bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Qualidade de vida em pessoas com lesão medular traumática: um estudo com o WHOQOL-bref
Authors: Bampi Luciana Neves da Silva , Guilhem Dirce , Lima David Duarte
Published: April 2008

OBJETIVOS: Conhecer a percepção de qualidade de vida em pessoas com lesão medular traumática, utilizando a metodologia adotada pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS). MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma pesquisa transversal, na qual foi realizado um estudo descritivo para conhecer as características sociodemográficas e a distribuição das lesões medulares traumáticas na amostra estudada. Em seguida, com o intuito de conhecer a percepção da qualidade de vida dessa população, utilizou-se o WHOQOL - bref. As análises estatísticas realizadas incluíram análises descritivas de freqüência, tendência central e dispersão e análise inferencial de comparação entre os domínios. O estudo transcorreu de janeiro de 2005 a maio de 2006 e foi desenvolvido com pessoas no momento de sua admissão no programa de reabilitação do Hospital Sarah Brasília. Utilizou-se uma amostra de conveniência, com 111 entrevistados. RESULTADOS: Os indivíduos estudados são, em sua maioria, homens jovens, solteiros, possuidores do ensino fundamental e vítimas de acidentes de trânsito e de armas de fogo. A percepção da qualidade de vida demonstrou que os domínios que refletiram os piores escores de avaliação estavam relacionados ao meio ambiente e à saúde física; e os mais bem avaliados estavam ligados à saúde psicológica e às relações sociais. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo permitiu conhecer a percepção de qualidade de vida do grupo pesquisado. Recomenda-se estudo que inclua tetra-plégicos e lesados medulares não traumáticos, com o intuito de se obter uma avaliação mais global.
A situação epidemiológica da tuberculose na República da Guiné-Bissau, 2000 - 2005
Authors: Manjuba Cristóvão , Nogueira Péricles Alves , Abrahão Regina Maura Cabral de Melo
Published: April 2008

INTRODUÇÃO: A tuberculose na República da Guiné-Bissau não apresenta bons indicadores de saúde, assim como na maioria dos países em vias de desenvolvimento. OBJETIVO: Estudar na República da Guiné-Bissau e nas suas Províncias, a situação epidemiológica da doença no período de 2000 a 2005. MÉTODO: Realizou-se levantamento de dados secundários junto ao Programa Nacional de Luta Contra Lepra e Tuberculose, no período de 2000 a 2005, e análise de relatórios anuais da Capital e das Províncias da Guiné-Bissau, para o cálculo de coeficientes e taxas dos indicadores. RESULTADOS: O número de casos de tuberculose manteve-se estável no período de 2000 (1.959 casos) a 2005 (1.888 casos). O percentual de casos pulmonares variou de 96,0 a 98,8%, dos quais 55% eram bacilíferos. Em 2005 o coeficiente de prevalência foi de 142,4/100.000, o de incidência 131,3/100.000 e o de mortalidade, 16,8/100.000 habitantes. A maior concentração de casos ocorreu na região da Capital. A taxa de cura variou entre 46,5% em 2000 e 69,6% em 2005, e a de abandono de tratamento de 29,8% em 2000 para 12,1% em 2005. CONCLUSÃO: Os indicadores do Plano Estratégico Nacional devem ser melhorados, sobretudo no que diz respeito à busca ativa de casos, à descentralização do atendimento aos doentes, à implantação da estratégia DOTS e à necessidade de um sistema de informação e notificação eficientes.
Perfil dos pesquisadores da área de odontologia no Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
Authors: Cavalcante Raika Augusta , Barbosa Daniella Reis , Bonan Paulo Rogério Ferreti , Pires Maria Betânia de Oliveira , Martelli-Júnior Hercílio
Published: April 2008

Pesquisadores brasileiros têm demonstrado aumento na produção científica associada à publicação de trabalhos na literatura corrente. O objetivo desse estudo foi compreender o perfil de pesquisadores brasileiros voltados para a odontologia com bolsas de produtividade concedidas pelo Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq). Para revelar o perfil, 132 Currículos Lattes de pesquisadores, durante 2003 a 2005, foram cuidadosamente analisados, e variáveis como gênero, classificação no CNPq (1A a 1D, 2), instituição de origem, tempo de doutorado, artigos publicados com o respectivo Qualis, livros e capítulos de livros, orientações de mestrado e doutorado e áreas de atuação foram catalogados. O perfil geral foi formado por homens (64,39%), classificação classe 2 (42,42%), concentrados em instituições do Estado de São Paulo (85,6%), com 10 a 15 anos de doutorado (32.57 %), publicando em periódicos Qualis A Internacional e Qualis B Nacional. A produção de livros ou capítulos de livros, orientações de mestrados ou doutorados foram heterogêneas. A visão geral revelou uma produção consistente associada a grupos de pesquisadores consolidados.
Perfil epidemiológico das intoxicações alimentares notificadas no Centro de Atendimento Toxicológico de Campina Grande, Paraíba
Authors: Almeida Cristiane Falcão de , Araújo Emmanuele de Souza , Soares Yette da Cruz , Diniz Rafael Loureiro das Chagas , Fook Sayonara Maria Lia , Vieira Karlete Vânia Mendes
Published: April 2008

