bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Matrix solid‐phase dispersion extraction followed by HPLC‐diode array detection method for the determination of major constituents in a traditional Chinese medicine Folium isatidis (Da‐qing‐ye)
Authors: Zhang Qi , Hong Bo , Zheng Lihong , Wang Xiuhua , Cai Defu
Published: September 2012

A simple and low‐cost method based on matrix solid‐phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction, HPLC separation, and diode array detection has been developed for the determination of indigo and indirubin in Folium isatidis. The experimental parameters that may affect the MSPD method, including dispersing sorbent, ratio of dispersing sorbent to sample, elution solvent, and volume of the elution solvent were examined and optimized. The optimized conditions were determined to be that C18 was used as dispersing sorbent, the ratio of C18 to sample mass was selected to be 4:1, and 10 mL of N,N‐dimethyl formamide was used as elution solvent. The highest extraction yields of the two compounds were obtained under the optimized conditions. The method showed good linearity (r > 0.9995) and precision (RSD < 3.0%) for indigo and indirubin, with the limits of detection of 18 and 22.5 ng/mL, respectively. The recoveries were in the range of 90.33–100.74% with RSDvalues ranging from 1.7 to 3.6%. Comparing to ultrasonic and Soxhlet methods, the proposed MSPD procedure was more convenient and less time‐consuming with reduced requirements on sample and solvent amounts. The proposed procedure was applied to analyzed three real samples that were collected from different localities.
Glycopeptide enrichment and separation for protein glycosylation analysis
Authors: Ongay Sara , Boichenko Alexander , Govorukhina Natalia , Bischoff Rainer
Published: September 2012

Protein glycosylation plays key roles in many biological processes. In addition, alterations in protein glycosylation have been related to different diseases, as well as may affect the properties of recombinant proteins used as human therapeutics. For this reason, protein glycosylation analysis is of main interest in biomedical and biopharmaceutical research. Although recent advances in LC‐MS analysis have made possible glycoprotein glycosylation site identification, characterization of glycoprotein glycan structures, as well as glycoprotein identification and quantification, protein glycosylation analysis in complex samples still remains a difficult task. This is due to low proportions of glycopeptides in comparison to peptides obtained after glycoprotein digestion, the suppression of the glycopeptide MS signals in the presence of peptides, and the high heterogeneity of glycopeptides. Thus, in the recent years, continuous efforts have been devoted to the development of glycopeptide enrichment and separation strategies to facilitate and improve glycoprotein glycosylation analysis in complex samples. This review summarizes the different methodologies that can be employed for glycopeptide enrichment/separation from complex samples including methods based on lectin affinity enrichment, covalent interactions, or chromatographic separations and solid‐phase extraction.
Social competence and empathy in young children with cochlear implants and with normal hearing
Authors: Ketelaar Lizet , Rieffe Carolien , Wiefferink Carin H. , Frijns Johan H.M.
Published: September 2012

Objectives:

To examine the levels of social competence and empathic behavior in children with cochlear implants in comparison with normal‐hearing children, and to determine whether empathy predicts social competence to the same extent in both groups of children.

Study design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

A total of 150 children (mean age 39 months) participated in the study; 61 with cochlear implants and 89 without hearing loss. Parent reports and observation measures were employed to measure empathy and social competence.

Results:

Levels of empathy and social competence in children with cochlear implants and normal‐hearing children were similar. Empathic behaviors were predictive of social competence in both groups alike. Emotion acknowledgment was more predictive of social competence for children with cochlear implants than for normal‐hearing children. Language skills were unrelated to social competence or empathic behaviors in children with cochlear implants.

Conclusions:

Children with cochlear implants showed no delay concerning social competence or empathic behavior. The factors contributing to social competence, however, differed between the groups. This should be kept in mind when developing rehabilitation programs for children with cochlear implants.
Synchronous, primary, diffuse, large b‐cell lymphomas involving the ethmoid sinus and epiglottis: A rare clinical entity
Authors: Yoon Young‐Ho , Park Won‐Young , Choi Young‐Jin , Cho Kyu‐Sup
Published: September 2012

Non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) affecting the ethmoid sinus and epiglottis is uncommon. Furthermore, synchronous NHLs involving the ethmoid sinus and epiglottis are extremely rare and have not been reported previously. This article reports synchronous, primary, diffuse, large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) arising in the ethmoid sinus and epiglottis, which was successfully treated by immunochemotherapy. A careful examination of the head and neck is necessary to determine the existence of multiple synchronous primary tumors, because primary synchronous occurrence of DLBCL in the head and neck is unusual and can impact the prognosis adversely. Laryngoscope, 2013
Recent Progress in Polymer White Light‐Emitting Materials and Devices
Authors: Tang Chao , Liu Xu‐Dong , Liu Feng , Wang Xu‐Liang , Xu Hui , Huang Wei
Published: September 2012

