bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinico-histopathological Features of Sinonasal Lesions: An Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital, Central India
Authors: Narvey Ved Prakash , Saxena Smriti , Saluja Megha
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Sinonasal Tract (SNT) lesions are frequently observed in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) practice. These lesions have identical appearance and usually present with nasal obstruction, but have varying differential diagnosis that requires histopathological confirmation. Though a common pathology, studies correlating clinical and histopathological diagnosis of SNT lesions are scarce among patients residing in Central India. Aim: To assess the prevalence of various lesions in SNT, compare the lesion in relation to age and sex, and simultaneously relate the clinical and histopathological diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out, in the Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Gajraraja Medical College, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, between May 2019 to December 2020. A total of 109 patients with SNT lesions were evaluated and a provisional diagnosis was reached after evaluating the history, and performing the clinical examination. The SNT lesions were excised operatively and definitive diagnosis was reached after histopathologic examination. Finally, clinical diagnosis was related with histopathologic diagnosis and percentage of patients in which clinical diagnosis similar to the histopathological diagnosis was calculated. Results: A total of 109 patients with SNT lesions were evaluated and the most common age groups to be affected were 21-30 and 31-40 years (22.9% each). Majority of the patients were males (53.2%) and had the complaints for the last three months to a year (63.3%). The most common complaint was nasal obstruction (93.6%) followed by rhinorrhoea (71.6%). Most common types of lesions were non neoplastic (77.1%). Among the neoplastic lesion, majority were benign (70.8%). Among various lesions, inflammatory nasal polyp (78.8%), haemangioma (47.1%), and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) (57.1%) were the most commonly observed non neoplastic, benign, and malignant lesions, respectively. The concordance between clinical and histopathological diagnosis was 88.1%, as 96 patients out of 109 clinically diagnosed patients, were confirmed on histopathology. Conclusion: The SNTs lesions are complex and their nature varies widely. The histopathological examination is essential to confirm the diagnosis and manage the patients, especially in patients with malignant lesions.
Non Invasive Assessment of Fibrosis in Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Shear Wave Elastography and NAFLD Fibrosis Score: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Vinyasa BN , Patil Vikram
Published: August 2022

Introduction: The major consequence of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the inflammation and fibrosis of hepatic tissue resulting in cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma. Presently, the distinction between simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, and cirrhosis stages of NAFLD is largely dependent on liver biopsy. Since, liver biopsy is invasive, it not suitable for screening purposes. To overcome this limitation, elastography and NAFLD fibrosis score have been studied as non invasive objective substitutes for liver biopsy. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) as a method to diagnose significant-advanced fibrosis in patients with NAFLD by using NAFLD fibrosis score as a reference standard. Materials and Methods: This hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at JSS Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India over a period of 18 months from September 2018 to November 2019. Total 154 participants underwent ultrasound abdomen to assess the presence and grade the degree of Steatosis. All patients underwent 2D shear wave elastography and the values were compared with NAFLD fibrosis scores. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) statistics version 23.0. Results: The age of this study group ranged from 20 to 76 years, mean age was 42.8± 10.8 years including 51 (33.1%) females and 103 (66.9%) males. The level of agreement for assessment of fibrosis between SWE and NAFLD fibrosis score was good (score of 0.71). Using a predictive shear stiffness threshold of 6.1 kPa, shear stiffness distinguished low (fibrosis stage 0-2) from high (fibrosis stage 3-4) fibrosis stages with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 92.7% (area under the curve of 0.879). Conclusion: Two-dimensional shear wave elastography showed a good diagnostic performance for detection of fibrosis.
Unusual Presentation of Aplastic Anaemia: Evolving into Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Excess Blasts 1 and Type III Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria Clone
Authors: More Shilpi , Rajput Saroj , Sharma Geetika , Sharma Nimisha , Chatterjee Tathagata
Published: August 2022

Aplastic Anaemia (AA) is an immune mediated, primary haematopoietic disorder characterized by pancytopenia with significant morbidity and mortality. Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) is the treatment of choice in younger patients whenever Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) matched donor is available. For older patients and those in whom matched donor is not available, immunosuppressive therapy is the frontline treatment. With the long survivals of AA patients, clonal evolution into Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and clinically evident Paraoxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (PNH) is frequently seen over a period of 5-10 years. The prognosis and overall survival of post AA, MDS is poor and the only treatment of choice is Allogeneic HSCT. The overall survival of post AA, MDS is however comparable to de novo MDS post-transplant. The authors hereby discuss a case of 26 years old male patient, known case of AA who evolved into MDS with Excess Blasts 1 (MDS-EB-1) and type III PNH clone over a period of six years.
PELATIHAN PENINGKATAN KOMPETENSI KEPENGASUHAN BERBASIS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING BAGI PENGASUH DAN ORANG TUA SISWA PRA SEKOLAH DAN DAY CARE
Authors: Sinaga Juster Donal , Marheni Agustina Krisna Indah , Anggadewi Brigitta Erlita Tri
Published: August 2022

Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini (PAUD) dalam bentuk Preschool, Daycare, dan Taman Kanak-Kanak (TK) berbasis masyarakat semakin banyak. Namun, kehadiran mereka tidak didukung oleh ketersediaan sumber daya manusia yang kompeten dan terampil. Oleh karena itu, univeristas-universitas perlu hadir melalui pengabdian kepada masyarakat untuk meningkatkan kompetensi dan keterampilan sumber daya manusia di lembaga-lembaga tersebut seperti pelatihan peningkatan kompetensi kepengasuhan berbasis pembelajaran eksperiensial. Pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan kepengasuhan para pengasuh dan orang tua siswa Preschool dan Daycare Pelangiku dengan pelatihan berbasis experiential learning. Tujuan khusus pengabdian ini adalah meningkatkan pengetahuan para pengasuh dan orang tua siswa Preschool dan Daycare Pelangiku tentang (1) psikologi anak; (2) komunikasi pengasuhan dan konseling anak; dan (3) parenting. Sasaran kegiatan ini adalah para pengasuh Preschool dan Daycare Pelangiku yang berjumlah 10 orang, dan orang tua siswa sejumlah 20 orang. Kegiatan dilakukan di Preschool dan Daycare Pelangiku Yogyakarta. Untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut metode kegiatan yang dipilih adalah pelatihan berbasis experiential learning. Ketercapaian tujuan kegiatan diukur menggunakan pre-post tes dan evaluasi. Data pre-post tes dianalisis secara deskriptif kuantitatif. Hasil pengabdian ini menunjukkan bahwa pelatihan peningkatan pengetahuan pengasuhan berbasis experiential learning dapat meningkatkan pengetahuan para pengasuh dan orang tua anak Praschool dan Daycare Pelangiku tentang: (1) psikologi anak; (2) komunikasi pengasuhan dan konseling untuk anak; dan (3) parenting setelah mendapatkan materi kegiatan pengabdian. Karena kegiatan pengabdian ini dipandang berhasil maka diperlukan pelatihan tingkat lanjutan untuk meningkatkan keterampilan parenting.
PENINGKATAN KUALITAS OPERASIONAL RUMAH PENGINAPAN GRIYA KUSUMA INDAH, PACET
Authors: Kristanti Monika , Thio Sienny , Kartika Endo Wijaya , Iskandar Vido
Published: August 2022

Sejak berdirinya tahun 2007, Griya Kusuma Indah (GKI) yang berlokasi di Pacet, menerima reservasi yang sifatnya terbatas, yaitu hanya menerima reservasi grup kegiatan keagamaan, organisasi ataupun perusahaan dan tidak menerima tamu individu. Hal ini menyebabkan segala sistem reservasi dikelola secara manual dimana organisasi/perusahaan melakukan reservasi hanya melalui telpon maupun whatapps dan hanya dilakukan pencatatan sederhana secara manual. Sejak adanya pandemi Covid-19, GKI tidak dimungkinkan untuk menerima reservasi grup sehingga tidak ada pemasukan untuk menutup biaya operasional sehingga akhirnya pengurus GKI membuka GKI sebagai rumah penginapan yang dapat menerima tamu individual ataupun tamu tanpa reservasi. Tetapi keinginan ini belum didukung oleh sistem reservasi, pembayaran, pemasaran, sumber daya manusia maupun fasilitas yang sesuai terutama dalam kondisi pandemi saat ini. Terkait permasalahan yang ada, tim dosen dari program Hotel Management Universitas Kristen Petra memberikan bantuan dan pendampingan berupa (1) pembuatan website yang juga berfungsi sebagai sistem reservasi dan pembayaran di Griya Kusuma Indah (2) pembuatan modul/panduan terkait kualitas layanan (3) pembuatan banner dan poster yang “menyerukan” protokol kesehatan yang harus dilakukan baik oleh karyawan maupun tamu yang datang, yang diletakkan di beberapa area yang mudah terlihat, dan (4) pembuatan video promosi. Selain melakukan hal di atas, maka tim dari program Hotel Management juga memberikan pelatihan dan pendampingan. Pelatihan dan pendampingan terkait penggunaan sistem reservasi dan kualitas layanan, maupun membantu menentukan tipe dan harga jual kamar. Hal ini dilakukan dengan tujuan agar tamu mudah untuk melakukan reservasi dan mendapatkan layanan yang baik sehingga tamu pada akhirnya menjadi puas. Ketika tamu puas, diharapkan tamu akan kembali ke Griya Kusuma Indah. Selain itu dengan adanya video yang ditampilkan di Instagram maupun website serta disebarkan ke beberapa organisasi juga akan semakin memperkenalkan Griya Kusuma Indah kepada masyarakat yang lebih luas.
The Relationship between the Balanced Scorecard and (ISO) Standards in Improving Banking Performance
Authors: Abd Waad Hadi , Kazem Duha Alwan
Published: August 2022

The main objective of the research is to show the impact of the balanced scorecard under (ISO) standards on improving banking performance. The most important objectives of the study can be summarized as follows: - Providing an introductory framework on the concepts of the balanced scorecard, its dimensions and how to employ it, with ISO standards and its reflection on improving banking performance and presenting a set of suggested indicators that clarify the relationship between the balanced scorecard and (ISO) standards in improving banking performance. The research has reached a set of conclusions, the most important of which is that the use and analysis of traditional banking performance indicators only does not determine the real performance level of banks, so it is necessary to develop indicators to measure and improve banking performance according to what researchers suggested of indicators related to (ISO) standards and the dimensions of the balanced scorecard.
Does phosphorylase kinase control glycogen biosynthesis in skeletal muscle?
Authors: Polishchuk Sergey V. , Brandt Neil R. , Meyer Helmut E. , Varsányi Magdolna , Heilmeyer Ludwig M.G.
Published: July 2002

