bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A compact, 36 to 72 GHz 15.8 dBm power amplifier with 66.7% fractional bandwidth in 45 nm SOI CMOS
Authors: Tai Wei , Ricketts David S.
Published: November 2013

A 36 to 72 GHz wideband power amplifier (PA) in 45‐nm silicon‐on‐insulator CMOS is presented. The PA adopts a two‐stage cascode topology, in which counterposed resonances in the matching networks enable a 3‐dB output power bandwidth of 36 GHz. This bandwidth represents a 66.7% fractional bandwidth—a 1.8X improvement over previously reported CMOS V‐band PAs. At 62 GHz, the PA achieves a peak output power of 15.8 dBm, a gain of 16.9 dB, and 9.4% power‐added efficiency using a 2.2‐V supply. The PA has the largest output power and smallest die area among reported wideband (BW > 30%) millimeter‐wave PAs in CMOS. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:166–169, 2014
100 ps Optical pulse generator using laser diodes for visible light communication applications
Authors: Binh P. H. , Trong V. D. , Renucci P. , Marie X.
Published: November 2013

We present a simple ultrashort optical pulse generator based on step recovery diode, short‐circuited transmission line and relaxation oscillation effect suppression with reduced dc bias. Experimental results achieved a 80‐ps optical pulse with 655 nm AlGaInP laser diode (LD) and a 200‐ps optical pulse with 420‐nm GaN‐based LD. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:185–187, 2014
High CM suppression balanced BPF with two CM transmission zeros
Authors: Deng Hong‐wei , Zhao Yong‐jiu , Fu Yong , He Ying , Zhang Lu
Published: November 2013

A new compact, low insertion loss, and wide stopband balanced bandpass filter (BPF) with two common‐mode (CM) transmission zeros within the differential‐mode (DM) passband is designed in this article. The DM filtering topology is formed by two quarter‐wavelength resonators and a short stub loaded source‐load coupling structure which can generate new transmission zeros to improve the selectivity and suppress the harmonic to widen the stopband. The center‐loaded step‐impedance open stub can be applied to misalign two CM fundamental resonant frequencies, meanwhile adjust one CM transmission zero to the DM passband. To enhance the CM suppression within the DM passband, another CM transmission zero is created by the folded stub loaded in the 50‐Ω input feedline which creates the first DM transmission zero located at 2
(
is the center frequency of DM passband) and has little effect on the DM in‐band and lower‐stopband performance. Finally, a high CM suppression balanced BPF prototype for WLAN application is designed and fabricated. The simulated and measured results show a good agreement. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:135–141, 2014
A novel compact microstrip dual‐mode wideband bandpass filter design using tuning stubs
Authors: Gorur Ali K. , Karpuz Ceyhun , Ozek Ahmet , Ozdemir Pinar O. , Karaca Zuhra
Published: November 2013

In this article, a novel dual‐mode wideband bandpass filter having tuning stubs is proposed. Proposed filter has two stopbands in the lower and higher sides of the passband as the filter is configured as a bandstop filter by using direct‐connected feedlines. Hence, a passband can be created inside a wide stopband by means of the open‐circuited stubs, which are called as tuning stubs, located into the opposite corners of the input and output (I/O) ports, which are arranged so as to form a quarter wavelength resonator. Tuning stubs are placed inside a meander loop resonator to keep the compact configuration. On the other hand, center frequency of the passband can be controlled by changing the lengths of the tuning stubs. Additionally, by means of a perturbation patch placed at the orthogonal corner of the loop resonator, selectivity of the passband can also be controlled by exciting the degenerate modes of the side stopbands. Designed filter has been fabricated, simulated and measured in a good agreement. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:47–49, 2014
Three‐port cascade de‐embedding methodology with the dangling leg effect considered for pHEMT electron trapping characterization at microwave frequency
Authors: Lee Chie‐In , Lin Wei‐Cheng , Lin Yan‐Ting
Published: November 2013

A three‐port cascade de‐embedding procedure utilized to accurately eliminate the source dangling leg effect of a pseudomorphic High Electron Mobility Transistor (pHEMT) test structure without shielding is presented. The measured device under test (DUT) is de‐embedded by using the experimental and electromagnetic (EM) simulated data of dummy structures and their difference is below 1%. In addition, the extracted equivalent circuit parameters of the pHEMT exhibit the frequency‐independent characteristics, indicating the dangling leg parasitic is removed accurately. These demonstrate that the presented three‐port cascade de‐embedding method is valid so that the de‐embedded results of the pHEMT can reflect the physical electron trapping effect at microwave frequency. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:77–83, 2014
64QAM‐OFDM‐based millimeter‐wave access system using DMT modulation and electrical self‐mixing
Authors: Tan Zefu , Shao Yufeng , Sun Yanjing , Wang Shikui , Luo Yingxiang
Published: November 2013

