bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Underutilization of evidence‐based strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism among trainees
Authors: Sharma Vibhu , Koczka Charles , Fischer Conrad
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

The knowledge and attitude of trainees toward the use of prediction rules in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is understudied. The extent of knowledge as far as imaging strategies in the setting of VTE and use of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) among trainees is also understudied.

METHODS:

This was a cross‐sectional study; between October, 2006 and March, 2008, surveys were distributed at grand rounds and national medicine board review courses. Respondents returning completed surveys included 43 medicine attendings, 139 residents, and 134 medical students Emergency physicians were called at work and 46 completed an abbreviated version of the survey. Attending and trainee responses were compared.

RESULTS:

Over 60% of students and 40% of residents did not use any prediction rules. Most attendings (>60%) did not use a prediction rule. Among attendings, 48% of emergency physicians and 30% of medicine attendings felt that prediction rules were too complex to use. Knowledge about imaging techniques and diagnostic protocols for VTE were worse for students than for residents. A substantial minority of all respondents (17% of students, 12% of residents and 13% of medicine attendings) would not use LMWH in the therapy of non‐massive pulmonary embolism. In general, level of training did not translate into a greater proportion of correct responses to clinical scenarios or greater knowledge about imaging systems and strategies.

CONCLUSION:

Trainees do not use a structured approach to VTE diagnosis. LMWH therapy is underutilized by a large minority of trainees and attendings. A top‐down approach is needed to revitalize evidence‐based management of VTE. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E26–E30. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Investigating the climate impacts of global land cover change in the community climate system model
Authors: Lawrence Peter J. , Chase Thomas N.
Published: January 2010

Recently, (Pitman et al., 2009) found a wide range of bio‐geophysical climate impacts from historical land cover change when modelled in a suite of current global climate models (GCMs). The bio‐geophysical climate impacts of human land cover change, however, have been investigated by a wide range of general circulation modelling, regional climate modelling, and observational studies. In this regard the IPCC 4th assessment report specifies radiative cooling of 0.2 W/m2 as the dominant global impact of human land cover change since 1750, but states this has a low to medium level of scientific understanding. To further contribute to the understanding of the possible climatic impacts of anthropogenic land cover change, we have performed a series of land cover change experiments with the community land model (CLM) within the community climate system model (CCSM). To do this we have developed a new set of potential vegetation land surface parameters to represent land cover change in CLM. The new parameters are consistent with the potential vegetation biome mapping of (Ramankutty and Foley, 1999), with the plant functional types (PFTs) and plant phenology consistent with the current day Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface parameters of (Lawrence and Chase, 2007). We found that land cover change in CCSM resulted in widespread regional warming of the near surface atmosphere, but with limited global impact on near surface temperatures. The experiments also found changes in precipitation, with drier conditions regionally, but with limited impact on average global precipitation. Analysis of the surface fluxes in the CCSM experiments found the current day warming was predominantly driven by changes in surface hydrology through reduced evapo‐transpiration and latent heat flux, with the radiative forcing playing a secondary role. We show that these finding are supported by a wide range of observational field studies, satellite studies and regional and global climate modelling studies. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Inhibition of STAT1 accelerates bone fracture healing
Authors: Tajima Kosuke , Takaishi Hironari , Takito Jiro , Tohmonda Takahide , Yoda Masaki , Ota Norikazu , Kosaki Naoto , Matsumoto Morio , Ikegami Hiroyasu , Nakamura Toshiyasu , Kimura Tokuhiro , Okada Yasunori , Horiuchi Keisuke , Chiba Kazuhiro , Toyama Yoshiaki
Published: January 2010

Skeletal fracture healing involves a variety of cellular and molecular events; however, the mechanisms behind these processes are not fully understood. In the current study, we investigated the potential involvement of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), a critical regulator for both osteoclastogenesis and osteoblast differentiation, in skeletal fracture healing. We used a fracture model and a cortical defect model in mice, and found that fracture callus remodeling and membranous ossification are highly accelerated in STAT1‐deficient mice. Additionally, we found that STAT1 suppresses Osterix transcript levels and Osterix promoter activity in vitro, indicating the suppression of Osterix transcription as one of the mechanisms behind the inhibitory effect of STAT1 on osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, we found that fludarabine, a potent STAT1 inhibitor, significantly increases bone formation in a heterotopic ossification model. These results reveal previously unknown functions of STAT1 in skeletal homeostasis and may have important clinical implications for the treatment of skeletal bone fracture. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:937–941, 2010
CE determination of secaloindoline allelic forms in hexaploid triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack)
Authors: Salmanowicz Bolesław P.
Published: January 2010

