bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the older in China: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Ling , Xu Yong , Nie Hongwei , Zhang Yaodong , Wu Yan
Published: January 2012

Background

This study aims to find the status and prevalence of depressive symptoms among the population aged 60 years and above in China.

Methods

We conducted a meta‐analysis of cross‐sectional studies in older population. Epidemiological studies on depressive symptoms published in Chinese journals were identified manually and online by using the Chinese Biological Medical Literature Database, Chongqing VIP database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database. Studies published in English journals were identified using Medlars Online.

Results

A total of 32 eligible studies were included in this review. The analysis showed that the pooled prevalence (with 95% confidence interval) of depressive symptoms for the seniors in China was 22.7% (confidence interval: 19.4–26.4%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the older was a little higher in women (24.2%) than in men (19.4%), in rural (29.2%) than urban (20.5%) areas, and in western (30.5%) than eastern (19.5%) areas. In addition, the prevalence of depressive symptoms decreased with increasing levels of education. However, it did not increase gradually with age.

Conclusions

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the older in China was a little high, and it was varied by gender, age, area, and education level. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ACR appropriateness criteria® ipsilateral radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil
Authors: Yeung Anamaria Reyna , Garg Madhur Kumar , Lawson Joshua , McDonald Mark W. , Quon Harry , Ridge John A. , Saba Nabil , Salama Joseph K. , Smith Richard V. , Yom Sue S. , Beitler Jonathan J. ,   Expert Panel on Radiation Oncology—Head & Neck Cancer
Published: January 2012

Background

Controversy exists as to the criteria for selecting patients with carcinoma of the tonsil for treatment with ipsilateral radiotherapy (RT).

Methods

The American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria are evidence‐based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 2 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of a well‐established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend treatment.

Results

The ACR Expert Panel on Radiation Oncology – Head and Neck Cancer developed consensus recommendations for selecting patients with tonsillar carcinoma for ipsilateral RT.

Conclusion

Patients that are appropriate for ipsilateral RT have less than 1 cm of tumor invasion into the soft palate or base of tongue, and nodal stage of N0 to 1. © 2012 American College of Radiology. Head Neck, 2012
Simple and Highly Efficient Catalytic Thiocyanation of Aromatic Compounds in Aqueous Media
Authors: Khazaei Ardeshir , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Mokhlesi Mohmmad , Panah Fateme Derakhshan , Sajjadifar Sami
Published: January 2012

Two simple, mild, and efficient procedures for the thiocyanation of N‐heterocycles, substituted anilines (electron‐rich and electron‐deficient), and N‐substituted aromatic amines at room temperature are reported (Table 3). The first uses H2O2 as pollution‐free oxidant and the second H5IO6; both with the reagent potassium thiocyanate in H2O as solvent. These procedures provided the target thiocyanates after a short reaction time in good to excellent yields and high regioselectivity.
A New Triterpene and Phenolic Compounds from the Roots of Pteroxygonum giraldii
Authors: Chai Xin , Su Yan‐Fang , Zhang Jun , Yan Shi‐Lun , Gao Yan‐Hong , Gao Xiu‐Mei
Published: January 2012

A chemical investigation of the roots of Pteroxygonum giraldii led to the isolation of a new arborane‐type triterpene, pteroxygonumnol A (1), a new myricetin glycoside, myricetin 3‐O‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside 3′‐O‐β‐D‐xylopyranoside (2), and a group of phenolic lipids, 3–6, along with four known phenolic compounds, (−)‐epigallocatechin, (−)‐epigallocatechin gallate, gallic acid, and 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses.
Phenylephrine protects cardiomyocytes from starvation‐induced apoptosis by increasing glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity
Authors: Yao Ling‐Ling , Wang Yong‐Gang , Liu Xiu‐Jie , Zhou Yu , Li Na , Liu Jun , Zhu Yi‐Chun
Published: January 2012

Glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is known to be a “housekeeping” protein; studies in non‐cardiomyocytic cells have shown that GAPDH plays pro‐apoptotic role by translocating from cytoplasm to the nucleus or to the mitochondria. However, the cardiovascular roles of GAPDH are unknown. We observed that phenylephrine (PE) (100 µM) protected against serum and glucose starvation ‐induced apoptosis in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes as assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization. GAPDH glycolysis activity was positively correlated with the antiapoptotic action of PE. GAPDH activity inhibition blunted PE‐induced protection of the mitochondrial membrane potential and cardiomyocytes. PE‐induced Bcl‐2 protein increase, Bax mitochondrial decrease and inhibition of cytochrome C release and Caspase 3 activation, as well as ROS production were blunted by GAPDH activity inhibition. Moreover, GAPDH overexpression provided protection against starvation‐induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vitro and ischemia‐induced cardiac infarction in vivo. Inhibition of Akt prevented PE‐induced GAPDH activity increase and cardiomyocytes protection. In conclusion, the present study provides the first direct evidence of an antiapoptotic role of GAPDH in PE‐induced cardiomyocytes protection; GAPDH activity elevation mainly affects the mitochondria‐induced apoptosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3518–3527, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How much can air conditioning increase air temperatures for a city like Paris, France?
Authors: de Munck Cécile , Pigeon Grégoire , Masson Valéry , Meunier Francis , Bousquet Pierre , Tréméac Brice , Merchat Michèle , Poeuf Pierre , Marchadier Colette
Published: January 2012