A novel 60‐GHz optical millimeter‐wave access system with 5 Gb/s 64QAM‐OFDM downlink signals generated by discrete multitone (DMT) modulation, is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. 5Gb/s 64QAM‐OFDM signals are successfully transmitted over 42 km SMF‐28 and a 0.5 m wireless channel. The proposed self‐mixing down‐conversion is adopted in the system, and which can simplify the transmitter and receiver configuration, since it eliminates the need for high‐frequency microwave source at the central station and local oscillator at the base station. The experimental results demonstrate 64QAM‐OFDM downstream signals has higher spectra‐efficiency and lower receiver sensitivity penalty than 16QAM‐OFDM using DMT modulation and electrical self‐mixing. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:259–262, 2014
Resourcefulness Training for Grandmothers: Preliminary Evidence of Effectiveness
Authors: Zauszniewski Jaclene A. , Musil Carol M. , Burant Christopher J. , Au Tsay‐Yi
Published: November 2013

In this pilot study of 102 grandmothers raising grandchildren, we used a quasi‐experimental, repeated measures design to examine effects of resourcefulness training reinforced by expressive writing (journaling) or verbal disclosure (digital voice recording) in reducing stress and depressive symptoms and enhancing quality of life. Resourcefulness training was compared with expressive writing, verbal disclosure, and attention control conditions. Both the expressive writing and verbal disclosure methods for reinforcing resourcefulness training were more effective than the other three conditions in reducing stress and depressive symptoms and improving quality of life. No difference was found between the two reinforcement methods. Grandmothers may benefit from learning resourcefulness skills and from practicing them in ways that best fit their needs and lifestyles. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Calorie reductions and within‐meal calorie compensation in children's meal combos
Authors: Wansink Brian , Hanks Andrew S.
Published: November 2013

Objective

What happens if a fast‐food restaurant chain lowers the calories in a children's meal bundle (CMB), mainly by reducing the portion size of French fries? This study examines how such changes may influence within‐meal selections. Specifically, do lower‐calorie changes lead to within‐meal calorie compensation?

Methods

Item‐level anonymous transaction data were collected for thirty chain‐owned representative US restaurants during June, July, and August of 2011 (pre‐changes) and 2012 (post‐changes) with a focus on transaction records that included a CMB. Mixed‐effects, repeated measures estimation techniques were used for the analysis. Outcome measures were the percentage and caloric profile of specific entrée items, side items, and beverages purchased in all children selecting meals.

Results

The new CMB resulted in selected children's meals that had an average of 18.8% fewer calories (P < 0.001). Additionally, a greater percentage of meals had milk (P < 0.001) compared to the prior year.

Conclusion

Small changes in the automatic—or default—foods offered or promoted in children's meals can reduce calorie intake and improve the overall nutrition from selected foods as long as there is still an indulgence. Importantly, balancing a meal with smaller portions of favored foods might avoid reactance and overeating. Just as managers have done this in restaurants, parents can do this at home.
Is overweight and class I obesity associated with increased health claims costs?
Authors: Østbye Truls , Stroo Marissa , Eisenstein Eric L. , Peterson Bercedis , Dement John
Published: November 2013

Objectives

Evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and health claims costs over the last decade, assess the strength and nature of the relationship between BMI and costs, and identify comorbidities that may drive any increased costs.

Methods

Using 2001‐2011 claims data for employees participating in annual health appraisals, annual paid claims costs were calculated. One‐part negative binomial models were fit to evaluate the relationship between BMI and costs, controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and calendar year period.

Results

The relationship between increasing BMI and increasing health claims costs is gradual and starts already at a BMI of 19. The nature of the relationship did not change notably over time. The most important obesity‐related comorbidities, expressed as percent increase in cost per BMI unit, was cardiovascular disease (males 10.53, 95% CI [6.46, 14.77], females 4.27, 95% CI [1.25, 7.38), while cardiovascular agents (7.23, 95% CI [6.08, 8.39]) were the most important driver of pharmacy costs.

Conclusion

In contrast to recent evidence relating to effects on mortality, we observed a gradual increase in health claims costs starting at the low end of the recommended BMI range.
Eating on impulse: The relation between overweight and food‐specific inhibitory control
Authors: Houben Katrijn , Nederkoorn Chantal , Jansen Anita
Published: November 2013

Objective

Consistent with the idea that impulsivity increases vulnerability to temptations of tasty high caloric food, less effective response inhibition is associated with overeating, overweight, and obesity. However, inefficient response inhibition mainly affects eating behavior when strong motivational urges to consume palatable food are simultaneously present. This study, therefore, examined whether overweight is associated specifically with inefficient response inhibition of food‐related responses rather than with a general response inhibition deficiency.

Methods

Eighty‐seven female participants (age: M = 26.17, SD = 10.9; body mass index (BMI: kg/m2): M = 22.28, SD = 4.34, range 13.86‐39.86) performed both a Stop‐Signal task with general stimuli to measure general response inhibition ability, and a Stop‐Signal task with food‐related pictures to measure ability to inhibit responses to food pictures.

Results

As expected, a higher BMI was associated with decreased inhibitory control over food‐related responses. There was no association between BMI and general response inhibition.

