bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinopathy of prematurity: Understanding and managing the risks of remote retinal imaging
Authors: Annolino Heather
Published: October 2011

Remote imaging improves access to care and decreases the necessity for on‐site evaluation by an ophthalmologist. Currently, established criteria do not exist delineating when the use of retinal photography and telemedicine is appropriate, rather than a dilated indirect ophthalmoscopic examination. This article will discuss the risk management strategies that practitioners and healthcare organizations should employ to protect both themselves and patients before adopting this technology.
Effect of disease progression on liver apparent diffusion coefficient and T2 values in a murine model of hepatic fibrosis at 11.7 Tesla MRI
Authors: Anderson Stephan W. , Jara Hernan , Ozonoff Al , O'Brien Michael , Hamilton James A. , Soto Jorge A.
Published: October 2011

Purpose:

To evaluate the effects of hepatic fibrosis on ADC and T2 values of ex vivo murine liver specimens imaged using 11.7 Tesla (T) MRI.

Materials and Methods:

This animal study was IACUC approved. Seventeen male, C57BL/6 mice were divided into control (n = 2) and experimental groups (n = 15), the latter fed a 3, 5‐dicarbethoxy‐1, 4‐dihydrocollidine (DDC) supplemented diet, inducing hepatic fibrosis. Ex vivo liver specimens were imaged using an 11.7T MRI scanner. Spin‐echo pulsed field gradient and multi‐echo spin‐echo acquisitions were used to generate parametric ADC and T2 maps, respectively. Degrees of fibrosis were determined by the evaluation of a pathologist as well as digital image analysis. Scatterplot graphs comparing ADC and T2 to degrees of fibrosis were generated and correlation coefficients were calculated.

Results:

Strong correlation was found between degrees of hepatic fibrosis and ADC with higher degrees of fibrosis associated with lower hepatic ADC values. Moderate correlation between hepatic fibrosis and T2 values was seen with higher degrees of fibrosis associated with lower T2 values.

Conclusion:

Inverse relationships between degrees of fibrosis and both ADC and T2 are seen, highlighting the utility of these parameters in the ongoing development of an MRI methodology to quantify hepatic fibrosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:140‐146. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI findings of early hepatocellular carcinoma as defined by new histologic criteria
Authors: Rhee Hyungjin , Kim Myeong‐Jin , Park Young Nyun , Choi Jin‐Sub , Kim Kyung‐Sik
Published: October 2011

Purpose:

To describe the imaging features of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI (Gd‐EOB‐MRI) in comparison with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) examinations.

Materials and Methods:

We analyzed imaging findings of 19 pathologically proven early HCC lesions in 15 patients who underwent both MDCT and Gd‐EOB‐MRI at 3.0 Tesla (T) units before surgery. MRI included in‐phase and out‐of‐phase T1‐weighted dual‐echo gradient‐recalled‐echo sequences, dynamic T1‐weighted images before and after bolus injection of gadoxetic acid disodium, fat‐saturated T2‐weighted fast spin‐echo sequences, and T1‐weighted hepatobiliary phase images 20 min after contrast injection. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated the signal intensities and enhancement features on MRI and MDCT.

Results:

None of the lesions displayed arterial enhancement and washout on MDCT. On Gd‐EOB‐MRI, six (32%) lesions showed T2‐hyperintensity, five (26%) lesions showed signal drop on opposed‐phase. Three lesions (16%) showed arterial enhancement and washout. Twelve (63%), 13 (68%), and 15 (79%) lesions were hypointense on hepatic venous, equilibrium, and hepatobiliary phase, respectively.

Conclusion:

Most early HCCs did not show arterial enhancement and washout pattern on both MDCT and Gd‐EOB‐MRI. Gd‐EOB‐MRI may provide several ancillary findings for diagnosis of early HCC such as decreased hepatobiliary uptake, T2 hyperintensity and signal drop in opposed phase. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;393‐398. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficacy and safety of acute injection laryngoplasty for vocal cord paralysis following thoracic surgery
Authors: Graboyes Evan M. , Bradley Joseph P. , Meyers Bryan F. , Nussenbaum Brian
Published: October 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of injection laryngoplasty using a temporary injectable agent in the acute setting for patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis following thoracic surgical procedures.

Study Design:

Retrospective consecutive case series in an academic institution.

Methods:

Inclusion criteria included patients acutely treated with injection laryngoplasty from January 1, 2006, to March 31, 2010, for a unilateral vocal cord paralysis that occurred after a thoracic surgical procedure (N = 20). All patients were injected with Radiesse Voice Gel using microlaryngoscopy technique.

