bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of 2 mg vs 4 mg Dienogest in Endometriosis: A Randomised Single-blind Dose-ranging Trial
Authors: Biswas Suparna , Bhattacharyya Raghunath , Pramanik Sumit Ranjan , Jain Neha , Biswas Subhash Chandra
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Endometriosis is a recurring chronic inflammatory condition that affects females of reproductive age. Endometriosis-associated Pelvic Pain (EAPP) adversely impacts physical, mental, and social well-being. Currently, there is no ideal treatment option. Dienogest, a selective progestin, shows a pronounced effect on endometriosis. Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of Dienogest at doses of 2 mg and 4 mg/day orally in the treatment of endometriosis. Materials and Methods: An observer-blind, parallel-group, randomised clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at IPGME&R, SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, from April 2016 to December 2017. A total of 190 women aged 20-45 years suffering from endometriosis were recruited and divided into two treatment groups, A and B, receiving daily doses of 2 mg and 4 mg, respectively, for 24 weeks. Relief of EAPP was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, and improvement in Quality of Life (QoL) was measured. Treatment-related adverse events were also recorded. Numerical variables were compared using Student’s t-test or the Mann-Whitney U Test, and categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square test or Fisher’sexact test. Results: The absolute reduction in pelvic pain VAS score was 39.71±8.60 at 24 weeks from the initial score of 70.88 (Mean VAS score before treatment with Dienogest) in Group A, compared to 34.80±6.45 from 69.34 (Mean VAS score before treatment with Dienogest) in Group B (p=0.0001). The difference in mean VAS at 24 weeks between the two groups was statistically significant (p=0.0002). At 24 weeks, 18 (24.66%) patients in Group A experienced an irregular bleeding pattern compared to 27 (40.30%) in Group B, with spotting being the most common issue. Adverse effects such as weight gain, acne, alopecia, depression, and decreased libido were observed in both groups, but they were more pronounced in the 4 mg group. Conclusion: The efficacy and safety results from this doseranging study of Dienogest indicate that 2 mg/day is the effective dose for treating endometriosis and offers better tolerability compared to the 4 mg dose.
Indications for Intervention in Patients Undergoing Ureteroscopic Therapy for Ureteric Calculus: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Achar Muralidhar , Mulla Raj Ahemed , Mehta Hasit , Kulkarni Prashanth , Bhargava Saurabh
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Urolithiasis is one of the most common urological problems worldwide. The fastest treatment modality to achieve stone clearance of ureteral stones is Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy (URSL). However, it is negated by both the cost burden and potential risk to the patient. Medical Expulsive Therapy (MET) is a treatment option for upto 10 mm stones but has failure rates of 40-60% in the literature. Aim: To analyse the various indications for surgery, whether MET was used or not, if used-its details, operative findings at ureteroscopy including the reason for the failure of MET. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study consisting of 72 patients with ureteric calculi undergoing URSL was analysed from June 2017 to December 2018 at Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre, Bangalore , Karnataka, India. Indications were assessed at the time of admission. During ureteroscopy, factors like impaction, distal obstruction, and unusual findings were studied, which could have contributed to the failure of MET. The Chi-square test was used as a test of significance for categorical data. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was used as a test of significance to identify the mean difference between continuous variables. The p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age in the study was 41.65±13.4 years (range 20-69 years), and the mean stone size was 10.03±3.34 mm. Large stone was the most common indication (41, 56.9%, p=0.004), followed by failed MET (35, 48.6%). Even though MET could have been continued for four weeks in 17 patients (23.6%), they were taken up for surgery. The impaction rate was 70.8% (51), with 48.6% (35) being large impacted stones and 22.2% (16) being small impacted stones. The overall stone clearance rate was 68 out of 72 (94.4%). Conclusion: Large stone size (≥10 mm) and failed MET were the main indications for surgery. One reason for the failure of MET was not waiting for a duration of four weeks. During ureteroscopy, impaction of the stone, irrespective of size, was the most common finding and was the reason for the failure of MET. Ureteric stones on MET should not be neglected as there are reasons for the failure of MET, and they will require URSL after four weeks
Soil and Foliar Application of Zn and Fe Impact on Growth, Grain Yield and Seed Quality of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Ugile S. K. , Chaudhari A. A. , Chavan P. G. , Mane S. S. , Satpathy Arghyadeep
Published: April 2024

