bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tropical perturbations in the Eastern Pacific and the Precipitation field over North‐Western Mexico in relation to the enso phenomenon
Authors: Reyes Sergio , Mejía‐Trejo Adan
Published: July 2010

Monthly time series of the number of tropical perturbations (TP) for the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), the north‐eastern tropical sea‐surface temperature (SST), and the precipitation field over north‐western Mexico for the period 1966–1988 are analysed by using power spectral techniques. It is found that a significant coherence exists at the frequency bands of 0.015–0.025 cycles per month and 0.035–0.040 cycles per month. These signals are associated with the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) phenomena, respectively. As reported elsewhere, fewer tropical storms over the Atlantic and western Pacific Oceans tend to be associated with negative values of the SOI (or positive anomalies of the eastern Pacific SST); however, for the eastern Pacific, only the period 1966–1979 coincides with the above conclusion. The period 1980–1987, with two observed ENSO phenomena, shows an above normal number of TP coincident with negative values of the SOI and positive SST anomalies. Briefly, the controlling mechanisms lie in the atmospheric and oceanic interactions. That is, during the period 1966–1979, the thermal potential was relatively weak, while for the period 1980–1988 the thermal potential was stronger, with more frequent tropical cyclone formation. The summer precipitation field over the Sonoran Desert, Mexico, is largely influenced by the nearby presence of eastern Pacific tropical perturbations, especially during the ENSO years, while summer precipitation over the Sierras (south‐east of the Sonoran Desert) always shows an influence from both the Atlantic and Pacific atmospheric phenomena.
Urban—rural humidity differences in London
Authors: Lee Derek O.
Published: July 2010

Measurements of vapour pressure taken four times daily over a 10‐year period are used to investigate diurnal and seasonal patterns of urban—rural absolute humidity differences in London. The urban atmosphere is found to be more humid than the rural at night in all months and during the day in winter and spring, while during summer days, the urban atmosphere is less humid. Patterns of urban excesses and deficits of humidity can be explained by reference to urban and rural energy balances and sources of moisture. A good relationship exists between heat island intensity and urban—rural vapour pressure differences.
Rainfall variations in Queensland, Australia: 1891–1986
Authors: Lough J. M.
Published: July 2010

State‐wide and regional rainfall indices are developed for Queensland for the summer and winter half‐year seasons from 1890 to 1986. Using these, marked variations in summer season rainfall are identified, though variations in winter rainfall appear to be of smaller magnitude. For Queensland, the associations between rainfall and the Southern Oscillation vary with season, region, and through time. The previously identified period, 1921–1950, of ‘weak’ Southern Oscillation variations is shown to be a time of less variable rainfall in Queensland and also one of weaker associations between Queensland rainfall and other climatic variables. During times of strong development of the Southern Oscillation, rainfall variations show a greater amount of covariation in space and within the monsoon season than at times of weak Southern Oscillation development. A proxy record of rainfall variations in central Queensland (back to AD 1735) shows more extreme wet and dry periods than those found in the instrumental records of the past 100 years.
The annual period of freezing temperatures in central England: 1850–1989
Authors: Watkins Chris
Published: July 2010

The daily central England temperature (CET) series is examined for evidence of long‐term changes in the duration of the annual freeze season by analysing the timing of the first and last days of winter that record a CET value of 0°C or lower. A statistically significant inverse relationship is found to exist between freeze season duration and time. A linear regression model demonstrates that the rate of decline is about 2 days per decade. This could be explained by a rise in air temperature. An overview of statistical theory is given and the model assumptions are tested.
Principal component analysis of the annual regime of hydrological and meteorological fields in a river basin
Authors: Pandžić K. , Trninić D.
Published: July 2010

This paper presents a comprehensive consideration of the annual pattern of monthly discharge, precipitation, and water balance in the Kupa river basin (Yugoslavia). For this purpose principal component analysis (PCA) was applied. The monthly discharge values for 25 streamflow measurement stations and the corresponding precipitation and water balance data for 18 weather stations, for the period 1961–1980, were used. For each of the considered fields, two principal components (PCs) are the most significant, and describe more than 85 per cent of total field variance. A significant correlation between discharge PCs and precipitation and water balance PCs was established, especially in the winter season. Thus an explanation of the annual pattern of the discharge in terms of precipitation and water balance has been achieved.
The effects of scapular taping on electromyographic muscle activity and proprioception feedback in healthy shoulders
Authors: Lin Jiu‐jenq , Hung Cheng‐Ju , Yang Pey‐Lin
Published: July 2010

