bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatores de risco para a recidiva da tuberculose
Authors: Picon Pedro Dornelles , Bassanesi Sergio Luiz , Caramori Maria Luiza Avancini , Ferreira Roberto Luiz Targa , Jarczewski Carla Adriane , Vieira Patrícia Rodrigues de Borba
Published: November 2007

OBJETIVO: Identificar fatores de risco para a recidiva da tuberculose. MÉTODOS: Estudou-se uma coorte de 610 pacientes com tuberculose pulmonar bacilífera inscritos para tratamento entre 1989 e 1994 e curados com o esquema contendo rifampicina, isoniazida e pirazinamida (RHZ). Avaliaram-se os seguintes fatores de risco: idade, sexo, cor, duração dos sintomas, cavitação das lesões, extensão da doença, diabetes melito, alcoolismo, infecção pelo HIV, negativação tardia do escarro, adesão ao tratamento e doses dos fármacos. Para detecção das recidivas, os pacientes foram seguidos por 7,7 ± 2,0 anos, após a cura, pelo sistema de informação da Secretaria Estadual da Saúde do Rio Grande do Sul. Nas análises utilizaram-se os testes t de Student, qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher e a regressão de Cox. RESULTADOS: Ocorreram 26 recidivas (4,3%), correspondendo a 0,55/100 pessoas-ano. A taxa de recidiva foi de 5,95 e 0,48/100 pessoas-ano, respectivamente, nos pacientes HIV-positivos e nos HIV-negativos (p < 0,0001). Na análise multivariada, a infecção pelo HIV [RR = 8,04 (IC95%: 2,35-27,50); p = 0,001] e o uso irregular da medicação [RR = 6,43 (IC95%: 2,02-20,44); p = 0,002] mostraram-se independentemente associados às recidivas. CONCLUSÕES: A recidiva da tuberculose foi mais freqüente nos pacientes HIV-positivos e naqueles que não aderiram ao tratamento auto-administrado (esquema-RHZ). Pacientes com pelo menos um destes fatores de risco poderão se beneficiar com a implantação de um sistema de vigilância pós-tratamento para detecção precoce de recidivas. Para prevenir a não-adesão ao tratamento da tuberculose, a alternativa seria a utilização de tratamento supervisionado.
Resistência a drogas em cepas de mycobacterium tuberculosis isoladas de amostras de escarro de pacientes ambulatoriais sintomáticos: Complexo de Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Authors: Mendes Joycenea Matsuda , Lourenço Maria Cristina , Ferreira Rosa Maria Carvalho , Fonseca Leila de Souza , Saad Maria Helena Feres
Published: November 2007

Para descrever a resistência a drogas em cepas de Mycobacterium tuberculosis isoladas de amostras de escarro de 263 pacientes suspeitos de tuberculose moradores do Complexo de Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, as culturas positivas entre outubro de 2000 e dezembro de 2002 foram submetidas a teste de sensibilidade para isoniazida, rifampicina, estreptomicina, etionamida e etambutol. Resistência a qualquer das drogas foi encontrada em 21,4% (16/75) dos pacientes diagnosticados com tuberculose. Destes, 50% (8/16) eram casos novos e 50% (8/16) eram casos com tratamento anterior. A tuberculose multirresistente foi encontrada em 10,6% (8/75) do total de pacientes, estando associada a tratamento anterior em 8% (6/75) deles. Nossos resultados podem ter sido subestimados, pois M. tuberculosis não pôde ser isolado em todas as amostras positivas para bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes. Contudo, eles pelo menos revelam parte do problema.
Linfangite carcinomatosa pulmonar como manifestação inicial de adenocarcinoma de ovário
Authors: Martynychen Mariane Gonçalves , Rabelo Lêda Maria , Silva Rodney Luiz Frare e , Escuissato Dante Luiz
Published: November 2007

A linfangite carcinomatosa corresponde a cerca de 8% das neoplasias pulmonares metastáticas. Os sítios primários mais comuns são mama, pulmão, estômago, próstata e pâncreas. Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente de 42 anos na qual a primeira manifestação de um adenocarcinoma de ovário foi a linfangite carcinomatosa, uma forma incomum de apresentação da doença.
Pólipo traqueal
Authors: Baldi Bruno Guedes , Fernandes Caio Júlio César dos Santos , Salge João Marcos , Takagaki Teresa Yae
Published: November 2007

Tumores benignos primários da traquéia são raros, sendo o mais freqüente a papilomatose benigna recorrente. Muitas vezes simulam doenças pulmonares obstrutivas, como asma e doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, sendo os pacientes tratados como portadores de tais doenças por longo período sem apresentar melhora. Deve-se, portanto, incluí-los no diagnóstico diferencial dos quadros de obstrução da árvore traqueobrônquica. Relata-se um caso de paciente com pólipo traqueal com evolução de três anos e espirometria evidenciando padrão de obstrução intratorácica variável, que evoluiu com melhora clínica e funcional completa após ressecção por via broncoscópica.
Numerical analysis of reinforced soil-retaining wall structures with cohesive and granular backfills
Authors: Guler E. , Hamderi M. , Demirkan M. M.
Published: November 2007

