bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival due to penetrating trauma
Authors: Moriwaki Yoshihiro , Sugiyama Mitsugi , Toyoda Hiroshi , Kosuge Takayuki , Tahara Yoshio , Suzuki Noriyuki
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to clarify the outcome of patients with cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival due to penetrating trauma (PT-CPA) and to establish the treatment strategy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical course of 29 patients with PT-CPA over the past 10 years was examined. We have taken three approaches to these patients: (i) an aggressive treatment strategy; (ii) an in-hospital system supporting this aggressive resuscitation; and (iii) the pre-hospital emergency medical service (EMS) system in our city.

RESULTS

Although the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was established in 59% of patients, only 17% survived for 7 days, 14% were discharged, and 7% were neurologically intact. Of 10 patients showing pulseless electrical activity (PEA) on the scene, ROSC was established in 100% and 30% were discharged; however, of 12 patients showing asystole, ROSC was established in 33% and no patient could be discharged. There was no difference in the time interval from the arrival at the emergency department to ROSC between discharged patients and patients who died. The time interval from collapse to arrival at the emergency department in discharged patients and patients who went to the intensive care unit was shorter than that of patients who died in the emergency department with and without ROSC.

CONCLUSIONS

We cannot decide to give up and terminate resuscitation in any PT-CPA patients and cannot define salvageable patients. However, our data show that 30-min resuscitation is thought to be relevant and that we should not give up on resuscitation because of the time interval without ROSC after arrival at the hospital.
Can the National Health Service Cancer Plan time-line be applied to colorectal hepatic metastases?
Authors: Jones Claire , Badger Stephen A , McClements Jane , McKie Lloyd , Diamond Tom , Taylor Mark A
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTION

The National Health Service (NHS) Cancer Plan guidelines recommend a maximum 2-week wait from referral to first appointment, and 2 months from referral to treatment for primary cancers. However, there are currently no guidelines available for metastatic disease. In the UK, nearly half of all colorectal cancer patients develop hepatic metastases. Timely, surgical resection offers the potential for cure. The aim of this study was to audit current practice for colorectal liver metastases in a regional hepatobiliary unit, and compare this to the NHS Cancer Plan standards for primary disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of the unit's database was performed for all hepatic metastases referrals from January 2006 to December 2008. The dates of referral, first appointment, investigations and initiation of treatment, along with patient's age and sex, were recorded on Microsoft Excel and analysed. Time was expressed as mean ± SD in days.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients with hepatic metastases were identified. Five were excluded due to incomplete data. The average time from referral to first appointment was 10.6 ± 9.4 days and the average time from referral to treatment was 38.5 ± 28.6 days. Seventy-five (72.7%) had surgical intervention, of whom 37 also had chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The data compare favourably to the NHS Cancer Plan guidelines for primary malignancy, demonstrating that a regional hepatobiliary unit is capable of delivering a service for colorectal liver metastases that adheres to the NHS Cancer Plan. Therefore, the NHS Cancer Plan can be applied to this cohort.
Request for Treatment: the evolution of consent
Authors: Shokrollahi Kayvan
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTION

Request for Treatment (RFT) is a new approach to consent which aims to facilitate patients’ understanding of their treatment and addresses some of the flaws highlighted in a literature review of current consent practice. It aims to provide a complete clinical, medicolegal, and documentary framework for consent and places patients at the centre of their care. It also provides doctors with more robust evidence that adequate consent has been obtained, and can be implemented with ease in most clinical scenarios, especially elective surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A thorough critical analysis and literature review is undertaken looking at the current state of consent world-wide. For the first time, a complete documentary system for ‘request for treatment’ is devised including Request for Treatment forms (RFTFs) alternatively termed Patient-centred Consent Forms (PCCFs). The arguments for the legal validity and other advantages of RFT are presented.

CASE STUDY

A case with all the documentation of a full consent episode is provided which illustrates RFT in action, demonstrating the simplicity of implementation, and the robustness of the completed RFT form as a source of evidence for both consent and capacity.

CONCLUSIONS

Request for Treatment (RFT) is a request-based model for consent that facilitates patient-centred care. It has a number of advantages including unrivalled documentary evidence of consent in the patient&s own handwriting and vocabulary, demonstration of capacity, ease of implementation, and a sound legal basis. For those who may wish to use it, RFT provides a useful and novel patient-centred method of consent, and is likely to protect against negligent consent practice by highlighting patient misunderstandings early and by providing irrefutable documentary evidence that consent has been gained. It may also provide a simple method by which Gillick competence can be assessed and documented. RFT forms are available for download at www.rft.org.uk .
Primary Care Clinicians and the Detection and Referral of Potentially Malignant Disorders in the Mouth: A Summary of the Current Evidence
Authors: Brocklehurst Paul R , Baker Sarah R , Speight Paul M
Published: March 2010

The importance of detecting oral malignant disease is paramount. Recent government strategies have placed an emphasis on the early detection of cancer. This paper presents a brief account of the current debate around the role of oral cancer screening and provides a summary of the results of three practice-based studies that were supported by the British Society for General Dental Surgery and the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK).

