bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The scapular, parascapular, and latissimus dorsi flap as a single osteomyocutaneous flap for repair of complex oral defects
Authors: Janus Jeffrey R. , Carlson Matthew L. , Moore Eric J.
Published: September 2011

Complex composite defects of the oral cavity are often created due to en bloc resection of malignant tumors. These defects can involve bone, soft tissue, oral mucosa, and external skin, posing a reconstructive challenge to the microvascular surgeon. Though advances have been made in free tissue transfer via piggybacking techniques and double free‐flaps, increases in operative time and morbidity remain limiting factors. Likewise, advancements in single composite flaps (e.g., double‐skin paddle fibular free‐flap) allow for a single donor site, but limit workable tissue. This report describes our experience with the scapular, parascapular, and latissimus dorsi (SPLD) as a combined single unit osteomyocutaneous flap for composite reconstruction of complex oral defects. A case example is subsequently reviewed for clinical correlation. This is an operative techniques article describing the use of the SPLD single multi‐tissue flap for repair of complex oral defects. Cadaveric dissection was performed for instructional purposes. Case example was given for clinical correlation. Relevant history, anatomy, procedural details, and possible complications are presented and subsequently correlated to the case example. A SPLD free‐flap as a single multi‐tissue flap is a viable and beneficial option for reconstruction of complex oral defects. It provides the volume of tissue necessary to fill composite defects and exists as an alternative to multi‐flap procedures, which carry a longer operative time and multiple donor site morbidity. Clin. Anat. 25:120–128, 2012. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An open‐source inversion algorithm for the Munsell renotation
Authors: Centore Paul
Published: September 2011

The 1943 Munsell renotation includes a table that converts 2734 Munsell specifications into xyY coordinates, along with a graphical interpolation method and a graphical inversion method, that converts xyY coordinates back into Munsell specifications. This article presents open‐source computer code, running in Matlab or Octave, that both interpolates and inverts the Munsell renotation automatically. The steps in both algorithms are described in detail. Like previous inversion algorithms, it relies on interpolations between entries in the 1943 table. For colours near the MacAdam limits, the inversion also requires extrapolations beyond the 1943 entries. The outputs of the current implementation do not differ significantly from the outputs of other inversion algorithms. The main distinguishing feature of the current algorithm is that both the algorithm and code implementation are publicly available. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2011;
Aerosol‐Assisted CVD of SnO2 Thin Films for Gas‐Sensor Applications
Authors: Stoycheva Toni T. , Vallejos Stella , Pavelko Roman G. , Popov Viktor S. , Sevastyanov Vladimir G. , Correig Xavier
Published: September 2011

In this article is a report of SnO2 deposition by aerosol‐assisted (AA)CVD from tin complexes, [Sn(18‐Cr‐6)Cl4] and [Sn(H2O)2Cl4](18‐Cr‐6). The structure and properties of the precursors, used to synthesize SnO2 layers by AACVD for the first time, are characterized with the help of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Each complex is deposited by AACVD at 250, 400, and 500 °C in a flow of N2. The resulting films are studied by XRD and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Gas‐sensing properties of the deposited layers are tested to 10 ppm NO2 in air. The maximum sensor response to the analyte is measured at 300 °C.
Alteration of CD8+ T cell effector diversity during HIV‐1 infection with discordant normalization in effective antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Onlamoon Nattawat , Sukapirom Kasama , Polsrila Korakot , Ammaranond Palanee , Pattanapanyasat Kovit
Published: September 2011

Background:

Although the impairment of HIV‐specific T lymphocytes is evident during chronic HIV‐infection, it is unclear whether the increased CD8+ T cells associates with either selective or overall change of effector functional phenotype. Instead of study on HIV‐specific T cells only, analyzing bulk T cell populations represent a neglected area of T cell impairment, which go far beyond HIV‐specific T cells.

Methods:

In this study, we determined the diversity of CD8+ T cells in term of cytolytic molecule expression (perforin, granzyme A, and granzyme B) and cytokine production ability (IFN‐gamma, TNF‐alpha, and IL‐2) using intracellular staining and flow cytometry technique. The results were compared between healthy individuals, untreated, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) treated HIV infected patients.

Results:

We demonstrated the presence of four different subsets of CD8+ T cells that expressed different combinations of cytolytic molecules. We also identified seven different subsets of cytokine producing cells based on different combination of IFN‐gamma, TNF‐alpha, and IL‐2. Results showed significant alterations of these cell subsets that expressed different combination of cytolytic effector molecules or cytokines in HIV infected patients. Furthermore, cytolytic molecule expressing cell subsets are not normalized in effective ART treated patients, whereas the selective population of cytokine producing cells returned to normal value.

Conclusions:

The effector diversity of CD8+ T cells changed in HIV infected patients. Although effective ART altered functional diversity of these cells, long‐term suppression of viral replication may be required to normalize the selected CD8+ T cell effector phenotype in HIV infected patients. © 2011 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Occurrence and risk factors of mild cognitive impairment in the older Chinese population: a 3‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Hai Shan , Dong Birong , Liu Yixin , Zou Yupei
Published: September 2011

Objective

To investigate the occurrence and risk factors of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the conversion rates to dementia in Chinese people over 80 years of age.

