bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual estimated sensitivity and workload for manual screening of SurePath gynecologic cytology
Authors: Ellis Kay , Renshaw Andrew A. , Dudding Nick
Published: November 2010

Data correlating individual screening sensitivity in gynecologic cytology and workload is limited. We compared the estimated sensitivity of manual screening of SurePath slides with individual workload.

Estimated sensitivity determined by rapid prescreening was correlated with total workload in a laboratory performing manual screening of SurePath preparations for a 1 year period.

There were 12 CTs with a total daily workload ranging from 8–35 slides. The mean estimated sensitivity for SurePath was 97.0% (range 91–100%). The mean estimated sensitivity for the lowest half workload (8–23 slides/day) was significantly higher than that for the highest half workload (23–35 slides/day) (98.3 versus 95.7%, P ≤ 0.001). The highest workload that achieved 100% estimated sensitivity was 30 slides/day.

For manual screening of SurePath slides, individual estimated sensitivity is correlated with workload even at relatively low daily workloads. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2011. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The value of fine needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of palpable breast lesions
Authors: Rosa Marilin , Mohammadi Amir , Masood Shahla
Published: November 2010

In recent years there appears to be a growing movement toward the use of core needle biopsy (CNB) over fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for the detection of breast carcinoma. This tendency is caused in part by the idea that CNB can provide a more specific or definitive diagnosis as well as the belief that the assessment of prognostic/predictive factor is not possible or reliable on cytologic specimens. At our institution, FNAB of breast has been practiced for over 25 years with excellent cytologic–histological correlation. This practice has been beneficial not only for patients, but also for training physicians since nowadays a very small number of centers in the United States still routinely perform fine needle aspiration as a diagnostic tool in breast cases.

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB in palpable breast lesions, we reviewed our experience during an 8‐year‐period and compared fine needle aspiration results with follow‐up surgical specimens. From the cytology point of view, the lesions were divided as negative/benign, atypical/suspicious, positive, and insufficient. Only cases performed by pathologists were included. A total of 1,583 cases were retrieved from our archives. A definitive malignant diagnosis was reached in 357 cases. One‐hundred and thirty‐nine cases were classified as atypical/ suspicious, 135 cases had insufficient cells for establishing a diagnosis, and 952 were categorized as negative. A total of 408 follow‐up surgical specimens were available for comparison with cytologic results. There were 19 false‐negative, and no false‐positive results were found. The majority of false‐negative results were secondary to sampling errors. In 93% of the malignant cases, there was enough material obtained in cytological specimens to perform prognostic/predictive factors studies. Our data proves once again that FNAB is a reliable method for the initial evaluation and diagnosis of palpable masses of the breast. In addition, it also has the ability of providing necessary prognostic/predictive information, particularly for patients that may undergo neoadjuvant therapy. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The cytologic diagnosis of epithelioid myxofibrosarcoma: A case report
Authors: Weber Michelle H. , Kilpatrick Scott E. , Bergman Simon
Published: November 2010

The epithelioid variant of myxofibrosarcoma is a rare but recently described entity. We report a case of an elderly woman who presented with a slowly enlarging mass of the right lower extremity. Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology revealed a malignant epithelioid neoplasm. The smears of the aspirate material were highly cellular and contained a dominant population of cells with uniform round‐to‐oval nuclei and cytoplasmic vacuolization, arranged in loosely cohesive aggregates and linear arrays within a myxoid background. A second minor population of cells consisted of aggregates of bland spindled cells. On resection, the neoplasm proved to be an epithelioid myxofibrosarcoma. To our knowledge, the cytologic features of epithelioid myxofibrosarcoma have not previously been documented. Herein, we discuss the cytologic features of epithelioid myxofibrosarcoma as seen on FNA biopsy and its distinction from other epithelioid neoplasms of soft tissue. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fine‐needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of metastatic nonhaematological neoplasms of the breast: A series of seven cases
Authors: Rodríguez‐Gil Yolanda , Pérez‐Barrios Andrés , Alberti‐Masgrau Nuria , Garzón Alfredo , de Agustín Pedro
Published: November 2010

Metastatic neoplasms of the breast are rare. Mammary metastases as the initial presentation are even more infrequent and can simulate a primary malignancy clinically and radiologically. Recognition of metastatic tumors in the breast is important because it would prevent unnecessary mutilating surgery and would lead to appropriate treatment of the primary tumor. There is a broad variety of cytological appearances reported about primary tumors and few reports about secondary breast malignancies, specially diagnosed by FNAC. This study was carried out to examine the clinical and cytomorphologic features of metastatic breast tumors found in 12 de Octubre University Hospital during a period of 20 years. It confirms the utility of FNAC and describes findings that can help in the differential diagnosis that sometimes can be very difficult.

Seven cases of nonhematological metastatic neoplasms of the breast were identified from the files of the Department of Pathology of the 12 de Octubre University Hospital from a total of 64,000 aspirates. We included only metastatic tumors from extramammary nonhematological neoplasms. There were nine cases of hematological metastatic neoplasm that were excluded. They were diagnosed with FNAC and confirmed by histopathology, with at least three years of follow up.