The failure mechanisms of reinforced soil segmental walls with extensible reinforcements were studied by performing a numerical analysis using the finite element method. The numerical approach was first verified against the results of three instrumented full-scale structures reported in the literature. Finite element models with different combinations of reinforcement spacing, reinforcement length and backfill soil were analysed. The ϕ–c reduction method, which is a special shear strength parameter reduction technique, was applied to simulate the failure conditions. The results of ϕ–c reduction analysis were used to evaluate assumptions used in current design procedures for geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls. In particular, shear strains were used to identify failure surfaces. Interpretation of the results indicated that, for both granular and cohesive backfills, the potential failure surface gradually shifts to a direct sliding mode as the system approaches failure. As a result, under working loads the potential failure surface used in current design analysis is correct, but the failure plane of a geosynthetic-reinforced soil-retaining wall at failure approaches a direct sliding type or a bilinear plane, which starts from the toe of the wall with a very shallow slope.
Project FIND: A Profile of a Community-Based Senior Services Agency
Authors: Lockwood Andrée
Published: November 2007

Project FIND has been providing innovative supportive housing, nutrition, and social support to homeless and low- and moderate-income seniors on New York City’s West Side since 1967. This article profiles this nonprofit, community-based agency, which was established to meet the needs of the frail and isolated elderly, and has continued to grow and evolve in response to changing demographics, neighborhood gentrification, and needs of both the homeless as well as the active “younger old.” The article describes creative programming that has distinguished Project FIND’s response to seniors’ needs beyond basic housing and nutrition. It also explores what it takes to successfully provide senior services using limited resources and examines challenges for the future both nationally and for the agency.
Older Case Management Clients With Younger Family Members in Need of Care: Interdependencies and Well-Being
Authors: Essex Elizabeth Lehr , Biegel David E.
Published: November 2007

This exploratory study investigated caregiving and interdependencies in families of frail older case management clients who coreside with younger individuals in need of care. Analyses were based on interviews with 78 older adults recruited from a large urban case management program. To be eligible for the study, the older adult had to coreside with an individual under age 60 who had disabilities or chronic health problems and/or with minors. Results indicated that the majority of older adults were primary caregivers for at least one younger individual. In a substantial number of families, the older adult depended on a younger adult with disabilities for primary care. Older adults who lived with both younger adults with disabilities and minors experienced more negative affect than those who lived with only one of these two kinds of younger individuals. Positive affect among elders living with younger adults with disabilities was positively related to the number of formal services received by the younger adults. The implications of these findings for service delivery to families with complex needs for care are discussed.
Investigation study for technological application of alternative methods for the energy exploitation of biomass/agricultural residues in Northern Greece
Authors: Zabaniotou Anastasia , Skoulou Vicky , Koufodimos Georgios , Samaras Zissis
Published: November 2007

Biomass energy potential is addressed to be the most promising among the renewable energy sources, due to its spread and availability worldwide. Apart form that, biomass has the unique advantage among the rest of renewable energy sources, to be able to provide solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels that can be stored, transported, and utilized, far away from the point of origin. For the northern region of Macedonia in Greece, biomass utilization is considered to be a major issue, due to the considerably intensive regional agricultural activities. Wood by-products, fruit cores, rice husk and cotton gin waste provide a promising energy source for the region. The energy potential of the available agricultural biomass produced in the region is much enough to cover the 10% of the annual oil consumption utilized for thermal applications. However, the cost of energy utilization of biomass is considerably high due to the high cost of the logistics concerning the collection, transport, and storage of biomass. The available utilization technologies developed, to handle efficiently all different species of biomass, cover a wide technological range. One of the most promising technologies involving thermal treatment of biomass and the production of a gaseous fuel (biogas) for industrial heat applications and electricity production, is the thermo chemical conversion. In the present work, an investigation concerning biomass potential for energy production in the region of central Macedonia in Greece, utilizing several locally produced biomass species, is conducted. Emphasis is put on the energy utilization of agricultural by-products and residues. Agricultural sector is of great importance due to the considerably intensive agricultural activities in the region of Central Macedonia. .
Extreme gravitational lensing in vicinity of Schwarzschild-de Sitter black holes
Authors: Bakala Pavel , Čermák Petr , Hledík Stanislav , Stuchlík Zdeněk , Truparová Kamila
Published: November 2007

We have developed a realistic, fully general relativistic computer code to simulate optical projection in a strong, spherically symmetric gravitational field. The standard theoretical analysis of optical projection for an observer in the vicinity of a Schwarzschild black hole is extended to black hole spacetimes with a repulsive cosmological constant, i.e, Schwarzschild-de Sitterspacetimes. Influence of the cosmological constant is investigated for static observers and observers radially free-falling from the static radius. Simulations include effects of the gravitational lensing, multiple images, Doppler and gravitational frequency shift, as well as the intensity amplification. The code generates images of the sky for the static observer and a movie simulations of the changing sky for the radially free-falling observer. Techniques of parallel programming are applied to get a high performance and a fast run of the BHC simulation code.
Regulation of bacterial protease activity
Authors: Władyka Benedykt , Pustelny Katarzyna
Published: November 2007

