bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Up‐regulation of L1CAM is linked to loss of hormone receptors and E‐cadherin in aggressive subtypes of endometrial carcinomas
Authors: Huszar Monica , Pfeifer Marco , Schirmer Uwe , Kiefel Helena , Konecny Gottfried E , Ben‐Arie Alon , Edler Lutz , Münch Maria , Müller‐Holzner Elisabeth , Jerabek‐Klestil Susanne , Abdel‐Azim Samira , Marth Christian , Zeimet Alain G , Altevogt Peter , Fogel Mina
Published: December 2009

Endometrial carcinomas (ECs) are classified into type 1 (less aggressive) and type 2 (aggressive) tumours that differ in genetic alterations. So far, reliable immunohistochemical markers that can identify patients with high risk for recurrence are rare. We have defined the expression of L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), a biomarker previously identified for EC, and compared its expression to oestrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) and E‐cadherin. We found that L1CAM was absent in normal endometrium and the vast majority of endometrioid ECs (type 1) but was strongly expressed in serous and clear‐cell ECs, considered as type 2. 78/272 cases were identified as L1CAM‐positive endometrioid ECs that were correlated with a poor prognosis. Strikingly, we observed an inverse relationship between L1CAM and ER/PR/E‐cadherin expression in all ECs. In mixed ECs, composed of endometrioid (L1CAM− ER/PR+ E‐cadherin+) and clear‐cell/serous (L1CAM+ ER/PR− E‐cadherin−), both phenotypes were co‐expressed. In some of these cases L1CAM was up‐regulated at the leading edge of the tumour, where ER/PR and E‐cadherin expression were selectively lost. In EC cell lines treated with the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) inducer TGFβ1, L1CAM and vimentin were strongly up‐regulated, while E‐cadherin expression was reduced. The treatment also resulted in an increased expression of the EMT transcription factor Slug and an enhanced cell invasion. Depletion of Slug by siRNA knockdown prevented both L1CAM up‐regulation and enhanced cell invasion. According to our analysis, we suggest that L1CAM is a novel marker for EMT in ECs and that L1CAM‐typing could identify endometrioid ECs that have type 2‐like features and are at high risk for recurrence. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dependence of interfacial strength on the anisotropic fiber properties of jute reinforced composites
Authors: Thomason J.L.
Published: December 2009

The upsurge in research on natural fiber composites over the past decade has not yet delivered any major progress in large scale replacement of glass fiber in volume engineering applications. This article presents data on injection‐molded jute reinforced polypropylene and gives a balanced comparison with equivalent glass reinforced materials. The poor performance of natural fibers as reinforcements is discussed and both chemical modification of the matrix and mercerization and silane treatment of the fibers are shown to have little significant effect on their level of reinforcement of polypropylene in comparison to glass fibers. A hypothesis is proposed to explain the poor performance of natural fibers relating their low level of interfacial strength to the anisotropic internal fiber structure. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1525–1534, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Free leptin index and PAPP‐A: a first trimester maternal serum screening test for pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Hedley Paula L. , Placing Sophie , Wøjdemann Karen , Carlsen Anting Liu , Shalmi Anne‐Cathrine , Sundberg Karin , Tabor Ann , Christiansen Michael
Published: December 2009

Background

Prophylaxis with low‐dose aspirin may reduce the risk of pre‐eclampsia (PE) if introduced in first trimester. The performance of first trimester maternal serum screening for PE using free leptin index (fLI) and PAPP‐A, where fLI = leptin/leptin soluble receptor was studied.

Methods

First trimester serum samples from 126 PE pregnancies and 289 control pregnancies were studied. fLI and PAPP‐A were converted into gestational age and maternal weight independent log MoM values of PAPP‐A and fLI. The screening performance of markers was studied by receiver‐operator‐characteristics curves. The performance of population screening was estimated by Monte Carlo simulation.

Results

fLI was significantly (p < 0.001) elevated [mean log MoM 0.2165 (SD: 0.2604)] compared to controls [mean log MoM −0.0368 (SD: 0.3132)] and PAPP‐A was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced [mean log MoM −0.0133 (SD: 0.2661)] compared to controls [mean log MoM 0.0474 (SD: 0.2521)] in PE pregnancies. There was no correlation between fLI and PAPP‐A in control or PE pregnancies. Combined fLI and PAPP‐A screening for PE had estimated population detection rates of 22% and 35% for false positives rates of 6% and 12%, respectively.

Conclusion

Combining PAPP‐A and fLI improves screening performance for PE compared to single marker screening. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How much do family physicians involve pregnant women in decisions about prenatal screening for Down syndrome?
Authors: Gagnon Susie , Labrecque Michel , Njoya Merlin , Rousseau François , St‐Jacques Sylvie , Légaré France
Published: December 2009

Objective

To assess the extent to which family physicians (FPs) involve women in decisions about prenatal screening for Down syndrome.