In this paper, recent progress in polymer white light‐emitting materials and devices published until April 2012 was reviewed according to the kinds of the materials and devices. The polymer light‐emitting materials were reviewed by the classification of small‐molecule‐doped polymer type, polymer blend type, polymer doped small molecule type, molecule‐dispersed polymer type, dye‐terminated polymer type, and excimer white EL polymer type. The polymer light‐emitting devices were reviewed by the classification of fabricating PWLED through the multilayer device and improving efficiency through the multilayer device. The relationship between the structures of materials or devices and properties was the main content during review. At last, some scientific problems and developing trends on PWLED are discussed.
Mesh‐Like Vesicles Formed From Blends of Poly(4‐vinyl pyridine)‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) Block Copolymers via Gradual Blending Method
Authors: Yan Nan , Yang Xiaoping , Zhu Yutian , Xu Jiangping , Sheng Yuping
Published: September 2012

In this study, we developed a novel blending strategy, namely, the gradual blending method, to tune the micellar structure. Different from the most commonly used premixing blending method, which different block copolymers are premixed in a common solvent before their individual self‐assembly, the gradual blending method involves gradually adding one type of block copolymer into the pre‐generated micellar solution formed from another type of block copolymer. Moreover, we obtained a novel mesh‐like vesicle from the self‐assembly of the mixtures of P4VP43‐b‐PS260‐b‐P4VP43 and P4VP43‐b‐PS366‐b‐P4VP43 in 1,4‐dioxane/water solution using the gradual blending method.
Toward Mass Producible Ordered Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Kim Taeyong , Yoon Hyunsik , Song Hyung‐Jun , Haberkorn Niko , Cho Younghyun , Sung Seung Hyun , Lee Chang Hee , Char Kookheon , Theato Patrick
Published: September 2012

A strategy to fabricate nanostructured poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films for organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells by a direct transfer method from a reusable soft replica mold is presented. The flexible polyfluoropolyether (PFPE) replica mold allows low‐pressure and low‐ temperature process condition for the successful transfer of nanostructured P3HT films onto PEDOT/PSS‐coated ITO substrates. To reduce the fabrication cost of masters in large area, we employed well‐ordered anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as a template. Also, we provide a method to fabricate reversed nanostructures by exploiting the self‐replication of replica molds. The concept of the transfer method in low temperature with a flexible and reusable replica mold obtained from an AAO template will be a firm foundation for a low‐cost fabrication process of ordered OPVs.
MALDI TOF MS profiling of bacteria at the strain level: A review
Authors: Sandrin Todd R. , Goldstein Jason E. , Schumaker Stephanie
Published: September 2012

Since the advent of the use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) as a tool for microbial characterization, efforts to increase the taxonomic resolution of the approach have been made. The rapidity and efficacy of the approach have suggested applications in counter‐bioterrorism, prevention of food contamination, and monitoring the spread of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria. Strain‐level resolution has been reported with diverse bacteria, using library‐based and bioinformatics‐enabled approaches. Three types of characterization at the strain level have been reported: strain categorization, strain differentiation, and strain identification. Efforts to enhance the library‐based approach have involved sample pre‐treatment and data reduction strategies. Bioinformatics approaches have leveraged the ever‐increasing amount of publicly available genomic and proteomic data to attain strain‐level characterization. Bioinformatics‐enabled strategies have facilitated strain characterization via intact biomarker identification, bottom‐up, and top‐down approaches. Rigorous quantitative and advanced statistical analyses have fostered success at the strain level with both approaches. Library‐based approaches can be limited by effects of sample preparation and culture conditions on reproducibility, whereas bioinformatics‐enabled approaches are typically limited to bacteria, for which genetic and/or proteomic data are available. Biological molecules other than proteins produced in strain‐specific manners, including lipids and lipopeptides, might represent other avenues by which strain‐level resolution might be attained. Immunological and lectin‐based chemistries have shown promise to enhance sensitivity and specificity. Whereas the limits of the taxonomic resolution of MALDI TOF MS profiling of bacteria appears bacterium‐specific, recent data suggest that these limits might not yet have been reached. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 32:188–217, 2013
An algorithm for constructing a pseudo‐Jacobi matrix from given spectral data
Authors: Bebiano N. , Furtado S. , da Providência J.
Published: September 2012

The main purpose of this paper is the extension of the classical spectral direct and inverse analysis of Jacobi matrices for the non‐self‐adjoint setting. Matrices of this class appear in the context of non‐Hermitian quantum mechanics. The reconstruction of a pseudo‐Jacobi matrix from its spectrum and the spectra of two complementary principal matrices is investigated in the context of indefinite inner product spaces. An existence and uniqueness theorem is given, and a strikingly simple algorithm, based on the Euclidean division algorithm, to reconstruct the matrix from the spectral data is presented. A result of Friedland and Melkman stating a necessary and sufficient condition for a real sequence to be the spectrum of a non‐negative Jacobi matrix is revisited and generalized. Namely, it is shown that a suitable set of prescribed eigenvalues defines a unique non‐negative pseudo‐Jacobi matrix, which is J‐Hermitian for a fixed J. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skeletal and Surgical Evidence for Acute Osteomyelitis in Non‐Adult Individuals
Authors: Santos A. L. , Suby J. A.
Published: September 2012