Proteases, also referred to as peptidases, are the enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in polipeptides. A variety of biological functions and processes depend on their activity. Regardless of the organism’s complexity, peptidases are essential at every stage of life of every individual cell, since all protein molecules produced must be proteolytically processed and eventually recycled. Protease inhibitors play a crucial role in the required strict and multilevel control of the activity of proteases involved in processes conditioning both the physiological and pathophysiological functioning of an organism, as well as in host-pathogen interactions. This review describes the regulation of activity of bacterial proteases produced by dangerous human pathogens, focusing on the Staphylococcus genus.
Carvedilol modifies antioxidant status of patients with stable angina
Authors: Kowalski Jan , Banach Maciej , Barylski Marcin , Irzmanski Robert , Pawlicki Lucjan
Published: November 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carvedilol on the enzymatic antioxidative defence and plasma antioxidative activity in patients with stable angina. The study comprised 30 patients, aged 37–49 years with stable angina. Patients received carvedilol in escalating doses of 12.5 mg/24 h, 25 mg/24 h, and 50 mg/24 h for 4 weeks each. The control group was matched for age and gender, and consisted of 12 healthy volunteers, aged 39-49 years. Blood samples were collected from the cubital vein before and 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the therapy from the patients and once from the control group. For all the subjects, the superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) activities in the erythrocytes and the antioxidant activity of the blood plasma were determined. The enzymatic antioxidative defence was significantly decreased in patients with stable angina in comparison to the healthy subjects. During the carvedilol therapy, an increase in the SOD-1, GSH-Px and CAT activities was observed. Moreover, 8 and 12 weeks after carvedilol therapy, the GSH-Px activity did not differ significantly from that observed in the group of healthy subjects. Carvedilol also increased the plasma antioxidative activity in patients with stable angina, but its level remained significantly lower than in the control group. In conclusion, carvedilol enhances antioxidant defense mechanisms in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris.
Analysis of anticipated performance of 650-nm GaInP/AlGaInP quantum-well GaAs-based VCSELs at elevated temperatures
Authors: Piskorski Ł. , Sarzała R. , Nakwaski W.
Published: November 2007

The possibility of application of the 650-nm oxide-confined GaInP/AlGaInP quantum-well vertical-cavity surface-emitting diode lasers (VCSELs) at elevated temperatures as sources of the carrier 650-nm wave in the fibre optical communication using POFs has been investigated with the aid of the comprehensive self-consistent model. An increase in the VCSEL threshold current at higher temperatures has been found to be mostly associated with both the carrier leakage from the valley of the Ga0.43In0.57P quantum-well material to the X-valley of the (Al0.67Ga0.33)0.52In0.48P barriers and the band-to-band absorption within the Ga0.52In0.48P layer of the band-gap comparable with the energy of emitted radiation. Nevertheless, the AlGaInP VCSELs exhibit encouraging thermal behaviour with the characteristic temperature T0 equal to as much as 134 K for the active-region temperatures up to 357 K. For the 5-μm devices, the maximal achievable output has been determined to decrease from a quite high value of 1.0 mW for 293 K to 0.6 mW for 320 K and to still high 0.33 mW for 340 K. However, an efficient operation of the above VCSEL at elevated temperatures requires still some structure modifications leading to a reduction of both the above effects, the electron leakage from the valley and the band-to-band absorption within GaInP layers.
The “Cocktail Party Syndrome” in children with Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida
Authors: TEW BRIAN
Published: November 2007

This paper reviews the literature on the “cocktail party” syndrome, a language disorder apparently specific to children with hydrocephalus. The results of detailed psychological testing at the age of five showed that children with the cocktail party syndrome can be distinguished from other cases of spina bifida, as having significantly lower Wechsler Intelligence Test scores and very retarded social skills. Visual perceptual abilities were also significantly poorer. The reported verbal fluency of children with the cocktail party syndrome did not, however, lead to superior scores on the Reynell Expressive Language Scales, for these children found difficulty in using language creatively in spite of good syntax. Further assessment at the age of seven revealed these children to be significantly poorer than other cases of spina bifida in reading, spelling, arithmetic, and they had shorter concentration spans and slightly more behaviour problems in school according to their teachers. There was evidence that the cocktail party syndrome declines with age and its presence at the age of ten is diagnostically significant of a subnormal level of intelligence. Children with this syndrome are more likely to be female and to have more severe physical handicaps. It is suggested that the results of this survey explain certain controversies in the literature.
Does Eulemur cinereiceps exist? Preliminary evidence from genetics and ground surveys in southeastern Madagascar
Authors: Johnson Steig E. , Lei Runhua , Martin Sara K. , Irwin Mitchell T. , Louis Edward E.
Published: November 2007

