bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association of psychotropic medication use with the cognitive, functional, and neuropsychiatric trajectory of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Rosenberg P. B. , Mielke M. M. , Han D. , Leoutsakos J. S. , Lyketsos C. G. , Rabins P. V. , Zandi P. P. , Breitner J. C. S. , Norton M. C. , Welsh‐Bohmer K. A. , Zuckerman I. H. , Rattinger G. B. , Green R. C. , Corcoran C. , Tschanz J. T.
Published: February 2012

Objective

The use of psychotropic medications in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been associated with both deleterious and potentially beneficial outcomes. We examined the longitudinal association of psychotropic medication use with cognitive, functional, and neuropsychiatric symptom (NPS) trajectories among community‐ascertained incident AD cases from the Cache County Dementia Progression Study.

Methods

A total of 230 participants were followed for a mean of 3.7 years. Persistency index (PI) was calculated for all antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antipsychotics (atypical and typical), and benzodiazepines as the proportion of observed time of medication exposure. Mixed‐effects models were used to examine the association between PI for each medication class and Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR‐Sum), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory – Total (NPI‐Total) trajectories, controlling for appropriate demographic and clinical covariates.

Results

At baseline, psychotropic medication use was associated with greater severity of dementia and poorer medical status. Higher PI for all medication classes was associated with a more rapid decline in MMSE. For antidepressant, SSRI, benzodiazepine, and typical antipsychotic use, a higher PI was associated with a more rapid increase in CDR‐Sum. For SSRIs, antipsychotics, and typical antipsychotics, a higher PI was associated with more rapid increase in NPI‐Total.

Conclusions

Psychotropic medication use was associated with more rapid cognitive and functional decline in AD, and not with improved NPS. Clinicians may tend to prescribe psychotropic medications to AD patients at risk of poorer outcomes, but one cannot rule out the possibility of poorer outcomes being caused by psychotropic medications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Writing affects the brain network of reading in Chinese: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Cao Fan , Vu Marianne , Lung Chan Derek Ho , Lawrence Jason M. , Harris Lindsay N. , Guan Qun , Xu Yi , Perfetti Charles A.
Published: February 2012

We examined the hypothesis that learning to write Chinese characters influences the brain's reading network for characters. Students from a college Chinese class learned 30 characters in a character‐writing condition and 30 characters in a pinyin‐writing condition. After learning, functional magnetic resonance imaging collected during passive viewing showed different networks for reading Chinese characters and English words, suggesting accommodation to the demands of the new writing system through short‐term learning. Beyond these expected differences, we found specific effects of character writing in greater activation (relative to pinyin writing) in bilateral superior parietal lobules and bilateral lingual gyri in both a lexical decision and an implicit writing task. These findings suggest that character writing establishes a higher quality representation of the visual–spatial structure of the character and its orthography. We found a greater involvement of bilateral sensori‐motor cortex (SMC) for character‐writing trained characters than pinyin‐writing trained characters in the lexical decision task, suggesting that learning by doing invokes greater interaction with sensori‐motor information during character recognition. Furthermore, we found a correlation of recognition accuracy with activation in right superior parietal lobule, right lingual gyrus, and left SMC, suggesting that these areas support the facilitative effect character writing has on reading. Finally, consistent with previous behavioral studies, we found character‐writing training facilitates connections with semantics by producing greater activation in bilateral middle temporal gyri, whereas pinyin‐writing training facilitates connections with phonology by producing greater activation in right inferior frontal gyrus. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of natural killer cells protects the liver against acute injury in the absence of glycine N-methyltransferase
Authors: Gomez-Santos Laura , Luka Zigmund , Wagner Conrad , Fernandez-Alvarez Sara , Lu Shelly C. , Mato Jose M. , Martinez-Chantar Maria L. , Beraza Naiara
Published: March 2012

Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) catabolizes S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the main methyl donor of the body. Patients with cirrhosis show attenuated GNMT expression, which is absent in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples. GNMT−/− mice develop spontaneous steatosis that progresses to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC. The liver is highly enriched with innate immune cells and plays a key role in the body's host defense and in the regulation of inflammation. Chronic inflammation is the major hallmark of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression. The aim of our study was to uncover the molecular mechanisms leading to liver chronic inflammation in the absence of GNMT, focusing on the implication of natural killer (NK) / natural killer T (NKT) cells. We found increased expression of T helper (Th)1- over Th2-related cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-R2/DR5, and several ligands of NK cells in GNMT−/− livers. Interestingly, NK cells from GNMT−/− mice were spontaneously activated, expressed more TRAIL, and had strong cytotoxic activity, suggesting their contribution to the proinflammatory environment in the liver. Accordingly, NK cells mediated hypersensitivity to concanavalin A (ConA)-mediated hepatitis in GNMT−/− mice. Moreover, GNMT−/− mice were hypersensitive to endotoxin-mediated liver injury. NK cell depletion and adoptive transfer of TRAIL−/− liver-NK cells protected the liver against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) liver damage.

