bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neocampanella, a new corticioid fungal genus, and a note onDendrothele bispora
Authors: Nakasone Karen K. , Hibbett David S. , Goranova Greta
Published: November 2010

The new genus Neocampanella (Agaricales, Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) is established for Dentocorticium blastanos Boidin & Gilles, a crustose species, and the new combination, Neocampanella blastanos , is proposed. Morphological and molecular studies support the recognition of the new genus and its close ties to Campanella , a pleurotoid agaric. The recently described Brunneocorticium is a monotypic, corticioid genus closely related to Campanella also. Brunneocorticium pyriforme S.H. Wu is conspecific with Dendrothele bispora Burds. & Nakasone, and the new combination, Brunneocorticium bisporum , is proposed.
Classification of trichome types within species of the water fern Salvinia, and ontogeny of the egg-beater trichomes
Authors: Barthlott Wilhelm , Wiersch Sabine , Čolić Zdravko , Koch Kerstin
Published: November 2010

Species of the water fern Salvinia are well known for their extremely water-repellent floating leaves. The architecture of Salvinia surfaces is of great interest for biomimetic applications, because submersed in water, they retain air films for a long period. Knowledge of these surfaces is also important for pest control, since one species ( Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitch.) is a pantropic invasive aquatic weed. The micromorphology of the leaf surfaces of six representative species has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Based on their morphology, the trichomes are classified in four types, named after the typical species. Among the species examined, numbers, distribution, and sizes of the trichome types vary significantly. The simplest types, the Cucullata trichomes, are multicellular, uniseriate, and up to 800 µm high. Groups of two multicellular, uniseriate trichomes are described as the Oblongifolia trichomes. The Natans trichomes are grouped as four multicellular, uniseriate trichomes. The Molesta trichomes are composed of four trichomes, which are connected by the second last apical cells of the trichome. The ontogeny of the Molesta trichome groups was puzzling and resulted in various names being applied to them (“Krönchenhaare,” “egg-beater,” or “coroniform” hairs). Their unique development from four solitary uniseriate trichomes to groups of four connected trichomes is described in detail.
Variations in above- and below-ground vascular plant biomass and water table on a temperate ombrotrophic peatland
Authors: Murphy M. T. , McKinley A. , Moore T. R.
Published: November 2010

In wetland ecosystems, little is known about the relationships between above- and below-ground plant biomass and water table, a primary driver of their distribution in these systems. These relationships can provide a means for estimating belowground stocks over large areas with variable biomass and predicting vascular plant responses to changing water tables resulting from climate change. We measured above- and below-ground vascular plant biomass across species and microtopography (i.e., hummocks and lawns) in a bog in eastern Ontario. We examined the relationships between above- and below-ground vascular plant biomass their variation with water table and species richness. We took 56 cores during a growing season, separating above- and below-ground biomass by species and plant part (small and coarse root, leaf, stem). Hummocks had greater above- and below-ground biomass, and significantly greater aboveground:belowground ratios than lawns. Lawns had a more even distribution of biomass across species than hummocks aboveground, indicating that only a few species (e.g., Vaccinium myrtilloides Michx. and Chamaedaphne calyculata Moench) are able to thrive in the driest bog conditions. Additionally, fewer species contributed to root biomass at depth, suggesting possible resource partitioning among species. Lower water tables lead to greater belowground biomass. Total above- to below-ground plant biomass relationships were strongest when separated by plant species.
Delayed flowering as a potential benefit-decreasing cost of compensatory regrowth
Authors: Piippo Sari , Hellström Kalle , Huhta Ari-Pekka , Rautio Pasi , Tuomi Juha
Published: November 2010

Some monocarpic plants show surprising variation in response to natural and simulated grazing. In favourable conditions, injured plants may grow larger and produce more fruits and viable seeds compared with their uninjured counterparts. Such overcompensation, however, is associated with potential costs, particularly delays in flowering and fruit maturation. These delays may further increase a risk of frost injury before seed maturation in the early autumn. We tested the effects of artificially advanced night frosts on the compensatory capacity (i.e., the capacity to compensate the lost biomass by regrowth) of the monocarpic herb Erysimum strictum P. Gaertn., B. Mey., and Scherb. in a common garden experiment. Two simulated herbivory treatments were applied: 25% apical clipping in early vs. late June. Frost treatment was applied in a climate chamber in late August – early September, about 3 weeks before the first natural frost period. Apically damaged plants not exposed to frost treatment produced 1.9–2.6 times more total biomass and 2.5 times more fruit than intact plants. Frost treatment reduced plant performance by 35%–48%, but in contrast to our expectation, there was no significant difference between intact and apically damaged plants in response to early frost. In spite of the delay in phenology, compensatory regrowth did not increase the risk of frost injury. We conclude that while early night frosts imply a potential risk to monocarpic herbs recovering from herbivory, possibly other suboptimal conditions, such as drought in late summer, may provide a greater threat for early-flowering meadow and grassland plants recovering from grazing. Possibly multiple selective forces and environmental risk factors operate together in the evolution of grazing tolerance associated with flowering phenology, plant growth strategy, and architecture.
Quantum tunneling effect of Dirac particles in a Schwarzschild–Gödel space-time
Authors: Qi De-Jiang , Li Shuang-Mei , Ru Hong-Qiang
Published: November 2010

