bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is the number of blood products transfused associated with lower survival in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
Authors: Jaime‐Pérez José Carlos , Colunga‐Pedraza Perla R. , Gómez‐Almaguer David 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackgroundBlood transfusion during acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) of childhood is scarcely documented. Children with ALL are immunosuppressed by both the disease and its therapy. Transfusion may contribute to the course of ALL through its transfusion‐related immunomodulation (TRIM) effect.ProcedureBlood transfusion history and response to therapy for 108 children <16 years of age at the time of ALL diagnosis was documented. Clinical files, electronic records, and blood bank registries were scrutinized. Overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival (EFS) in relation to blood product type and number of transfusions was determined. Hazard ratios (HR) for death and relapse were estimated through uni‐ and multivariate Cox regression analysis.ResultsOne hundred eight ALL patients were included. Median age was 6 years (range: 0–15 years). Ninety‐seven patients (89.8%) were transfused. Median number of transfused products was seven (range: 0‐345). After multivariate analysis, transfusion of >5 packed red blood cells (PRBC) remained a significant predictor for death (P = 0.003) and relapse (P = 0.011). For platelets, maximal significance was observed when >30 platelet concentrates (PC) were transfused (P < 0.001). When both, PRBC and PC were considered, maximal significance for predicting death was observed with transfusion of >30 blood products (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe number of blood products transfused to children with ALL appears to be significantly associated with lower survival rates. This may reflect both the severity of the disease and the TRIM effect, which may decrease immune surveillance capacity and the probability of leukemic clone eradication. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 217–223. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Definitive radiotherapy for unresectable pediatric and young adult nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Smith Kristy B. , Indelicato Daniel J. , Knapik Jacquelyn A. , Morris Christopher , Kirwan Jessica , Zlotecki Robert A. , Scarborough Mark T. , Gibbs Charles Parker , Marcus Robert B. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackgroundFew published articles describe outcomes following definitive radiation for unresectable pediatric and young adult nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic factors, outcomes, and complications in patients age 30 years or younger with NRSTS treated at the University of Florida from 1973 to 2002.ProcedureNineteen pediatric and young adult patients with NRSTS were treated with radiotherapy after biopsy. Thirteen patients had high‐grade tumors. The median age at radiotherapy was 19.6 years; the median dose was 55.2 Gy. Twelve patients received chemotherapy. Prognostic factors for local recurrence, distant metastases, and survival were analyzed.ResultsMedian follow‐up was 2.6 years. The 5‐year local‐control rate was 40%. Nine out of 13 local failures occurred in the absence of metastatic disease. All patients with local failures died of their cancer, and 8 patients died without evidence of distant metastases. There was a trend toward improved local control with low/intermediate‐grade tumors. Freedom from distant metastases at 5 years was 68%. Fourteen patients died of their disease. The 5‐year overall survival was 37%. There was one grade 4 complication based on NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.ConclusionYoung patients with unresectable NRSTS have a poor outcome thereby justifying current study efforts focused on treatment intensification. By demonstrating that all patients with local recurrence died of disease and more than half of these deaths occurred in the absence of distant spread, these results suggests that improved means of local control may translate into improvement in survival. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 247–251. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Visual outcome following chemotherapy for progressive optic pathway gliomas
Authors: Shofty Ben , Ben‐Sira Liat , Freedman Sigal , Yalon Michal , Dvir Rina , Weintraub Michael , Toledano Hagit , Constantini Shlomi , Kesler Anat 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackgroundOptic pathway gliomas (OPG) are relatively indolent tumors that may occur sporadically or in association with neurofibromatosis 1. Treatment is initiated only when a clear clinical or radiological deterioration is documented. Chemotherapy is the standard first line of treatment. Due to the indolent nature of this tumor, the most important challenge in OPG treatment is vision preservation.MethodsIn this study we determined the visual outcome of 19 patients with progressive OPGs who received chemotherapy and correlated it with imaging.ResultsMean neuro‐ophthalmological follow‐up is 4 years and 3 months. Indications for treatment were radiological tumor progression (6 patients), visual decline (6 patients), or both (7 patients). Fifteen patients (78%) had to change to 2nd line chemotherapy (7 due to allergies and 8 due to treatment failure). During the course of chemotherapy, 11 patients (57.8%) displayed radiological tumor progression, 4 (21.5%) demonstrated stable tumor, and 4 (21.5%) displayed tumor regression. During the follow‐up period, 14 (73.6%) had an overall visual deterioration, 4 (21%) had stable vision, and 1 patient (5.2%) improved. Visual acuity was examined in 38 eyes. Seventeen eyes (47.2%) deteriorated, fourteen (38.8%) were stable, and five (13.8%) improved. Ten eyes (27.7%) deteriorated to legal blindness. There was no correlation between radiological tumor growth and visual deterioration.ConclusionsThe majority of our patients, who received chemotherapy for progressive OPG, experienced a decline in their visual function. New, more effective treatments are needed in order to preserve vision in this group. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 481–485. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hyperfiltration evaluated by glomerular filtration rate at diagnosis in children with cancer
