bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OM Forum—Offered Load Analysis for Staffing
Authors: Whitt Ward
Published: January 2013

This essay, based on my 2012 MSOM Fellow Lecture, discusses an idea that has been useful for developing effective methods to set staffing levels in service systems: offered load analysis. The main idea is to tackle a hard problem by first seeking an insightful simplification. For capacity planning to meet uncertain exogenous demand, offered load analysis looks at the amount of capacity that would be used if there were no constraints on its availability. This simplification is helpful because the stochastic model becomes much more tractable. Offered load analysis can be especially helpful when the demand is not only uncertain but also time varying, as in many service systems. Given the distribution of the stochastic offered load, we often can set staffing levels to stabilize performance at target levels, even in face of a strongly time-varying arrival rate, long service times, and network structure.
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers: A Nationwide Study of the States
Authors: Rizzolo Mary C. , Friedman Carli , Lulinski-Norris Amie , Braddock David
Published: January 2013

In fiscal year (FY) 2009, the Medicaid program funded over 75% of all publicly funded long-term supports and services (LTSS) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the United States (Braddock et al., 2011). The majority of spending was attributed to the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver program. In FY 2009, federal–state spending for the HCBS Waiver program reached over $25.1 billion and constituted almost half of total funding across the nation that year (Braddock et al., 2011). Considerable effort has been spent investigating Medicaid program expenditures, however, due in part to the unique and state-specific nature of HCBS programs, national-level analysis on the types of services offered to individuals with IDD has not been available. A full understanding of the supports available through the Medicaid program is critical as the United States considers strategies for economic recovery among competing state and federal budget priorities. This article presents the results of an analysis of 88 Medicaid HCBS Section 1915(c) waiver applications for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 41 states and the District of Columbia. It analyzes IDD data and trends close to the real time intent of states and empowers advocates in presenting timely solutions to real-time issues.
Posthuman, postrights?
Authors: Mejia Robert
Published: January 2013

Project LifeLike refers to the efforts to create a ‘realistic avatar supported by an intelligent engine capable of online learning’. In essence, this means the encoding of the intelligence of presently living individuals in order to preserve the persons’ epistemological
structures beyond their ontological death. To do this, the team must distil those ‘humanistic’ elements that are deemed essential to the human experience, and thus this process reconfigures the very concept of the original itself. Hence, I argue that Project LifeLike constitutes
an epistemological cooptation of the ontological project of life, whereby the technological apparatus of the body is effaced in favour of the epistemic projections of the mind.
Exiled to hollywood: British cinema, the plight of Europe’s Jews and the case of The Mortal Storm
Authors: Lassner Phyllis , Pogorelskin Alexis
Published: January 2013

This article extends the term ‘British cinema’ to include the exilic productions of British artists and writers in Hollywood just before and during World War II. During the 1930s, British writers, film-makers and actors were lured to Hollywood as both an asylum from the
threat of war and to make films that guaranteed creative opportunities, international distribution and acclaim far beyond what the cashstrapped British film industry could afford. As the Nazi threat in Europe escalated throughout the decade and Britain was increasingly threatened, the cultural
bridge this artistic exile represented developed a political purpose. British artists were joining their nation’s propaganda efforts to win the sympathy and support of the United States. The British novelist Phyllis Bottome contributed to that effort, determined to see her 1937 bestseller,
The Mortal Storm, produced in Hollywood. A prime example of a work that is both eminently British in its creative origins and focuses on the Jewish question remains The Mortal Storm by Frank Borzage, the 1940 blockbuster MGM film based on Bottome’s novel.
Jewish girls in British cinema
Authors: Byers Michele
Published: January 2013

My intention in writing this article is twofold. First, I aim to consider a small group of representations of British Jewish girlhood, and second, I attempt to expand the discourses through which Jewish girlhood has up until now been theorized, by considering Jewish girls beyond the
confines of American spheres of representation. Representations of Jewishness have almost exclusively focused on the United States. This article considers how Jewish girls are represented in another context: that of British cinema.
Tracing the voice of the auteur: Persona and the Ingmar Bergman Archive
Authors: Rossholm Anna Sofia
Published: January 2013

This article discusses the Ingmar Bergman Archive, a donation by Bergman himself, mainly consisting of notebooks, manuscripts, production documents and letters, as well as the screenwriting process behind the film Persona (1966). The study approaches the digital manuscript archive as
an interface that lends itself to an understanding of the artwork as continuous movement of transformation across media, an understanding that also links to aesthetical ideas on the relations between words and images expressed in Bergman’s cinematographic work. The study opens with a
discussion of these issues and continues with a reading of the self-reflexive film Persona in order to examine how the explicit reflections on the mediation are negotiated across notebook drafts and scripts. The different phases in the process of creation – from notes and drafts to script
versions and film – reflect on the transitory nature of the text as well as drawing on the specificities of each form of expression.
Screenwriter Rafael Azcona, writing of his times
Authors: Gutiérrez Julia Sabina
Published: January 2013

