bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphodynamic characteristics of the dextral diversion of the Yangtze River mouth, China: tidal and the Coriolis Force controls
Authors: Li Maotian , Chen Zhongyuan , Yin Daowei , Chen Jing , Wang Zhanghua , Sun Qianli
Published: October 2010

This paper examines the morphological development of the Yangtze River mouth, which has been diverting southeasterly (dextrally), according to historical (150 years) chart‐based digital evolution model and on‐site measured tidal flow data. We reveal a significantly narrowing of the northern river mouth branch from formerly >30 km wide to presently 10 km wide due to rapid siltation. Net siltation there, however, decreases gradually, which largely contrasts with the fact that the siltation has shifted to the southern river mouth area, as shown by many newly‐emerged estuarine islands, sandy shoals and bifurcated branches. Our data have further demonstrated that the ebb flow that dominates in the study area changes its direction gradually from east to southeast from the inner to outer river mouth area, and its duration is much longer than the flood flow in the inner river mouth area, but nearly equal at the river mouth area. Accordingly, the sediment transport pathway has been diverted from east to southeast. We examine whether the Coriolis Force could explain the dextral diversion of the ebb flow and the altered morphodynamical processes. Although too weak to strengthen the tidal flows, the Coriolis Force can drag the ebb flow southeasterly, and so influence sediment transport paths at the estuarine scale. The Coriolis Force is limited in the inner river mouth, but substantial at and in the outer river mouth area when gradually free of estuarine topographic constraints. The Coriolis Force causes an offset in propagation of in‐out flow directions at the river mouth area to form a slack water setting prone to estuarine siltation. Using the present approach also enables explanation of the morphological development of the Holocene Yangtze delta‐coast that extends to the southeast. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A kinetic interpretation of the section‐averaged Saint‐Venant system for natural river hydraulics
Authors: Goutal N. , Sainte‐Marie J.
Published: October 2010

The classical Saint‐Venant system is well suited for the modeling of dam breaks, hydraulic jumps, reservoir emptying, flooding etc. For many applications, the extension of the Saint‐Venant system to the case of non‐rectangular channels is necessary and this section‐averaged Saint‐Venant system exhibits additional source terms. The main difficulty of these equations consists of the discretization of these source terms.

In this paper we propose a kinetic interpretation for the section averaged Saint‐Venant system and derive an associated numerical scheme. The numerical scheme—2nd order in space and time—preserves the positivity of the water height, and is well‐balanced. Numerical results including comparisons with analytic and experimental test problems illustrate the accuracy and the robustness of the numerical algorithm. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed convection flow of a micropolar fluid with radiation and chemical reaction
Authors: Hayat T. , Shehzad S. A. , Qasim M.
Published: October 2010

Effects of heat and mass transfer on the mixed convection flow of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) micropolar fluid bounded by a stretching surface have been investigated. Homotopy analysis procedure is adopted for computations of a set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Numerical values of skin friction coefficient and Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are worked out. A comparative study is provided with the limiting available numerical solution. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
UPb and 40Ar39Ar geochronology of Palaeozoic units in the northern Apennines: determining protolith age and alpine evolution using the Calamita Schist and Ortano Porphyroid
Authors: Musumeci Giovanni , Mazzarini Francesco , Tiepolo Massimo , Di Vincenzo Gianfranco
Published: October 2010

In the northern Apennines, the Palaeozoic basement involved in the Late Oligocene–Middle Miocene nappe stack contains metamorphic units for which hypothetical ages have been assigned on the basis of lithological correlations with the Palaeozoic formations of the Variscan chain in Sardinia. This uncertainty concerning the age poses limitations to reconstructing the Palaeozoic stratigraphy, defining the Alpine and pre‐Alpine histories and correlations with other domains of the Variscan chain. We present the UPb age of detrital zircon and the 40Ar39Ar age of metamorphic muscovite for the Calamita Schist and Ortano Porphyroid, two metamorphic units of undetermined Palaeozoic age cropping out in the eastern Elba Island. The radioisotopic data allows us to: (i) define the Early Carboniferous and Middle Ordovician ages for the Calamita Schist and Ortano Porphyroid, respectively, as well as their derivation (flysch deposit and magmatic rocks); (ii) pose some constraints concerning their alpine tectonic and metamorphic histories. These new data generate a more precise reconstruction of the Palaeozoic sequence in the northern Apennines, and they document that the Palaeozoic basement involved in the alpine deformation underwent internal stacking with an inversion of the original sequence. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of multimorbidity on cognition in a normal aging population: a 12‐year follow‐up in the Maastricht Aging Study
Authors: Aarts S. , van den Akker M. , Tan F. E. S. , Verhey F. R. J. , Metsemakers J. F. M. , van Boxtel M. P. J.
Published: October 2010

Objective

The prevalence of multimorbidity has risen considerably because of the increase in longevity and the rapidly growing number of older individuals. Today, only little is known about the influence of multimorbidity on cognition in a normal healthy aging population. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of multimorbidity on cognition over a 12‐year period in an adult population with a large age range.

