bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Robust insurance mechanisms and the shadow prices of information
constraints
Authors: Evstigneev I. V. , Haneveld W. K. Klein , Mirman L. J. 
Published: March 2007

We consider a risky economic project that may yield either profits or losses, depending
on random events. We study an insurance mechanism under which the plan of project implementation
maximizing the expected value of profits becomes optimal almost surely. The mechanism
is linear in the decision variables, “actuarially fair” and robust to changes in the utility function.The premium and the compensation in the insurance scheme are expressed through dual variables
associated with information constraints in the problem of maximization of expected profits. These
dual variables are interpreted as the shadow prices of information. Along with the general model,
several specialized models are considered in which the insurance mechanism and the shadow prices
are examined in detail.
Strategic staffing model for electric utilities
Authors: Khawaja M. Sami 
Published: March 2007

Historically, utilities have been granted a natural monopoly status through the
regulatory process. Under such conditions, utilities need to prove to their regulators that their
expenditures were necessary to comply with imposed “obligation to serve.” When these
prudency arguments are successful, the utilities may recover their costs plus a rate of return.Some have argued that this structure has not created an environment that fosters productive
efficiency. With deregulation on the horizon, the utility business is changing. To survive the
21st century, utilities need to find ways to improve their efficiency. One such avenue is
strategic staffing.
Automation in urinalysis: evaluation of three urine test strip analysers
Authors: Bonini Pierangelo , Sanguini Lucilla C. , Grossi Laura , Ceriotti Ferruccio , Murone Michelangelo 
Published: March 2007

A clinical laboratory evaluation was conducted on the Clinitek Auto 2000, the Super Aution Analyzer and the Urotron RL9 for the determination of glucose, protein, pH, blood, ketone‐bodies and bilirubin.Precision of the systems was tested using three commercial control urine materials, and reported as the percentage of times the instrument repeats a certain value. Good repeatability was obtained with all the instruments.Accuracy of the systems was evaluated by comparison with quantitative procedures, and to check agreement between methods yielding semi‐quantitative and quantitative results, ranges of acceptability were defined, based on the criteria reported in a previous paper [2]. It was then found that 87.5 to 98.9% of results from the Urotron RL9 and the Clinitek Auto 2000 were acceptable. With the Super Aution Analyzer the level of agreement was apparently lower because of the higher number of concentration steps used by this instrument.
Immunoturbidimetric determination of serum transferrin on a Kone Progress autoanalyser
Authors: Cynober Luc , Le Boucher Jacques , Giboudeau Jacqueline 
Published: March 2007

The Kone Progress, a multiparametric discrete analyser, was used
to determine serum transferrin with a kit supplied by Kone. Assays
recommended by the French Society of Clinical Chemistry were
performed in order to assess the suitability of the test. Repeatability
was assessed using serum pools with low (L), medium (M) and
high (H) concentrations of transferrin. The coeffcients of
variation (CV) were 5.4, 3.2 and 2.0% respectively for 30
determinations (within‐batch). Reproducibility on 15 consecutive
days (between‐batch) was also satisfactory (CV for L = 7.3%, M =
6.3% and H = 3.8%). There was no serum‐to‐serum
contamination. Results correlated closely with those obtained using
radial immunodiffusion (RID) (r = 0.942) and total iron‐binding
capacity (r = 0.954)for 90 determinations.Transferrin measurement by immunoturbidimetry on the Kone
Progress emerges as a well‐suited, rapid and inexpensive
alternative to other time‐consuming (RID) and sophisticated (laser
immunonephelemeter) techniques.
Data acquisition system for chemical kineticstudies
Authors: Zhu Yu-zhen , Zhou Xin , Zang Xiang-sheng 
Published: March 2007