OBJETIVOS: Descrever as características sociodemográficas relacionadas às intoxicações alimentares notificadas pelo Centro de Atendimento Toxicológico de Campina Grande (CEATOX - CG), PB, em 2005. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, retrospectivo com abordagem quantitativa. Os dados foram obtidos das Fichas de Notificação do Sinitox (Sistema Nacional de Informações Tóxico-Farmacológicas). As variáveis coletadas foram: gênero, faixa etária, zona de residência do paciente, sazonalidade, ocupação, grau de instrução, alimento responsável pela intoxicação e evolução (cura/óbito). RESULTADOS: Foram registrados 162 casos de intoxicação por alimentos, de um total de 1.443 ocorrências de intoxicações e acidentes com plantas tóxicas e animais peçonhentos durante o ano de 2005. Observou-se que o gênero feminino foi o de maior percentual encontrado, com 56,2%. A faixa etária entre 20 - 29 anos foi a mais prevalente, assim como a grande maioria dos pacientes notificados residia na zona urbana, representando 95,7% (155) do total de casos de intoxicação alimentar (162). Com relação ao grau de instrução e ocupação 59,9% e 44,4% dos casos, respectivamente, não foram identificados. Os alimentos identificados nas intoxicações foram as carnes (11,0%). Nenhum óbito foi registrado no período estudado. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que as intoxicações por alimentos registradas no Ceatox-CG representam 11,2% dos casos atendidos e notificados neste Centro, ocupando o terceiro lugar em relação aos outros agentes tóxicos. O sistema de notificação utilizado pelo Centro, apesar de possuir um grande volume de informações, não é preenchido devidamente, faltando aspectos importantes na análise final dos dados.
The Problem of Logical Constants
Authors: Gómez-Torrente Mario
Published: April 2008

There have been several different and even opposed conceptions of the problem of logical constants, i.e., of the requirements that a good theory of logical constants ought to satisfy. This paper is in the first place a survey of these conceptions and a critique of the theories they have given rise to. A second aim of the paper is to sketch some ideas about what a good theory would look like. A third aim is to draw from these ideas and from the preceding survey the conclusion that most conceptions of the problem of logical constants involve requirements of a philosophically demanding nature which are probably not satisfiable by any minimally adequate theory.
Resolution and the Origins of Structural Reasoning: Early Proof-Theoretic Ideas of Hertz and Gentzen
Authors: Schroeder-Heister Peter
Published: April 2008

In the 1920s, Paul Hertz (1881–1940) developed certain calculi based on structural rules only and established normal form results for proofs. It is shown that he anticipated important techniques and results of general proof theory as well as of resolution theory, if the latter is regarded as a part of structural proof theory. Furthermore, it is shown that Gentzen, in his first paper of 1933, which heavily draws on Hertz, proves a normal form result which corresponds to the completeness of propositional SLD-resolution in logic programming.
Arguments for the Continuity Principle
Authors: van Atten Mark , van Dalen Dirk
Published: April 2008

There are two principles that lend Brouwer's mathematics the extra power beyond arithmetic. Both are presented in Brouwer's writings with little or no argument. One, the principle of bar induction, will not concern us here. The other, the continuity principle for numbers, occurs for the first time in print in [4]. It is formulated and immediately applied to show that the set of numerical choice sequences is not enumerable. In fact, the idea of the continuity property can be dated fairly precisely, it is to be found in the margin of Brouwer's notes for his course on Pointset Theory of 1915/16. The course was repeated in 1916/17 and he must have inserted his first formulation of the continuity principle in the fall of 1916 as new material right at the beginning of the course.

In modern language, the principle reads

where α and β range over choice sequences of natural numbers,mandxover natural numbers, andstands for ⟨α(0), α(1), …, α(m− 1)⟩, the initial segment of α of lengthm.

An immediate consequence of WC-N is that all full functions are continuous, and, as a corollary, that the continuum is unsplittable [28]. Note that WC-N is incompatible with Church's thesis, [22], section 4.6.

After Brouwer asserted WC-N, Troelstra was the first to ask in print for a conceptual motivation, but he remained an exception; most authors followed Brouwer by simply asserting it, cf. [18].

Let us note first that in one particular case the principle is obvious indeed, namely in the case of the lawless sequences. The notion of lawless sequence surfaced fairly late in the history of intuitionism. Kreisel introduced it in [17] for metamathematical purposes. There is a letter from Brouwer to Heyting in which the phenomenon also occurs [7]. This is an important and interesting fact since it is (probably) the only time that Brouwer made use of a possibility expressly stipulated in, e.g., [5], see below.
The Mature Imagination and Consumption Strategies
Authors: Biggs Simon , Phillipson Chris , Leach Rebecca , Money Anne-Marie
Published: April 2008

Baby boomers have been credited with an essentially ’youthful’ approach to themselves, to consumption and to life-style. As they enter midlife and older age they are also faced with the challenges of a mature identity. This paper critically examines the strategies that baby boomers in the United Kingdom use to manage identity as they grow older. Specifically, questions concerning attitudes to cohort labels, personal ageing and other generations are compared to the consumption choices that are made in areas considered to be key to an ageing identity, including: appearance, clothing and bodily maintenance. Boomers identify with succeeding rather than preceding generations. While they claim not to be concerned with bodily ageing as such, their strategies are aimed at maintaining a balance between youthful and mature identities. Priority was given to blurring the boundaries between themselves and younger adult generations. The implications for the relationship between adult ageing and patterns of consumption are explored.
Specific ultrasonographic features of perinatal lethal hypophosphatasia
Authors: Zankl Andreas , Mornet Etienne , Wong Shell
Published: April 2008

