Clinical evaluation of iron treatment efficiency among non-anemic but iron-deficient female blood donors: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: Iron deficiency without anemia (IDWA) is related to adverse symptoms that can be relieved by supplementation. Since a blood donation can induce such an iron deficiency, we investigated the clinical impact of an iron treatment after blood donation. METHODS: One week after donation, we randomly assigned 154 female donors with IDWA aged <50 years to a 4-week oral treatment of ferrous sulfate vs. placebo. The main outcome was the change in the level of fatigue before and after the intervention. Also evaluated were aerobic capacity, mood disorder, quality of life, compliance and adverse events. Biological markers were hemoglobin and ferritin. RESULTS: Treatment effect from baseline to 4 weeks for hemoglobin and ferritin were 5.2 g/L (p < 0.01) and 14.8 ng/mL (p < 0.01) respectively. No significant clinical effect was observed for fatigue (-0.15 points, 95% confidence interval -0.9 to 0.6, p = 0.697) or for other outcomes. Compliance and interruption for side effects was similar in both groups. Additionally, blood donation did not induce overt symptoms of fatigue in spite of the significant biological changes it produces. CONCLUSIONS: These data are valuable as they enable us to conclude that donors with IDWA after a blood donation would not clinically benefit from iron supplementation. Trial registration: NCT00689793.

The efficiency of a novel delivery system (PEI600-Tat) in development of potent DNA vaccine using HPV16 E7 as a model antigen.

DNA vaccination is a promising approach for inducing both humoral and cellular immune responses. The mode of plasmid DNA delivery is critical to make progress in DNA vaccination. Using human papillomavirus type 16 E7 as a model antigen, this study evaluated the effect of peptide-polymer hybrid including PEI600-Tat conjugate as a novel gene delivery system on the potency of antigen-specific immunity in mice model. At ratio of 10:50 PEI-Tat/E7DNA (w/w), both humoral and cellular immune responses were significantly enhanced as compared with E7DNA construct and induced Th1 response. Therefore, this new delivery system could have promising applications in gene therapy.

Efficiency of the induced mating technique for Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Diptera, Culicidae)

Toxorhynchites mosquitoes play important ecological roles in aquatic microenvironments, and are frequently investigated as potential biological control agents of mosquito disease vectors. Establishment of Toxorhynchites laboratory colonies can be challenging because for some species, mating and insemination either do not occur or require a prohibitive amount of laboratory space for success. Consequently, artificial insemination techniques have been developed to assist with mass rearing of these species. Herein we describe an adapted protocol for colony establishment of T. theobaldi, a species with broad distribution in the Neotropics. The success of the technique and its implications are discussed.

Experimental manipulation of colony genetic diversity had no effect on short-term task efficiency in the Argentine ant Linepithema humile

Genetic diversity might increase the performance of social groups by improving task efficiency or disease resistance, but direct experimental tests of these hypotheses are rare. We manipulated the level of genetic diversity in colonies of the Argentine ant Linepithema humile, and then recorded the short-term task efficiency of these experimental colonies. The efficiency of low and high genetic diversity colonies did not differ significantly for any of the following tasks: exploring a new territory, foraging, moving to a new nest site, or removing corpses. The tests were powerful enough to detect large effects, but may have failed to detect small differences. Indeed, observed effect sizes were generally small, except for the time to create a trail during nest emigration. In addition, genetic diversity had no statistically significant impact on the number of workers, males and females produced by the colony, but these tests had low power. Higher genetic diversity also did not result in lower variance in task efficiency and productivity. In contrast to genetic diversity, colony size was positively correlated with the efficiency at performing most tasks and with colony productivity. Altogether, these results suggest that genetic diversity does not strongly improve short-term task efficiency in L. humile, but that worker number is a key factor determining the success of this invasive species.

Effects of the transition time between muscle-tendon stretch and shortening on mechanical efficiency.

