bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Thyroid Disease: Principles and Problems
Authors: Žarković Miloš 
Published: October 2010

Diagnosis of Thyroid Disease: Principles and ProblemsConceptually, thyroid disorders can be classified into four groups, namely: 1. disorders of thyroid morphology, 2. disorders of thyroid function, 3. presence of thyroid autoimmunity, and 4. diagnosis and follow-up of thyroid carcinoma. Of course, these groups are non-exclusive, and often there is overlap between the groups. Ultrasound exam is a standard for the diagnosis of the disorders of thyroid morphology. To diagnose disorders of thyroid function TSH and thyroid hormones should be measured. Presence of thyroid autoimmunity is confirmed by measuring antibodies against thyroid-specific antigens. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO), thyroglobulin (Tg) and TSH receptors antibodies are used in the diagnosis, follow-up and prognosis of autoimmune thyroid disorders. The measurement of serum thyroglobulin has no role in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, but it is used in the follow-up of patients treated for differentiated thyroid carcinoma of the follicular epithelium. Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) produces calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), but calcitonin is specific for MTC. In subjects with MTC, genetic testing should be done, and in positive cases family screening is necessary.
Automation, Lean, Six Sigma: Synergies for Improving Laboratory Efficiency
Authors: Villa Davide 
Published: October 2010

Automation, Lean, Six Sigma: Synergies for Improving Laboratory EfficiencyThe Pathology Services worldwide, surrounded by products are today requesting solutions. The approach aims towards the brain-to-brain cycle between caregivers and laboratory professionals. Despite budgets limited to 2-3% of total healthcare expenses, Laboratories are providing information for > 70% of medical actions. »Perianalytics« is becoming the focus; understanding information and sample flow in the whole journey and processes. Process analysis is the main component to understand and shape the best combination of components in designing a truly cost-effective Laboratory solution. Methodologies like Lean (or Toyota Production System) and Six Sigma have started recently to be adopted also in healthcare and in the Laboratory environment. Those techniques showed already successful implementations in healthcare, after their development in other sectors. Their tools are addressing the definition of »value«, »waste«, »flow« as key drivers to improve performances. The synergy among the methods allows decision makers to identify the degree of automation really necessary in their laboratory, with streamlined processes. The different platforms made available by industries, forin vitrodiagnostic testing, could become not cost-effective or efficient without a careful assessment of needs, pathways and value-related variables. Total laboratory automation or stand-alone islands for systems can be identified and chosen after process mapping and recommendations deployed with Lean and Six Sigma techniques. This article highlights some key concepts of Lean and their fit in laboratory organization, as methodologies to be implemented before selecting and adopting automated systems.
Medical Errors: Pre-Analytical Issue in Patient Safety
Authors: Plebani Mario , Piva Elisa 
Published: October 2010

Medical Errors: Pre-Analytical Issue in Patient SafetyThe last few decades have seen a significant decrease in the rates of analytical errors in clinical laboratories, while a growing body of evidence demonstrates that the pre- and post-analytical steps of the total testing process (TTP) are more error-prone than the analytical phase. In particular, most errors are identified in pre-pre-analytic steps outside the walls of the laboratory, and beyond its control. However, in a patient-centred approach to the delivery of health care services, there is the need to investigate, in the total testing process, any possible defect that may have a negative impact on the patient, irrespective of which step is involved and whether the error depends on a laboratory professional (e.g. calibration or testing error) or a non-laboratory operator (e.g. inappropriate test request, error in patient identification and/or blood collection). In the pre-analytic phase, the frequency of patient/specimens misidentification and the presence of possible causes of specimen rejection (haemolysis, clotting, insufficient volume, etc.) represent a valuable risk for patient safety. Preventing errors in the pre-analytical steps requires both technological developments (wristband, barcodes, pre-analytical workstations) and closer relationships with the clinical world to achieve an effective team-working cooperation. The most important lesson we have learned, therefore, is that laboratory errors and injuries to patients can be prevented by redesigning systems that render it difficult for all caregivers and in all steps of the total testing process to make mistakes.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Information Provided by a High Sensitivity Assay for Cardiac Troponin T
Authors: Jarausch Jochen 
Published: October 2010