Methods

Based on transcripts of consultations between 41 FPs and 128 women, two raters independently assessed clinician's efforts to involve women in decisions about prenatal screening for Down syndrome using the French‐language version of OPTION. Descriptive statistics of OPTION scores were calculated. Construct validity was assessed by performing a principal factor analysis and by measuring association with consultation duration and FPs sociodemograhics. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha and inter‐rater reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

The overall mean OPTION score was low: 19 ± 7 (range = 0 [no involvement] to 100 [high involvement]). One factor accounted for 80% of the variance. Both internal consistency and inter‐rater reliability were very good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73; ICC = 0.76). OPTION scores were lower for residents than for licensed FPs (17 ± 5 vs 21 ± 4; p = 0.02) and were positively associated with duration of consultation (r = 0.56; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Based on the French‐language version of OPTION, which showed satisfactory psychometric properties, FPs studied put minimal efforts to involve women in decisions about prenatal screening for Down syndrome. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent advances in the MOVPE growth of indium nitride
Authors: Ruffenach Sandra , Moret Matthieu , Briot Olivier , Gil Bernard
Published: December 2009

Since a few years, indium nitride promising properties for device applications have attracted much attention worldwide. Huge efforts are dedicated to optimize indium nitride growth. However, this growth is extremely challenging, in particular using the metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) technique which exhibits very low growth rates. This may explain why most of the samples available in the scientific community, which also present the best electrical properties, were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). However, up to date, no intrinsic indium nitride layer was obtained. InN epilayer crystalline quality suffers from the lack of lattice matched substrates, leading to the use of double‐step growth process. In this paper, we show that InN low lateral growth rate is a limiting parameter for efficient double‐step growth process. But, we also report that the use of CBrCl3 during InN growth enhances the lateral growth rate. To improve the growth rate along the c‐axis, we investigate alternative precursors for both nitrogen and indium species. We show that ammonia remains the best precursor, but combined with triethylindium, the growth rate increases with optimum crystalline quality. Finally, we compare MOVPE‐grown and MBE‐grown InN layers in order to understand the difference observed on the electrical properties. We show how thermal annealing can improve the MOVPE‐grown InN layers leading to similar electrical properties than reported in MBE‐grown samples. The role of ammonia as source of hydrogen is also discussed.
Preparation and electrical characterization of amorphous BaO, SrO and Ba0.7Sr0.3O as high‐k gate dielectrics
Authors: Müller‐Sajak D. , Cosceev A. , Brand C. , Hofmann K. R. , Pfnür H.
Published: December 2009

We report on the measurement of band offsets and electrical characterizations of amorphous BaO, SrO and Ba0.7Sr0.3O as alternative gate oxides grown on n‐Si(001) at room temperature without further treatments. These materials provide relative dielectric constants close to those expected from bulk values even for ultra‐thin films (equivalent oxide thicknesses below 1 nm) and posess very low rechargeable trap densities. Interface defect densities are comparable to other high‐k materials for BaO and SrO films, but an order of magnitude lower for Ba0.7Sr0.3O. This demonstrates the importance of both chemical and structural interface effects (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
GaN and LED structures grown on pre‐patterned silicon pillar arrays
Authors: Li Shunfeng , Fündling Sönke , Sökmen Ünsal , Merzsch Stephan , Neumann Richard , Hinze Peter , Weimann Thomas , Jahn Uwe , Trampert Achim , Riechert Henning , Peiner Erwin , Wehmann Hergo‐Heinrich , Waag Andreas
Published: December 2009

GaN nanorods (or nanowires) have attracted great interest in a variety of applications, e.g. high‐efficiency light emitting diodes, monolithic white light emission and optical interconnection due to their superior properties. In contrast to the mostly investigated self‐assembled growth of GaN nanorods, we performed GaN nanorod growth by pre‐patterning of the Si substrates. The pattern was transferred to Si substrates by photolithography and cryo‐temperature inductively‐coupled plasma etching. These Si templates then were used for further GaN nanorod growth by metal‐organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). The low temperature AlN nucleation layer had to be optimized since it differs from its 2D layer counterpart on the surface area and orientations. We found a strong influence of diffusion processes, i.e. the GaN grown on top of the Si nanopillars can deplete the GaN around the Si pillars. Transmission electron microscopy measurements demonstrated clearly that the threading dislocations bend to the side facets of the pyramidal GaN nanostructures and terminate. Cathodoluminescence measurements reveal a difference of In composition and/or thickness of InGaN quantum wells on the different facets of the pyramidal GaN nanostructures. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Initial boron growth on GaN and AlN surfaces by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Farivar Rashid , Andersson Thorvald G.
Published: December 2009

