bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
mRNA Expression Signature of Gleason Grade Predicts Lethal Prostate Cancer
Authors: Penney Kathryn L. , Sinnott Jennifer A. , Fall Katja , Pawitan Yudi , Hoshida Yujin , Kraft Peter , Stark Jennifer R. , Fiorentino Michelangelo , Perner Sven , Finn Stephen , Calza Stefano , Flavin Richard , Freedman Matthew L. , Setlur Sunita , Sesso Howard D. , Andersson Swen-Olof , Martin Neil , Kantoff Philip W. , Johansson Jan-Erik , Adami Hans-Olov , Rubin Mark A. , Loda Massimo , Golub Todd R. , Andrén Ove , Stampfer Meir J. , Mucci Lorelei A.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Prostate-specific antigen screening has led to enormous overtreatment of prostate cancer because of the inability to distinguish potentially lethal disease at diagnosis. We reasoned that by identifying an mRNA signature of Gleason grade, the best predictor of prognosis, we could improve prediction of lethal disease among men with moderate Gleason 7 tumors, the most common grade, and the most indeterminate in terms of prognosis.

Patients and Methods

Using the complementary DNA–mediated annealing, selection, extension, and ligation assay, we measured the mRNA expression of 6,100 genes in prostate tumor tissue in the Swedish Watchful Waiting cohort (n = 358) and Physicians' Health Study (PHS; n = 109). We developed an mRNA signature of Gleason grade comparing individuals with Gleason ≤ 6 to those with Gleason ≥ 8 tumors and applied the model among patients with Gleason 7 to discriminate lethal cases.

Results

We built a 157-gene signature using the Swedish data that predicted Gleason with low misclassification (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.91); when this signature was tested in the PHS, the discriminatory ability remained high (AUC = 0.94). In men with Gleason 7 tumors, who were excluded from the model building, the signature significantly improved the prediction of lethal disease beyond knowing whether the Gleason score was 4 + 3 or 3 + 4 (P = .006).

Conclusion

Our expression signature and the genes identified may improve our understanding of the de-differentiation process of prostate tumors. Additionally, the signature may have clinical applications among men with Gleason 7, by further estimating their risk of lethal prostate cancer and thereby guiding therapy decisions to improve outcomes and reduce overtreatment.
Testing Women With Endometrial Cancer to Detect Lynch Syndrome
Authors: Kwon Janice S. , Scott Jenna L. , Gilks C. Blake , Daniels Molly S. , Sun Charlotte C. , Lu Karen H.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Women with endometrial cancer as a result of Lynch syndrome may not be identified as such by Amsterdam II criteria. We estimated the costs and benefits of different testing criteria to identify Lynch syndrome in women with endometrial cancer.

Methods

We developed a Markov Monte Carlo simulation model to compare six criteria for Lynch syndrome testing for women with endometrial cancer: Amsterdam II criteria; age younger than 50 years with at least one first-degree relative having a Lynch-associated cancer at any age (FDR); immunohistochemistry (IHC) triage if age younger than 50 years; IHC triage if age younger than 60 years; IHC triage at any age if 1 FDR; and IHC triage of all endometrial cancers. Net health benefit was life expectancy, and primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The model estimated the number of new colorectal cancers associated with each strategy.

Results

IHC triage of women with endometrial cancer having at least 1 FDR yielded a favorable ICER of $9,126 per year of life gained. This strategy would subject fewer cases to IHC but identify more mutation carriers than age thresholds of 50 or 60 years. IHC triage of all endometrial cancers could identify the most mutation carriers and prevent the most colorectal cancers but at considerable cost ($648,494 per year of life gained).

Conclusion

IHC triage of women with endometrial cancer at any age having at least 1 FDR with a Lynch-associated cancer is a cost-effective strategy for detecting Lynch syndrome.
Benefit/Risk Assessment for Breast Cancer Chemoprevention With Raloxifene or Tamoxifen for Women Age 50 Years or Older
Authors: Freedman Andrew N. , Yu Binbing , Gail Mitchell H. , Costantino Joseph P. , Graubard Barry I. , Vogel Victor G. , Anderson Garnet L. , McCaskill-Stevens Worta
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) demonstrated that raloxifene was as effective as tamoxifen in reducing the risk of invasive breast cancer (IBC) in postmenopausal women and had lower risks of thromboembolic events, endometrial cancer, and cataracts but had a nonstatistically significant higher risk of noninvasive breast cancer. There is a need to summarize the risks and benefits of these agents.

Patients and Methods

Baseline incidence rates of IBC and other health outcomes, absent raloxifene and tamoxifen, were estimated from breast cancer chemoprevention trials; the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program; and the Women's Health Initiative. Effects of raloxifene and tamoxifen were estimated from STAR and the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial. We assigned weights to health outcomes to calculate the net benefit from raloxifene compared with placebo and tamoxifen compared with placebo.

Results

Risks and benefits of treatment with raloxifene or tamoxifen depend on age, race, breast cancer risk, and history of hysterectomy. Over a 5-year period, postmenopausal women with an intact uterus had a better benefit/risk index for raloxifene than for tamoxifen. For postmenopausal women without a uterus, the benefit/risk ratio was similar. The benefits and risks of raloxifene and tamoxifen are described in tables that can help identify groups of women for whom the benefits outweigh the risks.