Differences in kernel texture are mainly caused by specific secaloindoline (SIN) proteins occurring in friabilin fraction of hexaploid triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) grain. SINs were isolated using Triton X‐114 partitioning from either kernels/flour or starch of five triticale cultivars with wide range of different hardness. Crude SIN fraction was obtained by size‐exclusion HPLC. SINs were separated on an uncoated fused‐silica capillary using the iminodiacetic (IDA) buffer in conjunction with lower‐concentrated poly(ethylene oxide) and ACN. A low‐concentrate mixture of hydrophilic polymers, PVP and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose in IDA buffer was employed for dynamic coating of capillary inner wall. In total, on the basis of CZE profiles, two SIN‐a proteins and two SIN‐b proteins were identified. Allelic forms SIN‐a1 and SIN‐b1 have both two soft and one medium hard genotypes, however other allelic forms, designed as SIN‐a2 and SIN‐b2, were identified in hard and other medium hard cultivars. The CZE profiles showed that the ratio of the peak areas of SIN‐b proteins isolated from triticale starch can be preliminarily used to distinguish cultivars with soft and hard grain.
Preferential solvational effects on the Cr(VI) oxidation of benzylamines in benzene/2‐methylpropan‐2‐ol mixtures
Authors: Thirumoorthi A. , Bhuvaneshwari D. S. , Elango K. P.
Published: January 2010

Imidazolium fluorochromate (IFC) oxidation of 11 meta‐ and para‐substituted benzylamines, in varying mole fractions of benzene/2‐methylpropan‐2‐ol binary mixtures, is first order in IFC and acid and zero order in substrate. The Hammett correlation yielded a U‐shaped curve, indicating a change in the relative importance of bond formation and bond fission in the transition state. The rate data failed to correlate with macroscopic solvent parameters such as εr and E. The correlation of kobs with Kamlet–Taft solvatochromic parameters suggests that H‐bonding between the reacting species and the solvent plays a major role in governing the reactivity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 159–167, 2010
The potential implications of web‐based marketing communications for consumers' implicit and explicit brand attitudes: A call for research
Authors: Madhavaram Sreedhar , Appan Radha
Published: January 2010

Two developments in the last two decades frame the importance of Web‐based marketing communications for firms. First is the phenomenal growth of the Internet as a viable commerce and communication option and second is the clear shift in attitude research toward recognizing the pervasive role of automatic processes in almost all the social psychological processes. Therefore, this article discusses the potential implications of Web‐based marketing communications for consumers' implicit and explicit attitudes. In doing so, first, this article reviews the emergence of research on implicit attitudes, distinguishes implicit attitudes from explicit attitudes, and discusses research on explicit and implicit attitudes relative to branding. Second, a brief discussion of marketing research on attitude is provided. Third, five empirically testable research propositions are developed and presented. Finally, given the potential implications for research and practice, the article concludes with a call for research. ©2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Skin cancer and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ferreira Joaquim J. , Neutel Dulce , Mestre Tiago , Coelho Miguel , Rosa Mário M. , Rascol Olivier , Sampaio Cristina
Published: January 2010

The report of an increased frequency of melanoma during the clinical development of rasagiline prompted a renewed interest in a possible association between skin cancer and Parkinson's disease (PD). The evaluation of this risk ended in a recommendation to perform a periodic dermatological examination as a follow‐up measure of their treatment. The recognition of this safety concern lead to the need to clarify if the risk of skin cancer is indeed associated with PD and if levodopa or other anti‐parkinsonian drugs might contribute to increase such risk. To answer these questions, we critically reviewed all clinical studies available concerning the association between skin cancer and PD. We found 26 studies on cancer occurrence in PD. The best data available suggest the risk of cancer is reduced in PD patients. However, specific cancers like thyroid and the female breast were reported at higher‐than‐expected rates. Additionally, it was suggested that PD patients have a higher frequency of melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancers than the general population. The data on non‐melanoma skin cancer are less robust than the data on melanoma. Causal factors remain unknown. Due to the weak association between skin cancer and PD, no robust recommendation can be made regarding the need for periodic dermatological screening. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Health‐related quality of life in patients with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome
Authors: Müller‐Vahl Kirsten , Dodel Ines , Müller Norbert , Münchau Alexander , Reese Jens Peter , Balzer‐Geldsetzer Monika , Dodel Richard , Oertel Wolfgang H.
Published: January 2010