The aim of this article is to introduce the screenwriter Rafael Azcona, a key figure in the development of Spanish cinema, to an international audience. And rather than analyse his screenwriting work as simply a writer, I wish to look on his work as a spatial screenwriter, a creator
of unforgettable images, situations and places in which his stories play out and his characters become unique. The concept of ‘space’ in his work is in reference to the relationship between the character and what André Gardies has referred to as ‘the cinematic narrative
in relation to space’ or ‘narrative space’.
Closer to Così fan tutte? The film soundtrack, intertextuality and reception
Authors: Vincent Delphine
Published: January 2013

Contemporary film music analysis recognizes the intertextual relations at stake when a film uses ‘stock music’. This article demonstrates the significance of variant readings in intertextual analysis, using the example of Mike Nichols’ Closer (2004), whose soundtrack
includes extracts from Mozart’s Così fan tutte. The article considers different levels of readings and how to avoid over-interpretation when it comes to intertextuality.
Sustainable mobility: An integrative framework and its application for new service design
Authors: Margherita Alessandro , Elia Gianluca , Secundo Giustina , Passiante Giuseppina
Published: January 2013

Sustainable mobility is a relevant challenge addressed today by policy-makers, public managers and researchers worldwide. In addition to engineering and infrastructural issues, the problem is also generating increasing interest in the service management field. This article aims to present
a framework useful to support the design of more sustainable mobility systems within territorial communities. A review of extant literature, ongoing projects and research initiatives is used to derive a six-component integrative framework aimed to improve a mobility system by introducing new
services, evaluating trade-offs, and assessing or promoting the use of services already in place. Two cases are presented as illustrative examples of application. The proposed framework can support further investigations aimed to define new ways to face the sustainable mobility challenge through
a service innovation perspective. The framework can also support the design of interdisciplinary curricula for competence development in the mobility field. The work investigates the challenge of sustainable mobility through complementary socio-technical and service management perspectives,
and provides a contribution of potential value to conceive more effective solutions to mobility management.
Positive selection in seed potato production in Kenya as a case of successful research-led innovation
Authors: Gildemacher P.R. , Leeuwis C. , Demo P. , Borus D. , Schulte-Geldermann E. , Mundia P. , Kinyae P. , Nyongesa M. , Struik P.C.
Published: January 2013

By identifying the success factors of a programme on positive seed potato selection, this article analyses the role of research in agricultural innovation. The positive seed selection programme developed an approach to improve the quality of seed potatoes by ware potato growers, complementary
to specialized seed production systems now widely promoted in sub-Saharan Africa. With more weight being placed on innovation rather than on research outcome, the role of research has been widened and research has assumed responsibility for developing and piloting effective training through
partnership with extension. Researchers effectively contributed to innovation because they were given and took the liberty of pursuing a ‘bright idea’. The case discussed in this article points out that innovation can emerge from old technology within existing institutional environments,
and can be surprisingly simple as long as researchers have room to manoeuvre and opportunity to engage in partnerships with practitioners.
Incidence of second neoplasm in childhood cancer survivors treated with GH: an analysis of GeNeSIS and HypoCCS
Authors: Woodmansee Whitney W , Zimmermann Alan G , Child Christopher J , Rong Qi , Erfurth Eva Marie , Beck-Peccoz Paolo , Blum Werner F , Robison Leslie L
Published: January 2013

Objective

Childhood cancer survivors are commonly treated with GH for GH deficiency that develops either as a result of primary malignancy or its treatment. One study – the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) – demonstrated increased risk of second neoplasm (SN) in GH-treated childhood cancer survivors compared with non-GH treated, after adjusting for key risk factors. We assessed the incidence of SN in GH-treated childhood cancer survivors in outpatient observational studies of GH replacement.

Design

Retrospective analysis of two prospective cohort studies that collected data on safety of GH replacement as prescribed in clinical practice.

Methods

Childhood cancer survivors enrolled in Eli Lilly and Company's pediatric (Genetics and Neuroendocrinology of Short Stature International Study (GeNeSIS)) and adult (Hypopituitary Control and Complications Study (HypoCCS)) observational studies of GH treatment were assessed for incidence of SN.

Results

The percentage of childhood cancer survivors treated with GH who developed a SN was 3.8% in pediatric GeNeSIS participants and 6.0% in adult HypoCCS participants. The estimated cumulative incidence of SN at 5 years of follow-up in these studies was 6.2 and 4.8% respectively.

Conclusions

The incidence of SN in GeNeSIS and HypoCCS GH-treated participants is similar to the published literature and is thus consistent with increased risk of SN in childhood cancer survivors treated with GH. As follow-up times were relatively short (<3 years), longer observation is recommended. Nevertheless, clinicians should be alerted to the possibility of increased risk of SN in childhood cancer survivors treated with GH and continue chronic surveillance.
Validation of Rapid Neurodevelopmental Assessment for 2- to 5-Year-Old Children in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Naila Z. , Muslima Humaira , Shilpi Asma Begum , Begum Dilara , Parveen Monowara , Akter Nasima , Ferdous Shamim , Nahar Kamrun , McConachie Helen , Darmstadt Gary L.
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE:

Validate a tool to determine neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs) in >2- to 5-year-old children in a country with limited child development expertise.

