A virtual exhibition of open source software for libraries

Frequently the choice of a library management program is conditioned by social, economic and/or political factors that result in the selection of a system that is not altogether suitable for the library’s needs, characteristics and functions. Open source software is quickly becoming a preferred solution, owing to the freedom to copy, modify and distribute it and the freedom from contracts, as well as for greater opportunities for interoperability with other applications. These new trends regarding open source software in libraries are also reflected in LIS studies, as evidenced by the different courses addressing automated programs, repositorymanagement, including the Linux/GNU operating system, among others. The combination of the needs of the centres and the new trends for open source software is the focus of a virtual laboratory for the use of open source software for library applications. It was the result of a project, whose aim was to make a useful contribution to the library community, that was carried out by a group of professors of the School of Library and Information Science of the University of Barcelona, together with a group of students, members of a Working Group on Open Source Software for Information Professionals, of the Professional Library Association of Catalonia.

The impact of transmission clusters on primary drug resistance in newly diagnosed HIV-1 infection.

OBJECTIVES: To monitor HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance (TDR) in a well defined urban area with large access to antiretroviral therapy and to assess the potential source of infection of newly diagnosed HIV individuals. METHODS: All individuals resident in Geneva, Switzerland, with a newly diagnosed HIV infection between 2000 and 2008 were screened for HIV resistance. An infection was considered as recent when the positive test followed a negative screening test within less than 1 year. Phylogenetic analyses were performed by using the maximum likelihood method on pol sequences including 1058 individuals with chronic infection living in Geneva. RESULTS: Of 637 individuals with newly diagnosed HIV infection, 20% had a recent infection. Mutations associated with resistance to at least one drug class were detected in 8.5% [nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), 6.3%; non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), 3.5%; protease inhibitors, 1.9%]. TDR (P-trend = 0.015) and, in particular, NNRTI resistance (P = 0.002) increased from 2000 to 2008. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that 34.9% of newly diagnosed individuals, and 52.7% of those with recent infection were linked to transmission clusters. Clusters were more frequent in individuals with TDR than in those with sensitive strains (59.3 vs. 32.6%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Moreover, 84% of newly diagnosed individuals with TDR were part of clusters composed of only newly diagnosed individuals. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of the HIV transmission networks using phylogenetic analysis shows that newly diagnosed HIV infections are a significant source of onward transmission, particularly of resistant strains, thus suggesting an important self-fueling mechanism for TDR.

Efficient energy transfer from Si clusters to Er3+ in complex silicate glasses

We present an extensive study of the structural and optical emission properties in aluminum silicates and soda-lime silicates codoped with Si nanoclusters (Si-nc) and Er. Si excess of 5 and 15¿at.¿% and Er concentrations ranging from 2×1019 up to 6×1020¿cm¿3 were introduced by ion implantation. Thermal treatments at different temperatures were carried out before and after Er implantation. Structural characterization of the resulting structures was performed to obtain the layer composition and the size distribution of Si clusters. A comprehensive study has been carried out of the light emission as a function of the matrix characteristics, Si and Er contents, excitation wavelength, and power. Er emission at 1540¿nm has been detected in all coimplanted glasses, with similar intensities. We estimated lifetimes ranging from 2.5¿to¿12¿ms (depending on the Er dose and Si excess) and an effective excitation cross section of about 1×10¿17¿cm2 at low fluxes that decreases at high pump power. By quantifying the amount of Er ions excited through Si-nc we find a fraction of 10% of the total Er concentration. Upconversion coefficients of about 3×10¿18¿cm¿3¿s¿1 have been found for soda-lime glasses and one order of magnitude lower in aluminum silicates.