To investigate the health‐related quality of life (HrQoL) of adult patients with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (GTS) in Germany. HrQoL was evaluated in 200 adult patients with GTS (Mean age: 34.9 ± 11.8 years). Patients were recruited from three outpatient departments in Germany and completed a semi‐structured, self‐rating interview. HrQoL was measured using the EQ‐5D. Depression was assessed using the Beck's depression inventory (BDI) and clinical symptoms using the Yale Tourette syndrome symptom list (TSSL) and the Shapiro Tourette‐syndrome severity scale (STSSS). Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of HrQoL. Patients with GTS proved to have a worse HrQoL than a sample from the general German population. The domains most affected were anxiety/depression (57.1%), followed by pain/discomfort (47.5%), usual activities (38.4%), mobility (14%), and self‐care (6.6%). The mean EQ‐5D visual analog scale (EQ‐VAS) was 65.4 ± 21.9. The patients had a mean BDI score of 12.3 ± 9.9, which was considerably worse compared to a healthy group who had a score of 6.45 ± 5.2. The mean STSSS value was 3.2 ± 1.1. In multivariate analyses, depressive symptoms contributed considerably, whereas the severity of symptoms as well as age only contributed minimally to HrQoL in the model (R2 = 0.54). HrQoL is considerably reduced in adult patients with GTS. The main independent factors for determining HrQoL were depression, severity of symptoms, and age. Although, treatment of tics is important, co‐morbidities such as depression should be diagnosed and treated vigorously. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Visual hallucinations and altered visual information processing in Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Kurita Akira , Murakami Maiko , Takagi Satoshi , Matsushima Masato , Suzuki Masahiko
Published: January 2010

Visual hallucinations (VHs) are common in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD), while auditory hallucinations are rare. To neurophysiologically investigate the pathophysiology of VHs in these disorders, we studied event‐related potentials (ERPs) of DLB, PDD, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. We compared visual and auditory ERP latencies among PDD patients with and without VHs (PDD‐H: 11, PDD‐N: 6), DLB patients (24), and AD patients (21). To elicit visual and auditory ERPs, a facial discrimination paradigm and a conventional auditory odd‐ball paradigm, respectively, were used. The mean visual P3 latencies in the PDD‐H and DLB groups were significantly longer than that in the AD group, while the mean auditory P3 latencies in all four patient groups were comparable. The mean visual P2 latencies in the PDD‐N, PDD‐H, and DLB groups were significantly longer than that in the control group. Our findings suggest that visual cognitive functions are selectively impaired in hallucinatory patients with DLB and PDD. VHs may be associated in part with predominant visual cognitive impairments attributable to PDD and DLB pathologies. Our findings also suggest that the impairments occur at the early stage of facial information processing. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Failure of cathodal direct current stimulation to improve fine motor control in musician's dystonia
Authors: Buttkus Franziska , Weidenmüller Matthias , Schneider Sabine , Jabusch Hans‐Christian , Nitsche Michael A. , Paulus Walter , Altenmüller Eckart
Published: January 2010

Musician's dystonia (MD) is a task‐specific movement disorder with a loss of voluntary motor control in highly trained movements. Defective inhibition on different levels of the central nervous system is involved in its pathophysiology. Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) diminishes excitability of the motor cortex and improves performance in overlearned tasks in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ctDCS improves fine motor control in MD. Professional guitarists (n = 10) with MD played exercises before, directly after ctDCS, and 60 min after ctDCS. ctDCS (2 mA, 20 min) was applied on the primary motor cortex contralateral to the affected hand. Guitar exercises were video‐documented and symptoms were evaluated by three independent experts. No beneficial effect of ctDCS on fine motor control was found for the entire group. However, motor control of one guitarist improved after stimulation. This patient suffered from arm dystonia, whereas the other guitarists suffered from hand dystonia. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
A new six‐port receiver architecture using polyphase networks
Authors: Lee Sang‐Yun , Kim Dong‐Zo , Lee Moon‐Que , Yu Jong‐Won
Published: January 2010

In this article, a novel six‐port receiver architecture is proposed and experimentally verified. The six‐port receiver circuit is realized by using power dividers/combiners and polyphase networks for the first time. A prototype operating in 2.4‐GHz ISM band has been fabricated and experimentally verified, to show its performance as demodulator. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 499–502, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24962
A novel compact dual‐band bandpass filter using spiral‐shaped microstrip resonators
Authors: Huang Chien‐Hsiang , Li Hsiao‐Chun , Chen Chien‐Hsun , Horng Tzyy‐Sheng
Published: January 2010

In this letter, a dual‐band bandpass filter is proposed by consisting of spiral‐shaped microstrip resonators. Meanwhile, a skew‐symmetric tapped feed structure is applied to introduce two transmission zeros on both sides of individual passbands, and thereby improve the filter selectivity. The measured results of the designed third‐order dual‐band bandpass filter for 2.4/5.2 GHz wireless local area network applications are in good agreement with the simulated predictions. Moreover, the filter has a size reduction of 40%, as compared with the conventional square open‐loop bandpass filters. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 543–547, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24965
Efficient transmission scheme for multibasestation radio over fiber system by constituting a local area optical network
Authors: He Mingjian , Huang Xuguang
Published: January 2010

We propose a scheme to improve the transmission efficiency of radio over fiber system, which is to constitute a local area optical network with many micro cell base stations centering on the remote node. All the data switching among base stations within this optical network will be realized by the wavelength allocation module of the remote node instead of the central office. Such a method has the advantage of economize the capacity of the backbone fiber between the center office and the remote node, therefore increases the transmission efficiency of the system. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 526–529, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24974
Analysis and design of a new reflection‐type 360° phase shifter with combined switch and varactor
Authors: Bulja S. , Mirshekar‐Syahkal D.
Published: January 2010