We investigated the effects of scapular tape on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), anterior deltoid (AD), and shoulder proprioception in 12 healthy shoulders. Participants were blindfolded and required to complete a target end/mid range position with the hand. They performed six trials under two experimental conditions; no tape and therapeutic tape. EMG activity was measured by surface electrodes, and proprioception was measured by the FASTRAK electromagnetic motion tracking system. Two‐way repeated measures ANOVA showed that UT and AD activities decreased 2.65% (p = 0.001), and SA muscular activities increased 1.9% (p = 0.015) in the taping condition. The proprioceptive feedback magnitude was significantly lower in the taping condition than in the no taping condition (11.9°, p < 0.005). Additionally, correlation coefficients were higher than 0.5 between muscle activity and proprioceptive feedback with the taping condition; UT and magnitude in the mid range task (R = 0.516); LT and magnitude in the end range task (R = −0.524); and SA and magnitude in the mid range task (R = −0.576). The results suggest that scapular tape affects the muscle activity of UT, AD, and SA, and that the effects are related to proprioception feedback. These results implicate that the mechanisms by which scapular taping induces effects can be explained by neuromuscular control and proprioceptive feedback factors. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:53–57, 2011
Defining stage III disease in colorectal cancer—aspects on treatment and evaluation of survival
Authors: Derwinger Kristoffer , Carlsson Göran , Ekman Tor
Published: July 2010

Background and Objective

Stage III in colorectal cancer is defined by presence of node metastasis, whereas distant growth constitutes stage IV. The aim was to describe prognosis in high risk groups of stage III in relation to survival in stage IV, along with possible effect on research and treatment.

Methods

All patients operated for stage III–IV colorectal cancer 1999–2003 (n = 591) were assessed by demography, pathology and treatment towards survival. Stage III patients were grouped by lymph node ratio (LNR) tenths and stage IV by node status (N0–2). Comparison was by cancer specific survival (CSS). Disease free survival (DFS) was also assessed for stage III.

Results

LNR predicted CSS and DFS (P < 0.001) as a higher ratio correlated with a worse prognosis and an increased risk of early recurrence. With high ratios the stage III survival prognosis resembled stage IV. A survival crossover phenomenon was found for stage III patients with a high LNR (0.9–1) compared to some stage IV patients (N0/M1).

Conclusions

The prognosis in stage III is heterogeneous and can be differentiated by LNR. The survival difference towards stage IV can be limited which could affect the use and evaluation of chemotherapy and the further development of staging terminology. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:424–427. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The clinical utility of Ki‐67 in assessing tumor biology and aggressiveness in patients with appendiceal carcinoids
Authors: Liu Eric , Telem Dana A. , Hwang John , Warner Richard R.P. , Dikman Andrew , Divino Celia M.
Published: July 2010

Background/Objective

To elucidate the correlation of Ki‐67 with tumor biology and survival in appendiceal carcinoid tumors.

Method

A retrospective chart review conducted on 51 patients with appendiceal carcinoid tumors who underwent surgical intervention from 1991 to 2008. MIB‐1, an antibody of Ki‐67, was used to determine cell proliferation and correlated with clinical and histological parameters. MIB‐1 index was categorized according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification.

Result

Of the 51 patients, 32 had tumors <2 cm; 3 >2 cm; and 16 with unspecified tumor size. Increased MIB proliferative index did not significantly correlate with increasing tumor size (P = 0.426). Twelve patients had metastatic disease on presentation: 9 had MIB‐1 index <2%, 1 had index 2–15% and 2 with index >15%. No significant correlation between MIB index and metastasis was demonstrated (P = 0.68). Median follow‐up was 40 months (range 10–183 months) with a 51% follow‐up rate. Seven mortalities and three recurrences presented in 26 patients. Assessment of survival demonstrated significantly decreased survival by increasing MIB index. Survival rate by MIB index was as follows: <2% was 97%, 2–15% was 85% and >15% was 67% (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Increased MIB index significantly correlated with decreased survival. No correlation was demonstrated by MIB index and tumor size or presentation with metastatic disease. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:338–341. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CT colonography for postoperative surveillance after curative gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Lim Joon Seok , Lee Sang Kil , Hyung Woo Jin , Choi Jin‐Young , Kim Myeong‐Jin , Noh Sung Hoon , Kim Ki Whang
Published: July 2010

Aim

The purpose was to evaluate the diagnostic role of contrast‐enhanced CT colonography (CTC) for follow‐up of colorectal cancer screening after curative gastrectomy in patients with gastric adenocarcinomas.

Materials and Methods

Contrast‐enhanced CTC was performed as a substitute for routine follow‐up CT for the detection of recurrent lesions in 700 consecutive patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric adenocarcinomas. Prospectively, patients with polyps measuring 6 mm or larger on CTC were referred for optical colonoscopy. Clinical and radiologic follow‐up with respect to detection of polyp and recurrent lesion was retrospectively assessed.

Results

Colorectal polyps measuring 6 mm or larger were identified by CTC in 104 (14.9%) of the 700 patients. Optical colonoscopy was recommended to these patients and was performed in 72 cases. True positive lesions were identified in 62 of the 72 patients (per‐patient positive predictive value: 86.1%). The diagnostic yield for primary colonic malignancies was 1.6% (11/700). Recurrent lesions of gastric cancer were also detected in eight patients (1.1%).

