bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stem cell antigen‐1 positive cell‐based systemic human growth hormone gene transfer strategy increases endosteal bone resorption and bone loss in mice
Authors: Hall Susan L. , Chen Shin‐Tai , Wergedal Jon E. , Gridley Daila S. , Mohan Subburaman , Lau K.‐H. William
Published: February 2011

Background

The present study assesses the effect of the stem cell antigen‐1 positive (Sca‐1+) cell‐based human growth hormone (hGH) ex vivo gene transfer strategy on endosteal bone mass in the mouse.

Methods

Sublethally irradiated recipient mice were transplanted with Sca‐1+ cells transduced with lentiviral vectors expressing hGH or β‐galactosidase control genes. Bone parameters were assessed by micro‐computed tomography and histomorphometry.

Results

This hGH strategy drastically increased hGH mRNA levels in bone marrow cells and serum insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) (by nearly 50%, p < 0.002) in hGH recipient mice. Femoral trabecular bone volume of the hGH mice was significantly reduced by 35% (p < 0.002). The hGH mice also had decreased trabecular number (by 26%; p < 0.0001), increased trabecular separation (by 38%; p < 0.0002) and reduced trabecular connectivity density (by 64%; p < 0.001), as well as significantly more osteoclasts (2.5‐fold; p < 0.05) and greater osteoclastic surface per bone surface (2.6‐fold; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Targeted expression of hGH in cells of marrow cavity through the Sca‐1+ cell‐based gene transfer strategy increased circulating IGF‐I and decreased endosteal bone mass through an increase in resorption in recipient mice. These results indicate that high local levels of hGH or IGF‐I in the bone marrow microenvironment enhanced resorption, which is consistent with previous findings in transgenic mice with targeted bone IGF‐I expression showing that high local IGF‐I expression increased bone remodeling, favoring a net bone loss. Thus, GH and/or IGF‐I would not be an appropriate transgene for use in this Sca‐1+ cell‐based gene transfer strategy to promote endosteal bone formation. Published 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterisation of selected hazelnut cultivars: phenology, growing and yielding capacity, market quality and nutraceutical value
Authors: Solar Anita , Stampar Franci
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: Sixteen hazelnut cultivars growing in the continental climate of Slovenia were analysed over 15 years for their phenology, growth habit, yield potential, susceptibility to hazelnut weevil and the pomological traits and phenolic content of their nuts in order to obtain a complex value of these cultivars for growers, the confectionary industry and consumers.

RESULTS: Blooming occurred over an interval of 10–23 days for female (pistillate) flowers and 11–22 days for male (staminate) flowers. Nocchione, Romai, Pauetet, ID and Daria were the most productive cultivars, with a nine‐year cumulative yield ranging from 31.8 to 44.7 kg per plant. Pauetet, F. Coutard, Nocchione and Segorbe were less susceptible to unfavourable weather conditions during blooming and fertilisation, in terms of maintaining acceptable yields with limited blank production. Under integrated pest management, less than 2% of the nuts of Romai, Daria, TGDL and Nocchione were affected by hazelnut weevil, compared with an average of 5.5% for the other cultivars. Daria, Pauetet and T. Giffoni performed best with regard to kernel percentage and blanching ratio. The results suggest that raw kernels are a good source of the natural antioxidants gallic acid and epicatechin.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide direction when choosing hazelnut cultivars for planting, consuming or processing. They can be applied not only in Slovenia and nearby countries but also in other parts of central and northern European countries with similar climates and growing conditions. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Physical and stress–strain properties of wheat (Triticum aestivum) kernel
Authors: Babić Ljiljana , Babić Mirko , Turan Jan , Matić‐Kekić Snežana , Radojčin Milivoj , Mehandžić‐Stanišić Sanja , Pavkov Ivan , Zoranović Miodrag
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: Two hard wheat varieties and one soft variety grown under the same agroecological conditions were analyzed for their physical and uniaxial stress–strain compression properties.

RESULTS: The physical properties of wheat kernel were determined at a moisture content of 0.13 kg kg−1 (wet basis), whereas the stress–strain compression test was conducted at a kernel moisture content from 0.082 to 0.433 kg kg−1. Mean kernel lengths were 5.46 (5.37 and 5.38) mm, widths were 2.56 (2.47 and 2.62) mm and thicknesses were 2.12 (2.18 and 2.43) mm for Simonida, Dragana and NS 40S cultivars, respectively. Bulk densities were 791.34 (Simonida), 788.51 (Dragana) and 731.77 kg m−3 (NS 40S). The force at the yield point was 241.46 N for Dragana (moisture content 0.133 kg kg−1), 244.30 N for Simonida (0.136 kg kg−1) and 164.90 N for NS 40S (0.433 kg kg−1).