The breast lump was the first manifestation of malignancy in one case of synovial sarcoma. The other six cases had been previously diagnosed of cancer. These included one malignant melanoma, one alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, one mixed müllerian tumor, one medullary carcinoma of thyroid, one colonic adenocarcinoma, and one gastric adenocarcinoma. The period of time between primary tumor and metastases ranged from one month to eight years. An accurate cytologic diagnosis was made in all the cases. Immunocytochemistry was available but diagnosis could be made with cytomorphology alone in the seven cases.

Fine‐needle aspiration cytology is an excellent first line diagnostic modality that is particularly informative when clinical previous data are known. If metastatic disease is suspected, the material obtained by FNAC may provide a definitive diagnosis and prevent open surgical biopsy or mastectomy. We concur with previous reports that FNAC is a reliable, rapid, secure, and cost‐effective approach to the diagnosis of palpable metastatic breast tumors. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Whisker experience modulates long‐term depression in neocortical γ‐aminobutyric acidergic interneurons in barrel cortex
Authors: Sun Qian‐Quan , Zhang Zhi
Published: November 2010

Long‐term plasticity is believed to be an important mechanism that allows neural circuits to be modulated in an use‐dependent manner. However, evidence regarding the role of sensory experience in modulating long‐term plasticity of glutamatergic synapses in neocortical GABAergic interneurons is unavailable. Here, we focused on regular‐spiking nonpyramidal (RSNP) interneurons and examined spike‐pairing‐induced plasticity of glutamatergic synapses and its modulation by sensory experiences ex vivo. In our previous studies, RSNP interneurons do not show experience‐dependent plasticity of intrinsic properties or alteration of thalamocortical (TC) synapses and exhibit robust modulation by mGluRs. Here we report a spike‐pairing‐induced long‐term depression (spLTD) of glutamatergic synapses in RSNP interneurons of barrels cortex. Using paired recording and thalamic‐induced responses, we found that the spLTD was specific for intracortical but not TC synapses. The spLTD was mediated via presynaptic mGluRs. The spLTD was not modulated by chronic or acute administration of NMDAR antagonists but was enhanced by sensory deprivation (via whisker trimming) during a postnatal sensitive period ex vivo. The synapses specific spLTD to intracortical glutamatergic synapses in RSNP cells and their modulation by sensory deprivation may contribute to sensory‐dependent remodeling of cortical circuits and redistribution circuit activity along the whisker‐related columns. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maßgeschneiderte Oberflächen und Bauteile
Authors: Gasser Andres , Olaineck Christoph
Published: November 2010

Diverse Verfahren der Oberflächentechnik mit Laserstrahlung haben sich inzwischen in der industriellen Fertigung etabliert, ebenso wie das Rapid Manufacturing mittels SLM. Im Teil 1 des Artikels (LTJ 4/20 S. 47) wurden die Grundlagen dieser Technologien und diverse Beispiele dargestellt, im zweiten Teil werden Case Studies zum Laserhärten, ‐auftragschweißen und SLM aus den Unternehmen Thyssen Krupp System Engineering, Procter & Gamble und Rolls‐Royce Deutschland vorgestellt.
Medical Applications of Lasers: Diversity is Key to Success
Authors: Schulze Matthias
Published: November 2010

Medical applications for lasers are incredibly diverse, encompassing three broad areas: therapeutic procedures, clinical testing/diagnostics, and medical device manufacturing. Supporting such varied applications in turn requires a wide array of laser technology. This article discusses representative applications from all of these areas, and reviews key laser attributes and recent technological developments for each.
Large‐area, catalyst‐free heteroepitaxy of InAs nanowires on Si by MOVPE
Authors: Cantoro M. , Wang G. , Lin H. C. , Klekachev A. V. , Richard O. , Bender H. , Kim T.‐G. , Clemente F. , Adelmann C. , van der Veen M. H. , Brammertz G. , Degroote S. , Leys M. , Caymax M. , Heyns M. M. , De Gendt S.
Published: November 2010

In this paper, we show the results of experiments of InAs nanowire (NW) growth on (111)‐oriented Si wafers. The NWs, grown at 620 °C by metal–organic vapor‐phase epitaxy, are vertically aligned and ∼30 nm in diameter. Their structural properties are studied by transmission electron microscopy, evidencing a polytypic character, and the vibrational properties by Raman spectroscopy. An assessment of their electrical transport properties is carried out by measuring back‐gated, single InAs NW field‐effect transistors. The absence of a catalyst ensures the compatibility of the NW growth process with current CMOS technology.
Formation of embedded edge states in graphene on a SrO(111) surface
Authors: Kusakabe Koichi
Published: November 2010

Using the density functional calculations for a designed material structure, we obtained a modified graphene structure on a SrO(111) oxygen surface as a self‐consistent stable solution. The structure is easily realized by placing graphene on the substrate and is stable with a reaction energy of 4.6 eV per a surface unit cell. All surface oxygen possess carbon‐oxygen covalent bondings. Determined electronic density of states shows appearance of two shallow acceptor bands of embedded edge states above the filled SrO bands.

