bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symmetry breaking effect of dc bias current on magnetoimpedance in microwire with helical anisotropy: Application to magnetic sensors
Authors: Ipatov M. , Zhukova V. , Gonzalez J. , Zhukov A.
Published: November 2011

We have investigated the effect of dc bias current IB on longitudinal magnetoimpedance (MI) in amorphous microwire with helical anisotropy and experimentally demonstrated that, by changing the dc current IB, it is possible to considerably affect the MI dependence. We propose to use this effect in developing a longitudinal MI sensor that overcomes the drawbacks usually associated with the longitudinal MI—namely the impossibility to determine the direction of an external axial magnetic field HE and the low sensitivity near the zero-field point. We demonstrate that a set of two measurements of longitudinal wire impedance with properly selected bias current IB allows determination of both the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field HE over an extended range, much higher than the sample anisotropy field. Additional features of the proposed method are the increased sensitivity and the detection of exceeding the operating range.
Continuity bounds on the quantum relative entropy — II
Authors: Audenaert Koenraad M. R. , Eisert Jens
Published: November 2011

The quantum relative entropy is frequently used as a distance measure between two quantum states, and inequalities relating it to other distance measures are important mathematical tools in many areas of quantum information theory. We have derived many such inequalities in previous work. The present paper is a follow-up on this, and provides a sharp upper bound on the relative entropy in terms of the trace norm distance and of the smallest eigenvalues of both states concerned. The result obtained here is more general than the corresponding one from our previous work. As a corollary, we obtain a sharp upper bound on the regularised relative entropy introduced by Lendi, Farhadmotamed, and van Wonderen.
Promotion of hole injection enabled by GaInN/GaN light-emitting triodes and its effect on the efficiency droop
Authors: Hwang Sunyong , Jin Ha Woo , Kyu Kim Jong , Xu Jiuru , Cho Jaehee , Fred Schubert E.
Published: November 2011

GaInN/GaN light-emitting triodes having two anodes for promoting the injection of holes into the active region were fabricated and characterized. It was found that the anode-to-anode bias modulates not only the hole-injection efficiency but also the effective light-emitting area and hence the current density through the active region. As the anode-to-anode bias increases, the efficiency at the same current density increases, whereas the efficiency droop decreases substantially, indicating that the limited hole-injection efficiency is one of the dominant mechanisms responsible for the efficiency droop in GaN-based light-emitting diodes.
Confinement effects on the low temperature magnetic structure of MnP nanocrystals
Authors: de Andrés A. , Ramírez-Jiménez R. , García-Hernández M. , Lambert-Milot S. , Masut R. A.
Published: November 2011

The low temperature magnetic properties of MnP nanocrystals (15-40 nm), both in GaP:MnP epilayers and MnP films, are significantly different compared to bulk and cannot apparently be explained by differences in the structure. A simple model of localized spins is used to describe the magnetic screw structure confined to nanocrystals. The results indicate that the observed magnetic behaviour is related to the nanometric size and to changes in the coupling constants most probably localized at an external grain shell. The nucleation of helical regions at the surface of the ferromagnetic grains is proposed as a possible mechanism for the reversal of the magnetization.
Evidence of interface conversion and electrical characteristics improvement of ultra-thin HfTiO films upon rapid thermal annealing
Authors: Ye Cong , Wang Yi , Zhang Jun , Zhang Jieqiong , Wang Hao , Jiang Yong
Published: November 2011

Ultra-thin HfTiO films were grown on Si substrate and subjected to rapid thermal annealing at 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C in nitrogen ambient. The interface of the as deposited film is formed by SiOx and silicate, but after annealing at 600 °C, interfacial SiOx completely converted into silicate. The film annealed at 600 °C has the highest k value of 45.9, the smallest equivalent oxide thickness of 0.8 nm with the physical thickness of 9.4 nm, the lowest leakage current density of 3.1 × 10−6 A/cm−2 at bias voltage of −1 V, which shows excellent electrical properties.
Influence of Hf contents on interface state properties in a-HfInZnO thin-film transistors with SiNx/SiOx gate dielectrics
Authors: Choi Hyun-Sik , Jeon Sanghun , Kim Hojung , Shin Jaikwang , Kim Changjung , Chung U-In
Published: November 2011

We evaluated the interface properties of amorphous hafnium–indium–zinc–oxide (a-HIZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with respect to various Hf contents. To this end, the subthreshold swing and the low-frequency noise (LFN) of the a-HIZO TFTs were measured and compared. From LFNs providing more accurate information, we quantitatively analyzed the interface trap densities and found that they decrease with increasing Hf contents. Although the acceptor-like tail state densities in bulk channel increase with Hf contents, higher Hf contents show lower threshold voltage shift under bias stress, implying that reliability characteristics of a-HIZO TFTs are more sensitive to interface quality rather than bulk property.
Rectifying characteristics of Te-doped GaAs nanowires
Authors: Salehzadeh O. , Chen M. X. , Kavanagh K. L. , Watkins S. P.
Published: November 2011

