bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Last Stitch in the Quilt
Authors: Bendien Elena
Published: January 2013

The patterns of our working lives are fluid and often unpredictable. They are linked to the process of identity forming that we understand as a recognizable, but continuously changing pattern of actions and developments within our lifespan, which includes our career choices. This interpretation allows us to identify the multiple temporal trajectories within a working life and to see how an analysis of temporalities can help us to understand the gendered nature of our careers. By using a number of retrospective narratives of older women about their working lives, we ascertain how an externally imposed and chronologically organized linear (life‐) career story breaks down into a number of a‐chronological trajectories, each of which is personally marked by the identity of the narrator. The theme of self‐care emerges and turns into a binding notion for working women from different generations.
Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Receiving Dialysis or After Renal Transplantation
Authors: Lasaponara Fedele , Sedigh Omid , Pasquale Giovanni , Bosio Andrea , Rolle Luigi , Ceruti Carlo , Timpano Massimiliano , Negro Carlo Luigi Augusto , Paradiso Matteo , Abbona Annamaria , Segoloni Giuseppe Paolo , Fontana Dario
Published: January 2013

Introduction

The phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are generally well tolerated and effective for treating erectile dysfunction (ED), including in patients with significant comorbidity. Because of this benign safety profile, investigators have used PDE5 inhibitors to treat patients with ED and severe renal disease or those who have received renal transplants.

Aim

To assess safety and efficacy of PDE5 inhibitors in patients receiving dialysis or renal transplants.

Main Outcome Measures

Erectile function as assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Global Assessment Questions; adverse events (AEs).

Methods

We reviewed published studies of PDE5 inhibitors in patients receiving dialysis or renal transplants.

Results

In double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients receiving dialysis or renal transplants, sildenafil significantly improved erectile function as assessed by the IIEF, and 75–85% of patients reported improved erectile function on Global Assessment Questions; efficacy was more variable in less well-controlled studies. In >260 patients undergoing dialysis who received sildenafil in clinical studies, there were only six reported discontinuations because of AEs (headache [N=3], headache and nausea [N=1], gastrointestinal [N=1], and symptomatic blood pressure decrease [N=1]). In approximately 400 patients with renal transplants who received sildenafil, only three patients discontinued because of AEs. Vardenafil improved IIEF scores of up to 82% of renal transplant recipients in randomized, controlled studies (N=59, total), with no reported discontinuations because of AEs. Limited data also suggest benefit with tadalafil.

Conclusions

ED is common in patients undergoing renal dialysis or postrenal transplant and substantially affects patient quality of life. Sildenafil and vardenafil appear to be efficacious and well tolerated in patients receiving renal dialysis or transplant.
Gastro-protective policy and the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Taha Ali S , Kelly Claire , McCloskey Caroline , Craigen Theresa , Angerson Wilson J
Published: January 2013

Objectives

In recent years, policies have been proposed in order to guide the safer use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antiulcer therapy. We aimed to investigate the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) before and after the introduction of these policies, 2007–2009, in a well-defined population in southwest Scotland.

Methods

All patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NV-UGIB), diagnosed at a single regional unit, were included. Total drugs prescribed in our population were noted, including antiulcer drugs, antithrombotic drugs and both cyclo-oxygenase-2 enzyme-selective and non-selective inhibiting NSAIDs.

Results

The incidence, the number of cases per 100 000 population per annum, of NV-UGIB fell from 134.7 in 2007 to 125.1 in 2008, and to 90.3 cases in 2009 (p<0.001). There was also a significant rise in the use of non-selective NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors and antithrombotic drugs.

Conclusions

Although a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be fully proven, physician education through drug-use policies is associated with a drop in the incidence of NV-UGIB. This is relevant to the prevention of this common condition.
THE MODULAR CONFIGURATION SYSTEM BASED ON CASE-BASED REASONING
Authors: LIU CHANGCHUN , SHENG ZHONGQI , WU LIKE , ZHANG CHAOBIAO
Published: January 2013

Product configuration technology is the core of the modular design of computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools. Combined with modular design technology and case-based reasoning (CBR) technology, this paper proposed a modular configuration design method based on CBR for CNC machine tools. Using the fuzzy similarity priority ratio and gray correlation analysis algorithm, respectively, the calculation of case priority and the case evaluation are realized and the best match case of the user needs is selected. The module configuration system was developed using MATLAB/gui. By designing the example and analyzing the result, the configuration system is more rapid and accurate than conventional methods in the process to find the best match instance.
B-cell Maturation Antigen Is a Promising Target for Adoptive T-cell Therapy of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Carpenter Robert O. , Evbuomwan Moses O. , Pittaluga Stefania , Rose Jeremy J. , Raffeld Mark , Yang Shicheng , Gress Ronald E. , Hakim Frances T. , Kochenderfer James N.
Published: January 2013

Purpose: Multiple myeloma is a usually incurable malignancy of plasma cells. New therapies are urgently needed for multiple myeloma. Adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)–expressing T cells is a promising new therapy for hematologic malignancies, but an ideal target antigen for CAR-expressing T-cell therapies for multiple myeloma has not been identified. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a protein that has been reported to be selectively expressed by B-lineage cells including multiple myeloma cells. Our goal was to determine if BCMA is a suitable target for CAR-expressing T cells.

