bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient uplink scheduling policy for variable bit rate traffic in IEEE 802.16 BWA systems
Authors: Chen Yeong‐Sheng , Deng Der‐Jiunn , Hsu Yu‐Ming , Wang Sheng‐De
Published: January 2011

One of the major challenges in the context of transmitting real‐time multimedia data in broadband wireless access (BWA) systems is that the varied bit rate of traffic causes low bandwidth utilization. The conventional uplink scheduling algorithms for variable bit rate (VBR) video traffic transmission in IEEE 802.16 BWA systems have some disadvantages, including waste of uplink bandwidth, MAC overhead, and access delay. To cope with these difficulties, we propose an uplink scheduling algorithm for VBR traffic transmission for IEEE 802.16 BWA systems. In the proposed algorithm, the base station (BS) assigns uplink bandwidth to the video user by considering the traffic state transitions. The uplink bandwidth is equally divided into several intervals where each interval represents a traffic state. Only when the traffic state is changed, the bandwidth request process is incurred. Also, by using two reserved bits in the generic MAC header of IEEE 802.16 BWA systems as piggyback bits, the information about traffic state transition can be sent to the BS without extra overhead. Simulations conducted with QualNet 4.0 show that the bandwidth waste ratio of our proposed algorithm is less than that of the conventional algorithms. That is, the proposed algorithm outperforms the conventional algorithms for VBR traffic transmission in IEEE 802.16 BWA systems in terms of bandwidth utilization. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human tumor‐infiltrating Th17 cells have the capacity to differentiate into IFN‐γ+ and FOXP3+ T cells with potent suppressive function
Authors: Ye Jian , Su Xinming , Hsueh Eddy C. , Zhang Yanping , Koenig Joyce M. , Hoft Daniel F. , Peng Guangyong
Published: January 2011

Accumulating evidence suggests that Th17 cells and Tregs may exhibit development plasticity and that CD4+ Tregs can differentiate into IL‐17‐producing T cells; however, whether Th17 cells can reciprocally convert into Tregs has not been described. In this study, we generated Th17 clones from tumor‐infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs). We showed that Th17 clones generated from TILs can differentiate into IFN‐γ‐producing and FOXP3+ cells after in vitro stimulation with OKT3 and allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We further demonstrated that T‐cell receptor (TCR) engagement was responsible for this conversion, and that this differentiation was due to the epigenetic modification and reprogramming of gene expression profiles, including lineage‐specific transcriptional factor and cytokine genes. In addition to expressing IFN‐γ and FOXP3, we showed that these differentiated Th17 clones mediated potent suppressive function after repetitive stimulation with OKT3, suggesting that these Th17 clones had differentiated into functional Tregs. We further demonstrated that the Th17‐derived Tregs, unlike naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ Tregs, did not reconvert back into Th17 cells even under Th17‐biasing cytokine conditions. These results provide the critical evidence that human tumor‐infiltrating Th17 cells can differentiate into Tregs and indicate a substantial developmental plasticity of Th17 cells.
Fatty acid esters of 3‐MCPD: Overview of occurrence and exposure estimates
Authors: Weißhaar Rüdiger
Published: January 2011

Many studies and surveys concerning the ocurrence and exposure of free 3‐MCPD have been performed in the last 30 years. Although a huge number of food samples, especially fats and oils, were analysed in the last 3 years, no systematic study about ester‐bound 3‐MCPD and the resulting exposure was performed up to now. In this paper published data of 3‐MCPD esters in different foods are reviewed, with a focus on fats and oils and infant formula. Concerning fats and oils, only in refined products significant concentrations of 3‐MCPD esters in a range from 0.25–15 mg/kg were present, with the highest levels found in palm oil. In infant formula, levels of ester‐linked 3‐MCPD were nearly unchanged in three surveys from April 2009 to May 2010, while levels of ester‐linked glycidol decreased dramatically in this period. Based on analytical data of more than 200 refined fats and oils, an average daily intake of 1.5 µg 3‐MCPD/kg bw/day, respectively, 0.9 µg glycidol/kg bw/day was calculated to result from consumer exposure to ester‐bound 3‐MCPD and glycidol.
Analysis of preconditioned iterative solvers for incompressible flow problems
Authors: Melchior S. A. , Legat V. , Van Dooren P. , Wathen A. J.
Published: January 2011

Solving efficiently the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations is a major challenge, especially in the three‐dimensional case. The approach investigated by Elman et al. (Finite Elements and Fast Iterative Solvers. Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2005) consists in applying a preconditioned GMRES method to the linearized problem at each iteration of a nonlinear scheme. The preconditioner is built as an approximation of an ideal block‐preconditioner that guarantees convergence in 2 or 3 iterations. In this paper, we investigate the numerical behavior for the three‐dimensional lid‐driven cavity problem with wedge elements; the ultimate motivation of this analysis is indeed the development of a preconditioned Krylov solver for stratified oceanic flows which can be efficiently tackled using such meshes. Numerical results for steady‐state solutions of both the Stokes and the Navier–Stokes problems are presented. Theoretical bounds on the spectrum and the rate of convergence appear to be in agreement with the numerical experiments. Sensitivity analysis on different aspects of the structure of the preconditioner and the block decomposition strategies are also discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new perspective on spectral analysis of numerical schemes
Authors: Chenoweth Samuel K. M. , Soria Julio , Ooi Andrew
Published: January 2011

