bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network analysis of resting state EEG in the developing young brain: Structure comes with maturation
Authors: Boersma Maria , Smit Dirk J.A. , de Bie Henrica M.A. , Van Baal G. Caroline M. , Boomsma Dorret I. , de Geus Eco J.C. , Delemarre‐van de Waal Henriette A. , Stam Cornelis J.
Published: May 2010

During childhood, brain structure and function changes substantially. Recently, graph theory has been introduced to model connectivity in the brain. Small‐world networks, such as the brain, combine optimal properties of both ordered and random networks, i.e., high clustering and short path lengths. We used graph theoretical concepts to examine changes in functional brain networks during normal development in young children. Resting‐state eyes‐closed electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded (14 channels) from 227 children twice at 5 and 7 years of age. Synchronization likelihood (SL) was calculated in three different frequency bands and between each pair of electrodes to obtain SL‐weighted graphs. Mean normalized clustering index, average path length and weight dispersion were calculated to characterize network organization. Repeated measures analysis of variance tested for time and gender effects. For all frequency bands mean SL decreased from 5 to 7 years. Clustering coefficient increased in the alpha band. Path length increased in all frequency bands. Mean normalized weight dispersion decreased in beta band. Girls showed higher synchronization for all frequency bands and a higher mean clustering in alpha and beta bands. The overall decrease in functional connectivity (SL) might reflect pruning of unused synapses and preservation of strong connections resulting in more cost‐effective networks. Accordingly, we found increases in average clustering and path length and decreased weight dispersion indicating that normal brain maturation is characterized by a shift from random to more organized small‐world functional networks. This developmental process is influenced by gender differences early in development. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improving the interpretability of all‐to‐all pairwise source connectivity analysis in MEG with nonhomogeneous smoothing
Authors: Schoffelen Jan‐Mathijs , Gross Joachim
Published: May 2010

Studying the interaction between brain regions is important to increase our understanding of brain function. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is well suited to investigate brain connectivity, because it provides measurements of activity of the whole brain at very high temporal resolution. Typically, brain activity is reconstructed from the sensor recordings with an inverse method such as a beamformer, and subsequently a connectivity metric is estimated between predefined reference regions‐of‐interest (ROIs) and the rest of the source space. Unfortunately, this approach relies on a robust estimate of the relevant reference regions and on a robust estimate of the activity in those reference regions, and is not generally applicable to a wide variety of cognitive paradigms. Here, we investigate the possibility to perform all‐to‐all pairwise connectivity analysis, thus removing the need to define ROIs. Particularly, we evaluate the effect of nonhomogeneous spatial smoothing of differential connectivity maps. This approach is inspired by the fact that the spatial resolution of source reconstructions is typically spatially nonhomogeneous. We use this property to reduce the spatial noise in the cerebro‐cerebral connectivity map, thus improving interpretability. Using extensive data simulations we show a superior detection rate and a substantial reduction in the number of spurious connections. We conclude that nonhomogeneous spatial smoothing of cerebro‐cerebral connectivity maps could be an important improvement of the existing analysis tools to study neuronal interactions noninvasively. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stewardship of the Spanish National Health System
Authors: Bankauskaite Vaida , Novinskey Christina M.
Published: May 2010

Along with resource generation, financing, and health service delivery, stewardship is a key health system function. However, very little empirical analysis has been carried out on it. This paper aims to fill this gap in the literature by assessing the Ministry of Health's (MoHs) role as a steward of the Spanish National Health System (NHS) after the 2001 decentralization reform of health care management to the Autonomous Communities. We use the following stewardship framework with six sub‐functions for the analysis, looking at the MoH's ability to: (1) formulate strategic policy framework; 2) ensure a fit between policy objectives and organizational structure and culture; (3) ensure tools for implementation; (4) build coalitions and partnerships; (5) generate intelligence, and (6) ensure accountability. We describe the stewardship function, identify existing challenges and issues in the Spanish case, and reflect upon methodological aspects of this exercise. We use reports, documents, articles, and official statistics to complete the analysis. Overall, we find the MoH to give an average performance in its role as the steward of the health system. The MoH has progressed particularly well in generating intelligence as well as formulating a strategic policy framework over recent years. However, it lacks the appropriate authority to efficiently coordinate the health system and to ensure that the Autonomous Communities implement policies that are in‐line with overall NHS objectives. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meta‐analysis of observational studies of serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels and colorectal, breast and prostate cancer and colorectal adenoma
Authors: Gandini Sara , Boniol Mathieu , Haukka Jari , Byrnes Graham , Cox Brian , Sneyd Mary Jane , Mullie Patrick , Autier Philippe
Published: May 2010