In this paper, motivated by the Kerner and Man fermion tunneling method of 4-dimensional black holes, we further improve the analysis to investigate the quantum tunneling effect of Dirac particles from the five-dimensional Schwarzschild–Gödel black hole. We successfully construct a set of appropriate matrices γμ for the general covariant Dirac equation and derive the tunneling probability and Hawking temperature, which is exactly the same as that obtained by other methods.
TWO-COUPLED PENDULUM SYSTEM: BIFURCATION, CHAOS AND THE POTENTIAL LANDSCAPE APPROACH
Authors: HUYNH H. N. , CHEW L. Y.
Published: November 2010

In this paper, we have explored the bifurcation behavior and chaos of a two-coupled pendulum system with a coupling energy of the form: κ(θ1 - θ2)2. Using fixed point analysis, we have determined the bifurcation map, which provides a pictorial view of the number and stability properties of the fixed points with respect to the coupling parameter. The bifurcation map shows that the two-coupled pendulum system can exhibit three forms of bifurcation: pitchfork; saddle-node; and a new bifurcation in which a fixed point of the mixed type changes to a center, while a second fixed point of mixed type is born. In order to analyze the chaotic dynamics of the two-coupled pendulum system, we have introduced an equivalent model to the system. This model enables us to investigate the system dynamics in terms of the motion of a particle interacting with a potential landscape. Through analyzing the geometry of the landscape, we are able to determine the dynamical transition points from regular to locally chaotic, and then to globally chaotic behavior. The validity of our analytical prediction of E0 = 4ε for the onset of chaos, and ET = π2ε/2 for the global transition to chaos, has been duly verified through numerical simulations.
BIFURCATION IN A NONLINEAR DYNAMICAL SYSTEM ARISING FROM SEEKING STEADY STATES OF A NEURAL NETWORK
Authors: WANG GEN-QIANG , CHENG SUI SUN
Published: November 2010

We show that in an artificial dynamic neural network that depends on a real parameter μ, steady states do not exist for μ ≤ -2, and positive and negative steady states exist for μ > -2. We hope that such a bifurcation phenomenon in our network model may explain some of the real observations in nature.
NITRIDATION OF SILICON WITH AMMONIA AND NITROGEN
Authors: CHAUSTOWSKI RENE , WANG YONG , ZOU JIN , HAN JISHENG , DIMITRIJEV SIMA
Published: November 2010

Silicon nitride and silicon oxynitride are materials used extensively in mechanical and electronic devices due to their outstanding properties. Thin films of silicon nitride and silicon oxynitride can be deposited on a silicon surface. In this study, nitridation of silicon wafers by a rapid thermal heating process with both nitrogen and ammonia as precursors was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and ellipsometry analyses. It was found that, under ammonia gas, the growth of nitride film was limited to 0.5 nm, whilst under the nitrogen atmosphere, a nitride film of 5–10 nm could be formed at 1200°C. The limited growth in ammonia suggests formation of high-quality passivating layer.
EFFECT OF PYRIDINE INTERCALATION ON SEMICONDUCTOR CRYSTALLINEMnPS3MATERIALS PHASE TRANSFORMATION
Authors: EL-MELIGI A. A. , AL-SAIE A. M. , AL-BUFLASA H. , BOUOUDINA M.
Published: November 2010

The crystalline semiconductor material (MnPS3) has interlayer d-spacing gap of 6.4 Å. The main advantage of this gap is the ability to accommodate organic and inorganic compounds. Pyridine was intercalated in the MnPS3interlayer gap under specific conditions. Four phases (d-spacing = 12.48 Å, 10.8 Å, 9.7 Å and 7.3 Å) were observed and the corresponding lattice expansions were determined, 5.8 Å, 4.4 Å, 3.3 Å and 1 Å, respectively. X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples after the experiment were stopped to reveal the presence of three phases together. The phase transformation occurred for the aforementioned phases. The crystallite size of certain phases is within nanorange. The magnetic properties of the materials are affected by the phase transformation. Complete intercalation was confirmed by the XRD and infrared (IR) measurements.
THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PARAMETERS ON THE FUNCTIONALIZATION OF MWCNTs VIA ACID TREATMENT
Authors: MAJEDI F. , ZAVAREH S. , SHARIF M. SH. , GOLESTANI-FARD F.
Published: November 2010

In this report, the functionalization of MWCNTs in sulfuric/nitric acid is studied, and the influences of acid concentration, temperature and time on functionalization are assessed. Fourier Transmission Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to study the functional groups of different samples. The optimal results for complete functionalization were achieved by the addition of 5 mg/ml of MWCNTs to acid, at a temperature of 100°C with 3 h of soaking time. The correlation between the FTIR and Raman spectra of the optimized sample was determined, and the effect of functional groups on the G and D bands is discussed.
HIGH-FIELD FORMATION OF LINEAR CARBON CHAINS AND ATOMIC CLUSTERS
Authors: MAZILOVA T. I. , KOTRECHKO S. , SADANOV E. V. , KSENOFONTOV V. A. , MIKHAILOVSKIJ I. M.
Published: November 2010