Osteomyelitis is a non‐specific infection of the bone and bone marrow. In the past acute osteomyelitis (AO) led to high mortality especially in non‐adults. Nevertheless, its diagnosis in archaeological populations is rare. Documented individuals with known cause of death offer a unique opportunity to study this condition. This article aims to describe the bone lesions in non‐adults diagnosed with AO at the Coimbra University Hospital (CUH) and now belonging to the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (CISC). Moreover, mortality rates and demographic profiles for individuals aged ≤18 years old and diagnosed with AO in the CUH, between 1923 and 1929, were also determined. The 5 (1%) non‐adults in the CISC with AO listed as cause of death were selected for this study, and their bones were analysed macroscopically and radiologically. The skeletal remains of one individual revealed a small area of new bone formation in the shaft of the left femur. Radiography of this bone showed a radio‐opaque area in the diaphysis. The other four individuals show evidence of surgical treatment, responsible for many cases of disability in the past. In the 7‐year period under analysis, 122 juveniles were diagnosed with osteomyelitis and admitted for surgery at the CUH, 43 (35.2%) of which were diagnosed with AO. Sixty‐five per cent of the cases of AO occurred between the ages of 8 and 15 years, with boys twice as frequently affected as girls, and lower limb bones were involved in 91% of AO cases. AO was responsible for 76.9% of the deaths. This study of pre‐antibiotic non‐adults may help to recognize skeletal signs of AO and their surgical treatment in unidentified skeletal remains. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term outcomes of Group D eyes in bilateral retinoblastoma patients treated with chemoreduction and low‐dose IMRT salvage
Authors: Berry Jesse L. , Jubran Rima , Kim Jonathan W. , Wong Kenneth , Bababeygy Simon R. , Almarzouki Hashem , Lee Thomas C. , Murphree A. Linn
Published: September 2012

Background

To evaluate outcomes of Group D eyes of bilateral retinoblastoma patients treated with primary chemoreduction and external beam radiation as salvage.

Procedure

Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma and designated Group D in at least one eye from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2009. Overall, 62 Group D eyes of 49 patients were included; 13 had bilateral Group D disease. Primary chemoreduction with vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin with local consolidation was administered, followed by external beam radiation in the form of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as salvage for recurrent tumor. Primary outcome measure was globe salvage.

Results

Of 62 Group D eyes, 7 were enucleated primarily; 55 were treated with systemic chemoreduction, and local therapy. Chemoreduction cured 26 of 55 eyes (47%). Recurrences were found in 29 eyes; 5 underwent enucleation and 24 were treated with IMRT at a dose of 24 Gy (2 eyes) or 36 Gy (22 eyes). Of the 24 irradiated eyes, 19 (79%) were salvaged and 5 required enucleation. Final visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to light perception with 10 eyes having 20/80 or better visual acuity. Average follow‐up was 54.2 months.

Conclusion

Kaplan–Meier estimates of eye survival of Group D eyes in bilateral patients at 12 months is 82% (95% confidence interval [CI] 70.1–89.7%); at 60 months eye survival is estimated to be 68% (95% confidence interval [CI] 55.4–82.8%). Systemic treatment for retinoblastoma demonstrated a high rate of globe preservation with acceptable complications and many eyes retaining functional vision. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 688–693. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bioassay‐guided Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Cyclooxygenase‐2 Inhibiting Substances in Plantago major L.
Authors: Stenholm Å. , Göransson U. , Bohlin L.
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Selective extraction of plant materials is advantageous for obtaining extracts enriched with desired constituents, thereby reducing the need for subsequent chromatography purification. Such compounds include three cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitory substances in Plantago major L. targeted in this investigation: α‐linolenic acid (α‐LNA) (18:3 ω‐3) and the triterpenic acids ursolic acid and oleanolic acid.

Objective

To investigate the scope for tuning the selectivity of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using bioassay guidance, and Soxhlet extraction with dichloromethane as solvent as a reference technique, to optimise yields of these substances.

Method

Extraction parameters were varied to optimise extractsʼ COX‐2/COX‐1 inhibitory effect ratios. The crude extracts were purified initially using a solid phase extraction (SPE) clean‐up procedure and the target compounds were identified with GC‐MS, LC‐ESI‐MS and LC‐ESI‐MS2 using GC‐FID for quantification.

Results

α‐LNA was preferentially extracted in dynamic mode using unmodified carbon dioxide at 40°C and 172 bar, at a 0.04% (w/w) yield with a COX‐2/COX‐1 inhibitory effect ratio of 1.5. Ursolic and oleanolic acids were dynamically extracted at 0.25% and 0.06% yields, respectively, with no traces of (α‐LNA) and a COX‐2/COX‐1‐inhibitory effect ratio of 1.1 using 10% (v/v) ethanol as polar modifier at 75°C and 483 bar. The Soxhlet extracts had ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and αLNA yields up to 1.36%, 0.34% and 0.15%, respectively, with a COX‐2/COX‐1 inhibitory effect ratio of 1.2.

Conclusion

The target substances can be extracted selectively by bioassay guided optimisation of SFE conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Human Osteoblast Cultures
Authors: Barnaba Simona , Papalia Rocco , Ruzzini Laura , Sgambato Alessandro , Maffulli Nicola , Denaro Vincenzo
Published: September 2012

Background and Purpose

Exogenous electromagnetic fields (EMFs) affect bone metabolism, but the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are unclear. Pulsed EMFs (PEMFs) can be effective in the management of congenital pseudarthrosis or delayed union or non‐union of fractures. We investigated the effects of PEMFs used in clinical practice on human osteoblast cultures.

