bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weighted Markov‐type inequalities, norms of Volterra operators, and zeros of Bessel functions
Authors: Böttcher Albrecht , Dörfler Peter
Published: December 2009

The first term of the asymptotics of the best constants in Markov‐type inequalities for higher derivatives of polynomials is determined in the two cases where the underlying norm is the L2 norm with Laguerre weight or the L2 norm with Gegenbauer weight. The coefficient in this term is shown to be the norm of a certain Volterra integral operator which depends on the weight and the order of the derivative. For first order derivatives, the norms of the Volterra operators are expressed in terms of the zeros of Bessel functions. The asymptotic behavior of the coefficients is studied and tight bounds for them are given (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the stabiity of collocation methods for Cauchy singular integral equations in weighted Lp spaces
Authors: Junghanns Peter , Mastroianni Giuseppe , Seidel Markus
Published: December 2009

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of certain collocation methods applied to Cauchy singular integral equations on an interval are presented for weighted L' norms. Moreover, the behavior of the approximation numbers, in particular their so‐called k ‐splitting property, of the respective sequence of discretized operators is discussed (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Novel Spectrally Stable Saturated Blue‐Light‐Emitting Poly[(fluorene)‐co‐(dioctyldibenzothiophene‐S,S‐dioxide)]s
Authors: Liu Jie , Hu Sujun , Zhao Wei , Zou Qinghua , Luo Wen , Yang Wei , Peng Junbiao , Cao Yong
Published: December 2009

Novel poly[(fluorene)‐co‐(2,8‐dioctyldibenzothiophene‐S,S‐dioxide‐3,7‐diyl)]s were synthesized. The octyl group on the 2,8‐dioctyldibenzothiophene‐S,S‐dioxide (DOSO) unit improved the solubility of the polymers and broadened the optical band gap from 2.95 to 3.20 eV as the content of DOSO unit increases. The electroluminescence (EL) spectra of polymers show CIE coordinates around (0.16, 0.07) independent of the ratio of DOSO units in the polymers, owing to the ICT and steric hindrance dual‐function. A high efficiency of 3.1 cd · A−1 (EQE = 3.9%) was obtained with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/Ba/Al. The results indicate that PF‐3,7DOSOs could be a promising candidate for saturated blue‐emitting polymers with spectral stability and high efficiency.

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Complexation of Syndiotactic Polystyrene with 12‐Crown‐4
Authors: Kaneko Fumitoshi , Kashihara Natsuko , Tsuchida Tsuyoshi , Okuyama Kenji
Published: December 2009

Solid‐state complexation of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) with a crown ether compound, 1,4,7,10‐tetraoxa‐cyclododecane (12‐crown‐4), took place when a film of sPS/chloroform clathrate was subjected to a guest exchange procedure assisted with a plasticizing agent. The new guest 12‐crown‐4 molecules were incorporated into the crystalline region of the sPS film, without causing a large conformational change of host sPS helices. X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric investigations showed that sPS/12‐crown‐4 complex had a clathrate complex structure which contained four 12‐crown‐4 molecules per unit cell. IR and Raman data suggested that 12‐crown‐4 took a Ci‐type conformation in the sPS complex phase.

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The structure of mental disorders re‐examined: Is it developmentally stable and robust against additions?
Authors: Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich , Beesdo‐Baum Katja , Gloster Andrew T. , Höfler Michael , Klotsche Jens , Lieb Roselind , Beauducel André , Bühner Markus , Kessler Ronald C.
Published: December 2009

Previous research suggests that patterns of comorbidity of a limited number of anxiety, depressive, substance use and antisocial personality (ASP) disorders among adults are best reflected by a hierarchical three‐factor structure with two correlated factors (‘anxious‐misery’ and ‘fear’) that are summarized in a second‐order ‘internalizing’ factor and one ‘externalizing’ factor. It has not been examined whether this structure is developmentally stable and robust against additions of more diagnoses. Using data from a prospective‐longitudinal community study of adolescents and young adults we re‐evaluate the three‐factor model originally proposed by Krueger (Archives of General Psychiatry, 1999; 56, 921–926). Using confirmatory factor analysis with identical conventions as in Krueger's original work we found that the three factor model did not fit robustly across age or a wider range of diagnoses. Using explanatory factor analysis we examined alternative structures. We found various clinically meaningful patterns with good fit that go substantially beyond the original three‐factor structure. However, again, there is little consistency in findings when different age groups or different diagnoses are considered. Our findings suggest that psychopathology cannot be reduced to any simple structure. Copyright © 2009 American Psychiatric Association. This article is being copublished by the International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research and the American Psychiatric Association.
A partition of unity‐based ‘FE–Meshfree’ QUAD4 element for geometric non‐linear analysis
Authors: Rajendran S. , Zhang B. R. , Liew K. M.
Published: December 2009