Linear forms of carbon are important in a wide variety of applications, ranging from highly conducting interconnects to field emission materials. By methods of field ion microscopy (FIM) and mass-spectrometry, it was revealed that linear carbon chains were present at the surface of carbon fibers after high-voltage treatment. The carbon chains attached to the specimen tips were produced in situ in a field ion microscope by unraveling of nanofibers using low-temperature evaporation in electric fields of the order of 1011Vm-1. The unraveling of graphite is possible due to the ultimate strength of the monoatomic carbon chain. The maximum force before failure of carbon chains at 0 K is 7.916 nN at a strain of 0.19 and the ideal tensile strength is equal to 252.1 GPa. Molecular dynamics simulations and high resolution FIM experiments are performed to assess the evaporation of atomic chains under high-field conditions. One can conclude that ions are field evaporated from a graphite surface initially in linear cluster forms, which decompose mostly into smaller atomic clusters and individual ions because of the ultrahigh-temperature excitation during unraveling.
SYNTHESIS AND OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PYROELECTRIC NANOPOWDERS BASED ON PZT (95/5)
Authors: PAKIZEH E. , HOSSEINI S. M. , KOMPANY A. , GHASEMIFARD M.
Published: November 2010

Pb(Zr1-x, Tix)O3 (x = 0.05) with pyroelectric properties have been synthesized by sol–gel technique at low temperatures. XRD results indicate that the powder has perovskite structure without secondary phases and the average of particle size was estimated to be about 40 nm in diameters. The optical constants such as refractive index, n, extinction coefficient, k, and the dielectric function of PZT nanopowders have been investigated by Fourier transmittance infrared (FTIR) spectrum and Kramers–Kronig (KK) analysis program. The use of the KK method to analyze the normal incidence infrared (IR) reflectance spectra with a single resonance has also been described. The results indicated that the optical constant increases slowly as temperature of calcinations increases.
IMPROVEMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF FLEXIBLE CNT-OLED WITH A NANOLAYER OF CFx-LAYER
Authors: ONG KIAN SOO , OU ERIC
Published: November 2010

High performance organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) devices were fabricated using transparent and conductive single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) anode. The turn-on voltage of 4–4.5 V and a maximum brightness of 2695 cd/m2 and luminance efficiency of > 10 d/A are achieved by adding a thin nano-thick-layer of CF x coating between the SWCNT anode and hole transport layer (HTL). The interaction of this CF x-layer and the CNT anode is studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). A simple and effective way of patterning the SWCNT anode is demonstrated.
PATTERNED GROWTH OF Si NANOWIRES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF VLS AND SLS
Authors: ZIA M. F. , ALI J. , NAWEED A. , BHATTI A. S. , NASEEM S.
Published: November 2010

In this paper, we report morphology of silicon nanowires ( Si - NWs ) grown on various surfaces and patterned substrates using Vapor–Liquid–Solid (VLS) and Solid–Liquid–Solid (SLS) techniques. It is observed that the growth conditions are critical in controlling the dimensions of wires in both techniques. In addition to this, it is also demonstrated that Si - NWs are essentially different grown on Si or GaAs substrates. For growth of Si - NWs by VLS, Si powder was evaporated in a tube furnace under Ar flow while substrates were kept at different temperatures. In SLS, experimental conditions were identical except that no external source was used. Si - NWs thus grown showed dependence on the flow rate of Ar gas and the temperature of the substrate. Interestingly, instead of only radial nannowires (NWs), nanobelts and tapered NWs were also grown on patterned Au -catalyzed GaAs surface. In the end, the analysis on the basis of existing theories of NW growth is presented. Optical properties of Si - NWs are also briefly discussed.
DISCRETE INTEGRAL SLIDING MODE CONTROL IN VISUAL OBJECT TRACKING
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-JIMÉNEZ LUIS ENRIQUE , LOUKIANOV ALEXANDER G. , BAYRO-CORROCHANO EDUARDO JOSE
Published: November 2010

Object tracking is an important process for many applications in computer vision. This process must be implemented in a discrete manner because the images are available only at certain periods. A discrete integral sliding mode algorithm is proposed to control a stereo vision system and perform the aforementioned second task. The kinematic model of the structure is obtained using geometric algebra. The performance of the controller is compared with proportional-integral-derivative control via simulation. The implementation for a pan tilt unit is presented in real time. The algorithm presents a good and robust performance.
TASK-ORIENTED PROBABILISTIC ACTIVE VISION
Authors: GUERRERO PABLO , RUIZ-DEL-SOLAR JAVIER , ROMERO MIGUEL , ANGULO SERGIO
Published: November 2010

In this work, an explicitly task-oriented approach to the active vision problem is presented. The system tries to reduce the most relevant components of the uncertainty in the world model, for the task the robot is currently performing. It is task oriented in the sense that it explicitly considers a task-specific value function. As test-bed for the presented active vision approach, we selected a robot soccer attention problem: goal-covering by a goalie player. The proposed system is compared with information-based approaches. Experimental results show that it surpasses them in the tested application. We conclude that, when the goal is not the uncertainty reduction itself, the minimization of the belief entropy is not a useful optimality criterion, and that for such cases, task-oriented optimality criteria are better suited.
SPATIOTEMPORAL CONTEXT INTEGRATION IN ROBOT VISION
Authors: PALMA-AMESTOY RODRIGO , RUIZ-DEL-SOLAR JAVIER , YÁÑEZ JOSÉ MIGUEL , GUERRERO PABLO
Published: November 2010

