bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a Health Careers Program for Asian American and Pacific Islander High School Students
Authors: Yeh Christine J. , Borrero Noah E.
Published: October 2012

The authors evaluated a health careers program in a U.S. urban public high school. After small subgroups of the original sample were removed, participants included 162 Asian American and Pacific Islander students. Analyses of covariance indicated that, compared with the comparison group, the treatment group reported significantly higher levels of social support, school engagement, interest in learning, vocational expectations, and ethnic identity. Implications for multicultural counseling in schools are discussed.

Los autores evaluaron un programa de carreras sanitarias en una escuela secundaria pública de Estados Unidos. Tras la eliminación de pequeños subgrupos de la muestra original, los participantes incluyeron 162 estudiantes Asiático‐Americanos e Isleños del Pacífico. Los análisis de covarianza indicaron que, comparado con el grupo de comparación, el grupo de tratamiento expresó unos niveles significativamente mayores de apoyo social, participación escolar, interés en el aprendizaje, expectativas vocacionales e identidad étnica. Se discuten las implicaciones para la consejería multicultural en escuelas.
Severe hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism developing in a patient with hyperaldosteronism and renal resistance to parathyroid hormone
Authors: Park-Sigal Jennifer , Don Burl R , Porzig Anne , Recker Robert , Griswold Virginia , Sebastian Anthony , Duh Quan-Yang , Portale Anthony A , Shoback Dolores , Schambelan Morris
Published: October 2012

We evaluated an African American woman referred in 1986 at age 33 years because of renal potassium and calcium wasting and chronic hip pain. She presented normotensive, hypokalemic, hypocalcemic, normophosphatemic, and hypercalciuric. Marked hyperparathyroidism was evident. Urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) excretion did not increase in response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) infusion, indicating renal resistance to PTH. X-rays and bone biopsy revealed severe osteitis fibrosa cystica, confirming skeletal responsiveness to PTH. Renal potassium wasting, suppressed plasma renin activity, and elevated plasma and urinary aldosterone levels accompanied her hypokalemia, suggesting primary hyperaldosteronism. Hypokalemia resolved with spironolactone and, when combined with dietary sodium restriction, urinary calcium excretion fell and hypocalcemia improved, in accord with the known positive association between sodium intake and calcium excretion. Calcitriol and oral calcium supplements did not suppress the chronic hyperparathyroidism nor did they reduce aldosterone levels. Over time, hyperparathyroid bone disease progressed with pathologic fractures and persistent pain. In 2004, PTH levels increased further in association with worsening chronic kidney disease. Eventually hypercalcemia and hypertension developed. Localizing studies in 2005 suggested a left inferior parathyroid tumor. After having consistently declined, the patient finally agreed to neck exploration in January 2009. Four hyperplastic parathyroid glands were removed, followed immediately by severe hypocalcemia, attributed to “hungry bone syndrome” and hypoparathyroidism, which required prolonged hospitalization, calcium infusions, and oral calcitriol. Although her bone pain resolved, hyperaldosteronism persisted. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Bisphosphonate use is associated with reduced risk of myocardial infarction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wolfe Frederick , Bolster Marcy B , O'Connor Christopher M , Michaud Kaleb , Lyles Kenneth W , Colón-Emeric Cathleen S
Published: October 2012

Bisphosphonates have been shown to reduce mortality in patients with osteoporotic fractures, but the mechanism is unclear. Bisphosphonates have immunomodulatory effects that may influence the development of vascular disease. We sought to determine if bisphosphonate use is associated with a reduced risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) population with high prevalence of bisphosphonate use and vascular disease. Adult patients with RA enrolled in the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases, a longitudinal study of RA patients enrolled continuously from U.S. rheumatology practices between 2003 and 2011, were included in the analysis (n = 19,281). Patients completed questionnaires every 6 months. including questions on medication use, demographic information, clinical information, and health status. MIs were confirmed by a central adjudicator. Among the 5689 patients who were treated with bisphosphonates at some time during the study period, the risk of MI while on bisphosphonate compared to when not on bisphosphonate was 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37–0.86; p < 0.01) after adjustment for multiple confounders. In models including all 19,281 treated and untreated patients, the adjusted risk of first MI was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.54–0.96; p = 0.02) and of all MIs it was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.53–0.97; p = 0.03) in bisphosphonate users compared to nonusers. This finding suggests a potential mechanism for the mortality reduction observed with bisphosphonate medications. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Monocytes and γδ T cells control the acute-phase response to intravenous zoledronate: Insights from a phase IV safety trial
Authors: Welton Joanne L , Morgan Matt P , Martí Salvador , Stone Michael D , Moser Bernhard , Sewell Andrew K , Turton Jane , Eberl Matthias
Published: October 2012