CONCLUSION: The width and thickness of the analyzed kernels were small compared with the length, and bulk densities were also moderate. The yield point force values of the two hard varieties were 2.2 times higher than the values of the soft variety, at a moisture content of 0.136 kg kg−1 for Simonida, 0.133 kg kg−1 for Dragana and 0.141 kg kg−1 for NS 40S. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Yield and fruit quality of four sweet corn hybrids (Zea mays) under conventional and integrated fertilization with vermicompost
Authors: Lazcano Cristina , Revilla Pedro , Malvar Rosa Ana , Domínguez Jorge
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: Vermicompost has been proposed as a valuable fertilizer for sustainable agriculture. The effects of vermicompost on yield and quality of sweet corn were evaluated in this study. In two field trials, sweet corn plants were grown under (i) a conventional fertilization regime with inorganic fertilizer, and integrated fertilization regimes in which 75% of the nutrients were supplied by the inorganic fertilizer and 25% of the nutrients were supplied by either (ii) rabbit manure, or (iii) vermicompost. All three types of fertilization regime were supplied at two doses. Two pairs of nearly isogenic sweet corn hybrids homozygous for sugary1 and shrunken2 mutants were included in the trials to explore fertilizer × genotype interactions. Growth, yield and ear quality of the plants were evaluated in relation to the three fertilization regimes.

RESULTS: In general, the integrated regimes yielded the same productivity levels as the conventional treatment. Moreover, both vermicompost and manure produced significant increases in plant growth and marketable yield, and also affected the chemical composition and quality of the marketable ear. Nevertheless, most of the observed effects of the organic fertilizers were genotype‐dependent.

CONCLUSION: The results confirm that the use of organic fertilizers such as vermicompost has a positive effect on crop yield and quality. Nevertheless, these effects were not general, indicating the complexity of the organic amendment–plant interactions and the importance of controlling genetic variation when studying the effects of vermicompost on plant growth. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantification of branched‐chain amino acids in blood spots and plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the diagnosis of maple syrup urine disease
Authors: Sowell John , Pollard Laura , Wood Tim
Published: February 2011

Individuals with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) have an inherited metabolic disorder resulting in a deficiency in the branched‐chain keto‐acid dehydrogenase complex. As a result, these individuals have elevated concentrations of the branched‐chain amino acids valine, isoluecine, allo‐isoleucine, and leucine. MSUD presents in the first few days of life and progression may lead to irreversible intellectual disability, coma, cerebral edema, and death. However, early diagnosis and intervention can mitigate or eliminate many of the potential adverse effects. Consequently, it is important to develop techniques to screen for MSUD. We have developed an LC‐MS/MS assay for the diagnosis of MSUD. The method is amenable to high‐throughput formats due to the minimal sample prep required. The assay was shown to be robust, precise, and accurate. Finally, we identified and addressed some of the problems associated with working with bloodspots and implemented satisfactory approaches to overcoming these problems.
Ultrasonication extraction coupled with magnetic solid‐phase clean‐up for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Yang Fei , Long Yiming , Shen Rui , Chen Chunyan , Pan Di , Zhang Qianli , Cai Qingyun , Yao Shouzhuo
Published: February 2011

C18‐functionalized magnetic microspheres synthesized in a three‐stage system and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and SEM were applied for clean‐up and enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil samples combined with ultrasonication extraction. Magnetic solid‐phase extraction (MSPE) parameters, such as elution solvents, amounts of sorbents, enrichment time and organic modifier, were optimized together with ultrasonication time and extraction solvents. Under the optimal conditions, the developed method provided spiked recoveries of 63.2–92.8% with RSDs of less than 6.4% and limits of detection were 0.5–1.0 ng/g. This new method provides several advantages, such as high extraction efficiency, convenient extraction procedure and short analysis times. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil samples.
Chromatographic fingerprint analysis and simultaneous determination of eight lignans in Justicia procumbens and its compound preparation by HPLC‐DAD
Authors: Wang Linan , Pan Jianyu , Yang Meihua , Wu Jun , Yang Junshan
Published: February 2011

HPLC fingerprints were developed for the quality evaluation of Justicia procumbens and its compound preparation, Jian‐er syrup, together with the simultaneous quantification of eight arylnaphthalide lignans (6′‐hydroxy justicidin B, 6′‐hydroxy justicidin A, 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C, justicidin B, chinensinaphthol methyl ether, justicidin C, taiwanin C, and neojusticin A). Samples were separated with a Shiseido Capcell Pak C18 reversed‐phase column (250×4.6 mm id, 5 μm) using acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase. The column temperature was maintained at 35°C and the wavelength of detector was set at 256 nm. For fingerprint analysis, 17 peaks were selected as the characteristic peaks for the evaluation of the similarities among different J. procumbens samples collected in different places. The structures of lignans were confirmed by diagnostic fragments in the positive ESI‐MSn. The new method was successfully applied for the chromatographic fingerprint analysis and simultaneous determination of eight lignans in its compound preparation, Jian‐er syrup. All the results indicated that HPLC fingerprint assay in combination with multi‐marker determination afforded a useful method for the quality control of J. procumbens and its compound preparation, Jian‐er syrup.
Separation behavior of U(VI) and Th(IV) on a cation exchange column using 2,6‐pyridine dicarboxylic acid as a complexing agent and its application for the rapid separation and determination of U and Th by ion chromatography
Authors: Jeyakumar Subbiah , Mishra Vivekchandra Guruprasad , Das Mrinal Kanti , Raut Vaibhavi Vishwajeet , Sawant Ramesh Mahadev , Ramakumar Karanam Lakshminarayana
Published: February 2011