Robust vision in dynamic environments using limited processing power is one of the main challenges in robot vision. This is especially true in the case of biped humanoids that use low-end computers. Techniques such as active vision, context-based vision, and multi-resolution are currently in use to deal with these highly demanding requirements. Thus, having as main motivation the development of robust and high performing robot vision systems, which can operate in dynamic environments, with limited computational resources, we propose a spatiotemporal context integration framework that improves the perceptual capabilities of a given robot vision system. Furthermore, we try to link the vision, tracking, and self-localization problems using a context filter to improve the performance of all these parts together more than to improve them separately. This framework computes: (i) an estimation of the poses of visible and nonvisible objects using Kalman filters; (ii) the spatial coherence of each current detection with all other simultaneous detections and with all tracked objects; and (iii) the spatial coherence of each tracked object with all current detections. Using a Bayesian approach, we calculate the a-posteriori probabilities for each detected and tracked object, which is used in a filtering stage. We choose as a first application of this framework, the detection of static objects in the RoboCup Standard Platform League domain, where Nao humanoid robots are employed. The proposed system is validated in simulations and using real video sequences. In noisy environments, the system is able to decrease largely the number of false detections and to improve effectively the self-localization of the robot.
GEOMETRIC TECHNIQUES FOR HUMANOID PERCEPTION
Authors: PETRILLI-BARCELÓ ALBERTO , CASARRUBIAS-VARGAS HERIBERTO , BERNAL-MARIN MIGUEL , BAYRO-CORROCHANO EDUARDO , DILLMAN RÜDIGER
Published: November 2010

In this article, we propose a conformal model for 3D visual perception. In our model, the two views are fused in an extended 3D horopter model. For visual simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), an extended Kalman filter (EKF) technique is used for 3D reconstruction and determination of the robot head pose. In addition, the Viola and Jones machine-learning technique is applied to improve the robot relocalization. The 3D horopter, the EKF-based SLAM, and the Viola and Jones machine-learning technique are key elements for building a strong real-time perception system for robot humanoids. A variety of interesting experiments show the efficiency of our system for humanoid robot vision.
AUTONOMOUS 3D OBJECT MODELING BY A HUMANOID USING AN OPTIMIZATION-DRIVEN NEXT-BEST-VIEW FORMULATION
Authors: FOISSOTTE TOREA , STASSE OLIVIER , WIEBER PIERRE-BRICE , ESCANDE ADRIEN , KHEDDAR ABDERRAHMANE
Published: November 2010

An original method to build a visual model for unknown objects by a humanoid robot is proposed. The algorithm ensures successful autonomous realization of this goal by addressing the problem as an active coupling between computer vision and whole-body posture generation. The visual model is built through the repeated execution of two processes. The first one considers the current knowledge about the visual aspects and the shape of the object to deduce a preferred viewpoint with the aim of reducing the uncertainty of the shape and appearance of the object. This is done while considering the constraints related to the embodiment of the vision sensors in the humanoid head. The second process generates a whole robot posture using the desired head pose while solving additional constraints such as collision avoidance and joint limitations. The main contribution of our approach relies on the use of different optimization algorithms to find an optimal viewpoint by including the humanoid specificities in terms of constraints, an embedded vision sensor, and redundant motion capabilities. This approach differs significantly from those of traditional works addressing the problem of autonomously building an object model.
CHARACTERIZATION OF VITILIGO BY IN VIVO SCATTERING COEFFICIENT OF HUMAN SKIN
Authors: GAO WANRONG , LEE PENG , ZHANG XIANLING
Published: November 2010

Scattering coefficients of human skin in vivo with and without vitiligo were measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT). The experimental results show that there exist significant difference between the scattering coefficient of the epidermis of in vivo human skin with and without vitiligo disease. The results may be helpful for quantitatively diagnosing or evaluating the treatment of the disease.
TRANSFECTION AND CELL FUSION BY FEMTOSECOND LASERS
Authors: HE HAO , KONG SIU KAI , CHAN KAM TAI
Published: November 2010

Biophotonics is an exciting and fast-expanding frontier which involves the fusion of advanced photonics and biology. It has not only created many novel methodologies for biomedical research, but also achieved many significant results as an independent field. Thanks to femtosecond (fs) laser technologies, important progresses have been made regarding the manipulation, imaging, and engineering of biological samples ranging from single molecules to tissues in the last 20 years. The ultrashort pulses at near-infrared band provide many advantages: high nonlinear efficiency, low absorption by biological samples, high spatial and temporal resolution and confinement, and low phototoxicity. They are noninvasive and easy to control. Although the mechanism of how fs laser pulses interact with cells remains unclear, experimental results have shown that they could open up the cell membrane and hence made optical transfection and optical cell fusion possible. In this review, some of the seminal works on transfection and cell fusion by fs lasers are presented. The ideas behind and the experimental details will be described together with a highlight on their significances. Specifically, the thermal effect is analyzed based on multiphoton excitation and plasma formation in an aqueous environment to explain the nontoxic characteristic of fs laser irradiation. Last, some applications of fs laser induced transfection and cell–cell fusion with potential major impact in biomedical sciences are proposed.
PHOTOTHERAPY FOR MILD TO MODERATE ACNE VULGARIS WITH PORTABLE BLUE AND RED LED
Authors: LIU GUANGDA , PAN CHANGE , LI KAI , TAN YUAN , WEI XUNBIN
Published: November 2010