METHODS:

Rapid Neurodevelopmental Assessment (RNDA) is a tool designed to detect functional status and NDIs across multiple neurodevelopmental domains. Validity was determined in 77 children enrolled by door-to-door sampling in Dhaka and who were administered the RNDA by 1 of 6 testers (4 developmental therapists, 2 special education teachers) and simultaneously administered a test of adaptive behavior (AB; Independent Behavior Assessment Scale) and intelligence quotient (IQ) tests (Bayley Scales of Infant Development II, Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence) by psychologists.

RESULTS:

Interrater reliability ranged from good to excellent. There were significant differences in AB in mean percentile scores on the Independent Behavior Assessment Scale for motor (P = .0001), socialization (P = .001), communication (P = .001), and full-scale (P = .001) scores in children with ≥1 NDI (“any NDI”) versus no NDI. Significant differences in those with versus those without “any NDI” were found on IQ scores. Sensitivity and specificity for “significant difficulties” (defined as AB z-scores < −2 SDs and/or IQ <70) and “mild difficulties included” (AB z-scores < −1SD and/or IQ <85) were 90% and 60% and 80% and 76%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The RNDA validity results are promising for use by child care professionals in field and clinical settings, but the tool needs further replication and refinement for assessment of specific impairments of vision, hearing, and seizures.
Symptoms and Otoscopic Signs in Bilateral and Unilateral Acute Otitis Media
Authors: Uitti Johanna M. , Laine Miia K. , Tähtinen Paula A. , Ruuskanen Olli , Ruohola Aino
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE:

Bilateral acute otitis media (AOM) is considered more severe than unilateral AOM, and several guidelines recommend more active treatment and/or follow-up of bilateral AOM. We studied whether bilateral AOM is a clinically more severe illness than unilateral AOM by comparing symptoms and otoscopic signs between bilateral and unilateral AOM.

METHODS:

Two hundred thirty-two children aged 6 to 35 months diagnosed with AOM were eligible. We surveyed the symptoms with a structured questionnaire and recorded the otoscopic signs systematically.

RESULTS:

Ninety-eight children had bilateral and 134 children unilateral AOM. Children with bilateral AOM were more often <24 months than children with unilateral AOM (87% vs 75%; P = .032). Fever (≥38°C) occurred in 54% and 36% (P = .006) and severe conjunctivitis in 16% and 44% (P = .047) of children with bilateral and unilateral AOM, respectively. In 15 other symptoms, we found no overall differences even when adjusted with age. We observed the following severe otoscopic signs in the bilateral and unilateral AOM group, respectively: moderate/marked bulging of tympanic membrane (63% and 40%; P = .001), purulent effusion (89% and 71%; P = .001), bulla formation (11% and 10%; P = .707), and hemorrhagic redness of tympanic membrane (7% and 10%; P = .386).

CONCLUSIONS:

Bilateral AOM seems to be a clinically only slightly more severe illness than unilateral AOM. Therefore, when assessing AOM severity, bilaterality should not be used as a determining criterion; instead, the child’s symptomatic condition together with otoscopic signs should also be taken into consideration.
Prehypertension and Hypertension in Community-Based Pediatric Practice
Authors: Lo Joan C. , Sinaiko Alan , Chandra Malini , Daley Matthew F. , Greenspan Louise C. , Parker Emily D. , Kharbanda Elyse O. , Margolis Karen L. , Adams Kenneth , Prineas Ronald , Magid David , O’Connor Patrick J.
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among children receiving well-child care in community-based practices.

METHODS:

Children aged 3 to 17 years with measurements of height, weight, and blood pressure (BP) obtained at an initial (index) well-child visit between July 2007 and December 2009 were included in this retrospective cohort study across 3 large, integrated health care delivery systems. Index BP classification was based on the Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents: normal BP, <90th percentile; prehypertension, 90th to 94th percentile; hypertension, 3 BP measurements ≥95th percentile (index and 2 subsequent consecutive visits).

RESULTS:

The cohort included 199 513 children (24.3% aged 3–5 years, 34.5% aged 6–11 years, and 41.2% aged 12–17 years) with substantial racial/ethnic diversity (35.9% white, 7.8% black, 17.6% Hispanic, 11.7% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 27.0% other/unknown race). At the index visit, 81.9% of participants were normotensive, 12.7% had prehypertension, and 5.4% had a BP in the hypertension range (≥95th percentile). Of the 10 848 children with an index hypertensive BP level, 3.8% of those with a follow-up BP measurement had confirmed hypertension (estimated 0.3% prevalence). Increasing age and BMI were significantly associated with prehypertension and confirmed hypertension (P < .001 for trend). Among racial/ethnic groups, blacks and Asians had the highest prevalence of hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS:

The prevalence of hypertension in this community-based study is lower than previously reported from school-based studies. With the size and diversity of this cohort, these results suggest the prevalence of hypertension in children may actually be lower than previously reported.
Public attitudes to science in South Africa
Authors: Reddy Vijay , Gastrow Michael , Juan Andrea , Roberts Benjamin
Published: January 2013