The net mechanical efficiency of positive work (eta(pos)) has been shown to increase if it is immediately preceded by negative work. This phenomenon is explained by the storage of elastic energy during the negative phase and its release during the subsequent positive phase. If a transition time (T) takes place, the elastic energy is dissipated into heat. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between eta(pos) and T, and to determine the minimal T required so that eta(pos) reached its minimal value. Seven healthy male subjects were tested during four series of lowering-raising of the body mass. In the first series (S (0)), the negative and positive phases were executed without any transition time. In the three other series, T was varied by a timer (0.12, 0.24 and 0.56 s for series S (1), S (2) and S (3), respectively). These exercises were performed on a force platform sensitive to vertical forces to measure the mechanical work and a gas analyser was used to determine the energy expenditure. The results indicated that eta(pos) was the highest (31.1%) for the series without any transition time (S (0)). The efficiencies observed with transition times (S (1), S (2) and S (3)) were 27.7, 26.0 and 23.8%, respectively, demonstrating that T plays an important role for mechanical efficiency. The investigation of the relationship between eta(pos) and T revealed that the minimal T required so that eta(pos) reached its minimal value is 0.59 s.

Efficiency and safety of bilateral contemporaneous pallidal stimulation (deep brain stimulation) in levodopa-responsive patients with Parkinson's disease with severe motor fluctuations: a 2-year follow-up review.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of bilateral contemporaneous deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients who have levodopa-responsive parkinsonism with untreatable motor fluctuations. Bilateral pallidotomy carries a high risk of corticobulbar and cognitive dysfunction. Deep brain stimulation offers new alternatives with major advantages such as reversibility of effects, minimal permanent lesions, and adaptability to individual needs, changes in medication, side effects, and evolution of the disease. METHODS: Patients in whom levodopa-responsive parkinsonism with untreatable severe motor fluctuations has been clinically diagnosed underwent bilateral pallidal magnetic resonance image-guided electrode implantation while receiving a local anesthetic. Pre- and postoperative evaluations at 3-month intervals included Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scoring, Hoehn and Yahr staging, 24-hour self-assessments, and neuropsychological examinations. Six patients with a mean age of 55 years (mean 42-67 years), a mean duration of disease of 15.5 years (range 12-21 years), a mean "on/off' Hoehn and Yahr stage score of 3/4.2 (range 3-5), and a mean "off' time of 40% (range 20-50%) underwent bilateral contemporaneous pallidal DBS, with a minimum follow-up period lasting 24 months (range 24-30 months). The mean dose of levodopa in these patients could not be changed significantly after the procedure and pergolide was added after 12 months in five patients because of recurring fluctuations despite adjustments in stimulation parameters. All but two patients had no fluctuations until 9 months. Two of the patients reported barely perceptible fluctuations at 12 months and two at 15 months; however, two patients remain without fluctuations at 2 years. The mean improvements in the UPDRS motor score in the off time and the activities of daily living (ADL) score were more than 50%; the mean off time decreased from 40 to 10%, and the mean dyskinesia and complication of treatment scores were reduced to one-third until pergolide was introduced at 12 months. No significant improvement in "on" scores was observed. A slight worsening after 1 year was observed and three patients developed levodopa- and stimulation-resistant gait ignition failure and minimal fluctuations at 1 year. Side effects, which were controlled by modulation of stimulation, included dysarthria, dystonia, and confusion. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral pallidal DBS is safe and efficient in patients who have levodopa-responsive parkinsonism with severe fluctuations. Major improvements in motor score, ADL score, and off time persisted beyond 2 years after the operation, but signs of decreased efficacy started to be seen after 12 months.

Iowa Efficiency Review Report to Governor Chet Culver and Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge, December 18,2009

Public Works is pleased to present the following Iowa Efficiency Review Report to Governor Chet Culver and Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge. This report is the product of a collaboration between our consulting team and very dedicated Iowa state employees who worked with us to share ideas and cost���saving proposals under very difficult circumstances caused by the national financial crisis that is affecting state budgets throughout the country. For example, during the course of this review, Iowa departments were also asked to develop across���the���board cuts to achieve immediate reductions in state spending. It is a credit to Iowa state government that departmental staff continued to work on this Efficiency Review Report despite these challenges of also having to develop across���the���board budget cuts to achieve a balanced budget. We hope that these ideas will set the stage for further future budget improvements from achieving efficiencies, eliminating outdated practices, increasing the use of information technology solutions and finding new sources of non���tax funding. The Efficiency Review Team faced a second challenge. Statewide Efficiency Reviews usually take from nine to 12 months to complete. In Iowa, we worked with dedicated department staff to complete our work in less than 4 months. The Governor challenged all of us to work intensely and to give him our best thinking on efficiency proposals so that he could act as quickly as possible to position state government for success over the next several years.