Immunoblotting as well as enzyme assays demonstrate the presence of the self‐glucosylating protein, glycogenin, in the protein‐glycogen complex, in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and in phosphorylase kinase. In all three compartments glycogenin occurs in different, albeit, defined glucosylated forms, which upon deglucosylation are converted into a 42 kDa form. We suggest that phosphorylase kinase might have a dual function in glycogen biogenesis: firstly, control of glycogen degradation in the protein‐glycogen complex via phosphorylation of glycogen phosphorylase b; secondly, regulation of glycogen biosynthesis on the sarcoplasmic reticular membranes via phosphorylation and thereby inhibition of glycogen synthase.
GnRH analog administration in patients with polycystic ovarian disease
Authors: Meden‐Vrtovec H.
Published: July 2002

Objective: To evaluate the hormonal response to the short protocol of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) analog (GnRHa) in patients with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD). Methods: We enrolled 35 patients (20 infertile) with ultrasonographic and hormonal PCOD characteristics. GnRHa Suprefact was applied subcutaneously at a daily dose of 0.9 ml for 9 consecutive days starting on the 10th–15th day after induced or spontaneous bleeding. Blood sampling for follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S) was performed before the treatment and on days 3 and 4 of GnRHa administration. Student's t‐test was used for the analysis of differences between various mean values. All statistical analyses were performed by the computerized statistical package CSS‐Statistica. Results: Pretreatment hormonal levels (FSH 5.68 ± 1.86 IU/l, LH 14.16 ± 1.72 IU/l, E2 0.29 ± 0.20 nmol/l, E1 0.35 ± 0.17 nmol/l, T 3.52 ± 1.40 nmol/l, DHEA‐S 7.15 ± 2.89 μmol/l) barely differed on day 3 of GnRHa administration, except for the rise in LH (17.14 ± 10.97 IU/l), which was still not significant. On day 9 of GnRHa application, significant suppression of FSH (3.16 ± 1.55 IU/l) and LH (8.05 ± 5.00 IU/l) was registered compared with pretreatment levels, without changes in the FSH:LH ratio, and in other parameters studied. Although there were no changes in ultrasound characteristics on day 9 of GnRHa administration compared with basal findings, bleeding occurred 14–18 days after the last GnRHa dose in 32 patients. There were three pregnancies out of 20 infertile patients in the treated cycles. Conclusion: Significant suppression of FSH and LH in PCOD patients does not interfere with ovarian steroid production, which is probably maintained due to higher follicular sensitivity to normal FSH and LH levels. Alternatively it may be the consequence of the unaltered FSH:LH ratio in spite of GnRHa‐suppressed absolute values. However the recommencement of menstrual bleeding and 15% of pregnancies in the investigated infertile patients suggest the occurrence of certain temporary intraovarian events, which probably continue after the cessation of GnRHa administration.
Reflections on the Regulation of Financial Intermediaries
Authors: Spierings Renee
Published: July 2002

Financial intermediates are said to belong to the most regulated and supervised sector in the economy. This paper attempts to apply general theories of regulation to the financial services sector. Theoretical and practical attention is given to economic rationales of deregulation. One of the basic arguments in favor of regulation-the danger of market failureholds for almost every type of financial intermediary as a result of the distinct nature of financial operations compared with that on nonfinancial industries and, more important, the increasing blurring of functions between the financial intermediaries. Kyklos, Vol. 43, No. 1 (1990), pp. 91-109. (Reprinted with permission of the Journal of Economic Literature.)
The Marriage Tax Penalty and Subsidy under Tax Reform
Authors: Mitchell Douglas W.
Published: July 2002

This paper considers the tax treatment of marriage implied by the Tax Reform Act of 1986. It is shown, first, that the maximum marriage subsidy varies erratically and widely over a range comparable to that in the prereform tax system. Second, the maximum marriage penalty varies erratically, but less widely, again over a range comparable to that in the old tax system. And third, the fraction of possible values of secondary income that lead to a marriage subsidy rather than penalty varies erratically over a range much wider than that in the prereform system. Eastern Economic Journal, Vol. 15, No. 2 (April-June 1989), pp. 113-116. (Reprinted with permission of the Journal of Economic Literature.)
Binding of Ala‐scanning analogs of ω‐conotoxin MVIIC to N‐ and P/Q‐type calcium channels
Authors: Sato Kazuki , Raymond Cecile , Martin-Moutot Nicole , Sasaki Toru , Ohtake Atsuko , Minami Kazushi , Van Renterghem Catherine , Kim Jae Il , Takahashi Masami , Seagar Michael J.
Published: July 2002

ω‐Conotoxin MVIIC binds to P/Q‐type calcium channels with high affinity and N‐type channels with low affinity. To reveal the residues essential for subtype selectivity, we synthesized Ala‐scanning analogs of MVIIC. Binding assays using rat cerebellar P2 membranes suggested that Thr11, Tyr13 and Lys2 are essential for binding to both N‐ and P/Q‐type channels, whereas Lys4 and Arg22 are important for binding to P/Q‐type channels. These results suggest that MVIIC interacts with P/Q‐type channels via a large surface, in good agreement with previous observations using chimeric analogs.
Site‐specific recombination in mammalian cells catalyzed by γδ resolvase mutants: implications for the topology of episomal DNA
Authors: Schwikardi Micha , Dröge Peter
Published: July 2002