Diagnostic and Prognostic Information Provided by a High Sensitivity Assay for Cardiac Troponin TCardiac troponins (cTns) are the preferred biomarkers for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, assessment of risk and prognosis, and for determination of antithrombotic and revascularization strategy in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The implementation of high sensitivity cTn assays into the clinical routine has increased the number of patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction. In addition, the number of patients with elevated cTn levels that cannot be explained by acute ischemic injury was increased, which is observed in patients with chronic heart disease and other nonischemic cardiac injury or in patients with impaired renal function. The new definition of myocardial infarction provides support for the interpretation of elevated cTn measured with high sensitivity cTn assays in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome. This review will summarize clinical studies with the recently introduced high sensitivity cTnT assay (TnT hs) with reference to recent experience with high sensitivity cTn assays in general.
Progressive Automation - The Solution of Choice for Improving Lab Efficiency
Authors: Valid Jean-Michel 
Published: October 2010

Progressive Automation - The Solution of Choice for Improving Lab EfficiencyToday's hospital laboratory faces increasing pressure to improve turnaround time (TAT), while being required to handle an increasing number of test requests. At the same time, it must operate ever tighter cost controls. Using LEAN process improvement techniques is an effective way of identifying how to delivering greater efficiency and quality. LEAN focuses on identifying those processes that add value and on eliminating the ‘waste’ - those unnecessary, non value adding steps that cause bottlenecks and delay the delivery of results. Greater use of LEAN analysis also confirms that one of the most effective ways of achieving greater overall efficiency is by automating laboratory processes. With Beckman Coulter's progressive automation solution, a laboratory is likely to see a return on its investment within 18 to 36 months. Beckman Coulter uses a LEAN scorecard to enable the laboratory to easily assess its current testing processes and identify specific areas where improvement is needed. By doing this in advance, a laboratory can expect the implementation of its progressive automation solution to go smoothly. In addition, the average laboratory can automate its pre-analytic testing, using a high speed automated sorter, in as little as two weeks.
Serum and Urinary Biomarkers Determination and Their Significance in Diagnosis of Kidney Diseases
Authors: Ležaić Višnja 
Published: October 2010

Serum and Urinary Biomarkers Determination and Their Significance in Diagnosis of Kidney DiseasesChronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming a major public health problem worldwide due to the epidemic increase of patients on renal replacement therapy and their high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The only effective approach to this problem is prevention and early detection of CKD. In addition, despite significant improvements in therapeutics, the mortality and morbidity associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) remain high. A major reason for this is the lack of early markers for AKI, and hence an unacceptable delay in initiating therapy. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop biomarkers (proteins and other molecules in the blood or urine) for renal disease, which might assist in diagnosis and prognosis and might provide endpoints for clinical trials of drugs designed to slow the progression of renal insufficiency. Besides serum creatinine, promising novel biomarkers for AKI include a plasma panel (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin-NGAL and cystatin C) and a urine panel (NGAL, kidney injury molecule-1, interleukin-18, cystatin C, alpha 1-microglobulin, Fetuin-A, Gro-alpha, and meprin). For CKD, these include a similar plasma panel and a urine panel (NGAL, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and liver-type fatty acid-binding protein). Increased plasma and urinary TGF-β1 levels might contribute to the development of chronic tubulointerstitial disease, indicating the possible therapeutic implications. Furthermore, to differentiate lower urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis interleukin-6 and serum procalcitonin levels were introduced. It will be important in future studies to validate the sensitivity and specificity of these biomarker panels in clinical samples from large cohorts and in multiple clinical situations.
Importance of Hormones and Proteins Determination in the Material Obtained by Fine-Needle Aspiration
Authors: Trbojević Božo , Beleslin Biljana 
Published: October 2010

