bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controllable synthesis of novel In2O3 nanostructures and their field emission properties
Authors: Huang Yanjun , Yu Ke , Zhu Ziqiang
Published: November 2010

Three kinds of novel indium oxide (In2O3) nanostructures, namely, nanorods, nanoflowers and nanowhiskers were synthesized on silicon substrate via a simple vapor‐phase transport method under atmospheric pressure. The In2O3nanostructures were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDS) spectrum. The Raman spectra of these nanostructures showed four sharp scattering peaks centered at 308, 365, 522, and 628 cm‐1, whose position and intensity were characteristic of standard Raman spectra for In2O3. The Room‐temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed visible emissions centered around 576, 592, and 624 nm. Field emission measurements demonstrated that the nanoflowers possessed the best performance with a turn‐on field of 3.54 V/µm and a threshold field of 9.83 V/µm. And the field enhancement factors of these nanostructures are high enough for the application of field emission display devices. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fabrication of Fe3O4 octahedra by a triethanolamine‐assisted hydrothermal process
Authors: Liang Jun , Li Li , Luo Min , Wang Yuan
Published: November 2010

Octahedral Fe3O4microcrystals were synthesized using a triethanolamine‐assisted route under hydrothermal conditions. The chemical compositions and morphologies of the as‐prepared samples were characterized in detail by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). During the hydrothermal process for the preparation of Fe3O4 octahedra, the possible mechanism was discussed to elucidate the formation of the octahedral Fe3O4microcrystals. Triethanolamine and hydrazine hydrate play important roles in the formation of the final products. The magnetic property of sample was evaluated on a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at room temperature. The values of saturation magnetization and coercivity of octahedral Fe3O4are about 103 emu/g and 157 Oe, respectively. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Novel Biheterometal and Triheterometal Alkoxide Clusters – Highly Active Catalysts for the Polymerization of ϵ‐Caprolactone
Authors: Sheng Hongting , Feng Yan , Zhang Yong , Shen Qi
Published: November 2010

The effect of the alkali metal on the synthesis, crystal structure, and catalytic reactivity of lanthanide–alkali metal alkoxide clusters is reported. Anhydrous LnCl3 reacts with 6.5 equiv. of KOCH2CH2N(CH3)2 and 1.5 equiv. of KOH in tetrahydrofuran (THF) to give the corresponding lanthanide–potassium biheterometal alkoxide clusters [Ln4K20(OCH2CH2NMe2)26(OH)6] [Ln = Nd (1), Pr (2), Yb (3)] in high yield. Anhydrous YbCl3 reacts with KOCH2CH2N(CH3)2 and NaOH with different molar ratios of 1:9:3 and 1:9:4 to afford the lanthanide–potassium–sodium triheterometal alkoxide clusters [Yb2K10Na6(OCH2CH2NMe2)18(OH)4] (4) and [Yb2K8Na8(OCH2CH2NMe2)18(OH)4] (5), respectively. These clusters were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, and single‐crystal structural analysis. The heterometal alkoxide clusters 1–5 exhibited good catalytic activity for the ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone (ϵ‐CL). It is interesting to note that the catalytic activity of these heterometal alkoxide clusters increases with the increase of the molar ratio of alkali metal to lanthanide metal. For the same molar ratio of alkali metal to lanthanide metal, however, the catalytic activity of the heterometal clusters is highly dependent on the type and molar ratio of the alkali metal centers. The higher the molar ratio of potassium to sodium, the higher the catalytic activity.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 1,5‐Dichlorides by Sequential Intermolecular Kharasch Reactions
Authors: Thommes Katrin , Fernández‐Zúmel Mariano A. , Buron Charlotte , Godinat Aurélien , Scopelliti Rosario , Severin Kay
Published: November 2010

Sequential intermolecular atom transfer radical addition reactions of activated dichlorides Cl2CRR′ (R = CN, CO2Et, R′ = H, CN, CO2Et) with two olefins catalyzed by [Cp*RuCl2(PPh3)] in the presence Mg allow the synthesis of linear 1,5‐dichlorides. Different olefins can be employed in the first and in the second addition reaction. The reaction products are interesting synthetic precursors as demonstrated by the synthesis of two cyclopentanes by Mg‐induced dechlorination. The structure of trans‐3,4‐diphenylcyclopentanecarbonitrile was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.
A bandwidth assignment polling algorithm to enhance the efficiency in QoS long‐reach EPONs
Authors: Merayo N. , Jiménez T. , Fernández P. , Durán R.J. , Lorenzo R.M. , de Miguel I. , Abril E.J.
Published: November 2010

A novel polling algorithm is proposed to provide subscriber differentiation at the upstream channel in long‐reach EPONs. As operators and service providers prefer to operate at loads with no congestion and losses, the developed algorithm has been designed to improve the efficiency for those loads at which the network is likely to work. This new scheme permits to anticipate the transmission of some packets in order to take advantage of the wasted bandwidth between consecutive transmissions of ONUs. As a result, not only does this algorithm behave alike other polling algorithms for high loads, but it also improves the efficiency at low and medium loads, leading to a reduction in the mean packet delay. The new algorithm has been tested in different scenarios, motivated by the increasing interest in enlarging the long‐reach EPON distances. Simulation results show that as the distance increases, the algorithm achieves a significant reduction of the mean packet delay for an extended range of loads. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Open interest, cross listing, and information shocks
Authors: Aguenaou Samir , Gwilym Owain Ap , Rhodes Mark
Published: November 2010