Conclusion

We developed a benefit/risk index to quantify benefits from chemoprevention with tamoxifen or raloxifene. This index can complement clinical evaluation in deciding whether to initiate chemoprevention and in comparing the benefits and risks of raloxifene versus tamoxifen.
Prospective Neurocognitive Function Over 5 Years After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Cancer Survivors Compared With Matched Controls at 5 Years
Authors: Syrjala Karen L. , Artherholt Samantha B. , Kurland Brenda F. , Langer Shelby L. , Roth-Roemer Sari , Elrod JoAnn Broeckel , Dikmen Sureyya
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Research has documented cognitive deficits both before and after high-dose treatment followed by allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), with partial recovery by 1 year. This study prospectively examined the trajectory and extent of long-term cognitive dysfunction, with a focus on 1 to 5 years after treatment.

Patients and Methods

Allogeneic HCT recipients completed standardized neuropsychological tests including information processing speed (Trail Making A and Digit Symbol Substitution Test), verbal memory (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test–Revised), executive function (Controlled Oral Word Association Test and Trail Making B), and motor dexterity and speed (Grooved Pegboard). Survivors (n = 92) were retested after 80 days and 1 and 5 years after transplantation. Case-matched controls (n = 66) received testing at the 5-year time point. A Global Deficit Score (GDS) summarized overall impairment. Response profiles were analyzed using linear mixed effects models.

Results

Survivors recovered significant cognitive function from post-transplantation (80 days) to 5 years in all tests (P < .0001) except verbal recall (P > .06). Between 1 and 5 years, verbal fluency improved (P = .0002), as did executive function (P < .01), but motor dexterity did not (P > .15), remaining below controls (P < .0001) and more than 0.5 standard deviation below population norms. In GDS, 41.5% of survivors and 19.7% of controls had mild or greater deficits (NcNemar test = 7.04, P = .007).

Conclusion

Although neurocognitive function improved from 1 to 5 years after HCT, deficits remained for more than 40% of survivors. Risk factors, mechanisms and rehabilitation strategies need to be identified for these residual deficits.
Cohort Study Based on the Seventh Edition of the TNM Classification for Gastric Cancer: Proposal of a New Staging System
Authors: Warneke Viktoria S. , Behrens Hans-Michael , Hartmann Jörg T. , Held Harald , Becker Thomas , Schwarz Nicolas T. , Röcken Christoph
Published: May 2011

Purpose

We investigated the effect of the new TNM classification on gastric cancer staging.

Patients and Methods

From hospital records, information from patients with gastric cancer, who had undergone either total or partial gastrectomy for adenocarcinomas of the stomach or esophagogastric junction, was retrieved. The pathologic TNM stage was determined according to the sixth and seventh editions of the International Union Against Cancer guidelines and was based on surgical pathologic examination.

Results

Five hundred fifty-four patients (338 men and 216 women; median age, 68 years) had undergone partial or complete gastrectomy for intestinal (n = 209) or diffuse (n = 249) adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and stomach. Survival data and date of death were available for all patients. Patient death correlated significantly with age at diagnosis, tumor type, histologic grade, local tumor growth (T category), number of metastatic lymph nodes, lymph node ratio, lymph node status (N category), and tumor stage. No major difference was noted between the sixth and seventh editions of the TNM classification. On the basis of survival data, we revised the stage grouping system; stage I and II tumors were confined to nonmetastatic tumors, and stage III and IV tumors were confined to metastatic tumors. The Kaplan-Meier plots of this modified stage grouping showed statistically significant differences between individual stage subgroups without crossing curves and demonstrated improved survival of patients with stage II disease.

Conclusion

The seventh edition of the TNM classification is associated with a stage migration in 60% of patients with esophagogastric and stomach cancer. This change did not improve the assessment of patient prognosis, and therefore, a revised staging system is proposed.
Treatment-Related Risk Factors for Transformation to Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Authors: Björkholm Magnus , Derolf Åsa R. , Hultcrantz Malin , Kristinsson Sigurdur Y. , Ekstrand Charlotta , Goldin Lynn R. , Andreasson Björn , Birgegård Gunnar , Linder Olle , Malm Claes , Markevärn Berit , Nilsson Lars , Samuelsson Jan , Granath Fredrik , Landgren Ola
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis, have a propensity to develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). Using population-based data from Sweden, we assessed the role of MPN treatment and subsequent AML/MDS risk with special focus on the leukemogenic potential of hydroxyurea (HU).

Methods

On the basis of a nationwide MPN cohort (N = 11,039), we conducted a nested case-control study, including 162 patients (153 and nine with subsequent AML and MDS diagnosis, respectively) and 242 matched controls. We obtained clinical and MPN treatment data for all patients. Using logistic regression, we calculated odds ratios (ORs) as measures of AML/MDS risk.