Elemental boron was thermally deposited, using the MBE‐technique, on surfaces of AlN and GaN. To suppress boron clustering, nitrogen was supplied from an RF nitrogen plasma source. Reflection high energy electron diffraction was used to monitor the surface before and during the growth. On the GaN surface, low concentrations of boron (∼0.1 ML) resulted in additional 6‐fold highly streaky reflection rods indicating a reconstructed GaN(0001) surface. By increasing the boron concentration to ∼0.5 ML, however, the growth resulted in the formation of 3D islands as observed by spots in the RHEED pattern. Islands were also observed by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The AlN surface produced surface morphological features already for the lowest boron concentration, i.e. ∼0.1 ML coverage. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Boule‐like growth of GaN by HVPE
Authors: Richter Eberhard , Zeimer Ute , Brunner Frank , Hagedorn Sylvia , Weyers Markus , Tränkle Günther
Published: December 2009

GaN substrates are indispensable for fabrication of blue laser diodes. Growth and cutting of HVPE grown GaN boules is currently the most promising route for cost‐efficient supply of 2 inch c‐plane substrates. But boule lengths and growth rates are still rather low constricted by formation of cracks and morphological defects (V‐pits). It is shown here that the formation of morphological defects in HVPE depends on the growth conditions. The control of their formation allows for high growth rates of about 500 μm/h with improving material quality during growth. Using optimized growth parameters a threading dislocation density of 3x106 cm‐2 and narrow line widths below 100 arcsec of x‐ray rocking curves were obtained for a 3 mm thick GaN layer grown on a GaN/sapphire template (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrical characterization of an interface n‐type conduction channel in cubic GaN/AlGaN heterostructures
Authors: Zado A. , Tschumak E. , Lischka K. , As D. J.
Published: December 2009

We report on the growth of non‐polar cubic GaN/AlxGa1‐xN heterostructures by plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy on free standing (001) 3C‐SiC substrates. The samples consist of 600 nm thick GaN buffer and 30 nm AlxGa1‐xN layer. The growth was observed by in‐situ reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED). Layer thickness was determined by AlxGa1‐xN RHEED growth oscillations and by reflectance measurements after growth. The morphological and the structural properties are analyzed by high resolution x‐ray diffraction (HRXRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Using a metal oxide semiconductor heterostructure (MOSH), capacitance voltage (CV) characteristics were measured. The oxide layer consists of SiO2, the thickness was varied between 15 nm and 30 nm. SiO2 layer was produced by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). The contact structure is lithographically deposited on top of the sample. Metal contacts have a diameter of 300 μm and were thermally evaporated consisting of 15 nm Ni and 50 nm Au. By CV measurements of the MOSH structures we obtain clear evidence for the existence of an electron accumulation layer at the GaN/AlGaN interface. The sheet carrier concentration at the hetero‐interface is calculated from experimental data (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Identification of human calculi with time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry
Authors: Ghumman C. Amjad A. , Carreira Olga M. T. , Moutinho Augusto M. C. , Tolstogouzov Alexander , Vassilenko Valentina , Teodoro Orlando M. N. D.
Published: December 2009

Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry was used to study four human calculi and to compare the results with those from twelve commercially available urinary calculi minerals including three organic compounds (L‐cystine, uric acid and sodium urate). Phase identification of calcium phosphate compounds was carried out by considering the relative ion abundances of [Ca2O]+ and [CaPO2]+. Deprotonated [M–H]− and protonated [M+H]+ uric acid were detected and used for component recognition in pure uric acid and in the mixed samples of struvite, calcium oxalate and uric acid. Iodine related to the medical history of a patient was also detected. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applications of electrospray laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry for document examination
Authors: Cheng Sy‐Chyi , Lin Yu‐Shan , Huang Ming‐Zong , Shiea Jentaie
Published: December 2009

We have employed electrospray laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (ELDI‐MS) to rapidly characterize certain classes of compounds – the inks within the characters made by inks and inkjet printer on regular paper and the chemical compounds within thermal papers. This ELDI‐MS approach allowed the ink and paper samples to be distinguished in terms of their chemical compositions. Sample pretreatment was unnecessary and the documents were practically undamaged after examination. The ink chemicals on the documents were desorbed through laser irradiation (sampling spot area: <100 µm2); the desorbed molecules then entered an electrospray plume – prepared from an acidic methanol/water solution (50%) – where they became ionized through fusion or ion‐molecule reactions with the charged solvent species and droplets in the plume. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An evaluation of permeable reactive barrier projects in California
Authors: Muegge John P. , Hadley Paul W.
Published: December 2009

Permeable reactive barriers made of zero‐valent iron (ZVI PRBs) have become a prominent remediation technology in addressing groundwater contamination by chlorinated solvents. Many ZVI PRBs have been installed across the United States, some as research projects, some at the pilot scale, and many at full scale. As a passive and in situ remediation technology, ZVI PRBs have many attractive features and advantages over other approaches to groundwater remediation. Ten ZVI PRBs installed in California were evaluated for their performance. Of those ten, three are discussed in greater detail to illustrate the complexities that arise when quantifying the performance of ZVI PRBs, and to provide comment on the national debate concerning the downgradient effects of source‐zone removal or treatment on plumes of contaminated groundwater. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Applications of mulch biowalls—three case studies
Authors: Morris Kevin A.
Published: December 2009

