bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary Lifelong Delayed Ejaculation: Characteristics and Response to Bupropion
Authors: Abdel-Hamid Ibrahim A. , Saleh El-Sayed
Published: November 2010

Introduction

In contrast to premature ejaculation and secondary delayed ejaculation (DE), primary lifelong DE has not been studied extensively. In addition, there is no approved drug treatment.

Aims

To explore the clinical and laboratory characteristics of a series of men complaining of lifelong DE and to report the response to bupropion.

Methods

Nineteen consecutive men with primary lifelong DE were prospectively enrolled in this study. Study group was compared with an age-matched group of 19 healthy men. Both groups underwent history taking, physical examination, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), anxiety, and depression scores, ejaculation latency time (IELT) using stop watch and measurement of serum prolactin (PRL) and serum total testosterone (T). Patients received open-label bupropion-SR 150 mg/day for 2 months.

Main Outcome Measures

Stopwatch-measured IELT values, global efficacy question, IIEF, anxiety, and depression scores.

Results

The mean age was 30.8 ± 5.5 year (range 25–42 years). Men with DE exhibited significantly higher masturbatory activity during marital period, lower night emissions, longer IELT, lower orgasmic, and intercourse satisfaction domains of IIEF, higher anxiety and depression scores compared with the controls (all P <0.05). Both serum T and PRL levels did not differ significantly between patients and controls (all P <0.05). Four DE patients (21%) showed history of infertility. The percentage of DE men rating control over ejaculation as “fair to good” increased from 0 to 21.1% after bupropion therapy. The fold decreases of the geometric mean IELT was 0.74 after treatment. The intercourse satisfaction and the orgasmic domains of IIEF and depression score were significantly improved from baseline in the bupropion group (all P <0.05).

Conclusions

Lifelong DE is mainly associated with higher and idiosyncratic masturbatory activity, lower night emissions, infertility, longer IELT, lower orgasmic, and intercourse satisfaction domains of IIEF, higher anxiety and depression scores. Bupropion-SR in a daily dosage of 150 mg seemed to be of limited benefit in lifelong DE.
SENTENCING HOMICIDE OFFENDERS IN THE NETHERLANDS: OFFENDER, VICTIM, AND SITUATIONAL INFLUENCES IN CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT*
Authors: JOHNSON BRIAN D. , VAN WINGERDEN SIGRID , NIEUWBEERTA PAUL
Published: November 2010

Empirical investigations of criminal sentencing represent a vast research enterprise in criminology. However, this research has been restricted almost exclusively to U.S. contexts, and often it suffers from key data limitations. As such, an examination of more detailed international sentencing data provides an important opportunity to assess the generalizability of contemporary research and theorizing on criminal punishment in the United States. The current study investigates little‐researched questions about the influence of prosecutorial sentencing recommendations, victim/offender relationships, and extralegal disparities in sentencing by analyzing unique data on the punishment of homicide offenders in the Netherlands. The results indicate that offender, victim, and situational offense characteristics all exert important independent effects at sentencing and that prosecutorial recommendations exert powerful influences over judicial sentences. The article concludes with a discussion of future directions for comparative sentencing research across international contexts.
NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS, INDIVIDUAL‐LEVEL ATTITUDES, AND YOUTHS' CRIME REPORTING INTENTIONS*
Authors: ANN SLOCUM LEE , TAYLOR TERRANCE J. , BRICK BRADLEY T. , ESBENSEN FINN‐AAGE
Published: November 2010

Although the “stop snitching” phenomenon has brought recent attention to crime reporting, researchers have recognized for a long time the importance of this issue. Early studies focused on individual‐level factors related to reporting, but recently, researchers have begun to examine neighborhood‐level predictors. Most of these studies, however, omit key individual‐level predictors of reporting and provide relatively little insight into the individual‐level processes through which neighborhood context might affect reporting. This study uses survey data from a multisite, school‐based study to examine whether neighborhood structural characteristics and individual‐level attitudes and experiences are related to youths’ intentions to report crime. In addition, we assess whether neighborhood characteristics influence reporting via their effect on individual‐level attitudes and experiences. We find that neighborhood poverty has an inverse relationship with crime reporting intentions and that numerous individual‐level measures are associated with reporting, including attitudes toward the police, delinquency, and perceptions of the community. Importantly, the effects of neighborhood characteristics are reduced when youths’ attitudes and experiences are included in the model. Taken together, our findings suggest that neighborhood context might affect reporting by shaping the attitudes and experiences of youth.
Velocity and Temperature Field Characteristics of Water and Air during Natural Convection Heating in Cans
Authors: Erdogdu Ferruh , Tutar Mustafa
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  Presence of headspace during canning is required since an adequate amount allows forming vacuum during the process. Sealing technology may not totally eliminate all entrapped gases, and headspace might affect heat transfer. Not much attention has been given to solve this problem in computational studies, and cans, for example, were mostly assumed to be fully filled with product. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine velocity and temperature evolution of water and air in cans during heating to evaluate the relevance of headspace in the transport mechanism. For this purpose, canned water samples with a certain headspace were used, and required governing continuity, energy, and momentum equations were solved using a finite volume approach coupled with a volume of fluid element model. Simulation results correlated well with experimental results validating faster heating effects of headspace rather than insulation effects as reported in the literature. The organized velocity motions along the air–water interface were also shown.