Analysis and design of a new 360° reflection type phase shifter is proposed.The new phase shifter uses a switch and one varactor device per reflective load. Equations for the analysis and design of the new phase shifter are presented. A 2.5 GHz phase shifter is fabricated using a varactor diode and a PIN diode per load. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 530–535, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24975
Design considerations and impact of technological parametric variations on RF/microwave performance of GEWE‐RC MOSFET
Authors: Chaujar Rishu , Kaur Ravneet , Saxena Manoj , Gupta Mridula , Gupta R. S.
Published: January 2010

This letter investigates design considerations and impact of technological parametric variations on microwave performance of gate electrode workfunction engineered recessed channel (GEWE‐RC) MOSFET using ATLAS.Results reveal significantly enhanced microwave performance of GEWE‐RC over bulk in terms of intrinsic delay, gains, cut‐off frequency, S‐parameters proving its effectiveness in radio‐frequency‐wireless, and RFID technology. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 652–657, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25008
RF receiver front end for 28.5 GHz applications on a 70 GHz FT SiGe BiCMOS process
Authors: Fortes Fernando , Mahmoudi Reza , van Roermund Arthur
Published: January 2010

This article presents the design and test of a receiver front end aimed at LMDS applications at 28.5 GHz. It presents a system‐level design after which the receiver was designed. The receiver comprises an LNA, quadrature mixer and quadrature local oscillator. Experimental results at 24 GHz center frequency show a conversion voltage gain of 15 dB and conversion noise figure of 14.5 dB. The receiver operates from a 2.5 V power supply with a total current consumption of 31 mA. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 736–740, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25010
Gate material engineered‐trapizoidal recessed channel MOSFET for high‐performance analog and RF applications
Authors: Malik Priyanka , Kumar Sona P. , Chaujar Rishu , Gupta Mridula , Gupta R. S.
Published: January 2010

In this article, device characteristics of gate material engineered‐trapezoidal recessed channel (GME‐TRC) MOSFET are investigated using device simulators, ATLAS and DEVEDIT. Further, proposed device is examined for cutoff frequency (FT) and parasitic capacitances, and result offers the opportunity for realizing the reliability of GME‐TRC MOSFET for high‐speed logic and RF applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 694–698, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25012
Autofocusing imaging through the unknown building wall with EM inverse scattering algorithm
Authors: Zhang Wenji , Li Lianlin , Li Fang
Published: January 2010

The through‐wall imaging (TWI) problem is studied within the context of EM inverse scattering in this article.A novel real time TWI algorithm is proposed by employing the spectrum Green's function and exploding source model under Born approximation. The complex scattering process because of the presence of the wall is well modeled in the imaging formulation through the layered medium Green's function. Inspired by the concept of time reversal imaging, a novel autofocusing strategy is incorporated in the proposed algorithm. The autofocusing is achieved by introducing a time factor in the TWI formulation to get a dynamic image at different focusing time. The image at the time instant, when the defined entropy is minimized, is stored as the output of the imaging result. Numerical and experimental results are presented to show that the proposed method can provide high quality focused image in a short computation time regardless of the estimated value of the wall parameters. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 732–736, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25013
Hardware concepts for the sequential sampling of repetitive pulse radar echoes in cost‐efficient ultra‐wideband transceivers
Authors: Hantscher Sebastian , Reisenzahn Alexander , Kainmüller Harald , Diskus Christian G.
Published: January 2010

This contribution shows different receiver concepts for the sampling of ultra‐wideband radar echoes.The core of all receiver architectures is the sequential sampling offering the possibility of manufacturing low‐cost hardware. Several sample circuits are proposed, compared, and verified experimentally. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 585–591, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25015
Study on equivalent circuit of coaxial line to post‐wall waveguide transition in 60‐GHz band
Authors: Luo Wuqiong , Ohira Masataka , Miura Amane , Ueba Masazumi
Published: January 2010

In this article, the transition transmitting signals from a coaxial line to a waveguide with a straight post was suggested.The structure of two cavities was exploited to obtain a wider frequency bandwidth. The equivalent circuit for the suggested structure was then discussed. Parameters affecting the transmission performance were studied. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 623–626, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25020
An FBAR‐ and LTCC‐based RF front‐end module for Wi‐Fi and WiMAX dual‐mode systems
Authors: Kim Dongsu , Kim Dong Ho , Baek Gyung Hoon , Ryu Jong In , Park Chong Dae , Kim Chul Soo , Song In Sang , Kim Jun Chul
Published: January 2010