Experimental Design: We conducted an assessment of BCMA expression in normal human tissues and multiple myeloma cells by flow cytometry, quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry. We designed and tested novel anti-BCMA CARs.

Results: BCMA had a restricted RNA expression pattern. Except for expression in plasma cells, BCMA protein was not detected in normal human tissues. BCMA was not detected on primary human CD34+ hematopoietic cells. We detected uniform BCMA cell-surface expression on primary multiple myeloma cells from five of five patients. We designed the first anti-BCMA CARs to be reported and we transduced T cells with lentiviral vectors encoding these CARs. The CARs gave T cells the ability to specifically recognize BCMA. The anti-BCMA-CAR–transduced T cells exhibited BCMA-specific functions including cytokine production, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and in vivo tumor eradication. Importantly, anti-BCMA-CAR–transduced T cells recognized and killed primary multiple myeloma cells.

Conclusions: BCMA is a suitable target for CAR-expressing T cells, and adoptive transfer of anti-BCMA-CAR–expressing T cells is a promising new strategy for treating multiple myeloma. Clin Cancer Res; 19(8); 2048–60. ©2013 AACR.
Desert Hedgehog Promotes Ischemia-Induced Angiogenesis by Ensuring Peripheral Nerve Survival
Authors: Renault Marie-Ange , Chapouly Candice , Yao Qinyu , Larrieu-Lahargue Frédéric , Vandierdonck Soizic , Reynaud Annabel , Petit Myriam , Jaspard-Vinassa Béatrice , Belloc Isabelle , Traiffort Elisabeth , Ruat Martial , Duplàa Cécile , Couffinhal Thierry , Desgranges Claude , Gadeau Alain-Pierre
Published: January 2013

Rationale:

Blood vessel growth and patterning have been shown to be regulated by nerve-derived signals. Desert hedgehog (Dhh), one of the Hedgehog family members, is expressed by Schwann cells of peripheral nerves.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of Dhh to angiogenesis in the setting of ischemia.

Methods and Results:

We induced hindlimb ischemia in wild-type and Dhh
–/–
mice. First, we found that limb perfusion is significantly impaired in the absence of Dhh. This effect is associated with a significant decrease in capillary and artery density in Dhh
–/–
. By using mice in which the Hedgehog signaling pathway effector Smoothened was specifically invalidated in endothelial cells, we demonstrated that Dhh does not promote angiogenesis by a direct activation of endothelial cells. On the contrary, we found that Dhh promotes peripheral nerve survival in the ischemic muscle and, by doing so, maintains the pool of nerve-derived proangiogenic factors. Consistently, we found that denervation of the leg, immediately after the onset of ischemia, severely impairs ischemia-induced angiogenesis and decreases expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A, angiopoietin 1, and neurotrophin 3 in the ischemic muscle.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates the crucial roles of nerves and factors regulating nerve physiology in the setting of ischemia-induced angiogenesis.
CD30 expression defines a novel subgroup of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with favorable prognosis and distinct gene expression signature: a report from the International DLBCL Rituximab-CHOP Consortium Program Study
Authors: Hu Shimin , Xu-Monette Zijun Y. , Balasubramanyam Aarthi , Manyam Ganiraju C. , Visco Carlo , Tzankov Alexander , Liu Wei-min , Miranda Roberto N. , Zhang Li , Montes-Moreno Santiago , Dybkær Karen , Chiu April , Orazi Attilio , Zu Youli , Bhagat Govind , Richards Kristy L. , Hsi Eric D. , Choi William W. L. , Han van Krieken J. , Huang Qin , Huh Jooryung , Ai Weiyun , Ponzoni Maurilio , Ferreri Andrés J. M. , Zhao Xiaoying , Winter Jane N. , Zhang Mingzhi , Li Ling , Møller Michael B. , Piris Miguel A. , Li Yong , Go Ronald S. , Wu Lin , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Young Ken H.
Published: January 2013

Key Points

CD30 expression defines a novel and unique subgroup of DLBCL with favorable clinical outcome and distinct gene expression signature.
The photo in the Ffilm: public and private collections in video-portrait
Authors: Peixoto Clarice E.
Published: January 2013

This article discusses the inclusion of photographs in ethnographic films, particularly in the genre video portrait. In the reconstitution of an individual's history, photographic images play an important role in the evocation of past facts that often remain only as fragments of memory. When examining personal collections and public archives, we prospect for photographic and iconographic images that allow usto construct possible relationships between collective and individual memories.
Thermotropic and Barotropic Phase Behavior of Phosphatidylcholine Bilayers
Authors: Matsuki Hitoshi , Goto Masaki , Tada Kaori , Tamai Nobutake
Published: January 2013

Bilayers formed by phospholipids are frequently used as model biological membranes in various life science studies. A characteristic feature of phospholipid bilayers is to undergo a structural change called a phase transition in response to environmental changes of their surroundings. In this review, we focus our attention on phase transitions of some major phospholipids contained in biological membranes, phosphatidylcholines (PCs), depending on temperature and pressure. Bilayers of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), which is the most representative lipid in model membrane studies, will first be explained. Then, the bilayer phase behavior of various kinds of PCs with different molecular structures is revealed from the temperature–pressure phase diagrams, and the difference in phase stability among these PC bilayers is discussed in connection with the molecular structure of the PC molecules. Furthermore, the solvent effect on the phase behavior is also described briefly.
Is there a Role for Cyclophilin Inhibitors in the Management of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis?
Authors: Wasilenko Shawn , Montano-Loza Aldo , Mason Andrew
Published: January 2013

