bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, partial life-cycle reproductive and gonadal histopathology study with bisphenol A
Authors: Mihaich Ellen , Rhodes Jon , Wolf Jeff , van der Hoeven Nelly , Dietrich Daniel , Hall A. Tilghman , Caspers Norbert , Ortego Lisa , Staples Charles , Dimond Steve , Hentges Steven
Published: August 2012

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an intermediate used to produce epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics. Although BPA degrades rapidly in the environment with aquatic half-lives from 0.5 to 6 d, it can be found in aquatic systems because of widespread use. To evaluate potential effects from chronic exposure, fathead minnows were exposed for 164 d to nominal concentrations of 1, 16, 64, 160, and 640 µg/L BPA. Population-level endpoints of survival, growth, and reproduction were assessed with supplemental endpoints (e.g., vitellogenin, gonad histology), including gonad cell type assessment and quantification. No statistically significant changes in growth, gonad weight, gonadosomatic index, or reproduction variables (e.g., number of eggs and spawns, hatchability) were observed; however, there was a significant impact on male survival at 640 µg/L. Vitellogenin increased in both sexes at 64 µg/L or higher. Gonad cell type frequencies were significantly different from controls at 160 µg/L or higher in males with a slight decrease in spermatocytes compared with less mature cell types, and at 640 µg/L in females with a slight decrease in early vitellogenic cells compared with less mature cells. The decrease in spermatocytes did not correspond to a decrease in the most mature sex cell type (spermatozoa) and did not impair male fertility, as hatchability was not impacted. Overall, marginal shifts in gametogenic cell maturation were not associated with any statistically significant effects on population-relevant reproductive endpoints (growth, fecundity, and hatchability) at any concentration tested. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2525–2535. © 2012 SETAC
Combined effect of cheese characteristics and food oral processing on in vivo aroma release
Authors: Repoux Marie , Labouré Hélène , Courcoux Philippe , Andriot Isabelle , Sémon Étienne , Yven Claude , Feron Gilles , Guichard Elisabeth
Published: August 2012

The aim of this work was to clarify the influence of the properties (firmness and fat content) of a solid processed model cheese on in vivo aroma release while considering the role of the in‐mouth process during both mastication and post‐swallowing steps, and the hydrophobicity of aroma compounds, on a large number of well characterized subjects. In vivo aroma release was studied on 44 subjects who freely consumed six processed model cheeses flavoured with the same concentration of nonan‐2‐one and ethyl propanoate. Globally, an increase in firmness induced an increase in chewing duration, amount of saliva incorporated into the food bolus, total amount of aroma released and rate of release. The kinetics of release clearly differed between the two aroma compounds. Ethyl propanoate presented a higher release rate for firmer cheese and was more released during the mastication step, whereas nonan‐2‐one was more released during the post‐swallowing step and more persistent in the mouth, due to its higher hydrophobicity. Consuming cheeses with a higher fat content led to a higher amount of product remaining in the mouth after swallowing, a lower amount of nonan‐2‐one released and a longer persistence of nonan‐2‐one in the breath. The results could be helpful to better understand the relative influence of the parameters related to products and subjects in order to reformulate foods with good sensory acceptability. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pixel‐oriented land use classification in energy balance modelling
Authors: Scavone Giuseppina , Sánchez Juan Manuel , Telesca Vito , Caselles Vicente , Copertino Vito A. , Pastore Vittoria , Valor Enric
Published: August 2012

Mass and energy transfer between soil, vegetation and atmosphere is the process that allows to maintain an adequate energy and water balance in the earth–atmosphere system. However, the evaluation of the energy balance components, such as the net radiation and the sensible and latent heat fluxes, is characterized by significant uncertainties related to both the dynamic nature of heat transfer processes and surfaces heterogeneity. Therefore, a detailed land use classification and an accurate evaluation of vegetation spatial distribution are required for an accurate estimation of these variables. For this purpose, in the present article, a pixel‐oriented supervised classification was applied to obtain land use maps of the Basilicata region in Southern Italy by processing three Landsat TM and ETM+ satellite images. An accuracy analysis based on the overall accuracy index and the agreement Khat of Cohen coefficient showed a good performance of the applied classification methodology and a good quality of the obtained maps. Subsequently, these maps were used in the application of a simplified two‐source energy balance model for estimating the actual evapotranspiration at a regional scale. The comparison between the simulations made by applying the simplified two‐source energy balance model and the measurements of evapotranspiration at a lysimetric station located in the study area showed the applicability and the validity of the proposed methodology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Initial impacts of a wildfire on hydrology and suspended sediment and nutrient export in California chaparral watersheds
Authors: Coombs James Scott , Melack John M.
Published: August 2012