Results

Forty-one (25%) of 162 patients with MPNs with AML/MDS development were never exposed to alkylating agents, radioactive phosphorous (P32), or HU. Compared with patients with who were not exposed to HU, the ORs for 1 to 499 g, 500 to 999 g, more than 1,000 g of HU were 1.5 (95% CI, 0.6 to 2.4), 1.4 (95% CI, 0.6 to 3.4), and 1.3 (95% CI, 0.5 to 3.3), respectively, for AML/MDS development (not significant). Patients with MPNs who received P32 greater than 1,000 MBq and alkylators greater than 1 g had a 4.6-fold (95% CI, 2.1 to 9.8; P = .002) and 3.4-fold (95% CI, 1.1 to 10.6; P = .015) increased risk of AML/MDS, respectively. Patients receiving two or more cytoreductive treatments had a 2.9-fold (95% CI, 1.4 to 5.9) increased risk of transformation.

Conclusion

The risk of AML/MDS development after MPN diagnosis was significantly associated with high exposures of P32 and alkylators but not with HU treatment. Twenty-five percent of patients with MPNs who developed AML/MDS were not exposed to cytotoxic therapy, supporting a major role for nontreatment-related factors.
Punctuation and Sense in Late-Eighteenth-Century Music
Authors: Mirka Danuta
Published: May 2011

Two closely interrelated techniques of phrase expansion occasionally used by eighteenth-century composers but so far not recognized by music theorists are twisted caesuras and overridden caesuras. Both of them represent complex games played by composers with their listeners on two different levels of listening experience: One dimension of the play belongs to the unconscious “modular” level of processing and hence, in principle, was accessible to all attentive listeners of the eighteenth century, including less cultivated ones (Liebhaber). The other dimension involves the “central” level of processing, related to consciousness, in that it plays with rules of Tonordnung—the part of eighteenth-century music theory dealing with succession of ending formulas. Consequently, it was addressed mainly to connoisseurs (Kenner). Phrase expansions caused by overridden and twisted caesuras offer some of the most intriguing proofs that late-eighteenth-century music was conceived of as an art of communication between composers and listeners.
Perimeter of sublevel sets in infinite dimensional spaces
Authors: Caselles Vicent , Lunardi Alessandra , Miranda jr Michele , Novaga Matteo
Published: May 2011

We compare the perimeter measure with the Airault–Malliavin surface measure
and we prove that all open convex subsets of abstract Wiener spaces
have finite perimeter. By an explicit counter-example, we show that in general this
is not true for compact convex domains.
Blood cells characteristics as determinants of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Cemin Roberto , Donazzan Luca , Lippi Giuseppe , Clari Francesca , Daves Massimo
Published: May 2011

Background: The aim of this study is to analyse the relation between red blood cells, platelets morphology and acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and to assess whether they could supplement the role of traditional cardiac biomarkers in the early identification of patients with AMI.

Methods: All consecutive patients admitted to our emergency department between the 1st January and the 31st August 2009 due to chest pain of suspected cardiac origin were included in the study. All the patients underwent physical examination, a 12-lead ECG, blood sampling for determination of cardiac troponin I and a complete blood count.

Results: A percentage of 6.7% of the 1971 patients had a confirmed diagnosis of AMI. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red blood cells distribution width (RDW) and platelets count (Plt) did not differ between patients with and without AMI. However, the mean platelet volume (MPV) was significantly higher in AMI patients (7.9 vs. 7.7 fL; p=0.0457). After stratification for gender, men with AMI displayed a lower RDW (p=0.0464) and a higher MPV (p=0.0062) as compared with those without AMI. The MCV and Plt were not significantly different. Women with AMI had a higher RDW (p=0.0079) as compared with those without AMI, while the MCV, Plt and MPV were not significantly different.

Conclusions: Our study partially confirms previous data on the association between MPV or RDW and AMI. The inclusion of these parameters along with other conventional cardiac biomarkers might be a valuable perspective when evaluating patients with suspected AMI, although gender differences should be taken in account.
Fundamental understanding of pulp property development under different thermomechanical pulp refining conditions as observed by a new Simons’ staining method and SEM observation of the ultrastructure of fibre surfaces
Authors: Fernando Dinesh , Muhić Dino , Engstrand Per , Daniel Geoffrey
Published: May 2011

The morphological and chemical characteristics of cell walls govern the response of wood fibre to mechanical pulping processes and thereby influence the energy efficiency of the process and determine most pulp and paper properties. A study has been carried out at the microstructural/ultrastructural level of fibre cell walls by means of a newly developed Simons’ staining (SS) method and scanning electron microscopy to characterize thermomechanical pulps (TMPs) produced under different refining conditions. The SS method allows assessment and quantification of pulp fibre development during the process in terms of cell wall delamination/internal fibrillation (D/IF) under different process conditions, and the degree of D/IF can be statistically evaluated for different TMP types. In focus was never-dried Norway spruce TMP from primary stage double-disc refining running in a full-scale mill, where specific refining energy was varied at different refining pressure levels. Improved energy efficiency was gained at the same tensile index level when applying high pressure (temperature). Under conditions of high pressure and refining energy, a significant enhancement of the degree of D/IF of pulp fibres was observed. The surface ultrastructure of these fibres exhibited an exposed S2 layer with long ribbon-type fibrillation compared to pulps produced with lower pressure and energy input. A given TMP type can be classified in the categories of high-severity and low-severity changes and quasi-untreated concerning the degree of D/IF of its fibres. The relative proportions of these are important for the development of pulp properties such as tensile strength. The presence of higher amounts of fibre fractions in the categories high D/IF and low D/IF will improve the tensile index of a TMP.
Phonetic convergence in spontaneous conversations as a function of interlocutor language distance
Authors: Kim Midam , Horton William S. , Bradlow Ann R.
Published: May 2011