Mulch biowalls are proving to be an effective means of generating reducing conditions for the in situ anaerobic reduction of contaminants in groundwater that are amenable to the reduction process. Mulch is an inexpensive and readily available substrate that provides a long‐lasting carbon and electron donor source for the stimulation of the anaerobic reduction process in groundwater. Examples of contaminants that are amenable to the biotic anaerobic reduction process include: chlorinated alkenes and alkanes, explosives, perchlorate, some metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons. The microbial degradation of cellulose fibers (mulch) is arguably the oldest reduction process known and is evident anywhere that plant material, soil, and water are present together. This article presents three case studies discussing three different uses of mulch biowalls to stimulate the anaerobic bioremediation of contaminants in shallow soils and groundwater. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment and monitoring tools for aerobic bioremediation of vinyl chloride in groundwater
Authors: Begley James F. , Hansen Eric , Wells Amanda K. , Fogel Samuel , Begley Gail S.
Published: December 2009

Direct aerobic biodegradation of vinyl chloride (VC) offers a remedial solution for persistent vinyl chloride plumes that are not amenable to the anaerobic process of reductive dechlorination because of either prevailing geochemical conditions or the absence of active Dehalococcoides ethenogenes. However, tools are needed to evaluate and optimize aerobic VC bioremediation. This article describes the development and testing of two techniques—a microbiological tool and a molecular tool—for this purpose. Both methods are based on detection of bacteria that can use vinyl chloride and ethene as growth substrates in the presence of oxygen. The microbiological tool is an activity assay that indicates whether bacteria capable of degrading ethene under aerobic conditions are present in a groundwater sample. This activity assay gave positive results in the area of active VC degradation of an aerobic VC bioremediation test site. A rapid semiquantitative genetic assay was also developed. This molecular tool, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of a gene involved in the metabolism of both ethene and VC, revealed the presence of potential VC degraders in an enrichment culture and site groundwater. These tools could provide a basis for judging the potential of aerobic VC degradation by ethenotrophs at other sites in addition to offering a mechanism for treatment monitoring and system optimization. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interior versus exterior configurations of passive wells with filter cartridges for cleaning contaminated groundwater
Authors: Hudak Paul F.
Published: December 2009

This study considered alternative configurations of passive wells equipped with filter cartridges for removing contaminated groundwater. The wells fully penetrated a simulated unconfined aquifer. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity distributions were considered. An initial configuration comprised wells along the downgradient perimeter of a contaminant plume, spaced 0.5 m in the direction transverse to regional groundwater flow. Additional wells near the downgradient tip of the plume prevented off‐site contamination. Alternative configurations had the same number of wells, but some included wells along higher (interior) concentration contours to facilitate quicker removal of the contaminant plume. Results suggest that downgradient configurations generally outperform alternatives, although repositioning a few outer wells near the contaminant source may be effective in some cases. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Motion Control at the Nanoscale
Authors: Wang Joseph , Manesh Kalayil Manian
Published: December 2009

Synthetic nanoscale motors represent a major step in the development of practical nanomachines. This Review summarizes recent progress towards controlling the movement of fuel‐driven nanomotors and discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with the achievement of such nanoscale motion control. Regulating the movement of artificial nanomotors often follows nature's elegant and remarkable approach for motion control. Such on‐demand control of the movement of artificial nanomotors is essential for performing various tasks and diverse applications. These applications require precise control of the nanomotor direction as well as temporal and spatial regulation of the motor speed. Different approaches for controlling the motion of catalytic nanomotors have been developed recently, including magnetic guidance, thermally driven acceleration, an electrochemical switch, and chemical stimuli (including control of the fuel concentration). Such ability to control the directionality of artificial nanomotors and to regulate their speed offers considerable promise for designing powerful nanomachines capable of operating independently and meeting a wide variety of future technological needs.
Intracerebral Transplantation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reduces Amyloid-Beta Deposition and Rescues Memory Deficits in Alzheimer's Disease Mice by Modulation of Immune Responses
Authors: Lee Jong Kil , Jin Hee Kyung , Endo Shogo , Schuchman Edward H. , Carter Janet E. , Bae Jae-sung
Published: December 2009

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the deposition of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) has been suggested as a potential therapeutic approach to prevent various neurodegenerative disorders, including AD. However, the actual therapeutic impact of BM-MSCs and their mechanism of action in AD have not yet been ascertained. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the therapeutic effect of BM-MSC transplantation on the neuropathology and memory deficits in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin one (PS1) double-transgenic mice. Here we show that intracerebral transplantation of BM-MSCs into APP/PS1 mice significantly reduced amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) deposition. Interestingly, these effects were associated with restoration of defective microglial function, as evidenced by increased Aβ-degrading factors, decreased inflammatory responses, and elevation of alternatively activated microglial markers. Furthermore, APP/PS1 mice treated with BM-MSCs had decreased tau hyperphosphorylation and improved cognitive function. In conclusion, BM-MSCs can modulate immune/inflammatory responses in AD mice, ameliorate their pathophysiology, and improve the cognitive decline associated with Aβ deposits. These results demonstrate that BM-MSCs are a potential new therapeutic agent for AD.
Toxicity of nanomaterials to the eye
Authors: Prow Tarl W.
Published: December 2009