Methods

Data were collected as part of the Maastricht Aging Study (MAAS), a prospective study into the determinants of cognitive aging. Eligible MAAS participants (N = 1763), 24–81 years older, were recruited from the Registration Network Family Practices (RNH) which enabled the use of medical records. The association between 96 chronic diseases, grouped into 23 disease clusters, and cognition on baseline, at 6 and 12 years of follow‐up, were analyzed. Cognitive performance was measured in two main domains: verbal memory and psychomotor speed. A multilevel statistical analysis, a method that respects the hierarchical data structure, was used.

Results

Multiple disease clusters were associated with cognition during a 12‐year follow‐up period in a healthy adult population. The disease combination malignancies and movement disorders multimorbidity also appeared to significantly affect cognition.

Conclusions

The current results indicate that a variety of medical conditions adversely affects cognition. However, these effects appear to be small in a normal healthy aging population. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Sesquiterpenes from the Flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum L.
Authors: Bi Yue‐Feng , Jia Lu , Shi She‐Po , Sun Xiao‐Li , Chen Yuan‐Yuan , Zhang Yang‐Bing
Published: October 2010

Two new guaianolides (=guaianolactones), chrysanthguaianolactone A and B (1 and 2, resp.), and one new eudesmane sesquiterpene, chrysanthemdiol A (6), together with seven known sesquiterpenes were isolated from the flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum L. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.
Four New Nortriterpenoids from Schisandra lancifolia
Authors: Xiao Wei‐Lie , Wu Ying‐Li , Shang Shan‐Zhai , He Fei , Luo Xiao , Yang Guang‐Yu , Pu Jian‐Xin , Chen Guo‐Qiang , Sun Han‐Dong
Published: October 2010

Four new highly oxygenated nortriterpenoids, lancifodilactones O–R (1–4), together with six known ones, i.e., 5–10, were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra lancifolia. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC‐3, and MCF‐7 cell lines. No compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity, the IC50 values being above 50 μM.
Eremophilane Sesquiterpenoids from Ligularia fischeri
Authors: Xie Wei‐Dong , Weng Cheng‐Wu , Li Xia , Row Kyung‐Ho
Published: October 2010

A novel eremophilane dimer, named as fischelactone, and a new sesquiterpene lactam, eremophila‐1(10),7(11),8‐triene‐12,8‐lactam, along with ten known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Ligularia fischeri. Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic analyses (EI‐MS, HR‐ESI‐MS, IR, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data) and X‐ray diffraction study.
Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Alstonia mairei
Authors: Cai Xiang‐Hai , Zeng Chun‐Xia , Feng Tao , Li Yan , Luo Xiao‐Dong
Published: October 2010

Three new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, (14α,15α)‐14,15‐epoxyaspidofractinine (1) and maireines A and B (2 and 3, resp.), together with 19 known alkaloids, were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Alstonia mairei. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic methods in combination with MS experiments.
Four New Alkaloids, Brevianamides O – R, from the Fungus Aspergillus versicolor
Authors: Li Guo‐You , Li Li‐Mei , Yang Tao , Chen Xiao‐Zhen , Fang Dong‐Mei , Zhang Guo‐Lin
Published: October 2010

Four new alkaloids, brevianamides O–R (1–4, resp.), were isolated from the AcOEt extract of the solid‐state fermented rice culture of the fungus Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.
Influence of Fish Farming on the Spatial Patterns and Biological Traits of River Invertebrates in an Appenine Stream System (Italy)
Authors: Fabrizi Angelisa , Goretti Enzo , Compin Arthur , Céréghino Régis
Published: October 2010

In applied river ecology it is implicitly assumed that community structure is a surrogate for functional properties. To test this hypothesis, 26 sites were sampled for macroinvertebrates in a Central Italian stream system impacted by 13 trout farms (1 upstream and 1 downstream site per facility). We used a fuzzy‐coding approach of biological traits combined with species distribution analysis. Trout farm locally impacted the structure of macroinvertebrate communities, but serial disturbances at the stream system scale did not affect the overall regional diversity pattern.

Impacted sites had species with large body size, which fed upon microorganisms and fine detritus, and which showed asexual reproduction. Least impact sites hosted small‐sized invertebrates showing sexual reproduction, and feeding upon plant material and/or algae. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Tidal Variability of Phytoplankton and Environmental Drivers in the Freshwater Reaches of the Guadiana Estuary (SW Iberia)
Authors: Domingues Rita B. , Anselmo Tânia P. , Barbosa Ana B. , Sommer Ulrich , Galvão Helena M.
Published: October 2010

The effects of different phases of semidiurnal and spring‐neap tidal cycles on phytoplankton and environmental drivers were evaluated in a tidal, freshwater location of a mesotidal estuary (Guadiana estuary, SW Iberia). An Eulerian approach was used and sampling covered different seasons during 2008. Samples were collected during spring and neap tides, at high tide, mid‐ebb, low tide and mid‐flood. Several physical‐chemical variables were measured, as well as phytoplankton abundance and biomass.