A field experiment was conducted in kharif season of 2021-22 at Village Nuapur, Tal. Sadar, Dist.Balasore, (Odisha) through Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry College of Agriculture, Badnapur, VNMKV, Parbhani, with an objective to study the Soil and foliar application of zinc and iron impact on growth, grain yield and seed quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.).The treatment were tested in  Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 4 replications i.e., T1-RDF, T2-RDF+Nano Zn(0.5% foliar spray at 30 DAS ) , T3-RDF+Nano Fe (0.5% foliar spray at 30 DAS) , T4-RDF + Nano Fe+Nano Zn(0.5% foliar spray at 30 DAS) , T5- RDF + ZnSO4 (25 kg ha-1 soil application),T6-RDF+FeSO4(25 kg ha-1 soil application), T7-RDF+ZnSO4+FeSO4(25 kg ha-1 soil application).The result emerged out clearly indicated the significantly higher plant height (128.2 cm) was noted at harvest stage with treatment T7: RDF+ZnSO4+FeSO4 (25 kg ha-1 soil application) among all treatments. Significantly higher number of tillers plants-1 (16.5), effective tillers per square meter (337), panicle length (31.2cm) and number of grains per panicle (188) maximum grain and straw yield of rice (47.9 and 62.5 q ha-1)  at harvest stage were recorded in T4 : RDF+ Nano Fe + Nano Zn (0.5%foliar spray at 30 DAS. In grain quality the maximum test weight (24.2g), highest starch content (86.4%) was obtained with treatment T4: RDF + Nano Fe + Nano  Zn(0.5%foliar spray at 30 DAS).
Micro Irrigation in Rice: A Review
Authors: Jyothsna Koyi , H. M. Jayadeva, , Yenagi B. S. , Aakash .
Published: April 2024

Rice (Oryza sativa) is the most important staple food crop over half of the world’s population and it provides 21 per cent of global human per capita energy. In India, rice is widely grown as the second food crop occupying about 43 million hectares of area. Water scarcity is a major constraint in the development of rice farming in some parts of the world. The water required to produce unit kg of rice is as high as 4000-5000 liters under conventional methods of water application (Transplanting under submerged conditions). During the crop growth period of rice, the amount of water usually applied to field is often much more than the actual field requirement because of adopting traditional flood irrigation methods. In order to meet the growing demand for water it is necessary to use water efficiently and reduce the loss of water. One such practice to conserve water is adoption of micro irrigation to a water loving crop like rice to reduce the wastage of water and to increase the water use efficiency. Micro irrigation is defined as the application of small quantities of water directly above and below the soil surface, usually as discrete drops, continuous drops or tiny streams through emitters placed along a water delivery line.
Butene Polymers
Authors: Chatterjee Ananda M.
Published: May 2008

Polybutylene (PB) refers to a series of commercial semicrystalline resins derived from high molecular weight, predominantly isotactic poly(1‐butene) homopolymer or copolymer. 1‐Butene is manufacture by the catalytic oligomerization of ethylene. It can also be manufactured from mixed butylenes streams: acid extraction, the Sorbutene process, and the methyl
tert
‐butyl ether process. Isotactic poly (1‐butene) is manufactured by a stereospecific Zeigler‐Natta polymerization. In melt processing of commercial PB resins, two crystal forms are encountered. PB pipe can be fabricated by extrusion, PB film is produced by a blown film process. Other processing systems are also discussed. The most important commercial outlet for PB resins is in pipe with applications that include cold‐water service and cold‐ and hot‐ water plumbing. Some other pipe applications include well piping, heat‐pump piping, and fire‐sprinkler piping. The advantages of PB in pipe applications include flexibility, toughness, resistance to creep, environmental stress cracking, wet abrasion, and chemicals. PB can also be used in seals on containers and packages since it has the ability to peel with controllable force. Data are also given on specifications and analytical methods. 1‐Butene is flammable. It is not toxic at moderate concentrations, higher concentrations cause an anesthetic effect,
Poly(arylene sulfide)s
Authors: Hill H. Wayne , Brady D. G.
Published: May 2008

Poly(phenylene sulfide), PPS, was one of the first synthetic resins. Structurally, the polymer backbone of PPS is composed of a series of alternating aromatic rings and sulfur atoms. PPS resins were first reported as by‐products by Friedel and Crafts as early as 1888. In 1967, Phillips Petroleum Co. developed a new process for making these resins based on the reaction of
p
‐dichlorobenzene with sodium sulfide in a polar organic solvent. Phillips began its first production of Ryton PPS in 1973. Ryton is still marketed today by Chevron Phillips. PPS resins exhibit exceptional resistance to thermal degradation and high distortion temperatures, as well as outstanding chemical and flame resistance. PPS is used mainly for injection molding. Ryton compounds have been approved for applications where safety is of the utmost importance. Certain grades also comply with government regulations for contact with food. Fortron PPS (Ticona) was the first resins that could be used in melt‐blown nonwovens because of its inherent flame retardancy. PPS is used primarily in automotive applications. It is also used in the electrical and electronic fields and in appliances.
Polyetheretherketones
Authors: May Rennie
Published: May 2008

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was first produced in 1978 in the UK laboratories of Imperial Chemical Industries. The polymer initially was conceived as a high temperature‐resistant, tough cable‐insulation material. However, since commercialization of the polymer in 1981, the combination of ease of processing and excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties at high temperatures established PEEK as a general‐purpose molding and extrusion material in both natural and reinforced forms for high performance applications.