Aminobisphosphonates (NBPs) are used widely against excessive bone resorption in osteoporosis and Paget's disease as well as in metastatic bone disease and multiple myeloma. Intravenous NBP administration often causes mild to severe acute-phase responses (APRs) that may require intervention with analgesics and antipyretics and lead to treatment noncompliance and nonadherence. We here undertook a phase IV safety trial in patients with osteoporosis to investigate the APR of otherwise healthy individuals to first-time intravenous treatment with the NBP zoledronate. This study provides unique insight into sterile acute inflammatory responses in vivo, in the absence of confounding factors such as infection or cancer. Our data show that both peripheral γδ T cells and monocytes become rapidly activated after treatment with zoledronate, which ultimately determines the clinical severity of the APR. Our study highlights a key role for IFN-γ in the zoledronate-induced APR and identifies pretreatment levels of monocytes and central/memory Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells as well as their responsiveness to zoledronate in vitro as predictive risk factors for the occurrence of subclinical and clinical symptoms. These findings have diagnostic and prognostic implications for patients with and without malignancy and are relevant for Vγ9/Vδ2 T-cell–based immunotherapy approaches. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
CREATING CHANGE FROM THE INSIDE: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WITHIN A YOUTH COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PROGRAM
Authors: Schwartz Sarah , Suyemoto Karen
Published: October 2012

This study presents the results of a collaborative community‐based research project evaluating Youth Force, a youth community organizing program. Participants included urban youth in middle school and high school from minority racial and ethnic backgrounds. Employing a mixed methods research design, the study investigated the impacts of the program on youth participants, as well as the processes through which program experiences influenced youth outcomes. Results indicated that youth community organizing programs influence a range of youth development outcomes, including the development of skills, knowledge, civic engagement, empowerment, and positive changes in self‐concept.
Mechanically robust polysiloxane–ACA capsules for prolonged ethanol production
Authors: Ylitervo Päivi , Franzén Carl Johan , Taherzadeh Mohammad J.
Published: October 2012

Background

Fermentation using encapsulated yeast leads to more robust ethanol production from lignocellulose hydrolyzates. Encapsulated yeast is much more tolerant to inhibitors present in hydrolyzates, and fermentation is faster due to increased total cell density. For industrial applications, capsules must be made robust enough to endure long periods and numerous cultivations without breaking.

Results

Liquid core alginate–chitosan–alginate (ACA) capsules containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae were produced by the liquid‐droplet‐forming method and treated with hydrolyzed 3‐aminopropyltrietoxysilane (hAPTES) forming very glossy capsules. Capsules produced with 3.0% hAPTES showed the best mechanical robustness but no ethanol could be produced in dilute‐acid spruce hydrolyzate using these capsules. Untreated ACA capsules gave the highest ethanol production but demonstrated poor mechanical robustness. 25% of the ACA capsules ruptured within 6 h in the shear test. Capsules treated with 1.5% hAPTES were significantly stronger, since only 0–2% of these capsules broke. Moreover, the ethanol production in the fifth consecutive cultivation in lignocellulose hydrolyzate was nearly as high as for untreated ACA capsules.

Conclusion

The mechanical robustness of ACA capsules can be easily improved by treating the capsules with hAPTES. ACA capsules treated with 1.5% hAPTES showed excellent mechanical robustness and a similar ethanol production profile to untreated ACA capsules. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
FE‐SEM observation of swelled seaweed using hydrophilic ionic liquid; 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate
Authors: Takahashi Chisato , Shirai Takashi , Fuji Masayoshi
Published: October 2012

The method to observe the exact morphology of swelled seaweed as an example of biological material by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) with the aid of hydrophilic ionic liquid (IL); 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate is reported. Seaweed was first swelled in 3.5% NaCl solution and then treated with the IL and water mixture in 1:7 weight ratios and centrifuged to remove the excess IL solution. Thus treated seaweed maintained its morphology even at high magnification and did not show drying in the FE‐SEM chamber. This observation technique might be useful for various kinds of biological materials to be observed under FE‐SEM. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lack of evidence for an association between seminoma and human papillomavirus infection using GP5+/GP6+ consensus primers
Authors: Bertazzoni Giorgia , Sgambato Alessandro , Migaldi Mario , Grottola Antonella , Sabbatini Anna Maria Teresa , Nanni Nadia , Farinetti Alberto , Iachetta Francesco , Giacobazzi Elisabetta , Pecorari Monica , Bonetti Luca Reggiani
Published: October 2012

Testicular germ cell tumors account for about 1% of all cancers. The incidence of these tumors is increasing and they represent the most common solid malignancies of young men aged 15–40 years with seminoma being one of the most common histotype. Pathogenesis of testicular germ cell tumors remains unknown and, although cryptorchidism is considered the main risk factor, there is evidence of an association with environmental and genetic risk factors. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a family of DNA viruses and represent a major risk factor for cervical cancer. In addition, they have been associated with other human non‐malignant and malignant diseases, including breast and head and neck cancer. HPV sequences have been detected throughout the male lower genitourinary tract as well as in seminal fluid and an increased testicular tumorigenesis has been reported in HPV transgenic mice. Aim of this study was to evaluate the potential involvement of HPV in human testicular tumorigenesis. Real‐time PCR employing GP5+/GP6+ consensus HPV primers was used to examine the presence of HPV sequences in a subset of human seminoma (n = 61) and normal testicles (n = 23). None of the specimens tested displayed the presence of HPV DNA. These findings do not support an association between HPV and human seminoma and warrant further studies to assess definitively the role of these viruses in human testicular tumorigenesis. J. Med. Virol. 85:105–109, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sweet success beyond the triple bottom line: Honeybee practices lead to sustainable leadership at Thailand's True Corp
Authors: Kantabutra Sooksan
Published: October 2012