Methods

Primary osteoblastic cells were isolated from a human femoral head. Cultures were exposed to the PEMF stimulation for 72 hours, 7 and 10 days and compared with a control group of primary osteoblastic cells non‐exposed to PEMF. Cell growth and alkaline phosphatase activity were evaluated in the osteoblast cell cultures at each observation time.

Results

At each observation time, the differences in cell numbers between PEMF‐exposed cells and control group were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The alkaline phosphatase‐specific activity of PEMF‐exposed osteoblast cultures showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase when compared with the control group after 7 and 10 days of exposure.

Conclusions

The application of PEMF stimulation on human osteoblasts accelerates cellular proliferation when compared with a control group of non‐PEMF‐exposed cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional p53 determines docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Liu Chengfei , Zhu Yezi , Lou Wei , Nadiminty Nagalakshmi , Chen Xinbin , Zhou Qinghua , Shi Xu Bao , deVere White Ralph W. , Gao Allen C.
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND

Docetaxel is the first line treatment for castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, docetaxel resistance rapidly develops. Identifying the critical mechanisms giving rise to docetaxel resistance is the major challenge in advanced prostate cancer.

METHODS

The effects of docetaxel on human DU145, PC3, LNCaP, and C4‐2 prostate cancer cells were examined in cell culture, and p53 expression were analyzed by Western blot analysis. The potential role of p53 in docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer cells was tested by either p53 silencing using shRNA or p53 overexpression by introducing wild‐type p53.

RESULTS

We found that DU145 (mutant p53) and PC3 (p53 null) cells were less sensitive than LNCaP and C4‐2 cells expressing functional p53 in response to docetaxel. Docetaxel treatment induces considerably higher apoptosis in LNCaP and C4‐2 cells than in DU145 and PC3 cells in a dose dependent manner. Docetaxel increases the levels of ser15 phosphorylation of p53 in a dose dependent manner in both LNCaP and C4‐2 cells, while has no effect on the levels of ser15 phosphorylation of p53 in DU145 cells. These results suggest that p53 phosphorylation is associated with docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer cells. To further confirm whether p53 activation can induce cell sensitivity to docetaxel treatment, we used p53 shRNA to knock down p53 expression in C4‐2 cells and determined the cells response to docetaxel treatment. Knockdown of p53 significantly down regulated p53 phosphorylation and blocked docetaxel induced apoptotic cell death compared to the vector control. To further confirm this observation, we established a stable knock out p53 in C4‐2 cells. Down regulation of p53 in the stable p53 knock out C4‐2 cells significantly inhibited docetaxel induced apoptotic cell death. We also used wild‐type (WT) p53 to over express p53 in DU145 cells, and found that expression of WT‐p53 in DU145 cells increased their sensitivity to docetaxel.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that docetaxel induces p53 phosphorylation and that p53 status is a crucial determinant of docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer cells. Prostate 73: 418–427, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fungicide resistance status in French populations of the wheat eyespot fungi Oculimacula acuformis and Oculimacula yallundae
Authors: Leroux Pierre , Gredt Michel , Remuson Florent , Micoud Annie , Walker Anne‐Sophie
Published: September 2012

Eyespot, caused by Oculimacula acuformis and Oculimacula yallundae, is the major foot disease of winter wheat in several European countries, including France. It can be controlled by chemical treatment between tillering and the second node stage. The fungicides used include antimicrotubule toxicants (benzimidazoles), inhibitors of sterol 14α‐demethylation (DMIs) or of succinate dehydrogenase (SDHIs), the anilinopyrimidines cyprodinil and the benzophenone metrafenone. Since the early 1980s, a long‐term survey has been set up in France to monitor changes in the sensitivity of eyespot populations to fungicides. Resistance to benzimidazoles has become generalised since the early 1990s, in spite of the withdrawal of this class of fungicides. In the DMI group, resistance to triazoles is generalised, whereas no resistance to the triazolinethione prothioconazole has yet developed. Resistance to the imidazole prochloraz evolved successively in O. acuformis and O. yallundae and is now well established. Specific resistance to cyprodinil has also been detected, but its frequency has generally remained low. Finally, since the early 2000s, a few strains of O. yallundae displaying multidrug resistance (MDR) have been detected. These strains display low levels of resistance to prothioconazole and SDHIs, such as boscalid. Knowledge of the spatiotemporal distribution in France of O. acuformis and O. yallundae field strains resistant to fungicides allows resistance management strategies for eyespot fungi in winter wheat to be proposed.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Synergistic larvicidal effect and morphological alterations induced by ethanolic extracts of Annona muricata and Piper nigrum against the dengue fever vector Aedes aegypti
Authors: Grzybowski Adelia , Tiboni Marcela , Silva Mário AN , Chitolina Rodrigo F , Passos Maurício , Fontana José D
Published: September 2012

Background

Phytopesticide combinations of different botanical sources are seldom reported. Annona muricata seed and Piper nigrum fruit ethanolic extracts enriched in acetogenins and piperamides, respectively, were synergistically used as larvicides against the dengue fever vector Aedes aegypti.

