bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel compact dual‐band antenna for IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n WLAN
Authors: Harmouzi Mustapha , Essaaidi Mohamed
Published: December 2010

This article presents a novel compact T shaped microstrip dual‐band antenna for 2.4 GHz WLAN (2.4–2.484 GHz), and the 5‐GHz WLAN (5.15–5.35/5.725–5.825 GHz) bands.The proposed antenna has a simple geometry, a small size of 15 mm × 15 mm, and the excitation is launched through a 50‐Ω microstrip feed line. Several properties of the proposed compact antenna as impedance bandwidth, radiation pattern, and measured gain have been simulated and measured. This antenna is attractive by its simple configuration, low profile, compactness, low fabrication cost, and operation at all the frequencies defined by IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n standards for WLAN. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:315–317, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25737
IFF/SSR rectangular patch antenna with reduced transversal size
Authors: Zieniutycz Wlodzimierz , Mazur Mateusz , Pergol Mariusz
Published: December 2010

Microstrip antenna for IFF/SSR systems fed by H‐shaped coupling slot is presented in this article.Due to application of H‐shaped slot about 36% reduction of transversal dimension of antenna is obtained as compared to rectangular slot use. Such reduction is desired if the antenna is used in circular array especially on the cylindrical surface. The results of simulations are compared to the results of measurement of fabricated antenna. The antenna shows good parameters: VSWR < 1.5, crosspolar to copolar < −30 dB in both planes, gain > 7 dBi. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:451–455, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25740
A concurrent triple‐band CMOS low noise amplifier for fourth generation applications
Authors: Jang Yohan , Choi Jaehoon
Published: December 2010

In this study, a concurrent triple‐band low noise amplifier (LNA) is designed for long term evolution (LTE), Mobile‐WiMAX (M‐WiMAX), and WiMAX services. The main topology of the proposed LNA is a cascode architecture with source degeneration using shunt resistive feedback topology for the triple‐resonance characteristic. The LNA is designed using a Taiwan Semiconduction Company (TSMC) 0.18 μm radio frequency CMOS process. To obtain the necessary gains over the operating frequency bands, a series LC branch is added in parallel with an inductor at the drain load of a single band LNA. The peak gains at LTE, M‐WiMAX, and WiMAX bands are 17.6, 14.7, and 14.5 dB, respectively, whereas dissipating 8 mA from a 1.4 V supply voltage. The average noise figure over the three operating frequency bands is 4.5 dB. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:415–418, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25743
Small‐size printed strip MIMO antenna for next generation mobile handset application
Authors: Han Minseok , Choi Jaehoon
Published: December 2010

A compact printed multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna with an embedded chip inductor is proposed for a 4G mobile handset application. The proposed MIMO antenna consists of a longer strip with an embedded chip inductor and a shorter radiating strip. The longer radiating strip with a 15‐nH embedded chip inductor has a length of only about 42 mm (∼ 0.1 wavelength at 0.77 GHz), but it supports a wide resonant mode at 0.77 GHz for long‐term evolution (LTE) Band 13 and at 2.35 GHz for WiBro operation. The shorter radiating strip has a length of about 15 mm (about 0.1 wavelength at 2.0 GHz) and provides a wide resonant mode at about 2 GHz for WCDMA operation. The two radiating strips occupy a small printed area of about 720 mm2 on the system circuit board of a mobile handset. The proposed MIMO antenna has an isolation of approximately −17 dB at LTE band 13 and the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) of the two antennas is always lower than 0.4 over the whole LTE band 13. To evaluate the performance of the proposed antenna, key performance parameters such as the total efficiency, ECC, mean effective gain (MEG), and the MEG ratio are analyzed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:348–352, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25746
A multiband‐rejected UWB monopole antenna using interdigital defected ground structure
Authors: Lee Jae‐Kwan , Kim Young‐Sik
Published: December 2010

In this letter, a compact ultra wideband (UWB) circular monopole antenna with multi‐bandstop characteristics is proposed. An interdigital defected ground structure (IDDGS) etched under the feed line of the proposed antenna is utilized. This UWB antenna has multiple stop bands, which are 2.10–3.80 GHz (WCDMA), 5.30–5.90 GHz (WLAN), 7.65–7.90 GHz, and 9.55–9.75 GHz. An IDDGS yields multiple resonances and the length of an IDDGS affects an antenna resonant frequency. Simulated and measured results show good agreement in the proposed antenna. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:312–314, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25748
Double‐cavity fiber Fabry‐Perot tunable filter
Authors: Jiang Yi , Tang Caijie , Wang Chong‐Wen
Published: December 2010

A double‐cavity fiber Fabry‐Perot tunable filter is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. There are two cavities in the tunable filter. The two cavities have close properties, and are driven by same piezoelectric transducers. One cavity is used to scan wavelength, and another one is used to calibrate the wavelength. The double‐cavity filter is anticipated to be used to interrogate not only the spectra of passive components, but also that of active light sources. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:242–245, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25752
The role of teacher quality in retention and hiring: Using applications to transfer to uncover preferences of teachers and schools
Authors: Boyd Don , Lankford Hamp , Loeb Susanna , Ronfeldt Matthew , Wyckoff Jim
Published: December 2010

