bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of skewness and kurtosis of weakly nonlinear unidirectional waves over a sloping bottom
Authors: Zeng H. , Trulsen K.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. We consider the effect of slowly varying depth on the values of skewness and kurtosis of weakly nonlinear irregular waves propagating from deeper to shallower water. It is known that the equilibrium value of kurtosis decreases with decreasing depth for waves propagating on constant depth. Waves propagating over a sloping bottom must continually adjust toward a new equilibrium state. We demonstrate that weakly nonlinear waves may need a considerable horizontal propagation distance in order to adjust to a new shallower environment, therefore the kurtosis can be notably different from the equilibrium value for each corresponding depth both on top of and beyond a bottom slope. A change of depth can provoke a wake-like spatially non-uniform distribution of kurtosis on the lee side of the slope. As an application, we anticipate that the probability of freak waves on or near the edge of the continental shelf may exhibit a rather complicated spatial structure for wave fields entering from deep sea.
Relative effect of slope and equilibrium line altitude on the retreat of Himalayan glaciers
Authors: Venkatesh T. N. , Kulkarni A. V. , Srinivasan J.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. It has been observed that a majority of glaciers in the Himalayas have been retreating. In this paper, we show that there are two major factors which control the advance/retreat of the Himalayan glaciers. They are the slope of the glacier and changes in the equilibrium line altitude. While it is well known, that these factors are important, we propose a new way of combining them and use it to predict retreat. The functional form of this model has been derived from numerical simulations using an ice-flow code. The model has been successfully applied to the movement of eight Himalayan glaciers during the past 25 years. It explains why the Gangotri glacier is retreating while Zemu of nearly the same length is stationary, even if they are subject to similar environmental changes. The model has also been applied to a larger set of glaciers in the Parbati basin, for which retreat based on satellite data is available, though over a shorter time period.
Serum IGF‐I in middle age covaries with reproductive life‐history traits in british men and women
Authors: Rickard Ian J.
Published: March 2012

Objectives:

The growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factor‐I (GH/IGF‐I) axis may be an important component of individual life‐history variation. This study examined whether IGF‐I levels covary with reproductive life‐history traits in a long‐term British cohort study (the National Child Development Study).

Methods:

Using data on up to 5,252 individuals (2,431 men and 2,821 women) born in March 1958, relationships of serum IGF‐I at age 45 with pubertal age, time to pregnancy (TTP), age at first reproduction (AFR), and lifetime reproductive success (LRS) were analyzed using general linear models.

Results:

IGF‐I showed modest non‐linear associations with pubertal age, being low in women who first menstruated, and men whose voice broke, in the oldest respective age categories. In women, but not men, IGF‐I was negatively related to TTP. IGF‐I was positively associated with AFR in both sexes and tended to be negatively related to LRS in women only. Some, but not all, relationships were attenuated after controlling for multiple potential confounders.

Conclusion:

These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the GH/IGF‐I axis partially underlies individual variance in reproductive outcomes, through either direct endocrine effects on reproductive function or behavior, indirect effects on other traits, or a combination of the above. Several limitations of this study include the late age at which blood samples were collected and the difficulty of disentangling social and biological factors contributing to the traits studied. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predicting human hepatic clearance from in vitro drug metabolism and transport data: a scientific and pharmaceutical perspective for assessing drug–drug interactions
Authors: Camenisch Gian , Umehara Ken‐ichi
Published: March 2012

Objectives

Membrane transporters and metabolism are major determinants of the hepatobiliary elimination of drugs. This work investigates several key questions for drug development. Such questions include which drugs demonstrate transporter‐based clearance in the clinic, and which in vitro methods are most suitable for drug classification, i.e. transporter‐ vs metabolism‐dependent compound class categories. Additional questions posed are: what is the expected quantitative change in exposure in the presence of a transporter‐ and/or metabolism‐inhibiting drug, and which criteria should trigger follow‐up clinical drug–drug interaction studies.

Methods

A well‐established method for (human) liver clearance prediction that considers all four physiological processes driving hepatic drug elimination (namely sinusoidal uptake and efflux, metabolism and biliary secretion) was applied. Suspended hepatocytes, liver microsomes and sandwich‐cultured hepatocytes were used as in vitro models to determine the individual intrinsic clearance for 13 selected compounds with various physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties.

Results

Using this in vitro–in vivo extrapolation method a good linear correlation was observed between predicted and reported human hepatic clearances. Linear regression analysis revealed much improved correlations compared with other prediction methods.

