bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical skills examination for general surgical trainees
Authors: Datta V , Bann S , Aggarwal R , Mandalia M , Hance J , Darzi A 
Published: July 2006

Abstract

Background
The technical skills of surgical trainees are difficult to assess and compare objectively. This study involved a structured, multistation, technical skills examination that enables the stratification of surgical trainees.

Methods
Twenty-two surgeons (five basic surgical trainees, eight junior specialist trainees, four senior specialist trainees and five consultants) participated in the study. All undertook a five-station technical skills examination consisting of three synthetic simulations (bowel anastomosis, vascular anastomosis, saphenofemoral dissection) and two virtual reality-based (flexible sigmoidoscopy and laparoscopy) assessment stations. Video-based analyses and in-built computer scoring were used to measure each surgeon's performance. The mean rank was determined for each variable, and the sum of the mean ranks produced a total score.

Results
There was a significant improvement in overall performance with increasing seniority (P &lt; 0·001). Significant differences were observed between basic surgical trainees and junior specialist trainees (P = 0·019), and between junior and senior specialist trainees (P = 0·048), but not between senior trainees and consultants.

Conclusion
This examination successfully differentiated surgical skill, both between surgeons with different grades of experience and within the target study group of specialist trainees. The examination is feasible in terms of the timeframe needed to complete tasks, cost, and efficiency in performing video-based assessments.
Serum levels of the interferon-γ-inducible α chemokine CXCL10 in patients with active Graves' disease, and modulation by methimazole therapy and thyroidectomy
Authors: Antonelli A , Fallahi P , Rotondi M , Ferrari S M , Serio M , Miccoli P 
Published: July 2006

Abstract

Background
The interferon-γ-inducible chemokine CXCL10 is highly expressed in infiltrating inflammatory cells, and in thyrocytes in patients with Graves' disease. The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of CXCL10 in relation to thyroid function and treatment.

Methods
Serum levels of CXCL10 were measured in 22 patients with Graves' disease when hyperthyroid, when euthyroid under methimazole therapy, and 3 days after near-total thyroidectomy. They were compared with levels in three groups of age- and sex-matched controls: 44 subjects with no thyroid disorder, 44 patients with euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis and 20 with toxic nodular goitre.

Results
Basal serum levels of CXCL10 in patients with Graves' disease were higher than levels in patients with toxic nodular goitre or no thyroid disorder, and similar to levels in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (mean(s.d.) 167(121), 100(24), 78(46) and 142(107) pg/ml respectively; P &lt; 0·010). Among patients with Graves' disease, serum levels of CXCL10 were significantly higher in those aged over 50 years (P = 0·010), with a hypoechoic pattern at thyroid ultrasonography (P &lt; 0·001) or with hypervascularity (P = 0·001). CXCL10 levels in patients with Graves' disease decreased significantly when euthyroidism was achieved by methimazole therapy (P &lt; 0·010), and a further decrease was observed after thyroidectomy (P &lt; 0·010).

Conclusion
Serum levels of CXCL10 are higher in newly diagnosed hyperthyroid patients with Graves' disease than in those with toxic nodular goitre, and decrease when euthyroidism is achieved with antithyroid therapy. This high level may be related to the active inflammatory phase of Graves' disease. A further reduction of CXCL10 levels after thyroidectomy indicates that it is produced mainly in the thyroid in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.
Cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for pseudomyxoma peritonei from appendiceal mucinous neoplasms
Authors: Yan T D , Links M , Xu Z Y , Kam P C , Glenn D , Morris D L 
Published: July 2006

Abstract

Background
Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) has been used to treat pseudomyxoma peritonei. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate survival outcome and treatment-related prognostic markers in patients who underwent CRS and PIC for pseudomyxoma peritonei from appendiceal mucinous neoplasms.

Methods
Survival data and 12 clinicopathological and treatment-related prognostic variables for survival were obtained prospectively in 50 consecutive patients (23 men). Univariate analysis was used to determine their prognostic significance for overall survival, determined from the time of CRS.