Although appearing in the literature as early as 1890, the brown lemur form Eulemur cinereiceps has recently resurfaced as a potentially valid taxon, distinct from neighboring, presumably closely related species such as white‐collared lemurs (Eulemur albocollaris). We propose two scenarios for the potential separation of E. cinereiceps and E. albocollaris: (1) coastal and interior populations represent two distinct taxa and (2) the coastal population north of the Manampatrana River (the locality for purported museum specimens of E. cinereiceps) represents a distinct species from E. albocollaris found south of the river and in the interior escarpment forests. We tested these hypotheses using data from ground surveys and genetic sampling. Surveys were conducted in coastal forest fragments both north and south of the Manampatrana River in July–August 2006. Genetic samples were collected at two coastal sites and one interior forest. We used maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and neighbor‐joining analyses on mitochondrial DNA regions to determine if populations from different sites clustered into diagnosable clades. Results from field surveys confirmed the presence of forms commonly referred to as E. albocollaris at the two southern coastal forests; no consistent phenotypic differences across sites were observed. All genetic analyses yielded identical results: coastal and interior populations do not cluster into separate groups, thus rejecting the first hypothesis. Eulemur species and all other day‐active lemurs have apparently been extirpated from coastal forests north of the Manampatrana. Owing to the absence of lemurs from the northern coastal localities, we could not conclusively support or reject the second scenario. However, based on examination of the original plates and museum specimens, as well as the biogeographic patterns typical of this region, we strongly suspect that all populations from this area belong to a single species. We conclude with remarks regarding the apparent priority of E. cinereiceps for this taxon. Am. J. Primatol. 70:372–385, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Baboons (Papio papio) spontaneously process the first‐order but not second‐order configural properties of faces
Authors: Parron Carole , Fagot Joël
Published: November 2007

A two‐alternative forced‐choice discrimination task was used to assess whether baboons (N=7) spontaneously process qualitative (i.e., first‐order) or quantitative (i.e., second‐order) variations in the configural arrangement of facial features. Experiment 1 used as test stimuli second‐order pictorial faces of humans or baboons in which the mouth and the eyes were rotated upside down relative to the normal face. Baboons readily discriminated two different normal faces but did not discriminate a normal face from its second‐order modified version. Experiment 2 used human or baboon faces for which the first‐order configural properties had been distorted by reversing the location of the eyes and mouth within the face. Discrimination was prompt with these stimuli. Experiment 3 replicated some of the conditions and the results of experiment 1, thus ruling out possible effects of learning. It is concluded that baboons are more adept at spontaneously processing first‐ than second‐order configural facial properties, similar to what is known in the human developmental literature. Am. J. Primatol. 70:415–422, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Perception of the electromagnetic field emitted by a mobile phone
Authors: Kwon Myoung Soo , Koivisto Mika , Laine Matti , Hämäläinen Heikki
Published: November 2007

Electromagnetic sensibility refers to the ability to perceive the electromagnetic field (EMF) without necessarily developing health symptoms attributed to EMF exposure. A large sample of young healthy adults (n = 84) performed two forced‐choice tasks on the perception of the GSM mobile phone EMF (902 MHz pulsed at 217 Hz), “Was the field on?” and “Did the field change?” (3 conditions × 100 trials for each task, n = 600 trials in total). A monetary prize was announced for good performance (correct response rate ≥75%, n = 600 trials). The performance was no better than expected by chance, and thus none of the participants won the prize. Two participants showed extraordinary performance in one of the task conditions (“Was the field on?”, n = 100 trials), with correct response rates of 97% (P = 1.28 × 10−25) and 94% (P = 9.40 × 10−22), but they failed to replicate the result in the retest of six blocks of the same condition 1 month later. Six participants had reported being able to perceive the mobile phone EMF in the preliminary inquiry, but they performed no better than the others. This study provides empirical evidence against the existence of electromagnetic sensibility to the mobile phone EMF, demonstrating the necessity for replication in EMF studies. Bioelectromagnetics 29:154–159, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The denitrification capability of cluster 1 Defluviicoccus vanus‐related glycogen‐accumulating organisms
Authors: Wang Xiaolian , Zeng Raymond J. , Dai Yu , Peng Yongzhen , Yuan Zhiguo
Published: November 2007

The denitrification capability of Cluster 1 Defluviicoccus vanus‐related glycogen‐accumulating organisms (DvGAOs) is investigated. A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with acetate as the sole carbon source was operated under alternating anaerobic–aerobic conditions to enrich Cluster 1 DvGAOs. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that more than 85% of the bacterial population present in the reactor bound to the probes previously designed for Cluster 1 DvGAOs. A series of batch tests were performed to evaluate the capability of the community to reduce nitrate and nitrite. The tests were carried out both before and after the adaptation of the culture to anoxic conditions, and with both the intracellularly stored carbon and acetate as the electron donors. It was found that Cluster 1 DvGAOs were able to reduce nitrate but most likely unable to reduce nitrite. When un‐adapted Cluster 1 DvGAOs were exposed to nitrate for the first time, a lag phase of approximately 4 h occurred, which was likely required for the synthesis of the necessary enzymes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;99: 1329–1336. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of rubber‐like materials using meshless local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) method
Authors: Batra R. C. , Porfiri M.
Published: November 2007