Stream and rainfall gauging and runoff sampling were used to determine changes in hydrology and export of nutrients and suspended sediment from a June 2004 wildfire that burned 3010 ha in chaparral coastal watersheds of the Santa Ynez Mountains, California. Precipitation during water year 2005 exceeded average precipitation by 200–260%. Burned watersheds had order of magnitude higher peak discharge compared with unburned watersheds but similar annual runoff. Suspended sediment export of 181 mt ha−1 from a burned watershed was approximately ten times greater than from unburned watersheds. Ammonium export from burned watersheds largely occurred during the first three storms and was 32 times greater than from unburned watersheds. Nitrate, dissolved organic nitrogen, and phosphate export from burned watersheds increased by 5.5, 2.8, and 2.2 times, respectively, compared with unburned chaparral watersheds. Storm runoff and peak discharge increase in burned compared with unburned sites were greatest during early season storms when enhanced runoff occurred. As the winter progressed, closely spaced storms and above average precipitation reduced the fire‐related impacts that resulted in significant increases in annual post‐fire runoff and export in other studies in southern California chaparral. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic calibration of HEC‐HMS using single‐objective and multi‐objective PSO algorithms
Authors: Kamali Bahareh , Mousavi S. Jamshid , Abbaspour K.C.
Published: August 2012

This study presents single‐objective and multi‐objective particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms for automatic calibration of Hydrologic Engineering Center‐ Hydrologic Modeling Systems rainfall‐runoff model of Tamar Sub‐basin of Gorganroud River Basin in north of Iran. Three flood events were used for calibration and one for verification. Four performance criteria (objective functions) were considered in multi‐objective calibration where different combinations of objective functions were examined. For comparison purposes, a fuzzy set‐based approach was used to determine the best compromise solutions from the Pareto fronts obtained by multi‐objective PSO. The candidate parameter sets determined from different single‐objective and multi‐objective calibration scenarios were tested against the fourth event in the verification stage, where the initial abstraction parameters were recalibrated. A step‐by‐step screening procedure was used in this stage while evaluating and comparing the candidate parameter sets, which resulted in a few promising sets that performed well with respect to at least three of four performance criteria. The promising sets were all from the multi‐objective calibration scenarios which revealed the outperformance of the multi‐objective calibration on the single‐objective one. However, the results indicated that an increase of the number of objective functions did not necessarily lead to a better performance as the results of bi‐objective function calibration with a proper combination of objective functions performed as satisfactorily as those of triple‐objective function calibration. This is important because handling multi‐objective optimization with an increased number of objective functions is challenging especially from a computational point of view. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical properties of human bone surrounding plateau root form implants retrieved after 0.3–24 years of function
Authors: Baldassarri Marta , Bonfante Estevam , Suzuki Marcelo , Marin Charles , Granato Rodrigo , Tovar Nick , Coelho Paulo G.
Published: August 2012

Bone remodeling, along with tissue biomechanics, is critical for the clinical success of endosseous implants. This study evaluated the long‐term evolution of the elastic modulus (GPa) and hardness (GPa) of cortical bone around human retrieved plateau root form implants. Thirty implant‐in‐bone specimens showing no clinical failure were retrieved from patients at different in‐vivo times (0.3 to ∼24 years) due to retreatment needs. After dehydration, specimens were embedded in methacrylate‐based resin, sectioned along the bucco‐lingual long axis and fixed to acrylic plates and nondecalcified processed to slides with ∼50 μm in thickness. Nanoindentation testing was carried out under wet conditions on bone areas within the first three plateaus. Indentations (n = 120 per implant total) were performed with a maximum load of 300 μN (loading rate: 60 μN/s) followed by a holding and unloading time of 10 s and 2 s, respectively. Elastic modulus (E, GPa) and hardness (H, GPa) were computed. Both E and H values presented increased values as time in vivo elapsed (E: r = 0.84; H: r = 0.78). Significantly higher values for E and H were found after 5 years in vivo (p < 0.001). Maxillary or mandibulary arches or positioning did not affect mechanical properties, nor did implant surface treatment on the long‐term bone biomechanical response (E: p ≥ 0.09; H: p ≥ 0.3). This work suggests that human cortical bone around plateau root form implants presents an increase in elastic modulus and hardness during the first 5 years following implantation and presents stable mechanical properties thereafter. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
The role of platelets in the treatment of Achilles tendon injuries
Authors: Sadoghi Patrick , Rosso Claudio , Valderrabano Victor , Leithner Andreas , Vavken Patrick
Published: August 2012

To systematically review the current in‐vivo evidence for the use of platelet‐concentrates (PRP) in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy and Achilles tendon ruptures in animal models and human applications. A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, CCTR, and CDSR was performed for animal and human studies on the effect of platelet‐concentrates in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy and ruptures using the terms “Achilles tendon and platelet.” The systematic search revealed a total of 149 papers. After excluding duplicates and cases of overlapping data, studies not focusing on in vivo evidence in terms of treatment or outcome, studies without any intervention, studies with unacceptable high attrition, one Chinese and one Swedish study, the remaining 14 manuscripts were included. The key finding of our study is evidence in support of a statistically significant effect of platelet concentrates in the treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures in vivo in animal models and human application, consistent with a medium to large sized effect. This effect is most likely attributable to fastened and enhanced scar tissue maturation. There was no evidence for a beneficial effect of platelets in Achilles tendinopathy. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:111–118, 2012
A fluorescence lifetime imaging classification method to investigate the collagen to lipid ratio in fibrous caps of atherosclerotic plaque
Authors: Phipps Jennifer E. , Sun Yinghua , Fishbein Michael C. , Marcu Laura
Published: August 2012