Epidemiological studies have suggested a reduced risk of several cancers associated with high vitamin D status. We performed a systematic review with meta‐analyses of observational studies of serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level and colorectal, breast and prostate cancer and colonic adenoma. The literature of December 2009 was searched without language restriction. The meta‐regression analysis was done to compute dose‐response effects. Because in case‐control studies, serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level is measured after the diagnosis of cancer, separate analyses for case‐control and prospective studies were done. We identified 35 independent studies. The seven studies on colorectal adenomas were heterogeneous in terms of endpoint and control for major confounding factors, and we did not perform a meta‐analysis of these data. The summary relative risk (SRR) and (95% confidence interval) for a 10 ng/ml increase in serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D was 0.85 (0.79; 0.91) for colorectal cancer (2,630 cases in 9 studies); 0.89 (0.81;0.98) for breast cancer (6,175 cases in 10 studies); and 0.99 (0.95;1.03) for prostate cancer (3,956 cases in 11 studies). For breast cancer, case‐control studies (3,030 cases) had major limitations and obtained SRR of 0.83 (0.79; 0.87) whereas SRR of prospective studies (3,145 cases) was 0.97 (0.92; 1.03). For colorectal and breast cancer, differences between cases and controls in the season of blood draw or in overweight/obesity or physical inactivity could not explain the results. In conclusion, a consistent inverse relationship between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels and colorectal cancer was found. No association was found for breast and prostate cancer.
Mesenchymal stem cells enhance growth and metastasis of colon cancer
Authors: Shinagawa Kei , Kitadai Yasuhiko , Tanaka Miwako , Sumida Tomonori , Kodama Michiyo , Higashi Yukihito , Tanaka Shinji , Yasui Wataru , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: May 2010

Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were reported to migrate to tumor stroma as well as injured tissue. We examined the role of human MSCs in tumor stroma using an orthotopic nude mice model of KM12SM colon cancer. In in vivo experiments, systemically injected MSCs migrated to the stroma of orthotopic colon tumors and metastatic liver tumors. Orthotopic transplantation of KM12SM cells mixed with MSCs resulted in greater tumor weight than did transplantation of KM12SM cells alone. The survival rate was significantly lower in the mixed‐cell group, and liver metastasis was seen only in this group. Moreover, tumors resulting from transplantation of mixed cells had a significantly higher proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index, significantly greater microvessel area and significantly lower apoptotic index. Splenic injection of KM12SM cells mixed with MSCs, in comparison to splenic injection of KM12SM cells alone, resulted in a significantly greater number of liver metastases. MSCs incorporated into the stroma of primary and metastatic tumors expressed α‐smooth muscle actin and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐β as carcinoma‐associated fibroblast (CAF) markers. In in vitro experiments, KM12SM cells recruited MSCs, and MSCs stimulated migration and invasion of tumor cells through the release of soluble factors. Collectively, MSCs migrate and differentiate into CAFs in tumor stroma, and they promote growth and metastasis of colon cancer by enhancing angiogenesis, migration and invasion and by inhibiting apoptosis of tumor cells.
NF‐κ B‐dependent upregulation of ICAM‐1 by HPV16‐E6/E7 facilitates NK cell/target cell interaction
Authors: Textor Sonja , Accardi Rosita , Havlova Tereza , Hussain Ishraq , Sylla Bakary S. , Gissmann Lutz , Cerwenka Adelheid
Published: May 2010

NK cell recognition of tumor cells is mediated by a delicate balance of signals received by MHC class I‐binding inhibitory NK cell receptors and activating NK cell receptors, which mainly bind to virus‐, stress‐ or tumor‐induced ligands. In addition, adhesion molecules such as the intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and its receptors, the lymphocyte function‐associated antigen‐1 (LFA‐1) and Mac‐1, are crucial for immune synapse formation and NK cell‐mediated killing. In this study, we show that expression of the adhesion molecule ICAM‐1 was rapidly induced by E6 and ‐E7 oncoproteins of HPV16, ‐18, ‐5 and ‐8, but not of HPV38 and ‐6 in primary human keratinocytes after retroviral transduction. ICAM‐1 was upregulated in E6E7‐expressing keratinocytes both at mRNA and protein levels. The observed ICAM‐1 upregulation in HPV16‐E6E7‐expressing keratinocytes was partially dependent on activation of the NF‐κB pathway. Importantly, the upregulated ICAM‐1 expression in HPV16‐E6E7‐expressing keratinocytes led to enhanced conjugate formation with NK cells. We previously showed that HPV16‐positive cervical carcinomas frequently express low levels of inhibitory NK cell ligands and high levels of activating NK cell ligands. Moreover, levels of the adhesion molecule ICAM‐1 are enhanced by HPV16‐E6/E7. Therefore, strategies that aim at harnessing NK cells might be beneficial for the treatment of cervical carcinoma.
A high‐performance parallel‐generalized born implementation enabled by tabulated interaction rescaling
Authors: Larsson Per , Lindahl Erik
Published: May 2010