The retention behavior of U and Th as their 2,6‐pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PDCA) complexes on a cation exchange column was investigated under low pH conditions. Based on the observed retention characteristics, an ion chromatographic method for the rapid separation of uranium and thorium in isocratic elution mode using 0.08 mM PDCA and 0.24 M KNO3 in 0.22 M HNO3 as the eluent was developed. Both uranium and thorium were eluted as their PDCA complexes within 2 min, whereas the transition and lanthanide metal cations were eluted as an unresolved broad peak after thorium. Under the optimized conditions both U and Th have no interference either from alkali and alkaline earth elements up to a concentration ratio of 1:500 or from other elements up to 1:100. The detection limits (LOD) of U and Th were calculated as 0.04 and 0.06 ppm, respectively (S/N=3). The precision in the measurement of peak area of 0.5 ppm of both U and Th was better than 5% and a linear calibration in the concentration range of 0.25–25 ppm of U and Th was obtained. The method was successfully applied to determine U and Th in effluent water samples.
Functionalization of Graphene Sheets by Polyacetylene: Convenient Synthesis and Enhanced Emission
Authors: Xu Xiujuan , Luo Qingying , Lv Wei , Dong Yongqiang , Lin Yi , Yang Quanhong , Shen Aiguo , Pang Daiwen , Hu Jiming , Qin Jingui , Li Zhen
Published: February 2011

For the first time, graphene materials have been conveniently covalently functionalized with polyacetylene through the nitrene chemistry reaction. The resultant functional polyacetylenes became soluble in different organic solvents and were well characterized, thus providing a new approach to prepare graphene‐polymer composite materials.

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A quick, simple and unbiased method to quantify C2C12 myogenic differentiation
Authors: Veliça Pedro , Bunce Chris M.
Published: February 2011

Introduction: C2C12 myoblasts undergo in vitro myogenesis to form protein‐rich multinucleated myotubes. Determining the fraction of total nuclei incorporated into myotubes is a commonly used method to quantify the extent of differentiation, but it is labor‐intensive and susceptible to operator bias. Methods: We have developed a simple method to quantify myotube formation using micrographs of Jenner–Giemsa‐stained C2C12 cultures. Because myotubes are darkly stained by Jenner–Giemsa dyes, the extent of myotube formation correlates with an increase in pixels attributed to the darkest tones. Thus, image histograms were obtained from photographs using ImageJ software, and the sum of the darkest tones was used as a measure of myotube density. Results: Measurements of myotube density mirrored those of fusion index during C2C12 differentiation and after treatment with prostaglandin D2, an inhibitor of C2C12 myogenesis. Conclusions: We propose this inexpensive, quick, and unbiased method to quantify C2C12 differentiation as a complement of the fusion index analysis. Muscle Nerve 44: 366–370, 2011
A novel modulation strategy to increase stimulation duration in neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Authors: Downey Ryan J. , Bellman Matthew , Sharma Nitin , Wang Qiang , Gregory Chris M. , Dixon Warren E.
Published: February 2011

Introduction: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been shown to be an effective treatment for muscular dysfunction. Yet, a fundamental barrier to NMES treatments is the rapid onset of muscle fatigue. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of feedback‐based frequency modulation on the closed‐loop performance of the quadriceps during repeated dynamic contractions. Methods: In the first experiment, subjects completed four different frequency modulation NMES protocols utilizing the same amplitude modulation control to compare the successful run times (SRTs). A second experiment was performed to determine the change in muscle response to high‐ and low‐frequency stimulation. Results: Compared with constant‐frequency stimulation, results indicate that using an error‐driven strategy to vary the stimulation frequency during amplitude modulation increases the number of successful contractions during non‐isometric conditions. Conclusion: Simultaneous frequency and amplitude modulation increases the SRT during closed‐loop NMES control. Muscle Nerve 44: 382–387, 2011
Shear wave propagation along infinite slopes: A theoretically based numerical study
Authors: di Prisco C. , Pastor M. , Pisanò F.
Published: February 2011

In this paper, the seismic response of ‘infinitely’ long slopes is numerically analysed via the formulation of a 1D analytical/numerical model, in which the soil mechanical behaviour is assumed to be elasto‐perfectly viscoplastic and simple shear (SS) kinematical constraints are imposed. In order to simplify the problem, a theoretically based procedure to set up a fully 1D shear constitutive model is defined, within which the mechanical response of a multiaxial relationship is condensed. The use of a 1D shear constitutive model is aimed at reducing the number of unknowns and, therefore, the computational costs. In particular, the case of the Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion is considered, while an enhanced Taylor–Galerkin finite element algorithm is employed to simulate the seismic wave propagation within the soil stratum.

The proposed ‘condensation’/calibration procedure captures both the ‘pseudo’‐hardening pre‐failure behaviour and the influence of dilation on the occurrence of strain‐localization, which characterize, under SS conditions, the static response of virgin perfectly plastic soils. The effectiveness of the conceived method is shown with reference to freshly deposited deposits, while, in the case of highly overconsolidated strata, some difficulties arise because of the brittle behaviour induced both by unloading and non‐associativeness. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A stabilized meshfree reproducing kernel‐based method for convection–diffusion problems
Authors: Colin F. , Egli R. , Mounim A. Serghini
Published: February 2011

In this paper, we develop a meshfree particle‐based method for convection–diffusion problems. Discretization is performed by using piecewise constant kernels. The stabilized scheme is based on a new upwind kernel. We show that accurate and stable scheme can be obtained by using purpose‐built kernels. It also shown that under some conditions the classical optimal finite difference scheme can be derived by the new method. Several numerical tests validate the method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A two‐scale approximation of the Schur complement and its use for non‐intrusive coupling
Authors: Gendre L. , Allix O. , Gosselet P.
Published: February 2011