Researchers constructed a framework for analyzing the leadership practices at True Corporation, a Thai telecommunications firm, by grouping Avery and Bergsteiner's 23 Honeybee leadership practices into six categories: long‐term perspective, investing in people, organizational culture, innovation, social responsibility, and ethical behavior. Emphasizing long‐term growth and sustainability, these core themes contrast sharply with the prevailing Locust business model of short‐term maximization of profitability. An analysis of the Honeybee practices as manifested at True Corporation, a telecommunications firm based in Thailand, shows that despite the challenges of operating in an emerging economy, they can contribute to effective, sustainable leadership and dominance in a competitive market. Other enterprises that wish to promote ongoing organizational success can adopt Avery and Bergsteiner's Honeybee elements to examine their leadership practices and adjust them to become more sustainable. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Applying the high‐performance organization framework to a multinational retailer
Authors: de Waal André A.
Published: October 2012

The application of the high‐performance organization (HPO) framework to a European multinational retailer operating in 15 countries showed that the framework is useful in accurately assessing progress in adopting the characteristics of a high‐performing organization and in formulating improvement suggestions at various organizational levels. In a similar fashion, managers at other multinational enterprises can apply the framework to evaluate their own organizations' HPO status, facilitate organization‐wide communications, and craft an agenda for improving processes and enhancing overall performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Raman spectroscopic investigation on femtosecond laser induced residual stress and element distribution in bismuth germanate glasses
Authors: Tu Zhanfeng , Teng Yu , Zhou Jiajia , Zhou Shifeng , Zeng Heping , Qiu Jianrong
Published: October 2012

Localized microstructure and elemental redistribution were induced in bismuth germanate glasses by irradiation with high repetition rate 800 nm femtosecond laser pulses. The confocal Raman spectra were examined to study the redistribution of elements and residual thermal stress. The microscopic Raman spectra indicated that the residual thermal stress increases from the unmodified region to the center of the laser modified region, while Bi is enriched at the boundary area of the inner structure of the laser modified region relative to Ge. Electron microprobe analysis further confirmed the elemental redistribution of Bi and Ge, which agrees well with the Raman spectral analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of Raman spectroscopy to characterize the carbon materials found in Amazonian anthrosoils
Authors: Ribeiro‐Soares J. , Cançado L. G. , Falcão N. P. S. , Martins Ferreira E. H. , Achete C. A. , Jorio A.
Published: October 2012

This manuscript presents the Raman characterization of the stable carbon materials found in a special type of soil, named Terra Preta de Índio (Indian Dark Earths). The Terras Pretas de Índios have been studied as a potential model for sustainable agriculture in the humid tropics. The stability of organic matter and the long‐term high‐level of ion exchange capacity in these soils are due to unusually high amount of black carbon. Here, we show how Raman spectroscopy can be used to characterize the stable carbon content in the Terras Pretas de Índios (TPI‐carbons). The tangential stretching mode (G band) and the disorder‐induced mode (D band) are analyzed in comparison to laboratory‐produced amorphous carbons at different degree of disorder used here as reference materials. Statistical analysis show predominance of sp2 phase and crystallite sizes within the limit range between nanographite and amorphous carbons, while Raman mapping of a TPI‐carbon grain shows that the surface is more disordered than the grain core. The analysis used here can also differentiate the TPI‐carbon structures from different types of charcoal. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Home range and habitat selection of northern bobwhite coveys in an agricultural landscape
Authors: Janke Adam K. , Gates Robert J.
Published: October 2012

Northern bobwhites thrive in fine‐grained landscapes with a diversity of early succession woodland, grassland, and agriculture‐associated habitat types. Bobwhite conservation has proved challenging in the increasingly coarse‐grained Midwestern landscape as simplified agricultural cropping systems are implemented at larger spatial scales. Regardless, managing agricultural landscapes on private lands is the primary opportunity to restore bobwhite populations in the Midwestern United States. Although bobwhite habitat requirements are well understood, habitat selection in contemporary Midwestern landscapes is not well understood, especially on private lands where populations are declining. We used compositional analysis to investigate second‐ (study area) and third‐ (home range) order habitat selection by radiomarked bobwhite coveys on 4 private land study areas in southwestern Ohio. Mean covey home range size was 26.1 ± 2.2 ha (n = 48). Although home ranges were established in areas with more grassland cover, bobwhites most strongly selected early succession woody habitat (e.g., fencerows and ditches) at all scales, and selection for grassland diminished between the study area and home range scales. Grassland selection varied among sites and was strongest on sites with more row crop area. Woodlots were avoided at the study area scale, but were selected within home ranges. Grassland cover, like that provided by contemporary conservation programs, is an essential component of bobwhite habitat in the Midwest, but our results suggest more emphasis should be placed on early succession woody cover. Woody cover associated with fencerows, ditches, and woodlots adjacent to food sources and breeding habitat will likely improve non‐breeding season survival, which is an influential vital rate in northern populations. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Cell decomposition and definable functions for weak p‐adic structures
Authors: Leenknegt Eva
Published: October 2012