Final Report Energy Efficiency Plans and Programs Study Committee, February 2009

The Legislative Council created the Energy Efficiency Plans and Programs Study Committee for the 2008 Legislative Interim pursuant to the passage of S.F. 2386 during the 2008 Legislative Session, which provided, in Section 8: The Legislative Council is requested to establish an interim study committee to examine the existence and effectiveness of energy efficiency plans and programs implemented by gas and electric public utilities, with an emphasis on results achieved by current plans and programs from the demand, or customer, perspective, and to make recommendations for additional requirements applicable to energy efficiency plans and programs that would improve such results. In conducting the study and developing recommendations, the Committee shall consider testimony from the Iowa Utilities Board, rate and nonrate-regulated gas and electric utilities, the Consumer Advocate, state agencies involved with energy efficiency program administration, environmental groups and associations, and consumers.

Fate of nickel ion in (II-III) hydroxysulphate green rust synthesized by precipitation and coprecipitation

In order to investigate the efficiency of sulfate green rust (GR2) to remove Ni from solution, GR2 samples were synthesized under controlled laboratory conditions. Some GR2 samples were synthesized from Fe(II) and Fe(III) sulfate salts by precipitation. Other samples were prepared by coprecipitation, of Ni(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III) sulfate salts, i.e., in the presence of Ni. In another sample, Ni(II) sulfate salt was added to pre-formed GR2. After an initial X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization all samples were exposed to ambient air in order to understand the role of Ni in the transformation of the GR2 samples. XRD was repeated after 45 days. The results showed that Nious GR2 prepared by coprecipitation is isomorphous to Ni-free GR2, i.e. Ni is incorporated into the crystalline structure. Fe(II) was not replaced by Ni(II) in the crystalline structure of GR2 formed prior to exposure to solution-phase Ni. This suggests Ni was adsorbed to the GR2 surface. Sulfate green rust is more efficient in removing Ni from the environment by coprecipitation.

X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and Raman scattering study of K2BeF4 and comparation to other member of the (beta)-K2SO4 family with ferroelectric -paraelectric transition

Thermal analysis, powder diffraction, and Raman scattering as a function of the temperature were carried out on K2BeF4. Moreover, the crystal structure was determined at 293 K from powder diffraction. The compound shows a transition from Pna21 to Pnam space group at 921 K with a transition enthalpy of 5 kJ/mol. The transition is assumed to be first order because the compound shows metastability. Structurally and spectroscopically the transition is similar to those observed in (NH4)2SO4, which suggests that the low-temperature phase is ferroelectric. In order to confirm it, the spontaneous polarization has been computed using an ionic model.

On the efficiency of recursive evaluations with applications to risk theory

On the efficiency of recursive evaluations with applications to risk theoryCette th��se est compos��e de trois essais qui portent sur l'efficacit�� des ��valuations r��cursives de la distribution du montant total des sinistres d'un portefeuille de polices d'assurance au cours d'un p��riode donn��e. Le calcul de sa fonction de probabilit�� ou de quantit��s li��es �� cette distribution appara��t fr��quemment dans la plupart des domaines de la pratique actuarielle.C'est le cas notamment pour le calcul du capital de solvabilit�� en Suisse ou pour mod��liser la perte d'une assurance vie au cours d'une ann��e. Le principal probl��me des ��valuations r��cursives est que la propagation des erreurs provenant de la repr��sentation des nombres r��els par l'ordinateur peut ��tre d��sastreuse. Mais, le gain de temps qu'elles procurent en r��duisant le nombre d'op��rations arithm��tiques est substantiel par rapport �� d'autres m��thodes.Dans le premier essai, nous utilisons certaines propri��t��s d'un outil informatique performant afin d'optimiser le temps de calcul tout en garantissant une certaine qualit�� dans les r��sultats par rapport �� la propagation de ces erreurs au cours de l'��valuation.Dans le second essai, nous d��rivons des expressions exactes et des bornes pour les erreurs qui se produisent dans les fonctions de distribution cumulatives d'un ordre donn�� lorsque celles-ci sont ��valu��es r��cursivement �� partir d'une approximation de la transform��e de De Pril associ��e. Ces fonctions cumulatives permettent de calculer directement certaines quantit��s essentielles comme les primes stop-loss.Finalement, dans le troisi��me essai, nous ��tudions la stabilit�� des ��valuations r��cursives de ces fonctions cumulatives par rapport �� la propagation des erreurs cit��es ci-dessus et d��terminons la pr��cision n��cessaire dans la repr��sentation des nombres r��els afin de garantir des r��sultats satisfaisants. Cette pr��cision d��pend en grande partie de la transform��e de De Pril associ��e.