This paper presents a two‐scale approximation of the Schur complement of a subdomain's stiffness matrix, obtained by combining local (i.e. element strips) and global (i.e. homogenized) contributions. This approximation is used in the context of a coupling strategy that is designed to embed local plasticity and geometric details into a small region of a large linear elastic structure; the strategy consists in creating a local model that contains the desired features of the concerned region and then substituting it into the global problem by the means of a non‐intrusive solver coupling technique adapted from domain decomposition methods. Using the two‐scale approximation of the Schur complement as a Robin condition on the local model enables to reach high efficiency. Examples include a large 3D problem provided by our industrial partner Snecma. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical outcome after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children with malignancies
Authors: Parbhoo Deena M , Tiedemann Karin , Catto‐Smith Anthony G
Published: February 2011

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies (PEG) are little‐used in pediatric oncology. We evaluated complications and efficacy of PEGs in children with malignancies in a retrospective case series. Outcome measures were infection and weight gain. Sixteen PEGs were inserted in 14 patients (mean age 10.3 years; SD 5.6). Sixteen wound infections occurred in nine children (3.7 episodes/1,000 days). Mean weight‐for‐age z‐score fell from diagnosis to PEG placement (−0.68 (SD 1.2) to −1.32 (SD 1.26); P < 0.001) but stabilized afterward. Two (12%) were removed early. PEG placement reversed early weight loss and infectious complications did not usually lead to early PEG removal. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:1146–1148. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) and 131I‐MIBG semi‐quantitative scores in predicting survival in patients with stage 4 neuroblastoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Naranjo Arlene , Parisi Marguerite T. , Shulkin Barry L. , London Wendy B. , Matthay Katherine K. , Kreissman Susan G. , Yanik Gregory A.
Published: February 2011

Background

123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scans are preferable to 131I‐MIBG for neuroblastoma imaging as they deliver less patient radiation yet have greater sensitivity in disease detection. Both 123I‐MIBG and 131I‐MIBG scans were used for disease assessments of neuroblastoma patients enrolled on Children's Oncology Group (COG) high‐risk study A3973. The hypothesis was that 123I‐MIBG and 131I‐MIBG scans were sufficiently similar for clinical purposes in terms of ability to predict survival.

Procedure

Patients enrolled on COG A3973 with stage 4 disease who completed 123I‐MIBG or 131I‐MIBG scans at diagnosis, post‐induction, post‐transplant, or post‐biotherapy were analyzed. The performance of the Curie score for each MIBG scan type in predicting survival was evaluated. At each time point, survival curves for 123I‐MIBG versus 131I‐MIBG were compared using the log‐rank test.

Results

Of the 413 patients on A3973 with at least one MIBG scan, 350 were stage 4. The 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 33.4 ± 3.6% and 45.6 ± 4.0% (N = 350). At post‐induction, EFS (P = 0.3501) and OS (P = 0.5337) for 123I‐MIBG versus 131I‐MIBG were not significantly different. Similarly, comparisons at the three other time points were non‐significant.

Conclusions

We found no evidence of a statistically significant difference in outcome by type of scan. For future survival analyses of MIBG Curie scores, 123I‐MIBG and 131I‐MIBG results may be combined and analyzed overall, without adjustment for scan type. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:1041–1045. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improving outcomes for high‐risk ALL: Translating new discoveries into clinical care
Authors: Hunger Stephen P. , Raetz Elizabeth A. , Loh Mignon L. , Mullighan Charles G.
Published: February 2011

High‐risk (HR) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains one of the greatest challenges in pediatric oncology. Relapsed ALL is a leading cause of death in young people, and further improvements in outcome will required the development of therapeutic approaches directed against rational therapeutic targets, as escalation of the intensity of existing therapies is limited by toxicity. This review summarizes advances in the biology and treatment of HR and relapsed ALL presented at a symposium at the 2010 American Society for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Annual Meeting. Analysis of large patient cohorts has identified several factors associated with HR of relapse including older age, T‐lineage disease, and persisting minimal residual disease (MRD) early in therapy. As the results of salvage therapy remain poor, new treatment approaches are needed. BCR‐ABL1‐positive (Ph+) ALL has historically had a very poor outcome, but recent studies have demonstrated the impressive improvements in treatment outcome with the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). High‐resolution genomic profiling of genetic alterations and gene expression has revolutionized our understanding of the genetic basis of ALL, and has identified several alterations associated with poor outcome, including mutations of the lymphoid transcription factor gene IKZF1 (IKAROS), activating mutations of Janus kinases, and rearrangement of the lymphoid cytokine receptor gene CRLF2. These data indicated that the genetic basis of HR‐ALL is multifactorial, and have also provided a new potential therapeutic option directed at JAK inhibition. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:984–993. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal outcome of pelvic kidneys
Authors: Batukan C. , Yuksel A.
Published: February 2011

Objective

To assess the prevalence of pelvic kidneys during prenatal sonographic examinations in the second and third trimesters and to examine postnatal outcome.