Prenatal diagnosis of perinatal lethal hypophosphatasia (PL‐HPH) by ultrasonography is difficult as PL‐HPH must be differentiated from other skeletal dysplasias with short long bones and poor mineralization of the skeleton, such as osteogenesis imperfecta type II and achondrogenesis/hypochondrogenesis. Here we present a case of molecularly confirmed PL‐HPH and illustrate specific ultrasonographic findings that help to distinguish PL‐HPH from similar conditions. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tibial developmental field defect is the most common lower limb malformation pattern in VACTERL association
Authors: Castori Marco , Rinaldi Rosanna , Cappellacci Sandra , Grammatico Paola
Published: April 2008

VACTERL association is one of the most common recognizable patterns of human malformation and has been recently defined as a multiple polytopic developmental field defect. Limb anomalies are a key component of this condition and characteristically reflect perturbation of radial ray development. However, the pattern of appendicular malformations in VACTERL association is wider and includes a broad spectrum of additional and apparently nonspecific anomalies. We report on the sporadic case of a 4–10/12‐year‐old boy presenting with multiple costovertebral defects, dextrocardia, bilateral radial ray hypo/aplasia, unilateral kidney agenesis and anal atresia. Homolaterally to the more severe radial ray defect and kidney aplasia, he also has a complex lower limb malformation, consisting of distal tibial aplasia, clubfoot, hallucal deficiency and preaxial polydactyly. Literature review identifies 24 additional patients with VACTERL manifestations and lower limb malformations (excluding cases with isolated secondary deformations). Tibial hypo/aplasia with or without additional tibial field defects, reported in about 2/3 (68%) of the patients, represents the most common finding, while involvement of the fibular ray is rare (20%) and very often accompanies tibial anomalies. The relatively high frequency of tibial ray anomalies in VACTERL patients could easily be explained by the principle of homology of the developmental field theory. Careful search of lower limb anomalies of the “tibial type” is, therefore, indicated in all patients with multiple polytopic developmental field defects. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early sexual maturity among Pumé foragers of Venezuela: Fitness implications of teen motherhood
Authors: Kramer Karen L.
Published: April 2008

Because humans have slow life histories, discussions of the optimal age at first birth have stressed the benefits of delayed reproduction. However, given the diversity of ecological, fertility, and mortality environments in which humans live, reproductive maturity is expected to be highly variable. This article uses reproductive histories to examine a pattern of early menarche and first birth among the Pume, a group of South American foragers. Age at menarche and first birth are constructed using both retrospective and cross‐sectional data for females over the age of 10 (n= 83). The objectives are first to define these patterns and then discuss their reproductive consequences. On average, Pume girls reach menarche at age 12.9, and give birth to their first child at age 15.3–15.5 (retrospective and cross‐sectional data, respectively). This populational average falls several years prior to what often is considered the human norm. Two questions are then considered. What are the infant mortality costs across a mother's reproductive career? How does surviving fertility vary with age at first birth? Results indicate that the youngest of first‐time mothers (<14) are four times more likely to loose their firstborns than older first‐time mothers (≥17). Given parity‐specific mortality rates, the optimal strategy to minimize infant mortality and maximize reproductive span is to initiate childbearing in the midteens. Women gain no additional advantage in surviving fertility by delaying childbearing until their late teens. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytotoxic‐Antineoplastic Derivatives of Prenyl‐1,2‐naphthohydroquinone
Authors: Molinari Aurora , Oliva Alfonso , Ojeda Claudia , del Corral José M. Miguel , Castro M. Angeles , Cuevas Carmen , San Feliciano Arturo
Published: April 2008

Several new prenyl‐1,2‐naphthohydroquinone derivatives have been prepared by chemical modifications of Diels–Alder products which were obtained from cycloaddition of α‐myrcene to 1,2‐benzoquinone and then evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against A‐549 lung carcinoma, HT‐29 colon carcinoma, and MB‐231 breast adeno‐carcinoma culture cells. Most of them exhibited GI50 values in the μM‐concentration level.
Electrochemical regulation of the end‐product profile in Propionibacterium freudenreichii ET‐3 with an endogenous mediator
Authors: Wang Yung‐Fu , Masuda Masaki , Tsujimura Seiya , Kano Kenji
Published: April 2008

The end‐product profile of the glucose fermentation by Propionibacterium freudenreichii ET‐3 changed on an electrochemical treatment, in which the culture vessel was filled with a carbon felt anode. Acetate and propionate were produced as final end products in a molar ratio of 2:3 without any electrochemical treatments at the point of the consumption of lactate as an intermediate of the glucose fermentation. The ratio was changed to 1:1 at the point of the lactate consumption by the electrochemical incubation at an electrode potential of 0.4 V versus Ag|AgCl for 100 h. During further electrochemical incubation, propionate was oxidized to acetate as a final end‐product in the microbe‐containing anode chamber. 1,4‐Dihydroxy‐2‐naphthoic acid produced by P. freudenreichii ET‐3 itself would receive electrons from the metabolic pathway and serve as an electron transfer mediator from the microbial cells to the electrode. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 579–586. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Host strain influences on supercoiled plasmid DNA production in Escherichia coli: Implications for efficient design of large‐scale processes
Authors: Yau Sin Yee , Keshavarz‐Moore Eli , Ward John
Published: April 2008