Conclusions

The presented approach serves as a basis for accurate compound categorization within the Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS) and was applied to anticipate metabolism‐ and transporter‐based drug–drug interactions using different static prediction methods. A decision tree proposal is provided and helps to guide clinical studies on active processes influencing hepatic elimination. All recommendations in this paper are generally intended to support early pre‐clinical and clinical drug development and the filing of a new drug application. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Porous Zinc Gallate Prisms Composed of Highly Oriented Nanoparticles by an In Situ Conversion Reaction
Authors: Zhou Wenli , Yang Xianfeng , Huang Lin , Wang Jing , Tang Jinke , Liang Hongbin
Published: March 2012

Porous ZnGa2O4 prisms assembled by highly oriented nanoparticles have been fabricated by an in situ chemical conversion approach. We report, for the first time, that a solid α‐Ga2O3 precursor can be directly converted into ZnGa2O4 rather than through the intermediate GaOOH. Based on a detailed study of the evolution of ZnGa2O4 prisms, a growth mechanism is proposed for the in situ conversion reaction. During this conversion process, the precursor morphology can be highly retained, which is attributed to the similar atomic arrangements of the Ga and O atoms and excellent matching of the lattice spacing between the α‐Ga2O3 and ZnGa2O4 prisms. The direct reaction between the precursor α‐Ga2O3 and Zn2+ ions is more efficient than that between the byproduct GaOOH and Zn2+ ions. Moreover, the photoluminescent color of the ZnGa2O4 phosphor can be tuned by doping with Mn2+ ions. Efficient energy transfer (ET) from the host lattice to the Mn2+ centers is observed, whereas ET from the defects to the Mn2+ ions is prohibited. The fabricated ZnGa2O4 products have potential in the field of display applications.
Nanoscale channel engineered double gate MOSFET for mixed signal applications using high‐k dielectric
Authors: Nirmal D , Vijayakumar P , Shruti K , Mohankumar N
Published: March 2012

FinFETs (fin field effect transistors) are used for complementary‐symmetry metal–oxide–semiconductor applications beyond the 45‐nm node of the SIA roadmap because of their excellent scalability and better immunity to short channel effects. However, FinFETs having channel lengths below 100 nm show considerable leakage current and threshold voltage roll‐off. To overcome these effects, a channel engineering technique is introduced. A single halo (SH) FinFET is developed using Sentaurus simulator, and its analog performance is investigated. The device performance is analysed by replacing the gate dielectric silicon dioxide with various high dielectric constant (k) materials, and it is observed that the integration of high‐k dielectrics in the devices significantly reduces the short channel effects and leakage current. The suitability of nanoscale SH FinFETs for circuit applications is observed with the help of an inverter circuit, and their gain values are calculated for circuit applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Locoregional failure and the risk of distant metastasis after modern radiotherapy for head and neck cancer
Authors: Dragovic Aleksandar F. , Caudell Jimmy J. , Spencer Sharon A. , Carroll William R. , Nabell Lisle A. , Bonner James A.
Published: March 2012

Background

Evolving epidemiology and improvements in locoregional therapy necessitate reassessment of the relationship between locoregional failure and distant metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Methods

Retrospective assessments of factors associated with distant metastasis‐free survival were made for 560 patients with SCCHN who received definitive radiotherapy (RT) +/− concurrent systemic therapy at our institution between 1995 and 2007.

Results

Fifty‐six patients (10.0%) developed distant metastasis. Three‐year actuarial locoregional control and distant metastasis‐free survival were 72% and 87%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed N classification and locoregional failure as significant predictors of reduced distant metastasis‐free survival (p< .001). In patients with distant metastasis detected after locoregional failure, the mean interval between these events was 11.6 months.

Conclusion

Locoregional failure may play a causative role for distant metastasis in some patients with SCCHN, suggesting a need for continued focus on improving locoregional therapies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
Human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitors modulate Ca2+ homeostasis and potentiate alcoholic stress and injury in mice and primary mouse and human hepatocytes
Authors: Kao Eddy , Shinohara Masao , Feng Min , Lau Mo Yin , Ji Cheng
Published: March 2012

A portion of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients undergoing protease inhibitor (PI) therapy concomitantly consume or abuse alcohol leading to hepatic injury. The underling mechanisms are not known. We hypothesize that HIV PIs aggravate alcohol-induced liver injury through an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress mechanism. To address this, we treated mice, primary mouse hepatocytes (PMHs), and primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) with alcohol and the HIV PIs ritonavir (RIT) and lopinavir (LOP). In mice, RIT and LOP induced mild ER stress and inhibition of sarco/ER calcium-ATPase (SERCA) without significant increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. However, a single dose of alcohol plus the two HIV PIs caused a more than five-fold increase in serum ALT, a synergistic increase in alcohol-induced liver lipid accumulation and ER stress response, and a decrease of SERCA. Mice treated with chronic HIV PIs and alcohol developed moderate liver fibrosis. In PMHs, the HIV drugs plus alcohol also inhibited SERCA expression and increased expression of glucose-regulated protein 78, C/EBP homologous protein, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2, which were accompanied by a synergistic increase in cell death compared with alcohol or the HIV drugs alone. In PHHs, treatment with RIT and LOP or alcohol alone increased messenger RNA of spliced X box-binding protein 1 and decreased SERCA, which were accompanied by reduced levels of intracellular calcium. Alcohol combined with the HIV drugs significantly reduced intracellular calcium levels and potentiated cell death, which was comparable to the cell death caused by the SERCA inhibitor thapsigargin.