Practical Application:  Canning is a universal and economic method for processing of food products, and presence of adequate headspace is required to form vacuum during sealing of the cans. Since sealing technology may not totally eliminate the entrapped gases, mainly air, headspace might affect heating rates in cans. This study demonstrated the increased heating rates in the presence of headspace in contrast with some studies in the literature. By applying the effect of headspace, required processing time for thermally processed foods can be reduced leading to more rapid processes and lower energy consumptions.
Acuerdos de seguridad económica en el contexto del envejecimiento de la población de la India
Authors: Bloom David E. , Mahal Ajay , Rosenberg Larry , Sevilla Jaypee
Published: November 2010

El rápido envejecimiento de la población de la India, así como el éxodo rural y la constante concentración de la población activa en el sector no estructurado han puesto de manifiesto la necesidad de mejorar los acuerdos de seguridad económica para la tercera edad. Los lazos familiares tradicionales, esenciales como garantía mínima de seguridad económica, comienzan debilitarse y la longevidad creciente incrementa los costos de mantenimiento de las personas mayores. Como consecuencia, los ancianos corren más riesgos de permanecer o de caer en la pobreza. Paralelamente a sus esfuerzos por resolver esta situación, el Gobierno nacional y algunos estados de la India han lanzado una serie de programas para ofrecer a la gran mayoría de los indios sin acceso a servicios médicos o a un seguro de salud algún tipo de acceso a los mismos. Los trabajadores del sector estructurado reciben más prestaciones de seguridad social que los del sector no estructurado pero son sólo una pequeña proporción de la población activa. Las mujeres son particularmente vulnerables a la inseguridad económica. La experiencia de la India ofrece lecciones para otros países. Si bien el sector de la seguridad social ofrece espacio para iniciativas privadas, no cabe duda de que la mayoría de los emprendimientos en este ámbito deberán financiarse con los impuestos. Los proveedores del sector privado pueden desempeñar un papel importante, incluso si la mayor parte de los fondos proceden de fuentes públicas. Sin embargo, a medida que aumente el número de solicitudes de prestaciones, la actividad de los proveedores del sector privado se topará con mayores escollos. La India también ha demostrado que los estados pueden ejecutar correctamente las tareas de implementación, usando fondos del Estado nacional y con la serie de ventajas y desventajas que aporta la descentralización. Por último, la experiencia de este país en materia de implementación puede servir de guía para la búsqueda de beneficiarios, el uso de las tecnologías de la información en los sistemas de seguridad social y la gestión de los recursos humanos.
La capacidad de las instituciones de seguridad social y de asistencia médica para adaptarse a un mundo que envejece
Authors: Harper Sarah
Published: November 2010

El envejecimiento de la población está teniendo lugar desde hace varios decenios en muchos países dentro de Europa, América del Norte y en otros lugares. Sin embargo, recientemente, se ha empezado a reconocer el ritmo, la envergadura y el alcance global de este envejecimiento, del que se están evaluando implicaciones más amplias. El envejecimiento de la población plantea un reto político fundamental a la seguridad social y los sistemas de asistencia médica de todo el mundo. Los diferentes gobiernos se plantearán este tipo de consideraciones, que irán acompañadas de perfiles demográficos cotejados, de regímenes de bienestar y estructuras institucionales, y de sistemas culturales. El futuro éxito de los esfuerzos de adaptación a esos cambios demográficos acometidos por las sociedades dependerá, en gran medida, de la capacidad que tengan la seguridad social y las instituciones de asistencia médica para adaptarse a un mundo que envejece.
Photothermal control of the reproductive cycle in temperate fishes
Authors: Wang Neil , Teletchea Fabrice , Kestemont Patrick , Milla Sylvain , Fontaine Pascal
Published: November 2010

Temperate fish species are annual spawners and mainly rely on annually cycling cues (temperature and photoperiod) to synchronise the three main phases of their reproductive cycle, that is, induction (initiation of oogenesis), vitellogenesis and the final stages (including maturation, ovulation and oviposition). This review synthesises how these three phases are controlled by specific temperature and photoperiod variations. The direction of the changes (i.e. decrease or increase) is the most important factor, although the amplitude, rates and timing of variations should also be considered to improve/optimise the quality of reproduction in aquaculture. In addition, we tentatively classified temperate fish species sharing similar temperature and/or photoperiod variation requirements for reproduction into three general functional groups. The first group (salmonids) is induced by increasing photoperiod. Vitellogenesis and the final stages are synchronised by decreasing photoperiod. The second group (percids, moronids and gadids) is induced by decreasing both temperature and photoperiod. A chilling period allows vitellogenesis. Increasing temperatures synchronise the final stages. The third group (cyprinids) is induced by decreasing either photoperiod or temperature. Vitellogenesis is faster at warm temperatures. The final stages require an increase in either photoperiod or temperature. This classification may help future research on the control of reproduction in newly cultured fish species.
Clinical factors related to the efficacy and complications of orthopedic surgery for rheumatoid arthritis with infliximab
Authors: HAYATA Koichiro , KANBE Katsuaki , CHIBA Junji , NAKAMURA Atsushi , INOUE Yasuo , HOBO Kaori
Published: November 2010

Aims: To determine what clinical factors relating to efficacy besides complications of orthopedic surgery for patients treated with anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α therapy (infliximab), we analyzed the clinical data of 52 cases of orthopedic surgery, such as total hip arthroplasy (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), total shoulder arthroplasy (TSA), total elbow arthroplasty (TEA), arthroscopic synovectomy, foot arthroplasty, spine surgery, hand surgery and fracture.