Methods

Two hundred and two participants (>80 years old) without dementia were assessed clinically using neuropsychological tests; they were re‐assessed at 1, 2, and 3 years.

Results

The results revealed that 30.2% of the study population was classified as having MCI at baseline. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that coronary heart disease, hypertension, and stroke were risk factors of MCI. During the 3 years follow‐up, the occurrence of MCI increased, and 21.8% of the participants with MCI progressed to dementia.

Conclusions

These results suggest that in the older elderly, prevention and early treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases may be effective in lowering the risk of MCI. MCI is a high risk factor for dementia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intake of dietary fiber, especially from cereal foods, is associated with lower incidence of colon cancer in the HELGA cohort
Authors: Hansen Louise , Skeie Guri , Landberg Rikard , Lund Eiliv , Palmqvist Richard , Johansson Ingegerd , Dragsted Lars O. , Egeberg Rikke , Johnsen Nina F. , Christensen Jane , Overvad Kim , Tjønneland Anne , Olsen Anja
Published: September 2011

The role of dietary fiber on the risk of colon and rectal cancer has been investigated in numerous studies, but findings have been inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between intake of dietary fiber and risk of incident colon (including distal and proximal colon) and rectal cancer in the prospective Scandinavian HELGA cohort and to determine if fiber source (vegetables, fruits, potatoes, cereals) impacted the association. We included 1,168 incident cases (691 colon, 477 rectal cancer), diagnosed during a median of 11.3 years, among 108,081 cohort members. Sex‐specific incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of colon and rectal cancer were related to intake of total or specific fiber source using Cox proportional hazards models. For men, an inverse association was observed between intake of total fiber and the risk of colon cancer per an incremental increase of 10 g day−1, IRR (95% CI): 0.74 (0.64–0.86). Intake of cereal fiber per 2 g day−1 was associated with an IRR of 0.94 (0.91–0.98), which was also seen for intake of cereal fiber from foods with high fiber content (≥5 g per 100 g product), where the IRR per 2 g day−1 was 0.94 (0.90–0.98). In women, intake of cereal fiber per 2 g day−1 was also associated with lower risk of colon cancer, 0.97 (0.93–1.00). No clear associations were seen for rectal cancer. Our data indicate a protective role of total and cereal fiber intake, particularly from cereal foods with high fiber content, in the prevention of colon cancer.
Dietary acrylamide and risk of prostate cancer
Authors: Wilson Kathryn M. , Giovannucci Edward , Stampfer Meir J. , Mucci Lorelei A.
Published: September 2011

Acrylamide has been designated by IARC as a “probable human carcinogen.” High levels are formed during cooking of many commonly consumed foods including French fries, potato chips, breakfast cereal and coffee. Two prospective cohort studies and two case–control studies in Europe found no association between acrylamide intake and prostate cancer. We examined this association in a large prospective cohort of 47,896 US men in the Health Professionals' Follow‐up Study, using updated dietary acrylamide intake from food frequency questionnaires in 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002. From 1986 through 2006, we documented 5025 cases of prostate cancer, and 642 lethal cancers. We used Cox proportional hazards models to assess the association between acrylamide intake from diet and prostate cancer risk overall as well as risk of advanced or lethal cancer. Acrylamide intake ranged from a mean of 10.5 mcg/day in the lowest quintile to 40.1 mcg/day in the highest quintile; coffee and potato products were largest contributors to intake. The multivariate‐adjusted relative risk of prostate cancer was 1.02 (95% confidence interval: 0.92–1.13) for the highest versus lowest quintile of acrylamide intake (p‐value for trend = 0.90). Results were similar when restricted to never smokers and to men who had prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) tests. There was no significant association for dietary acrylamide and risk of lethal, advanced or high‐grade disease, or for different latency periods ranging from 0–4 years to 12–16 years. We found no evidence that acrylamide intake, within the range of US diets, is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer.
Longitudinal Differences of Phytoplankton Community during a Period of Small Water Level Fluctuations in a Subtropical Reservoir Bay (Xiangxi Bay, Three Gorges Reservoir, China)
Authors: Wang Lan , Cai Qing‐hua , Tan Lu , Kong Ling‐Hui
Published: September 2011

The Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) had a great inflow discharge with small water level fluctuations in the flood season of the year 2008, when a large‐scale cyanobacterial bloom broke out in Xiangxi Bay (a tributary bay behaving like a lake) for the first time after the construction of the TGR impoundment. To compare spatiotemporal longitudinal differences of phytoplankton community structure during this period, weekly surveys were performed in Xiangxi Bay. The cyanobacterial bloom lasted from June 6 to July 18, 2008, with Microcystis aeruginosa as the dominant species. During this bloom the species diversity, evenness and community change rate was relatively low. The probable causes for the interruption of the bloom were precipitation and water temperature. In the non‐cyanobacterial bloom period (July 25 to September 26, 2008) many other species dominated the community including Stephanodiscus hantzschii and Cryptomonas ovata, with higher values of species diversity, evenness and community change rate. As for the longitudinal differences, the community structure in the riverine zone was different from that in other zones, indicating the important effect of inflow from the upstream of Xiangxi Bay. The management actions in Xiangxi Bay should prevent blooms in the mainstream, lacustrine and transitional zone. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons within airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) produced DNA bulky stable adducts in a human lung cell coculture model
Authors: Abbas Imane , Garçon Guillaume , Saint‐Georges Françoise , Andre Véronique , Gosset Pierre , Billet Sylvain , Goff Jérémie Le , Verdin Anthony , Mulliez Philippe , Sichel François , Shirali Pirouz
Published: September 2011

