bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immigrant workers and worker's compensation: The need for reform
Authors: Rebecca Smith J.D.
Published: March 2012

Foreign‐born workers in the United States suffer high rates of workplace injuries and accidents. Both for workers who are unauthorized to work in the United States and for those who are present legally under guest worker programs, access to workers' compensation benefits presents nearly insurmountable barriers. Some of these are longstanding, such as employer retaliation and aggressive litigation of claims. Some are more recent and related to the increasingly transnational character of the workforce and to barriers put in place by administrators.

This is a legal overview of the cases, statutes, and policies that act as barriers to access for immigrant workers, conducted by reviewing case law and basic compensation statutes in all fifty states. Where these are known, policies that keep workers locked out of workers' compensation are also discussed. It concludes that reform of the system is needed in order to ensure its standing as an insurance program with universal application. As part of that reform, further state by state research and advocacy would discover specific administrative practices in each state that keep immigrant workers from receiving the benefits to which they are entitled. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:537–544, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diagnostic yield in adults screened at the marfan outpatient clinic using the 1996 and 2010 ghent nosologies
Authors: Aalberts Jan J.J. , Thio Chris H.L. , Schuurman Agnes G. , van Langen Irene M. , van der Pol Bert A.E. , van Tintelen J. Peter , van den Berg Maarten P.
Published: March 2012

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is diagnosed according to the Ghent nosology, which has recently been revised. In the Netherlands, evaluation for possible MFS is performed in specialized Marfan outpatient clinics. We investigated the diagnostic yield in our clinic and the impact of the 2010 nosology. All adult patients (n = 343) who visited our clinic between 1998 and 2008 were included. We analyzed their reasons for referral, characteristics, and established diagnoses. In addition, we applied the 2010 nosology to all patients and compared the outcomes to those obtained with the 1996 nosology. Diagnoses that were made using the 1996 and the 2010 Ghent nosology included MFS (44/343 vs. 47/343), familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and/or dissection (22/343 vs. 22/343 patients), Loeys–Dietz syndrome (4/343 vs. 4/343 patients), and (familial) mitral valve prolapse (MVPS; 5/343 vs. 28/343 patients). In both nosologies, 77% of MFS patients had an FBN1 mutation. The 2010 nosology led to an increase in the number of diagnoses made: 4 additional cases of MFS were identified (one patient was “lost” who no longer fulfilled the criteria) and 23 additional cases of MVPS were diagnosed. The diagnostic yield of patients with aortic root dilatation was 65% using the 1996 nosology and 70% using the 2010 nosology. The change in diagnoses did not lead to a difference in clinical follow‐up. We conclude that the diagnostic yield of our specialized clinic was high, in particular in patients with aortic root dilatation. Further more the 2010 Ghent nosology led to a significant increase in the number of diagnoses made, mainly due to lowering of the diagnostic threshold for MVPS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Advances in Fingerprint Analysis
Authors: Hazarika Pompi , Russell David A.
Published: March 2012

Fingerprints have been used in forensic investigations for the identification of individuals since the late 19th century. However, it is now clear that fingerprints can provide significantly more information about an individual. Here, we highlight the considerable advances in fingerprinting technology that can simultaneously provide chemical information regarding the drugs ingested and the explosives and drugs handled by a person as well as the identity of that individual.
Preparation, evaluation, and in vitro release of folic acid conjugated O‐carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles loaded with methotrexate
Authors: Ji Jingou , Wu Danjun , Liu Li , Chen Jida , Xu Yi
Published: March 2012

To improve the targeted effect and reduce the neurotoxicity of methotrexate (MTX), folic acid (FA)‐conjugated O‐carboxymethyl chitosan (O‐CMC) nanoparticles loaded with MTX were prepared via a crosslinking reaction between the carboxyl groups of O‐CMC and Ca2+ ions. MTX‐loaded FA–chitosan (CS) nanoparticles as controls were also prepared. The chemical structure of FA‐conjugated O‐CMC (FA–O‐CMC) was confirmed by 1H‐NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the obtained FA–O‐CMC nanoparticles were spherical in shape with a narrow size distribution. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of MTX in the FA–O‐CMC nanoparticles were higher than those in the FA–CS nanoparticles, and the particle size of the FA–O‐CMC nanoparticles were also smaller than that of the control. In vitro release studies indicated that the release of MTX from FA–O‐CMC nanoparticles was slower in the initial period, but the cumulative release was much higher. FA was also released from the nanoparticles; this might prove to be a potential antidote for preventing the neurotoxicity caused by MTX. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Microbioreactors to manipulate oxygen tension and shear stress in the microenvironment of vascular stem and progenitor cells
Authors: Abaci Hasan E. , Devendra Raghavendra , Soman Rohan , Drazer German , Gerecht Sharon
Published: March 2012

The dynamics of dissolved oxygen (DO) and shear stress in the vasculature microenvironment play a major role in determining the fate of stem cells in adults and during early embryonic development. In this study, we present a microbioreactor (MBR) that provides independent control over oxygen tension and shear stress in cultures of stem and progenitor cell types. We first describe the design principles and use a model‐driven approach for the optimization of the MBR geometry and operating conditions prior to its fabrication and assembly. We then demonstrate the utilization of the MBR for culturing adult human endothelial progenitors, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and human embryonic stem cell‐derived smooth muscle cells under different DO and shear stress levels.
Deer antler regeneration: A stem cell‐based epimorphic process
Authors: Li Chunyi
Published: March 2012