This study examines the characteristics and behavior of the demand for hedging, proxied by open interest, for the cross‐listed Euribor futures contract traded at Euronext‐LIFFE and Eurex. The study is unique in its investigation of the simultaneous determinants of open interest in a cross‐listed setting. It also assesses the impact of shocks on traders' demand for hedging and shows how the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the credit crunch influence the level of dependency between Euronext‐LIFFE and Eurex. Differences of opinion, ECB Governing Council meetings, days of the week, contract maturity, illiquidity, and volatility are investigated as potential determinants of open interest. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 31:755–778, 2011
MaCH: using sequence and genotype data to estimate haplotypes and unobserved genotypes
Authors: Li Yun , Willer Cristen J. , Ding Jun , Scheet Paul , Abecasis Gonçalo R.
Published: November 2010

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) can identify common alleles that contribute to complex disease susceptibility. Despite the large number of SNPs assessed in each study, the effects of most common SNPs must be evaluated indirectly using either genotyped markers or haplotypes thereof as proxies. We have previously implemented a computationally efficient Markov Chain framework for genotype imputation and haplotyping in the freely available MaCH software package. The approach describes sampled chromosomes as mosaics of each other and uses available genotype and shotgun sequence data to estimate unobserved genotypes and haplotypes, together with useful measures of the quality of these estimates. Our approach is already widely used to facilitate comparison of results across studies as well as meta‐analyses of GWAS. Here, we use simulations and experimental genotypes to evaluate its accuracy and utility, considering choices of genotyping panels, reference panel configurations, and designs where genotyping is replaced with shotgun sequencing. Importantly, we show that genotype imputation not only facilitates cross study analyses but also increases power of genetic association studies. We show that genotype imputation of common variants using HapMap haplotypes as a reference is very accurate using either genome‐wide SNP data or smaller amounts of data typical in fine‐mapping studies. Furthermore, we show the approach is applicable in a variety of populations. Finally, we illustrate how association analyses of unobserved variants will benefit from ongoing advances such as larger HapMap reference panels and whole genome shotgun sequencing technologies.Genet. Epidemiol. 34: 816‐834, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐dimensional modeling of problems in poro‐elasticity via a mixed least‐squares method using linear tetrahedral elements
Authors: Tchonkova Maria , Peters John , Sture Stein
Published: November 2010

In a previous publication we developed a new mixed least‐squares method for poro‐elasticity. The approximate solution was obtained via a minimization of a least‐squares functional, based upon the equations of equilibrium, the equations of continuity and weak forms of the constitutive relationships for elasticity and Darcy flow. The formulation involved four independent types of variables: displacements, stresses, pore pressures and velocities. All of them were approximated by linear continuous triangles. Encouraged by the computational results, obtained from the two‐dimensional implementation of the method, we extended our formulation to three dimensions. In this paper we present numerical examples for the performance of continuous linear tetrahedra within the context of the mixed least‐squares method. The initial results suggest that the method works well in the nearly and entirely incompressible limits for elasticity. For poro‐elasticity, the obtained pore pressures are stable without exhibiting the oscillations, which are observed when the standard Galerkin formulation is used. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rhabdoid tumors of the liver: Rare, aggressive, and poorly responsive to standard cytotoxic chemotherapy
Authors: Trobaugh‐Lotrario Angela D. , Finegold Milton J. , Feusner James H.
Published: November 2010

Background

Rhabdoid tumors of the liver are rare tumors that are difficult to cure. We compiled all the cases previously reported in the literature to review clinical data, treatments, and outcomes.

Procedure

Patients were identified by literature review using PubMed.

Results

Thirty‐four patients were identified. The median age at presentation was 8 months. All patients with reported AFP results exhibited normal or minimally increased serum AFP levels. All 10 tumors with reported INI1 immunohistochemistry results were reported as negative. Twenty‐one patients presented with metastatic disease at diagnosis. Thirty patients died of disease or treatment complications. Most deaths occurred within 12 months after diagnosis. Five patients survived at the time of the reports with one patient alive with disease. One patient relapsed and subsequently died after the report was published. Of the four patients alive without disease, all were treated with chemotherapy, and at least three had surgery or transplantation. Two patients received radiation therapy but did not survive.

Conclusions

Rhabdoid tumors of the liver are aggressive, rare tumors of the infant liver that are often associated with metastases at the time of diagnosis. Mortality is high and often occurs soon after diagnosis. Treatment with aggressive chemotherapy in combination (especially an alkylating agents doxorubicin) with complete resection may lead to improved outcomes. Therapy targeted to the INI1 mutation of these tumors is currently being investigated and may offer greater hope of cure. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 423–428. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chlamydia pneumoniae infection‐related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and acute encephalitis and poliomyelitis‐like flaccid paralysis
Authors: Yagi Kanae , Kano Gen , Shibata Mayumi , Sakamoto Izumi , Matsui Hirofumi , Imashuku Shinsaku
Published: November 2010