KetaSripe and AvaSpire from Solvay and Victrex PEEK from Victrex are the commercial products available. The conventional processability of PEEK has resulted in a wide range of modified products incorporating glass, carbon or particulate fillers. Typical industries using the polymers are electrical, automotive, aerospace, chemical, medical, and engineering plastics to name a few.
Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy
Authors: Dlubek Günter
Published: May 2008

Positron annihilation spectroscopy with its special methods of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), Doppler‐broadening of annihilation radiation, and angular correlation of annihilation radiation represents an important experimental tool for the study of the free volumes in amorphous and semicrystalline polymers. From PALS, the most important technique for the investigation of polymers and other molecular materials, the size distribution of subnanometer‐size local free volumes (holes) can be determined. The fundamentals and experimental techniques of this method for the investigation of bulk and near‐surface properties are outlined. Typical examples for the study of the temperature and pressure dependence of the free volume and the effect of chemical heterogeneities on PALS are presented.
Hydrogenation
Authors: Hahn Stephen F.
Published: May 2008

The hydrogenation of polymers is a widely practiced postpolymerization chemical modification reaction. The hydrogenation of polymers provides materials that are more thermally and oxidatively stable when compared with their precursor polymers. Hydrogenated polymers are a commercially important class of materials, particularly in the area of elastomeric systems. The chemistry required to bring about the hydrogenation of polymers has significant differences compared with similar reactions performed on small‐molecule substrates. Specific catalytic chemistry, with both heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts, has been developed for the hydrogenation of polymers. Chemical methods are also known that can conveniently hydrogenate a range of polymeric substrates. This article reviews the types of polymeric substrates that have been hydrogenated and their products, the use of these materials to advance the fundamental understanding of polymer structure/property relationships, and the synthetic methods and processes that have been developed to bring about polymeric hydrogenation.
Observation of early childhood physical aggression: a psychometric study of the system for coding early physical aggression
Authors: Mesman Judi , Alink Lenneke R.A. , van Zeijl Jantien , Stolk Mirjam N. , Bakermans‐Kranenburg Marian J. , van IJzendoorn Marinus H. , Juffer Femmie , Koot Hans M.
Published: May 2008

We investigated the reliability and (convergent and discriminant) validity of an observational measure of physical aggression in toddlers and preschoolers, originally developed by Keenan and Shaw [1994]. The observation instrument is based on a developmental definition of aggression. Physical aggression was observed twice in a laboratory setting, the first time when children were 1–3 years old, and again 1 year later. Observed physical aggression was significantly related to concurrent mother‐rated physical aggression for 2‐ to 4‐year‐olds, but not to maternal ratings of nonaggressive externalizing problems, indicating the measure's discriminant validity. However, we did not find significant 1‐year stability of observed physical aggression in any of the age groups, whereas mother‐rated physical aggression was significantly stable for all ages. The observational measure shows promise, but may have assessed state rather than trait aggression in our study. Aggr. Behav. 34:539–552. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lay knowledge of eyewitness issues: A Canadian evaluation
Authors: Read J. Don , Desmarais Sarah L.
Published: May 2008

Lay opinions concerning eyewitness topics were surveyed in three community samples of juror‐eligible participants in Canada. The scientific reliability of these topics had been previously evaluated by eyewitness experts. The first survey assessed participant responses to the identically worded expert items. Participants responded to many statements with greater accuracy than anticipated. Two subsequent surveys assessed the consistency of lay knowledge across variations in the directionality and wording of items and the provision of additional contextual information. Taken together, jury‐eligible participants frequently responded to survey items in ways that closely resembled the responses of experts and suggested awareness and understanding of these topics at levels beyond those previously obtained. Further, the provision of contextual information increased response accuracy and reduced the frequencies of ‘Don't Know’ responses. Deficiencies in knowledge for 50% of the topics were also apparent; however, these topics were frequently those for which the experts themselves had not reached consensus. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pictorial representations in statistical reasoning
Authors: Brase Gary L.
Published: May 2008

In an ongoing debate between two visions of statistical reasoning competency, ecological rationality proponents claim that pictorial representations help tap into the frequency coding mechanisms of the mind, whereas nested sets proponents argue that pictorial representations simply help one to appreciate general subset relationships. Advancing this knowledge into applied areas is hampered by this present disagreement. A series of experiments used Bayesian reasoning problems with different pictorial representations (Venn circles, iconic symbols and Venn circles with dots) to better understand influences on performance across these representation types. Results with various static and interactive presentations of pictures all indicate a consistent advantage for iconic representations. These results are more consistent with an ecological rationality view of how these pictorial representations achieve facilitation in statistical task performance and provide more specific guidance for applied uses. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
False memories for a robbery in young and older adults
Authors: Aizpurua Alaitz , Garcia‐Bajos Elvira , Migueles Malen
Published: May 2008

The aim of the present study was to analyse memory performance in young and older adults based on a robbery scenario. The study examined free recall and the recognition of actions, people and details, as well as the Remember/Know/Guess judgements that accompanied recognition. Recognition was evaluated both immediately and 1 week later, although performance was not affected by the retention interval. In the free recall task, the older adults remembered less information than the younger adults but we found no differences between the two with regard to errors. Participants accepted more false actions, thus achieving higher recognition accuracy for people and details. They also categorized false alarms for actions more often as remember than as know or guess judgements. This pattern of results was more pronounced in the older adults, suggesting that aging is an important factor in false memories for events. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anxiety and terrorism: Automatic stereotypes affect visual attention and recognition memory for White and Middle Eastern faces
Authors: Horry Ruth , Wright Daniel B.
Published: May 2008

