bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late follow-up of a randomized trial of routine duplex imaging before varicose vein surgery
Authors: Blomgren L , Johansson G , Emanuelsson L , Dahlberg-Åkerman A , Thermaenius P , Bergqvist D
Published: May 2011

Background

Routine preoperative duplex examination led to an improvement in results 2 years after surgery for primary varicose veins. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative duplex imaging after 7 years, in relation to other risk factors for varicose vein recurrence.

Methods

Patients with primary varicose veins were randomized to operation with (group 1), or without (group 2) preoperative duplex imaging. The same patients were invited to attend follow-up with interview, clinical examination and duplex imaging. Quality of life (QoL) was measured with the Short Form 36 questionnaire.

Results

Some 293 patients (343 legs) were included initially; after 7 years 227 were interviewed, or their records reviewed: 114 in group 1 and 113 in group 2. One hundred and ninety-four legs (95 in group 1 and 99 in group 2) were examined clinically and with duplex imaging. Incompetence was seen at the saphenofemoral junction and/or saphenopopliteal junction in 14 per cent of legs in group 1 and 46 per cent in group 2 (P < 0·001). QoL was similar in both groups. After a mean follow-up of 7 years (and including patients who underwent surgery after the review), 15 legs in group 1 needed reoperation and 38 in group 2 (P = 0·001).

Conclusion

Routine preoperative duplex imaging improved the results of surgery for primary varicose veins for at least 7 years. Registration number: NCT01195623 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
A rapid LC‐MS/MS method for quantitation of eszopiclone in human plasma: application to a human pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Hotha Kishore Kumar , Vijaya Bharathi D. , Jagadeesh B. , Ravindranath L. K. , Jaya Veera K. N. , Venkateswarulu V.
Published: May 2011

A highly reproducible, specific and cost‐effective LC‐MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous estimation of eszopiclone (ESZ) with 50 μL of human plasma using paroxetine as an internal standard (IS). The API‐4000 LC‐MS/MS was operated under the multiple reaction‐monitoring mode using the electrospray ionization technique. A simple liquid–liquid extraction process was used to extract ESZ and IS from human plasma. The total run time was 1.5 min and the elution of ESZ and IS occurred at 0.90 min; this was achieved with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid–methanol (15:85, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.50 mL/min on a Discover C18 (50 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) column. The developed method was validated in human plasma with a lower limit of quantitation of 0.1 ng/mL for ESZ. A linear response function was established for the range of concentrations 0.10–120 ng/mL (r > 0.998) for ESZ. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision values for ESZ were acceptable as per FDA guidelines. Eszopiclone was stable in the battery of stability studies, viz. bench‐top, autosampler and freeze–thaw cycles. The developed assay method was applied to an oral bioequivalence study in humans. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of thermodiffusion coefficients in ternary associating mixtures
Authors: Eslamian Morteza , Saghir M. Ziad
Published: May 2011

Following the non‐equilibrium thermodynamics formulation and taking into account the complexities in the structure of aqueous associating mixtures, expressions are proposed to estimate the thermodiffusion coefficients in ternary associating mixtures, such as water and alcohol mixtures. The model expressions are used to estimate the thermodiffusion coefficients in methanol–ethanol–water, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)–ethanol–water and DMSO–t‐butanol–water mixtures at various concentrations. The perturbed‐chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC‐SAFT) equation of state is used to obtain the mixture properties, such as the derivatives of the chemical potentials needed to evaluate the thermodiffusion coefficient expressions. The results show that at certain concentrations of one component, variation of the concentration of the other two components can cause a sign change in the thermodiffusion coefficients. While the model cannot be evaluated due to the lack of any pertinent experimental data, the model predictions may be used to choose suitable mixture compositions in space experiments to be performed onboard the International Space Station (ISS) in near future. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Natural Orbital Functional Theory and Reactivity Studies of Diradical Rearrangements: Ethylene Torsion as a Case Study
Authors: Lopez Xabier , Piris Mario , Matxain Jon M. , Ruipérez Fernando , Ugalde Jesus M.
Published: May 2011

Natural orbital functional theory (NOFT) in its PNOF3 and PNOF4 implementations is used to investigate the potential energy surface (PES) of ethylene torsion. This rearrangement is taken as a case study to illustrate the satisfactory performance of the Piris Natural Orbital Functional (PNOF) toward rearrangements sensible to non‐dynamical electron correlation or near‐degeneracy effects. We show that the fulfillment of the G‐positivity condition, as implemented in PNOF4, is key to yield a correct description of structures with significant diradical character. We have found that PNOF4 yields an accurate description of these delicate PES and predicts the correct trends of the occupation numbers as compared with multiconfigurational wavefunction methods.
Selective Colorimetric Detection of Hg2+ and Mg2+ with Crown Ether Substituted N‐Aryl‐9‐aminobenzo[b]quinolizinium Derivatives
Authors: Tian Maoqun , Ihmels Heiko
Published: May 2011

