bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Desymmetrization of the Diallyl Acetals of Alkynals by the Enantioselective Pauson–Khand‐Type Reaction Catalysts
Authors: Kim Dong Eun , Lee Bo Hyung , Rajagopalasarma Mudigonda , Genêt Jean‐Pierre , Ratovelomanana‐Vidal Virginie , Jeong Nakcheol
Published: November 2008

Asymmetric desymmetrization of the diallyl acetals of alkynal (1) by an enantioselective Pauson–Khand‐type reaction catalyst was studied. The corresponding 5‐oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octenones (2) were obtained as a mixture of diastereomers (2a and 2b), which were hydrolyzed to afford a single enantiomer (3), in high yields (up to 88%) as well as excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97%).
Blood exposure incidence rates from the North Carolina study of home Care and hospice nurses
Authors: Leiss Jack K. , Lyden Jennifer T. , Mathews Rahel , Sitzman Kathleen L. , Vanderpuije Abenah , Mav Deepak , Kendra Mary Agnes , Klein Cynthia , Humphrey Carolyn J.
Published: November 2008

Background

Home care/hospice nurses may be at elevated risk of blood exposure because of the nature of their work and work environment. However, little is known about the incidence of blood exposure in this population.

Methods

A mail survey (n = 1,473) was conducted among home care/hospice nurses in North Carolina in 2006.

Results

The adjusted response rate was 69%. Nine percent of nurses had at least one exposure/year. Overall incidence was 27.4 (95% confidence interval: 20.2, 34.6)/100,000 visits. Nurses who had worked in home care ≤5 years had higher exposure rates than other nurses—seven times higher for needlesticks and 3.5 times higher for non‐intact skin exposures. Nurses who worked part time/contract had higher exposure rates than nurses who worked full time—seven times higher for needlesticks and 1.5 times higher for non‐intact skin exposures. The rates for part‐time/contract nurses with ≤5 years experience were extremely high. Sensitivity analysis showed that it is unlikely that response bias had an important impact on these results.

Conclusions

Approximately 150 North Carolina home care/hospice nurses are exposed to blood annually. If these results are representative of other states, then approximately 12,000 home care/hospice nurses are exposed each year nationwide. Improved prevention efforts are needed to reduce blood exposure in home care/hospice nurses. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:99–104, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sickness absence and workplace levels of satisfaction with psychosocial work conditions at public service workplaces
Authors: Munch‐Hansen Torsten , Wieclaw Joanna , Agerbo Esben , Westergaard‐Nielsen Niels , Rosenkilde Mikael , Bonde Jens Peter
Published: November 2008

Background

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of psychosocial work conditions on sickness absence while addressing methodological weaknesses in earlier studies.

Methods

The participants were 13,437 employees from 698 public service workplace units in Aarhus County, Denmark. Satisfaction with psychosocial work conditions was rated on a scale from 0 (low) to 10 (high). Individual ratings were aggregated to workplace scores. Analysis of variance was used to compare the average number of days of yearly sickness absence in three groups with different levels of satisfaction with psychosocial work conditions.

Results

Sickness absence was 30.8% lower in the most satisfied group (11.7 days/year (CI 95%: 10.2; 13.1)) than in the least satisfied group (16.9 days/year (CI 95%: 15.3; 18.6)) adjusted for the covariates included.

Conclusions

Satisfaction with psychosocial work conditions has a strong and independent impact on sickness absence. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:153–161, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimum survey methods when interviewing employed women
Authors: Dunning Kari , LeMasters Grace K.
Published: November 2008

Background

While survey studies have examined bias much is unknown regarding specific subpopulations, especially women workers.

Methods

A population based phone, Internet, and mail survey of workplace falls during pregnancy was undertaken. Participation by industry and occupation and survey approach and bias, reliability, and incomplete data were examined.

Results

Of the 3,997 women surveyed, 71% were employed during their pregnancy. Internet responders were most likely to be employed while pregnant and to report a workplace fall at 8.8% compared to 5.8% and 6.1% for mail and phone respondents. Internet responders had the most missing employment data with company name missing for 17.9% compared to 1.3% for phone responders. Mail surveys were best for recruiting those employed in eight of nine industries, and this was especially true for service occupations.

Conclusions

To decrease bias and increase participation, mixed approaches may be useful with particular attention for collecting occupational data. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:105–112, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Overlap between autism and specific language impairment: comparison of Autism Diagnostic Interview and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule scores
Authors: Leyfer Ovsanna T. , Tager‐Flusberg Helen , Dowd Michael , Tomblin J. Bruce , Folstein Susan E.
Published: November 2008