Automatic stereotypes and emotional state can affect cognitive processes such as attention, perception, and memory. Two experiments were carried out to investigate whether anxiety and stereotypes of Middle Easterners influence attention and recognition memory in White participants. A dot‐probe procedure was used, with White and Middle Eastern faces as stimuli. The results showed that anxious participants who were exposed to terrorism‐related words showed a visual bias toward Middle Eastern faces, and were more accurate at recognizing both White and Middle Eastern faces. Non‐anxious participants, after exposure to the same primes, showed an attentional bias toward the White faces. Overall, participants were more accurate at recognizing the White faces than the Middle Eastern faces. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Planting false memories for childhood sexual abuse only happens to emotionally disturbed people… not me or my friends
Authors: Pezdek Kathy , Blandon‐Gitlin Iris
Published: May 2008

Pezdek et al. (2006) reported that although imagining a plausible event increased people's belief in the event, imagining an implausible event did not. In response, Rubin and Berntsen (2007) conducted a survey and reported that only 17.8% considered it implausible that someone ‘with longstanding emotional problems and a need for psychotherapy’ could be a victim of childhood sexual abuse and forget the abuse. We replicated but qualified their findings; perceptions of the plausibility of this event for (a) respondents themselves and (b) other people in their cohort were substantially lower than the perceived general plausibility reported by Rubin and Berntsen. These findings limit the generalizability of Rubin and Berntsen's results to perceptions of personal plausibility and cohort plausibility, even for individuals indicating that they are likely to seek psychotherapy. Consequently, the risk of inducing false memories in psychotherapy may not be a ‘substantial danger’ as Rubin and Berntsen suggest. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal degradation kinetics of calcium‐enriched bio‐oil
Authors: Xulai Yang , Jian Zhang , Xifeng Zhu
Published: May 2008

The thermal decomposition of calcium‐enriched bio‐oil (CEB) was studied in air by thermogravimetric experiments. The characteristics, to a great extent, are quite similar to that of calcium acetate (CA). The decomposition processes can be divided into four stages: the loss of volatile materials, devolatilization and degradation of pyrolytic lignin, decomposition of organic calcium salts and residual carbon, decomposition of CaCO3 to CaO. The activation energy values are lower than that of CA at the corresponding decomposition stages. The CaCO3 from amorphous CEBs exhibits the higher calcination rate than that from CA. The actual mechanisms of the second and the third stages obey the nucleation and growth model (A1), with integral form of F(α) = −ln(1 − α). The high‐porosity of calcined CEBs should be the further evidence of the mechanism. Correspondingly, the mechanism of the fourth stage obeys three‐dimensional (3‐D) phase boundary reaction (R3) mechanism with integral form of F(α) = 1−(1 − α)1/3. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Premix membrane emulsification by using a packed layer of glass beads
Authors: van der Zwan E. A. , Schroën C. G. P. H. , Boom R. M.
Published: May 2008

Premix membrane emulsification is a very efficient process. Its prime disadvantage, depth fouling of the pores, could be avoided by using instead of a membrane, a packed layer of small particles, that can be resuspended and cleaned in suspension after emulsification. The effectiveness of emulsification with this system was measured. The energy density approach was extended to predict the droplet size as a function of pressure drop, bed height, and number of passes. Three different extensions to the model were compared, and a reasonable description was found for the resulting droplet size in all the experiments (167) for a four‐parameter model. It is expected that the function derived can be helpful to describe conventional membrane homogenization, since a first comparison showed that the data obtained with the particle bed are similar to those obtained in literature with membranes. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Solid–liquid phase behavior of ternary mixtures
Authors: Attwood Brian C. , Hall Carol K.
Published: May 2008

The Gibbs Duhem integration technique is extended to calculate ternary phase diagrams at constant temperature and pressure. The technique is used to calculate solid–liquid–vapor phase equilibria for a system selected to roughly model a mixture of two diastereomeric molecules of similar melting point and diameter immersed in a solvent with a lower melting point and a slightly smaller diameter. The cross‐species well‐depth and diameter between the two diastereomers are varied to determine their impact on the phase equilibria. We find that when the interspecies well‐depth is lowered to less than that of either of the diastereomers, the solid phase separates into two solid solutions and consequently there is a region of three‐phase coexistence in the ternary phase diagram. We then calculate ternary phase diagrams at a series of temperatures for one set of molecular parameters. For an equimolar mixture of diastereomers, there is a range of temperature and solvent concentration at which only one of the diastereomers will precipitate, thus effecting a separation of the diastereomers. As the temperature is decreased the purity of the precipitate increases. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Large eddy simulation of the gas–liquid flow in a stirred tank
Authors: Zhang Yanhong , Yang Chao , Mao Zai‐Sha
Published: May 2008