1,4‐Dioxa‐7,13‐dithia‐10‐azacyclopentadecane (AT215C5) or 1,4,7,10‐tetraoxa‐13‐azacyclopentadecane (A15C5) were attached as metal‐ion‐binding receptor units at the ortho or para positions of the 9‐amino‐N‐phenylbenzo[b]quinolizinium chromophore. The addition of Hg2+ or Mg2+ to the para isomers of the AT215C5–quinolizinium or A15C5–quinolizinium conjugate, respectively, led to a blueshift of the absorption maxima of each compound because of the reduced donor ability of the complexed amino group. In contrast, the addition of Hg2+ to a solution of the ortho‐AT215C5–quinolizinium conjugate in H2O/MeOH mixtures induced a significant redshift (ca. 50 nm) of the absorption maximum and enabled the photometric discrimination between Hg2+ and competing thiophilic cations, such as Ag+ or Pb2+, because the latter, as well as other competing metal ions, did not induce such an effect. It is proposed that the Hg2+‐induced redshift originates from the complexation of Hg2+ by the thiaazacrown ether followed by deprotonation of the secondary 9‐amino substituent of the aminobenzoquinolizinium unit. The resulting amide functionality increases the donor–acceptor interplay leading to the redshifted absorption and also coordinates to Hg2+ to form a lariat ether type complex. A similar effect was observed upon the addition of Mg2+ to the 9‐amino‐N‐phenylbenzo[b]quinolizinium derivative with the A15C5 unit in the ortho position; however, this effect was only operative in aprotic solvents, e.g. CH3CN, and with less than 1 mol‐equiv. of Mg2+.
A Novel Radical Cyclization Approach to Thieno‐Fused Heterocycles
Authors: Singh Prabal P. , Yadav Ashok K. , Ila Hiriyakkanavar , Junjappa Hiriyakkanavar
Published: May 2011

An efficient synthesis of novel aryl/heteroaryl‐substituted thieno‐fused heterocycles, that is, thieno[2,3‐b]thiophenes, thieno[2,3‐b]indoles, and pyrazolo[3,2‐c]thiophenes, involving radical‐mediated cyclization of 2‐(2‐bromoheteroaryl)‐3‐methylthio‐3‐aryl/heteroaryl acrylonitriles has been reported.
Bayesian Forecasting for Financial Risk Management, Pre and Post the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Chen Cathy W.S. , Gerlach Richard , Lin Edward M. H. , Lee W. C. W.
Published: May 2011

Value‐at‐risk (VaR) forecasting via a computational Bayesian framework is considered. A range of parametric models is compared, including standard, threshold nonlinear and Markov switching generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) specifications, plus standard and nonlinear stochastic volatility models, most considering four error probability distributions: Gaussian, Student‐t, skewed‐tand generalized error distribution. Adaptive Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are employed in estimation and forecasting. A portfolio of four Asia–Pacific stock markets is considered. Two forecasting periods are evaluated in light of the recent global financial crisis. Results reveal that: (i) GARCH models outperformed stochastic volatility models in almost all cases; (ii) asymmetric volatility models were clearly favoured pre crisis, while at the 1% level during and post crisis, for a 1‐day horizon, models with skewed‐terrors ranked best, while integrated GARCH models were favoured at the 5% level; (iii) all models forecast VaR less accurately and anti‐conservatively post crisis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and insecticidal activities of novel spin‐labeled derivatives of camptothecin
Authors: Liu Ying‐Qian , Dai Wei , Tian Jing , Yang Liu , Feng Gang , Zhou Xing‐Wen , Kou Liang , Zhao Yong‐Long , Li Wen‐Qun , Li Lin‐Hai , Li Hong‐Yu
Published: May 2011

Continuing our search for natural product based compounds for the control of Brontispa longissima larvae, eight spin‐labeled camptothecin derivatives 7a–h and the intermediate 2 were first tested for their insecticidal activities against fifth‐instar larvae of Brontispa longissima. Among all the tested compounds, especially compounds 7a and 2 showed promising insecticidal activities with the corrected mortality rates of 69.55% and 74.07% against fifth‐instar larvae of B. longissima, respectively. The different insecticidal activity ranges of these compounds indicated that the variation of the structures of l‐amino acids in these compounds markedly affected the activity profiles of this compound class, and some important SAR information has been revealed from it. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:687–691, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20734
Wealth distribution in Chinese bankruptcy reorganization law and practice
Authors: Ren Yongqing
Published: May 2011

Wealth distribution provisions in bankruptcy reorganization law, which regulate the distribution of the debtor's overall value among all the interested parties with an aim of ensuring a fair and equitable distribution, constitute an important part of the bankruptcy reorganization law. This article first examines the wealth distribution provisions contained in Chinese bankruptcy reorganization law from a Sino‐US perspective and then explores the wealth distribution in Chinese bankruptcy reorganization practice through an empirical study of 18 bankruptcy reorganization cases of listed corporations in China. After an analysis of Chinese legal provisions on wealth distribution and their application in practice, this article draws the conclusion that wealth distribution in Chinese bankruptcy reorganization practice is far from being fair and equitable, which may cause abused use of the reorganization proceeding and distort the operation of the bargaining mechanism. Reform suggestions for Chinese bankruptcy reorganization law are proposed at the end. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Covalent and ionic co‐cross‐linking—An original way to prepare chitosan–gelatin hydrogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Jătariu (Cadinoiu) Anca N. , Popa Marcel , Curteanu Silvia , Peptu Cătălina A.
Published: May 2011