A 3‐year‐old male presented with Chlamydia pneumoniae infection‐related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The patient developed an episode of HLH with severe skin eruption following C. pneumoniae pneumonia. Symptoms responded to steroid/cyclosporine A therapy, but the patient slowly lost consciousness and developed systemic flaccid paralysis. He was diagnosed with encephalitis/myelitis by brain and spinal MRI. Neurological symptoms and signs gradually resolved. We thought that the immune response to C. pneumoniae infection triggered the development of HLH, associated with unusual neurological complications. This report describes a novel case of C. pneumoniae‐associated HLH and with poliomyelitis like flaccid paralysis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:853–855. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New amoxicillin–poly(lactic acid)‐based conjugates: synthesis and in vitro release of amoxicillin
Authors: Den Berghe Hélène Van , Garric Xavier , Vert Michel , Coudane Jean
Published: November 2010

Long‐term antibiotic treatments are required to cure many diseases. Coupling a bioactive compound to a biocompatible polymer offers, in general, many advantages such as better stabilization of drug and controlled release. The work reported deals with the synthesis of new conjugates based on amoxicillin and oligomers of biocompatible and biodegradable poly(lactic acid), as well as release studies of amoxicillin. These new conjugates were obtained via a Curtius rearrangement or acyl chloride activation, leading to substituted urea or amide bonds between amoxicillin and polymer, respectively. Structures of the conjugates were assessed using Fourier transform infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy, double‐detection size exclusion chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. In vitro release profiles of amoxicillin in phosphate buffered saline were determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography, and the release rates of amoxicillin from the two conjugates were compared. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Differential expression of protease activity in serum samples of prostate carcinoma patients with metastases
Authors: Dekker Lennard J. M. , Burgers Peter C. , Charif Halima , van Rijswijk Angelique L. C. T. , Titulaer Mark K. , Jenster Guido , Bischoff Rainer , Bangma Chris H. , Luider Theo M.
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 2348–2358, DOI 10.1002/pmic.200900682
Comparative proteomic analysis of rat aorta in a subtotal nephrectomy model
Authors: Lin Yao‐Ping , Hsu Meng‐Erh , Chiou Yi‐Ying , Hsu Hung‐Yi , Tsai Hiao‐Chien , Peng Yu‐Ju , Lu Chi‐Yu , Pan Chien‐Yuan , Yu Wen‐Chung , Chen Chen‐Huan , Chi Chin‐Wen , Lin Chao‐Hsiung
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 2429–2443, DOI 10.1002/pmic.200800658
Time‐resolved quantitative proteome profiling of host–pathogen interactions: The response of Staphylococcus aureus RN1HG to internalisation by human airway epithelial cells
Authors: Schmidt Frank , Scharf Sandra S. , Hildebrandt Petra , Burian Marc , Bernhardt Jörg , Dhople Vishnu , Kalinka Julia , Gutjahr Melanie , Hammer Elke , Völker Uwe
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 2801–2811, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000045
Proteomic analysis of low‐ to high‐grade astrocytomas reveals an alteration of the expression level of raf kinase inhibitor protein and nucleophosmin
Authors: Gimenez Marcela , de Oliveira Souza Vanessa Cristina , Izumi Clarice , Barbieri Manuela R. , Chammas Roger , Oba‐Shinjo Sueli Mieko , Uno Miyuki , Marie Suely Kazue Nagahashi , Rosa José Cesar
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 2812–2821, DOI 10.1002/pmic.200900722
Proteome analysis of brain in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Fazeli Abolhassan Shahzadeh , Nasrabadi Davood , Sanati Mohammad Hossein , Pouya Alireza , Ibrahim Saleh M. , Baharvand Hossein , Salekdeh Ghasem Hosseini
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 2822–2832, DOI 10.1002/pmic.200900507
Plasma and liver proteomic analysis of 3Z‐3‐[(1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)‐methylidene]‐1‐(1‐piperidinylmethyl)‐1,3‐2H‐indol‐2‐one‐induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats
Authors: Wang Ying , Yang Baohua , Wu Chunqi , Zheng Zhibing , Yuan Ye , Hu ZhongHui , Ma HuaZhi , Li Song , Liao Mingyang , Wang Quanjun
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 2927–2941, DOI 10.1002/pmic.200900699
A comparative phosphoproteomic analysis of a human tumor metastasis model using a label‐free quantitative approach
Authors: Xie Xiaolei , Feng Shun , Vuong Huy , Liu Yashu , Goodison Steve , Lubman David M.
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 1842–1852, DOI 10.1002/elps.200900752
Precautions to improve the accuracy of quantitative determinations of biomarkers in clinical diagnostics
Authors: Ghasemzadeh Nasim , Wilhelmsen Tore W. , Nyberg Fred , Hjertèn Stellan
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 2722–2729, DOI 10.1002/elps.201000243
Highly Insensitive/Reactive Thermite Prepared from Cr2O3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Gibot Pierre , Comet Marc , Eichhorn Alfred , Schnell Fabien , Muller Olivier , Ciszek Fabrice , Boehrer Yannick , Spitzer Denis
Published: November 2010