Overall, there appears to be a lack of rigour among some general dental practitioners when screening for potentially malignant disorders and their incidence in dental practice is perceived to be low. Barriers remain to the implementation of smoking-cessation schemes and many general dental practitioners feel out of their depth in tackling the abuse of alcohol, despite recognising its importance as a risk factor. Patients continue to present to their general medical practitioner (GMP) when they are concerned about something in their mouth that is not related to their teeth. GMPs’ ability to manage early oral cancer is discussed.

A prospective randomised controlled trial (RCT), or a demonstration study, is recommended to investigate the numbers of cases of oral cancer diagnosed in primary dental care and primary medical care and to develop standardised referral criteria for early cases of this disease to reduce under- and over-referral. The RCT could also examine the potential of using auxiliary healthcare workers and examine the impact of such a programme upon secondary care services.
A Review of Effective Methods of Delivery of Care: Skill-Mix and Service Transfer to Primary Care Settings
Authors: Williams David M , Medina Jibby , Wright Desmond , Jones Kate , Gallagher Jennifer E
Published: March 2010

Aims

Health policy in England is seeking to minimise hospital use and provide access to services in a primary healthcare setting and maximise skill-mix, driven by issues such as cost and access. The aim of this review was to determine the effectiveness of increased use of skill-mix and service transfer within general and oral healthcare. Secondary outcome measures were related to cost, quality, access, health outcomes and satisfaction.

Methods

Data sources were the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination DARE, British Nursing Index, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO from 1996 to August 2008. The reference lists of relevant papers were scanned to identify additional studies.

Data selection

A rapid appraisal of systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, controlled trials and service evaluations in relation to specialist services, practitioners with a special interest, medical and dental, nursing and dental care professionals, together with evidence of service shifts from secondary to primary care was undertaken.

Results

A total of 206 papers were reviewed. All titles and abstracts of articles and papers found were extracted and validated according to predefined criteria. They were screened for relevance by two researchers, who assessed trial quality and extracted data. Twenty-six papers met the inclusion criteria. The literature demonstrated limited evidence of the cost-effectiveness and health outcomes associated with changes in setting and skill-mix. However, there was evidence of improved access, patient and professional satisfaction.

Conclusions

There is an overwhelming need for well-designed interventions with robust evaluation to examine cost-effectiveness and benefits to patients and the health workforce.
Recurrent acute pancreatitis as the first and sole presentation of undiagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Lanitis Sophocles , Sivakumar Sivahamy , Zaman Nabeela , Westerland Olwen , Al Mufti Ragheed , Hadjiminas Dimitri J
Published: March 2010

Introduction

We highlight the pitfalls in delaying the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) in patients with acute pancreatitis as the sole clinical presentation. Primary hyperparathyroidism is a recognised, but rare, cause of acute pancreatitis. Hypercalcaemia caused by undiagnosed pHPT may be the only causative factor of recurrent acute pancreatitis.

Patients and methods

Three patients with multiple admissions for acute pancreatitis were diagnosed having pHPT during the work-up to identify possible causative factors. None of the patients had any other common predisposing factor for acute pancreatitis as revealed by clinical examination, blood tests and imaging. In retrospect, all had abnormally elevated calcium during previous admissions which was not further assessed.

Results

After diagnosis of pPTH, patients underwent bilateral neck exploration and parathyroidectomy. Histology confirmed parathyroid adenomas. The blood calcium level returned to normal and the patients remain well and asymptomatic after operation.

Conclusions

The role of pHPT as a causative factor is underestimated when managing patients with acute pancreatitis, and frequently the underlying disease remains undiagnosed for a long time. Proper early diagnosis and management prevent unnecessary morbidity.
Unusual cause of acute abdomen – omental infarction occurring in a child with cyclical neutropenia
Authors: Ventham Nicholas , Velchuru Vamsi , Scout Earl , Studley John
Published: March 2010

Omental infarction is a rare cause of acute abdomen in childhood. We describe a case of omental infarction mimicking acute appendicitis occurring in a child with cyclical neutropenia. Neutropenic enterocolitis, a serious cause of the acute abdomen, has been linked with cyclical neutropenia. In neutropenic patients, omental infarction when diagnosed pre-operatively can be managed conservatively with the focus on improving the neutrophil count. If after imaging the diagnosis is in doubt, there should be a low threshold for laparoscopy. The low incidence of omental infarction will continue to mean that it is a diagnosis made at operation for suspected appendicitis. In these cases, the infarcted tissue may be removed by the laparoscopic or open technique.
Improving Regional Policing: A Review of Protective Services. Undertaking an Audit of a Method of Analysis Using Soft Systems Methodology
Authors: Wilson Brian , van Haperen Kees
Published: March 2010