Results:

The mean time to vocal cord injection from the time of thoracic surgery was 4.5 days. There was one operative‐related complication of intraoperative bile reflux that caused a pneumonitis. Ninety percent of patients were recommended for strict nothing by mouth prior to injection. Of these, 94% were allowed an oral diet following injection, and 67% tolerated a regular diet. None of the patients required subsequent procedures for aspiration or dysphagia, and 25% required further intervention after discharge for persistent dysphonia. Patients with a known nerve transection had a higher rate of dysphonia requiring further surgical procedures than those who did not have a known nerve transection.

Conclusions:

Acute treatment of thoracic surgery‐related unilateral vocal cord paralysis with injection laryngoplasty appears safe and effective at preventing postoperative aspiration pneumonia and improves swallowing function to allow resumption of an oral diet. A single injection is often the only required treatment.
Double‐bend needle modification for transthyrohyoid vocal fold injection
Authors: Achkar Jihad , Song Phillip , Andrus Jennifer , Franco Ramon
Published: October 2011

Our objective was to describe an injection needle modification for awake in‐office vocal fold injections through a percutaneous transthyrohyoid approach. Two separate 45° angle bends are created at the hub and 1 cm from the needle tip of a 25‐gauge, 1.5‐inch needle. After adequate endolaryngeal anesthesia, the needle is passed via the thyrohyoid membrane into the airway. The needle tip is at a 90° angle to the syringe, providing access to the entire vocal fold surface, regardless of chin position or thyroid cartilage angulation. The bend at 1 cm also serves as a marker to measure the depth of the needle within the soft tissue. The double‐bend needle modification allows for complete access to the entire length of the true vocal fold in one pass as well as a marker to measure depth of the needle in the tissue. Limitations may include bleeding from the injection site, insufficient needle length in patients with a long anterior‐posterior dimension of the larynx, and potential difficulty passing a needle through a calcified thyrohyoid membrane. Laryngoscope, 2012
Scientific attributes of a researcher and member of the triological society
Authors: Berke Gerald S.
Published: October 2011

This presidential address discusses the comments from the first Mayo Clinic's Chair, Harold Lille, MD, regarding different contributions by members of The Triological Society in his 1939 presidential address. It then goes on to discuss scientific research attributes expected of members of the Society that were gleaned from a fusion of Dr. Berke's notions with what other famous researchers, inventors, and philosophers have said about aspects of research. The areas covered include research motivation, the process of research, the scientific method, imagination, intuition and luck, questioning in science, tenacity, ideas, and knowledge. In summary, the following are the expected attributes of a researcher and member of the Society. The individual should enjoy the creation of new knowledge and appreciate the mysteries of life and the joy of discoveries. He or she should be a staunch supporter of the scientific method, but should also understand that every researcher is a professional amateur, and that the process of research is often fraught with blind alleys and incorrect ideas and assumptions, and that ultimately hypotheses must be substantiated by experiments. A researcher must exhibit imagination and intuition augmented by tenacity and scientific questioning. Finally, he or she should recognize that chance favors the prepared mind, and always be on the lookout for novel ideas framed by a comprehension of existing knowledge, not just in one domain but across a broad horizon of disciplines.
Of dogs and men: Comparative biology as a tool for the discovery of novel biomarkers and drug development targets in osteosarcoma
Authors: Rankin Kenneth S. , Starkey Mike , Lunec John , Gerrand Craig H. , Murphy Sue , Biswas Swethajit
Published: October 2011

The similarities between human and canine osteosarcoma with regard to histology, biological behavior and molecular genetic alterations suggest that the dog provides a supplementary model for the development and preclinical testing of novel therapeutics. Counter intuitively, careful examination of the differences between OS in the two species may also be rewarding in terms of increasing our understanding of the pathogenesis of this cancer. This review will discuss the arguments in favor of the “dog model” and outline how the evaluation of treatment strategies in dogs has indicated avenues for improvement of protocols for human patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 327–333. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical significance of NTRK family gene expression in neuroblastomas
Authors: Light Jennifer E. , Koyama Hiroshi , Minturn Jane E. , Ho Ruth , Simpson Anisha M. , Iyer Radhika , Mangino Jennifer L. , Kolla Venkatadri , London Wendy B. , Brodeur Garrett M.
Published: October 2011

Background

Neuroblastomas (NBs) are characterized by clinical heterogeneity, from spontaneous regression to relentless progression. The pattern of NTRK family gene expression contributes to these disparate behaviors. TrkA/NTRK1 is expressed in favorable NBs that regress or differentiate, whereas TrkB/NTRK2 and its ligand brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are co‐expressed in unfavorable NBs, representing an autocrine survival pathway. We determined the significance of NTRK family gene expression in a large, representative set of primary NBs.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed the expression of the following genes in 814 NBs using quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR): NTRK1, NTRK2, NTRK3, P75/NGFR, nerve growth factor (NGF), BDNF, IGFR1, and EGFR. Expression (high vs. low) was dichotomized by median expression value and compared to clinical and biological variables as well as outcome.