Methods: We analyzed clinical factors including age, disease duration, preoperative C‐reactive protein (CRP), disease activity score (DAS)‐28, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐3, and rheumatoid arthritis particle‐agglutination (RAPA) in 52 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing orthopedic surgery. For complications of orthopedic surgery, signs of postoperative infection were recorded, including rubor, discharge, systemic infection and frequencies of wound dehiscence, as well as the incidence of any surgical complication requiring a secondary revision procedure were measured.

Results: Signs of infection or surgical complications occurred in two of 52 patients (3.8%). There is significant correlation between RAPA and improvement of CRP 3 months after surgery; however, there is no correlation between infection and clinical factors including age, disease duration, preoperative CRP, MMP‐3, RAPA and the period until surgery after infliximab infusion.

Conclusion: Infliximab did not increase the risk of either infections or surgical complications occurring in patients with RA within 1 year of orthopedic surgery. Improvement of CRP after surgery is likely to be due to infliximab for high RAPA in RA patients.
Prevalence of low body mass index among newly diagnosed lung cancer patients in North India and its association with smoking status
Authors: Singh Navneet , Aggarwal Ashutosh N. , Gupta Dheeraj , Behera Digambar
Published: November 2010

There is limited data from South Asia on the prevalence of low body mass index (BMI) among newly diagnosed lung cancer patients at presentation and its association with smoking status. A retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of newly diagnosed lung cancer patients is presented here. Patients were categorized as normal/overweight (BMI ≥ 18.50 kg/m2; group I), mild/moderately underweight (BMI = 16.00–18.49 kg/m2; group II) or severely underweight (BMI < 16.0 kg/m2; group III). Smoking status was assessed using the smoking index (SI; product of number of bidis/cigarettes smoked per day with number of years smoked). Based on the SI, patients were categorized as never‐smokers, light/moderate smokers [SI = 1–300] and heavy smokers [SI ≥ 301]. A low BMI was present in 155 (44.3%) patients. Compared to group I, patients in groups II and III had higher percentages of men and current/ex‐smokers. On univariate logistic regression analysis (LRA), SI = 1–300 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.75; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.27–5.97] and SI ≥ 301 [OR = 4.57; 95% CI = 2.20–9.49] were associated with higher odds of the presence of low BMI among non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients while female sex had lower odds [OR = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.16–0.72]. On multivariate LRA, only SI ≥ 301 [OR = 3.74; 95% CI = 1.59–8.80] had a significant association with occurrence of low BMI. Low BMI is common among newly diagnosed lung cancer patients in North India. Heavy smoking is independently associated with presence of low BMI at presentation among NSCLC patients.
Mineralogy, chemistry, and irradiation record of Neuschwanstein (EL6) chondrite
Authors: ZIPFEL J. , BISCHOFF A. , SCHULTZ L. , SPETTEL B. , DREIBUS G. , SCHÖNBECK T. , PALME H.
Published: November 2010

Abstract– We present a detailed study of mineralogy, chemistry, and noble gases of the Neuschwanstein (EL6) chondrite that fell in 2002 in southern Germany. The meteorite has an unbrecciated texture and exhibits only minor shock features. Secondary weathering products are marginal. Neuschwanstein is an EL6 chondrite with heterogeneously distributed metal and sulfide grains. In terms of bulk chemistry, it has very high Fe concentrations, and siderophile and halogen element abundances higher than typical EL chondrites. However, like other ELs of higher petrologic type, it has low moderately volatile element abundances, e.g., Mn and Zn. We interpret these as indicators for loss of sulfide, probably through mobilization of ferroan alabandite and a Zn‐bearing sulfide, potentially sphalerite, during metamorphism. Trapped noble gases are dominated by a subsolar component with high Ar concentrations and are typical for EL chondrites. The shielding parameters indicate a small meteoroid (<20 cm radius) with an exposure age of approximately 47 Ma, which is among the highest for enstatite chondrites.
Unsteady Conjugate Heat Transfer Modeling
Authors: He L. , Oldfield M. L. G.
Published: November 2010

The primary requirement for high pressure turbine heat transfer designs is to predict blade metal temperature. There has been a considerable recent effort in developing coupled fluid convection and solid conduction (conjugate) heat transfer prediction methods. They are, however, confined to steady flows. In the present work, a new approach to conjugate analysis for periodic unsteady flows is proposed and demonstrated. First, a simple model analysis is carried out to quantify the huge disparity in time scales between convection and conduction, and the implications of this for steady and unsteady conjugate solutions. To realign the greatly mismatched time scales, a hybrid approach of coupling between the time-domain fluid solution and frequency-domain solid conduction is adopted in conjunction with a continuously updated Fourier transform at the interface. A novel semi-analytical harmonic interface condition is introduced, initially for reducing the truncation error in finite-difference discretization. More interestingly, the semi-analytical interface condition enables the unsteady conjugate coupling to be achieved without simultaneously solving the unsteady temperature field in the solid domain. This unique feature leads to a very efficient and accurate unsteady conjugate solution approach. The fluid and solid solutions are validated against analytical solutions and experimental data. The implemented unsteady conjugate method has been demonstrated for a turbine cascade subject to inlet unsteady hot streaks.
Solution Precursor Plasma Spray of Porous La1−xSrxMnO3 Perovskite Coatings for SOFC Cathode Application
Authors: Wang Y. , Coyle T. W.
Published: November 2010