These in‐gap states have non‐bonding character because an effective AB‐bipartite lattice of the π network is formed in the oxidized graphene. When the lower band is partially filled, each localized orbital can acts as a quantum dot with a spin 1/2. Possible density of the dots canreach 2 × 1014 [cm–2], which amounts to 200 terabits per 1 cm2. We show a clue that a magnetic solution is obtained, when the upper flat band is half‐filled, indicating effective realization of flat‐band ferromagnetism (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Surgery and Global Public Health: The UNC‐Malawi Surgical Initiative as a Model for Sustainable Collaboration
Authors: Qureshi Javeria S. , Samuel Jonathan , Lee Clara , Cairns Bruce , Shores Carol , Charles Anthony G.
Published: November 2010

Addressing global health disparities in the developing world gained prominence during the first decade of the twenty‐first century. The HIV/AIDS epidemic triggered much interest in and funding for health improvement and mortality reduction in low‐ and middle‐income nations, particularly in sub‐Saharan Africa. Alliances between U.S. academic medical centers and African nations were created through the departments of internal medicine and infectious disease. However, the importance of addressing surgical disease as part of global public health is becoming recognized as part of international health development efforts. We propose a novel model to reduce the global burden of surgical diseases in resource poor settings by incorporating a sustained institutional surgical presence with our residency training experience by placing a senior surgical resident to provide continuity of care and facilitate training of local personnel. We present the experiences of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Department of Surgery as part of the UNC Project in Malawi as an example of this innovative approach.
Interdisciplinary Linkage of Community Psychology and Cross‐Cultural Psychology: History, Values, and an Illustrative Research and Action Project on Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Mankowski Eric S. , Galvez Gino , Glass Nancy
Published: November 2010

An analysis of the respective organizational histories, missions, and scholarly activity of the International Association for Cross‐Cultural Psychology and the Society for Community Research and Action was conducted in order to inform the development of interdisciplinary linkages between members of the two organizations. The analysis revealed many points of shared values and actions, as well as some important differences. Both scholarly organizations developed out of a similar historical and cultural zeitgeist in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The missions emphasize the role of culture/diversity in psychological phenomena, adopting an interdisciplinary orientation, the value of collaboration, the importance of research method and ethics, and the value of action research. However, community psychology generally lacks an adequate treatment of cultural phenomena while cross‐cultural psychology often fails to draw on community and participatory methods useful for understanding culture in context. These common roots and differences are examined. Finally, we describe a community based, participatory research and intervention project to address intimate partner violence among Latinos and European‐Americans living in Oregon. Analysis of the research process and on some of our initial findings illustrates challenges and potential benefits of an interdisciplinary, cultural community psychology.
MILITARY FINANCE AND THE EARL OF ESSEX'S INFANTRY IN 1642 – A REINTERPRETATION
Authors: CRAWSHAW TOM
Published: November 2010

Scholarly works dealing with the Long Parliament's military finances have often necessarily relied on sampled data and exemplary evidence. This communication demonstrates that full, systematic analyses of the relevant materials in the Commonwealth Exchequer Papers have the potential to alter our understanding of these finances when certain questions are asked. Lacking a detailed calendar, this vast collection of documents is extraordinarily complex and opaque, and because of this it is very hard to deal with holistically. Nevertheless, this communication demonstrates that achieving a broad yet precise view of this vital quantitative material is sometimes possible. It will be suggested here that the army of the earl of Essex enjoyed full payment from the moment of its creation in August 1642 until the end of that October. This will be demonstrated by comparing the total payments received by the foot soldiers to a newly calculated model of their monetary needs during the period in question. Ultimately, there are many possible reasons for the army's failure to secure a decisive victory at Edgehill, but a financial crisis at the political centre was not one of them.
1707, 2007, AND THE UNIONIST TURN IN SCOTTISH HISTORY
Authors: RAFFE ALASDAIR
Published: November 2010

This article reviews the latest research on the making of the Anglo-Scottish parliamentary union of 1707 and unionism in modern Scotland. Stimulated by the tercentenary of the union, but running counter to the popular mood at the time of that anniversary, many of the recent publications exhibit a novel and sympathetic interest in principled support for union. Using Christopher Whatley'sThe Scots and the union(2006) and Colin Kidd'sUnion and unionisms(2008) as starting points, the article shows how the new histories differ from earlier work, while also identifying the interdisciplinary roots of the ‘unionist turn’ in Scottish history.
The ET column. Will Chinese take over from English as the world's most important language?
Authors: Graddol David
Published: November 2010

Whenever I've given a lecture on the future of English, the question I am most frequently asked is ‘Will Chinese take over from English as the global language?’. With China's economy continuing to grow fast, whilst those of the west slow down in recession, China has been rising up the world economic rankings and has overtaken other economies faster than predicted. It seems no time since it overhauled the UK economy to become the world's number 4 (2005), and then Germany (2007) to become number 3. During the summer of 2010 it edged past Japan to become the world's second largest economy. It may take another 20 years to overtake the US economy in absolute size, though it may already have become the world's largest exporter (overtaking Germany), and has already overtaken the US in energy consumption. Next year, China is expected to take over from the US as the world's largest manufacturer – a position the US has held since it overtook the UK in the late 1890s.
A buried volcano in the Calabrian Arc (Italy) revealed by high‐resolution aeromagnetic data
Authors: De Ritis R. , Dominici R. , Ventura G. , Nicolosi I. , Chiappini M. , Speranza F. , De Rosa R. , Donato P. , Sonnino M.
Published: November 2010