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are poorly understood autoimmune liver diseases. Immunosuppression is used to treat AIH and ursodeoxycholic acid is used to slow the progression of PBC. Nevertheless, a proportion of patients with both disorders progress to liver failure. Following liver transplantation, up to a third of patients with PBC experience recurrent disease. Moreover a syndrome referred to as “de novo AIH” occurs in a proportion of patients regardless of maintenance immunosuppression, who have been transplanted for disorders unrelated to AIH. Of note, the use of cyclosporine A appears to protect against the development of recurrent PBC and de novo AIH even though it is a less potent immunosuppressive compared to tacrolimus. The reason why cyclosporine A is protective has not been determined. However, a virus resembling mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been characterized in patients with PBC and AIH. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the protective effect of cyclosporine A in liver transplant recipients may be mediated by the antiviral activity of this cyclophilin inhibitor. Treatment of the MMTV producing MM5MT cells with different antivirals and immunosuppressive agents showed that both cyclosporine A and the analogue NIM811 inhibited MMTV production from the producer cells. Herein, we discuss the evidence supporting the role of MMTV-like human betaretrovirus in the development of PBC and de novo AIH and speculate on the possibility that the agent may be associated with disease following transplantation. We also review the mechanisms of how both cyclosporine A and NIM811 may inhibit betaretrovirus production in vitro.
Le Logos héraclitéen : l’obscurité de l’ambivalence entre détermination et indétermination
Authors: Cantin-Brault Antoine
Published: January 2013

C’est un lieu commun de dire d’Héraclite qu’il est obscur, mais d’où vient précisément cette obscurité ? Libérant la métaphysique à partir d’une constitution entendue comme onto-proto-logie, l’obscurité d’Héraclite semble participer à la fois d’une métaphysique déterminante qui cherche à dire l’étant suprême en un Logos totalisant, et d’une métaphysique indéterminante ne voulant que signifier le principe qui se situe au-delà de l’étant. Ces deux tendances sont illustrées par Hegel et Heidegger, en leurs interprétations respectives d’Héraclite ; chacun énonce quelque chose de vrai, sans faire taire l’autre. Héraclite se découvre ainsi au carrefour de perspectives métaphysiques qui se préciseront plus tard, que son obscurité lui permet d’anticiper toutes deux.
Enseignement religieux et transmission croyante
Authors: Demissy Claude
Published: January 2013

Cet article différencie l’enseignement religieux à école publique, de la pédagogique d’une communauté croyante. Un programme d’enseignement religieux peut se concevoir en respectant les finalités d’une école publique démocratique. L’Université a développé ce modèle, puisque les sciences religieuses respectent les critères des sciences humaines. Mais les sciences de l’éducation ont montré que l’enseignement n’est pas un décalque appauvri du savoir savant. L’appel exclusif aux sciences religieuses présente des limites qui peuvent être atténuées par une collaboration constructive avec les théologies actuelles. L’article analyse des documents produits en Europe pour l’école primaire et montre les choix axiologiques de chacun d’eux. Plus la pédagogie est centrée sur le vécu de l’enfant, plus la démarche semble entrer dans le champ des théologies particulières. Mais sur ce point, la différence avec une communauté croyante n’est pas doctrinale, mais pédagogique. En effet, les institutions religieuses ont une vocation célébrante. Cela devrait leur permettre de mettre en oeuvre une pédagogie active et diversifiée. Cette dernière s’appuie sur les activités des enfants et ne se focalise pas sur un savoir à transmettre.
Identification of Multivariable Fractional Order Systems
Authors: Djamah Tounsia , Bettayeb Maamar , Djennoune Said
Published: January 2013

This paper deals with identification of multivariable fractional order systems. The state space model is used, based on the Guidorzi canonical form. An output error identification approach is used, and the parametric sensitivity functions model is developed as a multivariable fractional model. Its simulation is carried out using the fractional bounded integration operator. Different simulations test the method efficiency, and its statistical performance is analyzed, using Monte Carlo simulation at various signal‐to‐noise ratios.
Beyond the Business Case: An Ethical Perspective of Diversity Training
Authors: Jones Kristen P. , King Eden B. , Nelson Johnathan , Geller David S. , Bowes‐Sperry Lynn
Published: January 2013

Extant literature on diversity training programs continues to yield little evidence of their overall effectiveness. Whereas the most common approach to diversity training entails justifying the value of diversity on the basis of its contribution to the organization's bottom line, we argue that approaching diversity training from an ethical perspective may bolster the effectiveness of traditional approaches. Specifically, to the degree that traditional bottom‐line justifications are enhanced with social justice arguments, training effectiveness will increase. In the following article, we discuss traditional approaches to diversity training, provide a general overview of ethics, discuss how theory and research from behavioral ethics literature might help to address some of the challenges faced in diversity training, and draw from ethics literature to make specific, novel suggestions about the implementation and presentation of diversity training.
The differences of user behavior between forum and Facebook for smoking cessation intervention
Authors: Zhang Mi , Yang Christopher C.
Published: January 2013

