bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MRI findings of cancers preoperatively diagnosed as pure DCIS at core needle biopsy
Authors: Huang Yu-Ting , Cheung Yun-Chung , Lo Yung-Feng , Ueng Shir-Hwa , Kuo Wen-Ling , Chen Shin-Cheh
Published: October 2011

Background

Under-estimation of invasion components occur occasionally at core needle diagnosed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) that may change the prognosis or treatment planning.

Purpose

To determine whether enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of biopsy-proven ductal cancers in situ help predict the under-estimation of invasive breast cancers.

Material and Methods

After a retrospective review of the enhanced MRI features on preoperative proven breast ductal cancers in situ by biopsy, tumor morphology (mass and non-mass), enhancing curve patterns, and non-mass enhanced appearances were compared between pure ductal cancers in situ and invasive ductal cancers (IDCs) after surgery. A statistical analysis was performed, and P values <0.05 were deemed significant.

Results

Twenty-five breast cancers from 24 women were analyzed. Eleven DCIS remained as DCISs, and 14 were upgraded to IDC after surgery. Eight of 14 IDCs (57%) and one of 11 DCISs (9%) presented as mass lesions; otherwise six (43%) IDCs and 10 (91%) DCISs were non-mass lesions ( P = 0.013). Among the non-mass cancers, six of 10 DCISs (60%) were focally enhanced and six of 6 IDCs (100%) were segmentally enhanced. The overall cancer sizes measured on enhanced MRI were moderately correlated with histopathology, with a Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of 0.656 ( P = 0.001). The mean diameter of the IDCs was larger than that of the pure DCISs on enhanced MRI (2.69 ± 1.42 cm for IDC and 1.62 ± 1.03 cm for DCIS; P = 0.048). The cut-off size was optimally selected at 1.95 cm with a 64% sensitivity and a 77% specificity, using a receiver-operating characteristic curve. The enhancement curves, with washout or persistent rising, were statistically insignificant ( P = 0.085 and 0.93, respectively).

Conclusion

Enhanced MRI provided informative morphology and size features that might help to predict the underestimation of invasiveness in preoperative biopsy-proven DCIS.
MDCT angiography with 3D image reconstructions in the evaluation of failing arteriovenous fistulas and grafts in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Dimopoulou Angeliki , Raland Hans , Wikström Björn , Magnusson Anders
Published: October 2011

Background

Arteriovenous fistulas and grafts are the methods of choice for vascular access in renal failure patients in need of hemodialysis. Their major complication, however, is stenosis, which might lead to thrombosis.

Purpose

To demonstrate the usefulness of 16-MDCTA with 3D image reconstructions, in long-term hemodialysis patients with dysfunctional arteriovenous fistulas and grafts (AVF and AVG).

Material and Methods

During a 17-month period, 31 patients with dysfunctional AVF and AVG (24 AVF and seven AVG) were examined with MDCTA with 3D image postprocessing. Parameters such as comprehension of the anatomy, quality of contrast enhancement, and pathological vascular changes were measured. DSA was then performed in 24 patients.

Results

MDCTA illustrated the anatomy of the AVF/AVG and the entire vascular tree to the heart, in a detailed and comprehensive manner in 93.5% of the evaluated segments, and depicted pathology of AVF/ AVG or pathology of the associated vasculature. MDCTA demonstrated a total of 38 significant stenoses in 25 patients. DSA verified 37 stenoses in 24 patients and demonstrated two additional stenoses. MDCTA had thus a sensitivity of 95%. All 24 patients were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with good technical results.

Conclusion

MDCTA with 3D reconstructions of dysfunctioning AVFs and AVGs in hemodialysis patients is an accurate and reliable diagnostic method helping customize future intervention.
Maternal hepatic growth response to pregnancy in the mouse
Authors: Dai Guoli , Bustamante Juan J , Zou Yuhong , Myronovych Andriy , Bao Qi , Kumar Sudhanshu , Soares Michael J
Published: October 2011

Pregnancy is characterized by physiological adjustments in the maternal compartment. In this investigation, the influence of pregnancy on maternal liver was examined in CD-1 mice. Dramatic changes were observed in the size of the maternal liver during pregnancy. Livers doubled in weight from the non-pregnant state to day 18 of pregnancy. The pregnancy-induced hepatomegaly was a physiological event of liver growth confirmed by DNA content increase and detection of hepatocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Growth of the liver was initiated following implantation and peaked at parturition. The expression and/or activities of key genes known to regulate liver regeneration, a phenomenon of liver growth compensatory to liver mass loss, were investigated. The results showed that pregnancy-dependent liver growth was associated with interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor α, c-Jun and IL-1 β, but independent of hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 1, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, constitutive androstane receptor and pregnane X receptor. Furthermore, maternal liver growth was associated with the activation of hepatic signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, β-catenin and epidermal growth factor receptor, but pregnancy did not activate hepatic c-Met. The findings suggest that the molecular mechanisms regulating pregnancy-induced liver growth and injury-induced liver regeneration exhibit overlapping features but are not identical. In summary, the liver of the mouse adapts to the demands of pregnancy via a dramatic growth response driven by hepatocyte proliferation and size increase.
Climate for Evidence-Informed Health Systems: A Profile of Systematic Review Production in 41 Low- and Middle-Income Countries, 1996-2008
Authors: Law Tyler , Lavis John , Hamandi Ali , Cheung Andrew , El-Jardali Fadi
Published: October 2011

Objective

To describe systematic review production in 41 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the eastern Mediterranean to understand one dimension of the climate for evidence-informed health systems and to provide a baseline for an evaluation of knowledge translation initiatives.