To extend current knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of air pollution particulate matter (PM2.5)‐induced human lung toxicity, the metabolic activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) within PM2.5 and PAH–DNA bulky stable adduct patterns in human alveolar macrophage (AM) and/or human lung epithelial L132 cells in mono‐ and cocultures were studied. In the coculture system, only human AM were exposed to air pollution PM2.5, unlike L132 cells. Particles, inorganic fraction and positive controls [i.e. TiO2, thermally desorbed PM (dPM) and benzo[a]pyrene, B[a]P, respectively] were included in the experimental design. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 gene expression, CYP1A1 catalytic activity and PAH–DNA bulky stable adducts were studied after 24, 48 and/or 72 h. Relatively low doses of PAH within PM2.5 induced CYP1A1 gene expression and CYP1A1 catalytic activity in human AM and, thereafter, PAH–DNA bulky stable adduct formation. Adduct spots in PM2.5‐exposed human AM were higher than those in dPM‐exposed ones, thereby showing the incomplete removal of PAH by thermal desorption. PAH within air pollution PM2.5 induced CYP1A1 gene expression but not CYP1A1 catalytic activity in L132 cells. However, despite the absence of PAH–DNA bulky stable adduct in L132 cells from human AM/L132 cell cocultures exposed to dPM2.5 or PM2.5, reliable quantifiable PAH–DNA bulky stable adducts were observed in L132 cells from human AM/L132 cell coculture exposed to B[a]P. Taken together, these results support the exertion of genotoxicity of highly reactive B[a]P‐derived metabolites produced within human AM not only in primary target human AM, but also in secondary target L132 cells. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulated increases in body fat and errors in bone mineral density measurements by DXA and QCT
Authors: Yu Elaine W , Thomas Bijoy J , Brown J Keenan , Finkelstein Joel S
Published: September 2011

Major alterations in body composition, such as with obesity and weight loss, have complex effects on the measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The effects of altered body fat on quantitative computed tomography (QCT) measurements are unknown. We scanned a spine phantom by DXA and QCT before and after surrounding with sequential fat layers (up to 12 kg). In addition, we measured lumbar spine and proximal femur BMD by DXA and trabecular spine BMD by QCT in 13 adult volunteers before and after a simulated 7.5 kg increase in body fat. With the spine phantom, DXA BMD increased linearly with sequential fat layering at the normal (p < 0.01) and osteopenic (p < 0.01) levels, but QCT BMD did not change significantly. In humans, fat layering significantly reduced DXA spine BMD values (mean ± SD: −2.2 ± 3.7%, p = 0.05) and increased the variability of measurements. In contrast, fat layering increased QCT spine BMD in humans (mean ± SD: 1.5 ± 2.5%, p = 0.05). Fat layering did not change mean DXA BMD of the femoral neck or total hip in humans significantly, but measurements became less precise. Associations between baseline and fat-simulation scans were stronger for QCT of the spine (r2 = 0.97) than for DXA of the spine (r2 = 0.87), total hip (r2 = 0.80), or femoral neck (r2 = 0.75). Bland-Altman plots revealed that fat-associated errors were greater for DXA spine and hip BMD than for QCT trabecular spine BMD. Fat layering introduces error and decreases the reproducibility of DXA spine and hip BMD measurements in human volunteers. Although overlying fat also affects QCT BMD measurements, the error is smaller and more uniform than with DXA BMD. Caution must be used when interpreting BMD changes in humans whose body composition is changing. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Neurologic indications for therapeutic plasma exchange: An update
Authors: Gwathmey Kelly , Balogun Rasheed A. , Burns Ted
Published: September 2011

Neurologists commonly use therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE, also known as plasmapheresis or therapeutic apheresis) to treat a number of conditions. This concise review examines the most common neurologic indications for therapeutic plasma exchange. It focuses on Guillain‐Barrè syndrome and myasthenia gravis and also the role of TPE in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Lambert–Eaton syndrome, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, paraproteinemic polyneuropathy, and Sydenham's chorea. As with any treatment, the proven efficacy, cost, side effects, and availability must be considered before initiation of therapy. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study on the Electrochemical Behavior of the Anticancer Herbal Drug Berberine and Its Analytical Application
Authors: Wang Fei , Gao Yumei , Gao Lin , Xing Tianlai
Published: September 2011