The recently published ‘FE–Meshfree’ QUAD4 element is extended to geometrical non‐linear analysis. The shape functions for this element are obtained by combining meshfree and finite element shape functions. The concept of partition of unity (PU) is employed for the purpose. The new shape functions inherit their higher order completeness properties from the meshfree shape functions and the mesh‐distortion tolerant compatibility properties from the finite element (FE) shape functions. Updated Lagrangian formulation is adopted for the non‐linear solution. Several numerical example problems are solved and the performance of the element is compared with that of the well‐known Q4, QM6 and Q8 elements. The results show that, for regular meshes, the performance of the element is comparable to that of QM6 and Q8 elements, and superior to that of Q4 element. For distorted meshes, the present element has better mesh‐distortion tolerance than Q4, QM6 and Q8 elements. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in the self‐regulation guidelines of the US Beer Code reduce the number of content violations reported in TV advertisements
Authors: Babor Thomas F. , Xuan Ziming , Damon Donna
Published: December 2009

From a public health perspective, alcohol advertising should not be directed at vulnerable groups, nor should it portray excessive drinking or other objectionable content such as illegal activity. To promote the responsible advertising of alcoholic beverages, alcohol industry groups have developed self‐regulation guidelines that describe which types of content (and exposure markets) are unacceptable. In 2006 the US Beer Institute revised the content guidelines of the 1997 Beer Code. This study was designed to determine whether these changes made the revised Code more or less likely for expert judges to report guideline violations, and for alcohol advertisements to include otherwise inappropriate content from a public health perspective.

Six alcohol advertisements known or suspected to have multiple content violations were rated by 139 experts selected on the basis of their expertise in public health, mental health, alcohol research and marketing. The ads were rated on two occasions with feedback about other viewers' ratings provided at the second rating. The data were collected by means of a computer‐based rating program that used multiple items to evaluate the eight major content guidelines of the US Beer Code. The ratings were scored according to both the 1997 and the 2006 versions of the Beer Code.

According to the 1997 criteria, raters identified an average of 26 guideline violations across the six ads; the number of violations was reduced to 18 when the 2006 criteria were applied. The difference was statistically significant and was primarily attributable to changes in guidelines dealing with the portrayal of illegal activity, humorous situations and the act of drinking.

By removing or revising commonly violated guidelines, the 2006 Beer Code revision permits portrayal of previously objectionable ad content and increases the likelihood that risky drinking behaviours will be portrayed in US beer advertisements.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wurmerkrankungen. Zu Unrecht vernachlässigt
Authors: Müller Andreas
Published: December 2009

Trotz der Verfügbarkeit gut verträglicher und preiswerter Medikamente für die meisten der global bedeutsamen Wurminfektionen ist die durch diese Parasiten verursachte Krankheitslast enorm. Die Hauptlast dieser Erkrankungen tragen die Menschen, die unter ungünstigen hygienischen und ökonomischen Bedingungen leben, vornehmlich in den so genannten Entwicklungsländern der Erde. Die gegenwärtigen Kontrollprogramme haben das Ziel, durch Massentherapie von Hochrisikogruppen Morbidität und Mortalität zu senken.
Marine Schwämme: Füllhorne der Meere. Suche nach neuen Wirkstoffen aus der Natur
Authors: Hentschel Ute , Bringmann Gerhard
Published: December 2009

Das Phylum Schwämme und die mit ihnen assoziierten mikrobiellen Konsortien sind eine reichhaltige Quelle an neuartigen Wirkstoffen. Insbesondere die Naturstoffdiversität der Schwamm‐assoziierten mikrobiellen Konsortien ist noch wenig untersucht. Methoden wie die klassische Kultivierung und die Metagenomik sind vielversprechende Ansätze zur umweltschonenden und nachhaltigen Gewinnung von neuen, bioaktiven Wirkstoffen aus Mikroorganismen. Insbesondere angesichts des vermehrten Auftretens von Antibiotika‐resistenten Keimen sowie der ständigen Konfrontation mit neuen Infektionskrankheiten ist die Suche nach neuen Antibiotika/Antiinfektiva weiterhin dringend geboten.
Adverse drug events among children presenting to a hospital emergency department in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Authors: Sikdar Khokan C. , Alaghehbandan Reza , MacDonald Don , Barrett Brendan , Collins Kayla D. , Gadag Veeresh
Published: December 2009

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine epidemiologic characteristics of Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) among children and adolescents presenting to an Emergency Department (ED) in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted in three phases and included an ED chart review of visits to the Janeway Hospital in St. John's, NL, between 27th April 2006 and 26th April 2007. The first phase narrowed the sampling frame by excluding visits highly unlikely to be drug‐related. In the second phase, a random sample of ED charts was selected for review by two research nurses using a Trigger Assessment Tool that classified ED visits according to their likelihood of being drug related (‘high’, ‘moderate’, ‘low’, ‘very low’, or ‘no’ probability). The third phase included a full chart review of all ‘high’, ‘moderate’, ‘low’, and ‘very low’ probability ADE charts, carried out independently by two ED pediatricians and two clinical pharmacists. Each ADE was also scored for severity and preventability, and consensus was reached among all four reviewers during meetings held at the end of this phase.