We develop a notion of cell decomposition suitable for studying weak p‐adic structures (reducts of p‐adic fields where addition and multiplication are not (everywhere) definable). As an example, we consider a structure with restricted addition.
Local means, wavelet bases and wavelet isomorphisms in Besov‐Morrey and Triebel‐Lizorkin‐Morrey spaces
Authors: Rosenthal Marcel
Published: October 2012

We consider local means with bounded smoothness for Besov‐Morrey and Triebel‐Lizorkin‐Morrey spaces. Based on those we derive characterizations of these spaces in terms of Daubechies, Meyer, Bernstein (spline) and more general r‐regular (father) wavelets, finally in terms of (biorthogonal) wavelets which can serve as molecules and local means, respectively. Hereby both, local means and wavelet decompositions satisfy natural conditions concerning smoothness and cancellation (moment conditions). Moreover, the given representations by wavelets are unique and yield isomorphisms between the considered function spaces and appropriate sequence spaces of wavelet coefficients. These wavelet representations lead to wavelet bases if, and only if, the function spaces coincide with certain classical Besov‐Triebel‐Lizorkin spaces.
Dipyridamole intervention of breast cell carcinogenesis
Authors: Choudhary Shambhunath , Sood Shilpa , Wang Hwa‐Chain Robert
Published: October 2012

Dietary prevention is a cost‐efficient strategy to reduce the risk of human cancers. More than 85% breast cancers are sporadic and attributable to long‐term exposure to environmental carcinogens through a multistep and multiyear disease process. We used our chronically induced cellular carcinogenesis model as a target to search for preventive agents capable of blocking breast cell carcinogenesis. Dipyridamole (DPM), at a non‐cytotoxic physiologically achievable dose of 10 nmol/L, effectively blocked breast cell carcinogenesis induced by cumulative exposures to three unrelated carcinogens 2‐amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine (PhIP), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), and 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK). The ability of DPM to block H‐Ras upregulation, thus blocking ERK pathway activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation, and DNA damage in each exposure, may account for its mechanisms in intervention of carcinogenesis induced by cumulative exposures to PhIP. Likewise, DPM's ability to block ROS elevation and DNA damage may account for its mechanisms in intervention of carcinogenesis chronically induced by NNK and B[a]P, as well. DPM is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to control platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction in patients. Our study revealed, for the first time, the novel ability of DPM to block breast cell carcinogenesis induced by three unrelated carcinogens. DPM should be seriously considered as a chemopreventive agent in development of strategies for reducing the risk of sporadic breast cancer associated with long‐term exposure to environmental carcinogens. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two‐dimensional ultrasound imaging of the diaphragm: Quantitative values in normal subjects
Authors: Boon Andrea J. , Harper Caitlin J. , Ghahfarokhi Leili Shahgholi , Strommen Jeffrey A. , Watson James C. , Sorenson Eric J.
Published: October 2012

Introduction: Real time ultrasound imaging of the diaphragm is an under‐used tool in the evaluation of patients with unexplained dyspnea or respiratory failure. Methods: We measured diaphragm thickness and the change in thickness that occurs with maximal inspiration in 150 normal subjects, with results stratified for age, gender, body mass index, and smoking history. Results: The lower limit of normal diaphragm thickness at end expiration or functional residual capacity is 0.15 cm, and an increase of at least 20% in diaphragm thickness from functional residual capacity to total lung capacity is normal. A side to side difference in thickness at end expiration of > 0.33 cm is abnormal. Diaphragm thickness and contractility are minimally affected by age, gender, body habitus, or smoking history. Conclusions: This study confirms previous findings in much smaller groups of normal controls for quantitative ultrasound of the diaphragm and provides data that can be applied widely to the general population. Muscle Nerve 47: 884–889, 2013
Ultra high spatial and temporal resolution breast imaging at 7T
Authors: van de Bank B. L. , Voogt I. J. , Italiaander M. , Stehouwer B. L. , Boer V. O. , Luijten P. R. , Klomp D. W. J.
Published: October 2012

There is a need to obtain higher specificity in the detection of breast lesions using MRI. To address this need, Dynamic Contrast‐Enhanced (DCE) MRI has been combined with other structural and functional MRI techniques. Unfortunately, owing to time constraints structural images at ultra‐high spatial resolution can generally not be obtained during contrast uptake, whereas the relatively low spatial resolution of functional imaging (e.g. diffusion and perfusion) limits the detection of small lesions. To be able to increase spatial as well as temporal resolution simultaneously, the sensitivity of MR detection needs to increase as well as the ability to effectively accelerate the acquisition. The required gain in signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) can be obtained at 7T, whereas acceleration can be obtained with high‐density receiver coil arrays. In this case, morphological imaging can be merged with DCE‐MRI, and other functional techniques can be obtained at higher spatial resolution, and with less distortion [e.g. Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI)]. To test the feasibility of this concept, we developed a unilateral breast coil for 7T. It comprises a volume optimized dual‐channel transmit coil combined with a 30‐channel receive array coil. The high density of small coil elements enabled efficient acceleration in any direction to acquire ultra high spatial resolution MRI of close to 0.6 mm isotropic detail within a temporal resolution of 69 s, high spatial resolution MRI of 1.5 mm isotropic within an ultra high temporal resolution of 6.7 s and low distortion DWI at 7T, all validated in phantoms, healthy volunteers and a patient with a lesion in the right breast classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) IV. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mit großen Schritten nach vorn
Authors: Becker Guido , Walter Annette
Published: October 2012