Full regeneration of deer antlers, a bona fide epimorphic process in mammals, is in defiance of the general rule of nature. Revealing the mechanism underlying this unique exception would place us in a better position to promote organ regeneration in humans. Antler regeneration takes place in yearly cycles from its pedicle, a permanent protuberance on the frontal bone. Both growing antlers and pedicles consist of internal (cartilage and bone) and external components (skin, blood vessels, and nerves). Recent studies have demonstrated that the regeneration of both internal and external components relies on the presence of pedicle periosteum (PP). PP cells express key embryonic stem cell markers (Oct4, Nanog, and SOX2) and are multipotent, so are termed antler stem cells. Now it is clear that proliferation and differentiation of PP cells directly forms internal antler components; however, how PP initiates and maintains the regeneration of external antler components is thus far not known. Based on the direct as well as indirect evidence that is presented in this review, I put forward the following hypothesis to address this issue. The full regenerative ability of external antler tissue components is achieved through PP‐derived chemical induction and PP‐derived mechanical stimulation: the former triggers the regeneration of these external components, whereas the latter drives their rapid elongation. Eventual identification of the putative PP‐derived chemical factors would open up a new avenue for devising effective therapies for lesions involving each of these tissue components, be they traumatic, degenerative, or linked to developmental (genetic) anomalies. (Part C) 96:51–62, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biological approaches to improve skeletal muscle healing after injury and disease
Authors: Gharaibeh Burhan , Chun‐Lansinger Yuri , Hagen Tanya , Ingham Sheila Jean McNeill , Wright Vonda , Fu Freddie , Huard Johnny
Published: March 2012

Skeletal muscle injury and repair are complex processes, including well‐coordinated steps of degeneration, inflammation, regeneration, and fibrosis. We have reviewed the recent literature including studies by our group that describe how to modulate the processes of skeletal muscle repair and regeneration. Antiinflammatory drugs that target cyclooxygenase‐2 were found to hamper the skeletal muscle repair process. Muscle regeneration phase can be aided by growth factors, including insulin‐like growth factor‐1 and nerve growth factor, but these factors are typically short‐lived, and thus more effective methods of delivery are needed. Skeletal muscle damage caused by traumatic injury or genetic diseases can benefit from cell therapy; however, the majority of transplanted muscle cells (myoblasts) are unable to survive the immune response and hypoxic conditions. Our group has isolated neonatal skeletal muscle derived stem cells (MDSCs) that appear to repair muscle tissue in a more effective manner than myoblasts, most likely due to their better resistance to oxidative stress. Enhancing antioxidant levels of MDSCs led to improved regenerative potential. It is becoming increasingly clear that stem cells tissue repair by direct differentiation and paracrine effects leading to neovascularization of injured site and chemoattraction of host cells. The factors invoked in paracrine action are still under investigation. Our group has found that angiotensin II receptor blocker (losartan) significantly reduces fibrotic tissue formation and improves repair of murine injured muscle. Based on these data, we have conducted a case study on two hamstring injury patients and found that losartan treatment was well tolerated and possibly improved recovery time. We believe this medication holds great promise to optimize muscle repair in humans. (Part C) 96:82–94, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Core Cross‐Linked Amphiphilic Star‐Block Copolymers with (Meth)acrylic Acid Shells Prepared by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Carletto Andrea , Cardozo Andrés F. , Suriano Raffaella , Manoury Eric , Turri Stefano , Poli Rinaldo
Published: March 2012

Core cross‐linked amphiphilic star‐block copolymers were prepared by hydrolysis of the outer shell of star‐block copolymers prepared using copper mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). In an arm‐first approach, linear poly(tert‐butyl methacrylate) macroinitiators (PtBMA‐Cl) were extended with styrene to yield PtBMA‐b‐PS‐Cl and then cross‐linked with divinylbenzene (DVB) in order to yield (PtBMA‐b‐PS)arms‐PDVBcore star‐block copolymers. Then, PMAA‐b‐PS block and (PMAA‐PS)arms‐PDVBcore star‐block copolymers were obtained by hydrolysis of the PtBMA blocks in both linear and cross‐linked copolymers, as confirmed by 1H NMR analyses. The amphiphilic character of these copolymers was confirmed by solubilisation in water. Several factors affecting the polymer aggregation and solubility such as the length, the composition of the arms and the catalyst used were studied. An acrylate analogue, that is, (PAA‐b‐PS)arms‐PDVBcore, was also prepared for comparison purposes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to elucidate the morphology and the thermal behaviour of the star‐block copolymers.
Selective thoracic ganglionectomy for the treatment of segmental neuropathic pain
Authors: Weigel R. , Capelle H.H. , Schmelz M. , Krauss J.K.
Published: March 2012