Results

In this study, 69 patients presented to the ED either due to an ADE or a possible ADE (PADE). After a sample‐weight adjustment, the prevalence of ADEs/PADEs was found to be 2.1%. The number of co‐morbidities was inversely associated with medication‐related visits. There was no significant difference found between patients with and without medication related visits with respect to mean age of the patient and the mean number of current medications being taken. Of the 69 confirmed ADE/PADEs, none were fatal, six (8.7%) were serious/life‐threatening, and 63 (91.3%) were considered significant. Antimicrobial agents (45.0%) were the most common drug classes associated with ADEs/PADEs. Approximately 20% of the 69 ADEs/PADEs identified were considered preventable.

Conclusions

In St. John's NL, emergency department visits as a result of ADEs are common among the pediatric population and in many cases preventable. Age and number of current medications do not appear to be associated with ED visits related with ADE. Antimicrobial agents were found to be to the cause of most ADEs/PADEs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adhesion of propylene–ethylene copolymers to high‐density polyethylene
Authors: Lin Y.J. , Poon B.C. , Marchand G.R. , Hiltner A. , Baer E.
Published: December 2009

The adhesion of some propylene–ethylene (P/E) copolymers to polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) was studied in order to compare them with other olefin copolymers as compatibilizers for PP/HDPE blends. A one‐dimensional model of the compatibilized blends was fabricated by layer‐multiplying coextrusion. The microlayered tapes consisted of many alternating layers of PP and HDPE with a thin tie‐layer inserted at each interface. The thickness of the tie‐layer varied from 0.1 to 15 μm, which included thicknesses comparable to those of the interfacial layer in a compatibilized blend. In the T‐peel test, the P/E copolymers delaminated at the HDPE interface. An elastomeric P/E with higher ethylene content exhibited substantially higher delamination toughness than a more thermoplastic P/E with lower ethylene content. Inspection of the crack‐tip damage zone revealed that a change from deformation of the entire tie‐layer to formation of a localized yielded zone was responsible. By treating the damage zone as an Irwin plastic zone, it was demonstrated that a critical stress controlled the delamination toughness. The temperature dependence of the delamination toughness was also measured. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Morphological, mechanical properties, and fracture behavior of bulk‐made ABS resins toughened by high‐cis polybutadiene rubber
Authors: Yu Zhisheng , Li Yang , Wang Yurong , Yang Li , Liu Ying , Li Yongtian , Li Zhansheng , Zhao Zhongfu
Published: December 2009

Acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) resins with various rubber contents were prepared by applying nickel catalyzed high‐cis polybutadiene rubber (BR9004) as toughening agent via bulk polymerization. The influence of rubber content and its characteristics on the morphology, mechanical properties, and fracture mechanisms of ABS resins were investigated. The relevant performance parameters were also evaluated and compared with a commercial injection grade resin (ABS‐8434). The results show that each synthesized resin generally contains some irregular microsized particles with a certain amount of subinclusions besides the analogous “sea‐island” morphology to ABS‐8434. The subinclusions considerably enhance the volume fraction of rubber phase; this leads to an increasing maximum loss tangent (tan δ) value, a decreasing storage modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg) of rubber phase. Besides, the higher grafting degree can not only produce a higher Tg of grafted copolymer but also improve the compatibility of rubber phase with matrix. Based on the performance measurements andfractography, the final product with a rubber content of 9.3% reveals ductile fracture behavior and excellent comprehensive properties far superior to ABS‐8434 due to combined shear yielding and massive crazing. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and properties of thermoplastic pea starch using N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)formamide as the plasticizer
Authors: Dai Hongguang , Chang Peter R. , Yu Jiugao , Ma Xiaofei , Zhou Peng
Published: December 2009

N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)formamide (BHF) was synthesized efficiently and used as a new plasticizer for pea starch to prepare thermoplastic starch (TPS). The hydrogen bond interaction between BHF and pea starch was proven by Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. As detected by scanning electron microscope (SEM), pea starch granules were completely disrupted, and the homogeneous materials were obtained. The crystallinity of pea starch and BHF‐plasticized thermoplastic pea starch (BTPS) was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Rheological properties of TPS were analyzed. The water resistance of BTPS was better than that of glycerol‐plasticized thermoplastic pea starch (GTPS). At RH 33%, the tensile strength of BTPS was higher than that of GTPS for TPS containing 30% plasticizer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
The effects of alumina and silica nanoparticles on the cure kinetics of bisphenol E cyanate ester
Authors: Sheng Xia , Akinc Mufit , Kessler Michael R.
Published: December 2009