Many large urban school districts are rethinking their personnel management strategies, often giving increased control to schools in the hiring of teachers, reducing, for example, the importance of seniority. If school hiring authorities are able to make good decisions about whom to hire, these reforms have the potential to benefit schools and students. Prior research on teacher transfers uses career history data, identifying the school in which a teacher teaches in each year. When such data are used to see which teachers transfer, it is unclear the extent to which the patterns are driven by teacher preferences or school preferences, because the matching of teachers to schools is a two‐sided choice. This study uses applications‐to‐transfer data to examine separately which teachers apply for transfer and which get hired and, in so doing, differentiates teacher from school preferences. Holding all else equal, we find that teachers with better pre‐service qualifications (certification exam scores, college competitiveness) are more likely to apply for transfer, while teachers whose students demonstrate higher achievement growth are less likely. On the other hand, schools prefer to hire “higher quality” teachers across measures that signal quality. The results suggest that not only do more effective teachers prefer to stay in their schools but that schools are able to identify and hire the best candidates when given the opportunity © 2010 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Long‐term results of AIEOP‐8805 protocol for acute B‐cell lymphoblastic leukemia of childhood
Authors: Pillon Marta , Aricò Maurizio , Basso Giuseppe , Locatelli Franco , Citterio Marco , Micalizzi Concetta , Testi Anna Maria , Barisone Elena , Nardi Margherita , Lombardi Alessandra , Rondelli Roberto , Rosolen Angelo ,   On behalf of the NHL‐Committee of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology (AIEOP)
Published: December 2010

Background

Acute B‐cell leukemia (B‐ALL) is a rare form of pediatric leukemia characterized by a very high‐proliferation index, rapid clinical progression, and a high frequency of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Commonly, it is treated in the clinical trials for Burkitt lymphoma, of which it represents the leukemic counterpart.

Procedure

Children with B‐ALL diagnosed between 1988 and 1999 were enrolled in the AIEOP‐8805 protocol. Treatment included six high‐dose chemotherapy courses. No prophylactic CNS irradiation was administered.

Results

Sixty‐five consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. L3 morphology was observed in 57 of 65 patients (88%). Twenty‐five children (38%) had tumor mass in addition to massive bone marrow infiltration; 11 children (17%) had CNS disease at diagnosis. Sixty‐two patients obtained complete morphological remission of which 13 suffered a relapse, including 3 with initial CNS involvement. Ten‐year overall survival and event‐free survival were 77% and 75%, respectively. Neither relevant long‐term toxicity nor second malignancies were observed.

Conclusions

The AIEOP‐8805 confirmed that short high‐dose chemotherapy is highly effective for the treatment of B‐ALL without significant long‐term adverse sequelae. Therapy modifications to reduce relapse rate, such as the use of anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody and more effective CNS treatment, are being tested. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:544–550. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein and peptide fractionation, enrichment and depletion: Tools for the complex proteome
Authors: Ly Linda , Wasinger Valerie C.
Published: December 2010

The identification, quantitation and global characterisation of all proteins within a given proteome are extremely challenging. This is due to the absolute detection limits of technology as well as the dynamic range in expression of proteins; and the extreme diversity and heterogeneity of the proteome. To overcome such issues, the use of separation technologies has played a critical role in reducing sample complexity. To date, a plethora of chromatographic and electrophoretic fractionation tools have evolved over the years assisting in simplifying complex protein and peptide mixtures. Here, we review a range of these technologies highlighting the challenges of protein and peptide analysis in the context of proteome research and some of the advantages and disadvantages of present techniques.
Protein expression profiling in chemical carcinogenesis: A proteomic‐based approach
Authors: Schmitz‐Spanke Simone , Rettenmeier Albert W.
Published: December 2010

The simultaneous analysis of a wide array of proteins may provide valuable information on the activation and suppression of cellular systems at different stages of the exposure‐disease continuum. In this review, results of proteomic studies in the field of toxicology are covered, focusing on the effects of chemical carcinogens. So far, alterations of highly abundant proteins have been identified which, irrespective of the wide differences in study design and technologies used, can be grossly assigned to three functional classes: proteins related to cellular stress response, inflammation, and stimulation of the immune system. It is obvious that the observed protein alterations are not causal factors in the development of chemically induced cancer but rather reflect common reactions to cellular perturbations. In order to gain deeper insights into the process of chemical carcinogenesis, the previously applied “shotgun” analyses have to be abandoned in favour of targeted proteomic approaches focusing on the accurate identification and quantification of selected proteins. Advanced analytical techniques such as selective reaction monitoring (SRM) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) offer this opportunity. If toxicoproteomic research moves into that direction and takes advantage of such techniques it will have the potential to contribute to the elucidation of chemical carcinogenesis.
Discussion on common data analysis strategies used in MS‐based proteomics
Authors: Matthiesen Rune , Azevedo Luisa , Amorim Antonio , Carvalho Ana Sofia
Published: December 2010