We set out to investigate if E. coli genotype plays a significant role in host strain selection for optimal processing of plasmid DNA based on both quality and quantity of supercoiling. Firstly 17 E. coli commercial and non‐commercial strains were selected and their available genetic backgrounds were researched in the open literature. Growth characteristics of all the strains were considered and made impartial by using a common medium and growth condition platform. By keeping the growth conditions constant for each strain/plasmid combination, we are only looking at one variable which is the host strain. The second step was to attempt to correlate the findings with common genotype characteristics (e.g. mutations such as endA or recA). We found that one can screen the number of strains which are likely to give good productivity early on, before any further optimisation and verification is performed, both for small and large plasmids. Also, it is worth noting that complex plasmid interactions with each strain prevent the use of genotype alone in making an intelligent choice for supercoiling optimisation. This leads to a third optimisation step selecting a few of the potentially high performing strains based on high DNA yield and supercoiling, with a view to identify the factors which need improvement in strain design and bioreactor optimisation. We found that high specific growth rates of some strains did not affect the level of DNA supercoiling but did influence the total plasmid yield, potentially an important aspect in the design of fermentation strategy. Interestingly, a few host/plasmid combinations result in what appears to be runaway plasmid replication. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 529–544. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrasound pretreatment of cassava chip slurry to enhance sugar release for subsequent ethanol production
Authors: Nitayavardhana Saoharit , Rakshit Sudip Kumar , Grewell David , van Leeuwen J. (Hans) , Khanal Samir Kumar
Published: April 2008

The use of ultrasound pretreatment to enhance liquefaction and saccharification of cassava chips was investigated. Cassava chip slurry samples were subjected to sonication for 10–40 s at three power levels of low (2 W/mL), medium (5 W/mL), and high (8 W/mL). The samples were simultaneously exposed to enzymes to convert starch into glucose. The cassava particle size declined nearly 40‐fold following ultrasonic pretreatment at high power input. Scanning electron micrographs of both unsonicated (control) and sonicated samples showed disruption of fibrous material in cassava chips but did not affect the granular structure of starch. Reducing sugar release improved in direct proportion to the power input and sonication time. The reducing sugar increase was as much as 180% with respect to the control groups. The slurry samples with enzyme addition during sonication resulted in better reducing sugar release than the samples with enzyme addition after sonication. The heat generated during sonication below starch gelatinization temperature apparently had no effect on the reducing sugar release. The reducing sugar yield and energy efficiency of ultrasound pretreated samples increased with total solids (TS) contents. The highest reducing sugar yield of 22 g/100 g of sample and efficiency of 323% were obtained for cassava slurry with 25% TS at high power. The reducing sugar yield at the completion of reaction (R∞) were over twofold higher compared to the control groups. The integration of ultrasound into a cassava‐based ethanol plant may significantly improve the overall ethanol yield. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 487–496. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Weak partitioning chromatography for anion exchange purification of monoclonal antibodies
Authors: D. Kelley Brian , Tobler Scott A. , Brown Paul , Coffman Jonathan L. , Godavarti Ranga , Iskra Timothy , Switzer Mary , Vunnum Suresh
Published: April 2008

Weak partitioning chromatography (WPC) is an isocratic chromatographic protein separation method performed under mobile phase conditions where a significant amount of the product protein binds to the resin, well in excess of typical flowthrough operations. The more stringent load and wash conditions lead to improved removal of more tightly binding impurities, although at the cost of a reduction in step yield. The step yield can be restored by extending the column load and incorporating a short wash at the end of the load stage. The use of WPC with anion exchange resins enables a two‐column cGMP purification platform to be used for many different mAbs. The operating window for WPC can be easily established using high throughput batch‐binding screens. Under conditions that favor very strong product binding, competitive effects from product binding can give rise to a reduction in column loading capacity. Robust performance of WPC anion exchange chromatography has been demonstrated in multiple cGMP mAb purification processes. Excellent clearance of host cell proteins, leached Protein A, DNA, high molecular weight species, and model virus has been achieved. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 553–566. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Randomized clinical trial comparing day-care open haemorrhoidectomy under local versus general anaesthesia
Authors: Kushwaha R , Hutchings W , Davies C , Rao N G
Published: April 2008

Background

Day-care open haemorrhoidectomy under local anaesthesia (LH) may be the most cost-effective approach to haemorrhoidectomy. This prospective randomized trial compared outcome after LH from patients' and clinical perspectives with that after day-care open haemorrhoidectomy under general anaesthesia (GH).

Methods

Forty-one patients with third-degree haemorrhoids were randomized to LH (19) or GH (22). Patient demographics were comparable. A single haemorrhoid was excised in 15 patients, and two and three haemorrhoids in 13 each. Independent nurse-led assessment and clinical evaluation were carried out for 6 months. Outcome measures were mean and expected pain scores at 30, 60 and 90 min, then daily for 10 days, and satisfaction scores at 10 days, 6 weeks and 6 months. Secondary outcomes were journey time within the day-surgery unit and overall cost.