Thermites prepared from nanoparticles are currently the subject of growing interest due to their increased performances compared to classical micrometer‐sized thermites. Here, we studied the combustion behavior of energetic composite composed of Al and chromium (III) oxide (Cr2O3) as function of the oxide particle size. Homogeneous composites were prepared by mixing Al nanoparticles (Φ≈50 nm) with Cr2O3 micro‐ and nanoparticles (Φ≈20 nm), respectively, in hexane solution. The dried Cr2O3/Al composite powders were ignited by using a CO2 laser beam. The use of nanosized Cr2O3 particles incontestably improves the energetic performances of the Al/Cr2O3 thermite since the ignition delay time was shortened by a factor 3.5 (16±2 vs 54±4 ms) and the combustion rate (340±10 mm s−1) was significantly accelerated in contrast to those reported until now. Interestingly, the sensitivity to friction of the Al‐based thermites formulated from Cr2O3 is two orders of magnitude lower than the thermite prepared from other metal oxide nanoparticles (MnO2, WO3). Finally, our study shows that the decrease of Cr2O3 particle size has an interesting and beneficial effect on the energetic properties of Cr2O3/Al thermites and appears as an alternative to tune the properties of these energetic materials.
Fabrication and charge‐transfer characteristics of CdS QDs sensitized vertically grown flower‐like ZnO solar cells with CdSe cosensitizers
Authors: Sudhagar P. , Chandramohan S. , Kumar R. Saravana , Sathyamoorthy R. , Hong Chang‐Hee , Kang Yong Soo
Published: November 2010

This paper proposes the concept of using bisensitizers (CdS and CdSe) to improve the light‐harvesting capabilities and charge transfer in ZnO photoelectrodes. The novel flower‐like ZnO nanoarrays were grown by chemical bath deposition and they are sensitized with CdS quantum dots (QDs) and a CdSe overlayer. We observed a strong quenching of band‐edge emission following the growth of QDs on ZnO, which is evidence for the occurrence of charge transfer between the QDs and the ZnO. A possible charge‐transfer mechanism is proposed and discussed on the basis of energy‐band alignment. Bisensitized ZnO electrodes resulted in a higher photoconversion efficiency (η = 1.08%) than that of single CdS QD‐sensitized solar cells (η = 0.52%). The high photocurrent and improved power conversion are attributed to more charge‐carrier generation facilitated by an extended spectral response and charge injection between the QDs and TiO2.

magnified image

Schematic representation of CdS and CdSe bisensitized flower‐like ZnO solar cell structure investigated in this study.
Synthesis, characterization, and optical properties of Mg‐doped zinc oxide single‐crystal microprisms
Authors: Li Junlin , Zhuang Huizhao , Wang Jie , Xu Peng
Published: November 2010

Novel zinc oxide (ZnO) microprisms doped with Mg have been synthesized on Mg (NO3)2‐coated Si (111) substrates successfully by a thermal chemical vapor deposition method. The as‐prepared Mg‐doped zinc oxide single‐crystal microprisms were characterized with X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL). The results show that the microstructures consist of hexagonal pyramids tips and hexagonal prisms. The whole structure is a perfect single crystal and has preferred growth along the [0001] direction. PL reveals ultraviolet (UV) emission at 388 nm and a strong green light emission peak at 500 nm. Mg‐doped microprisms will provide an improvement for novel electronic and optical devices. In addition, the growth mechanism of the special Mg‐doped ZnO microstructure is proposed based on a solid–vapor approach.
Trajectory optimization of a mining dragline using the method of Lagrange multipliers
Authors: McInnes C. H. , Meehan P. A.
Published: November 2010

The nonlinear coupled dynamic behaviour of a mining dragline is optimized to increase productivity and reduce metal fatigue on the boom. Draglines are very large crane‐like robots used in open cut mining, primarily for the removal of overburden that covers a coal seam. The dynamic behaviour of the machine is a key determinant of productivity and fatigue‐based maintenance. The Newton–Lagrange method is applied to a field‐validated model to optimize slew torque under nonlinear constraints. Two scenarios are analysed: the minimization of cycle time with a time penalty for duty (estimated fatigue damage) and fixed rope lengths, and the minimization of duty under a fixed cycle time and measured rope lengths. The results from the second scenario compare favourably with earlier efforts to optimize slew torque using intuitive manual techniques. In particular, the numerical optimization procedure achieved a 50–60% reduction in duty, improving upon manual optimization results by 10–30%. Techniques are presented for solving convergence issues related to the high degree of nonlinearity of the model and constraints, actuator limitations and noise introduced by measured data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Close target reconnaissance with guaranteed collision avoidance
Authors: Shames Iman , Fidan Barış , Anderson Brian D. O.
Published: November 2010

This manuscript considers the problem of close target reconnaissance by a group of autonomous agents. The overall close target reconnaissance (CTR) involves subtasks of avoiding inter‐agent collisions, reaching a close vicinity of a specific target position, and forming an equilateral polygon formation around the target. The agents performing the task fly at a constant speed to mimic the velocity behavior of small fixed‐wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). A decentralized control scheme is developed for this overall task and the finite‐time convergence of the system under the proposed control law is established. Furthermore, it is guaranteed that no collision occurs among the agent. The relevant analysis and simulation test results are provided. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behaviour of two small pelagic and demersal fish species in diverse hydraulic environments
Authors: Kilsby Nadine N. , Walker Keith F.
Published: November 2010