Current proteomics technology is limited in resolving the proteome complexity of biological systems. The main issue at stake is to increase throughput and spectra quality so that spatiotemporal dimensions, population parameters and the complexity of protein modifications on a quantitative scale can be considered. MS‐based proteomics and protein arrays are the main players in large‐scale proteome analysis and an integration of these two methodologies is powerful but presently not sufficient for detailed quantitative and spatiotemporal proteome characterization. Improvements of instrumentation for MS‐based proteomics have been achieved recently resulting in data sets of approximately one million spectra which is a large step in the right direction. The corresponding raw data range from 50 to 100 Gb and are frequently made available. Multidimensional LC‐MS data sets have been demonstrated to identify and quantitate 2000–8000 proteins from whole cell extracts. The analysis of the resulting data sets requires several steps from raw data processing, to database‐dependent search, statistical evaluation of the search result, quantitative algorithms and statistical analysis of quantitative data. A large number of software tools have been proposed for the above‐mentioned tasks. However, it is not the aim of this review to cover all software tools, but rather discuss common data analysis strategies used by various algorithms for each of the above‐mentioned steps in a non‐redundant approach and to argue that there are still some areas which need improvements.
Understanding and engineering of microbial cells based on proteomics and its conjunction with other omics studies
Authors: Han Mee‐Jung , Lee Jeong Wook , Lee Sang Yup
Published: December 2010

The abilities of microorganisms to produce a wide variety of products ranging from human therapeutics to chemicals and to tolerate or detoxify exogenous stresses such as toxic compounds and pollutants are of great importance in fundamental and applied research. Proteomics has become an indispensable tool for large‐scale protein analyses and can be used to understand the resulting physiological changes and uncover the mechanisms responsible for the cellular processes under various genetic and environmental conditions. Recent development of a multi‐omic approach that combines proteomics with one or more of other omics is allowing us to better understand cellular physiology and metabolism at the systems‐wide level, and consequently paving a way toward more efficient metabolic engineering. In this review, we describe the use of proteomics and its combination with other omics to broaden our knowledge on microorganisms in the field of bioscience and biotechnology. With the increasing interest in practical applications, the strategies of employing proteomics for the successful metabolic engineering of microorganisms toward the enhanced production of desired products as well as the approaches taken to identify novel bacterial components are reviewed with corresponding examples.
Latest Advances in Psychiatry: a reason to be cheerful
Authors: Baldwin David
Published: December 2010

Increased demands but reduced resources. Illusory targets and unrealistic milestones. Short‐term expedience rather than long‐term vision. Such is the pressured environment for those working within mental health services in the UK in 2010. How good it is, therefore, to find something to celebrate. Clearly, the Latest Advances in Psychiatry symposia cannot reverse these fundamental problems, but they do offer some respite: a chance to address personal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) objectives, to listen to experts at the top of their field, to catch up with colleagues, and to cherish the brief time away from the hurly‐burly of psychiatric practice. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Young Minds
Authors: Smith Hannah
Published: December 2010

YoungMinds is a UK charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people and empowering their parents and carers. Hannah Smith, Senior Media and Campaigns Officer at YoungMinds, outlines the work the charity is doing to help young people with mental health problems and ensure their wellbeing. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
International League Against Epilepsy
Authors: Thomas Rhys
Published: December 2010

Brighton – famous for its piers, ideas and pioneers – played host to the annual International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) UK Chapter meeting in October. Here, Dr Rhys Thomas, Clinical Lecturer in Neurology at Cardiff and Swansea University, provides an overview of the highlights of the meeting. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Development of the Psycho‐social Discomfort Scale (PsDS): investigation of psychometric properties among Japanese breast cancer survivors
Authors: Tsuchiya Miyako , Horn Sandra , Ingham Roger
Published: December 2010

Objective: To develop a new scale to assess psycho‐social discomfort in breast cancer (BC) survivors in Japanese society and to investigate its psychometric properties.

Method: A total of 248 Japanese BC survivors completed both the Psycho‐social Discomfort Scale (PsDS) and WHO Quality of Life BREF Japanese version (WHO QoL‐Jp). A principal component factor analysis (with promax rotation) was performed, and internal consistency was examined using Cronbach's alpha. Divergent and convergent validities and criterion validity were examined using the Spearman's R.

Results: The factor analysis extracted three factors: ‘internalised stigma (IS)’, ‘social disclosure of BC (SD)’, and ‘psychological resources to live with BC (PR)’. The factors were moderately correlated. The scale had good internal consistency (alpha = 0.80). All sub‐scales were inversely correlated with all the domains in the WHO QoL‐Jp (r = −0.09 to −0.47). BC stage was significantly correlated with the SD sub‐scale, and type of surgery was significantly correlated with the IS sub‐scale.