Results

Individual bioassays of A. muricata and P. nigrum indicated respective LC50 values of 93.48 and 1.84 µg mL‐1 against third‐instar larvae. Five combinations of different proportions of plant extracts pointed to synergism between the extracts. The best A. muricata:P. nigrum extract combination was 90:10, which showed 5.12 times the amount of synergism, as confirmed by statistical equations and total concentration log versus combination proportions. Concerning the morphology, A. muricata caused larvae body elongation, mainly in the abdomen, along with the appearance of a cervix. Conversely, P. nigrum induced abdomen and whole body shortening. The morphological effects of A. muricata were prevalent in all of the combinations tested, irrespective of its proportion in the combination.

Conclusion

It is suggested that the different mechanisms of action of the larvicidal actives A. muricata acetogenins and P. nigrum piperamides explain the observed synergism. The combination of inexpensive botanicals and a low‐cost organosolvent such as ethanol leads to a simple and efficient phytolarvicidal formulation.
The toxic effect of chitosan/metal‐impregnated textile to synanthropic mites
Authors: Rahel Jozef , Jonasova Eva , Nesvorna Marta , Klubal Radek , Erban Tomas , Hubert Jan
Published: September 2012

Background

Plasma treatment enables effective binding of chitosan film to textile fibres. Heavy metal ions such as Ag+ adsorbed onto the chitosan coating are known to enhance toxicity to microorganisms. The acaricidal effect of chitosan and chitosan/metal adducts with Ag+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ was tested in laboratory experiments. Tested species Acarus siro, Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus and Tyrophagus putrescentiae are allergen producers and important pests in house dust, stored food and feed. The mortality was compared after 24 h of exposure of mites to plasma‐treated textiles.

Results

Chitosan/Ag+ textile caused at least 80% mortality of all species tested. Chitosan/Zn2+ and chitosan/Cu2+ textiles had a smaller effect on mite mortality than chitosan/Ag+. The conversion of chitosan/Ag+ finishing to chitosan/Ag2O did not influence the mortality of mites in biotests, except that of Tyrophagus putrescentiae, where the mortality decreased from 86 to 64%.

Conclusion

The results support a great potential of chitosan/Ag+ fibres in acaricidal materials and/or mite protective food packages. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of indium concentration and growth temperature on the structural and optoelectronic properties of indium selenide thin films
Authors: Sreekumar R. , Sajeesh T. H. , Abe T. , Kashiwaba Y. , Sudha Kartha C. , Vijayakumar K. P.
Published: September 2012

The present work reports the influence of indium concentration and annealing temperature (100–400 °C) on the structural and optoelectronic properties of indium selenide thin films grown using a stack elemental layer technique. The concentration of indium in indium selenide thin films is varied by adjusting the thickness of the indium layer to 28, 42 or 56 nm while keeping the selenium layer thickness constant at 200 nm. Depending on the indium layer thickness of 42 or 56 nm, indium selenide thin films exhibited a phase transition either from a mixed phase (InSe, γ‐In2Se3 and β‐In2Se3) and/or from a complete amorphous phase to a single phase γ‐In2Se3 at annealing temperature 400 or 300 °C, respectively, with a preferential grain orientation along the c‐axis. Depth‐wise X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis conducted on these samples (thickness of Se = 200 nm, In = 56 nm) showed evidence of a phase transition from amorphous to crystalline γ‐In2Se3 phase and formation of uniform stoichiometric (In/Se = 40:60) indium selenide. On the other hand, indium selenide grown using an indium thickness of 28 nm did not exhibit any phase transition. While using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies to analyse the structural properties, we made use of optical absorption and Raman spectroscopy in order to determine the optical energy gap and find the presence of parasitic β‐In2Se3 phase, respectively. The growth along the c‐axis either gives rise to carrier diffusion along the c‐axis or causes the appearance of a higher photosensitivity (62–72) due to the absence of dangling bonds which trap photogenerated carriers. The properties exhibited by the c‐axis‐grown γ‐In2Se3 suggest the potentiality of this material as a window layer in solar cell application.
Assessing the role of iron‐acceptor pairs in solar grade multicrystalline silicon wafers from the metallurgical route
Authors: Hvidsten Dahl Espen , Osinniy Viktor , Friestad Kenneth , Søiland Anne‐Karin , Safir Yakov , Skorupa Wolgang , Tronstad Ragnar , Nylandsted Larsen Arne
Published: September 2012