QuitNet is one of the most popular websites providing tools and services to help people quit smoking. QuitNet developed forums on its original website to help its users interact with each other. It also built a public page on Facebook, which provides another community for people to discuss issues of smoking cessation. This study compares user behaviors between the two communication channels on smoking cessation – QuitNet Forum and QuitNet Facebook. Social network analysis and user response immediacy were used to analyze user behavior on the two channels. It was found that users of QuitNet Forum participated in discussions more actively, while QuitNet Facebook users behaved more differently from each other.
Coat colour in mouse populations selected for weight gain: support for hitchhiking, not pleiotropy
Authors: HEDRICK PHILIP W.
Published: January 2013

With many molecular markers in many species, research efforts in quantitative genetics have focused on dissecting these traits and understanding the importance of factors such as correlated response due to hitchhiking or pleiotropy. Here, in an examination of long-term selection experiments in mice, the evidence strongly supports the primary importance of hitchhiking on the coat colour locibrownanddilutein mice selected for high weight gain. First, the amount of observed change in coat colour allele frequency could not be explained by genetic drift alone, implying that selection was of high importance. Second, the allele frequency changes included reversals in the direction change, but there were still positive correlations in the early generations with differences in weight gain between the phenotypes. Third, the correlation between the change in allele frequencies and phenotypic difference in weight gain declined over time, consistent with the decay expected from linkage associations. Fourth, the changes at both loci in a short-term selection experiment for low weight gain were in the opposite direction than the changes in the contemporaneous related population selected for high weight gain.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering enhancement factor distribution for nanoparticles of arbitrary shapes using surface integral equation method
Authors: Ying Huang Shao , Wu Bae-Ian , Foong Shaohui
Published: January 2013

Poggio-Miller-Chang-Harrington-Wu-Tsai (PMCHWT) surface integral equation method is applied for the first time to accurately estimate the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement factor distribution for arbitrary nanoparticles and nano-aggregates. It is the first time in literature that the distributions of SERS enhancement factors of nanoparticles of a large variety are reported. It is shown that not every SERS substrate exhibits a long-tail distribution as a dimer consisting of two spheres in close proximity. Generic methods are proposed to evaluate the performance of nanoparticles on SERS substrates. A cumulative distribution is proposed to examine the contributions of hot and warm spots around the nanoparticles. It is used to identify the importance of warm spots on a SERS substrate. A parameter q is proposed to describe the likelihood of a randomly positioned molecule that can be activated. This study provides guidance and insights for the optimization of SERS substrate fabrication techniques.
First Report of Stem Wilt and Root Rot of Schlumbergera truncata Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Opuntiarum in Southern Italy
Authors: Lops F. , Cibelli F. , Raimondo M. L. , Carlucci A.
Published: January 2013

Schlumbergera truncata (Haw.) Moran, belonging to the Cactaceae, is a very common ornamental cactus in southern Italy. In November 2011, sudden stem wilt and root rot was observed in about 45% of vegetatively propagated plants cultivated as potted ornamental plants in a commercial greenhouse in Cerignola (Foggia Province, Apulia, Italy). The roots and collars of the plants showed brown rot. Yellow sunken lesions that were similar to cortical cankers were detected at basal level of the stem. Ten plants with these symptoms were analyzed by fungal isolation techniques. Small (0.5 cm) tissue portions from root, collar, and basal stem were plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after disinfection with 75% ethanol for 1 to 2 min, 0.2% NaOCl for 1 to 2 min, and a wash with sterile distilled water. A fungal isolate that was morphologically similar to Fusarium sp. was isolated from 85% of these tissue samples. It had nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of ribosomal DNA (GenBank Accession No. KC196121) 100% identical to those of the comparable sequences of Fusarium oxysporum (HQ651161). The nucleotide sequences of its translation elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α) gene (KC196120) showed 100% identity to sequences of F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum (DQ837689, AF246881) retrieved from GenBank. Pathogenicity tests were performed at 22 ± 3°C on 18 45-day-old plants of S. truncate by adding of a 5-ml aliquot of conidial suspension adjusted to 5 × 106 conidia/ml to soil of each plant. Six non-inoculated plants were used for a control treatment and sprayed with 5 ml of sterilized water. Plants were maintained in greenhouse at 22 ± 3°C. After 10 days, nine of the inoculated plants showed wilting, and after 45 days, all of them were dead, with root and collar rot and lesions on the basal stem. Control plants were symptomless. Koch's postulates were fulfilled as the pathogen was reisolated from all of the symptomatic tissues and identified as Fusarium sp. On the basis of 3-septate macroconidia (mean 31.75 × 3.21 μm; range, 26 to 35 μm long, 3.0 to 4.2 μm wide), aseptate microconidia, single chlamydospores, and monophialide conidiophores on carnation leaf agar, and molecular analyses, the fungus was identified as F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum (Speg) (1,2,3). In Italy, F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum was reported as basal stem rot of Echinocactus grusoni (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of stem wilt and root rot of S. truncata caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum in Italy.