Conclusions: The PsDS has 25 items. It measures psycho‐social discomfort that Japanese BC survivors experienced or were experiencing in their community. It has a simple factor structure, relatively good internal consistency, and a satisfactory divergent validity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drugs used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Byrne Paul
Published: December 2010

Steve Chaplin and Dr Paul Byrne provide an overview of the indications and properties of drugs used in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and their current recommended place in therapy. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Antitumor and immunoregulatory effects of astragalus on nasopharyngeal carcinoma In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Song Yan , Yang Jing , Bai Wei‐liang , Ji Wen‐yue
Published: December 2010

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Astragalus on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) viability and apoptosis and to investigate the mechanism of Astragalus in a NPC cell line (CNE2). Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. CNE2 cells treated with Astragalus were stained with acridine orange/ethidium bromide and subjected to fluorescence microscopy. Bcl‐2, Bax, caspase‐3 and ‐8 were measured by western blotting. Rat NPC cells were used to establish a NPC model. Tumor weight, immune organ index and T lymphocyte subsets were employed to detect the immunoregulatory and antitumor effects of Astragalus after administration. Astragalus was effective in inducing apoptosis in CNE2 cells. Morphological changes associated with cell injury were found. Western analysis showed caspase‐3, ‐8, and Bax protein levels were increased after Astragalus treatment, while the bcl‐2 protein level was decreased. Astragalus increased the percentage of CD3+, CD4+ T‐lymphocytes, and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+. Astragalus also restored the immunological effects of DDP‐induced immunosuppression. These findings suggest that the immunomodulatory and anticancer effects of DDP + Astragalus were better than those of DDP alone, and Astragalus could inhibit immunosuppression induced by DDP. The combination of CDDP + Astragalus could be developed as an effective chemotherapeutic regimen in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A featureless approach to efficient bathymetric SLAM using distributed particle mapping
Authors: Barkby Stephen , Williams Stefan B. , Pizarro Oscar , Jakuba Michael V.
Published: December 2010

This paper presents an approach to simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) suitable for efficient bathymetric mapping that does not require explicit identification, tracking, or association of seafloor features. This is accomplished using a Rao–Blackwellized particle filter, in which each particle maintains a hypothesis of the current vehicle state and a grid‐based, two‐dimensional depth map, efficiently stored by exploiting redundancies between different maps. Distributed particle mapping is employed to remove the computational expense of map copying during the resampling process. The proposed approach to bathymetric SLAM is validated using multibeam sonar data collected by an autonomous underwater vehicle over a small‐timescale mission (2 h) and a remotely operated vehicle over a large‐timescale mission (11 h). The results demonstrate how observations of the seafloor structure improve the estimated trajectory and resulting map when compared to dead reckoning fused with ultrashort‐baseline or long‐baseline observations. The consistency and robustness of this approach to common errors in navigation is also explored. Furthermore, results are compared with a preexisting state‐of‐the art bathymetric SLAM technique, confirming that similar results can be achieved at a fraction of the computation cost. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Knowledge spillovers and strategic entrepreneurship
Authors: Agarwal Rajshree , Audretsch David , Sarkar Mb
Published: December 2010

Knowledge spillovers and strategic entrepreneurship has each been the subject of much scholarly attention, but have largely been considered separately rather than in conjunction with each other. In this article, we develop implications of the link between knowledge spillovers and strategic entrepreneurship and identify key topics, themes, and issues for future research. In doing so, we also showcase the articles of the special issue, as they shed light on some unanswered questions and identify additional areas for fruitful research. Copyright © 2010 Strategic Management Society.
A predator–prey model of knowledge spillovers and entrepreneurship
Authors: Parker Simon C.
Published: December 2010

Knowledge spillovers are known to generate positive benefits for entrepreneurs, but may come at the expense of knowledge creation by the incumbent firms which generate them. This article develops a predator–prey model of knowledge spillovers which captures the interdependence between idea‐creating incumbents and knowledge spillover‐appropriating entrepreneurs. The values of the model's parameters determine whether these two populations of firms settle down in a stable equilibrium; cycle over time with entrepreneurs doing well when incumbents do badly and vice‐versa; or drive each other to extinction. This sheds light on disparate industry life cycle patterns observed in previous research and generates some novel insights relating to public policy. In particular, the model suggests that governments ought to adopt a dynamic policy stance, initially implementing policies which favor incumbents before shifting their intervention efforts toward encouraging entrepreneurs. Copyright © 2010 Strategic Management Society.
Localized knowledge spillovers and skill‐biased performance
Authors: Gambardella Alfonso , Giarratana Marco S.
Published: December 2010

This article focuses on a relatively unappreciated consequence of localized knowledge spillovers: their implications for productivity across skills. Spillovers benefit skilled workers more than unskilled ones, weaken complementarity between them, and widen their productivity gap. To test this theory, the authors use data from 146 U.S. cities and find that cities with a greater intensity of localized knowledge spillovers exhibit a bigger productivity gap across skills, after controlling for the endogeneity of knowledge spillovers, interindustry differences, and other factors. These results imply that in the long run, economies characterized by localized knowledge spillovers encourage investments in education and attract skilled people, raising the relative share of the skilled population. When complementarity across skills weakens, this analysis also offers a framework to link localized knowledge spillovers to the formation of entrepreneurial skill‐intensive firms. Copyright © 2010 Strategic Management Society.
Quantifying Surgical and Anesthetic Availability at Primary Health Facilities in Mongolia
Authors: Spiegel David A. , Choo Shelly , Cherian Meena , Orgoi Sergelen , Kehrer Beat , Price Raymond R. , Govind Salik
Published: December 2010