Conclusion

: Our findings suggest the possibility that HIV PIs potentiate alcohol-induced ER stress and injury through modulation of SERCA and maintaining calcium homeostasis could be a therapeutic aim for better care of HIV patients. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;)
Prospective change control analysis of transfer of platelet concentrate production from a specialized stem cell transplantation unit to a blood transfusion center
Authors: Sigle Joerg‐Peter , Medinger Michael , Stern Martin , Infanti Laura , Heim Dominik , Halter Joerg , Gratwohl Alois , Buser Andreas
Published: March 2012

Background and objectives: Specialized centers claim a need for blood component production independent from the general blood transfusion services. We performed a prospective change control analysis of the transfer of platelet (PLT) production for hematological patients at the University Hospital Basel from the Department of Hematology to the Blood Transfusion Centre, Swiss Red Cross, Basel in February 2006. We wanted to demonstrate that neither quality nor transfusion outcome was affected. Material and methods: Production quantity and efficiency, product quality and transfusion outcome were systematically recorded. A 2‐year pretransfer period was compared to a 2 year post‐transfer period. Results: After transfer production quantity at the Blood Transfusion Centre increased from 4,483 to 6,190 PLT concentrates. Production efficiency increased with a significant decrease in the rate of expired products (18% vs. 8%; P < 0.001). Product quality showed a slight decrease in median PLT count per unit (2.84 vs. 2.75 × 1011; P < 0.001) and a slight increase in mean storage time prior to transfusion (3.18 vs. 3.30 days; P < 0.001). Transfusion outcome measured as median corrected count increment one hour post‐transfusion (10.5 vs. 10.7; P = 0.3) and the rate of patients with inadequate post‐transfusion increment (31.5% vs. 32.1%; P = 0.6) did not differ. Conclusion: Supply and quality of PLT products was maintained after the transfer of PLT production to the Blood Transfusion Centre. An optimization of the supply chain process with markedly decreased expiration rates was achieved. These results argue against the need of specialized PLT production sites for selected patient groups. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feasibility of semi‐quantitative assessment of left ventricular contractile reserve in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Otasevic Petar , Tasic Nebojsa , Vidakovic Radoslav , Boskovic Srdjan , Radak Djordje , Djukanovic Bosko , Angelkov Lazar , Kostic Nada , Caparevic Zorica , Vasiljevic‐Pokrajcic Zorana
Published: March 2012

Background:

We and others have shown previously that left ventricular (LV) contractile reserve assessed quantitatively by high‐dose dobutamine stress‐echocardiography (DSE) has prognostic implications in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Purpose:

To assess the feasibility of semi‐quantitative assessment of LV contractile reserve by differently skilled operators in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods:

High‐dose DSE was performed in 63 consecutive patients, mean age 50 ± 10 years and ejection fraction (EF) 19 ± 8%. LVEF was calculated 1) using Simpson's biplane formula, and 2) semi‐quantitatively (5% increments) by novice and experienced echocardiographers, and by a DSE expert. Patients were considered to have preserved LV contractile reserve if LVEF dobutamine‐induced change was ≥5%.

Results:

Twenty‐seven (45.8%) patients died during the 5‐year follow‐up. The feasibility of the assessment was 89%, 94%, and 98% for novice and experienced readers and DSE expert, respectively. Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed that LV contractile reserve assessed semi‐quantitatively by DSE expert and experienced reader achieved the best prognostic separation (log rank 19.63 and 18.99, respectively, p < 0.001 for both), followed by quantitative assessment (log rank 9.76, p = 0.0018) and assessment by novice reader (log rank 8.76, p = 0.012). Areas under the curves were similar for quantitative and semi‐quantitative assessment of LV contractile reserve.

Conclusions:

Our data indicate that semi‐quantitative assessment of LV contractile reserve is feasible by differently skilled operators. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 40:405–409, 2012
Degenerative process and cell death in salivary glands of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) semi‐engorged female exposed to the acaricide permethrin
Authors: Nodari Elen Fernanda , Roma Gislaine Cristina , Furquim Karim Christina Scopinho , De Oliveira Patrícia Rosa , Bechara Gervásio Henrique , Camargo‐Mathias Maria Izabel
Published: March 2012

Ticks are ectoparasites of great medical and veterinary importance around the world and synthetic chemicals such as permethrin have been used for their control. This study provides a cytochemistry analysis of both degenerative and cell death processes in salivary glands of the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus semi‐engorged females exposed to 206, 1,031, and 2,062 ppm of permethrin. The results presented herein demonstrate that permethrin is a potent chemical acaricide that would act on the glandular tissue's morphophysiology in this tick species by eliciting severe changes in the acinus shape, intense vacuolation of the acinar cells' cytoplasm, marked glandular tissue disorganization, culminating in an advanced degenerative stage with consequent formation of many apoptotic bodies (cell death). In addition, permethrin induced major changes in the acinar cells' nucleus, such as a change both in its shape and size, chromatin marginalization, nuclear fragmentation, and appearance of picnotic nuclei, especially when the highest concentrations of the product were used. Thus, permethrin induced early degeneration of this tissue characterized by significant changes in the structure of acinar cells and production of enzymes related to the cell death process, in addition to interfering directly in the genetic material of these cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:1012–1018, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Path: Ways Typology has Walked Through it
Authors: Imbert Caroline
Published: March 2012