A consequence of urban heat islands in summer is an increase in the use of air conditioning in urbanized areas, which while cooling the insides of buildings, releases waste heat to the atmosphere. A coupled model consisting of a meso‐scale meteorological model (MESO‐NH) and an urban energy balance model (TEB) has been used to simulate and quantify the potential impacts on street temperature of four air conditioning scenarios at the scale of Paris. The first case consists of simulating the current types of systems in the city and was based on inventories of dry and evaporative cooling towers and free cooling systems with the river Seine. The other three scenarios were chosen to test the impacts of likely trends in air conditioning equipment in the city: one for which all evaporative and free cooling systems were replaced by dry systems, and the other two designed on a future doubling of the overall air conditioning power but with different technologies. The comparison between the scenarios with heat releases in the street and the baseline case without air conditioning showed a systematic increase in the street air temperature, and this increase was greater at nighttime than day time. It is counter‐intuitive because the heat releases are higher during the day. This is due to the shallower atmospheric boundary layer during the night. The increase in temperature was 0.5 °C in the situation with current heat releases, 1 °C with current releases converted to only sensible heat, and 2 °C for the future doubling of air conditioning waste heat released to air. These results demonstrated to what extent the use of air conditioning could enhance street air temperatures at the scale of a city like Paris, and the importance of a spatialized approach for a reasoned planning for future deployment of air conditioning in the city.
Monitoring buried jejunum free flaps with a sentinel: A retrospective study of 20 cases
Authors: Dionyssopoulos Alexander , Odobescu Andrei , Foroughi Yasmine , Harris Patrick , Karagergou Eleni , Guertin Louis , Ferraro Pasquale , Danino Alain M.
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

The free jejunum transfer has become a widely used reconstruction option after total laryngopharyngectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using an exteriorized jejunal segment for flap monitoring.

Study Design:

Case series.

Methods:

Twenty patients with tumors involving the pharynx, larynx, or cervical esophagus were subjected to total laryngopharyngectomy and neck dissection. The resulting esophageal defect was reconstructed with a free jejunal flap based on a major branch of the superior mesenteric artery and vein. After completion of anastomoses with the recipient vessels, the flap was divided into two segments of common vascular supply. The smaller segment was exteriorized in the cervical region for direct monitoring of serosal color, temperature, peristalsis, and bleeding during the postoperative period. This sentinel was resected once the viability of the flap was judged appropriate.

Results:

Of the 20 patients who had free jejunum transfers for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, 14 had an uneventful postoperative course, and six needed re‐exploration due to signs of arterial insufficiency in the sentinel segment. On re‐exploration, four flaps were found to have arterial thrombosis and two had no abnormality at the anastomotic site. One of the flaps that developed thrombosis was subsequently lost.

Conclusions:

Monitoring of buried free jejunal flap with a sentinel is an effective method of assessing flap viability after total laryngopharyngectomy and guides re‐exploration in cases of anastomotic complications.
Cosmetics and function: Quality‐of‐Life changes after rhinoplasty surgery
Authors: Saleh Amy M. , Younes Ahmed , Friedman Oren
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To measure patient quality of life after rhinoplasty in regard to nose appearance and function with use of the modern structural and functional surgical approach.

Study Design:

Retrospective chart review at a tertiary referral center.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective chart review with prospective follow‐up. All patients with rhinoplasty in the past 5 years by the senior author were identified. Patients who simultaneously underwent additional nasal surgery were excluded. McNemar test was used to compare preoperative and postoperative clinical evaluations. Paired t tests were used to evaluate questionnaire scores preoperatively and postoperatively from the nasal obstruction symptom evaluation and rhinoplasty outcome evaluation. Two‐group t tests were used for comparative analysis after dividing patients into two groups on the basis of dorsal reduction, osteotomies, open versus closed approach, and revisions.

Results:

Among 370 patients invited, 126 participated and 113 provided completed questionnaires. Analysis of preoperative and postoperative nasal‐obstruction symptom evaluation scores showed a median difference of −40 (quartiles, −25 and −60), indicating improvement (P < .01). Preoperative and postoperative rhinoplasty outcome evaluation scores showed a median difference of 29.2 (quartiles, 12 and 50), also indicating improvement (P < .01). Difference in improvement in scores was not significant when groups were divided on the basis of dorsal reduction, osteotomies, and open versus closed approach or whether rhinoplasty was primary versus revision.