Background and Objective

This study describes a novel fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) classification method to determine the ratio of collagen to lipid content in the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, an analytical process to assess risk of plaque rupture based on this ratio is proposed. Collagen to lipid ratio has been shown to be an important parameter to evaluate structural integrity of the fibrous cap. FLIM and other time‐resolved fluorescence techniques have recently been applied to the study of atherosclerosis based on the ability to assess biochemical composition.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Autofluorescence of specimens retrieved during carotid endarterectomy procedures was measured through three optical filters, F377: 377/50 nm, F460: 460/66 nm, and F510: 510/84 nm (center wavelength/bandwidth). A Laguerre deconvolution technique was used for the evaluation of fluorescence decay dynamics. The resulting decay parameters (average fluorescence lifetime and 4 Laguerre coefficients at each of the recorded bandwidths) were used for sample characterization. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to classify each image into collagen or lipid‐rich regions based on these parameters. Ultimately, a risk‐level was assigned based on the ratio of collagen to lipid on the surface of the fibrous cap.

Results

FLIM images were acquired in 18 carotid plaque specimens at 43 locations. Classification of collagen and lipid‐rich regions within the fibrous cap was performed with sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 82%, respectively.

Conclusions

Results from this study show that an LDA method of classifying regions of FLIM images of carotid plaque into collagen and lipid‐rich regions is capable of being automated and used to rate the risk of plaque rupture based on autofluorescence decay dynamics and without the need for fluorescence intensity or contrast agents. Lasers Surg. Med. 44: 564–571, 2012. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
1H and 13C NMR assignments of four series bioactive pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives
Authors: Xu Guohua , Song Jingjing , He Junbo , Ren Qingyun , Mo Wenyan , Xu Hui , Sun Shannan , He Hongwu , Cui Yanfang
Published: August 2012

The complete 1H and 13C NMR assignments of four series pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives were achieved by combination of one and two‐dimensional NMR experiments, and the NMR signals of these compounds were analyzed and compared. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sagittal Clefting of the Fifth Lumbar Vertebra of a Young Adult Female from Apollonia Pontica, Bulgaria
Authors: Keenleyside Anne
Published: August 2012

A rare congenital anomaly in the form of sagittal clefting of the fifth lumbar vertebra was observed in the skeleton of a young adult female excavated from the Greek colonial site of Apollonia Pontica (5th to 3rd centuries BC) on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. No compensatory changes had occurred to the adjacent vertebrae, and no other skeletal anomalies or pathological conditions were observed in the skeleton. This anomaly, the first of its kind documented in ancient Greek remains, was likely asymptomatic and of no clinical significance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microstructural and microwave shielding characteristics of water‐soluble polypyrrole–polyvinyl alcohol–graphite oxide core–shell nanocomposites
Authors: Basavaraja C. , Thinh P.X. , Kim Won Jung , Revanasiddappa M. , Huh Do Sung
Published: August 2012

This article reports on a facile route for the preparation of polypyrrole–polyvinyl alcohol–graphite oxide nanocomposites through the polymerization of pyrrole with different concentration (wt%) of graphite oxide using ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and their surface morphologies were studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Their solubility in water, DC conductivity in solution, and the current–voltage characteristics of the nanocomposites were studied. Furthermore, the microwave absorption at 1.0–10.0 MHz and the effects of sample thickness on the microwave absorption were investigated. The composites including higher concentration of graphite oxide showed increased solubility and electrical conductivity, and high electromagnetic shielding effectiveness. POLYM. COMPOS. 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Pseudo‐Hermitian random matrix theory
Authors: Srivastava S.C.L. , Jain S.R.
Published: August 2012

Complex extension of quantum mechanics and the discovery of pseudo‐unitarily invariant random matrix theory has set the stage for a number of applications of these concepts in physics. We briefly review the basic ideas and present applications to problems in statistical mechanics where new results have become possible. We have found it important to mention the precise directions where advances could be made if further results become available.
Hiding a heavy Higgs boson at the 7 TeV LHC
Authors: Bai Yang , Fan JiJi , Hewett JoAnne L.
Published: August 2012