Large deformations of rubber‐like materials are analyzed by the meshless local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) method. The method does not require shadow elements or a background mesh and therefore avoids mesh distortion difficulties in large deformation problems. Basis functions for approximating the trial solution and test functions are generated by the moving least‐squares (MLS) method. A local mixed total Lagrangian weak formulation of non‐linear elastic problems is presented. The deformation gradient is split into deviatoric and dilatational parts. The strain energy density is expressed as the sum of two functions: one is a function of deviatoric strains and the other is a function of dilatational strains. The incompressibility or near incompressibility constraint is accounted for by introducing the pressure field and penalizing the part of the strain energy density depending upon the dilatational strains. Unlike in the mixed finite element formulation, in the MLPG method there is no need for different sets of basis functions for displacement and pressure fields. Results computed with the MLPG method for a few sample problems are found to compare very well with the corresponding analytical solutions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface smoothing and quality improvement of quadrilateral/hexahedral meshes with geometric flow
Authors: Zhang Yongjie , Bajaj Chandrajit , Xu Guoliang
Published: November 2007

This paper describes an approach to smooth the surface and improve the quality of quadrilateral/hexahedral meshes with feature preserved using geometric flow. For quadrilateral surface meshes, the surface diffusion flow is selected to remove noise by relocating vertices in the normal direction, and the aspect ratio is improved with feature preserved by adjusting vertex positions in the tangent direction. For hexahedral meshes, besides the surface vertex movement in the normal and tangent directions, interior vertices are relocated to improve the aspect ratio. Our method has the properties of noise removal, feature preservation and quality improvement of quadrilateral/hexahedral meshes, and it is especially suitable for biomolecular meshes because the surface diffusion flow preserves sphere accurately if the initial surface is close to a sphere. Several demonstration examples are provided from a wide variety of application domains. Some extracted meshes have been extensively used in finite element simulations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Remote Hydrogen Microwave Plasma CVD of Silicon Carbonitride Films from a Tetramethyldisilazane Source. Part 1: Characterization of the Process and Structure of the Films
Authors: Wrobel A. M. , Blaszczyk‐Lezak I.
Published: November 2007

Silicon carbonitride (Si:C:N) films are produced by hydrogen remote microwave plasma (RP)CVD using a 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisilazane precursor. The effect of the substrate temperature on the rate and yield of the hydrogen RPCVD process, chemical composition, chemical structure, and surface morphology of the resulting film are investigated. The Arrhenius plots of the substrate temperature dependencies of the mass‐ and thickness‐based growth rate and growth yield of Si:C:N film imply that RPCVD is controlled by the adsorption of film‐forming precursors onto the growth surface. The results of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) examinations reveal that the increase in substrate temperature from 35 °C to 400 °C involves the elimination of organic groups from the film and the formation of a silicon carbonitride network structure with a predominant content of Si‐C carbidic bonds. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) results show that the films are morphologically homogeneous materials of surface roughness varying in a narrow range of small values (0.9 – 2.0 nm).
Growth of Hafnium Dioxide Thin Films by MOCVD Using a New Series of Cyclopentadienyl Hafnium Compounds
Authors: Carta G. , El Habra N. , Rossetto G. , Torzo G. , Crociani L. , Natali M. , Zanella P. , Cavinato G. , Matterello V. , Rigato V. , Kaciulis S. , Mezzi A.
Published: November 2007

Thin films of HfO2 are grown by metal‐organic (MO)CVD on Si(001) and fused quartz substrates in the temperature range 400–500 °C, using a new series of bis‐cyclopentadienyl bis‐amino‐alkoxide hafnium precursors, namely [(C5H5)2Hf{OC(CH3)2CH2N(CH3)2}2] and [(C5H5)2Hf{OCH(CH3)CH2N(CH3)2}2], stable in air because of their strong coordination to the metal center. The films obtained are investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Monoclinic phase HfO2 (baddeleyite) films, characterized by a correct stoichiometric ratio and a granular surface morphology with a roughness/thickness ratio that decreases with increasing deposition rate, are obtained.
Octahedral Alkylbis(phenoxy‐imine)tin(IV) Complexes: Effect of Substituents on the Geometry of the Complexes and Their Reactivity Toward Ionizing Species and Ethylene
Authors: Annunziata Liana , Pappalardo Daniela , Tedesco Consiglia , Pellecchia Claudio
Published: November 2007

The synthesis and characterization of the organo‐tin compounds L2SnR2 [L = N‐(3,5‐dichlorosalicylidene)aniline; R = CH3 (1), R = CH2Ph (2)] and L′2SnR2 [3: L′ = N‐(3‐tert‐butylsalicylidene)aniline, R = CH2Ph] are described herein. NMR studies showed a highly symmetric structure for complex 1, with the alkyl groups in a trans configuration, and thepresence of at least two isomers in fluxional equilibrium for compounds 2 and 3. Single‐crystal X‐ray characterization for compound 2 showed an octahedral geometry with the alkyl groups in trans relationship. The reactivity of the synthesized compounds toward ionizing agents was studied by NMR spectroscopy. For compounds 1 and 2 formation of cationic species through alkyl abstraction by B(C6F5)3 was observed. For compound 3, a cationic species was obtained by reaction with 1 equiv. of [C(C6H5)3]+[B(C6F5)4]–; in this species a ηn coordination of the benzyl group with the metal centre was recognized by NMR solution study. All the obtained cationic species promoted ethylene oligomerization under mild conditions, producing oligomers with saturated end groups and methyl branches. Oligoethylene end‐group NMR analysis and deuteriolysis experiments excluded the migratory‐insertion mechanism. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
pH‐Induced Luminescence Changes of Chromophore‐Quencher Tricarbonylpolypyridylrhenium(I) Complexes with 4‐Pyridinealdazine (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 34/2007)
Authors: Cattaneo Mauricio , Fagalde Florencia , Katz Néstor E. , Borsarelli Claudio D. , Parella Teodor
Published: November 2007