In a global environment characterised by the growing role of science and technology in our economic, social, and political lives, an international research agenda has arisen to measure and understand how science and technology are perceived and evaluated by the public. In 2010, the South African Social Attitudes Survey included 20 items to measure public attitudes towards science, knowledge about science, and sources of information about science. This household survey was administered to a representative, stratified, random sample of 3183 participants. The findings were analysed through a bivariate analysis, and here we report on South African attitudes towards science and technology, how these have changed between 1999 and 2010, and where South African science attitudes fit on the canvas of global science attitudes. The data reveal a complex and shifting relationship between attitudes of promise and reservation towards science in South Africa. In the international context, South Africa has a unique ‘fingerprint’ of public attitudes towards science. The strongest demographic variable impacting on attitude towards science was educational attainment, followed by age. Gender had no impact on science attitude. This broad overview also highlights some directions for further research to meet the growing academic and policy interest in the interface between the institutions of science and the public.
A step-by-step framework to assess benefits of established temperate marine protected areas
Authors: Götz Albrecht , E. Kerwath Sven , Attwood Colin G.
Published: January 2013

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been advocated as a solution to the challenges of both conservation and modern fishery management, but their application remains controversial, partly because there are only general guidelines for evaluating their effectiveness. We propose a framework to specifically evaluate established MPAs in six steps. We tested the approach by reviewing published research and unpublished information on the Goukamma MPA in the centre of the South African temperate south coast. Information reviewed included effects on the structure of fish populations, catch and abundance indices of fish species, and ecosystem effects. We investigated factors that determine the usefulness of a MPA in fisheries management, including the movement behaviour of adult fishes, larval dispersal and fisher-displacement patterns. We found that differences in the rates of exploitation across the MPA border resulted in differences in abundance, size and condition of the main target species, roman (Chrysoblephus laticeps). The diversity and abundance of non-target fish species, and the composition of the benthic invertebrate community, were affected by the cessation of fishing. The potential for ‘spillover’ of adult roman might be limited to the vicinity of the MPA by their small home range, but there is potential for self-seeding and dispersal of roman eggs and larvae over wider areas. These theoretical considerations were confirmed by an analysis of catch data from before and after MPA implementation. The framework presented here may help to identify and fill gaps in the knowledge of established MPAs along South Africa’s temperate south coast.
Corn Response to Starter Fertilizer and Broadcast Sulfur Evaluated Using Strip Trials
Authors: Kim Ki‐In , Kaiser Daniel E. , Lamb John
Published: January 2013

Sulfur fertilization has historically been recommended for corn (Zea mays L.) production in Minnesota only for only coarse‐textured soils. In fields where medium or fine‐textured soils and spatial variation exist, plants have shown chlorosis symptoms indicative of S deficiency. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of fluid fertilizer combinations containing N, P, and S on early nutrient uptake, corn grain yield, and nutrient removal, and to evaluate various soil factors for predicting S need within fields. Field trials were conducted at four locations, one with a sandy soil and three locations with finer soil textures. Pre‐plant broadcast S was compared with liquid starter N and NP combinations applied with and without S 5 cm beside and below the seed row. Yield was increased by S at two locations. Yield response was not related to soil test SO4–S and decreased with increasing soil organic matter (SOM) concentration. Yield response was greatest when SOM concentration was <20 g kg−1 (0–15 cm), less between 20 and 40 g kg−1, and was not increased when >40 g kg−1. Starter treatments with P consistently increased early plant growth and nutrient uptake and S treatments increased S removal in the grain. The data indicates that when S is applied it can be taken up by corn in greater quantities that are needed for increasing or maintaining grain yield. However, if enough S is available following mineralization from SOM then applied fertilizer S will not benefit yield.
Validating the FAO AquaCrop Model for Rainfed Maize in Pennsylvania
Authors: Mebane Valerie J. , Day Rick L. , Hamlett James M. , Watson Jack E. , Roth Greg W.
Published: January 2013

It is widely known that a close relationship exists between crop production and water stress. In this study, field‐measured data were used to test the performance of AquaCrop and its ability to capture this relationship for rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) in Pennsylvania. The objectives were to evaluate AquaCrop’s ability to simulate the progression of cumulative biomass and grain yield with time, final biomass and harvestable yield, and volumetric water content at six depths. Two years of data from a study conducted in Rock Springs, PA, were used to validate AquaCrop’s ability to accurately simulate the progression of cumulative biomass and grain yield with time, as well as final biomass and harvestable yield. Data collected from January 2004 to March 2006 from a study conducted near Landisville, PA, were used to assess AquaCrop’s ability to effectively simulate soil moisture content at six depths. In addition, the 2004 and 2005 seasonal final biomass measurements obtained from the Landisville location were compared with the model’s simulated values. The results indicated that AquaCrop was able to accurately simulate the progression of cumulative biomass and grain yield with time, with index of agreement values ranging from 0.96 to 0.99. Comparisons between simulated and measured final biomass and final harvestable yield produced biomass deviations ranging from 2.4 to 20.7% and yield deviations of 2.9 and 15.3%. The water balance evaluation indicated that, averaged across all depths, the results were consistent with other validation studies of soil water balance models, with RMSE ranging from 1.5 to 9.8% (v/v).
Efficiency of Irrigation Water Use: A Review from the Perspectives of Multiple Disciplines
Authors: Nair Shyam , Johnson Jeff , Wang Chenggang
Published: January 2013