The electrochemical behavior of anticancer herbal drug berberine was investigated in 0.2 mol L‐1 HAc‐NaAc (pH 4.2) buffer solution at a glassy carbon electrode. The drug yields a single well‐defined reduction peak at the potential of ‐1.085 V at the scan rate of 0.05 V s‐1 and the electrode reaction is an irreversible adsorption‐controlled process as the result of cyclic voltammetry. All experimental conditions were studied in order to obtain the optimum conditions for the determination of berberine. A good linear relationship was observed between the reductive peak currents and the concentrations of berberine in the range from 1.0 × 10‐6 to 8.0 × 10‐5 mol L‐1. The detection limit of 8.0 × 10‐7 mol L‐1 was obtained in terms of the signal to noise ratio of 3:1 (S/N = 3). The proposed technique was applied to determine the content of berberine in tablets with good satisfactory. In addition, the electrode process dynamics parameters were calculated.
Evaluating the performance of a hospitalist system in Taiwan: A pioneer study for nationwide health insurance in Asia
Authors: Shu Chin‐Chung , Lin Jou‐Wei , Lin Yu‐Feng , Hsu Nin‐Chieh , Ko Wen‐Je
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND:

The national health insurance (NHI) in Taiwan covers almost the entire population and controls medical costs. However, there is increasing patient admission and shortage of inpatient care staff. The hospitalist system may be a solution.

OBJECTIVE:

To study the efficiency of the hospitalist system under the NHI in Taiwan.

DESIGN:

Prospective observational study.

METHODS:

Under the NHI, a hospitalist‐run ward (HW) was set‐up in a medical referral center for patients admitted from the emergency department. The cohort was observed and compared to the internist‐run wards (IWs) in terms of performance.

RESULTS:

From November 2009 to January 2010, 377 patients admitted to the HW and 433 to the IWs were enrolled. Patients in the HW were older and had poorer functional status and more underlying comorbidities. The HW group also had lower admission costs and shorter lengths of hospital stay (LOS) than the IW group. Due to different demographics, propensity analysis was performed on 101 matched pairs of patients, which showed significantly lower cost and shorter LOS in HW patients despite similar mortality and readmission rates.

CONCLUSIONS:

The hospitalist system has higher efficiency than the internist‐run general wards under the NHI system in terms of costs and length of hospitalization. It may serve as an alternative model to address rising admissions and staff shortages. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Molecular characterization of hepatitis B virus strains circulating in Belgian patients co‐infected with HIV and HBV: Overt and occult infection
Authors: Pourkarim Mahmoud Reza , Lemey Philippe , Amini‐Bavil‐Olyaee Samad , Houspie Lieselot , Verbeeck Jannick , Rahman Mustafizur , Maes Piet , Vanwijngaerden Eric , Nevens Frederik , Van Ranst Marc
Published: September 2011

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have similar transmission routes, implying that patients infected with HIV are at particular risk for HBV infection. Patients who are co‐infected with HIV and HBV progress more rapidly to end‐stage liver disease and different HBV genotypes may have a distinct impact on disease progression. One hundred ninety‐one anti‐HBc‐positive sera from Belgian patients co‐infected with HIV and HBV were collected during 1998–2008. Full‐length HBV genomes as well as large S or partial S genes were amplified and their molecular evolutionary history was analyzed. Clinically, 30 (65.8%) patients were categorized as “overt infection” and 16 (34.7%) cases were categorized as “occult infection.” Five distinct HBV genotypes comprising A (69.6%), E (19.6%), followed by D, C, and G were detected. HBV genotype A was observed in all clinical groups and in patients with varying ethnical background. HBV genotype E could be detected in African patients who were mostly infected by heterosexual contacts. Several clinically important mutations at the HBs major hydrophilic region were detected in the new isolates but with no significant difference between occult and overt infection. The high prevalence of HBV genotype A in overt and occult cases, and in particular the detection of certain HBV subgenotypes in patients co‐infected with HIV and HBV that carry diagnostic escape mutations, may provide useful information for national guidelines for prophylaxis and treatment. J. Med. Virol. 83:1876–1884, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunological insights into the pathogenesis of active CMV infection in non‐immunosuppressed critically ill patients
Authors: Blanquer José , Chilet Marifina , Benet Isabel , Aguilar Gerardo , Muñoz‐Cobo Beatriz , Tellez Alexander , Costa Elisa , Bravo Dayana , Navarro David
Published: September 2011

Dissociation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA loads between the lower respiratory tract and blood, with high levels in the former compartment and low or undetectable levels in the latter, commonly occurs during active CMV infection in critically ill patients despite the presence of high frequencies of CMV‐specific IFN‐γ‐producing CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in blood. Data presented in this case report suggest that inter‐compartmental differences in interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) levels may, in part, explain the pathobiology of this phenomenon. In the absence of ganciclovir treatment, a significant correlation was observed between IL‐10 levels and CMV DNA loads in lower respiratory tract specimens (P = 0.016), but not in plasma samples (P = 0.46). Comparable data were obtained during the course of active CMV infection episodes that developed in six CMV‐seropositive critically ill patients with no canonical immunosuppression. The presence of higher levels of IL‐10 in the lower respiratory tract than in plasma may result in increased impairment of CMV‐specific T‐cell effector responses in the lung compared to the systemic compartment, facilitating local CMV replication. J. Med. Virol. 83:1966–1971, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation and genotyping of rubella virus from a case of congenital infection in Brazil
Authors: Andrade J.Q. , Figueiredo C.A. , Oliveira M.I. , Carvalho M.H.B. , Schultz R. , Zugaib M.
Published: September 2011

