bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subperiosteal orbital abscess in children: Diagnosis, microbiology, and management
Authors: Skedros Demetrios G. , Bluestone Charles D. , Curtin Hugh D. , Haddad Joseph 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA chart review was undertaken of 30 patients who were presented to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh from 1983 to 1990 and underwent surgical management for suspected subperiosteal abscess of the orbit (SPA). All patients had preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans. Twenty‐seven of 30 CT scans were reevaluated, of which 20 (74%) demonstrated findings consistent with or suggestive of SPA. Opacified sinuses were seen in 100% of this study group. Abscess collections were found in 21 patients (70%). Predominant organisms included: Streptococcus pneumoniae (38%), Streptococcus pyogenes (33%), and Haemophilus influenzae (14%); Moraxella catarrhalis was not isolated and anaerobic bacteria were isolated from only one patient. CT scans were found to be accurate predictors of SPA in 16 (80%) of 20 patients. All patients did well following surgical intervention without visual or central nervous system sequelae. We conclude from this study that CT scans should be obtained when SPA is suspected, and antimicrobial therapy should be directed toward the bacteria isolated from these abscesses.
Neck needle foreign bodies in intravenous drug abusers
Authors: Williams Mark F. , Eisele David W. , Wyatt Susan H. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIntravenous drug abusers often resort to deep cervical venous access if peripheral access is problematic. Deep cervical injection can occasionally result in needle breakage and needle foreign body. The records of 50 patients with neck needle foreign bodies related to intravenous drug abuse treated at The Johns Hopkins Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Only half of these patients presented to this hospital with a complaint of a neck needle. Complications related to neck needles were manifested in 5 (10%) of the patients at the time of initial presentation. No delayed complications occurred. Human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity for this group of patients was 77% compared to a rate of 29% for all intravenous drug abusers at the same institution. The demographics and management of neck needle foreign bodies are discussed, and the importance of recognition of neck needle foreign bodies is emphasized.
Rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck in adults: A study of 26 patients
Authors: Nayar Ravi C. , Prudhomme Francois , Parise Orlando , Gandia Daniel , Luboinski Bernard , Schwaab Guy 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe clinical records of 26, predominantly male, adults with rhabdomyosarcomas in the head and neck were analyzed. Patients' ages ranged from 18 to 74 years (mean: 24.5 years). According to the retrospective clinical group classification, 18 (69%) of 26 were advanced tumors at initial presentation belonging to group III or IV. The ethmoids were the most common primary site of origin in 12 (46%) of 26 patients. Nodal and systemic metastases were noted in 12 (46%) and 6 (23%) patients, respectively. Bone metastases were noted in 4 patients.Heterogeneous treatment protocols were used with a variety of chemotherapy combinations in most cases, with surgery and radiotherapy. Overall results were poor, with a survival rate of 7.6% at 5 years. Neither histopathology nor response to chemotherapy was found to influence survival. All long‐term survivors belonged to the early‐stage groups (clinical groups I and II) for which complete surgical excision was possible.In spite of a poor prognosis after relapse, the use of aggressive chemotherapy appeared to prolong life in some patients.
Airway resistance and work of breathing in tracheostomy tubes
Authors: Byron Mullins J. , Templer Jerry W. , Davis William E. , Kong Jie , Hinson James 
Published: October 2006

AbstractRecommendations for sizing of tracheostomy tubes are generally based on anatomic considerations with the largest fitting tube most commonly placed. Once in the tracheostomy site, the tube assumes the new role of the upper airway. Consideration of the airway resistance of each tracheostomy tube and change in work of breathing are important in maintaining the respiratory system homeostasis. The airflow dynamics of neonatal, pediatric, and adult tracheostomy tubes were studied. Flow rates were plotted against change in pressure for inspiratory and expiratory flows and resistances for each tube were calculated. The expiratory resistances were larger for the neonatal tubes and pediatric tubes 0 and 00, while inspiratory resistances were the limiting factor in the adult tubes and the larger pediatric tubes. Comparison of calculated resistances of the tracheostomy tubes was made with known physiologic airway resistances. Adult tubes 8 and 10 most closely simulated the upper airway resistance of adults and neonatal tube 0 appeared most appropriate for the newborn. Work of breathing was determined for each tracheostomy tube. Increasing tube diameter as well as decreasing tidal volume and respiratory rate decreased the amount of work required to maintain a given flow.
Combination of Transient Plane Source and Slug Calorimeter Measurements to Estimate the Thermal Properties of Fire Resistive Materials
Authors: Bentz DP 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
The thermal properties of fire resistive materials (FRMs) as a function of temperature critically influence their ability to protect a (steel) structure during a fire exposure. Measurement of these properties is complicated by the microstructural heterogeneity of typical FRMs, the need to measure properties over a wide temperature range from room temperature to 1000°C and higher, and the reactions, phase changes, and volumetric changes that the materials may undergo during exposure to elevated temperatures. This paper presents an integrated approach for determining thermal properties via a combination of two experimental techniques, namely the transient plane source and the slug calorimeter methods. The former is utilized to provide an estimate of the volumetric heat capacity and a room temperature thermal conductivity value for the FRM under study, while the latter is employed to estimate the variation in effective thermal conductivity with temperature, including the influences of reactions and mass transport during multiple heating/cooling cycles. The combination of the two techniques is demonstrated for four different inorganic-based FRMs. Their extension to organic (intumescent) systems is also discussed.
The survival of pathogens in soil treated with wastewater sludge and in potatoes grown in such soil
Authors: Chale-Matsau J.R.B. , Snyman H.G. 
Published: October 2006

The prevalence of pathogens on potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) grown in soil amended with a pathogen rich wastewater sludge was investigated. Bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae are important pathogens causing intestinal and systemic illness of humans and other animals.
Type B sludge was used. Sludges investigated are the high metal and the low metal sludges. Microorganisms in the sludge-amended soil were using culture-based technique. Salmonella and E. coli were observed in tested soil samples. No microorganisms were isolated from control samples taken throughout the process of the experiment. At harvest time, some of the potato samples from LMS soil were contaminated. These potatoes were subjected to further investigation using molecular techniques (polymerase chain reaction) with fD1 and rP2 as primers. Organisms identified from the sequenced potato peel samples with the BLAST search tool included Enterobacter agglomerans (Pantoea agglomerans), several Buttiauxella spp., Pectobacterium spp., Erwinia spp. and a few Pantoea spp. Other than the E. agglomerans, which is commonly found in the gut and upper respiratory tract of humans and in the environment, all the other species identified were found to be mainly either plant or soil pathogens. The E. agglomerans are not primary pathogens but secondary opportunistic pathogens particularly in immuno-compromised individuals.
These results suggest that growing high risk crops using wastewater sludge contaminated soil may lead to limited infestation of produce with primary pathogens. It appears that the use of HMS due to early pathogen die-off provides less risk of infection than the LMS. However, proper treatment of wastewater sludge to reduce pathogen load is essential prior to its use as soil conditioner.
Non Equilibrium Thermodynamics and the City: A New Approach to Urban Studies
Authors: Pulselli Riccardo Maria , Ciampalini Francesca , Galli Alessandro , Pulselli Federico Maria 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA city can be conceived as a complex self‐adaptive system. The multiple interactions among its structural elements and dynamic agents, its organization on multiple time‐space scales, its exchanges with the external context, its irreversible dynamics, are signs of complexity. Some concepts from the evolutionary thermodynamics, such us the theory of dissipative structures, could be extended to the city in order to investigate its behaviour. This theoretical framework suggests to analyze the city in terms of entropy and negentropy production. An emergy analysis (spelled with an “m”) of an urban region is presented in order to investigate how cities maintain their organization (and decrease their entropy) by virtue of constant energy inflows from the external environment. As a result, a non‐homogeneous spatial pattern of emergy density is shown as an attempt to investigate the multiple relations and energy exchanges that take place in an urban region. This approach to urban studies introduces a new energy‐based vision to understand cities.
Determination of Environmental Persistence and Thermogravimetric Analysis of Paper Artificially Aged by Photoirradiation
Authors: Campanella Luigi , Costanza Cecilia , Tomassetti Mauro 
Published: October 2006

AbstractFabriano paper was aged by irradiation with ultraviolet light (λ=310) in a veterometer for 300 hoursAt fixed time intervals, samples of the paper under test were analysed by titanium dioxide photosensor to determine electrochemically the “environmental persistence” index, by a suitable conductimeter method, to determine the specific conductivity variation and by thermogravimetry to determine the moisture content, the onset temperature of the cellulose degradation process and the value of the activation energy of the same process.The behaviour of these different types of indicators displayed approximately monotonous trends as a function of time.
Formaldehyde Activity on Historical Glass Objects in Museum Microclimate
Authors: Greiner‐Wronowa Elżbieta , Pusoska Anna 
Published: October 2006

AbstractDegradation of some cultural heritage monuments has been caused by interaction with the closest environment (micro‐climate). Amount of separate compounds is very small and because of it, this fact becomes neglected.Time and temperature can induce their activity finally causing deterioration. In this category organic compounds can be interpreted as one of museum show – case element.This statement has been improved by testing glass objects and their suitable sensors (model glasses). Destructive activity of formaldehyde on historical glasses belonging to the XVIII‐th c. objects with totally different compositions has been confirmed by carried out experiments. For historical material which is very limited, sensor glass method has been applied.Sensors are prepared on the base of results of chemical analyses of original glass chemical analyses and melted on laboratory scale (according to historical data). Induced corrosion for sensor supports knowledge about deterioration process in real micro‐environmental conditions.The following testing methods were used: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), optical interferometer (OI), inductively couple plasma (ICP).
FISH and array‐CGH analysis of a complex chromosome 3 aberration suggests that loss of CNTN4 and CRBN contributes to mental retardation in 3pter deletions
Authors: Dijkhuizen Trijnie , van Essen Ton , van der Vlies Pieter , Verheij Joke B.G.M. , Sikkema‐Raddatz Birgit , van der Veen Anneke Y. , Gerssen‐Schoorl Klasien B.J. , Buys Charles H.C.M. , Kok Klaas 
Published: October 2006

AbstractImbalances of 3p telomeric sequences cause 3p− and trisomy 3p syndrome, respectively, showing distinct, but also shared clinical features. No causative genes have been identified in trisomy 3p patients, but for the 3p− syndrome, there is growing evidence that monosomy for one or more of four genes at 3pter, CHL1, CNTN4, CRBN, and MEGAP/srGAP3, may play a causative role. We describe here an analysis of a complex chromosome 3p aberration in a severely mentally retarded patient that revealed two adjacent segments with different copy number gains and a distal deletion. The deletion in this patient included the loci for CHL1, CNTN4, and CRBN, and narrowed the critical segment associated with the 3p− syndrome to 1.5 Mb, including the loci for CNTN4 and CRBN. We speculate that the deletion contributes more to this patient's phenotype than the gains that were observed. We suggest that 3p− syndrome associated features are primarily caused by loss of CNTN4 and CRBN, with loss of CHL1 probably having an additional detrimental effect on the cognitive functioning of the present patient. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Strong dependence in the nominal exchange rates of the Polish zloty
Authors: Gil‐Alana L. A. , Nazarski M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe examine the nominal exchange rates of six currencies (Canadian, Australian and U.S. dollars, euro, Japanese yen and U.K. pound) against the Polish zloty by means of statistical techniques based on unit roots and other long memory processes. We use both parametric and semiparametric methods for estimating and testing integer and fractional orders of integration at the long run or zero frequency. The results show that unit roots are likely to occur in relation with the U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the Japanese yen and the U.K. pound. However, for the Australian dollar and the euro, this hypothesis is rejected in favour of smaller degrees of integration, implying mean reversion in their behaviour. Thus, for the former currencies, in the event of an exogenous shock affecting the exchange rates, strong policy actions must be required to bring the variables back to their original levels. On the other hand, for the Australian dollar and the euro, there exists less need of action since the series will return to their levels sometime in the future. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of Independent Samples of High‐Dimensional Data by Pairwise Distance Measures
Authors: Kropf Siegfried , Lux Anke , Eszlinger Markus , Heuer Holger , Smalla Kornelia 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPairwise distance or association measures of sample elements are often used as a basis for hierarchical cluster analyses. They can also be used in tests for the comparison of pre‐defined subgroups of the total sample. Usually this is done with permutation tests.In this paper, we compare such a procedure with alternative tests for high‐dimensional data based on spherically distributed scores in simulation experiments and with real data. The tests based on the pairwise distance or similarity measures perform quite well in this comparison. As the number of possible permutations is small in very small samples, this might restrict the use of the test. Therefore, we propose an exact parametric small sample version of the test using randomly rotated samples. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparison between Principal Component Analysis and Independent Component Analysis in Electroencephalograms Modelling
Authors: Bugli C. , Lambert P. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPrincipal Component Analysis (PCA) is a classical technique in statistical data analysis, feature extraction and data reduction, aiming at explaining observed signals as a linear combination of orthogonal principal components. Independent Component Analysis (ICA) is a technique of array processing and data analysis, aiming at recovering unobserved signals or ‘sources’ from observed mixtures, exploiting only the assumption of mutual independence between the signals. The separation of the sources by ICA has great potential in applications such as the separation of sound signals (like voices mixed in simultaneous multiple records, for example), in telecommunication or in the treatment of medical signals. However, ICA is not yet often used by statisticians. In this paper, we shall present ICA in a statistical framework and compare this method with PCA for electroencephalograms (EEG) analysis.We shall see that ICA provides a more useful data representation than PCA, for instance, for the representation of a particular characteristic of the EEG named event‐related potential (ERP). (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Five Interval Estimators for Proportion Ratio under a Stratified Randomized Clinical Trial with Noncompliance