This paper deals with the expression of space in linguistic typology, more specifically with Path encoding. The term “Path” refers to the path followed by an entity with respect to another: for instance, in a scene where a cat runs and a table stands, Path will refer to the cat running past the table, below the table, down from the table, etc. The literature on how Path is encoded in different languages is abundant. This paper is not an exhaustive state‐of‐the‐art review of the literature. It rather intends to guide the reader through major recent landmarks that would help one understand how typological generalizations about Path expression have been attained, what are such generalizations and how part of them still constitute an issue.
Dynamic lot sizing with all‐units discount and resales
Authors: Li Chung‐Lun , Ou Jinwen , Hsu Vernon N.
Published: March 2012

We consider a single‐product dynamic lot‐sizing model with an all‐units quantity discount pricing scheme available to the buyer, where the discount price breakpoints are stationary. To capture the real‐life behavior of a typical buyer who often takes advantage of quantity discounts through purchasing in excess of the anticipated demand, our model allows the buyer to resell or dispose of any leftover inventory that he/she does not need. We show that the general problem with an arbitrary number of discount price breakpoints is NP‐hard. We then develop a polynomial algorithm for the problem with an O(Tm+3) running time when the number of price breakpoints, m, is fixed, where T is the number of time periods in the planning horizon. We further develop an O(T2) algorithm for the special case with a single price breakpoint. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012
Improved algorithms for a lot‐sizing problem with inventory bounds and backlogging
Authors: Hwang Hark‐Chin , van den Heuvel Wilco
Published: March 2012

This article considers a dynamic lot‐sizing problem with storage capacity limitation in which backlogging is allowed. For general concave procurement and inventory costs, we present an O(T2) dynamic programming algorithm where T is the length of the planning horizon. Furthermore, in case of a fixed‐charge cost structure without speculative motives, we show that the problem can be solved in O(T) time. By carefully choosing decompositions of the problems, we can use classical results like an efficient matrix searching algorithm and geometric techniques to achieve the results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012
Equilibrium analysis of capacity allocation with demand competition
Authors: Liu Zhixin
Published: March 2012

This article examines the capacity allocation decisions in a supply chain in which a supplier sells a common product to two retailers at a fixed wholesale price. The retailers order the supplier's product subject to an allocation mechanism preannounced by the supplier, and compete for the customer demand. We perform an equilibrium analysis of the retailers' ordering decisions under uniform and individually responsive allocations. Uniform allocation guarantees equilibrium orders, but is not necessarily truth inducing in the presence of demand competition. Further, we find that (1) neither the supplier nor either one of the retailers sees its profits necessarily increasing with the supplier's capacity, and the supplier may sell more with a lower capacity level, and (2) capacity allocation may not only affect the supply chain members' profits but also change the supply chain structure by driving a retailer out of the market. This article provides managerial insights on the capacity and ordering decisions for the supplier, the retailers, and the supply chain. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012
Polymers in living systems: from biological lubrication to tissue engineering and biomedical devices
Authors: Klein Jacob
Published: March 2012

The roles of macromolecules in living systems as information storage systems (as DNA) and in biochemical synthesis have been much studied and are relatively well understood. Far less is known about their physical behavior at biological surfaces and interfaces. This review considers in particular the roles of polymers in biological lubrication and its relation both to diseases such as osteoarthritis and to remedies such as tissue engineering. The lubricating behavior of common bio‐interfacial macromolecules including mucins, hyaluronan, lubricin, and aggrecan are described, and insights into the mechanism of biolubrication are examined in the light of the recently revealed role of hydration lubrication in water‐based (including living) systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transformation of macromonomers into ring‐opening polymerization macroinitiators: A detailed initiation efficiency study
Authors: Zorn Anna‐Marie , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher
Published: March 2012

In the present study, n‐butyl acrylate macromonomer (BAMM) (Mn = 1900 g mol−1; PDI = 1.96) has been synthesized via a high‐temperature polymerization process. Subsequently, the olefinic termini of the BAMM have been transformed into a diol via a dihydroxylation process using KMnO4 as an oxidizing agent. The OH‐terminated macroinitiator pBA(OH)2 has subsequently been employed for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone via various catalytic systems, that is, organo‐(1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene), metal (tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate), and enzymatic catalysis (Novozym® 435). The obtained pBA‐b‐pCL block copolymers and the initiation efficiency of the BAMM macroinitiator have been investigated via size exclusion chromatography (SEC), electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) hyphenated with SEC and liquid chromatography at the critical conditions of both poly(ε‐caprolactone) (pCL) and pBA. The in vitro enzyme catalysis (eROP) approach proved to be the most efficient catalysis system due to minor transesterification side reactions during the polymerization process. However, side reactions such as transesterifications occur in each catalytic system and—while they cannot be suppressed—they can be minimized. The species generated during the eROP process include the desired block copolymer pBA‐b‐pCL as main species as well as pCL homopolymer and residual macroinitiator pBA(OH)2. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Humidity dependent properties of a transparent conducting film doped with BEDO‐TTF complex
Authors: Yamochi Hideki , Haneda Tsuyoshi , Tracz Adam , Saito Gunzi
Published: March 2012