The incidence of CRS and CRI has decreased markedly worldwide with the implementation of efficient vaccination programs. We report a congenital rubella case with fetal death occurred at 29th week of gestation. RV was confirmed in placenta. The results of phylogenetic analysis showed that the RVs/SaoPaulo01.‐ BRA/08.CRI belongs to the genotype 2B of RV. J. Med. Virol. 83:2048–2050, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High detection rates of nucleic acids of a wide range of respiratory viruses in the nasopharynx and the middle ear of children with a history of recurrent acute otitis media
Authors: Wiertsema Selma P. , Chidlow Glenys R. , Kirkham Lea‐Ann S. , Corscadden Karli J. , Mowe Eva N. , Vijayasekaran Shyan , Coates Harvey L. , Harnett Gerald B. , Richmond Peter C.
Published: September 2011

Both bacteria and viruses play a role in the development of acute otitis media, however, the importance of specific viruses is unclear. In this study molecular methods were used to determine the presence of nucleic acids of human rhinoviruses (HRV; types A, B, and C), respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV; types A and B), bocavirus (HBoV), adenovirus, enterovirus, coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43), influenza viruses (types A, B, and C), parainfluenza viruses (types 1, 2, 3, 4A, and 4B), human metapneumovirus, and polyomaviruses (KI and WU) in the nasopharynx of children between 6 and 36 months of age either with (n = 180) or without (n = 66) a history of recurrent acute otitis media and in 238 middle ear effusion samples collected from 143 children with recurrent acute otitis media. The co‐detection of these viruses with Streptococcus pneumoniae, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis was analyzed. HRV (58.3% vs. 42.4%), HBoV (52.2% vs. 19.7%), polyomaviruses (36.1% vs. 15.2%), parainfluenza viruses (29.4% vs. 9.1%), adenovirus (25.0% vs. 6.1%), and RSV (27.8% vs. 9.1%) were detected significantly more often in the nasopharynx of children with a history of recurrent acute otitis media compared to healthy children. HRV was predominant in the middle ear and detected in middle ear effusion of 46% of children. Since respiratory viruses were detected frequently in the nasopharynx of both children with and without a history of recurrent acute otitis media, the etiological role of specific viruses in recurrent acute otitis media remains uncertain, however, anti‐viral therapies may be beneficial in future treatment and prevention strategies for acute otitis media. J. Med. Virol. 83:2008–2017, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The first decade of coupled resonator optical waveguides: bringing slow light to applications
Authors: Morichetti F. , Ferrari C. , Canciamilla A. , Melloni A.
Published: September 2011

A century after the first optical cavity, coupled resonator optical waveguides (CROWs) were conceived as a new way to guide light on a photonic chip. Controlling chains of coupled resonators to let light propagate through, with a reduced speed and enhanced intensity, boosting light‐matter interaction while keeping information undistorted: this was the fascinating promise of CROWs, but also one of the most ambitious challenges ever set for integrated optics. The first decade of the history of CROWs is discussed in this review, from the original idea to recent applications, panning through the technological platforms that have been employed to realize these structures. Design criteria and management issues, fundamental limits, and sensitivity to fabrication tolerances are discussed to make the reader aware of the performance of state‐of‐the‐art CROWs and to provide a realistic perspective of future applicative horizons.
An adaptive‐hybrid meshfree approximation method
Authors: Ling Leevan
Published: September 2011

It is now commonly agreed that the global radial basis functions (GRBF) method is an attractive approach for approximating smooth functions. This superiority does not come free; one must find ways to circumvent the associated problem of ill‐conditioning and the high computational cost for solving dense matrix systems. We previously proposed different variants of adaptive methods for selecting proper trial subspaces so that the instability caused by inappropriately shaped parameters were minimized. In contrast, the compactly supported radial basis functions (CSRBF) are more relaxing on the smoothness requirements. By settling with the algebraic order of convergence only, the CSRBF method, provided the support radii are properly chosen, can approximate functions with less smoothness. The reality is that end users must know the functions to be approximated a priori to decide which method to be used; this is not practical if one is solving a time‐evolving partial differential equation. The solution could be smooth at the beginning but the formation of shocks may come later. In this paper, we propose a hybrid algorithm making use of both GRBF and CSRBF with other developed techniques for meshfree approximation with minimal fine tuning. The first contribution here is an adaptive node refinement scheme. Second, we apply the GRBFs (with adaptive subspace selection) on the adaptively generated data sites, and lastly, the CSRBF (with adaptive support selection) that can be used as a blackbox algorithm for robust approximations to a wider class of functions and for solving PDEs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An explicit asynchronous contact algorithm for elastic body–rigid wall interaction
Authors: Ryckman Raymond A. , Lew Adrian J.
Published: September 2011

The use of multiple‐time‐step integrators can provide substantial computational savings over traditional one‐time‐step methods for the simulation of solid dynamics, while maintaining desirable properties, such as energy conservation. Contact phenomena generally require either the adoption of an implicit algorithm or the use of unacceptably small time steps to prevent large amount of numerical dissipation from being introduced. This paper introduces a new explicit dynamic contact algorithm that, by taking advantage of asynchronous time stepping, delivers an outstanding energy performance at a much more acceptable computational cost. We demonstrated the performance of the numerical method with several three‐dimensional examples. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical analysis of carbon nanofiber/epoxy resin composites
Authors: Chaos‐Morán R. , Salazar A. , Ureña A.
Published: September 2011