Cilengitide combined with standard treatment for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma with methylated MGMT promoter (CENTRIC EORTC 26071-22072 study): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Cilengitide is a selective αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrin inhibitor. Data from phase 2 trials suggest that it has antitumour activity as a single agent in recurrent glioblastoma and in combination with standard temozolomide chemoradiotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (particularly in tumours with methylated MGMT promoter). We aimed to assess cilengitide combined with temozolomide chemoradiotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma with methylated MGMT promoter. METHODS: In this multicentre, open-label, phase 3 study, we investigated the efficacy of cilengitide in patients from 146 study sites in 25 countries. Eligible patients (newly diagnosed, histologically proven supratentorial glioblastoma, methylated MGMT promoter, and age ≥18 years) were stratified for prognostic Radiation Therapy Oncology Group recursive partitioning analysis class and geographic region and centrally randomised in a 1:1 ratio with interactive voice response system to receive temozolomide chemoradiotherapy with cilengitide 2000 mg intravenously twice weekly (cilengitide group) or temozolomide chemoradiotherapy alone (control group). Patients and investigators were unmasked to treatment allocation. Maintenance temozolomide was given for up to six cycles, and cilengitide was given for up to 18 months or until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects. The primary endpoint was overall survival. We analysed survival outcomes by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00689221. FINDINGS: Overall, 3471 patients were screened. Of these patients, 3060 had tumour MGMT status tested; 926 patients had a methylated MGMT promoter, and 545 were randomly assigned to the cilengitide (n=272) or control groups (n=273) between Oct 31, 2008, and May 12, 2011. Median overall survival was 26·3 months (95% CI 23·8-28·8) in the cilengitide group and 26·3 months (23·9-34·7) in the control group (hazard ratio 1·02, 95% CI 0·81-1·29, p=0·86). None of the predefined clinical subgroups showed a benefit from cilengitide. We noted no overall additional toxic effects with cilengitide treatment. The most commonly reported adverse events of grade 3 or worse in the safety population were lymphopenia (31 [12%] in the cilengitide group vs 26 [10%] in the control group), thrombocytopenia (28 [11%] vs 46 [18%]), neutropenia (19 [7%] vs 24 [9%]), leucopenia (18 [7%] vs 20 [8%]), and convulsion (14 [5%] vs 15 [6%]). INTERPRETATION: The addition of cilengitide to temozolomide chemoradiotherapy did not improve outcomes; cilengitide will not be further developed as an anticancer drug. Nevertheless, integrins remain a potential treatment target for glioblastoma. FUNDING: Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Closed and open grade I and II tibial shaft fractures treated by reamed intramedullary nailing.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of closed and open grade I and II tibial shaft fractures treated by reamed nail and unreamed nailing. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 2000, 119 patients with tibial shaft fractures were treated with reamed tibial nails. Postoperatively 96 patients (70 closed and 26 grade I and II open fractures) were followed clinically and radiologically for up to 18 months. The nail was inserted either by patellar tendon splitting or by nonsplitting technique. The nail was inserted after overreaming by 1.5 mm. Postoperatively, patients with isolated tibial fracture were mobilized by permitting partial weight bearing on the injured leg for 6 weeks. Patients with associated ankle fractures were allowed to walk with a Sarmiento cast. RESULTS: Postoperatively, 6 (6.3%) patients developed a compartment syndrome after surgery. In 48 (50%) cases, dynamization of the nail was carried out after a mean period of 12 weeks for delayed union. Overall, a 90.6% union was obtained at a mean of 24 weeks without difference between closed or open fractures. Two (2.1%) patients with an open grade II fracture developed a deep infection requiring treatment. A 9.4% rate of malunion was observed. Eight (8.3%) patients developed screw failure without clinical consequences. At the last follow-up, 52% of patients with patellar tendon splitting had anterior knee pain, compared to those (14%) who did not have tendon splitting. CONCLUSION: Reamed intramedullary nail is a suitable implant in treating closed as well as grade I and II open tibial shaft fractures.

Endovascular aortic repair versus open surgical repair for descending thoracic aortic disease a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) reduces death and morbidity compared with open surgical repair for descending thoracic aortic disease. BACKGROUND: The role of TEVAR versus open surgery remains unclear. Metaregression can be used to maximally inform adoption of new technologies by utilizing evidence from existing trials. METHODS: Data from comparative studies of TEVAR versus open repair of the descending aorta were combined through meta-analysis. Metaregression was performed to account for baseline risk factor imbalances, study design, and thoracic pathology. Due to significant heterogeneity, registry data were analyzed separately from comparative studies. RESULTS: Forty-two nonrandomized studies involving 5,888 patients were included (38 comparative studies, 4 registries). Patient characteristics were balanced except for age, as TEVAR patients were usually older than open surgery patients (p = 0.001). Registry data suggested overall perioperative complications were reduced. In comparative studies, all-cause mortality at 30 days (odds ratio [OR]: 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33 to 0.59) and paraplegia (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.63) were reduced for TEVAR versus open surgery. In addition, cardiac complications, transfusions, reoperation for bleeding, renal dysfunction, pneumonia, and length of stay were reduced. There was no significant difference in stroke, myocardial infarction, aortic reintervention, and mortality beyond 1 year. Metaregression to adjust for age imbalance, study design, and pathology did not materially change the results. CONCLUSIONS: Current data from nonrandomized studies suggest that TEVAR may reduce early death, paraplegia, renal insufficiency, transfusions, reoperation for bleeding, cardiac complications, pneumonia, and length of stay compared with open surgery. Sustained benefits on survival have not been proven.