Spectral analysis is an essential tool for analysing the stability and accuracy of numerical schemes for solving partial differential equations on regular meshes. In particular, spectral analysis allows a detailed study of the dispersion error, as well as anisotropic effects introduced by the mesh. When performing this analysis, many authors assume that the waves making up the solution are always orientated in the same direction as the partial differential equation's characteristics. While this is a valid assumption in some cases, it is not correct in other situations, especially for analysis of the convection–diffusion equation and similar transport phenomena. This paper addresses this issue, and resolves some long‐standing misconceptions resulting from it. In particular, it is shown that for convection simulations on a regular mesh of squares, the overall level of dispersion error is not affected by the convection direction. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of IGHCδ–BACH2 fusion transcripts resulting from cryptic chromosomal rearrangements of 14q32 with 6q15 in aggressive B‐cell lymphoma/leukemia
Authors: Kobayashi Satoru , Taki Tomohiko , Chinen Yoshiaki , Tsutsumi Yasuhiko , Ohshiro Muneo , Kobayashi Tsutomu , Matsumoto Yosuke , Kuroda Junya , Horiike Shigeo , Nishida Kazuhiro , Taniwaki Masafumi
Published: January 2011

In B‐cell malignancies, genes implicated in B‐cell differentiation, germinal center formation, apoptosis, and cell cycle regulation are juxtaposed to immunoglobulin loci through chromosomal translocations. In this study, we identified the BTB and CNC homology 2 (BACH2) gene as a novel translocation partner of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) locus in a patient with IGH‐MYC‐positive, highly aggressive B‐cell lymphoma/leukemia carrying der(14)t(8;14) and del(6)(q15). Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis using an IGH/MYC probe detected an IGH‐MYC fusion signal on der(14) and IGH signal on del(6). Genome copy number analysis showed a deletion in the 6q15‐25 region and a centromeric breakpoint within the BACH2 gene. cDNA bubble polymerase chain reaction using BACH2 primers revealed that the first exon of Cδ was fused to the 5′‐untranslated region of BACH2 exon 2. The Cδ–BACH2 fusion transcript consisted of exon 1 of Cδ and exons 2 to 9 of BACH2, encompassing the entire BACH2 coding region, and the BACH2 was highly expressed in this patient. These results indicate that Cδ–BACH2 fusion may cause constitutive activation of BACH2. Although additional screening of 47 samples of B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (B‐NHL) patients and 29 cell lines derived from B‐cell malignancies by double‐color fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis detected a split signal with deletion of centromeric region of BACH2 only in a patient with follicular lymphoma, BACH2 was highly expressed in lymphoma cells of the patient and B‐NHL cell lines with IGH‐MYC translocation. These findings suggest that BACH2 plays a critical role in B‐cell lymphomagenesis, especially related to IGH‐MYC translocation in some way. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Groundwater dynamics in a till hillslope: flow directions, gradients and delay
Authors: Rodhe Allan , Seibert Jan
Published: January 2011

Knowledge of groundwater dynamics is important for the understanding of hydrological controls on chemical processes along the water flow pathways. To increase our knowledge of groundwater dynamics in areas with shallow groundwater, the groundwater dynamics along a hillslope were studied in a boreal catchment in Southern Sweden. The forested hillslope had a 1‐ to 2‐m deep layer of sandy till above bedrock. The groundwater flow direction and slope were calculated under the assumption that the flow followed the slope of the groundwater table, which was computed for different triangles, each defined by three groundwater wells. The flow direction showed considerable variations over time, with a maximum variation of 75°. During periods of high groundwater levels the flow was almost perpendicular to the stream, but as the groundwater level fell, the flow direction became gradually more parallel to the stream, directed in the downstream direction. These findings are of importance for the interpretation of results from hillslope transects, where the flow direction usually is assumed to be invariable and always in the direction of the hillslope. The variations in the groundwater flow direction may also cause an apparent dispersion for groundwater‐based transport. In contrast to findings in several other studies, the groundwater level was most responsive to rainfall and snowmelt in the upper part of the hillslope, while the lower parts of the slope reached their highest groundwater level up to 40 h after the upper parts. This can be explained by the topography with a wetter hollow area in the upper part. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Velocity distribution in open channels with submerged aquatic plant
Authors: Chen Yen‐Chang , Kao Su‐Pai
Published: January 2011

The vegetation in channels results in the loss of energy from, and the retardance of, flowing water. However, it helps to stabilize the slopes and bottoms of open channels. Recently, vegetated channels have been utilized to improve the quality of surface water and reduce the delivery of sediment and nutrient to rivers and swales. Accordingly, understanding the velocity distribution of vegetated channels is important. The velocity distribution above the canopy is normally assumed to follow the well‐accepted logarithmic law, whereas that below the canopy follows an exponential law or power law. However, logarithmic, exponential, and power laws can be affected by some characteristics of the vegetation, resulting in a highly inaccurate description of velocity distributions in vegetated channels. In this study, a velocity distribution equation that is based on probability is developed for submerged vegetated channels. An extensive series of laboratory experiments were performed using Egeria densa, and the results of earlier research on channel beds of flumes are adopted to devise and validate a velocity distribution equation. The results reveal that the developed model of velocity distribution can be used to study the effect of submerged aquatic vegetation on velocity distribution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Borderline personality disorder, mentalization, and the neurobiology of attachment
Authors: Fonagy Peter , Luyten Patrick , Strathearn Lane
Published: January 2011