The deposition of porous La1−xSrxMnO3 (LSM) perovskite cathode materials by conventional plasma spray has been a challenge because of the decomposition of perovskite materials to their suboxides at high temperature. In this paper, the solution precursor plasma spraying (SPPS) process, in which solution precursors of the desired resultant materials are fed into a direct current plasma jet by atomizing gas, was used to simultaneously synthesize LSM perovskite and deposit porous cathode coatings. The experimental results show that process parameters have a significant effect on the fabricated coatings. The perovskite coatings consist of porous agglomerates of small particles with rounded features and local denser regions referred to as thick flakes. The small particles and thick flakes were held together by the previously molten material. There are two kinds of pores in the fabricated coatings: large pores located between the agglomerates and fine pores inside the agglomerates. The porous LSM cathode coatings have 20–40 area % of desirable homogeneous pores determined by several processing parameters. X-ray diffraction of sintered coatings shows that no suboxides of La1−xSrxMnO3 perovskite appear. The results of this project indicate that the SPPS is a potential process to produce high quality cathodes for solid oxide fuel cell application.
Piezoelectrically driven silicon carbide resonators
Authors: Mastropaolo Enrico , Gual Isaac , Wood Graham , Bunting Andrew , Cheung Rebecca
Published: November 2010

Silicon carbide cantilever beam resonators have been designed with top electrodes made of piezoelectric lead zirconium titanate (PZT). The devices have been simulated, fabricated, and tested. Piezoelectric actuation has been performed by applying an alternating actuation voltage to the PZT electrodes, thus inducing vertical displacements. The devices have been fabricated with a beam length of 150 and 200 μm, and driven into resonance at frequencies in the kilohertz range. The devices’ resonance has been detected by monitoring the impedance of the actuating electrode. Simulations and measurements have shown that the electrode length on top of the beam influences the magnitude of the deflection and the resonant frequency of the devices. Furthermore, the electrical feedthrough capacitance presented by the piezoelectric electrode has been observed to strongly influence the output impedance of the resonators. The obtained results show the importance of the electrode design for the optimization of the performance and reliability of piezoelectrically driven resonators.
Directed assembly of solution processed single-walled carbon nanotubes via dielectrophoresis: From aligned array to individual nanotube devices
Authors: Stokes Paul , Khondaker Saiful I.
Published: November 2010

The authors demonstrate directed assembly of high quality solution processed single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) devices via ac dielectrophoresis using commercially available SWNT solutions. By controlling the shape of the electrodes, concentration of the solution, and assembly time, the authors are able to control the assembly of SWNTs from dense arrays down to individual SWNT devices. Electronic transport studies of individual SWNT devices show field effect mobilities of up to 1380 cm2/V s for semiconducting SWNTs and saturation currents of up to ∼15 μA for metallic SWNTs. The field effect mobilities are more than an order of magnitude improvement over previous solution processed individual SWNT devices and close to the theoretical limit. Field effect transistors (FET) fabricated from aligned two-dimensional arrays of SWNT show field effect mobility as high as 123 cm2/V s, which is three orders of magnitude higher than the solution processed organic FET devices. This study shows promise for commercially available SWNT solution for the parallel fabrication of high quality nanoelectronic devices.
Excitation and imaging of resonant optical modes of Au triangular nanoantennas using cathodoluminescence spectroscopy
Authors: Kumar Anil , Fung Kin-Hung , Mabon James C. , Chow Edmond , Fang Nicholas X.
Published: November 2010

Cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging spectroscopy is an important technique to understand the resonant behavior of optical nanoantennas. The authors report high-resolution CL spectroscopy of triangular gold nanoantennas designed with near-vacuum effective index and very small metal-substrate interface. This design helped in addressing issues related to background luminescence and shifting of dipole modes beyond visible spectrum. Spatial and spectral investigations of various plasmonic modes are reported. Out-of-plane dipole modes excited with a vertically illuminated electron beam showed high-contrast tip illumination in panchromatic imaging. By tilting the nanostructures during fabrication, in-plane dipole modes of antennas were excited. Finite-difference time-domain simulations for electron and optical excitations of different modes showed excellent agreement with experimental results. Their approach of efficiently exciting antenna modes by using low index substrates is confirmed both with experiments and numerical simulations. This should provide further insights into a better understanding of optical antennas for various applications.
Nanofluidic channels fabricated by e-beam lithography and polymer reflow sealing
Authors: Fouad Mina , Yavuz Mustafa , Cui Bo
Published: November 2010

The authors developed a facile approach for creating nanofluidic channels by electron beam lithography that used a bilayer e-beam resist consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on top of poly(dimethyl glutarimide) (PMGI). In the process, the more sensitive PMGI was fully exposed with channel patterns, and the less sensitive PMMA was only fully exposed with a chain of dot patterns right above the channel patterns. PMMA was then developed to form a chain of holes through which PMGI channels were developed. After closing the holes by thermal reflowing PMMA, channels in PMGI were sealed with PMMA. The current method is capable of fabricating simultaneously channels with different channel widths.
5 kV multielectron beam lithography: MAPPER tool and resist process characterization
Authors: Rio D. , Constancias C. , Martin M. , Icard B. , van Nieuwstadt J. , Vijverberg J. , Pain L.
Published: November 2010