This study explores phonetic convergence during conversations between pairs of talkers with varying language distance. Specifically, we examined conversations within two native English talkers and within two native Korean talkers who had either the same or different regional dialects, and between native and nonnative talkers of English. To measure phonetic convergence, an independent group of listeners judged the similarity of utterance samples from each talker through an XAB perception test, in which X was a sample of one talker's speech and A and B were samples from the other talker at either early or late portions of the conversation. The results showed greater convergence for same-dialect pairs than for either the different-dialect pairs or the different-L1 pairs. These results generally support the hypothesis that there is a relationship between phonetic convergence and interlocutor language distance. We interpret this pattern as suggesting that phonetic convergence between talker pairs that vary in the degree of their initial language alignment may be dynamically mediated by two parallel mechanisms: the need for intelligibility and the extra demands of nonnative speech production and perception.
Word-types, not word-tokens, facilitate extraction of phonotactic sequences by adults
Authors: Richtsmeier Peter T.
Published: May 2011

Phonotactics – the permissibility of sound sequences within a word – correspond to lexical statistics, but controversy persists over which statistics are being tracked. In this study, lexical type and token counts were compared as they contributed to phonotactic extraction from an artificial lexicon. Young-adult participants were familiarized with a set of CVCCVC nonwords contextualized as a lexicon of Martian animal names. The type and token frequencies of word-medial consonant sequences within those names were varied systematically. Participants then rated new nonwords, containing the same medial sequences, on a 7-point scale for similarity to the Martian animal names. Higher ratings only followed high type frequency familiarization conditions, suggesting that word-types drove phonotactic extraction. Additionally, participants reversed the typical preference for high-frequency English sequences, likely because they rated nonwords according to their membership in an unknown language. This finding suggests cognitively separable tracking of artificial language statistics and preexisting representations.
Metrical regularity facilitates speech planning and production
Authors: Tilsen Sam
Published: May 2011

Prosodic structure is known to influence utterance production in numerous ways, but the influence of repetition of metrical pattern on utterance production has not been thoroughly investigated. It was hypothesized that metrical regularity would speed utterance production and reduce the occurrence of speech errors. Productions of sequences of four trisyllabic nonwords were compared between two conditions: a metrically regular condition with a repeating strong-weak-weak pattern, and a metrically irregular condition that lacked a repeating prominence pattern. Utterance durations were slower in the irregular condition, more hesitations occurred, and more sequencing errors were made. These findings are significant in that they are not accommodated by serial models of speech production. It is argued that the effects of metrical regularity are due to interference between words in an utterance plan, and that this interference arises from constraints on the dynamics of word form representations in the planning of speech.
Congruence between ‘word age’ and ‘voice age’ facilitates lexical access
Authors: Walker Abby , Hay Jen
Published: May 2011

In Exemplar Theory, the mental lexical representation of a word is a distribution over memories of past experiences with that word. These memories are rich with phonetic and indexical detail. At the very core of the theory, then, is the prediction that individual words should have a unique phonetic distribution shaped by the environments in which they were most encountered. We pursue this hypothesis directly by exploring the prediction that a word should be more easily processed when it contains characteristics that most resemble the listener's accumulated past experience with that word. Twenty-five participants took part in an auditory lexical decision task where they heard words that are usually said more by older speakers, words usually said more by younger speakers, and age-neutral words. These words were presented in both an older and a younger voice. Accuracy rates increased and response times decreased when voice age and word age matched. This provides robust evidence that words are more easily processed when they contain characteristics that most resemble the listener's accumulated past experience with that word, providing verification of a key prediction of exemplar models of the lexicon.
Neutron Radiography: A Powerful Tool for Fast, Quantitative and Non-Destructive Determination of Hydrogen Concentration and Distribution in Zirconium Alloys
Authors: Grosse Mirco
Published: May 2011

The hydrogen concentration in zirconium alloys used in nuclear fuel cladding can be determined quantitatively, rapidly and non-destructively with a spatial resolution of 25 μm by neutron radiography. Because the total neutron cross section of hydrogen is more than one order of magnitude higher than that of zirconium, low concentrations of hydrogen can be measured. Calibration measurements have been performed and confirm the linear dependence of the total macroscopic neutron cross section on the hydrogen to zirconium atomic ratio as expected from theoretical analysis. The fast and non-destructive character of the method provides the possibility of in situ investigations. Examples of in situ investigations of the diffusion of hydrogen into Zircaloy-4 and of hydrogen uptake during steam oxidation are given. For the steam oxidation experiments a fast hydrogen uptake was found during the first 10 s. After this first step, the hydrogen concentration in the sample decreases slightly. If breakaway oxidation occurs, additional hydrogen absorption takes place. The hydrogen concentration can then increase by nearly one order of magnitude by this process. The influence of variations in the total gas flow and the steam flow on the hydrogen uptake was investigated, too.
Evaluation of Asbestos in Dust on Surfaces by Micro-Vacuum and Wipe Sampling
Authors: Kominsky John R. , Millette James R.
Published: May 2011