Conclusions

Overweight is not characterized by a general tendency to react impulsively, but instead by impulsive responding toward palatable food. The implication is that weight loss interventions need to focus on decreasing food‐specific impulsivity rather than on reducing general impulsivity.
Recruitment of fat cell precursors during high fat diet in C57BL/6J mice is fat depot specific
Authors: Gawronska‐Kozak B. , Staszkiewicz J. , Gimble J. M. , Kirk‐Ballard H.
Published: November 2013

Objective

The study aims to explore long‐term dietary effects on increases in body mass and fat depot enlargement through the recruitment of early in life labeled progenitor cells to the adipolineage.

Methods

Neonate male C57BL/6J (B6) mice were injected intraperitoneally with BrdU. From 4 until 30 weeks of age they were fed either low fat diet (LFD) or high fat diet (HFD). BrdU‐labeled cells were analyzed by flow cytometric and immunohistochemical assays after 10 days and 4, 8, 16, and 30 weeks.

Results

Mice fed HFD were heavier than mice fed LFD with the most dramatic disparity recorded between week 16 and 30. BrdU‐bearing cells showed the decrease in the percentage content of labeled cells in inguinal (iWAT), epididymal (eWAT) and bone marrow (BM) tissues, regardless diets. However, iWAT collected from animals on HFD showed significant increase in labeled‐cells at week 16th, which coincides with robust increase in inguinal but not epididymal fat weight between 16 and 30 weeks age.

Conclusions

Cells labeled with BrdU during neonate life of B6 mice persist in fat tissues for long period of time and are recruited to the adipocyte lineage in a favorable (obesogenic) environment in iWAT but not in eWAT.
Non‐activated protein C rescue treatment in Wilms tumour associated hepatic sinusoidal obstructive syndrome
Authors: De Leonardis Francesco , Koronica Roberta , Bruno Stefania D. , Santoro Nicola
Published: November 2013

Hepatic sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (HSOS) is a frequent complication in patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), and more rarely, in paediatric patients receiving conventional chemotherapy for solid tumours. Its diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical signs and symptoms such as hepatomegaly, jaundice, weight gain and fluid retention. HSOS treatment is primarily based on supportive care and anti‐fibrinolytic agents. Here we report two patients affected by Wilms tumour who developed life‐threatening HSOS that failed to respond to conventional treatment. Both patients recovered after receiving aggressive supportive treatment that included administration of non‐activated protein C (Ceprotin®—Baxter). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:940–941. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficiency of Different Solvents on the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from the Amazonian Fruit Caryocar villosum and the Effect on its Antioxidant and Colour Properties
Authors: Chisté Renan Campos , de Toledo Benassi Marta , Mercadante Adriana Zerlotti
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Caryocar villosum has been reported as a source of bioactive compounds that can be used as a potential product against oxidative damage in foods or biological systems.

Objective

To obtain extracts from fruit pulps of C. villosum with high levels of bioactive compounds that have both antioxidant and colour properties.

Method

The contents of bioactive compounds (total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids and tocopherols), the colour parameters, the scavenging capacity against peroxyl radicals (ROO•) and the quenching activity against singlet oxygen (1O2) were determined. All data were used for extract classification by applying principal components analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis.

Results

The water and ethanol:water (1:1, v/v) extracts presented the highest levels of total phenolic compounds (9.2 and 6.3 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, respectively), total flavonoids (3.8 and 2.5 mg catechin equivalent/g extract, respectively) and total tannins (7.6 and 2.4 mg tannic acid equivalent/g extract, respectively). The ethanol:water (1:1, v/v) extract also showed the highest scavenging capacity against ROO• (0.3 mmol trolox equivalent/g extract) and the highest protection against 1O2 (12.5%). On the other hand, the ethanol extracts, which were the most vivid and yellow colour (C*ab = 13.7 and b* = 13.3), presented the highest level of total carotenoids (0.1 mg/g), but low scavenging capacity against ROO• (0.01 mmol trolox equivalent/g extract).

Conclusion

Based on these results and depending on the applicability, the ethanol:water, water and ethanol are the most promising solvents to obtain C. villosum extracts with high contents of bioactive compounds, ROO• scavenging capacity and protection against 1O2. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IDENTIFYING AND CULTIVATING LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Authors: Augustyniak Kristine M.
Published: November 2013

Though National Association of School Psychologists standards acknowledge the urgent need for leadership skills among school psychologists and loosely define a leadership agenda, a cogent model for the training and practice of this skill set has not yet been explicated. The formulation of a preliminary conceptual framework is a particularly pressing agenda for school psychology practitioners and academicians who, in response to the call for increased accountability in general and special education, must shift curricula from a traditional diagnostic/consultative/intervention framework to include topics related to organizational effectiveness. The objective of this article is to identify key behaviors, skills, dispositions, and contextual variables that will facilitate successful leadership among practicing school psychologists and then to propose considerations for specialist‐level training in school psychology.
Structural isomer effects on the morphology of block copolymer/metal salts hybrids
Authors: Sageshima Yoshio , Noro Atsushi , Matsushita Yushu
Published: November 2013