Results

Pain was worse following LH than GH at 90 min after surgery (P = 0·028), but pain scores on reaching home were similar. Maximum pain was experienced on day 3 after LH and on day 6 after GH. From day 1 onwards, daily pain scores were lower in the LH group, and there was a significant difference on day 8 (mean (95 per cent confidence interval) 3·61 (2·74 to 4·48) for LH versus 5·29 (4·12 to 6·45) for GH; P = 0·027). Mean pain over 10 days, expectation and satisfaction scores were similar in the two groups. LH had a shorter journey time and was less expensive than GH.

Conclusion

LH has similar tolerance and clinical outcome to GH, and is associated with a shorter journey time and lower cost. Registration number: NCT00503269 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Heart failure associated with sunitinib malate
Authors: Khakoo Aarif Y. , Kassiotis Christos M. , Tannir Nizar , Plana Juan Carlos , Halushka Marc , Bickford Courtney , Trent Jon , Champion J. Chris , Durand Jean‐Bernard , Lenihan Daniel J.
Published: April 2008

BACKGROUND.

Sunitinib malate is a novel multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with established efficacy in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and imatinib‐resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor. This report describes the development of heart failure in cancer patients who received this novel agent.

METHODS.

A retrospective study was conducted at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center during a 1‐year period on patients who received sunitinib and developed heart failure.

RESULTS.

During 2006, 6 of 224 (2.7%) patients who received sunitinib developed heart failure (HF) that resulted in substantial morbidity and, in some cases, mortality. Symptomatic heart failure occurred soon after initiation of sunitinib (mean onset 22 days after initiation), was associated with decline in cardiac function and elevations in blood pressure, and was not completely reversible in most patients, even after termination of sunitinib therapy.

CONCLUSIONS.

These observations suggested that sunitinib‐associated heart failure may represent a potentially serious toxicity and underscore the need for careful monitoring of cardiac function and aggressive control of hypertension in these patients. Studies to elucidate potential mechanisms of heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction resulting from treatment with sunitinib are necessary to develop strategies for prevention and treatment of this complication. Cancer 2008. ©2008 American Cancer Society.
A node‐based agglomeration AMG solver for linear elasticity in thin bodies
Authors: Sumant Prasad S. , Cangellaris Andreas C. , Aluru Narayana R.
Published: April 2008

This paper describes the development of an efficient and accurate algebraic multigrid finite element solver for analysis of linear elasticity problems in two‐dimensional thin body elasticity. Such problems are commonly encountered during the analysis of thin film devices in micro‐electro‐mechanical systems. An algebraic multigrid based on element interpolation is adopted and streamlined for the development of the proposed solver. A new node‐based agglomeration scheme is proposed for computationally efficient, aggressive and yet effective generation of coarse grids. It is demonstrated that the use of appropriate finite element discretization along with the proposed algebraic multigrid process preserves the rigid body modes that are essential for good convergence of the multigrid solution. Several case studies are taken up to validate the approach. The proposed node‐based agglomeration scheme is shown to lead to development of sparse and efficient intergrid transfer operators making the overall multigrid solution process very efficient. The proposed solver is found to work very well even for Poisson's ratio >0.4. Finally, an application of the proposed solver is demonstrated through a simulation of a micro‐electro‐mechanical switch. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Designing globally optimal delta–sigma modulator topologies via signomial programming
Authors: Ho Yuen‐Hong Alvin , Kwan Hing‐Kit , Wong Ngai , Ho Ka‐Leung
Published: April 2008

We present a design methodology for globally optimizing the topologies of delta–sigma modulators (DSMs). Previous work cast the design task into a general non‐convex, nonlinear programming problem, whereas we propose to recast it as a signomial programming problem. Convexification strategies are presented for transforming the signomial programming problem into its equivalent convex counterpart, thereby enabling the solution of globally optimal design parameters. It is also possible to include circuit non‐ideal effects that affect the transfer function of the modulator into the formulation without affecting the computational efficiency. The proposed framework has been applied to topology synthesis problems of single‐loop and multi‐loop low‐pass DSMs based on discrete‐time circuitry. Numerical results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach over conventional nonlinear programming techniques. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient numerical modeling of random rough surface effects in interconnect resistance extraction
Authors: Chen Quan , Wong Ngai
Published: April 2008

Owing to the decreasing skin depth in high‐speed analog and digital circuits, surface roughness is playing an increasingly important role in interconnect parasitic extraction. However, the random nature of surface roughness and the complicated electromagnetic behavior baffle satisfactory solutions to the extraction exercise. This paper utilizes a numerically formulated effective conductivity as an efficient measure of the rough surface effects in the resistance extraction to avoid the global discretization of interconnect surfaces. Two numerical methods based on different boundary element formulations are proposed to compute the mean effective conductivity for interconnects with random surface roughness. Numerical experiments compare these two methods in different rough surface patterns to evaluate their efficacy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DiC14‐amidine cationic liposomes stimulate myeloid dendritic cells through Toll‐like receptor 4
Authors: Tanaka Tetsuya , Legat Amandine , Adam Emmanuelle , Steuve Jonathan , Gatot Jean‐Stéphane , Vandenbranden Michel , Ulianov Liliana , Lonez Caroline , Ruysschaert Jean‐Marie , Muraille Eric , Tuynder Marcel , Goldman Michel , Jacquet Alain
Published: April 2008