The mechanical response of epoxy resins filled without treated carbon nanofibers and carboxylated ones has been evaluated through tensile tests. The elastic properties did not improve compared to the neat epoxy resin regardless of filler content or functionalization treatment, while the tensile strength and the elongation at break were reduced for the highest filler content (1 wt%). Fractographic analysis showed that composites reinforced with carboxylated nanofibers showed better filler dispersion than those without treatment. However, in both cases, the fibers tended to agglomerate and the formation of porosity was favored. The size of bundles of nanofibers rose with the content of nanofiller and for the same addition of carbon nanofibers, the size and distribution was respectively bigger and wider for the untreated carbon nanofibers‐reinforced composites than for the carboxylated carbon nanofiber‐reinforced composites. These defects degraded the mechanical response. The dilute suspension of clusters model was applied to estimate the elastic properties, showing agreement with the experimental results. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Molecular simulation of miscibility of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene ether)/poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) blend with the compatibilizer triblock terpolymer SBM
Authors: Zhuang Qixin , Xue Zhaojun , Liu Xiaoyun , Yuan Yongliang , Han Zhewen
Published: September 2011

Polymer blend of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene ether) (PPE) and poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (SAN), which has broad commercial interest, has limited miscibility. A triblock terpolymer, polystyrene‐block‐polybutadiene‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (SBM), is often used as compatibilizer to improve the miscibility of PPE/SAN. In this work, dissipative particle dynamics and molecular dynamics of Material Studio were used to study the essentials that influence miscibility of the blend systems, and then Flory–Huggins parameter χ, radial distribution function (RDF) and morphologies are analyzed. It shows that the blends with more content of styrene in SAN (above 90 wt%), whose mass percentage is 60%, are best miscible. For the systems of PPE/SAN added with SBM, the miscibility increases and then decreases with the increase of SBM content. A longer chain of styrene (S) in SBM leads to wrapped structure of PMMA by PB, wrapped by PS, resulting in decrease of the miscibility. From studies and simulation of χ and RDF, the best blend system for commercial and industrial use is the one with mass ratio of PPE/SAN/SBM 36/54/10, in which S content in SAN is above 90 wt%. For SBM, the ratio of chain length styrene (S)/butadiene (B) is lessthan 1, while B and M are the same in chain length. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Prescribing quality for older people in Norwegian nursing homes and home nursing services using multidose dispensed drugs
Authors: Halvorsen Kjell H. , Granas Anne Gerd , Engeland Anders , Ruths Sabine
Published: September 2011

Purpose

To examine and compare the quality of drug prescribing for older patients in nursing homes and home nursing services.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study comprising 11 254 patients aged ≥65 years in nursing homes (n = 2986) and home nursing services (n = 8268). Potentially inappropriate medications were identified by using the Norwegian General Practice criteria and drug–drug interactions through a Norwegian Web‐based tool. The impact of care setting on exposure to selected drug groups, potentially inappropriate medications, and drug interactions was calculated, adjusting for patients’ age, gender, and number of drugs used.

Results

Patients in nursing homes and home nursing services used on average 5.7 (SD = 2.6) multidose dispensed regular drugs. Twenty‐six percent used at least one potentially inappropriate medication, 31% in nursing homes and 25% in home nursing services, p < .001. Concomitant use of three or more psychotropic and/or opioid drugs was the criterion most commonly identified in nursing homes (18%) and home nursing services (9%), p < .001. Compared with nursing homes, more patients in home nursing services used cardiovascular drugs and fewer patients used psychotropic drugs. Altogether, 8615 drug–drug interactions were identified in 55% of patients, 48% in nursing homes and 57% in home nursing services, p < .001.

Conclusions

There are significant differences in the quality of drug prescribing in nursing homes compared with home nursing services. Explanations as to why these differences exist need to be further explored. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Rayleigh‐Schrödinger perturbation series of quasi‐degenerate systems
Authors: Brouder Christian , Duchamp Gérard H.E. , Patras Frédéric , Tóth Gábor Z.
Published: September 2011

We describe the first representation of the general term of the Rayleigh‐Schrödinger series for quasidegenerate systems. Each term of the series is represented by a tree and there is a straightforward relation between the tree and the analytical expression of the corresponding term. The combinatorial and graphical techniques used in the proof of the series expansion allow us to derive various resummation formulas of the series. A relation with several combinatorial objects used for special cases (degenerate or non‐degenerate systems) is established. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Ultrasound evaluation of intra‐abdominal sites of disease to predict likelihood of suboptimal cytoreduction in advanced ovarian cancer: a prospective study
Authors: Testa A. C. , Ludovisi M. , Mascilini F. , Di Legge A. , Malaggese M. , Fagotti A. , Fanfani F. , Salerno M. G. , Ercoli A. , Scambia G. , Ferrandina G.
Published: September 2011

Objectives

To analyze in advanced ovarian cancer patients the ability of ultrasound to evaluate the extent of intra‐abdominal disease and to predict the likelihood of suboptimal cytoreduction.