Implicit solvent representations, in general, and generalized Born models, in particular, provide an attractive way to reduce the number of interactions and degrees of freedom in a system. The instantaneous relaxation of the dielectric shielding provided by an implicit solvent model can be extremely efficient for high‐throughput and Monte Carlo studies, and a reduced system size can also remove a lot of statistical noise. Despite these advantages, it has been difficult for generalized Born implementations to significantly outperform optimized explicit‐water simulations due to more complex functional forms and the two extra interaction stages necessary to calculate Born radii and the derivative chain rule terms contributing to the force. Here, we present a method that uses a rescaling transformation to make the standard generalized Born expression a function of a single variable, which enables an efficient tabulated implementation on any modern CPU hardware. The total performance is within a factor 2 of simulations in vacuo. The algorithm has been implemented in Gromacs, including single‐instruction multiple‐data acceleration, for three different Born radius models and corresponding chain rule terms. We have also adapted the model to work with the virtual interaction sites commonly used for hydrogens to enable long‐time steps, which makes it possible to achieve a simulation performance of 0.86 μs/day for BBA5 with 1‐nm cutoff on a single quad‐core desktop processor. Finally, we have also implemented a set of streaming kernels without neighborlists to accelerate the non‐cutoff setup occasionally used for implicit solvent simulations of small systems. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
A highly efficient polymer‐anchored palladium(II) complex catalyst for hydrogenation, Heck cross‐coupling and cyanation reactions
Authors: Islam S.M. , Mondal Paramita , Tuhina Kazi , Roy Anupam Singha
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND: Precise architectures of steric and electronic properties of palladium species play a crucial role in designing highly functionalized catalyst systems responsible for target organic transformations. Pd catalysts supported on polymer materials have been employed extensively as catalysts not only for hydrogenation but also for coupling reactions in the production of fine chemicals.

RESULTS: A new polymer‐anchored Pd(II) complex has been synthesized and characterized. The catalyst shows high catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of styrene oxide, Heck cross‐coupling and cyanation reactions of aryl halides. The effect of various reaction parameters were investigated to optimize reaction conditions. The catalytic system shows good activity in the hydrogenation of styrene oxide (conversion 98%) with a selectivity to 2‐phenylethanol (93%) which is higher than its homogeneous analogues. The catalyst also exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the Heck cross‐coupling and cyanation reactions of various substituted and non‐substituted aryl halides.

CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate that the catalyst is robust and stable and can be recovered quantitatively by simple filtration and reused several times without loss of activity. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Recovery and preservation of phenols from olive waste in ethanolic extracts
Authors: Galanakis Charis M. , Tornberg Eva , Gekas Vassilis
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND: The current trend of upgrading undervalued agricultural by‐products involves the recovery of natural antioxidants. The purpose of this study was to recover phenols from fresh olive mill wastewater (OMW) with their dispersion in 85 mL ethanol per 100 mL and to investigate the effect of processing parameters on the phenol content and antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Moreover, all these characteristics were monitored over a period of 18 weeks in order to examine their preservation inside the ethanolic medium.

RESULTS: Extraction time (30–120 min) was not critical for the process, while a pre‐treatment step with the addition of ethanol in lower concentrations (20 mL per 100 mL or less) seems to affect negatively the recovery of the phenols in the final (85 mL per 100 mL) ethanolic medium. A pre‐heating step of OMW at 50–60 °C as well as 80 °C resulted in reduction of the phenol concentrations and antioxidant activities of the extracts, probably due to the generation of enzymatic and non‐enzymatic reactions, respectively. Nevertheless, extracts from the heat treated samples generally preserved their phenol characteristics as well as ferric ions reduction ability and indeed increased their radical scavenging activity during storage.

CONCLUSION: Extraction of the phenols was mainly governed by their solubilization in the hydro‐ethanolic mixture as well as the thermal pre‐treatment of OMW. Results can be utilized to optimize the recovery and preservation of phenols from OMW in hydro‐ethanolic mixtures. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
UV‐reflecting wing scales in the silk moth Antheraea assamensis: Its biophysical implications
Authors: Dey Sudip , Singh Surendra , Dey Samrat , Chaudhury Sudipto , Chakraborty Rahul , Hooroo R.N.K. , Sharma D.K.
Published: May 2010

Scanning electron microcopy of the wing scales from some specific locations in the silk moth, Antheraea assamensis, revealed the presence of 50–60‐nm‐thick microridges and 80‐nm‐thick air spaces between them. The principle of optics suggests that when the measured average thickness of microridges or lamellae is about 50–60 nm, that of the air‐space between them is about 80–82 nm, then due to the known refractive index of air (1.0) and the infrared refractive index of lamellar cuticle (1.60), the lamellae (microridges) and the intervening lamellar air spaces will have similar optical thickness. A common optical thickness for the two types of layers causes the microridge structures to function in the fashion of a quarter wavelength interference filter and to reflect UV light. Behavioral studies under the natural conditions and short experimental exposure of the moths to artificial UV light suggests that coupling behavior of the moth is governed to a significant extent by these UV‐reflecting wing scales. The importance of the study in overcoming a major problem of low autocoupling efficiency of moths in the Muga Silk Industry is discussed with the help of relevant literature. Microsc. Res. Tech. 74:28‐35, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The long‐lived monsoon depressions of 2006 and their linkage with the Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Krishnan R. , Ayantika D. C. , Kumar Vinay , Pokhrel Samir
Published: May 2010