References: (1) W. Gerlach. Phytopathol. Z. 74:197, 1972. (2) W. L. Gordon. Can. J. Bot. 43:1309, 1965. (3) P. E. Nelson et al. Fusarium Species: An Illustrated Manual for Identification. Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, 1983. (4) G. Polizzi et al. Plant Dis. 88:85, 2004.
Noninvasive Coronary Flow Reserve Evaluation of Coronary Stenosis Detected by Multislice Computed Tomography: A Value Added Proposition?
Authors: Koshy Santhosh K.G. , Khouzam Rami N. , Govindarajan Gurushankar
Published: January 2013

See Article on Page 338
Transumbilical single‐incision laparoscopic ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease in a child
Authors: Inoue Mikihiro , Uchida Keiichi , Otake Kohei , Okigami Masato , Okita Yoshiki , Hiro Junichiro , Araki Toshimitsu , Kusunoki Masato
Published: January 2013

We report the pediatric case of ileal Crohn's disease in which the patient underwent transumbilical single‐incision laparoscopic ileocecal resection. A 14‐year‐old boy with severe growth disturbance presented with intestinal obstruction. Transanal double‐balloon enteroscopy and contrast study during endoscopy revealed a cobble stone appearance and a severe stricture 15 cm in length located slightly proximal to the ileocecal valve. There was no evidence of fistula or abscess formation. Ileocecal resection was performed via an umbilical incision with conventional laparoscopic instruments, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Single‐incision laparoscopic ileocecal resection is a good procedure for uncomplicated Crohn's disease patients in childhood.
Regional registration of [6‐14C]glucose metabolism during brain activation of α‐syntrophin knockout mice
Authors: Cruz Nancy F. , Ball Kelly K. , Froehner Stanley C. , Adams Marvin E. , Dienel Gerald A.
Published: January 2013

α‐Syntrophin is a component of the dystrophin scaffold‐protein complex that serves as an adaptor for recruitment of key proteins to the cytoplasmic side of plasma membranes. α‐Syntrophin knockout (KO) causes loss of the polarized localization of aquaporin4 (AQP4) at astrocytic endfeet and interferes with water and K+ homeostasis. During brain activation, release of ions and metabolites from endfeet is anticipated to increase perivascular fluid osmolarity, AQP4‐mediated osmotic water flow from endfeet, and metabolite washout from brain. This study tests the hypothesis that reduced levels of endfoot AQP4 increase retention of [14C]metabolites during sensory stimulation. Conscious KO and wild‐type mice were pulse‐labeled with [6‐14C] glucose during unilateral acoustic stimulation or bilateral acoustic plus whisker stimulation, and label retention was assayed by computer‐assisted brain imaging or analysis of [14C]metabolites in extracts, respectively. High‐resolution autoradiographic assays detected a 17% side‐to‐side difference (p < 0.05) in inferior colliculus of KO mice, not wild‐type mice. However, there were no labeling differences between KO and wild‐type mice for five major HPLC fractions from four dissected regions, presumably because of insufficient anatomical resolution. The results suggest a role for AQP4‐mediated water flow in support of washout of metabolites, and underscore the need for greater understanding of astrocytic water and metabolite fluxes.
Survey of Chinese Historical Syntax Part II: Middle Chinese
Authors: Aldridge Edith
Published: January 2013

This is the second article in a two‐part introduction to Chinese historical syntax. The previous article introduces aspects of pre‐medieval grammar which differ markedly from modern Chinese varieties, specifically fronting of object NPs to preverbal position, the asymmetry between subject and object relative clause formation, and the encoding of argument structure alternations like active and passive. Each of these characteristics is related to morphological distinctions on nouns, verbs, or pronouns which are either overtly represented in the logographic writing system in Archaic Chinese or have been reconstructed for (Pre‐)Archaic Chinese. In this second article, I discuss changes which took place in Middle Chinese and correlate these innovations with the loss of the (Pre‐)Archaic Chinese morphology. The main goal of these articles is to highlight a common denominator, i.e. the morphology, which enables a systemic view of pre‐medieval Chinese and the changes which have resulted in the striking differences observed in Middle Chinese and beyond.
Characterization and quantification of porcine circulating endothelial cells
Authors: Post Ivo C. J. H. , Weenink Robert P. , van Wijk Albert C. W. A. , Heger Michal , Böing Anita N. , van Hulst Robert A. , van Gulik Thomas M.
Published: January 2013

Background

Endothelial damage is a critical step in the development of (xeno) transplantation‐related and cardiovascular pathology. In humans, the amount of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) correlates to disease intensity and functions as a valuable damage marker. While (xeno) transplantation and cardiovascular research is regularly performed in porcine models, the paucity of antibodies against porcine endothelium epitopes hinders the use of CEC as damage marker.

Objective

This study aimed to develop a method for porcine CEC detection using anti‐human antibodies against porcine endothelium epitopes.

Methods

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC, control) and their swine equivalent (SUVEC) were used to assess the cross‐species immunoreactivity of fluorescently labeled anti‐human CD31/CD51/CD54/CD62E/CD105/CD106/CD144/CD146/PAL‐E/lectin‐1/vWF antibodies by isotype‐controlled fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) and confocal microscopy. Next, reactivity was ascertained with mature porcine kidney‐derived endothelial cells (PKEC), and a FACS‐based whole blood CEC quantification method was employed using osmotic erythrolysis and CD105 and CD146 double staining after CD45 exclusion.