A multielectron beam tool from MAPPER lithography was installed in LETI premises in July 2009. It is based on low voltage lithography. In order to prepare acceptance tests, a preliminary study was carried out with a Leica VB6 HR at 5 kV in order to define 5 kV suitable resist processes. Results obtained at higher voltages are compared, since this tool has the capability to accelerate electrons up to 50 kV. The dependence of the deposition of backscattered energy on voltage is also evaluated. The 5 kV results are compared with those obtained on the MAPPER tool. Its spot size is measured, while a 32 nm half pitch resolution is reached.
Micromachined scanning proximal probes with integrated piezoresistive readout and bimetal actuator for high eigenmode operation
Authors: Woszczyna Mirosław , Zawierucha Paweł , Pałetko Piotr , Zielony Michał , Gotszalk Teodor , Sarov Yanko , Ivanov Tzvetan , Frank Andreas , Zöllner Jens-Peter , Rangelow Ivo W.
Published: November 2010

The fabrication process, application, and properties of a novel piezoresistive multiprobe with an integrated thermal tip deflection actuator are described in this article. The optimized fabrication process of the microprobe enables high-frequency sensor operation and integration of a high sharp conical tip, which was additionally covered with titanium using atomic layer deposition to improve mechanical endurance and ensure electrical conductivity. This microprobe was applied in high-resolution self-assembled monolayer surface investigations in which the piezoresistive cantilever with the integrated thermal deflection actuator was excited at two of its flexural-resonant eigenmodes. The excited second eigenmode and phase show different contrasts com-pared with images recorded at the first eigenmode.
D3-BRANES AT ANGLE IN LINEAR DILATON pp-WAVE BACKGROUND
Authors: SWAIN PRATAP K.
Published: November 2010

We present a class of low energy type IIB supergravity solutions of two D3-branes rotated by an angle α ∈ SU (2) in a linear dilaton pp-wave background. The D-branes bound state configuration is found to preserve 1/16 of the total type IIB supersymmetries. We also present a class of D1–D5 solution by applying T-duality on D3⊥D3 configuration.
REMARKS ON SELF-AFFINE FRACTALS WITH POLYTOPE CONVEX HULLS
Authors: KIRAT IBRAHIM , KOCYIGIT ILKER
Published: November 2010

Suppose that the set [Formula: see text] of real n × n matrices has joint spectral radius less than 1. Then for any digit set D = {d1, …, dq} ⊂ ℝn, there exists a unique non-empty compact set [Formula: see text] satisfying [Formula: see text], which is typically a fractal set. We use the infinite digit expansions of the points of F to give simple necessary and sufficient conditions for the convex hull of F to be a polytope. Additionally, we present a technique to determine the vertices of such polytopes. These answer some of the related questions of Strichartz and Wang, and also enable us to approximate the Lebesgue measure of such self-affine sets. To show the use of our results, we also give several examples including the Levy dragon and the Heighway dragon.
ISOPERIMETRIC PROFILES ON THE PRE-FRACTAL SIERPINSKI CARPET
Authors: GIBSON LEE R. , PIVARSKI MELANIE
Published: November 2010

We describe the relationships among several notions of isoperimetry on a class of pre-fractal Sierpinski Carpets that satisfy a set of geometric assumptions as well as on the graphs corresponding to these carpets. We compute the L1-isoperimetric profile at scale h, and we use this computation to determine both the classical isoperimetric profile and a profile computed using Jordan curve boundaries.
Th1 and Th2 Immune Response in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients during a Long-Term Treatment with Adefovir Dipivoxil
Authors: Jiang Yanfang , Ma Zhenhua , Xin Guijie , Yan Hongqing , Li Wanyu , Xu Huining , Hao Chunhai , Niu Junqi , Zhao Pingwei
Published: November 2010

Adefovir dipivoxil treatment has significantly improved the outcome of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, it remains largely unknown how immune system responds to the treatment. Chronic HBV patients were treated with adefovir dipivoxil and examined for serum HBV DNA loads, cytokines, and T helper (Th1) and 2 (Th2) cytokine producing T cells during 104 weeks of the treatment. Th1/Th2 cytokines producing T cells were significantly lower in chronic HBV patients as compared to normal individuals. Adefovir dipivoxil treatment led to the increase of Th1/Th2 cytokines producing T cells and serum cytokine levels in association with the decline of HVB DNA load. In contrast, Th1/Th2 cytokines producing T cells remained lower in one patient detected with adefovir dipivoxil resistant HBV A181T/V mutation. This study has established inverse correlation of the increase of Th1/Th2 immunity and the decline of HBV DNA load in chronic HBV patients during adefovir dipivoxil treatment.
Hopf Bifurcation with the Spatial Average of an Activator in a Radially Symmetric Free Boundary Problem
Authors: Ham YoonMee
Published: November 2010

An interface problem derived by a bistable reaction‐diffusion system with the spatial average of an activator is studied on an n‐dimensional ball. We analyze the existence of the
radially symmetric solutions and the occurrence of Hopf bifurcation as a parameter varies in two and
three‐dimensional spaces.
Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy in the Morbidly Obese Patient
Authors: Yates Jennifer , Munver Ravi , Sawczuk Ihor
Published: November 2010