A compact quad‐band RF front‐end module (FEM) is proposed for Wi‐Fi and WiMAX dual‐mode systems using film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) and low temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC) technologies. The quad‐band RF FEM consists of three LTCC bandpass filters, two diplexers, one FBAR filter, two single‐pole‐double‐throw switches, and one single‐pole‐four‐throw switch. The diplexers with the bandpass filters for each mode are fully embedded in the LTCC substrate, whereas the FBAR filter and three RF switches are placed on top of the substrate. The measured performance of the embedded diplexers with the bandpass filters is compared to the simulated one, resulting in good agreement between both performances. The implemented quad‐band RF FEM provides relatively low insertion loss with high attenuation at other passband for each mode. The overall size of the module is 6.0 mm × 5.0 mm with a substrate thickness of 0.6 mm. © 2010 American Association of Anatomists Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 753–757, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25023
Study on RF MEMS switch with four parallel Ohm contacts for power handling enhancement
Authors: Liu Zewen , Hou Zhihao , Li Zhijian
Published: January 2010

In this article, we present a recent study on enhancement of the power handling capability in wideband Ohm contact type RF MEMS switch. The series Ohm contact switch presents a very good wideband RF performance in the DC to 30 GHz. To improve its power handling capability, switch unit consisted of four parallel single Ohm contact (FPOC) had been designed, fabricated, and measured. In this way, the power handling capability can be improved because of the reduction of contact resistance. The measurement results reveal that the FPOC switch insertion loss is 0.1 dB at 4 GHz and 0.3 dB at 10 GHz; its isolations are 25 dB at 4 GHz and −16 dB at 10 GHz. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 665–667, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25025
A compact, ultra‐broadband coplanar‐waveguide bandpass filter with simple open‐ and short‐stub structures
Authors: Wang Shao‐Ning , Chen Nan‐Wei
Published: January 2010

A compact, ultra‐broadband coplanar‐waveguide (CPW) bandpass filter (BPF) is presented. The CPW‐BPF comprises solely open‐ and short‐stub structures. Compared with the conventional broadband CPW‐BPFs, the proposed filter is of a relatively compact configuration. The demonstrated CPW‐BPF has about 110% 3‐dB fractional bandwidth, sharp selectivity, and good stopband rejection. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 715–718, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www. interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25028
Erratum: Metamaterial applications in RFID
Authors: Toscano A. , Vegni L.
Published: January 2010

Originally published Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2745–2748, 2009
. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 783, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25091
Interleukin‐34 is expressed by giant cell tumours of bone and plays a key role in RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Baud'Huin Marc , Renault Romain , Charrier Céline , Riet Anne , Moreau Anne , Brion Régis , Gouin François , Duplomb Laurence , Heymann Dominique
Published: January 2010

Interleukin‐34 (IL‐34) is a newly discovered regulator of myeloid lineage differentiation, proliferation, and survival, acting via the macrophage‐colony stimulating factor receptor (M‐CSF receptor, c‐fms). M‐CSF, the main ligand for c‐fms, is required for osteoclastogenesis and has been already identified as a critical contributor of the pathogenesis of giant cell tumours of bone (GCTs), tumours rich in osteoclasts. According to the key role of M‐CSF in osteoclastogenesis and GCTs, the expression of IL‐34 in human GCTs was first assessed. Quantitative analysis of IL‐34 mRNA expression in 14 human GCTs revealed expression of this cytokine in GCTs as well as M‐CSF and c‐fms. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that osteoclast‐like cells exhibited a huge immunostaining for IL‐34 and that mononuclear stromal cells were slightly positive for this protein. In contrast to osteoblasts, bone‐resorbing osteoclasts showed very strong staining for IL‐34, suggesting its potential role in the pathogenesis of GCTs by facilitating osteoclast formation. The role of IL‐34 in osteoclastogenesis was then studied in murine and human models. IL‐34 was able to support RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis in the absence of M‐CSF in all models. Multinucleated cells generated in the presence of IL‐34 and RANKL expressed specific osteoclastic markers and resorbed dentine. IL‐34 induced phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 and Akt through the activation of c‐fms, as revealed by the inhibition of signalling by a specific c‐fms tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Furthermore, IL‐34 stimulated RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis by promoting the adhesion and proliferation of osteoclast progenitors, and had no effect on osteoclast survival. Overall, these data reveal that IL‐34 can be entirely substituted for M‐CSF in RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis, thus identifying a new biological activity for this cytokine and a contribution to the pathogenesis of GCTs. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primary chemotherapy for intracranial germ cell tumors: Results of the third international CNS germ cell tumor study
Authors: da Silva Nasjla Saba , Cappellano Andrea M. , Diez Blanca , Cavalheiro Sergio , Gardner Sharon , Wisoff Jeffrey , Kellie Stewart , Parker Robert , Garvin James , Finlay Jonathan
Published: January 2010

Background

The treatment of central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors (GCT) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate efficacy of a chemotherapy only strategy, with less morbidity, when compared to regimens with irradiation.