Results

High NTRK1 expression was strongly correlated with favorable age, stage, MYCN status, histology, ploidy, risk group, and outcome (P < 0.0001 for all). However, it did not add significantly to the panel of prognostic variables currently used for cooperative group trials. NTRK2 expression was associated with risk factors but not with outcome. High NGF expression was also associated with most risk factors and weakly with unfavorable outcome.

Conclusions

High expression of NTRK1 is strongly associated with favorable risk factors and outcome in a large, representative population of NB patients. It did not add significantly to the current risk prediction algorithm, but it may contribute to future expression classifiers. Indeed, prospective assessment of NTRK1 and NTRK2 expression will identify tumors that would be candidates for NTRK‐targeted therapy, either alone or in combination with conventional agents. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:226–232. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of Nylon 66 nanofibrilmat interleaved carbon/epoxy laminates
Authors: Hamer Shay , Leibovich Herman , Green Anthony , Intrater Ron , Avrahami Ron , Zussman Eyal , Siegmann Arnon , Sherman Dov
Published: October 2011

Carbon/epoxy laminates interleaved with laboratory scale electrospun Nylon 66 nanofibrilmat and spunbonded nonwoven mats were investigated. The effect of the nanoscale fibers on the fracture toughness of the composite under pure Mode I loading was evaluated. It was shown that the nanofibrilmat is responsible for a major interlaminar fracture toughness improvement, as high as 255–322%, compared to a noninterleaved carbon/epoxy reference laminate. We further studied the improvement mechanism of the electrospun nanofibrilmat compared to a commercial spunbonded nonwoven Nylon 66 mat. A combination of two interlayer fracture mechanisms responsible for the toughness improvement is suggested: the first is related to the high energy dissipated by bridged thermoplastic nanofibers and the second is attributed to the generation of a plastic zone near the crack tip. The interlaminar fracture mechanisms of both electrospun nanofibrilmat and the nonwoven mat interleaving was analyzed and discussed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
High‐performance EMI shielding materials based on short carbon fiber‐filled ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, and their blends
Authors: Rahaman Mostafizur , Chaki Tapan Kumar , Khastgir Dipak
Published: October 2011

The composites of carbon fiber with EVA, NBR, and their blends have been made by melt mixing technique. Stress–strain plots of different composites show that the necking phenomenon is increasing with the increase in fiber concentration in the polymer matrix. The scanning electron microscopic analysis and swelling study exhibit poor interaction between the short carbon fiber and polymer matrix. The decrease in DC resistivity with the increase in short carbon fiber concentration has been explained on the basis of percolation theory. EMI SE increases slightly with the increase in frequency of electromagnetic radiation but increases sharply with the increase in fiber concentration. EMI SE also depends on blend composition and increases with the increase in EVA concentration in the blend. Return loss is decreasing but absorption loss is increasing with the increase in fiber loading. A linear relationship is observed between the EMI SE and thickness of the composites. The EMI SE is found to increase exponentially with the increase in conductivity of the composite. The permeability value is decreasing with the increase in frequency as well as fiber loading. Thermal properties of the composites have been evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Polyacrylonitrile/acrylamide‐based carbon fibers prepared using a solvent‐free coagulation process: Fiber properties and its structure evolution during stabilization and carbonization
Authors: Yusof N. , Ismail A.F.
Published: October 2011

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/acrylamide (AM) fibers were fabricated via dry‐jet wet spinning process using a solvent‐free coagulation bath. The effects of AM loading as comonomer on the mechanical and thermal properties of PAN‐based carbon fiber have been studied. The thermal stability and mechanical stability of the fibers were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and tensile testing. Fibers fabricated from PAN with 5 wt% AM had the highest Young Modulus at 5.54 GPa. It also showed better exothermic trend process with broader exothermic peak and lower initiation stabilization temperature compared with homopolymer PAN. The elemental composition and chemical structure evolution of the fibers during the heat treatment processes were evaluated by elemental analyzer and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Crystal structure evolution of the fibers during the heat treatment process was elucidated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The elemental analyzer, XRD and FTIR results revealed that pyrolysis process used had successfully transformed PAN/AM fibers produced from solvent free coagulation bath into carbon fibers that were comparable with the conventional coagulation bath. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Life prediction for CIGS solar modules part 1: modeling moisture ingress and degradation
Authors: Coyle Dennis J.
Published: October 2011

A model is developed for the diffusion of moisture into a solar module package and the subsequent degradation of copper indium gallium di‐selenide (CIGS) solar cells. It is based on time‐dependent mass and energy balances governing module temperature and the diffusion of water through a module package subjected to weather conditions. The moisture ingress calculations are coupled to an experimentally determined degradation model for CIGS solar cells, where the degradation rate is proportional to the encapsulant degree of saturation. Extensive results are presented for module conditions of temperature and relative humidity for four benchmark climates. Detailed predictions are presented for moisture ingress, module degradation and life as functions of the climate, mounting, packaging materials, configuration, and the kinetics of cell degradation. The results clearly show how the moisture ingress and degradation scale with the climate and the characteristic package diffusion half‐time. This time constant determines the rate at which the module approaches the environment's average humidity. In order to keep enough of the moisture out of the package to significantly slow the degradation for a target number of years, diffusion half‐times approximately equal to the target years must be achieved, which typically translates into moisture barriers of 10−4 g/m2 day or better at 25°C—a formidable challenge. In the diffusion‐controlled regime, the life depends on the square root of package permeability and cell degradation rate. Estimated acceleration factors for damp heat (85°C/85% RH) versus Miami are nonlinear and range from 10X to 700X, depending on the package and cell degradation kinetics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular engineering of conjugated polymers for solar cells and field‐effect transistors: Side‐chain versus main‐chain electron acceptors
Authors: Chang Dong Wook , Ko Seo‐Jin , Kim Gi‐Hwan , Bae Seo‐Yoon , Kim Jin Young , Dai Liming , Baek Jong‐Beom
Published: October 2011

Two model polymers, containing fluorene as an electron‐donating moiety and benzothiadiazole (BT) as an electron‐accepting moiety, have been synthesized by Suzuki coupling reaction. Both polymers are composed of the same chemical composition, but the BT acceptor can be either at a side‐chain (i.e., S‐polymer) or along the polymer main chain (i.e., M‐polymer). Their optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties, together with the field‐effect transistor (FET) characteristics, have been investigated experimentally and theoretically. The FET carrier mobilities were estimated to be 5.20 × 10−5 and 3.12 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1 for the S‐polymer and M‐polymer, respectively. Furthermore, polymeric solar cells (PSCs) with the ITO/PEDOT:PSS/S‐polymer or M‐polymer:PC71BM(1:4)/Al structure were constructed and demonstrated to show a power conversion efficiency of 0.82 and 1.24% for the S‐polymer and M‐polymer, respectively. The observed superior device performances for the M‐polymer in both FET and PSCs are attributable to its relatively low band‐gap and close molecular packing for efficient solar light harvesting and charge transport. This study provides important insights into the design of ideal structure–property relationships for conjugate polymers in FETs and PSCs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Investigation of surface and sub‐surface damage in high quality synthetic diamonds by X‐ray reflectivity and grazing incidence in‐plane diffraction
Authors: Bussone Genziana , Lafford Tamzin A. , Masiello Fabio , Gibaud Alain , Carbone Gerardina , Schülli Tobias U. , Connell Simon H. , Rommeveaux Amparo Vivo , Wormington Matthew , Härtwig Jürgen
Published: October 2011

High quality single‐crystal synthetic diamond is the most suitable material for selected X‐ray optical applications in the latest generation X‐ray light sources. Excellent heat handling properties, as well as low absorption, coupled with high perfection in the crystal bulk and very good surface quality, are crucial for such applications. In recent years, some progress has been made in the fields of surface treatments and growth techniques. Conventional scaife polishing is largely ineffective on the diamond (111) surface. To overcome this disadvantage, one possibility is to use the Hot Metal polishing technique. An investigation of surface and sub‐surface damage of Hot Metal polished and cleaved surfaces, has been carried out using depth‐sensitive non‐destructive X‐ray techniques. The near surface crystalline quality was studied as a function of depth using in‐plane grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction. Additionally, X‐ray reflectivity was used to investigate the density, thickness and roughness of near‐surface layers. The measurements enable us to estimate the thickness of the affected sub‐surface layer.
Charge transfer in conjugated oligomers encapsulated into carbon nanotubes
Authors: Almadori Y. , Alvarez L. , Arenal R. , Babaa R. , Michel T. , Le Parc R. , Bantignies J.‐L. , Jouselme B. , Palacin S. , Hermet P. , Sauvajol J.‐.L
Published: October 2011

This study deals with a hybrid system consisting in quaterthiophene derivative encapsulated inside single‐walled and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes. Investigations of the encapsulation step are performed by transmission electron microscopy. Raman spectroscopy data point out different behaviors depending on the laser excitation energy with respect to the optical absorption of quaterthiophene. At low excitation energy (far from the oligomer resonance window) there is no significant modification of the Raman spectra before and after encapsulation. By contrast, at high excitation energy (close to the oligomer resonance window), Raman spectra exhibit a G‐band shift together with an important RBM intensity loss, suggesting a significant charge transfer between the inserted molecule and the host nanotubes. Those results suggest a photo induced process leading to a significant charge transfer.
Structural analysis of partially covalent lanthanide and actinide bismuthides with phase‐transition pressures below 14 GPa
Authors: Bhardwaj Purvee , Singh Sadhna
Published: October 2011