Background

Significant barriers limit the safe and timely provision of surgical and anaesthetic care in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Nearly one‐half of Mongolia’s population resides in rural areas where the austere geography makes travel for adequate surgical care very difficult. Our goal was to characterize the availability of surgical and anaesthetic services, in terms of infrastructure capability, physical resources (supplies and equipment), and human resources for health at primary level health facilities in Mongolia.

Methods

A situational analysis of the capacity to deliver emergency and essential surgical care (EESC) was performed in a nonrandom sample of 44 primary health facilities throughout Mongolia.

Results

Significant shortfalls were noted in the capacity to deliver surgical and anesthetic services. Deficiencies in infrastructure and supplies were common, and there were no trained surgeons or anaesthesiologists at any of the health facilities sampled. Most procedures were performed by general doctors and paraprofessionals, and occasionally visiting surgeons from higher levels of the health system. While basic interventions such as suturing or abscess drainage were commonly performed, the availability of many essential interventions was absent at a significant number of facilities.

Conclusions

This situational analysis of the availability of essential surgical and anesthetic services identified significant deficiencies in infrastructure, supplies, and equipment, as well as a lack of human resources at the primary referral level facilities in Mongolia. Given the significant travel distances to secondary level facilities for the majority of the rural population, there is an urgent need to strengthen the delivery of essential surgical and anaesthetic services at the primary referral level (soum and intersoum). This will require a multidisciplinary, multi‐sectoral effort aimed to improve infrastructure, procure and maintain essential equipment and supplies, and train appropriate health professionals.
Clinical Benefits of Scarless Endoscopic Thyroidectomy: An Expert’s Experience
Authors: Jiang Zhi‐guo , Zhang Wei , Jiang Dao‐zhen , Zheng Xiang‐min , Shen Hong‐liang , Shan Cheng‐xiang , Liu Sheng , Qiu Ming
Published: December 2010

Background

By comparison with the conventional surgical approach to thyroidectomy, scarless (in the neck) endoscopic thyroidectomy (SET) has a superior cosmetic result but a very long learning curve. The objective of the present study was to compare surgical outcomes of SET performed by an experienced surgeon with the outcomes of conventional thyroidectomy.

Method

Enrolled in this study were 25 patients who underwent SET and 18 who underwent conventional surgery. Differences in size of tumor, length of incision, duration of operation, volume of blood loss, pathological findings, postoperative pain, complications, and cosmetic result were investigated.

Results

The two groups were well matched. The total length of incisions and volume of blood loss of SET were significantly lower than those of conventional surgery. In addition to the superior cosmetic result, postoperative pain was significantly less severe and rates of hypesthesia or paresthesia and discomfort while swallowing were significantly lower in the endoscopy group.

Conclusions

In experienced hands, SET offers more benefits than the conventional approach, including less postoperative pain and discomfort and a better cosmetic outcome.
Influence of Bursectomy on Operative Morbidity and Mortality After Radical Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Imamura Hiroshi , Kurokawa Yukinori , Kawada Junji , Tsujinaka Toshimasa , Takiguchi Shuji , Fujiwara Yoshiyuki , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro
Published: December 2010

Background

Bursectomy, a procedure dissecting the peritoneal lining covering the pancreas and the anterior plane of the transverse mesocolon, has been commonly performed with radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients. Although possibly improving the prognosis of gastric cancers, adverse events related to bursectomy should be evaluated in prospective studies.

Methods

This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted by experienced surgeons in 11 Japanese institutions. Patients with T2 or T3 gastric adenocarcinoma were intraoperatively randomized to radical gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy either with or without bursectomy. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 210 patients were assigned to the bursectomy group (104 patients) and the nonbursectomy group (106 patients) between July 2002 and January 2007. Background characteristics were well balanced. Intraoperative blood loss was greater in the bursectomy group than in the nonbursectomy group (median 475 vs. 350 ml, p = 0.047), whereas other surgical factors did not vary significantly. The overall morbidity rate was 14.3% (30 patients), the same for the two groups. Likewise, the incidence of major postoperative complications, including pancreatic fistula, anastomotic leakage, abdominal abscess, bowel obstruction, hemorrhage, and pneumonia, were not significantly different between the two groups. The medians of the amylase level of the drainage fluid on postoperative day 1 were similar for the two groups (median 282 vs. 314 IU/L, p = 0.543). The hospital mortality rate was 0.95%: one patient per group.