This paper illustrates how soft systems methodology (SSM) was used in undertaking an audit of an analysis method — Micro-Analysis — for improving effectiveness and efficiency in a particular area of policing known as ‘protective services’. The authors were asked to support the Regional Project Director tasked with exploring options for collaboration between North Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police. SSM was used to develop a reference model relevant to protective services which, together with information categories for each of the SSM activities and conceptual measures of performance, was used to analyse the efficacy of Micro-Analysis by comparing and contrasting information content. The paper further explains the importance of the use of other techniques and tools to overcome the information richness and to meet the need for flexibility of data representation. Finally, the paper reflects on the deliverables and achieved outcome of the project and suggests some further application of the approach.
Sheriffs' and Police Chiefs' Leadership and Management Decisions in the Local Law Enforcement Budgetary Process: An Exploration
Authors: LaFrance T. Casey , Placide MaCherie
Published: March 2010

While almost all local government administrators frequently interact with municipal police chiefs and county sheriffs, there is a dearth of scholarly literature concerning the decision-making behaviours of these law enforcement executives. This study, as part of a larger project, explores decision-making as it pertains to the annual budgeting process, an important basis for county- or city-wide interaction. The central question of this study is: what is the effect of selection method on a local law enforcement manager's willingness to cooperate with a legislative body during a budget crisis? This exploratory research suggests that the disparate methods by which sheriffs and police chiefs obtain office (election versus appointment) play a role in each executive's decision-making behaviours, albeit in a counterintuitive way: sheriffs are more apt to demonstrate local government leadership through cooperation with the county legislature while police chiefs are more likely to focus their efforts on intradepartmental management.
Management Indicators Used by the Carabineros of Chile
Authors: Frühling Hugo
Published: March 2010

The Carabineros de Chile is the larger of the two law enforcement agencies in the country. Since the transition to democracy in 1990, Carabineros has undertaken reforms to adapt to the new democratic conditions, as well as to respond to Chile's growing crime problem. In 1996, Carabineros created its First Strategic Plan, which emphasised the development of an integrated system aggregating information on the institution's enforcement, administration and budgeting activities. As a result, Carabineros developed a series of crime indicators based on its own data. Since 2000, Carabineros has become increasingly responsive to calls for greater police responsiveness to the public, implementing the so-called Quadrant Plan for Preventive Security in an effort to improve relations with the community. In addition, Carabineros has established operational targets aimed at reducing crime in accordance with the National Public Security Strategy announced by the central Government in 2006. Along with these efforts, the institution is now also using crime indicators based on external data provided by crime victimisation surveys. These have been internal decisions taken by the police, within the context of a governmental policy aimed at modernising the operation of all state institutions. This paper will assess the extent to which the development of performance indicators indicates the consolidation of police oversight mechanisms in Chile.
Building Internal and External Constituencies for Police Reform: An Indonesian Casec Study
Authors: Villaveces-Izquierdo Santiago
Published: March 2010

How can donor assistance facilitate and empower actors of change inside and outside the police? How can donor assistance articulate itself to emerging institutional challenges while at the same time enforcing true local ownership for reform? This article explores such questions by revisiting ICITAP's Institutional Transformation Project (ITP) one year after its completion. The article starts by providing the particulars of Indonesian political and institutional dynamics, and civil society engagement with police reform. With this backdrop the author shows how the ITP was conceived as an attempt to concretise a political concept into an institutional practice. In so doing, the author argues, the ITP became a vehicle for building relationships between police officers and local research institutions, advocacy groups and universities around a common ground that explored the reach of evidence-based planning. The article closes with a review of unanticipated effects and challenges that the outcomes of this project have had in the progress of police reform in Indonesia.
A Model for Developing Performance Indicators in Niger
Authors: Ilkjaer Lisbet , Boureima Sourghia Soumana
Published: March 2010

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, which at the same time faces serious security challenges due, among other things, to its location and lack of proper infrastructure. Niger is a republic in West Africa; mostly desert (the Sahara) and bordering countries such as Burkina Faso, Algeria, Libya, Chad and Nigeria. In 2008 Niger was classified as the 174th least developed country out of 179. The official language is French. Niger has begun a process of police reform that includes institutional changes and police education (Reform Programme 2008–2012). The Danish Institute for Human Rights has worked with the police since 2002 on integrating human rights in police education. In spite of current political willingness to introduce reforms, these face challenges very different from the ones found in more privileged countries. There is a lack of reliable data collection, statistics and means of verification in general; gathering information from the desert area is a major challenge and statistics are not really part of the culture of public institutions in Niger, including the police. Experiences from democratic policing, police reform and performance measurement often come from Anglophone countries with the consequence that most information and documentation only exist in English. The case study discusses the current state of police reform, measurement of police performance and how the process of reform could be advanced by the introduction of policing indicators in a six-step model in Niger.
γ′ Fibrinogen: Evaluation of a New Assay for Study of Associations with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Lovely Rehana S , Kazmierczak Steven C , Massaro Joseph M , D'Agostino Ralph B , O'Donnell Christopher J , Farrell David H
Published: March 2010

Background: Studies of disease associations with γ′ fibrinogen, a newly emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease, have been hampered by the lack of a standardized and well-characterized assay.