In the present article, we have investigated the high‐pressure structural phase transition of lanthanide and actinide bismuthides (LaBi, CeBi, PrBi, CmBi, PuBi and UBi). A modified interaction potential model (MIPM) (including the covalency effect) has been developed. Phase‐transition pressures are associated with a sudden collapse in volume. At compressed volumes, these compounds are found either in tetragonal or CsCl phase. The phase‐transition pressures and associated volume collapses obtained from present potential model show a generally good agreement with available experimental data from others. The elastic constants and their pressure derivatives are also reported. Moreover, the thermodynamical properties have also been obtained successfully. Our results are in general in good agreement with experimental and theoretical data where available, and provide predictions where they are unavailable.
Under a cloud of suspicion: trust, distrust, and their interactive effect in interorganizational contracting
Authors: Connelly Brian L. , Miller Toyah , Devers Cynthia E.
Published: October 2011

Although considerable research has examined the role of trust in interorganizational relationship (IOR) contracting, scholars have devoted less attention to how trust and distrust jointly influence this process. We propose and test a model wherein trust, based on partner reliability, is constrained to the IOR exchange context where it develops and does not generalize to other contexts. Distrust, rooted in value incongruence, more readily generalizes across exchange contexts. Results support these predictions. In addition, our analysis shows that trust and distrust combine such that managers decrease their preferences for highly specific focal‐context contracts only when in‐context trust is high and distrust is low. We discuss how these findings may provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between trust‐based and contract‐based IOR governance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fatigue Strength of Conventionally Cast Tool Steels and its Dependence of Carbide Microstructure
Authors: Randelius Mats , Sandström Rolf , Melander Arne
Published: October 2011

The axial fatigue strength at two million cycles was experimentally determined for two conventionally cast tool steels and successfully compared with results from a fatigue limit model. Specimens were tested both in the rolling and transverse direction and showed large differences in fatigue properties due to the segregated carbide microstructure. Rolling direction specimens experienced higher fatigue strength than the transverse direction specimens. This is due to smaller carbides present in the load affected cross section of the rolling direction fatigue test bars compared to the cross section of the transverse direction fatigue test bars. Fractographic analysis of failed specimens showed that large carbides had caused fatigue failure, which was also predicted by the model. Measured size distributions of carbides and inclusions were used as input data in the model. The probability that at least one particle will be present in the material volume having a size larger than the threshold value for crack propagation was calculated.
Is There Still a Role for Preoperative 12‐Lead Electrocardiography?
Authors: Payne Christopher J. , Payne Alexander R. , Gibson Simon C. , Jardine Alan G. , Berry Colin , Kingsmore David B.
Published: October 2011

Background

Twelve‐lead electrocardiography is a standard preoperative investigation for patients undergoing major surgery. There is uncertainty and debate over the usefulness of this test for stratifying postoperative cardiac risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) and the postoperative cardiac event rate.

Methods

A prospective single‐center observational cohort study in patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery was performed. ECGs were analyzed at the end of the study by a cardiologist and a clinician blinded to the clinical outcomes. The primary endpoints were a major adverse cardiac event (MACE), defined as nonfatal myocardial infarction or cardiac death, and perioperative mortality.

Results

A total of 345 patients were included, who had undergone aortic surgery 25.8%, lower limb bypass 29.0%, amputation 25.2%, or laparotomy 20.0%. An abnormal ECG was present in 141 (40.9%) patients. MACE occurred in 46 (13.3%) cases. Patients with an abnormal ECG had a significantly higher incidence of MACE (21.6 vs. 8.3%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that left ventricular strain and a prolonged QTc interval (>440 ms) were independent predictors of postoperative adverse events. Among patients with no prior history of ischemic heart disease, those with an abnormal ECG had a higher MACE rate (20.3%) than those patients with a normal ECG (8.6%) (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Preoperative electrocardiography is a useful screening test for predicting perioperative cardiac events. Patients with an abnormal ECG but without a prior history of heart disease are a high‐risk group potentially amenable to intervention and risk reduction.
Genetic population structure of the paper waspPolistes olivaceus(Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Md. Mesbah , Tsuchida Koji
Published: October 2011

Dispersal triggers gene flow, which in turn strongly affects the ensuing genetic population structure of a species. Using nuclear microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), we estimated the genetic population structure of the waspPolistes olivaceusthroughout Bangladesh. The level of population differentiation using nuclear markers (FST) appeared to be much lower than that estimated using mtDNA haplotype sequences (ФST), even after correcting for effective population size differences between the two markers. These results suggest a philopatric tendency, in which gynes disperse less than males. We observed no isolation by distance among the study populations at either the nuclear or mtDNA level, suggesting nonequilibrium between gene flow and drift as a result of very frequent interpopulation movement. For the nuclear markers, an individual assignment test showed no genetically and geographically distinct groups. Instead, phylogenetic analyses as well as a minimum spanning network using mtDNA haplotypes consistently revealed two distinct lineages. The distribution of haplotypes indicated western populations with a single lineage and offered clear evidence for restricted gene flow across the Jamuna–Padma–Upper Meghna river system. Mismatch distributions exhibited a unimodal distribution, which along with a starlike haplotype network, suggested a population expansion in lineage I but not in lineage II. Overall, these results suggest that gene flow among populations ofP. olivaceuswas affected by both female philopatry and a major river system across Bangladesh.
Segmental Limb Volume Change as a Predictor of the Onset of Lymphedema in Women With Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Stout Nicole L. , Pfalzer Lucinda A. , Levy Ellen , McGarvey Charles , Springer Barbara , Gerber Lynn H. , Soballe Peter
Published: October 2011

Objective

To demonstrate that segmental changes along the upper extremity occur before the onset of breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL). These changes may be subclinical in nature and may be predictive of the onset of chronic lymphedema.

Design

A retrospective subset analysis of a larger prospective cohort trial.

Patient Cohort

A total of 196 patients provided consent and were enrolled in the prospective study. Subclinical lymphedema developed in 46 of these patients. Limb volume data were available for 45 of these 46 patients from visits before the onset of lymphedema and were used in this analysis. We compared this group with an age‐matched control group without BCRL from the same cohort (n = 45).

Setting

Military hospital outpatient breast care center.

Methods

Women were enrolled and assessed preoperatively. Baseline measures of limb volume were obtained with the use of optoelectronic perometry, and reassessment was conducted at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. BCRL was identified in 46 of 196 women at an average of 6.9 months postoperatively. A retrospective analysis was conducted in which we examined volume changes over four 10‐cm segments of the limb at the visits before the onset of BCRL. By using repeated‐measures multivariate analysis of variance, we compared segmental volumes between groups at preoperative baseline, time of diagnosis of BCRL, and time of follow‐up after early intervention. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine the strength of the relationship between total limb volume change with segmental volumes at the time of diagnosis of BCRL.

Main Outcome Measurements

We hypothesized that segmental volume changes occur and can be measured in the limb before the onset of lymphedema.

Results

At arm segments 10‐20 cm (P = .044) and 20‐30 cm (P <.001), a significant volume increase was noted before the diagnosis of subclinical BCRL. Segmental volume changes correlated to the total limb volume (TLV) change. At segments 20‐30 cm, the coefficient of determination was r2 = 0.952, and at 10‐20 cm it was r2 = 0.845, suggesting that these segments predicted TLV changes.

Conclusion

Serial interval assessment of limb volume segments may be an important clinical tool to detect early‐onset lymphedema before TLV changes.
Turbulent boundary layers over permeable walls: scaling and near-wall structure
Authors: Manes C. , Poggi D. , Ridolfi L.
Published: October 2011

This paper presents an experimental study devoted to investigating the effects of permeability on wall turbulence. Velocity measurements were performed by means of laser Doppler anemometry in open channel flows over walls characterized by a wide range of permeability. Previous studies proposed that the von Kármán coefficient associated with mean velocity profiles over permeable walls is significantly lower than the standard values reported for flows over smooth and rough walls. Furthermore, it was observed that turbulent flows over permeable walls do not fully respect the widely accepted paradigm of outer-layer similarity. Our data suggest that both anomalies can be explained as an effect of poor inner–outer scale separation if the depth of shear penetration within the permeable wall is considered as the representative length scale of the inner layer. We observed that with increasing permeability, the near-wall structure progressively evolves towards a more organized state until it reaches the condition of a perturbed mixing layer where the shear instability of the inflectional mean velocity profile dictates the scale of the dominant eddies. In our experiments such shear instability eddies were detected only over the wall with the highest permeability. In contrast attached eddies were present over all the other wall conditions. On the basis of these findings, we argue that the near-wall structure of turbulent flows over permeable walls is regulated by a competing mechanism between attached and shear instability eddies. We also argue that the ratio between the shear penetration depth and the boundary layer thickness quantifies the ratio between such eddy scales and, therefore, can be used as a diagnostic parameter to assess which eddy structure dominates the near-wall region for different wall permeability and flow conditions.
Accession 8 Migration and the Proactive and Defensive Engagement of Social Citizenship
Authors: COOK JOANNE , DWYER PETER , WAITE LOUISE
Published: October 2011

Following the expansion of the European Union in 2004 unprecedented numbers of Accession 8 migrants from Central and Eastern Europe entered the UK. These migrants are often concentrated in particular urban neighbourhoods, which are already routinely home to diverse communities and/or characterised by high levels of social deprivation. Using original data from a study in a northern English city, this paper explores the ways in which established communities experience and make sense of the local impact of new migration within their neighbourhoods. The belief that newly arrived migrants are in competition with established communities for finite local jobs and welfare resources is central to the expressed concerns of established communities about the potential for A8 migration to have a localised negative impact.

Utilising Ellison's (2000) theoretical insights, the paper argues that established communities’ concerns, rather than being simply an expression of xenophobic intolerance, have their basis in how the expansion of the EU facilitates opportunities for the ‘proactive engagement’ of citizenship status among A8 migrants, whilst often triggering a more ‘defensive engagement’ among members of local host communities.
Analysis of Statistics for Generalized Stirling Permutations
Authors: KUBA MARKUS , PANHOLZER ALOIS
Published: October 2011

In this work we give a study of generalizations of Stirling permutations, a restricted class of permutations of multisets introduced by Gessel and Stanley [15]. First we give several bijections between such generalized Stirling permutations and various families of increasing trees extending the known correspondences of [20, 21]. Then we consider several permutation statistics of interest for generalized Stirling permutations as the number of left-to-right minima, the number of left-to-right maxima, the number of blocks of specified sizes, the distance between occurrences of elements, and the number of inversions. For all these quantities we give a distributional study, where the established connections to increasing trees turn out to be very useful. To obtain the exact and limiting distribution results we use several techniques ranging from generating functions, connections to urn models, martingales and Stein's method.
Motion Sickness: Comparison of Metoclopramide and Diphenhydramine to Placebo
Authors: Rubio Stephanie , Weichenthal Lori , Andrews Jim
Published: October 2011

Objectives: This is an evaluation of the efficacy of metoclopramide (MTCP) or diphenhydramine (DPH) to relieve symptoms of motion sickness in patients being transported via ambulance in a mountainous setting.

Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of patients transported by ambulance in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Fresno County. Consenting patients who met the inclusion criteria were asked to rate their motion sickness every five minutes using a visual analog scale (VAS) during transport. If motion sickness occurred, they were randomized to receive MTCP (20 mg IV), DPH (50 mg IV), or placebo (normal saline), and remaining symptoms were recorded every five minutes. If signs and symptoms of motion sickness persisted after 15 minutes, a rescue dose of MTCP was offered.

Results: Twenty-six patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty-two (84.6%) developed motion sickness and were randomized to MTCP, DPH, or placebo. Eight patients received MTCP, seven received DPH, and seven received placebo. The MTCP group showed a statistically significant decrease in the mean VAS score at 15 minutes compared to the DPH and placebo groups. There was no significant difference in the decrease in VAS score between the placebo and the DPH group. Twelve out of 22 patients requested a rescue dose of MTCP after 15 minutes. At 25 minutes, there was no significant difference in the VAS score between the three groups.

Conclusion: During ambulance transport in a mountainous setting, the administration of MTCP is superior to both DPH and placebo in the treatment of motion sickness. Diphenhydramine is not superior to placebo.
Developing the theoretical basis for service user/survivor-led research and equal involvement in research
Authors: Beresford Peter
Published: October 2011

Aims and methods — This article, written from a service user/survivor perspective, explores a hypothesis which seeks to offer a more systematic basis for the full and equal involvement of mental health service users/survivors in both the research process and research structures more generally. The hypothesis challenges traditional emphasis on positivist assumptions about the priority of values of ‘distance’, ‘neutrality’ and ‘objectivity’ (which it argues discriminate against service users and their experiential knowledge). It explores instead the idea that ‘the shorter the distance between direct experience and its interpretation, then the less likely resulting knowledge is to be inaccurate, unreliable and distorted. Results and conclusions — The proposal discusses ways in which such (objective and subjective) distance may be reduced, to improve the quality of research, to enable more equal involvement of service users and their direct experience and to make it possible for non-service user researchers to work alongside service users on more equal terms.

Declaration of Interest: Peter Beresford is Professor of Social Policy at Brunei University and Chair of Shaping Our Lives, the national independent user controlled organisation which receives its core funding from the UK Department of Health. No financial support from pharmaceutical or other commercial companies has been received by the author over the last two years. Funding has been gained from governmental and non-governmenatal funding agencies.
Delusion formation and insight in the context of affective disturbance
Authors: Gibbs Ayana A. , David Anthony S.
Published: October 2011