In this paper, we studied portable blue and red light-emitting-diode (LED) light sources in phototherapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of patients. Patients, randomly divided into blue and red groups, received either blue or red LED phototherapy twice a week for four weeks. After complete treatment, the number of lesions reduced by 71.4% in the blue group, in contrast to 19.5% in the red group. No obvious side effects were observed during and one month after the treatment, except for some mild dryness mentioned by several patients.
BIOMEDICAL OPTOACOUSTICS
Authors: ESENALIEV RINAT O.
Published: November 2010

Optoacoustics is a promising modality for biomedical imaging, sensing, and monitoring with high resolution and contrast. In this paper, we present an overview of our studies for the last two decades on optoacoustic effects in tissues and imaging capabilities of the optoacoustic technique. In our earlier optoacoustic works we studied laser ablation of tissues and tissue-like media and proposed to use optoacoustics for imaging in tissues. In mid-90s we demonstrated detection of optoacoustic signals from tissues at depths of up to several centimeters, well deeper than the optical diffusion limit. We then obtained optoacoustic images of tissues both in vitro and in vivo. In late 90s we studied optoacoustic monitoring of thermotherapy: hyperthermia, coagulation, and freezing. Then we proposed and studied optoacoustic monitoring of blood oxygenation, hemoglobin concentration, and other physiologic parameters.
Reconfiguration and Communication-Aware Task Scheduling for High-Performance Reconfigurable Computing
Authors: Huang Miaoqing , Narayana Vikram K. , Simmler Harald , Serres Olivier , El-Ghazawi Tarek
Published: November 2010

High-performance reconfigurable computing involves acceleration of significant portions of an application using reconfigurable hardware. When the hardware tasks of an application cannot simultaneously fit in an FPGA, the task graph needs to be partitioned and scheduled into multiple FPGA configurations, in a way that minimizes the total execution time. This article proposes the Reduced Data Movement Scheduling (RDMS) algorithm that aims to improve the overall performance of hardware tasks by taking into account the reconfiguration time, data dependency between tasks, intertask communication as well as task resource utilization. The proposed algorithm uses the dynamic programming method. A mathematical analysis of the algorithm shows that the execution time would at most exceed the optimal solution by a factor of around 1.6, in the worst-case. Simulations on randomly generated task graphs indicate that RDMS algorithm can reduce interconfiguration communication time by 11% and 44% respectively, compared with two other approaches that consider data dependency and hardware resource utilization only. The practicality, as well as efficiency of the proposed algorithm over other approaches, is demonstrated by simulating a task graph from a real-life application - N-body simulation - along with constraints for bandwidth and FPGA parameters from existing high-performance reconfigurable computers. Experiments on SRC-6 are carried out to validate the approach.
The Value of Tumor Markers in Evaluating Chemotherapy Response and Prognosis in Chinese Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Jin Bo , Huang Ai-mi , Zhong Run-bo , Han Bao-hui
Published: November 2010

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the value of tumor markers in monitoring chemotherapy response and predicting prognosis in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We studied carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CYFRA21-1 and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) of 111 untreated patients with advanced NSCLC before and after 2 cycles of chemotherapy, meanwhile evaluating the response according to the image, and analyzed the relationship between tumor markers and response rate, time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS). Results: The mean percentages of CEA decrease of the 111 patients with advanced NSCLC whose image response was partial response, no response and progressive disease were 22.8, –5.5 and –59.8% (p = 0.002), 28.1, 1.8 and –70.8% for CYFRA21-1 (p = 0.001), and 17.5, –3.1 and –16.9% for NSE, respectively (p = 0.03). The median TTP for all patients was 6.7 months, while the median TTP for CEA decrease and CEA elevated or stable patients was 9.2 and 4.3 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Radiologic and CYFRA21-1 responses were significant predictive factors for TTP on multivariate analysis (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). The median OS was 19.2 months for all patients, with a 1-year survival rate of 69.4%. Baseline CEA, baseline CYFRA21-1 and CEA response were significant predictive factors for OS on multivariate analysis (p = 0.004, p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: CEA, CYFRA21-1 and NSE can be used in evaluating chemotherapy response, and CYFRA21-1 response was a significant predictive factor for TTP, while baseline CEA, baseline CYFRA21-1 and CEA response were significant predictive factors for OS in Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC.
A Voxel-Based Morphometry Analysis of White Matter Asymmetries in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Hopkins William D. , Taglialatela Jared P. , Nir Talia , Schenker Natalie M. , Sherwood Chet C.
Published: November 2010

Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) has become an increasingly common method for assessing neuroanatomical asymmetries in human in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here, we employed VBM to examine asymmetries in white matter in a sample of 48 chimpanzees (15 males and 33 females). T1-weighted MRI scans were segmented into white matter using FSL and registered to a common template. The segmented volumes were then flipped in the left-right axis and registered back to the template. The mirror image white matter volumes were then subtracted from the correctly oriented volumes and voxel-by-voxel t tests were performed. Twenty-seven significant lateralized clusters were found, including 18 in the left hemisphere and 9 in the right hemisphere. Several of the asymmetries were found in regions corresponding to well-known white matter tracts including the superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus and corticospinal tract.
Clinical Decision Making in Dermatology: Observation of Consultations and the Patients’ Perspectives
Authors: Hajjaj F.M. , Salek M.S. , Basra M.K.A. , Finlay A.Y.
Published: November 2010

Background: Clinical decision making is a complex process and might be influenced by a wide range of clinical and non-clinical factors. Little is known about this process in dermatology. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the different types of management decisions made in dermatology and to identify factors influencing those decisions from observation of consultations and interviews with the patients. Methods: 61 patient consultations were observed by a physician with experience in dermatology. The patients were interviewed immediately after each consultation. Consultations and interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and their content analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: The most commonmanagement decisions made during the consultations included: follow-up, carrying out laboratory investigation, starting new topical treatment, renewal of systemic treatment, renewal of topical treatment, discharging patients and starting new systemic treatment. Common influences on those decisions included: clinical factors such as ineffectiveness of previous therapy, adherence to prescribing guidelines, side-effects of medications, previous experience with the treatment, deterioration or improvement in the skin condition, and chronicity of skin condition. Non-clinical factors included: patient’s quality of life, patient’s friends or relatives, patient’s time commitment, travel or transportation difficulties, treatment-related costs, availability of consultant, and availability of treatment. Conclusion: The study has shown that patients are aware that management decisions in dermatology are influenced by a wide range of clinical and non-clinical factors. Education programmes should be developed to improve the quality of decision making.
Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Cortical Cellular Plasticity in Wahlberg’s Epauletted Fruit Bat: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study
Authors: Gatome Catherine W. , Mwangi Deter K. , Lipp Hans-Peter , Amrein Irmgard
Published: November 2010

Species-specific characteristics of neuronal plasticity emerging from comparative studies can address the functional relevance of hippocampal or cortical plasticity in the light of ecological adaptation and evolutionary history of a given species. Here, we present a quantitative and qualitative analysis of neurogenesis in young and adult free-living Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bats. Using the markers for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), doublecortin (DCX) and polysialic acid neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM), our findings in the hippocampus, olfactory bulb and cortical regions are described and compared to reports in other mammals. Expressed as a percentage of the total number of granule cells, PCNA- and BrdU-positive cells accounted for 0.04 in young to 0.01% in adult animals; DCX-positive cells for 0.05 (young) to 0.01% (adult); PSA-NCAM-positive cells for 0.1 (young) to 0.02% (adult), and pyknotic cells for 0.007 (young) to 0.005% (adult). The numbers were comparable to other long-lived, late-maturing mammals such as primates. A significant increase in the total granule cell number from young to adult animals demonstrated the successful formation and integration of new cells. In adulthood, granule cell number appeared stable and was surprisingly low in comparison to other species. Observations in the olfactory bulb and rostral migratory stream were qualitatively similar to descriptions in other species. In the ventral horn of the lateral ventricle, we noted prominent expression of DCX and PSA-NCAM forming a temporal migratory stream targeting the piriform cortex, possibly reflecting the importance of olfaction to these species. Low, but persistent hippocampal neurogenesis in non-echolocating fruit bats contrasted the findings in echolocating microbats, in which hippocampal neurogenesis was largely absent. Together with the observed intense cortical plasticity in the olfactory system of fruit bats we suggest a differential influence of sensory modalities on hippocampal and cortical plasticity in this mammalian order.
Distribution of CART (Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript) Peptide in Mature and Developing Marsupial Brain
Authors: Ashwell K.W.S. , Mai J.K.
Published: November 2010

CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) is a neuromodulator involved in feeding, drug reward, stress and cardiovascular function. We have immunohistochemically studied the distribution of the CART peptide in the brains of two adult marsupial species: the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii) as a representative of polyprotodont marsupials and the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) as a representative of diprotodont marsupials. We have also examined the distribution of CART during postnatal development in the tammar wallaby. There were similarities and differences both between the two marsupial species and between the marsupials and eutherians in CART distribution. Both marsupials showed immunoreactivity to CART in the olfactory bulb, piriform cortex, extended amygdala, the supraoptic, paraventricular and arcuate nuclei of the hypothalamus, somatosensory and auditory nuclei of the brainstem, vagal/solitary complex, raphe obscurus and raphe pallidus and presumptive presympathetic neurons of the ventrolateral medulla, as has been seen in eutherians. On the other hand, immunoreactivity to CART was weak in or absent from isocortical areas, and immunoreactivity to CART was poor or minimal in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens of both species; regions where immunoreactivity to CART is very strong in the brains of eutherians. During development, CART was present at birth (P0) in the lateral trigeminal ganglion, spinal trigeminal tract and the vagal sensorimotor complex, but did not appear in mid- or forebrain regions until much later (from P37). These anatomical findings indicate that although CART is likely to serve very similar functions in both eutherians and marsupials, there are potentially functionally significant differences between the two mammalian groups.
Equivalence of Pegfilgrastim and Filgrastim in Lymphoma Patients Treated with BEAM Followed by Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Samaras Panagiotis , Buset Elefteri M. , Siciliano Raffaele Daniele , Haile Sarah R. , Petrausch Ulf , Mischo Axel , Honegger Hanspeter , Pestalozzi Bernhard C. , Schanz Urs , Stussi Georg , Stahel Rolf A. , Knuth Alexander , Renner Christoph , Stenner-Liewen Frank
Published: November 2010