Segmental thoracic neuropathic pain (NeuP) remains particularly difficult to treat. Sensory ganglionectomy was reported to alleviate NeuP. The experience with thoracic ganglionectomy, however, is very limited. Here, we report the results of a prospective pilot study in patients with incapacitating segmental thoracic NeuP treated by selective ganglionectomy. Seven patients were included suffering from refractory NeuP scoring 8 or more on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Every patient had test anaesthesia prior to surgery yielding more than 50% pain relief. The spinal ganglion was excised completely via an extraforaminal approach. Mean preoperative VAS scores were 9.1 (maximum pain); 5.4 (minimum pain); 7.9 (pain on average); 6.9 (pain at the time of presentation); and 7.4 (allodynia). Early post‐operatively, there was a marked improvement of mean scores: 1.7; 0.7; 1.2; 1.0; and 0.7, respectively. One patient developed a mild transient hemihypaesthesia. In three patients, substantial pain occurred in a formerly unaffected dermatome within 1 year. Two of these patients had significant pain relief by a second operation. At the time of last follow‐up at a mean of 24 months after the first procedure, mean VAS scores were 6.3; 2.1; 4.3; 4.0; and 1.3. Overall, medication was reduced. The patients rated their outcome as excellent (1), good (2), fair (2) and nil (2) with best improvement for allodynia. Selective thoracic ganglionectomy is a safe and partially effective procedure in selected patients albeit there may be partial recurrence of pain. Recurrent pain may affect dermatomes that were not involved initially.
Spreading of chronic pain between body regions: Prospective cohort study among health care workers
Authors: Andersen L.L. , Clausen T. , Carneiro I.G. , Holtermann A.
Published: March 2012

Objective

To estimate the prognostic value of pain in one body region on the risk for developing chronic pain in other body regions.

Methods

Prospective cohort study among 5052 Danish female health care workers responding to a baseline and follow‐up questionnaire in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Using adjusted logistic regression analysis, the risk for developing chronic pain (>30 days last year) at follow‐up in the low back (among those without low back pain during the last year at baseline) when experiencing sub‐chronic (1–30 days last year) or chronic pain in other body regions (i.e., the neck/shoulders and/or the knees at baseline) was modelled. Similar risks were modelled for developing chronic pain in the neck/shoulders and knees.

Results

Chronic pain in the neck/shoulders (OR 3.14; 95% CI 1.74–5.70) or knees (OR 2.57; 95% CI 1.28–5.16) at baseline increased the risk for developing chronic pain in the low back at follow‐up. Likewise, chronic pain in the neck/shoulders (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.36–4.17) or low back (OR 1.82 95%; CI 1.07–3.09) at baseline increased the risk for developing chronic pain in the knees at follow‐up. The risk for developing chronic neck/shoulder pain was not significantly increased when having pain in the low back or knees at baseline.

Conclusion

Among health care workers, chronic musculoskeletal pain in one body region increases the risk for developing chronic pain in other pain‐free body regions. Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders among health care workers should focus holistically on the musculoskeletal system.
Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Metacognitive Therapy: A Preliminary Controlled Trial
Authors: Wells Adrian , Colbear Judith S.
Published: March 2012

Objectives

Exposure, trauma‐focused cognitive therapy and eye‐movement desensitisation and re‐processing (EMDR) are effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) producing equivalent outcomes. How might the field advance? One way is to base new treatments on PTSD maintenance mechanisms. A treatment that does this, metacognitive therapy (MCT), underwent preliminary controlled evaluation in this study.

Method

Twenty participants aged 18 to 65 years with chronic PTSD were randomly allocated to either a total of 8 sessions of MCT or a delayed treatment control. Measures of PTSD, emotional symptoms, and underlying metacognitive variables were obtained at pretreatment and posttreatment. Patients were followed‐up at 3 and 6 months postintervention.

Results

Statistically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety at posttreatment were observed in the MCT group but not in the control group. Changes were maintained over follow‐up. The average number of sessions delivered was 6.4. Eighty percent of patients (intention to treat) met clinical significance criteria for recovery based on the IES. Treatment was well tolerated with only one (10%) dropout. Changes in thought control strategy hypothesized to be involved in the maintenance of PTSD were found.

Conclusions

MCT appeared to be a brief treatment producing high recovery rates. The data add to existing uncontrolled evaluations and provide strong justification for future evaluation of this treatment against existing evidence‐based interventions.
Degeneration and recovery of the neuromuscular junction after application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy
Authors: Kenmoku Tomonori , Ochiai Nobuyasu , Ohtori Seiji , Saisu Takashi , Sasho Takahisa , Nakagawa Koichi , Iwakura Nahoko , Miyagi Masayuki , Ishikawa Tetsuhiro , Tatsuoka Hodumi , Inoue Gen , Nakamura Junichi , Kishida Shunji , Saito Atsushi , Takahashi Kazuhisa
Published: March 2012

It is known that free nerve endings are degenerated after application of shock waves. We therefore hypothesized that the application of shock waves to muscle induces dysfunction of neuromuscular transmission at neuromuscular junctions. We investigated changes in neuromuscular transmission in response to shock wave application. Sprague–Dawley rats were used in this study. Two thousand shock waves at an energy flux density of 0.18 mJ/mm2 were applied to their right calf muscles. Neuromuscular junctions of gastrocnemius muscles were evaluated using rhodamine–α‐bungarotoxin on the day of treatment (n = 5). Amplitude and latency of compound muscle action potentials were measured on the day of treatment and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after treatment (n = 10, each group). Degenerated acetylcholine receptors existed in all treated muscles. Although the action potential amplitude on the treated side was significantly less than on the control side from the day of treatment (25.1 ± 7.8 vs. 34.5 ± 9.1, p = 0.012) to 6 weeks (27.9 ± 7.2 vs. 34.5 ± 7.2, p = 0.037), there was no significant difference at 8 weeks. There was no significant difference in transmission latency between the groups. The application of shock waves to muscle induced a transient dysfunction of nerve conduction at neuromuscular junctions. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1660–1665, 2012
Inhibition of fibroblasts reduced head and neck cancer growth by targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor
Authors: Sweeny Larissa , Liu Zhiyong , Lancaster William , Hart Justin , Hartman Yolanda E. , Rosenthal Eben L.
Published: March 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a complex disease process involving interactions with carcinoma‐associated fibroblasts and endothelial cells. We further investigated these relationships by suppressing stromal cell growth through the inhibition of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR).