We discuss the neural and neurobiological underpinnings of the core features of borderline personality disorder (BPD), including emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, disturbed interpersonal functioning, identity diffusion, and feelings of inner pain. We review neurobiological research that supports a developmental, biobehavioral switch‐model of the relationship between mentalization, stress, and attachment. Although it is likely that there are different developmental pathways to BPD, involving complex interactions between environmental, biological, and psychosocial factors, the final common outcome of these pathways is a low threshold for the activation of the attachment system and for deactivation of controlled mentalization, coupled with impairments in the ability to differentiate mental states of self and other. This leads to hypersensitivity and increased susceptibility to contagion from other people's mental states, poor integration of cognitive and affective aspects of mentalization, and dysfunctions in stress‐regulation systems. The treatment implications of this neurobiologically informed model of BPD are discussed.
Liver glucokinase: An overview on the regulatorymechanisms of its activity
Authors: Massa María L. , Gagliardino Juan J. , Francini Flavio
Published: January 2011

Blood glucose is the primary cellular substrate and in vivo must be tightly maintained. The liver plays a key role in glucose homeostasis increasing or decreasing glucose output and uptake during fasting and feeding. Glucokinase (GCK) is central to this process. Its activity is modulated in a coordinated manner via a complex set of mechanisms: in the postprandial period, the simultaneous rise in glucose and insulin increases GCK activity by enhanced gene expression, changes in cellular location, and interaction with regulatory proteins. Conversely, in the fasting state, the combined decrease in glucose and insulin concentrations and increase in glucagon concentrations, halt GCK activity. Herein we summarize the current knowledge regarding the regulation of hepatic GCK activity. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 63(1): 1–6, 2011
Effect of substrate binding loop mutations on the structure, kinetics, and inhibition of enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase from plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Maity Koustav , Banerjee Tanushree , Prabakaran Narayanappa , Surolia Namita , Surolia Avadhesha , Suguna Kaza
Published: January 2011

Enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR), which catalyzes the final and rate limiting step of fatty acid elongation, has been validated as a potential drug target. Triclosan is known to be an effective inhibitor for this enzyme. We mutated the substrate binding site residue Ala372 of the ENR of Plasmodium falciparum (PfENR) to Methionine and Valine which increased the affinity of the enzyme towards triclosan to almost double, close to that of Escherichia coli ENR (EcENR) which has a Methionine at the structurally similar position of Ala372 of PfENR. Kinetic studies of the mutants of PfENR and the crystal structure analysis of the A372M mutant revealed that a more hydrophobic environment enhances the affinity of the enzyme for the inhibitor. A triclosan derivative showed a threefold increase in the affinity towards the mutants compared to the wild type, due to additional interactions with the A372M mutant as revealed by the crystal structure. The enzyme has a conserved salt bridge which stabilizes the substrate binding loop and appears to be important for the active conformation of the enzyme. We generated a second set of mutants to check this hypothesis. These mutants showed loss of function, except in one case, where the crystal structure showed that the substrate binding loop is stabilized by a water bridge network. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 63(1): 30–41, 2011
Enhancement and optimization of plasmid expression in femtosecond optical transfection
Authors: Praveen Bavishna B. , Stevenson David J. , Antkowiak Maciej , Dholakia Kishan , Gunn‐Moore Frank J.
Published: January 2011

Cell transfection using femtosecond lasers is gaining importance for its proven ability to achieve selective transfection in a sterile and relatively non‐invasive manner. However, the net efficiency of this technique is limited due to a number of factors that ultimately makes it difficult to be used as a viable and widely used technique. We report here a method to achieve significant enhancement in the efficiency of femtosecond optical transfection. The transfection procedure is modified by incorporating a suitable synthetic peptide containing nuclear localization and DNA binding sequences, assisting DNA import into the nucleus. We achieved a 3‐fold enhancement in the transfection efficiency for adherent Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO‐K1) cells with this modified protocol. Further, in the presence of this biochemical reagent, we were able to reduce the required plasmid concentration by ∼70% without compromising the transfection efficiency. Also, we report for the first time the successful photo‐transfection of recently trypsinised cells with significantly high transfection efficiency when transfected with modified plasmid. This paves the way for the development of high throughput microfluidic optical transfection devices. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of metal ions on fibroblasts and spiral ganglion cells
Authors: Paasche G. , Ceschi P. , Löbler M. , Rösl C. , Gomes P. , Hahn A. , Rohm H.W. , Sternberg K. , Lenarz T. , Schmitz K.‐P. , Barcikowski S. , Stöver T.
Published: January 2011