Conclusion:

Our data allow us to conclude that TRAIL-producing NK cells actively contribute to promote a proinflammatory environment at early stages of fatty liver disease, suggesting that this cell compartment may contribute to the progression of NASH. (HEPATOLOGY 2012)
Calpain4 is required for activation of HER2 in breast cancer cells exposed to trastuzumab and its suppression decreases survival and enhances response
Authors: Kulkarni Sucheta , Saju Leya , Farver Carol , Tubbs Raymond
Published: February 2012

Overactivation of HER2 and crosstalk of other HER family members contribute to a survival pathway of breast cancer cells exposed to trastuzumab, the therapeutic inhibitor of HER2 and thus, decrease response and promote resistance. We have explored the involvement of the intracellular cysteine protease calpain4, the common partner of isoforms calpain1 and calpain2, in the regulation of cell survival and trastuzumab‐response. Increase of calpain4 expression and isoform activities were detected in breast cancer cells and HER2‐positive tumors. Molecular analyses of parent and resistant cells suggested that perturbation of regulations, induced by calpain4 and of activities of HER2 and HER3, was associated with trastuzumab‐resistance. The suppression of calpain4 destabilized calpain1 and calpain2, however, did not prevent the activation of HER2 and HER3 or cell proliferation in the absence of trastuzumab. To understand the significance, the survival of parent and trastuzumab‐resistant cells in which calpain4 was suppressed, was assessed in the presence of trastuzumab; survival in each cell type was decreased and associated with a loss of HER2 and HER3 activity. Taken together, by contributing to the activation and the crosstalk of HER2, calpain4 promotes the survival pathway of breast cancer cells, and therefore, its suppression enhances trastuzumab‐response and decreases resistance.
The pathologic characteristics of breast cancer in China and its shift during 1999–2008: A national‐wide multicenter cross‐sectional image over 10 years
Authors: Zheng Shan , Bai Jing‐Qiao , Li Jing , Fan Jin‐Hu , Pang Yi , Song Qing‐Kun , Huang Rong , Yang Hong‐Jian , Xu Feng , Lu Ning , Qiao You‐Lin
Published: February 2012

In China, breast cancer is currently the most common malignancy and the sixth leading cause of cancer death in women. But, the characteristics of breast cancer in the whole population are not determined. The aim of this study was to perform a detailed study on pathologic characteristics of breast cancer representing the whole population in China during 1999–2008 and to compare the difference in invasive breast cancer between the Western and Chinese. We randomly collected 4,211 inpatient at seven hospitals in representative geographical regions of China during 1999–2008. All the hospitals had the ability of comprehensive cancer treatment. The pathologic characters including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status were surveyed. The shift of pathologic characters was evaluated and the data from China were also compared with those of the Western, both using Chi‐square test. We found as follow. (i) The median age of the patients was 48 years and showed the similar characters of Asia. (ii) Breast cancer in China showed more invasive ductal carcinoma with larger tumor size, later stage, lower ER and PR expression and higher HER2 overexpression than those in the Western (p < 0.001). (iii) Both tumor size and stage at diagnosis decreased year by year (p < 0.001). Breast cancer in China showed more aggressive behavior than those in western countries, although tumor size and stage at diagnosis decreased by year during 1999–2008. We addressed the urgent needs for employ race‐specific breast cancer screen, diagnosis methods, and therapeutic models in China.
Artesunate induces apoptosis via a Bak‐mediated caspase‐independent intrinsic pathway in human lung adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Zhou Chenjuan , Pan Wenliang , Wang Xiao Ping , Chen Tong Sheng
Published: February 2012

This report is designed to explore the exact molecular mechanism by which artesunate (ART), a semisynthetic derivative of the herbal antimalaria drug artemisinin, induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma (ASTC‐a‐1 and A549) cell lines. ART treatment induced ROS‐mediated apoptosis in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent fashion accompanying the loss of mitochondrial potential and subsequent release of Smac and AIF indicative of intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Blockage of casapse‐8 and ‐9 did not show any inhibitory effect on the ART‐induced apoptosis, but which was remarkably prevented by silencing AIF. Of the utmost importance, ART treatment induced the activation of Bak but not Bax, and silencing Bak but not Bax remarkably inhibited ART‐induced apoptosis and AIF release. Furthermore, although ART treatment did not induced a significant down‐regulation of voltage‐dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2) expression and up‐regulation of Bim expression, silencing VDAC2 potently enhanced the ART‐induced Bak activation and apoptosis which were significantly prevented by silencing Bim. Collectively, our data firstly demonstrate that ART induces Bak‐mediated caspase‐independent intrinsic apoptosis in which Bim and VDAC2 as well as AIF play important roles in both ASTC‐a‐1 and A549 cell lines, indicating a potential therapeutic effect of ART for lung cancer. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3778–3786, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Laser ablation in titanium implants followed by biomimetic hydroxyapatite coating: Histomorphometric study in rabbits
Authors: Faeda Rafael Silveira , Spin‐Neto Rubens , Marcantonio Elcio , Guastaldi Antonio Carlos , Marcantonio Elcio
Published: March 2012