DiC14‐amidine cationic liposomes were recently shown to promote Th1 responses when mixed with allergen. To further define the mode of action of diC14‐amidine as potential vaccine adjuvant, we characterized its effects on mouse and human myeloid dendritic cells (DC). First, we observed that, as compared with two other cationic liposomes, only diC14‐amidine liposomes induced the production of IL‐12p40 and TNF‐α by mouse bone marrow‐derived DC. DiC14‐amidine liposomes also activated human DC, as shown by synthesis of IL‐12p40 and TNF‐α, accumulation of IL‐6, IFN‐β and CXCL10 mRNA, and up‐regulation of membrane expression of CD80 and CD86. DC stimulation by diC14‐amidine liposomes was associated with activation of NF‐κB, ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAP kinases. Finally, we demonstrated in mouse and human cells that diC14‐amidine liposomes use Toll‐like receptor 4 to elicit both MyD88‐dependent and Toll/IL‐1R‐containing adaptor inducing interferon IFN‐β (TRIF)‐dependent responses.

Supporting Information for this article is available at www.wiley‐vch.de/contents/jc_2040/2008/37998_s.pdf
Stereochemical aspects of the hypophosphorous acid addition to terephthalic schiff bases. Synthesis of new 1,4‐phenylene‐bis‐aminomethane‐bis‐phosphonous acids
Authors: Lewkowski Jarosław , Rybarczyk Małgorzata
Published: April 2008

Terephthalic Schiff bases react with hypophosphorous acid to form 1,4‐phenylene‐bis‐N‐alkyl‐aminomethanephosphonous acids in moderate yields. NMR studies demonstrated that—for several examples—this reaction led to the exclusive formation of only one diastereomeric form. NMR investigation of a chiral salt identified the meso form. In contrast hereto, a corresponding addition of hypophosphorous acid to a chiral Schiff base proved to be not stereoselective; all three possible diastereoisomers were formed in a 4:1:1 ratio. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:283–287, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20422
A new class of sulfur‐linked bis‐1,2,3‐selenadiazoles, 1,2,3‐thiadiazoles, and 2H‐diazaphospholes
Authors: Padmavathi Venkatapuram , Mahesh Konda , Subbaiah Dandu Rangayapalle Chinna Venkata , Padmaja Adivireddy
Published: April 2008

Novel sulfur‐linked bis‐heterocycles, bis‐1,2,3‐selenadiazoles 4, 1,2,3‐thiadiazoles 5, and 2H‐diazaphospholes 7, were synthesized from bis(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethanone)sulfide 2 by adopting a simple and well‐versed methodology. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:261–265, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20425
A convenient synthesis of oxazolidinone derivatives linezolid and eperezolid from (S)‐glyceraldehyde acetonide
Authors: Xu Guangyu , Zhou Yi , Yang Chunhao , Xie Yuyuan
Published: April 2008

A new convenient method for the synthesis of oxazolidinone antibacterials Linezolid and Eperezolid from readily available (S)‐glyceraldehyde acetonide was developed. The key steps include reductive amination of arylamine and (S)‐glyceraldehyde acetonide in the presence of NaBH4 and 4 Å sieve, followed by hydrolysis and regioselective cyclization. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:316–319, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20435
Synthesis, characterization, and computational study of some new organotellurium compounds containing azomethine groups
Authors: Al‐Rubaie Ali Z. , Al‐Masoudi Wasfi A. , Al‐Jadaan Shaker A. N. , Jalbout Abraham F. , Hameed Ali Jameel
Published: April 2008

The reaction of ortho‐mercurated anilines with benzaldehyde gave the ortho‐mercurated Schiff bases. The reaction of the mercurated Schiff bases with tellurium tetrabromide in 1:1 and 2:1 mole ratio using dry chloroform as solvent gave the ortho‐tellurated Schiff bases compounds ArTeBr3 and Ar2TeBr2, respectively, in good yields (where Ar = 5‐ClC6H3N=CHC6H5, 5‐BrC6H3N=CHC6H5, 5‐CH3OC6H3N=CHC6H5, and 5‐NO2C6H3N=CHC6H5). The reduction of ArTeBr3 by hydrazine hydrate gave the corresponding ditelluride (i.e., Ar2Te2). Treatment of Ar2TeBr2 with hydrazine hydrate afforded tellurides (Ar2Te) in good yields. Attempts to prepare the corresponding aryl tellurenyl bromides, ArTeBr, by partial reduction of ArTeBr3 with various reducing agents were unsuccessful. All these new compounds were characterized by microanalysis, 1H, and 13C NMR, IR, and mass spectroscopic data. A computational study for the Te → N interactions of all compounds was calculated using the GAUSSIAN 03 program package. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:307–315, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20437
Evaluation of substrates for 90° peel adhesion—A collaborative study. I. Medical tapes
Authors: Wokovich Anna M. , Brown Stanley A. , McMaster Fraser J. , Doub William H. , Cai Bing , Sadrieh Nakissa , Chen Mei Ling , Machado Stella , Shen Meiyu , Buhse Lucinda F.
Published: April 2008