Nanoparticles can be used as fillers to reinforce polymers, forming nanocomposites with better thermomechanical properties than composites with macrosized fillers. Furthermore, the addition of nanoparticles may influence the curing behavior of the polymer matrix during processing. In this study, the effect of various loadings of alumina or silica nanoparticles on the cure kinetics of bisphenol E cyanate ester (BECy) is investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Alumina nanoparticles are shown to have a catalytic effect on the cure of BECy. The greater catalytic effect of alumina nanoparticles, compared with silica, is attributed to the increased number of hydroxyl groups on the surface and the Lewis acidity of γ‐phase alumina. Kinetic parameters were obtained from dynamic DSC experiments. For an autocatalytic model of the cure process, the kinetic parameters obtained from the model suggest that the addition of alumina nanoparticles changed the cure reaction mechanism of BECy. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis of water‐soluble polyphenol‐graft‐poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers via enzymatic polymerization and anionic polymerization
Authors: Cui Yushuang , Hu Aijuan , Lu Zaijun , Zhang Lin , Luo Xuan , Du Kai
Published: December 2009

Water‐soluble polyphenol‐graft‐poly(ethylene oxide) (PPH‐g‐PEO) copolymers were prepared using grafting‐through methodology. Polyphenol chains were synthesized via enzymatic polymerization of phenols, and the graft chains were synthesized via living anionic polymerization of ethylene oxides. The polymers were characterized using gel permeation chromatography, static light scattering and 1H NMR, infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopies. The PPH‐g‐PEO graft copolymers are soluble in several common solvents, such as water, ethanol, N,N‐dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran and methylene dichloride. The solubility of the PPH‐g‐PEO graft copolymers is improved significantly compared with that of polyphenol. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Spatio‐temporal variations in fish assemblages in a tropical regulated lower river course: an environmental guild
Authors: Jutagate T. , Lek S. , Sawusdee A. , Sukdiseth U. , Thapanand‐Chaidee T. , Thongkhoa S. , Lek‐Ang S. , Chotipuntu P.
Published: December 2009

Fish assemblage patterns were studied in the lower river reach of the Uthokawiphatprasit anti‐salt dam, 6 km upstream from the Pak Panang River mouth, Southern Thailand, where the dam was opened occasionally depending on the upstream water level. Matrix data of the presence–absence of 71 fish species in 102 surveys was used in the analysis by applying a self‐organizing map (SOM) model. The trained SOM (lattice 8 × 7) showed that after 6 years of operation, five assemblage patterns were distinguished. These patterns described the probability of the occurrence of fish in each fish environmental guild, which according to changes in flow and water geomorphology. Clusters Ia and Ib were mostly the surveys in upstream stations and occupied by fish in potamonic guilds, whereas the fish in the estuarine guild and marine guilds showed a high probability of occurring in clusters IIa, IIb and IIc, which belonged to the surveys in downstream stations. The surveys of the stations near the dam (i.e. stations 5 and 6) during the opening phase were contained in cluster IIb. The Kruskal–Wallis test showed that there was no statistical difference in the probability of occurrence among assemblages of the diadromous, catadromous and semi‐anadromous fishes but not the amphidromous fishes, which had a low probability of occurrence in clusters Ia and Ib. The fish assemblages were arrayed along a longitudinal gradient, where salinity and pH were the most important controlling variables and explained 94.0% of the total inertia. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional Graphene Oxide as a Nanocarrier for Controlled Loading and Targeted Delivery of Mixed Anticancer Drugs
Authors: Zhang Liming , Xia Jingguang , Zhao Qinghuan , Liu Liwei , Zhang Zhijun
Published: December 2009

A simple synthetic route for the preparation of functional nanoscale graphene oxide (NGO), a novel nanocarrier for the loading and targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, is reported. The NGO is functionalized with sulfonic acid groups, which render it stable in physiological solution, followed by covalent binding of folic acid (FA) molecules to the NGO, thus allowing it to specifically target MCF‐7 cells, human breast cancer cells with FA receptors. Furthermore, controlled loading of two anticancer drugs, doxorubicin (DOX) and camptothecin (CPT), onto the FA‐conjugated NGO (FA–NGO) via π–π stacking and hydrophobic interactions is investigated. It is demonstrated that FA–NGO loaded with the two anticancer drugs shows specific targeting to MCF‐7 cells, and remarkably high cytotoxicity compared to NGO loaded with either DOX or CPT only. Considering that the combined use of two or more drugs, a widely adopted clinical practice, often displays much better therapeutic efficacy than that of a single drug, the controlled loading and targeted delivery of mixed anticancer drugs using these graphene‐based nanocarriers may find widespread application in biomedicine.
XML data mining
Authors: Romei Andrea , Turini Franco
Published: December 2009

With the spreading of XML sources, mining XML data can be an important objective in the near future. This paper presents a project focussed on designing a general‐purpose query language in support of mining XML data. In our framework, raw data, mining models and domain knowledge are represented by way of XML documents and stored inside native XML databases. Data mining (DM) tasks are expressed in an extension of XQuery. Special attention is given to the frequent pattern discovery problem, and a way of exploiting domain‐dependent optimizations and efficient data structures as deeper as possible in the extraction process is presented. We report the results of a first bunch of experiments, showing that a good trade‐off between expressiveness and efficiency in XML DM is not a chimera. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EN 1990 Eurocode “Basis of structural design” – the innovative head Eurocode
Authors: Gulvanessian Haig
Published: December 2009