Citizens' control and the efficiency of local public services

Est�� ��mpliament acceptat que la descentralitzaci�� fiscal incrementa el control dels ciutadans sobre els pol��tics, fomenta el rendiment de comptes i augmenta l��efici��ncia. Aquest treball t�� per objectiu identificar les caracter��stiques socio-econ��miques dels ciutadans (votants potencials) que generen un major control sobre els responsables pol��tics locals provocant, aix��, un major nivell d'efici��ncia en un context descentralitzat.Tamb�� s'analitzen les caracter��stiques fiscals dels governs locals que fomenten aquest control i efici��ncia. L'estudi s'ha aplicat a una mostra de municipis catalans seguint la metodologia convencional basada en l'estimaci�� en dues etapes. A la primera etapa s'estima l'efici��ncia en que operen els municipis mitjan��ant la t��cnica DEA. La novetat rau en el c��lcul d'una nova versi�� d'indicador global d��output municipal. En la segona etapa, a trav��s d��una estimaci�� tipus Tobit (models censurats) i de m��todes bootstrap, es mostra com els factors abans comentats poden influir sobre l��efici��ncia. Els resultats suggereixen que la forta presencia de comerciants, jubilats i persones amb dret a vot afavoreixen el control dels ciutadans, el rendiment de comptes i l��efici��ncia. Un factor que facilita aquest control, i per tant una major efici��ncia, ��s la pres��ncia de baixos costos d'oportunitat d'obtenir informaci�� sobre la gesti�� local dels serveis p��blics.

Measuring the efficiency in Spanish municipal refuse collection services

The objective of this study is to analyse the technical or productive efficiency ofthe refuse collection services in 75 municipalities located in the Spanish regionof Catalonia. The analysis has been carried out using various techniques. Firstly we have calculated a deterministic parametric frontier, then a stochastic parametric frontier, and finally, various non-parametric approaches (DEA and FDH). Concerning the results, these naturally differ according to the technique used to approach the frontier. Nevertheless, they have an appearance of solidity, at least with regard to the ordinal concordance among the indices of efficiency obtained by the different approaches, as is demonstrated by the statistical tests used. Finally, we have attempted to search for any relation existing between efficiency and the method (public or private) of managing the services. No significant relation was found between the type of management and efficiencyindices

Citizens' control and the efficiency of local public services

Est�� ��mpliament acceptat que la descentralitzaci�� fiscal incrementa el control dels ciutadans sobre els pol��tics, fomenta el rendiment de comptes i augmenta l��efici��ncia. Aquest treball t�� per objectiu identificar les caracter��stiques socio-econ��miques dels ciutadans (votants potencials) que generen un major control sobre els responsables pol��tics locals provocant, aix��, un major nivell d'efici��ncia en un context descentralitzat.Tamb�� s'analitzen les caracter��stiques fiscals dels governs locals que fomenten aquest control i efici��ncia. L'estudi s'ha aplicat a una mostra de municipis catalans seguint la metodologia convencional basada en l'estimaci�� en dues etapes. A la primera etapa s'estima l'efici��ncia en que operen els municipis mitjan��ant la t��cnica DEA. La novetat rau en el c��lcul d'una nova versi�� d'indicador global d��output municipal. En la segona etapa, a trav��s d��una estimaci�� tipus Tobit (models censurats) i de m��todes bootstrap, es mostra com els factors abans comentats poden influir sobre l��efici��ncia. Els resultats suggereixen que la forta presencia de comerciants, jubilats i persones amb dret a vot afavoreixen el control dels ciutadans, el rendiment de comptes i l��efici��ncia. Un factor que facilita aquest control, i per tant una major efici��ncia, ��s la pres��ncia de baixos costos d'oportunitat d'obtenir informaci�� sobre la gesti�� local dels serveis p��blics.