Methods

Our focus was systematic reviews published between 1996 and 2008 that had a corresponding author based in, or that appeared to target, one of the countries in these regions. We searched both Medline and Embase using validated search strategies, identified citations with a country name in the corresponding author's institutional affiliation or as a textword (i.e., an explicit mention in the title or abstract) or keyword, and coded articles describing a systematic review. We followed the same citation identification procedure for Health Systems Evidence, a database containing systematic reviews about health systems.

Results

Systematic review production increased between three-fold (for Africa in Medline) and 110-fold (for Asia in Embase) between the first period (1996-2002) and second period (2003-2008). In the second period, China was more often the home of corresponding authors and the target of reviews than any other country. No systematic reviews were produced by a corresponding author based in nine countries, or appeared to target five countries. Only 48 reviews identified through Medline and Embase addressed health systems, and 35 health systems reviews identified through Health Systems Evidence addressed these countries.

Conclusion

In many countries, those seeking to support evidence-informed health systems cannot turn to experienced local systematic reviewers to help them to find and use systematic reviews or to conduct reviews on high priority topics when none exists. These findings suggest the need for local capacity-building initiatives.
Which Experiences of Health Care Delivery Matter to Service Users and Why? A Critical Interpretive Synthesis and Conceptual Map
Authors: Entwistle Vikki , Firnigl Danielle , Ryan Mandy , Francis Jillian , Kinghorn Philip
Published: October 2011

Objective

Patients' experiences are often treated as health care quality indicators. Our aim was to identify the range of experiences of health care delivery that matter to patients and to produce a conceptual map to facilitate consideration of why they matter.

Methods

Broad-based review and critical interpretive synthesis of research literature on patients' perspectives of health care delivery. We recorded experiences reported by a diverse range of patients on ‘concept cards’, considered why they were important, and explored various ways of organizing them, including internationally recognized health care quality frameworks. We developed a conceptual map that we refined with feedback from stakeholders.

Results

Patients identify many health care experiences as important. Existing health care quality frameworks do not cover them all. Our conceptual map presents a rich array of experiences, including health care relationships (beyond communication) and their implications for people's valued capabilities (e.g. to feel respected, contribute to their care, experience reciprocity). It is organized to reflect our synthesis argument, which links health care delivery to what people are enabled (or not) to feel, be and do. The map highlights the broad implications of the social dynamics of health care delivery. Experiences are labelled from a patient's perspective, rendering the importance of responsiveness to individuals axiomatic.

Conclusions

Our conceptual map identifies and helps explain the importance of diverse experiences of health care delivery. It challenges and helps policy-makers, service providers and researchers to attend to the range of experiences that matter, and to take seriously the need for responsiveness to individuals.
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis: Views of Hospital Staff in the UK
Authors: Shebl Nada , Franklin Bryony , Barber Nick , Burnett Susan , Parand Anam
Published: October 2011

Objective

To explore health care professionals' experiences and perceptions of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), a team-based, prospective risk analysis technique.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 operational leads (20 pharmacists, one nurse) in medicines management teams of hospitals participating in a national quality improvement programme. Interviews were transcribed, coded and emergent themes identified using framework analysis.

Results

Themes identified included perceptions and experiences of participants with FMEA, validity and reliability issues, and FMEA's use in practice. FMEA was considered to be a structured but subjective process that helps health care professionals get together to identify high risk areas of care. Both positive and negative opinions were expressed, with the majority of interviewees expressing positive views towards FMEA in relation to its structured nature and the use of a multidisciplinary team. Other participants criticised FMEA for being subjective and lacking validity. Most likely to restrict its widespread use were its time consuming nature and its perceived lack of validity and reliability.

Conclusion

FMEA is a subjective but systematic tool that helps identify high risk areas, but its time consuming nature, difficulty with the scores and perceived lack of validity and reliability may limit its widespread use.
Massive bleeding in pregnancy from ruptured oesophageal varices complicating portal hypertension: a cautionary tale
Authors: Crocker Alison , Girling Joanna , Cotzias Christina
Published: October 2011

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare complication of pancreatitis and can cause portal hypertension and oesophageal varices. Variceal rupture carries a high mortality. We report a case of successful pregnancy complicated by two episodes of massive variceal bleeding in a woman with PVT, and discuss how this might have been prevented.
Is There Common Duct Enlargement Present Ultrasonically: How do you Measure Yours? (Survey of Departmental Practice)
Authors: Fitzgerald Tom
Published: October 2011

A departmental survey of personal methodology in the measurement of bile duct diameter was carried out by means of a representative diagram of a typical bile duct image configuration. The results revealed considerable differences in measurement practice, and factors that may explain the patterns of interobserver variation, among 20 respondents in this task, were postulated. There was considerable scope for error, by a factor of three times between the smallest and largest diameter selected noted within current practice variation. This reflects similar disparity found in the literature. Within the setting of the development of current therapeutic strategies, there may be a need for confirmation and/or re-establishment of contemporary normal ranges for biliary tree diameter.