Methods

Into this prospective study, 147 patients with advanced ovarian cancer were enrolled consecutively between January 2005 and October 2008. All patients underwent standard laparotomy and maximal surgical effort was attempted. To create a new scoring system to predict suboptimal cytoreduction we considered the following sonographic parameters: peritoneal carcinomatosis, bowel mesentery involvement, omental involvement, massive pelvic involvement, ascites and liver and/or spleen metastases. Those parameters achieving a negative predictive value ≥ 50% and a positive predictive value ≥ 50% in predicting suboptimal cytoreduction were included in the ultrasound scoring system, which was then calculated for each patient.

Results

Ultrasound allowed a virtually conclusive diagnosis of massive pelvic involvement (sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 97%), parenchymal liver metastases of any size (sensitivity, 93%; specificity, 98%) and ascites (sensitivity, 98%; specificity, 97%) and a very reliable diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis (sensitivity, 91%; specificity, 88%) and omental involvement (sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 90%), whereas it was not very good at excluding parenchymal spleen metastases or splenic hilum involvement (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 98%) and bowel mesentery involvement (sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 88%). Ultrasound‐assessed peritoneal carcinomatosis, bowel mesentery involvement, omental involvement, massive pelvic involvement and ascites were included in our ultrasound score (which had a range of 0–6 points). With a cut‐off value of > 5, the sensitivity and specificity of the ultrasound score with regard to prediction of suboptimal cytoreduction were 31% (20/64) and 92% (46/50), respectively.

Conclusions

Ultrasound examination is able to assess intra‐abdominal disease in advanced ovarian cancer patients, with satisfactory concordance with laparotomic findings. Our ultrasound score can predict suboptimal cytoreduction and might be clinically useful. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular Structures of a 1,5‐Diselena‐2,4‐disila‐3‐oxa‐cycloheptane Derivative and a Diselane. Behavior of the Mixture Containing 1,2‐Dilithio‐ and 1,2‐Bis(lithioseleno)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12)
Authors: Wrackmeyer Bernd , Klimkina Elena V. , Milius Wolfgang
Published: September 2011

Attempts to prepare a reagent containing the 1‐lithioseleno‐2‐lithio‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) were only partially successful. The non‐cyclic 1‐trimethysilylseleno‐2‐trimethysilyl‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) could be obtained in mixtures, and a corresponding diselane, formed by hydrolysis/oxidation could be isolated and characterized by X‐ray structural analysis. However, the synthesis of related heterocycles failed. Instead, cyclic species derived in principle from 1,2‐dilithio‐ and the 1,2‐bis(lithioseleno)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) were isolated and characterized. This led to a new 1,5‐diselena‐2,4‐disila‐3‐oxa‐cycloheptane derivative, for which the structure in solution was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy (1H,13C,29Si,77Se NMR) and DFT calculations [B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p)], and the molecular solid‐state structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction.
Synthesis and Structural Diversity of ZnCl2 and Zn(C6F5)2 Complexes of a Phosphinimine Ligand
Authors: Wheaton Craig A. , Ireland Benjamin J. , Hayes Paul G.
Published: September 2011

Zinc complexes of the potentially bidentate neutral monophosphinimine ligand 4‐(ArN=PPh2)dibenzofuran were prepared. Two derivatives of this framework were studied, which differ in the steric demand of the N‐aryl group (Ar = Dipp, Mes). The ligand interacts with diethylzinc in solution but does not form a tightly bound complex, whereby the degree of association is found to be dependent on temperature. However, isolable complexes are formed upon reaction with the more Lewis acidic precursors ZnCl2 and Zn(C6F5)2. In this way, the ZnCl2 complexes 1 and 2 and Zn(C6F5)2 complexes 3 and 4 were prepared and structurally characterized. The nuclearity of 1 and 2 was shown to depend on the bulk of the ligand. Furthermore, the strength of the bonding interaction between the zinc atoms and the dibenzofuran oxygen atoms in 3 and 4 also depends on the choice of ancillary ligand. Attempts to further derivatize these complexes were unsuccessful, and thus, functionalization of the complex LZnEt(OTf) was undertaken instead, resulting in formation of the novel linear trinuclear complex 5.
New age determination of the Cenozoic Lunpola basin, central Tibet
Authors: HE HUAIYU , SUN JIMIN , LI QIULI , ZHU RIXIANG
Published: September 2011

Knowing when the Tibetan Plateau reached its present elevation is important for understanding the uplift history of Tibet. Recently, Rowley & Currie (2006) suggested that central Tibet exceeded 4000 m from 35 Ma to the Pliocene using the oxygen-isotope composition of calcareous minerals in Lunpola basin sediments. However, they adopted a poor age assignment for the Dingqing Formation in the Lunpola basin based on previous microfossil studies. In this study, we present SIMS U–Pb zircon dates from a bentonite layer intercalated within the middle to lower Dingqing Formation. Twenty-six measurements yield a highly reliable U–Pb age of 23.5 ± 0.2 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 1.1), suggesting that the deposition age of the Dingqing Formation is late Oligocene to early Miocene, much older than the Miocene–Pliocene age used by Rowley & Currie (2006). This age robustly constrains the age of Cenozoic sedimentary strata in central Tibet, and hence provides an important basis for estimating the palaeoelevation in the high Tibet during the geological past.
Great War, Civil War, and Recovery: Russia's National Income, 1913 to 1928
Authors: Markevich Andrei , Harrison Mark
Published: September 2011