Degeneration of spiral ganglion cells (SGC) after deafness and fibrous tissue growth around the electrode carrier after cochlear implantation are two of the major challenges in current cochlear implant research. Metal ions are known to possess antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential. The use of metal ions could therefore provide a way to reduce tissue growth around the electrode array after cochlear implantation. Here, we report on in vitro experiments with different concentrations of metal salts with antiproliferative and toxic effects on fibroblasts, PC‐12 cells, and freshly isolated spiral ganglion cells, the target cells for electrical stimulation by a cochlear implant. Standard cell lines (NIH/3T3 and L‐929 fibroblasts and PC‐12 cells) and freshly isolated SGC were incubated with concentrations of metal ions between 0.3 μmol/liter and 10 mmol/liter for 48 hr. Cell survival was investigated by neutral red uptake, CellQuantiBlue assay, or counting of stained surviving neurons. Silver ions exhibited distinct thresholds for proliferating and confluent cells. For zinc ions, the effective concentration was lower for fibroblasts than for PC‐12 cells. SGC showed comparable thresholds for reduced cell survival not only for silver and zinc ions but also for copper(II) ions, indicating that these ions might be promising for reducing tissue growth on the surface of CI electrode arrays. These effects were also observed when combinations of two of these ions were investigated. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factors responsible for neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal cell losses in tauopathy
Authors: Wakasaya Yasuhito , Kawarabayashi Takeshi , Watanabe Mitsunori , Yamamoto‐Watanabe Yukiko , Takamura Ayumi , Kurata Tomoko , Murakami Tetsuro , Abe Koji , Yamada Kiyofumi , Wakabayashi Koichi , Sasaki Atsushi , Westaway David , Hyslop Peter St. George , Matsubara Etsuro , Shoji Mikio
Published: January 2011

TgTauP301L mice that overexpress the mutant human tauP301L present in FTDP‐17 reproduce neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuronal cell losses, memory disturbance, and substantial phenotypic variation. To demonstrate factors responsible for NFT formation and neuronal cell losses, sets of TgTauP301L for comparison with or without NFTs and neuronal cell losses were studied with oligonucleotide microarrays. Gene expressions were altered in biological pathways, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial fatty acid betaoxidation, inflammatory response pathway, and complement and coagulation cascade pathways. Among 24 altered genes, increased levels of apolipoprotein D (ApoD) and neuronal PAS domain protein 4 (Npas4) and decreased levels of doublecortin (DCX) and potassium channel, voltage‐gated, shaker‐related subfamily, β member 1 (Kcnab1) were found in the TgTauP301L with NFTs and neuronal cell losses, Alzheimer's brains, and tauopathy brains. Thus, many biological pathways and novel molecules are associated with NFT formation and neuronal cell losses in tauopathy brains. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of the mastoid in middle ear pressure regulation
Authors: Alper Cuneyt M. , Kitsko Dennis J. , Swarts J. Douglas , Martin Brian , Yuksel Sancak , Cullen Doyle Brendan M. , Villardo Richard J. M. , Doyle William J.
Published: January 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Determine the role of mastoid volume in middle ear pressure (MEP) regulation. The hypothesis was that inert gas exchange between blood and middle ear (ME) is slower for larger mastoid volumes.

Study Design:

Prospective.

Methods:

For 21 enrolled subjects, the bilateral surface areas and volumes of the mastoid and tympanum were measured from computed tomography scans in 20 subjects with a wide range of mastoid volumes. Then, 19 subjects were reclined in a chair, fitted with a non‐rebreathing mask and breathed room air for 20 minutes (acclimation), a gas composition of 25% N2O, 20% O2, balance N2 for 30 minutes (experiment), and room air for 30 minutes (recovery). Bilateral MEPs were recorded by tympanometry every 2 minutes. The slopes of the MEP‐time functions during N2O breathing were calculated to the first observation of eustachian tube opening and divided by the estimated blood‐ME N2O gradient to yield a N2O time constant. Sufficient data were available for 16 right and 11 left MEs to calculate the time constant.

Results:

MEP did not change during the baseline period, but within 10 minutes of breathing the N2O mixture showed a progressive increase. The right‐left correlation for the time constant was 0.87 (n = 10 ears, P = .001). Regression of the time constants on ME volume showed an inverse relationship (n = 23 ears, r = −41, P = .05). A better data fit was the curvilinear relationship predicted by a mathematical model of the mastoid acting as a ME ear gas reserve.

Conclusions:

These results support the tested hypothesis that the mastoid could serve as ME gas reserve.
Site involvement as a predictor of airway intervention in angioedema
Authors: McCormick Michael , Folbe Adam J. , Lin Ho‐Sheng , Hooten Joanna , Yoo George H. , Krouse John H.
Published: January 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To look for a relationship between which sites are involved in angioedema and the need for airway intervention (intubation, tracheotomy).

Study Design:

Retrospective chart review.

Methods:

Charts of 140 patients who were admitted to two hospitals at an academic medical center between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2008 with the diagnosis of angioedema were reviewed. Charts were reviewed for pertinent data, including demographics, sites of involvement along the upper airway, medical therapy, and airway intervention. Subsites included lips, anterior tongue, floor of mouth, soft palate, base of tongue (BOT), and larynx.