Salinity was higher at high‐tide and suspended particulate matter was higher during spring tides and flood, due to higher vertical mixing and resuspension of bottom sediments. Chlorophyllaconcentration during winter and summer neap tides was higher than during spring tides, whilst the abundance of pennate diatoms was higher during winter and Spring spring tides than during neap tides, probably reflecting differences in river discharge. Overall, tidally‐induced differences detected in the freshwater tidal reaches of the Guadiana estuary were not as considerable as those observed in the lower estuary. However, the occurrence of tidally‐induced variability in some seasons reflects that thorough sampling programs to study estuarine tidal dynamics should be conducted throughout the year. Occasional sampling will not reflect the typical variability of these highly dynamic systems. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Segmentation of ascidian notochord cells in DIC timelapse images
Authors: Obara Boguslaw , Veeman Michael , Choi Jae Hyeok , Smith William , Manjunath B.S.
Published: October 2010

We have developed a method to automatically segment notochord cell boundaries from differential interference contrast (DIC) timelapse images of the elongating ascidian tail. The method is based on a specialized parametric active contour, the network snake, which can be initialized as a network of arbitrary but fixed topology and provides an effective framework for simultaneously segmenting multiple touching cells. Several modifications to the original network snake were necessary for high‐quality segmentation, including linear Gaussian derivative filtering to reconstruct edge maps from DIC images and a new energy function to improve the segmentation of critical cell‐cell vertices. We find that post‐intercalation ascidian notochord cells exhibit two distinct cell behaviors: lateral cell edges expand along the AP axis while showing a rapid pulsatile behavior, whereas anterior and posterior cell edges contract smoothly. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hybrid herpes simplex virus/Epstein–Barr virus amplicon viral vectors confer enhanced transgene expression in primary human tumors and human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Sia Kian Chuan , Chong Wei Kin , Ho Ivy A. W. , Yulyana Yulyana , Endaya Berwini , Huynh Hung , Lam Paula Y. P.
Published: October 2010

Background

Herpes simplex virus type‐1 (HSV‐1) amplicon vectors are attractive tools for gene transfer because of their large DNA insert capacity, their broad host range of vector transduction and a minimal immune response as a result of the absence of helper viruses during viral packaging. However, the transient gene expression remains a challenge for the translation of HSV‐1 amplicon based therapeutic strategies to a clinical setting. Although oriP/EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)‐1 elements of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) have been successfully employed to achieve prolonged transgene expression, little is known about the stability of the EBNA‐1 elements in the context of HSV‐1 amplicon viral vectors.

Methods

We have generated HSV/EBV hybrid vectors expressing the mutant EBNA‐1 gene with the luciferase reporter gene bicistronically to enable monitoring of EBNA‐1 expression in real‐time, both in vitro and in vivo.

Results

The results obtained showed that the HSV/EBV hybrid vectors could mediate high levels of transgene expression (ranging from approximately two‐fold to nine‐fold) in primary human tumor cells and human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells compared to the control vector. Prolonged transgene expression could also be observed in primary patient‐derived human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts and in the mouse brain parenchyma up to a period of 17 and 365 days, respectively.

Conclusions

Taken together, we have demonstrated that these hybrid vectors could be promising tools as carriers of therapeutic genes in mesenchymal stem cells or even provide an alternative non‐integrating platform for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Observation of symmetric denaturation of hemoglobin subunits by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Xian , Zhao Wenjie , Lin Xin , Su Bo , Liu Jianfeng
Published: October 2010

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) has been used to characterize the denaturation of porcine hemoglobin (Hb) induced by solvent changes. This work provides evidence for the symmetric nature of Hb denaturation and demonstrates that heme losses from α‐ and β‐monomers occur in parallel, in response to the addition of acid and organic co‐solvents in solution. When subject to one of the following solution conditions (pH 3.2–4.0 or 15–30% acetonitrile‐water or 30–45% methanol‐water solution), α‐ and β‐globins undergo symmetric dissociation to release the heme groups, which is detected by ESI‐MS. Circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) data show that the acid‐induced and organic solvent‐induced heme release, as observed in the mass spectra, can probably be ascribed to different aspects of the conformational changes taking place in the protein. The acidity of the solvent has a significant effect on the secondary structure, whereas organic content level in solution (15–30% acetonitrile or 30–45% methanol) tends to destroy the tertiary structure of Hb globins, both leading to release of the heme from each subunit. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The kinetics and mechanism of the substitution reactions of the aquapentacyanoruthenate(II) ion with naphthalene‐substituted ligands in aqueous medium
Authors: Naik R. M. , Singh Ruchi , Asthana Abhas
Published: October 2010