Conclusions:

Modern rhinoplasty techniques that depend on a strong structural framework of grafts compared with the traditional reduction rhinoplasty techniques significantly improve patient quality of life in regard to nose function and appearance.
Clinical trial of regeneration of aged vocal folds with growth factor therapy
Authors: Hirano Shigeru , Tateya Ichiro , Kishimoto Yo , Kanemaru Shin‐ichi , Ito Juichi
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Aged vocal folds are characterized by atrophy of the mucosa, which causes mucosal wave deficiency and glottal insufficiency. This clinical trial examined the regenerative effects and safety considerations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on restoration of aged vocal folds.

Study Design:

Institutional review board–approved human clinical trial.

Methods:

Ten patients (6 men and 4 women; mean age, 70.1 years) were recruited in the trial. Ten micrograms of bFGF was injected into each treated vocal fold. Injection was performed unilaterally or bilaterally according to each patient's need and repeated up to seven times if necessary. Patient follow‐up continued for at least 6 months. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by stroboscopic, acoustic, and aerodynamic measurements.

Results:

All patients showed improvement of voice. Significant improvements in maximum phonation time, mean flow rate, jitter, shimmer, and noise‐to‐harmonic ratio lasted for at least 1 year. No allergic or long‐term adverse effects were noted.

Conclusions:

This clinical trial suggests that bFGF may be effective and safe as a regenerative agent for aged vocal folds.
Hennebert's sign in superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome: A Video Case Report
Authors: Shuman Andrew G. , Rizvi Syed S. , Pirouet Chantale W. , Heidenreich Katherine D.
Published: January 2012

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) syndrome has been called the great otologic mimicker because its presentation overlaps with otosclerosis, Meniere's disease, perilymphatic fistula, and patulous eustachian tube. A valuable examination finding that can help distinguish SSCD syndrome from other pathologic conditions is the presence of Hennebert's sign, in which pressure changes in the external auditory canal evoke stereotyped eye movements that align in the plane of the dehiscent semicircular canal. This video case report demonstrates Hennebert's sign associated with SSCD syndrome and discusses its pathophysiological basis.
Cervical metastasis of germ cell tumors: Evaluation, management, complications, and outcomes
Authors: Mehra Saral , Liu Jeffrey , Gupta Amit , Sheinfeld Joel , Kraus Dennis
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Head and neck surgeons can be involved in the management of germ cell tumor (GCT) metastatic to the neck from initial diagnosis through postchemotherapy management of residual neck masses. This article reports on 34 consecutive patients with GCT metastatic to the neck.

Study Design:

Retrospective chart review.

Methods:

A single‐institution retrospective chart review of 34 consecutive patients with GCT metastatic to the neck who underwent postchemotherapy neck surgery between 1991 and 2009 was performed.

Results:

Seventy‐four percent of patients had a neck mass at initial diagnosis, with 50% of patients having a neck mass as the presenting symptom leading to a diagnosis of GCT. Of the 37 neck procedures, positive nodes were found in 22. No significant relationship between preoperative tumor markers and neck pathology (P = .35) was identified. No patients had neck recurrence. No patients had permanent nerve injury or chyle leak. As a secondary end point, survival analysis related to cervical pathology showed that viable tumor in the neck predicted disease‐specific survival (P = .01). Five‐ and 10‐year disease‐specific survival was 82.3% (median, 52‐month follow‐up).

Conclusions:

Operative management for patients with metastatic GCT to the neck can achieve long‐term durable cervical control with limited complications.
Case‐control study of risk factors for spasmodic dysphonia: A comparison with other voice disorders
Authors: Tanner Kristine , Roy Nelson , Merrill Ray M. , Sauder Cara , Houtz Daniel R. , Smith Marshall E.
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

This epidemiology study examined risk factors uniquely associated with spasmodic dysphonia (SD).

Study Design:

Case‐control.

Methods:

A questionnaire was administered to 150 patients with SD (with and without coexisting vocal tremor) and 136 patients with other structural, neurological, and functional voice disorders (excluding SD and vocal tremor). Questions included personal and family medical histories, environmental exposures, trauma, illnesses, voice use habits, and the Short Form 36.

Results:

Several factors were uniquely associated with SD (α = .05), including: 1) a personal history of cervical dystonia, sinus and throat illnesses, mumps, rubella, dust exposure, and frequent volunteer voice use, 2) a family history of voice disorders, 3) an immediate family history of vocal tremor and meningitis, and 4) an extended family history of head and neck tremor, ocular disease, and meningitis. Vocal tremor coexisted with SD in 29% of cases. Measles and mumps vaccines were protective for SD.

Conclusions:

SD is likely multifactorial and associated with several endogenous and exogenous factors. Certain viral exposures, voice use patterns, and familial neurological conditions may contribute to the onset of SD later in life.
Endoscopic skull base reconstruction of large dural defects: A Systematic Review of Published Evidence
Authors: Harvey Richard J. , Parmar Priscilla , Sacks Raymond , Zanation Adam M.
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Systematically review the outcomes of endoscopic endonasal techniques to reconstruct large skull base defects (ESBR). Such surgical innovation is likely to be reported in case series, retrospective cohorts, or case‐control studies rather than higher level evidence.