This paper will give a brief introduction to EN 1990, describe many of its innovative features and plans for the medium‐ to long‐term development of the code. Prof. Sedlacek has consistently been a major contributor to its development.
Tower Centre International building in Bucharest – Part I: Structural design
Authors: Dubina Dan , Dinu Florea , Stratan Aurel
Published: December 2009

This paper describes the design and construction of a high‐rise steel building in Bucharest. The steel structure was designed according to the recently adopted Eurocodes and its performance was investigated using advanced techniques, including seismic performance‐based methodology and wind tunnel tests. Robustness under extreme loading conditions was also investigated. The ECCS awarded the project a European Steel Design Award in 2007.
Striatal dopamine D2 receptor availability predicts the thalamic and medial prefrontal responses to reward in cocaine abusers three years later
Authors: Asensio Samuel , Romero Maria J. , Romero Francisco J. , Wong Christopher , Alia‐Klein Nelly , Tomasi Dardo , Wang Gene‐Jack , Telang Frank , Volkow Nora D. , Goldstein Rita Z.
Published: December 2009

Low levels of dopamine (DA) D2 receptor availability at a resting baseline have been previously reported in drug addicted individuals and have been associated with reduced ventral and dorsal prefrontal metabolism. The reduction in DA D2 receptor availability along with the reduced ventral frontal metabolism is thought to underlie compromised sensitivity to nondrug reward, a core characteristic of drug addiction. We therefore hypothesized that variability in DA D2 receptor availability at baseline will covary with dynamic responses to monetary reward in addicted individuals. Striatal DA D2 receptor availability was measured with [11C]raclopride and positron emission tomography and response to monetary reward was measured (an average of three years later) with functional magnetic resonance imaging in seven cocaine‐addicted individuals. Results show that low DA D2 receptor availability in the dorsal striatum was associated with decreased thalamic response to monetary reward; while low availability in ventral striatum was associated with increased medial prefrontal (Brodmann Area 6/8/32) response to monetary reward. These preliminary results, that need to be replicated in larger sample sizes and validated with healthy controls, suggest that resting striatal DA D2 receptor availability predicts variability in functional responses to a nondrug reinforcer (money) in prefrontal cortex, implicated in behavioral monitoring, and in thalamus, implicated in conditioned responses and expectation, in cocaine‐addicted individuals. Synapse 64:397–402, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Passive rotation‐induced theta rhythm and orientation homeostasis response
Authors: Shin Jonghan
Published: December 2009

Rhythmic oscillatory activities at the theta frequency (3–12 Hz) have long attracted attention, as they have been implicated in diverse brain functions. There are two kinds of hippocampal theta rhythms: Type 1 is an atropine‐resistant noncholinergic theta rhythm, and Type 2 is an atropine‐sensitive cholinergic theta rhythm. However, it has not yet been determined whether the theta rhythm generated during passive whole‐body rotation is of Type 1 or 2. To clarify this issue, we investigated passive whole‐body rotation‐induced theta rhythm using C57BL/6J normal and atropine‐treated mice. The results demonstrated that atropine [50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)], a cholinergic antagonist, abolished the theta rhythm generated during passive whole‐body rotation. Therefore, the passive whole‐body rotation‐induced theta rhythm is an atropine‐sensitive Type 2 theta rhythm. In addition, we found that blocking cholinergic receptors using atropine resulted in the loss of the orientation homeostasis response, which is a circling behavior in the direction opposite to that of the rotating circular treadmill that is generated to maintain a constant orientation. These results suggest that atropine‐sensitive Type 2 theta rhythm can be generated by a passive rotation‐induced vestibular sensory signal and may be necessary for spatial orientation homeostasis response behavior. Synapse 64:409–415, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laparoscopy‐assisted fetoscopy for laser surgery in twin–twin transfusion syndrome with anterior placentation
Authors: Papanna R. , Johnson A. , Ivey R. T. , Olutoye O. O. , Cass D. , Moise K. J.
Published: December 2009

Objective

To compare a laparoscopy‐assisted fetoscopic approach with an ultrasound‐directed percutaneous approach for laser photocoagulation of placental anastomoses in cases of twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) with anterior placentation.

Method

We performed a retrospective review of all cases that underwent laser ablation of placental anastomoses for TTTS with an anterior placenta at Texas Children's Fetal Center from November 2006 to November 2008. The two cohorts were identified by chart review based on the type of approach: laparoscopy‐assisted vs. ultrasound‐guided percutaneous uterine entry for fetoscopy. Operative and outcome data were extracted and the groups were compared using statistical methods, taking P < 0.05 as statistically significant.