Methods

Prenatal sonographic findings and postnatal follow‐up data of fetuses with prenatal diagnosis of pelvic kidneys were analyzed. Routine (n = 10 079) and indicated (n = 17 732) second and third trimester scans were performed in 27 811 fetuses. A pelvic kidney was defined as one located within the fetal bony pelvis and in close approximation to the bladder. Postnatal evaluation consisted of renal ultrasound and/or dimercapto‐succinic acid scan.

Results

A total of 36 newborns with postnatally confirmed pelvic kidneys were included in this analysis. Median gestational age at diagnosis was 25 weeks; half (18/36) were recognized after 24 weeks. The prevalence of pelvic kidneys in this cohort was 0.14%. Postnatally impaired renal function was present in 33% of the pelvic kidneys of children, but overall renal function remained normal. No serious complications occurred in the 31 fetuses with long‐term follow‐up, except in 1 case, which required nephrectomy due to multicystic dysplasia of the pelvic kidney.

Conclusion

Pelvic kidneys are common and can be easily detected prenatally. Prognosis is favorable in the vast majority of the cases. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Socio‐economic factors and outcomes in chronic lung disease of prematurity
Authors: Collaco J. Michael , Choi SeEun Jennifer , Riekert Kristin A. , Eakin Michelle N. , McGrath‐Morrow Sharon A. , Okelo Sande O.
Published: February 2011

Rationale

Infants and children with chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLDP) are at increased risk for respiratory morbidities. We sought to determine (1) whether socio‐economic status, race/ethnicity, and/or sex are risk factors for respiratory morbidities and (2) whether disparities in care existed for major therapy decisions such as home supplemental oxygen and gastrostomy tubes as well as initial length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods

Between January 2008 and February 2010 sociodemographic and respiratory morbidity data were collected on premature (<32 weeks gestation) infants and children (<3 years old) with CLDP. Associations between risk factors and respiratory morbidities and treatment parameters were examined using adjusted regression models.

Results

Data were collected on 135 subjects (gestational age: 26.2 ± 2.0 weeks). Self‐reported non‐Whites were more likely to report rescue medication use in the past 7 days [adjusted OR: 2.87 (1.28–6.45), P = 0.011] and the use of systemic steroids for respiratory symptoms since the last clinic visit [adjusted OR: 2.12 (1.02–4.43), P = 0.045]. Lower median household income was associated with increased activity limitations [adjusted OR: 2.79 (1.16–6.70), P = 0.022] and public insurance coverage was associated with a decreased risk for hospitalizations [adjusted OR: 0.36 (0.13–0.98), P = 0.045]. Major therapy decisions were not associated with disparities of care.

Conclusions

A key finding was that non‐Whites were more likely to report rescue medication and systemic steroid use than Whites, but there was no difference in the frequency of respiratory symptoms or preventative inhaled corticosteroid use. Etiologies for these findings remain unclear and require further research. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:709–716. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Photoluminescence of samples produced by electroless wet chemical etching: Between silicon nanowires and porous structures
Authors: Voigt Felix , Sivakov Vladimir , Gerliz Viktor , Bauer Gottfried H. , Hoffmann Björn , Radnoczi Gyorgy Z. , Pecz Bela , Christiansen Silke
Published: February 2011

Samples containing silicon nanowires (Si‐NWs) and highly porous structures (P‐Si) were prepared by electroless wet chemical etching (EWCE) of crystalline silicon wafers using various etching parameters. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements were performed with excitation at 488 nm and a photon energy flux of 337 mW cm−2. According to the diameters of the Si‐NWs (>10 nm), from quantum confinement (QC) theory no shift in PL peak energy compared to the bandgap of crystalline silicon is expected. However, PL measurements show peak emission energies ranging between 1.4 and 1.6 eV. After further treatment of the samples with HF, substantial PL emission was still detectable with the measured PL peak pinned at 1.4 eV irrespective of etching time. We explain the observations by the hypothesis that the persistent part of PL emission is generated by nanocrystals located at the rough sidewalls of the Si‐NWs or residing within the porous sample structure. The part of the PL, which was present before HF treatment, but vanished after the treatment, is attributed to the presence of silicon suboxide surrounding the Si‐NWs or covering other Si surfaces. This hypothesis is explored by means of three sample series, prepared with different preparation parameters. In the first series the time used during the initial metallization step in order to prepare an Ag nanoparticle layer on the top surface was varied, in the second series the etching time was the changed parameter and in the third series the HF to H2O2 concentration ratio was varied.

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Strong visible orange colored PL of a sample produced by EWCE starting from a heavily doped wafer (n‐type c‐Si (111), As as dopant) and excited at 337 nm (the sample was mounted on a glass substrate. Blue luminescence is due to the substrate).
Optimal designs of the multivariate synthetic chart for monitoring the process mean vector based on median run length
Authors: Khoo Michael B. C. , Wong V. H. , Wu Zhang , Castagliola Philippe
Published: February 2011