The kinetics and mechanism of substitution reaction of [Ru(CN)5H2O]3− anion with two naphthalene‐substituted ligands viz. Ln = nitroso‐R‐salt (NRS) and α‐nitroso‐β‐naphthol (αNβN) have been studied spectrophotometrically by monitoring an increase in absorbance at λmax = 525 nm corresponding to metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions due to formation of substituted [Ru(CN)5L]n−3 as a function of pH, ionic strength, temperature, a wide range of ligands concentration, and [Ru(CN)5H2O3−] under pseudo‐first‐order conditions. The experimental observation suggests that [Ru(CN)5H2O]3− ion interacts with both ligands, which finally get converted into corresponding, [Ru(CN)5L]n−3 complexes as a final reaction product. The reaction is found to obey first‐order dependence each in [Ru(CN)5H2O3−] and [Ln]. The substituted products, viz. [Ru(CN)5L]n−3, in each case have strong MLCT transitions in visible region. The substitutional lability of [Ru(CN)5H2O]3− has been discussed in terms of electronic effect on the MOH2 bond interactions. The kinetic observation suggests that the complexation reaction of [Ru(CN)5H2O]3− with both the ligands, i.e., NRS and αNβN, follows an ion pair dissociative mechanism. The thermal activation parameters ΔH≠ and ΔS≠ have been calculated using Eyring's equation and provided in support for the proposed mechanistic scheme. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 21–30, 2011
Robin functions and distortion theorems for regular mappings
Authors: Dubinin V. N. , Vuorinen M.
Published: October 2010

Capacities of generalized condensers are applied to prove a two‐point distortion theorem for conformal mappings. The result is expressed in terms of the Robin function and the Robin capacity with respect to the domain of definition of the mapping and subsets of the boundary of this domain. The behavior of Robin function under multivalent functions is studied. Some corollaries and examples of applications to distortion theorems for regular functions are given (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Uniform prostate imaging and spectroscopy at 7 T: comparison between a microstrip array and an endorectal coil
Authors: van den Bergen Bob , Klomp Dennis W.J. , Raaijmakers Alexander J.E. , de Castro Catalina Arteaga , Boer Vincent O. , Kroeze Hugo , Luijten Peter R. , Lagendijk Jan J.W. , van den Berg Cornelis A. T.
Published: October 2010

An endorectal coil and an eight‐element microstrip array were compared for prostate imaging at 7 T. An extensive radiofrequency safety assessment was performed with the use of finite difference time domain simulations to determine safe scan parameters. These simulations showed that the endorectal coil can deliver substantially more B to the prostate than can the microstrip array within the specific absorption rate safety guidelines. However, the B field of the endorectal coil is very inhomogeneous, which makes the use of adiabatic pulses compulsory for T1‐ or T2‐weighted imaging. As a consequence, a full prostate examination is only possible in a feasible amount of time when the microstrip array is used for T1‐ and T2‐weighted imaging, whereas the endorectal coil is required for spectroscopic imaging. The pulse parameters were optimised within the specific absorption rate guidelines and thereafter used to provide a good illustration of the possibilities of prostate imaging at 7 T. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of the transcription factor T (brachyury) in the pathogenesis of sporadic chordoma: a genetic and functional‐based study
Authors: Presneau Nadège , Shalaby Asem , Ye Hongtao , Pillay Nischalan , Halai Dina , Idowu Bernadine , Tirabosco Roberto , Whitwell Duncan , Jacques Thomas S , Kindblom Lars‐Gunnar , Brüderlein Silke , Möller Peter , Leithner Andreas , Liegl Bernadette , Amary Fernanda M , Athanasou Nicholas N , Hogendoorn Pancras CW , Mertens Fredrik , Szuhai Karoly , Flanagan Adrienne M
Published: October 2010

A variety of analyses, including fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), quantitative PCR (qPCR) and array CGH (aCGH), have been performed on a series of chordomas from 181 patients. Twelve of 181 (7%) tumours displayed amplification of the T locus and an additional two cases showed focal amplification; 70/181 (39%) tumours were polysomic for chromosome 6, and 8/181 (4.5%) primary tumours showed a minor allelic gain of T as assessed by FISH. No germline alteration of the T locus was identified in non‐neoplastic tissue from 40 patients. Copy number gain of T was seen in a similar percentage of sacrococcygeal, mobile spine and base of skull tumours. Knockdown of T in the cell line, U‐CH1, which showed polysomy of chromosome 6 involving 6q27, resulted in a marked decrease in cell proliferation and morphological features consistent with a senescence‐like phenotype. The U‐CH1 cell line was validated as representing chordoma by the generation of xenografts, which showed typical chordoma morphology and immunohistochemistry in the NOD/SCID/interleukin 2 receptor [IL2r]$\gamma^{\rm{null}}$ mouse model. In conclusion, chromosomal aberrations resulting in gain of the T locus are common in sporadic chordomas and expression of this gene is critical for proliferation of chordoma cells in vitro. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pattern recognition receptors and genetic risk for rsv infection: value for clinical decision‐making?
Authors: Rämet Mika , Korppi Matti , Hallman Mikko
Published: October 2010