Conducting reticulate doped polymer (RDP) films with transparent appearance were prepared by the two‐step method. Polycarbonate films were doped with the bis(ethylenedioxy)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDO‐TTF) complex of ${\rm ReO}_{{\rm 4}}^{- } $, Br−, ${\rm C(CN)}_{{\rm 3}}^{- } $, or ${\rm C}_{{\rm 2}} {\rm O}_{{\rm 4}}^{{\rm 2}- } $, the surface resistivities of which were 1.5, 1.4, 30, and 8.0 kΩ/□, respectively. The films containing ${\rm ReO}_{{\rm 4}}^{- } $ and Br− complexes showed quasi‐reversible humidity dependent behaviors, in which the resistivity and inter‐conducting‐layer distance were increased and decreased, respectively, in dry atmosphere. The ReO4 containing film exhibited better reversibility, while the existence of two kinds of crystal structures was proved for the Br complex.

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The effect of barrier strain on the reliability of Inx Al1–xN/AlN/GaN heterostructure field‐effect transistors
Authors: Kayis Cemil , Ferreyra Romualdo A. , Zhu Congyong , Avrutin Vitaliy , Özgür Ümit , Morkoç Hadis
Published: March 2012

We report on the reliability of Inx Al1–xN/AlN/GaN‐based heterostructure field‐effect transistors (HFETs) fabricated on five different wafers with varying indium compositions (0.12 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) encompassing the tensile/compressive strain fields. All of the tested devices underwent high field on‐state stress at 20 V DC drain bias and zero gate bias for five hours. We monitored the drain current and low‐frequency noise (LFN) a priori and a posteriori the stress treatment to quantify device degradation. HFETs suffering tensile strain showed remarkably large degradation which manifested itself with up to 25 dB increase in noise power and up to 72% loss of drain current after stress. On the other hand, devices fabricated on compressively strained structures remained intact after stress, but they had about 30 dB higher pre‐stress noise‐power levels and about 50% lower drain‐current densities to begin with. The results show that the nearly lattice‐matched In0.17Al0.83N barrier exhibited very low degradation along with current density remaining high compared with the devices having barriers with lower or higher indium content. Our results suggest that the nearly‐lattice‐matched InAlN can be a good candidate for devices due to its relatively better reliability while maintaining a high current density. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Mechanism of the aerobic oxidation of methanol to formic acid on Au8−: A DFT study
Authors: Karanjit Sangita , Bobuatong Karan , Fukuda Ryoichi , Ehara Masahiro , Sakurai Hidehiro
Published: March 2012

The mechanism of the aerobic oxidation of methanol to formic acid catalyzed by Au8− has been systematically investigated using density functional theory with the M06 functional. The reaction pathways were examined by taking into account the full structural relaxation of the Au8−. Stepwise and concerted reaction mechanisms are proposed. The stepwise mechanism is initiated by the hydrogen abstraction of a methoxy species by a superoxo‐like anion on the gold cluster, resulting in the formation of formaldehyde. Subsequently, the formaldehyde is activated by the hydroxyl group of a hydroperoxyl‐like complex, leading to the formation of a hemiacetal intermediate. The formation of formic acid in the final step is achieved by hydrogen abstraction of the hemiacetal intermediate by atomic oxygen attached to the gold cluster. Our calculations indicate that the first step of the stepwise mechanism, that is, hydrogen abstraction of the methoxy species, is the rate‐determining step. Another possible reaction pathway involving a single‐step hydrogen abstraction, a concerted mechanism, is also discussed. This mechanism may also be responsible for the reasonable catalytic activity of aerobic oxidation of methanol on Au8− because of the low activation energy barrier. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preoperative Treatment Does Not Improve the Therapeutic Results of Abdominosacral Amputation of the Rectum
Authors: Bębenek Marek , Tupikowski Wiesław , Cisarż Karol , Balcerzak Alicja , Wojciechowski Leszek , Stankowska Anna , Tarkowski Radosław
Published: March 2012

Background

This study reviewed the impact of preoperative chemoradiotherapy/short‐term radiotherapy on abdominosacral amputations of the rectum (ASAR) for the treatment of low‐rectum cancers in terms of postoperative morbidity, local recurrence rates, and survival.

Methods

A total of 198 patients with stage II and III tumors located within 6 cm of the anorectal junction underwent ASAR between 1998 and 2008 and were selected for further analysis. Patients were compared according to the following groups: those who had surgery only (Group A) and those who had preoperative chemoradiotherapy/short‐term radiotherapy (Group B).

Results

There were 44 and 154 patients in Groups A and B, respectively, including 135 males. The median age of the subjects was 63 years (range = 35–88). The median follow‐up period was 81 months (range = 23–138). Neither the local recurrence rates (6.8% in Group A vs. 4.6% in Group B, p = 0.544) nor the 5‐year relative survival rates (72.4% in Group A vs. 69.3% in Group B, p = 0.127) differed significantly between the groups.

Conclusion

Preoperative therapy in low‐rectum cancer does not improve the therapeutic results of ASAR.
Prognostic Factors Assessed for 15,096 Patients with Colon Cancer in Stages I and II
Authors: Mroczkowski Pawel , Schmidt Uwe , Sahm Maik , Gastinger Ingo , Lippert Hans , Kube Rainer
Published: March 2012

Background

We focused on the risk factors for poor outcome after curative resection of a colon cancer in UICC stages I and II based on the data of the Germany‐wide quality assurance study “colon/rectum cancer (primary tumor).” In some countries, all stage II colon cancer patients are encouraged to participate in a clinical trial. We feel that this approach is too broad.