Methods

Between January 2001 and December 2004 newly diagnosed patients with CNS GCT were treated with one of two risk‐tailored chemotherapy regimens. Twenty‐five patients aged 4 months to 24.5 years were stratified: Regimen A consisted of 4–6 cycles of carboplatin/etoposide alternating with cyclophosphamide/etoposide for low risk (LR) localized germinoma with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum tumor markers. Regimen B consisted of 4–6 cycles of carboplatin/cyclophosphamide/etoposide for intermediate‐risk (IR) germinoma with positive human chorionic gonadotrophin‐beta (HCGβ) and/or CSF HCGβ <50 mIU/ml and high‐risk (HR) biopsy‐proven non‐germinomatous malignant elements (MMGCT) or elevated serum/CSF alpha‐fetoprotein and/or HCGβ serum/CSF >50 mIU/ml.

Results

Eleven patients were classified as LR, 2 IR, and 12 HR. Seventeen (68%) patients achieved complete radiographic and marker responses after two courses and 19 (76%) after four courses of chemotherapy. Eleven patients relapsed at a mean of 30.8 months; eight of them subsequently received irradiation. The 6‐year event free and overall survival for the 25 patients was 45.6% and 75.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

These intensive chemotherapy regimens proved less effective than irradiation containing regimens. Our results indicate that, at the present time, standard treatment for CNS GCT continues to include irradiation either alone or combined with chemotherapy for pure germinomas and with chemotherapy for those with MMGCT. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;54:377–383. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New design of actuator using shear piezoelectricity of a chiral polymer, and prototype device
Authors: Sawano Michiya , Tahara Komei , Orita Yoshihiro , Nakayama Mesatoshi , Tajitsu Yoshiro
Published: January 2010

Chiral polymers have been known to exhibit small shear piezoelectricity for about fifty years. However, recently, we reported that poly(L‐lactic acid) treated with supercritical carbon dioxide (sc‐PLLA), which is a type of chiral polymer, exhibits much higher shear piezoelectricity than other chiral polymers. On the other hand, we found an important difference between motion due to shear piezoelectricity and that due to tensile piezoelectricity in piezoelectric materials through computer simulations. On the basis of these results, we fabricated a new type of electrically controlled tweezers constructed from a pair of sc‐PLLA sheets with shear piezoelectricity. In general, when conventional tweezers open to the left and right, the trajectory of their motion becomes fanlike at the center of the connection (one end of the tweezers). In the new tweezers, the two small sheets making up the tweezers open parallel to each other, without the motion of parts near the connection. Moreover, a prototype ‘finger’ system using sc‐PLLA sheets to realize complex motion in which the finger curled upon stretching of the sc‐PLLA sheets was manufactured as a trial device. Using the prototype finger system, we demonstrated the firm grasping of a sample, but the sample could not be removed from a vessel. Thus, sc‐PLLA increases the likelihood of realizing a device with highly operational pick‐up in a very small region by using the shear piezoelectricity of a chiral polymer. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Prescribing in pregnant women: guide to general principles
Authors: Stephens Sally , Wilson Glen
Published: January 2010

Our series Prescribing in pregnancy provides a guide for GPs on what information to offer pregnant women about the risks and benefits of drug treatment. Here, the authors describe the general principles that should be observed when prescribing in pregnant women. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Variation of Raman spectra of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots at the bioconjugation
Authors: Macotela L. G. Vega , Torchynska T. V. , Douda J. , Sierra R. Peña
Published: January 2010

This paper presents the results of comparative analysis of Raman scattering spectra of CdSe/ZnS QDs covered by polymer with and without bio‐conjugation to the mouse anti PSA (Prostate‐Specific Antigen) antibodies (mab). Commercial CdSe/ZnS QDs used in the study are characterized by the color emission with the maximum at 565 nm (2.19 eV) at 300 K. Raman scattering spectra measured at room temperature demonstrate two groups of peaks: i) related to the Si substrate at 230–460, 522, 610, 670, 940‐1040 cm–1 and 2) to polymer on the QD surface in the spectral range 1268–3310 cm–1. It is revealed that the QD bio‐conjugation to the anti PSA mab is accompanied by the variation dramatically in the intensity of Raman lines of both types. The explanation of Raman peak stimulation in bio‐conjugated QDs has been proposed on the base of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Study of phase separation and photo‐ luminescent emission in silicon nanostructured PECVD systems
Authors: Ribeiro M. , Pereyra I.
Published: January 2010

