlovu") in which the court held that an informal admission made by one accused could be admitted against a co-accused even if the accused in court denies making the statement and the statement itself is therefore considered to be hearsay. The court in Ndhlovu applied section 3 of the Law of Evidence Amendment Act 45 of 1988 and found that the hearsay extra curial admission could be admitted in the interests of justice. In Litako the court found that section 3 did not overrule an existing common law rule, which is that the extra curial statement of an accused (whether an informal admission or a confession) cannot be tendered against a co-accused. This is because section 3 does not expressly overrule this common law rule. Rather, the provision itself requests that its application be subject to the common law. The judgment is important for various reasons. Firstly, it is generally in keeping with the existing rule on the cautionary treatment of accomplice evidence. Secondly, the judgment highlights the current confusion in the relationship between statute and common law with regards to informal admissions and confessions. Thirdly, the court employs methods of statutory interpretation to re-examine the principle from Ndhlovu and finds that the court in that case did not apply its mind correctly in disregarding the common law rule. The court undertook a teleological approach to interpretation by infusing the meaning of the words with the spirit, purport and objects of the Bill of Rights and found that the statute had not overruled the common law rule.
Recurrent Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Diagnostic Challenge in a Supernumerary Intrathyroidal Dormant Adenoma
Authors: Sebag Frédéric , Lowery Aoife , Vanbrugghe Charles , Golffier Claudio , Henry Jean Francois
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism is a rare entity and presents a significant surgical challenge.

Presentation of case

We present the case of a 53-year-old female with recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism, which was caused by the very rare occurrence of a metachronous parathyroid adenoma in a supernumerary intrathyroidal parathyroid.

Discussion

This unique case highlights the challenges that arise in the evaluation of recurrent hyperparathyroidism in which even a thorough preoperative evaluation including radiographic, nuclear medicine studies and fine needle aspiration cytology did not facilitate a definitive preoperative diagnosis.

Conclusion

The management approach for these patients requires meticulous planning, experience and appropriate use of intraoperative adjuncts to guide surgical strategy.

How to cite this article

Lowery A, Vanbrugghe C, Golffier C, Sebag F, Henry JF. Recurrent Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Diagnostic Challenge in a Supernumerary Intrathyroidal Dormant Adenoma. World J Endoc Surg 2015;7(2):39-43.
Ganglioneuroblastoma as Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-secreting Tumor: Rare Case Report in a Child
Authors: Kumar Sheo , Kumar Basant , Upadhyaya Vijai D , Rao Ram Nawal
Published: August 2015

Pathologically elevated vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) plasma levels cause secretory diarrhea with excessive loss of water and electrolyte and is characterized by the typical symptoms of hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis. It rarely occurs in patients with non-pancreatic disease. Despite the clinical severity, diagnosis of a VIP-secreting tumor is often delayed. We herein present a 14-month-old boy having prolonged therapy-resistant secretory diarrhea, persistent hypokalemia with tissue diagnosis of ganglioneuroblastoma and raised plasma VIP-levels.

How to cite this article

Kumar B, Upadhyaya VD, Rao RN, Kumar S. Ganglioneuroblastoma as Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide-secreting Tumor: Rare Case Report in a Child. World J Endoc Surg 2015;7(2):47-50.
Pediatric disaster preparedness and response and the nation's children's hospitals
Authors: Lyle, MD Kristin C. , Milton, RPh, MBA Jerrod , Fagbuyi, MD Daniel , LeFort, MD Roxanna , Sirbaugh, DO, MBA Paul , Gonzalez, ARNP, MSN, MBA Jacqueline , Upperman, MD, FAAP, FACS Jeffrey S. , Carmack Tim , Anderson, MD Michael
Published: August 2015

Objective: Children account for 30 percent of the US population; as a result, many victims of disaster events are children. The most critically injured pediatric victims would be best cared for in a tertiary care pediatric hospital. The Children's Hospital Association (CHA) undertook a survey of its members to determine their level of readiness to respond to a mass casualty disaster.Design: The Disaster Response Task Force constructed survey questions in October 2011.Setting and participants: The survey was distributed via e-mail to the person listed as an “emergency manager/disaster contact” at each association member hospital and was designed to take less than 15 minutes to complete.Main outcome measures: The survey sought to determine how children's hospitals address disaster preparedness, how prepared they feel for disaster events, and how CHA could support their efforts in preparedness.Results: One hundred seventy-nine surveys were distributed with a 36 percent return rate. Seventy percent of respondent hospitals have a structure in place to plan for disaster response. There was a stronger level of confidence for hospitals in responding to local casualty events than for those responding to large-scale regional, national, and international events. Few hospitals appear to interact with nonmedical facilities with a high concentration of children such as schools or daycares.Conclusions: Little commonality exists among children's hospitals in approaches to disaster preparedness and response. Universally, respondents can identify a disaster response plan and routinely participate in drills, but the scale and scope of these plans and drills vary substantially.
The Ebola Spatial Care Path™: Accelerating point-of-care diagnosis, decision making, and community resilience in outbreaks
Authors: Kost, MD, PhD, MS, FACB Gerald J. , Ferguson, MS William J. , Hoe Jackie , Truong Anh-Thu , Banpavichit, MS, MBA Arirat , Kongpila, MS Surin
Published: August 2015

Objectives: To present a vision where point-of-care testing (POCT) accelerates an Ebola Spatial Care Path™ (SCP) and future molecular diagnostics enable facilitated-access self-testing (FAST POC); to design an alternate care facility (ACF) for the SCP; to innovate an Ebola diagnostic center (DC); and to propel rapid POCT to the frontline to create resilience that stops future outbreaks.Design: PubMed, literature, and web searches. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Medicine Without Frontiers, and World Health Organization (WHO) document analyses. Investigations in China, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States. Review of SE Asia, US, and West Africa isolation-treatment centers. Innovation of a SCP, ACF, and DC suitable for American and other communities.Outcomes: The authors designed an ACF and DC to integrate SCP principles for urgent Ebola care. FDA emergency use authorizations for Ebola molecular diagnostics were discovered, but no portable, handheld, or self-contained molecular POC instruments are yet available, although feasible. The WHO initiated design criteria and an acceptance protocol for testing. Financial investment in POCT will downsize Ebola outbreaks.Conclusions: POCT is facilitating global health. Now, global health problems are elevating POCT to new levels of importance for accelerating diagnosis and evidence-based decision making during disease outbreaks. Authorities concur that rapid diagnosis has potential to stop disease spread. With embedded POCT, strategic SCPs planned by communities fulfill CDC recommendations. POC devices should consolidate multiplex test clusters supporting patients with Ebola in isolation. The ultimate future solution is FAST POC. New technologies offer minimally significant risks. Diagnostic centers in ACFs and transportable formats also will optimize Ebola SCPs.
Proposal for a community-based disaster management curriculum for medical school undergraduates in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bajow, MD, MSc DM, PhD Candidate Nidaa , Djalali, MD, MSc DM, PhD Ahmadreza , Ingrassia, MD, MSc DM, PhD Pier Luigi , Ageely, MD Hussein , Bani, MD, PhD Ibrahim , Della Corte, MD Francesco
Published: August 2015

Objectives: Health professional preparedness is a key element of disaster response; overall there is a need for increased disaster medicine training worldwide. The objective of this study was to design and develop a curriculum in community-based disaster medicine for Saudi Arabian medical undergraduates.Methods: A structured five-step approach was used to develop a curriculum. Expert stakeholders from the Saudi Arabian and international disaster medicine communities were surveyed to determine objectives and content. Learning strategies were carefully considered to maximize participation and retention. Particular attention was paid to equipping learners with the teaching skills required to promote disaster preparedness in their local communities.Curriculum design: The course consists of 2 weeks of classroom activities followed by 8 weeks of e-learning structured within five domains of disaster medicine. The curriculum introduces core principles in emergency medicine, public health, and disaster management. Simulations, experiential activities, case studies, and role-playing activities are all used to promote higher levels of cognitive engagement. Special content addresses the adult-learning process, and students design their own community-based seminars in disaster preparedness.Conclusions: The curriculum is designed to promote learning in disaster medicine. Given the paucity of disaster medicine educators in the region, student graduates of this program would be able to improve disaster preparedness in Saudi Arabia by launching their own community-based disaster preparedness initiatives. The program could also be adapted for use throughout the Middle East.
Exposures and symptoms among workers after an offsite train derailment and vinyl chloride release
Authors: Wilken, PhD Jason A. , Graziano, BS Leah , Vaouli, MPH Elena , Markiewicz, PhD Karl , Helverson, MSEP Robert , Brinker, MSN, MPH Kimberly
Published: August 2015

Objective: In 2012 in New Jersey, a train derailment resulted in the puncture of a tanker car carrying liquid vinyl chloride under pressure, and a resulting airborne vinyl chloride plume drifted onto the grounds of a nearby refinery. This report details the investigation of exposures and symptoms among refinery workers.Design and setting: The investigation team met with refinery workers to discuss their experience after the derailment and provided workers a self-administered survey to document symptoms and worker responses during the incident. Associations among categorical variables and experiencing symptoms were evaluated using Fisher’s exact test.Participants: Twenty-six of 155 (17 percent) workers present at the refinery or driving on the access road the date the spill occurred completed the survey. Main outcome measure(s): Any self-reported symptom following exposure from the vinyl chloride release. Results: Fifteen workers (58 percent) reported ≥1 symptom, most commonly headache (12, 46 percent). Three (12 percent) reported using respiratory protection. No differences in reporting symptoms were observed by location during the incident or by the building in which workers sheltered. Workers who moved from one shelter to another during the incident (ie, broke shelter) were more likely to report symptoms (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.03); however, there are only limited data regarding vinyl chloride concentrations in shelters versus outside. Conclusions: Breaking shelter might result in greater exposures, and managers and health and safety officers of vulnerable facilities with limited physical access should consider developing robust shelter-in-place plans and alternate emergency egress plans. Workers should consider using respiratory protection if exiting a shelter is necessary during a chemical incident.
The simultaneous death of seven people due to the detonation of an antipersonnel landmine at the land borders of the European Union during peacetime
Authors: Pavlidis, MD, PhD Pavlos , Karakasi, MD Valeria
Published: August 2015

This incident concerns the simultaneous death of seven people as a result of the accidental triggering of an antipersonnel landmine during peacetime. The victims were illegal migrants who attempted to cross the Greek-Turkish border zone and accidentally entered a demarcated minefield. This incident is presented because of its rarity and highlights the devastating consequences of the residual mines on the European Union eastern frontiers in peacetime. It also showcases the difficulties and risks that arise during the identification process in illegal migration issues. The victims’ positions at the moment of explosion are indicated by the detailed forensic examination andcomparison of the injuries’ anatomical dispersion and their severity.
Filling the gap between disaster preparedness and response networks of urban emergency management: Following the 2013 Seoul Floods
Authors: Song, PhD candidate Minsun , Jung, PhD Kyujin
Published: August 2015

Objective: To examine the gap between disaster preparedness and response networks following the 2013 Seoul Floods in which the rapid transmission of disaster information and resources was impeded by severe changes of interorganizational collaboration networks.Design/setting/methodology/approach: This research uses the 2013 Seoul Emergency Management Survey data that were collected before and after the floods, and total 94 organizations involving in coping with the floods were analyzed in bootstrap independent- sample t-test and social network analysis through UCINET 6 and STATA 12.Results: The findings show that despite the primary network form that is more hierarchical, horizontal collaboration has been relatively invigorated in actual response. Also, interorganizational collaboration networks for response operations seem to be more flexible grounded on improvisation to coping with unexpected victims and damages.Conclusions: Local organizations under urban emergency management are recommended to tightly build a strong commitment for joint response operations through full-size exercises at the metropolitan level before a catastrophic event. Also, interorganizational emergency management networks need to be restructured by reflecting the actual response networks to reduce collaboration risk during a disaster. Originality/innovations: This research presents a critical insight into inverse thinking of the view designing urban emergency management networks and provides original evidences for filling the gap between previously coordinated networks for disaster preparedness and practical response operations after a disaster.
Medical interpreters and bilingual school staff: Potential disaster information conduits?
Authors: Ike, MPH Brooke R. , Calhoun, MPH Rebecca , Angulo, MPH Antoinette S. , Meischke, PhD, MPH Hendrika , Senturia, PhD Kirsten D.
Published: August 2015