We report on the electrical properties of Te-doped GaAs nanowires (NW) grown via the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. Gold nanoparticles were used as growth catalysts and contacts for electrical measurements using a nanoprobe technique. Semi-log I-V curves show 6-8 decades of forward-voltage linearity giving an ideality factor of 1.25 ± 0.06 and barrier height of 0.78 ± 0.04 eV. When normalized to NW cross-sectional area, all curves overlapped consistent with an n-type carrier concentration (9 ± 1) × 1017 cm−3 and a constant NW resistivity (2.5 ± 0.5) × 10−3 Ω cm. Raman spectroscopy indicated a small surface depletion width of less than 5 nm.
Interface-dependent rectifying TbMnO3-based heterojunctions
Authors: Cui Yimin , Tian Yufeng , Liu Wei , Li Yongfeng , Wang Rongming , Wu Tom
Published: November 2011

We report the fabrication and characterizations of oxide heterojunctions composed of TbMnO3 thin films grown on conducting Nb:SrTiO3 substrates. The heterojunctions exhibit rich rectifying characteristics, depending on not only the measurement temperature but also the growth temperature: at 300 K, good rectification appears in both samples; at lower temperatures, the rectification is much smaller in the sample grown at 700 °C, whereas it exhibits a reversed bias dependence and reaches ∼5000 in the sample grown at 780 °C. Regarding to the transport mechanism, the conduction appears to be Schottky-emission-like at high temperatures in both junctions, indicating well-defined band alignment at interface; on the other hand, the space-charge-limited mechanism dictates the low temperature transport. Furthermore, the temperature and frequency dependent capacitance-loss data suggest that the transport dynamics is associated with multiple thermally activated relaxation processes. Finally, transmission electron microscopy studies shed light on the crystalline quality of the junction interfaces, which is believed to dictate the corresponding transport properties.
Antenna-coupled terahertz radiation from joule-heated single-wall carbon nanotubes
Authors: Muthee M. , Carrion E. , Nicholson J. , Yngvesson S. K.
Published: November 2011

In this letter an experimental method is introduced that allows detection of terahertz (THz) radiation from arrays of joule-heated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs), by coupling this radiation through integrated antennas and a silicon lens. The radiation forms a diffraction-limited beam with a total maximum radiated power of 450 nW, significantly greater than the power estimated from Nyquist thermal noise (8 nW). The physical radiation process is unknown at this stage, but possible explanations for the high radiated power are discussed briefly. The emission has a typical bandwidth of 1.2 THz and can be tuned to different frequencies by changing the dimensions of the antennas. Arrays of the devices could be integrated in CMOS integrated circuits, and find application in THz systems, such as in near-range medical imaging.
Enhanced thermoelectric properties of armchair graphene nanoribbons with defects and magnetic field
Authors: Zhao W. , Guo Z. X. , Cao J. X. , Ding J. W.
Published: November 2011

We have investigated the thermoelectric properties of armchair graphene nanoribbons with defects and magnetic field by using non-equilibrium Green's function method. For perfect armchair graphene nanoribbons, it is shown that with its width increasing, the maximum of the figure of merit ZT is monotonously decreased while the phononic thermal conductance increases linearly. In the presence of defects, the phononic thermal conductance decreases monotonously with the defect number increasing. Interestingly, the maximum of ZT values is proportional to the defect number in longitudinal direction, but inversely proportional to that in transversal direction. In the presence of magnetic field, very remarkable enhancement of ZT value is further obtained at the bottom of conduction band.
A new approach of equilibrium reconstruction for ITER
Authors: Imazawa R. , Kawano Y. , Kusama Y.
Published: November 2011

We have proposed a new approach for equilibrium reconstruction that can be applied to ITER-like burning plasmas. In this study, we have focused on carrying out equilibrium reconstruction using polarimetry, which is feasible for ITER-like burning plasmas. Polarimetry in burning plasmas is different from that in the existing tokamaks in two regards: (1) increased importance of the relativistic effects and (2) significant coupling with the Faraday and Cotton–Mouton effects. We found that when polarimetric data (orientation angle, θ, and ellipticity angle, ϵ, of a polarization state) are used as the constraints in the equilibrium reconstruction, the optimum weighting factors for θ and ϵ depend on the magnetic surfaces through which the viewing chord of polarimetry passes. We applied our approach to the operation scenarios II (S2) and IV (S4) in ITER. In the case where the viewing chords are via both the equatorial and upper ports, the measurement requirements for the accuracy of the q-profile in ITER (±10%) were satisfied in S2 and S4 when the measuring errors of θ and ϵ were less than 0.5° and 3°, respectively.
Congruent Genetic Structure in the Lichen-Forming Fungus Lobaria pulmonaria and Its Green-Algal Photobiont
Authors: Werth Silke , Scheidegger Christoph
Published: November 2011