Autism and specific language impairment (SLI) are developmental disorders that, although distinct by definition, have in common some features of both language and social behavior. The goal of this study was to further explore the extent to which specific clinical features of autism are seen in SLI. The children with the two disorders, matched for non‐verbal IQ, were compared on the Autism Diagnostic Interview—Revised (ADI‐R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). In the SLI group, 41% met autism or autism spectrum cut‐offs for social or communication domains either on the ADI or ADOS or both. No relationship was found between the language deficits exhibited by the children with SLI and their scores on the ADI and ADOS. These findings contribute to evidence that there is some overlap in social and communicative deficits between autism and SLI, supporting the view that autism and SLI share etiologic factors. This continuum of pathology between SLI and autism appears to range from structural language abnormalities as seen in individuals with SLI to individuals with SLI with both structural and social abnormalities to individuals with autism with pragmatic impairment and language abnormalities.
Effects of gestational exposure to 1.95‐GHz W‐CDMA signals for IMT‐2000 cellular phones: Lack of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in rats
Authors: Ogawa Kumiko , Nabae Kyoko , Wang Jianqing , Wake Kanako , Watanabe So‐ichi , Kawabe Mayumi , Fujiwara Osamu , Takahashi Satoru , Ichihara Toshio , Tamano Seiko , Shirai Tomoyuki
Published: November 2008

The present study was designed to evaluate whether gestational exposure to an EMF targeting the head region, similar to that from cellular phones, might affect embryogenesis in rats. A 1.95‐GHz wide‐band code division multiple access (W‐CDMA) signal, which is one applied for the International Mobile Telecommunication 2000 (IMT‐2000) system and used for the freedom of mobile multimedia access (FOMA), was employed for exposure to the heads of four groups of pregnant CD(SD) IGS rats (20 per group) for gestational days 7–17. The exposure was performed for 90 min/day in the morning. The spatial average specific absorption rate (SAR) for individual brains was designed to be 0.67 and 2.0 W/kg with peak brain SARs of 3.1 and 7.0 W/kg for low (group 3) and high (group 4) exposures, respectively, and a whole‐body average SAR less than 0.4 W/kg so as not to cause thermal effects due to temperature elevation. Control and sham exposure groups were also included. At gestational day 20, all dams were killed and fetuses were taken out by cesarean section. There were no differences in maternal body weight gain. No adverse effects of EMF exposure were observed on any reproductive and embryotoxic parameters such as number of live (243–271 fetuses), dead or resorbed embryos, placental weights, sex ratios, weights or external, visceral or skeletal abnormalities of live fetuses. Bioelectromagnetics 30:205–212, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cognitive effects of radiation emitted by cellular phones: The influence of exposure side and time
Authors: Luria Roy , Eliyahu Ilan , Hareuveny Ronen , Margaliot Menachem , Meiran Nachshon
Published: November 2008

This study examined the time dependence effects of exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted by standard GSM cellular phones on the cognitive functions of humans. A total of 48 healthy right‐handed male subjects performed a spatial working memory task (that required either a left‐hand or a right‐hand response) while being exposed to one of two GSM phones placed at both sides of the head. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups. Each group was exposed to one of three exposure conditions: left‐side of the head, right‐side, or sham‐exposure. The experiment consisted of 12 blocks of trials. Response times (RTs) and accuracy of the responses were recorded. It was found that the average RT of the right‐hand responses under left‐side exposure condition was significantly longer than those of the right‐side and sham‐exposure groups averaged together during the first two time blocks. These results confirmed the existence of an effect of exposure on RT, as well as the fact that exposure duration (together with the responding hand and the side of exposure) may play an important role in producing detectable RFR effects on performance. Differences in these parameters might be the reason for the failure of certain studies to detect or replicate RFR effects. Bioelectromagnetics 30:198–204, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ten-year results of a randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic total fundoplication with or without division of the short gastric vessels
Authors: Mardani J , Lundell L , Lönroth H , Dalenbäck J , Engström C
Published: November 2008

Background

Total fundoplication is the most common antireflux operation and can be performed with or without division of the short gastric vessels. There seems to be no difference in short-term outcomes with either approach. The aim of the study was to determine whether there were the long-term differences (after 10 years).

Methods

Ninety-nine patients were enrolled in the study. Short gastric vessels were divided in 52 patients (group 1) and left intact in 47 (group 2). Ten patients were lost to follow-up and seven patients died, leaving 42 patients for analysis in group 1 and 40 in group 2. All patients were evaluated by standardized quality of life questionnaires.

Results

Three patients underwent reoperation within 5 years. Thirty-eight of 42 patients with a completely mobilized fundus reported no reflux symptoms, compared with 31 of 40 patients with intact vessels. There were no differences between the groups in other symptoms reflecting postfundoplication complaints and quality of life outcomes.