Aeromagnetic data collected between the Aeolian volcanoes (southern Tyrrhenian Sea) and the Calabrian Arc (Italy) highlight a WNW‐ESE elongated positive magnetic anomaly centered on the Capo Vaticano morphological ridge (Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria), characterized by an apical, subcircular, flat surface. Results of forward and inverse modeling of the magnetic data show a 20 km long and 3–5 km wide magnetized body that extends from sea floor to about 3 km below sea level. The magnetic properties of this body are consistent with those of the medium to highly evolved volcanic rocks of the Aeolian Arc (i.e., dacites and rhyolites). In the Calabria mainland, widespread dacitic to rhyolitic pumices with calc‐alkaline affinity of Pleistocene age (1–0.7 Ma) are exposed. The tephra falls are related to explosive activity and show a decreasing thickness from the Capo Vaticano area southeastward. The presence of lithics indicates a provenance from a source located not far from Capo Vaticano. The combined interpretation of the magnetic and available geological data reveal that (1) the Capo Vaticano WNW‐ESE elongated positive magnetic anomaly is due to the occurrence of a WNW‐ESE elongated sill; (2) such a sill represents the remnant of the plumbing system of a Pleistocene volcano that erupted explosively producing the pumice tephra exposed in Calabria; and (3) the volcanism is consistent with the Aeolian products, in terms of age, magnetic signature, and geochemical affinity of the erupted products,. The results indicate that such volcanism developed along seismically active faults transversal to the general trend of the Aeolian Arc and Calabria block, in an area where uplift is maximized (∼4 mm/yr). Such uplift could also be responsible for fragmentation of the upper crust and formation of transversal faults along which seismic activity and volcanism occur.
Water vapor variability and comparisons in the subtropical Pacific from The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment‐Pacific Asian Regional Campaign (T‐PARC) Driftsonde, Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC), and reanalyses
Authors: Wang Junhong , Zhang Liangying , Lin Po‐Hsiung , Bradford Mark , Cole Harold , Fox Jack , Hock Terry , Lauritsen Dean , Loehrer Scot , Martin Charlie , VanAndel Joseph , Weng Chun‐Hsiung , Young Kathryn
Published: November 2010

During the THORPEX (The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment) Pacific Asian Regional Campaign (T‐PARC), from 1 August to 30 September 2008, ∼1900 high‐quality, high vertical resolution soundings were collected over the Pacific Ocean. These include dropsondes deployed from four aircrafts and zero‐pressure balloons in the stratosphere (NCAR's Driftsonde system). The water vapor probability distribution and spatial variability in the northern subtropical Pacific (14°–20°N, 140°E–155°W) are studied using Driftsonde and COSMIC (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) data and four global reanalysis products. Driftsonde data analysis shows distinct differences of relative humidity (RH) distributions in the free troposphere between the Eastern and Western Pacific (EP and WP, defined as east and west of 180°, respectively), very dry with a single peak of ∼1% RH in the EP and bi‐modal distributions in the WP with one peak near ice saturation and one varying with altitude. The frequent occurrences of extreme dry air are found in the driftsonde data with 59% and 19% of RHs less than or equal to 5% and at 1% at 500 hPa in the EP, respectively. RH with respect to ice in the free troposphere exhibits considerable longitudinal variations, very low (<20%) in the EP, but varying from 20% to 100% in the WP. Inter‐comparisons of Driftsonde, COSMIC and reanalysis data show generally good agreement among the Driftsonde, COSMIC, ECMWF Reanalysis‐Interim (ERA‐Interim) and Japanese Reanalysis (JRA) below 200 hPa. The ERA‐Interim and JRA are approved to be successful on describing RH frequency distributions and spatial variations in the region. The comparisons also reveal problems in Driftsonde, two National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalyses and COSMIC data. The moist layer at 200–100 hPa in the WP shown in the ERA‐Interim, JRA and COSMIC is missing in Driftsonde data. Major problems are found in the RH means and variability over the study region for both NCEP reanalyses. Although the higher‐moisture layer at 200–100 hPa in the WP in the COSMIC data agrees well with the ERA‐Interim and JRA, it is primarily attributed to the first guess of the 1‐Dimensional (1D) variational analysis used in the COSMIC retrieval rather than the refractivity measurements. The limited soundings (total 268) of Driftsonde data are capable of portraying RH probability distributions and longitudinal variability. This implies that Driftsonde system has the potential to become a valuable operational system for upper air observations over the ocean.
Depressive mixed state frequency: Age/gender effects
Authors: BENAZZI FRANCO
Published: November 2010

Depressive mixed state (DMX), a major depressive episode (MDE) combined with few manic/hypomanic symptoms, is understudied. Age and gender are important variables in mood disorders. The aim of the present study was to determine whether age and gender had any effect on the frequency of DMX. Consecutive unipolar (n = 144) and bipolar II (n = 218) drug‐free MDE out‐patients were interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV when presenting for MDE treatment. The presence of hypomanic symptoms during the index MDE was assessed systematically. Depressive mixed state was defined as a MDE with three or more concurrent hypomanic symptoms (DMX3), following previous reports. Associations were tested by logistic regression. The results showed that the DMX3 frequency was 43.9% and that it affected more females than males. Frequency decreased with age. The lower frequency with age was related to the lower frequency of bipolar II disorder with age. Bipolar disorder family history of DMX3 patients did not change with age. In conclusion, the frequency of DMX3 was high and related to age. The high frequency of DMX3 supports the clinical usefulness of the definition, as well as observations that antidepressants may worsen its hypomanic symptoms, whereas antipsychotics and mood stabilisers may treat them. A bipolar vulnerability seems to be required for the appearance of DMX3 also in later life.
Shock dynamics of strong imploding cylindrical and spherical shock waves with real gas effects
Authors: Kjellander Malte , Tillmark Nils , Apazidis Nicholas
Published: November 2010

Strong cylindrical and spherical shock implosion in a monatomic gas is considered. A simple solution is obtained by Whitham’s geometrical shock dynamics approach modified to account for the real gas effects. The real gas effects are introduced by jump relations over the shock and include several levels of ionization, Coulomb interaction as well as internal energy of the excited electrons. It is shown that ionization has a major effect on temperature and density behind the converging shock as well as on the shock acceleration. The temperature and acceleration being substantially reduced and density substantially increased as compared to the ideal nonionizing case. The ionization effect on the pressure behind the converging shock is less pronounced. It is also shown that for the considered test case of initial Mach number M0=8 the gas becomes completely ionized behind the spherical shock at approximately 1% of the initial radius from the focal point and its speed being decreased by a factor of 1.8 as compared to the ideal case.
Control of spontaneous emission from InP single quantum dots in GaInP photonic crystal nanocavities
Authors: Luxmoore I. J. , Ahmadi E. D. , Wasley N. A. , Fox A. M. , Tartakovskii A. I. , Krysa A. B. , Skolnick M. S.
Published: November 2010

We demonstrate semiconductor quantum dots coupled to photonic crystal cavity modes operating in the visible spectrum. We present the design, fabrication, and characterization of two dimensional photonic crystal cavities in GaInP and measure quality factors in excess of 7500 at 680 nm. We demonstrate full control over the spontaneous emission rate of InP quantum dots and by spectrally tuning the exciton emission energy into resonance with the fundamental cavity mode we observe a Purcell enhancement of ∼8.
Arrhythmogenic autoantibodies against calcium channel lead to sudden death in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Xiao Hua , Wang Min , Du Yimei , Yuan Jing , Cheng Xiang , Chen Zhijian , Zou Anruo , Wei Fen , Zhao Guanghong , Liao Yu‐Hua
Published: November 2010

Aims

Calcium channel plays an important role in the autoimmune pathogenesis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Autoantibodies have emerged as a new upstream target of sudden death in DCM. We sought to validate the hypothesis that autoantibodies against L‐type calcium channel (CC‐AAbs) are arrhythmogenic and lead to sudden death in patients with DCM.

Methods and results

We investigated sudden death and ventricular arrhythmias in 80 patients with DCM in a prospective, case follow‐up survey. During a follow‐up of 32 (SD 8) months, CC‐AAbs‐positive patients not only had a higher incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) but also a higher incidence of sudden death than CC‐AAbs‐negative patients (for VT: 59.0 vs. 24.4%, P = 0.002 and for sudden death: 20.5 vs. 4.9%, P = 0.045). Further univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the occurrence of CC‐AAbs was the strongest independent predictor for sudden death (odds ratio: 10.20, 95% confidence interval: 2.43–36.78, P = 0.0027). Experimental studies in ex vivo systems using affinity‐purified CC‐AAbs from patients demonstrated that CC‐AAbs were able to induce VT by prolongation of action potential duration (APD) and triggered activity by early afterdepolarization (EAD).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate for the first time to our knowledge that there is a high incidence of sudden death and VT in CC‐AAbs‐positive patients with DCM. Furthermore, experimental data from ex vivo systems suggest that CC‐AAbs might induce VT by prolongation of APD and triggered activity by EAD.
Prediction of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in a Population-based Surgical Cohort
Authors: Canet Jaume , Gallart Lluís , Gomar Carmen , Paluzie Guillem , Vallès Jordi , Castillo Jordi , Sabaté Sergi , Mazo Valentín , Briones Zahara , Sanchis Joaquín
Published: November 2010

Background

Current knowledge of the risk for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) rests on studies that narrowly selected patients and procedures. Hypothesizing that PPC occurrence could be predicted from a reduced set of perioperative variables, we aimed to develop a predictive index for a broad surgical population.

Methods

Patients undergoing surgical procedures given general, neuraxial, or regional anesthesia in 59 hospitals were randomly selected for this prospective, multicenter study. The main outcome was the development of at least one of the following: respiratory infection, respiratory failure, bronchospasm, atelectasis, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or aspiration pneumonitis. The cohort was randomly divided into a development subsample to construct a logistic regression model and a validation subsample. A PPC predictive index was constructed.

Results

Of 2,464 patients studied, 252 events were observed in 123 (5%). Thirty-day mortality was higher in patients with a PPC (19.5%; 95% [CI], 12.5-26.5%) than in those without a PPC (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.2-0.8%). Regression modeling identified seven independent risk factors: low preoperative arterial oxygen saturation, acute respiratory infection during the previous month, age, preoperative anemia, upper abdominal or intrathoracic surgery, surgical duration of at least 2 h, and emergency surgery. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 90% (95% CI, 85-94%) for the development subsample and 88% (95% CI, 84-93%) for the validation subsample.

Conclusion

The risk index based on seven objective, easily assessed factors has excellent discriminative ability. The index can be used to assess individual risk of PPC and focus further research on measures to improve patient care.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound using a time‐intensity curve for the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Aoki Shigeyuki , Hattori Ryohei , Yamamoto Tokunori , Funahashi Yasuhito , Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Gotoh Momokazu , Yamada Yoshiaki , Honda Nobuaki
Published: November 2010

Study Type – Diagnosis (non‐consecutive series)

Level of Evidence 3b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

In terms of imaging differentiation, distinguishing complex cystic renal masses that require surgery from those that do not remains a common and difficult diagnostic problem. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for characterizing complex cystic renal masses. But there are some cases that are difficult to diagnose differentially on computed tomography (CT) or MRI.

We evaluated the usefulness of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the diagnosis of cystic renal cell carcinoma by using a time‐intensity curve (TIC). Assessments of blood flow in the solid component of a cystic tumour by CEUS using a second‐generation US contrast agent and TIC analysis have made it easier to objectively diagnose cystic renal cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma by employing a time‐intensity curve (TIC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From May 2008 to October 2009, CEUS was performed prior to surgery in 30 patients with renal masses.

In all, 10 of the 30 patients had cystic renal masses. The final diagnoses of all patients were pathologically confirmed. Contrast enhancement as a function of time was measured in two (tumour or solid component of cystic lesions and normal parenchyma) regions of interest (ROI) and TICs were obtained.

The time to the contrast enhancement peak (TTP), intensity change from the baseline to peak (ΔI) and ΔI/TTP of the tumour and the normal parenchyma were measured from the TIC.

RESULTS

Pathological diagnoses were renal cell carcinoma in 30 patients.

The TTP of the cancer was shorter than that of the normal parenchyma in all cases (6.0 ± 2.0 vs 10.4 ± 3.0 s; P < 0.0001).

The ΔI did not differ between the cancer and normal parenchyma [21.3 ± 5.9 vs 20.9 ± 7.0 decibels (db); P= 0.68]; the ΔI/TTP of the cancer was significantly higher than that of the normal parenchyma (3.9 ± 1.4 vs 2.2 ± 0.94 db/s; P < 0.0001).

TIC patterns of solid cancer and cystic cancer were very similar.

CONCLUSIONS

An objective and quantitative diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma by CEUS using a second‐generation ultrasound contrast agent can be made by employing a TIC.

The TIC patterns of solid and cystic cancers were very similar, despite their morphological and vascular differences.

CEUS using TIC is a promising tool in the diagnosis of cystic renal cancer.
LA GOUVERNANCE PAR L’EVALUATION. LES QUASI‐MARCHES DANS LES SERVICES A DOMICILE
Authors: Fraisse Laurent , Nassaut Stéphane
Published: November 2010

RESUME**:  Cet article propose une étude du rôle croissant que joue l’évaluation dans la gouvernance des services à domicile en Europe. L’introduction de quasi‐marchés dans plusieurs pays européens va de pair avec un processus d’autonomisation de la fonction d’évaluation qui devient un véritable outil de régulation de la concurrence. Une analyse comparée des situations en Belgique, France et Royaume‐Uni, tant de la demande que de l’offre de services, met en évidence les tensions récurrentes dans les objectifs de l’évaluation (qualité des services, maîtrise des budgets sociaux, création d’emploi), la faible prise en compte de la qualité de l’emploi ainsi que les limites des dispositifs standardisés d’évaluation au regard de la rhétorique du libre choix de l’usager (consommateur).
The Enemies of Promise: Labour's Long War against Education
Authors: PEARCE EDWARD
Published: November 2010

Labour and New Labour alike have been the enemies of education. Consider the brutalism of Charles Clarke—‘history for display purposes only’; statistics of achievement based on the soft marking of soft subjects to achieve soviet pig‐iron statistics; fat inspection and thin curriculum; compulsory lesson plans and paper plagues; foreign languages as too difficult. Before all that, remember Anthony Crosland ‘destroying their schools if it's the last fucking thing I do’ and the consequent rise of the public schools as bought excellence.