Introduction. Obesity and prostate cancer are among the more common health issues affecting men in the United States.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed morbidly obese (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) patients undergoing RALP between 2004–2009 at our institution. Parameters including operative time, estimated blood loss, hospital stay, pathology, and complication rate were examined.Results. A total of 15 patients were included, with a mean BMI of 43 kg/m2. Mean preoperative PSA was 5.78 ng/dL, and Gleason score was 6.6. Mean operative time was 163 minutes, and mean estimated blood loss was 210 mL. The mean hospital stay was 1.3 days. Positive margins were noted in 2 (13%) patients, each with pT3 disease. There were no blood transfusions, open conversions, or Clavien Grade II or higher complications.Conclusions. In our experience, RALP is feasible in morbidly obese patients. We noted several challenges in this patient population which were overcome with modification of technique and experience.
Clinical, Molecular, and Environmental Risk Factors for Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Maggioncalda Alison , Malik Neha , Shenoy Pareen , Smith Melody , Sinha Rajni , Flowers Christopher R.
Published: November 2010

Epidemiological studies suggest unique occurrence patterns of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) worldwide. In most Western countries there is a clear bimodal age distribution with an early peak in young adults followed by a second peak in older adults, particularly among males. In the Middle East and Asia, HL is more common in early childhood. There also are marked racial differences in the presentations of HL and HL subtypes, and particular single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified as etiological factors suggesting that gene-gene and gene-environment interactions are involved. Personal health choices such as exercise and smoking may modify an individual's chances of developing HL. Numerous studies highlight the impact that exposure to Epstein-Barr virus and other environmental factors have on HL risk. Understanding the relative importance of each of these findings and their links to HL development and survival will help clinical researchers expand curative therapies and create preventative strategies for HL.
The Postglacial Rebound Signal of Fennoscandia Observed by Absolute Gravimetry, GPS, and Tide Gauges
Authors: Pettersen Bjørn Ragnvald
Published: November 2010

We have compiled time derivatives of gravity and vertical motion for a dozen sites in Fennoscandia. Time series of absolute gravimetry and permanent GPS cover a time span of about a decade. Tide gauges have operated for many decades near seven of the sites. Linear relations are found to range from −0.17 to −0.22 for the slope between gravity and vertical uplift rates. An eustatic sea level rate of 1.2 mm/year is derived from these data. This compares well with results for North America and with theoretical predictions for viscoelastic Earth models.
Distribution of D-Aspartate-Immunopositive Cells in the Ganglion Cell Layer of Adult Rat Retina
Authors: Sasoh Mikio , Ma Ning , Matsubara Hisashi , Matsunaga Koich , Uji Yukitaka
Published: November 2010

Background/Aims:D-aspartate is an important candidate for retinal neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cells type and distribution of the D-aspartate-immunopositive cells in the ganglion cell layer. Methods: Wister rats were fixed by perfusion with 5% glutaraldehyde. Paraffin sections of the retina were immunohistochemically double-labeled using D-aspartate and glutamate or γ-aminobutyric acid antibodies. After labeling the whole-mount retina by D-aspartate, the cell densities of both the perivascular and nonperivascular areas in the ganglion cell layer were measured for the central, midperipheral, and peripheral zones, respectively. Results: Within the paraffin section, some of the glutamate-immunoreactive cells in the ganglion cell layer were D-aspartate immunoreactive. These D-aspartate-positive cells in the ganglion cell layer were more frequently observed along the retinal vessels in the whole-mount retina. The D-aspartate-positive cell densities in the perivascular area were significantly higher than those in the nonperivascular area for the central, midperipheral, and peripheral zones (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In the ganglion cell layer, the D-aspartate-immunopositive cells proved to be the ganglion cells, with their distribution found to be denser along the large retinal vessels such as the arterioles or venules.
Copy Number Variation of FCGR3B Is Associated with Susceptibility to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Bournazos Stylianos , Bournazou Irini , Murchison John T. , Wallace William A. , McFarlane Pauline , Hirani Nikhil , Simpson A. John , Dransfield Ian , Hart Simon P.
Published: November 2010

Background: Several genes exhibit copy number variation (CNV), including FCGR3B which encodes the IgG receptor FcγRIIIb. Engagement of Fcγ receptors by IgG complexes may contribute to the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Objectives: To investigate whether FCGR3B CNV is associated with susceptibility to IPF. Methods: In a case-control study we compared FCGR3B copy number in 142 patients with IPF and in 221 controls by real-time quantitative PCR using CD36 as gene copy control. Results: Significantly increased FCGR3B:CD36 ratio was evident in the IPF cohort compared to controls (p = 0.009). Association of FCGR3B copy number with IPF susceptibility was further confirmed by a likelihood ratio statistical approach (p = 0.003). FCGR3B copy number assignment based on FCGR3B:CD36 ratios revealed significant skewing in the distribution of FCGR3B copy number between IPF patients and controls. In the IPF cohort, there was increased frequency of >2 FCGR3B copies compared to controls (0.30 vs. 0.19; χ2 = 9.27; d.f. 2; p = 0.0097). The presence of >2 FCGR3B copies was associated with higher risk of IPF (p = 0.01, OR: 1.914, 95% CI: 1.17–3.12). Conclusions: These findings support an association of FCGR3B copy number with susceptibility to IPF and propose a novel role for Fcγ receptors in IPF disease pathogenesis.
EEG Abnormalities Are Associated with Different Cognitive Profiles in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Smits Lieke L. , Liedorp Maarten , Koene Teddy , Roos-Reuling Ilona E.W. , Lemstra Afina W. , Scheltens Philip , Stam Cornelis J. , van der Flier Wiesje M.
Published: November 2010