Methods: We developed an immunometric technique to measure γ′ fibrinogen concentrations in plasma and studied the clinical utility of this test in samples from healthy individuals enrolled in the Framingham Offspring Study and in a separate case/control study of coronary artery disease (CAD). Monoclonal antibody 2.G2.H9, specific for the unique carboxyl terminal peptide of the fibrinogen γ′ chain, was used as capture antibody. Sheep antihuman fibrinogen/horseradish peroxidase conjugate was used for detection, with 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine as substrate. We evaluated the linearity, imprecision, analytical specificity, and lower limit of quantification of the assay. We determined the reference interval for γ′ fibrinogen in healthy individuals from the Framingham Offspring Study (n = 2879) and quantified associations between γ′ fibrinogen and cardiovascular disease risk factors. The sensitivity and specificity of γ′ fibrinogen in evaluating CAD patients (n = 133) was determined with ROC curve analysis.

Results: The γ′ fibrinogen ELISA had within-run CVs of 13.4% at 0.127 g/L and 4.8% at 0.416 g/L. The limit of quantification at an imprecision of 20% was 0.10 g/L. The reference interval for healthy individuals was 0.088–0.551 g/L. ROC curve analysis of results from patients with CAD yielded an area under the curve of 0.76, with a diagnostic accuracy of 0.78 at a decision threshold of 0.30 g/L.

Conclusions: γ′ Fibrinogen shows excellent utility for cardiovascular risk analysis.
Quantification of Galactose-1-Phosphate Uridyltransferase Enzyme Activity by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Li Yijun , Ptolemy Adam S , Harmonay Lauren , Kellogg Mark , Berry Gerard T
Published: March 2010

Background: The diagnosis of galactosemia usually involves the measurement of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) activity. Traditional radioactive and fluorescent GALT assays are nonspecific, laborious, and/or lack sufficient analytical sensitivity. We developed a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)–based assay for GALT enzyme activity measurement.

Method: Our assay used stable isotope-labeled α- galactose-1-phosphate ([13C6]-Gal-1-P) as an enzyme substrate. Sample cleanup and separation were achieved by reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography, and the enzymatic product, isotope-labeled uridine diphosphate galactose ([13C6]-UDPGal), was detected by MS/MS at mass transition (571 > 323) and quantified by use of [13C6]-Glu-1-P (265 > 79) as an internal standard.

Results: The method yielded a mean (SD) GALT enzyme activity of 23.8 (3.8) μmol · (g Hgb)−1 · h−1 in erythrocyte extracts from 71 controls. The limit of quantification was 0.04 μmol · (g Hgb)−1 · h−1 (0.2% of normal control value). Intraassay imprecision was determined at 4 different levels (100%, 25%, 5%, and 0.2% of the normal control values), and the CVs were calculated to be 2.1%, 2.5%, 4.6%, and 9.7%, respectively (n = 3). Interassay imprecision CVs were 4.5%, 6.7%, 8.2%, and 13.2% (n = 5), respectively. The assay recoveries at the 4 levels were higher than 90%. The apparent Km of the 2 substrates, Gal-1-P and UDPGlc, were determined to be 0.38 mmol/L and 0.071 mmol/L, respectively. The assay in erythrocytes of 33 patients with classical galactosemia revealed no detectable activity.

Conclusions: This LC-MS/MS–based assay for GALT enzyme activity will be useful for the diagnosis and study of biochemically heterogeneous patients with galactosemia, especially those with uncommon genotypes and detectable but low residual activities.
Potential biomarkers for esophageal carcinoma detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Li-Hua , Shan Bao-En , Tian Zi-Qiang , Sang Mei-Xiang , Ai Jun , Zhang Ze-Feng , Meng Jun , Zhu Hui , Wang Shi-Jie
Published: March 2010

Background: Currently, no satisfactory biomarkers are available to screen for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The goal of this study was to find biomarkers and establish a serum protein fingerprint model for early diagnosis of ESCC using the ClinProt protocol of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

Methods: Serum samples were collected from 62 patients with ESCC, nine patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) and 38 healthy individuals. Proteomic spectra of mass to charge ratio (m/z) were generated following the application of plasma to weak cationic-exchanger magnetic beads (WCX-MB). The spectral data were analyzed using a support vector machine, and potential biomarkers were chosen for system training and used to construct diagnostic models.

Results: Three differential patterns were established using MALDI-TOF MS. Pattern 1, consisting of 11 protein peaks, separated ESCC patients from the healthy individuals with a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 88.4%. Pattern 2, consisting of eight protein peaks, separated ESCC in stage I and stage II from stage III and stage IV with a sensitivity of 92.9% and a specificity of 82.3%. Pattern 3, consisting of seven protein peaks, separated ESCC from EA with a sensitivity of 91.3% and a specificity of 80.0%.