Increased hydraulic diversity could be a means to promote fish diversity in rivers, but little is known of the behaviour of fish in hydraulic environments. This study concerns the behaviour of two species of small native Australian freshwater fish in variable hydraulic environments and ecological habit, with regard for (a) whether the apparent differences in swimming ability are reflected in the behaviour of the species and (b) the influence of changing hydraulic conditions on their patterns of use. An artificial channel was constructed with three levels of discharge, and fish were allowed to swim freely for 3 h without human interference. Their movements and habitat choices reflected their swimming ability and ecological habit, in that the stronger swimming, pelagic common galaxias (Galaxias maculatus) spent most time cruising in the open channel, preferring the turbulent inflow, and the demersal flat‐headed gudgeon (Philypnodon grandiceps) remained in the shelter of boulders. In effect, the galaxias changed their behaviour with changes in hydraulic conditions, while the gudgeons continued to use their preferred habitat. This study, therefore, provides support for the use of hydraulic diversity as a tool to foster fish diversity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dependent random choice
Authors: Fox Jacob , Sudakov Benny
Published: November 2010

We describe a simple and yet surprisingly powerful probabilistic technique which shows how to find in a dense graph a large subset of vertices in which all (or almost all) small subsets have many common neighbors. Recently this technique has had several striking applications to Extremal Graph Theory, Ramsey Theory, Additive Combinatorics, and Combinatorial Geometry. In this survey we discuss some of them. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2011
Extensions of net reclassification improvement calculations to measure usefulness of new biomarkers
Authors: Pencina Michael J. , D'Agostino Ralph B. , Steyerberg Ewout W.
Published: November 2010

Appropriate quantification of added usefulness offered by new markers included in risk prediction algorithms is a problem of active research and debate. Standard methods, including statistical significance and c statistic are useful but not sufficient. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) offers a simple intuitive way of quantifying improvement offered by new markers and has been gaining popularity among researchers. However, several aspects of the NRI have not been studied in sufficient detail.

In this paper we propose a prospective formulation for the NRI which offers immediate application to survival and competing risk data as well as allows for easy weighting with observed or perceived costs. We address the issue of the number and choice of categories and their impact on NRI. We contrast category‐based NRI with one which is category‐free and conclude that NRIs cannot be compared across studies unless they are defined in the same manner. We discuss the impact of differing event rates when models are applied to different samples or definitions of events and durations of follow‐up vary between studies. We also show how NRI can be applied to case–control data. The concepts presented in the paper are illustrated in a Framingham Heart Study example.

In conclusion, NRI can be readily calculated for survival, competing risk, and case–control data, is more objective and comparable across studies using the category‐free version, and can include relative costs for classifications. We recommend that researchers clearly define and justify the choices they make when choosing NRI for their application. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of multilevel grouped survival data with time‐varying regression coefficients
Authors: Wong May C. M. , Lam K. F. , Lo Edward C. M.
Published: November 2010

Correlated or multilevel grouped survival data are common in medical and dental research. Two common approaches to analyze such data are the marginal and the random‐effects approaches. Models and methods in the literature generally assume that the treatment effect is constant over time. A researcher may be interested in studying whether the treatment effects in a clinical trial vary over time, say fade out gradually. This is of particular clinical value when studying the long‐term effect of a treatment. This paper proposed to extend the random effects grouped proportional hazards models by incorporating the possibly time‐varying covariate effects into the model in terms of a state‐space formulation. The proposed model is very flexible and the estimation can be performed using the MCMC approach with non‐informative priors in the Bayesian framework. The method is applied to a data set from a prospective clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish in arresting active dentin caries in the Chinese preschool children. It is shown that the treatment groups with caries removal prior to the topical fluoride applications are most effective in shortening the arrest times in the first 6‐month interval, but their effects fade out rapidly since then. The effects of treatment groups without caries removal prior to topical fluoride application drop at a very slow rate and can be considered as more or less constant over time. The applications of SDF solution is found to be more effective than the applications of NaF vanish. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Joint modeling of survival time and longitudinal data with subject‐specific changepoints in the covariates
Authors: Tapsoba Jean de Dieu , Lee Shen‐Ming , Wang C. Y.
Published: November 2010

Joint models are frequently used in survival analysis to assess the relationship between time‐to‐event data and time‐dependent covariates, which are measured longitudinally but often with errors. Routinely, a linear mixed‐effects model is used to describe the longitudinal data process, while the survival times are assumed to follow the proportional hazards model. However, in some practical situations, individual covariate profiles may contain changepoints. In this article, we assume a two‐phase polynomial random effects with subject‐specific changepoint model for the longitudinal data process and the proportional hazards model for the survival times. Our main interest is in the estimation of the parameter in the hazards model. We incorporate a smooth transition function into the changepoint model for the longitudinal data and develop the corrected score and conditional score estimators, which do not require any assumption regarding the underlying distribution of the random effects or that of the changepoints. The estimators are shown to be asymptotically equivalent and their finite‐sample performance is examined via simulations. The methods are applied to AIDS clinical trial data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the morphological, crystalline, and thermal properties of different crystalline types of starches after acid hydrolysis
Authors: Xia Li , Wenyuan Gao , Juan Wang , Qianqian Jiang , Luqi Huang
Published: November 2010