Authors: Hjorth Lars , Wiebe Thomas , Karpman Diana 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackgroundRenal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of pediatric cancer patients at diagnosis has previously been investigated in a limited number of studies.ProcedureGFR, measured by iohexol clearance, was prospectively investigated in 55 children over the age of 1 year with malignancies, (group A). Elevated GFR (>175 ml/min/1.73 m2) at diagnosis was found. To investigate if this finding was consistent, a second group of 76 children with malignancies was studied, (group B). As a method control for GFR obtained by iohexol clearance, group A and B together were compared to 298 pediatric patients without cancer, group C.ResultsGFR was elevated in 40/131 (31%) in Group A + B but only in 17/298 (6%) in Group C. GFR was significantly higher in children aged 1–5 in group A + B (47%) compared to group C (3%). Bone marrow involvement was significantly associated with higher GFR. Children without bone marrow involvement also hyperfiltrated more often than controls, but less often. Urea in urine was used as a marker of renal protein clearance in 14 patients in group A. A significant correlation between u‐urea (mmol/L)/u‐creatinine (mmol/L) and GFR was noted.ConclusionsHyperfiltration is sometimes present in children with cancer at diagnosis. This may be related to increased amino acid turn over in patients with a large tumor burden. An elevated initial GFR in a child with cancer, which normalizes after chemotherapy may indicate chemotherapy‐induced decreased renal function, but can be due to normalization of an initially high GFR. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:762–766. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electromagnetic interference shielding of cellulose triacetate/multiwalled carbon nanotube composite films
Authors: Basavaraja C. , Jo Eun Ae , Kim Bong Seong , Huh Do Sung 
Published: January 2011

AbstractCellulose triacetate (CTA) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) composite films were prepared by dispersing different weight percentages of MWNTs into a CTA solution. These composite blends were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy (UV), and their surface mophology, thermal stability, and amended crystallinity were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Measurements of the complex impedance of the composite samples were made in the form of films. Sheets prepared from conventional techniques were used to study microwave absorption in the microwave range of 2–12 GHz, and the effects of sample thickness on microwave absorption were investigated. The experimental results show that the electrical conductivity of composites increases with the increase in MWNT loading without a percolation threshold. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Use of ethnic‐specific medians for Hispanic patients reduces ethnic disparities in multiple marker screening
Authors: Wetta Luisa , Biggio Joseph , Owen John 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate whether midtrimester maternal serum analyte concentrations differ between Caucasian and Hispanic women and whether using ethnic‐specific medians affects quad screen performance.MethodCaucasian and Hispanic patients with singletons who underwent maternal serum screening in our laboratory were identified. Alfa‐fetoprotein (AFP), estriol, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), and inhibin‐A medians were derived separately for Caucasians, Hispanics, and for the composite group. Using composite medians, intergroup mean multiples of the medians (MoMs) for each analyte were compared. Using ethnic‐specific medians, new MoMs were calculated and utilized in a risk estimation algorithm.ResultsA total of 5478 Caucasian and 2246 Hispanic pregnancies were evaluated. Intergroup MoMs were significantly different for all analytes. AFP, hCG, and inhibin‐A were lower in Hispanics, while estriol was higher (P < 0.0001). Using composite medians, the screen‐positive rate (SPR) for trisomy 21 was 5.39% in Caucasians and 3.29% in Hispanics. Ethnic‐specific medians reduced this disparity: 4.76% in Caucasians and 4.05% in Hispanics. The SPR for neural tube defects with composite medians was 1.44% for Caucasians and 0.89% for Hispanics; with ethnic‐specific medians, the SPR was 1.42% for Caucasians and 1.07% for Hispanics.ConclusionSerum analyte concentrations differ between Caucasian and Hispanic gravidas. Use of ethnic‐specific medians reduces the disparity in SPR for trisomy 21 and neural tube defects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pulmonary atresia/critical stenosis with intact ventricular septum: prediction of outcome in the second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Gómez‐Montes E. , Herraiz I. , Mendoza A. , Albert L. , Hernández‐García J. M. , Galindo A. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjectivesTo determine which cardiac parameters provide the best prediction of postnatal outcome—biventricular (BV) versus non‐BV—in fetuses with pulmonary atresia/critical stenosis with intact ventricular septum (PA/CS‐IVS).MethodsWe searched our database for cases of PA/CS‐IVS prenatally diagnosed in 2001–2009. Only fetuses diagnosed ⩽28 weeks were included. Data of 16 fetuses (nine PA, seven CS) were retrieved and analyzed. Receiver‐operating characteristics curves were constructed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of cardiac features for predicting postnatal outcome.ResultsTwelve fetuses had a BV outcome and four had non‐BV repair. Cut‐off values yielding the best results for a non‐BV outcome were a tricuspid valve/mitral valve ratio ⩽0.83, a pulmonary valve/aortic valve ratio ⩽0.75, tricuspid inflow duration/cardiac cycle length ⩽36.5%, and a right ventricle/left ventricle length ratio ⩽0.64. If 3/4 markers are present, this predicts a non‐BV outcome with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 92%, and both are 100% if all the four criteria are fulfilled.ConclusionsThe postnatal outcome of fetuses with PA‐CS/IVS can be predicted in the second trimester at the first echocardiography by a four‐criterion scoring system. This is clinically relevant since it allows early selection of candidates for fetal intervention and early and precise parental counseling. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Training school psychologists to conduct evidence‐based treatments for depression
Authors: Stark Kevin D. , Arora Prerna , Funk Catherine L. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractCognitive behavioral therapy is an effective approach to the treatment of depressive disorders within schools, due to its demonstrated efficacy, as well as its availability in manualized treatment form. When implemented by therapists with inadequate training, the treatment is often stilted, less engaging for participants, and aimlessly guided through rigid adherence to the treatment manual. The transportability of such interventions to schools will be discussed, highlighting challenges that school psychologists may face, along with addressing important aspects for the successful implementation of treatments. The ACTION treatment program, a highly effective cognitive behavioral intervention for depressed youth, is provided as an example of one such program. Primary treatment components of ACTION are described along with subtleties to effectively train school psychologists who intend to treat depressed youth. The importance of improved training for school psychologists to become effective at implementing cognitive behavioral interventions is highlighted. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of lateral vapor phase diffusion during the selective growth of InGaN/GaN MQW on semipolar and nonpolar GaN stripes
Authors: Tanikawa Tomoyuki , Honda Yoshio , Yamaguchi Masahito , Amano Hiroshi 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWe investigated the InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) thickness and cathode luminescence (CL) distribution on nonpolar (11–20)GaN, semipolar (11–22)GaN, and (1–101)GaN microstripes grown by selective metal‐organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) on patterned Si substrates. All samples exhibited ridge growth. To clarify the effect of vapor phase diffusion, the two‐dimensional diffusion equation was solved. The results were in good agreement with the thickness distribution on the (11–20)GaN stripe when we assumed D/k0 to be 1 µm. However, the results were not in agreement for the semipolar case. On the semipolar face, the surface migration length might be greater, thus increasing the thickness nonuniformity. CL analysis indicated a uniform indium composition on the (11–20) and (11–22) faces. On the (1–101)GaN stripe, the indium composition decreased near the (0001) edge. Excess Ga is considered to affect the compositional nonuniformity on the (1–101) facet.
Synthesis and characterization of Fe‐doped LiNbO3 nanocrystals from a triple‐alkoxide method
Authors: Knabe Bastian , Schütze Daniel , Jungk Tobias , Svete Matthias , Assenmacher Wilfried , Mader Werner , Buse Karsten 
Published: January 2011

AbstractNanocrystals of Fe/LiNbO3 were synthesized from Li(OC2H5), Nb(OC2H5)5, and Fe(OC2H5)3 using a triple alkoxide sol–gel method with Fe‐dopings of 0.5 and 1 mol%, respectively. X‐ray diffraction proves the samples to be phase‐pure and crystalline. The size of the crystals as determined by Scherrer equation and transmission electron microscopy is below 50 nm. Iron is distributed homogeneously within the crystals as shown with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Ferroelectricity is verified by piezoresponse force microscopy. Vacuum annealing enables to control the Fe2+/Fe3+‐concentration ratio from 0.1 to 0.9 with a reduction onset temperature of 200 °C.
Spectral broadening and population relaxation in a GaAs interfacial quantum dot ensemble and quantum well nanostructure
Authors: Moody G. , Siemens M. E. , Bristow A. D. , Dai X. , Karaiskaj D. , Bracker A. S. , Gammon D. , Cundiff S. T. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractOptical two‐dimensional Fourier transform spectroscopy (2DFTS) is used to measure thermal broadening of the ground state exciton homogeneous linewidth and energy relaxation in a single layer of interfacial GaAs quantum dots (QDs). We observe a nonlinear increase in the homogeneous linewidth with temperature from 6 to 50 K and find that a phonon activation term + offset fit the data well. The absence of an activation peak in the 2D spectra indicates that elastic exciton–phonon scattering via virtual transitions between the ground and excited states significantly contributes to the thermal broadening. Measurements of the linewidth across the inhomogeneous distribution show that excitons localized in smaller QDs experience stronger thermal broadening. We record 2D spectra for a population time up to 500 ps and temperature up to 50 K to reveal excitonic relaxation from quantum well to QD states. As the temperature increases from 6 to 50 K, the relaxation time decreases from 180 to 30 ps, respectively. This behavior is consistent with a phonon‐mediated scattering process.
On the interpretation of wave function overlaps in quantum dots
Authors: Stobbe Søren , Hvam Jørn M. , Lodahl Peter 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe spontaneous emission rate of excitons strongly confined in quantum dots (QDs) is proportional to the overlap integral of electron and hole envelope wave functions. A common and intuitive interpretation of this result is that the spontaneous emission rate is proportional to the probability that the electron and the hole are located at the same point or region in space, i.e., they must coincide spatially to recombine. Here, we show that this interpretation is not correct even loosely speaking.By general mathematical considerations we compare the envelope wave function overlap, the exchange overlap integral, and the probability of electrons and holes coinciding, and find that the frequency dependence of the envelope wave function overlap integral is very different from that expected from the common interpretation. We show that these theoretical considerations lead to predictions for measurements. We compare our qualitative predictions with recent measurements of the wave function overlap and find good agreement.
Formation of epitaxial domains: Unified theory and survey of experimental results
Authors: Grundmann Marius 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe formation of rotation domains (RDs) in heteroepitaxy depends fundamentally on the relation of the crystal symmetries of substrate and epilayer. We assume well‐defined crystallographic axes of substrate and epilayer along the growth direction and determine from group theory the number of RDs with crystallographically equivalent interfaces (CEIF) for all combinations of the two‐dimensional (2D) point symmetries of substrate and epilayer, including cases of aligned and misaligned symmetry directions. Additional domains can arise from multi‐domain substrates. Accidentally or nearly fulfilled additional symmetries of the substrate allow further domains with crystallographically inequivalent interfaces (CIIF).magnified image
Schematic RDs for various rotation symmetries of substrate and epilayer.
Structure of the near‐surface layer of Cz Si wafers subjected to low‐temperature low‐energy ion‐beam treatment
Authors: Fedotov Alexander , Ivashkevich Inna , Kobeleva Svetlana , Korolik Olga , Mazanik Alexander , Stas'kov Nikola , Turishchev Sergey 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe general goal of this work is to study the near‐surface region structure of Cz Si wafers subjected to the low‐temperature (25‐350 °C) low‐energy (300 eV) ion‐beam treatment by hydrogen, helium or argon. The properties of a thin (several nanometers) near‐surface layer of the wafers were investigated using the X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and spectroscopic ellipsometry methods.Based on the conducted study, it was concluded that the ion beam treatment leads to (i) the formation of an oxide layer on the surface and to (ii) silicon amorphization. It is demonstrated that increase of the hydrogen ion‐beam treatment temperature results in (i) improvement of the oxide quality; (ii) reduced thickness of the transition region between the formed oxide layer and silicon bulk (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Pseudomorphic and relaxed SiGe/Si(001) layer synthesis by gas immersion laser doping (GILD)
Authors: Kociniewski Thierry , Fossard Frédéric , Perrossier Jean‐Luc , Débarre Dominique , Boulmer Jacques 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWe report on the synthesis of SiGe layers on silicon by using a pulsed laser processing technique (Gas Immersion Laser Doping) where GeCl4 gas molecules are adsorbed on the surface and further incorporated into the Si top layer by a pulsed laser induced melt/regrowth process. In‐situ real‐time measurements of the transient reflectivity of a laser diode reveal that SiGe is formed. Structural characterization of the SiGe layers by X‐ray diffraction evidences that pseudomorphic SiGe layers are obtained. Moreover, we demonstrate that Ge concentration saturates at about 16% in the strained layers and that a relaxation process occurs when samples are exposed to 4000 laser pulses or more (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Limited polar low sensitivity to sea‐surface temperature
Authors: Linders T. , Saetra Ø. , Bracegirdle T. J. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe sensitivity of the intensity of polar lows to changes in the sea‐surface temperature (SST) is investigated. This is done by using an axisymmetric non‐hydrostatic numerical model. It is found that the intensity of the simulated polar lows responds linearly to SST perturbations, with positive perturbations leading to deeper sea‐level pressure (SLP) depressions and higher azimuthal winds. The numerical simulations give an SLP depression sensitivity of only about −0.6 hPa K−1 and a sensitivity of the maximum azimuthal wind of only about +0.6 m s−1 K−1. This is about one order of magnitude less than the sensitivity of the theoretical maximum intensity. It is suggested that the very limited sensitivity can be explained within the wind‐induced surface heat exchange (WISHE) theory. The limited sensitivity can thus be attributed, in roughly equal parts, to the limited efficiency with which the polar low extracts heat from the ocean and the limited mean height of the convection. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society