The recombination parameters of iron‐boron (FeB), iron‐aluminium (FeAl) and iron‐gallium (FeGa) pairs in Fe implanted FZ monocrystalline silicon wafers and Fe contaminated multicrystalline silicon (mc‐Si) wafers of solar grade feedstock from the metallurgical route have been studied by combining the Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) and Microwave Photoconductive Decay (µ‐PCD) techniques. Energy levels associated with FeB, FeAl and FeGa pairs were detected in the monocrystalline samples. The activation energy and capture cross section of these levels were determined. FeGa gave the strongest recombination effect, reducing the minority carrier lifetime of the sample from about 39 µs to 0.7 µs at a concentration of 4x1013 cm‐3. No electrically active iron‐acceptor pairs could be detected in the mc‐Si wafer. However, it was demonstrated that micrometer‐sized clusters, most likely composed of metallic oxides, collect iron from the bulk. This iron collection may reduce the available amount of iron for creating electrically active iron‐acceptor pairs below the detection limit of DLTS. The contamination did, however, degrade the lifetime from 40 µs to less than 1 µs in the wafer. This is likely a result of at least three overlapping energy levels believed to be related to iron (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Deploying Internet Protocol Security in satellite networks using Transmission Control Protocol Performance Enhancing Proxies
Authors: Caubet Juan , Muñoz Jose L. , Alins Juanjo , Mata‐Díaz Jorge , Esparza Oscar
Published: September 2012

Applications that use the reliable Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) have a significant degradation over satellite links. This degradation is mainly a consequence of the congestion control algorithm used by standard TCP, which is not suitable for overcoming the impairments of satellite networks. To alleviate this problem, two TCP Performance Enhancing Proxies (PEPs) can be deployed at the edges of the satellite segment. Then these PEPs can use different mechanisms such as snooping, spoofing and splitting to achieve a better TCP performance. In general, these mechanisms require the manipulation of the Internet Protocol (IP) and TCP headers that generates a problem when deploying the standard IP security (IPsec) protocol. The security services that IPsec offers (encryption and/or authentication) are based on the cryptographic protection of IP datagrams, including the corresponding IP and TCP headers. As a consequence, these cryptographic protections of IPsec conflict with the mechanisms that PEPs use to enhance the TCP performance in the satellite link. In this article, we detail the reasons that cause this conflict, and we propose three different approaches to deploy IPsec in a scenario with TCP PEPs. Our proposals provide different trade‐offs between security and TCP performance in some typical scenarios that use satellite networks. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Origin of differences between MCs+ and MCs2+ SIMS depth profiles
Authors: Miyamoto Takashi , Numao Shigenori , Hasegawa Takahiro , Karen Akiya
Published: September 2012

For secondary ion mass spectrometry of highly electronegative elements, the MCs2+ method provides greater sensitivity but may sometimes afford a different depth profile than the conventional MCs+ method for the same sample. Here, we report the difference system not only from the electronegativity of the elements but also from the electronegativity of the matrix. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Looking at my body. Similarities and differences between anorexia nervosa patients and controls in body image visual processing
Authors: Castellini G. , Polito C. , Bolognesi E. , D’Argenio A. , Ginestroni A. , Mascalchi M. , Pellicanò G. , Mazzoni L.N. , Rotella F. , Faravelli C. , Pupi A. , Ricca V.
Published: September 2012

Background

Body image distortion is a core symptom of eating disorders. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies on body image processing, described different patterns of neural response, mainly involving the inferior and superior parietal lobules, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), with conflicting results.

Methods

The neural response to the view of their own body pictures (normal size and distorted) was evaluated in 18 female anorexia nervosa (AN) restricting type patients, and in 19 healthy female subjects (HC) using fMRI. Clinical assessment was performed by means of the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV and self-reported questionnaires.

Results

In response to the body image distortion, patients and controls showed an inverse pattern of activation, with the widest extent of activation in the oversize condition in AN, while in the undersize condition in HC. AN and HC showed a similar pattern of neural response to the view of their own body, with an increased activation in the extrastriate body area, superior and inferior parietal lobule and prefrontal areas, although the extent of activation in HC was more limited as compared with AN patients. Increased activity in AN patients, compared with HC, was observed in the DLPFC in response to the oversized body picture and a significant correlation was found in AN patients between DLPFC activation and eating disorder psychopathology.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest the existence of a continuum from normalcy to pathology in neural response to body image, and confirm the clinical relevance of body image distortion in AN, reinforcing the key role of attentive, executive and self-evaluation networks in AN visual processing of own distorted body image.
Distribution of human papillomavirus genotype and cervical neoplasia among women with abnormal cytology in Beijing, China
Authors: Hou Ren , Xu Caiyan , Zhang Songwen , Wu Minghui , Zhang Weiyuan
Published: September 2012

Objective

To understand the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution and cervical neoplasia among women with abnormal cytology in Beijing.

Methods

In a study in Beijing, China, participants underwent a gynecologic examination between September 2006 and December 2009. Those with abnormal cytology underwent colposcopy, biopsy, and HPV testing. HPV was typed by flow‐through hybridization on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue.

Results

Among 6339 women examined, 533 with abnormal cytology underwent HPV testing. The prevalence of high‐risk HPV (HR‐HPV) subtypes was 29.8%. HPV‐16 was the most common genotype (12.8%), followed by HPV‐33, HPV‐58, HPV‐66, HPV‐18, and HPV‐52. The cytologic and histopathologic grade clearly increased with a higher prevalence of HR‐HPV infection. Both HPV‐16 and HPV‐33 were significantly associated with grade CIN2 + lesions (P < 0.05). By contrast, HPV‐18 and HPV‐66 were not associated with cervical lesion severity. HR‐HPV infection was most common among women aged 30–34 years (35.0%).