The first goal of this work was to develop a method for obtaining interpenetrating gelatin (G)–chitosan (CS) networks prepared by double cross‐linking (covalent followed by ionic) that exhibit hydrogel character. The second goal was to modulate their properties as a function of the preparation parameters by using neural network models. This study was therefore carried out by experiment and simulation. The covalent cross‐linking resulted from the reaction between the carbonyl groups of glutaraldehyde with amino groups belonging to both polymers; the ionic cross‐linking is based on the interaction between tripolyphosphate anions and protonated amine groups (ammonium ions) of the polymers. The total cross‐linking density (indirectly assessed by estimating the water swelling capacity) and the ability to include hydrosoluble bioactive principles are influenced by the following process parameters: the CS/G ratio, the amount of ionic cross‐linker, and the ionic cross‐linking time. The prepared hydrogels were characterized with respect to their structural, morphological, and some physical properties. The hydrogels ability to load high amounts of water‐soluble drugs indicates their potential use as carriers for biologically active principles in the human body. A neural network methodology was applied to model the swelling degree and caffeine loading/release capacity depending on reaction conditions; in addition, applying this method, the optimal preparation conditions have been determined, targeting pre‐established values for swelling degree or maximum caffeine value. The accuracy of the results obtained through this technique proves that the neural networks are suitable tools for modeling cross‐linking processes taking place complex nonlinear polymers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 2011.
Separation and purification of scandium by solvent extraction and related technologies: a review
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Cheng Chu Yong
Published: May 2011

The technologies of solvent extraction, ion exchange, and liquid membrane for the separation and purification of scandium are reviewed. Acidic and neutral organo‐phosphorus extractants are most widely used in practice, with high extraction efficiencies. Their disadvantages originate from the high stripping acidity required for the former and the poor selectivity for the latter. Carboxylic acids, amines, and acidic β‐diketone have also been widely used to extract scandium from solutions with low acidities. Mixed extractants or synergistic systems for the solvent extraction of scandium have been developed. Extraction efficiencies are influenced by extraction conditions such as aqueous matrixes and acidities, types of diluents and A/O ratios. Scandium(III) extractions are interfered with by commonly associated elements such as iron(III), zirconium(IV), titanium(IV), thorium(IV), yttrium(III) and lanthanides(III). The advantages and disadvantages of applications of ion exchange and liquid membrane technologies for scandium recovery are reviewed and compared with solvent extraction. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some heterocyclic 2,6‐bis(substituted)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazolo‐, oxadiazolo‐, and oxathiazolidino‐pyridine derivatives from 2,6‐pyridine dicarboxylic acid dihydrazide
Authors: Ghozlan Said A. S. , Al‐Omar Mohammed A. , Amr Abd El‐Galil E. , Ali Korany A. , El‐Wahab Ahmed A. Abd
Published: May 2011

In this work, we report on the synthesis and preliminary biological activity screening of several heterocyclic derivatives 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10a, 10b, 11, 11a, 11b, 12, 12a, 12b, 13, 13a, 13b, 14, 15 based on N2′,N6′‐diphenylthiosemi‐carbazide pyridine‐2,6‐dicarbohydrazide 2, which has been obtained from the corresponding dihydrazide 1. The biological screening showed that many of these compounds have good antimicrobial activities. The structure of the new compounds has been established on the bases of chemical and spectroscopic evidences. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).
Synthesis of 4‐(1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalines and their 4‐halogenopyrazolyl analogs
Authors: Atta Kamal F. M. , El Ashry El Sayed H.
Published: May 2011

Synthesis of {3‐[1‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl]‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl}methyl ethyl oxalate (2), ethyl 4‐[5‐(acetoxymethyl)‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl]‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quioxaline‐1‐carboxylate (4), [4‐halo‐1‐phenyl‐3‐(1‐phenyl‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quioxalin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl]methyl acetate (11), {4‐halo‐3‐[1‐methyl‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl]‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyraz‐ol‐5‐yl}methyl acetate (13), and [3‐([1,2,4]triazolo‐[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)‐4‐halo‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl] methyl formate (15) was accomplished. The structural investigation of the new compounds is based on chemical and spectroscopic evidences. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011)
Functional implications of variation in pectoral fin ray morphology between fishes with different patterns of pectoral fin use
Authors: Taft Natalia K.
Published: May 2011

In this study, I compare the morphology from the pectoral fin rays from the benthic longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus) to those from a species that does not use its fins for substrate contact, the yellow perch (Perca flavescens). I use CT scanning technology to compare the shape and structure of the paired hemitrichia that make up the pectoral fin rays between these species. I found that the structure of hemitrichia of the fin rays in yellow perch is consistent with previous descriptions for pelagic fishes. They are almost completely segmented, have a crescent shape in cross section, and are branched distally. In contrast, longhorn sculpin hemitrichia exhibit morphological regionalization along the proximo‐distal length of the ray. The most proximal 20–50% of the length of the hemitrichia is unsegmented and cylindrical in cross section. Distally, the fin rays of longhorn sculpin are segmented and crescent‐shaped but do not branch. I measured the second moment of area of the hemitrichia at distances of 10%, 30%, 50%, and 70% distance along the length of the fin rays. The cylindrical regions of the sculpin hemitrichia had a higher second moment of area than the crescent‐shaped regions in either species. I hypothesize that that this regionalization of individual fin rays provides resistance to bending proximally and flexibility distally, features that may be useful during substrate contact. This combination of an elongate, unsegmented proximal region and segmented distal region in fin rays has not yet been described among extant ray‐finned fishes. However, this structure is reminiscent of that of the elongate cylindrical region found in the fossil sarcopterygian fish Eusthenopteron. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Energy at work: A measurement validation and linkage to unit effectiveness
Authors: Cole Michael S. , Bruch Heike , Vogel Bernd
Published: May 2011