The increasing global population and dwindling water supplies make efficient use of irrigation water the prime priority in agricultural production. The importance of irrigation water efficiency is more intensified now owing to concerns about climate change, which may lead to a drier climate in the future. Even though irrigation efficiency is a term widely used by plant physiologists, agronomists, irrigation engineers, and economists, both the definition and the perspectives of the term vary with the different disciplines. This review presents and compares irrigation water use efficiency from the perspective of different disciplines. This can help researchers in different fields understand each other’s perspective and stimulate multidisciplinary thinking and research.
Apply Awaji-shima Consensus Conference Criteria Before Diagnosing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Finsterer Josef , Stöllberger Claudia
Published: January 2013

Objectives:

ALS may be diagnosed although affection of other organs suggests another pathogenetic back-ground.

Case report:

In a 72yo non-smoking male progressive gait disturbance with recurrent falls since 2y was initially attributed to axonal polyneuropathy. Additionally, he had arterial hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, hyper-CK-emia, hepatopathy, atrial fibrillation, recurrent heart-failure, pulmonary hypertension, mitral insufficiency, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Possible causes of polyneuropathy were diabetes, long-standing alcoholism, folate-deficiency, or hereditary disease. Later the patient was re-diagnosed as ALS despite absence of upper motor-neuron or bulbar signs, the presence of multiple risk factors for polyneuropathy, of stocking-type sensory disturbances, and of cardiac abnormalities, which could explain dyspnea. Misdiagnosing polyneuropathy as ALS stigmatized the patient and prevented him from further diagnostic work-up for cardiac disease and adequate treatment for heart-failure. Though the diagnosis of ALS was withdrawn, he was put on comfort care and opiates were given when dyspnea acutely deteriorated to death without further cardiac or pulmonary investigations or specific cardiac treatment.

Conclusions:

ALS should be diagnosed only if the Awaji-shima criteria are fulfilled and if all differential diagnoses were profoundly excluded. Respiratory insufficiency should not be attributed to bulbar involvement in ALS as long as cardiac, pulmonary, or myopathic causes were excluded.
A distillation tray with high efficiency and excellent operating flexibility for viscous mixture separation
Authors: Li Qunsheng , Zhang Manxia , Lei Zhigang , Tang Xiaofei , Li Lun , Wang Baohua
Published: January 2013

The flow-guided sieve-valve tray(FGS-VT)with high efficiency was designed to
overcome the shortcoming of low operating flexibility of the flow-guided
sieve tray. Its dimensions and geometry, as well as structure characteristics,
were presented. The hydrodynamics and mass transfer performance, including
dry-plate pressure drop, wet plate-pressure drop, weeping, entrainment and
tray efficiency, of two types of FGS-VTs (FGS-VTs with 14 and 8 valves,
respectively) and one flow-guided sieve tray were tested in an
air-water-oxygen cold model experiment with a 0.6 m diameter plexiglass
column. The results demonstrate that FGS-VT with 14 valves works better
than FGS-VT with 8 valves, and in comparison with the flow-guided sieve
tray, the flow-guided sieve-valve tray with 14 valves has higher tray
efficiency, bigger operating flexibility, and lower wet-plate pressure drop
(when all the valves are opened fully).Additionally, two typical
applications to separate the mixture with high viscosity, solid, powder,
easy-to-foam or easy self-polymerization components proved the unique
advantages of FGS-VT.
High aspect ratio lead zirconate titanate tube structures: I. Template assisted fabrication - vacuum infiltration method
Authors: Kovaľ Vladimír
Published: January 2013

Polycrystalline Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48 )O3 (PZT) microtubes are fabricated by a
vacuum infiltration method. The method is based on repeated infiltration of
precursor solution into macroporous silicon (Si) templates at a
sub-atmospheric pressure. The pyrolyzed PZT tubes of a 2-?m outer diameter,
extending to over 30 ?m in length were released from the template using a
selective isotropic-pulsed XeF2 reactive ion etching of silicon.
Free-standing microtubes, partially anchored at the bottom of the Si
template, were then crystallized in pure oxygen atmosphere at 750 ?C for 2
min using a rapid thermal annealer. The perovskite phase of the final PZT
tubes was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The XRD spectrum
also revealed a small amount of the pyrochlore phase in the structure and
signs of possible fluoride contamination caused most likely by the XeF2
etching process. The surface morphology was examined using scanning electron
microscopy. It was demonstrated that the whole surface of the pore walls was
conformally coated during the repeated infiltration of templates, resulting
in straight tubes with closed tips formed on the opposite ends as replicas of
the pore bottoms. These high aspect ratio ferroelectric structures are
suggested as building units for developing miniaturized electronic devices,
such as memory storage (DRAM trenched) capacitors, piezoelectric scanners and
actuators, and are of fundamental value for the theory of ferroelectricity in
systems with low dimensionality.
High aspect ratio lead zirconate titanate tube structures: II. Directed assembly via dielectrophoresis
Authors: Kovaľ Vladimír
Published: January 2013