Study Design:

Preclinical investigation.

Methods:

HNSCC cell lines (FADU, OSC19, Cal27, SCC1, SCC5, SCC22A), fibroblast (HS27), and endothelial cells (human umbilical vascular endothelial cell) were cultured individually or in coculture. Proliferation was assessed following treatment with a range of physiologic concentrations of FGFR inhibitor PD173074. Mice bearing established HNSCC xenografts were treated with PD173074 (12 mg/kg), and tumor histology was analyzed for stromal composition, proliferation (Ki67 staining), and apoptosis (TUNEL [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling] staining).

Results:

In vitro, inhibition of FGFR with PD173074 dramatically reduced proliferation of fibroblasts and endothelial cells compared to untreated controls. However, HNSCC cell proliferation was not affected by inhibition of FGFR. When cocultured with fibroblasts, HNSCC cells proliferation increased by 15% to 80% (P < .01). Furthermore, this fibroblast‐enhanced tumor cell growth was suppressed by FGFR inhibition. Additionally, treatment of mice bearing HNSCC xenografts with PD173074 resulted in significant growth inhibition (P < .001). Additionally, those tumors from mice treated with PD173074 had a smaller stromal component, decreased proliferation, and increased apoptosis.

Conclusions:

Targeting the FGFR pathway in head and neck cancer acts through the stromal components to decrease HNSCC growth in vivo and in vitro.
Function‐preserving therapy for jugulotympanic paragangliomas: A retrospective analysis from 2000 to 2010
Authors: Künzel Julian , Iro Heinrich , Hornung Joachim , Koch Michael , Brase Christoph , Klautke Gunther , Zenk Johannes
Published: March 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Treatment for jugulotympanic paragangliomas (JTPs) is shifting from radical toward function‐preserving surgery. Alternative primary treatments are available, such as stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and radiosurgery. The aim of this study was to analyze the results after primary function‐preserving surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy, or primary SRT, in the treatment of JTPs.

Study Design:

Retrospective analysis.

Methods:

From 2000 to 2010, 45 patients (mean age, 62.5 years) received function‐preserving treatment for JTPs—four type A paragangliomas (8.9%), 19 type B (42.2%), 13 type C (28.9%), and nine type D (20%) in the Fisch classification. The patients were retrospectively assigned to three groups: primary function‐preserving surgery, primary stereotactic radiotherapy, and close follow‐up. The end points for analysis were long‐term tumor control, cranial nerve function, and hearing.

Results:

A total of 64.4% of the patients (n = 29) received primary surgery, with complete resection in 18. Eleven patients had surgical tumor reduction, with fractionated postoperative radiotherapy (mean 53.5 Gy; range, 50–56 Gy) in five cases and radiosurgery (18 Gy) in one case; five patients received close follow‐up. Twelve patients (26.7%) underwent primary radiotherapy (11 with SRT [mean, 50 Gy]; one with radiosurgery [16 Gy]). Four patients (8.9%) received a wait‐and‐scan strategy. The mean follow‐up was 46.8 months. The overall tumor control rate was 97.2%.

Conclusions:

With these high tumor control rates, consistent with the literature, function‐preserving therapy for JTPs currently appears to offer the greatest benefit for patients.
Beetroot red (betanin) inhibits vinyl carbamate‐ and benzo(a)pyrene‐induced lung tumorigenesis through apoptosis
Authors: Zhang Qi , Pan Jing , Wang Yian , Lubet Ronald , You Ming
Published: March 2012

Betanin, also called beetroot red, has been extensively used as a food colorant. In this study, the chemopreventive activity of betanin by oral consumption was investigated in two mouse lung tumor models. Vinyl carbamate (VC) and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) were used to induce lung tumors, and female A/J mice were treated with betanin in drinking water. Betanin significantly decreased tumor multiplicity and tumor load induced by both carcinogens. Tumor multiplicity and tumor load were decreased by 20% and 39% in the VC lung model, and by 46% and 65% in the B(a)P lung model, respectively. Betanin reduced the number of CD31+ endothelial microvessels and increased the expression of caspase‐3, suggesting that the lung tumor inhibitory effects were through induction of apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis. Betanin also induced apoptosis through activated caspase‐3, ‐7, ‐9, and PARP in human lung cancer cell lines. Our data show that betanin significantly inhibits lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice and merits investigation as a chemopreventive agent for human lung cancer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modified Look‐Locker T1 evaluation using Bloch simulations: Human and phantom validation
Authors: Gai Neville D. , Stehning Christian , Nacif Marcelo , Bluemke David A.
Published: March 2012