As part of a method development for peel testing, an interlaboratory comparison among Food and Drug Administration—Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration—Center for Devices and Radiological Health and Southwest Research Institute was conducted using medical tapes. The aim was to determine which readily available substrate [stainless steel (SS), high density polyethylene (HDPE) or Vitro‐Skin®] would best distinguish among various medical tapes. Five medical tapes (3M 1523, 3M 1525L, 3M 1776, Mepiform® and Mediderm® 3505) were evaluated on four different substrates (SS, HDPE, Vitro‐Skin, and human cadaver skin) using the following peel parameters: ∼ 3 min dwell time, 90° peel angle, and 300 mm/min peel rate. No substrate mimics cadaver skin for all five tapes. SS had the best ability to distinguish among the medical tapes. Overall, for quality control purposes (yielding good discrimination and precision), SS would be the optimal substrate. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Guide to collagen characterization for biomaterial studies
Authors: Abraham Leah C. , Zuena Erin , Perez‐Ramirez Bernardo , Kaplan David L.
Published: April 2008

The structure and remodeling of collagenin vivois critical to the pathology and healing of many human diseases, as well as to normal tissue development and regeneration. In addition, collagen matrices in the form of fibers, coatings, and films are used extensively in biomaterial and biomedical applications. The specific properties of these matrices, both in terms of physical and chemical characteristics, have a direct impact on cellular adhesion, spreading, and proliferation rates, and ultimately on the rate and extent of new extracellular matrix formationin vitroorin vivo. In recent studies, it has also been shown that collagen matrix structure has a major impact on cell and tissue outcomes related to cellular aging and differentiation potential. Collagen structure is complex because of both diversity of source materials, chemistry, and structural hierarchy. With such significant impact of collagen features on biological outcomes, it becomes essential to consider an appropriate set of analytical tools, or guide, so that collagens attained from commercial vendors are characterized in a comparative manner as an integral part of studies focused on biological parameters. The analysis should include as a starting point: (a) structural detail—mainly focused on molecular mass, purity, helical content, and bulk thermal properties, (b) chemical features—mainly focused on surface elemental analysis and hydrophobicity, and (c) morphological features at different length scales. The application of these analytical techniques to the characterization of collagen biomaterial matrices is critical in order to appropriately correlate biological responses from different studies with experimental outcomesin vitroorin vivo. As a case study, the analytical tools employed for collagen biomaterial studies are reviewed in the context of collagen remodeling by fibroblasts. The goal is to highlight the necessity of understanding collagen biophysical and chemical features as a prerequisite to (a) studies with cells and tissue formation, and (b) suggest modes to establish comparative outcomes for studies conducted in different laboratories. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Development of a bioactive glass fiber reinforced starch–polycaprolactone composite
Authors: Jukola H. , Nikkola L. , Gomes M. E. , Chiellini F. , Tukiainen M. , Kellomäki M. , Chiellini E. , Reis R. L. , Ashammakhi N.
Published: April 2008

For bone regeneration and repair, combinations of different materials are often needed. Biodegradable polymers are often combined with osteoconductive materials, such as bioactive glass (BaG), which can also improve the mechanical properties of the composite. The aim of this work was to develop and characterize BaG fiber reinforced starch–poly‐ε‐caprolactone (SPCL) composite. Sheets of SPCL (30/70 wt %) were produced using single‐screw extrusion. They were then cut and compression‐molded in layers with BaG fibers to form composite structures with different combinations. Mechanical and degradation properties of the composites were studied. The actual amount of BaG in the composites was determined using combustion tests. Initial mechanical properties of the reinforced composites were at least 50% better than the properties of the nonreinforced specimens. However, the mechanical properties of the composites after 2 weeks of hydrolysis were comparable to those of the nonreinforced samples. During the 6 weeks hydrolysis the mass of the composites had decreased only by about 5%. The amount of glass in the composites remained as initial for the 6‐week period of hydrolysis. In conclusion, it is possible to enhance initial mechanical properties of SPCL by reinforcing it with BaG fibers. However, mechanical properties of the composites are typical for bone fillers and strength properties need to be further improved for allowing more demanding bone applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Self‐assembling peptide nanofibers and skeletal myoblast transplantation in infarcted myocardium
Authors: Dubois Gilbert , Segers Vincent F. M. , Bellamy Valérie , Sabbah Laurent , Peyrard Séverine , Bruneval Patrick , Hagège Albert A. , Lee Richard T. , Menasché Philippe
Published: April 2008

Cell transplantation is currently limited by poor graft retention and survival in the postinfarction scar. Because this issue could potentially be addressed by embedding cells in bioinjectable scaffolds and boosting cell survival pathways, we induced a myocardial infarction in 72 rats to assess the effects of different self‐assembling peptides with or without platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF‐BB) on survival of transplanted skeletal myoblasts. Two weeks after coronary artery ligation, rats were randomized to receive in‐scar injections of culture medium (controls, n = 11), self‐assembling peptide (RAD16‐I) nanofibers (NF, n = 9), skeletal myoblasts (n = 12), or skeletal myoblasts in combination with NF (n = 8). In separate experiments with different self‐assembling peptides (RAD16‐II), rats received in‐scar injections of culture medium (controls, n = 6), skeletal myoblasts (n = 10), PDGF‐loaded peptides (n = 7), or skeletal myoblasts (5 × 106) in combination with PDGF‐loaded peptides (n = 9). After 1 month, left ventricular function, as assessed by echocardiography, was not improved in either of the experimental groups compared with controls. This correlated with the failure of RAD16‐I peptides or PDGF‐loaded RAD16‐II peptides to improve myoblast survival despite a greater angiogenesis. In vitro experiments confirmed that the number of myoblasts decreased over time when seeded on nanofiber gels. These data suggest that the optimal use of biomaterial scaffolds for survival of transplanted cells will require specific tailoring of the biomaterial to the cell type. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Antenatal 3‐dimensional sonographic diagnosis of fetal oropharyngeal teratoma
Authors: Lulla Chander , Hegde Amogh , Thakur Priya
Published: April 2008