Conclusion

HPV‐16, HPV‐58, HPV‐33, HPV‐66, HPV‐18, and HPV‐52 were the most common genotypes in Beijing. HPV‐16 and HPV‐33 might be associated with CIN2 + lesions. HPV‐18 and HPV‐66 were not associated with high‐grade cervical lesions. The present results might help to improve HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention programs in Beijing.
Coherent structures in the inner part of a rough-wall channel flow resolved using holographic PIV
Authors: Talapatra Siddharth , Katz Joseph
Published: September 2012

Microscopic holographic PIV performed in an optically index-matched facility resolves the three-dimensional flow in the inner part of a turbulent channel flow over a rough wall at Reynolds number ${\mathit{Re}}_{\tau } = 3520$. The roughness consists of uniformly distributed pyramids with normalized height of ${ k}_{s}^{+ } = 1. 5{k}^{+ } = 97$. Distributions of mean flow and Reynolds stresses agree with two-dimensional PIV data except very close to the wall (${\lt }0. 7k$) owing to the higher resolution of holography. Instantaneous realizations reveal that the roughness sublayer is flooded by low-lying spanwise and groove-parallel vortical structures, as well as quasi-streamwise vortices, some quite powerful, that rise at sharp angles. Conditional sampling and linear stochastic estimation (LSE) reveal that the prevalent flow phenomenon in the roughness sublayer consists of interacting U-shaped vortices, conjectured in Hong et al. (J. Fluid Mech., 2012, doi:10.1017/jfm.2012.403). Their low-lying base with primarily spanwise vorticity is located above the pyramid ridgeline, and their inclined quasi-streamwise legs extend between ridgelines. These structures form as spanwise vorticity rolls up in a low-speed region above the pyramid’s forward face, and is stretched axially by the higher-speed flow between ridgelines. Ejection induced by interactions among legs of vortices generated by neighbouring pyramids appears to be the mechanism that lifts the quasi-streamwise vortex legs and aligns them preferentially at angles of $54\textdegree \text{{\ndash}} 63\textdegree $ to the streamwise direction.
Dietary patterns are associated with insulin resistance in Chinese adults without known diabetes
Authors: Zuo Hui , Shi Zumin , Yuan Baojun , Dai Yue , Pan Xiaoqun , Wu Gaolin , Hussain Akhtar
Published: September 2012

The aim of the present study was to examine the association between dietary patterns and insulin resistance in Chinese adults without known diabetes. Study subjects were 1070 Chinese adults aged 18 years and above in Jiangsu Province who participated in the 2006 wave of the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Usual dietary intake was assessed by using a validated FFQ. Dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis using a principal component analysis method. Insulin resistance was defined as the highest quartile of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores. We derived four dietary patterns in our population by factor analysis: the Western, High-wheat, Traditional and Hedonic pattern. After adjusted for potential confounders, the Western pattern was significantly associated with greater odds for insulin resistance (P for trend = 0·009), while a significant negative association was found between the Hedonic pattern and insulin resistance (P for trend = 0·035). Compared with the lowest quartile of the Western pattern, the highest quartile had higher odds of insulin resistance (adjusted OR 1·89, 95 % CI 1·12, 3·19). There was a 42 % decrease in the odds after adjustment for all covariates in the highest quartile of the Hedonic pattern, compared with the lowest quartile (adjusted OR 0·58, 95 % CI 0·34, 0·99). HOMA-IR levels as a continuous variable also increased across the quartiles of the Western pattern and decreased across the quartiles of the Hedonic pattern. In conclusion, dietary patterns were significantly associated with insulin resistance in Chinese adults without known diabetes.
PARENTAL STATUS AND GENDER PREFERENCES FOR CHILDREN: IS DIFFERENTIAL FERTILITY STOPPING CONSISTENT WITH THE TRIVERS–WILLARD HYPOTHESIS?
Authors: KOLK MARTIN , SCHNETTLER SEBASTIAN
Published: September 2012

Based on evolutionary reasoning, Trivers & Willard (1973) predicted status-biased sex composition and parental investment with son-preferencing effects in higher, and daughter-preferencing effects in lower status groups. Previous research shows mixed results. This study uses event-history methods and Swedish register data to study one possible mechanism in isolation: do parents in different status groups vary in their proclivities to continue fertility based on the sex composition of previous offspring? The results show no support for the Trivers–Willard hypothesis on a wide range of different status indicators. Future research on the stated hypothesis should focus on physiological rather than behavioural mechanisms.
From incus bypass to malleostapedotomy: technical improvements and results
Authors: Rambousek A , Schlegel C H , Linder T E
Published: September 2012

Objective:

To assess results of malleostapedotomy using a Fisch Storz titanium piston with at least 10 months’ follow up.

Methods:

Using a prospective database, the indications, surgical technique, and pre- and post-operative audiometric data for 60 patients undergoing malleostapedotomy between 2002 and 2010 were evaluated. Diagnoses and primary and revision surgeries were compared with reference to the literature.

