bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real time spectroscopic ellipsometry of CuInSe2: Growth dynamics, dielectric function, and its dependence on temperature
Authors: Begou Thomas , Walker James D. , Attygalle Dinesh , Ranjan Vikash , Collins R. W. , Marsillac Sylvain 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis Letter reports real time spectroscopic ellipsometry studies of copper indium diselenide (CuInSe2; CIS). A Volmer‐Weber nucleation process was identified from the measured thickness dynamics, and accurate dielectric functions were obtained in‐situ, avoiding oxidation while correcting for surface roughness. The energy and broadening parameters of the critical points in the dielectric functions obtained versus measurement temperature (including three previously unreported ones) yield a database that is valuable for on‐line materials analysis. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation: Between the Desired Gains and the Reality
Authors: Abdel‐Fatah Hesham Tawfik M. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryIn this study, the implementation of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard in a Transformer Oil Testing Laboratory (TOTL) for performing the Electrical Breakdown Voltage was evaluated. The application of such a QA system involves a great deal of human resources, top management commitment, organizational effort, expertise and expense. Three years of experience of working under the ISO/IEC 17025 compliant quality system is described. The enhanced reliability of the test results, the technical competence of TOTL staff, the increased trust and satisfaction of established customers and the improved reputation of the TOTL are important gains that are attained from the application of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. Conversely, the drawbacks that resulted from implementing and maintaining the ISO/IEC 17025 QA system were enormous costs, time‐consuming efforts, and increased documentation of test procedures. In addition, no new customers or contracts were generated as had been expected. Therefore, the author does not recommend that laboratories pursue ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation unless the requirement is necessitated by customer needs and only when the test for accreditation is entirely appropriate. Moreover, significant benefits covering the costs of establishing, implementation, accreditation and maintaining of this standard should be identified. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endometrial cancer and ultrasound: why measuring endometrial thickness is sometimes not enough
Authors: Naftalin J. , Nunes N. , Hoo W. , Arora R. , Jurkovic D. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractEndometrial cancer is the commonest cancer of the female genital tract in the developed world. Ultrasound measurement of endometrial thickness is commonly used to triage patients with postmenopausal bleeding for histological sampling. The sensitivity of ultrasound in diagnosing endometrial cancer is high, but it has a small, well‐defined false‐negative rate. In this report we describe two cases, with histological confirmation, of postmenopausal women without any vaginal bleeding, who were subsequently diagnosed with advanced endometrial cancer. They were found to have a thin, normal endometrium on ultrasound. In both cases, histological examination was suggestive of endometrial cancer originating from foci of adenomyosis. These findings suggest that a proportion of the false‐negative diagnoses of endometrial cancer on ultrasound could be caused by the disease being confined to the myometrium rather than as a result of suboptimal performance of ultrasound examination. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transitions Between Lanthanum Cuprates: Crystal Structures of T′, Orthorhombic, and K2NiF4‐type La2CuO4
Authors: Hord Roland , Cordier Gerhard , Hofmann Kathrin , Buckow Alexander , Pascua Gwendolyne , Luetkens Hubertus , Alff Lambert , Albert Barbara 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThrough low‐temperature synthesis in CsOH flux, lanthanum cuprate La2CuO4 can be obtained in a metastable form, the so‐called T′ modification (tetragonal, I4/mmm, no. 139, a = 400.95(2) pm, c = 1254.08(7) pm). When heated, this T′ phase transforms into a K2NiF4‐type modification, whose crystal structure was now refined from X‐ray powder data (tetragonal, I4/mmm, no. 139, a = 383.29(3) pm, c = 1331.3(2) pm at T = 1073 K). The well‐known orthorhombic phase (s.g. Cmce, no. 64, a = 536.14(3) pm, b = 1315.53(8) pm, c = 540.20(3) pm) – usually obtained via conventional solid state synthesis – was observed to form upon cooling from the K2NiF4‐type modification. High‐temperature powder diffractometry allowed crystal structure refinements for all of the three phases.
Single operator peroral cholangioscopic guided therapy of bile duct stones
Authors: Seelhoff Alexander , Schumacher Brigitte , Neuhaus Horst 
Published: May 2011