We report a case of a large fetal oropharyngeal teratoma in a 19‐week fetus evaluated with 3‐dimensional (3D) sonography. The 3D sonographic surface and maximum mode rendering of the tumor allowed detailed visualization of the mass lesion and thus enabled active patient participation in the management of the pregnancy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008.
Fetal meconium peritonitis complicated with bacterial infection
Authors: Yanfang Zhong , Chun Hong , Limin Wang , Li Zeng , Zhu Lin , Huamei Huang
Published: April 2008

Fetal meconium peritonitis complicated by bacterial infection is extremely rare. We report a case of fetal ascites at 21 weeks of gestation with subsequent development of loculation, encapsulation, and calcification at 25 weeks. Paracentesis of loculated ascitic fluid at 28 weeks of gestation showed a purulent appearance with the presence of cocci bacteria, increase in white cell count, and a low glucose level, which were suggestive of bacterial infection. However, no sources of maternal infection could be identified. The total bilirubin level of the ascitic fluid was normal (21 μmol/L). A healthy baby was delivered at 37 weeks. CT scan revealed normal bowel without any sign of perforation. We postulate that when ascitic fluid becomes loculated, a normal bilirubin level on paracentesis indicates spontaneous closure of a previous bowel perforation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008.
Perceived travel risks: the traveller perspective and manageability
Authors: Simpson Penny M. , Siguaw Judy A.
Published: April 2008

Although a large number of studies both in and out of the tourism literature have examined perceived risk, the risk categories utilized are often too broad and are not generated from the perspective of current and potential travellers. This deficiency in the travel research is addressed in this study by asking more than 2,000 respondents to identify their concerns when travelling. All respondent concerns were content analyzed to derive ten travel‐specific risks and the relationship of the identified risks with demographic characteristics of the respondents was examined. The identification of these potential and actual traveller‐driven travel‐risks allows tourism officials to better understand how to respond to alleviate traveller concerns and encourage travel. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic Raman spectroscopy of hydrogen isotopomer mixtures in-line at TILO
Authors: Lewis R J , Telle H H , Bornschein B , Kazachenko O , Kernert N , Sturm M
Published: April 2008

The pure rotational and vibration-rotational Stokes Raman spectra of flowing gaseous mixtures of the hydrogen isotopomers H2, HD, and D2were measured in order to test the performance of the proposed tritium purity monitoring system designed for the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) mass experiment, which utilises 532 nm CW laser excitation and fibre-coupled scattered light collection, exploiting 90° excitation observation geometry. Short (100–300 s) exposure times were used to simulate the real-time in-line measurement of hydrogen isotopomer composition at the low (∼ 100–150 mbar) pressure required for KATRIN. At 100 s exposure time, an in-line sensitivity of better than 1% was achieved for dynamic changes in the sample gas composition.
A chamfered-edge-pumped planar waveguide solid-state laser
Authors: Gong M , Zhang H , Kang H , Wang D , Huang L , Yan P , Liu Q
Published: April 2008

A novel pump scheme-chamfered-edge-pumping was employed for pumping a planar waveguide laser: A 12 mm-long edge was chamfered as a 0.2 mm wide bevel, pump light from the fast-axis-collimated LD was focused and coupled into the crystal through the chamfered-edge with a pump efficiency of 82%. The single-clad YAG/Nd:YAG/YAG planar waveguide was fabricated by thermal bonding technology with the geometry of 12 mm×5 mm×1 mm, which Nd:YAG core was 0.2 mm thick and symmetry claddings were 0.4 mm thick. A maximum output power of 15.5 W at 1064 nm with a slop efficiency of 37%, an optical-optical conversion efficiency of 31% and a M2 value of 1.6 in the guided direction was achieved for a pump power of 50 W. The laser system realized a relatively high optical-optical conversion efficiency and excellent beam quality in guided direction.
Effect of Temperature and Solvent on Dispersion of Layered Platelets Studied by Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Pandey Ras B. , Farmer Barry L.
Published: April 2008

The effects of solvent and temperature on the exfoliation of layered platelets are studied by a Monte Carlo simulation on a cubic lattice. A platelet is modeled by a square sheet consisting of nodes tethered together by fluctuating bonds and the solvent by a set of particles. The interaction strength between sheets and the solvent describes the solvent quality. Density profiles of the sheet and solvent particles and their dynamics are studied. We find that the platelets are held together by attractive interactions between sheets and particles via their interstitial intercalation and disperse (exfoliate) easily with weakly attractive to repulsive interactions. The dispersion is enhanced on increasing the temperature.

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