Titanium surface texture and chemistry modification successfully improves the host response and consequently the bone‐to‐implant contact surrounding dental implants. The aim of the present study was to investigate, using histomorphometrical‐analysis, the effects of titanium surface modification by laser‐ablation (Nd:YAG) followed by thin chemical deposition of HA. Forty‐eight rabbits received one implant by tibiae of AS‐machined (MS), laser‐modified (LMS), or biomimetic hydroxyapatite‐coated (HA) surface. Bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) and bone area (BBT) were evaluated after 4, 8, and 12 weeks, at cortical and cancellous regions. Average BIC in the cortical region was higher (P< 0.001) on the LMS and HA implants for all periods, with no differences between LMS and HA. For the cancellous area, the LMS and HA implants showed higher (P< 0.01) BIC than MS at the initial periods. The LMS and HA showed similar values in the cortical region, but a tendency of higher values for HA in the cancellous region was observed in all periods. For the BBT, the differences were found only between HA and MS after 4 weeks in the cortical region (P< 0.05), and after 12 weeks in the cancellous area (P< 0.05). Our results showed that HA biomimetic coating preceded by laser treatment induced the contact osteogenesis and allowed the formation of a more stable bone–implant interface, even in earlier periods. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of 170Tm‐DOTA‐cetuximab for radioimmunotherapy
Authors: Shirvani‐Arani Simindokht , Bahrami‐Samani Ali , Jalilian Amir Reza , Shirvani‐Arani Amirsaleh , Ghannadi‐Maragheh Mohammad
Published: February 2012

Thulium‐170 [T1/2 = 128.4 days, Eβ(max) = 968 keV, Eγ = 84 keV (3.26%)] has radionuclidic properties suitable for use in therapy. 170Tm can be produced by a relatively feasible route involving thermal neutron bombardment on natural Tm(NO3)3 (100% 169Tm) in medium flux research reactors. The combination of beta‐particle emission of Tm‐170 with therapeutic properties of C225 monoclonal antibody (cetuximab) as well as optimization studies for future Tm‐167 labeling was targeted in this study. Conjugated cetuximab was obtained by the addition of 0.5 ml of a cetuximab pharmaceutical solution (1 mg, in phosphate buffer, pH 7.8) to a glass tube pre‐coated with in situ prepared 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐N,N,N,N‐tetraacetic acid mono‐(N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl) ester (DOTA‐NHS) (~5 mg) at 25°C. Cetuximab was labeled with 170Tm‐Thulium chloride (100 MBq) after conjugation with DOTA‐NHS in 2–3 h (radiochemical purity >99%, instant thin‐layer chromatography, specific activity = 77–385 TBq/mmol). Biodistribution studies in wild‐type rats for free Tm‐170 and the radioimmunoconjugate were performed to determine the distribution up to 72 h. A comparative time‐frame study was performed for critical organs for both radiochemical species. The major organs of accumulation were shown to be the lung, liver, and spleen, respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the behaviour of atmospheric temperatures under dry conditions in Europe: evolution since the mid‐20th century and projections for the end of the 21st century
Authors: Beniston Martin
Published: February 2012

In a changing climate, it is likely that precipitation patterns will experience shifts in amount and seasonality, with a tendency towards increased drought in many parts of Europe. In order to investigate what could be some of the feedbacks of dry conditions on temperature, this paper has investigated close to 30 European locations to assess the influence of observed dry summer days on daily maximum temperature (Tmax) as well as a clustering of rainless days, and finally the temperature impact related to drought conditions as defined by the Standardized Precipitation Index. The results show that for the three main European climatic regions investigated (‘Mediterranean’, ‘Maritime’, ‘Continental’), the influence of rainless days is discernible, with an average difference between mean summer Tmax and Tmax during rainless days only of up to 1.5 °C. A further aim of the study is to determine whether recent shifts in the occurrence of rainless days during the summer have a bearing on temperature trends. Results show that shifts in rainless days explain only a fraction of the observed temperature change at the locations studied, thereby hinting that the enhanced greenhouse effect remains the dominant mechanism for temperature change. Finally, using a regional climate model, very preliminary insight into a ‘greenhouse climate’ highlights the fact that changes in dry conditions seem to confirm the findings for current climate, i.e. they account for only a fraction of the increase in temperatures. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Differential analysis of peripheral blood‐ and bone marrow‐derived endothelial progenitor cells for enhanced vascularization in bone tissue engineering
Authors: Amini Ami R. , Laurencin Cato T. , Nukavarapu Syam P.
Published: February 2012