What do nanoparticles offer drug delivery to the eye that traditional formulations do not? The underlying concept of nanomedicine is that the nanomaterials have properties that their constituent components do not have. These unique properties are the benefit, but the cost can be more a complicated toxicology assessment. Ocular delivery of therapeutic nanoparticles has the potential to greatly increase the quality of life through maintaining our vision. The eye is composed of multiple tissue types, i.e., epithelium, muscle, immune cells, neural cells, and blood vessels, to name a few. Ocular diseases affect many of these tissues at once. Introduce novel therapeutic nanoparticles and determining mechanisms of toxicity becomes challenging. This review is a survey of what is known about toxicity in experimental nanoparticles for ocular therapeutics. Specific cases are chosen to illustrate a range of toxic effects of nanoparticles in the eye. There is a unique research opportunity for in‐depth toxicology studies of nanoparticles in the eye. This has been made possible by the rapid development of therapeutic nanoparticles in the last few years. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2010 2 317–333

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
New diagnostic criteria of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Kiriyama Seiki , Gabata Toshifumi , Takada Tadahiro , Hirata Koichi , Yoshida Masahiro , Mayumi Toshihiko , Hirota Masahiko , Kadoya Masumi , Yamanouchi Eigoro , Hattori Takayuki , Takeda Kazunori , Kimura Yasutoshi , Amano Hodaka , Wada Keita , Sekimoto Miho , Arata Shinju , Yokoe Masamichi , Hirota Morihisa
Published: December 2009

Practical guidelines for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis are presented so that a rapid and adequate diagnosis can be made. When acute pancreatitis is suspected in patients with acute onset of abdominal pain and tenderness mainly in the upper abdomen, the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is made on the basis of elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes in the blood and/or urine. Furthermore, other acute abdominal diseases are ruled out if local findings associated with pancreatitis are confirmed by diagnostic imaging. According to the diagnostic criteria established in Japan, patients who present with two of the following three manifestations are diagnosed as having acute pancreatitis: characteristic upper abdominal pain, elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes, and findings of ultrasonography (US), CT or MRI suggesting acute pancreatitis. Detection of elevated levels of blood pancreatic enzymes is crucial in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Measurement of blood lipase is recommended, because it is reported to be superior to all other pancreatic enzymes in terms of sensitivity and specificity. For measurements of the blood amylase level widely used in Japan, it should be cautioned that, because of its low specificity, abnormal high values are also often obtained in diseases other than pancreatitis. The cut‐off level of blood pancreatic enzymes for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is not able to be set because of lack of sufficient evidence and consensus to date. CT study is the most appropriate procedure to confirm image findings of acute pancreatitis. Elucidation of the etiology of acute pancreatitis should be continued after a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. In the process of the etiologic elucidation of acute pancreatitis, judgment whether it is gallstone‐induced or not is most urgent and crucial for deciding treatment policy including the assessment of whether endoscopic papillary treatment should be conducted or not. The diagnosis of gallstone‐induced acute pancreatitis can be made by combining detection of elevated levels of bilirubin, transamylase (ALT, AST) and ALP detected by hematological examination and the visualization of gallstones by US.
Health insurance and payment systems for severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Yoshida Masahiro , Takada Tadahiro , Hirata Koichi , Mayumi Toshihiko , Shikata Satoru , Shirai Kunihiro , Kimura Yasutoshi , Wada Keita , Amano Hodaka , Arata Shinju , Hirota Masahiko , Takeda Kazunori , Gabata Toshifumi , Hirota Morihisa , Yokoe Masamichi , Kiriyama Seiki , Sekimoto Miho
Published: December 2009

The medical insurance system of Japan is based on the Universal Medical Care System guaranteed by the provision of the Article 25 of the Constitution of Japan, which states that “All the people shall have the right to live a healthy, cultural and minimum standard of life.” The health insurance system of Japan comprises the medical insurance system and the health care system for the long‐lived. Medical care insurance includes the employees’ health insurance (Social Insurance) that covers employees of private companies and their families and community insurance (National Health Insurance) that covers the self‐employed. Each medical insurance system has its own medical care system for the retired and their families. The health care system for the long‐lived covers people of over 75 years of age (over 65 years in people with a certain handicap). There is also a system under which all or part of the medical expenses is reimbursed by public expenditure or the cost of medical care not covered by health insurance is paid by the government. This system is referred to collectively as the “the public payment system of medical expenses.” To support the realization of the purpose of this system, there is a treatment research enterprise for specified diseases (intractable diseases). Because of the high mortality rate, acute pancreatitis is specified as an intractable disease for the purpose of reducing its mortality rate, and treatment expenses of patients are paid in full by the government dating back to the day when the application was made for a certificate verifying that he or she has severe acute pancreatitis.
Role of intestinalBifidobacterium pseudolongumin dietary fructo-oligosaccharide inhibition of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced contact hypersensitivity in mice
Authors: Sasajima Naho , Ogasawara Toru , Takemura Naoki , Fujiwara Reiko , Watanabe Jun , Sonoyama Kei
Published: December 2009

Strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota have been explored for preventing allergy development. We previously showed that dietary supplementation with fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) reduced 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in BALB/c mice. Because the CHS response was negatively correlated with the number of faecal bifidobacteria, particularlyBifidobacterium pseudolongum, the present study aimed to examine whether oral administration ofB. pseudolongumaffects CHS response. ViableB. pseudolongumwas successfully isolated from mouse faeces. Female BALB/c mice were fed a synthetic diet with or without FOS supplementation, andB. pseudolongum(2 × 107cells) was administered daily throughout the experimental period. Two weeks after starting the test diets, mice received DNFB on the ear auricle twice at 7-d intervals. Conventional cultivation and molecular biological analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that administration of FOS andB. pseudolongumresulted in higher excretion of viable bifidobacteria, mainlyB. pseudolongum. Although dietary FOS reduced the CHS response as demonstrated by ear swelling,B. pseudolongumadministration resulted in a reduction in the initial phase only of the CHS response.B. pseudolongumadministration increased hapten-specific IgG1, while dietary FOS decreased IgG2a in sera. Administration of FOS andB. pseudolongumdecreased interferon-γ production and increased IL-10 production in cervical lymph node cells restimulated with haptenin vitro. We conclude thatB. pseudolongumproliferation in the intestinal tract is partially responsible for the reduction in DNFB-induced CHS response by dietary supplementation with FOS in mice, which may be mediated by the modulation of antigen-induced cytokine production.
Convection in a rapidly rotating spherical shell with an imposed laterally varying thermal boundary condition
Authors: DAVIES CHRISTOPHER J. , GUBBINS DAVID , JIMACK PETER K.
Published: December 2009

We investigate thermally driven convection in a rotating spherical shell subject to inhomogeneous heating on the outer boundary, extending previous results to more rapid rotation rates and larger amplitudes of the boundary heating. The analysis explores the conditions under which steady flows can be obtained, and the stability of these solutions, for two boundary heating modes: first, when the scale of the boundary heating corresponds to the most unstable mode of the homogeneous problem; second, when the scale is larger. In the former case stable steady solutions exhibit a two-layer flow pattern at moderate rotation rates, but at very rapid rotation rates no steady solutions exist. In the latter case, stable steady solutions are always possible, and unstable solutions show convection rolls that cluster into nests that are out of phase with the boundary anomalies and remain trapped for many thermal diffusion times.
Noise radiation from a ducted rotor in a swirling-translating flow
Authors: QUARANTA ERIKA , DRIKAKIS DIMITRIS
Published: December 2009

This paper investigates the noise radiation produced by a rotor inside a duct, which is convected by a swirling-translating mean flow. The study is based on an extension of Gennaretti's and Morino's boundary element method to the frequency domain for scattering problems in conjunction with a spinning rotor source model in the presence of a swirl flow. The proposed formulation is validated against exact solutions and is further used to investigate the effects of the translating flow Mach number and swirling flow angular velocity on noise radiation to the far field. The scattered sound is highly affected by the convecting mean flow. The modal content of the scattered field increases when increasing the translating flow Mach number, while a swirling flow leads to a reduction of the mode propagation, if co-rotating with respect to the azimuthal order of the spinning source, or an increase of the modal content, if counter-rotating with respect to the source. In general, the mean translating flow moves the main lobes of the directivity patterns downstream, while in some cases the mean swirling flow neglects this effect and the downstream lobe is completely shifted.
Obstructed shear flows: similarities across systems and scales
Authors: GHISALBERTI MARCO
Published: December 2009

In this paper, I show that a range of environmental flows are inherently dynamically similar. These flows, which are partially obstructed by a permeable medium, are here termed ‘obstructed shear flows’. Examples include aquatic flows over sediment beds, submerged vegetation canopies and coral reefs, as well as atmospheric flows over crop canopies, forests and cities (‘urban canopies’). While the density and geometry of the obstructions may vary, the drag in each system generates a velocity profile with an inflection point. This renders the flow unstable. Consequently, it is expected that (a) the dominant interfacial turbulent structure in obstructed shear flows will be a Kelvin–Helmholtz-type vortex, and (b) that this instability will engender hydrodynamic similarities among obstructed shear flows. Such similarities have been hypothesized but not yet fully explored. An extensive review of existing data confirms these dynamic similarities on scales ofO(mm) toO(10 m). The extent of shear penetration into the obstruction, which is a primary determinant of residence time in the obstruction, scales upon the drag length scale. Other relationships that link the strength of turbulence and the ‘slip’ velocity at the top of the obstruction to the friction velocity (u∗) are also evident. The relationships presented here provide predictive capability for flow and transport in obstructed shear flows and suggest the possibility of a single framework to describe such flows on all scales.
Experimental study on the kinetics of granular gases under microgravity
Authors: TATSUMI SOICHI , MURAYAMA YOSHIHIRO , HAYAKAWA HISAO , SANO MASAKI
Published: December 2009