Objective– Delusions and lack of insight have traditionally been viewed as the defining characteristics of insanity and in modern psychiatry continue to be central to the diagnosis of psychosis. Little is known about the mechanisms of delusion formation and much of the research into delusions and lack of insight has been focussed on schizophrenia, in spite of the fact that these symptoms are also prominent in other disorders e.g., affective psychosis. The objective of this paper is to review the literature on existing theories of delusions and insight with reference to the effects of affective disturbance on memory processes.Method– Narrative review supplemented by literature searches using Medline, PsycINFO and EMBASE databases for the period 1980 to present using terms “delusion”, “insight” and “affect”.Results– The role of affect on memory in normal psychology and delusions in psychopathology is being increasingly recognised. We sketch out a theory which gives weight to locating the formation and maintenance of mood congruent and mood incongruent delusional beliefs (and insight into such beliefs) within a model of normal memory processes.Conclusion– We conclude that delusional beliefs may represent false or biased memories of internal or external events modified and strengthened of by affective states. We propose that insight rests on an ability to identify these memories as internally generated or biased. In view of the growing body of knowledge accumulating from the study of memory, emotion and their neuropsychological correlates we would suggest using this as an evidence base for the further neuropsychiatric investigation of delusional beliefs.

Declaration of Interest: none.
Is there a continuum of psychotic experiences in the general population?
Authors: Van Os Jim
Published: October 2011

Aims- Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that affects 1% of the population. The diagnosis is made according to current diagnostic systems of DSM-1V (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) and ICD-10 (World Health Organisation, 1992), on the basis of characteristic ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ symptoms. The traditional model assumes a categorical view of the schizophrenia syndrome and its core symptoms, in which differences between psychotic symptoms and their normal counterparts are considered to be qualitative. An alternative, dimensional approach assumes that schizophrenia is not a discrete illness entity, but that psychotic symptoms differ in quantitative ways from normal experiences and behaviours. This paper reviews evidence for the continuity of psychotic symptoms with normal experiences, focusing on the symptoms of hallucinations and delusions.Methods- A qualitative review of the relevant literature.Results- The literature suggests that although current epidemiological approaches yield substantial evidence for a continuum view, it is rarely interpreted as such.Conclusions- The traditional concept ofschizophrenia as a homogeneous disease entity has become outdated and is in dire need of a more valid and clinically useful successor.

Declaration of Interests

Support has been received in the last two years from the Dutch Research Council, The Dutch Ministry of Health, Maastricht University, The Dutch Brain Society, ZON-MW, The Province of Limburg, The Council of Maastricht, Eli Lilly, Janssen-Cilag, Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca and Bristol Meyer Squibb. None of these funding sources represents a conflict of interest in relation to this article.
Towards a dynamic description of major depression epidemiology
Authors: Patten Scott B. , Lee Robert C.
Published: October 2011

Aims – The substantial impact of major depression on population health is widely acknowledged. To date, health system responses to this condition have been largely shaped by observational findings. In the future, health policy decisions will benefit from an increasingly integrated and dynamic understanding of the epidemiology of this condition. Policy decisions can also be supported by the development of decision-support tools that can simulate the impact of alternative policy decisions on population health. Markov models are useful both in epidemiological modelling and in decision analysis. Methods – In this project, a Markov model describing major depression epidemiology was developed. The model employed a Markov Tunnel in order to depict the dependence of recovery probabilities on episode duration. Transition probabilities, including incidence, recovery and mortality were estimated from Canadian national survey data. Results – Episode incidence was approximately 3% per year. Recovery rates declined exponentially over time. The model predicted point prevalence at slightly less than 1%, agreeing closely with observed prevalence data. Conclusions – Epidemiological models describing the dynamic relationships between major depression incidence, prevalence, recovery and mortality can help to integrate available epidemiological data. Such models offer an attractive option for support of health policy decisions.

Declaration of Interest

Acknowledgement: Both authors are Research Fellows with the Institute of Health Economics (www.ihe.ab.ca). This study was supported by an operating grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (www.cihr.ca).
Attitudes toward disabilities and mental illness in work settings: a review
Authors: Mangili Edoardo , Ponteri Marco , Buizza Chiara , Rossi Giuseppe
Published: October 2011

Aims – The aim of the present work is to analyse employers' and employees' attitudes towards the job integration of people with mental illness or disability and to highlight the socio-demographic and organizational characteristic that are more significantly associated with such attitudes. Method – We performedPsycINFO, AskERIC and Medlinesearches for studies published from 1961 to 2002, with key words such asattitudes, stigma, schizophrenia, mental illness, disability, employers, employees, co-workers and supported employment. Results – Our review of the literature showed that the possibility for people with severe mental illness or disability to enter job market is limited by the discriminating attitudes of employers. The socio-demographic and organizational characteristics, which are more significantly associated with employers' more positive attitudes, are: dimension of the company, previous positive contact with people with disability and employers' high educational level. Conclusions – Such information could be useful to identify and, perhaps, select those companies, which can be predicted as more likely to accept people with mental disorders as part of their work force; they could also be used to train job applicants to improve their social skills. Finally such information could be used to plan specific programs to modify attitudes of employees and employers.

Declaration of Interests

in the last two years, the authors have been paid by the IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli in Brescia (Italy), either as employees, or through research assistantships, or as free professionals.