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes respiratory tract infections, especially among young infants. Practically, all infants are infected during epidemics and the clinical presentation ranges from subclinical to fatal infection. Known risk factors for severe RSV infection include prematurity, age of <2 months, underlying chronic lung or heart diseases, serious neurological or metabolic disorders, immune deficiency (especially a disorder of cellular immunity), crowded living conditions, and indoor smoke pollution. Twin studies indicate that host genetic factors affect susceptibility to severe RSV infection. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are the key mediators of the innate immune response to RSV. In the distal respiratory tract, RSV is recognized by the transmembrane Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and adapter proteins, which lead to production of proinflammatory cytokines and subsequent activation of the adaptive immune response. Surfactant proteins A and D are able to bind both RSV and TLR4, modulating the inflammatory response. Genetic variations in TLR4, SP‐A, and SP‐D have been associated with the risk of severe RSV bronchiolitis, but the results have varied between studies. Both the homozygous hyporesponsive 299Gly genotype of TLR4 and the non‐synonymous SP‐A and SP‐D polymorphism influence the presentation of RSV infection. The reported relative risks associated with these markers are not robust enough to justify clinical use. However, current evidence indicates that innate immune responses including pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and other components in the distal airways and airspaces profoundly influence the innate immune responses, playing a key role in host resistance to RSV in young infants. This information is useful in guiding efforts to develop better means to identify the high‐risk infants and to treat this potentially fatal infection effectively. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:101–110. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nasal high frequency percussive ventilation versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure in transient tachypnea of the newborn: A pilot randomized controlled trial (NCT00556738)
Authors: Dumas De La Roque Eric , Bertrand Clotilde , Tandonnet Olivier , Rebola Muriel , Roquand Emilie , Renesme Laurent , Elleau Christophe
Published: October 2010

Objective

To determine whether nasal high frequency percussive ventilation (NHFPV) would decrease duration of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) compared to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in newborn infants.

Methods

A prospective, unmasked, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 46 eligible newborn infants who were hospitalized for TTN in the University Hospital of Bordeaux (France) between 2007 and 2009. Infants born by cesarian section ≥37 GA, ≥2,000g with diagnosis of TTN and with a transcutaneous saturation <90% at 20 min after birth were eligible. Infants were randomized to either NHFPV or NCPAP. The primary endpoint was a reduction of the duration of TTN. Secondary endpoints were the duration of oxygen therapy and the minimal level required to obtain a saturation between 90% and 96% integrated into an index which included a time factor: [(FiO2—21)/time of O2 therapy].

Results

In the NHFPV group the duration of TTN was half the time of NCPAP group (105 min ± 20 and 377 min ± 150, respectively; P < 0.0001). There was a significant decrease in duration of oxygen supplementation in the NHFPV group (6.3 min ± 3.3) compared to the NCPAP group (19.1 min ± 8.1; P < 0.001), and a significant decrease in level of oxygen supplementation [(FiO2—0.21)/time of O2 therapy] in the NHFPV group (0.29 min−1 ± 0.16) compared to the NCPAP group (0.46 min−1 ± 0.50; P < 0.001). There was no complication and NHFPV was as well tolerated as NCPAP.

Conclusion

NHFPV is well tolerated and more effective than NCPAP in treatment of TTN. NHFPV might be a novel and safe tool to manage TTN. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46:218–223. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of environmental tobacco smoke on children admitted with status asthmaticus in the pediatric intensive care unit
Authors: Samir Shah , Colin Yeung , Thomas Spentzas
Published: October 2010

Introduction

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and allergens are risk factors in children with critical status asthmaticus. Genetic studies support that ETS‐associated asthma is a special inflammatory entity, causing significant number of hospital admissions and relapses. Accordingly, the course and outcome of patients with ETS‐induced status asthmaticus might also be different.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that the progression, course, and outcome of patients with ETS‐induced status asthmaticus would be worse than those of patients without ETS exposure.

Methods

Medical records of children who were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with the diagnosis of asthma at the Children's Hospital of Winnipeg, Manitoba, over 10 years were audited after Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. Two hundred thirty records were reviewed. We extracted data including demographics and analyzed the patient's deterioration defined as clinical asthma score (CAS) drift between the ED and PICU. We computed the treatment response, expressed as length of stay (LOS) in the PICU and in hospital. The risk factors were stratified as none, ETS exposure, allergies, and ETS with allergies.

Results

There were 55 (25%) patients with no risk factors, 66 (30%) with ETS exposure only, 46 (21%) with allergies only, and 53 (24%) with both. There was a 25% decrease in CAS deterioration when patients were exposed to ETS (P < 0.05). For patients with or without allergies but with exposure to ETS, both the PICU and overall hospital LOS were ∼15% longer (P < 0.05) than for those not exposed to ETS. Stratifying for gender and race in multivariate analysis did not alter the results.