Abstract

A heavy Standard Model Higgs boson is not only disfavored by electroweak precision observables but is also excluded by direct searches at the 7 TeV LHC for a wide range of masses. Here, we examine scenarios where a heavy Higgs boson can be made consistent with both the indirect constraints and the direct null searches by adding only one new particle beyond the Standard Model. This new particle should be a weak multiplet in order to have additional contributions to the oblique parameters. If it is a color singlet, we find that a heavy Higgs with an intermediate mass of 200–300 GeV can decay into the new states, suppressing the branching ratios for the standard model modes, and thus hiding a heavy Higgs at the LHC. If the new particle is also charged under QCD, the Higgs production cross section from gluon fusion can be reduced significantly due to the new colored particle one-loop contribution. Current collider constraints on the new particles allow for viable parameter space to exist in order to hide a heavy Higgs boson. We categorize the general signatures of these new particles, identify favored regions of their parameter space and point out that discovering or excluding them at the LHC can provide important in- direct information for a heavy Higgs. Finally, for a very heavy Higgs boson, beyond the search limit at the 7 TeV LHC, we discuss three additional scenarios where models would be consistent with electroweak precision tests: including an additional vector-like fermion mixing with the top quark, adding another U(1) gauge boson and modifying triple-gauge boson couplings.
Genetic differentiation in populations of the yellow‐necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis, harbouring B chromosomes in different frequencies
Authors: Adnađević Tanja , Bugarski‐Stanojević Vanja , Blagojević Jelena , Stamenković Gorana , Vujošević Mladen
Published: August 2012

Two alternative models are used to explain maintenance of polymorphism of B chromosomes (Bs) in populations of a great number of species. The parasitic model suggests deleterious effects of Bs on fitness of carriers, while the heterotic model assumes that, in the absence of drive, equilibrium is produced by beneficial effects of Bs at low numbers. In order to determine the potential contribution of Bs to genetic differentiation and diversity, four populations of Apodemus flavicollis, differing in frequency of Bs (from 0.23 to 0.38) and settled in ecologically different habitats, were analyzed by 471 AFLP markers. Although numerous loci were demonstrated to be population specific, none of them was associated with individuals with Bs. AMOVA showed that the presence of Bs does not affect population differentiation, pointing to greater genetic similarity of Bs to A chromosomes. The greatest genetic diversity (0.241) was found in the population settled in optimal conditions for this species featured by the lowest frequency of animals with Bs (0.23). We found that the majority of loci marked as loci under directional selection, are characteristic of either a population with lower or one with a higher frequency of Bs. Several loci detected as outliers were associated with environmental variables that could directly and/or indirectly influence population dynamics of A. flavicollis. Thus, we suggest that the different frequency of Bs carriers in populations is related to adaptive differentiation to diverse habitats, which is in accordance with the heterotic model of Bs maintenance.
Sensing Immune Responses with Customized Peptide Microarrays
Authors: Schirwitz Christopher , Loeffler Felix F. , Felgenhauer Thomas , Stadler Volker , Breitling Frank , Bischoff F. Ralf
Published: August 2012

The intent to solve biological and biomedical questions in high-throughput led to an immense interest in microarray technologies. Nowadays, DNA microarrays are routinely used to screen for oligonucleotide interactions within a large variety of potential interaction partners. To study interactions on the protein level with the same efficiency, protein and peptide microarrays offer similar advantages, but their production is more demanding. A new technology to produce peptide microarrays with a laser printer provides access to affordable and highly complex peptide microarrays. Such a peptide microarray can contain up to 775 peptide spots per cm², whereby the position of each peptide spot and, thus, the amino acid sequence of the corresponding peptide, is exactly known. Compared to other techniques, such as the SPOT synthesis, more features per cm² at lower costs can be synthesized which paves the way for laser printed peptide microarrays to take on roles as efficient and affordable biomedical sensors. Here, we describe the laser printer-based synthesis of peptide microarrays and focus on an application involving the blood sera of tetanus immunized individuals, indicating the potential of peptide arrays to sense immune responses.
Equilibrium states for non-uniformly expanding maps: Decay of correlations and strong stability
Authors: Castro A. , Varandas P.
Published: August 2012

We study the rate of decay of correlations for equilibrium states associated to a robust class of non-uniformly expanding maps where no Markov assumption is required. We show that the Ruelle–Perron–Frobenius operator acting on the space of Hölder continuous observables has a spectral gap and deduce the exponential decay of correlations and the central limit theorem. In particular, we obtain an alternative proof for the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium states and we prove that the topological pressure varies continuously. Finally, we use the spectral properties of the transfer operators in space of differentiable observables to obtain strong stability results under deterministic and random perturbations.
Ethics in Radiology: Wait Lists Queue Jumping
Authors: Cunningham Natalie , Reid Lynette , MacSwain Sarah , Clarke James R.
Published: August 2012

Education in ethics is a requirement for all Royal College residency training programs as laid out in the General Standards of Accreditation for residency programs in Canada. The ethical challenges that face radiologists in clinical practice are often different from those that face other physicians, because the nature of the physician-patient interaction is unlike that of many other specialties. Ethics education for radiologists and radiology residents will benefit from the development of teaching materials and resources that focus on the issues that are specific to the specialty. This article is intended to serve as an educational resource for radiology training programs to facilitate teaching ethics to residents and also as a continuing medical education resource for practicing radiologists. In an environment of limited health care resources, radiologists are frequently asked to expedite imaging studies for patients and, in some respects, act as gatekeepers for specialty care. The issues of wait lists, queue jumping, and balancing the needs of individuals and society are explored from the perspective of a radiologist.
Retrospective Review of Efficacy of Radiofrequency Ablation for Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases from a Canadian Perspective
Authors: Kwan Benjamin Y.M. , Kielar Ania Z. , El-Maraghi Robert H. , Garcia Lourdes M.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

A retrospective single-center review of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases was performed. This study reviews the primary and secondary technical effectiveness, overall survival of patients, recurrence-free survival, tumour-free survival, rates of local recurrence, and postprocedural RFA complications. Technical effectiveness and rates of complication with respect to tumour location and size were evaluated. Our results were compared with similar studies from Europe and North America.