Methods

Using the data of 15,096 patients operated on from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004, the following factors were analyzed with the Cox regression model: age, comorbidities, ASA score, gender, localization of the tumor (left colon vs. right colon), perioperative complications (yes/no), pT stage, grading (G1/G2 vs. G3/G4), L‐status (lymph vessels invasion yes/no), and V‐status (venous invasion yes/no).

Results

The probability of a local relapse in stages I and II was 1.5 and 4.6%, respectively, or distant metastases 4.7 and 10.2%, respectively. Only pT stage [hazard ratio (HR) for pT1 = 1, pT2 = 1.821, pT3 = 2.735, and pT4 = 5.881], L‐status (HR for L1 = 1.393), age (HR per year = 1.021), as well as ASA score IV (HR = 4.536) had significant influence on tumor‐free survival.

Conclusions

Despite favorable prognosis and R0 resection, a small percentage of patients will still relapse. The most important risk factor comprising the tumor‐free survival is the pT stage followed by L‐status and age. These results should be taken into consideration when determining the course for adjuvant chemotherapy, especially if the course includes the recommendation of clinical trial participation for stage II colon cancer patients after an R0 resection.
Intraoperative Neuromonitoring does not Reduce the Incidence of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy in Thyroid Reoperations: Results of a Retrospective Comparative Analysis
Authors: Alesina Piero F. , Rolfs Thomas , Hommeltenberg Silvia , Hinrichs Jakob , Meier Beate , Mohmand Wazma , Hofmeister Sebastian , Walz Martin K.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy is the major concern of reoperative thyroid surgery, and the introduction of neuromonitoring could reduce the rate of this complication. The present study is a retrospective analysis of the experience with completion thyroidectomy with and without neuromonitoring in a referral center.

Methods

Between October 1999 and April 2011, 246 patients [37 men, 209 women; mean age, 55 ± 12.5 (range, 25–80) years] underwent 250 reoperations for recurrent goiter (n = 203), hyperthyroidism (n = 26), or recurrent thyroid cancer (n = 17). The mean interval between the initial and the reoperative procedure was 17.5 years. According to the availability of the neuromonitoring system and to the surgeon preference, 91 operations were performed with neuromonitoring (NM‐group), whereas 159 were performed with direct nerve visualization (NV‐group) alone. Patients’ characteristics, perioperative data, and postoperative complications were collected in a prospectively maintained database.

Results

In the NM‐group, 51 unilateral and 40 bilateral resections were performed. The NV‐group included 122 unilateral and 37 bilateral procedures. The number of nerves at risk after previous surgery was 128 (NM‐group) and 161 (NV‐group), respectively. We registered eight RLN palsy in the NM‐group (6.2 %) and four in the NV‐group (2.5 %; p = 0.1).

Conclusions

The routine use of intraoperative neuromonitoring seems not to reduce the incidence of RLN during redo thyroid surgery, at least in the setting of a tertiary referral center.
Anger expression in Swiss adolescents: Establishing measurement invariance across gender in the AX scales
Authors: Zimprich Daniel , Mascherek Anna
Published: March 2012

The present study examined measurement invariance in the three anger expression subscales of the STAXI (Spielberger, 1988) with respect to gender. In a sample of 576 male and 531 female students, strict measurement invariance was found. For all three anger expression factors, no differences in variances or factor correlations were found. A large negative relation between Anger‐Out and Anger‐Control emerged. Girls reported significantly lower levels in Anger‐Out and Anger‐Control than boys. Results suggest that the questionnaire functions the same way across gender. Also, boys and girls exhibited the same range of interindividual differences in anger expression. The negative relation between Anger‐Out and Anger‐Control suggests that high levels of Anger‐Out might be an obstacle in controlling anger. Lower levels of Anger‐Out and ‐Control in girls suggest that girls might need less control because they express anger less outwardly.
UGT75L6 and UGT94E5 mediate sequential glucosylation of crocetin to crocin in Gardenia jasminoides
Authors: Nagatoshi Mai , Terasaka Kazuyoshi , Owaki Miki , Sota Makiko , Inukai Tatsunori , Nagatsu Akito , Mizukami Hajime
Published: March 2012

Crocin is an apocarotenoid glycosyl ester accumulating in fruits of Gardenia jasminoides and used as a food coloring and nutraceutical. For the first time, the two glucosyltransferases UGT75L6 and UGT94E5 that sequentially mediate the final glucosylation steps in crocin biosynthesis in G. jasminoides have been identified and functionally characterized. UGT75L6 preferentially glucosylates the carboxyl group of crocetin yielding crocetin glucosyl esters, while UGT94E5 glucosylates the 6′ hydroxyl group of the glucose moiety of crocetin glucosyl esters. The expression pattern of neither UGT75L6 nor UGT94E5 correlated with the pattern of crocin accumulation in G. jasminoides.
Molecular imaging for personalized cancer care
Authors: Kircher Moritz F. , Hricak Hedvig , Larson Steven M.
Published: March 2012