The structural isomer effects on phase behavior of block copolymer/FeCl3 hybrids were investigated by comparing structures of two series of blends based on polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐P4VP) and polystyrene‐b‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐P2VP), with the same molecular weight and the same composition. By conbining fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and differencial scaninng calorimetry, successful achievements of selective dispersion of FeCl3 into poly(vinylpyridine) phase via coordination were verified. Complementary morphological observation by transmission electron microscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), it has been clarified that phase behavior for two isomer series is considerably different. That is, neat PS‐P4VP formed thicker cylindrical domains than that of neat PS‐P2VP due to much stronger Flory‐Huggins interaction parameter χ, χPS‐P4VP » χPS‐P2VP. As for PS‐P2VP/FeCl3 hybrids, morphological transition can be taken place at the smaller amount of metal salt; furthermore, P2VP blend series form lamellar structures with evidently larger periodic length at the same amount of metal salt. This is probably caused by the event that excess metal salt also contributes to lamellar expansion by localizing at the center of P2VP lamellar phase. Moreover, the saturation limit of introduced metal salt in P2VP was smaller than that in P4VP due to the steric hindrance for a lone pair electrons on nitrogen atoms directed to the main chain of P2VP. These results can be explained by the structural isomer effects on the conformation of the P2VP chains at coordinated state with FeCl3, that is, P2VP chains prefer to form the intramolecular coordination due to the short range interaction so as to make themselves stiffer, whereas P4VP chains tend to adopt the long range interaction including intra‐ and intermolecular coordinations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 377–386
Ab initio protein folding simulations using atomic burials as informational intermediates between sequence and structure
Authors: van der Linden Marx Gomes , Ferreira Diogo César , de Oliveira Leandro Cristante , Onuchic José N. , Pereira de Araújo Antônio F.
Published: November 2013

The three‐dimensional structure of proteins is determined by their linear amino acid sequences but decipherment of the underlying protein folding code has remained elusive. Recent studies have suggested that burials, as expressed by atomic distances to the molecular center, are sufficiently informative for structural determination while potentially obtainable from sequences. Here we provide direct evidence for this distinctive role of burials in the folding code, demonstrating that burial propensities estimated from local sequence can indeed be used to fold globular proteins in ab initio simulations. We have used a statistical scheme based on a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to classify all heavy atoms of a protein into a small number of burial atomic types depending on sequence context. Molecular dynamics simulations were then performed with a potential that forces all atoms of each type towards their predicted burial level, while simple geometric constraints were imposed on covalent structure and hydrogen bond formation. The correct folded conformation was obtained and distinguished in simulations that started from extended chains for a selection of structures comprising all three folding classes and high burial prediction quality. These results demonstrate that atomic burials can act as informational intermediates between sequence and structure, providing a new conceptual framework for improving structural prediction and understanding the fundamentals of protein folding. Proteins 2014; 82:1186–1199. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accurate prediction of interfacial residues in two‐domain proteins using evolutionary information: Implications for three‐dimensional modeling
Authors: Bhaskara Ramachandra M. , Padhi Amrita , Srinivasan Narayanaswamy
Published: November 2013

With the preponderance of multidomain proteins in eukaryotic genomes, it is essential to recognize the constituent domains and their functions. Often function involves communications across the domain interfaces, and the knowledge of the interacting sites is essential to our understanding of the structure–function relationship. Using evolutionary information extracted from homologous domains in at least two diverse domain architectures (single and multidomain), we predict the interface residues corresponding to domains from the two‐domain proteins. We also use information from the three‐dimensional structures of individual domains of two‐domain proteins to train naïve Bayes classifier model to predict the interfacial residues. Our predictions are highly accurate (∼85%) and specific (∼95%) to the domain–domain interfaces. This method is specific to multidomain proteins which contain domains in at least more than one protein architectural context. Using predicted residues to constrain domain–domain interaction, rigid‐body docking was able to provide us with accurate full‐length protein structures with correct orientation of domains. We believe that these results can be of considerable interest toward rational protein and interaction design, apart from providing us with valuable information on the nature of interactions. Proteins 2014; 82:1219–1234. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Up‐regulation of Gadd45α after exposure to metal nanoparticles: The role of hypoxia inducible factor 1α
Authors: Feng Lingfang , Zhang Yue , Jiang Mizu , Mo Yiqun , Wan Rong , Jia Zhenyu , Tollerud David J. , Zhang Xing , Zhang Qunwei
Published: November 2013