Methods

A total of 63 patients (109 tumours) treated with RFA between February 2004 and December 2009 were reviewed. Average and median follow-up time was 19.4 and 16.5 months, respectively (range, 1–54 months). Data from patient charts, pathology, and Picture Archiving and Communication System was integrated into an Excel database. Statistical Analysis Software was used for statistical analysis.

Results

Primary and secondary technical effectiveness of percutaneous and intraoperative RFA were 90.8% and 92.7%, respectively. Average (SE) tumour-free survival was 14.4 ± 1.4 months (range, 1–43 months), and average (SE) recurrence-free survival was 33.5 ± 2.3 months (range, 2–50 months). Local recurrence was seen in 31.2% of treated tumours (range, 2–50 months) (34/109). Overall survival was 89.4% at 1 year, 70.0% at 2 years, and 38.1% at 3 years, with an average (SE) overall survival of 37.0 ± 2.8 months. There were 14 postprocedural complications. There was no statistically significant difference in technical effectiveness for small tumours (1–2 cm) vs intermediate ones (3–5 cm). There was no difference in technical effectiveness for peripheral vs parenchymal tumours.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated good-quality outcomes for RFA treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases from a Canadian perspective and compared favorably with published studies.
Catheter Fracture and Embolization Associated with Arm Implantation of the Cook Vital Port
Authors: Burbridge Brent , Stoneham Grant , Szkup Peter , Otani Rob , Kriegler Stefan
Published: August 2012

Purpose

To determine the frequency of arm port catheter fracture and embolization related to the Cook Vital Port Mini Titanium.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective audit of our Cerner Radiology Information System was performed between June 1, 2006, and June 30, 2011, to determine the number of Cook arm venous ports implanted and the frequency of foreign body retrievals related to catheter fracture for these arm ports.

Results

A total of 691 arm implantations of the Cook Vital Port during the 5-year time frame were analysed. Eleven of these patients (1.6%) required intravenous foreign body retrieval in the interventional radiology suite related to catheter fracture and embolization. Three of these fractured catheters were retrieved from the peripheral venous system upstream of the pulmonary circulation, whereas 8 embolized to the pulmonary arteries. All were successfully extracted with an intravenous snare by interventional radiology.

Conclusion

We discovered a 1.6% frequency of catheter fracture and embolization associated with arm implantation of the Cook Vital Port. All the catheters fractured at the vein entry site and did not detach from the port housing. The cause for catheter fracture and embolization is uncertain. Pulmonary embolization of the fractured catheters puts the patients at risk for possible further complications. No patients had ancillary complications related to catheter embolization or to catheter extraction procedures. Further investigation is required in an attempt to determine the circumstances that may result in catheter fracture and embolization related to this venous access device.
Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid: Methods to Decrease the Rate of Unsatisfactory Biopsies in the Absence of an On-Site Pathologist
Authors: Naïm Cyrille , Karam Ramy , Eddé Donald
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The rate of unsatisfactory samples from ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirations of thyroid nodules varies widely in the literature. We aimed to evaluate our thyroid ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy technique in the absence of on-site microscopic examination by a pathologist; determine factors that affect the adequacy rate, such as the number of needle passes and needle size; compare our results with the literature; and establish an optimal technique.

Materials and Methods

We performed a retrospective review of cytopathology reports from 252 consecutive thyroid ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies performed by a radiologist between 2005 and 2010 in our hospital's radiology department. Sample adequacy, the number of needle passes, and needle size were determined. There was an on-site cytologist who prepared slides immediately after fine-needle aspiration but no on-site microscopic assessment of sample adequacy to guide the number of needle passes that should be performed. Cytopathology biopsy reports were classified as either unsatisfactory or satisfactory samples for diagnosis; the latter consisted of benign, malignant, and undetermined diagnoses.

Results

Seventy-seven biopsies were performed with 1 needle pass, 124 with 2 needle passes, and 51 with 3 needle passes. The rates of unsatisfactory biopsies were 33.8%, 23.4% (odds ratio [OR] 0.599 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.319-1.123]; P = .110), and 13.7% (OR 0.312 [95% CI, 0.124-0.788]; P = .014), respectively.