Both the large eddy simulation (LES) technique and the k‐ε turbulent model were used to simulate the gas‐liquid turbulent flow in a stirred tank driven by a Rushton impeller. A Eulerian‐Eulerian two‐fluid model for gas–liquid two‐phase flow was developed using the large eddy simulation for both gas and liquid phases. The relative movement of the rotating impeller to the static baffles was accounted for through the improved inner‐outer iterative algorithm. The spatial discretization of the governing equations was performed on a cylindrical staggered grid. For the LES, a conventional Smagorinsky sub‐grid model was adapted to modeling the turbulence of the liquid phase. The momentum and continuity equations were discretized using the finite difference method, with a third order QUICK (Quadratic Upwind Interpolation for Convective Kinematics) scheme used for convective terms. The phase‐resolved predictions of the LES were compared with the experimental data and the simulation results by the standard k‐ε model, suggesting that the LES has much better accuracy than the k‐ε model. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Toward an epistemology ofWikipedia
Authors: Fallis Don
Published: May 2008

Wikipedia(the “free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit”) is having a huge impact on how a great many people gather information about the world. So, it is important for epistemologists and information scientists to ask whether people are likely to acquire knowledge as a result of having access to this information source. In other words, is Wikipedia having goodepistemicconsequences? After surveying the various concerns that have been raised about the reliability of Wikipedia, this article argues that the epistemic consequences of people using Wikipedia as a source of information are likely to be quite good. According to several empirical studies, the reliability of Wikipedia compares favorably to the reliability of traditional encyclopedias. Furthermore, the reliability of Wikipedia compares even more favorably to the reliability of those information sources that people would be likely to use if Wikipedia did not exist (viz., Web sites that are as freely and easily accessible as Wikipedia). In addition, Wikipedia has a number of other epistemic virtues (e.g., power, speed, and fecundity) that arguably outweigh any deficiency in terms of reliability. Even so, epistemologists and information scientists should certainly be trying to identify changes (or alternatives) to Wikipedia that will bring about even better epistemic consequences. This article suggests that to improve Wikipedia, we need to clarify what our epistemic values are and to better understand why Wikipedia works as well as it does.

Somebody who reads Wikipedia is “rather in the position of a visitor to a public restroom,” says Mr. McHenry, Britannica's former editor. “It may be obviously dirty, so that he knows to exercise great care, or it may seem fairly clean, so that he may be lulled into a false sense of security. What he certainly does not know is who has used the facilities before him.” One wonders whether people like Mr. McHenry would prefer there to be no public lavatories at all.

The Economist(Vol. 379, April 22, 2006, pp. 14–15)
Appropriate similarity measures for author co‐citation analysis
Authors: van Eck Nees Jan , Waltman Ludo
Published: May 2008

We provide in this article a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author co‐citation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors' co‐citation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well‐known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. We show by means of an example that the choice of an appropriate similarity measure has a high practical relevance. Finally, we discuss the use of similarity measures for statistical inference.
Gaussian copula under multiscale volatility
Authors: Xu Yongqing , Song Liping
Published: May 2008

A copula is a multidimensional joint distribution function on random variables with uniform distribution. Gaussian copula is a special kind of copula that is widely applied in the study of financial markets. Although it is a very popular tool, Gaussian copula has an obvious shortcoming—it cannot show the tail dependence, which is an important property of the copula. The essence of tail dependence is the interdependence when the extreme events occur. Fouque and Zhou (Perturbed Gaussian copula. 2006; submitted) have discussed perturbed Gaussian copula under one stochastic volatility factor with a fast scale, and they used singular perturbation techniques to derive an approximate copula. Our work can be treated as the generalization and extension of the work of Fouque and Zhou (Perturbed Gaussian copula. 2006; submitted). In our paper, we will investigate the problem where the volatilities of goal variables are driven by two random variables, namely, it is a multiscale volatility model. In the model, we use a fast mean reverting Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process to depict the first scale, and a slow varying diffusion process to depict the second scale. We also use the regular and singular perturbation methods developed in the work of Fouque et al. (Multiscale Model. Simul. 2003; 2(1):22–42) to derive the approximate copula. We show that some tail dependence can be restored by Gaussian copula under multiscale stochastic volatility. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enzymatic stability of 2′‐ethylcarbonate‐linked paclitaxel in serum and conversion to paclitaxel by rabbit liver carboxylesterase for use in prodrug/enzyme therapy
Authors: Tanino Tadatoshi , Nawa Akihiro , Miki Yasuyoshi , Iwaki Masahiro
Published: May 2008