We have transferred the prokaryotic γδ resolvase system to mammalian cells and present a comparative analysis of recombination by wild‐type and two mutant resolvases (E124Q and E102Y/E124Q). Transient co‐transfection assays using β‐galactosidase as reporter for recombination reveal that episomal DNA does not contain a significant level of unconstrained negative supercoiling, since only mutant resolvases are recombination‐proficient. We also show that the efficiency of recombination by the resolvase double mutant is comparable to that observed with Cre, which indicates that resolvase can be used as a new tool for controlled manipulations of episomal DNAs.
A synaptic potentiation by a protein factor distinct from those induced by neurotrophins
Authors: Kudoh Suguru N. , Kiyosue Kazuyuki , Taguchi Takahisa
Published: July 2002

We report a protein factor(s) contained in the conditioned medium (CM) of the Mg2+‐free treatment induced the synaptic potentiation. This type of potentiation shared a different pathway from those induced by neurotrophins. Neurotrophins were confirmed to induce a synaptic potentiation in the dissociated chick neurons. Furthermore, K252a, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, abolished this potentiation. Nevertheless, the potentiation induced by the CM was not blocked by K252a. In addition, the CM prepared from the chick neurons induced a similar potentiation in rat and mouse neurons. These results suggest that the protein factor is a novel protein molecule for inducing the potentiation and it plays a critical role in the common mechanism for the potentiation between avian and mammal.
Relation of atrial natriuretic peptides to left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in heart failure
Authors: Wijbenga Anke A.M. , Balk Aggie H.M.M. , Jonkman Fokke A.M. , Boomsma Frans , Simoons Maarten L. , Man in 't Veld Arie J.
Published: July 2002

Background:

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptides are correlated with atrial pressures, as are left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular filling abnormalities.

Aims:

This study investigated the relation of atrial natriuretic peptides to both left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in heart failure.

Methods:

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide and N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide were measured in 63 patients with chronic heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. According to Doppler transmitral flow measurements, 19 patients had a restrictive and 44 patients had a non‐restrictive left ventricular filling pattern.

Results:

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide and N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide were higher in patients with a restrictive filling pattern than in patients with a non‐restrictive filling pattern (197 vs. 75 pmol/l, P < 0.0001 and 1.14 vs. 0.45 nmol/l, P < 0.0001). In univariate analysis, atrial natriuretic peptide and N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide correlated with deceleration time, E/A ratio and left ventricular ejection fraction. In multivariate analysis, both peptides appeared independently related to left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular filling pattern.

Conclusion:

In patients with chronic heart failure, atrial natriuretic peptides provide information on left ventricular systolic as well as diastolic function.
Eosinophil cationic protein and interleukin‐8 levels in bronchial lavage fluid from children with asthma and infantile wheeze
Authors: Marguet C. , Dean T. P. , Basuyau J. P. , Warner J. O.
Published: July 2002

It has been shown previously that airway eosinophils characterize childhood asthma and neutrophils contribute to the pathophysiology of both infantile wheezing and asthma. Therefore, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from asthmatics (n = 16) and infantile wheezers (n = 30) were analyzed as markers of eosinophil‐ and neutrophil‐mediated inflammation. To aid the interpretation, a control group of children (n = 10) with no lower airway pathology were included. Disease severity was assessed by using a symptom score. Surprisingly, no significant difference was found in IL‐8 or ECP levels among asthma, infantile wheeze, and control groups. Asthma was characterized by: a correlation between ECP levels and eosinophil counts (r = 0.618, p = 0.014); a correlation between neutrophil number and IL‐8 levels (r = 0.747, p = 0.002); and increasing IL‐8 levels with symptom score (p = 0.03). In infantile wheezers, IL‐8 levels were poorly related to neutrophil number but were significantly increased when neutrophils were > 10%. Although detectable levels were found in all but one symptomatic infant, IL‐8 concentrations did not reflect the symptom score in infantile wheeze. ECP was unexpectedly correlated to neutrophil percentages (Rho = 0.832, p = 0.001), and a threshold of ECP > 20 ng/ml was associated with persistent symptoms in these infantile wheezers. Hence, in accordance with BALF cellularity, activation of eosinophils was suggested by raised levels of ECP in childhood asthma, but not in infantile wheeze. Neutrophil‐mediated inflammation appeared to better reflect the severity of asthma than that of infantile wheeze. Although its meaning remains to be elucidated, ECP was suggested to be a helpful indicator of persistent infantile wheeze. However, its utility as a marker predicting ongoing asthma remains to be established.
The terminal six amino-acids of the carboxy cytoplasmic tail of CD36 contain a functional domain implicated in the binding and capture of oxidized low-density lipoprotein
Authors: MALAUD Eric , HOURTON Delphine , GIROUX Louise Marie , NINIO Ewa , BUCKLAND Robin , McGREGOR John L.
Published: July 2002