AbstractSince the introduction of endoscopic sphincterotomy, stone clearance of the bile duct can be achieved by conventional endoscopic means in up to 90% of patients with stone disease. Several endoscopic therapies for difficult bile duct stones have been introduced. Laser therapy for stone fragmentation under direct visual control via the peroral insertion of a cholangioscope (POCS) in the bile duct has proven to be highly effective, further raising the success rate of endoscopic biliary stone clearance. However, conventional POCS has not gained wide acceptance because of several technical limitations such as fragility, impaired steerability and the need for two endoscopists. These limitations may be overcome with a newly developed single operator peroral cholangioscope, the SpyGlass® Direct Visualization System. First clinical data of SpyGlass guided intraductal stone fragmentation with EHL or laser fibers report high safety and efficacy of the procedure.
Association between prodromal pain and the severity of acute herpes zoster and utilization of health care resources
Authors: Benbernou Atika , Drolet Mélanie , Levin Myron J. , Schmader Kenneth E. , Oxman Michael N. , Johnson Robert , Patrick David , Camden Stéphanie , Mansi James A. , Brisson Marc 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground: Herpes zoster results from the reactivation of the varicella‐zoster virus, which is often accompanied by a prodrome of dermatomal pain. Little is known about the burden of prodromal pain.Objectives: (1) Describe the frequency, severity and duration of prodromal pain; (2) determine the relationship between prodromal pain and the characteristics of herpes zoster at recruitment and the utilization of health care resources.Methods: Between 10/2005 and 07/2006, 251 subjects ≥50 years old, seeking care for herpes zoster within 14 days of rash onset, were recruited across Canada. Severity and duration of prodromal pain were measured retrospectively using the Initial Zoster Impact Questionnaire. The burden of prodromal pain was obtained by the product of pain severity and duration. The severity of acute herpes zoster pain was measured using the Zoster Brief Pain Inventory.Results: The majority of participants reported prodromal pain (74%). Mean pain duration and severity were 4.7 days and 6/10, respectively. Subjects aged 61–70 years old were more likely to report prodromal pain (RR = 1.14, p‐value = 0.02). The burden of prodromal pain was greater in subjects not working (p‐value = 0.02) or immunosuppressed (p‐value = 0.04). Prodromal pain was associated with more severe acute pain (6.2 vs. 4.3, p‐value < 0.0001). Compared to subjects who did not report prodromal pain, those with this pain were more likely to receive antivirals (RR = 1.18, p‐value = 0.04) and to visit the emergency room (RR = 2.56, p‐value = 0.04).Conclusion: The burden of prodromal pain is significant and should be considered when evaluating the overall benefit of herpes zoster vaccination.
Ten years after: Interference of hospital slack in process performance benefits of quality practices
Authors: Goldstein Susan Meyer , Iossifova Albena R. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWe investigate the long‐term relationship between an organization's quality management practices and process‐level performance. Further, we examine whether availability of organizational slack over the study interval interferes with the relationship between quality practices and process performance. Organizational slack consists of the available and accessible resources in an organization; we focus here on unabsorbed slack in the form of financial resources. We investigate the quality practices of U.S. general acute care hospitals, measured by their depth of implementation of practices characterizing a total quality management system, and use them to predict process performance related to four medical conditions. Analysis reveals differing effects that are dependent on hospital slack conditions. In hospitals with high slack, quality practices significantly predict three of four studied process performance measures. In contrast, in hospitals with low slack, quality practices predict only one of the four process performance measures, while other factors outweigh the effects of quality practices. This study lends support to management taking a long‐term perspective related to implementation of quality management systems, and highlights the relevance of slack conditions in garnering the benefits of such systems.
The templates of non-singular Smale flows on three manifolds
Authors: YU BIN 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we first discuss some connections between template theory and the description of basic sets of Smale flows on 3-manifolds due to F. Béguin and C. Bonatti. The main tools we use are symbolic dynamics, template moves and some combinatorial surgeries. Secondly, we obtain some relationship between the surgeries and the number of S1×S2 factors of M for a non-singular Smale flow on a given closed orientable 3-manifold M. We also prove that any template T can model a basic set Λ of a non-singular Smale flow on nS1×S2 for some positive integer n.
China's attempts to minimize non-CO2 emissions from coal: evidence of declining emission intensity
Authors: SHI XUNPENG 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper argues that the use of coal can be reconciled with the environment. In the empirical work, three environmental pollutants are considered, using two alternative methods with two sets of Chinese data. CO2 emissions could not be studied because of data limitations. The hypothesis that the use of coal can be reconciled with the environment through declined emission intensity is confirmed by the empirical tests. The decreases in emission intensity are driven by the application of clean coal technologies, which can be encouraged by appropriate regulations and incentives and have both environmental and economic benefits. Therefore it is critical that appropriate legal and fiscal regimes be formulated and that the development and utilization of high-efficiency and clean coal technologies be promoted. The paper also suggests that the use of coal could continue to be reconciled with concern for the environment, even while considering CO2 emissions.
Participation in environmental organizations: an empirical analysis
Authors: TORGLER BENNO , GARCÍA-VALIÑAS MARÍA A. , MACINTYRE ALISON 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThe literature on volunteering has increased over the last few years. However, despite the importance of active environmental participation for solving public good and externality problems, there is still a lack of substantial empirical evidence regarding several interesting factors that influence this form of volunteering. This empirical study investigates the area by analyzing a cross-section of individuals from 38 countries using micro-data from wave III of the World Values Survey (1995–1997). The results suggest that individuals' active participation in environmental organizations is related not only to socioeconomic factors but also to political interest. We also find that a higher level of corruption is related to participation in environmental organizations. However, the situation is different for transition countries in which there was a collapse of institutional structures. The energy required to negotiate the ensuing chaos may have crowded out other forms of engagement.
Fermented soyabean and vitamin C-rich fruit: a possibility to circumvent the further decrease of iron status among iron-deficient pregnant women in Indonesia
Authors: Wijaya-Erhardt Maria , Muslimatun Siti , Erhardt Juergen G 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjectiveIncreasing the consumption of Fe-rich foods and thus improving Fe bioavailability without significantly increasing diet cost is the most sustainable intervention for improving Fe intake. We assessed the effect of supplementary food consisting of fermented soyabean (tempeh) and vitamin C-rich fruit consumed during pregnancy on maternal iron deficiency (ID).DesignPregnant women were randomly allocated by village into optimized diet and control groups. Supplementary food was given 6 d/week at home. The average weekly food provided comprised 600 g of tempeh, 30 g of meat, 350 g of guava, 300 g of papaya and 100 g of orange. Hb, ferritin and transferrin receptor (TfR) concentrations were measured at 12–20 and at 32–36 weeks of gestation.SettingThirty-nine villages in Indonesia.SubjectsPregnant women (12–20 weeks of gestation, n 252).ResultsAt baseline, mean Hb, ferritin and TfR concentrations and body Fe concentration were within the normal range and did not differ between groups. At near term, mean Hb, ferritin and body Fe decreased, whereas mean TfR increased significantly in both groups. The mean changes in Fe status were similar in both groups. In Fe-deficient women, consumption of an optimized diet was associated with smaller decreases in Hb (1·02 (95 % CI 0·98, 1·07) g/l; P = 0·058), ferritin (1·42 (95 % CI 1·16, 1·75) μg/l; P = 0·046) and body Fe (2·57 (95 % CI 1·71, 3·43) mg/kg; P = 0·073) concentrations, compared with a state of no intervention. Fe-deficient women at baseline benefited more from supplementary food compared with Fe-replete women.ConclusionsDaily supplementary food containing tempeh and vitamin C-rich fruits during pregnancy might have positive effects on maternal ID.
Forces guiding assembly of light-harvesting complex 2 in native membranes
Authors: Liu Lu-Ning , Duquesne Katia , Oesterhelt Filipp , Sturgis James N. , Scheuring Simon 
Published: May 2011