We introduce the notion that the energy of individuals can manifest as a higher‐level, collective construct. To this end, we conducted four independent studies to investigate the viability and importance of the collective energy construct as assessed by a new survey instrument—the productive energy measure (PEM). Study 1 (n = 2208) included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to explore the underlying factor structure of PEM. Study 2 (n = 660) cross‐validated the same factor structure in an independent sample. In study 3, we administered the PEM to more than 5000 employees from 145 departments located in five countries. Results from measurement invariance, statistical aggregation, convergent, and discriminant‐validity assessments offered additional support for the construct validity of PEM. In terms of predictive and incremental validity, the PEM was positively associated with three collective attitudes—units' commitment to goals, the organization, and overall satisfaction. In study 4, we explored the relationship between the productive energy of firms and their overall performance. Using data from 92 firms (n = 5939employees), we found a positive relationship between the PEM (aggregated to the firm level) and the performance of those firms. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasonic nebulization extraction coupled with headspace hollow fiber microextraction of pesticides from root of Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.
Authors: Li Xueyuan , Wang Lu , Wang Ziming , Zhang Huihui , Su Rui , Xu Xu , Zhang Hanqi
Published: May 2011

The ultrasonic nebulization extraction coupled with headspace hollow fiber microextraction (UNE‐HS‐HFME) was applied for the extraction of pesticides from root of Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. Experimental parameters, which affect the performances of ultrasonic nebulization extraction coupled with headspace hollow fiber microextraction, such as the kind of acceptor solvent in the pore of the fiber wall, the sample amount, extraction time, salt concentration in extraction solvent, pH of the acceptor solution, the elution time, and times were studied and optimized. The analytes were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The detection limits for simeton, monolinuron, chlortoluron, karmex, and prebane are 20.9, 18.4, 18.2, 12.4, and 22.2 μg/kg, respectively. Besides volatile and semi‐volatile compounds, the non‐volatile compounds also can be determined by the proposed method. The extraction and enrichment process can be performed simultaneously.
Stability evaluation of tramadol enantiomers using a chiral stability‐indicating capillary electrophoresis method and its application to pharmaceutical analysis
Authors: Mohammadi Ali , Nojavan Saeed , Rouini Mohammadreza , Fakhari Ali Reza
Published: May 2011

In this study, a chiral stability‐indicating CE assay was developed for the stability evaluation of tramadol (TR) enantiomers in commercial tablets using maltodextrin as chiral selector. To investigate the stability‐indicating power of the analytical method as well as stability evaluation of TR enantiomers, active pharmaceutical ingredient and TR tablets were subjected to photolysis, heat, oxidation and hydrolysis to conduct stress testing. Best separation for the TR enantiomers was achieved on an uncoated fused‐silica capillary at 20°C using borate buffer (50 mM, pH 10.2) containing 10% m/v maltodextrin. All determinations were performed by a UV detector at 214 nm. A constant voltage of 20 kV was applied to obtain the separation. The range of quantitation for both enantiomers was 5–100 μg/mL (R>0.996). Intra‐ and inter‐day RSD (n=6) were less than 10%. The percent relevant errors were obtained to be less than 4.0 for both enantiomers. The limits of quantitation and detection for both enantiomers were 5 and 1.5 μg/mL, respectively. Degradation products resulting from the stress studies were the same for both enantiomers and did not interfere with the detection of the enantiomers.
Modeling of retention behaviors of most frequent components of essential oils in polar and non‐polar stationary phases
Authors: Jalali‐Heravi Mehdi , Ebrahimi‐Najafabadi Heshmatollah
Published: May 2011

The gas chromatography retention indices of 100 different components of essential oils, on three columns with stationary phases of different polarities, were used to develop robust quantitative structure–retention relationship (QSRR) models. Two linear models with only one variable, i.e. solvation entropy, were developed, which explain 95 and 94% of variances of the test set for dimethyl silicone and dimethyl silicone with 5% phenyl group columns, respectively. These models are extremely simple and easy to interpret, but they show higher errors compared with more robust models such as partial least square (PLS) and ridge regressions. For the third column (polyethylene glycol (PEG)), 24 hydrogen bonding descriptors were calculated and were used for modeling. Kernel orthogonal projection to latent structure (KOPLS), as a non‐linear technique, was applied for the modeling of the retention indices of the compounds on the PEG column. R2 values for the test set established by Monte Carlo cross‐validation and SPXY (sample set partitioning based on joint x–y distances) test set of the KOPLS were 0.92 and 0.94, respectively. y‐Randomization indicated that chance plays no role in constructing the KOPLS model.
Improved chromatographic performances of glycidyl methacrylate anion‐exchange monolith for fast nano‐ion exchange chromatography
Authors: Bruchet Anthony , Dugas Vincent , Mariet Clarisse , Goutelard Florence , Randon Jérôme
Published: May 2011