Conclusion

In a hospital in which there is no on-site pathologist, a 3-pass method increases the specimen satisfactory rate by 20% compared with 1 pass, achieves similar rates to the literature, and provides a basis for further improvement of our practice.
Homepeptide Repeats: Implications for Protein Structure, Function and Evolution
Authors: Uthayakumar Muthukumarasamy , Benazir Bowdadu , Patra Sanjeev , Vaishnavi Marthandan Kirti , Gurusaran Manickam , Sureka Kanagarajan , Jeyakanthan Jeyaraman , Sekar Kanagaraj
Published: August 2012

Analysis of protein sequences from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb H37Rv) was performed to identify homopeptide repeat-containing proteins (HRCPs). Functional annotation of the HRCPs showed that they are preferentially involved in cellular metabolism. Furthermore, these homopeptide repeats might play some specific roles in protein–protein interaction. Repeat length differences among Bacteria, Archaea and Eukaryotes were calculated in order to identify the conservation of the repeats in these divergent kingdoms. From the results, it was evident that these repeats have a higher degree of conservation in Bacteria and Archaea than in Eukaryotes. In addition, there seems to be a direct correlation between the repeat length difference and the degree of divergence between the species. Our study supports the hypothesis that the presence of homopeptide repeats influences the rate of evolution of the protein sequences in which they are embedded. Thus, homopeptide repeat may have structural, functional and evolutionary implications on proteins.
New ‘dividing lines’ in Europe: A crisis of trust in European–Russian relations
Authors: Kazantsev Andrey , Sakwa Richard
Published: August 2012

The paper presents the materials of the special issue “Institutions, Networks and Trust in European–Russian relations” offering various interdisciplinary perspectives on EU–Russia relations. The positions of the authors of the special edition are analysed in the context of both Western and Russian literature on EU–Russia relations. This analysis is conducted within the framework of close to Constructivism “security community” approach that stresses the role of common interests, shared values, communications, interpersonal contacts and trust in overcoming conflicts. In this context, the emergence of new ‘dividing lines’ in Europe is considered as the result of crisis of trust and institutional crisis in EU– Russia relations. From this point of view the recent literature on the roots of European–Russian conflict, on connections between Russian domestic and foreign policy, on value-interest dilemma in Western–Russian relations, on the new Cold War/Cold Peace theory, on the structure of EU policy towards Russia and internal splits inside EU is reviewed.
Looking for a greater Europe: From mutual dependence to an international regime
Authors: Sakwa Richard
Published: August 2012

On a range of structural and ideological issues Russia and Europe are increasingly mutually dependent, as in the energy sector, as well as in security matters and a number of other issues, but this has not generated ‘interdependence’ – the term popular from the 1970s to denote a qualitative transformation of the relationship, as described by Keohane and Nye and others. The paper asks why this has been the case, providing historical and theoretical context, but above all it looks at some of the ideas now advanced that could transcend the present impasse. An ‘international regime’ is emerging in response to Russian aspirations for some sort of ‘greater European’ community, the European Union’s complex pattern of ‘external governance’, and the need to integrate third parties (notably Turkey) into an extended network of relations that falls short of full-scale accession but gives form to aspirations for pan-European unity.
Subversive institutions, informal governance, and contemporary Russian politics
Authors: Gel’man Vladimir
Published: August 2012

The article presents an analysis of “informal institutionalization” in post-Communist Russia in theoretical and comparative perspective. It is devoted to critical analysis of existing explanations of the dominance of subversive institutions – that is, those rules, norms, and practices that at first sight partly resemble institutions of modern democracy, good governance and rule of law, but in fact inhibit them. While “pessimists” focus on cultural and historical embeddedness of subversive institutions in Russia, “optimists” draw their attention to patterns of post-Communist state-building, and “realists” point out the major role of special interests groups in turning growing pains of informal governance in Russia into its chronic deceases.
SOME SOLUBILITY CRITERIA IN FACTORISED GROUPS
Authors: ASAAD M. , BALLESTER-BOLINCHES A. , ESTEBAN-ROMERO R.
Published: August 2012

In this paper, solubility of groups factorised as a product of two subgroups which are connected by certain permutability properties is studied.
Bridging the gap between modelers and experimentalists
Authors: Wallenstein Matthew , Stromberger Mary , Bell Colin
Published: August 2012

Second International Enzymes in the Environment Research Coordination Network Workshop: Incorporating Enzymes and Microbial Physiology Into Biogeochemical Models; Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 15–18 May 2012 Recent studies have provided new insights into the factors controlling the production and activities of extracellular enzymes, the proximate agents of organic matter decomposition. Enzymes and other aspects of microbial physiology have been incorporated into simple models but have not yet been explicitly incorporated into biogeochemical models capable of predicting fluxes of carbon and nutrients. One reason for this is that empirical data collected at one or few locations and time points do not meet the needs of modelers attempting to integrate across spatial and temporal scales. Furthermore, there is a disconnect between the types of data measured in observational and experimental studies and the data needed to parameterize biogeochemical models. For example, the most common approach is to measure maximum potential enzyme activities in laboratory assays, whereas models require measurements of enzyme kinetics when substrate is limiting.
Atmospheric turbulence not simply two‐dimensional or three‐dimensional
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: August 2012