A‐type maize starch, B‐type Fritillaria ussurensis, and C‐type Rhizoma dioscorea starches were hydrolyzed (32 days) with 2.2 N HCl. Regardless of the crystallinity level, starch with predominant B‐crystalline type was less susceptible to acid degradation than A‐type and C‐type starches, and initial rates of hydrolysis in B‐type was lower than others. The SEM and XRD results revealed that different types of starch displayed different hydrolysis mechanisms. The acid corrosion started from the exterior surface of A‐type and B‐type starches followed by the core of granules. However, the hydrogen ions primarily attacked the interior of the C‐type R. dioscorea starch granules and then the exterior. FT‐IR results confirmed that the amorphous regions in the starch granules were hydrolysed first. After 8–32 days of hydrolysis, the acid‐modified C‐type starch showed typical A‐type characteristics upon analysis of the XRD pattern. The average particle size of hydrolytic starch decreased with increasing hydrolysis time. The thermal results revealed that the hydrolytic starch showed lower ΔH than the native starch, while displaying higher peak width (Tc − To) value.
Why We Simulate Negated Information: A Dynamic Pragmatic Account
Authors: Tian Ye , Breheny Richard , Ferguson Heather J.
Published: November 2010

A well-established finding in the simulation literature is that participants simulate the positive argument of negation soon after reading a negative sentence, prior to simulating a scene consistent with the negated sentence (Kaup, Lüdtke, & Zwaan, 2006; Kaup, Yaxley, Madden, Zwaan, & Lüdtke, 2007). One interpretation of this finding is that negation requires two steps to process: first represent what is being negated then “reject” that in favour of a representation of a negation-consistent state of affairs (Kaup et al., 2007). In this paper we argue that this finding with negative sentences could be a by-product of the dynamic way that language is interpreted relative to a common ground and not the way that negation is represented. We present a study based on Kaup et al. (2007) that tests the competing accounts. Our results suggest that some negative sentences are not processed in two steps, but provide support for the alternative, dynamic account.
Riluzole pharmacokinetics in young patients with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Abbara Chadi , Estournet Brigitte , Lacomblez Lucette , Lelièvre Benedicte , Ouslimani Amal , Lehmann Blandine , Viollet Louis , Barois Annie , Diquet Bertrand
Published: November 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder of childhood.

• Riluzole is an anti‐excitatory agent recommended for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

• Riluzole pharmacokinetics are well documented in patients with ALS.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Riluzole pharmacokinetics have never documented in patients with SMA.

• This study showed that the administration of 50 mg riluzole once a day to patients with SMA leads to total riluzole daily exposure comparable with that obtained after the administration of 50 mg twice a day in healthy volunteers or ALS patients.

AIMSThe objective of the present study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of riluzole in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

METHODSFourteen patients were enrolled in an open‐label, nonrandomized and repeat‐dose pharmacokinetic study. All participants were assigned to receive 50 mg riluzole orally for 5 days. Riluzole plasma concentrations were determined from samples obtained at day 5.

RESULTSThe pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that a dose of 50 mg once a day was sufficient to obtain a daily total exposure [AUC(0,24 h) = 2257 ng ml−1 h] which was comparable with results obtained in adult healthy volunteers or ALS patients in whom a dose of 50 mg twice a day is recommended. The pharmacokinetic simulation demonstrated that the administration of 50 mg twice a day could result in higher concentrations, hence reduced safety margin.

CONCLUSIONThe dose of 50 mg once a day was chosen for the clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of riluzole in SMA patients.
Dynamic muscle strength alterations to detraining and retraining in elderly men
Authors: Taaffe D. R. , Marcus R.
Published: November 2010

To investigate the effects of cessation and subsequent resumption of training on muscle strength in elderly men, 11 men (aged 65–77 years), just completing a 24‐week randomized controlled trial of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and resistance exercise (rhGH, n=6; placebo, n=5), detrained for 12 weeks and subsequently retrained for 8 weeks. During the detraining and retraining phase, subjects did not receive rhGH. The resistance programme included three sets of eight repetitions at 75% of one‐repetition maximum (1‐RM), three times per week, for 10 upper and lower body exercises. Dynamic muscle strength was assessed by the 1‐RM method every 2 weeks for 44 weeks. Needle biopsies of vastus lateralis muscle were obtained from seven men. Muscle strength increased during initial training by 40·4±5·5% (mean±SEM), ranging from 26·0±5·0 to 83·9±15·6%, depending on muscle group. Increased strength was accompanied by hypertrophy (P<0·05) of type I (17·4±4·1%) and II (25·8±12·4%) muscle fibres. Of initial strength gains, only 29·9±5·2% was lost with detraining. However, type I and II fibre cross‐sectional area reverted to pretraining values. After 8 weeks of retraining, muscle strength returned to trained values, but without a significant change in fibre morphology. The results indicate that elderly men lose some muscle strength following short‐term detraining, but that only a brief period of retraining suffices to regain maximal strength. Reversal of fibre cross‐sectional area with detraining, and only modest improvement with retraining, suggests that much of the retention in strength with detraining and reacquisition of lost strength with retraining reflects neural adaptation.
Expression of Th‐2 cytokines interleukin‐4 and −5 and of Th‐1 cytokine interferon‐γ in ovalbumin‐exposed sensitized Brown‐Norway rats
Authors: HACZKU A. , MACARY P. , HADDAD E.‐B. , HUANG T. J. , KEMENY D. M. , MOQBEL R. , CHUNG K. F.
Published: November 2010