Die wachsende Beliebtheit von sportlichen Aktivitäten, vor allem des Laufens, löste in der letzten Hälfte des vorigen Jahrhunderts ein großes Interesse an Forschung innerhalb der wissenschaftlichen Gemeinschaft aus. Die Wissenschaftler wollen die menschlichen Bewegungsabläufe verstehen, um somit die Bewegungsabläufe des Körpers effizienter beeinflussen zu können. Sportschuhe bieten hierfür eine sehr gute Gelegenheit, da ein direktes Zusammenspiel von Belastung und Leistung besteht. Das biomechanische Verhalten des Körpers mittels kombinierter kinematischer und kinetischer Studien muss besser untersucht werden, um die Ursachen von Verletzungen während des Sports zu verstehen und folglich zu vermeiden und um somit die Leistung des Sportlers im Wettkampf zu steigern [1].
Variable selection for propensity score models when estimating treatment effects on multiple outcomes: a simulation study
Authors: Wyss Richard , Girman Cynthia J. , LoCasale Robert J. , Alan Brookhart M. , Stürmer Til
Published: October 2012

Purpose

It is often preferable to simplify the estimation of treatment effects on multiple outcomes by using a single propensity score (PS) model. Variable selection in PS models impacts the efficiency and validity of treatment effects. However, the impact of different variable selection strategies on the estimated treatment effects in settings involving multiple outcomes is not well understood. The authors use simulations to evaluate the impact of different variable selection strategies on the bias and precision of effect estimates to provide insight into the performance of various PS models in settings with multiple outcomes.

Methods

Simulated studies consisted of dichotomous treatment, two Poisson outcomes, and eight standard‐normal covariates. Covariates were selected for the PS models based on their effects on treatment, a specific outcome, or both outcomes. The PSs were implemented using stratification, matching, and weighting (inverse probability treatment weighting).

Results

PS models including only covariates affecting a specific outcome (outcome‐specific models) resulted in the most efficient effect estimates. The PS model that only included covariates affecting either outcome (generic‐outcome model) performed best among the models that simultaneously controlled measured confounding for both outcomes. Similar patterns were observed over the range of parameter values assessed and all PS implementation methods.

Conclusions

A single, generic‐outcome model performed well compared with separate outcome‐specific models in most scenarios considered. The results emphasize the benefit of using prior knowledge to identify covariates that affect the outcome when constructing PS models and support the potential to use a single, generic‐outcome PS model when multiple outcomes are being examined. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new “Comparative Effectiveness” assessment strategy using the THIN database: comparison of the cardiac complications of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone
Authors: Tannen Richard , Xie Dawei , Wang Xingmei , Yu Menggang , Weiner Mark G.
Published: October 2012

Purpose

Examine feasibility of a new strategy to perform Electronic Medical Record database valid Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER), using determination of whether rosiglitazone (ROS) treatment increases Acute myocardial infarction (MI) in comparison to pioglitazone (PIO) as a model question.

Methods

Using the UK The Health Improvement Network Database, a retrospective cohort design replicated the proactive RCT of diabetics with ischemic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Replication studies using PIO or ROS, as well as expanded studies of subjects not requiring CVD, were performed. MI assessment used multiple analytics comparing ROS and PIO exposed patients including: unexposed subjects, the proactive RCT, and directly between ROS to PIO exposed cohorts.

Results

PIO replication studies did not affect MI [HR 0.88 (0.49 to 1.42)], but ROS increased MI, with prior event rate ratio (PERR) adjusted HR (which overcomes unmeasured confounding) results of: [HR 1.31 (0.94 to 1.74)] versus proactive RCT [HR 0.83 (0.65 to 1.06)] (p = 0.02). Direct ROS to PIO exposed cohort comparisons yielded PERR adj HR of 1.55 (0.98 to 2.65). By contrast, expanded studies showed no differences between ROS and PIO exposure.