A highlight of the 2006 boreal summer monsoon season was the enhanced activity of long‐lived monsoon depressions and low‐pressure systems (LPS) over the Indian region. Another important phenomenon during this period was the evolution of a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (PIOD) event. Although previous studies have investigated the impact of PIOD on the large‐scale monsoon response, their influence on monsoon LPS activity is not well understood. Based on detailed diagnostic analyses of monsoon LPS during 2006, as well as those associated with other PIOD events during 1958–2007, the present work addresses two specific issues concerning the roles of (a) PIOD‐induced large‐scale circulation changes and (b) internal feedbacks between latent heating and dynamics, in sustaining the monsoon LPS activity. The results show that PIOD conditions generally favour increased propensity of long‐lived (>5 days) LPS with long westward tracks extending into northwest India. The average contribution of long‐lived monsoon LPS to the total is found to be approximately 12% higher during PIOD episodes as compared to non‐PIOD. The PIOD events showed two important large‐scale elements conducive for enhancement of LPS activity: (a) strengthening of cross‐equatorial moisture transport from south‐eastern tropical Indian Ocean into the Bay of Bengal and (b) enrichment of barotropic instability of monsoon flow. Estimates of latent‐heating profiles from TRMM‐satellite products during the 2006 LPS showed heating in the mesoscale updrafts above 600 hPa with maximum approximately 400 hPa; while cooling prevailed in lower levels. Stratiform precipitation covered approximately 70–85% of rain area during the prolonged LPS; and the large‐scale monsoon Hadley‐type circulation was found to be intensified with strong mid‐level inflows entering the stratiform rain region. The overall findings suggest that the PIOD‐induced background circulation together with internal feedbacks between mesoscale convective systems and large‐scale circulation can effectively enhance the longevity of monsoon LPS. These results should serve as important inputs for numerical weather forecasting of extreme rainfall events associated with the regional monsoon phenomenon. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Simultaneous determination of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in pharmaceutical formulations using capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection
Authors: Sun Yan , Zhao Xiaoyin , Li Ping , Shi Guoyue , Zhou Tianshu
Published: May 2010

A simple, reliable and repeatable method, based on CE with amperometric detection has been developed for the simultaneous separation and determination of thyroxine (T4) and 3,3′,5‐triiodothyronine (T3). A carbon disk electrode was used as working electrode in this system and exhibited a good response at 1.05 V (versus Hg/Hg2Cl2, 3 mol/L KCl) for two analytes. The CE separations were investigated in detail. At 21 kV of applied voltage, the two compounds were separated within 11 min in 0.05 mol/L Na2B4O7‐NaOH buffer (pH 11.3). And the detection limits were as low as 1.0×10−7 mol/L for T4 and 8.5×10−8 mol/L for T3 (S/N=3), respectively. The proposed method was applied to analyze T4 and T3 in pharmaceutical formulations, and the results were satisfactory.
PP13 stability in first trimester maternal serum and whole blood
Authors: Cowans N. J. , Stamatopoulou A. , Jaakohuhta S. , Hentunen S. , Spencer K.
Published: May 2010

Background

Maternal serum placental protein 13 (PP13) has been proposed as a marker for prenatal screening of pre‐eclampsia (PE) and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to examine the stability of PP13 at different routine temperatures.

Methods

Maternal serum pools and whole blood samples were stored at ‘30 °C’, room temperature or refrigerator temperature. Further, serum pools were also subjected to repeated freeze–thaw cycles. PP13 was measured at set time points using an AutoDELFIA® research assay.

Results

Levels of PP13 are stable, defined as less than 10% change in concentration, in serum for 17.4 h at ‘30 °C’, 3.4 days at room temperature and for at least 34 days at refrigerator temperature. PP13 concentration is not altered following three −20 °C to room temperature freeze–thaw cycles. PP13 is stable in whole blood for at least 3 days at all three temperatures studied.

Conclusions

PP13 is a suitably stable molecule and can be treated under routine laboratory and normal transport temperatures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
There is a trend in the utilization of psychotropics among elderly towards recommended drugs
Authors: Lesén Eva , Carlsten Anders
Published: May 2010

Purpose

To analyse trends in sales of potentially inappropriate psychotropic substances (PIPS) in relation to drugs recommended by Drug and Therapeutics Committees (DTC drugs) among 75‐year olds and among individuals born 1925 in Sweden.

Methods

Trends in sales of PIPS and DTC drugs among 75‐year olds and among individuals born 1925 in Sweden during 2000–2008 were analysed with linear regression models. Sales were measured as defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants and day. PIPS were defined according to a proposal from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. The selection of DTC drugs was based on a review of recommendations from local DTCs.

Results

Among 75‐year olds, PIPS sales decreased 38% and DTC drugs sales increased 31% from 2000 to 2008. The hypnotic PIPS decreased 45%, while the DTC hypnotics increased 36%. The total sales of PIPS to individuals born in 1925 decreased 12% from 2000 to 2008. The DTC drugs increased 115%. Sales of hypnotic PIPS decreased 12%, and the hypnotic DTC drugs increased 120%.