A microcomputer‐interfaced data acquisition system for chemical
kinetics (interfacing with laboratory analogue instruments) has
been developed. Analogue signals from instruments used in kinetics
experiments are amplifed by a wide‐range adjustable high‐gain
operational amplifier and smoothed by an op‐based filter, and then
digitized at rates of up to 104 samples per channel by an ADC
0816 digitizer. The ADC data transfer and manipulation routine
was written in Assembler code and in high‐level language; the
graphics package and data treatment package is in Basic. For the
various sampling speeds, all of the program can be written using
Basic‐Assembler or completely in Assembler if a high sampling
rate is needed. Several numerical treatment methods for chemical
kinetics have been utilized to smooth the data from experiments.The computer‐interfaced system for second‐order chemical kinetic
studies was applied to the determination of the rate constant of the
saponification of ethyl acetate at 35°C. For this specific problem,
an averaging treatment was used which can be called an interval
method. The use of this method avoids the diffcully of measuring
the starting time of the reaction. Two groups of experimental data
and results were used to evaluate the systems performance. All of the
results obtained are in agreement with the reference value.
Comparison of seven serum assays on fourautomatic analysers
Authors: Sacchetti Lucia , Cerasuolo Dionigio , Besozzi Marco , D′Agostino Antonio , Franzini Carlo , Salvatore Francesco 
Published: March 2007

Serum enzyme assays used on four different analysers (Hitachi 737,
Hitachi 705, Cobas‐bio and RA‐2X) were compared by determining
the activity of seven different enzymes (AST, ALT, LD, ALP,
GGT, CK and AMS). Performance checks (quality control
procedure) and replications (the study of the total analytic
imprecision and of its components) were conducted and the methods
were compared by linear regression analysis with statistical
inference on the curves following the protocols of the National
Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS: PSEP‐
2, PSEP‐3, PSEP‐4). The correlation coefficients between the
methods (r = 0.991‐0.999), together with the other statistical
parameters, indicated that the methods are well correlated on all the
instruments. The total imprecision was good for all analytes, except
ALT. Among the instruments tested, the RA‐2X gave more
variable results, although the total imprecision was acceptable.There was no relevant carry‐over effect. The evaluation of performance claims indicated that the expected error did not
substantially affect the results at the level of clinical decisions.
Evaluation of the Hitachi 717 analyser
Authors: Biosca Carmen , Antoja Felipe , Sierra Cristina , Douezi Helene , Macià Magda , Alsina María-Jesús , Galimany Román 
Published: March 2007

The selective multitest Boehringer Mannheim Hitachi 717 analyser
was evaluated according to the guidelines of the Comisión de
Instrumentación de la Sociedad Española de Química Clinica and
the European Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. The
evaluation was performed in two steps: examination of the
analytical units and evaluation in routine operation.The evaluation of the analytical units included a photometric study:
the inaccuracy is acceptable for 340 and 405 nm; the imprecision
ranges from 0.12 to 0.95% at 340 nm and from 0.30 to 0.73 at 405
nm, the linearity shows some dispersion at low absorbance for
NADH at 340 nm, the drift is negligible, the imprecision of the
pipette delivery system increases when the sample pipette operates
with 3 μl, the reagent pipette imprecision is acceptable and the
temperature control system is good.Under routine working conditions, seven determinations were
studied: glucose, creatinine, iron, total protein, AST, ALP and
calcium. The within‐run imprecision (CV) ranged from 0.6% for
total protein and AST to 6.9% for iron. The between run
imprecision ranged from 2.4% for glucose to 9.7% for iron. Some
contamination was found in the carry‐over study. The relative
inaccuracy is good for all the constituents assayed.
Automatic system for the determination of boron in ceramic frits
Authors: Más F. , Estela J. M. , Cerdà V. , Ochandio E. 
Published: March 2007

An automatic system for the potentiometric determination of boron
in ceramic frits was developed. The system includes a personal computer for instrumental control, data acquisition and processing, which allows up to 13 samples to be analysed sequentially with no human intervention.The system performance was tested on the titration of standard solutions, which it carried out with low errors and RSD. It was subsequently applied to the determination of the B203 content in various types of ceramic frits with good results.
Computer‐assisted automated synthesis.III. Synthesis of substituted N‐(carboxyalkyl) amino‐acid tert‐butyl ester derivatives
Authors: Hayashi Nobuyoshi , Sugawara Tohru , Kato Shinji 
Published: March 2007