The increased development and use of nanoparticles in various fields may lead to increased exposure, directly affecting human health. Our current knowledge of the health effects of metal nanoparticles such as cobalt and titanium dioxide (Nano‐Co and Nano‐TiO2) is limited but suggests that some metal nanoparticles may cause genotoxic effects including cell cycle arrest, DNA damage, and apoptosis. The growth arrest and DNA damage‐inducible 45α protein (Gadd45α) has been characterized as one of the key players in the cellular responses to a variety of DNA damaging agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the alteration of Gadd45α expression in mouse embryo fibroblasts (PW) exposed to metal nanoparticles and the possible mechanisms. Non‐toxic doses of Nano‐Co and Nano‐TiO2 were selected to treat cells. Our results showed that Nano‐Co caused a dose‐ and time‐dependent increase in Gadd45α expression, but Nano‐TiO2 did not. To investigate the potential pathways involved in Nano‐Co‐induced Gadd45α up‐regulation, we measured the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) in PW cells exposed to Nano‐Co and Nano‐TiO2. Our results showed that exposure to Nano‐Co caused HIF‐1α accumulation in the nucleus. In addition, hypoxia inducible factor 1α knock‐out cells [HIF‐1α (−/−)] and its wild‐type cells [HIF‐1α (+/+)] were used. Our results demonstrated that Nano‐Co caused a dose‐ and time‐dependent increase in Gadd45α expression in wild‐type HIF‐1α (+/+) cells, but only a slight increase in HIF‐1α (−/−) cells. Pre‐treatment of PW cells with heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, 17‐(Allylamino)−17‐demethoxygeldanamycin (17‐AAG), prior to exposure to Nano‐Co significantly abolished Nano‐Co‐induced Gadd45α expression. These results suggest that HIF‐1α accumulation may be partially involved in the increased Gadd45α expression in cells exposed to Nano‐Co. These findings may have important implications for understanding the potential health effects of metal nanoparticle exposure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 490–499, 2015.
Turning back the tide of litigation
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: November 2013

Currently, we are faced not with just a tide of litigation, but rather with a tsunami. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
Avoiding urological litigation in general practice
Authors: Reynard John M. , Sullivan Mark E.
Published: November 2013

The authors provide some tips on how GPs can avoid litigation by being aware of the urological symptoms and situations that should alert them to the possibility of serious pathology. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
Patient complaints and physician practice: the urological experience
Authors: Dmochowski Roger
Published: November 2013

Roger Dmochowski investigates the relationship between patient complaints and the risk of malpractice by linking complaints to urological practice types. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
Prostate Cancer UK: the Blue Skies Forum
Authors: Kirby Roger , Eeles Ros , Neal David , Ahmed Hashim U. , Dearnaley David
Published: November 2013

The second meeting of the Blue Skies Forum took place in Downing College, Cambridge, in April 2013, with the objective of focusing attention on new initiatives in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, in particular on areas of research that aim to identify aggressive disease. The meeting was hosted by Prostate Cancer UK and supported by The Howard Foundation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
Factors affecting sonographic preoperative local staging of endometrial cancer
Authors: Fischerova D. , Frühauf F. , Zikan M. , Pinkavova I. , Kocián R. , Dundr P. , Nemejcova K. , Dusek L. , Cibula D.
Published: November 2013

Objectives

To identify major factors in the under‐ and overestimation of cervical and myometrial invasion by endometrial cancer at preoperative staging by ultrasound.

Methods

This prospective study involved all patients with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer referred consecutively for surgical staging between January 2009 and December 2011. All patients underwent transvaginal ultrasound examination, obtaining metric and perfusion data, and the results were compared with final histology: myometrial invasion was defined at histology in the final pathology report as being either < or ≥ 50%, while cervical stromal invasion was reported as being either present or absent, and sonographic over‐/underestimation was determined relative to these.

Results

Enrolled prospectively into the study were 210 patients. The proportion of cases with sonographic underestimation, relative to final histology, of myometrial invasion (i.e. false‐negative estimation of no or superficial invasion < 50%) and of cervical invasion (i.e. false‐negative finding of absence of stromal invasion) was comparable: 8.6% (n = 18) and 10.5% (n = 22), respectively. Myometrial invasion was overestimated by ultrasound (i.e. false‐positive estimation of deep invasion ≥ 50%) in 15.7% (n = 33) of cases, and cervical invasion was overestimated (i.e. false‐positive finding of presence of stromal invasion) in 4.8% (n = 10) of cases. These outcomes correspond to positive and negative predictive values of 67.6% (95% CI, 57.7–76.6) and 83.3% (95% CI, 74.9–89.8), respectively, for the subjective assessment of myometrial invasion, and 60.0% (95% CI, 38.2–79.2) and 88.1% (95% CI, 82.5–92.4), respectively, for that of cervical stromal invasion. The staging error in subjective assessment was not related to body mass index (BMI), to the position of the uterus in the pelvis or to image quality. Cervical and myometrial invasion were more often underestimated in well‐differentiated endometrial cancers that were smaller in size, with thick minimum tumor‐free myometrium and lower perfusion, and more often overestimated in moderately and poorly differentiated cancers that were larger in size, with thin minimum tumor‐free myometrium and richer perfusion.