Conclusion

In patients who undergo gastrectomy due to gastric adenocarcinoma, contrast‐enhanced CTC may offer a unique advantage by allowing simultaneous colorectal cancer screening in addition to its routine role of detecting recurrent lesions during follow‐up. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:593–598. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of calixarene‐bonded stationary phases
Authors: Schneider Christian , Menyes Ulf , Jira Thomas
Published: July 2010

Calixarene‐bonded stationary phases received growing interest in HPLC as stationary phases with special retention characteristics and selectivity. The commercially available unsubstituted and p‐tert‐butyl‐substituted Caltrex® columns have been intensively studied and characterized in our workgroup. They can be used as reversed phases, yet they support additional interactions. Especially, their steric, polar and ionic properties differ from conventional alkyl‐bonded phases. However, also the hydrophobic interaction shows differences since adsorption and partition interactions on or in a bonded layer of calixarenes are not similar to those of alkyl‐bonded layers. The relative strength of the hydrophobic properties of the stationary phases has been found depending on the methanol concentration of the mobile phase. Generally, the dependencies of their interaction strengths on mobile‐phase conditions, e.g. the change of the intensity of the hydrogen‐bonding abilities with decreasing methanol content, are not similar from phase to phase either. This probably gives calixarene‐bonded stationary phases enhanced suitability for analyses at extreme compositions of the mobile phase. An overview about the synthesis, retention and selectivity properties of Caltrex® columns is given here.
Sugar treatment of human lipoprotein particles and their separation by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Witos Joanna , Cilpa Geraldine , Yohannes Gebrenegus , Öörni Katariina , Kovanen Petri T. , Jauhiainen Matti , Riekkola Marja‐Liisa
Published: July 2010

Entrapment of lipoprotein particles in the extracellular matrix of the arterial intima is a characteristic feature of the development of atherosclerosis, the disease behind myocardial infarction and stroke. In this study, sugars were exploited in the separation of lipoproteins by CE. Monosaccharides, disaccharides and one sugar alcohol used during ultracentrifugal isolation of lipoproteins prevented the strong and unfavorable adsorption of lipoprotein particles on the capillary wall, allowing their selective separation in uncoated fused silica capillary. The effect of ionic strength of the phosphate BGE solution on the separation at physiological pH was clarified. Asymmetrical flow field‐flow fractionation and dynamic light scattering showed that sugars affected the structure of lipoproteins by decreasing their sizes. Although in molecular dynamics simulations, only a 19 amino acid peptide of apolipoprotein B‐100 and a 15 amino acid peptide of apolipoprotein E were employed, the results also indicated a decrease in lipoprotein size, supporting the asymmetrical flow field‐flow fractionation and dynamic light scattering results.
Decision making in head and neck cancer care
Authors: Davies Louise , Rhodes Lorna A. , Grossman David C. , Rosenberg Marie‐Claire , Stevens David P.
Published: July 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To describe patterns of patient involvement in head and neck cancer decision making.

Study Design:

Prospective longitudinal ethnography of otolaryngology patients making treatment decisions.

Methods:

Grounded theory analysis of verbatim transcripts and original voice recordings from: 1) participant‐driven diaries, 2) participants' office visits with their physicians, and 3) semistructured interviews completed after a treatment decision had been made.

Results:

Patients with serious illness and experiencing considerable pain, discomfort, or alteration in the ability to perform activities of daily living, and who fear for their life, do not make decisions in a way that adheres to the conventional model of decision making, which presumes a sequential, office‐based interaction with clear patient autonomy. These patients have the ability to interpret information they receive during office visits, but they describe making a treatment decision as “deciding to do something” not choosing a specific treatment. This group also describes “trust” or “confidence” in the physician as the most important factor in making a decision, not the type or amount of information received. They move through providers toward treatment in a linear fashion, from one physician specialty to the next, usually without doubling back to revisit previous decisions or discussions.

Conclusions:

Decision making in serious illness unfolds differently than in less serious problems. The conventional model does not fit this patient population, and reliance on trust of the physician figures prominently. Decision support should be aimed at physician decision making, promoting explicit incorporation of patient‐specific data into the process.
A prospective study of cardiovascular risk factors and incident hearing loss in men
Authors: Shargorodsky Josef , Curhan Sharon G. , Eavey Roland , Curhan Gary C.
Published: July 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in the United States, affecting more than 36 million people. Cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with the risk of hearing loss in cross‐sectional studies, but prospective data are currently lacking.

Study Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Methods:

We prospectively evaluated the association between diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, or body mass index (BMI) and incident hearing loss. Participants were 26,917 men in the Health Professionals Follow‐up Study, aged 40 to 74 years at baseline in 1986. Study participants completed questionnaires about lifestyle and medical history every 2 years. Information on self‐reported professionally diagnosed hearing loss and year of diagnosis was obtained from the 2004 questionnaire, and cases were defined as hearing loss diagnosed between 1986 and 2004. Multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results:

A total of 3,488 cases of hearing loss were identified. History of hypertension (HR 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88‐1.03), diabetes mellitus (HR 0.92; 95% CI, 0.78–1.08), or obesity (HR 1.02; 95% CI, 0.90–1.15 for BMI ≥30 compared to normal range of 19–24.9) was not significantly associated with hearing‐loss risk. Hypercholesterolemia (HR 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02–1.18) and past smoking history (HR 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01–1.17) were associated with a significantly increased risk of hearing loss after multivariate adjustment.