A versatile automated synthesis apparatus, equipped with a chemical artificial intelligence, was developed to prepare and isolate a wide variety of compounds. The apparatus was to the synthesis of substituted N‐(carboxyalkyl)amino‐acids. The apparatus [1,2] is composed of units for performing various tasks,for example reagent
supply, reaction, purification and separation, each linked to a control system. All synthetic processes, including washing and drying of the apparatus after each synthetic run, were automatically performed from the mixing of the reactants to the isolation of the products as powders or crystals. The reaction of an amino‐acid tertbutyl ester acetic acid salt with a 2‐keto acid sodium salt produces an unstable intermediate, Schiff base, which is reduced with sodum cyanoborohydride to give a substituted N‐(carboxyalkyl)aminoacid tert‐butyl ester sodium salt. The equilibrium and the consecutive reactions were controlled by adding sodium cyanoborohydride using the artificial intelligence software, which contained novel kinetic equations [3] and substituent effects [4].Substitued N‐(carboxyalkyl)amino‐acid tert‐butyl esters, 90 derivatives, were automatically synthesized using the computerassisted automated synthesis apparatus. The syntheses were performed unattended 24 hours a day, except for supplying the raw
materials, reagents and solvents. The apparatus is extremely valuable for synthesizing many derivatives of a particular compound. The configurations of the products were determined by circular dichroism measurements.
IFCC recommendation: The theory of reference values. Part 4. Control of analytical variation in the production, transfer and application of reference values
Authors: Solberg Helge Erik , Stamm D. 
Published: March 2007

This paper is the fourth in a series of Recommendations on the Theory of Reference Values. The others cover:Part 1. The Concept of Reference Values [1].Part 2. Selection of Individuals for the Production of Reference Values [2].Part 3. Preparation of Individuals and Collection of Specimens for the Production of Reference Values [3].Part 5. Statistical Treatment of Collected Reference Values. Determination of Reference Limits [4].Part 6. Presentation of Observed Values Related to Reference Values [5].A Guide to the Documents is currently in preparation.The Expert Panel of Theory of Reference Values (EPTRV) was created in 1970 by the Committee on Standards (at present: Scientific Division) of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC). Its task was to develop a nomenclature and recommend procedures for the production of reference values and their treatment, and presentation of observed values in relation to reference data.The first document in the above‐mentioned series describes the subject of reference values and defines various terms. It would be best to read it for a thorough understanding of the present document.
The applications of a commercial gas/liquidseparator coupled with an inductivelycoupled plasma mass spectrometer
Authors: Hitchen Peter , Hutton Robert , Tye Christopher 
Published: March 2007

A commercially available hydride generator, with a novel
membrane gas‐liquid separator, has been coupled to a new ICPMS
instrument which itself features many unique design
considerations. Little or no optimization of the mass spectrometer or
ionization source was required to obtain excellent analytical data;
and a variety of matrices have been analysed.The elements As and Se are usually used to demonstrate the
effectiveness of a hydride generation system, and these are of
particular importance, bearing in mind potential Ar molecular
overlaps with isotopes of interest. The flexibility of the hydride
generation ICP‐MS system is highlighted, with the inclusion of
analytical figures of merit for the elements Sn, Sb, Ge and Hg, as
well as As and Se. Data obtained by ‘standard’ pneumatic
nebulization on the ICP‐MS is compared with that obtained with
the hydride generator for all of the elements.Improvements of between 50 and 100 times were gained in
measurements of three sigma detection limits for all elements in the
determinations, including Hg. Measurements were made on several
isotopes for particular elements, and the data is included for the
purposes of comparison. Stabilities of between 1 and 2.5% were
obtained for 0.5 ppb solutions over 10 min measurement periods, all
data is presented without using an internal standard.Finally, analytical data from seawater standards, spiked with low
levels of As and Se and calibrated against aqueous standards,
demonstrate excellent recoveries. This is of particular interest
bearing in mind the well‐documented molecular interferences from
high chloride matrices on As and Se analysis.
Computerized data treatment for an HPLC‐GFAAS system for the identification and quantification of trace element compounds
Authors: Kölbl G. , Kalcher K. , Irgolic K. J. 
Published: March 2007