Modified Look‐Locker imaging is frequently used for T1 mapping of the myocardium. However, the specific effect of various MRI parameters (e.g., encoding scheme, modifications of flip angle, heart rate, T2, and inversion times) on the accuracy of T1 measurement has not been studied through Bloch simulations. In this work, modified Look‐Locker imaging was characterized through a numerical solution for Bloch equations. MRI sequence parameters that may affect T1 accuracy were systematically varied in the simulation. For validation, phantoms were constructed with various T2 and T1 times and compared with Bloch equation simulations. Human volunteers were also evaluated with various pulse sequences parameters to assess the validity of the numerical simulations. There was close agreement between simulated T1 times and T1 times measured in phantoms and volunteers. Lower T2 times (i.e., <30 ms) resulted in errors greater than 5% for T1 determination. Increasing maximum inversion time value improved T1 accuracy particularly for precontrast myocardial T1. Balanced steady‐state free precession k space centric encoding improved accuracy for short T1 times (post gadolinium), but linear encoding provided improved accuracy for precontrast T1 values. Lower flip angles are preferred if the signal‐to‐noise ratio is sufficiently high. Bloch simulations for modified Look‐Locker imaging provide an accurate method to comprehensively quantify the effect of pulse sequence parameters on T1 accuracy. As an alternative to otherwise lengthy phantom studies or human studies, such simulations may be useful to optimize the modified Look‐Locker imaging sequence and compare differences in T1‐derived measurements from different scanners or institutions. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pilot study of vascular health in survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Mulrooney Daniel A. , Ness Kirsten K. , Solovey Anna , Hebbel Robert P. , Neaton James D. , Peterson Bruce A. , Lee Chung K.K. , Kelly Aaron S. , Neglia Joseph P.
Published: March 2012

Background

Vascular‐related toxicities have been reported among survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), but their genesis is not well understood.

Procedure

Fasting blood samples from 25 previously irradiated HL survivors were analyzed for biomarkers that can reveal underlying inflammation and/or endothelial cell activation: high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), triglycerides, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein ß, lipoprotein (a), fibrinogen, circulating endothelial cells (CECs), and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) expression. Values were compared to subjects in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. CECs and VCAM‐1 were compared to healthy controls.

Results

Survivors (76% male), median age 17.6 years (5–33) at diagnosis, 33.0 years (19–55) at follow‐up, included stages IA (n = 6), IIA (n = 10), IIB (n = 2), IIIA (n = 4), and IVA (n = 3) patients. Twenty‐four received at least chest radiation therapy (RT) (median dose 3,150 cGy; range: 175‐4,650 cGy), one received neck only; 14 (56%) had a history of anthracycline exposure (median dose: 124 mg/m2 range: 63–200 mg/m2). Compared to CARDIA subjects, mean hsCRP (3.0 mg/L ± 2.0 vs. 1.6 ± 1.9), total cholesterol (194.1 mg/dl ± 33.2 vs. 179.4 ± 32.9), lipoprotein (a) (34.2 mg/dl ± 17.5 vs. 13.8 ± 17.5), and fibrinogen (342.0 mg/dl ± 49.1 vs. 252.6 ± 48.4) were significantly elevated. CECs (2.3 cells/ml ± 1.5 vs. 0.34 ± 1.4) were significantly elevated compared to controls. No difference in VCAM‐1 expression (51.1% ± 36.8 vs. 42.3 ± 35.6) was detected.

Conclusion

HL survivors exposed to RT have evidence of vascular inflammation, dyslipidemia, and injury suggestive of early atherogenesis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:285–289. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of short‐chain branching on melt fracture behavior of metallocene and conventional poly(ethylene/α‐olefin) copolymers
Authors: Garofalo E. , Incarnato L. , Di Maio L.
Published: March 2012

A phenomenon that can represent a great problem in melt processing is extrudate distortion. This effect can range in intensity from a loss of gloss to gross distortion and is the factor that limits the production rate in certain processes such as the blown film extrusion of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE). The aim of this work was to investigate the effects that molecular weight distribution and short‐chain branch length have on the observed melt fracture phenomena for poly(ethylene/α‐olefin) resins with similar weight comonomer content and molecular weight. The flow stability analysis conducted in this study has shown that, even increasing of few carbon atoms the short‐chain branch length of the resins, the surface melt fracture phenomena are reduced and/or eliminated. Moreover, the comparison between the metallocene (mLLDPE) and conventional LLDPE samples, with the same comonomer (hexene), showed that the metallocene‐catalyzed resin exhibits early onset and more severe melt fracture, due to its narrower molecular weight distribution. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:1968–1977, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mixed MD simulation – analytical model analysis of Ag(111), C60 repetitive bombardment in the context of depth profiling for dynamic SIMS
Authors: Paruch Robert J. , Garrison Barbara J. , Postawa Zbigniew
Published: March 2012

In this study, an analytical model is utilised to extract depth profiles from molecular dynamics simulations of dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The depth profiles for dynamic SIMS calculations for a reference system of C60 bombardment of Ag(111) with a kinetic energy of 20 keV and a polar angle of 0° are compared to those for 5 keV bombardment with a polar angle of 0° and 20 keV bombardment with a polar angle of 70°. It is shown that both decreasing the impact energy and making the polar angle more off‐normal improve the depth resolution of the SIMS depth profile. The former condition, however, reduces the total sputtering yield achievable in the dynamic conditions making it less favourable for the depth profiling. It is also shown that the depth resolution dependence upon RMS roughness is not obvious when changing the primary beam conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bemessung und Konstruktion von Zuggliedern nach DIN EN 1993‐1‐11
Authors: Kathage Karsten , Misiek Thomas
Published: March 2012

Der Beitrag behandelt die Bemessungs‐ und Konstruktionsregeln des Eurocode 3 Teil 1‐11 für Zugglieder aus Stahl. Der Beitrag umfasst Regelungen für Zugstäbe und Zugstabsysteme sowie Regelungen für offene und vollverschlossene Spiralseile, Rundlitzenseile, Paralleldrahtlitzen, Paralleldrahtbündel und Litzenbündelseile einschließlich der zugehörigen Endverankerungen, Klemmen und Umlenksättel. Diese Regelungen werden vorgestellt und erläutert. Soweit hilfreich und möglich erfolgt ein Vergleich mit den Regelungen von DIN 18800‐1.