Conclusions

Patients with ETS‐associated critical status asthmaticus deteriorate and recover slower than non‐ETS‐exposed patients. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46:224–229. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tobramycin inhalation powder for P. aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis: The EVOLVE trial
Authors: Konstan Michael W. , Geller David E. , Minić Predrag , Brockhaus Florian , Zhang Jie , Angyalosi Gerhild
Published: October 2010

Tobramycin inhalation solution is used to treat chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel, light‐porous particle, dry‐powder formulation of tobramycin, which was developed to improve delivery efficiency to the airways and substantially reduce the delivery time. In this randomized, double‐blind study, patients with CF (age 6–21 years) received tobramycin inhalation powder (112 mg tobramycin) twice daily (n = 46) or placebo (n = 49) via the T‐326 Inhaler for one cycle, followed by two open‐label cycles (all patients). Cycles were 28 days on, 28 days off treatment. The primary endpoint was change in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) % predicted from baseline to Day 28 of Cycle 1. The study was terminated early based on positive results in the interim analysis. Tobramycin inhalation powder significantly improved FEV1 % predicted versus placebo at Day 28 (difference 13.3, 95% CI: 5.31–21.28; P = 0.0016). Similar changes in FEV1 were seen in patients switching from placebo to tobramycin inhalation powder in Cycle 2; improvements were maintained over time. Tobramycin inhalation powder also reduced sputum P. aeruginosa density, respiratory‐related hospitalization and antipseudomonal antibiotic use versus placebo. The most common adverse event was cough; the frequency of cough was higher in patients receiving placebo (26.5%) versus tobramycin inhalation powder (13.0%) in Cycle 1. Tobramycin inhalation powder was not associated with ototoxicity or nephrotoxicity. Administration time was between 4 and 6 min. In conclusion, tobramycin inhalation powder was effective and well tolerated in CF patients, and may offer an important treatment option to decrease the treatment burden of CF pseudomonas lung infections. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46:230–238. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Denosumab (Prolia): new option in the prevention of fractures
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Compston Juliet
Published: October 2010

Denosumab (Prolia), a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits osteoclast activity, is licensed for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at increased risk of fracture and bone loss in men undergoing hormone ablation. In our New products review, Steve Chaplin presents the clinical data relating to its efficacy and adverse effects and Professor Juliet Compston discusses its place in fracture prevention.
Individual patient commissioning: getting the process right
Authors: Duerden Martin
Published: October 2010

Dr Martin Duerden presents various responses that an individual patient commissioning panel might make to a typical scenario to illustrate how the process can go wrong.
Potential NHS savings through implementing NICE guidelines
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: October 2010

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has calculated how much money could be saved if a selected number of its guidelines and appraisals were fully implemented.
Safe use of medications in breastfeeding mothers
Authors: Grant Elena , Golightly Peter
Published: October 2010

Our series Prescribing in pregnancy provides guidance on what information to offer pregnant women about the risk and benefits of drug treatment. Here the authors discuss drug safety for breastfeeding mothers.
Microwave performance of ZnO/ZnMgO heterostructure field effect transistors
Authors: Sasa Shigehiko , Maitani Takeshi , Furuya Yuto , Amano Takeshi , Koike Kazuto , Yano Mitsuaki , Inoue Masataka
Published: October 2010

We report the first microwave performance of single crystalline ZnO/ZnMgO heterostructure field‐effect transistors (HFETs). The structure consisted of a 15‐nm‐thick ZnO channel layer was grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on an a‐sapphire substrate. Two‐finger type HFETs with 1 or 2‐µm‐long gate were fabricated and measured for microwave performance. The transconductance of the HFETs are 28 and 23 mS/mm for 1 and 2‐µm‐gate devices, respectively. The microwave measurement of ZnO‐based TFTs revealed that the current gain cutoff frequency fT of 1.75 GHz and that of unilateral power gain fmax of 2.45 GHz for 1‐µm‐gate HFET. Electron velocity obtained by two‐terminal measurements implies that the structural design is crucial for further improvement of the high‐frequency performance of ZnO/ZnMgO HFETs.

magnified image

Small‐signal microwave characteristics of a 1‐µm‐gate ZnO/ZnMgO heterostructure FET. The current gain cutoff frequency of 1.75 GHz and the unilateral power gain cutoff frequency of 2.45 GHz were obtained.
Effects of negative bias on the structural, topological and tribological properties of amorphous carbon films prepared by magnetron sputtering
Authors: Wang Zhou , Wang Chengbing , Zhang Bin , Wang Qi , Zhang Junyan
Published: October 2010

Amorphous carbon films were prepared in a magnetron sputtering system at different d.c. negative substrate biases (−50, − 100, − 150, − 200 and − 250 V). The surface roughness, hardness and tribological properties of as‐deposited films were investigated based on the films' structural evolution. Compared with the films deposited at the negative bias of − 50 and − 250 V, the microstructure and bond configuration of the films deposited at negative bias of − 150 V favored a more graphite‐like structure, which had the maximum of graphiticclusters and ordering structures; meanwhile, the films deposited at bias of − 150 V showed the minimum coefficient of friction (COF) in air, while the wear rate showed a decrease of two orders of magnitude. The tribotesting results were attributed to the increase of graphitic domains of amorphous carbon films which decreased the interfacial shear force and lowered the COF. The uniform and ordering structure induced steady and smooth friction curves. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parameterization of treatment effects for meta‐analysis in multi‐state Markov models
Authors: Price Malcolm J. , Welton Nicky J. , Ades A. E.
Published: October 2010