Objectives: Dissemination of trusted disaster information to limited English proficient (LEP) communities may mitigate the negative effects these higher risk communities experience in disasters. For immigrant communities, disaster messages may be perceived with skepticism, and fear of public officials may affect compliance with disaster messages. This study explores whether medical interpreters (MIs) and bilingual school staff (BSS) are already informal information sources for LEP communities, and could their connection to both public service organizations and LEP communities make them ideal efficient, trusted disaster information conduits for LEP communities.Design: The authors conducted a mixed methods study, which included MI individual interviews, Latino community focus groups, an MI employer survey, and school administrator interviews. Setting: To ensure diversity in the sample, data were collected in both Los Angeles and Seattle.Results: MIs, MI employers, and schools are willing to communicate disaster information to LEP communities. MIs and BSS are connected to and share information with LEP communities. Latino LEP communities are eager for more disaster information and sources.Conclusions: The study adds to the evidence that a multipronged approach that includes collaborating with professionals linked to immigrant communities, such as MIs and BSS, could be an effective method of disaster information dissemination. Working with MIs and BSS as part of a wider dissemination strategy would promote a community-based interpersonal flow of information that would contribute to LEP community’s trust in the message.
Duration of intrathecal morphine effect in children with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusio
Authors: Ibach, PharmD Bethany W. , Loeber, MSN, APRN-CNP Carol , Shukry, MD Mohanad , Hagemann, PharmD, FCCP, FPPAG Tracy M. , Harrison, PhD, FAPhA Donald , Johnson, PharmD, BCPS Peter N.
Published: August 2015

Objective: Intrathecal (IT) morphine improves pain control and decreases opioid requirements in children following thoracic and abdominal surgery. However, studies in children report variable durations of analgesia following IT morphine. The purpose of this study is to describe the duration of analgesia in children undergoing surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis.Design: Retrospective chart review.Setting: Pediatric hospital within a tertiary care academic medical center.Participants: Forty-four pediatric patients with idiopathic scoliosis who received IT morphine following posterior spinal fusion (PSF).Main outcome measure(s): Mean opioid exposure 0-12 hours and 13-24 hours post-IT morphine.Results: Mean opioid exposure was significantly increased during the 13-24-hour compared to the 0-12-hour time period (23.0 ± 12.5 mg parenteral morphine vs 15.9 ± 1.7 mg; p = 0.0006). The only factors significantly associated with morphine exposure during the 0-12-hour period included the median pain score (0-12 hours) (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.033-3.80; p = 0.046) and total acetaminophen dose (OR, 0.003; 95% CI, 0.0008-0.005; p = 0.011).Conclusions: These data indicate that patients experienced improved analgesia for at least 12 hours following IT morphine. Increased use of adjuvant analgesics such as acetaminophen may reduce opioid requirements following PSF procedures. More studies are needed to investigate the combination of adjuvants and IT morphine to reduce postoperative pain in this population.
Opioid prescriptions before and after high-energy trauma
Authors: Zwisler, MD, PhD Stine T. , Hallas, MD, PhD Jesper , Larsen, MD Morten S. , Handberg, MD Gitte , Mikkelsen, MD Soeren , Enggaard, MD, PhD Thomas P.
Published: August 2015

Objective: To describe the legal use of opioids in adult patients before and after high-energy trauma.Design: The study was a retrospective database study.Setting: Clinical care outside hospitals.Patients: All patients who suffered high-energy trauma and were brought to Odense University Hospital (OUH), Denmark, in 2007 and 2008 were retrieved from the trauma database. These patients were linked with data on opioid use from the regional prescription database. In all, 938 patients were included.Main outcome measure: Redemption of opioid prescription during the 6 months prior to a multitrauma or redemption of two or more prescriptions for opioids 6 months or later after a multitrauma.Results: Of the 938 patients brought to OUH with severe trauma within the study period, 61 patients died (7 percent) and six of these had redeemed prescriptions for opioids within 6 months prior to the trauma (10 percent) compared to 65 patients of the 877 survivors (7 percent) (odds ratio 1.4, nonsignificant). In all, 62 patients (7 percent) redeemed opioid prescriptions later than 6 months after their trauma and in a multivariable analysis, severe injury itself and severe injuries of the lower extremities were associated with redemption of opioid prescription after the trauma.Conclusions: The authors did not find any correlation between death by trauma and redemption of opioid prescriptions within the 6 months before the trauma. More severe traumas and especially severe traumas to the lower extremities were associated with redemption of opioid prescriptions after multitrauma.
Impact of constipation on opioid therapy management among long-term opioid users, based on a patient survey
Authors: Gupta, MS Shaloo , Patel, PharmD Haridarshan , Scopel, MD, MBA Justin , Mody, MBA, PhD Reema R.
Published: August 2015