Liquid chromatographs, coupled with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometers, have been widely used for the identification and quantification of trace element compounds. The quantification of the discontinuous signals from the spectrometer defining a chromatographic band is very much a matter of judgement and therefore prone to error. This paper describes a system which links a high‐performance liquid chromatograph via a ‘Brinckman’ flowthrough cup to a Hitachi Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with an autosampler. The introduction of aliquots from the column effluent and the analysis sequence is computer‐controlled through a home‐built interface. The signals from the spectrometer are passed through an analoguedigital converter and processed by selectable algorithms. The software offers a variety of options for processing the chromatographic data, such as data smoothing, Gaussian or spline interpolation, and trapezium or Simpson integration.This system was used to separate and determine selenite and selenate in aqueous solution with absolute detection limits (3 σ) of 23 ng Se for selenite and 16 ng Se for selenate. This system can be adapted to other spectrometers, provided that the required connections to the electronics can be made.
IFCC methods for the measurement of catalytic concentration ofenzymes. Part 8. IFCC method for lactatedehydrogenase (L‐lactate: NAD+oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27)
Authors: Bais Renze , Philcox Margaret 
Published: March 2007

Human lactate dehydrogenase is a tetramer made up of two types
of subunits, either H (heart) or M (muscle). Combination of these
subunits gives rise to the five isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase
which are found in mammalian tissues. The relative proportions
of the individual isoenzymes found in serum of patients is related
to the severity of the lesion in the organ or tissue from which they
originate and the half‐life of the individual tissue‐specific enzymes.
Thus, one cannot predict the relative proportions of the different
isoenzymes in any one patient sample.Lactate dehydrogenase catalyses the reversible oxidation of lactate
to pyruvate and either reaction can be measured readily. However,
in this method, the lactate to pyruvate reaction has been selected
because of the following reasons; the time‐course of the reaction is
more linear, the reaction results in an increase in absorbance and
optimization of substrates is possible (see appendix A).The principles applied in the selection of the conditions of
measurement are those stated in previous publications by the IFCC’s
Committee on Enzymes [1]. Human serum and tissue extracts have
been used as the sources of enzymes. The final concentration of
substrates and the pH have been selected on the basis of experiments
and empirical optimization techniques and have been confirmed by
calculation from rate equations. The catalytic and physical
properties of the isoenzymes differ, but because of the importance of
the heart specific isoenzyme (LD1) in the assessment of coronary
heart disease and as a tumour marker, this method has been
optimized for this isoenzyme. However, the method is also suitable,
although less optimally, for the determination of the other
isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase which may be present in serum.
Application of hand‐held mobility spectrometers as sensors in manufacturing industries
Authors: Allinson Graeme 
Published: March 2007

Ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) are small, lightweight, extremely robust devices with low power requirements, no moving parts, no absolute requirement for gases or vacuums, that can be operated at ambient temperatures and pressures, and yet are capable of measuring vapour phase concentrations of organic chemicals at very low levels (sub‐μg/l). IMS are capable of analysing complex mixtures and producing a simple spectral output. Volatile components produce measurable negative and positive product ions in the spectrometer through chemical ionization. The spectra produced are essentially the vapour phase fingerprints of the target molecules/mixture. Quantitative data can be obtained provided instrument response is within the linear dynamic range of these instruments, but most practical applications of IMS have used the technology in a qualitative manner in situations which require just an above/below threshold or positive/negative response.In the manufacturing industry there are many examples where the aroma/odour of raw materials has safety or product quality implications. IMS was not developed to replace traditional methods of analysis, e.g. GC/MS or sensory panels, but rather to provide a rapid, qualitative response complementary to more established methods. This paper reports on the use of a hand‐held ion mobility spectrometer to characterize the vapours produced by volatile organic compounds,fresh herbs and retail spice mixtures at ambient temperature and pressure. The results show that by monitoring in both ion acquisition modes, ion mobility spectrometers are capable of discriminating between a wide range of products.
High current–density anodic electrodissolution in flow–injection systems forthe determination of aluminium, copper and zinc in non–ferroalloys by flameatomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: Giacomozzi César Augusto , de Queiróz Roldão R. U. , Souza Ivan Gonçalves , Neto José Anchieta Gomes 
Published: March 2007