Study Design:

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods:

Embase (1980–December 7, 2010) and MEDLINE (1950–November 14, 2010) were searched using a search strategy designed to include any publication on endoscopic endonasal reconstruction of the skull base. A title search selected those articles relevant to the clinical or basic science of an endoscopic approach. A subsequent abstract search selected articles of any defect other than simple cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula, sella only, meningoceles, or simple case reports. The articles selected were subject to full‐text review to extract data on perioperative outcomes for ESBR. Surgical technique was used for subgroup analysis.

Results:

There were 4,770 articles selected initially, and full‐text analysis produced 38 studies with extractable data regarding ESBR. Of these articles, 12 described a vascularized reconstruction, 17 described free graft, and nine were mixed reconstructions. Three had mixed data in clearly defined patient groups that could be used for meta‐analysis. The overall CSF leak rate was 11.5% (70/609). This was represented as a 15.6% leak rate (51/326) for free grafts and a 6.7% leak rate (19/283) for the vascularized reconstructions (χ2 = 11.88, P = .001).

Conclusions:

Current evidence suggests that ESBR with vascularized tissue is associated with a lower rate of CSF leaks compared to free tissue graft and is similar to reported closure rates in open surgical repair.
The evolution of silicon photonics as an enabling technology for optical interconnection
Authors: Doylend J.K. , Knights A.P.
Published: January 2012

Silicon photonics defines a significant advancement in the development of highly integrated devices on a single semiconductor substrate. As a revolutionizing technology it benefits from the vast infrastructure accumulated over the previous six decades to service the burgeoning microelectronics industry and has found application in a range of areas such as telecommunications, sensing and optical interconnects. It is this latter application which is addressed primarily in this review. The potential for silicon photonics as a solution to high data rate transmission through the description of the devices and processes which have emerged in the last decade is discussed. An attempt is thus made to demonstrate that the integration of photonic and electronic functionality on a silicon substrate has the potential to propel communication beyond the Terabit per second threshold in a widely deployable paradigm.
Micro‐ and submicrometric waveguiding structures in optical crystals produced by ion beams for photonic applications
Authors: Chen F.
Published: January 2012

Energetic ion beams with diverse energies, species and beam dimensions have been extensively utilized to modify the properties of materials to achieve versatile applications in many aspects of industry, agriculture and scientific research. In optics, the ion‐beam technology has been applied to fabricate various micro‐ and submicrometric guiding structures on a wide range of optical crystals through the efficient modulation of the refractive indices or structuring of the surface, realizing various applications in many branches of photonics. The ion‐beam fabricated optical waveguides and other photonic structures have shown good guiding performance as well as properties related to the materials, suggesting promising potential for many aspects of photonics. This paper gives the state‐of‐the‐art review of fabrication, characterization and application on the ion‐beam‐processed micro‐ and submicrometric photonic structures by highlighting the most recent research progress. A brief prospect is presented by focusing on a few potential spotlights.
Synthesis of Block Copolymers by Combination of Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization and Visible Light‐Induced Free Radical Promoted Cationic Polymerization
Authors: Kahveci Muhammet U. , Acik Gokhan , Yagci Yusuf
Published: January 2012

A new synthetic approach for the preparation of block copolymers by mechanistic transformation from atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to visible light‐induced free radical promoted cationic polymerization is described. A series of halide end‐functionalized polystyrenes with different molecular weights synthesized by ATRP were utilized as macro‐coinitiators in dimanganese decacarbonyl [Mn2(CO)10] mediated free radical promoted cationic photopolymerization of cyclohexene oxide or isobutyl vinyl ether. Precursor polymers and corresponding block copolymers were characterized by spectral, chromatographic, and thermal analyses.
DREAM—a novel approach for robust, ultrafast, multislice B1 mapping
Authors: Nehrke Kay , Börnert Peter
Published: January 2012

A novel multislice B1‐mapping method dubbed dual refocusing echo acquisition mode is proposed, able to cover the whole transmit coil volume in only one second, which is more than an order of magnitude faster than established approaches. The dual refocusing echo acquisition mode technique employs a stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) preparation sequence followed by a tailored single‐shot gradient echo sequence, measuring simultaneously the stimulated echo and the free induction decay as gradient‐recalled echoes, and determining the actual flip angle of the STEAM preparation radiofrequency pulses from the ratio of the two measured signals. Due to an elaborated timing scheme, the method is insensitive against susceptibility/chemical shift effects and can deliver a B0 phase map and a transceive phase map for free. The approach has only a weak T1 and T2 dependence and moreover, causes only a low specific absorption rate (SAR) burden. The accuracy of the method with respect to systematic and statistical errors is investigated both, theoretically and in experiments on phantoms. In addition, the performance of the approach is demonstrated in vivo in B1‐mapping and radiofrequency shimming experiments on the abdomen, the legs, and the head on an eight‐channel parallel transmit 3 T MRI system. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An algebraic multilevel method for anisotropic elliptic equations based on subgraph matching
Authors: Brannick James , Chen Yao , Zikatanov Ludmil
Published: January 2012