Conclusion

When total fundoplication is performed it makes no difference whether the fundus is mobilized or not. Both types of repair provide lasting control of reflux.
Novel Acyl Phosphate Mimics that Target PlsY, an Essential Acyltransferase in Gram‐Positive Bacteria
Authors: Grimes Kimberly D. , Lu Ying‐Jie , Zhang Yong‐Mei , Luna Vicki A. , Hurdle Julian G. , Carson Elizabeth I. , Qi Jianjun , Kudrimoti Sucheta , Rock Charles O. , Lee Richard E.
Published: November 2008

PlsY is a recently discovered acyltransferase that executes an essential step in membrane phospholipid biosynthesis in Gram‐ positive bacteria. By using a bioisosteric replacement approach to generate substrate‐based inhibitors of PlsY as potential novel antibacterial agents, a series of stabilized acyl phosphate mimetics, including acyl phosphonates, acyl α,α‐difluoromethyl phosphonates, acyl phosphoramides, reverse amide phosphonates, acyl sulfamates, and acyl sulfamides were designed and synthesized. Several acyl phosphonates, phosphoramides, and sulfamates were identified as inhibitors of PlsY from Streptococcus pneumoniae and Bacillus anthracis. As anticipated, these inhibitors were competitive inhibitors with respect to the acyl phosphate substrate. Antimicrobial testing showed the inhibitors to have generally weak activity against Gram‐positive bacteria with the exception of some acyl phosphonates, reverse amide phosphonates, and acyl sulfamates, which had potent activity against multiple strains of B. anthracis.
Nonuniform sampling: Bandwidth and aliasing
Authors: Bretthorst G. Larry
Published: November 2008

For spectroscopic measurements, there are good reasons why one might consider using nonuniformly nonsimultaneously sampled complex data. The primary one is that the effective bandwidth, the largest spectral window free of aliases, can be much wider than with uniformly sampled data. In this article, we discuss nonuniformly nonsimultaneously sampled data, describe how these data are traditionally analyzed, analyze them using probability theory, and show how probability theory generalizes the discrete Fourier transform: first for uniformly sampled data, then for nonuniformly sampled data, and finally for nonuniformly nonsimultaneously sampled data. These generalizations demonstrate that aliases are not so much removed by nonuniform nonsimultaneous sampling as they are moved to much higher frequencies. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 417–435, 2008.
Maximum entropy spectral reconstruction of nonuniformly sampled data
Authors: Mobli Mehdi , Hoch Jeffrey C.
Published: November 2008

The time required to complete a multidimensional NMR experiment is directly proportional to the number of evolution times sampled in the indirect dimensions. A consequence when utilizing conventional methods of data acquisition and spectrum analysis is that resolution in the indirect dimensions is frequently sample‐limited. The problem becomes more acute at very high magnetic fields, where increased chemical shift dispersion requires shorter time increments to avoid aliasing. It has long been recognized that a way to avoid this limitation is to utilize methods of spectrum analysis that do not require data to be sampled at uniform intervals, permitting the collection of data at long evolution times requisite for high resolution without requiring collection of data at all intervening multiples of the sampling interval. Several promising methods have evolved that are seemingly quite different, yet can be shown to yield similar results when applied to similar sampling strategies, emphasizing the importance of the choice of samples, regardless of the technique used to compute the spectrum. Maximum entropy (MaxEnt) reconstruction is a very general method for spectrum analysis of nonuniformly sampled data (NUS), and because it can be used with essentially arbitrary sampling strategies and makes no assumptions about the nature of the signal, it provides a convenient basis for exploring the influence of the choice of samples on spectral quality. In this article we use this versatility of MaxEnt reconstruction to compare different approaches to NUS in multidimensional NMR and suggest strategies for improving spectral quality by careful choice of sample times. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 436–448, 2008.
Prediction of gas‐phase 13C nuclear magnetic shielding constants using ONIOM and optimally selected basis functions
Authors: Tafazzoli M. , Shaghaghi H. , Jalali‐Heravi M.
Published: November 2008

The wave functions for calculating gas‐phase 13C nuclear magnetic shielding constants of 22 molecules have been optimally selected using factorial design as a multivariate technique. GIAO and CSGT methods were used for computation of shielding constants. Different wave functions for different types of carbons were recommended. A wave function as the best level of the theory is proposed for almost similar carbons. ONIOM approach for molecules with different types of carbons is applied. The results of GIAO method using the proposed wave function are in very good agreement with the experimental values. An additional series (21 carbons) were used as test sets and their results confirmed the validity of the approaches. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 449–461, 2008.
Treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome with 2 schedules and doses of oral topotecan
Authors: Grinblatt David L. , Yu Daohai , Hars Vera , Vardiman James W. , Powell Bayard L. , Nattam Sreenivasa , Silverman Lewis R. , Castro Carlos de , Stone Richard M. , Bloomfield Clara D. , Larson Richard A. ,   for the Cancer and Leukemia Group B
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUD:

The Cancer and Leukemia Group B evaluated oral topotecan administered at 2 schedules and doses for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

METHODS:

Patients with previously untreated primary or therapy‐related MDS were eligible. Patients with refractory anemia (RA), RA with ringed sideroblasts, or refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (RCMD) were eligible only if they were dependent on erythrocyte transfusion, had a platelet count <50,000/μL, or had an absolute neutrophil count <1000/μL with a recent infection that required antibiotics. Patients were randomized to receive oral topotecan either at a dose of 1.2 mg/m2 twice daily for 5 days (Arm A) or once daily for 10 days (Arm B) repeated every 21 days for at least 2 cycles. Responding patients continued until they developed disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or until they had received 2 cycles beyond a complete response.

RESULTS:

Ninety patients received treatment, including 46 patients on Arm A and 44 patients on Arm B. Partial responses with improvement in all 3 cell lines occurred in 6 patients (7%), and hematologic improvement (in 1 or 2 cell lines) was observed in 21 patients (23%), for an overall response rate of 30%. Response duration was longer on Arm A (23 months vs 14 months; P = .02). Seven of 14 patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia responded. There were 8 treatment‐related deaths from infection (6 deaths) and bleeding (2 deaths). Diarrhea was the most frequent nonhematologic toxicity (grade 3, 11%; grade 4, 2%; grading determined according to the National Cancer Institute Comman Toxicity Criteria v.2.0).

CONCLUSIONS:

Oral topotecan in the dose and schedules evaluated in this trial demonstrated only a modest response rate with a troublesome toxicity profile in the treatment of MDS. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Gene expression signature for recurrence in stage III colorectal cancers
Authors: Watanabe Toshiaki , Kobunai Takashi , Sakamoto Etsuko , Yamamoto Yoko , Konishi Tsuyoshi , Horiuchi Atsushi , Shimada Ryu , Oka Toshinori , Nagawa Hirokazu
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND:

Colorectal cancer patients with lymph node metastases (stage III) show poorer prognosis than those without. Predicting development of recurrence may guide the need for intensive follow‐up and/or adjuvant chemotherapy in such patients. The authors' objective was to identify a set of discriminating genes that could predict recurrence in stage III colorectal cancer.

METHODS:

Thirty‐six stage III colorectal cancer patients were studied. Tumor samples were obtained from surgically resected specimens. Thirteen patients developed recurrence, whereas 23 patients did not. Gene expression profiles were determined using human HG‐U133 Plus 2.0 Gene Chip (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, Calif).

RESULTS:

The authors identified 45 discriminating genes between patients with and without recurrence. By using this gene set, they established a new model to predict recurrence with an accuracy of 90.9%. The discriminating genes included calcineurin‐binding protein 1 (CABIN1), whose expression differed remarkably between patients with and without recurrence (P = .0073). The authors further examined the DNA copy number of CABIN1 and were able to show a significant relation with recurrence (P < .012). Patients having CABIN1 gene loss demonstrated a higher risk of recurrence (odds ratio, 18.8). DNA copy number of CABIN1 alone could predict recurrence with an accuracy of 80.0%.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the current study demonstrated that gene expression profiling is useful in predicting recurrence in stage III colorectal cancer. The authors identified CABIN1 among discriminating genes that may play a key role in the development of recurrence. These results may help to establish an individualized therapy for stage III colorectal cancer. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Theory of Ion Transport in Electrochemically Switchable Nanoporous Metallized Membranes
Authors: Amatore Christian , Oleinick Alexander I. , Svir Irina
Published: November 2008

A physicomathematical model of ion transport through a synthetic electrochemically switchable membrane with nanometric metal‐plated pores is presented. Due to the extremely small size of the cylindrical pores, electrical double layers formed inside overlap, and thus, strong electrostatic fields whose intensities vary across the cross‐sections of the nanopores are created. Based on the proposed model a relationship between the relative electrostatic energies experienced by ions in the nanopores and the potential applied to the membrane is established. This allows the prediction of transference numbers and explains quantitatively the ion‐transport switching capability of such synthetic membranes. The predictions of this model agree satisfactorily with previous experimental data obtained for this type of devices by Martin and co‐workers.
Femtosecond to Subnanosecond Multistep Calcium Photoejection from a Crown Ether‐Linked Merocyanine
Authors: Ley Christian , Lacombat Fabien , Plaza Pascal , Martin Monique M. , Leray Isabelle , Valeur Bernard
Published: November 2008

Photoinduced calcium release from the crown ether‐linked merocyanine DCM–crown is reexamined by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy with sub‐100 fs time resolution. Photodisruption of the bond linking the cation to the nitrogen atom shared by the crown and the chromophore is found to take place in 130 fs. Confirming our previous reports, the photoinduced intraligand charge transfer is observed in the picosecond regime but kinetics involving three‐components (1 ps, 8 ps and 77 ps), together with a 56 ps stimulated‐emission time‐resolved red shift, are found in the present study. Both delayed intraligand charge transfer and cation release are assumed to occur in this time range due to repulsion effects between the positively charged nitrogen of the crown ether moiety and the cation. In the subnanosecond regime, a 670 ps time‐resolved red shift of the stimulated‐emission spectrum of the charge‐transfer state, similar to the shift previously observed with Sr2+, demonstrates the motion of the cation away from the crown to the bulk. A thorough examination of the present data allows us to conclude that calcium ion is photoejected to the bulk in a multistep process.
Cellulose Conversion under Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Dhepe Paresh L. , Fukuoka Atsushi
Published: November 2008

In view of current problems such as global warming, high oil prices, food crisis, stricter environmental laws, and other geopolitical scenarios surrounding the use of fossil feedstocks and edible resources, the efficient conversion of cellulose, a non‐food biomass, into energy, fuels, and chemicals has received much attention. The application of heterogeneous catalysis could allow researchers to develop environmentally benign processes that lead to selective formation of value‐added products from cellulose under relatively mild conditions. This Minireview gives insight into the importance of biomass utilization, the current status of cellulose conversion, and further transformation of the primary products obtained.
A 5 GHz quadrature relaxation oscillator with mixing for improved testability or compact front‐end implementation
Authors: Oliveira Luis Bica , van den Bos Chris , Fernandes Jorge R. , Verhoeven Chris J. M. , Silva Manuel M.
Published: November 2008

We demonstrate by measurements on a test circuit that a 5 GHz relaxation oscillator with accurate quadrature outputs and low phase‐noise can be obtained, and that these favorable properties can be preserved while the mixing function is performed by this oscillator. This is useful either to measure the quadrature error at a low frequency, or to implement a low‐intermediate frequency (IF) or zero‐IF (homodyne) radio frequency front‐end. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hardware implementation of CNN architecture‐based test bed for studying synchronization phenomenon in oscillatory and chaotic networks
Authors: Tar Ákos , Gandhi Gaurav , Cserey György
Published: November 2008

A 3D modular cellular nonlinear network (CNN) architecture‐based test bed, with four‐neighbor connectivity, used to study synchronization phenomena in oscillatory and chaotic networks is designed. The architecture is implemented as hardware panels including a standalone robust Chua's circuit kit. The details of electronic implementation along with several test cases of connecting Chua's circuits in different topologies are provided. Test cases are adequately supported by oscilloscope traces. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance improvement of repetitive controlled PWM inverters: A phase‐lead compensation solution
Authors: Zhang Bin , Zhou Keliang , Wang Yigang , Wang Danwei
Published: November 2008

The compensation of the phase lag plays an important role in the improvement of convergence rate, tracking accuracy, and robustness of repetitive controller. However, it is often difficult to compensate the system phase lag exactly due to variation of the load and unknown disturbances. An alternative way is to provide a simple but effective phase compensation to compensate the phase lag in a frequency band that contains the major tracking error components. With this motivation, a repetitive control scheme with a linear phase‐lead compensator is proposed and applied to the control of constant‐voltage constant‐frequency pulse‐width modulated DC–AC inverters. Detailed analysis of phase compensation on system stability is provided, and conditions for the design of phase compensation are derived. The experimental results under different loads and load changes show that the proposed scheme can achieve high tracking accuracy, low total harmonic distortion, and fast dynamic response. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fuzzy logic technique for accurate analog circuits macromodel sizing
Authors: Díaz‐Madrid J. A. , Hinojosa J. , Doménech‐Asensi G.
Published: November 2008

Design of analog integrated circuits requires extensive simulations at low levels of the analog design hierarchy. The simulations increase the overall design time and, thus, the analog part of a mixed ASIC requires most of the design time while using only a small part of the silicon die. To improve the efficiency of these simulations, it is necessary to use methodologies and tools based on hierarchical descriptions, where macromodels play an essential role. In this paper, an approach for applying fuzzy logic for accurate analog circuit macromodel sizing is presented. In our proposed method, multiple adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference systems are trained to predict the performance characteristics (gain, bandwidth) of CMOS analog circuits. Moreover, the presented methodology provides reusable macromodels, since it is applicable for large number and large range of design parameters. This technique is applied to the accurate sizing of fully differential telescopic operational transconductance amplifier macromodel, a circuit widely used in the design of high‐performance analog‐to‐digital converters. The neuro‐fuzzy computed characteristic values are in excellent agreement and one order of magnitude faster than those obtained from device level SPICE simulations. Moreover, this method offers the best accuracy in comparison with other classical techniques such as polynomial regression, spline interpolation or artificial neural networks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primary cutaneous rhinosporidiosis diagnosed on FNAC: A case report with review of literature
Authors: Deshpande Archana H. , Agarwal Sameer , Kelkar Arundhati A.
Published: November 2008

Rhinosporidium seeberi causes granulomatous inflammation of mucocutaneous sites, presenting most frequently as polypoidal lesions in the nose. Sites like the conjunctiva, trachea, nasopharnyx, skin, and genitourinary tract are less frequently involved. Primary cutaneous lesion is extremely rare. We report the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of rhinosporidiosis occurring as a primary cutaneous lesion. FNAC of polypoidal and warty skin growths on leg in a 28‐year‐old male revealed numerous sporangia and spores of R. seeberi. There were no mucocutaneous lesions. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis. Globular bodies in endospores of R. seeberi are specific; their demonstration confirms diagnosis of rhinosporidiosis. FNAC or scrape cytology is economical and reliable in preoperative diagnosis of suspected and unsuspected cutaneous lesions of R. seeberi. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peculiar modulation of taste aversion learning by the time of day in developing rats
Authors: Manrique Tatiana , Gámiz Fernando , Morón Ignacio , Ballesteros Mª Angeles , Gallo Milagros
Published: November 2008

The ontogeny of the temporal context modulation of conditioned taste aversion was studied in male Wistar rats using a palatable 1% NaCl solution. A procedure that included two saline preexposures, a single pairing saline‐lithium chloride (0.15 M; 1% b.w.) either at the same or a different time of day of preexposures and a one‐bottle test at the same time than preexposure was applied. Four age groups (PN32, PN48, PN64, and PN100) covering the complete range from adolescence to the adult period were tested. The results showed no effect of a temporal context shift in PN32. A peculiar enhancement of temporal context‐specific saline aversions was exhibited by PN48 and PN64 rats, while the adult typical temporal context specificity of latent inhibition was only evident in PN100 rats. The results are discussed in terms of the peculiar brain functional organization during a protracted adolescence period. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 51: 147–157, 2009
Predictive value of interleukin‐10 promoter genotypes and haplotypes in determining the susceptibility to nephropathy in type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Mtiraoui Nabil , Ezzidi Intissar , Kacem Maha , Ben Hadj Mohamed Manel , Chaieb Molka , Haj Jilani Aoutef Bel , Mahjoub Touhami , Almawi Wassim Y.
Published: November 2008

Background

The IL‐10 promoter polymorphisms ‐1082G/A, ‐819C/T, and ‐592C/A have been consistently associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We examined whether these polymorphisms variants are also associated with progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods

These promoter variants were genotyped in 917 T2DM patients comprising 515 DN patients and 402 control patients without nephropathy (DWN), together with 748 non‐diabetic control subjects. Haplotype analysis and multivariate regression analysis were employed in assessing the contribution of IL‐10 haplotypes to DN risk, using genotype, clinical and biochemical profile, and their interactions as predictors of DN.

Results

Carriers of mutant ‐592A and ‐819T alleles, and ‐819T/T, ‐592A/A, and ‐819C/T genotypes were more frequent in T2DM. However, the ‐819C/T genotype appeared to be protective of DN, since lower frequency ‐819T allele and ‐819C/T genotype were seen in DN patients. Regression analysis identified ‐1082G/‐819T/‐592A (GTA) and ‐1082G/‐819T/‐592C (GTC) haplotypes as DN‐protective haplotypes. Relative to the ‐1082G/‐819C/‐592C haplotype, GTA [P = 0.044; odds ratio (OR) = 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30–0.98] and GTC (P = 0.045; OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.31–0.99) haplotypes were associated with decreased odds ratio (OR) for DN, after controlling for a number of covariates (age, sex, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, glucose, HbA1c, DN duration, total cholesterol).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that genetic variations at the IL‐10 promoter influence the risk of nephropathy in T2DM patients and thus represent a potential DN genetic‐susceptibility locus worthy of replication. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a wireless remote monitoring system utilizing multiple wireless sensors
Authors: Masuda Shinichi , Hattori Tetsuo
Published: November 2008

A novel remote monitoring system for all day outdoor observation using multiple wireless sensors and wireless communication (Handy phone and PHS) is proposed. The whole system consists of three parts: (i) a host station that is a PC (personal computer); (ii) a remote station that contains a camera controlled by a CPU and a power supply (battery attached by solar cell); and (iii) multiple wireless sensors each having its own ID signal. The remote station usually works by an event‐driven method based on the wireless sensor signals. Because of this event‐driven method, various multi‐vision systems are easily configurable. This paper describes the details of the system and evaluates the possibility of the application of the system. Since some of the systems are now actually running in many places, we can consider that the effectiveness of the system is shown by that fact in a practical sense. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 91(6): 1– 11, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10116
Analysis of fundamental light receiving characteristics of spherical solar cells
Authors: Ishikawa Hiroki , Furuno Takayuki , Kambe Satoru , Naitoh Haruo
Published: November 2008

Spherical solar cells are claimed to have some advantageous characteristics superior to those of ordinary planar solar cells. The most significant one is that the spherical solar cells have no directivity to light. This paper examines the characteristics based on geometrical considerations. The authors prove that a single spherical cell has no directivity as a whole. In practical use, many cells are used in an array configuration, where an individual cell receives the shadows cast by other cells around it. The adjacent shadows, so named in this paper, cause directivity. Their effects are evaluated geometrically and the theoretical considerations are verified through experiments. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 91(6): 34–46, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10119
A high‐efficiency diode‐clamped linear amplifier
Authors: Fujita Hideaki
Published: November 2008

This paper proposes a new power converter without any switching operation and which works as a linear amplifier. The main circuit of the proposed converter consists of series‐connected MOSFETs, series‐multi DC power supplies, and clamping diodes. The circuit configuration is similar to a diode‐clamped multi‐level inverter, except for using complementary power devices, which are n‐ and p‐channel MOSFETs. One of the series‐connected MOSFETs operates in an active state just like a linear amplifier, while the other MOSFETs operate in on or off states like an inverter circuit. As a result, the proposed converter achieves an acceptable efficiency as high as 90% without any ripples or harmonics caused by switching operation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed converter has the capability to drive a 2.2‐kW three‐phase induction motor. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 91(6): 47–56, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10120
Aminohalogenation of Electron‐Deficient Olefins Promoted by Hypervalent Iodine Compounds
Authors: Wu Xue‐Liang , Wang Guan‐Wu
Published: November 2008

An efficient and practical procedure for the aminohalogenation of electron‐deficient olefins promoted by hypervalent iodine compounds has been demonstrated. The catalytic efficiency of various hypervalent iodine compounds with different carboxylic and sulfonic ligands has also been investigated and of these (diacetoxyiodo)benzene exhibited the highest activity. A series of substrates, including α,β‐unsaturated ketones, cinnamates, and cinnamides, were tolerable under the conditions employed and were aminochlorinated/‐brominated in good yields and with excellent diastereoselectivities.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Large‐scale microfabricated channel plates for high‐throughput, fully automated DNA sequencing
Authors: Kumagai Hidesato , Utsunomiya Shinichi , Nakamura Shin , Yamamoto Rintaro , Harada Akira , Kaji Toru , Hazama Makoto , Ohashi Tetsuo , Inami Atsushi , Ikegami Takashi , Miyamoto Keisuke , Endo Naoya , Yoshimi Kenichi , Toyoda Atsushi , Hattori Masahira , Sakaki Yoshiyuki
Published: November 2008

We have described a new DNA sequencing platform based on the Sanger chemistry, in which the large‐scale microfabricated channel plates and electrophoretic system result in higher‐throughput DNA sequencing. Three hundred and eighty‐four channels are arranged in a fan‐like shape on a 25×47 cm glass plate, on which 384 oval sample holes are connected to each channel coupled to the opposite anode access holes. Two microfabricated plates are set on the sequencing apparatus, in which sequencing electrophoresis is conducted on one plate and the preparation process is on another plate. Each sample hole is loaded with 2.3 μL volume of sample and injected into separation channels electrokinetically. High‐quality sequencing data were acquired using the pUC18 template, achieving an average read‐length of 1001 bases with 99% accuracy and a throughput of 5 Mbases per day per instrument. To assess the performance in actual sequencing field, the bacterial artificial chromosome shotgun library of the Pseudorca crassidens genome was sequenced, using 1/80 of the quantity of Sanger reagent (0.1 μL). We believe that this is the first demonstration of the useful performance of DNA sequencing using monolithic microfabricated devices with walk‐away operation.
Optimization of a single‐effect evaporation system to effectively utilize thermal energy
Authors: Alnaizy Raafat , Dawood Faisal
Published: November 2008

Wastewater treatment facilities at Emirates Gold in Dubai seek to improve the steam economy of the existing single‐effect with recirculation and vapor‐compression evaporation process. Maximizing steam economy is important as it impacts treatment costs. There are two main approaches for improving steam economy in evaporators. One is to use a multiple‐effect evaporator; the other is to use a mechanical vapor recompression. Multiple‐effect evaporators were rejected because of higher capital and power cost. One of the suggestions that were made towards improving the steam economy was to recover heat from the steam condensate. A modified process flow diagram was proposed and investigated. The modified process was simulated using SuperPro Designer and Hysys with complete material and energy balance computation. The modified process increased the total water evaporation capacity and gained 40% better steam economy of the process. Another advantage was an increase in the amount of water reused, which is both economical and environmentally friendly. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009
Seismic performance evaluation of a 34‐story steel building retrofitted with response modification elements
Authors: Weng Yuan‐Tao , Tsai Keh‐Chyuan , Chen Pei‐Ching , Chou Chung‐Che , Chan Ya‐Ran , Jhuang Sheng‐Jhih , Wang Yung‐Yu
Published: November 2008

The original structural design of this case
study consisted of five basement floors and a 34‐story hotel tower in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The construction started in 1993, and the erection of the entire steel frame and the pouring of concrete slabs up to the 26th floor were completed before 1996. However, construction of the original hotel was subsequently suspended for 10 years. Recently, this building has been retrofitted for residential purposes. Buckling restrained braces (BRBs) and eccentrically braced frames were incorporated into the seismic design of the new residential tower. This paper presents the seismic resisting structural system, seismic design criteria, full‐scale test results of one BRB member and the as‐built welded moment connections. Test results confirm that the two side web‐plate stiffening details can effectively improve the rotational capacity of welded moment connection. The paper also discusses the analytical models for simulating the experimental responses of the BRB members and the welded moment connections. Nonlinear response history analyses (NLRHA) indicate that the inelastic deformational demands of the original and the redesigned structures induced by the maximum considered earthquakes are less than those found in the seismic building codes or laboratory tests. This paper also proposes a ground motion scaling method considering multi‐mode effects for NLRHA of the example building. It is shown that the proposed scaling method worked well in reducing the scatter in estimated peak seismic demands. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of cumulative seismic damage and corrosion on the life‐cycle cost of reinforced concrete bridges
Authors: Kumar R. , Gardoni P. , Sanchez‐Silva M.
Published: November 2008

Bridge design should take into account not only safety and functionality, but also the cost effectiveness of investments throughout a bridge life‐cycle. This paper presents a probabilistic approach to compute the life‐cycle cost (LCC) of corroding reinforced concrete (RC) bridges in earthquake‐prone regions. The approach is developed by combining cumulative seismic damage and damage associated with corrosion due to environmental conditions. Cumulative seismic damage is obtained from a low‐cycle fatigue analysis. Chloride‐induced corrosion of steel reinforcement is computed based on Fick's second law of diffusion. The proposed methodology accounts for the uncertainties in the ground motion parameters, the distance from the source, the seismic demand on the bridge, and the corrosion initiation time. The statistics of the accumulated damage and the cost of repairs throughout the bridge life‐cycle are obtained by Monte‐Carlo simulation. As an illustration of the proposed approach, the effects of design parameters on the LCC of an example RC bridge are studied. The results are valuable in better estimating the condition of existing bridges and, therefore, can help to schedule inspection and maintenance programs. In addition, by taking into consideration the two deterioration processes over a bridge life‐cycle, it is possible to estimate the optimal design parameters by minimizing, for example, the expected cost throughout the life of the structure. A comparison between the effects of the two deterioration processes shows that, in seismic regions, the cumulative seismic damage affects the reliability of bridges over time more than the corrosion even for corrosive environments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topographic controls upon soil macropore flow
Authors: Holden Joseph
Published: November 2008

Macropores are important components of soil hydrology. The spatial distribution of macropore flow as a proportion of saturated hydraulic conductivity was tested on six humid–temperate slopes using transects of tension infiltrometer measurements. Automated water table and overland flow monitoring allowed the timing of, and differentiation between, saturation‐excess overland flow and infiltration‐excess overland flow occurrence on the slopes to be determined and related to tension‐infiltrometer measurements. Two slopes were covered with blanket peat, two with stagnohumic gleys and two with brown earth soils. None of the slopes had been disturbed by agricultural activity within the last 20 years. This controlled the potential for tillage impacts on macropores. The proportion of near‐surface macropore flow to saturated hydraulic conductivity was found to vary according to slope position. The spatial patterns were not the same for all hillslopes. On the four non‐peat slopes there was a relationship between locations of overland flow occurrence and reduced macroporosity. This relationship did not exist for the peat slopes investigated because they experienced overland flow across their whole slope surfaces. Nevertheless, they still had a distinctive spatial pattern of macropore flow according to slope position. For the other soils tested, parts of slopes that were susceptible to saturation‐excess overland flow (e.g. hilltoes or flat hilltops) tended to have least macropore flow. To a lesser extent, for the parts of slopes susceptible to infiltration‐excess overland flow, the proportion of macropore flow as a component of infiltration was also smaller compared with the rest of the slope. The roles of macropore creation and macropore infilling by sheet wash are discussed, and it is noted that the combination of these may result in distinctive topographically controlled spatial patterns of macropore flow. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduction of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis stimulates biliary lipid secretion in mice #
Authors: Bijl Nora , van Roomen Cindy P. A. A. , Triantis Vassilis , Sokolovic Milka , Ottenhoff Roelof , Scheij Saskia , van Eijk Marco , Boot Rolf G. , Aerts Johannes M. , Groen Albert K.
Published: November 2008

Recent reports indicate that glycosphingolipids play an important role in regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. We have shown that the iminosugar N-(5′-adamantane-1′-yl-methoxy)-pentyl-1-deoxynojirimycin (AMP-DNM), an inhibitor of the enzyme glucosylceramide synthase, is a potent enhancer of insulin signaling in rodent models for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we determined whether AMP-DNM also affects lipid homeostasis and, in particular, the reverse cholesterol transport pathway. Treatment of C57BL/6J mice with AMP-DNM for 5 weeks decreased plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol by 35%, whereas neutral sterol excretion increased twofold. Secretion of biliary lipid also increased twofold, which resulted in a similar rise in bile flow. This effect was not due to altered expression levels or kinetics of the various export pumps involved in bile formation. However, the bile salt pool size increased and the expression of Cyp7A1 was up-regulated. In vitro experiments using HepG2 hepatoma cell line revealed this to be due to inhibition of fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF19)-mediated suppression of Cyp7A1 via the FGF receptor. Conclusion: Pharmacological modulation of glycosphingolipid metabolism showed surprising effects on lipid homeostasis in C57BL/6J mice. Upon administration of 100 mg AMP-DNM/kg body weight/day, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased, biliary lipid secretion doubled and also the endpoint of reverse cholesterol transport, neutral sterol excretion, doubled. (Hepatology 2008.)