The cover picture shows that consecutive protonation of the pyridine N and imine N atoms of 4‐pyridinealdazine (PCA) in the complex [Re(4,4′‐CO2Me‐bpy)(CO)3(PCA)]+ (bpy = 2,2′‐bipiridine) lead to bell‐shaped curves for both the absorbance and the emission intensity vs. pH; the latter property can be employed to devise novel luminescent pH sensors of the on‐off‐on type. Details are discussed in the article by N. E. Katz et al. on p. 5323 ff.
Stripping Voltammetry of Cerium(IIl) with a Chemically Modified Carbon Paste Electrode Containing Functionalized Nanoporous Silica Gel
Authors: Javanbakht Mehran , Khoshsafar Hamid , Ganjali Mohammad Reza , Norouzi Parviz , Badei Alireza , Hasheminasab Abed
Published: November 2007

This research introduces the design of an adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the cerium(III) determination at a carbon paste electrode, chemically modified with dipyridyl‐functionalized nanoporous silica gel (DPNSG‐CPE). The electroanalytical procedure comprised two steps: the Ce(III) chemical accumulation at −200 mV followed by the electrochemical detection of the Ce(III)/dipyridyl complex, using anodic stripping voltammetry. The factors, influencing the adsorptive stripping performance, were optimized including the modifier quantity in the paste, the electrolyte concentrations, the solution pH and the accumulation potential or time. The resulting electrode demonstrated a linear response over a wide range of Ce(III) concentration (1.0–28 ng mL−1). The precision for seven determinations of 4 and 10 ng mL−1 Ce(III) was 3.2% and 2.5% (relative standard deviation), respectively. The prepared electrode was used for the cerium determination in real samples and very good recovery results were obtained.
A novel fibre design strategy for simultaneously introducing ultra small dispersion and dispersion slope using genetic algorithm
Authors: Oskouei Morteza Savadi , Rostami Ali , Makouei Somayeh
Published: November 2007

In this paper, design of the WII triple‐clad structure as a dispersion flattened optical fibre applicable for high bit rate optical communications such as DWDM and OTDM is considered. The presented technique is based on the genetic algorithm (GA) method including a weighted fitness function. In the foregoing strategy what we believe to be a novel design methodology, a multivariables design problem is reduced to a two‐dimensional design process (σ, λ0) and this reduction is so excellent from designing point of view. The suggested weighted fitness function is capable of gathering optimal values for the dispersion and its slope simultaneously. The achieved results for the dispersion and slope at [1.5–1.6] µm wavelength interval were in [(−0.510)–(0.191)] ps/km/nm and [0.0137–0.0007] ps/km/nm2 ranges, respectively. We show that by increasing the Gaussian parameter (σ) of the weighted fitness function the dispersion reduces and becomes flattened in the wide wavelength interval. For example, in the case of σ=4.9467e‐8 the dispersion flattened broadness is larger than 120 nm. The proposed technique based on the weighted fitness function includes another design parameter, called central wavelength (λ0), which introduces additional capability to shift the zero dispersion wavelength at the arbitrary λ0 precisely. So, this fibre structure can be designed to work in each standard communication bands (S, C, and L bands). The technique put forward is capable of minimising the pulse broadening factor over the predefined interval of wavelength that is essential for large bandwidth applications. It should be mentioned that the dispersion and its slope are evaluated analytically and then the presented results have supreme precision compared to the traditional methods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visual hallucinations and symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder in Parkinsonian tauopathies
Authors: Diederich Nico J. , Leurgans Sue , Fan Wenqing , Chmura Teresa A. , Goetz Christopher G.
Published: November 2007

Background

In Parkinsonism, visual hallucinations (VH) and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) have been thought to indicate underlying synucleinopathy.

Objectives

We tested the validity of this hypothesis by searching for VH and RBD symptoms in Parkinsonism related to tauopathies.

Methods

Patients with progressive supranuclear palsy or corticobasal degeneration were identified via a clinical data bank.

Results

Of 53 patients who expressed study interest by telephone, 44 returned questionnaires. VH occurred in 16% of patients. Similarly, acting out of dreams occurred in 16% of patients. Neither VH nor RBD symptoms were linked to disease duration or dopaminergic medication and there was no mutual association.