Results

In the 100 cases of TTTS studied, 48 had an anterior placenta. Fifteen (31%) of these underwent laparoscopy‐assisted fetoscopy (LAF) while a percutaneous approach was used in the remaining 33 (69%) cases. The total procedure time was longer in the LAF group than in the percutaneous group (96.1 ± 25 vs. 67.9 ± 28 min; P < 0.01). There was no difference in the rate of preterm premature rupture of membranes up to 2 weeks and 4 weeks after surgery (7 vs. 15% and 13 vs. 21%, for the LAF group vs. the percutaneous group, respectively; P = 0.7). The gestational ages at delivery were similar: 30.3 ± 4.5 weeks in the LAF group and 29.2 ± 4.6 weeks in the percutaneous group (P = 0.32). The overall survival rate at birth was tending towards better survival in the laparoscopic group than in the percutaneous group (80 vs. 61%, respectively; P = 0.06). The neonatal survival rate was better with the LAF approach than with the percutaneous approach (80 vs. 59%, respectively; P = 0.045).

Conclusion

Laparoscopy‐assisted entry of the uterus is associated with improved neonatal survival for laser photocoagulation in cases of TTTS with a complete anterior placentation. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sensing‐based cognitive coexistence method for interfering infrastructure andad hocsystems
Authors: Geirhofer Stefan , Tong Lang , Sadler Brian M.
Published: December 2009

The rapid proliferation of wireless systems makes interference management more and more important. This paper presents a novel cognitive coexistence framework, which enables an infrastructure system to reduce interference toad hocor peer‐to‐peer communication links in close proximity. Motivated by the superior resources of the infrastructure system, we study how its centralized resource allocation can accommodate thead hoclinks based on sensing and predicting their interference patterns. Based on an ON/OFF continuous‐time Markov chain model, the optimal allocation of power and transmission time is formulated as a convex optimization problem and structured solutions are derived. The optimal scheduling is extended to the case where the infrastructure channel is random and rate constraints need only be met in the long‐term average. Finally, the multi‐terminal case is addressed and the problem of optimal sub‐channel allocation is discussed. Numerical performance analysis illustrates that utilizing the superior flexibility of the infrastructure links can effectively mitigate interference. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PC‐MAC: pico cellular MAC protocol for motorway vehicular multimedia communication (extended version)
Authors: Qazi Bilal R. , Elmirghani Jaafar M. H.
Published: December 2009

Due to the dynamic nature of vehicular networks, provisioning multimedia (triple play—video, voice and data) communications to motorway drivers with quality of service (QoS) is extremely challenging. To overcome the challenges in this scenario, substantial effort is required to analyse the characteristics of vehicular traffic profiles on motorways around a base station (BS). For this purpose, we first perform detailed analysis of real vehicular traffic data taken from inductive loops on a motorway, and then develop our own vehicular simulator to study real‐time vehicular traffic scenarios where a main BS is responsible for multimedia communication. To address the issue of maintaining QoS for different traffic classes in reservation‐based medium access control (MAC) protocols in high‐speed vehicles, a novel medium access control, PC‐MAC (pico cellular medium access control) protocol is introduced. The proposed PC‐MAC protocol is a combination of carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) and slotted time division multiple access (S‐TDMA) for multimedia communication with optimal utilization for a motorway environment. Finally, the access to the BS is managed by our proposed PC‐MAC protocol that we have integrated into the vehicular simulator. The results of this configuration have been compared with other protocols. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TinyNET—a tiny network framework for TinyOS: description, implementation, and experimentation
Authors: Castellani Angelo Paolo , Casari Paolo , Zorzi Michele
Published: December 2009

In this paper we present TinyNET, a modular framework allowing development and quick integration of protocols and applications for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) in TinyOS. The motivation behind TinyNET is two‐fold: on one hand it allows to adopt a divide‐and‐conquer approach in the development of any TinyOS application; on the other hand it provides a flexible administration of network protocols. As a sample development using TinyNET, we consider an environmental monitoring application, and test it over a floor‐wide WSN testbed. Data are converge‐casted toward a sink node, which gathers all data collected by the sensors. Routing toward the sink is achieved by means of a hop count (HC) based algorithm. Our framework also integrates support for the 6LowPAN standard (providing, e.g., per‐sensor queries and pings). Thanks to TinyNET, s these messages will make transparent use of the underlying network protocols. Also, TinyNET transparently manages the network components and related messages, allowing different applications to share the same network stack; furthermore, it translates TinyOS interfaces so that any previously developed application can be easily ported. These features make it possible to have a global vision over any application, as well as to focus on each of its separate components. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behavior of clock‐sampling mutual network synchronization in wireless sensor networks: convergence and security
Authors: McKnight‐MacNeil Ereth , Rentel Carlos H. , Kunz Thomas
Published: December 2009