Standard approaches to analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using Markov models make it difficult to generalize treatment effects to new patient groups and synthesize evidence across trials. This paper demonstrates how pair‐wise and mixed treatment comparison meta‐analysis can be applied to event history data for disease progression reported by RCTs. The data, in the form of aggregated discrete time transitions, have a multi‐nomial likelihood. In order for evidence synthesis to be performed a structured approach to modelling the differences in the effects of the different treatments must be taken. A multi‐state continuous‐time Markov model similar to others used in published economic evaluations of asthma treatments is developed, with transition rates related to the likelihood via Kolmogorov's forward equations. The formulation in terms of rates allows a flexible characterization of summary treatment effects. These ideas are applied to an illustrative data set consisting of a set of five trials comparing eight different treatments for asthma. A range of models is developed in which the relative treatment effects act on forward, backward transitions, or both, and models are compared using the DIC. Bayesian inferential techniques are used and the parameters are estimated using MCMC simulation in WinBUGS. An intuitively appealing mechanism of action involving a single parameter acting on all backward transitions was identified for the relative effects of the treatments, which allowed the estimation of a pooled treatment effect, allowing us to rank the different treatment options within each connected evidence network to ascertain which were the most clinically effective. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of recurrent gap time data using the weighted risk‐set method and the modified within‐cluster resampling method
Authors: Luo Xianghua , Huang Chiung‐Yu
Published: October 2010

The gap times between recurrent events are often of primary interest in medical and epidemiology studies. The observed gap times cannot be naively treated as clustered survival data in analysis because of the sequential structure of recurrent events. This paper introduces two important building blocks, the averaged counting process and the averaged at‐risk process, for the development of the weighted risk‐set (WRS) estimation methods. We demonstrate that with the use of these two empirical processes, existing risk‐set based methods for univariate survival time data can be easily extended to analyze recurrent gap times. Additionally, we propose a modified within‐cluster resampling (MWCR) method that can be easily implemented in standard software. We show that the MWCR estimators are asymptotically equivalent to the WRS estimators. An analysis of hospitalization data from the Danish Psychiatric Central Register is presented to illustrate the proposed methods. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smooth estimation of survival functions and hazard ratios from interval‐censored data using Bayesian penalized B‐splines
Authors: Çetinyürek Yavuz Aysun , Lambert Philippe
Published: October 2010

We discuss the use of Bayesian P‐spline and of the composite link model to estimate survival functions and hazard ratios from interval‐censored data. If one further assumes proportionality of the hazards, the proposed strategy provides a smoothed estimate of the baseline hazard along with estimates of global covariate effects. The frequentist properties of our Bayesian estimators are assessed by an extensive simulation study. We further illustrate the methodology by two examples showing that the proportionality of the hazards might also be found inappropriate from interval‐censored data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Log‐linear, logistic model fitting and local score statistics for cluster detection with covariate adjustments
Authors: Chan Hock Peng , Tu I‐Ping
Published: October 2010

The standard method for p‐value computation of spatial scan statistics, with adjustments for covariate effects, is to conduct Monte Carlo simulations with these effects estimated under the null hypothesis of no clustering. However when the covariates are geographically unbalanced, the proposed Monte Carlo p‐value estimates are too conservative, with corresponding loss of power, due to excessive adjustments for confounding between covariates and location. We show that the use of an alternative procedure that involves local score statistics, with parameters fitted on a log‐linear or logistic model, addresses this problem. We also discuss extensions of the procedure when there are multiple or continuous covariates. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copula‐based regression models for a bivariate mixed discrete and continuous outcome
Authors: de Leon A. R. , Wu B.
Published: October 2010

This paper is concerned with regression models for correlated mixed discrete and continuous outcomes constructed using copulas. Our approach entails specifying marginal regression models for the outcomes, and combining them via a copula to form a joint model. Specifically, we propose marginal regression models (e.g. generalized linear models) to link the outcomes' marginal means to covariates. To account for associations between outcomes, we adopt the Gaussian copula to indirectly specify their joint distributions. Our approach has two advantages over current methods: one, regression parameters in models for both outcomes are marginally meaningful, and two, the association is ‘margin‐free’, in the sense that it is characterized by the copula alone. By assuming a latent variable framework to describe discrete outcomes, the copula used still uniquely determines the joint distribution. In addition, association measures between outcomes can be interpreted in the usual way. We report results of simulations concerning the bias and efficiency of two likelihood‐based estimation methods for the model. Finally, we illustrate the model using data on burn injuries. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating treatment difference for binary responses in the presence of surrogate endpoints
Authors: Banerjee Buddhananda , Biswas Atanu
Published: October 2010

Surrogate endpoint is chosen as a measure or indicator of a biological process that is obtained sooner, at less cost or less invasively than a true endpoint of health outcome, and is used to arrive at conclusions about the effect of intervention on the true endpoint. Following the work of Begg and Leung (J. R. Stat. Soc. Ser. A2000; 163:15–28), we introduce a new motivation to analyse the surrogate and true endpoints together, to have a better estimate of the treatment difference where both the endpoints are binary. Several estimators are studied and compared. Some real data sets are analysed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive trimmed t‐statistics for identifying predominantly high expression in a microarray experiment
Authors: Gleiss Andreas , Sanchez‐Cabo Fatima , Perco Paul , Tong Dan , Heinze Georg
Published: October 2010

Often, interesting candidate tumor markers are not only genes that show homogeneously higher expression (HHE) in tumor samples compared to control samples, but also genes with only predominantly higher expression (PHE), i.e. genes which exhibit higher expression in at least 80 per cent of tumor samples. Standard parametric test statistics used in the analysis of microarray experiments may fail with PHE as a consequence of the mixture of distributions present in the tumor group. As alternative we consider trimmed t‐statistics which compare group mean values after removing outliers in each group. The trimming proportion can be chosen adaptively, either based on a boxplot outlier detection rule or by optimization over a series of tests with varying trimming proportions. The trimmed t‐statistics can be plugged into the ‘significance analysis of microarrays’ (SAM) procedure, yielding the modified boxplot rule test (modBox) and the modified optimization test (modOpt), respectively. By means of simulation of microarray experiments, we show that modOpt is superior to contenders in detecting PHE, while there is only little loss in efficiency under HHE compared to SAM. Analysis of a real microarray experiment revealed that, out of nearly 29 000 genes, about 417 genes exhibiting PHE are detected by modOpt but missed by SAM. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heteroepitaxial Growth of Core–Shell and Core–Multishell Nanocrystals Composed of Palladium and Gold
Authors: Wang Feng , Sun Ling‐Dong , Feng Wei , Chen Huanjun , Yeung Man Hau , Wang Jianfang , Yan Chun‐Hua
Published: October 2010

The heteroepitaxial growth of the core–shell nanocrystals composed of Pd and Au is developed. Pd nanocubes or Au nano‐octahedrons are utilized as the cores. The growths of the Au and Pd shells are realized under similar conditions, where the same reducing agent and stabilizing surfactant are employed. The preparation is highly controllable, and the epitaxial growth is repeated up to three times to yield Pd@Au@Pd@Au and Au@Pd@Au@Pd core–trishell nanocrystals. The thickness of each shell is readily varied by changing the amount of the metal salts used for growth. All of the nanocrystal products have narrow size distributions and are single crystalline. The plasmon resonance properties of these nanocrystals are mainly determined by the exterior shell. The plasmon of the Pd‐shell‐terminated nanocrystals is suppressed, while that of the Au‐shell‐terminated ones is recovered and is stronger when the Au shell becomes thicker. This growth method can potentially be extended to other metals for the synthetic design of more complex core–multishell metal nanostructures with desirable optical, catalytic, and magnetic properties.
Transition Voltage Spectroscopy of Porphyrin Molecular Wires
Authors: Bennett Neil , Xu Gengzhao , Esdaile Louisa J. , Anderson Harry L. , Macdonald J. Emyr , Elliott Martin
Published: October 2010

Measurements are presented of the current‐voltage (I–V) characteristics of individual thiol‐tethered porphyrin molecules (isolated in an alkanethiol matrix) and of self‐assembled monolayers. In both cases, it is found that I/V2 displays a minimum at a characteristic “transition voltage” Vm. Repeated measurements of the transition voltage enable both its time development and statistical behavior to be determined. For isolated molecules, the transition voltage shows a multipeaked distribution of values, indicating the presence of a small number of distinct molecular/contact configurations, each having different transport characteristics. For self‐assembled monolayers, in contrast, a single‐peaked distribution was observed, which is consistent with parallel conduction through many molecules.
Preweaning Mn exposure leads to prolonged astrocyte activation and lasting effects on the dopaminergic system in adult male rats
Authors: Kern Cynthia H. , Smith Donald R.
Published: October 2010

Little is known about the effects of manganese (Mn) exposure over neurodevelopment and whether these early insults result in effects lasting into adulthood. To determine if early Mn exposure produces lasting neurobehavioral and neurochemical effects, we treated neonate rats with oral Mn (0, 25, or 50 mg Mn/kg/d over PND 1–21) and evaluated (1) behavioral performance in the open arena in the absence (PND 97) and presence (PND 98) of a d‐amphetamine challenge, (2) brain dopamine D1 and D2‐like receptors and dopamine transporter densities in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and nucleus accumbens (PND 107), and (3) astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in these same brain regions (PND 24 and 107). We found that preweaning Mn exposure did not alter locomotor activity or behavior disinhibition in adult rats, though Mn‐exposed animals did exhibit an enhanced locomotor response to d‐amphetamine challenge. Preweaning Mn exposure led to increased D1 and D2 receptor levels in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex, respectively, compared with controls. We also found increased GFAP expression in the prefrontal cortex in Mn‐exposed PND 24 weanlings, and increased GFAP levels in prefrontal cortex, medial striatum and nucleus accumbens of adult (PND 107) rats exposed to preweaning Mn, indicating an effect of Mn exposure on astrogliosis that persisted and/or progressed to other brain regions in adult animals. These data show that preweaning Mn exposure leads to lasting molecular and functional impacts in multiple brain regions of adult animals, long after brain Mn levels returned to normal. Synapse, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.