Conclusions:

A history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or obesity is not associated with increased risk of hearing loss; a history of past smoking or hypercholesterolemia has a small but statistically significant association with increased risk of hearing loss in adult males. Laryngoscope, 2010
Endoscopic‐assisted versus curettage adenoidectomy: A prospective, randomized, double‐blind study with objective outcome measures
Authors: Songu Murat , Altay Canan , Adibelli Zehra Hilal , Adibelli Hamit
Published: July 2010

Objective:

To establish whether there is both objectively and subjectively improved recovery in children receiving endoscopic‐assisted adenoidectomy, compared with children receiving curettage adenoidectomy.

Study Design:

Prospective, randomized, double‐blinded study.

Methods:

Thirty‐eight patients who underwent adenoidectomy alone or in combination with tonsillectomy before the planned tympanomastoid surgery with an age range from 8 to 12 years were enrolled in the study. Children were prospectively and randomly assigned into two groups: the endoscopic‐assisted adenoidectomy and the curettage adenoidectomy. The main subjective parameters were the nasopharyngoscopy and the symptom improvement scale, whereas the main objective parameter was the midsagittal reformatted images of the temporal bone computerized tomographies of patients who underwent adenoidectomy before the planned tympanomastoid surgery. To adequately compare the utility of one technique versus the other, blood loss and operative time were also reviewed.

Results:

Evaluation of the temporal bone computerized tomographies of patients by adenoidal/nasopharyngeal ratios revealed a statistically significant difference with a mean ratio of 0.41 in the cureattage and 0.30 in the endoscopic‐assisted group. However, both groups had a significant improvement in the symptom improvement scale with no evidence for a significant difference between the endoscopic‐assisted and curettage groups.

Conclusions:

Although, objective outcomes reveal that endoscopic‐assisted adenoidectomy technique was superior to curettage adenoidectomy in reducing adenoidal size after surgery, subjectively no differences were noted between two methods. Laryngoscope, 2010
Quantitative laryngeal electromyography: Turns and amplitude analysis
Authors: Statham Melissa McCarty , Rosen Clark A. , Nandedkar Sanjeev D. , Munin Michael C.
Published: July 2010

Objectives:

Laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) is primarily a qualitative examination, with no standardized approach to interpretation. The objectives of our study were to establish quantitative norms for motor unit recruitment in controls and to compare with interference pattern analysis in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (VFP).

Design:

Retrospective case–control study

Methods:

We performed LEMG of the thyroarytenoid‐lateral cricoarytenoid muscle complex (TA‐LCA) in 21 controls and 16 patients with unilateral VFP. Our standardized protocol used a concentric needle electrode with subjects performing variable force TA‐LCA contraction. To quantify the interference pattern density, we measured turns and mean amplitude per turn for ≥10 epochs (each 500 milliseconds). Logarithmic regression analysis between amplitude and turns was used to calculate slope and intercept. Standard deviation was calculated to further define the confidence interval, enabling generation of a linear‐scale graphical “cloud” of activity containing ≥90% of data points for controls and patients.

Results:

Median age of controls and patients was similar (50.7 vs. 48.5 years). In controls, TA‐LCA amplitude with variable contraction ranged from 145–1112 μV, and regression analysis comparing mean amplitude per turn to root‐mean‐square amplitude demonstrated high correlation (R = 0.82). In controls performing variable contraction, median turns per second was significantly higher compared to patients (450 vs. 290, P = .002).

Conclusions:

We first present interference pattern analysis in the TA‐LCA in healthy adults and patients with unilateral VFP. Our findings indicate that motor unit recruitment can be quantitatively measured within the TA‐LCA. Additionally, patients with unilateral VFP had significantly reduced turns when compared with controls. Laryngoscope, 2010
Posttonsillectomy hemorrhage: Blame on surgeons or genes?
Authors: Arweiler‐Harbeck Diana , Öztürk Ender , Bankfalvi Agnes , Lang Stephan , Siffert Winfried , Schmid Kurt Werner , Peters Jürgen , Adamzik Michael
Published: July 2010

Objective:

To investigate whether the insertion/deletion polymorphism (−94ins/delATTG) in the promoter of NFκB1 is associated with the risk of bleeding after tonsillectomy.

Design and Setting:

Retrospective study with genotyping performed from tonsillar tissue or blood.

Patients:

One hundred forty‐eight patients having undergone tonsillectomy due to chronic tonsillitis, with or without posttonsillectomy hemorrhage.

Measurements and Results:

DNA‐extraction from paraffin‐embedded tonsillectomy tissue or blood was followed by genotyping for the insertion/deletion (−94ins/delATTG) promoter NFκB1 polymorphism. Genotypes differed significantly between patients with (n = 56) and without (n = 92) posttonsillectomy hemorrhage, with the frequency of the homozygous deletion genotype carriers (DD) significantly increased in those with posttonsillectomy bleeding with an odds ratio (OR) for bleeding of 3.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–11.7, P = .023) but not in homozygous (II) insertion and heterozygous (ID) genotype carriers (II/ID). Genotype distribution in patients was compatible with the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. In contrast, there were no statistically significant differences between patients with or without posttonsillectomy hemorrhage with regard to demographic characteristics, different surgeons, postoperative medications like analgesics, antibiotics, anticoagulation therapy, or values of variables of pre‐ and postoperative coagulation studies. Likewise, these variables revealed no differences between genotypes.