Clock synchronization is an important component of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) both for co‐ordination of node communications and for time stamping sensor data. The previously presented clock sampling mutual network synchronization (CS‐MNS) algorithm is simple, has low communication and processing overhead, and allows fully decentralized operation. We present some simulation results that indicate the potential of CS‐MNS to achieve high clock synchronization accuracy in mobile multi‐hop wireless networks. Past work has shown clock convergence under specific conditions in single‐hop networks. We show analytically that in the absence of offset errors, the network clocks converge. In the presence of offset errors, we present conditions on the degree of clock asynchrony under which the network clock rates show convergent behavior. The analysis is applicable as long as the network topology is connected and, thus, is of interest in both single‐hop and multi‐hop environments. As a side result, we also show how a network designer can use these conditions to add a bias term to the CS‐MNS algorithm and, thus, improve the start‐up dynamics of the algorithm. Furthermore, we discuss the algorithm from a security standpoint. Finally, we propose a method for adding external reference synchronization that is compatible with our security discussion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Candida albicans CaPTC6 is a functional homologue for Saccharomyces cerevisiae ScPTC6 and encodes a type 2C protein phosphatase
Authors: Yu Liquan , Zhao Jingwen , Feng Jinrong , Fang Jiaping , Feng Chen , Jiang Yuanying , Cao Yongbing , Jiang Linghuo
Published: December 2009

Type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2C) are monomeric enzymes and their activities require the presence of magnesium or manganese ions. There are seven PP2C genes, ScPTC1, ScPTC2, ScPTC3, ScPTC4, ScPTC5, ScPTC6 and ScPTC7, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PTC6 is highly conserved in pathogenic and nonpathogenic yeasts. In the current study we have demonstrated that the Candida albicans CaPTC6 gene could complement the functions of ScPTC6 in the rapamycin and caffeine sensitivities of S. cerevisiae cells, indicating that they are functional homologues. We have also demonstrated that the CaPTC6‐encoded protein is a typical PP2C enzyme and that CaPtc6p is localized in the mitochondrion of yeast‐form and hyphal cells. However, deletion of CaPTC6 neither affects cell and hyphal growth nor renders Candida cells sensitive to rapamycin and caffeine. Therefore, possibly with a functional redundancy to other mitochondrial phosphatases, CaPtc6p is likely to be involved in the regulation of a mitochondrial physiology. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new anisotropic, two‐dimensional, transient heat flux‐temperature integral relationship for half‐space diffusion
Authors: Frankel J.I. , Keyhani M. , Elkins B. , Arimilli R.V.
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a new heat flux‐temperature integral relationship for anisotropic materials in the two‐dimensional, semi‐infinite, planar geometry defined by x > 0, y in(‐ ∞, ∞) which is useful for experimental studies requiring determination of internal heat fluxes in short, run‐time or large‐domain experiments. This new relationship provides the in‐depth heat flux perpendicular to the surface using in‐depth data collected parallel to the surface without knowledge of the surface boundary condition. This relationship explicitly illustrates that the accurate depiction of the time rate of change of temperature is important for the stable and accurate recovery of heat flux. A unified mathematical treatment is proposed utilizing operational and transform methods; and, singular integral equation regularization. The diffusion operator provides sufficient mathematical insight for choosing the novel regularization operator. The resulting integral relationship does not require the specification of temperature gradients in the orthogonal coordinate system. This paper offers a novel time‐domain viewpoint for reconstructing the heat flux based on implementing both conservation of energy and the constitutive law. This methodology is particularly appealing for anisotropic materials where Fourier's law of heat flux requires temperature gradients to be specified in multiple coordinate directions. Finally, time‐domain analysis offers practical advantages for experimental studies involving heat flux estimation and material characterization in anisotropic materials.
Influence of dominance status on adrenal activity and ovarian cyclicity status in captive African elephants
Authors: Proctor Christine M. , Freeman Elizabeth W. , Brown Janine L.
Published: December 2009

The North American African (Loxodonta africana) elephant population is not self‐sustaining, in part because of a high rate of abnormal ovarian activity. About 12% of adult females exhibit irregular cycles and 31% do not cycle at all. Our earlier work revealed a relationship between dominance status and ovarian acyclicity, with dominant females being more likely to not cycle normally. One theory is that dominant females may be expending more energy to maintaining peace within the captive herd than for supporting reproduction. The goal of this study was to determine if there was a relationship among dominance status, serum cortisol concentrations, and ovarian acyclicity. We hypothesized that adrenal glucocorticoid activity would be increased in dominant, noncycling elephants as compared with subdominant individuals. Blood samples were collected weekly over a 2‐year period in 81 females of known dominance and cyclicity status, and analyzed for cortisol. Based on a path analysis model (Reticular Action Model Or Near Approximation [RAMONA]), noncycling, dominant African elephant females did not have higher mean serum cortisol concentrations, or exhibit more variability (i.e., coefficient of variation, standard deviation) in cortisol secretion. This study suggests that alterations in adrenal activity are not related to dominance status nor contribute directly to acyclicity in captive African elephants. Zoo Biol 29:168–178, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ocular Proteomics with Emphasis on Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis and Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Mandal Nakul , Heegaard Steffen , Prause Jan Ulrik , Honoré Bent , Vorum Henrik
Published: December 2009