In this work two systems with total phase separation composed of alternated a‐Si/SiO2 and a‐Si/Si3N4 respectively along with silicon‐rich SiOxNy films were deposited by the PECVD technique and characterized by XANES, Raman, TEM and PL techniques. The multilayers were used to analyse the effects of phase separation in the XANES and Raman spectra as well as to determine the phase contrast in TEM images in order to elucidate upon the existence of phase separation in the silicon‐rich SiOxNy films and correlate it with the high photoluminescence intensity in the visible spectra region observed in the as deposited films. The results clearly indicate that the as deposited films present partial phase separation, which is crucial for the PL emission. The effect of high temperature annealing in the silicon‐rich SiOxNy films is also studied, Raman and XANES results show that heat treatments promote silicon aggregation and, in some cases, crystallization strongly influencing the PL emission. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Two‐dimensional Langevin recombination
Authors: Juška Gytis , Genevičius Kristijonas , Nekrašas Nerijus , Sliaužys Gytis
Published: January 2010

In two‐dimensional (2D) structures, due to charge carrier's mobility dependence on direction, the rate of Langevin recombination must be different in comparison with the three‐dimensional (3D) case. In this work we determine the relaxation of charge carrier's density in the case of 2D Langevin recombination. Experimental data from photo‐CELIV (extraction of photogenerated charge carriers in a linearly increasing voltage), double injection current transients and integral time‐of‐flight methods proves presence of 2D Langevin recombination in lamellar structure of regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (RR‐P3HT). The temperature dependence of the mobility in the lamella was established. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Deposition of ZnS1‐xOx thin films by the photochemical dip coating method and application for heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Ichimura Masaya , Akita Koichi
Published: January 2010

ZnS1‐xOx films were deposited by a new photochemical technique, photochemical dip coating (PDC), on glass and Sn‐doped‐In2O3 coated glass substrates. The substrate was dipped in the deposition solution, and then irradiated in air with UV light of a low‐pressure mercury lamp. The deposition solution contained 50 mmol/L of ZnCl2 and 100 mmol/L of Na2S2O3, and a film with a thickness of about 0.15 μm was deposited by repeating the dipping‐irradiation cycle 50 times. The film composition was ZnS0.8O0.3, slightly group VI‐rich. The optical transmission decreased gradually from about 60 to 20% in a wavelength range of 500‐300 nm. Heterostructure solar cells were fabricated by depositing SnS on ZnS0.8O0.3 by electrodeposition. The cell showed photovoltaic properties, although the efficiency was low. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical and structural characterization of silicon‐carbon‐nitride thin films for optoelectronics
Authors: Swatowska Barbara , Stapinski Tomasz
Published: January 2010

Amorphous a‐SiCN:H films were deposited by radio frequency Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) at 13.56 MHz from silane‐methane‐ammonia (SiH4+CH4+NH3) gaseous mixture. Morphological, structural and optical characterization of a‐SiCN:H in correlation with process parameters was done. High growth rate of films was influenced mainly by presence of ammonia and silane in technological process. FTIR spectra analysis of films revealed the influence of gaseous mixture content in PECVD process on their structure. The refractive index and optical gap depended on elemental composition of films. The total reflectivity of a‐SiCN:H on monocrystalline silicon revealed increase with the decrease in carbon and nitrogen content. The a‐SiCN:H films are smooth, homogeneous, chemically inert and wear resistive and also hydrogen rich, which is important from the application point of view (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Lack of universal conductance features in disordered graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Magna Antonino La , Deretzis Ioannis , Forte Giuseppe , Pucci Renato
Published: January 2010

Recent experimental characterisation of graphene flakes has demonstrated the existence of local structural alterations of the ideal honeycomb lattice whose influence on the conductance mechanism of this material has not yet been fully evaluated. In this study a numerical statistical analysis of the conductance distribution function in disordered graphene nanoribbons is presented. Calculations are performed in statistically equivalent replica large systems within the Non Equilibrium Green's Function formalism. Different kinds of local scattering centers have been considered. A characteristic general behavior of the conductance variance in these quasi one‐dimensional systems is the linear scaling with the average of logarithm of the conductance, in the localization regime. However, in a broad class of realization of the local disorder, the slope is not a constant as the disorder degree varies in any region of the energy spectrum, i.e. the single parameters scaling hypothesis is not verified (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Preparation of carbon nanotubes with different morphology by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Duraia El‐Shazly M. , Mansurov Zulkhair , Tokmoldin S. Zh.
Published: January 2010

In this work we present a part of our results about the preparation of carbon nanotube with different morphologies by using microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition MPECVD. Well aligned, curly, carbon nanosheets, coiled carbon sheets and carbon microcoils have been prepared. We have investigated the effect of the different growth condition parameters such as the growth temperature, pressure and the hydrogen to methane flow rate ratio on the morphology of the carbon nanotubes. The results showed that there is a great dependence of the morphology of carbon nanotubes on these parameters.