What to do : Follow Housman's dictum, ‘Knowledge is happiness’; rescue good minds in bad places with state places in boarding schools; utilise the quiz nationally the as a pop method to stimulate the study habit; get back to French and German; take the educationalism out of education especially in training colleges; thin inspection down from terror to weather‐eye mentoring.
Towards a ‘Civic’ Narrative: British National Identity and the Transformation of the British National Party
Authors: HALIKIOPOULOU DAPHNE , VASILOPOULOU SOFIA
Published: November 2010

This article examines the ways in which the BNP utilises the elements of British national identity in its discourse and argues that, during Griffin's leadership, the party has made a discursive choice to shift the emphasis from an ethnic to a civic narrative. We put forward two hypotheses, 1: the modernisation of the discourse of extreme right parties in the British context is likely to be related to the adoption of a predominantly civic narrative and 2: in the context of British party competition the BNP is likely to converge towards UKIP, drawing upon elements of its perceived winning formula, i.e. a predominantly civic rhetoric of national identity. We proceed to empirically test our hypotheses by conducting a twofold comparison. First, we compare the BNP's discourse pre‐ and post‐1999 showing the BNP's progressive adoption of a civic narrative; and second the BNP's post‐1999 discourse to that of UKIP in order to illustrate their similarities in terms of civic values.
Feminism and Women Leaders in Spssi
Authors: Unger Rhoda K. , Sheese Kate , Main Alexandra S.
Published: November 2010

We look at women leaders in the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) as a case study to explore the roots of second wave feminist leadership in psychology and its impact on the acceptance of gender as an important part of the field. Although all psychological organizations excluded many women from leadership until the latter part of the 20th century, the SPSSI, despite the contradiction between its socially activist agenda and exclusionary practices, was unusual because its ideals attracted many accomplished women to become members. In order to provide a richer view of women's professional leadership and its consequences, we conducted a cohort analysis of the personal and professional circumstances of those women elected to office in the SPSSI over the past 70 years. We examine the complex interaction between the internalization of sexist norms, the use of formal and informal social structures (especially those involving collegial networking), political ideology, and social change. Based on our analysis, we suggest that the achievements of individual women appear to be less influential than the development of a critical mass of women leaders with a politically activist agenda and commitment to a social constructionist theoretical frame.
Variation in the proportion of flower visitors of Arum maculatum along its distributional range in relation with community‐based climatic niche analyses
Authors: Espíndola Anahí , Pellissier Loïc , Alvarez Nadir
Published: November 2010

Because species–specific interactions between plants and insects require considerable physiological adaptations to establish and be maintained through time and space, highly specialized interactions are rare in nature. Consequently, even if some one‐to‐one interactions might appear locally specialized, additional partners may be involved at a wider scale.

Here, we investigate the geographical constancy in the specificity level of the specialized lure‐and‐trap pollination antagonism involving the widespread European Arum maculatum and its associated Psychodid pollinators. Until now, studies concurred in demonstrating that one single insect species, Psychoda phalaenoides, efficiently cross‐pollinated plants; researches were, however, performed locally in western Europe. In this study we characterize for the first time the flower visitors’ composition at the scale of the distribution range of A. maculatum by intensively collecting plants and insects throughout the European continent. We further correlate local climatic characteristics with the community composition of visiting arthropods.

Our results show that flowers are generally visited by P. phalaenoides females, but not over the whole distribution range of the plant. In some regions this fly species is less frequent or even absent and another species, Psycha grisescens, becomes the prevailing visitor. This variability is geographically structured and can be explained by climatic factors: the proportion of P. grisescens increases with higher annual precipitations and lower precipitations in the warmest trimester, two characteristics typical of the Mediterranean zone. Climate thus seems driving the specificity of this interaction, by potentially affecting the phenology of one or both interacting species, or even of volatile and heat production in the plant. This result therefore challenges the specificity of other presumably one‐to‐one interactions covering wide distribution ranges, and provides an example of the direct effect that the abiotic environment can have on the fate of plant–insect interactions.
Epoetin Theta in Anaemic Cancer Patients Receiving Platinum‐Based Chemotherapy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Tjulandin Sergei A. , Bias Peter , Elsässer Reiner , Gertz Beate , Kohler Erich , Buchner Anton
Published: November 2010

Introduction.  Recombinant human erythropoietin (r‐HuEPO) is used to treat symptomatic anaemia due to chemotherapy. A new r‐HuEPO, Epoetin theta (Eporatio®), was investigated and compared to placebo and Epoetin beta in a randomised, double‐blind clinical trial in adult cancer patients receiving platinum‐based chemotherapy, using a fixed weekly starting dose of 20,000 IU Epoetin theta. The primary efficacy endpoint was the responder rate (complete Hb response, Hb increase ≥ 2 g/dL).

Research Design and Methods.  223 patients were randomised to s.c. treatment for 12 weeks with either Epoetin theta (n = 76) once per week, Epoetin beta (n = 73) three times per week or placebo (n = 74). The starting dose was 20,000 IU once weekly Epoetin theta or 450 IU/kgBW per week Epoetin beta administered in 3 equal weekly doses.

Results.  In the Epoetin theta group were significantly more responders than in the placebo group (65.8 vs. 20.3%, P < 0.0001). Epoetin beta was also more effective than placebo (71.2 vs. 20.3%, P < 0.0001). The mean weekly dose at the time of complete Hb response was lower in the Epoetin theta group (30,000 IU) than in the Epoetin beta group (42,230 IU). Epoetin theta was clearly more effective than placebo.