Conclusions

Experienced surgeons could safely perform a D2 gastrectomy with an additional bursectomy without increased major surgical complications.
Neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis associated with citrin deficiency (NICCD): a case series of 11 Malaysian patients
Authors: Chew Hui Bein , Ngu Lock Hock , Zabedah Md Yunus , Keng Wee Teik , Balasubramaniam Shanti , Hanifah Mohd Jamil M. , Kobayashi Keiko
Published: December 2010

Citrin deficiency, aetiologically linked to mutations of SLC25A13 gene, has two clinical phenotypes, namely adult‐onset type II citrullinaemia (CTLN2) and neonatal/infantile intrahepatic cholestasis, caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD). Malaysian patients with NICCD, especially of Malay and East Malaysian indigenous descent, have never been reported in the literature. We present the clinical features, biochemical findings and results of molecular analysis in 11 Malaysian children with NICCD. In this case series, all patients manifested prolonged cholestatic jaundice and elevated citrulline levels. The other more variable features included failure to thrive, bleeding diathesis, hypoproteinaemia, abnormal liver enzymes, prolonged coagulation profile, hyperammonaemia, hypergalactosaemia, multiple aminoacidaemia, elevated α‐feto protein and urinary orotic acid as well as liver biopsies showing hepatitis and steatosis. DNA analysis of SLC25A13 revealed combinations of 851del4(Ex9), IVS16ins3kb and 1638ins23. Most of our patients recovered completely by the age of 22 months. However, one patient had ongoing symptoms at the time of reporting and one had died of liver failure. Since a small percentage of children with NICCD will develop CTLN2 and the mechanisms leading to this is yet to be defined, ongoing health surveillance into adulthood is essential.
Short Term Dietary Fish Oil Supplementation Improves Motor Deficiencies Related to Reserpine‐Induced Parkinsonism in Rats
Authors: Barcelos Raquel Cristine Silva , Benvegnú Dalila Moter , Boufleur Nardeli , Pase Camila , Teixeira Angélica Martelli , Reckziegel Patrícia , Emanuelli Tatiana , da Rocha João Batista T. , Bürger Marilise Escobar
Published: December 2010

Fish oil (FO) supplementation could cause an increase in the concentration of plasmatic free fatty acids and, consequently, could compete with pro‐inflammatory arachidonic acid (ARA) derived from brain biomembranes metabolism in the cerebrospinal fluid. Essential fatty acids (EFA) (n‐3) have been reported by their antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, and therefore the influence of the FO supplementation on the reserpine‐induced motor disorders was studied. Wistar rats were orally treated with FO solution for 5 days, and co‐treated with reserpine (R; 1 mg/kg/mL) or its vehicle for 3 days (every other day). Reserpine‐induced orofacial dyskinesia and catalepsy (P < 0.05) were prevented by FO (P < 0.05). Biochemical evaluations showed that reserpine treatment increased the lipid peroxidation in the cortex and striatum (P < 0.05), while the FO supplementation prevented this oxidative effect in both brain regions (P < 0.05). Our results showed the protective role of FO in the brain lipid membranes, reinforcing the beneficial effect of n‐3 fatty acids in the prevention of degenerative and motor disorders.
Of amyloid and inflammation: causes of chronic muscle disease
Authors: Schmidt J.
Published: December 2010

Classic inflammatory diseases of the skel­etal muscle such as polymyositis and der­matomyositis often lead to rapid weaken­ing of the arm and leg muscles. Inflamma­tion in the muscle is caused primarily by im­mune cells and antibodies. Most patients re­spond well to standard immunosuppressive therapy. In sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM), similar pathomechanisms play a role, including cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, which at­tack and damage muscle fibers. At the same time, sIBM is characterized by an accumula­tion of aberrant molecules, particularly β-am­yloid, which play a role in neurodegenera­tive diseases. This degeneration with forma­tion of inclusion bodies and vacuoles may be the cause of the slow yet relentlessly progres­sive damage to the skeletal muscle and the lack of treatment efficacy of standard immu­nosuppression. Recent reports demonstrate that there is a specific interrelationship be­tween inflammation with generation of me­diators such as interleukin (IL)-1β and the amyloid-associated degeneration. The molec­ular mechanisms discussed here are impor­tant for the future design of better treatment strategies for chronic muscle inflammation. Furthermore, these mechanisms can contrib­ute to a better understanding of the patho­genesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Rodent ultrasonic communication and its relevance for models of neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Wöhr M. , Schwarting R.K.W.
Published: December 2010

Mice and rats produce and perceive calls in the ultrasonic range (so-called ultrasonic vo­calizations, USV). Various USV types can be differentiated on the basis of distinct acous­tic features. Their occurrence is dependent on stage of development, affective state and so­cial context. When separated from nest and littermates, young mice and rats emit iso­lation-induced USV, which induce mater­nal search and retrieval behaviour. Isolation-induced USV are used as an early marker of anxiety. Adult rats emit fear-induced USV in aversive situations such as predator exposure. They fulfil an alarm function and induce anxi­ety-related behaviour in conspecifics. Fear-in­duced USV are also used in the field of anxi­ety research. Finally, juvenile and adult mice and rats emit interaction-induced USV in pre­sumably appetitive situations such as rough-and-tumble play or social investigation. As they can also be elicited by drugs of abuse, they are used in the field of addiction and de­pression research. They have an affiliative communicative function and induce social approach behaviour in the recipient. Focus­ing on the communicative function of inter­action-induced USV, they serve as a measure for deficits in social behaviour and communi­cation and hence are increasingly used in an­imal models for neurodevelopmental disor­ders such as autism.
Halo Effects of Tourists’ Destination Image on Domestic Product Perceptions
Authors: Lee Richard , Lockshin Larry
Published: December 2010