This paper presents a strength of connection measure for algebraic multilevel algorithms for a class of linear systems corresponding to the graph Laplacian on a general graph. The coarsening in the multilevel algorithm is based on partitioning in subgraphs (using matching) of the underlying graph. Our idea is to define a local measure of the quality of the matching that follows from a commutative diagram we introduce, whose maximum gives an upper bound on the stability (energy seminorm) of the orthogonal projection on the coarse space. As an application, we focus on utilizing this measure as a tool for constructing coarse spaces for anisotropic diffusion problems. Specifically, we consider the diffusion equation with grid aligned as well as non‐grid‐aligned anisotropies in the diffusion coefficient and show that the strength of connection measure is able to appropriately capture the correct anisotropic behavior in both cases. We then study a coarsening algorithm that uses this measure in a greedy strategy to find the subgraph partitioning (set of aggregates). The process forms an initial set of subgraphs, each consisting of a single vertex, and then adds vertices to these subgraphs corresponding to the local direction of the anisotropy as determined by the proposed measure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hermitian‐type generalized singular value decomposition with applications
Authors: Liu Yonghui , Tian Yongge
Published: January 2012

For a pair of given Hermitian matrix A and rectangular matrix B with the same row number, we reformulate a well‐known simultaneous Hermitian‐type generalized singular value decomposition (HGSVD) with more precise structure and parameters and use it to derive some algebraic properties of the linear Hermitian matrix function A−BXB* and Hermitian solution of the matrix equation BXB* = A, and the canonical form of a partitioned Hermitian matrix and some optimization problems on its inertia and rank. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An ultrafast time‐resolved infrared and UV–vis spectroscopic and computational study of the photochemistry of acyl azides
Authors: Vyas Shubham , Kubicki Jacek , Luk Hoi Ling , Zhang Yunlong , Gritsan Nina P. , Hadad Christopher M. , Platz Matthew S.
Published: January 2012

The photochemistry of pivaloyl, benzoyl, 4‐phenylbenzoyl, and 2‐anthroyl azides has been studied using femtosecond (fs) time‐resolved infrared (TRIR) and UV–vis spectroscopy and interpreted with the aid of computational chemistry. Density functional theory calculations revealed a significant difference in the nature of the lowest singlet excited state for these carbonyl azides. The lowest singlet excited states (S1) of p‐phenylbenzoyl and 2‐anthroyl azides are (π,π*) in nature, while the pivaloyl and benzoyl azides S1 states involve (n,π*) excitations. Nevertheless, for all acyl azides studied here, a similar, and intense, IR band at about 2100 cm−1 has been detected in the ultrafast TRIR experiments following 270 nm excitation. These bands were shifted to lower energy by about 100 cm−1 relative to the N3 stretching mode for the ground states of these azides. These 2100 cm−1 vibrational bands were assigned to the S1 states of acyl azides in agreement with density functional theory calculations. The decay of the acyl azide S1 states was described by bi‐exponential functions. The fast component was attributed to the decay of the hot S1 state and the longer component to the decay of the thermally relaxed S1 state. A strong and broad transient absorption in the 350–650 nm spectral range was observed in the fs UV–vis experiments for p‐phenylbenzoyl and 2‐anthroyl azides. The carrier of this absorption also decayed bi‐exponentially, and the time constants were in excellent agreement with those found in the fs TRIR experiments. The slow component of the S1 state decay was found to be dependent on the solvent polarity. When the lifetime of the acyl azide S1 state is substantially longer than the time constant for vibrational cooling of nascent (hot) isocyanate, the correlation between the S1 decay and isocyanate formation was clear. The 270 nm excitation populates the Sn (n ≥ 2) states of these acyl azides. It was established that a hot nitrene is produced more efficiently from both the Sn and hot S1 states than from the relaxed S1 state of these acyl azides. Thus, time‐resolved study provides direct experimental evidence that the S1 state is the precursor of nitrene only when the S1 state is pumped directly and when the S1 state lifetime is longer than the time constant of vibrational cooling of the newborn nitrene. All of these results are consistent with the data obtained recently for 2‐napththoyl azide. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward a systems level view of the ECM and related proteins: A framework for the systematic definition and analysis of biological systems
Authors: Cromar Graham L. , Xiong Xuejian , Chautard Emilie , Ricard‐Blum Sylvie , Parkinson John
Published: January 2012