Conclusions

These results provide new insight regarding the effects of ROS and PIO on MI. In a population with established ischemic CVD, ROS increased MI in contrast to PIO; whereas in an unselected population, ROS and PIO have reasonably comparable effects. Most importantly, this study demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of a new strategy to perform reliable “CER” using an EMR database. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermoelectric behavior of organic thin film nanocomposites
Authors: Moriarty Gregory P. , De Sukanta , King Paul J. , Khan Umar , Via Michael , King Julia A. , Coleman Jonathan N. , Grunlan Jaime C.
Published: October 2012

Organic thin film nanocomposites, prepared by liquid‐phase exfoliation, were investigated for their superior electrical properties and thermoelectric behavior. Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) were stabilized by intrinsically conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) in an aqueous solution. The electrical conductivity (σ) was found to increase linearly as 20 to 95 wt % SWNT. At 95 wt % SWNT, these thin films exhibit metallic electrical conductivity (∼4.0 × 105 S m−1) that is among the highest values ever reported for a free‐standing, fully organic material. The thermopower (S) remains relatively unaltered as the electrical conductivity increases, leading to a maximum power factor (S2σ) of 140 μW m−1 K−2. This power factor is within an order of magnitude of bismuth telluride, so it is believed that these flexible films could be used for some unique thermoelectric applications requiring mechanical flexibility and printability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013
Are patients satisfied with their medication switches?
Authors: Krska Janet
Published: October 2012

Switching patients to equivalent cheaper medications makes financial sense, but are patients happy with the process? Here, Professor Krska presents the findings of a study into patients' views on the switching process and suggests ways for improving patient satisfaction.
Management options for female urinary incontinence
Authors: Vij Monika , Thomson Angus
Published: October 2012

Urinary incontinence is an embarrassing condition that can affect quality of life, and proper assessment is required to ensure the appropriate treatment is instigated. Our Drug review discusses the properties of the available treatment options, followed by a review of the prescription data and sources of further information.
Photogenerated‐carrier‐induced band bending effects on generation of a coherent longitudinal optical phonon in a GaAs buffer layer optically masked by a GaSb top epitaxial layer
Authors: Takeuchi Hideo , Tsuruta Syuichi , Nakayama Masaaki
Published: October 2012

We demonstrate that, in a GaSb/GaAs epitaxial structure, the coherent longitudinal optical (LO) phonon in a GaAs buffer layer optically masked by a GaSb top layer is observed utilizing terahertz spectroscopy. It is confirmed from Raman scattering measurements that only the optical phonons in the GaSb layer is observable. In the terahertz‐wave measurement, the Fourier power spectrum of a terahertz waveform exhibits both the coherent GaAs and GaSb LO phonon bands; namely, the coherent LO phonon in the optically masked GaAs buffer layer is observed. This fact demonstrates that the instantaneous surface potential modulation, which originates from the impulsive carrier excitation by a pump beam, reaches the GaAs buffer layer. We perform a time‐partitioning Fourier transform analysis in order to investigate the decay dynamics of the coherent GaAs and GaSb LO phonons. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Photoresponsive behavior of LCs doped with fluorescent materials
Authors: Kinoshita Motoi
Published: October 2012

Liquid crystalline (LC) molecules are known to reorient parallel to the light polarization when irradiated by linearly polarized light (a phenomenon known as light induced Frederiks transition). Dye‐doped LCs exhibit significantly enhanced photoinduced reorientation compared to undoped LCs. Although the reorientation behavior has been interpreted as a phenomenon based on interaction between the dye molecules and the electric field of light, the effect of the molecular structure on the photoinduced reorientation and details of the reorientational mechanism are not clear. In this study, photoresponsive behavior of LC systems doped with photostable fluorescent dyes were investigated. Sample cells were prepared by insertion of dye‐doped LCs into glass cells coated with n ‐octadecyl trimethoxy silane to obtain homeotropic alignment of LCs. Photoresponsive behavior of the LC system was evaluated by the self‐diffraction pattern formed upon irradiation of linearly polarized Ar+ laser beam at 488 nm. When the laser beam was incident on the sample cells, clear diffraction pattern was observed for the sample cell doped with Coumarin 6. Appearance of the diffraction ring indicates photoinduced reorientation of LCs. Thus, Coumarin 6 was found to act as a trigger for the photoinduced reorientation. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth and scintillation properties of Ce3+‐doped (Y1‐xGdx)AlO3 crystals
Authors: Fujimoto Yutaka , Yanagida Takayuki , Wakahara Shingo , Suzuki Shotaro , Kurosawa Shunsuke , Yoshikawa Akira
Published: October 2012

The optical and scintillation properties of 0.5% fixed Ce‐doped (Y1‐xGdx)AlO3 single crystals have been investigated at three different levels of Gd doping: x = 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6. Single crystal of the Ce3+‐doped (Y0.8Gd0.2)AlO3, (Y0.6Gd0.4)AlO3 and (Y0.4Gd0.6)AlO3 were successfully grown by μ‐PD technique in nitrogen atmosphere. From X‐ray diffraction analysis, no impurity phase was detected for the grown Ce‐doped crystals. Ce‐doped (Y0.6Gd0.4)AlO3 crystal demonstrated highest fluorescence quantum efficiency (∼ 25%) with improvement of excitation efficiency due to the Gd‐doping. When irradiated by the alpha‐rays from a 241Am source, all the Ce‐doped crystals showed luminescence band that corresponding to 5d (t2g)‐4f transition of Ce3+. The scintillation decay time was characterized by two components; the fast component (5‐15 ns) is ascribed to 5d‐4f transition of Ce3+, while the slow one (100‐200 ns) may be related to energy transfer between Ce3+ and Gd3+ ion. According to the result of 137Cs gamma‐ray irradiated pulse height spectra compared with BGO scintillator, the relative scintillation light output was found to be about 12200 ± 1220 (Gd 20%) and 16000 ± 1600 (Gd 40%) ph/MeV. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fabrication of wideband near‐infrared phosphor by stacking Sm3+‐doped glass on Pr3+‐doped glass phosphors
Authors: Oshima Koji , Terasawa Kengo , Fuchi Shingo , Takeda Yoshikazu
Published: October 2012