The average run length (ARL) is usually used as a sole measure of performance of a multivariate control chart. The Hotelling's T2, multivariate exponentially weighted moving average (MEWMA) and multivariate cumulative sum (MCUSUM) charts are commonly optimally designed based on the ARL. Similar to the case of univariate quality control, in multivariate quality control, the shape of the run length distribution changes in accordance to the magnitude of the shift in the mean vector, from highly skewed when the process is in‐control to nearly symmetric for large shifts. Because the shape of the run length distribution changes with the magnitude of the shift in the mean vector, the median run length (MRL) provides additional and more meaningful information about the in‐control and out‐of‐control performances of multivariate charts, not given by the ARL. This paper provides a procedure for optimal designs of the multivariate synthetic T2 chart for the process mean, based on MRL, for both the zero and steady‐state modes. Two Mathematica programs, each for the zero state and steady‐state modes are given for a quick computation of the optimal parameters of the synthetic T2 chart, designed based on MRL. These optimal parameters are provided in the paper, for the bivariate case with sample sizes, nin{4, 7, 10}. The MRL performances of the synthetic T2, MEWMA and Hotelling's T2 charts are also compared. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Communication‐based performance bounds in nonlinear coordinated control
Authors: Powel Nathan D. , Morgansen Kristi A.
Published: February 2011

The work in this paper addresses the performance characteristics of a group of autonomous vehicles utilizing coordinated motion control. The vehicle dynamics correspond to planar unicycle systems with constant forward speed and heading control, and the coordination is implemented via phase‐coupled oscillation, such as Kuramoto oscillators. We provide bounds on vehicle transient behavior in terms of maximal displacement from nominal and relation of those bounds to communication bandwidth and energy. Results are demonstrated in simulation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐photon fluorescence and second‐harmonic generation imaging of collagen in human tissue based on multiphoton microscopy
Authors: Jiang Xingshan , Zhong Jiazhao , Liu Yuchun , Yu Haibo , Zhuo Shuangmu , Chen Jianxin
Published: February 2011

Multiphoton microscopic imaging of collagen plays an important role in noninvasive diagnoses of human tissue. In this study, two‐photon fluorescence and second‐harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of collagen in human skin dermis and submucosa of colon and stomach tissues were investigated based on multiphoton microscopy (MPM). Our results show that multiphoton microscopic image of collagen bundles exhibits apparently different pattern in human tissues. The collagen bundles can simultaneously reveal its SHG and two‐photon excited fluorescence images in the submucosa of colon and stomach, whereas it solely emit SHG signal in skin dermis. The intensity spectral information from tissues further demonstrated the above results. This indicates that collagen bundles have completely different space arrangement in these tissues. Our experimental results bring more detailed information of collagen for the application of MPM in human noninvasive imaging. SCANNING 33: 53–56, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
User identification and anonymization in 802.11 wireless LANs
Authors: Xu Dingbang , Wang Yu , Shi Xinghua , Yin Xiaohang
Published: February 2011

Privacy issues have been a serious concern for 802.11 Wireless LAN users. Prior research on privacy issues usually focuses on pseudonym techniques, where the unique, consistent explicit identifiers such as MAC addresses from the users can be frequently changed, and thus it is challenging to track users through those always changing identifiers. However, recent research done by Pang et al. (Pang et al. Proceedings of the 13th Annual ACM International Conference on Mobile Computing and Networking, 1997; 99–110) has demonstrated that pseudonyms are not adequate to protect user privacy. The key idea of Pang et al.'s method is to locate implicit identifiers (e.g., IP addresses and port numbers a user frequently visits), build user behavior patterns based on these implicit identifiers, and then apply classification techniques to identify users. In this paper, we first propose a new 802.11 user identification approach through enhanced feature selection and generation for building more accurate user behavior patterns. Our simulation results on 9.27 GB SIGCOMM 2004 wireless data sets demonstrate that our method can achieve better classification rates compared with Pang et al.'s method. Then, we further study how to provide user anonymity, even if implicit identifiers based identification is applied, by introducing a set of 802.11 user anonymization approaches based on bogus traffic injection. We propose eight different methods to artificially generate bogus data and inject them into original traffic, and thus users' behavior patterns are disturbed. Our simulation results on the same SIGCOMM 2004 data sets demonstrate that our anonymization methods can efficiently decrease user identification rates and hence improve user anonymity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis and control stratagems of flash disk virus dynamic propagation model
Authors: Jin Cong , Wang Xiao‐Yan
Published: February 2011

Computer virus mainly contain two kinds: network viruses and flash disk (FD) viruses, we name viruses as FD‐virus which spread by the latter way. Many researchers have studied the network virus in light with epidemiology such as susceptible‐infected‐susceptible, susceptible‐infected‐recovered, susceptible‐exposed‐infective‐recovered (SEIR) and susceptible‐infectious‐detected‐removed, but there are few studies on FD virus propagation. In this paper, a new dynamic propagation model of FD‐virus, namely FD‐SEIR, is discussed. Unlike other existing computer virus propagation models, FD‐SEIR mainly considers the FD‐virus propagation between host and FD, which is embodied by introducing the FD state and new propagation rate. Furthermore, several related dynamics properties are investigated, along with the analysis of how to control the FD‐virus prevalence based on the equilibrium stability. The simulation results show that the proposed model can serve as a basis for understanding and simulating FD‐virus epidemics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probabilistic seismic risk assessment of hall buildings in Turkey
Authors: Korkmaz Kasim Armagan , Ay Zeki , Sari Ali , Celik Ilyas Devran
Published: February 2011