Objective: Our purpose was to investigate associations between different cognitive profiles and their underlying functional brain changes as measured by electroencephalogram (EEG) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: EEG was obtained and neuropsychological performance assessed in 254 patients with AD. The EEGs were visually assessed for the presence of focal and/or diffuse abnormalities. Multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures was performed with presence of focal and/or diffuse abnormalities as between-subjects factor and neuropsychological tests as within-subject factor. Age, sex and education were entered as covariates. Results: Twenty-eight percent of the patients had a normal EEG, 32% had focal abnormalities, 14% diffuse abnormalities and 26% had both focal and diffuse abnormalities. Patients with a normal EEG presented with a cognitive profile in which memory was mostly impaired. Patients with focal and diffuse EEG abnormalities presented with a nonmemory profile. Conclusion: These results illustrate that specific types of EEG abnormalities are associated with different cognitive profiles in AD, providing biological support in terms of brain functioning for variability in cognitive impairment.
Current Status of the Scientific Study of the Personality Disorders: an Overview of Epidemiological, Longitudinal, Experimental Psychopathology, and Neurobehavioral Perspectives
Authors: Lenzenweger Mark F.
Published: November 2010

Research on the nature and development of personality disorders has grown immensely over the past thirty years. A selective summary overview is given of the current status of the scientific study of the personality disorders from several perspectives, including the epidemiological, longitudinal, experimental psychopathology, and neurobehavioral perspectives. From this research, we now know that approximately 10 percent of the general population suffer from a diagnosable personality disorder. Moreover, contrary to nearly a century of theory and clinical pedagogy, modern longitudinal studies clearly suggest that personality disorders decrease in severity over time. The mechanisms by which this change occurs are not understood at present, though it is not likely that change in underlying normal personality systems drives the change in personality disorder. The methods of the experimental psychopathology laboratory, including neuroimaging approaches, are being brought to bear on the nature of personality disorders in efforts to relate neurobiological and neurocognitive functions to personality disorder symptomatology. A model that links personality disorder feature development to underlying, interacting brain-based neurobehavioral systems is reviewed in brief. Current issues and findings illustrative of these developments are given using borderline personality disorder as an exemplar. Finally, areas of intersection between psychoanalytic treatment approaches and the growing science of personality disorder are highlighted.
Chinese Jurisprudence and Hong Kong Law
Authors: Wong Kam C.
Published: November 2010

On 1 July 1997, Hong Kong, a colony (euphemistically called dependent territory) of Britain, was returned to the fold of the motherland, China, as a Special Administration Region, with a high degree of autonomy. Ten years on, we find that the common law system established by the British in Hong Kong, as guaranteed by the Basic Law, survived and thrived. A cursory review of legal and social science literature shows that there is little scholarly discourse or public debate on the proper jurisprudence standards to be applied in the making and evaluation of Hong Kong legislation. This research raises a most fundamental policy qua jurisprudence issue: Should Hong Kong law be formulated, applied or evaluated with indigenous legal standards and local jurisprudence principles, based on Asian values, Chinese culture and/or Hong Kong ethos? In so doing, this article questions the appropriateness and challenges the legitimacy of adopting Western jurisprudence principles in shaping and evaluating the Hong Kong legal system, especially after 1 July 1997.
Direct pH Determinations of Setting Cements. I. A Test Method and the Effects of Storage Time and Media
Authors: Norman Richard D. , Swartz Marjorie L. , Phillips Ralph W.
Published: November 2010

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

DETERMINATIONES DIRECTE DEL PH DE CEMENTOS IN PROCESSO DE PRISA.—In general, le massa interne del cementos esseva minus acide que le superficie externe. Le pH de omne le cementos montava in le curso del tempore. Inter le materiales investigate, cementos a phosphato de zinc e a argento e phosptiato de zinc habeva le plus rapide augmentos, Le plus acide del materiales investigate esseva le cementos a cupro rubie e a cupro nigre. Le pH del cementos a silicate jaceva inter illo del eementoa a cupro e illo del cementos a phosphato de silicium. Esseva trovate un relation directe inter le pH de silicatos e le proportion de liquido a pulvere: quanta plus sgisse le mixtura, tanto plus alte le pH.
Physicochemical Characteristics of Active and Arrested Carious Lesions of Dentin
Authors: Malone William F. , Bell Charles , Massler Maury
Published: November 2010

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

CHARACTERISTICAS PHYSIO-CHIMIC DE ACTIVE E ARRESTATE LESIONES CAEIOSE.—Le duo plus obvie differentias clinic inter dentinas a cariositate arrestate e active es le augmentos del duritate superficial e del pigmentation in le lesiones arrestate. Analyses per medio de un specialmente disveloppate technica a absorption infrarubie monstrava un augmento del contento organic e un declino del contento inorganic in dentina cariose, sed le methodo provideva nulle information relative al natura del pigmento in le dentina a cariositate arrestate. Analyses spectral a flamma revelava in dentina a cariositate arrestate in comparation con dentina a cariositate active un augmento de Ca++ per un factor de 1,64. Le mesme methodo monstrava que le dentina a cariositate arrestate habeva minus Ca++- que dentina normal.
A Histochemical Study of Hamster Submandibular Lesions
Authors: Shapiro Burton L. , Wattenberg Lee W. , Gorlin Robert J.
Published: November 2010