An efficient and reproducible photopolymerized poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) was synthesized in Teflon‐coated fused‐silica capillaries (100 μm id) and functionalized by reaction of triethylamine with reactive epoxy groups. We report here the successful transfer of a standard polymerization mixture optimized for the thermally initiated synthesis of glycidyl‐based monolith to photo‐induced polymerization. The monolith obtained after optimization of the photo‐initiation conditions was characterized in reverse‐phase chromatography evaluating its suitability in terms of efficiency, retention and hydrodynamic permeability. Reproducibility of the photo‐induced procedure was satisfactory with RSD below 6% for retention and efficiency and slightly higher for hydrodynamic permeability (12%). The functionalized generic support was then used in nano‐ion‐exchange chromatography. Efficiencies up to 75 000 plates/m, ion‐exchange capacity of 8 nano‐equivalents/cm of monolithic column, with a combination of a satisfactory hydrodynamic permeability allowed to perform fast separations of five inorganic anions in <3 min maintaining baseline resolution. The efficiency of the monolith was not retention‐dependent, demonstrating its wide range of possible applications for highly retained anions.
Identifying patterns of symptom change during a randomized controlled trial of cognitive processing therapy for military‐related posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Macdonald Alexandra , Monson Candice M. , Doron‐Lamarca Susan , Resick Patricia A. , Palfai Tibor P.
Published: May 2011

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been shown to reduce symptoms of PTSD in a veteran population. This study explored patterns of self‐reported symptom change during CPT. Veterans (N = 60) with PTSD were randomized to receive CPT immediately or after 10 weeks. We hypothesized that those treated immediately would evidence initial symptom stability followed by decline compared with those who waited, whose PTSD symptoms would remain stable. The best model fit based on deviance statistics and Bayesian information criteria comparisons was one in which participants treated immediately showed more rapid initial decline followed by a slower rate of PTSD symptom improvement relative to those who waited, who showed a stable level of symptomatology. Findings suggest that CPT produces quick and maintained improvements in veterans. The effect sizes for change between those who received CPT immediately and those who waited were approximately medium sized. Implications of findings are discussed.
Treatment outcome in the residually positive neck after definitive chemotherapy and irradiation
Authors: Dooley Laura M. , Potts Kevin L. , Wilson Liz D. , Cappello Zachary J. , Bumpous Jeffrey M.
Published: May 2011

Objective:

Determine prevalence of viable malignancy in patients undergoing neck dissection (ND) for residual neck disease following concomitant chemotherapy and irradiation (chemo/xrt) for upper aerodigestive squamous carcinoma. To determine survival in groups with a neck complete response to those who had residual disease requiring neck dissection.

Study Design:

Retrospective chart review.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of 230 patients who underwent definitive chemo/xrt for primary squamous cell carcinoma cancer (SCCa) of the head and neck from 2005 to 2009 in one institution.

Results:

Thirty‐nine (17%) patients underwent ND for residual neck mass within 4 months posttreatment. Forty‐nine percent (19/39) were pathologically positive for malignancy and 51% (20/39) were negative. The probability of a +ND based on original N‐stage was not statistically significant (P = .368). Primary site did not yield significant probability of having +ND, except in the oral cavity (P = .02). Patients had similar overall 5‐year survival, among those with a delayed complete response in the neck (66%), ND for residual disease (71%), or those with initial complete response (71%). Lower initial N‐stage demonstrated improved survival in all outcome groups. Tonsil SCCa patients who underwent ND had improved survival compared to those with delayed complete response (87.5 vs. 75.8%), both of which had increased survival compared to initial complete responders (65%).

Conclusions:

This study supports the use of ND in the postchemo/xrt positive neck regardless of primary site or initial N‐stage. ND in this setting conveys survival equal to patients with complete response in the neck after chemo/xrt. These survivorship implications of postchemo/xrt neck dissection extend to all sites, including tonsils.
Exercise‐induced muscle growth is muscle‐specific and age‐dependent
Authors: Leiter Jeff R.S. , Peeler Jason , Anderson Judy E.
Published: May 2011

Introduction: Sarcopenia, and the importance of satellite cells (SCs) in muscle growth led us to examine the effects of exercise and age on SC activation and gene expression. Methods: Eight‐ and 18‐month‐old mice were either sedentary or underwent 3 weeks of exercise (N = 24). Body mass, distance traveled, and grip strength were recorded at weekly intervals. The extensor digitorum longus (EDL), tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius (GAST), and quadriceps (QUAD) muscles were analyzed along with muscle fiber area, SC activation, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS‐I), MyoD, and myostatin protein content. Results: Older mice demonstrated decreased body mass, grip strength, and fiber area, but these changes were not affected by exercise. The QUAD muscle from young mice demonstrated an exercise‐induced increase in SC activation and NOS‐I and downregulation of myostatin. Conclusions: Exercise‐induced activation of SCs and regulation of gene expression are muscle‐specific and age‐dependent. Perturbed sensitivity to exercise in older mice provides insight into sarcopenia and potential treatments. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Jaw muscle weakness: A differential indicator of neuromuscular weakness—Preliminary observations
Authors: Pal Sandip , Sanyal Debashis
Published: May 2011

Introduction:

Flaccid quadriparesis is a common neurological problem. Guillain–Barré syndrome Guillain‐Barre syndrome (GBS), polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM), generalized myasthenia gravis (MG), and hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) constitute the majority of cases of flaccid quadriparesis. Few patients from any of these disease groups lack the cardinal clinical features. We established clinical marker(s) that might have significant discriminating power for diagnosis.