Steel space framed hall buildings are dedicated as shelters for people suffering from earthquakes. In general construction, steel space frames are built on reinforced concrete (R/C) frames or wall structures above the bottom side. For this reason, the bottom side has higher rigidity comparing with the upper side. In Turkey, where there is a very high earthquake risk, earthquake‐resistant steel space framed structures is an important issue. In this current research, hall buildings in Turkey, involving two different rigidity parts as R/C and steel, are taken into consideration regarding earthquake effect. In this study, three different hall structures were modeled with different elastic moduli for the analysis part. Nonlinear time history analyses were applied with 25 different earthquake data for performance estimation. After the time history analyses, probabilistic seismic assessment was carried out for the model buildings through fragility analyses. For each model, analysis results were evaluated and compared. As a result, the hall buildings were found to be vulnerable to damage during expected future earthquakes. Moreover, elastic moduli have significant effect on the structural response. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrananokristalline Diamantschichten
Authors: Wöhrl Nicolas , Buck Volker
Published: February 2011

Innovative Materialien sind die treibende Kraft für technologischen Fortschritt und damit für die internationale Konkurrenzfähigkeit der Industrie. Seit einiger Zeit wurde ein weiteres Arbeitsfeld zur Optimierung von Werkstoff‐Eigenschaften erschlossen: die Nanotechnologie. Besonderes Interesse gilt dabei selbstorganisiert nanostrukturierten Materialien. Ultrananokristalliner Diamant (UNCD) ist ein Produkt dieses neuen Gebietes.

Der Schlüssel zur Strukturierung von ultrananokristallinen Diamantschichten ist es, das Verhältnis zwischen den harten Diamantkeimen und der sie umgebenden Matrix einzustellen. Über dieses Verhältnis lassen sich wesentliche Schichteigenschaften maßschneidern.
Beidseitige Innen‐ und Außenbeschichtung von PET‐Getränkeflaschen
Authors: Michaeli Walter , Bahroun Karim , v. Fragstein Friederike , Behm Henrik
Published: February 2011

Plasmagestützte Verfahren zur Innenbeschichtung von PET‐Getränkeflaschen werden bereits industriell eingesetzt. Die dabei erreichbaren Barriereeigenschaften werden durch Defekte in der Schicht, welche beim Schichtwachstum entstehen und eine erhöhte Permeation erlauben, gemindert. Einen Ansatz, die Barrierewirkung zu verbessern, bietet die beidseitige Beschichtung. Das Konzept ist in Form einer Laboranlage umgesetzt worden. Mithilfe der Optischen Emissionsspek troskopie (OES), als ein sehr vielseitiges und einfach einzusetzendes Verfahren für die Überwachung von industriellen Plasmaprozessen, wird am Beispiel eines Beschichtungsprozesses weiterhin der Einfluss der Gaszusammensetzung auf die Plasmahomogenität und die Barriereverbesserung demonstriert. Das Potential der beidseitigen Beschichtung hinsichtlich der Abscheidung effektiver Barriereschichten wird anhand von Permeationsmessungen dargestellt.
Aktuelle Entwicklungen in der Zühtungstechnologie von CZ‐Si‐Kristallen
Authors: Altekrüger Burkhard , Volk Michael
Published: February 2011

Die industrielle Züchtung von immer größeren und perfekteren Silizium (Si) ‐ Einkristallen für Anwendungen in der Mikroelektronik und in der Photovoltaik erfordert eine kontinuierliche Verbesserung der Prozessführung und der Züchtungstechnologie.

Parallel dazu ist eine stetige Anpassung und Optimierung der Anlagentechnik hinsichtlich der Zuverlässigkeit, Prozessflexibilität und Dimensionierung erforderlich. Im ersten Teil dieser Artikelfolge werden die Grundlagen der industriellen Silizium‐Kristallzüchtung und die daraus folgenden Anforderungen an die Si‐Prozess‐ und Anlagen‐Technologien beschrieben. Die fortlaufend steigenden Anforderungen an die Leistungsfähigkeit und Komplexität der elektronischen Schaltkreise (Chips) gemäß dem Moore'schen Gesetz haben zur Folge, dass auch die Anforderungen an die Perfektion und Dimensionen der einkristallinen Si‐Wafer und Si‐Kristalle stetig steigen. Nach Einführung der 300 mm‐Si‐Wafer‐Generation in den letzten Jahren wird daher bereits die nächste Si‐Wafer‐Generation (450 mm) diskutiert.

Die technologischen und ökonomischen Auswirkungen dieser stetig steigenden Anforderungen an die erforderliche Anlagen‐Technologien werden in den Folge‐Artikeln anhand von aktuellen Si‐CZ‐ KristallzüchtungsAnlagen sowie von neuen AnlagenKonzeptionen vorgestellt und diskutiert.
Keimbildung und Wachstum von TiO2 in dünnen Schichten
Authors: Mergel Dieter
Published: February 2011

Die Morphologie dünner Schichten aus TiO2 spiegelt den gesamten Herstellungsprozess wider. Rutil‐Keime entstehen bei Beschuss der wachsenden Schicht mit Teilchen der Energie 100 eV, vermutlich durch Subplantation. Anatas wächst in amorphen Schichten schneller als Rutil, aufgrund niedrigerer Verspannung. Aufgedampfte Schichten sind bei Raumtemperatur metastabil und können durch Nachheizen bei der Aufdampftemperatur reproduzierbare optische Eigenschaften erhalten. Die Zunahme des Brechungsindexes mit steigender Dichte kann wegen der inhomogenen Struktur der Schichten nicht mit einem Clausius‐Mosotti‐Ansatz beschrieben werden.
FPG1, a gene involved in foam formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Blasco Lucía , Veiga‐Crespo Patricia , Villa Tomás G.
Published: February 2011