Advances in high throughput 'omic technologies are starting to provide unprecedented insights into how components of biological systems are organized and interact. Key to exploiting these datasets is the definition of the components that comprise the system of interest. Although a variety of knowledge bases exist that capture such information, a major challenge is determining how these resources may be best utilized. Here we present a systematic curation strategy to define a systems‐level view of the human extracellular matrix (ECM)—a three‐dimensional meshwork of proteins and polysaccharides that impart structure and mechanical stability to tissues. Employing our curation strategy we define a set of 357 proteins that represent core components of the ECM, together with an additional 524 genes that mediate related functional roles, and construct a map of their physical interactions. Topological properties help identify modules of functionally related proteins, including those involved in cell adhesion, bone formation and blood clotting. Because of its major role in cell adhesion, proliferation and morphogenesis, defects in the ECM have been implicated in cancer, atherosclerosis, asthma, fibrosis, and arthritis. We use MeSH annotations to identify modules enriched for specific disease terms that aid to strengthen existing as well as predict novel gene‐disease associations. Mapping expression and conservation data onto the network reveal modules evolved in parallel to convey tissue‐specific functionality on otherwise broadly expressed units. In addition to demonstrating an effective workflow for defining biological systems, this study crystallizes our current knowledge surrounding the organization of the ECM. Proteins 2012;. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Economic‐Statistical Design of Acceptance Control Chart
Authors: Mohammadian Fatemeh , Amiri Amirhossein
Published: January 2012

Acceptance control charts are effective tools to monitor capable processes in which the fraction of the produced nonconforming items is very low. In these charts, some controlled changes in the process mean are allowed, and the production of a specified number of defectives is tolerated. Designing these acceptance control charts by considering the cost of sampling, detecting, and investigating out‐of‐control signals as well as the probable correction of assignable cause(s) can result in economic advantages. Moreover, the statistical properties of the control charts can be satisfied. In this article, an economic‐statistical model is developed to design acceptance control charts. An illustrative example is used to compare the results of economic versus economic‐statistical design of the acceptance control charts. In addition, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis is conducted on the basis of the parameters of the model. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ensemble of Surrogates for Dual Response Surface Modeling in Robust Parameter Design
Authors: Zhou XiaoJian , Ma YiZhong , Tu YiLiu , Feng Ying
Published: January 2012

The robust parameter design of industrial processes and products on the basis of the concept of building quality into a design has attracted much attention from researchers and practitioners for many years, and several methods have been studied in the research community. Dual response surface methodology is one of the most commonly used approaches for simultaneously optimizing the mean and the variance of response in quality engineering. Nevertheless, when the relationship between influential input factors and output quality characteristics of a process is very complex (e.g. highly nonlinear and noisy), traditional approaches have their limitations. In this article, we introduced support vector regression, kriging model, and radial basis function, which are commonly used in computer experiments, into robust parameter design, and especially introduced a new strategy that builds the dual response surface using the ensemble of surrogates, which can provide a more robust approximation model. We demonstrated the advantages of kriging, support vector regression, radial basis function, and the ensemble of surrogates by reinvestigating the dual response approach on the basis of parametric, nonparametric, and semiparametric approaches, and a simulation experiment is studied. The results show that our presented models can achieve more desirable results than parametric, nonparametric, and semiparametric approaches in terms of fitting and predictive accuracy, and the optimal operating conditions recommended by our presented models are similar to those recommended in literature, which indicates the validation of our presented models. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A retrospective view of a study of middle school science curriculum materials: Implementation, scale‐up, and sustainability in a changing policy environment
Authors: Lynch Sharon Jo , Pyke Curtis , Grafton Bonnie Hansen
Published: January 2012

This article provides an extended, comprehensive example of how teachers, schools, districts, and external factors (e.g., parental pressure and policy mandates) shape curriculum research in the U.S. It retrospectively examines how three different middle school curriculum units were implemented and scaled‐up in a large, diverse school system. The curriculum materials were cognitively based, hands‐on, guided inquiry units; each focused on a different “big idea” in science. The units met some criteria for instructional strategies rated by the Project 2061 Curriculum Analysis. Using evidence‐based decisions, two of the units were found to be effective and equitable, and went to scale, but one was not effective. However, the course of scale‐up was also affected by a changing policy climate, and proceeded in unpredictable ways, with small scale effects not found at large scale, and experienced teachers less effective than inexperienced teachers. Four years after funding ended, none of the units were sustained within the school district. The interactions between the demands of the units and of the school district's policy environment suggests reasons why this occurred, despite evidence that two of the units were successful with diverse learners. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 49: 305–332, 2012
Chemometric modeling and two-dimensional fluorescence analysis of bioprocess with a new strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae to convert residual glycerol into 1,3-propanediol
Authors: Rossi Daniele Misturini , Solle Dörte , Hitzmann Bernd , Ayub Marco Antônio Záchia
Published: January 2012

The goal of this study was to show that the metabolism of Klebsiella pneumoniae under different aeration strategies could be monitored and predicted by the application of chemometric models and fluorescence spectroscopy. Multi-wavelength fluorescence was applied to the on-line monitoring of process parameters for K. pneumoniae cultivations. Differences observed in spectra collected under aerobiosis and anaerobiosis can be explained by the different metabolic states of the cells. To predict process variables such as biomass, glycerol, and 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD), chemometric models were developed on the basis of the acquired fluorescence spectra, which were measured continuously. Although glycerol and 1,3-PD are not fluorescent compounds, the results showed that this technique could be successfully applied to the on-line monitoring of variables in order to understand the process and thus improve 1,3-PD production. The root mean square errors of predictions were 0.78 units, 10 g/L, and 2.6 g/L for optical density, glycerol, and 1,3-PD, respectively.
Creatine and guanidinoacetate transport at blood‐brain and blood‐cerebrospinal fluid barriers
Authors: Braissant Olivier
Published: January 2012