The extent of codispersal of symbionts is one of the key factors shaping genetic structures of symbiotic organisms. Concordant patterns of genetic structure are expected in vertically transmitted symbioses, whereas horizontal transmission generally uncouples genetic structures unless the partners are coadapted. Here, we compared the genetic structures of mutualists, the lichen-forming fungus Lobaria pulmonaria and its primary green-algal photobiont, Dictyochloropsis reticulata. We performed analysis of molecular variance and variogram analysis to compare genetic structures between symbiosis partners. We simulated the expected number of multilocus-genotype recurrences to reveal whether the distribution of multilocus genotypes of either species was concordant with panmixia. Simulations and tests of linkage disequilibrium provided compelling evidence for the codispersal of mutualists. To test whether genotype associations between symbionts were consistent with randomness, as expected under horizontal transmission, we simulated the recurrence of fungal-algal multilocus genotype associations expected by chance. Our data showed nonrandom associations of fungal and algal genotypes. Either vertical transmission or horizontal transmission coupled with coadaptation between symbiont genotypes may have created these nonrandom associations. This study is among the first to show codispersal and highly congruent genetic structures in the partners of a lichen mutualism.
Short Exposure to High CO2and O2at Curing Temperature to Control Postharvest Diseases of Citrus Fruit
Authors: Montesinos-Herrero Clara , del Río Miguel Ángel , Rojas-Argudo Cristina , Palou Lluís
Published: November 2011

Curing of citrus fruit at 30 to 37°C and 90 to 98% relative humidity for 65 to 72 h is an effective alternative to fungicides to control postharvest green and blue molds caused by Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum, respectively. However, commercial adoption is limited because treatment is long and it may harm fruit quality. In order to improve the feasibility of curing, short CO2or O2exposures at curing temperature were evaluated on ‘Nadorcott’, ‘Clemenules’, and ‘Ortanique’ mandarin fruit and ‘Valencia’ orange. Fruit were artificially inoculated, exposed 24 h later to air (control); CO2at 15, 30, 50, or 95 kPa; or O2at 30 or 45 kPa at 20 or 33°C for 8, 24, or 48 h and incubated at 20°C for 4, 7, or 15 days. Exposure at 33°C with CO2at 15 kPa for 24 h or O2at 30 kPa for 48 h effectively controlled both green and blue molds after 7 days of incubation at 20°C; however, control of both diseases was minimal after 15 days. To assess potential induction of disease resistance, fruit were treated as described above, then inoculated after 1, 2, or 5 days at 20°C and evaluated after 3 and 6 more days at 20°C. All of the treatments were ineffective in inducing fruit resistance. Short exposures of citrus fruit to high CO2or O2at curing temperatures may be part of a control program alternative to synthetic fungicides, especially for organic fruit markets.
A Comparison of Standard and High-Fidelity PCR: Evaluating Quantification and Detection of Pathogen DNA in the Presence of Orchid Host Tissue
Authors: Cating Robert A. , Hoy Marjorie Ann , Palmateer Aaron J.
Published: November 2011

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used with increasing frequency for detecting and identifying plant pathogens. Although PCR is sensitive, research has shown that amplification of target microbial DNA from within another organism, such as an arthropod or plant, can be inhibited by the presence of host DNA. In this study, the sensitivity of standard and high-fidelity PCR, which incorporates a second DNA polymerase with proofreading ability, to detect and amplify DNA from the fungal pathogen Pseudocercospora odontoglossi while in the presence of Cattleya orchid DNA, was compared. Different dilutions of plasmids containing internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1, 5.8S, and ITS2 rDNA from P. odontoglossi were spiked with Cattleya orchid plant DNA. The high-fidelity PCR could detect and amplify as few as 207 plasmids containing the fungal DNA, whereas the standard PCR required over 200 million copies. The high-fidelity PCR was more efficient than conventional PCR in detecting Sclerotium rolfsii and a Dickeya sp. from freshly inoculated orchid plants, demonstrating its increased sensitivity in early detection of fungal and bacterial pathogens that are difficult to discriminate early in disease development.
Reversal of height dimorphism promotes pollen and seed dispersal in a wind-pollinated dioecious plant
Authors: Pickup Melinda , Barrett Spencer C. H.
Published: November 2011

Variation in the timing of reproductive functions in dioecious organisms may result in adaptive changes in the direction of sexual dimorphism during the breeding season. For plants in which both pollen and seeds are wind-dispersed, it may be advantageous for male plants to be taller when pollen is dispersed and female plants to be taller when seeds are dispersed. We examined the dynamics of height dimorphism in
Rumex hastatulus
, an annual, wind-pollinated, dioecious plant from the southern USA. A field survey of seven populations indicated that females were significantly taller than males at seed maturity. However, a glasshouse experiment revealed a more complex pattern of height growth during the life cycle. No dimorphism was evident prior to reproduction for six of seven populations, but at flowering, males were significantly taller than females in all populations. This pattern was reversed at reproductive maturity, consistent with field observations. Males flowered later than females and the degree of height dimorphism was greater in populations with a later onset of male flowering. We discuss the potential adaptive significance of temporal changes in height dimorphism for pollen and seed dispersal, and how this may be optimized for the contrasting reproductive functions of the sexes.
Climate change experiments in temperate grasslands: synthesis and future directions
Authors: White Shannon R. , Carlyle Cameron N. , Fraser Lauchlan H. , Cahill James F.
Published: November 2011

The immediate need to understand the complex responses of grasslands to climate change, to ensure food supplies and to mitigate future climate change through carbon sequestration, necessitate a global, synthesized approach. Numerous manipulative experiments have altered temperature or precipitation, often in conjunction with other interacting factors such as grazing, to understand potential effects of climate change on the ecological integrity of temperate grasslands and understand the mechanisms of change. Although the different ways in which temperature and precipitation may change to effect grasslands were well represented, variability in methodology limited generalizations. Results from these experiments were also largely mixed and complex; thus, a broad understanding of temperate grassland responses to these factors remains elusive. A collaboration based on a set of globally dispersed, inexpensive experiments with consistent methodology would provide the data needed to better understand responses of temperate grassland to climate change.
Challenges in the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources
Authors: Pautasso Marco
Published: November 2011

The meeting on ‘Genetic Resources in the Face of New Environmental, Economic and Social Challenges’ held in Montpellier (France) from 20–22 September 2011 brought together about 200 participants active in research and management of the genetic diversity of plant, animal, fungal and microbial species. Attendees had the rare opportunity to hear about agronomy, botany, microbiology, mycology, the social sciences and zoology in the same conference. The research teams presented the results of about 50 projects funded by the French Foundation for Research on Biodiversity to preserve genetic diversity carried out in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. These projects aimed to better understand and manage genetic resources in a rapidly changing world (e.g. structural changes in the agricultural industry, the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation, the challenge of achieving food security despite the growing world population and changing dietary habits, the opportunities provided by the many new molecular biology tools, the problems caused by widespread scientific budget cuts). The meeting also hosted some roundtables open to all participants which provided a forum to establish a much needed dialogue between policy-makers, managers and researchers.
Applications of percolation theory to fungal spread with synergy
Authors: Ludlam Jonathan J. , Gibson Gavin J. , Otten Wilfred , Gilligan Christopher A.
Published: November 2011

There is increasing interest in the use of the percolation paradigm to analyse and predict the progress of disease spreading in spatially structured populations of animals and plants. The wider utility of the approach has been limited, however, by several restrictive assumptions, foremost of which is a strict requirement for simple nearest-neighbour transmission, in which the disease history of an individual is influenced only by that of its neighbours. In a recent paper, the percolation paradigm has been generalized to incorporate synergistic interactions in host infectivity and susceptibility, and the impact of these interactions on the invasive dynamics of an epidemic has been demonstrated. In the current paper, we elicit evidence that such synergistic interactions may underlie transmission dynamics in real-world systems by first formulating a model for the spread of a ubiquitous parasitic and saprotrophic fungus through replicated populations of nutrient sites and subsequently fitting and testing the model using data from experimental microcosms. Using Bayesian computational methods for model fitting, we demonstrate that synergistic interactions are necessary to explain the dynamics observed in the replicate experiments. The broader implications of this work in identifying disease-control strategies that deflect epidemics from invasive to non-invasive regimes are discussed.
Thermodynamic phase transitions and shock singularities
Authors: De Nittis Giuseppe , Moro Antonio
Published: November 2011

We show that, under rather general assumptions on the form of the entropy function, the energy balance equation for a system in thermodynamic equilibrium is equivalent to a set of nonlinear equations of hydrodynamic type. This set of equations is integrable via the method of characteristics and it provides the equation of state for the gas. The shock wave catastrophe set identifies the phase transition. A family of explicitly solvable models of non-hydrodynamic type such as the classical plasma and the ideal Bose gas is also discussed.
Misuse of Statistical Methods in 10 Leading Chinese Medical Journals in 1998 and 2008
Authors: Wu Shunquan , Jin Zhichao , Wei Xin , Gao Qingbin , Lu Jian , Ma Xiuqiang , Wu Cheng , He Qian , Wu Meijing , Wang Rui , Xu Jinfang , He Jia
Published: November 2011

Statistical methods are vital to biomedical research. Our aim was to find out whether progress has been made in the last decade in the use of statistical methods in Chinese medical research. We reviewed 10 leading Chinese medical journals published in 1998 and in 2008. Regarding statistical methods, using a multiplet-test for multiple group comparison was the most common error in thet-test in both years, which significantly decreased in 2008. In contingency tables, no significant level adjustment for multiple comparison significantly decreased in 2008. In ANOVA, over a quarter of articles misused the method of multiple pair-wise comparison in both years, and no significant difference was seen between the two years. In the rank transformation nonparametric test, the error of using multiple pair-wise comparison for multiple group comparison became less common. Many mistakes were found in the randomised controlled trial (56.3% in 1998; 67.9% in 2008), non- randomised clinical trial (57.3%; 58.6%), basic science study (72.9%; 65.5%), case study or case series study (48.4%; 47.2%), and cross-sectional study (57.1%; 44.2%). Progress has been made in the use of statistical methods in Chinese medical journals, but much is yet to be done.
Congenital hair loss disorders: Rare, but not too rare
Authors: SHIMOMURA Yutaka
Published: November 2011

The mammalian hair follicle (HF) is an active skin appendage which operates hair cycles throughout life. Recent advances in molecular genetics have led to the identification of many genes expressed in the HF. Furthermore, mutations in some of these genes have been shown to underlie congenital hair loss disorders in humans. Patients with congenital hair loss disorders can show various hair shaft anomalies, such as woolly hair and monilethrix. In the Japanese populations, most patients with congenital woolly hair/hypotrichosis possess common founder mutations in the lipase H (LIPH) gene. Identification of the causative genes for hair loss disorders directly demonstrates crucial roles of these genes in HF morphogenesis, development and/or hair growth in humans.
Central nervous system event in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in the rituximab era
Authors: Tomita Naoto , Yokoyama Masahiro , Yamamoto Wataru , Watanabe Reina , Shimazu Yutaka , Masaki Yasufumi , Tsunoda Saburo , Hashimoto Chizuko , Murayama Kayoko , Yano Takahiro , Okamoto Rumiko , Kikuchi Ako , Tamura Kazuo , Sato Kazuya , Sunami Kazutaka , Shibayama Hirohiko , Takimoto Rishu , Ohshima Rika , Hatta Yoshihiro , Moriuchi Yukiyoshi , Kinoshita Tomohiro , Yamamoto Masahide , Numata Ayumi , Ishigatsubo Yoshiaki , Takeuchi Kengo
Published: November 2011

Central nervous system (CNS) events, including CNS relapse and progression to CNS, are known to be serious complications in the clinical course of patients with lymphoma. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of CNS events in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in the rituximab era. We performed a retrospective survey of Japanese patients diagnosed with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma who underwent primary therapy with R‐CHOP chemoimmunotherapy between September 2003 and December 2006. Patients who had received any prophylactic CNS treatment were excluded. Clinical data from 1221 patients were collected from 47 institutions. The median age of patients was 64 years (range, 15–91 years). We noted 82 CNS events (6.7%) and the cumulative 5‐year probability of CNS events was 8.4%. Patients with a CNS event demonstrated significantly worse overall survival (P < 0.001). The 2‐year overall survival rate after a CNS event was 27.1%. In a multivariate analysis, involvement of breast (relative risk [RR] 10.5), adrenal gland (RR 4.6) and bone (RR 2.0) were identified as independent risk factors for CNS events. We conclude that patients with these risk factors, in addition to patients with testicular involvement in whom CNS prophylaxis has been already justified, are at high risk for CNS events in the rituximab era. The efficacy and manner of CNS prophylaxis in patients for each involvement site should be evaluated further. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 245–251)
Effects of flood and drought events on multi‐species, multi‐method estuarine and coastal fisheries in eastern Australia
Authors: GILLSON J. , SUTHERS I. , SCANDOL J.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  Multivariate patterns in commercial fisheries landings, effort and revenue from three adjacent estuarine and coastal systems were examined in eastern Australia between 9‐month periods of flood (September 2000–May 2001) and drought (September 2002–May 2003). Patterns in species landings, methods of fishing effort and revenue per species were significantly different between flood and drought. Spearman’s rank correlations between Bray–Curtis similarity matrices for landings, effort and revenue indicated that patterns in fisheries metrics represented a mixed signal of ecological response and fishers’ harvesting behaviour. Flood and drought events were associated with shifts in the species composition of landings that were reciprocated between estuarine and coastal systems. Estuarine migrant species (e.g. school prawn Metapenaeus macleayi Haswell) primarily contributed to landings during flood, whilst marine estuarine‐opportunist species (e.g. yellowfin bream Acanthopagrus australis Owen) primarily contributed to landings during drought. Flood and drought events redistributed fisheries resources between estuarine and coastal systems, modifying the bioeconomic productivity of commercial fisheries. Results indicated that flood and drought events influence commercial fisheries by modifying landings composition, fishers’ harvesting behaviour and revenue generation.
Exploring the biological basis of haemophilic joint disease: experimental studies
Authors: VALENTINO L. A. , HAKOBYAN N. , ENOCKSON C. , SIMPSON M. L. , KAKODKAR N. C. , CONG L. , SONG X.
Published: November 2011

Summary.  Haemophilia has been recognized as the most severe among the inherited disorders of blood coagulation since the beginning of the first millennium. Joint damage is the hallmark of the disease. Despite its frequency and severity, the pathobiology of blood‐induced joint disease remains obscure. Although bleeding into the joint is the ultimate provocation, the stimulus within the blood inciting the process and the mechanisms by which bleeding into a joint results in synovial inflammation (synovitis) and cartilage and bone destruction (arthropathy) is unknown. Clues from careful observation of patient material, supplemented with data from animal models of joint disease provide some clues as to the pathogenesis of the process. Among the questions that remain to be answered are the following: (i) What underlies the phenotypic variability in bleeding patterns of patients with severe disease and the development of arthropathy in some but not all patients with joint bleeding? (ii) What is the molecular basis underlying the variability? (iii) Are there strategies that can be developed to counter the deleterious effects of joint bleeding and prevent blood‐induced joint disease? Understanding the key elements, genetic and/or environmental, that are necessary for the development of synovitis and arthropathy may lead to rational design of therapy for the targeted prevention and treatment of blood‐induced joint disease.
‘Living a life in shades of grey’: experiencing depressive symptoms in the acute phase after stroke
Authors: Kouwenhoven Siren E. , Kirkevold Marit , Engedal Knut , Kim Hesook S.
Published: November 2011

kouwenhoven s.e., kirkevold m., engedal k. & kim h.s. (2011) ‘Living a life in shades of grey’: experiencing depressive symptoms in the acute phase after stroke.Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1726–1737.

Aim. The aim of the present study was to describe the lived experience of stroke survivors suffering from depressive symptoms in the acute phase; addressing the following questions: (a) what is the nature of depression as experienced by post‐stroke patients in the acute phase? (b) what is it like to live with depression within the first weeks following stroke?

Background. Post‐stroke depression occurs in at least one quarter of stroke survivors and is linked to poorer outcomes.

Method. This qualitative study is methodologically grounded in hermeneutic phenomenology, influenced by van Manen and Ricoeur. A descriptive, qualitative design was used applying in‐depth interviews as the method of data collection with nine participants. The data collection took place in 2008.

Results. The material revealed two main themes that generate the feeling and description of ‘living a life in shades of grey’: (a) being trapped and (b) losing oneself. ‘Shades of grey’ could be understood as being confined in a new life‐world and losing oneself as the person one knew.

Conclusion. The participants confirmed suffering from depressive symptoms, but depression was not seen as meaningful on its own. They related their experiences of post‐stroke depression in the acute phase to the losses they experienced. Nurses ought to take into account the depth of the life changes that stroke survivors may experience. There is a need for continued empirical research on how nurses may help and support stroke survivors dealing with depressive symptoms in the acute phase after stroke and how depressive symptoms develop over time.
Light is beneficial for infant circadian entrainment: an actigraphic study
Authors: Tsai Shao‐Yu , Thomas Karen A. , Lentz Martha J. , Barnard Kathryn E.
Published: November 2011

tsai s.‐y., thomas k.a., lentz m.j. & barnard k.e. (2011) Light is beneficial for infant circadian entrainment: an actigraphic study. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1738–1747.

Aim.  This article is a report of an exploratory study of the relation between light exposure and circadian rest–activity patterns in infants.

Background.  Ambient light is a major environmental stimulus for regulation of circadian rhythm of sleep and wake in adults, but few studies have been conducted to examine environmental light exposure in relation to rest–activity circadian rhythm parameters of infants.

Methods.  An intensive within‐subject design was used with a convenience sample of 22 infants (mean postnatal age 49·8 days) who wore a combined light and activity monitoring device for seven consecutive days at home. For each infant, light data (lux) were aggregated over the 7 days into categories of illumination and expressed in mean minutes/day. Circadian light and activity parameters, including mesor, amplitude, acrophase and R2 cosinor fit, were determined using cosinor analysis. Associations between light exposure and circadian rest–activity rhythm parameters were examined using correlation and regression analyses. Data were collected between 2006 and 2007.

Results.  Infants spent only one‐eighth of their daytime hours in an environment with >100 lux light level. There was a relatively large statistically significant relation between the acrophase of light exposure and the acrophase of activity. Increased duration of daily exposure to >100 lux of illumination, and increased amplitude of circadian rhythm of light were associated with stronger circadian patterns of infant activity.

Conclusion.  Results suggest an association between light and activity patterns and that increasing duration of exposure to moderate light levels may be a simple and economical nursing intervention during the early postnatal weeks.
Experiences of mental health services by people with intellectual disabilities from different ethnic groups: a Delphi consultation
Authors: Bonell S. , Underwood L. , Radhakrishnan V. , McCarthy J.
Published: November 2011

Background  Patient experience of those accessing mental health services has been found to be different between ethnic groups. Although the needs of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) from different ethnic communities are being increasingly recognised, little has been published about their experiences of mental health services. The aim of this study was to establish whether there are any differences in the experiences of people with ID and mental health problems from two ethnic communities in South London.

Method  A two‐round Delphi process was utilised. White British and Black or Black British service users from a specialist community‐based mental health service for adults with ID completed a specially compiled questionnaire. Statements on participants' experiences, including satisfaction with care, staff members' attitudes, cultural awareness and level of support, were rated using a Likert scale.

Results  Twenty‐four out of 32 participants (75%) completed both rounds of the Delphi consultation. Consensus (≥80% agreement with the group median) was reached for 20 items in the White group and five items in the Black group. All responses that reached consensus were positive about the services that were being received. The Black group were less positive about a range of their experiences, including the use of medication.

Conclusions  People with ID from two ethnic groups were able to successfully complete a Delphi consultation regarding their experiences of mental health services. Broad consensus on positive experiences of services was reached in the White group but not for the Black participants.
Service providers' perceptions of active ageing among older adults with lifelong intellectual disabilities
Authors: Buys L. , Aird R. , Miller E.
Published: November 2011

Background  Considerable attention is currently being directed towards both active ageing and the revising of standards for disability services within Australia and internationally. Yet, to date, no consideration appears to have been given to ways to promote active ageing among older adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs).

Methods  Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 16 Australian professional direct‐care support staff (service providers) about their perceptions of ageing among older adults with lifelong IDs and what active ageing might entail for an individual from this population who is currently under their care, in both the present and future. Data were analysed against the six core World Health Organization active ageing outcomes for people with IDs.

Results  Service providers appeared to be strongly focused on encouraging active ageing among their clients. However, their perceptions of the individual characteristics, circumstances and experiences of older adults with IDs for whom they care suggest that active ageing principles need to be applied to this group in a way that considers both their individual and diverse needs, particularly with respect to them transitioning from day services, employment or voluntary work to reduced activity, and finally to aged care facilities. The appropriateness of this group being placed in nursing homes in old age was also questioned.

Conclusion  Direct‐care staff of older adults with IDs have a vital role to play in encouraging and facilitating active ageing, as well as informing strategies that need to be implemented to ensure appropriate care for this diverse group as they proceed to old age.
Proteinase‐activated receptor‐4 evoked colorectal analgesia in mice: an endogenously activated feed‐back loop in visceral inflammatory pain
Authors: Annaházi A. , Dabek M. , Gecse K. , Salvador‐Cartier C. , Polizzi A. , Rosztóczy A. , Róka R. , Theodorou V. , Wittmann T. , Bueno L. , Eutamene H.
Published: November 2011

Background  Activation of proteinase‐activated receptor‐4 (PAR‐4) from the colonic lumen has an antinociceptive effect to colorectal distension (CRD) in mice in basal conditions. We aimed to determine the functional localization of the responsible receptors and to test their role in two different hyperalgesia models.

Methods  Mice received PAR‐4 activating peptide (PAR‐4‐AP, AYPGKF‐NH2) or vehicle intraperitoneally (IP), and abdominal EMG response to CRD was measured. The next group received PAR‐4‐AP intracolonically (IC) with or without 2,4,6‐triaminopyrimidine, a chemical tight junction blocker, before CRD. The SCID mice were used to test the role of lymphocytes in the antihyperalgesic effect. The effects of PAR‐4‐AP and PAR‐4‐antagonist (P4pal‐10) were evaluated in water avoidance stress (WAS) model and low grade 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis. Spinal Fos protein expression was visualized by immunohistochemistry.

Key Results  The antinociceptive effect of PAR‐4‐AP disappeared when was administrered IP, or with the blockade of colonic epithelial tight junctions, suggesting that PAR‐4‐AP needs to reach directly the nerve terminals in the colon. The CRD‐induced spinal Fos overexpression was reduced by 43% by PAR‐4‐AP. The PAR‐4‐AP was antihyperalgesic in both hyperalgesia models and in mice with impaired lymphocytes. The PAR‐4‐antagonist significantly increased the TNBS, but not the WAS‐induced colonic hyperalgesia.

Conclusions & Inferences  The antinociceptive effect of PAR‐4‐AP depends on its penetration to the colonic mucosa. The PAR‐4 activation is endogenously involved as a feedback loop to attenuate inflammatory colonic hyperalgesia to CRD.
Effect of Embryonic Genotype on Reference Gene Selection for RT‐qPCR Normalization
Authors: Llobat L , Marco‐Jiménez F , Peñaranda DS , Saenz‐de‐Juano MD , Vicente JS
Published: November 2011

Contents

To obtain more reliable results with biological significance, it requires data normalization using an appropriate internal control gene. In rabbits, there are classic stable reference genes that have been identified for normalization in oocytes and pre‐implantation stage embryos. However, effects of embryonic genotype on reference gene selection have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to test (i) the stability of mRNA transcription level for histone (H2afz) and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes in rabbit blastocysts from two lines selected by different criteria (litter size and post‐weaning daily weight gain) and (ii) its influence on biological significance examined by means of a set of embryonic transcripts, such as POU5F1 (Oct‐4), epidermal growth factor receptor (erbB3), transforming growth factor‐beta2, vascular endothelial growth factor and gamma interferon (Ifn‐gamma). The geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper programs showed similar results, pointing out that H2afz and GAPDH were the most stable reference genes in rabbits selected on litter size at weaning. Moreover, our study revealed that embryonic genotype affected target gene expression when a single reference gene was used to analyse mRNA expression in blastocysts. Results showed that GAPDH gene is better than H2afz for gene expression studies of both embryo genotypes. A normalization factor derived from H2afz and GAPDH is likely to be appropriate when RT‐qPCR was performed in rabbit embryos with different genotypes.
Fault tectonic analysis of Kii peninsula, Southwest Japan: Preliminary approach to Neogene paleostress sequence near the Nankai subduction zone
Authors: CHOI POM‐YONG , NAKAE SATOSHI , KIM HYEONCHEOL
Published: November 2011

The southern part of the Outer Zone of Southwest Japan including the Kii peninsula belongs to the tectonic ‘shadow zone’, where fewer conspicuous active faults and less Quaternary sediments develop than in the Nankai subduction zone and Inner Zone of Southwest Japan. In order to study the paleostress sequence of the Kii peninsula, we analyzed fault‐slip data and tension gashes at pilot sites of Early–Middle Miocene forearc sediments and Late Cretaceous accretionary complex. According to the results, six faulting events are reconstructed in sequence: (i) east–west extension (normal faulting); (ii) east–west compression and north–south extension (strike‐slip faulting); (iii) NNW–SSE compression and ENE–WSW extension (strike‐slip faulting); (iv) northeast–southwest compression and northwest–southeast extension (strike‐slip faulting); (v) WNW–ESE compression (strike‐slip or reverse faulting); and (vi) NNE–SSW extension. The north–south to NNW–SSE trending dyke swarm of Middle Miocene age in the Kii peninsula is thought to be related to Event 3, implying that Event 3 was active at least during the Middle Miocene. Because Event 6 is recognized solely at a site, the overall latest faulting event seems to be Event 5. Assuming that the compression results from the motion of the crust or plate, the compression direction of Event 5 is in good accordance with the present‐day WNW crustal velocity vectors of the Kii peninsula. The stress trajectory map of Southeast Korea and Southwest Japan reveals that the current compression directions of the Kii peninsula correspond to the combinatory stress fields of the Himalayan and Philippine Sea tectonic domains.
Light and portable novel device for diabetic retinopathy screening
Authors: Ting Daniel SW , Tay‐Kearney Mei Ling , Kanagasingam Yogesan
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background:  To validate the use of an economical portable multipurpose ophthalmic imaging device, EyeScan (Ophthalmic Imaging System, Sacramento, CA, USA), for diabetic retinopathy screening.

Design:  Evaluation of a diagnostic device.

Participants:  One hundred thirty‐six (272 eyes) were recruited from diabetic retinopathy screening clinic of Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia.

Methods:  All patients underwent three‐field (optic disc, macular and temporal view) mydriatic retinal digital still photography captured by EyeScan and FF450 plus (Carl Zeiss Meditec, North America) and were subsequently examined by a senior consultant ophthalmologist using the slit‐lamp biomicroscopy (reference standard). All retinal images were interpreted by a consultant ophthalmologist and a medical officer.

Main Outcome Measures:  The sensitivity, specificity and kappa statistics of EyeScan and FF450 plus with reference to the slit‐lamp examination findings by a senior consultant ophthalmologist.

Results:  For detection of any grade of diabetic retinopathy, EyeScan had a sensitivity and specificity of 93 and 98%, respectively (ophthalmologist), and 92 and 95%, respectively (medical officer). In contrast, FF450 plus images had a sensitivity and specificity of 95 and 99%, respectively (ophthalmologist), and 92 and 96%, respectively (medical officer). The overall kappa statistics for diabetic retinopathy grading for EyeScan and FF450 plus were 0.93 and 0.95 for ophthalmologist and 0.88 and 0.90 for medical officer, respectively.

Conclusions:  Given that the EyeScan requires minimal training to use and has excellent diagnostic accuracy in screening for diabetic retinopathy, it could be potentially utilized by the primary eye care providers to widely screen for diabetic retinopathy in the community.
Developmental changes in the discrimination of dynamic human actions in infancy
Authors: Loucks Jeff , Sommerville Jessica A.
Published: November 2011

Recent evidence suggests that adults selectively attend to features of action, such as how a hand contacts an object, and less to configural properties of action, such as spatial trajectory, when observing human actions. The current research investigated whether this bias develops in infancy. We utilized a habituation paradigm to assess 4‐month‐old and 10‐month‐old infants’ discrimination of action based on featural, configural, and temporal sources of action information. Younger infants were able to discriminate changes to all three sources of information, but older infants were only able to reliably discriminate changes to featural information. These results highlight a previously unknown aspect of early action processing, and suggest that action perception may undergo a developmental process akin to perceptual narrowing.
Applying the PRECIS Criteria to Describe Three Effectiveness Trials of Weight Loss in Obese Patients with Comorbid Conditions
Authors: Glasgow Russell E. , Gaglio Bridget , Bennett Gary , Jerome Gerald J. , Yeh Hsin‐Chieh , Sarwer David B. , Appel Lawrence , Colditz Graham , Wadden Thomas A. , Wells Barbara
Published: November 2011

Objectives

To characterize Practice‐Based Opportunities for Weight Reduction (POWER) trials along the pragmatic‐explanatory continuum.

Settings

The POWER trials consist of three individual studies that target obesity treatment in primary care settings.

Design

Using the PRagmatic Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary (PRECIS) criteria, nine reviewers independently scored each trial.

Methods

Average and median ratings, inter‐rater reliability, and relationships to additional ratings of the extent to which study designs were explanatory (i.e., efficacy) versus pragmatic (i.e., practical) and related to external validity were determined.

Principal Findings

One trial was consistently rated as being significantly more pragmatic than the others (R2 = 0.43, p < .001), although all three were in the moderate range on the PRECIS scales. Ratings varied across PRECIS dimensions, being most pragmatic on comparison condition and primary outcome. Raters, although undergoing training and using identical definitions, scored their own study as more pragmatic than the other studies/interventions.

Conclusions

These results highlight the need for more comprehensive reporting on PRECIS and related criteria for research translation. The PRECIS criteria provide a richer understanding of the POWER studies. It is not clear whether the original criteria are sufficient to provide a comprehensive profile.