Objective: To evaluate the impact of pegfilgrastim on engraftment, hospital stay and resources in patients with Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after conditioning with high-dose BEAM followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) compared with filgrastim. Methods: We reviewed patient charts and our prospective transplantation database for clinical data from the post-transplant period. An integrated cost analysis, including the use of blood products and length of hospital stay, was also performed. Results: Fourteen (26%) patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and 40 (74%) patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were analyzed. Thirty-four (68%) patients received single-dose pegfilgrastim (6 mg), and 20 (32%) patients received daily filgrastim (5 µg/kg) after APBSCT. No differences were observed regarding duration of neutropenia grade 4 (pegfilgrastim median 7 days/filgrastim median 8 days; p = 0.13), thrombocytopenia grade 4 (7/9.5 days, respectively; p = 0.21), fever (4.5/2 days; p = 0.057), intravenous antibiotic treatment (11/10 days; p = 0.75) or length of hospital stay (16.5/16 days; p = 0.27) between the groups. The use of pegfilgrastim resulted in 12% higher treatment-related costs when compared to filgrastim, without reaching statistical significance (p = 0.38). Conclusion: Pegfilgrastim appears to be equivalent to filgrastim after high-dose BEAM followed by APBSCT in the treatment of lymphoma patients.
Adult Neurogenesis in the Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) and Mole (Talpa europaea)
Authors: Bartkowska K. , Turlejski K. , Grabiec M. , Ghazaryan A. , Yavruoyan E. , Djavadian R.L.
Published: November 2010

We investigated adult neurogenesis in two species of mammals belonging to the superorder Laurasiatheria, the southern white-breasted hedgehog (order Erinaceomorpha, species Erinaceus concolor) from Armenia and the European mole (order Soricomorpha, species Talpa europaea) from Poland. Neurogenesis in the brain of these species was examined immunohistochemically, using the endogenous markers doublecortin (DCX) and Ki-67, which are highly conserved among species. We found that in both the hedgehog and mole, like in the majority of earlier investigated mammals, neurogenesis continues in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles and in the dentate gyrus (DG). In the DG of both species, DCX-expressing cells and Ki-67-labeled cells were present in the subgranular and granular layers. In the mole, a strong bundle of DCX-labeled processes, presumably axons of granule cells, was observed in the center of the hilus. Proliferating cells (expressing Ki-67) were identified in the SVZ of lateral ventricles of both species, but neuronal precursor cells (expressing DCX) were also observed in the olfactory bulb (OB). In both species, the vast majority of cells expressing DCX in the OB were granule cells with radially orientated dendrites, although some periglomerular cells surrounding the glomeruli were also labeled. In addition, this paper is the first to show DCX-labeled fibers in the anterior commissure of the hedgehog and mole. These fibers must be axons of new neurons making interhemispheric connections between the two OB or piriform (olfactory) cortices. DCX-expressing neurons were observed in the striatum and piriform cortex of both hedgehog and mole. We postulate that in both species a fraction of cells newly generated in the SVZ migrates along the rostral migratory stream to the piriform cortex. This pattern of migration resembles that of the ‘second-wave neurons’ generated during embryonal development of the neocortex rather than the pattern observed during development of the allocortex. In spite of the presence of glial cells alongside DCX-expressing cells, we never found colocalization of DCX protein with a glial marker (vimentin or glial fibrillary acidic protein).
Could Alkali Production Be Considered an Approach for Caries Control?
Authors: Gordan V.V. , Garvan C.W. , Ottenga M.E. , Schulte R. , Harris P.A. , McEdward D. , Magnusson I.
Published: November 2010

This study investigated the relationship of arginine deiminase (ADS) and urease activities with dental caries through a case-control study. ADS and urease activities were measured in dental smooth-surface supragingival plaque and whole saliva samples from 93 subjects, who were in three different groups: caries-free (n = 31), caries-active (n = 30), and caries-experienced (n = 32). ADS activity was measured by quantification of the ammonia generated from the incubation of plaque and saliva samples in a mixture containing 50 mM arginine-HCl and 50 mM Tris-maleate buffer, pH 6.0. ADS-specific activity was defined as nanomoles of ammonia generated per minute per milligram of protein. Urease activity was determined by quantification of ammonia produced from 50 mM urea. For bacterial identification and enumeration real-time qPCR analysis was used. Groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis tests. Spearman correlations were used to analyze plaque metabolic activity and bacterial relationships. The results revealed significantly higher ammonia production from arginine in saliva (1.06 vs. 0.18; p < 0.0001) and plaque samples (1.74 vs. 0.58; p < 0.0001) from caries-free subjects compared to caries-active subjects. Urease levels were about 3-fold higher in the plaque of caries-free subjects (p < 0.0001). Although higher urease activity in saliva of caries-experienced and caries-free subjects was evident, no significant difference was found between the groups.
Validated Methods of Cough Assessment: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Leconte Sophie , Ferrant Delphine , Dory Valérie , Degryse Jan
Published: November 2010

Background: Cough is a common symptom for which patients often seek medical advice and consume vast amounts of drugs. It is a real challenge for both the physician and the clinical researcher to evaluate a cough’s clinical importance and its precise response to treatment. Objectives: This systematic literature review has the following objectives: first, to make an inventory of the validated tools for assessing cough, and second, to investigate the extent to which the results of various assessment methods can be correlated. Methods: Two independent investigators searched the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases for validation studies on cough assessment tools. Results: Thirty-four studies were included. Several ambulatory cough monitors automatically identify cough and have been validated in a limited number of patients. Three cough-specific quality-of-life scales (Leicester Cough Questionnaire, Cough Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Burden of Cough Questionnaire) have been validated. No validation studies of descriptive scores or visual analogue scales were found. The correlations between quality-of-life scores and cough frequency were good. The correlations between descriptive scores or visual analogue scales and more objective methods, such as cough frequency monitoring or quality-of-life scores, were inconsistent. Conclusion: Cough-specific quality-of-life questionnaires can provide valid outcomes for research into cough. Although the current developments in cough monitoring devices are promising, further studies on a larger scale, under more realistic conditions, and for different patterns of cough are required before they can be recommended for widespread use.
Blood Pressure and Total Cholesterol Level Are Critical Risks Especially for Hemorrhagic Stroke in Akita, Japan
Authors: Suzuki Kazuo , Izumi Manabu , Sakamoto Tetsuya , Hayashi Masato
Published: November 2010

Background and Purpose: Stroke risk factors differ depending on the subtype of stroke; moreover, the distribution of risks is different among countries and races. Methods: Mass health screening data were collected from the Akita Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Cooperative for Health and Welfare from 1991 to 1998. Cerebrovascular events were determined from the Akita stroke registry from 1991 to 2001. Then, clinical risk factors for stroke, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus, were assessed in the different subtypes of stroke. Results: A total of 156,892 persons were included in this study (76,330 men and 80,562 women), and 1,323 subjects had a stroke during the 3 years of the screening period. The distribution of subtypes such as cerebral hemorrhage (CH), cerebral infarction (CI) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was 27.3, 55.9 and 16.8%, respectively. Mean age and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BPs) were significantly higher in stroke cases. CH and CI occurred more frequently in men, whereas SAH occurred more frequently in women. Serum total cholesterol (TC) <160 mg/dl was a risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke (CH and SAH), whereas TC >280 mg/dl increased the risk of CI. A multivariable analysis revealed that the lower TC level (<160 mg/dl) and the higher BP increased the relative risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Conclusions: BP was the strongest risk factor for any subtype of stroke. High BP and low TC (<160 mg/dl) were critical risks of hemorrhagic stroke.
In vivo Evaluation Method of the Effect of Nattokinase on Carrageenan-Induced Tail Thrombosis in a Rat Model
Authors: Kamiya Seitaro , Hagimori Masayori , Ogasawara Masayoshi , Arakawa Masayuki
Published: November 2010

Thrombosis is characterized by congenital and acquired procatarxis. Nattokinase inhibits thrombus formation in vitro. However, in vivo evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of nattokinase against thrombosis remains to be conducted. Subcutaneous nattokinase injections of 1 or 2 mg/ml were administered to the tails of rats. Subsequently, ĸ-carrageenan was intravenously administered to the tails at 12 h after nattokinase injections. The mean length of the infarcted regions in the tails of rats was significantly shorter in rats administered 2 mg/ml of nattokinase than those in control rats. Nattokinase exhibited significant prophylactic antithrombotic effects. Previously, the in vitro efficacy of nattokinase against thrombosis had been reported; now our study has revealed the in vivo efficacy of nattokinase against thrombosis.
Multiple Sclerosis in Iran: A Demographic Study of 8,000 Patients and Changes over Time
Authors: Sahraian Mohammad Ali , Khorramnia Saeideh , Ebrahim Mina Mohammad , Moinfar Zahra , Lotfi Jamshid , Pakdaman Hossien
Published: November 2010

Background: Iran was formerly considered to be located in a low prevalence zone for multiple sclerosis (MS). During the last decade the number of patients has increased. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of MS in the capital city of the country. Methods: We re-evaluated the files of all patients who had registered at the Iranian Multiple Sclerosis Society during a 10-year period. Results: 8,146 patients (72.3% female, 27.7% male) with a female-to-male ratio of 2.60 had registered. Mean age of disease onset was 27.24 (SD: 8.32). A relapsing-remitting pattern was recognized in 84.9% of the patients. The number of new registrations tripled from 2002 to 2008 and the female-to-male ratio increased from 2 to 3.12. The prevalence of MS in Tehran is estimated to be at least 51.9 per 100,000. Visual impairment was the main presenting symptom. Conclusions: It seems that the prevalence of MS has increased to a medium-to-high risk level in Iran. The mean age of onset was similar to other studies but the calculated prevalence of early onset MS was increased. The cumulative data indicates that the female-to-male ratio is increasing annually.