Results

Of the 21 assayed antibodies, the MEM‐229 clone of CD105 and P1H12 clone of CD146 showed immunoreactivity with SUVEC and PKEC. Double staining showed baseline porcine CEC count of 673.1 ± 551.4 CEC/ml, while the first 7.5 ml of drawn blood (representative of vascular damage) contained 1118 ± 661.4 CEC/ml (n = 14, P = 0.04). A second experiment (n = 5) including CD45 exclusion identified only 14.5 ± 10.8% double‐positive CD105‐146 events per ml blood.

Conclusion

Porcine endothelium can be specifically labeled using anti‐human CD146 and CD105 antibodies. These antibodies can therefore be used for the identification and quantification of CEC in porcine whole blood by FACS after osmotic erythrolysis.
Bordetella holmesii, an Emerging Cause of Septic Arthritis
Authors: Abouanaser Salaheddin F. , Srigley Jocelyn A. , Nguyen Tram , Dale Suzanne E. , Johnstone Jennie , Wilcox Lindsay , Jamieson Frances , Rawte Prasad , Pernica Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2013

Bordetella holmesii
is a well-described pathogen in asplenic and immunocompromised patients. Here we report the first two published cases of septic arthritis caused by
B. holmesii
documented in apparently immunocompetent patients and unaccompanied by bacteremia.
Percutaneous sacroplasty using CT guidance for pain palliation in sacral insufficiency fractures
Authors: Dougherty Ryne W , McDonald Jennifer S , Cho Yong Woon , Wald John T , Thielen Kent R , Kallmes David F
Published: January 2013

Background and objective

Sacroplasty has emerged as a treatment option for patients with painful osteoporotic sacral insufficiency fractures. We report short-term outcomes in a consecutive cohort of patients treated with sacroplasty.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 57 patients treated with sacroplasty for painful osteoporotic sacral fractures at our institution between 2004 and 2011. An 11-point numerical rating scale pain score was recorded at rest and at activity pre- and post-procedure. Opioids prescribed to the patient both pre- and post-procedure were recorded.

Results

Mean duration of pain prior to sacroplasty was 3 weeks (IQR 2–5). Procedural complications were minimal. Median post-procedure follow-up time was 2.5 weeks (IQR 1–5) among 45 patients with available data. Thirty-seven (82%) of the 45 patients experienced a numerical or descriptive decrease from initial pain at follow-up. Median activity pain scores collected from 13 patients decreased from 10 (IQR 8.5–10) pre-procedure to 6 (IQR 4–6.8) post-procedure (p<0.0001), and median rest pain scores collected from 29 patients decreased from 7 (IQR 4–8.5) to 2 (IQR 1–3.5)(p<0.0001). Twenty-two (76%) of 29 patients had at least a 30% decrease in rest pain scores. The median number of opioids prescribed per patient decreased from 1 (IQR 1–2) pre-procedure to 0 (IQR 0–1) post-procedure (p<0.0001). Thirty-four of 57 patients (60%) had decreased opioid usage, 15 (26%) patients had unchanged usage and 8 (14%) had increased usage.

Conclusions

Our series demonstrates that sacroplasty is a safe and effective treatment in patients with painful osteoporotic insufficiency fractures.
Identification of medium-sized genomic deletions with low coverage, mate-paired restricted tags
Authors: Gong Qiang , Tao Yong , Yang Jian-Rong , Cai Jun , Yuan Yunfei , Ruan Jue , Yang Jin , Liu Hailiang , Li Wanghua , Lu Xuemei , Zhuang Shi-Mei , Wang San Ming , Wu Chung-I
Published: January 2013

Background

Genomic deletions are known to be widespread in many species. Variant sequencing-based approaches for identifying deletions have been developed, but their powers to detect those deletions that affect medium-sized regions are limited when the sequencing coverage is low.

Results

We present a cost-effective method for identifying medium-sized deletions in genomic regions with low genomic coverage. Two mate-paired libraries were separately constructed from human cancerous tissue to generate paired short reads (ditags) from restriction fragments digested with a 4-base restriction enzyme. A total of 3 Gb of paired reads (1.0× genome size) was collected, and 175 deletions were inferred by identifying the ditags with disorder alignments to the reference genome sequence. Sanger sequencing results confirmed an overall detection accuracy of 95%. Good reproducibility was verified by the deletions that were detected by both libraries.

Conclusions

We provide an approach to accurately identify medium-sized deletions in large genomes with low sequence coverage. It can be applied in studies of comparative genomics and in the identification of germline and somatic variants.
Community participation of patients 12 months post-stroke in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Mudzi Witness , Stewart Aimee , Musenge Eustasius
Published: January 2013

Background: Improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQL) is the main goal of rehabilitation. The ability of the stroke-patient to participate in various situations signifies successful rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to establish the extent of community participation and the barriers and facilitators to the participation for stroke patients after their discharge.Method: This study formed part of a larger study focusing on the impact of caregiver education on stroke survivors and their careers. This was a longitudinal study comprising 200 patients with first-time ischaemic stroke. Although the patients were followed up at home at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months post-stroke, this paper focuses on the 12-months follow-up participation results. Patient functional ability was measured by using the Barthel Index (BI) and the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI), whereas participation was measured by using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) checklist. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data.Results: Patients experienced severe to complete difficulty when undertaking single and multiple tasks without help 12-months post-discharge. They struggled with the preparation of meals, household work and interpersonal interactions, and they had difficulties with community life and partaking in recreation and leisure activities. Immediate family and societal attitudes were viewed as facilitators to community participation whereas friends, transportation services and social security services were viewed as barriers to community participation.Conclusion: The patient-ability to socialise and participate in community issues is currently poor. The identified barriers to community participation need to be addressed in order to improve patient-participation in the community post-stroke.
Photonic Crystals with Large Complete Bandgap Composed of an Approximately Ordered Array of Laurel-Crown-Like Structures Fabricated by Employing Anodic Aluminum Oxide Template
Authors: Chan Der-Sheng , Chau Yuan-Fong
Published: January 2013