Results
The mean(s.d.) age was 52(12) years. Eighteen patients had moderate complications, and six patients had severe complications that required operation or intensive care support. Two patients died after surgery. The actuarial 5-year survival rate was 69 per cent. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the extent of previous surgery (P = 0·045) and Ronnett's histopathological classification (P &lt; 0·001) were significantly related to overall survival.

Conclusion
CRS combined with PIC was associated with improved survival in patients with less extensive previous surgery and diffuse peritoneal adenomucinosis histopathological type.
Expression and regulation of connective tissue growth factor by transforming growth factor β and tumour necrosis factor α in fibroblasts isolated from strictures in patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Beddy D , Mulsow J , Watson R W G , Fitzpatrick J M , O'Connell P R 
Published: July 2006

Abstract

Background
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) stimulates fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix production. Fibroblasts may initiate stricture formation in Crohn's disease through overexpression of CTGF. Stricturing that occurs in patients with Crohn's disease after treatment with anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α may be due to dysregulation of CTGF homeostasis. The aim of this study was to examine CTGF expression and regulation in fibroblasts isolated from patients with Crohn's disease.

Methods
Fibroblasts were isolated by a primary explant technique from serosal biopsies of strictured segments of bowel in eight patients undergoing resection for Crohn's disease and from normal colon in seven patients having resection for benign or malignant colorectal disease. Cells were stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF) β and TNF-α. CTGF protein and mRNA expression were measured by western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction respectively.

Results
Mean(s.d.) CTGF protein expression in strictured Crohn's fibroblasts was higher than that in normal fibroblasts (56·5(9·7) versus 17·0(10·0) respectively; P = 0·011). In normal and strictured Crohn's fibroblasts, culture with TGF-β increased CTGF protein and mRNA expression. Co-culture of normal fibroblasts with TNF-α suppressed TGF-β-stimulated CTGF expression.

Conclusion
Increased expression of CTGF in strictured Crohn's fibroblasts underlies its role in fibrosis. TNF-α suppresses fibrosis by downregulating fibroblast CTGF expression, an effect that may be lost following anti-TNF-α treatment, thereby promoting stricture formation.
Toward a sustainable conceptualization of dependent variables in entrepreneurship research
Authors: Cohen Boyd , Smith Brock , Mitchell Ron 
Published: July 2006

AbstractEntrepreneurship researchers have yet to explore the full range variance that occurs in entrepreneurial value creation because we have focused almost exclusively on financial performance as the dependent variable in our research. However, such arbitrary narrowness is not supported by research, which shows entrepreneurs to not focus exclusively on income maximization. Consistent with calls for an expanded view of the consequences of entrepreneurship, we develop a typology of entrepreneurship dependent variables that supports broadening the scope of entrepreneurship research to include economic, environmental and social value. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Differences in personality and risk characteristics in sex, violent and general offenders
Authors: Craig Leam A. , Browne Kevin D. , Beech Anthony , Stringer Ian 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground Studies examining the characteristics of sex and violent offenders have found differences in personality and offence characteristics. However, none of these studies has examined differences in personality characteristics between violent, sex and general offenders using the Special Hospitals Assessment of Personality and Socialization (SHAPS).Method Using a retrospective archival research design, data on 153 male offenders were divided into three groups, sexual (n = 85), violent (n = 46) and general offenders (n = 22). Of the sample 139 offenders had completed the SHAPS. The Sexual Violence Risk‐20 (SVR‐20) measure was used to categorize levels of risk. Reconviction data collected over a 10‐year follow‐up period were analysed using the receiver operating characteristic analysis.Results Violent offenders had significantly more chaotic lifestyles, displayed greater psychopathology than sex or general offenders, and were most likely to reoffend, with over a quarter committing further violent offences. The sexual offender group share more in common with the general offenders, in terms of personality characteristics and recidivism rates, than with the violent offenders. More of the violent offenders were categorized as at medium or high risk of recidivism than any other group. The SVR‐20 significantly predicted any reconviction over five‐ and 10‐ year follow‐up periods.Discussion The results from this study support the use of self‐report inventories in assessing differences between offender groups. Such information may assist clinicians in prioritizing management and intervention strategies for those offenders, and in turn lower the risk of further offending. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the possibility of risk assessment of Japanese sexual offenders using Static‐99
Authors: Sudo Junya , Sato Makoto , Obata Shugo , Yamagami Akira 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground The number of sexual offences reported in Japan doubled between 1992 and 2002. This has prompted attention to assessment of risk of recidivism.Aims To explore whether an actuarial assessment of risk widely used in the West can be meaningfully applied to Japanese men serving a prison sentence for sexual offences.Method All sex offenders incarcerated in Kitakyushu Medical Prison in Fukuoka at any time in a period of one year (1 July 2002‐30 June 2003) were identified. Demographic data, characteristics of offences and the Static‐99 were rated from records.Results Following a slightly modified application of coding rules, all items of the Static‐99 were rateable. Nine offenders of 45 whose Static‐99 score was over 6 were thus identified as high‐risk offenders. The items distinguishing apparently high‐risk men were history of institutionalization as a delinquent and mental retardation.Conclusions and implications for practice The Static‐99 may be a useful tool in assessing sex offenders in Japan. With apparently increasing recognition of sex crimes here, it seems timely to be developing a systematic approach to assessment. Further work is required to test its value in practice as a predictor of recidivism. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heterocyclic Quinol‐Type Fluorophores: Synthesis, X‐ray Crystal Structures, and Solid‐State Photophysical Properties of Novel 5‐Hydroxy‐5‐substituent‐benzo[b]naphtho[1,2‐d]furan‐6‐one and 3‐Hydroxy‐3‐substituent‐benzo[kl]xanthen‐2‐one Derivatives
Authors: Ooyama Yousuke , Okamoto Tomohiro , Yamaguchi Takahiro , Suzuki Toshihisa , Hayashi Akiko , Yoshida Katsuhira 
Published: July 2006

AbstractNovel heterocyclic quinol‐type fluorophores (4 a–c) and (5 a–c) that contain substituents (R = Me, Bu, Ph) with nonconjugated linkages to the chromophore skeleton have been synthesized and their photophysical properties have been investigated in solution and in the solid state. Considerable differences in the absorption and fluorescence spectra were observed between the two states. Quinols 4 a–c and 5 a–c exhibited almost the same absorption and fluorescence spectra in solution; however, their solid‐state fluorescence excitation and emission spectra in the crystalline state were quite different. We performed X‐ray crystallographic analyses to elucidate the dramatic effect of the substituents of the nonconjugated linkage on the solid‐state fluorescence excitation and emission spectra. The relationships between the solid‐state photophysical properties and the chemical and crystal structures of 4 a–c and 5 a–c are discussed on the basis of the X‐ray crystal structures.
Feeding structures for 60‐GHz dielectric lens antenna with low sidelobes
Authors: Shimizu Takashi , Yoneyama Tsukasa 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis paper studies a feed structure suitable for connecting a millimeter‐wave low sidelobe dielectric antenna with an NRD guide. Specifically, an NRD guide, a rectangular waveguide, a circular waveguide, and a microstrip patch antenna are considered as a primary radiator. It is verified by simulation and experiments that a low sidelobe level and a high gain can be realized if an NRD guide, a rectangular waveguide, or a circular waveguide is used as a feed. For instance, when a dielectric lens antenna with a diameter of 32 mm is used, extremely good characteristics are obtained at 60 GHz including a maximum gain of 24.9 dBi, a sidelobe level of less than −27 dB, and a 3‐dB beam width angle of 9°. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 89(8): 16– 26, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20256
Temperature characteristics of the substrate for Lamb wave type elastic wave devices
Authors: Nakagawa Yasuhiko , Shigeda Mitsuyoshi , Shibata Kazumasa , Kakio Shouji 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPlate wave (Lamb wave) propagation in an extremely thin quartz substrate is analyzed. A cut angle is sought that exhibits an ultrastable temperature dependence of the frequency characteristics so that the frequency changes little with temperature. Highly stable temperature characteristics of the frequency indicating second‐ and third‐order curves are obtained. Theoretical and experimental investigations of the temperature characteristics of the frequency of Lamb waves propagating in an AT‐cut quartz substrate indicate excellent agreement between the two, confirming that the reliability of the results of the present analysis is high. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 89(8): 9–15, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20262
A novel bit‐line direct‐sense circuit that uses a feedback system for high‐speed Flash memory
Authors: Kadowaki Takuya , Nakamura Hiroki , Sakuraba Hiroshi , Masuoka Fujio 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn this paper, a novel bit‐line direct‐sense circuit is proposed in order to realize high‐speed Flash memory. The sense circuit proposed in this paper controls the drivability of the bit‐line charging transistor by means of a feedback technique. In this way, it becomes possible to charge the bit‐line at high speed so that high‐speed readout becomes possible. In spite of complexity in the circuit configuration, the increase of the chip area size is so small as to be negligible. The possibilities of oscillation in the feedback system are analyzed. It is demonstrated that the proposed sense circuit is stable. Hence, the proposed sense circuit can realize high‐speed stable readout of Flash memory. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 89(8): 1–8, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20263