Molecular imaging is rapidly gaining recognition as a tool with the capacity to improve every facet of cancer care. Molecular imaging in oncology can be defined as in vivo characterization and measurement of the key biomolecules and molecularly based events that are fundamental to the malignant state. This article outlines the basic principles of molecular imaging as applied in oncology with both established and emerging techniques. It provides examples of the advantages that current molecular imaging techniques offer for improving clinical cancer care as well as drug development. It also discusses the importance of molecular imaging for the emerging field of theranostics and offers a vision of how molecular imaging may one day be integrated with other diagnostic techniques to dramatically increase the efficiency and effectiveness of cancer care.
The Organizational and Electoral Determinants of the Provincial Funding of Private Education in Canada: A Quantile Regression Analysis
Authors: Teyssier Ronan
Published: March 2012

Abstract.Several Canadian provinces partially fund private education through statistical formulas. This article draws on various studies in the area of political economy in order to link provincial educational grants to factors not explicitly comprised in the formulas. More specifically, organizational and electoral variables are expected to have an impact on the amount of provincial grants received by private school authorities. Quantile regression analysis shows that Catholic and Protestant private schools are somewhat favoured by the existing system of grants. Likewise, membership in the main provincial interest group and electoral competition are beneficial to private school authorities.

Résumé.Plusieurs provinces canadiennes financent partiellement l'éducation privée. Le montant de ce financement est déterminé au moyen d'une formule statistique. Cet article se base sur divers travaux d'économie politique afin de relier les subventions publiques allouées à l'éducation privée à des facteurs non inclus dans les formules. Plus précisément, nous nous attendons à observer un impact significatif de variables organisationnelles et électorales. L'analyse de régression quantile montre que les écoles privées catholiques et protestantes de même que les écoles privées membres de l'association provinciale de représentation des intérêts sont avantagées du point de vue de la subvention et que la compétitivité électorale est positivement et significativement liée au montant de subventions reçues par les autorités scolaires privées.
More Machines, Better Machines…or Better Workers?
Authors: BESSEN JAMES
Published: March 2012

How much of the rapid growth in output per man-hour in nineteenth-century cotton weaving arose from technical change and how much arose from price-driven substitution of capital for labor? Using an engineering production function, I find that factor price changes account for little of the growth in output per man-hour. However, much of the growth and most of the apparent labor-saving bias arosenotfrom inventions, but from improved labor quality—better workers spent less time monitoring the looms. Labor quality played a critical role in the persistent association between economic growth and capital deepening in this important sector.
Pay Cuts for the Boss: Executive Compensation in the 1940s
Authors: FRYDMAN CAROLA , MOLLOY RAVEN
Published: March 2012

Executive pay fell during the 1940s, marking the last notable decrease in the past 70 years. We study this decline using a new panel data set on the remuneration of top executives in 246 firms. Government regulation—including explicit salary restrictions and taxation—had, at best, a modest effect on executive pay. By contrast, a decline in the returns to firm size and an increase in the power of labor unions contributed greatly to the reduction in executive compensation relative to other workers’ earnings from 1940 to 1946. The continued decrease in relative executive pay remains largely unexplained.
Physical restraintsversusseclusion room for management of people with acute aggression or agitation due to psychotic illness (TREC-SAVE): a randomized trial
Authors: Huf G. , Coutinho E. S. F. , Adams C. E. ,   TREC-SAVE Collaborative Group
Published: March 2012

Background

After de-escalation techniques have failed, restraints, seclusion and/or rapid tranquillization may be used for people whose aggression is due to psychosis. Most coercive acts of health care have not been evaluated in trials.

Method

People admitted to the emergency room of Instituto Philippe Pinel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, whose aggression/agitation was thought due to psychosis and for whom staff were unsure if best to restrict using physical restraints or a seclusion room, were randomly allocated to one or the other and followed up to 14 days. The primary outcomes were ‘no need to change intervention early – within 1 h’ and ‘not restricted by 4 h’.

Results

A total of 105 people were randomized. Two-thirds of the people secluded were able to be fully managed in this way. Even taking into account the move out of seclusion into restraints, this study provides evidence that embarking on the less restrictive care pathway (seclusion) does not increase overall time in restriction of some sort [not restricted by 4 h: relative risk 1.09, 95% confidence interval 0.75–1.58; mean time to release: restraints 337.6 (s.d.=298.2) min, seclusion room 316.3 (s.d.=264.5) min,p=0.48]. Participants tended to be more satisfied with their care in the seclusion group (17.0%v. 11.1%) but this did not reach conventional levels of statistical significance (p=0.42).