While it was thought that most of cerebral creatine is of peripheral origin, AGAT and GAMT are well expressed in CNS where brain cells synthesize creatine. While the creatine transporter SLC6A8 is expressed by microcapillary endothelial cells (MCEC) at blood‐brain barrier (BBB), it is absent from their surrounding astrocytes. This raised the concept that BBB has a limited permeability for peripheral creatine, and that the brain supplies a part of its creatine by endogenous synthesis. This review brings together the latest data on creatine and guanidinoacetate transport through BBB and blood‐CSF barrier (BCSFB) with the clinical evidence of AGAT‐, GAMT‐ and SLC6A8‐deficient patients, in order to delineate a clearer view on the roles of BBB and BCSFB in the transport of creatine and guanidinoacetate between periphery and CNS, and on brain synthesis and transport of creatine. It shows that in physiological conditions, creatine is taken up by CNS from periphery through SLC6A8 at BBB, but in limited amounts, and that CNS also needs its own creatine synthesis. No uptake of guanidinoacetate from periphery occurs at BBB except under GAMT deficiency, but a net exit of guanidinoacetate seems to occur from CSF to blood at BCSFB, predominantly through the taurine transporter TauT.
Youth Group Cliques: How Religious Goals Can Disguise Discriminatory Group Dynamics
Authors: Herzog Patricia Snell , Wedow Robert
Published: January 2012

This paper provides an in-depth, qualitative analysis of two Christian youth groups. Researchers conducted personal interviews with participating youth and their youth ministers and collected extensive field notes on participant observations of youth group events. Findings indicate the presence of youth group cliques with clear delineations about which participants are youth group insiders and which are outsiders. Results show that insider participants are typically socioeconomically-advantaged youth, while outsiders are typically youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite the existence of these exclusionary practices within both groups, leaders in the two cases demonstrate differing levels of awareness of and response to these dynamics. This paper explores the specifics of both cases, illuminating who is targeted for exclusion within these groups and how this targeting varies across the two congregational contexts. Implications of these findings are that religious youth groups may perpetuate broader socioeconomic divisions. Specifically, the analysis reveals that rather than forming benign cliques, youth group members may be discriminating against others based on their relative socioeconomic advantage.
Reliability of the Chinese VALPAR Pro3000 Modular Assessment System for Assessing Persons with Mental Illness
Authors: Ngai Elena K.Y. , Siu Andrew M.H. , Ng Bacon F.L.
Published: January 2012

Objective

To assess the accuracy of translated instructions, items, content relevance, test–-retest reliability and interrater reliability of the Chinese version of three selected modules of the VALPAR Pro3000 Modular Assessment System for assessing persons with mental illness: (1) computerised assessment (COMPASS); (2) Physical, Environmental and Temperaments (PET) survey; and (3) spatial aptitude/nonverbal reasoning.

Methods

An expert panel of 12 experienced occupational therapists evaluated the translation and content validity. Twenty-nine participants completed all of the selected modules twice during a 10-day interval to assess the test–-retest reliability. To assess interrater reliability, two raters assessed the COMPASS work-sample tests taken by another 30 participants.

Results

Most of the COMPASS subtests had moderate to good retest reliability. The PET survey and spatial aptitude/nonverbal reasoning modules showed good retest reliability. Interrater reliability of the work samples was good.

Conclusion

The results of this study provide preliminary support for the reliability of the selected Pro3000 system modules in evaluating the work capabilities of people with mental illness.
Single‐incision total laparoscopic hysterectomy with conventional laparoscopy ports
Authors: Puntambekar Shailesh , Rayate Neeraj , Nadkarni Akshay , Joshi Saurabh , Agrawal Geetanjali , Desai Riddhi
Published: January 2012

Objective

To study the feasibility of performing single‐incision total laparoscopic hysterectomy using conventional ports and instruments.

Methods

Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery at Galaxy Care Laparoscopic Institute, Pune, India, between January 2007 and December 2010 were selected for participation. All procedures were performed using conventional laparoscopic instruments and trocars. Operative data—including operative time (from incision to port closure), blood loss, additional ports used, energy sources used, and intraoperative complications—were recorded.

Results

Twenty‐three procedures were performed during the study period. All procedures were completed via single incision only. Operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay were comparable with those associated with conventional laparoscopy.