Objective: The authors sought to characterize health-related quality of life (HRQoL), medication adherence, productivity losses, and treatment satisfaction associated with modifications to opioid therapy due to opioid-induced constipation (OIC).Design: A cross-sectional, between-subjects design was used to examine health outcomes among US noncancer participants currently taking opioids.Patients, participants: Participants were adults in the 2012 US National Health and Wellness Survey, who reported currently using opioids (>30 days) and experiencing constipation. Respondents were categorized as making modifications to opioid therapy due to OIC (modifiers, n = 244) or making no modifications (nonmodifiers, n = 247).Main outcome measures: Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QoL) and Symptoms (PAC-Sym), Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment, and the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM II) for OIC treatment were administered. Generalized linear models were adjusted to control for baseline characteristics (age, gender, comorbidities, opioid strength, etc). Results: Modifiers reported poorer HRQoL (PAC-QoL total: 1.74 vs 1.44, p < 0.001), worse constipation (PAC-Sym total: 1.56 vs 1.35, p = 0.003), more pain-related resource use (surgery: odds ratio (OR) = 3.72, p = 0.002; emergency room visits: OR = 1.88, p = 0.049; hospitalizations: OR = 2.47, p = 0.033), and lower adherence (MMAS-4 pain: OR = 0.12, p < 0.001; MMAS-4 OIC: OR = 0.39, p < 0.001) than nonmodifiers. Modifiers reported greater presenteeism (49.75 percent vs 38.28 percent, p = 0.038), but no significant differences were found for activity impairment or OIC treatment satisfaction.Conclusions: Treating OIC effectively may help prevent inadequate pain management secondary to opioid therapy modification, help increase HRQoL, lessen OIC symptoms, decrease productivity loss, and improve adherence to opioid and OIC treatments.
The Culture of Construction Organisations: the Epitome of Institutionalised Corruption?
Authors: Arewa Andrew Oyen , Arewa Andrew Oyen , Farrell Peter
Published: August 2015

The culture of an organisation is a vital element of business competency that must align with its strategic goals, and enhance peoples’ perceptions, feelings and behaviour in adapting to the world around them. Organisational culture may also bring about negative practices such as dishonesty and unethical behaviours. Recently the culture of some construction organisations has been called into question. For example, major construction projects around the globe have become involved in allegations of fraud and corruption. The cost is currently estimated at US$860 billion globally; with forecasts that it may rise to US$1.5 trillion by 2025. Hitherto, the role of the culture of construction organisations in fraud and corruption activities has been largely hidden. The study aim is to establish whether the culture of construction organisations promotes corrupt practices in the UK construction and infrastructure sector. The study employed mixed research methods with qualitative interviews supported by a quantitative questionnaire and examination of five case studies in different countries. Findings show that the culture of construction organisations together with the nature of the industry promotes fraud and corruption. The study subsequently highlighted key cultural factors that support fraud and corruption in a way that is almost institutionalised.  

 

Key words: construction, corruption, culture and organisations
Developing Routines in Large Inter-organisational Projects: A Case Study of an Infrastructure Megaproject
Authors: Eriksson Therese
Published: August 2015

General management research has increasingly recognised the significance of routines in organisational performance. Among organisational tasks, megaprojects depend more on routines selected and created within the project than standard, small-scale projects do, owing largely to their size, duration, and uniqueness. Within this context, the present paper investigates how project routines were established and developed during the early design phase of an inter-organisational megaproject. A case study of a large public infrastructure project was conducted, in which data were collected during observations, semi-structured interviews, and project document studies over the course of three years. Results of analysis revealed that the client exerted the greatest impact on choice of routines and that the temporary nature of tasks limited efforts to fine-tune routines. Changes in routines were primarily reactive to new knowledge concerning project needs. The findings suggest that meta-routines to consciously review routines should be used to a greater extent and designed to capture supplier experiences as well.
Understanding Megaproject Success beyond the Project Close-Out Stage
Authors: Fahri Johan , Biesenthal Christopher , Pollack Julien , Sankaran Shankar
Published: August 2015