CD36, a major adhesion molecule expressed by monocytes/macrophages, plays a key role in the binding and internalization of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL). This adhesion molecule, a member of an important scavenger receptor family, contains a very short C-terminal cytoplasmic tail that is known to induce intracellular signalling events. However, the domains on the cytoplasmic tail involved in such signal transduction are unknown. In this study, we have investigated the functional components of the cytoplasmic tail by site-directed mutagenesis coupled with functional OxLDL and monoclonal antibody (mAb) binding studies. Seven truncated or punctual CD36 constructs, localized in the cytoplasmic tail, were produced by site-directed mutagenesis. Each construct was stably expressed in HEK293 cells. We used a quantitative and a qualitative method, labelling OxLDL with either iodine or rhodamine, to determine the functional importance of the cytoplasmic domains in OxLDL internalization. Results indicate that: (1) a deletion of the last amino-acid (construct K472STOP) significantly reduces, compared with wild-type, the binding, internalization and degradation of OxLDL; (2) truncation of the last six amino-acids (construct R467STOP) significantly reduces OxLDL binding; (3) the above two constructs (K472STOP and R467STOP) showed a reduced rate of OxLDL internalization compared with wild-type; (4) the binding and rate of internalization of an anti-CD36 monoclonal antibody (10/5) was not affected by the above mentioned mutants (K472STOP and R467STOP), compared with wild-type. This study shows, for the first time, a specific site on the CD36 cytoplasmic tail that is critical for the binding, endocytosis and targeting of OxLDL.
Perinatal factors and risk of neuroblastoma
Authors: Buck  , Michalek  , Chen  , Nasca  , Baptiste
Published: July 2002

Neuroblastoma is a malignancy commonly diagnosed during infancy or early childhood, raising speculation about the role of perinatal factors and risk of disease. Using a case–control design, cases included 155 infants and children aged 0–5 years with histologically confirmed neuroblastoma diagnosed and reported to the New York State Cancer Registry between 1976 and 1987. Controls were randomly selected from the State’s Livebirth Registry and were frequency matched to cases on year of birth (n = 310). Medical records of cases were used to verify histology and stage of disease. Data on perinatal factors were ascertained from birth certificates and standardised telephone interviews with mothers. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate (un)adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Both preterm (< 37 weeks) and post‐term (> 42 weeks) birth were associated with a reduction in risk (OR = 0.4 [CI = 0.1, 0.9] and OR = 0.3 [CI = 0.1, 0.7] respectively) after controlling for confounders in unconditional logistic regression analysis. Elevated risk factors included: smoking during pregnancy (OR = 1.6; CI = 0.9, 2.8), contracted pelvis (OR = 2.3; CI = 0.6, 9.8), birth injury (OR = 2.9; CI = 0.3, 24.9) and 1‐min Apgar Score  3 (OR = 6.0; CI = 0.9, 38.6); all confidence intervals included one. These data suggest that extremes in gestation may be associated with a reduced risk, although aetiological mechanisms remain unknown.
Relationship Between Interleukin‐5 Production and Variations in Eosinophil Counts During HIV Infection in West Africa: Influence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: DIAGBOUGA S. , ALDEBERT D. , FUMOUX F. , CAPRON M. , LEDRU E.
Published: July 2002

Eosinophils are important effectors of the non‐specific immune response and we studied whether perturbations in the production of the type 2 cytokine, interleukin‐5 (IL‐5), could account for the variations in eosinophil counts observed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV‐infected patients without helminthiasis were investigated in a cross‐sectional study in West Africa. Eosinophil counts were significantly higher in CDC‐B patients than in controls, but were dramatically decreased at the CDC‐C stage. Phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) + ionomycin‐induced IL‐5 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was decreased from the A stage of the disease, and significant correlations were observed between IL‐5 production and eosinophil counts in tuberculosis (TB)‐negative HIV‐1‐positive, TB‐positive HIV‐1‐positive and TB‐positive HIV‐negative patient groups. Nevertheless, the production of IL‐5 was not decreased in HIV‐positive patients with TB, in contrast to HIV‐positive patients without TB presenting with the same ranges of CD4+ counts. Our data suggest that, during HIV infection, the impairment in IL‐5 production is one of the factors associated with the ‘paradoxal’ eosinopenia observed in tropical areas, but that IL‐5 production during active TB is compensated by cellular subsets, yet to be identified.
Comparative evaluation of plate haptic lenses with smaller and larger positioning holes
Authors: Md T Dada , Md N Sharma , Mbbsms V K Dada , Mbbs R B Vajpayee
Published: July 2002

Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcome, intraoperative problems and postoperative complications of plate haptic intraocular lenses with smaller foot plate positioning holes and larger holes.

Methods: Fifty eyes of 50 patients underwent clear corneal phacoemulsification with implantation of either small hole plate haptics (25 eyes) or large hole plate haptic lenses (25 eyes). The intraoperative complications were noted and the postoperative parameters were evaluated on the first day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. These included the best corrected visual acuities, intraocular lens (IOL) decentring, diameter of anterior capsulorhexis and posterior capsule opacification.

Results: The mean duration of follow‐up was 14.8 ± 2.1 months in the group with the small foot plate positioning holes (Chiron C10UB) lens and 15.6 ± 3.2 months in the group with the large feet plate positioning holes (Chiron C11UB) lens. The was no significant difference in the visual acuities of the two groups. The mean IOL decentring was 0.42 ± 0.28 mm in the C10UB lenses and 0.24 ± 0.10 mm in the C11UB lenses (P = 0.05). The mean diameter of the anterior capsulorhexis was 4.68 ± 0.23 mm in the former, while it was 4.21 ± 0.68 mm in the latter (P = 0.0027). The posterior capsule opacification was significantly increased in the C11UB group (P = 0.0298). Neodymium : yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd: YAG) laser capsulotomy was required in 8% of the C10UB group, compared to 28% in the C11UB group.