This paper reports on the controlled manipulation of high aspect ratio
ferroelectric microtubes on pre-patterned templates by dielectrophoresis.
Microtubes of ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT, a chemical formula
of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48 )O3) with an outer diameter of 2 ?m, a length of about 30
?m and a wall thickness of 400 nm were prepared by vacuum infiltration method
using macroporous silicon templates. To position and align tubes at designed
places, an alternating electric field was applied to a colloidal suspension
of PZT tubes through lithographically defined microelectrodes. This would
enable creation of a stable electrical connection to individual tubes for
making a testing structure for rapid electrical characterization.
Electric-field assisted assembly experiments demonstrated that the frequency
and magnitude of the applied electric field control dielectrophoretic
long-range forces, and hence spatial movement of the tubes in a non-uniform
electric field. The most efficient biasing for the assembly of tubes across
the electrode gap of 12 ?m was a square wave signal of 5 Vrms and 10 Hz. By
varying the applied frequency in between 1 and 10 Hz, an enhancement in tube
alignment was observed due to possible changes in dielectrophoretic torque.
The results indicate a great potential for utilizing dielectrophoresis in
construction of more complex, hierarchical 3-D device structures using the
PZT 1-D like tubes as the building units.
Processing and dielectric properties of ZnTiO3 ceramics prepared from nanopowder synthesised by sol-gel technique
Authors: Chaouchi Ahcéne , Saidi Malika , D’astorg Sophie , Marinel Sylvain
Published: January 2013

ZnTiO3 nanopowders were obtained by sol-gel method. The nanopowders were
characterised by means of TGA/DTA analysis, X-ray diffraction, TMA analysis
and SEM characterisation. The results show that the crystalline structure of
the sol-gel powders was obtained at 600?C, with crystallite sizes of 10 nm.
SEM shows that most of the prepared ZnTiO3 nanopowders are agglomerated.
Since agglomeration plays an important role in the sintering of the ZnTiO3
ceramics, different deagglomeration techniques (ultrasonication,
pulverisation and attrition milling) were investigated. Dense ZnTiO3
structure was obtained from the attrition milled powder at 1050?C and its
dielectric characteristics were also investigated (?r =25, t?= -26 ppm/?C and
tg? < 10-3 at 1 MHz). The low sintering temperature and the good dielectric
properties show promise for the manufacture of multilayered capacitors with
internal copper electrodes.
Semiconducting properties of nonstoichiometric TiO2-x ceramics
Authors: Pura Agnese , Rubenis Kristaps , Stepanovs Dmitrijs , Berzina-Cimdina Liga , Ozolins Jurijs
Published: January 2013

Ceramics containing titanium oxides were prepared using extrusion technology
and thermal treatment in two stages: sintering at normal atmospheric
conditions at 1000 and 1200?C and annealing in high vacuum conditions at 950
and 1150?C. Electrical properties such as thermopower and electrical
conductivity of cylindrical specimens have been studied at temperature range
from the room temperature up to 350?C. Activation energy of the process has
been determined from conductivity curves. Obtained thermopower values are in
the range from 68 up to 105 mV at temperature gradient between the hot and
cold ends of the samples at 300?C, while activation energy values are from
0.03 to 1.16 eV.
Dielectric properties of bismuth titanate ceramics containing SiO2 and Nd2O3 as additives
Authors: Slavov Stanislav , Krapchanska Milena , Kashchieva Elena , Parvanov Svetlin , Dimitriev Yanko
Published: January 2013

Bismuth-titanate ceramics containing SiO2 and Nd2O3 as additives are
synthesized by melt quenching method in the system Bi2O3-TiO2-Nd2O3-SiO2 in
the temperature range of 1250-1500 ?C. The phase composition of the obtained
materials is determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and energy dispersive
spectroscopy. Using scanning electron microscopy different microstructures
are observed in the samples depending on the composition. Different values of
conductivity, dielectric losses and relative permittivity are obtained
depending on the composition. It is established that all investigated samples
are dielectric materials with conductivity between 10-9 and 10-13 (??cm)-1 at
room temperature, dielectric permittivity from 1000 to 3000 and dielectric
losses tg? between 0.0002 and 0.1.
Evaluation of Saudi pegmatite and its use in porcelain industry
Authors: Al-Marzouki Hassan , Jeffery Christopher , Khater Gamal
Published: January 2013

Pegmatite is the main source of feldspar for ceramics industry. Usage of
pegmatite in ceramic industry causes some problems due to the presence of
mica and iron oxides. These materials reduce tile strength, hardness and
density of the final product leading to low quality ceramic products.
Southern Saudi pegmatite separation treatment was carried out in two phases
in order to improve the ceramic quality of the feldspar obtained from this
pegmatite. The first phase consists of gravitational separation to remove the
heavy impurities and in the second phase magnetic separation was carried out
to further minimize iron content. Porcelain ceramic batches were prepared by
wet-mixing, drying, pressing (semi-dry press) and fired at temperatures from
1000 to 1350 ?C. The porcelain ceramic bodies were prepared and examined by
DTA, X-ray diffraction, SEM and tested for bulk density, linear shrinkage,
water absorption and flexural strength. These results indicated that, after
treatment (gravity and magnetic separation), the pegmatite can be considered
as a good source of potash feldspar. The present study provides a positive
indication for using of Southern Saudi pegmatite after treatment in ceramic
industries.
Corrosion mechanism and bioactivity of borate glasses analogue to Hench’s bioglass
Authors: Ouis Mona , Abdelghany Amr , Elbatal Hatem
Published: January 2013