Open elbow arthrolysis for posttraumatic elbow stiffness.

OBJECTIVES: The elbow joint is vulnerable to stiffness, especially after trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of open arthrolysis for posttraumatic elbow stiffness. DESIGN: Cohort retrospective study. PATIENTS: Eighteen consecutive patients were evaluated by an independent observer at an average of 16 months (6 to 43) after open elbow arthrolysis was performed for posttraumatic stiffness. Initial traumas were: isolated fractures (11) or dislocation (1) and complex fracture-dislocations (6). Initial treatments were: nonoperative (3), radial head resection (1), and ORIF (14). Patients presented predominantly with mixed contractures (combined extrinsic and intrinsic contractures). INTERVENTION: Open elbow arthrolysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Elbow function and patient satisfaction were the principal outcome measures. At follow-up European Society for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (SECEC) elbow scores were calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Three patients had minor postoperative complications: 1 partial wound dehiscence, 1 subcutaneous infection, and one seroma. None of these complications influenced the final result clinically. The mean total increase in range of motion was 40 degrees (13 to 112 degrees), with a mean gain in flexion of 14 degrees (0 to 45 degrees) and 26 degrees in extension (5 to 67 degrees). No patient showed signs of elbow instability. There was no radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis progression at follow-up. We did not find any correlations between the type of stiffness, the approaches used, and the results. However, patients with the greatest preoperative stiffness had significantly better improvement of mobility (P<0.001). The best results were obtained in patients who had arthrolysis done within 1 year after the initial trauma (P=0.008). The mean SECEC scores were 88 (52 to 100) for the injured elbows, and 96 (88 to 100) for the contralateral elbows. CONCLUSION: Open elbow arthrolysis for patients with posttraumatic stiffness improves joint function and provides patient satisfaction. The best results, in terms of gain of motion and patient satisfaction, were obtained in patients with severe stiffness who had operations within the first year after initial trauma.

Germinability of Norway spruce and scots pine pollen exposed to open air

Summary

Surface collective oscillations of metal clusters and spheres: Random-phase-approximation sum-rules approach

Using the once and thrice energy-weighted moments of the random-phase-approximation strength function, we have derived compact expressions for the average energy of surface collective oscillations of clusters and spheres of metal atoms. The L=0 volume mode has also been studied. We have carried out quantal and semiclassical calculations for Na and Ag systems in the spherical-jellium approximation. We present a rather thorough discussion of surface diffuseness and quantal size effects on the resonance energies.

Static dipole polarizability of alkali-metal clusters: Electronic exchange and correlation effects

Nonlocal approximations for the electronic exchange and correlation effects are used to compute, within density-functional theory, the polarizability and surface-plasma frequencies of small jelliumlike alkali-metal clusters. The results are compared with those obtained using the local-density approximation and with available experimental data, showing the relevance of these effects in obtaining an accurate description of the surface response of metallic clusters.

Barrier for the reaction X20+ + X20+ -> X402+ in alkali-metal clusters related to electron density at the bond midpoint of the supermolecule (X20+)2

Using the extended Thomas-Fermi version of density-functional theory (DFT), calculations are presented for the barrier for the reaction Na20++Na20+¿Na402+. The deviation from the simple Coulomb barrier is shown to be proportional to the electron density at the bond midpoint of the supermolecule (Na20+)2. An extension of conventional quantum-chemical studies of homonuclear diatomic molecular ions is then effected to apply to the supermolecular ions of the alkali metals. This then allows the Na results to be utilized to make semiquantitative predictions of position and height of the maximum of the fusion barrier for other alkali clusters. These predictions are confirmed by means of similar DFT calculations for the K clusters.

Two-dimensional clusters of liquid 4He

The binding energies of two-dimensional clusters (puddles) of¿4He are calculated in the framework of the diffusion Monte Carlo method. The results are well fitted by a mass formula in powers of x=N-1/2, where N is the number of particles. The analysis of the mass formula allows for the extraction of the line tension, which turns out to be 0.121 K/Å. Sizes and density profiles of the puddles are also reported.