Results:

The BOT was involved in 19 patients and the larynx was involved in 29 patients. Airway intervention was required in 21 patients (16%). Patients with laryngeal and/or BOT involvement required intervention in 38% of cases (vs. 7% in patients without involvement). Patients with more than three sites involved had a 39% rate of intervention, compared with only 12% in patients with less than three sites involved. Among those patients with laryngeal/BOT involvement, 56% with more than three sites involved required intervention, as compared to 30% of patients with less than three sites involved.

Conclusions:

Site of involvement was found to correlate with airway intervention. Involvement of anterior tongue, BOT, and larynx significantly increased the likelihood of intubation or tracheostomy, as did involvement of multiple sites. Thorough evaluation, including fiberoptic laryngoscopy, can aid in determining which patients require airway intervention.
532‐nanometer potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser‐induced expression of selective matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in the rat larynx
Authors: Mallur Pavan S. , Branski Ryan C. , Amin Milan R.
Published: January 2011

Objective/Hypothesis:

The 532‐nm KTP laser is clinically useful to induce benign vocal fold lesion regression without a fibrotic response. Previously, we described an in vivo model for KTP‐induced injury in the rat larynx. This study uses this model to correlate the KTP‐induced histologic and biochemical changes with the absence of long‐term vocal fold fibrosis seen in clinical scenarios.

Study Design:

In vivo.

Methods:

Unilateral vocal fold injury was induced via KTP laser at 10W (20mS pulse width) as described by our laboratory previously. Animals were subjected to serial endoscopic imaging from postoperative days 1 through 3. Animals were euthanized at 1 day, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks posttreatment and subjected to histologic analyses via hematoxylin and eosin and trichrome staining, as well as RT‐PCR analyses for MMP‐3, 9, transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β), and COX‐2 mRNA expression. Uninjured vocal folds were used as controls.

Results:

Our study revealed gross healing of the vocal fold mucosa by 3 days posttreatment, and an immediate, moderate inflammatory infiltrate with no subsequent ultrastructural changes on histology. MMP‐3 and COX‐2 expression increased transiently, although no changes were seen in expression of MMP‐9, an MMP involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, or TGF‐β, a profibrotic cytokine.

Conclusions:

These data suggest that the KTP laser induces a modest inflammatory response, selective MMP expression, and no long‐term fibrotic processes in a clinically relevant simulation. Laryngoscope, 2011
Interdigitation of the distal anastomosis between tubed fasciocutaneous flap and cervical esophagus for stricture prevention
Authors: Fujiwara Takashi , Shih Hsiang‐Shun , Chen Chien‐Chang , Tay Sherilyn Keng Lin , Jeng Seng‐Feng , Kuo Yur‐Ren
Published: January 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Distal end circular stricture is a major complication following circumferential pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with tubed fasciocutaneous free flaps. To reduce the stricture rates, we have incorporated spatulation with interdigitation at the distal anastomosis site. This study investigated whether this procedure could decrease the stricture rate.

Study Design:

Retrospective review.

Methods:

There were 51 patients who underwent tubed fasciocutaneous free flap reconstruction following total laryngo‐pharyngo‐esophagectomy between July 2002 and August 2008. The interdigitation technique was applied in 10 patients; the 41 remaining patients underwent simple circumferential anastomosis. This modification technique consists of incising both distal skin tube and cervical esophagus into three triangular parts, respectively, and interdigitation by interposition of these flaps. Of the 10 patients with this procedure, five patients were reconstructed with an anterolateral thigh flap and five with a radial forearm flap. All 10 patients received postoperative radiotherapy. The mean follow‐up period was 30.2 months.

Results:

Of the 41 patients without any modification, 12 patients (29.3%) developed a stricture; however, in our series of 10 patients undergoing this modification, there was no stricture formation except one (10.0%) who had been reconstructed with a radial forearm flap. The nine remaining patients all achieved a modified or unrestricted full oral diet without complications. Esophagography revealed a wide and patent anastomosis without stricture.

Conclusions:

This interdigitation technique could prevent circular contracture at the neopharyngoesophageal segment in reconstruction with tubed fasciocutaneous free flaps.
Addition of a minimally invasive medial orbital approach in the endoscopic management of advanced sino‐orbital disease: Cadaver study with clinical correlations
Authors: Ramakrishnan Vijay R. , Suh Jeffrey D. , Chiu Alexander G. , Palmer James N.
Published: January 2011

Objectives:

Access to the medial orbit traditionally has been gained transcutaneously, with potential for associated soft tissue and lacrimal disruption. Endoscopic transnasal approaches to the medial orbit may be limited in certain scenarios by tumor presence or patient‐specific factors. The medial transconjunctival approach, or transcaruncular approach, has been recently described for access to the medial orbit in orbital decompression and repair of medial blowout fractures. The aim of this study is to determine the utility of this minimally invasive external approach in the endoscopic management of advanced sino‐orbital disease.

Methods:

This is a cadaver study with additional clinical correlations. The transcaruncular approach was combined with a transnasal endoscopic approach in cadaver dissections performed on eight sides. Five cases are described in which the transcaruncular approach was used as an adjunctive technique in advanced endoscopic sinus surgery.

Results:

In cadaver dissection, the transcaruncular approach is a simple, reliable method to ligate the ethmoid arteries and place bony cuts along the medial orbital wall. In certain anatomic configurations, supraorbital dissection into the frontal sinus or anterior fossa may be achieved. In the cases examined, exposure of the medial orbital subperiosteal plane allowed for ligation of ethmoid arteries, assessment of periorbital invasion of disease, assistance in tumor dissection, and placement of a malleable retractor for protection of orbital contents.

Conclusions:

The transcaruncular approach to the medial orbit has certain advantages over the traditional open approach. Ligation of the ethmoid arteries, assessment of the lacrimal sac and periorbita for tumor invasion, protection of orbital contents, and en bloc resection of the periorbita and lamina papyrecea are possible through this route.
Unilateral high vagal paralysis: Relationship of the severity of swallowing disturbance and types of injuries
Authors: Fang Tuan‐Jen , Tam Yuan‐Yun , Courey Mark S. , Li Hsueh‐Yu , Chiang Hui‐Cheng
Published: January 2011

Objective:

To evaluate the prognoses of high vagal lesions and their association with their clinical presentation, and seek to determine the best strategy of management for each patient.

Study Design:

Retropective case series with chart review.

Materials and Methods:

Patients following laryngoplasty from 2001 to 2008 at a tertiary referral voice and swallowing center in Taiwan were reviewed. They were divided into two groups according to the etiologies of high vagal trauma. The pre‐ and posttreatment voice and swallowing functions were reviewed; swallowing status was compared between patient groups.

Results:

Of 186 consecutive patients who underwent laryngoplasty, 8 females and 9 males were diagnosed of unilateral high vagal damage. One group of 11 patients suffered vagal damaging suddenly from skull base trauma, cerebrovascular accidents, and surgical complications; symptoms of vagal paralysis occurred immediately after those events. The second group was comprised of six patients who lost their high vagal functions gradually from a skull base tumor or mass compression. Feeding tube status was significantly different between the groups. All except one patient in group 2 recovered their voice and swallowing abilities after appropriate laryngoplasty.

Conclusions:

High vagal nerve damage from skull base surgery or trauma leads to a higher incidence of feeding tube dependency than that from skull base tumor compression. Patients can be treated successfully with an appropriate injection or medialization thyroplasty. Immediate laryngoplasty is suggested for cases right after skull base surgery or trauma.
The use of adalimumab for cricoarytenoid arthritis in ankylosing spondylitis—an effective therapy
Authors: Desuter Gauthier , Duprez Thierry , Huart Caroline , Gardiner Quentin , Verbruggen Gust
Published: January 2011

This report describes cartilaginous regeneration in a cricoarytenoid joint affected by spondyloarthropathy using tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) blockade, monitored by magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. This case is interesting for several reasons. It is only the eighth case of destructive ankylosing spondylitis‐related cricoarytenoid arthritis published in the English language literature. It describes, for the first time, full recovery of vocal cord mobility following TNF‐α blockade. It is also the first case to be published with MR imaging demonstrating regeneration of the cricoarytenoid cartilage following treatment. This case represents a landmark in the treatment of patients presenting with destructive arthritis involving the cricoarytenoid joint.
The prevalence of occult metastases in nonsentinel lymph nodes after step‐serial sectioning and immunohistochemistry in cN0 oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Christensen Anders , Bilde Anders , Therkildsen Marianne H. , Mortensen Jann , Charabi Birgitte , Kirkegaard Joergen , Specht Lena , Buchwald Christian von
Published: January 2011

Objectives:

To examine the prevalence of isolated tumor cells (ITC) and micrometastases (MM) in nonsentinel lymph nodes (NSN) using additional step‐serial sectioning and immunohistochemistry (IHC) as for sentinel lymph nodes (SN).

Study Design:

Prospective, consecutive, and clinically controlled trial.

Methods:

Fifty‐one patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) T1–T2 and clinically N0 neck underwent surgical treatment including sentinel‐node biopsy (SNB) assisted selective neck dissection (SND). The location of the SN was determined using dynamic and planar lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT‐CT. The harvested NSN from the neck dissections underwent the same histopathologic examinations as the SN using step‐serial sectioning (SSS) at 150‐micron intervals. Two sections from each level were stained with hematoxylin‐eosin (H&E) and cytokeratin antibodies (AE1/AE3) and examined for tumor deposits. Results were compared with the previous routine examination of the NSN.

Results:

A total of 403 NSN were examined with a median of 8 per patient. A total of 1/51 patients (2%) had involvement of an additional NSN not found on routine examination. This was the only lymph node with involvement not detected previously. However, this patient had metastases in SN and in another NSN detected on routine examination. The overall incidence of occult metastasis (SN + NSN) was 21.6% (11/51) as previously reported.