Country-of-origin (COO) image may imbue product beliefs, just as beliefs about a travel destination can form from destination image. As COO and destination image both concern belief formations from images, we meld these research streams to investigate the influence of destination image on beliefs of and preference for the destination's local products. We posit that consumers may non-consciously form a COO image from destination image, which in turn influences product preference. Consumers in China ( n = 226) and Chinese tourists in Australia ( n = 235) self-reported their perceptions of Australia as a tour destination and of Australian wine. The results show that destination image positively influences product beliefs with both samples, but the influence is stronger with Chinese consumers who are unfamiliar with Australia. Destination image influences product preference indirectly via product beliefs. A key managerial implication is that exporters and tourism authorities should cooperate to harness a country's destination image for exports.
I Introduction: Surveying the Scene
Authors: Spencer Diana
Published: December 2010

What is landscape? Was there a concept of landscape in ancient Rome? Analysing the cityscape is now an established trend in the study of Rome and, since the 1990s, scholarship has explored the idea that thinking about the topography of the city of Rome encourages a more wide-ranging exploration of what being Roman was all about. Taking a broader approach, this Survey tackles the semiotics of a set of described, depicted, and three-dimensional landscapes where the emphasis is on a collaboration between nature and humankind. The timeframe is the late Roman Republic and early Principate, an era of change and reconstitution, when defining what being Roman meant was high on many agendas. This is also an era that offers the best possible scope for exploring a fascinating and diverse range of emblematic natural and manmade environments, taking in some of the most famous (but also some more unexpected) scenes in Roman literature, art, and architecture, closing with Hadrian's out-of-town landscaped villa near Tibur.
Preliminary observations on the life history and movements of skates (Rajidae) around the Island of Jersey, western English Channel
Authors: Ellis J.R. , Morel G. , Burt G. , Bossy S.
Published: December 2010

The most frequently caught skate species around Jersey include blonde rayRaja brachyura, undulate rayRaja undulata, small-eyed rayRaja microocellataand thornback rayRaja clavata. Between September 2006 and December 2008, a total of 814 individuals were tagged and released, of which 64% were small-eyed ray, 22.6% blonde ray and 12.4% undulate ray. The size distribution, sex-ratio and maturity of these samples are summarized. There were 138 reported recaptures (return rate = 17.1%), with most fish recaptured from the study area. Indeed, many of the tagged skates were recaptured within the same release area or within 20 km, indicating high site fidelity, with the longest distance travelled only 61 km. Thirteen fish were recaptured on multiple (2–4) occasions. To date the longest time at liberty has been 754 days. These results are discussed in relation to our current knowledge of the stock structure and exploitation of skates in the western English Channel.
Spatial and temporal changes in the fish assemblage of a subtropical estuary in Brazil: environmental effects
Authors: Vilar Ciro Colodetti , Spach Henry Louis , Joyeux Jean Christophe
Published: December 2010

This work provides information about the fish assemblage structure along the estuarine gradient of Baía da Babitonga, south Brazil. The seasonal and spatial dynamics of fish and their relationship with physical–chemical variables were investigated. A total of 70,085 fish of 70 taxa were collected. Late larva and early juveniles of Engraulidae, Eucinostomus spp. and Mugil spp. dominated in abundance, representing 62% of all fish captured. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance identified distinct fish assemblages within the bay and during the year. The marine straggler species Harengula clupeola, Oligoplites saliens and Trachinotus carolinus and the estuarine migrant Anchoa tricolor were characteristic of the outer-most bay area, while the estuarine resident and migrant species Atherinella brasiliensis, Anchoa januaria, Sphoeroides greeleyi and Citharichthys spilopterus, and the marine migrant Diapterus rhombeus were characteristic of the inner portion of the estuary. The seasonal changes in community structure observed were mainly related to the greater abundance of T. carolinus in the warm/wet season, Micropogonias furnieri in the transition season and Oligoplites saliens in the cold/dry season. Depth, followed by salinity, explained the greater part of the variability in the abundance of dominant species and was found to be important in shaping the assemblages. Nevertheless, the amount of variation unexplained by the measured abiotic variables was relatively high (73%), suggesting the effect of additional regulatory factors. Many fish species use the shallow waters of the bay in transitory or permanent ways, and knowledge about their relationship with the environment is necessary for the success of conservation strategies for this ecosystem.
Probabilistic network modelling of the impact of penicillin consumption on spread of pneumococci
Authors: KARLSSON D.
Published: December 2010