We determined the expression of Th‐2 type cytokines, interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) and IL‐5, and of the Th‐1 type cytokine, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), in the Brown‐Norway rat. Rats were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin and 21 days later were either exposed to ovalbumin or saline aerosol. The value—log PC300 (PC300 = concentration of acetylcholine needed to increase baseline lung resistance by 300%) was 2·49 ± 0·15 in sensitized, exposed rats, was higher than in sensitized, saline‐exposed or naive rats (1·54 ± 0·27 and 1·63 ± 0·06 respectively, P < 005). There was a significant increase in eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and in airway submucosal airway tissues in the sensitized exposed group. Reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed on total lung RNA using primers for IL‐4, IL‐5, IFN‐γ and β‐actin. IL‐4 and IL‐5 mRNA levels in control and sensitized saline‐exposed rats were not detectable, but increased levels were found in sensitized and ovalbumin‐exposed rats with levels of 0·25 ± 0·01 and 0·98 ± 0·02% of β‐actin mRNA as assessed by densitometric measurements. Expression of IFN‐γ mRNA was significantly reduced in sensitized and ovalbumin‐exposed rats. As in asthmatic airways, there is an increased expression of Th‐2 cytokines, IL‐4 and IL‐5, together with a reduction in the Th‐1 cytokine, IFN‐γ, thus supporting a role for Th‐2 cytokines in allergic eosinophilic inflammation.
The contrasting effects of CD8+ T cells on primary, established and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis‐induced IgE responses
Authors: HOLMES B. J. , DIAZ‐SANCHEZ D. , LAWRENCE R. A. , BELL E. B. , MAIZELS R. M. , KEMENY D. M.
Published: November 2010

Recent data have indicated that CD8+ T cells suppress rodent IgE responses. In this study we investigated the effect of CD8+ T cells on primary and established IgE responses in euthymic and athymic nude rats. Euthymic PVG rats were depleted of CD8+ T cells by intraperitoneal injection of a CD8‐specific monoclonal antibody (OX8), which resulted in an apparent loss of 92% of splenic and 98% of peripheral blood CD8+ T cells. The CD8+ T cell depleted animals failed to mount a significant IgE response compared with control animals given an irrelevant monoclonal antibody (OX21). Furthermore, PVG nude rats reconstituted with purified CD4+ thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) alone failed to mount a significant IgE response, while animals given unfractionated TDL (containing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) did. Depletion of CD8+ T cells 7 days prior to immunization and subsequent reconstitution at the time of immunization restored the IgE response. In contrast, removal of CD8+ T cells 1 month after induction of IgE by immunization with ovalbumin (OVA) and ricin prolonged the IgE response. In all cases IgG antibody responses were unaffected by the presence or absence of CD8+ T cells. This study shows that some CD8+ T cells are required for IgE, but not IgG, production to soluble antigen in a primary immune response. However, later in the immune response CD8+ T cells were shown to inhibit IgE production. These effects were apparently restricted to the immune response to soluble antigen, as Hooded Lister rats infected with 9000 larvae of the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis produced high sustained levels of circulating IgE, in excess of 10 μg/ml, regardless of whether CD8+ T cells were depleted before or 1 month after infection.
Activation of an interleukin‐4 mRNA‐producing population of peripheral blood mononuclear cells after infection withMycobacterium bovisor vaccination with killed, but not live, BCG
Authors: HOOK S. , GRIFFIN F. , MACKINTOSH C. , BUCHAN G.
Published: November 2010

This study examines the expression of mRNA for the Th2 cytokine, interleukin‐4 (IL‐4). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from deer infected withMycobacterium bovisor vaccinated with live or killedM. bovisbacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) were cultured with mycobacterial antigens. IL‐4 mRNA production was assayed using the polymerase chain reaction. Elevated levels of IL‐4 mRNA were detected in response to at least one antigen preparation in all animals infected withM. bovisas compared with none of the non‐infected control animals. After a primary immunization, elevated levels of IL‐4 mRNA were detected in only a proportion of vaccinated animals and this did not correlate with whether the vaccine was live BCG or killed BCG in oil. After boosting, all the animals vaccinated with killed BCG in oil exhibited elevated IL‐4 mRNA production whereas none of the animals vaccinated with live BCG showed elevated levels. The data suggest that IL‐4 is turned off during the immune response to live BCG, that boosting of low‐dose live BCG vaccine may be required to ‘imprint’ this signal and that this may be important in the development of protective immunity to tuberculosis. Killed BCG in adjuvant is not protective and as with experimental infection with virulentM. bovisit failed to switch off the IL‐4 response. IL‐4 may be useful as a diagnostic tool and as anin vitromarker of vaccine efficacy.
Characterisation of pore properties of deep‐fat‐fried chicken nuggets breading coating using mercury intrusion porosimetry technique
Authors: Adedeji Akinbode A. , Ngadi Michael
Published: November 2010

The objective of this study was to characterise the pore properties of deep‐fat‐fried chicken nuggets coating under different processing conditions namely frying temperatures (170, 180 and 190 °C) and time (0–240 s) using porosimetry technique. Porosity range obtained was between 39.93 and 68.99%. Porosity of the freeze‐dried samples decreased with frying time. The main effect of temperature on porosity was significant (P < 0.05). Porosity showed a high positive and negative correlation with moisture and fat contents, and the correlation coefficients ranged between 0.88 and 0.96 and 0.78 and 0.8, respectively. Bulk density increased with frying time, while apparent density was relatively the same. Pore distribution showed bimodality. There was no significant effect of temperature on pore size distribution. Over 70% of the pore volume is made up of pores greater than 1 μm. Pore volume ranged between 0.54 and 1.5 cm3 g−1, and it decreased with frying time. Mean pore diameter was between 0.006 and 389 μm, while with frying time, it ranged between 0.25 and 8.32 μm. Total pore area was between 2.53 and 16.53 m2 g−1. Hysteresis phenomenon showed that some of the pores were not perfectly cylindrical in shape.
Nucleotide degradation products of gamma‐irradiated sea bream (Sparus aurata) stored in ice
Authors: Özogul Fatih , Özden Özkan , Özoğul Yeşim , Erkan Nuray
Published: November 2010

Nucleotide degradation products of irradiated sea bream stored up to 19 days in ice were investigated. Irradiation had significant effect on the nucleotide concentrations in sea bream muscle (P < 0.05). The results showed that the highest value of inosine monophosphate (IMP) was observed in irradiated sea bream at 5 kGy, followed by at 2.5 kGy. Initial inosine (INO) concentration in irradiated sea bream at 5 kGy was 4.26 μmoles g−1, which reached maximum value of 8.83 μmoles g−1 when fish completely spoiled (19 days). When the fish reached the limit of acceptability, the mean values of K, Ki, H and G were 86.8%, 90.3%, 59.8% and 213.9% for unirradiated sea bream, 85.2%, 87.8%, 56.8% and 197.8% for irradiated sea bream at 2.5 kGy and 88.4%, 90.9%, 57.8%, 211.5% for irradiated sea bream at 5 kGy, respectively. The results of this study indicated that nucleotide degradation was more rapid in unirradiated sea bream than those irradiated. K, Ki, H and G value in irradiated fish can be used as a freshness index because there is a good linear relationship between values and storage time of fish.
Comparison of fisetin and quercetin oxidation with a cell‐free extract of onion trimmings and peel, plant waste, containing peroxidase enzyme: a further insight into flavonol degradation mechanism
Authors: Osman Ali , Makris Dimitris P.
Published: November 2010

A peroxidase‐active, cell‐free extract prepared from onion solid wastes was studied with regard to its biocatalytic properties, using fisetin (3,3′,4′,7‐tetrahydroxyflavone) as substrate. This particular substrate was selected to investigate specifically the role of the A‐ring of the flavonol skeleton in the oxidisability and cleavage pathway(s), and ascertain whether changes in substitution pattern may affect product formation, compared with quercetin (3,3′,4′,5,7‐pentahydroxyflavone). Oxidation was shown to be optimum at pH values between 5 and 7 and temperatures between 20 and 40 °C. HPLC analyses of a fisetin solution treated with the cell‐free extract revealed the formation of three major products, including 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (protocatechuic acid), 2,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (β‐resorcylic acid) and the depside 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxybenzyloxy)‐4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid. The tentative identification of these substances permitted an approach to a putative oxidation pathway, which appeared to have important similarities with that of quercetin.
Effects of spontaneous and inoculated fermentation on the volatile profile of lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn) fermented beverages
Authors: Alves Juliana Alvarenga , Lima Luiz Carlos de Oliveira , Dias Disney Ribeiro , Nunes Cleiton Antônio , Schwan Rosane Freitas
Published: November 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of yeast to the volatile profile of beverages obtained by the fermentation of lychee must through inoculated (Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains UFLA CA116, UFLA CA1183 and UFLA CA1174) and spontaneous fermentation. Higher alcohols and esters were the primary volatiles detected by SPME/GC–MS. A Principal Component Analysis indicated similarities between UFLA CA116 and UFLA CA1183 and between UFLA CA1174 and spontaneous fermentation. Changing the yeast strain used in the fermentation process has the potential to modulate the volatile profile of fermented beverages. The beverage produced by the inoculation of yeast CA1183 showed the most complex aroma profile compared to the other beverages.
Influence of storage conditions on the sensory quality of a high acid apple
Authors: Guerra Marcos , Sanz Miguel A. , Casquero Pedro A.
Published: November 2010

Studies involving sensory analysis and consumer acceptance have not been reported for high acid apples. The objectives of this work were to determine (i) the influence of storage condition on sensory quality and (ii) which instrumental attributes would influence good consumer acceptability of a high acid apple, ‘Reinette du Canada’. Textural descriptors including firmness, crispness and juiciness and acidity decreased during storage irrespective of the storage condition, with fruit stored in cold storage (CS) having lower sensory scores than fruit stored in controlled atmospheres (CA). Consumer acceptance decreased significantly during storage, although loss of quality in the CS fruit was significantly greater than in the CA‐stored fruit. It must be emphasised that titratable acidity (TA) played a positive role in consumer acceptability. As hue, firmness and TA were the instrumental properties that best correlated with consumer acceptance, these instrumental properties would be useful for predicting during long‐term storage, the consumer acceptability of a high acid apple such as ‘Reinette du Canada’.