A complete mathematical description of turbulence is one of the most sought‐after prizes in physics, and although the research of Pinel et al. does not provide a full account, it does aim to pin down the answer to one subset of that effort: Are two‐dimensional (2‐D) or 3‐D the main options for atmospheric turbulence? In the earliest statistical descriptions, scientists assumed that turbulence was direction independent (isotropic) but in two separate regimes: at large scales being horizontally isotropic, while at small scales being isotropic in 3‐D space. In this view, only large‐scale turbulence behaves differently in the vertical and horizontal directions, that is, with horizontally stratified vortices.
Novel energy resolving x-ray pinhole camera on Alcator C-Mod
Authors: Pablant N. A. , Delgado-Aparicio L. , Bitter M. , Brandstetter S. , Eikenberry E. , Ellis R. , Hill K. W. , Hofer P. , Schneebeli M.
Published: August 2012

A new energy resolving x-ray pinhole camera has been recently installed on Alcator C-Mod. This diagnostic is capable of 1D or 2D imaging with a spatial resolution of ≈1 cm, an energy resolution of ≈1 keV in the range of 3.5–15 keV and a maximum time resolution of 5 ms. A novel use of a Pilatus 2 hybrid-pixel x-ray detector [P. Kraft et al., J. Synchrotron Rad. 16, 368 (2009)10.1107/S0909049509009911] is employed in which the lower energy threshold of individual pixels is adjusted, allowing regions of a single detector to be sensitive to different x-ray energy ranges. Development of this new detector calibration technique was done as a collaboration between PPPL and Dectris Ltd. The calibration procedure is described, and the energy resolution of the detector is characterized. Initial data from this installation on Alcator C-Mod is presented. This diagnostic provides line-integrated measurements of impurity emission which can be used to determine impurity concentrations as well as the electron energy distribution.
The permanent electric dipole moment and hyperfine interactions in platinum monofluoride, PtF
Authors: Qin Chengbing , Zhang Ruohan , Wang Fang , Steimle Timothy C.
Published: August 2012

The [11.9]Ω = 3/2 ← X 2Π3/2(0,0) and (1,0) bands of platinum monofluoride, PtF, have been recorded field-free and in the presence of a static electric field. The 19F(I = 1/2) and 195Pt(I = 1/2) magnetic hyperfine interactions have been analyzed and compared with predicted values obtained using atomic information and a proposed molecular orbital correlation diagram. The optical Stark shifts were analyzed to produce the permanent electric dipole moments, $\vec \mu _{el}$μ⃗el, of 2.47(11)D and 3.42(6)D for the [11.9]Ω = 3/2 and X 2Π3/2states, respectively. The observed trend in $\vec \mu _{el}$μ⃗el for the PtX (X = C,N,O,S and F) series is discussed and a comparison with IrF made.
Interaction of a converging spherical shock wave with isotropic turbulence
Authors: Bhagatwala Ankit , Lele Sanjiva K.
Published: August 2012

Simulations of converging spherical shock waves propagating through a region of compressible isotropic turbulence are carried out. Both converging and reflected phases of the shock are studied. Effect of the reflected phase of the shock is found to be quite different from the expanding shock in the Taylor blast wave-turbulence interaction problem. Vorticity and turbulent kinetic energy are amplified due to passage of the shock. Similar to the latter problem, the vorticity-dilatation term is primarily responsible for the observed behavior. This is confirmed through Eulerian and Lagrangian statistics. Transverse vorticity amplification is compared with linear planar shock-turbulence theory. The smallest eddies, represented by the Kolmogorov scale, decrease in size after passing through the converging shock and this is shown to be related to a decrease in kinematic viscosity and increase in dissipation behind the converging shock. Distortion of the shock due to turbulence is also investigated and quantified. Turbulence also affects maximum compression achieved at the point of shock reflection, when the shock radius is at a minimum. This decrease in compression is quantified by comparing with pure shock simulations.
A new scheme for stigmatic x-ray imaging with large magnification
Authors: Bitter M. , Hill K. W. , Delgado-Aparicio L. F. , Pablant N. A. , Scott S. , Jones F. , Beiersdorfer P. , Wang E. , Sanchez del Rio M. , Caughey T. A. , Brunner J.
Published: August 2012

This paper describes a new x-ray scheme for stigmatic imaging. The scheme consists of one convex spherically bent crystal and one concave spherically bent crystal. The radii of curvature and Bragg reflecting lattice planes of the two crystals are properly matched to eliminate the astigmatism, so that the conditions for stigmatic imaging are met for a particular wavelength. The magnification is adjustable and solely a function of the two Bragg angles or angles of incidence. Although the choice of Bragg angles is constrained by the availability of crystals, this is not a severe limitation for the imaging of plasmas, since a particular wavelength can be selected from the bremsstrahlung continuum. The working principle of this imaging scheme has been verified with visible light. Further tests with x rays are planned for the near future.
Optical absorption of silicon nanowires
Authors: Xu T. , Lambert Y. , Krzeminski C. , Grandidier B. , Stiévenard D. , Lévêque G. , Akjouj A. , Pennec Y. , Djafari-Rouhani B.
Published: August 2012