The worldwide increase of resistant S. pneumoniae is a growing clinical problem. In several countries, a more restrictive use of penicillin has been promoted in hope of slowing the rates of resistant pneumococci. However, the consequences of such an action on pneumococcal population dynamics are not fully understood. Thus, a network model was constructed to assess the impacts of penicillin consumption and between-strain competition on the spread of penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci. Model simulations suggest that the age distribution for carriage of penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci, in contrast to susceptible pneumococci, is affected by penicillin consumption. Furthermore, it appears extremely difficult to reduce the incidence of penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci by simply controlling penicillin consumption, assuming that reduced penicillin susceptibility does not confer a fitness cost for the organism. A more judicious use of penicillin together with control measures are in that case required to manage penicillin resistance in pneumococci.
Risk factors for dogs becoming rectal carriers of multidrug-resistantEscherichia coliduring hospitalization
Authors: GIBSON J. S. , MORTON J. M. , COBBOLD R. N. , FILIPPICH L. J. , TROTT D. J.
Published: December 2010

This study aimed to identify risk factors for dogs becoming rectal carriers of multidrug-resistant (MDR)Escherichia coliwhile hospitalized in a veterinary teaching hospital. Exposures to potential risk factors, including treatments, hospitalization, and interventions during a 42-day pre-admission period and hospitalization variables, were assessed for 90 cases and 93 controls in a retrospective, risk-based, case-control study. On multivariable analyses, hospitalization for >6 days [odds ratio (OR) 2·91–8·00], treatment with cephalosporins prior to admission (OR 5·04, 95% CI 1·25–20·27), treatment with cephalosporins for >1 day (OR 5·18, 95% CI 1·86–14·41), and treatment with metronidazole (OR 7·17, 95% CI 1·01–50·79) while hospitalized were associated with increased risk of rectal carriage of MDRE. coliduring hospitalization. The majority of rectal isolates obtained during the study period conformed to MDRE. coliclonal groups previously obtained from extraintestinal infections. These results can assist the development of improved infection control guidelines for the management of dogs in veterinary hospitals to prevent the occurrence of nosocomial clinical infections.
Experimental colonization of pigs with methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA): insights into the colonization and transmission of livestock-associated MRSA
Authors: MOODLEY A. , LATRONICO F. , GUARDABASSI L.
Published: December 2010

Two models were used for colonizing pigs under experimental conditions. In the first model, six 5-week old piglets were challenged by nasal and gastrointestinal inoculation with a mixture of four strains representing the most prevalent methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) sequence types (ST398, ST9) andspatypes (t08, t011, t034, t899) associated with pig farming. In the second model, the vagina of a pregnant sow was inoculated with the same MRSA mixture shortly before farrowing. While MRSA carriage was unstable following nasal-gastrointestinal inoculation of piglets, vaginal inoculation of the sow resulted in persistent carriage of t011-ST398 and t899-ST9 in all newborn piglets. The results from the two models provide evidence that livestock-associated MRSA can efficiently spread by vertical perinatal transmission and that direct colonization of weaned piglets is hampered by unknown host, bacterial or environmental factors. The vaginal inoculation model described in this study represents a useful tool for studying MRSA–host interactions in pigs having the same genetic background.
Developmental shifts in functional morphology of the retina in Atlantic tarpon,Megalops atlanticus(Elopomorpha: Teleostei) between four ecologically distinct life-history stages
Authors: TAYLOR SCOTT M. , LOEW ELLIS. R. , GRACE MICHAEL S.
Published: December 2010

The Atlantic tarpon,Megalops atlanticus, is a large piscivorous fish that supports economically important recreational fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Florida Atlantic coast.Megalops atlanticusundergoes ontogenetic shifts in morphology, hatching in the open ocean as larvae (less than 1 cm in length), moving into hypoxic turbid mangrove marshes as juveniles (around 10 cm in length), and then moving into coastal oceanic waters as adults (over 100 cm in length). In this study, photoreceptor distributions, opsin distributions, and photoreceptor absorbance characteristics were studied with light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, antiopsin immunofluorescence, and microspectrophotometry, respectively, at four ecologically distinct life-history stages—premetamorphic larva, settlement stage, juvenile, and adult. The purposes of this study were 1) to determine the extent to which the retina ofM. atlanticuschanges over the course of development and 2) to relate these retinal changes with ecological shifts between developmental stages. The new data presented here indicate that theM. atlanticusretina changes substantially in rod and cone distributions and absorbance characteristics over the course of development and that these changes correlate closely with those in habitat and behavior. We show thatM. atlanticushas a rod-dominated retina at the larval stage (which is unusual for teleost larvae) and that the scotopic visual system becomes far better developed with maturity, adding a substantial tapetum and high densities of small, bundled, and stacked rod cells. We also show that there are shifts in cone and rod spectral sensitivities and an increase in the diversity of spectrally distinct cone classes, including the addition of ultraviolet cones as fish mature into adults.