Methods:

Forty‐six patients satisfied all of our criteria. Cases were evaluated clinically followed by laboratory and electrophysiological study, and, in selected cases, muscle histopathology.

Results:

Twenty‐four patients had GBS, 9 had MG, 7 had PM/DM, and 6 had HPP. Jaw‐opening weakness was found in 71.4% of PM/DM, 83.3% of HPP, and 4.1% of GBS cases. Jaw‐closing weakness was found in 88.8% of MG cases.

Conclusions:

Presence of jaw‐closing weakness pointed toward MG, whereas presence of jaw‐opening weakness suggested muscle disease (PM/DM and HPP). GBS patients very rarely had jaw muscle weakness. Muscle Nerve, 2011
The connected hub number and the connected domination number
Authors: Johnson Peter , Slater Peter , Walsh Matt
Published: May 2011

The connected hub number hc(G) of a connected graph G is the smallest order of a connected subgraph H of G such that any two nonadjacent vertices of G − H are joined in G by a path with all internal vertices in H. Letting γc(G) denote the connected domination number of G, it is easy to see that hc(G) ≤ γc(G) ≤ hc(G) + 1 for every connected graph G. Here we characterize the graphs G for which γc(G) = hc(G) + 1. Our result contributes to the search for the solution of an extremal problem of (Newman‐Wolfe et al., Congressus Numerantium 67 (1988), 67–76). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2011
Bidirectional A* search on time‐dependent road networks
Authors: Nannicini Giacomo , Delling Daniel , Schultes Dominik , Liberti Leo
Published: May 2011

The computation of point‐to‐point shortest paths on time‐dependent road networks has a large practical interest, but very few works propose efficient algorithms for this problem. We propose a novel approach, which tackles one of the main complications of route planning in time‐dependent graphs, which is the difficulty of using bidirectional search: because the exact arrival time at the destination is unknown, we start a backward search from the destination node using lower bounds on arc costs to restrict the set of nodes that have to be explored by the forward search. Our algorithm is based on A* with landmarks (ALT); extensive computational results show that it is very effective in practice if we are willing to accept a small approximation factor, resulting in a speed‐up of more than one order of magnitude with respect to Dijkstra's algorithm while finding only slightly suboptimal solutions. The main idea presented here can also be generalized to other types of search algorithms. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2012
A decoupled augmented IIM strategy for incompressible two‐phase flows with interfaces on irregular domains
Authors: Tan Zhijun
Published: May 2011

A decoupled augmented immersed interface method for solving incompressible two‐phase flows involving both irregular domains and interfaces is presented. In order to impose the prescribed velocity at the boundary of the irregular domain, singular force as one set of augmented variables is introduced. The velocity components at the two‐fluid interface as another set of augmented variables are introduced to satisfy the continuity condition of the velocity across the interface so that the jump conditions for the velocity and pressure are decoupled across the interface. The augmented variables and/or the forces along the interface/boundary are related to the jumps in both pressure and velocity and the jumps in their derivatives across the interface/boundary and applied to the fluid through jump conditions. The resulting augmented equation is a couple system of these two sets of augmented variables, and the direct application of the GMRES is impractical due to larger iterations. In this work, the novel decoupling of two sets of the augmented variables is proposed, and the decoupled augmented equation is then solved by the LU or the GMRES method. The Stokes equations are discretized via the finite difference method with the incorporation of jump contributions on a staggered Cartesian grid and solved by the conjugate gradient Uzawa‐type method. The numerical results show that second‐order accuracy for the velocity is confirmed. The present method has also been applied to solve for incompressible two‐phase Navier–Stokes flow with interfaces on irregular domains. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multifunctional hybrid magnetite nanoparticles with pH‐responsivity, superparamagnetism and fluorescence
Authors: Zhou Lilin , Cai Zhinan , Yuan Jinying , Kang Yan , Yuan Weizhong , Shen Dezhong
Published: May 2011

Multifunctional hybrid nanoparticles, Fe3O4@poly[(2‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]‐block‐poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐graft‐carbazole, with pH‐responsivity, superparamagnetism and fluorescence for targeted drug delivery and release have been synthesized. The nanoparticles have a core‐shell structure as determined from transmission electron microscopy, pH‐responsivity as determined from hydrodynamic radius analysis, superparamagnetism as determined from vibrating sample magnetometry and fluorescence as determined from fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The release behavior of model drug progesterone indicates that the release rate can be effectively controlled by altering the pH of the environment. The multifunctional nanoparticles could be applied extensively in targeted drug delivery and release, and with fluorescence they can serve as efficient tracers to record magnetic targeting routes. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of high growth rates on evaporated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 layers and solar cells
Authors: Chirilă Adrian , Seyrling Sieghard , Buecheler Stephan , Guettler Dominik , Nishiwaki Shiro , Romanyuk Yaroslav E. , Bilger Gerhard , Tiwari Ayodhya N.
Published: May 2011