A study of reasonable magnitude would be required to clarify the many and complex common and special causes of variation in ultrasonic evaluation outlined towards enhancing the utility of this useful and hitherto important ultrasonic sign.
Assessment of androgen concentration in women: liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and extraction RIA show comparable results
Authors: Janse Femi , Eijkemans Martinus J C , Goverde Angelique J , Lentjes Eef G W M , Hoek Annemieke , Lambalk Cornelius B , Hickey Theresa E , Fauser Bart C J M , Norman Robert J
Published: October 2011

Objective

The measurement of serum testosterone in women is challenging due to lack of trueness, precision, and sensitivity of various available testosterone assays. Accurate assessment of testosterone in women is crucial especially in conditions associated with alleged over- or under-production of testosterone, such as in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). The aim of this study was to measure and compare androgen concentrations in women with PCOS, POI, and female controls and to evaluate the performance of extraction RIA and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) in these women.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

Carefully phenotyped women with POI (n=208) or PCOS (n=200) and 45 healthy, regularly cyclic female controls were included. Method comparison analyses were performed for total testosterone, androstenedione (AD), and DHEA, as measured by LC–MS/MS and extraction RIA.

Results

All androgen levels were significantly elevated in women with PCOS compared with POI patients (P<0.05) and controls (P<0.05). Women with POI presented with similar androgen concentrations as controls, except for AD. Compared with measurements by extraction RIA, testosterone, DHEA, and AD concentrations measured by LC–MS/MS were systematically lower. However, using extraction RIA and LC–MS/MS, testosterone, DHEA, and AD measurements were shown to have good agreement as assessed by Bland–Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.94–0.91), 0.83 (0.79–0.86), and 0.96 (0.95–0.97) respectively.

Conclusions

LC–MS/MS, compared with a labor-intensive extraction RIA, shows good precision, sensitivity, and high accuracy for measuring female testosterone, DHEA, and AD concentrations under various clinical conditions. LC–MS/MS, therefore, represents a convenient and reliable assay for both clinical and research purposes, where androgen measurement in women is required.
Environment-Sensitive Epigenetics and the Heritability of Complex Diseases
Authors: Furrow Robert E , Christiansen Freddy B , Feldman Marcus W
Published: October 2011

Genome-wide association studies have thus far failed to explain the observed heritability of complex human diseases. This is referred to as the “missing heritability” problem. However, these analyses have usually neglected to consider a role for epigenetic variation, which has been associated with many human diseases. We extend models of epigenetic inheritance to investigate whether environment-sensitive epigenetic modifications of DNA might explain observed patterns of familial aggregation. We find that variation in epigenetic state and environmental state can result in highly heritable phenotypes through a combination of epigenetic and environmental inheritance. These two inheritance processes together can produce familial covariances significantly higher than those predicted by models of purely epigenetic inheritance and similar to those expected from genetic effects. The results suggest that epigenetic variation, inherited both directly and through shared environmental effects, may make a key contribution to the missing heritability.
PPM-1, a PP2Cα/β phosphatase, Regulates Axon Termination and Synapse Formation in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Tulgren Erik D , Baker Scott T , Rapp Laramie , Gurney Allison M , Grill Brock
Published: October 2011

The PHR (Pam/Highwire/RPM-1) proteins are evolutionarily conserved ubiquitin ligases that regulate axon guidance and synapse formation in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish, and mice. In C. elegans, RPM-1 (Regulator of Presynaptic Morphology-1) functions in synapse formation, axon guidance, axon termination, and postsynaptic GLR-1 trafficking. Acting as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, RPM-1 negatively regulates a MAP kinase pathway that includes: dlk-1, mkk-4, and the p38 MAPK, pmk-3. Here we provide evidence that ppm-1, a serine/threonine phosphatase homologous to human PP2Cα(PPM1A) and PP2Cβ(PPM1B) acts as a second negative regulatory mechanism to control the dlk-1 pathway. We show that ppm-1 functions through its phosphatase activity in a parallel genetic pathway with glo-4 and fsn-1 to regulate both synapse formation in the GABAergic motorneurons and axon termination in the mechanosensory neurons. Our transgenic analysis shows that ppm-1 acts downstream of rpm-1 to negatively regulate the DLK-1 pathway, with PPM-1 most likely acting at the level of pmk-3. Our study provides insight into the negative regulatory mechanisms that control the dlk-1 pathway in neurons and demonstrates a new role for the PP2C/PPM phosphatases as regulators of neuronal development.
Ceftriaxone-Induced Hemolysis in a Child With Lyme Arthritis: A Case for Antimicrobial Stewardship
Authors: Boggs Sarah R. , Cunnion Kenji M. , Raafat Reem H.
Published: October 2011