Authors: Lui Kung‐Jong , Chang Kuang‐Chao 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIt is not uncommon that we may encounter a randomized clinical trial (RCT) in which there are confounders which are needed to control and patients who do not comply with their assigned treatments. In this paper, we concentrate our attention on interval estimation of the proportion ratio (PR) of probabilities of response betwen two treatments in a stratified noncompliance RCT. We have developed and considered five asymptotic interval estimators for the PR, including the interval estimator using the weighted‐least squares (WLS) estimator, the interval estimator using the Mantel‐Haenszel type of weight, the interval estimator derived from Fieller's Theorem with the corresponding WLS optimal weight, the interval estimator derived from Fieller's Theorem with the randomization‐based optimal weight, and the interval estimator based on a stratified two‐sample proportion test with the optimal weight suggested elsewhere. To evaluate and compare the finite sample performance of these estimators, we apply Monte Carlo simulation to calculate the coverage probability and average length in a variety of situations. We discuss the limitation and usefulness for each of these interval estimators, as well as include a general guideline about which estimators may be used for given various situations. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Modified Mosher′s Method and the Sulfoximine Method
Authors: Kusumi Takenori , Ooi Takashi , Ohkubo Yumi , Yabuuchi Tetsuya 
Published: October 2006

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Phase I clinical trial of bortezomib in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Ryan David P. , Appleman Leonard J. , Lynch Thomas , Supko Jeffrey G. , Fidias Panagiotis , Clark Jeffrey W. , Fishman Mayer , Zhu Andrew X. , Enzinger Peter C. , Kashala Oscar , Cusack James , Eder Joseph P. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND.Bortezomib is the first proteasome inhibitor to show preliminary evidence of activity against solid tumors. Findings from preclinical studies prompted a Phase I trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) of bortezomib in combination with gemcitabine in patients with recurring/refractory advanced solid tumors. The effect of gemcitabine on proteasome inhibition by bortezomib in whole blood was also investigated.METHODS.Bortezomib was administered as an intravenous bolus injection on Days 1, 4, 8, and 11, with gemcitabine (30‐minute infusion) on Days 1 and 8 of a 21‐day cycle. Groups of ≥3 patients were evaluated at each dose level. Escalating doses of gemcitabine 500 mg/m2 to 1000 mg/m2 with bortezomib 1.0 mg/m2 to 1.5 mg/m2 were planned.RESULTS.There were no DLTs in patients receiving bortezomib 1.0 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 500 mg/m2 to 1000 mg/m2 in the first 3 dose levels. Dose‐limiting nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal obstruction, and thrombocytopenia occurred in 4 of 5 evaluable patients in dose level 4 (bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2, gemcitabine 800 mg/m2), establishing bortezomib 1.0 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 as the MTD. Most common Grade ≥3 toxicities were neutropenia (6 patients), thrombocytopenia (5 patients), gastrointestinal disorders (6 patients), and general disorders (4 patients) such as fatigue. One patient with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma achieved a partial response and 7 achieved stable disease. Inhibition of 20S proteasome activity by bortezomib was unaffected by gemcitabine coadministration.CONCLUSION.Dosages of bortezomib and gemcitabine suitable for further evaluation of antitumor activity have been established. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society
An acoustic echo cancellation using subadaptive filter
Authors: Otani Masayuki , Kajikawa Yoshinobu , Nomura Yasuo 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn this paper, a method using a subadaptive filter playing the supplementary role of acoustic echo cancellation is discussed. Since the updating state of the adaptive filter can be calculated approximately as a characteristic of the subadaptive filter, the step size parameter can be optimally controlled depending on the estimation accuracy. Also, for prevention of echo path variation, we discuss a variable detector in which the variation of the filter coefficients at the time of variation is considered. The proposed method is found to be robust to channel variations and can improve the ERLE by 10 to 15 dB in comparison with the conventional method. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(2): 9–21, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20231
MU decomposition from multichannel surface EMG signals using blind deconvolution
Authors: Maekawa Satoshi , Arimoto Takahiko , Kotani Manabu 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWithout any prior knowledge about the statistics of motor unit action potentials, the authors tried to decompose motor units from multichannel surface electromyography (sEMG) signals which can be measured noninvasively. A problem in this case is that the transfer function of sEMG has non‐minimum phase characteristics. Therefore, the blind deconvolution method using noncausal filter is applied to the actually measured sEMG signals and the result of MU decomposition is discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(2): 22–30, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20309
Postfeedback development perceptions: Applying the theory of planned behavior
Authors: McCarthy Alma , Garavan Thomas 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe primary purpose of management development programs is performance improvement at an individual and organizational level. Performance improvement results from knowledge, skill, or ability enhancement. An important intervention in management development is the use of 360‐degree or multisource feedback (MSF), which leads to more effective career development activity resulting from enhanced self‐awareness. The research model used to investigate self‐reported postfeedback management development behavior is derived using the theory of planned behavior. The findings reveal that perceptions of the accuracy of MSF, cynicism, perceived organizational support, and age are significant predictors of postfeedback development behavior. The implications for research and practice are set out.