Importance of Hormones and Proteins Determination in the Material Obtained by Fine-Needle AspirationMore than a half century of experience with aspiration punch of nodal changes in the thyroid gland has confirmed this procedure as a golden standard in the examination of thyroid nodal disease. Although sensitivity, specificity, reliability and reproducibility are incontestably high, this procedure cannot give a simple answer on whether the change examined is benign or malignant. Numerous attempts to improve the procedure resulted in considerably advanced findings. Besides refining the cytopathologic examination techniques, confirmation or determination of hormones, proteins and other substances in the material obtained by fine-needle aspiration are actually the greatest contribution to improvement the of procedure's diagnostic value. These markers are actually followed, in most medical centers, in aspirates of thyroid nodal changes but also surrounding lymph nodes in order to evaluate with greater certainty the type, volume and spread; this is important to establish treatment procedures and to evaluate the residual disease after accomplishing the treatment.
Numerical analysis of influence of ship hull form modification on ship resistance and propulsion characteristics
Authors: Abramowski Tomasz , Żelazny Katarzyna , Szelangiewicz Tadeusz 
Published: October 2010

Numerical analysis of influence of ship hull form modification on ship resistance and propulsion characteristics
After signing ship building contract shipyard's design office orders performance of ship resistance and propulsion model tests aimed at, apart from resistance measurements, also determination of ship speed, propeller rotational speed and propulsion engine power for the designed ship, as well as improvement of its hull form, if necessary. Range of ship hull modifications is practically very limited due to cost and time reasons. Hence numerical methods, mainly CFD ones are more and more often used for such tests. In this paper consisted of three parts, are presented results of numerical calculations of hull resistance, wake and efficiency of propeller operating in non-homogenous velocity field, performed for research on 18 hull versions of B573 ship designed and built by Szczecin Nowa Shipyard.
State equations in the mathematical model of dynamic behaviour of multihull floating unit
Authors: Królicka Agnieszka 
Published: October 2010

State equations in the mathematical model of dynamic behaviour of multihull floating unit
This paper concerns dynamic behaviour of multihull floating unit of catamaran type exposed to excitations due to irregular sea waves. Dynamic analysis of multihull floating unit necessitates, in its initial stage, to determine physical model of the unit and next to assume an identified mathematical model. Correctly elaborated physical models should contain information on the basis of which a mathematical model could be built. Mathematical models describe mutual relations between crucial quantities which characterize a given system in time domain. The dynamic analysis of multihull unit was performed under assumption that the unit's model has been linear and exposed to action of irregular sea waves. Mathematical model of such dynamic system is represented by state equations. The formulated equations take into account encounter of head wave which generates symmetrical motions of the unit, i.e. surge, heave and pitch. For solving the equations the following three wave spectra were taken into consideration: - ISSC (International Ship Structures Congress) spectrum - Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum - Paszkiewicz spectrum.
Operational causes of fatigue failures within passages of gas turbine engines
Authors: Korczewski Zbigniew 
Published: October 2010

Operational causes of fatigue failures within passages of gas turbine engines
In this paper a short presentation of fatigue wear process of structural elements of gas turbine engines has been given. The primary causes of fatigue crack formation within engine mechanical system and flow passages have been highlighted. Special attention was paid to low-cycle fatigue associated with unsteady heat-and-gas-flow processes developed in the passages. The selected damages have been demonstrated of gas flow paths of the engines operating in aviation, navy and power industry, along with origins of their formation and growth.
Dynamical control of dimensional quality of large steel structures in production enterprises of low - level technological support
Authors: Rutkowski Radosław 
Published: October 2010

Dynamical control of dimensional quality of large steel structures in production enterprises of low - level technological support
In this paper problems of dimensional control in the building process of large steel structures are discussed. Results are presented of the research aimed at the improving of dimensional quality of prefabricated ship hull structures built in enterprises of medium - or low- level technological support. Problems of dimensional control in building process of large steel structures are highlighted. A solution is proposed of dynamical control of measurement operations as well as their optimization with taking into account current production process parameters. An example of calculations carried out in the frame of the presented solution is also attached.
Photoreduction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen using temperature programmed method
Authors: Kocemba Ireneusz , Nadajczyk Justyna , Góralski Jacek , Szynkowska M. 
Published: October 2010