Conclusions

This study should be replicated, but suggests that opting for the least restrictive option in circumstances where there is clinical doubt does not harm or prolong coercion.
The Poisson boundary of a locally discrete group of diffeomorphisms of the circle
Authors: DEROIN BERTRAND
Published: March 2012

We compute the Poisson boundary of locally discrete groups of diffeomorphisms of the circle.
On the effects of improved cross‐section representation in one‐dimensional flow routing models applied to ephemeral rivers
Authors: Hutton Christopher J. , Brazier Richard E. , Nicholas Andrew P. , Nearing Mark
Published: March 2012

Flash floods are an important component of the semiarid hydrological cycle, and provide the potential for groundwater recharge as well as posing a dangerous natural hazard. A number of catchment models have been applied to flash flood prediction; however, in general they perform poorly. This study has investigated whether the incorporation of light detection and ranging (lidar) derived data into the structure of a 1‐D flow routing model can improve the prediction of flash floods in ephemeral channels. Two versions of this model, one based on an existing trapezoidal representation of cross‐section morphology (K‐Tr), and one that uses lidar data (K‐Li) were applied to 5 discrete runoff events measured at two locations on the main channel of The Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed, United States. In general, K‐Li showed improved performance in comparison to K‐Tr, both when each model was calibrated to individual events and during an evaluation phase when the models (and parameter sets) were applied across events. Sensitivity analysis identified that the K‐Li model also had more consistency in behavioral parameter sets across runoff events. In contrast, parameter interaction within K‐Tr resulted in poorly constrained behavioral parameter sets across the multidimensional parameter space. These results, revealed with a modeling focus on the structure of a particular element of a distributed catchment model, suggest that lidar derived cross‐section morphology can lead to improved, and more robust flash flood prediction.
Spin injection and detection between CoFe/AlOx junctions and SOI investigated by Hanle effect measurements
Authors: Inokuchi Tomoaki , Ishikawa Mizue , Sugiyama Hideyuki , Saito Yoshiaki , Tezuka Nobuki
Published: March 2012

Spin injection and detection properties in Co50Fe50/AlOx/SOI (Si on insulator) junctions were investigated by using Hanle effect measurements up to room temperature. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscope images and Fourier transform images of the Co50Fe50/AlOx/SOI junction, fabricated by using appropriate oxidation condition, indicate the AlOx layer became single-crystal-like and spin injection and detection were realized at room temperature. In contrast, in junction fabricated by using excess oxidation condition, AlOx layer became poly-crystal-like and spin injection was not realized though spin injection was realized below 150 K. These results indicate that appropriate oxidation is essential to fabricate AlOx tunnel barrier with good crystallinity and realize spin injection and detection at room temperature.
Magnetic structuring of linear copper electrodeposits
Authors: Dunne Peter , Soucaille Rémy , Ackland Karl , Coey J. M. D.
Published: March 2012

Electrodeposition of copper is investigated in localized magnetic fields produced by linear arrays of permanent magnets. The thickness and texture of the deposits depend on the magnitude and direction of the field. The deposition rate is explained in terms of magnetic pressure on the diffusion layer. Addition of non-electroactive GdCl3 to the electrolyte inverts the structuring of the electrodeposits, producing thick dendritic growth in regions where the field is smallest.
Strain effect caused by substrates on phase separation and transport properties in Pr0.7(Ca0.8Sr0.2)0.3MnO3 thin films
Authors: Zhao Y. Y. , Hu F. X. , Wang J. , Chen L. , Gao W. W. , Shen J. , Sun J. R. , Shen B. G.
Published: March 2012

Tensile and compressive strains were introduced by epitaxially growing Pr(Ca0.8Sr0.2)0.3MnO3 thin films on different substrates with different lattice constants. The large tensile strain in films on SrTiO3 enhances the stability of the long-range charge-orbital (CO) phase and a 5 T magnetic field cannot melt the CO phase. However, the CO phase in the film on (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2AlTaO6)0.7 (LSAT) is less robust due to a smaller tensile strain and can be partially melt by a 5T field. On the other hand, compressive strained films on LaAlO3 (LAO) show different behavior. Sharp metal-insulator transition with pronounced hysteresis was observed, indicating that the long-range CO is suppressed, whereas the short-rang ferromagnetic (FM)/CO is favored. Upon magnetic field application, resistance reduces remarkably, whereas the insulator-metal (IM) transition and hysteresis becomes broader and insignificant.
Magnetic lens effect using Gd-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductor in very high magnetic field
Authors: Choi Seyong , Yoon Jang-Hee , Lee Byoung-Seob , Won Mi-Sook , Ok Jung-Woo , Zhang Zhi Yu , Kiyoshi Tsukasa , Matsumoto Shinji , Lee Se-Hee
Published: March 2012

We investigate the performance of a magnetic lens in very high magnetic fields exceeding 24 T. The magnetic lens is composed of Gd-Ba-Cu-O superconducting bulk materials. The unique configuration of the magnetic field amplifier, which consists of slits and electrical insulation in the bulk, allows the magnetic flux density to be further enhanced by a background magnet. In field cooling operation, the external magnetic field was varied ∼4 T from 24.2 to 28.3 T and a total magnetic flux density of 30.35 T was found at the center of the device with a background magnet. The magnetic lens additionally increased the magnetic flux density by 2.05 T due to the lens effect. However, it was also observed that the bulk was partially quenched when the external field was varied. This partial quench and recovery of the bulk magnet is considered to be one factor that limits the performance of the lens effect. Finally, we are able to generate a substantial magnetic flux density of 2 T under very high magnetic field because we can obtain such high-field without further electrical power.