Conclusion

VH and RBD symptoms also occur in Parkinsonism related to tauopathies, thus refuting the initial hypothesis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aurora‐A and Cyclin D1 polymorphisms and the age of onset of colorectal cancer in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
Authors: Talseth Bente A. , Ashton Katie A. , Meldrum Cliff , Suchy Janina , Kurzawski Grzegorz , Lubinski Jan , Scott Rodney J.
Published: November 2007

Polymorphisms in the 2 cell‐cycle control genes Aurora A and Cyclin D1 have previously been associated with changes in the age of onset of colorectal cancer in persons harboring germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). In this report, we have genotyped 312 individuals, who all harbored confirmed causative mutations in either hMSH2 or hMLH1, for 2 polymorphisms, one in Aurora A (T91A) and the other in Cyclin D1 (G870A). The results reveal that the previous association with the Aurora A polymorphism could not be confirmed in our larger group of HNPCC patients. The Cyclin D1 polymorphism, however, was associated with a significant difference in the age of disease onset on patients harboring hMSH2 mutations, which was not observed in hMLH1 mutation carriers. A combined analysis of the Aurora A and Cyclin D1 polymorphisms did not reveal any obvious association. In conclusion, it appears that the polymorphic variant of Aurora A does not appear to be associated with variation in colorectal cancer risk in HNPCC, whereas there is a more complex relationship between the Cyclin D1 polymorphism and disease risk in HNPCC. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Case‐control study of high risk occupations for bladder cancer in New Zealand
Authors: Dryson Evan , 't Mannetje Andrea , Walls Chris , McLean Dave , McKenzie Fiona , Maule Milena , Cheng Soo , Cunningham Chris , Kromhout Hans , Boffetta Paolo , Blair Aaron , Pearce Neil
Published: November 2007

We conducted a nationwide case‐control study of bladder cancer in adult New Zealanders to identify occupations that may contribute to the risk of bladder cancer in the New Zealand population. A total of 213 incident cases of bladder cancer (age 25–70 years) notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry during 2003 and 2004, and 471 population controls, were interviewed face‐to‐face. The questionnaire collected demographic information and a full occupational history. The relative risks for bladder cancer associated with ever being employed in particular occupations and industries were calculated by unconditional logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, smoking and socio‐economic status. Estimates were subsequently semi‐Bayes adjusted to account for the large number of occupations and industries being considered. An elevated bladder cancer risk was observed for hairdressers (odds ratio (OR) 9.15 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) 1.60–62.22), and sewing machinists (OR 3.07 95%CI 1.35–6.96). Significantly increased risks were not observed for several other occupations that have been reported in previous studies, including sales assistants (OR 1.03 95%CI 0.64–1.67), painters and paperhangers (OR 1.42 95%CI 0.56–3.60), sheet metal workers (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.15–1.00), printing trades workers (OR 1.11 95%CI 0.41–3.05) and truck drivers (OR 1.36 95%CI 0.60–3.09), although the elevated odds ratios for painters, printers and truck drivers are consistent with excesses observed in other studies. Nonsignificantly increased risks were observed for tailors and dressmakers (OR 2.84 95%CI 0.62–13.05), rubber and plastics products machine operators (OR 2.82 95%CI 0.75–10.67), building workers (OR 2.15, 95%CI 0.68–6.73), and female market farmers and crop growers (OR 2.05 95%CI 0.72–5.83). In conclusion, this study has confirmed that hairdressers and sewing machinists are high risk occupations for bladder cancer in New Zealand, and has identified several other occupations and industries of high bladder cancer risk that merit further study. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor induces endothelial capillary formation through induction of membrane‐type 1 matrix metalloproteinase expression in vitro
Authors: Krubasik Davia , Eisenach Patricia A. , Kunz‐Schughart Leoni A. , Murphy Gillian , English William R.
Published: November 2007

In our study, we examined the mechanism by which granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) regulates angiogenesis using in vitro models. GM‐CSF significantly increased precapillary sprout‐like formation from endothelial cell spheroids seeded in type‐I collagen gels and tubule formation on coculture of endothelial cells with fibroblasts. In both cases, sprout and tubule formation was highly dependent on metalloproteinase activity. Tissue Inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) profiling in the spheroid and coculture models showed inhibition by TIMP‐2 but not by TIMP‐1, indicative of activity of membrane‐type matrix metalloproteinases (MT‐MMPs). GM‐CSF induced sprout formation in spheroids was found to be potently inhibited by siRNA specific for MT1‐MMP. Subsequent analysis showed that GM‐CSF transiently increased MT1‐MMP mRNA in endothelial cells in a MEK‐dependent mechanism, which led to increased surface levels of MT1‐MMP. This was accompanied by an increase in MT1‐MMP‐dependent degradation of DQ‐collagen by lysates of GM‐CSF stimulated endothelial cells. GM‐CSF did not increase MT1‐MMP levels in fibroblasts. The effect of GM‐CSF on endothelial cell sprout formation could be mimicked by adenoviral transduction of intact spheroids with virus expressing MT1‐MMP, but not by transduction of endothelial cells before spheroid formation, suggesting that upregulation of MT1‐MMP must only occur in cells directly involved in tubule formation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gastric bronchogenic cyst diagnosed by endosonographically guided fine needle aspiration biopsy
Authors: Sato Masaki , Irisawa Atsushi , Bhutani Manoop S. , Schnadig Vicki , Takagi Tadayuki , Shibukawa Goro , Wakatsuki Takeru , Imamura Hidemichi , Takahashi Yuta , Sato Ai , Hikichi Takuto , Obara Katsutoshi , Hashimoto Yuko , Watanabe Kazuo , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: November 2007