The last remaining gap in the national accounts of Russia and the USSR in the twentieth century, 1913 to 1928, includes the Great War, the Civil War, and postwar recovery. Filling this gap, we find that the Russian economy did somewhat better in the Great War than was previously thought; in the Civil War it did correspondingly worse; war losses persisted into peacetime, and were not fully restored under the New Economic Policy. We compare this experience across regions and over time. The Great War and Civil War produced the deepest economic trauma of Russia's troubled twentieth century.
Dysfunctional cognitions in personality pathology: the structure and validity of the Personality Belief Questionnaire
Authors: Fournier J. C. , DeRubeis R. J. , Beck A. T.
Published: September 2011

Background

This study examines the structure of the Personality Belief Questionnaire (PBQ), a self-report instrument designed to assess dysfunctional beliefs associated with personality pathology, as proposed by the cognitive theory of personality dysfunction.

Method

The PBQ was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with responses from 438 depressed out-patients, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with responses from 683 treatment-seeking psychiatric out-patients. All participants were assessed for personality disorder (PD) using a standard clinical interview. The validity of the resulting factor structure was assessed in the combined sample (n=1121) by examining PBQ scores for patients with and without PD diagnoses.

Results

Exploratory and confirmatory analyses converged to indicate that the PBQ is best described by seven empirically identified factors: six assess dysfunctional beliefs associated with forms of personality pathology recognized in DSM-IV. Validity analyses revealed that those diagnosed with a PD evidenced a higher average score on all factors, relative to those without these disorders. Subsets of patients diagnosed with specific DSM-IV PDs scored higher, on average, on the factor associated with their respective diagnosis, relative to all other factors.

Conclusions

The pattern of results has implications for the conceptualization of personality pathology. To our knowledge, no formal diagnostic or assessment system has yet systematically incorporated the role of dysfunctional beliefs into its description of personality pathology. The identification of dysfunctional beliefs may not only aid in case conceptualization but also may provide unique targets for psychological treatment. Recommendations for future personality pathology assessment systems are provided.
ON THE ASYMPTOTIC SIZE DISTORTION OF TESTS WHEN INSTRUMENTS LOCALLY VIOLATE THE EXOGENEITY ASSUMPTION
Authors: Guggenberger Patrik
Published: September 2011

In the linear instrumental variables model with possibly weak instruments we derive the asymptotic size of testing procedures when instruments locally violate the exogeneity assumption. We study the tests by Anderson and Rubin (1949,The Annals of Mathematical Statistics20, 46–63), Moreira (2003,Econometrica71, 1027–1048), and Kleibergen (2005,Econometrica73, 1103–1123) and their generalized empirical likelihood versions. These tests have asymptotic size equal to nominal size when the instruments are exogenous but are size distorted otherwise. While in just-identified models all the tests that we consider are equally size-distorted asymptotically, the Anderson-Rubin type tests are less size-distorted than the tests of Moreira (2003) and Kleibergen in over-identified situations. On the other hand, we also show that there are parameter sequences under which the former test asymptotically overrejects more frequently. Given that strict exogeneity of instruments is often a questionable assumption, our findings should be important to applied researchers who are concerned about the degree of size distortion of their inference procedure. We suggest robustness of asymptotic size under local model violations as a new alternative measure to choose among competing testing procedures. We also investigate the subsampling and hybrid tests introduced in Andrews and Guggenberger (2010a,Journal of Econometrics158, 285–305) and show that they do not offer any improvement in terms of size-distortion reduction over the Anderson-Rubin type tests.
BOOTSTRAP UNION TESTS FOR UNIT ROOTS IN THE PRESENCE OF NONSTATIONARY VOLATILITY
Authors: Smeekes Stephan , Taylor A.M. Robert
Published: September 2011

Three important issues surround testing for a unit root in practice: uncertainty as to whether or not a linear deterministic trend is present in the data; uncertainty as to whether the initial condition of the process is (asymptotically) negligible or not, and the possible presence of nonstationary volatility in the data. Assuming homoskedasticity, Harvey, Leybourne, and Taylor (2011, Journal of Econometrics, forthcoming) propose decision rules based on a four-way union of rejections of quasi-differenced (QD) and ordinary least squares (OLS) detrended tests, both with and without a linear trend, to deal with the first two problems. In this paper we first discuss, again under homoskedasticity, how these union tests may be validly bootstrapped using the sieve bootstrap principle combined with either the independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) or wild bootstrap resampling schemes. This serves to highlight the complications that arise when attempting to bootstrap the union tests. We then demonstrate that in the presence of nonstationary volatility the union test statistics have limit distributions that depend on the form of the volatility process, making tests based on the standard asymptotic critical values or, indeed, the i.i.d. bootstrap principle invalid. We show that wild bootstrap union tests are, however, asymptotically valid in the presence of nonstationary volatility. The wild bootstrap union tests therefore allow for a joint treatment of all three of the aforementioned issues in practice.