For tissue engineering applications, effective bone regeneration requires rapid neo‐vascularization of implanted grafts to ensure the survival of cells in the early post‐implantation phase. Incorporation of autologous endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for the promotion of primitive vascular network formation ex vivo has offered great promise for improved graft survival, enhanced rate of vascularization and bone regeneration in vivo. For clinical usage, identification of an optimal EPC isolation source from the patient is critical. We have, for the first time, characterized and directly compared EPCs from rabbit peripheral blood and bone marrow (PB‐EPCs and BM‐EPCs, respectively). PB‐EPCs outperformed BM‐EPCs on all measures. PB‐EPCs displayed typical endothelial cell markers, such as CD31, as well as high angiogenic potential in three‐dimensional extracellular matrix in vitro. Furthermore, PB‐EPCs cultured simultaneously with mesenchymal stem cells, displayed significantly enhanced expression levels of key osteogenic and vascular markers, including alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein 2, and vascular endothelial growth factor. On the contrary, putative BM‐EPCs did not express CD31, and instead, expressed key smooth muscle markers. BM‐EPCs further failed to display vasculogenic activity. Hence, the highly angiogenic PB‐derived EPCs may serve as an ideal cell population for enhanced vascularization and success of engineered bone tissue. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1507–1515, 2012
Cervical lymph node metastasis and papillary thyroid carcinoma: Does the compartment involved affect survival? Experience from the SEER database
Authors: Smith Valerie A. , Sessions Roy B. , Lentsch Eric J.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Determine how the location of cervical lymph node metastases affects survival in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for patients diagnosed with PTC. Disease specific survival (DSS) was estimated according to node status and extent of cervical involvement by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals to estimate the risk of death were calculated using Cox multivariable regression analysis.

Results

We identified 11,453 PTC cases in the SEER database with complete data describing the absence or location of positive nodes. Of these, 40.1% were node‐positive; 56.6%, 34.1%, and 9.3% of node‐positive patients had metastasis to the central, lateral, and mediastinal compartments, respectively. DSS was worse for node‐positive patients age ≥45 with lateral/mediastinal involvement relative to those with central metastasis (P < 0.001). Node metastasis did not significantly affect survival for patients age <45, regardless of location.

Conclusions

Patients age ≥45 with lateral/mediastinal cervical involvement have an increased risk of death from PTC in the initial years after diagnosis. Future studies are needed to elucidate optimal treatment and surveillance protocols for these patients, and also to ascertain the effect of cervical node location on long‐term survival and disease‐recurrence. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:357–362. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stereocomplexes from Biosourced Lactide/Butylene Succinate‐Based Copolymers and Their Role as Crystallization Accelerating Agent
Authors: Mincheva Rosica , Raquez Jean‐Marie , Lison Valérie , Duquesne Emmanuel , Talon Olivier , Dubois Philippe
Published: February 2012

Biosourced co(polyester urethane)s containing different ratios of enantiomeric oligo(L‐ or D‐ lactide) (OLLA/ODLA) sequences and oligo(butylene succinate) (OBS) blocks (P(OD(L)LA‐b‐OBS)) are synthesized. Their stereocomplexation is confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction. The process is efficient independently on the OLA/OBS ratio and for OLLA/ODLA ratios from 2:3 to 3:2. The preformed stereocomplexes show remarkable crystallization accelerating efficiency when melt‐blended with a commercial PLLA in amounts from 2.5 to 10 wt%. Spectacular increase in the polyester matrix crystallinity (from 2 up to 42%) and crystallization rate (half‐time of ca. 3 min compared to ca. 30 min for the neat PLLA) is observed.
Matrix Order Influence on the Non‐Linear Optical Properties of Dispersed Chromophore‐Azopolymer Systems
Authors: Alicante Raquel , Cases Rafael , Villacampa Belén , Blasco Eva
Published: March 2012

Azopolymers with moderate non‐linear optical (NLO) response are used as host matrices for a highly efficient molecule. The second harmonic intensity generated at room temperature by these binary systems increases noticeably by adding an irradiation step (406 nm) to the corona poling process. The free volume increase due to “trans‐cis” photoisomerization of the side‐chain azo moieties allows to align the NLO chromophores and causes, at least partially, this enhancement. In order to investigate the role of guest–host interactions on the NLO response, different matrix arrangements have been induced and different d33/d.
New Trends in the Optical and Electronic Applications of Polymers Containing Transition‐Metal Complexes
Authors: Liu Shu‐Juan , Chen Yang , Xu Wen‐Juan , Zhao Qiang , Huang Wei
Published: March 2012

Polymers containing transition‐metal complexes exhibit excellent optical and electronic properties, which are different from those of polymers with a pure organic skeleton and combine the advantages of both polymers and metal complexes. Hence, research about this class of polymers has attracted more and more interest in recent years. Up to now, a number of novel polymers containing transition‐metal complexes have been exploited, and significant advances in their optical and electronic applications have been achieved. In this article, we summarize some new research trends in the applications of this important class of optoelectronic polymers, such as chemo/biosensors, electronic memory devices and photovoltaic devices.
IR TrueFISP with a golden‐ratio‐based radial readout: Fast quantification of T1, T2, and proton density
Authors: Ehses Philipp , Seiberlich Nicole , Ma Dan , Breuer Felix A. , Jakob Peter M. , Griswold Mark A. , Gulani Vikas
Published: February 2012