Conclusion

It is debatable whether laparoscopic surgery via a single incision would threaten the position of the current gold standard of conventional laparoscopic procedures. The present study showed that single‐incision laparoscopic surgery using conventional instruments is feasible and effective.
Adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix: Clinicopathologic analysis of 18 cases
Authors: Lim Kyung‐Taek , Lee In‐Ho , Kim Tae‐Jin , Kwon Yong‐Soon , Jeong Jin‐Gyu , Shin Soo‐Jin
Published: January 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathologic features of a rare tumor (adenoma malignum, AM). We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 18 patients diagnosed with AM at a single institute between March 1992 and November 2009. The median age of the patients was 45.8 years (range 29–76 years) and the mean follow‐up period was 49.2 months (range 4–168 months). A preoperative cytologic diagnosis (Papanicolaou smear) of AM was made in 22.2% (4/18) of the cases. Ten (55.6%) of the 18 patients were misdiagnosed with other benign diseases and underwent hysterectomies, which confirmed AM. Sixteen patients with AM were in the early stage (IB1, 11/18; IB2, 5/18) and the other two patients were in the advanced stage. Fourteen of 18 patients (77.8%) had pure AM alone. Adjuvant therapy was administered to eight of the patients (44.4%) with AM. The recurrence rate was zero, but the disease progressed in two of the patients (11.1%), who died of the disease. The 5‐year survival rate was 88.8%. A cytological diagnosis of AM based on a Papanicolaou smear is rarely made; a deep biopsy (cone biopsy or endocervical curettage) is necessary to diagnose this rare tumor preoperatively when there is any clinical suspicion of AM.
Wie können ältere Menschen für die Inanspruchnahme des präventiven Hausbesuches motiviert werden?
Authors: Patzelt Christiane , Deitermann Bernhilde , Heim Susanne , Krauth Christian , Theile Gudrun , Hummers-Pradier Eva , Walter Ulla
Published: January 2012

Einleitung

Die Studie „Ältere gezielt erreichen“ ging der Frage nach, wie ältere Menschen für die Inanspruchnahme des präventiven Hausbesuches motiviert werden können. Mit der Zielgruppe der über 65-jährigen, nicht pflegebedürftigen Menschen konnte das bisherige Informationsmaterial zum präventiven Hausbesuch weiterentwickelt und zielgruppengerecht gestaltet werden. Die Zielgruppe des präventiven Hausbesuches wurde mit einem Kurzfragebogen stärker spezifiziert. Der Fragebogen und die zielgruppengerechte Ansprache wurden über zwei zentrale Zugangswege (Hausarzt, Krankenkasse) in der Versorgungspraxis erprobt.
Dynamic pitching of an elastic rectangular wing in hovering motion
Authors: Dai Hu , Luo Haoxiang , Doyle James F.
Published: January 2012

In order to study the role of the passive deformation in the aerodynamics of insect wings, we computationally model the three-dimensional fluid–structure interaction of an elastic rectangular wing at a low aspect ratio during hovering flight. The code couples a viscous incompressible flow solver based on the immersed-boundary method and a nonlinear finite-element solver for thin-walled structures. During a flapping stroke, the wing surface is dominated by non-uniform chordwise deformations. The effects of the wing stiffness, mass ratio, phase angle of active pitching, and Reynolds number are investigated. The results show that both the phase and the rate of passive pitching due to the wing flexibility can significantly modify the aerodynamics of the wing. The dynamic pitching depends not only on the specified kinematics at the wing root and the stiffness of the wing, but also greatly on the mass ratio, which represents the relative importance of the wing inertia and aerodynamic forces in the wing deformation. We use the ratio between the flapping frequency,$\omega $, and natural frequency of the wing,${\omega }_{n} $, as the non-dimensional stiffness. In general, when$\omega / {\omega }_{n} \leq 0. 3$, the deformation significantly enhances the lift and also improves the lift efficiency despite a disadvantageous camber. In particular, when the inertial pitching torque is assisted by an aerodynamic torque of comparable magnitude, the lift efficiency can be markedly improved.
Anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol occur via inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-κB activation in Caco-2 and SW480 human colon cancer cells
Authors: Panaro Maria Antonietta , Carofiglio Vito , Acquafredda Angela , Cavallo Pasqua , Cianciulli Antonia
Published: January 2012

Resveratrol, a polyphenol abundantly found in grapes and red wine, exhibits beneficial health effects due to its anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of resveratrol on inflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment of human intestinal Caco-2 and SW480 cell lines. In the LPS-treated intestinal cells, resveratrol dose-dependently inhibited the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA as well as protein expression, resulting in a decreased production of NO. In addition, Toll-like receptor-4 expression was significantly diminished in LPS-stimulated cells after resveratrol pre-treatment. To investigate the mechanisms by which resveratrol reduces NO production and iNOS expression, we examined the activation of inhibitor of κB (IκB) in LPS-stimulated intestinal cells. Results demonstrated that resveratrol inhibited the phosphorylation, as well as the degradation, of the IκB complex. Overall, these results show that resveratrol is able to reduce LPS-induced inflammatory responses by intestinal cells, interfering with the activation of NF-κB-dependent molecular mechanisms.