Conclusion: Results are similar with the two types of plate haptic lenses. The lenses with larger holes have a significantly higher posterior capsule opacification and more anterior capsulorhexis contracture, although the IOL decentring is less with these lenses.
Does HIV cause depletion of CD4+ T cells in vivo by the induction of apoptosis?
Authors: Jaworowski Anthony , Crowe Suzanne M
Published: July 2002

The central pathogenic feature of AIDS is the dramatic loss of CD4+ lymphocytes. Despite more than a decade of intense research, the exact mechanism by which HIV causes this is still not understood. A major model for T cell depletion, proposed originally by Ameison and Capron in a report published in 1991, is that HIV sensitizes CD4+ T cells for activation‐induced apoptosis. The apoptotic model of T cell depletion is discussed, and experiments that address the questions of whether apoptosis is restricted to infected cells or ‘bystander’ T cells, and whether T cell apoptosis requires participation of separate HIV‐infected haematopoietic cell populations, are reviewed.
CNS effects of antihistamines: is there a third generation of non‐sedative drugs?
Authors: Hindmarch I.
Published: July 2002

It is widely accepted that the antihistamines have found their greatest therapeutic potential in the treatment and management of various allergic disorders, including seasonal and perennial rhinitis, urticaria and dermatological conditions. However, the most problematic aspect of their use is sedation, which can severely compromise the safe performance of cognitive and psychomotor tasks of everyday living. The associated increase in accident risk is important when deciding which antihistamine should be prescribed to ambulant patients with allergies and dermatological disorders. Meta‐analyses of placebo and verum (positive) controlled studies published in peer‐reviewed journals show distinct differences between antihistamines in the extent to which they exert sedative activity on the CNS. Evidence has emerged for three distinct groups, or generations, of antihistamines, at least as regards their untoward effects on the CNS. The first generation of antihistamines (e.g. promethazine, diphenhydramine) penetrate the CNS readily at virtually all clinical doses, while the second generation (e.g. cetirizine, loratadine), although they enter the brain, possess little CNS activity at their prescribed clinical dose (10 mg), but at higher doses there is increasing evidence of sedation and other CNS impairment. Fexofenadine is a third generation drug, which does not cross the blood–brain barrier and for which there is no objective evidence of sedation even at doses 2–3 times those normally used for seasonal allergic rhinitis. Improved patient compliance is likely to be associated with antihistamines that are similarly free from sedative side‐effects, thereby improving the efficacy and utility of the drug.
Enhanced strain relaxation in Si/GexSi1−x/Si heterostructures via point-defect concentrations introduced by ion implantation
Authors: Hull R. , Bean J. C. , Bonar J. M. , Higashi G. S. , Short K. T. , Temkin H. , White A. E.
Published: July 2002

It is shown that strain relaxation during annealing of Si/GexSi1−x/Si heterostructures is significantly enhanced if the strained GexSi1−x layers are implanted with p (B) or n (As) type dopants below the amorphization dose. Comparison of strain relaxation during in situ annealing studies in a transmission electron microscope between unimplanted and implanted structures reveals that the latter show residual strains substantialy below those for unimplanted structures. We propose that this enhanced relaxation is caused by increased dislocation nucleation probabilities due to the high point-defect concentrations arising from implantation.
Generation of narrow-band ultrasound with a long cavity mode-locked Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Deaton J. B. , McKie A. D. W. , Spicer J. B. , Wagner J. W.
Published: July 2002

A passively mode-locked, flashlamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser with a cavity length of 11.19 m has been developed to study the noncontact generation of narrow-band ultrasound. The individual mode-locked pulses acted as separate sources of ultrasound, producing a train of acoustic pulses with a repetition rate of about 13.4 MHz. The ultrasound was generated in an aluminum sample and remotely detected with a path stabilized Michelson interferometer. The energy in the multiple pulse acoustic signal was confined to a considerably reduced spectral range compared with that in a single pulse.
Short-time diffusion of zinc in silicon for the study of intrinsic point defects
Authors: Bracht H. , Stolwijk N. A. , Mehrer H. , Yonenaga I.
Published: July 2002

An experimental procedure has been developed which permits accurate short-time diffusion anneals for diffusion periods as short as a few seconds. This method is applicable to diffusors which are volatile at the diffusion temperature. It will be illustrated for zinc diffusion into silicon which mainly takes place via the kick-out mechanism. Previous long-time diffusion studies have yielded the product CeqIDI of equilibrium concentration and diffusivity of Si self-interstitials(I) involved in the interstitial-substitutional exchange of Zn. The present short-time diffusion method enables us to determine CeqI and DI separately by comparing measured spreading-resistance profiles with computer simulations based on the kick-out model.
Voltage-controlled tunable GaAs/AlGaAs multistack quantum well infrared detector
Authors: Gravé I. , Shakouri A. , Kuze N. , Yariv A.
Published: July 2002

We describe a new type of intersubband GaAs/AlGaAs infrared detector consisting of three stacks of quantum wells; the quantum wells in a given stack are identical, but are different from stack to stack. Each stack is designed to yield an absorption and a photoresponse at a different peak wavelength. The resulting device is an infrared detector which can operate in a number of modes. Among the features of this device are a wide-band detection domain, a tunable response and excellent responsivities and noise figures. The tunable operation includes a sharp peak-switching response which follows the formation, expansion, and readjustment of electric field domains within the multiquantum well region.
Unusually high thermal conductivity in diamond films
Authors: Graebner J. E. , Jin S. , Kammlott G. W. , Herb J. A. , Gardinier C. F.
Published: July 2002

Chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) polycrystalline diamond films have recently been reported with a thermal conductivity that is only 25% less than that of high quality single-crystal natural diamond. By studying a series of such films of various thicknesses grown under virtually identical conditions, we have discovered a significant (factor of four) through the thickness gradient in thermal conductivity. The observed gradient is attributed mainly to phonon scattering by the roughly cone-shaped columnar microstructure. For 350 μm films, the material near the top (growth) surface has a conductivity of at least 21 W/cm °C, i.e., comparable to the best single crystals. This remarkable dependence of thermal conductivity on microstructure has important implications for thermal management of microelectronic devices using CVD diamond.
Effect of thermal noise on Shapiro steps in high-Tc Josephson weak links
Authors: Kautz R. L. , Ono R. H. , Reintsema C. D.
Published: July 2002

The amplitudes of Shapiro steps are measured at temperatures up to 77 K for a superconductor-normal metal-superconductor Josephson weak link fabricated from YBa2Cu3O7−δ with a Ag-Au alloy bridge. The step amplitudes are found to be in agreement with calculations based on the resistively shunted-junction model when the Johnson noise of the junction resistance is included.
Correlation between target-substrate distance and oxygen pressure in pulsed laser deposition of YBa2Cu3O7
Authors: Kim H. S. , Kwok H. S.
Published: July 2002

It is shown that in pulsed laser deposition, there exists an optimal target-substrate distance for each deposition O2 pressure necessary for the growth of high quality superconducting films. This result indicates that plasma dynamics plays an important role in forming the superconducting films. A scaling law of PD2=constant is obtained for the optimized conditions.
Effects of annealing on the surface morphology of decapped GaAs(001)
Authors: Yang Y.-N. , Luo Y. S. , Weaver J. H. , Florez L. T. , Palmstro/m C. J.
Published: July 2002

We have used STM and LEED to investigate As-rich (2×4)/c(2×8) reconstructed GaAs(001) surfaces produced under different decapping conditions. The STM images show that heating to 450 °C for 10 min produces a surface that contains a high density of small islands. Heating to 450 °C for longer times allows the larger islands to grow at the expense of the small islands, but the corresponding LEED patterns do not exhibit any obvious changes. Analogous studies at 420 °C gave similar results, confirming that the observed regrowth of GaAs(001) is general to all decapping processes.
Properties of ZnS thin films prepared by 248-nm pulsed laser deposition
Authors: McLaughlin M. , Sakeek H. F. , Maguire P. , Graham W. G. , Molloy J. , Morrow T. , Laverty S. , Anderson J.
Published: July 2002

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) from a hot pressed manganese doped ZnS target using a KrF laser, has produced a high rate deposition method for growing luminescent thin films. Good stoichiometric quality and typical luminescent crystal structures have been observed with a predominant hexagonal phase and little evidence of the cubic phase. The luminescent characteristics were determined by cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation and stable electroluminescence was observed under pulsed dc conditions with a minimum brightness of 150 cd/m2. PLD film characteristics are compared with those observed in radio-frequency sputtered samples.
Effect of noise and capacitance on the dynamical characteristics of high-T
c Josephson junctions
Authors: Busse F. , Nebel R. , Herzog P. , Darula M. , Seidel P.
Published: July 2002

The dynamical characteristics of Josephson junctions at finite temperatures are simulated in the resistively shunted junction model including a capacitance and a current source producing white noise. It is shown how the height and the shape of the Shapiro steps as a function of the microwave amplitude are affected by noise as well as by the capacitance. The results of the simulations are found to be in good agreement with recently published experimental data on different types of Josephson weak links fabricated from high-Tc materials.
Z-scan technique using top-hat beams
Authors: Zhao W. , Palffy-Muhoray P.
Published: July 2002

Top-hat instead of Gaussian beams are used in Z-scan experiments to measure nonlinear optical Kerr coefficients of materials. An empirical expression is obtained which allows direct calculation of the Kerr coefficient from measured peak–valley transmittance differences. Predictions of the model are compared with Z-scan measurement on CS2. Using top-hat beams, the sensitivity of Z-scan measurements is a factor of 2.5 greater than for Gaussian beams.
Semiconducting polymer diodes: Large size, low cost photodetectors with excellent visible-ultraviolet sensitivity
Authors: Yu G. , Pakbaz K. , Heeger A. J.
Published: July 2002

Photodiodes fabricated from conjugated polymers exhibit excellent sensitivity to visible-UV radiation. The photosensitivity increases with reverse bias voltage. The photoresponse of diodes fabricated from poly(3-octyl thiophene) is relatively flat in the visible and near UV; for wavelengths shorter than 550 nm, the absolute sensitivity is greater than 0.3 A/W under reverse bias of 15 V, larger than that of commercial UV-enhanced Si photodiodes. Photodiodes made from poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene], MEH-PPV, sensitized with C60, show similar sensitivity. The ease of fabrication into large size, arbitrary shapes, and even onto flexible substrates makes the polymer photodiode a novel photodetector with potential for use in a wide range of applications.
Interface roughness scattering in GaAs–AlGaAs modulation-doped heterostructures
Authors: Yang Bin , Cheng Yong-hai , Wang Zhan-guo , Liang Ji-ben , Liao Qi-wei , Lin Lan-ying , Zhu Zhan-ping , Xu Bo , Li Wei
Published: July 2002