Foam formation in fermentations conducted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, either at the beginning of the fermentation process or at the end in the case of sparkling wines, is due, to a large extent, to cell wall mannoproteins, which provide hydrophobicity to the yeast cells and favour their floating index as well as stabilization of the foam. The foam may be an undesirable by‐product if it accumulates on top of the fermentation tanks, but its formation is a good property in either beer or sparkling wines. It is therefore important to know the yeast genes involved in foam formation, in order to suppress or potentiate their expression according to the end product to be obtained. The present study identified and characterized, for the first time in an oenological S. cerevisiae strain, a gene involved in foam formation, named FPG1 (foam‐promoting gene). The protein encoded by FPG1 is a mannoprotein precursor present in the cell wall and somewhat homologous to Awa1p, a foaming protein described in a sake S. cerevisiae strain. A foamless strain was prepared by FPG1 deletion, and a foam hyper‐producing strain was also constructed, thus allowing the conclusion that Fpg1p is a mannoprotein involved in yeast frothing. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Welfare reform and interstate migration of poor families
Authors: De Jong Gordon F. , Graefe Deborah Roempke , St. Pierre Tanja
Published: February 2011

The thesis of this study is that as a result of increased inequalities in welfare rules, the 1996 welfare reform act not only enhanced incentives for poor families to move but also (and perhaps more important) created disincentives for them to stay in “race to the bottom” states. In testing this thesis, we evaluated the mediating and moderating roles of state economic development and family structure. We merged data from three main sources: the 1996–1999 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation, the Urban Institute’s Welfare Rules Database, and state economic data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Modeling both destination (pull) and departure (push) effects of welfare policy measures and selected covariates in a nested discrete-time event-history migration analysis, we found robust support for the thesis that stringency in state welfare-eligibility and behavior-related rules stimulated interstate out-migration of poor families in the United States. However, poor families were not drawn to states with relatively more-lenient welfare rules, although stringency in state welfare dollar benefits inhibited in-migration and state unemployment patterns may have conditioned the migration effects of welfare-reform rules on the choice of destination. Single mothers were not more directly affected by welfare-eligibility and behavior-related rules than were poor married couples.
Risk Factors for Splenic Injury During Colectomy: A Matched Case–Control Study
Authors: Wang Jeffrey K. , Holubar Stefan D. , Wolff Bruce G. , Follestad Barbara , O’Byrne Megan M. , Qin Rui
Published: February 2011

Purpose

We assessed risk factors for splenic injury during colectomy and associated outcomes for a 15‐year period at a single institution.

Methods

All adult general surgery patients who sustained a splenic injury during colectomy at our institution from 1992 to 2007 were retrospectively identified and matched 1:1 to controls without splenic injury. Putative risk factors were assessed using paired univariate analysis and conditional logistic regression. Differences in short‐ and long‐term mortality were assessed using the log‐rank test. Results are reported as a proportion, median, or odds ratio [OR (95% confidence intervals)].

Results

A total of 118 patients were included: 59 patients with splenic injury and 59 control patients. Statistically significant risk factors for splenic injury during colectomy found on univariate analysis included: splenic flexure mobilization, OR 21.00 (2.82–156.12); Charlson comorbidity index ≥5, OR 3.17 (1.26–7.93); ASA class ≥3, OR 5.33 (1.55–18.3); and nonelective surgery, OR 5.00 (1.1–22.82). On multivariate analysis, only splenic flexure mobilization was independently associated with increased risk of splenic injury (OR 18.4 (2.1–161); p = 0.0085). Splenic injured patients trended toward decrease survival both at 30 days (98 vs. 88%; p = 0.06) and at 5 years (58 vs. 55%), with a hazard ratio of 1.6 (1.0, 2.6; p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Splenic flexure mobilization is the primary risk factor for splenic injury during colectomy, independent of other factors, such as higher ASA class, Charlson score, and nonelective surgery. Splenic injury during colectomy has an increased risk of death in both the short‐ and long‐term.
Treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome) with idursulfase: the relevance of clinical trial end points
Authors: Glamuzina Emma , Fettes Emma , Bainbridge Katie , Crook Victoria , Finnegan Niamh , Abulhoul Lara , Vellodi Ashok
Published: February 2011

The current treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II, Hunter syndrome) is enzyme replacement therapy with recombinant idursulfase (Elaprase®). The efficacy of ERT was established based primarily on reduction in urine glycosaminoglycans:creatinine (GAG:Cr) ratio and improvement in a composite score of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC% predicted) and 6‐min walk‐test distance (6MWT). We retrospectively reviewed these parameters in 11 boys with MPS II treated with idursulfase between April 2007 (or the time of diagnosis) and February 2010. Some results were inconsistent with published trial data, and there was only a small number of analyzable results obtained for the FVC% predicted and 6MWT. A major drawback was the high prevalence of neurological involvement and young age of patients in the study cohort compared with the clinical trials. This study emphasizes the limitations of the current tools utilized to monitor ERT efficacy and MPS II disease burden in clinical practice.