Guidelines for the treatment of Lyme arthritis were published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America in 2006 and recommended oral doxycycline for initial therapy. We report here the case of a young girl treated with intravenous ceftriaxone who subsequently developed drug-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia and renal failure. Her severe sequelae highlight the importance of antimicrobial stewardship. We review here the goals of antimicrobial stewardship and several strategies for achieving them. In addition, we briefly discuss the rare adverse drug event experienced by our patient.
Hyperosmolar Dextrose Injection for Recalcitrant Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Authors: Topol Gastón Andrés , Podesta Leandro Ariel , Reeves Kenneth Dean , Raya Marcelo Francisco , Fullerton Bradley Dean , Yeh Hung-wen
Published: October 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the potential of dextrose injection versus lidocaine injection versus supervised usual care to reduce sport alteration and sport-related symptoms in adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Girls aged 9 to 15 and boys aged 10 to 17 were randomly assigned to either therapist-supervised usual care or double-blind injection of 1% lidocaine solution with or without 12.5% dextrose. Injections were administered monthly for 3 months. All subjects were then offered dextrose injections monthly as needed. Unaltered sport (Nirschl Pain Phase Scale < 4) and asymptomatic sport (Nirschl Pain Phase Scale = 0) were the threshold goals.

RESULTS:

Sixty-five knees in 54 athletes were treated. Compared with usual care at 3 months, unaltered sport was more common in both dextrose-treated (21 of 21 vs 13 of 22; P = .001) and lidocaine-treated (20 of 22 vs 13 of 22; P = .034) knees, and asymptomatic sport was more frequent in dextrose-treated knees than either lidocaine-treated (14 of 21 vs 5 of 22; P = .006) or usual-care–treated (14 of 21 vs 3 of 22; P < .001) knees. At 1 year, asymptomatic sport was more common in dextrose-treated knees than knees treated with only lidocaine (32 of 38 vs 6 of 13; P = .024) or only usual care (32 of 38 vs 2 of 14; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results suggest superior symptom-reduction efficacy of injection therapy over usual care in the treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease in adolescents. A significant component of the effect seems to be associated with the dextrose component of a dextrose/lidocaine solution. Dextrose injection over the apophysis and patellar tendon origin was safe and well tolerated and resulted in more rapid and frequent achievement of unaltered sport and asymptomatic sport than usual care.
Duodenal Ulceration in a Patient With Celiac Disease and Plasminogen I Deficiency: Coincidence or Cofactors?
Authors: Veres Gabor , Korponay-Szabó Ilma , Maka Erika , Glasz Tibor , Mamula Petar , Papp Maria , Dezsöfi Antal , Arató Andras
Published: October 2011

Celiac disease (CD) is a gluten-dependent inflammatory disease of the small bowel that affects up to 1% of the worldwide population. Despite severe mucosal abnormalities including total villous atrophy and autoantibody deposition, duodenal ulcer is not a feature of CD. However, a recent study found an elevated rate of peptic ulcer disease in patients with CD. Plasminogen deficiency (PLD) is an autosomal recessive disease that causes pseudomembranous lesions in different organs, but gastrointestinal involvement is rare. Here we report the case of a 6-year-old girl who had a sudden onset of hematemesis caused by duodenal ulcer. On the basis of mucosal atrophy, elevated celiac antibody levels, decreased plasminogen serum activity, and homozygous missense mutation R216H in the plasminogen gene, CD and PLD were diagnosed. This report is, to our knowledge, the first description of the 2 entities, and results of our double-immunofluorescent studies also suggest that both diseases may have a role in the ulceration process. Excessive amounts of fibrin deposition due to PLD caused the distortion of the vessels and was responsible for the unusual celiac immunoglobulin A and tissue transglutaminase 2 in vivo binding pattern. On the basis of this result, patients with CD and unknown cause of gastrointestinal ulcer may require investigation for PLD.
Incidence and Descriptive Epidemiologic Features of Traumatic Brain Injury in King County, Washington
Authors: Koepsell Thomas D. , Rivara Frederick P. , Vavilala Monica S. , Wang Jin , Temkin Nancy , Jaffe Kenneth M. , Durbin Dennis R.
Published: October 2011

OBJECTIVE:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability among US children. Our goal was to obtain population-based data on TBI incidence rates.

METHODS:

We conducted surveillance through a stratified random sample of hospital emergency departments in King County, Washington, to identify children 0 to 17 years of age with medically treated TBIs during an 18-month study period in 2007–2008. Additional cases were identified through hospital admission logs and the medical examiner's office. For a sample of nonfatal cases, parents were interviewed to verify TBIs, and medical record data on severity and mechanisms were obtained.

RESULTS:

The estimated incidence of TBIs in this setting was 304 cases per 100 000 child-years. The incidence was highest for preschool-aged children and lowest for children aged 5 to 9 years. Rates were uniformly higher for boys than for girls; there was a larger gender gap at older ages. Falls were the main mechanism of injury, especially among preschool-aged children, whereas being struck by or against an object and motor vehicle–related trauma were important contributors for older children. Approximately 97% of TBI cases were mild, although moderate/severe TBI incidence increased with age.

CONCLUSIONS:

TBIs led to many emergency department visits involving children, but a large majority of the cases were clinically mild. Incidence rates for King County were well below recent national estimates but within the range reported in previous US studies. Because mechanisms of injury varied greatly according to age, prevention strategies almost certainly must be customized to each age group for greatest impact.
Improvement in Survival of Older Adults with Multiple Myeloma: Results of an Updated Period Analysis of SEER Data
Authors: Pulte Dianne , Gondos Adam , Brenner Hermann
Published: October 2011

Background.

Treatment of multiple myeloma has changed significantly over the past several years with clinical trials reporting superior survival results using newer agents. Previous work has shown that the survival rate has improved for younger, but not older, patients with myeloma. Here, we update survival estimates for patients with myeloma in the early 21st century to determine whether continued improvement can be seen on a population level and whether or not it now extends to older patients.

Methods.

Using period analysis to examine data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we estimate changes in the 5- and 10-year relative survival rates (RSRs) from 1998–2002 to 2003–2007.

Results.

The 5- and 10-year RSRs have improved for patients with myeloma overall, from 32.8% and 15% in 1998–2002 to 40.3% and 20.8%, respectively, in 2003–2007. The greatest improvements were observed for patients aged 15–44 years, with 5- and 10-year RSRs reaching >70% and ∼50%, respectively, but improvements were also seen for patients aged >70 years.

Conclusion.

Overall, survival continues to improve for patients with myeloma, including older patients, suggesting that newer treatment options continue to make a population-wide impact.
Biotemplating of inorganic functional materials from polysaccharides
Authors: Zollfrank Cordt , Cromme Peter , Rauch Marcus , Scheel Hanne , Kostova Mariya H. , Gutbrod Kai , Gruber Sabine , Van Opdenbosch Daniel
Published: October 2011

Biomacromolecules control and direct the formation of biominerals and hard tissues in nature. In many cases, polysaccharides are involved during the assembly of the inorganic phase as template. Natural and regenerated polysaccharides exhibit a hierarchical multiscale order as well as self-assembly properties and they appear in a large variety of accessible structures. Therefore, the application of polysaccharide-based structures and composites is a promising approach for the formation of patterned and hierarchically structured inorganic functional and structural materials. The authors report on recent advancements on the biotemplated formation of inorganic functional materials using polysaccharides. Owing to their structural diversity, polysaccharides can be used at various levels from the molecular scale up to complex three-dimensional parts. The versatility of polysaccharide templating is shown on one-dimensional (1D) cellulose nanocrystals for formation of inorganic nanotubes. Two-dimensional (2D) Langmuir–Blodgett films of cellulose and cellulose derivatives are used as reference templates to investigate the mineralization behaviour of inorganic phases from supersaturated solutions. The development of optical and photocatalytic materials from plant tissues (wood and Juncaceae) is presented. In innovative route, phototactic microalgae are used as biotemplates for the mineralization of inorganic phases on their exopolysaccharides, which provide novel pathways for the fabrication of a variety of functional materials.
Silk nanofibre arranging improves its fibre mat transparency
Authors: Terada Dohiko , Yoshikawa Chiaki , Hattori Shinya , Teramoto Hidetoshi , Kameda Tsunenori , Tamada Yasushi , Kobayashi Hisatoshi
Published: October 2011

Silk fibroin, produced by the silkworm Bombyx mori, has been receiving full recognition as a biomaterial. Since nanofibres are generally in similar dimensions to biological fibres in extracellular matrices, characteristic interaction of nanofibres with cells is widely known, which is different from the conventional materials in micron scale. In the current study, nanofibre mats were produced from silk fibroins. Although silk fibroin does not absorb any visible light, silk fibroin nanofibre mats were opaque and lost transparency to visible light. This is a disadvantage to scaffolds used in cornea tissue engineering although silk nanofibres are still attractive as biomaterial. We tried to improve the transparency of silk fibroin nanofibre mats to visible light, mimicking the mechanism adopted in biological cornea tissues. The objective of this study is to increase the transmittance of silk fibroin nanofibre mats to visible light by modifying the nanofibre orientation in the mats. We showed that by increasing the orientation of nanofibres, there was an increased transmittance to the long wavelength range of the visible light. However, the transmittance to short wavelength range did not increase. One way to improve transparency would be to orient the nanofibres in its non-woven mats.
Influence of sterilisations on silk protein-based materials
Authors: Hattori Shinya , Terada Dohiko , Bintang Andreana Bibin , Honda Takako , Yoshikawa Chiaki , Teramoto Hidetoshi , Kameda Tsunenori , Yasushi Tamada , Kobayashi Hisatoshi
Published: October 2011