Bioactive borate glasses (from the system Na2O-CaO-B2O3-P2O5) and
corresponding glass-ceramics as a new class of scaffold material were
prepared by full replacement of SiO2 with B2O3 in Hench patented bioactive
glass. The prepared samples were investigated by differential thermal
analysis (DTA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray
diffraction (XRD) analysis. The DTA data were used to find out the proper
heat treatment temperatures for preparation of the appropriate glass-ceramics
with high crystallinity. The prepared crystalline glass-ceramics derivatives
were examined by XRD to identify the crystalline phases that were
precipitated during controlled thermal treatment. The FTIR spectroscopy was
used to justify the formation of hydroxyapatite as an indication of the
bioactivity potential or activity of the studied ternary borate glasses or
corresponding glass-ceramics after immersion in aqueous phosphate solution.
The corrosion results are interpreted on the basis of suggested recent views
on the corrosion mechanism of such modified borate glasses in relation to
their composition and constitution.
Flame synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline titania powders
Authors: Kumar Manjith , Bhattacharya Shekar
Published: January 2013

Flame reactors are considered to be one of the most promising and versatile
synthesis routes for the largescale production of submicron and nanosized
particles. An annular co-flow type oxy-gas diffusion burner was designed for
its application in a modular flame reactor for the synthesis of
nanocrystalline oxide ceramics. The burner consisted of multiple ports for
the individually regulated flow of a precursor vapour, inert gas, fuel gas
and oxidizer. The nanopowders formed during flame synthesis in the reaction
chamber were collected by a suitable set of filters. In the present study,
TTIP was used as the precursor for the synthesis of nanocrystalline TiO2 and
helium was used to carry the precursor vapour to the burner head. Methane and
oxygen were used as fuel and oxidizer respectively. The operating conditions
were varied by systematically changing the flow rates of the gases involved.
The synthesized powders were characterized using standard techniques such as
XRD, SEM, TEM, BET etc., in order to determine the crystallite size, phase
content, morphology, particle size and degree of agglomeration. The
influences of gas flow rates on the powder characteristics are discussed.
Investigation of adding fluoroapatite nanoparticles on compressive strength and corrosion behaviour of dental amalgams
Authors: Mirlohi Fahimeh , Doostmohammadi Ali , Monshi Ahmad
Published: January 2013

In recent years, there have been many efforts to improve biological and
biocompatibility features of amalgam. The aim of this research was
investigating the effect of adding fluoroapatite (FA) nanoparticles on
compressive strength and corrosion behaviour of dental amalgam. An amalgam
alloy powder was mixed with 1, 3 and 5 wt.% of FA nanoparticles to form
composite powders. Compressive strength of the corresponding dental amalgam
samples was measured on the first and seventh day after preparation and the
corrosion behaviour was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization
electrochemical test in 0.9 wt.% salt solution (physiologic serum). The
results showed that the amalgam containing 1 wt.% FA nanoparticles has higher
compressive strength then the pure amalgam and with increasing the FA content
in amalgam to 3 and 5 wt.%, the compressive strength decreases. The results
also indicated that the corrosion behaviour of the amalgam sample with 1 wt.%
FA is similar to the corrosion behaviour of the original amalgam, while with
increasing the weight percentage of fluorapatite, the corrosion resistance
decreases. The results of this research showed that adding FA nanoparticles
in amounts of up to 1 wt.% to amalgam alloy improve compressive strength, has
no destructive effect on corrosion behaviour of the material and can increase
its biocompatibility and biological activity.
Impedance spectroscopy studies on lead free (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 ceramics
Authors: Chaouchi Ahcène , Kennour Sadia
Published: January 2013

The AC complex impedance spectroscopy technique has been used to obtain the
electrical parameters of polycrystalline sample of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)
(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 in a wide frequency range at different temperatures. This
sample was prepared by a high temperature solid-state reaction technique and
single phase formation was confirmed by X-ray diffraction technique. This
study was carried out by the means of simultaneous analysis of impedance,
modulus, and electrical conductivity. The Cole-Cole (Nyquist) plots suggest
that the grains and grain boundaries are responsible in the conduction
mechanism of the material at high temperature. The Cole- Cole (Nyquist) plot
studies revealed the presence of grain and grain boundary effect at 485 ?C.
On the other hand, it showed only the presence of grain boundary component of
the resistivity at 535 ?C. Complex impedance analysis indicated the presence
of non-Debye type dielectric relaxation. The bulk resistance of the material
decreases with rise in temperature similar to a semiconductor, and the
Cole-Cole (Nyquist) plot showed the negative temperature coefficient of
resistance (NTCR) character of (Ba0.85Ca0.15 )(Ti0.9Zr0.1 )O3. The value of
activation energy is found to be 0.7433 eV, which suggests that the
conduction may be the result of defect and charge carriers present in the
materials.
The role of hysteroscopy in diagnosis and treatment of postmenopausal bleeding
Authors: Pop-Trajkovic-Dinic Sonja , Ljubic Aleksandar , Kopitovic Vesna , Antic Vladimir , Stamenovic Snezana , Trninic-Pjevic Aleksandra
Published: January 2013