Micro-vacuum and wipe sampling methods are routinely used to measure surface dust contamination in both occupational and environmental settings. Both methods are subject to variability in their efficiency of dust collection resulting primarily from textural surface characteristics and dust loading. As part of a study to determine contamination levels of asbestos and other World Trade Center related contaminants in the wall cavity of a high-rise office building, paired samples were collected from 15 locations. The surface type of 14 locations was concrete-masonry block; the remaining surface type was a polyvinyl chloride coating. Micro-vacuum wipe pairs were obtained from the same wall component at contiguous locations. A template was used to ensure that equal 100-cm2 areas were consistently sampled. Micro-vacuum and wipe samples were collected and analyzed for asbestos using ASTM Methods D5756 and D6480, respectively. The average surface concentration reported by the micro-vacuum samples was numerically higher than the wipe samples, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.195). Both methods yielded an equal number of samples below the analytical sensitivity; the false-negative rates were the same for each method. Micro-vacuum and wipe sample concentrations were not correlated (R2=0.207). The length and width of asbestos structures collected by wipe samples was significantly larger than by micro-vacuum samples (P=<0.001). Micro-vacuum sampling for asbestos in dust on rough surfaces yields numerically higher concentrations of asbestos. Despite variations in the relative efficiency of particle collection by these methods, the data pairs demonstrate that micro-vacuum and wipe samples produced statistically equivalent results, with micro-vacuum samples being more efficient on the rough surface tested.
Modeling Creep-Fatigue Deformation of Ni-Base Superalloys Using Crystal Viscoplasticity
Authors: Neu R. W. , Smith D. J.
Published: May 2011

Crystal viscoplasticity enables one to correctly capture the anisotropic inelastic behavior of single crystal and directionally solidified alloys as well as the microstructural sensitivity in polycrystalline alloys. This paper reviews several physics-based crystal viscoplasticity models that have been established to predict the deformation response of Ni-base superalloys. The attributes of crystal viscoplasticity models necessary for predicting the creep-fatigue deformation are identified. Several new developments in constitutive modeling of Ni-base superalloys are discussed.
A Test Method for Evaluating Water Conditioning Adjuvants
Authors: Zollinger Richard K. , Bernards Mark L. , Peterson Dallas E. , Young Bryan G. , Dahl Gregory K. , Gednalski Joe V.
Published: May 2011

Glyphosate is a weak acid herbicide and can bind with antagonistic salts in the spray carrier. Diammonium sulfate (AMS) is commonly used as an adjuvant with glyphosate to enhance activity and overcome antagonistic salts. Water conditioning (WC) adjuvants are used at low rates and are used as AMS replacement adjuvants. However, an ASTM approved method for testing WC adjuvants has not been established. Appropriate research parameters were used to test the water conditioner definition. Glyphosate plus NIS and glyphosate plus AMS and nonionic surfactant (NIS) were used as standards from comparing WC adjuvants. WC were compared to NIS and AMS plus NIS to determine the potential to reduce or eliminate antagonism between glyphosate and antagonistic cations. Velvetleaf was a good indicator to show antagonism, the ability for AMS and WC adjuvants to overcome antagonism, and also show greater bioefficacy. Velvetleaf, a mixture of broadleaf species, and a mixture of grass species all showed similar response to WC adjuvants. Studies to test water conditioning adjuvants were conducted at multiple locations provided a high degree of precision.
Superheavy elements at GSI: a broad research program with element 114 in the focus of physics and chemistry
Authors: Düllmann Christoph E.
Published: May 2011

Studies of the superheavy elements form one of the pillars of the GSI research program. A unique combination of experimental facilities is installed at the GSI. Various topics, ranging from the synthesis of new elements, spectroscopy experiments to study the nuclear structures of the heaviest nuclei, highly accurate mass measurements beyond uranium, to chemical investigations of elements around element 114 and the synthesis of novel chemical superheavy element compound classes are being studied. This is complemented by fully relativistic quantum chemical calculations. As a recent highlight, the244Pu(48Ca,3–4n)288,289114 reaction was studied, leading to the observation of element 114 at the new gas-filled recoil separator TASCA.
Cross sections for the formation of radioiodines in proton bombardment of natural tellerium with particular reference to the validation of data for the production of123I
Authors: Ahmed A. M. , Hassan H. E. , Hassan K. F. , Khalaf A. M. , Saleh Z. A.
Published: May 2011

The excitation functions of proton induced nuclear reactions onnatTe were measured using the stacked-foil technique up to 14.5 MeV. Samples of thin uniform layers ofnatTe on Ti-backing were prepared by electro-deposition. Nuclear reaction cross sections for the formation of120g,121,123,124,125,126,128,130(m+g)I were determined and their theoretical thick target yields were calculated. The obtained data were compared with the previously published experimental results and the values obtained theoretically using the ALICE-IPPE computer code.
High-pressure synthesis of rare-earth metal disulfidesand diselenides LnX
2 (Ln = Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm; X = S, Se)
Authors: Müller Carola J. , Doert Thomas , Schwarz Ulrich
Published: May 2011