The yield of the carbon microcoils was high when the growth temprature was 700 °C. There is a linear relation between the growth rate and the methane to hydrogen ratio. The effect of the gas pressure on the CNTs was also studied. Our samples were investigated by scanning electron microscope and Raman spectroscopy (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterizations of SWNT films to obtain organic optoelectronic device anodes
Authors: Banoukepa G. de Roméo , Antony R. , Colas M. , Ratier B.
Published: January 2010

Organic devices such as solar cells or light emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been intensively studied for the last decade, and have now the potential to reach the market for various applications. Nevertheless, various reports have shown that devices based on Indium Tin Oxide anode present a reduced efficiency due to indium diffusion into organic active layers. In this context, our work focus on the development and the characterization of alternative anodes based on Single Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWNT) Films. In particular, this work is devoted to the morphology and charge transport properties of carbon nanotube thin layers.

SWNT films were prepared on glass substrates using the vacuum filtration method reported by Wu et al. As a second step, the films were dipped in a nitric acid and subsequently dried in order to reduce their sheet resistances. Raman spectroscopy is then used to chemically map the film surface, and allow us to assess the homogeneity of the achieved films. Finally, optical and electrical characterizations (measurements of the sheet resistance and optical transmission) provide evidence of a correlation between the quality of the surface and the nature of charge transport occurring in the prepared SWNT films (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Coverage and connectivity guaranteed topology control algorithm for cluster‐based wireless sensor networks
Authors: Xu Ning , Huang Aiping , Hou Ting‐Wei , Chen Hsiao‐Hwa
Published: January 2010

One of the most challenging issues in wireless sensor networks is to meet the requirements of coverage and connectivity under given energy constraints. Most existing coverage and connectivity algorithms work to form tree networks when sensor nodes do not have location information of themselves. However, a tree topology network does not perform well in terms of energy efficiency and scalability if compared with a cluster network. In this paper, a novel topology control algorithm called Adaptive Random Clustering (ARC) is proposed to form a cluster network with required coverage and connectivity without location information. The performance of its coverage intensity and connectivity is analyzed based on the characteristics of cluster topology, and their proper parameters are determined. ARC inherits an excellent energy efficiency from cluster topology and avoids the collisions and overhearing of data packets. A good scalability can be achieved as only a limited number of channels are needed in ARC for a large‐scale network. Furthermore, ARC can adjust the number of active nodes adaptively according to the required coverage to balance the energy consumption. Simulation results demonstrate that required coverage and connectivity can be satisfied and network lifetime is prolonged significantly. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study on wireless sensor network based indoor positioning systems for context‐aware applications
Authors: Wang Jing , Prasad R. Venkatesha , An Xueli , Niemegeers Ignas G. M. M.
Published: January 2010

The newer context‐aware applications require many inputs and amongst them the location information is one of the most important. In the near future, we see the potential in using wireless sensors deployed inside buildings to support in generating the location information besides their other routine tasks. This paper records the efforts involved in designing and prototyping a centralized indoor positioning system for tracking a target's position. We present an in‐depth discussion on the RSSI based positioning algorithms both, range‐based and range‐free. Considering that the signal strength can be distorted heavily due to multi‐path and shadowing, we have proposed the weighing schemes to leverage the credibility of the measured RSSI values. For online tracking, we have also proposed boundary selection and local grid scanning to lower the searching time, and the RSSI data dissemination and collection schemes to reduce traffic overhead. Evaluations have been done in both the field measurements and with an RSSI generator. The generator has been developed to simulate and replace the real measurements for the ease of algorithm design and testing, thus avoiding repetitive field measurements. The results show that positioning systems with adequate accuracy can be built with our proposed schemes. We expect that these proposed schemes to be integrated in multitude of systems with context‐aware applications, which use location information. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A cross‐layer framework for multiple access and routing design in wireless multi‐hop networks
Authors: ElBatt Tamer , Andersen Timothy
Published: January 2010

In this paper we explore the inherent coupling between MAC and routing in wireless multi‐hop networks attributed to interference. This is primarily motivated by the observation that shortest path routing could potentially lead to degrading the single‐hop MAC throughput which constitutes an upper bound on the end‐to‐end multi‐hop throughput. First, we formulate an optimization problem that maximizes the MAC throughput subject to path length, scheduling, SINR, and power constraints and establish bounds on the optimal performance. Second, we propose a novel cross‐layer routing framework (set‐based routing) that reduces problem complexityviaresolving intra‐ and inter‐set interference among sets of spatially close transmitters. Third, we propose joint routing, scheduling and power control (RSP) to solve the problem within each set. Finally, we show, through simulations, that set‐based routing achieves not only 60% of the optimal performance for plausible scenarios but also up to 50% improvement over a generic reference system that represents a broad class of state‐of‐the‐art protocol stacks and uses minimum hop (MH) routing and collision‐free scheduling with no interaction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systems biology—old wine in a new bottle or is the bottle changing the wine?
Authors: Nadeau Joseph H. , Subramaniam Shankar
Published: January 2010

This article is categorized under:

Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine