bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Faster recovery time of a hot-electron transition-edge sensor by use of normal metal heat-sinks
Authors: Calkins Brice , Lita Adriana E. , Fox Anna E. , Woo Nam Sae
Published: December 2011

Transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters with recovery times near 1 μs have become highly desirable in quantum science applications as near-infrared single-photon detectors with photon-number resolving capability. Previously, the recovery times of these devices could be decreased only by changing device material or modifying the superconducting-to-normal transition. We demonstrate a method for improving this speed that uses a normal-metal heat-sink. This demonstration with tungsten devices realizes a factor of 4 decrease in recovery time without significantly affecting energy resolution. Our approach may enable the creation of high-efficiency transition-edge sensors with decay times short enough to operate with 80 MHz pulsed single-photon sources.
A parallel microfluidic channel fixture fabricated using laser ablated plastic laminates for electrochemical and chemiluminescent biodetection of DNA
Authors: Edwards Thayne L. , Harper Jason C. , Polsky Ronen , Lopez DeAnna M. , Wheeler David R. , Allen Amy C. , Brozik Susan M.
Published: December 2011

Herein is described the fabrication and use of a plastic multilayer 3-channel microfluidic fixture. Multilayer devices were produced by laser machining of plastic polymethylmethacrylate and polyethyleneterapthalate laminates by ablation. The fixture consisted of an array of nine individually addressable gold or gold/ITO working electrodes, and a resistive platinum heating element. Laser machining of both the fluidic pathways in the plastic laminates, and the stencil masks used for thermal evaporation to form electrode regions on the plastic laminates, enabled rapid and inexpensive implementation of design changes. Electrochemiluminescence reactions in the fixture were achieved and monitored through ITO electrodes. Electroaddressable aryl diazonium chemistry was employed to selectively pattern gold electrodes for electrochemical multianalyte DNA detection from double stranded DNA (dsDNA) samples. Electrochemical detection of dsDNA was achieved by melting of dsDNA molecules in solution with the integrated heater, allowing detection of DNA sequences specific to breast and colorectal cancers with a non-specific binding control. Following detection, the array surface could be renewed via high temperature (95 °C) stripping using the integrated heating element. This versatile and simple method for prototyping devices shows potential for further development of highly integrated, multi-functional bioanalytical devices.
Dynamically defined measures and equilibrium states
Authors: Werner Ivan
Published: December 2011

A technique of dynamically defined measures is developed and its relation to the theory of equilibrium states is shown. The technique uses Carathéodory's method and the outer measure introduced in a previous work by I. Werner [Math. Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc. 140(2), 333–347 (2006)10.1017/S0305004105009072]. As an application, equilibrium states for contractive Markov systems [I. Werner, J. London Math. Soc. 71(1), 236–258 (2005)10.1112/S0024610704006088] are obtained.
Bismuth nano-droplets for group-V based molecular-beam droplet epitaxy
Authors: Li C. , Zeng Z. Q. , Fan D. S. , Hirono Y. , Wu J. , Morgan T. A. , Hu X. , Yu S. Q. , Wang Zh. M. , Salamo G. J.
Published: December 2011

Self-assembly of bismuth droplets at nanoscale on GaAs(100) surface using molecular beam epitaxy was demonstrated. Fine control of density and size was achieved by varying growth temperature and total bismuth deposition. Droplet density was tuned by roughly 3 orders of magnitude, and the density-temperature dependence was found to be consistent with classical nucleation theory. These results may extend the flexibility of droplet epitaxy by serving as templates for group V based droplet epitaxy, which is in contrast to conventional group III based droplet epitaxy and may encourage nanostructure formation of bismuth-containing materials.
Crystal structures of ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol monohydrate
Authors: Fortes A. Dominic , Suard Emmanuelle
Published: December 2011

We have carried out a neutron powder diffraction study of deuterated ethylene glycol (1,2-ethanediol), and deuterated ethylene glycol monohydrate with the D2B high-resolution diffractometer at the Institut Laue-Langevin. Using these data, we have refined the complete structure, including all hydrogen atoms, of the anhydrous phase at 220 K. In addition, we have determined the structure of ethylene glycol monohydrate at 210 K using direct space methods. Anhydrous ethylene glycol crystallizes in space-group P212121 with four formula units in a unit-cell of dimensions a = 5.0553(1) Å, b = 6.9627(1) Å, c = 9.2709(2) Å, and V = 326.319(8) Å3 [$\rho _{{\rm calc}}^{{\rm deuterated}}$ρ calc deuterated = 1386.26(3) kg m−3] at 220 K. Ethylene glycol monohydrate crystallizes in space-group P21/c with four formula units in a unit-cell of dimensions a = 7.6858(3) Å, b = 7.2201(3) Å, c = 7.7356(4) Å, β = 92.868(3)°, and V = 428.73(2) Å3 [$\rho _{{\rm calc}}^{{\rm deuterated}}$ρ calc deuterated = 1365.40(7) kg m−3] at 210 K. Both the structures are characterized by the gauche conformation of the ethylene glycol molecule; however, the anhydrous phase contains the tGg′ rotamer (or its mirror, g′Gt), whereas the monohydrate contains the gGg′ rotamer. In the monohydrate, each water molecule is tetrahedrally coordinated, donating two hydrogen bonds to, and accepting two hydrogen bonds from the hydroxyl groups of neighboring ethylene glycol molecules. There are substantial differences in the degree of weak C−D···O hydrogen bonding between the two crystals, which calls into question the role of these interactions in determining the conformation of the ethylene glycol molecule.
Inversion of sequence of diffusion and density anomalies in core-softened systems
Authors: Fomin Yu. D. , Tsiok E. N. , Ryzhov V. N.
Published: December 2011

In this paper we present a simulation study of water-like anomalies in core-softened system introduced in our previous papers. We investigate the anomalous regions for a system with the same functional form of the potential but with different parameters and show that the order of the region of anomalous diffusion and the region of density anomaly is inverted with increasing the width of the repulsive shoulder.
Multimode laser beam analyzer instrument using electrically programmable optics
Authors: Marraccini Philip J. , Riza Nabeel A.
Published: December 2011

Presented is a novel design of a multimode laser beam analyzer using a digital micromirror device (DMD) and an electronically controlled variable focus lens (ECVFL) that serve as the digital and analog agile optics, respectively. The proposed analyzer is a broadband laser characterization instrument that uses the agile optics to smartly direct light to the required point photodetectors to enable beam measurements of minimum beam waist size, minimum waist location, divergence, and the beam propagation parameter M2. Experimental results successfully demonstrate these measurements for a 500 mW multimode test laser beam with a wavelength of 532 nm. The minimum beam waist, divergence, and M2 experimental results for the test laser are found to be 257.61 μm, 2.103 mrad, 1.600 and 326.67 μm, 2.682 mrad, 2.587 for the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. These measurements are compared to a traditional scan method and the results of the beam waist are found to be within error tolerance of the demonstrated instrument.
First principles calculation of ac conductance for Al-BDT-Al and Al-Cn-Al systems
Authors: Zhuang Jia-Ning , Zhang Lei , Wang Jian
Published: December 2011

We perform first-principles calculation to investigate the dynamic conductance of atomic wires of the benzenedithiol (BDT) as well as carbon chains with different length in contact with two Al(100) electrodes (Al-Cn-Al). Our calculation is based on the combination of the non-equilibrium Green's function and the density functional theory. For ac conductance, there are two theories that ensures the current conservation: (1). the global formula which is a phenomenological theory that partitions the total displacement current into each leads so that the current is conserved.(2). the local formula which is a microscopic theory that includes Coulomb interaction explicitly so that the current is conserved automatically. In this work, we use the local formula to calculate the dynamic conductance, especially the emittance. We give a detailed comparison and analysis for the results obtained from two theories. Our numerical results show that the global formula overestimates the emittance by two orders of magnitude. We also obtain an inequality showing that the emittance from global formula is greater than that from local formula for real atomic structures. For Al-Cn-Al structures, the oscillatory behavior as the number of carbon chain N varies from even to odd remains unchanged when local formula is used. However, the prediction of local formula gives rise to opposite response when N is odd (inductive-like) as compared with that of global formula. Therefore, one should use the local formula for an accurate description of ac transport in nanoscale structures. In addition, the ‘size effect’ of the ac emittance is analyzed and can be understood by the kinetic inductance. Since numerical calculation using the global formula can be performed in orbital space while the local formula can only be used in real space, our numerical results indicate that the calculation using the local formula is extremely computational demanding.
Carbon‐ion radiation enhances migration ability and invasiveness of the pancreatic cancer cell, PANC‐1, in vitro
Authors: Fujita Mayumi , Otsuka Yoshimi , Imadome Kaori , Endo Satoshi , Yamada Shigeru , Imai Takashi
Published: December 2011

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease that responds poorly to conventional photon radiotherapy. Carbon‐ion (C‐ion) radiation has advantages compared with conventional radiotherapy, because it enables more accurate dose distribution and more efficient tumor cell killing. To elucidate the effects of local radiotherapy on the characteristics of metastatic tumors, it is necessary to understand the nature of motility in irradiated tumor cells; this will, in turn, facilitate the development of effective strategies to counter tumor cell motility, which can be used in combination with radiotherapy. The aim of the present study was to examine the invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells exposed to C‐ion irradiation. We found that C‐ion irradiation suppressed the migration of MIAPaCa‐2, BxPC‐3 and AsPC‐1; diminished the invasiveness of MIAPaCa‐2; and tended to reduce the invasion of BxPC‐3 and AsPC‐1. However, C‐ion irradiation increased the invasiveness of PANC‐1 through the activation of plasmin and urokinase‐type plasiminogen activator. Administration of serine protease inhibitor (SerPI) alone failed to reduce C‐ion‐induced PANC‐1 invasiveness, whereas the combination of SerPI and Rho‐associated coiled‐coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor suppressed it. Furthermore, PANC‐1 showed mesenchymal–amoeboid transition when we treated with SerPI alone. In conclusion, C‐ion irradiation is effective in suppressing the invasive potential of several pancreatic tumor cell lines, but not PANC‐1; this is the first study showing that C‐ion irradiation induces the invasive potential of a tumor cell line. Further in vivo studies are required to examine the therapeutic effectiveness of radiotherapy combined with inhibitors of both mesenchymal and amoeboid modes of tumor cell motility. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 677–683)
Topiramate for the treatment of methamphetamine addiction: a multi‐center placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Elkashef Ahmed , Kahn Roberta , Yu Elmer , Iturriaga Erin , Li Shou‐Hua , Anderson Ann , Chiang Nora , Ait‐Daoud Nassima , Weiss David , McSherry Frances , Serpi Tracey , Rawson Richard , Hrymoc Mark , Weis Dennis , McCann Michael , Pham Tony , Stock Christopher , Dickinson Ruth , Campbell Jan , Gorodetzky Charles , Haning William , Carlton Barry , Mawhinney Joseph , Li Ming D. , Johnson Bankole A.
Published: December 2011

Aims  Topiramate has shown efficacy at facilitating abstinence from alcohol and cocaine abuse. This double‐blind, placebo‐controlled out‐patient trial tested topiramate for treating methamphetamine addiction.

Design  Participants (n = 140) were randomized to receive topiramate or placebo (13 weeks) in escalating doses from 50 mg/day to the target maintenance of 200 mg/day in weeks 6–12 (tapered in week 13). Medication was combined with weekly brief behavioral compliance enhancement treatment.

Setting  The trial was conducted at eight medical centers in the United States.

Participants  One hundred and forty methamphetamine‐dependent adults took part in the trial.

Measurements  The primary outcome was abstinence from methamphetamine during weeks 6–12. Secondary outcomes included use reduction versus baseline, as well as psychosocial variables.

Findings  In the intent‐to‐treat analysis, topiramate did not increase abstinence from methamphetamine during weeks 6–12. For secondary outcomes, topiramate reduced weekly median urine methamphetamine levels and observer‐rated severity of dependence scores significantly. Subjects with negative urine before randomization (n = 26) had significantly greater abstinence on topiramate versus placebo during study weeks 6–12. Topiramate was safe and well tolerated.

Conclusions  Topiramate does not appear to promote abstinence in methamphetamine users but can reduce the amount taken and reduce relapse rates in those who are already abstinent.
Time pattern of reduction in risk of oesophageal cancer following alcohol cessation—a meta‐analysis
Authors: Jarl Johan , Gerdtham Ulf‐G.
Published: December 2011

Aim  To establish the current level of knowledge of the effect of drinking cessation on the risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

Method  A meta‐analysis was conducted based on relevant studies identified through a systematic literature review. A generalized least squares model for trend estimation of summarized dose–response data were utilized in order to estimate the effect of years since drinking cessation on risk of oesophageal cancer.

Result  Seventeen studies that estimate the risk reduction after quantified drinking cessation were identified in the systematic literature review. Nine of these were appropriate for inclusion in the meta‐analysis. A large degree of heterogeneity existed between the studies, but this was explainable and the increased risk of oesophageal cancer caused by alcohol consumption was found to be reversible, with a common trend between studies. A required time‐period of 16.5 years (95% confidence interval 12.7–23.7) was estimated until no risk from former drinking remained, although this might have been an overestimation due to sample characteristics. The dose–response relationship was found to have an exponential decay. This means that about half the reduction in alcohol‐related risk occurred after just a third of the time‐period required to eliminate the additional risk.

Conclusion  The alcohol‐related increased risk of oesophageal cancer is reversible following drinking cessation. It is most likely that about 16 years are required until all elevated risk has disappeared. Due to lack of research and data, more research is urgently required to increase the robustness of the estimates and to approach study limitations.
Forest phenology and a warmer climate – growing season extension in relation to climatic provenance
Authors: Gunderson Carla A. , Edwards Nelson T. , Walker Ashley V. , O'Hara Keiran H. , Campion Christina M. , Hanson Paul J.
Published: December 2011

Predicting forest responses to warming climates relies on assumptions about niche and temperature sensitivity that remain largely untested. Observational studies have related current and historical temperatures to phenological shifts, but experimental evidence is sparse, particularly for autumn responses. A 4 year field experiment exposed four deciduous forest species from contrasting climates (Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus rubra, Populus grandidentata, and Betula alleghaniensis) to air temperatures 2 and 4 °C above ambient controls, using temperature‐controlled open top chambers. Impacts of year‐round warming on bud burst (BB), senescence, and abscission were evaluated in relation to thermal provenance. Leaves emerged earlier in all species by an average of 4–9 days at +2 °C and 6–14 days at +4 °C. Magnitude of advance varied with species and year, but was larger for the first 2 °C increment than for the second. Effect of warming increased with early BB, favoring Liquidambar, but even BB of northern species advanced, despite temperatures exceeding those of the realized niche. Treatment differences in BB were inadequately explained by temperature sums alone. In autumn, chlorophyll was retained an average of 4 and 7 days longer in +2 and +4 °C treatments, respectively, and abscission delayed by 8 and 13 days. Growing seasons in the warmer atmospheres averaged 5–18 days (E2) and 6–28 days (E4) longer, according to species, with the least impact in Quercus. Results are compared with a 16 years record of canopy onset and offset in a nearby upland deciduous forest, where BB showed similar responsiveness to spring temperatures (2–4 days °C−1). Offset dates in the stand tracked August–September temperatures, except when late summer drought caused premature senescence. The common garden‐like experiment provides evidence that warming alone extends the growing season, at both ends, even if stand‐level impacts may be complicated by variation in other environmental factors.
DNA repair gene excision repair cross complementing‐group 1 (ERCC1) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: analysis of methylation and polymorphism (G19007A), protein expression and association with epidemiological and clinicopathological factors
Authors: Lima Lucianne Maia Costa , de Souza Ludmilla Regina , da Silva Thiago Fonseca , Pereira Camila Santos , Guimarães André Luiz Sena , de Paula Alfredo Maurício Batista , de Andrade Carvalho Heloisa
Published: December 2011

Lima L M C, de Souza L R, da Silva T F, Pereira C S, Guimarães A L S, de Paula A M B & Carvalho H A  (2012) Histopathology 60, 489–496 DNA repair gene excision repair cross complementing‐group 1 (ERCC1) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: analysis of methylation and polymorphism (G19007A), protein expression and association with epidemiological and clinicopathological factors

Aims:  To evaluate the associations of excision repair cross complementing‐group 1 (ERCC1) (DNA repair protein) (G19007A) polymorphism, methylation and immunohistochemical expression with epidemiological and clinicopathological factors and with overall survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.

Methods and results:  The study group comprised 84 patients with HNSCC who underwent surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy without chemotherapy. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used. The allele A genotype variant was observed in 79.8% of the samples, GG in 20.2%, GA in 28.6% and AA in 51.2%. Individuals aged more than 45 years had a higher prevalence of the allelic A variant and a high (83.3%) immunohistochemical expression of ERCC1 protein [odds ratio (OR) = 4.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–19.7, P = 0.027], which was also high in patients with advanced stage (OR=5.04, 95% CI: 1.07–23.7, P = 0.041). Methylated status was found in 51.2% of the samples, and was higher in patients who did not present distant metastasis (OR = 6.67, 95% CI: 1.40–33.33, P = 0.019) and in patients with advanced stage (OR = 5.04, 95% CI: 1.07–23.7, P = 0.041). At 2 and 5 years, overall survival was 55% and 36%, respectively (median = 30 months).

Conclusion:  Our findings may reflect a high rate of DNA repair due to frequent tissue injury during the lifetime of these individuals, and also more advanced disease presentation in this population with worse prognosis.
Projections of diagnosed HIV infection in children and adolescents in New York State*
Authors: Gordon Daniel E. , Ghazaryan Lusine R. , Maslak Julia , Anderson Bridget J. , Brousseau Kathleen S. , Carrascal Alvaro F. , Smith Lou C.
Published: December 2011

Gordon DE, Ghazaryan LR, Maslak J, Anderson BJ, Brousseau KS, Carrascal AF, Smith LC. Projections of diagnosed HIV infection in children and adolescents in New York State. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; 26: 131–139.

Decreasing mother‐to‐child transmission is changing the population of children and adolescents with HIV. This project used recent epidemiological data to develop short‐term projections of children and adolescents living with diagnosed HIV infection in New York State. A population simulation model was created to project prevalence of diagnosed HIV cases aged 0–19 years by age, sex, race/ethnicity and risk for years 2007–2014. Using 2006 data as the baseline population and 2001–2006 diagnosis and death data, annual diagnoses and deaths were calculated for each age/sex/race/risk category and known cases were ‘aged’ into the next year. The model produced annual estimates until 2014. The model predicts a decline in the number of persons aged 0–19 years living with diagnosed HIV in New York from 2810 in 2006 to 1431 in 2014, a net decrease of 49%. Living cases with paediatric risk continue to decrease. Cases aged 13–19 with non‐paediatric risk increase slowly, leading to a shift in the risk composition of the population. The dominant effect seen in the model is the ageing out of perinatally infected children born before measures to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission were broadly implemented in the mid‐ to late 1990s. Changing trends in the young HIV‐infected population should be considered in developing public health programmes for HIV prevention and care in New York State for the coming years.
Nitric oxide influences auxin signaling through S‐nitrosylation of the Arabidopsis TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE 1 auxin receptor
Authors: Terrile María C. , París Ramiro , Calderón‐Villalobos Luz I. A. , Iglesias María J. , Lamattina Lorenzo , Estelle Mark , Casalongué Claudia A.
Published: December 2011

Previous studies have demonstrated that auxin (indole‐3‐acetic acid) and nitric oxide (NO) are plant growth regulators that coordinate several plant physiological responses determining root architecture. Nonetheless, the way in which these factors interact to affect these growth and developmental processes is not well understood. The Arabidopsis thaliana F‐box proteins TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE 1/AUXIN SIGNALING F‐BOX (TIR1/AFB) are auxin receptors that mediate degradation of AUXIN/INDOLE‐3‐ACETIC ACID (Aux/IAA) repressors to induce auxin‐regulated responses. A broad spectrum of NO‐mediated protein modifications are known in eukaryotic cells. Here, we provide evidence that NO donors increase auxin‐dependent gene expression while NO depletion blocks Aux/IAA protein degradation. NO also enhances TIR1‐Aux/IAA interaction as evidenced by pull‐down and two‐hybrid assays. In addition, we provide evidence for NO‐mediated modulation of auxin signaling through S‐nitrosylation of the TIR1 auxin receptor. S‐nitrosylation of cysteine is a redox‐based post‐translational modification that contributes to the complexity of the cellular proteome. We show that TIR1 C140 is a critical residue for TIR1–Aux/IAA interaction and TIR1 function. These results suggest that TIR1 S‐nitrosylation enhances TIR1–Aux/IAA interaction, facilitating Aux/IAA degradation and subsequently promoting activation of gene expression. Our findings underline the importance of NO in phytohormone signaling pathways.
Tobacco NtLTP1, a glandular‐specific lipid transfer protein, is required for lipid secretion from glandular trichomes
Authors: Choi Yong Eui , Lim Soon , Kim Hyun‐Jung , Han Jung Yeon , Lee Mi‐Hyun , Yang Yanyan , Kim Ji‐Ah , Kim Yun‐Soo
Published: December 2011

Glandular trichomes are the phytochemical factories of plants, and they secrete a wide range of commercially important natural products such as lipids, terpenes and flavonoids. Herein, we report that the Nicotiana tabacum LTP1 (NtLTP1) gene, which is specifically expressed in long glandular trichomes, plays a role in lipid secretion from trichome heads. NtLTP1 mRNA is abundantly transcribed in trichomes, but NtLTP3, NtLTP4 and NtLTP5 are not. In situ hybridization revealed that NtLTP1 mRNAs accumulate specifically in long trichomes and not in short trichomes or epidermal cells. X‐gluc staining of leaves from a transgenic plant expressing the NtLTP1 promoter fused to a GUS gene revealed that NtLTP1 protein accumulated preferentially on the tops of long glandular trichomes. GFP fluorescence from transgenic tobacco plants expressing an NtLTP1‐GFP fusion protein was localized at the periphery of cells and in the excreted liquid droplets from the glandular trichome heads. In vitro assays using a fluorescent 2‐p‐toluidinonaphthalene‐6‐sulfonate probe indicated that recombinant NtLTP1 had lipid‐binding activity. The overexpression of NtLTP1 in transgenic tobacco plants resulted in the increased secretion of trichome exudates, including epicuticular wax. In transgenic NtLTP1‐RNAi lines, liquid secretion from trichomes was strongly reduced, but epicuticular wax secretion was not altered. Moreover, transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing NtLTP1 showed increased protection against aphids. Taken together, these data suggest that NtLTP1 is abundantly expressed in long glandular trichomes, and may play a role in lipid secretion from long glandular trichomes.
Negative predictive value of skin tests to neuromuscular blocking agents
Authors: Ramirez L. F. , Pereira A. , Chiriac A. M. , Bonnet‐Boyer M.‐C. , Demoly P.
Published: December 2011

To cite this article: Ramirez LF, Pereira A, Chiriac AM, Bonnet‐Boyer M‐C, Demoly P. Negative predictive value of skin tests to neuromuscular blocking agents. Allergy 2012; 67: 439–441.

Allergy to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) is the most important caue of perioperative anaphylaxis in France. The diagnosis relies on a careful clinical history, the search of serum IgE antibodies, and the realization of skin tests. Although the skin tests are the most important tool and their sensitivity is widely recognized, the lack of information about their negative predictive value represents an important issue in the management of patients who require a new procedure with NMBA injection. We present a series of 49 patients with confirmed allergy to NMBAs, six of whom required a subsequent surgery with neuromuscular blockade. Negative skin tests allowed the selection of an alternative NMBA, which was well tolerated in all 6 cases. We found an excellent negative predictive value of skin tests in our series but larger studies are required to properly address this question.
The role of vitamin D in the immunopathogenesis of allergic skin diseases
Authors: Benson A. A. , Toh J. A. , Vernon N. , Jariwala S. P.
Published: December 2011

To cite this article: Benson AA, Toh JA, Vernon N, Jariwala SP. The role of vitamin D in the immunopathogenesis of allergic skin diseases. Allergy 2012; 67: 296–301.

Vitamin D plays key roles in innate and adaptive immunity through the stimulation of Toll‐like receptors, increasing pro‐inflammatory cytokine production, and possibly enhancing T helper type 2 responses. These mechanisms may explain the growing body of evidence connecting vitamin D to allergic diseases, including asthma, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis. The data relating vitamin D to allergic skin diseases are equivocal with studies linking both high and low vitamin D levels to an increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis. In this paper, we describe the role of vitamin D in the immunopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and other allergic skin diseases.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy for renal angiomyolipoma (AML): an alternative to angio‐embolization and nephron‐sparing surgery
Authors: Castle Scott M. , Gorbatiy Vladislav , Ekwenna Obi , Young Ezekiel , Leveillee Raymond J.
Published: December 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The natural history of renal angiomyolipomas (AML) shows increasing size and increasing risk of haemorrhage. For those patients undergoing treatment, extirpative surgery or renal angio‐embolization has increased morbidity. Due to its haemostatic effect, radio‐frequency ablation (RFA) may be used safely and effectively for the treatment of small (<4 cm), symptomatic renal AML.

This study represents the largest case series reporting on RFA for renal AML.

OBJECTIVES

• To show that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is safe and effective treatment for renal angiomyolipoma (AML).

• Current treatments to reduce the risk of haemorrhage include tumour extirpation, angio‐embolization, or ablative therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• Review of our prospective database revealed 15 patients with intraoperative biopsy confirmed renal AML undergoing RFA from February 2002 to March 2010.

• Patients underwent either laparoscopic or computed tomography (CT)‐guided percutaneous RFA using either the Cool‐tip™ (Covidien, Inc. Boulder, CO, USA) or RITA™ (Angiodynamics®, Latham, NY, USA) RFA probe.

• CT at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and annually thereafter.

RESULTS

• In all, two male and 13 female patients with seven left‐sided and eight right‐sided tumours with a mean (range) size of 2.6 (1.0–3.7) cm underwent laparoscopic (five) or CT‐guided (10) RFA.

• No intraoperative complications occurred. Minor complications included transient haematuria and intercostals nerve transection. Surgical complications included pneumonia and myocardial infarction.

• There was no radiographic evidence of persistent AML (CT enhancement) at a mean follow‐up of 21 months.

CONCLUSIONS

• The haemostatic effect of RFA allows renal lesions suspicious for AML to be treated without bleeding complications.

• Avoids surgical risk of extirpation or embolization.

• RFA for renal AML is safe and effective.
Corporate Governance, Principal‐Principal Agency Conflicts, and Firm Value in European Listed Companies
Authors: Renders Annelies , Gaeremynck Ann
Published: December 2011

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: Using the conceptual framework of Aguilera, Filatotchev, Gospel, and Jackson, this study examines the impact of principal‐principal agency problems on the quality and effectiveness of corporate governance structures in listed companies from 14 European countries between 1999 and 2003. Specifically, we develop an index on the severity of the agency conflict and investigate whether this index explains the quality of governance structures. We also examine whether, given certain environmental complementarities, this index influences the effectiveness of good governance structures.

Research Findings/Insights: Using a simultaneous equations model, we find that the conflict index affects the quality and effectiveness of corporate governance. When agency conflicts are severe, the costs of installing good governance are high for the majority shareholders and the quality is low. Once installed, however, good governance structures complemented with a high‐quality disclosure environment leads to higher firm value, especially in companies with a severe agency conflict.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: Our study adds to the governance literature by focusing on the costs of installing good governance. Further, it contributes to principal‐principal agency studies by examining a number of developed countries and by developing a measure for the severity of the principal‐principal conflict. Finally, our study adds to institutional theory by showing how companies' corporate governance choices are affected by the severity of agency conflicts and the way corporate governance is regulated.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: Our analyses suggest that regulatory approaches to corporate governance issues should move away from a “one‐size‐fits‐all” policy toward one that takes into account the organizational and environmental context. By demonstrating that the severity of principal‐principal agency conflicts results in significant differences in the existence and effectiveness of corporate governance, our empirical evidence can guide regulators in developing new regulations or laws intended to reduce private benefits of control or improve the disclosure environment.
Activation and ‘coercion’ among Swedish social assistance claimants with different work barriers and socio‐demographic characteristics: What is the logic?
Authors: Nybom Jenny
Published: December 2011

Nybom J. Activation and ‘coercion’ among Swedish social assistance claimants with different work barriers and socio‐demographic characteristics: What is the logic?

The study analysed how the work barriers and socio‐demographic characteristics of both activated and non‐activated social assistance claimants influence their participation in activation and exposure to coercion, measured as two opposite indicators – sanctions and exemptions. The study covered 372 social assistance claimants in four municipalities during a period of 1 year. The results suggest that resource activation, which entails education and/or work practice in regular workplaces, often targets claimants who lack work motivation, whereas job activation, which aims at quick entry into the labour market, targets young claimants and claimants who lack formal skills (education and/or work experience). Swedish men older than 25 years appear to run the highest risk of facing sanctions irrespective of participation in activation. Exemptions vary more than sanctions between activated and non‐activated claimants. The results are discussed in terms of five logics operating in social work.
Curriculum reform and teachers' training needs: the case of higher education in Ghana
Authors: Bakah Marie A. B. , Voogt Joke M. , Pieters Jules M.
Published: December 2011

Professional development is the key to curriculum‐based reform, yet there is little empirical evidence upon which to base decisions of design or implementation of training and development programmes. This study examined the training and development needs of Ghana's polytechnic teachers in an existing curriculum reform scenario as they became involved in curriculum design. Forty‐four teachers and four heads of mechanical engineering departments and representatives of the leadership of four polytechnics granted comprehensive interviews and responded to questionnaires. Findings revealed that updating subject knowledge through industrial attachments was a major training and development need for teachers. Teachers indicated that they were keen to get more involved in curriculum design and argued for their subject knowledge to be improved to give them the confidence to do so. The results of the study suggest higher education teachers have training and development needs in relation to effective curriculum design and implementation. It is proposed that polytechnic–industry links are strengthened and that teachers should draw on teamwork to plan and undertake industrial attachments.
Magnetic brain activity phase‐locked to the envelope, the syllable onsets, and the fundamental frequency of a perceived speech signal
Authors: Hertrich Ingo , Dietrich Susanne , Trouvain Jürgen , Moos Anja , Ackermann Hermann
Published: December 2011

During speech perception, acoustic correlates of syllable structure and pitch periodicity are directly reflected in electrophysiological brain activity. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings were made while 10 participants listened to natural or formant‐synthesized speech at moderately fast or ultrafast rate. Cross‐correlation analysis was applied to show brain activity time‐locked to the speech envelope, to an acoustic marker of syllable onsets, and to pitch periodicity. The envelope yielded a right‐lateralized M100‐like response, syllable onsets gave rise to M50/M100‐like fields with an additional anterior M50 component, and pitch (ca. 100 Hz) elicited a neural resonance bound to a central auditory source at a latency of 30 ms. The strength of these MEG components showed differential effects of syllable rate and natural versus synthetic speech. Presumingly, such phase‐locking mechanisms serve as neuronal triggers for the extraction of information‐bearing elements.
Statistical testing in electrophysiological studies
Authors: Maris Eric
Published: December 2011

This article describes the mechanics and rationale of four different approaches to the statistical testing of electrophysiological data: (1) the Neyman‐Pearson approach, (2) the permutation‐based approach, (3), the bootstrap‐based approach, and (4) the Bayesian approach. These approaches are evaluated from the perspective of electrophysiological studies, which involve multivariate (i.e., spatiotemporal) observations in which source‐level signals are picked up to a certain extent by all sensors. Besides formal statistical techniques, there are also techniques that do not involve probability calculations but are very useful in dealing with multivariate data (i.e., verification of data‐based predictions, cross‐validation, and localizers). Moreover, data‐based decision making can also be informed by mechanistic evidence that is provided by the structure in the data.
Insights into wolf presence in human‐dominated landscapes: the relative role of food availability, humans and landscape attributes
Authors: Llaneza Luis , López‐Bao José V. , Sazatornil Víctor
Published: December 2011

Aim Understanding which human or environmental factors interact to enable or to limit the occurrence and persistence of large carnivores in human‐dominated landscapes is an important issue for their effective conservation, especially under the current scenario of global change where most of their former habitat is being transformed by humans.

Location NW Iberian Peninsula.

Methods We combine data on the distribution of Iberian wolves (Canis lupus signatus) living in a human‐dominated landscape in NW Spain and variation and partitioning methods to investigate the relative importance of three groups of predictors: food availability, humans and landscape attributes – each group expected to have unequal effects on wolf reproduction and survival – and their interactions on the occurrence of this species.

Results We found that the group of predictors related with landscape attributes (altitude, roughness and refuge) strongly determined wolf occurrence, followed by humans and food availability. Variance partitioning analysis revealed that the three most important components determining wolf occurrence were related with landscape attributes: (1) the joint effects of the three predictor groups, (2) the joint effect of humans and landscape attributes and (3) the pure effect of landscape attributes. Altitude had the main independent contribution to explain the probability of wolf occurrence.

Main conclusions In human‐dominated landscapes, the occurrence of wolves is the result of a complex interaction among several environmental and human factors. Our results suggest that the characteristics of the landscape (spatial context) – factors associated with the security of wolves facilitating that animals go unnoticed by humans, wolf movements, dispersal events and short‐time colonization – become more important in human‐dominated landscapes and may have played a key role in the occurrence and persistence of this species throughout decades modulating the relationship between humans and wolf distribution.
Regeneration of human extrahepatic biliary epithelium: the peribiliary glands as progenitor cell compartment
Authors: Sutton Michael E. , op den Dries Sanna , Koster Mirjam H. , Lisman Ton , Gouw Annette S.H. , Porte Robert J.
Published: December 2011

Background & Aims

Although regeneration of intrahepatic bile ducts has been extensively studied and intrahepatic progenitor cells have been identified, few studies have focussed on the extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD). We hypothesized that local progenitor cells are present within the EHBD of humans. Human EHBD specimens (n = 17) were included in this study.

Methods

Specimens of normal EHBD tissue were obtained from healthy donor livers (n = 6), mildly injured EHBD from patients with cholangitis (n = 6) and severely injured EHBD from patients with ischaemic type biliary lesions (n = 5). Double immunostaining for K19 and the proliferation marker Ki‐67 was performed to identify and localize proliferating cells. In addition, immunofluorescent doublestaining using antibodies against K19 and c‐Kit was performed to identify and localize cholangiocytes co‐expressing putative progenitor cell markers.

Results

In normal EHBD, few Ki‐67+ cells were detected, whereas large numbers of Ki‐67+ were found in the diseased EHBD. In EHBD affected by cholangitis, Ki‐67+ cells were mainly located in the basal layer of the lumen. EHBD specimens from patients with ischaemic type biliary lesions displayed histological signs of epithelial cell loss and large numbers of Ki‐67+ cells were observed in the peribiliary glands. C‐Kit expression was localized throughout the EHBD wall and immunofluorescent doublestaining identified a few K19+/c‐Kit+ cells in the luminal epithelium of the EHBD as well as in the peribiliary glands.

Conclusions

These findings support the hypothesis that progenitor cells exist in the EHBD and that the peribiliary glands can be considered a local progenitor cell niche in the human EHBD.
A Geostatistical Approach to Large‐Scale Disease Mapping with Temporal Misalignment
Authors: Hund Lauren , Chen Jarvis T. , Krieger Nancy , Coull Brent A.
Published: December 2011

Summary Temporal boundary misalignment occurs when area boundaries shift across time (e.g., census tract boundaries change at each census year), complicating the modeling of temporal trends across space. Large area‐level datasets with temporal boundary misalignment are becoming increasingly common in practice. The few existing approaches for temporally misaligned data do not account for correlation in spatial random effects over time. To overcome issues associated with temporal misalignment, we construct a geostatistical model for aggregate count data by assuming that an underlying continuous risk surface induces spatial correlation between areas. We implement the model within the framework of a generalized linear mixed model using radial basis splines. Using this approach, boundary misalignment becomes a nonissue. Additionally, this disease‐mapping framework facilitates fast, easy model fitting by using a penalized quasilikelihood approximation to maximum likelihood estimation. We anticipate that the method will also be useful for large disease‐mapping datasets for which fully Bayesian approaches are infeasible. We apply our method to assess socioeconomic trends in breast cancer incidence in Los Angeles between the periods 1988–1992 and 1998–2002.
The Health Belief Model Can Guide Modern Contraceptive Behavior Research and Practice
Authors: Hall Kelli Stidham
Published: December 2011

Introduction: Theory‐based research is needed to understand poor contraceptive behavior and related reproductive health sequelae. The purpose of this review was to examine the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a comprehensive, well‐tested social‐cognitive framework suitable for explaining and predicting contraceptive behavior.

Methods: Existing literature, including editorials and research reports, describing HBM‐guided contraceptive research between January 1966 and February 2011 was retrieved from established electronic databases. After consideration of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in the review.

Results: Issues in original family planning applications of HBM included inconsistent conceptualizations of contraceptive behavior and limited use of all HBM constructs in research surveys, interventions, and analyses. Knowledge of contraceptive behavior has evolved, warranting more comprehensive use of the HBM for pertinent reproductive health contexts, behaviors, and methods.

Discussion: With more rigorous applications, the HBM can help us understand modern contraceptive behavior determinants and facilitate strategies to prevent unintended pregnancy and promote positive family planning outcomes.
We Call It “Our Language”: A Children's Swahili Pidgin Transforms Social and Symbolic Order on a Remote Hillside in Up‐Country Kenya
Authors: GILMORE PERRY
Published: December 2011

This study describes a rare Swahili pidgin created by two five‐year‐old boys, one American and one African. The discussion examines the linguistic and social factors affecting the “origins, maintenance, change and loss” (Hymes 1971) of their language and the place it created for their friendship. This place, constructed by and through language, both held and projected their new identities, interrupting the harsh hegemony of colonial racism and inequality that surrounded them. [Swahili pidgin, communicative competence, child language identity and ideology, language origins and invention]
Comparison of Push‐In versus Pull‐Out Tests on Bone‐Implant Interfaces of Rabbit Tibia Dental Implant Healing Model
Authors: Seong Wook‐Jin , Grami Shahrzad , Jeong Soo Cheol , Conrad Heather J. , Hodges James S.
Published: December 2011

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether push‐in and pull‐out tests measure mechanical properties of the bone–implant interface differently, and which test is more sensitive to changes over the healing period.

Materials and Methods: Two identical self‐threading dental implants (3.3 × 8.5 mm) were placed in medial surface of the proximal condyles of left and right tibias of 20 rabbits (40 implants total). Five rabbits each were sacrificed after 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of healing. Push‐in test was performed on one side's tibia implant and pull‐out on the other side's implant, at a rate of 6 mm/min. Primary and secondary implant stabilities and tibia weight were measured on all implants.

Results: The push‐in test generated significantly higher failure load (p = .0001; 530 N vs 279 N), lower displacement at failure (p = .0003; 0.436 mm vs 0.680 mm), and higher interface stiffness (p < .0001; 1,641 N/mm vs 619 N/mm) than pull‐out test. Failure load, stiffness, and secondary implant stability were significantly higher for longer compared with shorter healing periods, while displacement, tibia weight, and primary stability were not. Failure load and stiffness differed significantly for four healing times for the push‐in but not for the pull‐out test. Failure load was significantly correlated with secondary implant stability for both push‐in (r = 0.66) and pull‐out (r = 0.48) tests, but stiffness was significantly correlated with secondary stability only for the push‐in test (r = 0.72; pull‐out test r = 0.40).

Conclusion: The push‐in test appeared more sensitive than pull‐out to changes in mechanical properties at bone–implant interfaces during healing in rabbit tibia model.