Conclusions:

Carriers of the homozygous deletion allele were at an almost fourfold risk to develop posttonsillectomy hemorrhage compared to homozygous and heterozygous insertion allele carriers, independent of other risk factors. Laryngoscope, 2010
A pilot study of balloon dilation in an animal model resulting in cricoid cartilage fracture: Implications for the stenotic pediatric airway
Authors: Ang Annette H. , Modi Vikash K. , Raithatha Roheen , April Max M. , Ward Robert F.
Published: July 2010

Objective:

Endoscopic balloon dilation is increasingly popular as primary therapy for infants with subglottic stenosis. We aim to determine the maximum balloon diameter and pressure where no fracture of the cricoid would occur, minimum balloon size and pressures where a gross fracture of the cricoid occurs, and location of these fractures. We tested these objectives by performing balloon dilation in laryngotracheal complexes of eight euthanized adult male New Zealand white rabbits, with airway characteristics similar to a 3‐ to 9‐month‐old infant.

Methods:

Subglottic airway diameter of each specimen was determined using endotracheal tubes (Cotton‐Myer grading system). Preexistent subglottic disease was excluded by rigid endoscopy. Serial dilation with balloon catheters was performed, employing incremental balloon sizes and pressures, to determine balloon size and pressure, which resulted in a cricoid fracture. Locations of gross fractures were validated by two independent observers.

Results:

Airway diameter of all specimens was 5.4 mm (size 4.0 endotracheal tube). Four of the seven cricoid cartilages exhibited gross fractures. Dilation with balloon diameters less than 6.0 mm failed to induce a fracture despite maximal inflation to 16.0 atmospheres. The minimum balloon size required to create a fracture was 7.0 mm, at a pressure of 6.0 atmospheres. All fractures occurred at the anterior lamina of cricoid ring.

Conclusions:

No fractures occurred when balloon dilation was performed with a balloon 0.6 mm or smaller than the measured subglottic diameter. Fractures of the cricoid occurred when balloon dilation was performed with a balloon 1.6 mm or larger than the subglottic diameter. Laryngoscope, 2010
Endoscopic tympanoplasty in patients with attic retraction pockets
Authors: Marchioni Daniele , Alicandri‐Ciufelli Matteo , Molteni Gabriele , Genovese Elisabetta , Presutti Livio
Published: July 2010

Objectives:

Patients undergoing endoscopic middle ear surgery require reconstruction procedures that are able to give adequate functional results, with particular attention to ventilation of middle ear routes and mastoid tissue preservation.

Study Design:

Outcome research on a prospective case series in a tertiary university referral center.

Methods:

A case series of 27 patients with attic retraction pockets underwent endoscopic middle ear surgical procedures. Three kinds of tympanoplasty were selected and performed.

Results:

In all 27 subjects, it was possible to preserve the mastoid bone and the epitympanic–mastoid mucosa by performing a transcanal endoscopic approach. In total, 21 of 27 (77.7%) subjects presented no recurrence of the disease at 20.1 months mean follow‐up.

Conclusions:

Three main types of endoscopic tympanoplasty can be performed for surgical treatment of attic retraction pockets, preserving as much as possible the ventilation routes, physiology, and anatomy of the middle ear. Laryngoscope, 2010.
Sealing of small postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistulas with voice prosthesis
Authors: Karakullukcu M. Baris , Lohuis Peter j. , van den Brekel Michiel W. , Hilgers Frans J.M.
Published: July 2010

Pharyngocutaneous fistulas (PCFs) following total laryngectomy is a common complication. The standard therapy is conservative management, and if this is not successful, surgical closure. There is a group of patients with limited survival chance who have small PCFs. In these patients who are not candidates for surgery, sealing of the PCF with a voice prosthesis can significantly improve the functionality of these patients allowing them to swallow and phonate. Laryngoscope, 2010
Treatment of glomus jugulare tumors with gamma knife radiosurgery
Authors: Chen Philip G. , Nguyen James H. , Payne Spencer C. , Sheehan Jason P. , Hashisaki George T.
Published: July 2010

Objective:

Surgical resection, preoperative embolization, radiation therapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery have been used to treat glomus jugulare tumors (GJT). However, the optimal treatment of these tumors remains unclear. The authors report their data on treatment of GJTs with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS).

Design:

Retrospective review and pooled analysis.

Methods:

Fifteen patients (nine female, six male) were treated with GKS at a single tertiary care institution for GJTs over a 14‐year period. Criteria for selection included GKS followed by at least one posttreatment radiographic image, and volumetric analysis was performed. A required 15% change in tumor volume was considered real. Pooled analysis was performed to compare outcomes with other series.

Results:

The mean total radiologic follow‐up was 43.2 months. The mean dose‐to‐the tumor margin was 14.6 Gy. The mean tumor size at treatment was 7.3 cc and 6.3 cc at last follow‐up. After treatment, seven tumors decreased (46.7%), five remained unchanged (33.3%), and three (20%) grew on imaging. Treatment failures received a mean marginal dose of 13.2 Gy compared with 15.1 Gy for treatment successes (P =.08). Overall tumor control rate after GKS in the existing literature with inclusion of the present study is 90.5%.