Design of tension components according to DIN EN 1993‐1‐11. The paper deals with the design rules of Eurocode 3 part 1‐11 for tension components. The paper covers rules for tension rods and tension rod systems as well as rules for wire ropes, bundles of parallel wires or strands including the corresponding end connectors, clamps and saddles. These rules are introduced and explained. If helpful and possible, a comparison with the rules of DIN 18800‐1 is made.
Auswahl der Stahlsorte auf Basis der DIN EN 1993‐1‐10
Authors: Stranghöner Natalie , Kühn Bertram
Published: March 2012

Im Rahmen der Eurocode 3‐Familie stellt die DIN EN 1993‐1‐10 den Teil dar, der für eine ausreichende Stahlsortenauswahl zur Vermeidung von Spröd‐ und Terrassenbruch anzuwenden ist. Die Regelungen der DIN EN 1993‐1‐10 sind nahezu identisch mit den bekannten nationalen Regelungen der DASt‐Richtlinien 009 und 014, so dass sich für den Anwender nur geringfügige Änderungen ergeben. Die Stahlsortenwahl zur Vermeidung von Sprödbruch basiert auf einem bruchmechanischen Konzept, in dem die Bruchzähigkeit des Materials im eingebauten Zustand über eine Korrelation zu den in den Produktnormen angegebenen Kerbschlagzähigkeitsanforderungen in Verbindung gebracht wird. Die Norm ermöglicht drei Verfahren zur Nachweisführung, wobei im Regelfall der einfache Nachweis der Wahl der Stahlgüte durch den Vergleich der vorhandenen mit der maximal zulässigen Blechdicke mit Hilfe einer in der Norm enthaltenen Tabelle zum Tragen kommt. Der Nachweis einer ausreichenden Bruchzähigkeit in Dickenrichtung zur Vermeidung von Terrassenbruch kann prinzipiell über zwei Wege erfolgen: den traditionellen Weg nach DASt‐Richtlinie 014 mit einer Bestimmung der erforderlichen Z‐Güte vor Bestellung des Materials oder der Möglichkeit der zerstörungsfreien Prüfung der gefertigten Stahlbauteile im Hinblick auf Vorliegen von Terrassenbrüchen.

Choice of the steel grade according to DIN EN 1993‐1‐10. As part of the Eurocode 3‐family, DIN EN 1993‐1‐10 is responsible for sufficient selection of steel grades to avoid brittle fracture and lamellar tearing. The regulations of DIN EN 1993‐1‐10 are almost identical to the well known rules of the national DASt guidelines 009 and 014, so that there are only minor changes for the user. The choice of the steel grade to avoid brittle fracture is based on a fracture mechanics approach, in which the fracture toughness of the material considers a correlation to the notched impact strength requirements specified in the product standards. DIN EN 1993‐1‐10 allows three methods of verification, where normally the simple proof of the choice of permissible plate thickness using a standardized table comes into play. The proof of adequate fracture toughness in the through‐thickness direction to avoid lamellar tearing can be done basically in two ways: the traditional way to DASt guideline 014 on the definition of a required Z‐grade prior to ordering of the material or the possibility of testing the already fabricated steel components whether lamellar tearing has occurred.
Verbesserte Bemessungsregeln für Stäbe mit Klasse 3‐Querschnitt
Authors: Lechner Andreas , Kettler Markus , Greiner Richard , Unterweger Harald
Published: March 2012

Stäbe mit Klasse 3‐Querschnitt sind nach den Regeln des Eurocode 3 Teil 1‐1 elastisch zu bemessen, woraus sich ein sprunghafter Übergang zur plastischen Bemessung von Klasse 2‐Querschnitten ergibt. Der Beitrag legt als Ergebnis von Forschungsprojekten verbesserte Bemessungsregeln für Stäbe mit I‐, H‐ und Rechteckhohlprofilen vor, welche eine plastische oder teilplastische Ausnutzung von Klasse 3‐Querschnitten erlauben und sich vom Format her leicht in das Eurocode‐Konzept eingliedern lassen. Damit können sowohl die Querschnitts‐ als auch die Stabilitätsnachweise für Stäbe unter Druck und Biegung in günstigerer und konsistenterer Weise geführt werden. Zugleich werden Anwendungshilfen in Form von tabellarischen Querschnittswerten sowie einer Bemessungssoftware für Querschnitts‐ und Stabnachweise vorgestellt.