Conclusions: These results suggested that MALDI-TOF MS combined with MB separation yields significantly higher sensitivity and specificity for the detection of serum protein in patients with ESCC.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:855–61.
Hyperhomocysteinemia is not associated with reduced bone quality in humans with hip osteoarthritis
Authors: Holstein Joerg H. , Herrmann Markus , Splett Christina , Herrmann Wolfgang , Garcia Patric , Histing Tina , Klein Moritz , Kurz Karsten , Siebel Thomas , Pohlemann Tim , Menger Michael D.
Published: March 2010

Background: Recent clinical and animal studies suggest that increased serum homocysteine (HCY) concentrations may be a risk factor for osteoporosis. In vitro studies showed that increasing HCY concentrations stimulate the activity of human osteoclasts. However, there is no data demonstrating that circulating HCY is related to structural and biomechanical properties of human bones. This study investigated the relationship between morphological as well as biomechanical bone properties and HCY serum concentrations in humans suffering from hip osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Fasting blood samples and femoral heads were obtained from 94 males and females who underwent hip arthroplasty due to OA. Bones were assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), biomechanical testing (indentation method), and histomorphometry. Blood was collected for measurement of HCY, folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Subjects were classified as hyperhomocysteinemic (>12  μmol/L, n=47) and normohomocysteinemic (<12 μmol/L, n=47) according to their serum HCY concentrations.

Results: Folate and vitamin B6, but not vitamin B12, were significantly lower in hyperhomocysteinemic subjects compared with controls. However, DXA, biomechanical testing, and histomorphometry did not reveal significant differences in bone quality between hyperhomocysteinemic subjects and controls.

Conclusions: The results of the present study do not indicate a significant relationship between circulating HCY concentrations and morphological or biomechanical bone properties in humans with OA of the hip.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:821–7.
Formation of metal microspheres by ultrasonic cavitation
Authors: Friedman Hilla , Porat Ze'ev , Halevy Itzhak , Reich Shimon
Published: March 2010

A new physical method is described for the preparation of metal microspheres by ultrasonic cavitation of low-melting point metals (<380 °C) immersed in hot silicone oil. The ultrasonic radiation causes dispersion of the molten metals into spheres, which solidify rapidly on cooling. This method is illustrated for the synthesis of Pb and Au–Si eutectic alloy.
Annealing behaviors of structural, interfacial and optical properties of HfO2 thin films prepared by plasma assisted reactive pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Ying Zhifeng , Tang Wentao , Hu Zhigao , Li Wenwu , Sun Jian , Xu Ning , Wu Jiada
Published: March 2010

The structure and properties of HfO2 films deposited by plasma assisted reactive pulsed laser deposition and annealed in N2 were studied upon thermal annealing as well as the evaluation of thermal stability by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and optical transmission measurements. The as-deposited HfO2 films appear predominantly monoclinic with an amorphous matrix which becomes crystallized after high-temperature annealing. No interfacial SiOx is observed for the as-deposited films on Si. The deposited HfO2 films exhibit good thermal stability and show excellent transparency in a wide spectral range with optical band gap energies of 5.65–5.73 eV depending on annealing temperature. An improvement in the optical properties by high-temperature annealing is also observed.
Suppression of SiC surface roughening during high-temperature annealing by atmospheric control using purified Ar gas
Authors: Ogura Atsushi , Kosemura Daisuke , Kinoshita Shingo
Published: March 2010

4H-silicon carbide (SiC) wafers were annealed at 1300 and 1600 °C for 30 min and 60 min in a conventional and purified Ar atmosphere. The surface roughness before and after annealing was evaluated by atomic force microscopy. The surface roughness before annealing was approximately 2.37 nm in root mean square. The roughness, after annealing for 30 min at 1300 and 1600 °C in a conventional Ar furnace, was increased to 4.53 and 14.9 nm, respectively. The roughness, after annealing for 60 min, was 5.01 and 19.1 nm, respectively. In this study, the G3 grade Ar gas (99.999%) was supplied in the conventional furnace tube. When the Ar gas was purified to an impurity concentration of less than 1 ppb, and it was supplied in the leak-tight furnace tube, the roughness after 30-min annealing improved 4.27 and 6.93 nm at 1300 and 1600 °C, respectively. The roughness after 60-min annealing was also reduced to 3.54 and 9.28 nm, respectively. We assume that a significant reduction of H2O concentration in the annealing atmosphere might play an important role in suppressing surface roughening of SiC during high-temperature annealing.
Microstructure and electronic behavior of PtPd@Pt core-shell nanowires
Authors: Han Wei-Qiang , Su Dong , Murphy Michael , Ward Matthew , Sham Tsun-Kong , Wu Lijun , Zhu Yimei , Hu Yongfeng , Aoki Toshihiro
Published: March 2010

PtPd@Pt core-shell ultrathin nanowires were prepared using a one-step phase-transfer approach. The diameters of the nanowires range from 2 to 3 nm, and their lengths are up to hundreds of nanometers. Line scanning electron energy loss spectra showed that PtPd bimetallic nanowires have a core-shell structure, with a PtPd alloy core and a Pt monolayer shell. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra reveal that a strong Pt-Pd interaction exists in this nanowire system in that there is PtPd alloying and/or interfacial interaction. Extended x-ray absorption fine structures (EXAFS) further confirms the PtPd@Pt core-shell structure. The bimetallic nanowires were determined to be face-centered cubic structures. The long-chain organic molecules of n-dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide and octadecylamine, used as surfactants during synthesis, were clearly observed using aberration-corrected TEM operated at 80 KV. The interaction of Pt and surfactants was also revealed by EXAFS.
Rare-earth transition-metal intermetallic compounds produced via self-propagating, high-temperature synthesis
Authors: McDonald Joel P. , Rodriguez Mark A. , Jones Eric D. , Adams David P.
Published: March 2010