Interaction forces of membrane protein subunits are of importance in their structure, assembly, membrane insertion, and function. In biological membranes, and in the photosynthetic apparatus as a paradigm, membrane proteins fulfill their function by ensemble actions integrating a tight assembly of several proteins. In the bacterial photosynthetic apparatus light-harvesting complexes 2 (LH2) transfer light energy to neighboring tightly associated core complexes, constituted of light-harvesting complexes 1 (LH1) and reaction centers (RC). While the architecture of the photosynthetic unit has been described, the forces and energies assuring the structural and functional integrity of LH2, the assembly of LH2 complexes, and how LH2 interact with the other proteins in the supramolecular architecture are still unknown. Here we investigate the molecular forces of the bacterial LH2 within the native photosynthetic membrane using atomic force microscopy single-molecule imaging and force measurement in combination. The binding between LH2 subunits is fairly weak, of the order of
k
B
T
, indicating the importance of LH2 ring architecture. In contrast LH2 subunits are solid with a free energy difference of 90
k
B
T
between folded and unfolded states. Subunit α-helices unfold either in one-step, α- and β-polypeptides unfold together, or sequentially. The unfolding force of transmembrane helices is approximately 150 pN. In the two-step unfolding process, the β-polypeptide is stabilized by the molecular environment in the membrane. Hence, intermolecular forces influence the structural and functional integrity of LH2.
Acne analysis, grading and computational assessment methods: an overview
Authors: Ramli Roshaslinie , Malik Aamir Saeed , Hani Ahmad Fadzil Mohamad , Jamil Adawiyah 
Published: May 2011

Introduction: This paper presents a comprehensive review of acne grading and measurement. Acne is a chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous units, with excess sebum production, follicular epidermal hyperproliferation, inflammation and Propionibacterium acnes activity. Most patients are affected with acne vulgaris, which is the prevalent type of acne. Acne vulgaris consists of comedones (whitehead and blackhead), papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.
Objectives: To review and identify the issues for acne vulgaris grading and computational assessment methods. To determine the future direction for addressing the identified issues.
Methods: There are two main methods of assessment for acne severity grading, namely, lesion counting and comparison of patient with a photographic standard. For the computational assessment method, the emphasis is on computational imaging techniques.
Results: Current acne grading methods are very time consuming and tedious. Generally, they rely on approximation for counting lesions and hence the assessment is quite subjective, with both inter and intra‐observer variability. It is important to accurately assess acne grade to evaluate its severity as this influences treatment selection and assessment of response to therapy. This will further help in better disease management and more efficacious treatment.
Conclusion: Semi‐automated or automated methods based on computational imaging techniques should be devised for acne grade assessment.
Impaired executive functions in paediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder patients
Authors: Isık Taner Yasemen , Erdogan Bakar Emel , Oner Ozgur 
Published: May 2011