The intention of this review is to provide an overview of current methodologies employed in the rapidly developing field of ocular proteomics with emphasis on sample preparation, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and mass spectrometry (MS). Appropriate sample preparation for the diverse range of cells and tissues of the eye is essential to ensure reliable results. Current methods of protein staining for 2D-PAGE, protein labelling for two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis, gel-based expression analysis and protein identification by MS are summarised. The uses of gel-free MS-based strategies (MuDPIT, iTRAQ, ICAT and SILAC) are also discussed. Proteomic technologies promise to shed new light onto ocular disease processes that could lead to the discovery of strong novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets useful in many ophthalmic conditions.
Family cultural socialization practices and ethnic identity in college‐going emerging adults
Authors: Juang Linda , Syed Moin
Published: December 2009

We examined how family cultural socialization related to the ethnic identity of Asian American, Latino, White, and Mixed‐Ethnic emerging adults (N= 225). Greater family cultural socialization was related to greater ethnic identity exploration and commitment. Ethnic minority students reported higher levels of family cultural socialization and ethnic identity compared to White students. The family cultural socialization‐ethnic identity link was more pronounced for females compared to males, and for White compared to ethnic minority students. The findings highlight the importance of the family for identity development beyond adolescence.
Heart versus Mind: The Functions of Emotional and Cognitive Loyalty
Authors: Härtel Charmine E.J. , Russell-Bennett Rebekah
Published: December 2009

While there is substantial research on attitudinal and behavioral loyalty, the deconstruction of attitudinal loyalty into its two key components – emotional and cognitive loyalty – has been largely ignored. Despite the existence of managerial strategies aimed at increasing each of these two components, there is little academic research to support these managerial efforts. This paper seeks to advance the understanding of emotional and cognitive brand loyalty by examining the psychological function that these dimensions of brand loyalty perform for the consumer. We employ Katz's (1960) four functions of attitudes (utilitarian, knowledge, value-expression, ego-defence) to investigate this question. Surveys using a convenience sample were completed by 268 consumers in two metropolitan cities on a variety of goods, services and durable products. The relationship between the functions and dimensions of loyalty were examined using MANOVA. The results show that both the utilitarian and knowledge functions of loyalty are significantly positively related to cognitive loyalty while the ego-defensive function of loyalty is significantly positively related to emotional loyalty. The results for the value-expressive function of loyalty were non-significant.
3D Angiographic Atlas of Neurovascular Anatomy and Pathology
Authors: Borden Neil M.
Published: December 2009

The 3D Angiographic Atlas of Neurovascular Anatomy and Pathology is the first atlas to present neurovascular information and images based on catheter 3D rotational angiographic studies. The images in this book are the culmination of work done by Neil M. Borden over several years using one of the first 3D neurovascular angiographic suites in the United States. With the aid of this revolutionary technology, Dr Borden has performed numerous diagnostic neurovascular angiographic studies as well as endovascular neurosurgical procedures. The spectacular 3D images he obtained are extensively labeled and juxtaposed with conventional 2D angiograms for orientation and comparison. Anatomical color drawings and concise descriptions of the major intracranial vascular territories further enhance understanding of the complex cerebral vasculature.
Accretion Processes in Star Formation
Authors: Hartmann Lee
Published: December 2009

Our understanding of the formation of stars and planetary systems has changed greatly since the first edition of this book was published. This new edition has been thoroughly updated, and now includes material on molecular clouds, binaries, star clusters and the stellar initial mass function (IMF), disk evolution and planet formation. This book provides a comprehensive picture of the formation of stars and planetary systems, from their beginnings in cold clouds of molecular gas to their emergence as new suns with planet-forming disks. At each stage gravity induces an inward accretion of mass, and this is a central theme for the book. The author brings together current observations, rigorous treatments of the relevant astrophysics, and 150 illustrations, to clarify the sequence of events in star and planet formation. It is a comprehensive account of the underlying physical processes of accretion for graduate students and researchers.
War and Government in the French Provinces
Authors: Potter David
Published: December 2009

Few studies of the history of provincial France have hitherto spanned the conventional medieval/early-modern divide, and David Potter's detailed examination of war and government in Picardy, a region of France hitherto neglected by historians, has much to say about the development of French absolutism. Picardy emerged as a province after the campaigns of 1470–1477, and its experience of the first period of absolutism provides an enlightening contrast with that of other, more outlying provinces: the Picard nobility was notable for the extent of its participation in the army, the court and the government of France. David Potter provides a detailed analysis of the organisation of French military power in the province, and its impact during the period of the Habsburg-Valois wars. The work concludes with Picardy about to enter a difficult period of civil war.
Yüan Hung-tao and the Kung-an School
Authors: Chou Chih-P'ing
Published: December 2009

Professor Chou here offers a perspective on the rise and fall of the Kung-an school as a key to understanding the development of Chinese literary criticism in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. His book focuses upon the literary theories of Yüan Hung-tao (1568–1610) - the leader of the Kung-an school - and his two brothers. Its core is a detailed study of the poetry and prose of Yüan Hung-tao, comparing his theories with his writings and analysing systematically the merits and flaws of his work. The book concludes with a discussion of the legacy of the Kung-an school, treating the school not only as the major force behind the expressive trend in the late Ming period, but also as one of the precursors of the modern Chinese literary movement.