Conclusion

The accuracy of subjective assessment of myometrial and cervical invasion by ultrasound was significantly influenced by tumor size, density of tumor vascularization, tumor vessel architecture and histological grading, while it was not significantly affected by BMI, uterine position and image quality. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Design and high-level expression of a hybrid antimicrobial peptide LF15-CA8 in Escherichia coli
Authors: Feng Xing-Jun , Xing Li-Wei , Liu Di , Song Xue-Ying , Liu Chun-Long , Li Jing , Xu Wen-Shan , Li Zhong-Qiu
Published: November 2013

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been paid considerable attention owing to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and have great potential as novel antimicrobials. In this study, a novel hybrid peptide LF15-CA8 was designed on the basis of bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) and cecropin A. The gene segment encoding LF15-CA8 was synthesized and cloned into pGEX-4T-BH to form pGEX-4T-LC1 containing one copy of the LF15-CA8 coding region. A series of recombinant vectors containing up to six multiple-copy LF15-CA8 coding regions, i.e., pGEX-4T-LCn (n = 1–6), were subsequently constructed, and used for transformation in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). After induction with IPTG, pGEX-4T-LC1 and pGEX-4T-LC2 transformants successfully expressed fusion proteins GST-LF15-CA8 and GST-(LF15-CA8)2 in the form of inclusion bodies, respectively. The inclusion bodies were dissolved and the peptide was successfully released in 70 % formic acid in a single step. After purification, about 10.0 mg of the recombinant peptide LF15-CA8 with purity more than 97 % was obtained from 1 l of bacteria culture of pGEX-4T-LC2 transformants. LF15-CA8 caused an increase in antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) compared with the parent peptides and did not show obvious hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes in the range of effective antibacterial concentration. These results suggest that the peptide LF15-CA8 could be a promising candidate for therapeutic applications, and may lead to a cost-effective solution for the large-scale production of AMPs.
Bayesian Estimation of Multinomial Processing Tree Models with Heterogeneity in Participants and Items
Authors: Matzke Dora , Dolan Conor V. , Batchelder William H. , Wagenmakers Eric-Jan
Published: November 2013

Multinomial processing tree (MPT) models are theoretically motivated stochastic models for the analysis of categorical data. Here we focus on a crossed-random effects extension of the Bayesian latent-trait pair-clustering MPT model. Our approach assumes that participant and item effects combine additively on the probit scale and postulates (multivariate) normal distributions for the random effects. We provide a WinBUGS implementation of the crossed-random effects pair-clustering model and an application to novel experimental data. The present approach may be adapted to handle other MPT models.
Médecine et discours sur l'homme dans la première modernité
Authors: Mandressi Rafael
Published: November 2013

La médecine savante des XVIe et XVIIe siècles peut être dite anthropologique en ce qu’elle est productrice d’un discours sur l’homme dont l’étendue et la légitimité n’ont nullement besoin d’être revendiquées. L’horizon épistémique assumé d’une doctrina de homine, sous-tendue par l’investissement du corps en tant qu’objet de science, se négocie au gré de l’intrication de la médecine – de l’anatomie, en particulier – avec la philosophie et la théologie, dans le cadre du réaménagement de l’économie des savoirs dans l’Europe du « long XVIe siècle ».
An oxalyl‐CoA synthetase is important for oxalate metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Foster Justin , Nakata Paul A.
Published: November 2013

Although oxalic acid is common in nature our understanding of the mechanism(s) regulating its turnover remains incomplete. In this study we identify Saccharomyces cerevisiae acyl‐activating enzyme 3 (ScAAE3) as an enzyme capable of catalyzing the conversion of oxalate to oxalyl‐CoA. Based on our findings we propose that ScAAE3 catalyzes the first step in a novel pathway of oxalate degradation to protect the cell against the harmful effects of oxalate derived from an endogenous process or an environmental source.
Mass spectrometry for the biophysical characterization of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Zhang Hao , Cui Weidong , Gross Michael L.
Published: November 2013

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are powerful therapeutics, and their characterization has drawn considerable attention and urgency. Unlike small‐molecule drugs (150–600 Da) that have rigid structures, mAbs (∼150 kDa) are engineered proteins that undergo complicated folding and can exist in a number of low‐energy structures, posing a challenge for traditional methods in structural biology. Mass spectrometry (MS)‐based biophysical characterization approaches can provide structural information, bringing high sensitivity, fast turnaround, and small sample consumption. This review outlines various MS‐based strategies for protein biophysical characterization and then reviews how these strategies provide structural information of mAbs at the protein level (intact or top‐down approaches), peptide, and residue level (bottom‐up approaches), affording information on higher order structure, aggregation, and the nature of antibody complexes.
Long‐term effects of prenatal allopurinol treatment on brain plasticity markers in low and normal birth weight piglets
Authors: Prickaerts Jos , Gieling Elise T. , Bruder Ann K. , van der Staay Franz J. , Vanmierlo Tim
Published: November 2013

In this study, we investigated the effect of antenatal allopurinol (ALLO) treatment on levels and expression of plasticity markers in the dorsal hippocampus of low (LBW) and normal (NBW) birth weight piglets. ALLO treatment given daily in the last trimester to pregnant sows had a protective effect on neuronal plasticity markers in their piglets. ALLO increases protein levels of BDNF and the postsynaptic marker PSD95 in LBW and NBW piglets. ALLO treatment increases the pCREB/CREB ratio in LBW piglets to a similar level as that found in untreated NBW piglets. In conclusion, antioxidant treatment administered in the last trimester might be a promising treatment for LBW neonates.
Effectiveness of a Primary Health Care Program on Urban and Rural Community Disaster Preparedness, Islamic Republic of Iran: A Community Intervention Trial
Authors: Ardalan Ali , Mowafi Hani , Malekafzali Ardakani Hossein , Abolhasanai Farid , Zanganeh Ali-Mohammad , Safizadeh Hossein , Salari Sirous , Zonoobi Vahid
Published: November 2013

Background

To evaluate the effectiveness of a capacity-building intervention administered through a primary health care (PHC) system on community disaster preparedness in Iran.