Thin film solar cells based on polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 were prepared by elemental co‐evaporation using modified three‐stage processes on soda lime glass substrates at a low substrate temperature of 450°C intended for application on polyimide foils. The growth rates in the different stages of the growth process were varied, and it was observed that the final composition profile and structural quality of the film are mainly determined by the growth rate in the third stage. Application of high growth rates in the second stage was found to have no significant impact on layer morphology and gallium grading profile, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and x‐ray diffraction measurements. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy cross sections revealed that high growth rates in the third stage lead to a fine‐grained structure toward the surface as well as smaller grains toward the back contact. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy and x‐ray diffraction measurements of such layers revealed a pronounced gallium grading profile, while Raman spectroscopy showed strong occurrence of group III‐rich phases in the near‐surface region. The final device performance was found to deteriorate by about 10% relative to the baseline process efficiency when growth rates of up to 500 nm min−1 were applied in the second stage or 600 nm min−1 in the third stage. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flexible bronchoscopy as a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool in pediatric intensive care patients: A report on 5 years of experience
Authors: Peng Yu‐Yun , Soong Wen‐Jue , Lee Yu‐Sheng , Tsao Pei‐Chen , Yang Chia‐Feng , Jeng Mei‐Jy
Published: May 2011

Objective

To evaluate the clinical role of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units (ICUs).

Design

A retrospective review of all patients receiving FB procedures between January 2005 and December 2009.

Setting

Pediatric and neonatal ICUs of a tertiary care multi‐disciplinary teaching hospital located in northern Taiwan.

Patients

A total of 358 ICU patients (223 males) who received 725 FB procedures.

Measurements and Main Results

The medical records were reviewed and analyzed. Mean age for the first time FB was 35.7 (±48.9 SD) months old and 68.2% of them were <3 years old. Among them, unexplained retraction or tachypnea (32.0%) and stridor (20.1%) were the two leading indications for FB. The positive finding rate of FB was 87.2%, with airway malacia (47.8%) being the most common, especially in patients <3 years old. Positive lesion sites were approximately equally distributed between the upper (51.1%) and lower (50.6%) airways. Concomitant findings in the esophagus were found in 15.4% of the patients. There were 518 interventional FBs (71.4%, 518/725 procedures) which were performed on 201 (56.1%, 201/358) patients; FB‐aided endotracheal intubation (180/518, 34.7%) and laser therapy (109/518, 21.0%) were the two leading techniques used. No patient suffered from any long‐term complications or mortality associated with the FB procedures.

Conclusions

FB is a safe and valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool for patients in pediatric and neonatal ICUs. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:1031–1037. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Body satisfaction, nutritional adherence, and quality of life in youth with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Simon Stacey L. , Duncan Christina L. , Horky Susan C. , Nick Todd G. , Castro Maria Melguizo , Riekert Kristin A.
Published: May 2011

Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) typically have similar nutritional intake as healthy peers, despite recommendations to consume more calories and fat. Body satisfaction may play a role in nutritional intake: females may be content with their smaller size despite recommendations for weight gain, while males may desire to be larger and more muscular, which is more congruent with medical advice. Females are especially at risk, given their propensity to desire a smaller body size, tendency for lower HRQOL, steeper trajectory of health decline and shorter life expectancy than males. This study evaluated body satisfaction in relation to nutritional adherence and HRQOL in youth with CF. Fifty‐four individuals with CF (age 9–17) completed the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire‐Revised (CFQ‐R), the Figure Rating Scale, and a 24‐hr diet recall interview with their caregiver. Twenty‐four percent of youth were non‐adherent with caloric goals, and 40.7% did not obtain the minimum recommendation for fat intake. Youth were classified as inconsistent with treatment goals (TI) if they desired a smaller body size or were content with their current size despite a BMI less than the 50th percentile; 44.8% of females were classified as TI, compared to only 8% of males. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of gender and body satisfaction on HRQOL in youth with CF. Linear multiple regression models were fit; TI females had Emotional HRQOL scores 23 points lower than males. Results suggest that improving body satisfaction, especially for females, may help to improve overall quality of life and potentially impact nutritional adherence. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:1085–1092. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD)—The End Stage of Progressive Insulin Deficiency
Authors: Hameed Shihab , Jaffé Adam , Verge Charles F.
Published: May 2011