We have studied the influence of interface roughness scattering on the mobility of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in GaAs–AlGaAs modulation-doped heterostructures (MDH) both experimentally and theoretically. When the background ionized impurity concentration in the GaAs layer is smaller than 2.5×1015 cm−3, our investigation shows that interface roughness scattering is the dominant scattering mechanism in the high 2DEG density (Ns≥5×1011 cm−2) GaAs–AlGaAs MDH. We also demonstrate that interface roughness scattering is about an order of magnitude stronger than alloy disorder scattering in GaAs–AlGaAs MDH if the AlGaAs/GaAs interface fluctuation is only one monolayer of GaAs.
Development of low-energy beams for fueling the central cell of a tandem mirror
Authors: Pincosy P. A. , Turner W. C.
Published: July 2002

In this article we describe the theoretical motivation and experimental development of low-energy (2 keV) neutral beams for fueling the central cell of the TMX-U thermal-barrier tandem mirror experiment at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Theoretical estimates are given for the beam current required to build up a low-density plasma (nc=0.5–2.5×1012 cm−3) to a final-state high-density plasma (nc=1×1013 cm−3). The design of low-divergence (±3°) beam modules is described together with test stand measurements of beam-neutral current, divergence, and species fractions. Experimental results are given for injection of 45 aA of low-energy neutral-beam current into the central cell of TMX-U.
Three-dimensional morphology of a very rough interface formed in the soldering reaction between eutectic SnPb and Cu
Authors: Kim H. K. , Liou H. K. , Tu K. N.
Published: July 2002

We have used scanning electron microscopy to study the interfacial morphology of the Cu-Sn compounds formed between a eutectic SnPb alloy and Cu at 200 °C. A selective etching reveals the three-dimensional morphology of the Cu-Sn compounds. On the solder side, the compounds grow rapidly as big scallops and the interface becomes extremely rough as compared to the Cu side of the interface. In order to understand this rapid and extremely irregular growth of the Cu-Sn compounds, we propose that it is caused by the dissolution of Cu into the liquid solder and the coarsening of the scallop-type compounds by Ostwald ripening. The growth of the Cu-Sn compounds has a serious impact on solder joint rework in electronic packaging.
New method for directly monitoring the electron beam intensity profile in a scanning electron microscope
Authors: Rajopadhye N. R. , Raja N. K. L.
Published: July 2002

A new method for directly monitoring the electron beam intensity profile in a scanning electron microscope is proposed. This method employs phase lock-in technique which electronically differentiates the integrated current collected, while scanning the rocked electron beam across a knife edge and directly obtains the one-dimensional intensity distribution of the electron beam probe. The method can be employed for beam currents as low as 30 pA with the spatial resolution accuracy of ±125 Å. Electron beam diameters can be measured at higher accuracies due to the inherent improvement in the S/N ratio provided by this method. Electron beam aberrations can also be directly observed by studying the intensity profiles of the probe cross section.
Scanning tunneling microscope calibration and reconstruction of real image: Drift and slope elimination
Authors: Yurov V. Yu. , Klimov A. N.
Published: July 2002

Drift, slope of sample, and indeterminate sensitivity of piezoceramics are considered as the origin of the linear scanning tunneling microscope (STM) image distortions. A special algorithm of STM scanning and reconstruction of image of unknown atomic structures is suggested and tested. This algorithm allows us to measure three components of the drift velocity and two angles, characterizing the average slope of scanning surface. On the one hand, using this algorithm, one can perform the STM calibration by a known surface structure (for example, the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface) even in the presence of a drift. This enables us to determine all the three piezoceramics constants of STM piezoscanner and the deviation of the real scanner axes X and Y from orthogonality. On the other hand, using such a calibrated STM and the described algorithm, it is possible to obtain the real STM image and make measurements for unknown surfaces with atomic resolution without the distortions mentioned above. As it has been proved, the error of interatomic distance measurements does not exceed 5% (∼0.1 Å) for any direction along the surface, even in the presence of a drift up to 0.4 Å/s and the sample slope angle up to 10°.
Limits of force microscopy
Authors: Smith D. P. E.
Published: July 2002

The atomic force microscope (AFM) is calculated to have quantum limited sensitivity using common optical detection techniques. Under typical ambient operating conditions, the AFM is shown to have an energy resolution better than 10−24 J, considerably weaker than the energy of 10−21 J/molecule for the weakest chemical bonds. For operation in vacuum, periodic forces of 10−15 N are detectable at room temperature. At 4.2 K it is possible to resolve single bursts of energy of 10−25 J. The AFM is shown to have many features in common with a resonant-bar gravitational wave antenna.
Drift elimination in the calibration of scanning probe microscopes
Authors: Staub R. , Alliata D. , Nicolini C.
Published: July 2002

Calibration of scanning probe microscopes (SPM) for atomic (molecular) resolution scans can be carried out on crystalline surfaces. However, SPM scans with atomic resolution are often affected by drift and hence would give false calibration factors. We propose a method which allows to calibrate the SPM instrument eliminating the effects of drift in a first-order approximation. Scans of the same surface are taken at different speeds and a linear regression is applied to the calibration factors calculated for each scan speed. Applying this method we succeeded in calibrating a commercial SPM system for atomic resolution scans with a precision of better than 2%.