Background/Aim. Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common problem which
brings woman to the gynecologist during the postmenopausal period. The aim of
this study was to define the significance of hysteroscopy as a diagnostic
procedure for the evaluation of patients with postmenopausal bleeding, as
well as to define it as a surgical procedure by which the cause of bleeding
can be treated in most cases in the same sitting. Methods. The study involved
148 female patients referred to the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in
Nis for postmenopausal bleeding in the period of 12 months. Hysteroscopy with
endometrial biopsy were performed in all the patients. Biopsy materials were
directed to histological examination, and the hysteroscopic and histological
findings were compared afterwards. Polyps and submucous miomas were
hysteroscopically removed in the same sitting and also directed to
histological examination. Results. The success rate of the method was 95.1%,
while complications occurred in 1.37% of the cases. The hysteroscopic
findings were normal in almost 30% of the cases, and the most common
pathological finding was endometrial polyp. The sensitivity of hysteroscopy
in the detection of intrauterine pathology was 100%, the specificity 81%, the
positive predictive value 92% and the negative predictive value 100%. In
69.7% of the patients the cause of bleeding was hysteroscopically removed.
Hysteroscopy was performed in 58.1% of the patients in the same sitting, and
in 11.6% of the patients after obtaining histological findings. Conclusion.
Hysteroscopy is a safe, highly sensitive diagnostic procedure, thus being an
ideal method for evaluation of patients with postmenopausal bleeding. The
application of hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy leads to accurate
diagnosis. An adequate diagnosis is crucial for the selection of relevant
treatment of postmenopausal bleeding and avoidance of unnecessary major
surgical procedures. Except for being a diagnostic method hysteroscopy, is
also an outpatient minimally invasive surgical procedure for treating the
cause of bleeding in the majority of cases in the same sitting.
Effects of a d-Xylose Preload With or Without Sitagliptin on Gastric Emptying, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1, and Postprandial Glycemia in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wu Tongzhi , Bound Michelle J. , Zhao Beiyi R. , Standfield Scott D. , Bellon Max , Jones Karen L. , Horowitz Michael , Rayner Christopher K.
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE

Macronutrient “preloads” can reduce postprandial glycemia by slowing gastric emptying and stimulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion. An ideal preload would entail minimal additional energy intake and might be optimized by concurrent inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). We evaluated the effects of a low-energy d-xylose preload, with or without sitagliptin, on gastric emptying, plasma intact GLP-1 concentrations, and postprandial glycemia in type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Twelve type 2 diabetic patients were studied on four occasions each. After 100 mg sitagliptin (S) or placebo (P) and an overnight fast, patients consumed a preload drink containing either 50 g d-xylose (X) or 80 mg sucralose (control [C]), followed after 40 min by a mashed potato meal labeled with 13C-octanoate. Blood was sampled at intervals. Gastric emptying was determined.

RESULTS

Both peak blood glucose and the amplitude of glycemic excursion were lower after PX and SC than PC (P < 0.01 for each) and were lowest after SX (P < 0.05 for each), while overall blood glucose was lower after SX than PC (P < 0.05). The postprandial insulin-to-glucose ratio was attenuated (P < 0.05) and gastric emptying was slower (P < 0.01) after d-xylose, without any effect of sitagliptin. Plasma GLP-1 concentrations were higher after d-xylose than control only before the meal (P < 0.05) but were sustained postprandially when combined with sitagliptin (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In type 2 diabetes, acute administration of a d-xylose preload reduces postprandial glycemia and enhances the effect of a DPP-4 inhibitor.
Numerical transient state analysis of partly obstructed haemodynamics using FSI approach
Authors: Lorenzini Giulio , Conti Alessandra
Published: January 2013

Blood interacts in compliance with the vessels it flows in, determining effects of fluid-structure interaction (FSI). Using this approach, the present paper analyses the blood flow and its pathological conditions before diagnostic (Doppler catheters) or pathological (stenoses) obstacles. Catheters are concentric cylinders with defined vessels, whereas stenoses are shaped as triangles, trapeziums or hemi-ellipses. Rather than a basic/rigid case, three models were adopted to describe the artery wall dynamics: elastic (Hooke), hyper-elastic Mooney-Rivley 1 (MR1) and hyper-elastic Mooney-Rivley 2 (MR2). Blood has non-Newtonian rheological properties (Casson fluid. The numerical study used the CFD code Comsol Multiphysics, version 3.4. The FSI effect was studied through 3 physical parameters with reference to the blood flow: minimum velocity (re-circulation), maximum velocity (the mechanical stress on the obstacle) and the disturbance length. Results show a strong dependence of the FSI effect on the characteristics of the obstacle considered and on the kind of elastic/hyper-elastic model chosen. In a few cases, however, the results of the old rigid-vessel approach were reasonably accurate.