A promising approach for the simultaneous quantification of relative proton density (M0), T1, and T2 is the inversion‐recovery TrueFISP sequence, consisting of an inversion pulse followed by a series of balanced steady‐state free precession acquisitions. Parameters can then be obtained from a mono‐exponential fit to the series of images. However, a segmented acquisition is usually necessary, which increases the total acquisition time considerably. The goal of this study is to obtain M0, T1, and T2 maps using a single‐shot acquisition, with T1 and T2 measurements in brain that are consistent with the published literature, with a 20‐fold speed improvement over the segmented approach, and at a clinically relevant spatial resolution. To this end, a single‐shot inversion‐recovery TrueFISP sequence was combined with a radial view‐sharing technique. The parameters M0, T1, and T2 were then obtained on a pixel‐wise basis from a three fit parameter to the signal evolution. The accuracy of this method for quantifying these parameters is demonstrated in vivo. In addition, further corrections to the quantification necessary owing to other experimental factors, namely magnetization transfer and imperfect slice profiles, were developed. Including additional scans necessary for these corrections in the measurement protocol, the required scan time is increased from approximately 6 to 18‐28 s per slice. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Compressed sensing reconstruction for whole‐heart imaging with 3D radial trajectories: A graphics processing unit implementation
Authors: Nam Seunghoon , Akçakaya Mehmet , Basha Tamer , Stehning Christian , Manning Warren J. , Tarokh Vahid , Nezafat Reza
Published: March 2012

A disadvantage of three‐dimensional (3D) isotropic acquisition in whole‐heart coronary MRI is the prolonged data acquisition time. Isotropic 3D radial trajectories allow undersampling of k‐space data in all three spatial dimensions, enabling accelerated acquisition of the volumetric data. Compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction can provide further acceleration in the acquisition by removing the incoherent artifacts due to undersampling and improving the image quality. However, the heavy computational overhead of the CS reconstruction has been a limiting factor for its application. In this article, a parallelized implementation of an iterative CS reconstruction method for 3D radial acquisitions using a commercial graphics processing unit is presented. The execution time of the graphics processing unit‐implemented CS reconstruction was compared with that of the C++ implementation, and the efficacy of the undersampled 3D radial acquisition with CS reconstruction was investigated in both phantom and whole‐heart coronary data sets. Subsequently, the efficacy of CS in suppressing streaking artifacts in 3D whole‐heart coronary MRI with 3D radial imaging and its convergence properties were studied. The CS reconstruction provides improved image quality (in terms of vessel sharpness and suppression of noise‐like artifacts) compared with the conventional 3D gridding algorithm, and the graphics processing unit implementation greatly reduces the execution time of CS reconstruction yielding 34–54 times speed‐up compared with C++ implementation. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prospective self‐gated nonenhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the peripheral arteries
Authors: Offerman Erik J. , Koktzoglou Ioannis , Glielmi Christopher , Sen Anindya , Edelman Robert R.
Published: March 2012

Most nonenhanced MRA techniques for evaluating peripheral artery disease (PAD) require cardiac synchronization through physiological gating. Electrocardiographic gating is the most popular method for cardiac synchronization; however, it is subject to interference from switching magnetic field gradients and radiofrequency pulses. A method is described for self‐gated nonenhanced MRA that does not require the use of electrocardiographic gating. Imaging was prospectively triggered by detecting the acceleration of blood flow during systole with a reference‐less phase contrast navigator. The technique was implemented for nonsubtractive nonenhanced MRA using quiescent‐interval single‐shot MRA. The lower extremity peripheral arteries of eight healthy subjects were imaged using electrocardiographic‐, pulse‐, and self‐gated quiescent‐interval single‐shot. Self‐gated quiescent‐interval single‐shot triggered with 99% accuracy. There were no significant differences in relative contrast, contrast‐to‐noise ratio, or image quality between self‐gated and electrocardiographic‐gated quiescent‐interval single‐shot MRA (P > 0.05). Image quality with pulse gating was inferior. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do the urinary bladder and large bowel interact, in sickness or in health?: ICI‐RS 2011
Authors: Malykhina Anna P. , Wyndaele Jean‐Jacques , Andersson Karl‐Erik , De Wachter Stefan , Dmochowski Roger R.
Published: February 2012

Normal functioning of the urinary bladder and the distal gut is an essential part of daily physiological activity coordinated by the peripheral and central nervous systems. Pathological changes in one of these organs may induce the development of cross‐organ sensitization in the pelvis and underlie clinical co‐morbidity of genitourinary and GI dysfunctions. Experimental human and animal data suggest that the bladder and distal colon interact under both normal and pathological conditions, however, the directions of these interactions can change dramatically depending on the nature and duration of the applied stimuli. This review article aimed to summarize the clinical data on colon–bladder cross‐reflexes in healthy individuals, as well as in patients with co‐morbid disorders. It also discusses currently used animal models, experimental approaches, and suggested mechanisms of colon–bladder cross‐talk. Additionally, it provides an overview of the potential pharmacological targets to develop treatment options for patients with co‐morbid disorders. Presented work resulted from the discussion of colon/bladder interactions during “Think Tank 9” presentations at the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society meeting held in Bristol, UK, 2011. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:352–358, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A consistent numerical scheme for self‐gravitating fluid dynamics
Authors: Colombeau M.
Published: March 2012