Several binary intermetallic compounds—each containing a rare-earth (RE) element paired with a transition metal (TM)—were prepared by self-propagating, high-temperature synthesis (SHS). Thin multilayers, composed of alternating Sc or Y (RE element) and Ag, Cu, or Au (TM), were first deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering. Once the initially distinct layers were stimulated and caused to mix, exothermic reactions propagated to completion. X-ray diffraction revealed that Sc/Au, Sc/Cu, Y/Au, and Y/Cu multilayers react in vacuum to form single-phase, cubic B2 structures. Multilayers containing Ag and a RE metal formed cubic B2 (RE)Ag and a minority (RE)Ag2 phase. The influence of an oxygen-containing environment on the reaction dynamics and the formation of phase were investigated, providing evidence for the participation of secondary combustion reactions during metal-metal SHS. High-speed photography demonstrated reaction propagation speeds that ranged from 0.1–40.0 m/s (dependent on material system and foil design). Both steady and spin-like reaction modes were observed.
Changes in Occupational Safety and Health Indices After the Korean Economic Crisis: Analysis of a National Sample, 1991–2007
Authors: Min Kyoung-Bok , Min Jin-Young , Park Jae-Beom , Park Shin-Goo , Lee Kyung-Jong
Published: March 2010

We examined how the deregulation of South Korea's labor laws during the country's 1997 to 1998 economic crisis affected occupational safety and health. Although the economic index improved after the reforms, the total injury rate declined slowly and the incidence of occupational disease increased. The withdrawal of support for occupational safety and health is likely to have a sustained effect on public health.
An exploratory study of the use of a Thai politeness marker by Thai-English bilingual adolescents
Authors: Chanseawrassamee Supamit , Shin Sarah J.
Published: March 2010

This study examines the use of a Thai politeness marker, khráb (ครับ), by two Thai-English bilingual brothers, aged 11 and 15, during their 3-year stay in the U.S. By examining spontaneous speech data collected over eleven months (from Month 15 to Month 25 from time of arrival in the U.S.) in the boys’ home in the U.S., we show that the two brothers used progressively less khráb (ครับ) in speaking to their mother as time passed. The boys’ declining use of the politeness marker is explained in part by their greater use of other casual Thai particles as substitutes and, in the case of the younger brother, the English filler, ‘uh-huh.’ When the boys used khráb (ครับ), it was often for reasons other than for expressing politeness, such as to soften short responses and mitigate potential conflict. This paper argues that the boys’ use of this politeness marker reflects their ability to adapt to a new setting where there is less pressure to supply socially appropriate linguistic forms in Thai. By focusing on the continuing development of the first language of L2 learners of English, this paper presents a critical look at the changing linguistic needs of sojourners.
The Efficacy of Context and Cognitive Expert Patterns in Academic Vocabulary Learning
Authors: Sánchez María Jesús
Published: March 2010

This research intends to detect which instruction is most advisable for unknown English academic terms in first course students of English Philology. Fot this purpose it evaluates whether or not the context, with a small number of encounters (6) is superior to the visual help (expert cognitive pattern), obtained with the Pathfinder procedure (Schvaneveldt, Durso and Dearholt, 1989; Schvaneveldt, 1990; Thompson, Gomez and Schvaneveldt, 2000), when learning a complex vocabulary set; in this case, academic vocabulary (Coxhead, 1998). Results confirm that both types of instruction are useful when teaching this vocabulary however, context seems to be superior in spite of the small number of encounters used in the instruction. Bearing in mind the ease of getting appropriate contexts of use, this is the type of instruction that our research points to as the most recommendable.
Vocabulary Learning in Uninstructed Silent Reading and Story Rewriting
Authors: Lee Sandra Siok
Published: March 2010

A current issue in L2 reading research is whether extensive reading promotes vocabulary development. This study examined vocabulary acquisition in uninstructed silent reading of a short story with and without a vocabulary list followed by a story rewriting task. Time constraints of a public school setting prevented an extended period of study required for extensive reading research, but vocabulary learning strategies and outcomes of this study are applicable to extensive reading.