The authors investigated the influence of sterilisations on silk protein-based materials using the sericin gel films (SS-GFs) made from the Sericin Hope cocoons and the hornet silk cast films (HS-CFs) made from hornet cocoons. These two kinds of silk films seem to have a great potential as biomaterials for cornea engineering because they are transparent, have mechanical properties withstanding a surgical handling and have flexibility. These silk films inspired the authors to develop a novel artificial cornea, utilising the advantageous properties. An autoclave, an ethyleneoxide gas, an autoclave followed by an ethylene oxide gas, an ethanol solution and dry heat treatments were performed on the silk films. These sterilisation methods have different influences on cell adhesion in both of the SS-GFs and HS-CFs. The authors must consider the influence of denaturation while applying silk materials in biological evaluation or clinical use as a biomaterial. Although cell compatibility of SS-GFs and HS-CFs was affected by sterilisation processes, the sterilised films managed to retain transparency after any sterilisation process. In view of these points, SS-GFs and HS-CFs have a potential as a substitute for the corneal stroma.
Steroids from Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum L.): A GC-MS analysis
Authors: Radulovic Niko , Djordjevic Nevenka
Published: October 2011

The steroid content of Conium maculatum L. (Poison Hemlock), Apiaceae, a
well-known weed plant species, was studied herein for the first time. This
was achieved by detailed GC-MS analyses of twenty two samples
(dichloromethane extracts of different plant organs of C. maculatum at three
or four different stages of phenological development, collected from three
locations). In total, twenty four different steroids were identified. Six
steroids had an ergostane nucleus while the other ones possessed a
stigmastane carbon framework. The identity of these compounds was determined
by spectral means (MS fragmentation), GC co-injections with authentic
standards and chemical transformation (silylation). Steroid compounds were
noted to be the main chemical constituents of root extracts (up to 70 %) of
this plant species in the last phase of development. The predominant ones
were stigmasta-5,22- dien-3?-ol (stigmasterol) and stigmasta-5-en-3?-ol
(?-sitosterol). In an attempt to classify the samples, principal component
analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) were performed
using steroid percentages as variables.
Putting School Reform in Its Place
Authors: Holme Jennifer Jellison , Rangel Virginia Snodgrass
Published: October 2011

For decades, policymakers and researchers have struggled to understand the reasons that schools in disadvantaged contexts have relatively more trouble responding successfully to reform demands. This analysis extends theory regarding the challenges of school change in disadvantaged contexts by illustrating how the internal resources that schools rely on to respond to external policy demands can be affected by the social contexts in which they are embedded. The article draws on data from a study of five high poverty high schools’ responses to the pressures of Texas’ high stakes accountability system. The case study data illustrate how a school’s social context can precipitate instability in some schools and relative stability in others, how organizational stability in turn can affect schools’ organizational social capital, and how organizational social capital can influence schools’ ability to respond to external policy demands.
Models for Minimizing Backhaul Costs through Freight Collaboration
Authors: Bailey Erin , Unnikrishnan Avinash , Lin Dung-Ying
Published: October 2011

The competitive nature of the trucking industry has forced trucking firms to develop innovative solutions to improve their operational efficiency and decrease marginal costs. One way carriers and shippers are accomplishing these tasks is by collaborating on operations through various strategies. Two optimization models are developed to route the carrier of interest's backhaul routes and select collaborative shipments to fulfill; one is formulated as an integer program, and the other is formulated as a mixed integer program. Two solution methodologies, a greedy heuristic and tabu search, are used to solve the two problems, and numerical analysis is performed with a real-world freight network. Numerical analysis reveals that the percentage of cost savings for backhaul routes can be as high as 27%.
Estimating the Benefits of Performance-Based Standards Vehicles
Authors: Hassall Kim , Thompson Russell G.
Published: October 2011

Performance-based standards (PBS) is a flexible nonprescription framework for regulating the weight and dimensions as well as network access of road freight vehicles. Procedures for implementing PBS in Australia are based on national assessment with state-based access permits. Procedures were developed for estimating the financial and economic benefits associated with the implementation of performance-based vehicles in Australia between 2011 and 2030. Two options for changing the current assessment and access framework to a state or regional scheme or a national scheme were examined. An economic analysis was made of each implementation option to identify the option that provides the highest level of net benefits. The benefits for each implementation option, including the direct operating cost savings, crash cost savings, and reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were estimated. The direct operating cost savings were determined for each vehicle class. The crash cost savings were estimated on the basis of the assumed distances traveled by vehicle class. The reduction in CO2 emissions was calculated for the distances traveled by vehicles as well as the difference in fuel consumption between existing and PBS vehicles. The administration and compliance costs for all options were small compared with the benefits. Flow-on economic benefits were also determined. All options were considered to produce substantial net benefits. However, the national scheme for both assessment and access provides substantially higher net benefits.
Agronomy—A Multidisciplinary and Open Access Journal
Authors: Langridge Peter
Published: October 2011

Agronomy is a highly multidisciplinary area of science. It includes all aspects of science and technology related to the production and utilization of plants for food, feed, fuel, fiber and even land reclamation. In many respects, agronomy represents the integration of activities and disciplines ranging from genetics, chemistry and biotechnology to ecology, soil science and meteorology. [...]
Geosciences: An Open Access Journal on Earth and Planetary Sciences and Their Interdisciplinary Approaches
Authors: Martinez-Frias Jesus
Published: October 2011

On behalf of the Editorial Board and the editorial management staff of MDPI, it is my great pleasure to introduce this new journal Geosciences. Geosciences is an international, peer-reviewed open access journal, which publishes original papers, rapid communications, technical notes and review articles, and discussions about all interdisciplinary aspects of the earth and planetary sciences. Geosciences may also include papers presented at scientific conferences (proceedings) or articles on a well defined topic assembled by individual editors or organizations/institutions (special publications).
INTERRELATION OF COUNTRIES' DEVELOPMENTAL LEVEL AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS PERFORMANCE / ŠALIŲ IŠSIVYSTYMO LYGIO IR TIESIOGINIŲ UŽSIENIO INVESTICIJŲ VEIKLOS SĄVEIKA
Authors: Lankauskienė Toma , Tvaronavičienė Manuela
Published: October 2011

The aim of this article is to formulate hypothesis about interrelation of countries' developmental level and foreign direct investments performance with reference to relevant scientific literature. Reviewed ample relevant scientific literature made a presumption to arise that the impact of FDI differs in developed, developing and underdeveloped countries, i.e. depends on level of development: developed countries benefit most, developing less and underdeveloped least. Countries to respective groups have been attributed according to their level of development and indicators chosen for the formulation of following hypotheses. The following indicators capable of reflecting FDI impact on enhancing wellbeing in unevenly developed countries (GDP, exports, inflation, population, life expectancy at birth, primary school pupils, infant mortality, total health expenditure per capita, total tax rate, Internet users, residential consumption of electricity) and differences between developed and underdeveloped countries in the fields of: economic, social and business environment. In the paper a series of hypotheses has been formulated. Santrauka Straipsnio tikslas – pateikti hipotezes apie šalių išsivystymo lygio ir tiesioginių užsienio investicijų veiklos sąveiką, remiantis atitinkama moksline literatūra. Peržiūrėjus didelę mokslinės literatūros imtį buvo iškelta hipotezė, kad tiesioginių užsienio investicijų įtaka skiriasi išsivysčiusiose, besivystančiose ir neišsivysčiusiose šalyse, pvz., priklauso nuo išsivystymo lygio: išsivysčiusios šalys pasipelno daugiausiai, besivystančios mažiau ir neišsivysčiusios mažiausiai. Šalys suskirstytos į grupes ir rodikliai pasirinkti tolesnėms hipotezėms formuluoti. Rodikliai atspindi ir išryškina tiesioginių užsienio investicijų galimybę didinti skirtingai išsivysčiusių šalių gerovę (bendrasis vidaus ūkio produktas, eksportas, infliacija, gyventojų skaičius, gyvenimo trukmė, pradinių klasių mokinių skaičius, kūdikių mirtingumas, bendrosios sveikatos išlaidos, tenkančios gyventojui, mokesčių rodiklis, elektros suvartojimas gyventojui) ir priklauso ekonomikos, socialinių ir verslo aplinkos sritims. Suformuluojamos kelios kitos hipotezės.
THE METHOD FOR IMPROVING STABILITY OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SCHEDULES THROUGH BUFFER ALLOCATION / STATYBOS VYKDYMO GRAFIKO STABILUMO UŽTIKRINIMAS PASKIRSTANT LAIKO REZERVUS
Authors: Jaśkowski Piotr , Biruk Sławomir
Published: October 2011

The actual completion time of construction projects is rarely in accordance with initial plans. This is due to unforeseen events that affect the project execution. In the paper, the authors propose a method of improving the construction schedule reliability. The method is based on the idea of buffers allocation, whose proper sizing helps to reduce negative effects of random conditions on the progress and efficiency of project activities. The authors adopt a proactive approach to the construction of robust schedules to cope with multiple disruptions during project execution, applicable to two processes starting policies (as soon as possible or no sooner than on a predefined date). The proposed method, based on simulation technique and mathematical programming, was illustrated by an example. The results obtained by means of the proposed method were compared, in terms of schedule stability, to those of the float factor heuristic and starting time criticality heuristicprocedures. The method allowed reducing cost of deviations from the planned activity start dates in random conditions. Santrauka Tikrasis statybos projektų baigimo laikas retai atitinka pradinius užsibrėžtus planus. Taip yra dėl nenumatytų atvejų, kurie daro įtaką galutiniam projekto baigimo laikui. Šiame straipsnyje autoriai pristato metodą, kuris pagerina statybos grafikų patikimuma. Jis grindžiamas laiko rezervo paskirstymo idėja, padedančia sumažinti neigiamus atsitiktinių trikdžių poveikius vykdant projektą. Autoriai pritaiko veiksmingą būdą, kuris leidžia išvengti daugelio sutrikimų vykdant projektą. Siūlomas metodas pagrįstas modeliavimu ir matematiniu programavimu, darbe pateiktas jo taikymo pavyzdys. Gauti rezultatai, taikant siūlomą metoda, buvo lyginami įvairiais požiūriais. Metodas leidžia sumažinti išlaidas, kai atsitiktinėmis sąlygomis nukrypstama nuo planuojamų terminų.
Diversity of pig production systems at farm level in Europe
Authors: Bonneau Michel , Antoine-Ilari Estelle , Phatsara Chirawath , Brinkmann Detert , Hviid Marchen , Christiansen Michael Groes , Fàbrega Emma , Rodríguez Pedro , Rydhmer Lotta , Enting Ina , de Greef Karel , Edge Helen , Dourmad Jean-Yves , Edwards Sandra
Published: October 2011