We report a case of a gastric bronchogenic cyst diagnosed via endosonographically guided fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) biopsy. A 60‐year‐old woman was referred to our hospital for an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) examination because of a gastric subepithelial lesion detected by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. EUS examination revealed a lesion that appeared to originate from the gastric submucosa but seemed to extend beyond the gastric wall. The latter finding raised concerns that the lesion might represent a cystic neoplasm rather than a simple cyst. Subsequently, EUS‐FNA was performed to establish a definitive diagnosis and to guide further management. Cytologic evaluation of aspirated material revealed the presence of benign‐appearing ciliated columnar epithelial cells within a mucinous background. Based on imaging and EUS‐FNA findings, a diagnosis of gastric bronchogenic cyst was made and surgical resection was avoided. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Leaders understand the power of words
Authors: Millward Robert E.
Published: November 2007

Words and phrases have the power to excite our spirits, to free our minds, and to help us envision innovative ideas. “I have a dream,” “Four score and seven years ago,” “A date which will live in infamy,” and “We hold these truths to be self‐evident” are phrases that need no explanation. We remember these phrases and we also remember who said them. We remember the speeches because the words had a powerful effect on us, but we also remember them because they were delivered with a deep passion. These words transformed our thinking about slavery, about segregation, about war, and about injustices. In short, leaders understand the power of words.
Controlling Coupling Reaction of EDC and NHS for Preparation of Collagen Gels Using Ethanol/Water Co‐Solvents
Authors: Nam Kwangwoo , Kimura Tsuyoshi , Kishida Akio
Published: November 2007

To control the crosslinking rate of the collagen gel, ethanol/water co‐solvent was adopted for the reaction solvent for the collagen microfibril crosslinking. Collagen gel was prepared by using EDC and NHS as coupling agents. Ethanol did not denaturate the helical structure of the collagen and prevented the hydrolysis of EDC, but showed the protonation of carboxylate anions. In order to control the intra‐ and interhelical crosslink of the collagen triple helix, variations of the mole ratio of carboxyl group/EDC/NHS, and of the ethanol mole concentration were investigated. Increase in the EDC ratio against the carboxyl group increased the crosslinking rate. Furthermore, an increase in the ethanol mole concentration resulted in an increase of the crosslinking rate until ethanol mole concentration was 0.12, but showed gradual decrease as the ethanol mole concentration was further increased. This is because the adsorption of solvent by the collagen gel, protonation of carboxylate anion, and hydrolysis of EDC is at its most optimum condition for the coupling reaction when the ethanol mole concentration is 0.12. The re‐crosslinking of the collagen gel showed an increase in the crosslinking rate, but did not show further increase when the coupling reaction was executed for the third time. This implied that the highest possible crosslinking rate for the intra‐ and interhelical is approximately 60% when EDC/NHS is used.

magnified image
Fluorinated Styrene‐ and Carbazole‐Based Cladding Polymer Layers for EO and NLO Polymer Devices
Authors: Park Seung Koo , Park Suntak , Ju Jung Jin , Kim Min‐su , Kim Jin Tae , Lee Myung‐Hyun
Published: November 2007

Novel polymer cladding materials were synthesized and their potential for use in optical waveguide devices was investigated. 9‐[2‐(2,3,5,6‐Tetrafluoro‐4‐vinylphenoxy)ethyl]‐9H‐carbazole and 1‐pentafluorophenylpyrrole‐2,5‐dione were used as comonomers for preparing the acrylic cladding copolymers. These showed a low resistivity (≈2 × 1013 Ω · cm) at room temperature and a low optical loss (−0.6 dB · cm−1) at a wavelength of 1.55 µm. The refractive indexes and the glass transition temperatures of the polymer cladding materials can be controlled by the composition of the copolymers. The resulting polymers are good candidates for cladding materials for practical applications in devices.

magnified image
Polycondensation of Metal Salts of 6‐(2‐Chloroacetate)hexanoic Acid: A New Method to Synthesize Alternating Copolyesters Constituted by Glycolic Acid Units
Authors: Martínez‐Palau Meritxell , Franco Lourdes , Puiggalí Jordi
Published: November 2007

A new copolyester was prepared from glycolic acid and 6‐hydroxyhexanoic acid units. The monomer was prepared by a thermal polycondensation method and its reactivity evaluated by means of DSC and IR spectroscopy. The driving force of the reaction was the formation of a metal chloride salt. Thus, the reactivity depended on the ionization potential of the alkaline cation; while the cesium salt started to polymerize at room temperature, the sodium salt did so only above 120 °C. The low reaction temperature and the absence of catalysts allowed transesterification and other secondary reactions to be avoided. DSC, optical microscopy and XRD techniques demonstrated that the new polymer was highly crystalline. The final molecular weight was sufficient to obtain fiber‐forming properties.

magnified image
Polymer Synthesis and Modification by Use of Microwaves
Authors: Bardts Mareike , Gonsior Nina , Ritter Helmut
Published: November 2007

Nowadays, microwave‐assisted polymer chemistry is a rapidly growing field of research. In the last few years, various examples of reaction accelerations, selectivities, and higher yields have been reported. In this contribution, the current state of the art is summarized and an overview on microwave‐assisted polymerizations is presented, whereby special attention is given to advantages and promising future trends in this intriguing field of research.

magnified image