This study also explored Hinkel’s (2006) recommendation to modify the goal of extensive reading programs to meet the pedagogical ideal of integrated skills learning, that is, reading and vocabulary learning. Questioning the traditional goal of extensive reading to read relatively quickly for general ideas, Hinkel (2006) also proposes that it should draw learner attention to some aspect of language such as vocabulary. Similarly, Nation (2005) emphasizes need for deliberate vocabulary learning in extensive reading which should form a substantial and obligatory part of language courses (p.15). Due to the assumption that uninstructed sustained silent reading encourages students to read widely, I will refer to research on “extensive reading,” using Hinkel’s (2006) and Day, Omura, and Hiramatsu’s (1991) operational definition of sustained silent reading as extensive reading for pleasure over time.
Role of Glutathione in the Multidrug Resistance in Cancer
Authors: Karwicka Ewa
Published: March 2010

Multidrug resistance is the main problem in anticancer therapy. Cancer cells use many defense strategies in order to survive chemotherapy. Among known multidrug resistance mechanisms the most important are: drug detoxification inside the cell using II phase detoxifying enzymes and active transport of the drug to the extracellular environment. Cancer cells may be also less sensitive to proapoptotic signals and have different intracellular drug distribution, which makes them more resistant to anticancer drugs. Role of glutathione in multidrug resistance is the object of interest of many scientists, however, defining it’s function in these processes still remains a challenge. In this paper, properties of glutathione and it’s role in multidrug resistance in cancer cells were described.
The Shaping of Reality: Calvin and the Formation of Theological Vision
Authors: Mcgrath Alister E.
Published: March 2010

Abstract:

The first phase of the Protestant Reformation seemed to open the door to unrestricted freedom and diversity in biblical interpretation. A number of strategies were developed to limit the range of interpretative options, including an appeal to the consensus of the early Church. This paper explores the critical role of John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion in stabilizing Protestant biblical interpretation. Calvin developed a hermeneutical tool that offered a secure, defended way of interpreting the Bible, allowing a considerable degree of theological consensus to emerge within Reformed ecclesial communities. This paper contextualizes Calvin's approach, and notes some important applications, including the interpretation of biblical texts of importance to the dialogue between science and religion. Finally, some criticisms of Calvin's approach are noted, including the view that Calvin's clarity of biblical interpretation arose partly from his reading some of his insights into the text, rather than discerning them within it.
My Three Calvins: Religion and Politics Revisited, American Style
Authors: Jones Serene
Published: March 2010

Abstract:

Calvin's influence on the culture and politics of the United States can be seen as taking three distinct forms. Some receive the Reformed inheritance in a conservative, even imperial, way; others in a liberal or progressive way. Still others receive it as a critique of the pretensions of knowledge and thus as a threshold to secular humanism. While these distinct approaches look as if they are opposed to one another, paradoxically they intertwine, overlap, and qualify one another. Such complexity suggests that political conversation in North America on matters like abortion should be far more collaborative and nuanced.
Calvin and Tradition: Tracing Expansion, Locating Development, Suggesting Authority
Authors: Holder R. Ward
Published: March 2010

Abstract:

This article examines one way that Calvin rewrote or edited his works across his various editions, adding patristic material. These patristic expansions represent one of the most significant methods by which the commentaries and the Institutes grew in length. The lengthening was not merely an elongation, but also an addition of authority and gravity. The article analyzes three instances of expansion to demonstrate Calvin's implicit acceptance of the medieval model of authority. While Calvin's use of patristic material was varied and at times nuanced, frequently Calvin's addition of the patristic and sounder medieval source material represented a foundational acceptance and establishment of the tradition's “handing on” of the basic form of right religion. Calvin's use of this practice revealed his acceptance of an orthodoxy in particular fathers, his formation of a traditional theology, and his establishment of correct tradition as a source of theological authority.
Beyond Secularism? Rethinking the “Secular” in a Religiously Plural Context
Authors: Reynolds Thomas E.
Published: March 2010

Abstract:

In global and inter-religious 21st century North America, lines demarcating sacred and secular are becoming increasingly unstable and problematic. Yet in this lies great potential for rethinking the sacred/secular dilemma. The article argues that, contrary to prominent secularization theories, the secular is a particular kind of social space congenial to sacred traditions, defined not so much by anti- or a-religious ideologies (e.g., secularism or neutrality) as by public and democratic processes of interaction. The task, then, is to outline a framework for understanding and evaluating these kinds of processes. Secularity need not require transferring the authority of sacred claims to non-sacred mediums; rather, it means opening such claims to ongoing public conversations in which contestation and potential redefinition can occur. A third discourse emerges in-between parties that is dialogical and inter-religious in character, wherein continuities are forged amidst differences and the best of what sacred traditions have to offer become salient as means to sharing space.
A Different Tenor: Glimpses and Critical Reflections
Authors: Park JungHee
Published: March 2010

Abstract:

Fifty years ago, a young China-born Katharine B. Hockin, a United Church of Canada (UCC) diaconal minister and missionary, reflecting on the harmful implications of “mission to others” through her experience of listening to Chinese Christians and First Nations peoples in Canada, learned that right relations with companions had to start with her own healing, a gift of the spirit received through “listening to others in context,” developed her “missiology of companionship.” Today, a young Korean-born UCC diaconal minister explores the missiology and mission practice of Katharine B. Hockin and two of her former diaconal students and critiques the missiology of the contemporary scholar Robert J. Schreiter's mission as “healing of others” with that of Marilyn J. Legge's mission as “healing ourselves with others.” She finds Hockin's transformation from “mission as healing of others” to “mission as companionship” compellingly appropriate for the diakonia of the UCC today.
High-viscosity polymethylmethacrylate cement for endoscopic anterior cranial base reconstruction
Authors: Moliterno Jennifer A. , Mubita Lynn L. , Huang Clark , Boockvar John A.
Published: March 2010