In this article, we present a numerical scheme for the 3‐D system of self‐gravitating fluid dynamics in the collisional case as well as in the non‐collisional case. Consistency in the sense of distributions is proved in 1‐D and in absence of pressure. In the other cases consistency is proved under the numerical assumptions of boundedness of the velocity field in the CFL condition and of boundedness of the gradient of the gravitation potential. In 2‐D and 3‐D, concentrations of matter in strings and points can cause a theoretical difficulty in the pressureless case although one observes that the scheme still works. The initial data are L∞ functions in velocity and L1 functions in density. Applications are given to numerical simulations of the role of dark matter and gravitational collapse in cosmology as well as Jeans theory. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2013
Improved stability and error analysis for a class of local projection stabilizations applied to the Oseen problem
Authors: Knobloch Petr , Tobiska Lutz
Published: March 2012

We consider a class of local projection stabilizations with projection spaces defined on (possibly) overlapping sets applied to the Oseen problem. We prove that the underlying bilinear form satisfies an inf–sup condition with respect to a stronger norm than coercivity suggests. A modification of the stabilization of the convection allows an optimal estimation of the consistency error. A priori estimates in the stronger norm and in the L2 norm for the pressure are established. Discontinuous pressure approximations are included in the analysis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2013
Demographic diversity, value congruence, and workplace outcomes in acute care
Authors: Gates Michael G. , Mark Barbara A.
Published: February 2012

Nursing scholars and healthcare administrators often assume that a more diverse nursing workforce will lead to better patient and nurse outcomes, but this assumption has not been subject to rigorous empirical testing. In a study of nursing units in acute care hospitals, the influence of age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, and perceived value diversity on nurse job satisfaction, nurse intent to stay, and patient satisfaction were examined. Support was found for a negative relationship between perceived value diversity and all outcomes and for a negative relationship between education diversity and intent to stay. Additionally, positive relationships were found between race/ethnicity diversity and nurse job satisfaction as well as between age diversity and intent to stay. From a practice perspective, the findings suggest that implementing retention, recruitment, and management practices that foster a strong shared value system among nurses may lead to better workplace outcomes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 35:265–276, 2012
Levetiracetam for busulfan‐induced seizure prophylaxis in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Soni Sandeep , Skeens Micah , Termuhlen Amanda M. , Bajwa Rajinder P.S. , Gross Thomas G. , Pai Vinita
Published: February 2012

Anti‐seizure prophylaxis is routinely utilized during busulfan administration for HSCT. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of levetiracetam in children undergoing HSCT. A total of 28 children and young adults received levetiracetam during HSCT and the outcomes and costs were compared to a historical, but similar cohort of 25 patients who had received fosphenytoin. Levetiracetam was well tolerated and was efficacious in preventing seizures. Cost of drug, administration, and monitoring were also similar among the two groups. Due to non‐induction of the hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes, levetiracetam may lead to better dose assurance of busulfan in targeted dose regimens for HSCT. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:762–764. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultra low density and highly crosslinked biocompatible shape memory polyurethane foams
Authors: Singhal Pooja , Rodriguez Jennifer N. , Small Ward , Eagleston Scott , Van de Water Judy , Maitland Duncan J. , Wilson Thomas S.
Published: March 2012

We report the development of highly chemically crosslinked, ultra low density (∼0.015 g/cc) polyurethane shape memory foams synthesized from symmetrical, low molecular weight, and branched hydroxyl monomers. Sharp single glass transitions (Tg) customizable in the functional range of 45–70 °C were achieved. Thermomechanical testing confirmed shape memory behavior with 97–98% shape recovery over repeated cycles, a glassy storage modulus of 200–300 kPa, and recovery stresses of 5–15 kPa. Shape holding tests under constrained storage above the Tg showed stable shape memory. A high volume expansion of up to 70 times was seen on actuation of these foams from a fully compressed state. Low in vitro cell activation induced by the foam compared with controls demonstrates low acute bio‐reactivity. We believe these porous polymeric scaffolds constitute an important class of novel smart biomaterials with multiple potential applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Plasma Functionalization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Their Use in the Preparation of Nylon 6‐Based Nanohybrids
Authors: Scaffaro Roberto , Maio Andrea , Agnello Simonpietro , Glisenti Antonella
Published: March 2012

The possibility to obtain carbon nanotubes (CNT)/polyamide 6 composites with excellent mechanical properties in a simple, industrially scalable way is investigated. Commercial CNTs are treated by plasma while changing some key parameters (exposure time, plasma power, type of gas) in order to optimize the process and to achieve a sufficient degree of functionalization. The treated samples are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The most interesting samples are selected to be used as reinforcing fillers, in different concentrations, in a polyamide 6 matrix. The mechanical tests show a dramatic increase of both tensile and impact properties, due to the achievement of a good wettability, and an efficient dispersion of the CNTs in the polymer matrix, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy observations.