In prodrug/enzyme therapy for cancer, information on the sensitivity of hydrolytic enzymes to prodrug is required to reduce adverse effects of the parental drug and to find the activating enzyme. The aim of this study was to characterize the enzymatic stability of 2′‐ethylcarbonate‐linked paclitaxel (TAX‐2′‐Et) in the sera of several different species including humans. TAX‐2′‐Et disposition in serum was kinetically analysed using models with hydrolytic and/or degradation processes. To further evaluate the capability of liver carboxylesterases (CESs) in TAX‐2′‐Et hydrolysis, a CES isolated from rabbit liver (Ra‐CES) was utilized as a model enzyme. Rat serum provided rapid enzymatic hydrolysis of TAX‐2′‐Et with a half‐life of 4 min. The degradation of paclitaxel (TAX) (degradation rate constant, 0.16 h−1) was accompanied by the formation of an unknown compound. The conversion to TAX was almost completely inhibited by phenylmethyl sulfonylfluoride (PMSF) and bis(p‐nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP). In human and rabbit sera, the degradation rate constant of TAX‐2′‐Et was 5.1 × 10−2 and 0.15 h−1, respectively, when excepting hydrolysis. The degradation products had the same molecular weight as TAX‐2′‐Et. The amount of TAX produced accounted for only 8–11% of the decrease in TAX‐2′‐Et after a 9 h exposure to rabbit or human serum. PMSF, but not BNPP, inhibited more than 90% of the TAX production in a 1.5 h incubation with human or rabbit serum. Ra‐CES enzyme converted TAX‐2′‐Et to TAX with Vmax and Km of 74.7±13.8 nmol/min/mg protein and 8.8±2.8 µM, respectively. These results indicate that TAX‐2′‐Et is sensitive to serum CESs, but not cholinesterases. However, serum CESs show species‐dependent hydrolysis of TAX‐2′‐Et. Although human serum allows the slow release of TAX, TAX‐2′‐Et is expected to reduce the side‐effects of TAX. The Ra‐CES enzyme is capable of hydrolysing TAX‐2′‐Et, which may be beneficial for the development of a TAX‐2′‐Et/enzyme therapy strategy for ovarian cancer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prospective matched-pair comparison of outcome after treatment for lobular and ductal breast carcinoma
Authors: Ní Mhuircheartaigh J , Curran C , Hennessy E , Kerin M J
Published: May 2008

Background

Whether the prognosis of invasive lobular carcinoma is different from that of other invasive breast cancers is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome in age- and stage-matched patients with lobular carcinoma and those with invasive breast cancer, and in particular to compare predictors of outcome.

Methods

Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database that included patients who had breast surgery for invasive cancer. Patients were matched for International Union Against Cancer stage and age at diagnosis within 5 years. Two patients with invasive ductal carcinoma were matched to each patient with invasive lobular carcinoma.

Results

There was no significant difference between invasive ductal and lobular carcinomas in terms of overall survival. Oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive invasive ductal carcinoma had a better prognosis than ER-positive invasive lobular carcinoma (P = 0·011). Similarly, ER-negative invasive ductal carcinoma was associated with worse survival than ER-negative invasive lobular carcinoma (P = 0·054).

Conclusion

These results suggested that the differences in outcome between invasive ductal and lobular carcinomas may be determined by ER status.
Quantitative and individualized assessment of the learning curve using LC-CUSUM
Authors: Biau D J , Williams S M , Schlup M M , Nizard R S , Porcher R
Published: May 2008

Background

Current methods available for assessing the learning curve, such as a predefined number of procedures or direct observation by a tutor, are unsatisfactory. A new tool, the cumulative summation test for learning curve (LC-CUSUM), has been developed that allows quantitative and individual assessment of the learning curve.

Methods

Some 532 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) performed by one endoscopist over 8 years were analysed retrospectively using LC-CUSUM to assess the learning curve. The procedure was new to the endoscopist and monitored prospectively in the initial study. Success of the procedure was defined as cannulation and proper visualization of the duct(s) selected before the examination.

Results

Fifty ERCPs were considered unsuccessful. There was a gradual improvement in performance over time from a success rate of 82·0 per cent for the first 100 procedures to 96·1 per cent for the last 129 procedures. The LC-CUSUM signalled at the 79th procedure, indicating that sufficient evidence had accumulated to prove that the endoscopist was competent.

Conclusion

LC-CUSUM allows quantitative monitoring of individual performance during the learning process.
Treatment of acute limb ischemia with a percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy‐based endovascular approach: 5‐year limb salvage and survival results from a single center series
Authors: Ansel Gary M. , Botti Charles F. , Silver Mitchell J.
Published: May 2008

Objectives: The study evaluated long‐term limb salvage and survival of an endovascular approach that incorporates mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) in the management of arterial thrombosis. Background: Acute limb ischemia is associated with a high risk of amputation and death. Previous reports from the United States (U.S.) of surgical and nonsurgical treatments are limited to primarily 30 days to 1 year. Methods: Single‐center, retrospective review of 57 consecutive patients (30 male, 27 female; mean age 63.8 ± 13.8 years) treated for limb threatening ischemia due to thrombotic arterial occlusions. Data includes baseline assessments, procedural outcomes, in‐hospital complications, 30‐day, and long‐term follow‐up. Results: Ninety‐three percent of patients (n = 53) presented with onset of symptoms (<14 days). Angiography following PMT showed thrombus removal complete/substantial 36 (63.6%), partial 16 (28.0%), and minimal 5 (8.8%), respectively. Catheter‐directed thrombolysis was used after PMT in 18 patients (31.6%). In‐hospital success with limb salvage was attained in 96.5% (n = 55) with mortality of 3.5% (n = 2). Thirty‐day limb salvage and mortality were 94.7% (n = 54) and 5.3% (n = 3), respectively. At mean 5‐year follow‐up (mean = 62 months), three patients have been lost to follow‐up. The results of 54/57 (94.7%) are available. Amputation free survival was 94.7% (n = 36/38) with long‐term mortality rate of 29.6% (n = 16/54). Conclusions: Acute limb ischemia treated with PMT alone or in combination with thrombolysis, followed by definitive therapy, results in favorable long‐term limb salvage. Allowing for appreciable long‐term mortality in vascular patients, survivors demonstrate amputation‐free success from the initial endovascular procedure with low reintervention rate. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
One year perspective on COURAGE
Authors: Tommaso Carl L.
Published: May 2008