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) is an effective, minimally invasive approach for the resection of anterior skull base tumors. Cerebrospinal leakage is a common complication, and repair of the anterior skull base defect with alloplastic materials has been used to minimize the risk of postoperative CSF rhinorrhea and meningitis. Injectable cements, such as low-viscosity polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), are useful for cranial base reconstruction because they are easy to shape to the contour of the defect. These low-viscosity materials, however, are more susceptible to leakage into the nasal cavity prohibiting their use and are prone to cracking upon hardening. Cement extravasation not only obstructs the operator's view during placement, but it is also associated with significant local and systemic complications. High-viscosity (HV) PMMA–based cement and its specialized delivery system have recently been shown to be safe and effective in human applications. Moreover, its constant high viscosity significantly reduces cement leakage and its associated complications. The authors hypothesized that this type of cement would therefore be ideal for ETSS to repair anterior skull base defects. The authors report their experience using HV-PMMA to reconstruct the anterior skull base in 12 patients following ETSS. The unique puttylike consistency of this material is easy to work, malleable, does not leak into the nasal cavity, does not aspirate into suction tubing, and hardens without cracks in less than 10 minutes. None of the 12 patients suffered postoperative CSF leaks or infections more than 8 months, on average, after surgery. Although not necessary in all cases of ETSS, the authors conclude that HV-PMMA, if needed, may be an excellent choice for reconstructing the anterior skull base after ETSS. Further studies are needed to better assess the long-term outcomes of HV-PMMA cement and its use in repairing skull base defects after extended ETSS.
Barriers to Health Care among the Elderly in Japan
Authors: Murata Chiyoe , Yamada Tetsuji , Chen Chia-Ching , Ojima Toshiyuki , Hirai Hiroshi , Kondo Katsunori
Published: March 2010

Japan is undergoing a set of health care reforms aimed at cutting rising health care costs and increasing the efficiency of health care delivery. This empirical study used a large-scale community survey on 15,302 elderly people 65 years and older (56.0% women) conducted in seven municipalities in 2006, to reveal clear-cut evidence of barriers to necessary care. The reasons for not getting health care is attributed to health care cost for the elderly with lower income, while higher income counterparts reported being busy or having a condition not serious enough to seek care.
A Novel PARP Inhibitor L-2286 in a Rat Model of Impact Acceleration Head Injury: An Immunohistochemical and Behavioral Study
Authors: Kövesdi Erzsébet , Bukovics Péter , Besson Valérie , Nyirádi József , Lückl János , Pál József , Sümegi Balázs , Dóczi Tamás , Hernádi István , Büki András
Published: March 2010

We examined the neuro/axono-protective potential of a novel poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor L-2286 in a rat impact acceleration brain injury model. Male Wistar rats (n = 70) weighing 300-350 grams were used to determine the most effective intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) dose of L-2286 administered 30 min after injury, and to test the neuroprotective effect at two time points (immediately, and 30 min after injury). The neuroprotective effect of L-2286 was tested using immunohistochemical (amyloid precursor protein and mid-sized mouse anti-neurofilament clone RMO-14.9 antibody) and behavioral tests (beam-balance, open-field and elevated plus maze). At both time-points, a 100 µg/rat dose of i.c.v. L-2286 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the density of damaged axons in the corticospinal tract and medial longitudinal fascicle compared to controls. In the behavioral tests, treatment 30 min post-injury improved motor function, while the level of anxiety was reduced in both treatment protocols.
Generation of Type I Collagen Gradient in Polyacrylamide Hydrogels by a Simple Diffusion-Controlled Hydrolysis of Amide Groups
Authors: Yamamoto Masaya , Yanase Kaoru , Tabata Yasuhiko
Published: March 2010

The objective of this study is to develop an easy and simple diffusion-controlled fabrication technique to generate the concentration gradient of biomolecules in hydrogels. Polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels with a concentration gradient of type I collagen were prepared to evaluate the cell adhesion. The PAAm hydrogel was exposed to a gradient concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution at 52 °C to generate that of carboxyl groups in the hydrogel. The carboxyl groups generated were chemically coupled with the amino groups of type I collagen to prepare the hydrogel with a concentration gradient of collagen immobilized. The attachment of L929 fibroblasts was evaluated for the collagen-immobilized hydrogel prepared. The amount gradient of carboxyl groups in the hydrogel increased with an increase in the NaOH concentration while the carboxyl groups gradient enabled to generate a gradient of collagen immobilized in the hydrogel. On the other hand, the number of fibroblasts adhered depended on the amount of collagen immobilized. These findings indicate that the adhesion behavior of cells is modified by the concentration gradient of biomolecule in the three-dimensional scaffold of cells.