An automatic procedure with a high current‐density anodic electrodissolution
unit (HDAE) is proposed for the determination of
aluminium, copper and zinc in non‐ferroalloys by flame atomic
absorption spectrometry, based on the direct solid analysis. It
consists of solenoid valve‐based commutation in a flow‐injection
system for on‐line sample electro‐dissolution and calibration with
one multi‐element standard, an electrolytic cell equipped with two
electrodes (a silver needle acts as cathode, and sample as anode),
and an intelligent unit. The latter is assembled in a PC‐compatible
microcomputer for instrument control, and for data
acquisition and processing. General management of the process is
achieved by use of software written in Pascal. Electrolyte
compositions, flow rates, commutation times, applied current and
electrolysis time were investigated. A 0.5 mol l-1 HN03 solution
was elected as electrolyte and 300 A/cm2 as the continuous current
pulse.The performance of the proposed system was evaluated by
analysing aluminium in Al‐alloy samples, and copper/zinc in brass
and bronze samples, respectively. The system handles about 50
samples per hour. Results are precise (R.S.D. < 2%) and in
agreement with those obtained by ICP‐AES and spectrophotometry
at a 95% confidence level.
Incidence and distribution of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis at indirect computed tomography venography in patients suspected of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Ghaye Benoît , Noukoua Charlemagne , Dondelinger Robert , Nchimi Alain 
Published: March 2007

SummaryIndirect computed tomography (CT) venography reportedly provides high accuracy for detection of venous thrombosis in patients suspected of pulmonary embolism (PE). Nevertheless, the extent of the scanning range for lower limb and abdominal veins remains to be determined. It was the objective of this study to investigate the distribution of venous thrombosis in order to identify the most appropriate extent of scanning range when using CT venography. We reviewed 1,408 combined CT pulmonary angiographies (CTPA) and indirect CT venographies of the lower limbs, performed in patients suspected of PE. Percentage of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes PE and/or venous thrombosis was calculated. Location and the upper end of clots were recorded in 37 venous segments per patient from calf to diaphragm. PE, venous thrombosis and VTE, were found respectively in 272 (19.3%), 259 (18.4%) and 329 (23.4%) patients. Addition of CT venography to CTPA increased depiction of VTE in 17.3%.The upper end of venous thrombosis was located below the knee in 48%, between knee and inguinal ligament in 36% of the patients, and above the inguinal ligament in 15%.Ninety-six patients had thrombosis in a single vein, of which none occured above the iliac crests in a patient without PE at CTPA. In conclusion, when added to CTPA, optimal scanning of CT venography should extent from calves to the iliac crests in patients suspected of VTE.
Haemostatic changes related to fibrin formation and fibrinolysis during the first trimester in normal pregnancy and in recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Ramirez Ysabel , Nagaswami Chandrasekaran , Masova Leona , Pulido Anibal , Mora José , Muller Aixa , Arocha-Piñango Carmen , Weisel John , Marchi Rita 
Published: March 2007

SummaryWe have studied some biophysical properties of the fibrin network during the normal state of pregnancy and in patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM), in the first trimester of pregnancy. The fibrin polymerization process, followed by turbidity, showed that the rate of fibrin monomer assembly and the final turbidity was increased in the pregnant group (normal and with history of RM) compared to non-pregnant women (normal and RM), which is consistent with the increased fibrinogen concentration during pregancy. No changes were observed in the Darcy constant (Ks) of RM clots, pregnant or not; however, in pregnant control subjects the Ks increased (p=0.03).The fibrin lysis rate was increased in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant, being faster in women with RM. The rheological properties of the fibrin network in the non-pregnant group (control and RM patients) were similar; in the pregnant state, the fibrin network of the control group was 1.3 times stiffer compared to the control non-pregnant women, and almost unchanged in RM patients. In this study we have found changes in the clot structure that seem to be related to normal pregnancy and an increased rate of the fibrin lysis process in the RM patients, which may have clinical relevance.