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An Electrical Thrombectomy Device Using Plasma Created Chemistry in a Saline Environment to Dissolve Vascular Clots
Authors: Jung Jae‐Chul , Koo Il Gyo , Choi Myeong Yeol , Yu Zengqi , Kim Myung‐Soo , Collins George J.
Published: March 2012

An electrical thrombectomy device, using liquid plasma generated radicals for removing intravascular blood clots, causing either the chronic total occlusion clots or DVT clots, was demonstrated. We employed a proxy experimental clot model of DVT with the blood filled collagen sheets. We also treated a real equine blood clot. Both clot samples were provided by the Veterinary Hospital of Colorado State University. Optical emission spectroscopy was used to examine the relative populations of the reactive chemical species generated by the liquid plasma that drives the clot dissolution during 10 min. of liquid plasma treatment at 20 W of average input power. The removal rate of the blood clots is typically up to 2 mm3 per minute and cylindrical volumes of 3 mm diameter and 14 mm long were removed. The thermal damage to contiguous tissue at the periphery of the removal volume was determined to be is >200 µm from conventional histology analysis. We determined by FTIR spectroscopy that the collagen denaturing in liquid plasma occurs primarily via Amide III bond breakage.

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What is the gravity dual of the confinement/deconfinement transition in holographic QCD?
Authors: Morita T. , Mandal G.
Published: February 2012

We study the gravity dual of four dimensional pure Yang‐Mills theory through D4 branes, as proposed by Witten (holographic QCD). In this holographic QCD, it has been widely believed that the confinement phase in the pure Yang‐Mills theory corresponds to the AdS D4 soliton in gravity and the deconfinement phase corresponds to the black D4 brane. We inspect this conjecture carefully and show that the correspondence between the black D4 brane and the deconfinement phase is not correct. Instead, by using a slightly different set up, we find an alternative gravity solution called “localized soliton”, which would be properly related to the deconfinement phase. In this case, the confinement/deconfinement transition is realized as a Gregory‐Laflamme type transition. We find that our proposal naturally explains several known properties of QCD.
Gravitational anomaly and hydrodynamics in AdS/CFT
Authors: Landsteiner K. , Megías E. , Melgar L. , Pena‐Benitez F.
Published: February 2012

Using a holographic model with a pure gauge and mixed gauge‐gravitational Chern‐Simons terms in the action, we analyze the anomalous induced current of a vortex in the relativistic fluid via the chiral vortical effect, which is analogous to the anomalous current induced by a magnetic field via the chiral magnetic effect. The gravitational anomaly gives rise to an anomalous vortical effect even for an uncharged fluid characterized by a term proportional to T2. The numerical value of this term is not renormalized compared to the weak coupling result [1]. We also address on a general formalism to unify the two inequivalent implementations to the chemical potential for an anomalous symmetry presented in [2].
Generalized quark‐antiquark potential in AdS/CFT
Authors: Forini V. , Drukker N.
Published: February 2012

In this talk we present a family of Wilson loop operators which continuously interpolates between the 1/2 BPS line and the antiparallel lines, and can be thought of as calculating a generalization of the quark–antiquark potential for the gauge theory on S3 × R. We evaluate the first two orders of these loops perturbatively both in the gauge and string theory. We obtain analytical expressions in a systematic expansion around the 1/2 BPS configuration, and comment on possible all‐loop patterns for these Wilson loops.
Superparamagnetism in CuFeInTe3 and CuFeGaTe3 alloys
Authors: Grima‐Gallardo P. , Alvarado F. , Muñoz M. , Durán S. , Quintero M. , Nieves L. , Quintero E. , Tovar R. , Morocoima M. , Ramos M. A.
Published: March 2012

The temperature dependencies of DC magnetic susceptibilities, χ(T), of CuFeInTe3 and CuFeGaTe3 alloys were measured in a SQUID apparatus using the protocol of field cooling (FC) and zero FC (ZFC). The FC curves of both samples reflect a weak ferromagnetic (or ferrimagnetic) behavior with a nearly constant value of χ(T) in the measured temperature range (2–300 K) indicating that the critical temperatures (Tc) are >300 K. The ZFC curves diverges from FC, showing irreversibility temperatures (Tirr) of ∼250 K for CuFeInTe3 and >300 K for CuFeGaTe3, suggesting that we are dealing with cluster‐glass systems in a superparamagnetic state.
Simulation of AlGaN and BGaN metal‐semiconductor‐metal ultraviolet photodetectors
Authors: Hamady Sidi Ould Saad
Published: February 2012

In this report, we study, by means of numerical simulation, the impact of the active layer properties and device geometry on the performance of the “solar blind” UV MSM detector based on AlGaN and BGaN alloys. The parameters investigated, using the Silvaco Athena and Atlas tools, were: (i) the Schottky contact width and thickness; (ii) the ternary (AlGaN or BGaN) physical properties, including the active layer thickness, n‐type doping concentration and traps density. We implement the physical models and the ternary material properties, taken from literature or, if not available (as for the new BGaN ternary), from the interpolation between the binary materials weighted by the mole fractions. We have found that: (i) the photocurrent is highly improved by optimizing the device geometry, in particular the Schottky contact semi‐transparency (depending on the contact thickness and metal absorption spectrum) and width; (ii) the doping and traps highly impact the device spectral response, and, in particular, a compromise in the doping concentration must be reached in order to maximize the detector performances; (iii) the incorporation of a small amount of boron in the active layer improves the detector spectral response. These results give us a powerful tool in order to understand quantitatively the impact of elaboration and processing conditions on the photodetector characteristics and thus identify the key issues in technology development (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Analysis of the SiO2/Si3N4 passivation bilayer thickness on the rectifier behavior of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on (111) silicon substrate
Authors: Mattalah M. , Soltani A. , Gerbedoen J.‐C. , Ahaitouf Az. , Defrance N. , Cordier Y. , De Jaeger J.‐C.
Published: February 2012