Conclusions:

The incidence of occult metastases in NSN after additional SSS and IHC was 2%. The risk of NSN involvement would seem to be extremely low in patients with early OSCC and negative SN. This study further validates SNB as an accurate staging tool for cN0 early OSCC.
Balloon dilatation of tracheostomal stenosis with cuffed tracheostomy tube. A novel approach to tracheostomal dilatation
Authors: MacKeith Samuel A. C. , Pankhania Miran , Hettige Roland , Gurr Paul
Published: January 2011

Postlaryngectomy tracheostomal stenosis is a common complication. Stomal narrowing can be severe, requiring urgent management with dilatation of the stoma. There are numerous ways to achieve this, ranging from forcibly inserting a larger tracheostomy tube, using a graduated dilator, to surgical intervention in the form of a stomaplasty. We describe an alternative technique using a readily available cuffed tracheostomy tube. Laryngoscope, 2011
When to manage level V in head and neck carcinoma?
Authors: Naiboğlu Bariş , Karapinar Uğur , Agrawal Amit , Schuller David E. , Ozer Enver
Published: January 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

As superselective neck dissection strategy is gaining popularity to minimize postoperative morbidity and better life quality, we investigated the metastatic nodal status of level V neck lymph node group for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in various primary sites. We have also aimed to display the impact of involvement of other nodal groups on level V.

Study Design:

Retrospective review of histopathologic examination of case series at a comprehensive cancer center.

Methods:

The study group was composed of 107 patients who underwent a type of neck dissection including level V among 243 patients. The impact of primary site and metastatic nodal status of other levels on metastasis to level V involvement were evaluated.

Results:

The most common primary tumor site was oropharynx (n = 43), followed by oral cavity (n = 32), larynx (n = 16), carcinoma of unknown primary (n = 10), and hypopharynx (n = 6). General pathologic N positivity for all levels was 78.3% (76 of 97) when 10 carcinoma of unknown primary patients were excluded. Level V was involved in 13 of 107 (12.1%) patients. Level V was not involved in any patient when the other levels were not involved (0 of 21). Even when considering only N+ patients, the ratio of N positivity for level V is still <20% (13 of 86, 15.1%).

Conclusions:

Because level V was not involved in any patient when the other levels were not involved, it might be reasonable to preserve level V especially in clinically and intraoperatively N0 patients. Laryngoscope, 2011
Th1/Th2 Cytokine profiles in G+/G− bacteremia in pediatric hematology/oncology patients
Authors: Tang Yongmin , Liao Chan , Xu Xiaojun , Song Hua , Shi Shuwen , Yang Shilong
Published: January 2011

Background

Early diagnosis of infection and appropriate choice of antibiotics are essential not only to improve the prognosis of the patients but also to prevent from the abuse of the antibiotics in hematology/oncology children at the time of neutropenia after intensive chemotherapy.

Procedure

We evaluated the quantification of Th1/Th2 cytokines with flow cytometry bead assay (CBA) in 145 hospitalized febrile hematology/oncology children with positive blood culture to seek for a rapid diagnostic method to determine the type of infection.

Results

IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ levels from both G− and G+ bacteremia groups were significantly higher than those of controls (P < 0.001). The median levels of IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α of Group G− were 525.4, 96.0, and 6.9 pg/ml, respectively, significantly higher than those of Group G+ (150.0, 22.6, and 4.5 pg/ml, respectively, P < 0.001). According to the different degrees of increased IL‐6 and IL‐10 levels, we named the G− bacterial infection related cytokine profile G− BIRCP and the G+ BIRCP. The specificity and sensitivity of BIRCP prediction for G− and G+ bacteria cultures were 60.2% and 75.4%, 66.8% and 70.1%, respectively. Similar therapeutic efficacy was achieved between BIRCP‐based and broad‐spectrum antibiotics groups (86.1% vs. 89.3%, P > 0.05), which was significantly increased as compared with that (65.5%, P < 0.05) of empirical group.

Conclusions

These results showed the promising use of the IL‐6/IL‐10/TNF‐α determination with CBA technology for the early and rapid diagnosis, evaluation of G+/G− bacteremia in pediatric hematology/oncology patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 50–54. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resistive switching and changes in microstructure
Authors: Schroeder Herbert , Pandian Ramanathaswamy , Miao Jun
Published: January 2011

The long‐known resistive switching (RS) effect in thin film metal/insulator/metal (MIM) stacks has gained tremendous interest in the last decade because of promising properties and geometries for a resistive memory device (ReRAM) indicating a strong competition for DRAM and FLASH in future ultra‐high integrated circuits. In contrast to numerous contributions for the electric behaviour and many, often very detailed assumptions for the mechanisms, much less is known about the microstructure and its relation to the observed resistance changes, forming and switching. This paper reports experiments combining electric measurements with microstructure characterization in electron microscopes for both, in situ and also ex situ (i.e. sequential). The results, mainly on Pt/TiO2/Pt stacks, indicate mostly heavy damage of the thin film microstructure associated with the forming, although these damaged samples still show stable unipolar and bipolar resistive switching. These findings are discussed and compared to the scarce microstructure information in the literature which is presented in a short review at the end. From all the information it has to be concluded that much more about the microstructure changes related to resistive switching is urgently needed in order to model the RS based on data instead of assumptions.
Local vibrational modes of the oxygen trimer in Si
Authors: Murin L. I. , Tolkacheva E. A. , Markevich V. P. , Peaker A. R. , Svensson B. G. , Lindström J. L.
Published: January 2011