Project success has always been an important topic in the project management literature. One of the main discussions is concerned with how a project’s success is evaluated and what factors lead to achieving this success. Traditionally project success has been measured at the point where the project outputs are handed over, after the close out phase. Recently, questions have been raised in the literature as to whether we should be evaluating project success beyond the close out phase, to better account for organizational and societal outcomes.  However, not much has been published about how the long term impacts and outcomes are measured. This is of particular concern in megaprojects as they often attract a high level of public attention and political interest, and have both direct and indirect impacts on the community, environment, and national budgets. In this paper the authors review success factors and criteria that are applicable to projects in general and megaprojects in particular. They identify the significance of evaluating outcomes and impact and propose an ex-post project evaluation (EPPE) framework for megaprojects.
The Culture of Construction Organisations: the Epitome of Institutionalised Corruption
Authors: Arewa Andrew Oyen , Farrell Peter
Published: August 2015

The culture of an organisation is a vital element of business competency that must align with its strategic goals, and enhance peoples’ perceptions, feelings and behaviour in adapting to the world around them. Organisational culture may also bring about negative practices such as dishonesty and unethical behaviours. Recently the culture of some construction organisations has been called into question. For example, major construction projects around the globe have become involved in allegations of fraud and corruption. The cost is currently estimated at US$860 billion globally; with forecasts that it may rise to US$1.5 trillion by 2025. Hitherto the role of the culture of construction organisations in fraud and corruption activities has been largely hidden. The study aim is to establish whether the culture of construction organisations promotes corrupt practices in the UK construction and infrastructure sector. The study employed mixed research methods with interviews supported by a questionnaire and an examination of five case studies in different countries. Findings show that the culture of construction organisations together with the nature of the industry promotes fraud and corruption. The study subsequently highlights key cultural factors that support fraud and corruption in a way that is almost institutionalised.
Investigation of thermodynamic factors influencing Thorium reactor efficiencies
Authors: Glass Jarrod , Burgess Anthony , Okugawa Takuya
Published: August 2015

In this meta-study, the major forms of thorium based nuclear reactors were compared using thermodynamic parameters to find which reactor type holds the highest thermodynamic efficiency and hence, determine which reactor would be most beneficial to research further and implement for energy production. Our study found that molten salt reactors had the best thermodynamic efficiency and also runs at one atmospheric pressure, making it safer than conventional water reactors. The findings in this study show molten salt reactors would be the most efficient reactor to replace standard water reactors, which dominate the market in use of nuclear energy production. This study found a strong link between the thermal efficiency of the plant and the pressure and temperature at which it runs. Reactor core volumes also appeared to have a small effect on the efficiencies. Power flux density was calculated for each style of reactor and compared to other parameters but no distinct relationship was found between them.
Geothermal Power: Factors affecting the performance of Binary Plants
Authors: Domanski Izabela , Cappadona Matthew , Fuller Oliver , Krix Zeb
Published: August 2015