Doctor: “Ma'am you need an angioplasty”

Patient: “Doctor, the newspaper says that medicine is as good as angioplasty”

Doctor: “Ma'am you're having a heart attack”

The COURAGE trial was published 1 year ago and received attention from the media, patients, and other medical specialties concerning the value of percutaneous coronary intervention. Now, 1 year later there has been time to reflect on COURAGE, and some newer data have emerged. The purpose of this article is to put into perspective the issues surrounding the COURAGE trial and suggest different approaches for future trials of stable coronary artery disease. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Amplatzer vascular plug closure of a Blalock–Taussig shunt through a Glenn shunt
Authors: Ramakrishnan S. , Kothari Shyam S.
Published: May 2008

We describe an unusual route and uncommon device use for the percutaneous closure of a modified Blalock–Taussig (BT) shunt. A 4‐year‐old male had presented with severe upper body swelling after a bidirectional Glenn shunt done one month earlier. The BT shunt which was clipped during the surgery was found to be patent. The BT shunt was finally closed from the bidirectional Glenn using an Amplatzer vascular plug, resulting in symptom relief. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percutaneous saphenous vein graft intervention with sequential embolic protection devices: Complementing lesion anatomy with embolic protection device
Authors: Grow Parker , Rab S. Tanveer
Published: May 2008

Saphenous vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) carries unique technical challenges requiring the utilization of embolic protection devices (EPDs) to reduce the adverse events associated with distal embolization. Distal embolization is a common and almost ubiquitous consequence of SVG PCI due to the soft and friable nature of the SVG lesions. We describe a case of revascularizing a SVG with tandem stenoses employing the use of two different EPDs that complemented their respective lesion's location within the SVG. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Usefulness of subcutaneous nitrate for radial access
Authors: Ouadhour Anissa , Sideris Georgios , Smida Walid , Logeart Damien , Stratiev Victor , Henry Patrick
Published: May 2008

Objectives: We made the hypothesis that adjunction of nitrate to lidocaine for local anesthesia may facilitate accessibility of radial access. Background: Transradial approach is associated with a clear decrease in the rate of access bleeding when compared with femoral approach. The diffusion of this technique remains limited due to the small size and the spastic profile of this artery. Methods: Eighty‐four consecutive patients undergoing coronary procedures using radial approach were randomly assigned between two types of local anesthesia (double blind): 5 ml lidocaine (group L)—5 ml lidocaine + 0.5 mg dinitrate isosorbide (group LN). The primary endpoint was the duration of radial puncture (from beginning of local anesthesia to sheath insertion) and the total number of punctures. Results: Sixty‐two men and 22 women (mean age 59 ± 8 y.o.) were included. Mean ± SEM access duration was 3:33 ± 3:11 min in group L when compared with 2:26 ± 1:20 min in group LN (P < 0.05). Mean number of puncture was 1.50 ± 1.0 in group L when compared with 1.16 ± 0.5 in group LN (P = 0.05). There were no differences between two groups concerning pain score during anesthesia and sheath insertion. There was no difference between two groups concerning the rate of hypotensive and vagal reactions. Radial spasm occurred in four patients in group L and only one in the group LN. Conclusion: Local anesthesia using lidocaine plus nitrate is feasible and improves the accessibility of radial access. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The spindle function of CDCA4
Authors: Wang Limin , Zhu Guixin , Yang Dong , Li Qianyi , Li Yongzhe , Xu Xingzhi , He Dacheng , Zeng Changqing
Published: May 2008