A series of rare-earth metal disulfides LnS2 and diselenides LnSe2 (Ln = Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm has been prepared by high-pressure high-temperature synthesis at 8(1) GPa. The dichalcogenides LnX
2 (X = S, Se) are found to crystallize in the α-LaS2 type with the monoclinic space group P121/a1 (no. 14). The crystal structure is a twofold superstructure of the ZrSSi aristotype and consists of puckered cationic [LnX]+ double slabs which are sandwiched by planar chalcogen sheets containing X
2
2– dumbbells.
Structural relationships of BaGe5 to clathrate I and II
Authors: Carrillo-Cabrera Wilder
Published: May 2011

The orthorhombic phase BaGe5 (Pearson symbol oP60; also called Ba10Ge50) was resolved by crystal chemical analogy and was found to be related to the cubic clathrate II. An orthorhombic structure model for BaGe5 was obtained from a cluster-filled clathrate II derivative. The structure refinement (Rietveld method), based on X-ray diffraction powder data, resulted in a defect-rich clathrate II structure with Ba and Ge vacancies. Further analysis shows that BaGe5 can be derived from the clathrate I Ba8Ge43 by constructive crystallographic shear. The relationship to clathrate IX Ba6Ge25 is also discussed.
H-Bonding Cooperativity Effects in Amyloids: Quantum Mechanical and Molecular Mechanics Study
Authors: Přenosil Ondřej , Pitoňák Michal , Sedlák Robert , Kabeláč Martin , Hobza Pavel
Published: May 2011

The cooperativity effects have been evaluated on three model systems, the formamide, (formylamino)acetamide and amyloidic-layer oligomers with an increasing size of the monomer units (6, 13 and 214 atoms). In the last model, each layer is a dimer of the amino-acid sequence GNNQQNY in one-letter amino-acid abbreviations. The series of oligomers for each model system of up to six monomers have been constructed. For the calculation of the strength of a particular H-bond formed between various sub-oligomers within an oligomer, different wave function, density functional and semi-empirical quantum mechanical methods as well as empirical force fields have been used. Semi-empirical methods are found to be a reasonable compromise between accuracy and computational cost. These methods are able to describe the cooperativity effects with an accuracy almost comparable to that of theab initiomethods. On the contrary, the empirical force-field methods for all of the model systems mostly failed to describe the H-bonding cooperativity effects properly. Based on the results obtained in this work, we recommend using semi-empirical methods. For the systems where this is impossible, we agree to use polarizable force fields with some reservations. Generally, the more flexible the oligomer chain is (the less steric the repulsion or rigid motifs are), the larger the cooperativity that can be achieved. With the increasing number of monomers in a sequence connectedviaH-bonds, the cooperativity effects appear to be growing, but relatively soon (at 3–4 monomer units) they tend to become saturated.
Coherent Excitation Transfer Driven by Torsional Dynamics: a Model Hamiltonian for PPV Type Systems
Authors: Sterpone Fabio , Martinazzo Rocco , Panda Aditya N. , Burghardt Irene
Published: May 2011

A model Hamiltonian is proposed for systems of poly-phenylene-vinylene (PPV) type, which describes excitation energy transfer (EET) in the presence of torsional and bond-length-alternation coordinates that couple neighboring fragments. This model is employed to describe coherent EET, starting from a partially delocalized exciton state which is initially separated from the rest of the chain by a defect due to a pronounced torsional displacement at one of the inter-fragment junctions. EET is found to be driven by the restoring force of the torsions towards the planar geometry. Quantum dynamical calculations are carried out for a minimal five-site model, using the multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) method.
ASEAN's Core Norms in the Context of the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Nair Deepak
Published: May 2011

Has the global financial and economic crisis provided stimulus for institutional development in ASEAN? Exploring the empirical trends concerning ASEAN's plans for a comprehensive community by 2015, it is argued that no such developments have emerged. Instead, two alternative sources for potential change in ASEAN's institutional norms are elaborated.
Negotiating the Haze Treaty
Authors: Nguitragool Paruedee
Published: May 2011

This article examines ASEAN's cooperation on transboundary haze pollution. I argue that ASEAN's creation of the haze treaty in 2002 demonstrates its attempt to depart from certain elements of the institutional culture. But both ASEAN's treaty and cooperation have been hindered by certain normative constraints, organizational customs, and domestic politics.
Is Frequency of Shared Family Meals Related to the Nutritional Health of Children and Adolescents?
Authors: Hammons Amber J. , Fiese Barbara H.
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE:

We used meta-analytic methods to examine the frequency of shared family mealtimes in relation to nutritional health in children and adolescents. The primary objective was to determine consistency and strength of effects across 17 studies that examined overweight and obese, food consumption and eating patterns, and disordered eating.

METHODS:

The total sample size for all studies was 182 836 children and adolescents (mean sample age: 2.8–17.3 years). Pooled odds ratios were calculated. A random-effects model was used to estimate all outcomes.

RESULTS:

The frequency of shared family meals is significantly related to nutritional health in children and adolescents. Children and adolescents who share family meals 3 or more times per week are more likely to be in a normal weight range and have healthier dietary and eating patterns than those who share fewer than 3 family meals together. In addition, they are less likely to engage in disordered eating.

CONCLUSIONS:

Educational and public health initiatives aimed at promoting shared family mealtimes may improve nutritional health of children and adolescents. Clinicians may advise their patients about the benefits of sharing 3 or more family mealtimes per week; benefits include a reduction in the odds for overweight (12%), eating unhealthy foods (20%), and disordered eating (35%) and an increase in the odds for eating healthy foods (24%).
Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess: Time of Manifestation and Complications Despite Treatment
Authors: Knops Noël B. B. , Monnens Leo A. , Lenders Jacques W. , Levtchenko Elena N.
Published: May 2011

Here we describe the case of a patient followed from birth because of a positive family history for apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) in an older brother. The patient, a girl, had normal serum electrolyte and blood pressure measurements in the first months after birth. Not until the age of 11 months did she develop anorexia and failure to thrive in combination with hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis, which are consistent with the diagnosis of AME. This diagnosis was confirmed by mutation analysis of the HSD11B2 gene (C1228T). Treatment with amiloride and furosemide electrolyte disturbances normalized her blood pressure. At the age of 19 years she unexpectedly suffered a stroke. Additional investigations revealed no accepted risk factor for stroke. We discuss the possible underlying mechanisms for the delayed manifestation of hypertension and electrolyte disturbances in AME, propose an additional explanation for the stroke in this patient, and advise treatment with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist to reduce stroke risk in patients with AME.
Feeding of Dietary Botanical Supplements and Teas to Infants in the United States
Authors: Zhang Yuanting , Fein Elizabeth B. , Fein Sara B.
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVES:

To describe the use of dietary botanical supplements and teas among infants, the characteristics of mothers who give them the specific botanical supplements and teas used, reasons for use, and sources of information.

METHODS:

We used data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, a longitudinal survey of women studied from late pregnancy through their infant's first year of life conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 2005 and 2007. The sample was drawn from a nationally distributed consumer opinion panel and was limited to healthy mothers with healthy term or near-term singleton infants. The final analytical sample included 2653 mothers. Statistical techniques include frequencies, χ2 tests, and ordered logit models.

RESULTS:

Nine percent of infants were given dietary botanical supplements or teas in their first year of life, including infants as young as 1 month. Maternal herbal use (P < .0001), longer breastfeeding (P < .0001), and being Hispanic (P = .016) were significantly associated with giving infants dietary botanical supplements or teas in the multivariate model. Many supplements and teas used were marketed and sold specifically for infants. Commonly mentioned information sources included friends or family, health professionals, and the media.

CONCLUSIONS:

A substantial proportion of infants in this sample was given a wide variety of supplements and teas. Because some supplements given to infants may pose health risks, health care providers need to recognize that infants under their care may be receiving supplements or teas.
Recurrent EIARF and PRES With Severe Renal Hypouricemia by Compound Heterozygous SLC2A9 Mutation
Authors: Shima Yuko , Nozu Kandai , Nozu Yoshimi , Togawa Hiroko , Kaito Hiroshi , Matsuo Masafumi , Iijima Kazumoto , Nakanishi Koichi , Yoshikawa Norishige
Published: May 2011

Renal hypouricemia (RHU) is a hereditary disease that predisposes affected people to exercise-induced acute renal failure (EIARF). In most patients with RHU, the disorder is caused by loss-of-function mutations in SLC22A12 (solute carrier family 22, member 12), which encodes urate transporter 1 (URAT1). Patients with RHU without any mutations in the URAT1 gene were recently found to have a mutation in the glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) gene (SLC2A9 [solute carrier family 2, member 9]). Central nervous system complications seem to be rare in patients with RHU with SLC22A12 mutations. Here, we report the case of a girl with severe RHU (serum urate: 5.9 μmol/L [0.1 mg/dL]) associated with recurrent EIARF in whom the disease was caused by a compound heterozygous mutation in SLC2A9, a nonsense mutation in the paternal allele (p.G207X in exon 7), and a large duplication (c.1–2981_1204+16502) in the maternal allele detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), semiquantitative PCR, long PCR, and direct sequencing. The episodes of EIARF were complicated by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), which suggested a relationship between PRES and GLUT9 or severe hypouricemia. This is the second report of mutations of both alleles of SLC2A9 that resulted in severe hypouricemia. Our findings indicate that even a nonsense mutation responsible for the heterozygous status of SLC2A9 did not cause severe hypouricemia, and they lend support to previous speculation that mutations of both SLC2A9 alleles cause severe hypouricemia. Our case shows that GLUT9, unlike URAT1, may play a specific role in exercise-induced PRES.
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in a Boy With Macrolide-ResistantMycoplasma pneumoniaePneumonia
Authors: Atkinson T. Prescott , Boppana Suresh , Theos Amy , Clements L. Scott , Xiao Li , Waites Ken
Published: May 2011