We synthesized the Pr3+‐doped Bi2O3‐Sb2O3‐B2O3glass phosphor and the Sm3+‐doped CaO‐Sb2O3‐B2O3glass phosphor in order to fabricate a wideband luminescence. The luminescence bands of the Pr3+‐doped glass phosphor were from 760 nm to 910 nm and from 920 nm to 1100 nm. The luminescence bands of the Sm3+‐doped glass phosphor were from 840 nm to 1060 nm. The excitation band of the Pr3+‐doped glass phosphor coincided with that of the Sm3+‐doped glass phosphor at around 475 nm. We achieved the wideband luminescence from 760 nm to 1100 nm by stacking the Pr3+‐doped glass phosphor (0.1mol% Pr6O11, 10 mm) on the Sm3+‐doped glass phosphor (0.5 mol% Sm2O3, 10 mm) excited by one LED (470 nm). This luminescence covered the wavelength region that is suitable for the absorption spectrometry of agricultural products (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of composition on photodoping behaviors in bulk Ge‐Sb‐S glasses
Authors: Kadono Kohei , Fujiwara Rikiya , Takahiro Katsumi , Wakasugi Takashi
Published: October 2012

Silver photodoping behaviors were investigated for bulk sulfide glasses, Ge21Sb14S64, Ge20Sb13S67, and Ge19Sb13S69, which were prepared with a conventional melting‐cooling method. The composition of these glasses are described as 60GeS2·40SbS1.5, 60GeS2·40SbS2, and 60GeS2·40SbS2.5, respectively, which means that the latter two glasses have excess amount of sulfur from the first one with a stoichiometric composition. Photodoping occurred more rapidly for glasses which have more amount of sulfur. Rutherford back scattering (RBS) measurements revealed that the thickness of the Ag‐doped layer was approximately 225 nm. Refractive indices at 633 nm increased from 2.36 to 2.56 by the photodoping for the 60GeS2·40SbS2.5 glass. From the variation of Raman spectra before and after the photodoping, it is considered that photochemical reaction between silver and sulfur constituting S‐S bonds occurred. The model is consistent with the experimental results showing the dependence of the amount of doped Ag on the irradiation time. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Towards understanding links between rural land management and the catchment flood hydrograph
Authors: Ewen John , O'Donnell Greg , Bulygina Nataliya , Ballard Caroline , O'Connell Enda
Published: October 2012

The nature of causal links between land management in rural river catchments and the flood hydrograph is investigated. A catchment can be represented as a mosaic of tiles with different land use, land management, and soils. Over the mosaic, the causal links vary with the physical properties of the land and channel drainage network, and with the management practices and space–time variations in rainfall and evaporation. The river Hodder catchment in northwest England is represented using a custom‐designed semi‐distributed rainfall‐runoff model. An adjoint, reverse algorithmic differentiation, version of the model is then used to find the sensitivity of the peak flow rate at the catchment outlet to the model parameters controlling runoff generation. Using this novel approach, the links between changes in land management and the impact on the peak flow rate are investigated by decomposing the impact in space to give maps that show the sources of impact, tile by tile. The method works quite well for the Hodder catchment, especially for rainfall events in the autumn and winter. Its strengths and weaknesses are discussed. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Rapid screening of synthetic cathinones as trace residues and in authentic seizures using a portable mass spectrometer equipped with desorption electrospray ionization
Authors: Vircks Kyle E. , Mulligan Christopher C.
Published: October 2012

RATIONALE

Recently, the surge in synthetic cathinone abuse has become a matter of public concern. With the influx of confiscated synthetic cathinones dramatically on the rise, laboratory workloads are expected to increase at a similar rate. This prompts the need for rapid analytical methods capable of detecting and identifying such compounds.

METHODS

A ruggedized, portable ion trap mass spectrometer capable of desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI‐MS) was used to rapidly characterize various synthetic cathinones. Target analytes were directly analyzed as trace residues on various substrates and as major components in authentic, powder‐based forensic evidence. Physical transfer swabs can also be examined with this method, allowing efficient screening of large areas and geometrically complex samples.