In an attempt to discover novel proteins functioning in both interphase nucleus and mitotic spindle as NuMA does, we carried out cDNA library screening with pooled autoimmune antibodies. Among positive clones we found a recently identified transcription regulatory protein (CDCA4) with the distinctive nuclear‐mitotic apparatus distribution. CDCA4 localizes at metaphase spindle poles and the midzone in later stages. Additionally, an intensive CDCA4 accumulation parallel to spindle was observed in half of metaphase cells but not in later stages, implying a transient form of CDCA4 binding to midzone from anaphase. Mitotic arrest dissolved CDCA4 from centrosomes but during the spindle recovery, CDCA4 invariably colocalized with the microtubule nucleation foci as a component of microtubule organization center. RNA interference of CDCA4 resulted in significant increase of multinuclei and multipolar spindles, suggesting impaired function in chromosome segregation or cytokinesis. However, the spindle checkpoint and the centrosome cycle appeared not to be affected by such interference. Furthermore, CDCA4 depletion resulted in accelerated cell proliferation, perhaps due to the disruption of CDCA4 nuclear function as a transcription suppressor. Interphase CDCA4 is localized in nucleoli by immunofluorescence, although GFP‐CDCA4 expressed in the nucleoplasm. An N‐terminal KRKC domain appears to be the nuclear localization signal as identified by sequence alignment and the expression of truncated mutants. Taken together, our results suggested that as a novel nuclearmitotic apparatus protein, CDCA4 is involved in spindle organization from prometaphase. When anaphase begins, CDCA4 may play a different role as a midzone factor involved in chromosome segregation or cytokinesis. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic model of one‐cycle control for converters operating in continuous and discontinuous conduction modes
Authors: Femia N. , Fortunato M. , Petrone G. , Spagnuolo G. , Vitelli M.
Published: May 2008

In this paper a new dynamic model of one‐cycle‐controlled converters operating either in continuous or in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) is introduced. The static and dynamic behaviour is analysed by using sampled‐data modelling combined with the small‐signal linearization of the average model of the converter's power stage. The proposed model is valid for frequencies up to half the switching frequency and, while the other dynamic models presented in the literature cover continuous conduction mode only, it also gives an accurate prediction of the system's dynamic behaviour in the DCM. The model allows to determine the closed‐form expression of the reference‐to‐output transfer functionGof the system, which is a fundamental prerequisite for the design of a conventional output feedback control circuit aimed at improving the dynamic behaviour of the system in response to load variations.

In this paper it is also shown that one‐cycle control does not work properly in switching converters operating in deep DCM if some specific design constraints are not fulfilled.

The theoretical predictions are confirmed by the results of suitable numerical simulations and laboratory experiments on a one‐cycle‐controlled buck‐switching converter. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HDAC4 inhibits cell‐cycle progression and protects neurons from cell death
Authors: Majdzadeh Nazanin , Wang Lulu , Morrison Brad E. , Bassel‐Duby Rhonda , Olson Eric N. , D'Mello Santosh R.
Published: May 2008

HDAC4 is a Class II histone deacetylase (HDAC) that is highly expressed in the brain, but whose functional significance in the brain is not known. We show that forced expression of HDAC4 in cerebellar granule neurons protects them against low potassium‐induced apoptosis. HDAC4 also protects HT22 neuroblastoma cells from death induced by oxidative stress. HDAC4‐mediated neuroprotection does not require its HDAC catalytic domain and cannot be inhibited by chemical inhibitors of HDACs. Neuroprotection by HDAC4 also does not require the Raf‐MEK‐ERK or the PI‐3 kinase‐Akt signaling pathways and occurs despite the activation of c‐jun, an event that is generally believed to condemn neurons to die. The protective action of HDAC4 occurs in the nucleus and is mediated by a region that contains the nuclear localization signal. HDAC4 inhibits the activity of cyclin‐dependent kinase‐1 (CDK1) and the progression of proliferating HEK293T and HT22 cells through the cell cycle. Mice‐lacking HDAC4 have elevated CDK1 activity and display cerebellar abnormalities including a progressive loss of Purkinje neurons postnatally in posterior lobes. Surviving Purkinje neurons in these lobes have duplicated soma. Furthermore, large numbers of cells within these affected lobes incorporate BrdU, indicating cell‐cycle progression. These abnormalities along with the ability of HDAC4 to inhibit CDK1 and cell‐cycle progression in cultured cells suggest that neuroprotection by HDAC4 is mediated by preventing abortive cell‐cycle progression. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.
Distribution of glial‐associated proteins in the developing chick auditory brainstem
Authors: Korn Matthew J. , Cramer Karina S.
Published: May 2008

In the avian brainstem, nucleus magnocellularis (NM) projects bilaterally to nucleus laminaris (NL) in a pathway that facilitates sound localization. The distribution of glia during the development of this pathway has not previously been characterized. Radial glia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes facilitate many processes including axon pathfinding, synaptic development, and maturation. Here we determined the spatiotemporal expression patterns of glial cell types in embryonic development of the chick auditory brainstem using glial‐specific antibodies and histological markers. We found that vimentin‐positive processes are intercalated throughout the NL cell layer. Astrocytes are found in two domains: one in the ventral neuropil region and the other dorsolateral to NM. GFAP‐positive processes are primarily distributed along the ventral margin of NL. Astrocytic processes penetrate the NL cell layer following the onset of synaptogenesis, but before pruning and maturation. The dynamic, nonoverlapping expression patterns of GFAP and vimentin suggest that distinct glial populations are found in dorsal versus ventral regions of NL. Myelination occurs after axons have reached their targets. FluoroMyelin and myelin basic protein (MBP) gradually increase along the mediolateral axis of NL starting at E10. Multiple GFAP‐positive processes are directly apposed to NM‐NL axons and MBP, which suggests a role in early myelinogenesis. Our results show considerable changes in glial development after initial NM‐NL connections are made, suggesting that glia may facilitate maturation of the auditory circuit. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.