In the present work we have exploited different kinds of defect engineering (hydrogenation, irradiations at elevated temperatures etc) to enhance the formation of small oxygen clusters in Si crystals grown by the Czochralski technique. In these ways we manage to increase significantly the concentration of a defect giving rise to a local vibrational mode (LVM) band at 1006 cm‐1. The highest concentration of the defect is achieved in samples first enriched with the vacancy‐trioxygen complex (VO3) and then electron irradiated. It is found that an interaction of the radiation‐induced Si self‐interstitials with VO3 occurs, so resulting in the appearance of a complex incorporating three interstitial oxygen atoms. The results obtained give strong support for the assignment of the 1006 cm‐1 band to the oxygen trimer. Three LVM bands positioned at 537, 723 and 1020 cm‐1 are found to develop in a similar way to the 1006 cm‐1 band and all of them are suggested to arise from the trimer. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of InGaAsSbN layers grown on InP by MBE
Authors: Yoshikawa M. , Miura K. , Iguchi Y. , Kawamura Y.
Published: January 2011

Optical and electrical properties of the InGaAsSbN layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on InP substrates were studied in comparison with InGaAsN layers. It was found that the optical properties of the InGaAsSbN layer characterized by photoreflectance (PR) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements are superior to those of InGaAsN layer. In addition, electrical properties characterized by Hall measurements were also improved by adding Sb atoms. Annealing studies on photoluminescence properties of the InGaAsSbN layer revealed that the PL intensity increases and the PL spectral half width decreases upon annealing up to 700 °C. These results indicate that post‐annealing is still necessary for InGaAsSbN layers to improve crystalline quality (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Photo‐polymerization of hole‐doped C60 grown by liquid‐liquid interfacial precipitation method
Authors: Koide Daiki , Iwata Nobuyuki , Yamamoto Hiroshi
Published: January 2011

The aim of our study is to synthesize an amorphous 3D C60 polymer at the bulk scale for various application fields. To polymerize the C60 molecules, powders of C60 and I2 were mixed for hole doping and the free electron laser (FEL) photopolymerization was carried out in vacuum. FEL with the wavelength of 500 nm was irradiated. In order to promote the polymerization degree, I2 was doped in alcohol while the liquid‐liquid interfacial precipitaiton (LLIP) growth of C60. It is concerned that the mixture process in air was probably accompanied with a reaction with oxygen, and reduced the polimerization degree. Specimens were analyzed by micro‐Raman spectra. To analyze a polymerization degree, one of the Raman‐active Ag modes, called pentagonal pinch mode Ag (2), is regularly investigated. From the results of Raman spectra, the important parameters to obtaine and promote polymerization phase was rather high pressure more than at least 600 MPa, I2 doping, and the FEL irradiation. So‐called F phase was obtained probably due to the reduction of energy barrier for transformation from sp2 to sp3 and high energy power density of micropulses of the FEL (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Titanium tetrachloride as electrophilic activator in the technology of inorganic polysulfides
Authors: Ysupova A. A. , Shamov A. G. , Ahmetova R. T. , Pervushin V. A. , Hatsrinov A. I.
Published: January 2011

The technology of the inorganic sulphides and composition materials on their base from the different silica‐containing products is described. The mechanism of the sulphides formation is analyzed in detail under the different ways of sulphurous components. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
A first‐principles study of diatomic NiAl: Ground state, structure, and spectroscopic constants
Authors: Cundari Thomas R. , Janardan Smitha S. , Olatunji‐Ojo Olayinka , Wilson Brent R.
Published: January 2011

A computational study of diatomic NiAl is reported. Molecular properties evaluated include the equilibrium bond length (re), equilibrium stretching frequency (ωe), doublet‐quartet energy splitting, and nickel‐aluminum bond strength. Several interesting conclusions have resulted from this research. First, convergence in calculated properties is smoother with recently reported correlation consistent basis sets than earlier basis sets for Ni and Al. Second, with the exception of bond strength, basis set limit properties extrapolated using correlation basis sets are in agreement with reported data. Third, this research suggests that caution may be needed with regard to the use of DFT for developing interatomic potentials for larger scale simulations. For example, B97‐1 showed better agreement with reported re for 2NiAl than B3LYP. However, the situation was reversed for the calculation of ωe. With respect to bond strength, the situation is unclear due to the scatter among experiment and calculations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Quantum bifurcation in a coulombic‐like potential
Authors: Yang Ciann‐Dong , Weng Hung‐Jen
Published: January 2011

Because of the lack of nonlinear dynamics, up to now no bifurcation phenomenon in its original sense has been discovered directly in quantum mechanical systems. Based on the formalism of complex‐valued quantum mechanics, this article derives the nonlinear Hamilton equations from the Schrödinger equation to provide the necessary mathematic framework for the analysis of quantum bifurcation. This new approach makes it possible to identify quantum bifurcation by the direct evidence of the sudden change of fixed points and their surrounding trajectories. As a practical application of the proposed approach, we consider the quantum motion in a Coulombic‐like potential modeled by V(r) = A/r2 − B/r, where the first term describes the centrifugal trend and the second deals with the Coulombic attraction. As the bifurcation parameter evolves, we demonstrate how local and global bifurcations in quantum dynamics can be identified by inspecting the changes of fixed points and their surrounding trajectories. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011