The kinetics of granular gases, including both freely cooling and steadily driven systems, is studied experimentally in quasi-two-dimensional cells. Under microgravity conditions achieved inside an aircraft flying parabolic trajectories, the frictional force is reduced. In both the freely cooling and steadily driven systems, we confirm that the velocity distribution function has the form exp(−α|v|β). The value of exponent β is close to 1.5 for the driven system in a highly excited case, which is consistent with theory derived under the assumption of the existence of the white-noise thermostat (van Noije & Ernst, Gran. Mat., vol. 1, 1998, p. 5764). In the freely cooling system, the value of β evolves from 1.5 to 1 as the cooling proceeds, and the system's energy decays algebraically (Tg = T0(1 + t/τ)−2), agreeing with Haff's law (Haff, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 134, 1983, p. 401430).
Passive locomotion via normal-mode coupling in a submerged spring–mass system
Authors: KANSO EVA , NEWTON PAUL K
Published: December 2009

The oscillations of a class of submerged mass–spring systems are examined. An inviscid fluid model is employed to show that the hydrodynamic effects couple the normal modes of these systems. This coupling of normal modes can excite the displacement mode – yielding passive locomotion of the system – even when starting with zero displacement velocity. This is in contrast with the fact that under similar initial conditions but without the hydrodynamic coupling, such systems cannot achieve a net displacement. These ideas are illustrated via two examples of a two-mass and a three-mass system.
Nonlinear refraction–diffraction of water waves: the complementary mild-slope equations
Authors: TOLEDO YARON , AGNON YEHUDA
Published: December 2009

A second-order nonlinear frequency-domain model extending the linear complementary mild-slope equation (CMSE) is presented. The nonlinear model uses the same streamfunction formulation as the CMSE. This allows the vertical profile assumption to accurately satisfy the kinematic bottom boundary condition in the case of nonlinear triad interactions as well as for the linear refraction–diffraction part. The result is a model with higher accuracy of wave–bottom interactions including wave–wave interaction. The model's validity is confirmed by comparison with accurate numerical models, laboratory experiments over submerged obstacles and analytical perturbation solutions for class III Bragg resonance.
Outcome of computer-assisted surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Mueller S A , Caversaccio M
Published: December 2009

Objective:

To compare the complication rates and outcome of computer-assisted versus non-computer-assisted functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Methods:

We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 276 patients who had undergone sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with (n = 108) or without (n = 168) computer assistance, from 1996 to 2004, to determine the incidence of complications and need for revision surgery.

Results:

The incidence of complications was 6.5 per cent in the computer-assisted group and 6.0 per cent in the non-computer-assisted group (p = 1.00). In the computer-assisted group, 9.2 per cent needed revision surgery, compared with 10.7 per cent in the non-assisted group (p = 0.84).

Conclusions:

Although our study found no significant difference in complications or revision rates, computer-assisted surgery serves as an important orientation aid during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
Visual and auditory input in second-language speech processing
Authors: Hardison Debra M.
Published: December 2009

The majority of studies in second-language (L2) speech processing have involved unimodal (i.e., auditory) input; however, in many instances, speech communication involves both visual and auditory sources of information. Some researchers have argued that multimodal speech is the primary mode of speech perception (e.g., Rosenblum 2005). Research on auditory-visual (AV) input has been conducted more extensively in the fields of infant speech development (e.g., Meltzoff & Kuhl 1994), adult monolingual processing (e.g., McGurk & MacDonald 1976; see reference in this timeline), and the treatment of the hearing impaired (e.g., Owens & Blazek 1985) than in L2 speech processing (Hardison 2007). In these fields, the earliest visual input was a human face on which lip movements contributed linguistic information. Subsequent research expanded the types of visual sources to include computer-animated faces or talking heads (e.g., Massaro 1998), hand-arm gestures (Gullberg 2006), and various types of electronic visual displays such as those for pitch (Chun, Hardison & Pennington 2008). Recently, neurophysiological research has shed light on the neural processing of language input, providing another direction researchers have begun to explore in L2 processing (Perani & Abutalebi 2005).
Colloquium – Bridging computational and applied linguistics: Implementation challenges and benefits
Authors: Heift Trude
Published: December 2009

Presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics Annual Conference, Denver, Colorado; 21 March 2009.
Colloquium – Early learning of English: Learners, teachers, and discourses
Authors: Nikolov Marianne
Published: December 2009

Presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics Annual Conference, Denver, Colorado; 23 March 2009.
Language and Literature Division, Faculty of Education, Hong Kong University
Authors: Qin XIE , Andrews Stephen
Published: December 2009

The Language and Literature Division (LLD) is the largest of the six divisions of the Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong (HKU). It is currently home to 34 academic staff, who specialize either in the fields of Chinese Language, English Language and/or Literature Education, and to 60 full-time and 28 part-time doctoral students, who are researching a wide range of topics including subjects as diverse as corpus-aided language learning, task-based language teaching in primary schools, the English writing of Chinese undergraduates, and the impact of school-based assessment. Staff are very active in conducting their own research, much of which is rooted in classrooms and focuses on issues that directly concern the teaching and learning of languages, such as reading literacy, school-based assessment and assessment for learning in English Language, the teaching of Chinese characters, and good practices in English Language Teaching in Hong Kong secondary schools (see http://good-practices.edb.hkedcity.net/). Colleagues in the English Language area have played important roles in the HKU Strategic Research Theme ‘Language in education and assessment’. This initiative brought together staff from a range of disciplines in various forms of language-related research collaboration, culminating in two large and highly successful international conferences in June 2008: one focusing on language awareness and the other on language issues in English-medium universities (see http://www.hku.hk/clear/).
Development and testing of fMRI-compatible haptic interface
Authors: Hribar Ales , Munih Marko
Published: December 2009

This paper presents the development and testing of a haptic interface compatible with a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) environment for neuroscience human motor control studies. A carbon fiber extension enables us to use the widely accepted and available haptic device Phantom 1.5.

In the first part of the paper development of the mechanical extension together with its kinematic and dynamic models are presented. The second part is focused on testing of the extended haptic interface. The experiment's results both inside and outside the fMRI environment are presented. Tests outside a scanner have shown that the mechanical extension has no notable effect on a subject performance. Experiments with the scanner have confirmed electromagnetic compatibility of the extended haptic system.

At the end it is concluded that the extended haptic device is fully compatible with the fMRI environment, and a virtual environment task that will allow neuroscientists to study a human motor control is proposed.
Vehicle detection and tracking for visual understanding of road environments
Authors: de la Escalera Arturo , Armingol Jose Maria
Published: December 2009

Many of the advanced driver assistance systems have the goal of perceiving the surroundings of a vehicle. One of them, adaptive cruise control, takes charge of searching for other vehicles in order to detect and track them with the aim of maintaining a safe distance and to avoid dangerous maneuvers. In the research described in this article, this task is accomplished using an on board camera. Depending on when the vehicles are detected the system analyzes movement or uses a vehicle geometrical model to perceive them. After, the detected vehicle is tracked and its behavior established. Optical flow is used for movement while the geometric model is associated with a likelihood function that includes information of the shape and symmetry of the vehicle and the shadow it casts. A genetic algorithm finds the optimum parameter values of this function for every image. As the algorithm receives information from a road detection module some geometric restrictions are applied. Additionally, a multiresolution approach is used to speed up the algorithm. Examples of real image sequences under different weather conditions are shown to validate the algorithm.
A simple walking strategy for biped walking based on an intermittent sinusoidal oscillator
Authors: Fu Chenglong , Tan Feng , Chen Ken
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a control algorithm for biped walking by extension of previous work in the fields of central pattern generator (CPG) and passive walking. The algorithm takes advantage of the passive dynamics of walking, assisting only when necessary with an intermittent sinusoidal oscillator. The parameterized oscillator is used to drive the hip joint; the triggering and ceasing of the oscillator during a walking cycle can be modulated by the sensory feedback. The results from simulation indicate a stable, efficient gait, and robustness against model inaccuracy and environmental variation. We also examine the effects of oscillator parameters and link parameters on the gait, and design a controller to suppress the bifurcation phenomenon based on the error of prior step periods.
The Patient Self-Determination Act: A Cooperative Model for Implementation
Authors: Capron Alexander Morgan
Published: December 2009

In 1990, I voiced strong doubts about a bill entitled the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), which had been introduced in the U.S. Senate by John Danforth (R-MO) and Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY). I hoped to see it defeated. In 1991, after the bill had become a small part of a massive status (the Omnibys Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) adopted in the waning hours of the 101st Congress, I devoted countless hours to its implementation. I wanted to see it succeed. Why the change?
Unanswered Questions Surrounding the Patient Self–Determination Act
Authors: Shapiro Robyn
Published: December 2009

The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) imposes new requirements on health care providers for informing patients of their rights to make decisions concerning their medical care. The Act is intended to, and is likely to, encourage patients and residents of certain healhtcare facilities to consider their treatment preferences in advance of incapacity and, in particular, to determine the circumstances in which life-sustaining treatment will be provided to them. However, many questions concerning how healthcare providers will implement the Act remain unanswered.