Photoreduction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen using temperature programmed method
The photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen was studied by Temperature-Programmed Surface Reaction (TPSR). This process was carried out in a flow reactor that was especially designed and constructed for this purpose. Titanium dioxide (TiO2, Degussa P-25) was used as supports for platinum, ruthenium and nickel catalysts. The experimental results indicated that the activity of photoreduction of CO2 changes as follows: Ru/TiO2 > Ni/TiO2 > = Pt/TiO2 > TiO2.
Mg(OTf)2 + ionic liquid - recyclable catalytic system in diels-alder reaction
Authors: Bittner Bożena , Milchert Eugeniusz , Janus Ewa 
Published: October 2010

Mg(OTf)2 + ionic liquid - recyclable catalytic system in diels-alder reaction
A comparative study of Diels-Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and dimethyl maleate in catalytic system is reported. The catalytic system was formed from ionic liquid which was made of N-hexylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and magnesium trifluoromethanesulfonate. The yields, TONs, TOFs and endo:exo ratios were calculated. The optimal catalyst concentration was found in order to obtain the mixture of endo, exo isomers with the highest yields. Moreover recycling of the catalytic system consisting of Mg(OTf)2 (2 mol%) and ionic liquid was performed. The distillation was noticed to be a better product removal method than extraction by organic solvent, taking into consideration both the TON and TOF values.
Production of compound mineral fertilizers as a method of utilization of waste products in chemical company Alwernia S.A.
Authors: Malinowski Przemysław , Olech Mirosław , Sas Józef , Wantuch Wiesław , Biskupski Andrzej , Urbańczyk Leszek , Borowik Mieczysław , Kotowicz Jerzy 
Published: October 2010

Production of compound mineral fertilizers as a method of utilization of waste products in chemical company Alwernia S.A.
The results of investigations on a possible utilization of waste products formed during the production of commercial and food inorganic salts are presented. Application of wastes in the production of compound fertilizers was suggested. The work covered a full research cycle starting from laboratory tests and ending on the production implementation. Fertilizer formulas were developed on the basis of laboratory tests. A possible production of fertilizers of suggested compositions was tested on a pilot plant scale. The compound fertilizer production with the use of waste raw materials was implemented in Chemical Company Alwernia S.A. It reduced the amount of wastes directed to industrial waste site.
Polyurethanes used in the endoprosthesis of joints
Authors: Domańska Agata , Boczkowska Anna , Izydorzak Marta , Jaegermann Zbigniew , Kurzydłowski Krzysztof 
Published: October 2010

Polyurethanes used in the endoprosthesis of joints
The aim of the studies presented in this paper was the selection of the polyurethanes synthesized from different substrates in order to obtain i) ceramic - biodegradable polymer composite and ii) polyurethane resistant to abrasive wear. The polyurethanes were obtained from the crystalline prepolymers extended by water, because it may have a beneficial effect on the toxicity of the material. The properties of PUs were investigated using infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. In all the tested polyurethanes the peak from the reactive -NCO groups was not observed, which indicates that all the substrates are fully reacted. Such polyurethanes are characterized by interesting properties with the perspective use as components of ceramic-polymer joints endoprosthesis. The designed endoprosthesis should fulfill at least three functions: load bearing function (ceramic core), fastening and stabilizing endoprosthesis to the bone (composite ceramics - biodegradable polymer) and tribologic function allowing mating with parts of the prosthesis (polyurethane layer resistant to abrasive wear).
Methane fermentation of poultry slaughterhouse waste
Authors: Wymysłowski Mateusz , Łuczak Małgorzata , Zawadzka Alicja , Imbierowicz Mirosław , Chacuk Andrzej 
Published: October 2010