An innovative fabrication processes of a photonic crystal composed of an approximately ordered array of laurel-crown-like structures by employing an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template is presented. We found that the intensity of the electric field is affected by the microstructure and surface morphology of aluminum foil after etching the scalloped barrier oxide layer (BOL). In addition, the electric current is strongly dependent on the electric field distribution in the scalloped BOL at the pore bottoms. By using a different step potential (DSP) of 30–60 V in series, the proposed photonic crystal is fabricated and possesses a large complete photonic bandgap.
Investigation of Silicon Surface Passivation by Microwave Annealing Using Multiple-Wavelength Light-Induced Carrier Lifetime Measurement
Authors: Sameshima Toshiyuki , Ebina Ryoko , Betsuin Koichi , Takiguchi Yuta , Hasumi Masahiko
Published: January 2013

A simple annealing method using a commercial 2.45 GHz microwave oven is reported to increase the minority carrier lifetime τeff for 4-in.-size 500-µm-thick 20 Ω cm n-type silicon substrates coated with 100-nm-thermally grown SiO2 layers. The microwave annealing was conducted with 2-mm-thick glass substrates, which sandwiched a silicon sample to maintain the thermal energy in silicon and realize gradual cooling. A 9.35 GHz microwave transmittance measurement system was used to measure τeff in the cases of continuous-wave 635 and 980 nm laser diode (LD) light illuminations. Radio-frequency Ar plasma irradiation at 50 W for 60 s to the top surface of a silicon sample markedly decreased τeff in the range from 6.0×10-6 to 2.4×10-5 s and from 4.2×10-5 to 6.4×10-5 s in the cases of 635 and 980 nm light illuminations, respectively, while τeff had the same distribution from 1.6×10-3 to 3.1×10-3 s for the initial samples. The finite element numerical analysis revealed that Ar plasma irradiation caused high densities of recombination defect states at the silicon top surface in the range from 1.3×1013 to 5.0×1013 cm-2. Microwave annealing at 700 W for 120 s markedly increased τeff in the range from 8.0×10-4 to 2.5×10-3 s, which were close to those of the initial samples. The density of recombination defect states was well decreased by microwave annealing to low values in the range from 7.0×1010 to 3.4×1011 cm-2. The high τeff achieved by microwave annealing was maintained for a long time above 5000 h.
Effects of Carriers on Characteristics of Current-Driven Photonic Crystal Laser Diode
Authors: Nakao Ryo , Morifuji Masato
Published: January 2013

We theoretically investigate the effects of carriers supplied from a dopant in AlAs cladding layers of a current-driven photonic crystal laser diode. The high doping concentration of cladding layers reduces the resistance of the diode, which is advantageous for practical operation. Carriers, however, bring about light loss and degradation of characteristics. It is thus important to investigate the effect of carriers so as to determine the most suitable doping profile of the cladding layers. For some typical photonic crystal cavity resonators, we carry out light wave simulations and investigate changes in laser characteristics, such as threshold current, electric power consumption, and maximum operation frequency.
Mechanism of Degradation and Improvement of Stability on Mesogenic-Phthalocyanine-Based Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cell
Authors: Dao Quang Duy , Hori Tetsuro , Masuda Tetsuya , Fukumura Kaoru , Kamikado Toshiya , Nekelson Fabien , Fujii Akihiko , Shimizu Yo , Ozaki Masanori
Published: January 2013

The stability of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells utilizing the phthalocyanine derivative 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octahexylphthalocyanine (C6PcH2) and the fullerene derivative 1-(3-methoxy-carbonyl)-propyl-1-1-phenyl-(6,6)C61 has been studied. In the same environment, C6PcH2-based cells have shown higher stability than the cells fabricated using the conventional donor material poly(3-hexylthiophene). Furthermore, the degradation mechanisms of these solar cells have been investigated. It was found that the chemical bonds of two pyrrole aza nitrogens as well as the four mesobridging aza nitrogens with neighboring carbons in the C6PcH2molecule were broken after irradiation with a solar simulator, which affected the device lifetime. To improve the stability, various buffer layers have been deposited between the counterelectrode and the active layer. Obviously, the C60thin film and the oxidized layer play an important role as blocking layers that prevent the diffusion of metal atoms into the active layer, resulting in the higher stability.
Lateral Two-Dimensional p–i–n Diode in a Completely Undoped GaAs/AlGaAs Quantum Well
Authors: Dai Van-Truong , Lin Sheng-Di , Lin Shih-Wei , Wu Jau-Yang , Li Liang-Chen , Lee Chien-Ping
Published: January 2013