Fault diagnosis of analog circuits by X‐Y zoning method and operation‐region model
Authors: Miura Yukiya 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis paper proposes a fault diagnostic method for analog circuits that combines an X‐Y zoning method and an operation‐region model. An X‐Y zoning method is a test method to detect faults of analog circuits by using the relationship between circuit inputs and outputs. An operation‐region model is a method that models circuit behaviors by observing changes in the operation regions of MOS transistors in a circuit. We can expect shortcomings in each of the methods to be balanced by their combined use as well as simple fault diagnosis with a comparatively high degree of accuracy. In this paper, we propose a method for diagnosing analog circuits by combining the operation‐region model and the X‐Y zoning method. The proposed diagnostic method employs a preset test that is one kind of fault diagnostic method for digital circuits. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified by applying it to two ITC'97 benchmark circuits. Each circuit was diagnosed with 50 soft faults and hard faults. We obtained the result that the diagnostic resolution is 1 for every fault. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 89(8): 42–50, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20289
Expression of lymphotoxin beta governs immunity at two distinct levels
Authors: Junt Tobias , Tumanov Alexei V. , Harris Nicola , Heikenwalder Mathias , Zeller Nicolas , Kuprash Dmitry V. , Aguzzi Adriano , Ludewig Burkhard , Nedospasov Sergei A. , Zinkernagel Rolf M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractInteraction of lymphotoxin α1β2 (LTα1β2) with its receptor is key for the generation and maintenance of secondary lymphoid organ microstructure. We used mice conditionally deficient for LTβ on different lymphocyte subsets to determine how the LTβ‐dependent lymphoid structure influences immune reactivity. All conditionally LTβ‐deficient mice mounted normal immune responses against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and were protected against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). In contrast, they exhibited reduced immune responses against non‐replicating antigens. Completely LTβ‐deficient mice failed to retain VSV in the marginal zone and died from VSV infections, and they became virus carriers following infection with the non‐cytopathic LCMV, which was correlated with defective virus replication in dendritic cells. It was ruled out that LTβ expression on lymphocytes influenced their activation, homing capacity, or maturation. We therefore conclude that LTβ expression influences immune reactivity at two distinct levels: (i) Expression of LTβ on lymphocytes enhances the induction of immune responses against limiting amounts of antigen. (ii) Expression of LTβ on non‐lymphocytes governs antiviral immunity by enhancing antigen presentation on antigen‐presenting cells. This prevents cytotoxic T lymphocytes exhaustion or death of the host by uncontrolled virus spread.
Osmium‐ and Ruthenium‐Based Phosphorescent Materials: Design, Photophysics, and Utilization in OLED Fabrication
Authors: Chou Pi‐Tai , Chi Yun 
Published: July 2006

AbstractOsmium(II) complexes possessing β‐diketonate, quinolinate, diimine, and C‐linked pyridyl azolate chelates reveal interesting structural and photophysical properties. Spectroscopic and dynamic measurements, in combination with theoretical analyses, have provided an important understanding of the electronically excited state properties of these complexes, such as the energy gap and nature of the lower lying states, rate for intersystem crossing, and the efficiency of corresponding radiative decay and nonradiative deactivation processes. This review also reports on the synthetic processes that lead to the neutral OsII and RuII complexes that possess two trans‐substituted phosphane donor ligands together with two anti‐parallel, aligned azolate chromophores. Considerable efforts have been made to focus on utilizing these emitting materials as phosphorescent dopants for practical PLED and OLED fabrication. Consequently, the interplay between these emitting materials and device configurations is discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Carbon Dioxide Fixation by Organolanthanides and Thermal Degradation into Amorphous and Higher Condensed Ln/O/C/N Solids
Authors: Baisch Ulrich , Pagano Sandro , Zeuner Martin , Schnick Wolfgang 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAmmine[tris(cyclopentadienyl)]‐, amido[bis(cyclopentadienyl)]lanthanides, and tris[bis(trimethylsilylamido)]cerium have been studied with respect to CO2 absorption under various reaction conditions. Subsequent thermal treatment of these complexes under gaseous and supercritical CO2 yielded new higher condensed lanthanide Ln/O/C/N solids. IR spectroscopic studies of the CO2‐activated species reveal the formation of various oxonitridocarbonates, in particular carbamates (O2CNH2–), imidocarbonates (O2CNH2–), isocyanates (OCN–), and carbonates (CO32–), which function as multidentate linkers between the lanthanide ions. Thereby, inorganic polymers are formed, which represent single‐source precursors for application in various deposition methods and can therefore be utilized as pre‐organized reagents in solid‐state chemistry. In this context, we report on the structural characterization of one of the molecular precursors [Cp3YbNH3] [reticular pseudomerohedral twin, P21/c, a = 826.8(2), b = 1103.8(2), c = 1482.0(3) pm, β = 101.60(3)°, Z = 4, V = 1309.0(5)·106 pm3]. Crystals of [Cp3YbNH3] appear red, orange, yellow, and dark green depending on the orientation under plane‐polarized light (pleochroism).(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
A Silver(I) Coordination Polymer Containing Tridentate N‐ and P‐Coordinating 1,3,5‐Triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane (PTA) Ligands
Authors: Mohr Fabian , Falvello Larry R. , Laguna Mariano 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA silver(I) coordination polymer containing 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane (PTA) in an unprecedented bridging, tridentate P,N,N′‐coordination mode is formed by the reaction of PTA with AgNO3 in water. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
3‐Amino‐Substituted Isothiazole S,S‐Dioxides as Dienophiles in Diels–Alder Cycloaddition Reactions with Cyclic, Acyclic and Heterocyclic Dienes
Authors: Clerici Francesca , Casoni Alessandro , Gelmi Maria Luisa , Nava Donatella , Pellegrino Sara , Sala Alessandro 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe report on the Diels–Alder reactions of differently substituted isothiazole dioxides with several kinds of dienes under diverse reaction conditions. Differences of reactivity and selectivity between the substituted isothiazoles are considered and the influence of the different reaction conditions on the outcome of the reactions discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
(Benzylideneamino)thioureas – Chromogenic Interactions with Anions and N–H Deprotonation
Authors: Bonizzoni Marco , Fabbrizzi Luigi , Taglietti Angelo , Tiengo Federico 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA family of neutral N‐(R1‐substituted‐benzylideneamino)‐N′‐(R2‐substituted‐phenyl)thioureas (LH) were designed as anion receptors, and their interactions with anions in MeCN solution were investigated through spectrophotometric and 1H NMR titration experiments. While oxo anions (e.g., CH3COO–, H2PO4–) form genuine H‐bond complexes based on complementary N–H···O interactions with LH receptors, the fluoride ion undergoes a two‐step interaction, involving (i) formation of the [LH···F]– complex, and (ii) release of an HF molecule to give [HF2]– and the deprotonated form of the receptor (L–). Deprotonation takes place at the N–H fragment closer to the R2‐substituted phenyl ring, as indicated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The log K values for the formation of the [LH···CH3COO]– H‐bond complexes vary over the 3.1–3.8 range and are scarcely affected by the natures of the R1 and R2 substituents. The investigated systems may be of interest in the design of molecular devices in which the optical properties of different and distant substituents are modulated through the interaction of a chosen anion at the thiourea site.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)