Improved design rules for beam‐columns with class 3 cross‐section. Members with class 3 cross‐section – called semi‐compact sections – are to be designed by elastic rules in accordance with Eurocode 3 Part 1‐1. This leads to a sudden loss of capacity at the transition from the plastic design of class 2 sections to the class 3 sections. As a result of two European research projects, the present paper provides improved design rules for members with I‐ and H‐sections as well as with rectangular hollow sections, which allow the utilisation of plastic or partly plastic capacity of class 3‐sections and which can be easily incorporated into the Eurocode 3. As a result, the cross‐section and the stability design checks for beam‐columns can be performed not only in a more economic, but also in a more consistent way. Moreover, design guidelines with tabulated cross‐section parameters and a design software for cross‐section and member design are introduced.
Up from the Ape: the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins at the American Museum of Natural History
Authors: Harcourt-Smith William E. H.
Published: March 2012

The American Museum of Natural History in New York has a rich history of explaining evolution through its displays and educational programs. For much of this history, there has been a permanent hall dedicated to human evolution and its related disciplines. Different versions of these halls have informed tens of millions of visitors, and today’s offering is one of the world’s newest, opened in 2007 and named the Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins. The hall’s design is radical in that it starts by giving molecular genetics and the fossil record equal billing and thus provides the visitor with two independent but highly complementary lines of evidence for our own evolution. Other parts of the hall are innovative in that they stress taxonomic diversity in the fossil record as much as the more traditional chronological “story” of human evolution that is usually found in museum exhibits. The hall is also unique in that it incorporates a fully operational teaching laboratory within its architectural footprint, which provides educators with the chance to seamlessly integrate hands-on lab sessions and the surrounding exhibits as teaching aids.
D-Confidence: an active learning strategy to reduce label disclosure complexity in the presence of imbalanced class distributions
Authors: Escudeiro Nuno Filipe , Jorge Alípio Mário
Published: March 2012

In some classification tasks, such as those related to the automatic building and maintenance of text corpora, it is expensive to obtain labeled instances to train a classifier. In such circumstances it is common to have massive corpora where a few instances are labeled (typically a minority) while others are not. Semi-supervised learning techniques try to leverage the intrinsic information in unlabeled instances to improve classification models. However, these techniques assume that the labeled instances cover all the classes to learn which might not be the case. Moreover, when in the presence of an imbalanced class distribution, getting labeled instances from minority classes might be very costly, requiring extensive labeling, if queries are randomly selected. Active learning allows asking an oracle to label new instances, which are selected by criteria, aiming to reduce the labeling effort. D-Confidence is an active learning approach that is effective when in presence of imbalanced training sets. In this paper we evaluate the performance of d-Confidence in comparison to its baseline criteria over tabular and text datasets. We provide empirical evidence that d-Confidence reduces label disclosure complexity—which we have defined as the number of queries required to identify instances from all classes to learn—when in the presence of imbalanced data.
Effect of sexual dimorphism on muscle strength in cachexia
Authors: Norman Kristina , Stobäus Nicole , Reiß Judith , Schulzke Jörg , Valentini Luzia , Pirlich Matthias
Published: March 2012

Background

Reduced muscle strength is a cardinal feature in cachexia. We investigated whether weight loss is associated differently with muscle strength in men and women in a large cohort of hospitalized patients.

Methods

One thousand five hundred hospitalized patients (whereof 718 men, mean age 57.6 ± 16.0 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 24.6 ± 4.8 kg/m²) were included in the study. Non‐edematous involuntary weight loss was determined with Subjective Global Assessment; isometric maximal muscle strength was evaluated by hand grip strength. Mid‐upper arm circumference and triceps skinfold were used to calculate arm muscle area. Interrelationship between sex and weight loss was evaluated by regression analysis performed with the general linear model (GLM) allowing adjustment for continuous and categorical variables and corrected for age, arm muscle area (AMA), BMI, and diagnosis category (benign/malignant disease) as potentially confounding covariates.

Results

Both men and women exhibited a significant stepwise decrease of hand grip strength with increasing weight loss. Age, sex, moderate and severe weight loss, BMI, and AMA were significant predictors of hand grip strength. The GLM moreover revealed a significant sex × weight loss effect, since grip strength was similarly decreased in moderate weight loss in men and women when compared to control patients without weight loss (8.5% in men and 10.5% in women, not significant (n.s.)), but the further reduction of grip strength in severe weight loss was significantly different between men and women (10.6% vs. 4.1%, P = 0.033).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate sex‐specific differences in muscle strength response to weight loss.
The paradigm of nationalism in Kyrgyzstan. Evolving narrative, the sovereignty issue, and political agenda
Authors: Laruelle Marlène
Published: March 2012

In Kyrgyzstan, nationalism combines a narrative on the titular ethnic group and its relation to a civic, state-based, identity, feelings of imperiled sovereignty, and a rising electorate agenda for political forces. Nationalism has therefore become the engine of an interpretative framework for Kyrgyzstan’s failures and enables the society indirectly to formulate its perception of threat, both on the Uzbek and Kyrgyz sides. To this end, this article first analyzes the double identity narrative, civic and ethnic, of Akayev’s regime, followed by the transformation toward a more ethno-centered Kyrgyz patriotism under Bakiyev, the growing role of the theme of imperiled sovereignty—which culminated with the events in Osh—and how nationalism is today becoming a key element of the political agenda and the public scene.
ON STABLE QUADRATIC POLYNOMIALS
Authors: AHMADI OMRAN , LUCA FLORIAN , OSTAFE ALINA , SHPARLINSKI IGOR E.
Published: March 2012