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

UN STUDIO HISTOCHIMIC DE LESIONES SUBMANDIBULAR IN LE HAMSTER.—Irritation chronic esseva inducite per le introduction de granos de Sudan IV e Carbowax. Regeneration esseva inducite per le excission de tissu glandular. Le enzymas examinate esseva dehydrogenase succinic, diaphorase de nucleotida diphosphopyridinic, e diaphorase de nucleotida triphosphopyridinic. Le regeneration glandular pareva haber su origine in le cellulas cuboide del striate ductos intralobular. Le activitate del tres mentionate enzymas esseva initialmente basse in le cellulas regenerate. Le valores pro dehydrogenase succinic remaneva basse. Le valores pro le duo diaphorases attingeva nivellos approximativemente normal un septimana post le intervention experimental.
Ossification of the Human Temporomandibular Joint
Authors: Yuodelis Ralph A.
Published: November 2010

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

OSSIFICATION DEL HUMAN ARTICULATION TEMPOROMANDIBULAR.—Le tissus molle de 23 specimens fetal de human articulationes temporomandibular, representante etates de inter 8 e 18 septimanas, esseva epurate con KOH, e le structuras ossee esseva tincturate con alizarina rubie S. Le positiones relative e le characteristicas de crescentia e de disveloppamento del skeletic componente temporomandibular esseva studiate in sito ante lor section pro studios additional. II esseva in le feto de 8 septimanas que ossification del componentes del articulation temporomandibular esseva initialmente apparente in le epurate e tincturate specimen. Le squamose componente temporal esseva levemente plus lente in su disveloppamento que le componente mandibular durante iste stadios precoce. Tamen, a 12 septimanas illo attingeva le intensitate mandibular de disveloppamento. Le componentes primordial del articulation esseva situate a un certe distantia le unes ab le alteres durante le precoce stadios de disveloppamento e arrivava in lor plus intime apposition durante le dece-secunde septimana. Le cartilaginose centro condylar initiava le rapide disveloppamento del condylo e contribueva al formation del altemente organisate centro de crescentia del mandibula. Un capsula ossee que inveloppava le plus grande parte de iste centro, excepte su aspectos dorsolateral e dorsosuperior, dirigeva le crescentia del processo condyloide in un direction superior, lateral, e dorsal.
Mineralization Patterns of Dentin of Human Teeth
Authors: Romans Mildred
Published: November 2010

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

CONFIGURATIONES DE MINERALISATION IN LE DENTINA DE DENTES HUMAN.—Esseva investigate le incidentia, le location, e le morphologia del configurationes de mineralisation in dentina e lor relation al absentia o presentia de carie. Series de mollite sectiones longitudinal de dentes human esseva studiate microscopicamente. Le materiales examinate monstrava le presentia de dentina globular e/o interglobular in le grande majoritate del sectiones ab dentes tanto sin como etiam con carie. In le majoritate del sectiones plus dentina globular e interglobular esseva in le vicinitate del margines exterior del corona que in le areas central, con un predominantia del typo globular super le typo interglobular. Nulle relation specific pareva exister inter un particular configuration de mineralisation del dentina e le presentia o absentia de carie.
Variables Affecting the Strength of Bond between Porcelain and Gold
Authors: Lavine Myer H. , Custer Frederic
Published: November 2010

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

VARIABLES AFFICIENTE LE LIGAMINAGE DE PORCELLANA FUSIONATE A AURO.—Un analyse de certe variables demonstrava que si le auro es rendite aspere ante le fusionage de illo con porcellana, un augmento de inter 13 e 15 pro cento pote esser obtenite in le fortia del ligaminage. Quando le agente Ceramcote de conditionage de metallo esseva usate a un temperatura de 980 C, le fortia del ligaminage cresceva per 6 a 10 pro cento. Tamen, quando Ceramcote esseva cocite a un temperatura de 1050 C, un augmento de 25 pro cento esseva necessari in le carga pro effectuar le fracturation del ligaminage. Le utilisation de un vacuo in le fusionage del porcellana al auro produceva resultatos plus uniforme e un augmento de 11 pro cento in le fortia del ligaminage in comparation con illo obtenite per le normal processo de fusion.
The Histology of the Early Carious Lesion in Primary Teeth with Special Reference to a "Prismless" Outer Layer of Primary Enamel
Authors: Ripa Louis W.
Published: November 2010

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

HISTOLOGIA DEL PRECOCE LESION CARIOSE.—Attention special esseva prestate al contribution del adamantin prismas e strias de Retzius al morphologia del lesion. Le conformation del lesion macula blanc in molares primari, como illo se presenta in le section transverse, pare esser determinate exclusivemente per le direction del prismas adamantin. Le strias de Retzius non pare servir como portas de intrata, e illos non pare facilitar le dissemination occlusogingival del lesion, como on to ha reportate pro simile lesiones in dentes permanente.