In cystic fibrosis, gradual pancreatic destruction causes progressive insulin deficiency, culminating in cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD). As a consequence of insulin deficiency, elevated glucose levels can be detected (well before the diagnosis of CFRD), by continuous ambulatory subcutaneous interstitial fluid glucose monitoring or 30‐min sampled oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Current diagnostic criteria for CFRD (based on 0 and 120‐min OGTT blood glucose levels) were originally designed to forecast microvascular disease in type 2 diabetes, rather than CF‐specific outcomes such as declining weight or lung function. In CF, decline in either weight or lung function predicts early mortality. Both may precede the diagnosis of CFRD by several years. Insulin, a potent anabolic hormone, is recommended treatment for CFRD, but use in earlier stages of insulin deficiency is not established. Conventional dosing (with four or more insulin injections per day) is burdensome and carries substantial risk of hypoglycemia. However, recent uncontrolled trials suggest that once‐daily injection of intermediate or long‐acting insulin improves weight and lung function, with minimal hypoglycemia risk, in CFRD and also in early insulin deficiency. It is plausible that insulin may be of greater benefit to respiratory function when given prior to the diagnosis of CFRD, after which structural lung disease may be irreversible. It is also plausible that early insulin treatment may prolong the lifespan of the remaining insulin‐secreting β‐cells. Randomized controlled trials are now needed to determine whether or not current clinical practice should be altered toward the earlier commencement of insulin in CF. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:747–760. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytokine response in pediatric patients with pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 virus infection and pneumonia: Comparison with pediatric pneumonia without H1N1 2009 infection
Authors: Kim Yeo Hyang , Kim Jung‐Eun , Hyun Myung Chul
Published: May 2011

Objectives

We investigated serum cytokine levels in pediatric patients with pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 virus (H1N1) infection‐pneumonia and in pediatric patients with pneumonia but without H1N1 infection, and examined correlations between cytokine levels and clinical/laboratory findings.

Methods

Fifty‐seven cases of infection by H1N1 were confirmed by RT‐PCR and enrolled. Of these 57 cases, 26 had a severe H1N1 infection (group 1), and 31 had a mild H1N1 infection (group 2). Sera from 18 cases with pneumonia without H1N1 infection (group 3) were used as controls. The serum levels of 10 cytokines were determined by multiplex assay.

Results

The serum levels of IFN‐α, IL‐6, and IP‐10 were significantly higher in H1N1 infected cases than in group 3, and levels of IL‐6 and IP‐10 were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. The level of IL‐10 was significantly higher in groups 1 and 3 than in group 2. However, levels of IFN‐γ and IL‐17 were not significantly different between the three groups. IL‐1β, IL‐4, and MIP‐1α were not detectable in most patients. IP‐10 and IL‐6 levels were found to show negative correlations with lymphocyte count and oxygen saturation.

Conclusions

We found higher levels of cytokines (IFN‐α, IL‐6, IP‐10) of innate immunity than those of acquired immunity in pediatric H1N1 infection. Of the cytokines found to be increased in cases with H1N1 infection, IP‐10 and IL‐6 were found to be correlated with disease severity (lymphopenia and hypoxia). IP‐10 and IL‐6 may be important markers in pediatric H1N1 infection. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46: 1233–1239. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of toxicity and genotoxic effects of spinosad and deltamethrin in Drosophila melanogaster and Bactrocera oleae
Authors: Akmoutsou Paraskevi , Mademtzoglou Despoina , Nakou Ifigeneia , Onoufriadis Alexandros , Papadopoulou Xrisa , Kounatidis Ilias , Frantzios Gerasimos , Papadakis Georgios , Vasiliadis Kostas , Papadopoulos Nikos Thomas , Mavragani‐Tsipidou Penelope
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: The insecticides spinosad and deltamethrin are being increasingly used in pest management programmes. In order to assess further their toxic effects to target and non‐target insect species, an evaluation was made of their insecticidal profile on Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) and Drosophila melanogaster (Meig.). Moreover, possible genotoxic effects of the two pesticides were investigated using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in D. melanogaster.

RESULTS: Both insecticides were highly effective against B. oleae, exhibiting similar LC50 values. Moreover, they were found to be more effective against Bactrocera than against Drosophila adults. However, spinosad was significantly more toxic than deltamethrin to D. melanogaster. The results showed a lack of genotoxic activity of both insecticides under the in vivo experimental procedure employed, at least at applied doses.

CONCLUSION: The present study provides information for lethal and sublethal effects of spinosad and deltamethrin against a target and a non‐target species. Both insecticides can exert high toxicity to B. oleae when adults are exposed even to very low doses for long periods of time. The results contribute to the database on the genotoxic potential of spinosad and deltamethrin, suggesting a safety profile for both insecticides. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of oblique‐angle sputtered transparent conducting oxides on performance of Si‐based thin film solar cells
Authors: Leem Jung Woo , Yu Jae Su
Published: May 2011

The transparent conducting oxide (TCO) films with low‐refractive‐index (low‐n) are fabricated by the oblique‐angle sputtering method. By using the experimentally measured physical data of the fabricated low‐n TCO films as the simulation parameters, the effect of low‐n TCOs on the performance of a‐Si:H/µc‐Si:H tandem thin film solar cells is investigated using Silvaco ATLAS. The Al‐doped zinc oxide, indium tin oxide (ITO), and Sb‐doped tin oxide films are deposited at the flux incidence angles of θi = 0° (normal sputtering) and θi = 80° from the sputtering target during the sputtering process. The oblique‐angle sputtered films at θi = 80° show the inclined columnar nanostructures compared to those at θi = 0°, modifying the optical properties of the films. This is caused mainly by the increase of porosity within the film which leads to its low‐n characteristics. The a‐Si:H/µc‐Si:H tandem thin film solar cell incorporated with the low‐n ITO film exhibits an improvement in the conversion efficiency of ∼1% under AM1.5g illumination because of its higher transmittance and lower absorption compared to that with the ITO film at θi = 0°, indicating a conversion efficiency of 13.75%.