We recall that a polynomial f(X) ∈ K[X] over a field K is called stable if all its iterates are irreducible over K. We show that almost all monic quadratic polynomials f(X) ∈ ℤ[X] are stable over ℚ. We also show that the presence of squares in so-called critical orbits of a quadratic polynomial f(X) ∈ ℤ[X] can be detected by a finite algorithm; this property is closely related to the stability of f(X). We also prove there are no stable quadratic polynomials over finite fields of characteristic 2 but they exist over some infinite fields of characteristic 2.
Absence of anthraquinone pigments is paraphyletic and a phylogenetically unreliable character in theTeloschistaceae
Authors: VONDRÁK Jan , ŠOUN Jaroslav , VONDRÁKOVແ Olga , FRYDAY Alan M. , KHODOSOVTSEV Alexander , DAVYDOV Evgeny A.
Published: March 2012

It has been suggested that the absence of anthraquinones is not a synapomorphic character, but appears independently in unrelated lineages ofTeloschistaceae. We analyzed ITS nrDNA regions in species of the genusCaloplacaand present evidence for five such examples: theCaloplaca cerinagroup,C. obscurella, theC. servitianagroup, theC. xericagroup and theC. variabilisgroup (Pyrenodesmia). In some cases, loss of anthraquinones is observed only in individuals within ordinarily pigmented populations, but sometimes the loss covers whole lineages containing one or more species. Both situations are observed in theC. servitianagroup. Loss of anthraquinones is always followed by the synthesis of ‘alternative’ pigments (oftenSedifolia-grey). In the specimens with anthraquinone-containing apothecia studied, these pigments are not visible in apothecial sections after dissolving anthraquinones in K. Fully unpigmented apothecia have not been observed.

TheCaloplaca xericagroup is a newly established, infraspecific grouping of species related to, and similar to,C. xerica. TheCaloplaca servitianagroup is also newly established and represents an isolated lineage covering two rather different, but related species.Caloplaca neotauricais described here as a new species with apothecia of two colour variants; orange-red (with anthraquinones) and grey (withSedifolia-grey).

The genusHuearepresents another taxon lacking anthraquinones withinTeloschistaceae. The generaApatoplacaandCephalophysis, which lack anthraquinones, are tentatively placed inTeloschistaceae, but their phylogenetic identity has not been recognized.Hueideais reported to have no anthraquinones, but its secondary metabolites should be studied further and its possible placement inTeloschistaceaeassessed.

We suggest thatCaloplaca abbreviatavar.lecideoidesandC. celatarepresent variants ofC. stillicidiorumlacking anthraquinones.
Semi-cryptic marine species ofHydropunctaria(Verrucariaceae, lichenized Ascomycota) from north-west Europe
Authors: ORANGE Alan
Published: March 2012

Two new semi-cryptic species from the marine littoral zone of NW Europe,Hydropunctaria oceanicaandH. orae, are described. Both differ fromH. maurain their ITS and mtSSU sequences and in their thinner thalli andH. oraealso differs in its green rather than brown cortical pigment.Hydropunctaria aractinacomb. nov. is reinstated as an accepted species, but is difficult to distinguish fromH. oraeby morphology alone. Lectotypes and epitypes are proposed forH. aractinaandH. maura.
Two new species in the lichen genus Phlyctis (Phlyctidaceae) from India
Authors: JOSHI Santosh , UPRETI Dalip K. , NAYAKA Sanjeeva
Published: March 2012

An account is given of the lichen genus Phlyctis in India. Phlyctis monosperma, with single spored asci and psoromic acid, and P. subhimalayensis, lacking secondary metabolites, are described here as new to science. A worldwide key to the genus is provided.
Three new species of Chapsa (lichenized Ascomycota: Ostropales: Graphidaceae) from tropical Asia
Authors: WEERAKOON Gothamie , RIVAS PLATA Eimy , LUMBSCH H. Thorsten , LÜCKING Robert
Published: March 2012

Three new species of Chapsa in the family Graphidaceae are described from tropical Asia. Chapsa mastersonii Rivas Plata, Lumbsch & Lücking from the Philippines is characterized by large apothecia with thickly white-pruinose discs, large, muriform, non-amyloid ascospores, and the stictic acid chemosyndrome. Chapsa wijeyaratniana Weerakon, Lumbsch & Lücking from Sri Lanka has apothecia similar to the preceding species but forms an ecorticate thallus with maculiform to capitate soralia, has small, submuriform ascospores, and lacks secondary substances. Chapsa wolseleyana Weerakon, Lumbsch & Lücking forms apothecia with red to pinkish or purplish red discs and large, muriform ascospores becoming pale brown.
Anzia mahaeliyensis and Anzia flavotenuis, two new lichen species from Sri Lanka
Authors: JAYALAL Udeni , WOLSELEY Pat , GUEIDAN Cécile , APTROOT André , WIJESUNDARA Siril , KARUNARATNE Veranja
Published: March 2012

Two new species of Anzia are described from Sri Lanka: A. mahaeliyensis characterized by a white, single-layered medulla and pale tipped isidia, and A. flavotenuis by a two-layered medulla with the upper layer yellow and the lower part white, a central chondroid axis and isidia with brown-black tips. Morphological and chemical characters used to distinguish species of Anzia are discussed and DNA sequences (ITS) are provided for the two new species. Characteristic features and worldwide distribution of the genus are also outlined.