Methane fermentation of poultry slaughterhouse waste
One of the alternative methods for the treatment of animal by-products is their utilization in biological processes with a simultaneous production of energy-rich biogas. The results of the investigations of methane fermentation of animal waste are discussed in the study. The methane fermentation was carried out at 35°C. The substrates used in the experiments included poultry heads and muscle tissue. Furthermore, the fermentation residues subjected previously to hydrothermal processing were used as a substrate. The suspension of those substrates in the initial concentration range from 1 g TOC/dm3 to 11 g TOC/dm3 was used in the process. Additionally, the effect of the preliminary stage of hydrothermal substrate processing on methane fermentation efficiency was assessed. Poultry waste was subjected to thermohydrolysis at the temperature from 100°C to 300°C and pressure up to 9.0 MPa. The efficiency of the methane fermentation was estimated on the basis of biogas generated in the process. The biogas production was between 0.17 Ndm3/g TOC and 1.53 Ndm3/g TOC. In the case of poultry heads, a beneficial impact of hydrothermal processing at the temperatures from 100°C to 175°C was confirmed. For poultry meat the preliminary thermohydrolysis brought about a decrease of methane fraction in the biogas evolved. The preliminary hydrothermal processing made it possible to meet the requirements of legal regulations for the hygienization of by-products of animal origin. The obtained results allowed us to identify conditions under which the methane fermentation was carried out and which ensured a high level of methanization.
Removal of phenols from aqueous solutions with solvating extractants
Authors: Regel-Rosocka Magdalena , Wiśniewski Maciej 
Published: October 2010

Removal of phenols from aqueous solutions with solvating extractants
The removal of selected phenols (phenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 4-fluorophenol, 4-nitrophenol, 4-methylphenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol) from aqueous streams by liquid-liquid extraction is studied. Butylene and propylene carbonate - are used as green extractants. They permit to remove almost 100% of the examined phenols from feed solutions of phenol concentration about 20 g/dm3. Additionally, stripping of phenols from loaded organic phases is carried out with NaOH. The results of extraction parameters for alkylene carbonates (extraction efficency and distribution ratio) are compared with commercial solvating extractant - Cyanex 923.
Removal of Zn(II) from chloride acidic solutions with hydrophobic quaternary salts
Authors: Nowak Łukasz , Regel-Rosocka Magdalena , Marszałkowska Barbara , Wiśniewski Maciej 
Published: October 2010

Removal of Zn(II) from chloride acidic solutions with hydrophobic quaternary salts
The equilibrium of zinc(II) extraction from hydrochloric acid solutions with phosphonium and ammonium quaternary salts and their application as carriers in polymer inclusion membranes were studied. The most efficient was the extraction of zinc with the use of chlorides and bromide of ammonium and phosphonium salt (more than 90%). Quaternary ammonium and phosphonium chlorides and bromide are efficient extractants of zinc(II) from hydrochloric acid solutions. Two-fold molar excess of extractant over Zn(II) is necessary for efficient extraction (100%). Solvent extraction power of the extractants studied decreases with increasing hydrophobicity of the anion in the following sequence: QPCl > QPBr > QPBis > QACl > QABF4 > QPBF4 > QPPF6 > QPNtf2. A solution of 1 M H2 SO4 is chosen as the best stripping phase from the technological and economical point of view. Transport across polymeric inclusion membrane enables concentration of the stripping solution; however it takes a very long time.
Synthesis of carbon nanotubes via chemical vapor deposition by using rareearth metals as catalysts
Authors: Jędrzejewska Anna , Wnuk Karolina , Kaleńczuk Ryszard , Borowiak-Paleń Ewa 
Published: October 2010

Synthesis of carbon nanotubes via chemical vapor deposition by using rareearth metals as catalysts
This work presents the results of the synthesis of carbon nanotubes using the CVD method. Fe: MgO catalyst was used, also in combination with rare earth elements (gadolinium (Gd), dysprosium (Dy)), which when used alone, are not efficient as catalysts in nanotube growth. Synthesis was performed both at reduced pressure (10-3 mbar) and atmospheric pressure, with constant parameters dependent on the process parameters.