Results:

Sixty endaural malleostapedotomies were performed, 28 as a primary intervention and 32 as revision surgery. In 68 per cent, the underlying pathology was otosclerosis. The most common reason for revision surgery (i.e. in 59 per cent) was prosthesis dysfunction. Overall, the mean air–bone gap (0.5–3 kHz) for the primary intervention and revision surgery groups was 9.4 and 11.3 dB, respectively; an air–bone gap of less than 20 dB was obtained in 100 and 81 per cent of patients, respectively. There was no significant audiological difference between the primary and revision surgeries groups, and no deafness.

Conclusion:

Malleostapedotomy shows comparable results to standard incus-stapedotomy and may be preferable in the presented situations.
Plasmablastic lymphoma of the larynx: report of two cases
Authors: Stephenson K , Peer S , Govender D , Fagan J J
Published: September 2012

Objective:

To report two cases of laryngeal plasmablastic lymphoma, a rare and relatively recently described form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It has not previously been described in the larynx, nor associated with upper airway obstruction.

Case reports:

We describe the clinicopathological features of two such cases in human immunodeficiency virus positive patients, and we discuss their unusual presentations and diagnostic features.

Conclusion:

When evaluating a laryngeal tumour, plasmablastic lymphoma and other non-Hodgkin's lymphomata should be considered as differential diagnoses, particularly in the setting of a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Biopsy with detailed histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation is recommended to ensure correct diagnosis and optimal management.
Environmental protection, public finance requirements and the timing of emission reductions
Authors: Agliardi Elettra , Sereno Luigi
Published: September 2012

The effects of four environmental policy options for the reduction of pollution emissions, i.e. taxes, emission standards, auctioned permits and freely allocated permits, are analyzed. The setup is a real option model where the amount of emissions is determined by solving the firm's profit maximization problem under each policy instrument. The regulator solves an optimal stopping problem in order to find the critical threshold for policy adoptions taking into account revenues from taxes and auctioned permits and government spending. In this framework we find the ranking of the alternative policy options in terms of their adoption lag and social welfare. We show that when the output demand is elastic, emission standards are preferred to freely allocated permits. Taxes and auctioned permits are always equivalent in terms of their adoption lag and social welfare, and also equivalent to emission standards when the regulator redistributes revenues.
Validation of the Italian version of Mini-ICF-APP, a short instrument for rating activity and participation restrictions in psychiatric disorders
Authors: Balestrieri M. , Isola M. , Bonn R. , Tam T. , Vio A. , Linden M. , Maso E.
Published: September 2012

Aims.

The assessment of limitations in social capacities can be done with the Mini-ICF-APP, a rating scale built in reference to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and the convergent validity of the Italian version of this scale.

Methods.

We recruited 120 consecutive patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar I disorder and anxiety disorders. Included measures were the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI-S), the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) and the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS).

Results.

The median CGI-S and BPRS scores were 5 and 16.5. Mean Mini-ICF-APP total score was 18.1. Schizophrenics' Mini-ICF-APP score was higher, while that of anxious patients was lower than in the other diagnoses. Intra-class correlations (ICC) revealed a significant inter-rater agreement for total score (ICC 0.987) and for each item of the Mini-ICF-APP. The test–retest agreement was also highly significant (ICC 0.993). The total score of the Mini-ICF-APP obtained good negative correlations with PSP (rs = −0.767) and with SOFAS scores (rs = −0.790). The distribution items of the Mini-ICF-APP showed some skewness, indicating that self-care (item 12) and mobility (item 13) were amply preserved in most patients. The Mini-ICF-APP total score was significantly correlated with both CGI-S (rs = 0.777) and BPRS (rs = 0.729).

Conclusions.

As a short instrument, the Mini-ICF-APP scale seems to be well suited to everyday psychiatric practice as a means of monitoring changes in psychosocial functioning, in particular in schizophrenic patients.
Air‐sea interface in hurricane conditions
Authors: Soloviev Alexander , Fujimura Atsushi , Matt Silvia
Published: September 2012

Improving hurricane prediction models requires better understanding of complex processes taking place at the air‐sea interface at high wind speeds. The change of the air‐sea interaction regime in hurricane conditions has been linked to the mechanism of direct disruption of the air‐sea interface by pressure fluctuations working against the surface tension force. This can be achieved through the Kelvin‐Helmholtz type instability. In order to investigate this mechanism, we have conducted a series of 3D numerical experiments using a volume of fluid multiphase model. The experiments were initialized with either a flat interface or short wavelets and wind stress applied at the upper boundary of the air layer. The direct disruption of the air‐water interface and formation of two‐phase transition layer were observed in the numerical model under hurricane force wind. The vertical profiles of density and velocity in the transition layer were consistent with the regime of marginal stability, which permitted estimation of the lower limit on the drag coefficient under hurricane conditions. This limit was appreciably lower than the wave resistance law; though, it was gradually increasing with wind speed. The numerical experiments with imposed short wavelets demonstrated the tearing of wave crests, formation of water sheets and spume ejected into the air, smoothing of the water surface, as well as quasiperiodic structures on the top of wave crests resembling the Tollmien‐Schlichting instability. This study can help in developing a framework for combining the effects of the two‐phase environment with the contribution to the drag from waves.