Conclusions

The findings indicate a trend towards the utilization of DTC drugs rather than PIPS. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of support structure on the activity of Cr/nanosilica catalysts and the morphology of prepared polyethylene
Authors: Mohamadnia Zahra , Ahmadi Ebrahim , Nekoomanesh Mehdi , Ramazani Ali , Mobarakeh Hamid Salehi
Published: May 2010

Phillips‐type catalysts are responsible for the commercial production of more than one‐third of all polyethylene sold worldwide. Many types of chromium‐based catalysts are used in the Phillips polymerization process. Ordered mesoporous silica structures were synthesized using various surfactant species. Chromium nitrate nonahydrate (Cr(NO3)3·9H2O) complex was grafted onto the surface of pure silica and was used for ethylene polymerization. The materials were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption‐desorption, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In the as‐synthesized materials, Cr3+ is present as a surface species in pseudo‐octahedral coordination. After calcination, Cr3+ is almost completely oxidized to Cr6+, which is anchored onto the surface in various oxidative states. The catalyst polymerization activity is dependent on the chromium loading, the pre‐calcination temperature and the support properties. In particular, the chromium catalyst prepared using spherical SBA‐15 is more active than the other catalysts investigated. Porous and nano‐fibrous polyethylene samples were prepared using various silica‐supported chromium catalytic systems. Differential scanning calorimetry results show that the melting point of samples produced with the SBA‐15‐supported catalyst is higher than that of samples produced with Cr/SiO2 under the same conditions, which could be related to the existence of an extended‐chain structure. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of a short‐term rehabilitation program on airway inflammation in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Moeller Alexander , Stämpfli Simon F. , Rueckert Beate , Rechsteiner Thomas , Hamacher Juerg , Wildhaber Johannes H.
Published: May 2010

Background

Respiratory therapy in cystic fibrosis (CF) consists of airway clearance, infection control, and reduction of airway inflammation. It is well recognized that physical activity as well as daily chest physiotherapy, enhance airway clearance. We investigated the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation, including physical activity and chest physiotherapy, on airway inflammation in children with CF.

Methods

Eighteen children with stable CF (six females), aged 8.2–16.2 years, participating in a 3‐week multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation program were recruited. Assessment at the beginning and the end of the program included clinical score, pulmonary function test, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and sputum analysis. Sputum supernatant and EBC were analyzed for interleukin (IL)‐1b, 6, 8, 10, 12, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and LTB4.

Results

Median (IQR) symptom scores decreased from 19 [23] to 16 [21], P = 0.005. Vital capacity and FVC increased significantly (P < 0.05). However no difference was found for the total sputum cells and sputum as well as EBC cytokines between the two visits. Significant correlations were found for sputum IL‐1 (+), IL‐6 (−), and IL‐8 (+) to total sputum cell count and neutrophils and for IL‐8 to TNF‐α.

Conclusions

We have shown that a short‐term inpatient rehabilitation for children with stable CF with intensive physical activity mainly improve subjective clinical symptoms and measures of lung function such as VC and FVC but does not influence airflow obstruction and airway inflammation as assessed by sputum and EBC analysis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:541–551. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Can mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa be eradicated in children with cystic fibrosis?
Authors: McPherson Helen , Rosenthal Mark , Bush Andrew
Published: May 2010

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) is the most common pathogen to cause chronic lung infection in children with cystic fibrosis (CF), and is associated with an increase in both morbidity and mortality. Whilst the non‐mucoid strain can be eradicated, it is believed that mucoid PsA is difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate. We hypothesized that with modern and aggressive antibiotic regimes, mucoid PsA can be eradicated in children with CF. We investigated this hypothesis through a retrospective review of respiratory tract cultures of children with CF at The Royal Brompton Hospital, London. Children aged under 16 with a confirmed diagnosis of CF and mucoid PsA on respiratory tract culture during a defined 9‐year period were eligible for inclusion. Respiratory tract culture results were followed up for each patient to establish whether children remained infected with mucoid PsA and specifically to identify clearance of infection. Factors which may have been associated with persistence or clearance were also sought. One hundred sixteen children had the minimum dataset, and of these patients 67 (58%) cleared mucoid PsA for more than 1 year. Of the 67 patients who cleared mucoid PsA for more than 1 year, 38 (57%) patients remained clear of mucoid PsA at the last available culture (median 30, range 2–106 clear cultures, and median 55, 12–103 months clear). We conclude that isolation of mucoid PsA does not necessarily equate to lifelong infection. We suggest that trials of eradication of mucoid PsA at first isolation are required. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:566–568. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outpatient RSV lower respiratory infections among high‐risk infants and other pediatric populations
Authors: Paramore L. Clark , Mahadevia Parthiv J. , Piedra Pedro A.
Published: May 2010

Objective

To identify the frequency of outpatient, non‐hospitalized visits for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) among children and high‐risk infants.

Study Design

Published studies that reported population‐based rates of outpatient RSV illness were reviewed. In addition, we conducted a retrospective cohort study from a national claims database including preterm and full term infants born between April 2004 and April 2006 <6 months of age and continuously enrolled through their first RSV season.

Results

In the selected published studies, rates of outpatient RSV LRI were highest among infants and young children (ranging from 6.9 to 11 per 1,000 children age 1–4 years to 157.5 to 252.0 per 1,000 children age <1 year). In the cohort study, rates of outpatient RSV LRI among preterm infants ≤32 wGA or with chronic lung disease (CLD) ranged from 158.7 to 272.6 visits per 1,000 children. Rates for late preterm (33–36 wGA) infants ranged from 183.3 to 245.7 per 1,000, which was higher than full term infants (128.8 to 171.3 per 1,000).

Conclusions

Approximately 1 in every 5 of high‐risk infants will be affected during their first RSV season, which indicates a fairly high and unrecognized reservoir of disease. Outpatient RSV LRI visits increase with younger age and prematurity. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:578–584. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fetal cystic lung lesions: Evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Liu Yu‐Peng , Chen Chih‐Ping , Shih Shin‐Lin , Chen Yi‐Fang , Yang Fei‐Shih , Chen Su‐Chiu
Published: May 2010

Objectives

To investigate the contribution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the diagnosis of fetal cystic lung lesions found on routine prenatal ultrasound (US).

Study Design

Experienced radiologists retrospectively reviewed 34 fetal MRI studies performed in 20 fetuses (from 20 to 35 gestational weeks; including 14 repeat studies 10 weeks after the initial MRI), focusing on shape, signal characteristics, feeding artery, volume change, and location of the cystic lesions. Diagnoses were confirmed after birth by postnatal multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and/or surgery.

Results

Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) in the second trimester appeared as a well‐defined, homogeneous, hyperintense mass (pure BPS) in eight cases or as a lobulated, inhomogeneous hyperintense mass (BPS mixed with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM)) in three cases. The feeding artery was visible in all 11 cases in the initial MRI, and regression of the mass was seen in 7 cases. As the mass regressed in the third trimester, the signal intensity decreased, becoming inhomogeneous, and the margins became lobulated. The mean initial ratio of the volume of the BPS lesion to the ipsilateral lung in lesions with partial regression was 82%; the mean initial ratio in lesions with nearly complete regression was 61%. CCAM (6) cases also appeared as a hyperintense lobulated mass, and as the lesions regressed, they decreased in size and signal intensity. As with BPS, the larger the lesion on initial MRI, the less likely it was to regress completely. Congenital lobar fluid overload in three cases appeared as a hyperintense, homogeneous lobe with stretched hilar vessels.

Conclusion

Prenatal MRI is useful as a diagnostic tool complementary to US for evaluating fetal cystic lung lesions. Smaller lung lesions (<60%) may regress completely. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:592–600. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
LHCb status and early physics prospects
Authors: Altarelli M.P.
Published: May 2010

LHCb is a dedicated detector for b and c physics at the LHC. I will present a concise review of the detector design and expected performance together with some very early physics results and prospects. An integrated luminosity of ∼ 0.2 fb‐1, which should be collected in 2010, will already allow LHCb to perform a number of very significant mesurements with the potential of revealing New Physics effects, such as the search of the decay B0s → μ+ μ‐ beyond the limit set by CDF and D0.
Current crowding effect on light extraction efficiency of thin‐film LEDs
Authors: Bogdanov M. V. , Bulashevich K. A. , Khokhlev O. V. , Evstratov I. Yu. , Ramm M. S. , Karpov S. Yu.
Published: May 2010

Using coupled 3D modelling of electrical, thermal, and optical processes, we consider operation of a blue LED with advanced thin‐film flip‐chip design. Significant effect of current crowing on light extraction from the LED die is predicted theoretically. As a result, the light extraction efficiency is found to decrease remarkably with the operation current. The nature of the effect is identified, and some ways for improvement of the high‐current extraction efficiency are suggested and examined by simulations. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Deep‐UV transparent bulk single‐crystalline AlN substrates
Authors: Bickermann Matthias , Epelbaum Boris M. , Filip Octavian , Heimann Paul , Feneberg Martin , Nagata Shunro , Winnacker Albrecht
Published: May 2010

Bulk aluminum nitride (AlN) is a very promising substrate material for ultraviolet (UV) and deep‐UV optoelectronics. Bulk AlN crystals grown using multiple sublimation of the source material show plain absorption coefficients below 18 cm–1 in the UV and deep‐UV range of 3.3–5.6 eV (380–220 nm) in the whole sample areas, regardless of sample orientation or light polarization direction. Homogeneity and polarization dependence of optical absorption in the UV and deep‐UV range of such samples is investigated. Finally, cathodoluminescence spectra of samples grown with and without multiple resublimation of the source material are compared. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of temperature distribution and current crowding on the performance of lateral GaN‐based light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Han Dongpyo , Shim Jongin , Shin Dong‐Soo , Nam Eunsoo , Park Hyungmoo
Published: May 2010