Conclusions:

GKS is an effective treatment option for patients with GJTs, including those with prior surgical resection. Marginal radiation doses greater than 13 Gy may be optimal for tumor control. Longer follow‐up will better define the benefits and risks of stereotactic radiosurgery in treating patients with GJT. Laryngoscope, 2010.
How Do Leaders Get to Lead?
Authors: Lombardo Michael M.
Published: July 2010

The opportunity to excercise skills and latent capabilities is the crucial factor in the development of leaders.
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Targeted innovation
Authors: Gryskicwicz S. S. , Shields J. T.
Published: July 2010

Is innovation beyond managerial control? Is it always the product of spontaneous outbursts of creativity? The authors suggest how managers can aim innovation at specific, controlled results.
The use of culture in strategic management
Authors: Sayles Leonard R. , Wright Robert V. L.
Published: July 2010

Before changing the corporation's strategic direction, top management should be prepared to reshape the organizational culture to fit the new strategy. What's that? Change the culture? Can it be done?
“Can you make it go faster?” lessons from space camp
Authors: Ghiselin Bernie
Published: July 2010

Departing from the ordinary, the Research Sponsor Conference last October was held at the Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. To understand better how people learn from experience, the conferees sought to observe their own learning, first hand, through a space shuttle simulation. But what happened when they met adversity?
North Americans, Europeans, and 1992
Authors: Wall Stephen J. , McHenry Robert
Published: July 2010

A global economy and changing demographics in North America are adding new dimensions to the complexity of leadership. Many managers will sample for the first time the fruits of cultural diversity. Given their differences, how will European and North American managers get along after 1992?
Choosing top leaders: Learning to do better
Authors: Campbell Richard J. , Sessa Valerie I. , Taylor Jodi
Published: July 2010

The CEO was frustrated. He had just fired Bill, the vice president of manufacturing and engineering. It had only been eighteen months since he appointed this promising executive to the position, but it had proven to be a mistake, one the company could ill afford to repeat. The frustration was not only because of the failed decision; it was also because he couldn't determine exactly what had gone wrong. Was Bill simply the wrong person for the job? It was clear he lacked business maturity and made several major decisions that went sour. He didn't. provide leadership and direction for the engineering staff. But there were other factors as well. The job had changed. Bill was the first one to attempt the dual job of vice president of manufacturing and engineering. He was fine in manufacturing; the problems were in engineering. There was no denying that this had been a difficult year for the corporation, with unusual performance pressures. Perhaps the CEO expected too much.

It was time to make the next selection decision. What should he do? The CEO opted to split the job once again rather than take any further risk with the leadership of these key functions.
Two‐dimensional microcavity lasers
Authors: Harayama T. , Shinohara S.
Published: July 2010

Advances in processing technology, such as quantum‐well structures and dry‐etching techniques, have made it possible to create new types of two‐dimensional (2D) microcavity lasers which have 2D emission patterns of output laser light although conventional one‐dimensional (1D) edge‐emitting‐type lasers have 1D emission. Two‐dimensional microcavity lasers have given nice experimental stages for fundamental researches on wave chaos closely related to quantum chaos. New types of 2D microcavity lasers also can offer the important lasing characteristics of directionality and high‐power output light, and they may well find applications in optical communications, integrated optical circuits, and optical sensors. Fundamental physics of 2D microcavity lasers has been reviewed from the viewpoint of classical and quantum chaos, and recently developed theoretical approaches have been introduced. In addition, nonlinear dynamics due to the interaction among wave‐chaotic modes through the active lasing medium is explained. Applications of 2D microcavity lasers for directional emission with strong light confinement are introduced, as well as high‐precision rotation sensors designed by using wave‐chaotic properties.
Optical hybrid approaches to quantum information
Authors: van Loock P.
Published: July 2010

This article reviews recent hybrid approaches to optical quantum information processing, in which both discrete and continuous degrees of freedom are exploited. There are well‐known limitations to optical single‐photon‐based qubit and multi‐photon‐based qumode implementations of quantum communication and quantum computation, when the toolbox is restricted to the most practical set of linear operations and resources such as linear optics and Gaussian operations and states. The recent hybrid approaches aim at pushing the feasibility, the efficiencies, and the fidelities of the linear schemes to the limits, potentially adding weak or measurement‐induced nonlinearities to the toolbox.
Spherical Comb Copolymer Micelles and their Application in the Construction of Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Authors: Cui Zhe , Ding Jianfu , Scoles Ludmila , Wang Qingjun , Chen Qingmin
Published: July 2010

A comb copolymer with a fluorinated FPAE main chain and narrowly dispersed PMS graft chains has been prepared. The micellization behavior of this copolymer in a methanol/acetone mixture was studied. DLS studies showed hydrodynamic diameters of the micelles between 50 and 80 nm, while the diameters of dry micelles were ≈40 nm in TEM images. Micelle films with an interesting porous composite structure of nanofibers bearing micelle particles on the surface have been prepared by double coating the micelle solution. Superhydrophobicity with a WCA of 165° and a sliding angle of 3° was observed. As comb copolymers can adjust their molecular weight and block length independently, materials with a high physical strength and controllable morphological structure can be obtained.