We report on simulations and measurements of the optical absorption of silicon nanowires (NWs) versus their diameter. We first address the simulation of the optical absorption based on two different theoretical methods: the first one, based on the Green function formalism, is useful to calculate the scattering and absorption properties of a single or a finite set of NWs. The second one, based on the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, is well-adapted to deal with a periodic set of NWs. In both cases, an increase of the onset energy for the absorption is found with increasing diameter. Such effect is experimentally illustrated, when photoconductivity measurements are performed on single tapered Si nanowires connected between a set of several electrodes. An increase of the nanowire diameter reveals a spectral shift of the photocurrent intensity peak towards lower photon energies that allow to tune the absorption onset from the ultraviolet radiations to the visible light spectrum.
Electron density and temperature profile diagnostics for C-2 field reversed configuration plasmas
Authors: Deng B. H. , Kinley J. S. , Schroeder J.
Published: August 2012

The 9-point Thomson scattering diagnostic system for the C-2 field reversed configuration plasmas is improved and the measured electron temperature profiles are consistent with theoretical expectations. Rayleigh scattering revealed a finite line width of the ruby laser emission, which complicates density calibration. Taking advantage of the plasma wobble motion, density profile reconstruction accuracy from the 6-chord two-color CO2/HeNe interferometer data is improved.
Bimodal distribution of sub-micron titanium silicide contact resistance
Authors: Venezia A. , Testa G. , Del Buono T. , Wang S.
Published: August 2012

Contact interface properties of CMOS image sensor devices were investigated to understand the root cause of a bimodal distribution found in several Kelvin parametric structures. Samples were fabricated using a CVD titanium (Ti) deposition process. The influence of titanium silicide (TiSi2) formation, silicon surface treatment (pre-Ti deposition clean and amorphization), and junction depth on the Kelvin distribution were explored. In addition to standard electrical measurements, TEM and diffraction pattern analysis were also performed. Experimental data presented in this paper show that the bimodal distribution is a result of different TiSi2 phases formation, and that a normal distribution can be achieved by adding an optimized pre-amorphization step before Ti deposition.
Radiative recombination model of degenerate semiconductor and photoluminescence properties of 3C-SiC by P and N doping
Authors: Wang Kun , Fang Xiao-Yong , Li Ya-Qin , Yin Ai-Cha , Jin Hai-Bo , Yuan Jie , Cao Mao-Sheng
Published: August 2012

Based on radiative recombination theory, we have established a recombination model that can be used to calculate photoluminescence (PL) intensity for degenerate semiconductors. Using this model and density functional theory, we calculated photoluminescence excitation (PLE) and PL spectra of intrinsic 3C-SiC, P-doped SiC and N-doped SiC. The violet or near ultraviolet PLE peaks were found to be observed in PLE spectra for Sin−1PCn and SinNCn−1 (n = 4, 8, 12, and 16). Compared to intrinsic 3C-SiC, doped 3C-SiC exhibits higher PL peaks which for P-doped SiC are in the indigo spectral region, near the 3C-SiC’s peak, and for N-doped SiC appear in the green. The phenomena are studied through analyses of band structure, carrier concentration, and absorption. For doped 3C-SiC, the PL properties are mainly improved by the band-gap transformation from indirect to direct and the increase in carrier concentration near the Fermi level.
Formation of monomer to tetramer Ag nanodots in a vanadium oxide nanomesh on Pd(111)
Authors: Yuhara J. , Hayazaki S. , Ogawa K. , Matsui T.
Published: August 2012

The size and structure of silver (Ag) nanodots on a vanadium oxide nanomesh on Pd(111) were examined by a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations based on density functional theory. At the very beginning of the Ag deposition, a single Ag atom filled with the vanadium oxide nanomesh, forming a monomer Ag nanodot. As the Ag coverage increased, dimer, trimer, and tetramer Ag nanodots were formed. Locally, some of the Ag atoms formed Ag clusters on top of the vanadium oxide nanomesh. The silver atoms deposited on the nanohole did not easily migrate beyond the edge of the vanadium oxide nanomesh at room temperature, resulting in the formation of local nanodots composed of multiple Ag atoms instead of uniform monomer nanodots on the nanoholes.
Synthesis and properties of phase-change Ge-Sb nanoparticles
Authors: Mahmoud S. T. , Ayesh A. I. , Qamhieh N. N. , Ahmad S. J.
Published: August 2012

We report on the synthesis and characterization of Ge15Sb85 phase-change nanoparticles by magnetron plasma sputtering and inert-gas condensation inside an ultra-high vacuum compatible system. Electrical and optical properties of Sb-rich nanoparticles for phase-change memory applications have been examined. The results show that phase-change properties of Ge15Sb85 material still exist for nanoparticles of 8.0 nm size. The amorphous to crystalline transformation proceeds at moderately elevated temperature (∼473 K) which shows that Ge15Sb85 nanoparticles are a good candidate for phase-change memory applications in terms of long data retention time. The observed phase transition in Ge15Sb85 nanoparticles is promising for down scaling the size of phase change solid-state memory devices.