Methods

A controlled community intervention trial with pre- and postassessments was conducted in 2011 in 3 provinces of Iran. In each province, 2 areas were chosen and randomly selected as an intervention or control group. A total of 9200 households were in the intervention area and 10 010 were in the control area. In each study group in each province 250 households were sampled for pre- and postassessment surveys. Community health volunteers led by PHC staff administered an educational intervention covering elements of hazard awareness and preparedness, with a focus on earthquakes and floods. Relative changes for awareness and readiness scores were assessed to demonstrate changes in outcome variables from pre- to postassessments in intervention and control groups. An effectiveness test of significance was based on interaction between time and area.

Results

Households in intervention communities exhibited improved disaster awareness and readiness with respect to all outcome measures. Relative changes in awareness in intervention and control areas were 2.94 and -0.08, respectively (P < .001). Relative changes for readiness scores were 5.52 in intervention areas and 0.56 in control areas (P < .001). Relative changes for awareness and readiness were significantly correlated with a community's baseline risk perception and previous experience with natural disasters (P < .001).

Conclusions

An educational intervention administered through the PHC system effectively improved disaster awareness and readiness at a community level. For sustainability, community disaster reduction programs must be integrated into routine public health service delivery. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:481-490)
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness of Health Professions Students: A Multidisciplinary Assessment of Knowledge, Confidence, and Attitudes
Authors: Markenson David , Woolf Seth , Redlener Irwin , Reilly Michael
Published: November 2013

Objective

This study assessed disaster medicine knowledge and competence and perceived self-efficacy and motivation for disaster response among medical, nursing, and dental students.

Methods

Survey methodology was used to evaluate knowledge, comfort, perceived competency, and motivation. Also, a nonresponder survey was used to control for responder bias.

Results

A total of 136 responses were received across all 3 schools. A nonresponder survey showed no statistical differences with regard to age, gender, previous presence at a disaster, and previous emergency response training. In spite of good performance on many knowledge items, respondent confidence was low in knowledge and in comfort to perform in disaster situations. Knowledge was strong in areas of infection control, decontamination, and biological and chemical terrorism but weak in areas of general emergency management, role of government agencies, and radiologic events. Variations in knowledge among the different health professions were slight, but overall the students believed that they required additional education. Finally, students were motivated not only to acquire more knowledge but to respond to disaster situations.

Conclusions

Health care students must be adequately educated to assume roles in disasters that are a required part of their professions. This education also is necessary for further disaster medicine education in either postgraduate or occupational education. As students’ performance on knowledge items was better than their perceived knowledge, it appears that a majority of this education can be achieved with the use of existing curricula, with minor modification, and the addition of a few focused subjects, which may be delivered through novel educational approaches. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:499-506)
The Japan Medical Association's Disaster Preparedness: Lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Authors: Ishii Masami , Nagata Takashi
Published: November 2013

A complex disaster, the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, consisted of a large-scale earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident, resulting in more than 15 000 fatalities, injuries, and missing persons and damage over a 500-km area. The entire Japanese public was profoundly affected by “3/11.” The risk of radiation exposure initially delayed the medical response, prolonging the recovery efforts. Japan's representative medical organization, the Japan Medical Association (JMA), began dispatching Japan Medical Association Teams (JMATs) to affected areas beginning March 15, 2011. About 1400 JMATs comprising nearly 5500 health workers were launched. The JMA coordinated JMAT operations and cooperated in conducting postmortem examination, transporting large quantities of medical supplies, and establishing a multiorganizational council to provide health assistance to disaster survivors. Importantly, these response efforts contributed to the complete recovery of the health care system in affected areas within 3 months, and by July 15, 2011, JMATs were withdrawn. Subsequently, JMATs II have been providing long-term continuing medical support to disaster-affected areas. However, Japan is at great risk for future natural disasters because of its Pacific Rim location. Also, its rapidly aging population, uneven distribution of and shortage of medical resources in regional communities, and an overburdened public health insurance system highlight the need for a highly prepared and effective disaster response system. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:507-512)
Easing the Heavy Hand: Humanitarian Concern, Empathy, and Opinion on Immigration
Authors: Newman Benjamin J. , Hartman Todd K. , Lown Patrick L. , Feldman Stanley
Published: November 2013