A meta-study is conducted investigating the effect of plant parameters on the power output and efficiency of geothermal binary cycle power plants. Production well depth, geofluid temperature and mass flow rate are the parameters considered. An increase in mass flow rate is shown to increase both power output and efficiency. It is shown that a distinction can be made between two basic types of binary plants based off of mass flow and performance data. The well depth is shown to have no effect on plant performance. In addition, condenser parameters were investigated and the highest efficiency condenser system is determined.
Aerosol composition, oxidative properties, and sources in Beijing: results from the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit study
Authors: Xu W. Q. , Sun Y. L. , Chen C. , Du W. , Han T. T. , Wang Q. Q. , Fu P. Q. , Wang Z. F. , Zhao X. J. , Zhou L. B. , Ji D. S. , Wang P. C. , Worsnop D. R.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. The mitigation of air pollution in megacities remains a great challenge because of the complex sources and formation mechanisms of aerosol particles. The 2014 Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing serves as a unique experiment to study the impacts of emission controls on aerosol composition, size distributions, and oxidative properties. Herein, a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer was deployed in urban Beijing for real-time measurements of size-resolved non-refractory submicron aerosol (NR-PM1) species from 14 October to 12 November 2014, along with a range of collocated measurements. The average (±σ) PM1 was 41.6 (±38.9) μg m−3 during APEC, which was decreased by 53 % compared with that before APEC. The aerosol composition showed substantial changes owing to emission controls during APEC. Secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA = sulfate + nitrate + ammonium) showed significant reductions of 62–69 %, whereas organics presented much smaller decreases (35 %). The results from the positive matrix factorization of organic aerosols (OA) indicated that highly oxidized secondary OA (SOA) showed decreases similar to those of SIA during APEC. However, primary OA (POA) from cooking, traffic, and biomass burning sources were comparable to those before APEC, indicating the presence of strong local source emissions. The oxidation properties showed corresponding changes in response to OA composition. The average oxygen-to-carbon level during APEC was 0.36 (±0.10), which is lower than the 0.43 (±0.13) measured before APEC, demonstrating a decrease in the OA oxidation degree. The changes in size distributions of primary and secondary species varied during APEC. SIA and SOA showed significant reductions in large accumulation modes with peak diameters shifting from ~ 650 to 400 nm during APEC, whereas those of POA remained relatively unchanged. The changes in aerosol composition, size distributions, and oxidation degrees during the aging processes were further illustrated in a case study of a severe haze episode. Our results elucidated a complex response of aerosol chemistry to emission controls, which has significant implications that emission controls over regional scales can substantially reduce secondary particulates. However, stricter emission controls for local source emissions are needed for further mitigating air pollution in the megacity of Beijing.
Modeling and detection of regional depth phases at the GERES array
Authors: Apoloner M.-T. , Bokelmann G.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. The Vienna Basin in Eastern Austria is a region of low to moderate seismicity, and hence the seismological network coverage is relatively sparse. Nevertheless, the area is one of the most densely populated and most developed areas in Austria, so accurate earthquake location, including depth estimation and relation to faults is not only important for understanding tectonic processes, but also for estimating seismic hazard. Particularly depth estimation needs a dense seismic network around the anticipated epicenter. If the station coverage is not sufficient, the depth can only be estimated roughly. Regional Depth Phases (RDP) like sPg, sPmP and sPn have been already used successfully for calculating depth even if only observable from one station. However, especially in regions with sedimentary basins these phases prove difficult or impossible to recover from the seismic records. For this study we use seismic array data from GERES. It is 220 km to the North West of the Vienna Basin, which – according to literature – is a suitable distance to recover PmP and sPmP phases. We use array processing on recent earthquake data from the Vienna Basin with local magnitudes from 2.1 to 4.2 to reduce the SNR and to search for RDP. At the same time, we do similar processing on synthetic data specially modeled for this application. We compare real and synthetic results to assess which phases can be identified and to what extent depth estimation can be improved. Additionally, we calculate a map of lateral propagation behavior of RDP for a typical strike-slip earthquake in our region of interest up to 400 km distance. For our study case RDP propagation is strongly azimuthally dependent. Also, distance ranges differ from literature sources. Comparing with synthetic seismograms we identify PmP and PbP phases with array processing as strongest arrivals. Although the associated depth phases cannot be identified at this distance and azimuth, identification of the PbP phases limits possible depth to less than 20 km. Polarization analysis adds information on the first arriving Pn wave for local magnitudes above 2.5.
Combined vertical-velocity observations with Doppler lidar, cloud radar and wind profiler
Authors: Bühl J. , Leinweber R. , Görsdorf U. , Radenz M. , Ansmann A. , Lehmann V.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Case studies of combined vertical-velocity measurements of Doppler lidar, cloud radar and wind profiler are presented. The measurements were taken at the Meteorological Observatory, Lindenberg, Germany. Synergistic products are presented that are derived from the vertical-velocity measurements of the three instruments: a comprehensive classification mask of vertically moving atmospheric targets and the terminal fall velocity of water droplets and ice crystals corrected for vertical air motion. It is shown that this combination of instruments can up-value the measurement values of each single instrument and may allow the simultaneous sensing of atmospheric targets and the motion of clear air.