RESULTS

Method validity was tested on trace residues, mock forensic samples, and authentic evidentiary seizures, yielding low‐ to sub‐ng detection limits from several substrates of interest to crime scene investigation. Analyte confirmation was accomplished through MS2 analysis, providing characteristic fragmentation similar to that reported in literature. High‐throughput analysis was demonstrated with no significant instrumental carryover, even for powdered samples. The robustness of this DESI‐MS method to multi‐component samples was examined, marked by high chemical specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

Coupling DESI‐MS with portable instrumentation allowed sensitive and selective examination of synthetic cathinones from various substrates, in complex mixtures, and directly from mock and authentic forensic evidence. This instrumental method has the potential to assess the evidentiary value of forensic samples at crime scenes, reducing backlogs and expediting criminal investigations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying the abundance and stable isotope composition of pyrogenic carbon using hydrogen pyrolysis
Authors: Wurster Christopher M. , Lloyd Jon , Goodrick Iain , Saiz Gustavo , Bird Michael I.
Published: October 2012

RATIONALE

Pyrogenic carbon (CP) is an important component of the global carbon budget. Accurate determination of the abundance and stable isotope composition of CP in soils and sediments is crucial for understanding the dynamics of the CP cycle and interpreting records of biomass burning, climate and vegetation change in the past. Here we test hydrogen pyrolysis (hypy) as a new technique potentially capable of eliminating labile organic carbon (CL) from total organic carbon (CT) in a range of matrices in order to enable reliable quantification of both the CP component of CT and the stable carbon isotope composition of CP (δ13CP).

METHODS

We mixed CP at a range of concentrations with common CP‐free matrices (CL = cellulose, chitin, keratin, decomposed wood, leaf litter, grass and algae) and determined the amount of residual carbon not removed by hydrogen pyrolysis (CR) as a ratio of CT (CR/CT). Mixing CP with a unique δ13C value provided a natural abundance isotope label from which to precisely determine the ratio of CP to residual CL remaining after hypy.

RESULTS

All CP‐free matrices contained trace carbon after hypy, indicating that hypy does not remove all the CL. However, there was a strong correlation between CR/CT and CP/CT, viz. CR/CT = 1.02(CP/CT) + 4.0 × 10–3, r2 = 0.99, p <0.001, suggesting that only a small and reasonably constant fraction of CL remains after hypy. Uncertainties associated with the correction for contamination of CR by residual CL are minimal allowing for reliable determinations of both CP and δ13CP in many cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydrogen pyrolysis appears to be a robust technique for estimating CP abundance and δ13CP across a range of materials. Nevertheless, caution is required in interpreting δ13CP values when CP/CT is low, with CP/CT >4% being required for the determination of the δ13CP values within an interpretable error under our experimental conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An asymptotically stable sensorless speed controller for non‐salient permanent magnet synchronous motors
Authors: Shah D. , Espinosa–Pérez G. , Ortega R. , Hilairet M.
Published: October 2012

A solution to the longstanding problem of sensorless control of an electrical machine is provided in this paper. That is, the construction of an asymptotically stable controller that regulates the mechanical speed of the motor, measuring only the electrical coordinates. The result is presented for a non‐salient permanent magnet synchronous motor perturbed by an unknown constant load torque. The proposed scheme is a fourth order nonlinear observer‐based controller that does not rely on—intrinsically nonrobust—operations like open‐loop integration of the systems dynamical model nor signal differentiation and can be easily implemented in real time. The controller is easy to commission, with the tuning gains directly determining the convergence rates of the position, speed, and load torque observers. Simulation and experimental results are presented. In particular, a comparison with a sensorless field‐oriented controller, recently proposed in the drives literature, is carried out. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insensitive output feedback H ∞  control of delta operator systems with insensitivity to sampling time jitter
Authors: Guo Xiang‐Gui , Yang Guang‐Hong
Published: October 2012

The insensitive multi‐objective H ∞  control synthesis problem via dynamic output feedback for linear delta operator systems with insensitivity to sampling time jitter is investigated in the case of small sampling times. The delta‐domain model instead of the standard shift‐domain model is used to avoid the inherent numerical ill‐condition resulting from using the latter model at high sampling rates. Parameter sensitivity function of the transfer function with respect to sampling time is defined to mitigate the effect of sampling time jitter because it may cause significant degradation of the overall system performance. It is worth pointing out that a novel bounded real lemma for delta operator allowing extra degree of freedom for multi‐objective control design is presented by using the well‐known projection lemma. Then, from this new lemma, a two‐step design procedure based on LMI is presented to design insensitive dynamic output feedback controllers such that the resulting closed‐loop system is asymptotically stable and meets the requirement of sensitivity specification. A numerical example is also presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Concise Review: Defining Characteristics of Mammalian Spermatogenic Stem Cells
Authors: Griswold Michael D. , Oatley Jon M.
Published: October 2012

The enormous number of sperms produced daily and over the lifetime of mammals requires a stable source of stem cells that give rise to progenitor cells that proceed through spermatogenesis. Spermatogenic stem cells develop from primitive germ cells that occupy the developing gonad. A transplantation assay was developed for the spermatogenic stem cells, and it remains the only functional measure of authentic stem cells in the testis. Somatic cells comprise a “niche” environment that is essential for the maintenance of stem cell activity. Dividing progenitor cells have intercellular bridges and form syncytia with 2, 4, 8, or 16 cells. Fragmentation of these syncytia may allow some progenitor cells to occupy “niches” and function as stem cells, but this notion requires further investigation. Spermatogenic stem cells can be maintained in culture and are influenced by a number of growth factors. Thus far, the ultimate differentiation of cultured stem cells into functional gametes has not been demonstrated with any efficiency and reproducibility. The ability to maintain spermatogenic stem cells in culture and to induce differentiation into haploid cells and sperm could have many important implications for human medicine.