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a highly specialized parasitic bacterium that is a significant cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children. Although most such respiratory infections are mild, a minor percentage of patients require hospitalization and, occasionally, intensive treatment for respiratory failure. A variety of extrapulmonary sequelae of M pneumoniae infections have been described, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Macrolide resistance in M pneumoniae has developed rapidly in Asia, particularly in China, over the past decade and is now appearing in the United States. Emerging resistance to macrolides creates a therapeutic conundrum, particularly for pediatricians caring for young children in whom absolute or relative contraindications exist for the use of tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones, the 2 other main classes of drugs shown to be efficacious for M pneumoniae. We describe here the case of a child with a prolonged febrile illness associated with Stevens-Johnson–like mucocutaneous involvement who was found to have a respiratory infection with macrolide-resistant M pneumoniae.
Pain Reduction on Insertion of a Feeding Tube in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kristoffersen Laila , Skogvoll Eirik , Hafström Mia
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND:

Gavage feeding is required in preterm infants who cannot feed by themselves. Insertion of the feeding tube is painful, and reducing the discomfort in these patients is desirable.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to assess pain and discomfort during nasal insertion of a feeding tube, and to evaluate different measures for pain relief.

METHODS:

We included 24 preterm infants with postmenstrual age 28 to 32 weeks' who were in stable condition. Each infant acted as his or her own control over a 3-week period during which the tube was changed 6 times. On these occasions, 6 different treatment combinations were given in randomized order: pacifier or no pacifier, combined with no fluid, sterile water, or 30% sucrose. Pain and discomfort were assessed by at least 2 independent and experienced observers using a pain assessment tool, the Premature Infant Pain Profile; score range: 0 to 21. In general, scores of 4 to 6 are interpreted as normal or no discomfort; ≥12 usually signals significant pain and distress.

RESULTS:

The median Premature Infant Pain Profile score during the procedure was 9 and decreased gradually toward 4 after 5 minutes. The lowest pain score was achieved by combining a pacifier with oral sucrose. Sterile water without a pacifier gave the highest score.

CONCLUSIONS:

Insertion of a feeding tube in preterm infants leads to a measurable degree of pain and discomfort, according to the Premature Infant Pain Profile assessment tool. Pain relief was best achieved by combining a pacifier with 30% sucrose.
Fabrication and Transport Properties of Te-Doped Bi Nanowire Arrays
Authors: Lin Y. M. , Sun X. , Cronin S. B. , Zhang Z. , Ying J. Y. , Dresselhaus M. S.
Published: May 2011

Te-doped Bi nanowires with a 40 nm wire diameter have been successfully synthesized in anodic alumina templates by the pressure injection technique. Due to the unique semimetal-semiconductor transition that occurs in Bi nanowires, these systems exhibit a rather different temperature dependence in transport properties from their bulk counterparts. An improved theoretical model of this unique 1D nanowire system is developed based on the band structure of bulk bismuth. The temperature dependence of resistance for Bi nanowire arrays have been studied experimentally for various Te dopant concentrations and the results are compared with theoretical predictions.
A New Alternative for the Low-Workfunction Electrode in Organic Devices
Authors: Koch Norbert , Zojer Egbert , Rajagopal Aparna , Ghijsen Jacques , Johnson Robert L. , Leising Günther , Pireaux Jean-Jacques
Published: May 2011

The application of ele ctroactive organic materials in devices (light emitting diodes, photovoltaic cells) often requires electrodes with a low workfunction. Commonly, aluminum or alkaline earth metals are used, which usually exhibit strong interaction with the organic material, such as the formation of new covalent bonds or doping. This results in a strong modification of the electronic structure of the organic/metal interface, and in most cases does not yield the energy level alignment expected for the unreacted interface. As a n alternative to the above-mentioned metals we propose the use of samarium, with a workfunction of 2.7 eV, for the following reason: we have studied the interface formation between Sm and p -sexiphenyl (6P, which exhibits intense blue electroluminescence), with ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. Sm was deposited stepwise onto thin films of 6P in ultrahigh vacuum, and the photoelectron spectra were recorded after each step. We did not find any indication for a strong interaction between the two materials. Metallic Sm is formed instantaneously and the valence electronic structure of 6P remains unchanged upon the metal deposition. The weak interaction at this interface allows one to determine the energy level alignment between a metal and an organic material in a direct manner from the photoelectron spectra, without the need for making any assumptions on the workfunction or ionization potential.
1/f Noise Behavior in Pentacene Organic Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Necliudov P. V. , Gundlach D. J. , Jackson T. N. , Rumyantsev S. L. , Shur M. S.
Published: May 2011

We studied the low frequency noise in top-contact pentacene Thin Film Transistors (TFTs). The relative spectral noise density of the drain current fluctuations SI/I2 had a form of 1/f noise in the measured frequency range 1Hz - 3.5kHz.

Our studies of the noise dependencies on the gate-source VGS and drain-source VDS voltages showed that the dependencies differed from those observed for conducting polymers and resembled those reported for crystalline Si n-MOSFETs.

To compare the device noise level with those of other devices and materials, we extracted the Hooge parameter α. In order to calculate the total number of carriers we used a model simulating the device DC characteristics, similar to that for amorphous Si TFTs. The extracted Hooge parameter was 0.04. For an organic material this is an extremely small value, which is three orders of magnitude smaller that the Hooge parameter values reported for conducting polymers and only several times higher than the values for amorphous Si TFTs.