Isık Taner Y, Erdogan Bakar E, Oner O. Impaired executive functions in paediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder patients.Objective:There are only few studies which investigated the neuropsychological performances of paediatric patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Previous studies show that most of adult OCD patients had an onset of their first symptoms before the age of 15. Our objective was to evaluate the neuropsychological functions in paediatric patients with OCD.Methods:We compared the executive functions and general intelligence of child and adolescent OCD patients (n= 20) with age- and gender-matched healthy controls (n= 20). To compare mentioned skills, a neuropsychological test battery including Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop Test and Verbal Fluency Test was performed.Result:Performances of the OCD and control subjects on neuropsychological tests were statistically analysed by using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), in which Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) results were taken into consideration as a covariate to observe FSIQ's effect on test scores. Our results showed that the differences in WISC-R Picture Arrangement and Coding scores remained significant when co-analysed with FSIQ scores. In a similar manner, the OCD group exhibited worse performances on STR1-duration, STR3-duration, STR3-error, STR4-duration, STR4-error, STR5-correct response, and STR5-error as compared with the control group when FSIQ scores were taken into calculation. Some variables of the WCST (perseverative responses, percent errors, abstraction-flexibility and categories completed) also yield lower test scores in the OCD group. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding Verbal Fluency Test scores.Conclusion:Our results suggested that paediatric OCD patients had worse abstraction-flexibility, mental set-shifting, verbal comprehension and visuospatial/construction abilities.
Bypassing public procurement regulation: A study of rationality in local decisionmaking
Authors: Hansson Lisa , Holmgren Johan 
Published: May 2011

AbstractUsing private contractors through procurement is common in most public sector areas. Despite the benefits of procurement, officials are sometimes tempted to circumvent procurement regulations. The aim of this article is to examine the strategies used by local governmental decisionmakers to bypass procurement regulations and to analyze the rationality underlying these officials' actions. Interviews, court documents, municipal documents, and newspaper articles describing the actions of Swedish municipal officials concerning special transport service (STS) procurements were collected and analyzed. In a case in which rural municipalities lost regular taxi services after STS procurement, we demonstrate how decisions were driven by pressure from the public and local interest groups, making municipal officials deviate from procurement regulations in striving to secure the existence of regular taxi services. One outcome was that local businesses were given preferential treatment, violating regulations and reducing economic efficiency.
Predictors of Bleeding and Time Dependence of Association of Bleeding With Mortality
Authors: Hochholzer Willibald , Wiviott Stephen D. , Antman Elliott M. , Contant Charles F. , Guo Jianping , Giugliano Robert P. , Dalby Anthony J. , Montalescot Gilles , Braunwald Eugene 
Published: May 2011

Background—
The balance between benefit (ischemia protection) and risk (bleeding) is a key consideration in choosing the intensity of antiplatelet therapy for patients with acute coronary syndromes. The goals of this analysis were to identify baseline characteristics that independently predict bleeding and to determine how bleeding events impact the subsequent mortality in the Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition With Prasugrel—Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 38 (TRITON-TIMI 38).

Methods and Results—
Multivariable Cox regression analyses adjusted for treatment, baseline, and procedural variables were used to determine the predictors for serious (TIMI major or minor) bleeding. To analyze the hazard ratio and time dependency of bleeding on mortality, we used iterative day-to-day landmark analyses after the bleed. From the 13 420 patients with acute coronary syndromes included in this analysis, 534 (4.0%) experienced a serious bleeding event. Variables with the highest strength of association with risk of serious bleeding were female sex, use of a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, duration of intervention, age, assignment to prasugrel, regional characteristics, admission diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction, femoral access for angiography, creatinine clearance, hypercholesterolemia, and arterial hypertension. Serious bleeding was associated with a significantly increased adjusted hazard ratio of 5.84 (95% confidence interval 4.11 to 8.29) for mortality. However, the hazard ratio did not differ statistically from baseline risk by 40 days after the bleeding event.

Conclusions—
The major predictors of serious bleeding were a combination of patient and procedural characteristics and antiplatelet therapies. Although serious bleeding was strongly associated with mortality within the first month of the bleeding event, this association was not significant beyond 40 days.

Clinical Trial Registration Information—

http://www.clinicaltrial.gov
. Unique identifier NCT00097591.