Conclusion.  This small study showed, that Epoetin theta is a safe and effective treatment of symptomatic anaemia due to platinum‐based chemotherapy in cancer patients.
Computer Analysis of Machines With Planar Motion: Part 2—Dynamics
Authors: Paul B. , Krajcinovic D.
Published: November 2010

A uniform procedure is described for establishing the dynamic equation of motion for machines with single or multiple degrees of freedom. The procedure, which utilizes the independent kinematic loops of the machine, is readily programmed for a digital computer. The basic program is largely independent of the specific machine being analyzed and is capable of treating input forces, internal springs and dampers, all of which may depend nonlinearly upon position, velocity, or time. As an example, the dynamic performance of a Stirling cycle engine is analyzed without recourse to simplifying approximations usually made in engine analysis (i.e., constant crank speed, use of approximate “rotating” and “reciprocating” weights, neglect of higher harmonics in piston motion). It is shown that the method not only predicts transient behavior, but is capable of predicting steady (long-term) behavior without loss of accuracy, or excessive computer costs. The method described satisfies the major criteria of generality, accuracy, and economy, required of a truly practical design tool.
Stability and Steady-State Vibrations in a High-Speed Slider-Crank Mechanism
Authors: Jasinski P. W. , Lee H. C. , Sandor G. N.
Published: November 2010

The research presented in this paper is an analytical study of the vibrations associated with planar mechanical linkages. Specifically, the vibrations of a high-speed slider-crank mechanism with a uniform elastic connecting rod and a rigid crank are studied. The elastic connecting rod, with distributed mass, is taken to be externally, viscously damped with a concentrated mass present at its sliding end. The equations governing the longitudinal and transverse vibrations of the elastic connecting rod are derived, a small parameter is found, and the solution is developed as an asymptotic expansion in terms of this small parameter with the aid of the Krylov-Bogoliubov method of averaging. The elastic stability is studied and the steady-state solutions for both the longitudinal and transverse vibrations of the connecting rod are obtained.
Wrinkling of Extruded Sheets
Authors: Andeen Gerry B.
Published: November 2010

Material extruded in sheet form sometimes wrinkles to accommodate the expansion of the material. An approximate analysis is made of the phenomenon in order to establish a wrinkling criterion. If wrinkling does occur, the analysis gives the wrinkling frequency.
Vibration of Pipes Containing Flowing Fluids
Authors: Stein R. A. , Tobriner M. W.
Published: November 2010

A numerical solution to the equation of motion that describes the behavior of an elastically supported pipe of infinite length conveying an ideal pressurized fluid has been developed, and a new interpretation of the effects produced by internal pressure forces is presented. The effects of foundation modulus, flow velocity, and internal pressure on the dynamic stability, frequency response, and wave-propagation characteristics of an undamped system are discussed. The stability of the system is assured if the flow velocity does not exceed a critical value. Internal pressure decreases the observed frequency of the system while the presence of flow produces two effects: one increases and the other decreases the oscillation frequency. The spatial wave form is shown to be asymptotically symmetric with respect to an axis translating downstream at a constant velocity. For large values of the foundation modulus, the behavior of the pipe is represented by a positively traveling wave packet of frequency equal to the natural frequency of the spring-mass system with an envelope which is an unattenuated duplication of the initial disturbance. Graphical examples of the numerical results for a 30-india steel pipe with a 1/4-in-thick wall are shown.
The Scattering of Shock Waves by Cylindrical Cavities in Liquids and Solids
Authors: Harper E. Y.
Published: November 2010

The scattering of a plane acoustic shock wave by a cylindrical cavity in an inviscid fluid medium is calculated numerically and compared with a recently obtained asymptotic expansion. In contrast to the scattering by a rigid cylinder, the cavity displays a distinctive shielding effect in the shadow region characterized by a peak exitation and an inverse logarithmic decay. Experimental results are presented which indicate a strong counterpart in plastic shock diffraction.
A Survey of Some Recent Research Investigations on Boundary Layers and Heat Transfer
Authors: Schlichting H.
Published: November 2010

This paper summarizes several investigations in the field of boundary layers which have been carried out at the Aerodynamische Versuchsanstalt, Go¨ttingen, and in the Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fu¨r Luft-und Raumfahrt, Braunschweig. The work to be discussed includes both theoretical and experimental results for laminar as well as turbulent boundary layers.
The Mixing of Two Parallel Streams of Dissimilar Fluids—Part I: Analytical Development
Authors: Baker R. L. , Tao L. N. , Weinstein H.
Published: November 2010

The mixing region between dissimilar fluids is investigated in the region where the similarity transformation is valid. The treatment is complete in that laminar and turbulent cases both with and without large density differences are considered. The Schmidt number is an arbitrary input to the problem and may be varied. The ordinary differential equation resulting from the similarity transformation is integrated numerically and some solutions are presented. The three boundary conditions are proper; the so-called arbitrary third boundary condition is treated as originally suggested by von Karman and extended to the case of large density difference. Illustrations of the effects of varying velocity ratio, density ratio, and Schmidt number are presented.