This work describes a study regarding the SiO2/Si3N4 passivation layer thickness effect on the Au/Mo/ Al0.25Ga0.75N/GaN/Si (111) rectifier contact behaviour. Two total different thicknesses of SiO2/Si3N4dielectric are deposited on AlGaN/GaN with different residual stress which modify the stress in the AlGaN barrier under the gate. The defects occuring at the dielectric/AlGaN interface are characterized using the photoluminescence technique. I‐V characteristics of both Schottky contacts show that the thicker passivation change the Schottky contact behaviour and permit to reduce significantly the density of interface traps involving a drop of the Schottky leakage current of several order of magnitude. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Atom probe tomography study of GaMnN thin films
Authors: Nicholas Robert , Diercks David , Kane Matthew
Published: February 2012

Determining the nanoscale atomic distribution of transition metals is essential for understanding the magnetic behavior of III‐nitride semiconductors. Atom probe tomography is a characterization technique that can provide direct physical detection of the location of atoms and thus is ideal for investigating nanoscale atomic ordering in these materials. This work presents a study of GaMnN thin films grown bymetalorganic chemical vapor deposition that are characterized utilizing the state of the art local electrode atom probe (LEAP™) to determine the atomic ordering of Mn in an effort to help understand the nanoclustering behaviour which leads to observed room‐temperature ferromagnetic behaviour in GaMnN. The distribution of Mn on the atomic scale was found to be random in nature in the bulk of the thin film where the analysis was performed with no evidence for the predisposition of Mn to form dimers, trimers or clusters. Other sources of clustering must lead to the room‐temperature ferromagnetic behaviour that has been observed in these samples, such as surface segregation of Mn during the growth process. This work proves consistent with prior magnetic analysis in that most atoms in the crystal are isolated Mn atoms which result in a paramagnetic signal. This work is a first step towards the ultimate goal of understanding the structure‐property‐growth condition relationships for the tailoring of specific MOCVD processes in nitride semiconductors. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of doping on screw threading dislocations in AlN and their role as conductive nanowires
Authors: Kioseoglou J. , Kalesaki E. , Belabbas I. , Chen J. , Nouet G. , Komninou Ph. , Karakostas Th.
Published: February 2012

The effect of threading dislocations on the electronic properties of AlN is investigated through density functional theory calculations on the six atom ring core of c ‐screw dislocations. Additional calculations are performed in order to elucidate the effect of doping through decoration of the dislocation cores by Indium and Oxygen atoms. Substitution of Al (N) core atoms by In (O) impurities as well as incorporation of a rhombohedral In2O3 structural unit in the core, are examined. It is revealed that multiple levels are induced in the band gap of AlN in all cases and screw dislocations are identified as conduction pathways to charge carriers. This feature is exemplified when rhombohedral In2O3 is incorporated in the cores. The presence of these dopants shall augment the conductivity along the dislocation line and new prospects arise for AlN threading dislocations since, following the “dislocation technology” scheme, the role of conductive nanowires in semiconducting thin films is appointed to doped screw dislocations (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Transfer characteristic of zinc nitride based thin film transistors
Authors: Bhattacharyya S. R. , Ayouchi R. , Pinnisch M. , Schwarz R.
Published: February 2012

Polycrystalline zinc nitride (Zn3N2) thin films were prepared on quartz and aluminum tin oxide/indium tin oxide (ATO/ITO) and SiO2‐covered crystalline silicon by reactive pulsed laser ablation (PLD) of a metallic zinc target using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser, assisted by a 13.56 MHz radio‐frequency (RF) nitrogen plasma. The microstructural, optical and electrical properties of the as‐deposited films were studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), low‐temperature photoluminescence (PL), optical transmittance, and field effect transistor I‐V measurements. SEM revealed a compact and crack‐free film surface. XRD study indicated that the Zn3N2 films deposited at 673 K substrate temperature were cubic, with lattice constant a = 0.97 nm and having no preferred orientation. PL spectra taken at 4.2 K show a 7‐9 meV wide exciton‐related peak at 3.59 eV. The optical absorption coefficient, estimated from the transmission spectra using Beer's law, was utilized to determine the optical band gap of the films. The Zn3N2 showed a direct band gap of ∼3.2 eV at room temperature. Transparent field effect transistor structures with a 200 nm thick Zn3N2 film as active channel layer exhibited non‐linear I–V transfer characteristics, which is typical of devices having a large density of interface trap states (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)