Current crowding effect is detrimental for the performance of light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), causing non‐uniform light emission and local heat generation. In particular, heat generated by non‐uniform current distribution can badly influence the performance of LED devices. In this paper, we examine the temperature distributions of lateral InGaN/GaN multiple‐quantum‐well LEDs in relation to current crowding, using both simulation and experimental results. Simulation results are obtained from a 3‐dimensional electrical circuit model consisting of resistances and intrinsic diodes. Temperature and luminance distributions are investigated by images taken by an infrared camera and a charge‐coupled‐device camera, respectively. Finally, the internal quantum efficiency is taken for each device and compared. We show that the thermal property in the lateral LED is affected by the current crowding due to the local Joule heating nearby electrodes. Therefore, uniform current spreading is very important not only for uniform luminance distribution but also for good thermal property in the LED device. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical properties of GaN and GaN/AlN nanowires: the effect of doping and structural defects
Authors: Rigutti L. , Fortuna F. , Tchernycheva M. , De Luna Bugallo A. , Jacopin G. , Julien F. H. , Chou S. T. , Lin Y. T. , Tu L. W. , Harmand J.‐C.
Published: May 2010

We report on the optical properties of different classes of nitride‐based nanowire systems grown by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA‐MBE) on Si(111) substrates at temperature T = 780 °C. Micro‐photoluminescence (micro‐PL) spectroscopy has been performed on homogeneous GaN nanowires with different doping type and distribution, as well as on nanowires containing AlN/GaN heterostructures. The Micro‐PL spectrum of the individual nanowire has been correlated to the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of the same nano‐object, in order to investigate the influence of structural defects on the radiative emission lines. Doping is found to enhance the sub‐bandgap radiative paths such as the donor‐acceptor pair (DAP) related lines found at energies below E = 3.26 eV. Other sub‐bandgap emission lines, particularly those centred around 3.41‐3.42 eV, are related to surface states and are the dominant emission in systems of coalesced nanowires. Finally, the presence of extended line defects has been correlated to a strong reduction of the PL radiative efficiency (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nitride‐based light‐emitting solar cell
Authors: Kuwahara Y. , Fujiyama Y. , Iwaya M. , Kamiyama S. , Amano H. , Akasaki I.
Published: May 2010

We report on the characteristics of a group‐III‐nitride‐based solar cell. A GaInN/GaN double heterojunction p‐i‐n solar cell composed of a GaInN active layer sandwiched between n ‐type and p ‐type GaN layers was grown by metal‐organic vapor phase epitaxy through an undoped GaN layer on (0001) sapphire substrate. The InN molar fraction of the GaInN active layer was determined to be 11% from a secondary ion mass spectrometry profile. The maximum external quantum efficiency reached 65%, and the internal quantum efficiency was 95% or more. This device emitted light after forward current injection. The PL peak almost corresponded to the absorption edge. However, the electroluminescence (EL) peak was at the wavelength much longer than the absorption edge. The open‐circuit voltage is 1.51 V, the fill factor is 52%, and the short‐circuit current density is 1.6 mA/cm2. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electroluminescence from a forward biased Ni/Au–AlGaN/GaN Schottky diode: evidence of Fermi level de‐pinning at Ni/AlGaN interface
Authors: Li B. K. , Wang M. J. , Chen K. J. , Wang J. N.
Published: May 2010

Electroluminescence (EL) from a forward biased Ni/Au‐AlGaN/GaN Schottky diode was observed and studied in this work. The turn‐on voltage of the EL was found to be coinciding with the second turn‐on voltage in the current‐voltage characteristics. Similarity between EL and photoluminescence spectra suggests that the holes are injected into the GaN layer when the applied bias is higher than the second turn‐on voltage. A model based on the current induced interface states ionization is proposed to explain the hole injection process and the observed electroluminescence characteristics. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reliability of InGaN‐based LEDs submitted to reverse‐bias stress
Authors: Meneghini Matteo , Trivellin Nicola , Butendeich Rainer , Zehnder Ulrich , Hahn Berthold , Meneghesso Gaudenzio , Zanoni Enrico
Published: May 2010

This paper describes a study of the electro‐optical characteristics and of the degradation of green LEDs submitted to reverse‐bias stress. The results of this work indicate that: (i) under reverse‐bias, the dominant conduction mechanism is tunnelling, and LEDs can show a weak luminescence signal (reverse‐bias luminescence, RBL); (ii) reverse‐current flows through localized preferential paths, that can be identified by means of emission microscopy; (iii) reverse‐bias stress can induce a significant increase in the reverse‐current of the LEDs, corresponding to a decrease in the breakdown voltage, and an increase in reverse‐bias luminescence; (iv) the degradation rate has a linear dependence on the stress current level, suggesting that degradation is determined by the flow of accelerated carriers through pre‐existing defects. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Autonomic nervous function in final year Oriental medical students in Korea: influence of gender, age and academic performance
Authors: Kim Kyu Seok , Nam Hae Jeong
Published: May 2010