The present study was undertaken to perform an inventory of pig production systems, at farm level. The main aim was to document the variety of existing production systems in European countries. Information was collected from available sources, mostly national experts and literature, regarding target markets and information management, apparent degree of intensification, technical and economic performance, environmental impact and animal welfare. Eighty-four production systems were identified in 23 countries, of which 40 were reported as conventional and the remaining 44 were reported as differentiated. The differentiated and conventional production systems differ significantly in many respects; however, high variability was also found within each category as well as a large overlap between the two categories with respect to the distribution of most variables. Most differentiated systems claim to have superior characteristics in at least one dimension of sustainability. The specificities of these claims were analysed and multiple correspondence analysis of the data again showed considerable overlap between conventional and differentiated systems. Hierarchical clustering analysis resulted in three clusters. Systems in Cluster A (mostly conventional) have the characteristics of intensive production oriented towards standard quality. Systems in Cluster C (all differentiated) are just the opposite with numerous characteristics indicative of more extensive and more welfare- and quality-oriented production. Systems in Cluster B (made up of almost equal numbers of conventional and differentiated systems) fall between these two extremes; they are particularly common in Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands.
Towards sustainable food production: a scenario study of the European pork sector
Authors: Aramyan Lusine , Hoste Robert , van den Broek Willie , Groot Jim , Soethoudt Han , Nguyen Thu Lan , Hermansen John , van der Vorst Jack
Published: October 2011

European pork supply chains, like other agri-food supply chains, currently face numerous challenges such as globalization, emerging markets, changing consumer requirements, and new governmental regulations related to issues such as environmental pollution and food safety. These challenges require continuous innovation of supply chain network structures, reconsideration of business processes, relocation of logistics infrastructures and renewed allocation of chain activities to these infrastructures in order to achieve sustainable performances. This paper presents a scenario analysis of the spatial allocation of pork supply chain activities in Europe. Supply chain production and distribution activities are optimized in various scenarios based on economic and sustainability performance indicators. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model, which includes piglet production, fattening, slaughtering of pigs, processing of pork and pork consumption, is used to analyse the scenarios. The results reveal major opportunities for reductions in cost as well as in CO2equivalent emissions if a European sector perspective is taken and some chain activities are relocated to other countries. However, as minimizing costs will not always lead to an optimal reduction in CO2equivalent emissions, a differentiated strategy is needed for the European pork sector to move towards more sustainable production.
E-Marketplaces
Authors: Lavassani Kayvan Miri , Movahedi Bahar Miri , Kumar Vinod
Published: October 2011

This chapter provides a review of the historical evolution and development in the field of Electronic Marketplaces (EMs) and explores the classifications of EMs. The authors employ a systematic approach to propose a comprehensive definition of EMs and their application with reference to recent advances in the study of EMs. Based on the review of the most cited definitions of EM in the literature of the past three decades, we propose a comprehensive definition of EM in this chapter. This chapter also identifies several classifications of EMs. There is a gap in the literature for a multi-dimensional classification system of EMs. Therefore, for the purpose of further exploration of the notion of EMs, this chapter provides an explicit review of the different classification models of EMs and presents a nine-dimensional taxonomy of EMs. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the future trends in the field of EMs and a chapter summary.
Defining E-Novation
Authors: Low David R. , Pattinson Hugh M.
Published: October 2011

“E-Novation” is defined as a combination of innovation and e-marketing enabled by new collaborative platforms that are being developed and released using Web 2.0 methodologies, allowing for a different level of connectivity around the world. This chapter explores innovation and its contribution to firm performance, links to market orientation – and development of a new collaborative information platform to support innovation. E-marketing is also defined in terms of marketing in computer-mediated environments with emphasis on service-dominant logic (SDL) and collaborative value creation approaches. Aspects of the evolving new collaborative information platform such as the Semantic Web and Web 2.0 applications are discussed from e-marketing and innovation perspectives. Will “e-novation” challenge businesses to rethink how their employees will create or participate in collaborative groups with others where future revenue prospects appear to mainly from service development? This question is also explored through subsequent chapters in the book.