A lateral two-dimensional p–i–n junction in an entirely undoped GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well has been fabricated. The optical and electrical characteristics of the junction are reported. The threshold voltage of the junction and the electroluminescence spectrum of the quantum well confirm the formation of the lateral two-dimensional junction.
Theoretical Study on Acid Diffusion Length in Chemically Amplified Resists Used for Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography
Authors: Kozawa Takahiro
Published: January 2013

Acid diffusion length has been regarded as the most important factor in the development of chemically amplified resists used for ultrafine patterning. In this study, the acid diffusion length in chemically amplified extreme ultraviolet (EUV) resists was investigated by a Monte Carlo method in the presence of quenchers. The acid diffusion length corresponding to the highest chemical gradient, which results in the lowest line edge roughness, was investigated by varying the exposure dose, the acid generator concentration, and the effective reaction radius for deprotection. Although the optimum acid diffusion length was decreased with the increase of effective reaction radius for deprotection, it did not depend on the exposure dose or acid generator concentration.
Electrical Characteristics of Surface-Stoichiometry-Controlled p-GaN Schottky Contacts
Authors: Shiojima Kenji , Takahashi Toshifumi , Kaneda Naoki , Mishima Tomoyoshi , Kajiwara Takashi , Tanaka Satoru
Published: January 2013

Experimental results of Au/Ni Schottky contacts formed on three kinds of p-GaN layers, which were grown at different turn-off temperatures (300, 600, and 900 °C) of NH3 gas supply (T
NH3) upon cooling at the end of growth to control the surface stoichiometry are reported. In the internal photoemission results, the Schottky barrier heights of all the samples were as large as around 2.2 eV, and a slight increase of 0.1 eV was observed when T
NH3 decreased from 900 to 300 °C. At the same time, carrier capture and emission from acceptor-like midgap-level defects decreased as T
NH3 decreased. The N-rich cooling condition tends to passivate the acceptor-type defects or create donor-type defects for compensation, and the pinning position at the interface might be moved slightly toward the conduction band edge.
Preparation of Polyhedral Graphite Particles by Arc Discharge under Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Liang Feng , Shimizu Tasuku , Tanaka Manabu , Choi Sooseok , Watanabe Takayuki
Published: January 2013

Polyhedral graphite particles (PGPs) were synthesized by arc discharge method under atmospheric pressure in the relatively short electrode gap distance of 1 mm, while graphene flakes and turbostratic graphite were found by increasing the electrode gap distance. The selective synthesis of nano-sized carbon allotropes was controlled by the contribution of carbon ions and carbon radicals with the change of the electrode gap distance. The formation mechanism of PGPs and other carbon allotropes were proposed according to the experimental results. The low concentration of carbon ions to carbon radicals contributes to the formation of PGPs. In contrast, relatively high concentration of carbon ions to carbon radicals contributes to the formation of graphene flakes and turbostratic graphite.
Hot-Wire Chemical Vapor Deposition of Few-Layer Graphene on Copper Substrates
Authors: Soler Víctor-Manuel Freire , Badia-Canal Jordi , Roca Carles Corbella , Miralles Esther Pascual , Serra Enric Bertran , Bella José-Luís Andújar
Published: January 2013

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of graphene on copper is an efficient technology for producing high-quality graphene for large areas. The objective of this work is to deposit graphene/few-layer graphene (FLG) using different types of copper substrate by a new hot-wire CVD process. We carried out the processes at temperatures below 1000 °C with acetylene (C2H2) as a precursor gas. After a general characterization of the samples, the results mostly indicate the formation of FLG on copper samples by this method. Nevertheless, the presence of pure, crystalline, and sufficiently flat surfaces is needed for depositing high-quality graphene layers.
Fabrication of Graphene-Based Films Using Microwave-Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Hiramatsu Mineo , Naito Masateru , Kondo Hiroki , Hori Masaru
Published: January 2013

Microwave plasma is one of the high-density plasmas and has been extensively used for the growth of diamond and aligned carbon nanotubes for more than a decade. However, the conventional microwave plasma of the cylindrical resonant cavity type is not suitable for the synthesis of graphene. The plasma ball produced in the resonant cavity provides a number of important species as well as ions, while deposits are damaged by the excess ion bombardment since the substrate is exposed to the plasma ball. To simply control the position of the plasma ball and reduce the ion bombardment on the substrate surface, a grounded molybdenum mesh was installed over the substrate plate to realize a remote plasma configuration. As a result, the distance between the plasma ball and the copper substrate was increased, and few-layer graphene-based films were successfully synthesized in 1 min on copper substrates placed on the entire region of a substrate holder 10 cm in diameter by using conventional microwave-plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.
First-Principles Investigation on Trapping of Multiple Helium Atoms within a Tungsten Monovacancy
Authors: Takayama Arimichi , Ito Atsushi M. , Saito Seiki , Ohno Noriyasu , Nakamura Hiroaki
Published: January 2013

We examine the binding energy of helium trapped in a tungsten monovacancy using first-principles calculation based on density functional theory (DFT) and investigate the trapping of multiple helium atoms within a tungsten monovacancy. Calculation shows that a tungsten monovacancy can contain at least nine helium atoms. We find that six monovacancy-trapped helium atoms form a kind of a cluster structure with an octahedral configuration, and the cluster structure is tightly bound around a monovacancy located at the center of a W cube.