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Processing, Structure, and Properties of PAN/MWNT Composite Fibers
Authors: Jain Rahul , Minus Marilyn L. , Chae Han Gi , Kumar Satish
Published: July 2010

Conventional dry‐jet wet fiber spinning techniques were used to fabricate continuous PAN/MWNT composite fibers with up to 20 wt.‐% nanotube loading. PAN at the MWNT interface exhibited lower solubility under thermodynamically favorable conditions than in bulk PAN, indicating good interfacial interaction. Due to the PAN/MWNT interaction at the interface, thermal shrinkage decreases with increasing MWNT loading (5 to 20 wt.‐%). For high MWNT loadings, PAN/MWNT composite fiber at 15 wt.‐% MWNT loading showed an axial electrical conductivity of 1.24 S · m−1. For all loadings, PAN/MWNT composite fibers exhibited higher tensile moduli than theoretically predicted by rule‐of‐mixture calculations, suggesting good reinforcement of the PAN by MWNT.

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Adjustable‐Stiffness Films via Integrated Thermal Modulation
Authors: Dong Hua , Walker Glenn M.
Published: July 2010

We present a new strategy for fabricating thermally responsive adjustable stiffness materials. A microfabricated heater embedded within a composite film is used to modulate the temperature of a low melting point polymer. Currents ranging from 0 to 200 mA were applied to the microheater and modulated material stiffness ≈100‐fold between 1.03 GPa and 10.9 MPa. The outside temperature of the composite ranged from 23 to 45.5 °C over this range of currents, suggesting its possible use in biomedical applications. The softened composite was bent into arbitrary shapes and allowed to restiffen, highlighting the reconfigurable nature of the material.

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Consumer responses to the depth and minimum claimed savings of “Scratch and Save (SAS)” promotions
Authors: Choi Sungchul , Stanyer Mike , Kim Moontae
Published: July 2010

This study examines consumers' responses to advertisements employing “Scratch and Save” (SAS) type promotions, which are emerging store‐level promotional tools. Due to SAS promotions' “gambling” characteristics, they offer the possibility of high savings levels, however, they also confront the consumer with uncertainty about the value of the discount at the point of purchase. Particular attention is paid to the depth of the claimed savings, and its effect on regular price believability and consumers' expected savings, as well as perceived value and shopping intentions. The depth of the advertised SAS promotions was observed to not affect consumer believability of the regular price in SAS advertisements. In addition, the disjunction effect is made applicable through showing that the minimum claimed saving information enhances the level of savings expectation. The results also report the positive impact of expected savings on offer value and, in turn, shopping intentions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Linking trust to use intention for technology‐enabled bank channels: The role of trusting intentions
Authors: Dimitriadis Sergios , Kyrezis Nikolaos
Published: July 2010

The present research is an attempt to better understand the role of trust in the adoption of technology‐based service channels, namely Internet and phone banking. The study conceptualizes and measures trust, distinguishing the cognitive and affective component of trust (the trusting beliefs), the behavioral component of trust (trusting intentions), and the purchase behavior (intention to use), suggesting a mediating role of trusting intentions. Then it tests a model that combines the effect of trusting beliefs and trusting intentions together with the Technology Acceptance Model variables, privacy, and security as well as individual characteristics. Results from 762 retail bank customers revealed a strong mediating role of trusting intention on the intention to use and similar patterns of relationship for the two technology‐based bank channels. Several implications for managers and further research are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mathematical Modeling of Bivariate Polymer Property Distributions Using 2D Probability Generating Functions, 1 – Numerical Inversion Methods
Authors: Asteasuain Mariano , Brandolin Adriana
Published: July 2010

This is the first of two papers presenting a new mathematical method for modeling bivariate distributions of polymer properties. It is based on the transformation of the infinite mass balances describing the evolution of a two‐dimensional distribution using 2D probability generating functions (pgf). A key step of this method is the inversion of the transforms. In this work, two numerical inversion methods of 2D pgfs are developed and carefully validated. The accuracy obtained with both methods was very satisfactory. The inversion formulas of both methods are simple and easy to implement. A simple copolymerization example is used to show the complete procedure from the derivation of the pgf balances to the recovery of the bivariate molecular weight distribution.