The bulk of the public opinion research on immigration identifies the factors leading to opposition to immigration. In contrast, we focus on a previously unexplored factor yielding support for immigration: humanitarianism. Relying upon secondary analysis of national public opinion survey data and an original survey experiment, we demonstrate that humanitarian concern significantly decreases support for restrictive immigration policy. Results from our survey experiment demonstrate that in an information environment evoking both threat and countervailing humanitarian concern regarding immigration, the latter can and does override the former. Last, our results point to the importance of individual differences in empathy in moderating the effects of both threat and humanitarian inducements.
Salivary proteins of plant-feeding hemipteroids – implication in phytophagy
Authors: Sharma A. , Khan A.N. , Subrahmanyam S. , Raman A. , Taylor G.S. , Fletcher M.J.
Published: November 2013

Many hemipteroids are major pests and vectors of microbial pathogens, infecting crops. Saliva of the hemipteroids is critical in enabling them to be voracious feeders on plants, including the economically important ones. A plethora of hemipteroid salivary enzymes is known to inflict stress in plants, either by degrading the plant tissue or by affecting their normal metabolism. Hemipteroids utilize one of the following three strategies of feeding behaviour: salivary sheath feeding, osmotic-pump feeding and cell-rupture feeding. The last strategy also includes several different tactics such as lacerate-and-flush, lacerate-and-sip and macerate-and-flush. Understanding hemipteroid feeding mechanisms is critical, since feeding behaviour directs salivary composition. Saliva of the Heteroptera that are specialized as fruit and seed feeders, includes cell-degrading enzymes, auchenorrhynchan salivary composition also predominantly consists of cell-degrading enzymes such as amylase and protease, whereas that of the Sternorhyncha includes a variety of allelochemical-detoxifying enzymes. Little is known about the salivary composition of the Thysanoptera. Cell-degrading proteins such as amylase, pectinase, cellulase and pectinesterase enable stylet entry into the plant tissue. In contrast, enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, laccase and trehalase detoxify plant chemicals, enabling the circumvention of plant-defence mechanisms. Salivary enzymes such as M1-zinc metalloprotease and CLIP-domain serine protease as inAcyrthosiphon pisum(Aphididae), and non-enzymatic proteins such as apolipophorin, ficolin-3-like protein and ‘lava-lamp’ protein as inDiuraphis noxia(Aphididae) have the capacity to alter host-plant-defence mechanisms. A majority of the hemipteroids feed on phloem, hence Ca++-binding proteins such as C002 protein, calreticulin-like isoform 1 and calmodulin (critical for preventing sieve-plate occlusion) are increasingly being recognized in hemipteroid–plant interactions. Determination of a staggering variety of proteins shows the complexity of hemipteroid saliva: effector proteins localized in hemipteran saliva suggest a similarity to the physiology of pathogen–plant interactions.
Studies on the protective efficacy of second-generation vaccine along with standard antileishmanial drug in Leishmania donovani infected BALB/c mice
Authors: JOSHI JYOTI , KAUR SUKHBIR
Published: November 2013

It is well established that visceral leishmaniasis (VL; also known as Kala azar) causes immunosuppression, and a successful drug treatment is associated with the development of cell-mediated immunity. Therefore combining a drug with an immune enhancer can provide a better approach for the treatment of the disease. Keeping this in mind, the in vivo antileishmanial efficacy of immunochemotherapy was evaluated with the use of a 78 kDa antigen with or without monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL-A) along with a traditional drug sodium stibogluconate (SSG) in Leishmania donovani infected BALB/c mice. Mice were infected intracardially with promastigotes of L. donovani, and 30 days after infection, these animals were given specific immunotherapy (78 kDa/78 kDa+MPL-A) or chemotherapy (SSG) or immunochemotherapy (SSG+78 kDa/SSG+78 kDa+MPL-A). Animals were euthanased on 1, 15 and 30 post-treatment days. The antileishmanial potential of the immunochemotherapy was revealed by significant reduction in the parasite burden (P<0·001). These animals were also found to exhibit increased delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses, higher IgG2a levels, lower IgG1 levels and greater cytokine (IFN-γ and IL-2) concentrations compared with chemotherapy or immunotherapy alone, pointing towards the generation of a strong protective (Th1) type of immune response. Immunochemotherapy with SSG+78 kDa+MPL-A was found to be most effective in protecting mice against VL and therefore can be an alternative option for treatment of VL.
Dynamics of Political Resistance in Tibet: Religious Repression and Controversies of Demographic Change
Authors: Han Enze , Paik Christopher
Published: November 2013

In a novel approach to studying political mobilization among ethnic Tibetans in China, this article addresses two key questions. First, considering the Chinese state's repressive policies towards Tibetan Buddhism, what role does religion play in fomenting Tibetan political resistance? Second, what implications can be drawn from the changing ethnic demography in Tibet about the conflict behaviour of Tibetans? Using various GIS-referenced data, this article specifically examines the 2008 Tibetan protest movements in China. The main results of our analysis indicate that the spread and frequency of protests in ethnic Tibetan areas are significantly associated with the number of officially registered Tibetan Buddhist sites, as well as the historical dominance of particular types of Tibetan religious sects. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the effect of Han Chinese settlement on Tibetan political activism is more controversial than previously thought.