This study was conducted for 11 weeks to evaluate the influence of gender, age and academic performance on autonomic nervous system (ANS) measured by heart rate variability in final year Oriental medical students in Korea. Subjects were 109 Oriental medical students in their final year (11th semester) in the College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University. The 5‐min heart rate variability (HRV) was measured for evaluating ANS of all subjects and then the outcome of HRV was analyzed to investigate the influence of gender, age and academic performance on ANS by analysis of covariance, a model with control variables. Male students were found to have less parasympathetic activity and to have an autonomic balance shifted towards sympathicotonia compared with female students. Increased age was also negatively associated with ANS. Specifically, students aged 30 years or older showed less parasympathetic activity compared to their younger peers. However, there was no statistical significance of ANS between high and low grade group on academic performance. Considering the theory that increased stress could lead to change in ANS and it could decrease parasympathetic activity or increase sympathetic activity, this study suggest that gender and age can affect the stress level of final year Oriental medical students in Korea. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The predictive value of individual factors, work‐related factors, and work–home interaction on burnout in female and male physicians: a longitudinal study
Authors: Langballe Ellen Melbye , Innstrand Siw Tone , Aasland Olaf Gjerløw , Falkum Erik
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine physician burnout in association with individual factors, work characteristics and work–home interaction (job performance‐based self‐esteem, goal orientation, value congruency, workload, autonomy, work–home conflict and work–home facilitation). This two‐wave panel study includes a sample of Norwegian physicians collected in 2003 (N = 683) and 2005 (N = 523). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test the assumed effects in male and female physicians separately. The results imply that many of the assumed predictors play significant parts in physician burnout. A noticeable finding was that the pattern and strength of significant effects differed within the separate analyses of men and women. Work–home conflict was a particularly strong burnout predictor in female physicians whereas workload was the strongest burnout predictor in male physicians. The findings may have implications when planning future interventions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of a 60‐nm‐Diameter Perfectly Round Metal‐Dot Array over a Large Area on a Plastic Substrate Using Nanoimprint Lithography and Self‐Perfection by Liquefaction
Authors: Wang Chao , Xia Qiangfei , Li Wen‐Di , Fu Zengli , Morton Keith J. , Chou Stephen Y.
Published: May 2010

Typically, nanopatterning on plastic substrates has poor fidelity, poor adhesion, and low yield. Here the proposal of and the first experiment using a new fabrication method that overcomes the above obstacles and has achieved arrays of 60‐nm‐diameter, perfectly round metal dots over a large area on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate with high fidelity and high yield is reported. This new method is based on the use of a thin hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) layer on top of PET, nanoimprint lithography, and self‐perfection by liquefaction (SPEL). The HSQ layer offers excellent thermal protection to the PET substrate during SPEL, as well as good surface adhesion and etching resistance. Nanoimprinting plus a lift off created a large‐area array of Cr squares (100 nm × 130 nm) on HSQ and SPEL changed each Cr square into a perfectly round Cr dot with a diameter of 60 nm, reducing the Cr footprint area by 78%. Compared to bare PET, the use of HSQ also reduced the variation in the diameter of the Cr dots from 11.3 nm (standard deviation) to 1.7 nm, an improvement of over 660%. This new technology can be scaled to much larger areas (including roll‐to‐roll web processing) and thus potentially has applications in various fields.
The weighted shortest path search based on multi‐agents in mobile GIS management services
Authors: Peng Min , Xiong Naixue , Park Jong Hyuk , Vasilakos Athanasios V. , Zhang Jiawen
Published: May 2010

In this paper we focus on the mobile GIS management system based on multi‐agents, and wider range of client devices with J2ME‐MIDP kernel are supported in it. A kit (Map Database Manager) is developed and described in detail. The kit can convert GIS data of commercial formats such as ArcGIS and Mapinfo into Geospatial data in GML, and provide Geospatial data for handheld devices freely without commercial plug‐in software. A peer to peer multi‐agents mechanism on mobile GIS services is the main subject of this paper. According to user's requirement and known buffer area radius on map, agent can define the factors to calculate the optimal path from one node to target node in a map, which considers not only the length of the road but also traffic flow, road cost, and other factors. We use the integrated cost to re‐define the road path weights, and select the optimal path among the road based on the minimum weight. The actual experimental results shown that in the quantified traffic flow and road condition, from node to other target nodes, we can get an optimal path on map, which satisfies the condition mostly. The results can greatly assist the searching of the optimal path in GIS services. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decentralized and energy‐balanced algorithms for maintaining temporal full‐coverage in mobile WSNs
Authors: Chang Chih‐Yung , Hung Li‐Ling , Lu Yun‐Jung , Chang Sheng‐Wen , Chen Yu‐Chieh
Published: May 2010

Coverage is one of the most important issues in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). However, full coverage only can be achieved when surplus mobile sensors contribute a coverage area larger than the hole size. When there is no surplus mobile sensor to cover a big hole, previous studies have utilized mobile sensors by moving the hole from one location to another, therefore achieving temporal full‐coverage, where each location on the monitoring region has been ever covered by mobile sensors during a fixed time interval. However, with only some mobile sensors participating in the hole‐movement task, this results in an energy‐imbalance WSN. This paper considers a mobile WSN that contains a big hole where there exists no redundant mobile sensor to heal the hole. Three distributed algorithms, calledBasic,Forward‐Only, andAny‐Directionmovement mechanisms, are proposed to achieve the purpose of temporal full‐coverage in a way that the total energy consumption is minimized or that the energy consumption of all mobile sensors that participate in the hole‐movement task are balanced. Simulation results reveal that the proposed hole‐movement mechanisms enhance the coverage of WSNs and balance the energy consumption of mobile sensor nodes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.