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A nonsynonymous polymorphism in IL23R gene is associated with risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population
Authors: Chen Jianjian , Lu Yan , Zhang Hanze , Ding Yanbing , Ren Chuanli , Hua Zhaolai , Zhou Yan , Deng Bin , Jin Guangfu , Hu Zhibin , Xu Yaochu , Shen Hongbing
Published: July 2010

Interleukin‐23 receptor (IL‐23R) is a key element in T helper (Th)17 cell‐mediated inflammatory process, which plays an important role in pathogenesis of gastric cancer. Genetic variants of IL‐23R have been identified as the predisposing factors for immunopathologic process. In this study, we hypothesized that the functional genetic variants of IL‐23R gene may modify the risk of gastric cancer. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a case–control study including 1043 gastric cancer patients and 1089 controls in a Chinese population to assess the association between two potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs6682925 T>C and rs1884444 T>G of IL‐23R and risk of gastric cancer. We found that the variant allele (G) of rs1884444 T>G, with amino acid His substituted by Gln at codon 3, was significantly associated with a decreased risk of gastric cancer [adjusted allelic odds ratio (OR) = 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.68–0.88]. In the stratified analysis, we found that this protective effect of rs1884444 G allele was mainly evident in intestinal‐type gastric cancer (adjusted allelic OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.65–0.87) other than in diffuse‐type gastric cancer (adjusted allelic OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.76–1.22). However, we did not find any significant association of rs6682925 T>C with gastric cancer risk. These findings indicate, for the first time, that the nonsynonymous variant rs1884444 T>G of IL‐23R may contribute to gastric cancer susceptibility, especially in intestinal‐type gastric cancer, in Chinese population. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantum Semiempirical Energy Based (SEEB) Descriptors Performance with Benzamidine Inhibitors of Trypsin
Authors: Carvalho Alexandre R. F. , Melo André
Published: July 2010

MLR is a classical approach to regression problems in QSARs. In this study, the behaviour of SEEB descriptors was analysed with a MLR model. For this purpose a SEEB/MLR 3D‐QSAR model was developed to evaluate the efficiency of benzamide trypsin inhibitors. The development of inhibitors of trypsin‐like serine proteases has been an active area of research. They are involved in many biological processes like protein digestion and blood coagulation and also serve as a useful model system to study protein‐ligand interaction. The regression coefficients, obtained by this procedure, have an intuitively simple and therefore appealing meaning for the relative influence of each amino acid residue to the predictive model. The predictive capability of SEEB is shown to be comparable to those of other QSAR methods.
Best Practices for QSAR Model Development, Validation, and Exploitation
Authors: Tropsha Alexander
Published: July 2010

After nearly five decades “in the making”, QSAR modeling has established itself as one of the major computational molecular modeling methodologies. As any mature research discipline, QSAR modeling can be characterized by a collection of well defined protocols and procedures that enable the expert application of the method for exploring and exploiting ever growing collections of biologically active chemical compounds. This review examines most critical QSAR modeling routines that we regard as best practices in the field. We discuss these procedures in the context of integrative predictive QSAR modeling workflow that is focused on achieving models of the highest statistical rigor and external predictive power. Specific elements of the workflow consist of data preparation including chemical structure (and when possible, associated biological data) curation, outlier detection, dataset balancing, and model validation. We especially emphasize procedures used to validate models, both internally and externally, as well as the need to define model applicability domains that should be used when models are employed for the prediction of external compounds or compound libraries. Finally, we present several examples of successful applications of QSAR models for virtual screening to identify experimentally confirmed hits.
Zur Geschichte der Geowissenschaften im Museum für Naturkunde zu Berlin. Teil 3: Von A. G. Werner und R. J. Haüy zu C. S. Weiss – Der Weg von C. S. Weiss zum Direktor des Mineralogischen Museums der Berliner Universität
Authors: Hoppe G.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Der Berufung von C. S. Weiss an die Universität Berlin im Jahre 1810 gingen Entwicklungen voraus, die durch die Kristallographie des Franzosen R. J. Haüy, besonders durch dessen Lehrbuch der Mineralogie, ausgelöst wurden. Sie stehen mit der Übersetzung dieses Lehrbuchs im Zusammenhang und führten zur Qualifizierung von C. S. Weiss zum Mineralogen und Kristallographen sowie zur weiteren Entwicklung der Kristallographie innerhalb des Lehrgebäudes der Mineralogie. Den Anstoß gab der mit dem Berliner Mineralogen D. L. G. Karsten befreundete Geologe L. v. Buch, der die Kristallographie Haüys als Erster kennen lernte. Als dessen stark kristallographisch orientiertes Lehrbuch der Mineralogie erschien, entschloss sich Karsten, eine kommentierte Übersetzung desselben zu organisieren. Weiss, der hierfür gewonnen werden konnte, bildete sich zunächst an der Bergakademie Freiberg weiter aus, wobei er die Lehre des führenden Mineralogen A. G. Werner voll in sich aufnahm. Im Verlaufe der Mitarbeit an der Übersetzung gelangte Weiss gegenüber den atomistischen Vorstellungen Haüys zu Ansichten über die Gesetzmäßigkeiten des Kristallbaues. die sich auf Kants Naturphilosophie gründeten. Mit Haüy, den er in Paris näher kennen lernte, kam es deshalb zum Bruch. Seine "dynamische" Kristallographie baute Weiss mathematisch aus und vermochte bereits weit in die Gesetzmäßigkeiten des Kristallbaues einzudringen. Dadurch schuf er die Voraussetzungen für seine Berufung auf den für Karsten vorgesehenen Berliner Mineralogie-Lehrstuhl, der durch dessen frühen Tod frei wurde. doi:10.1002/mmng.20000030102x