bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FOXO3-induced reactive oxygen species are regulated by BCL2L11 (Bim) and SESN3
Authors: Hagenbuchner Judith , Kuznetsov Andrey , Hermann Martin , Hausott Barbara , Obexer Petra , Ausserlechner Michael J.
Published: February 2012

FOXO transcription factors induce apoptosis and regulate cellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To identify the sequence of molecular events underlying FOXO3 (FKHRL1)-induced apoptosis, we studied the regulation and function of FOXO3 by expressing an ECFP-tagged FOXO3 or a 4OH-tamoxifen (4OHT)-inducible FOXO3–ERtm fusion protein in SH-EP and STA-NB15 neuronal cells. After knockdown of FOXO3 or expression of a dominant-negative FOXO3 mutant we observed that etoposide- and doxorubicin-induced elevation of cellular ROS depends on FOXO3 activation and induction of its transcriptional target BCL2L11 (Bim). Activation of FOXO3 on its own induced two sequential ROS waves as measured by reduced MitoTrackerRed in live cell microscopy. Induction of Bim by FOXO3 is essential for this phenomenon because Bim knockdown or ectopic expression of BCL2L1 (BclxL) prevented FOXO3-mediated overproduction of ROS and apoptosis. Tetracycline-controlled expression of Bim impaired mitochondrial respiration and caused ROS production, suggesting that FOXO3 induces uncoupling of mitochondrial respiration through Bim. FOXO3 also activated a ROS rescue pathway by inducing the peroxiredoxin SESN3 (Sestrin3), which is responsible for the biphasic ROS accumulation. Knockdown of SESN3 caused an increase of FOXO3-induced ROS and accelerated apoptosis. The combined data clearly demonstrate that FOXO3 activates overproduction of ROS as a consequence of Bim-dependent impairment of mitochondrial respiration in neuronal cells, which leads to apoptosis.
Spontaneous origin from human embryonic stem cells of liver cells displaying conjoint meso-endodermal phenotype with hepatic functions
Authors: Bandi Sriram , Cheng Kang , Joseph Brigid , Gupta Sanjeev
Published: February 2012

Understanding the identity of lineage-specific cells arising during manipulations of stem cells is necessary for developing their potential applications. For instance, replacement of crucial functions in organ failure by transplantation of suitable stem-cell-derived cells will be applicable to numerous disorders, but requires insights into the origin, function and fate of specific cell populations. We studied mechanisms by which the identity of differentiated cells arising from stem cells could be verified in the context of natural liver-specific stem cells and whether such differentiated cells could be effective for supporting the liver following cell therapy in a mouse model of drug-induced acute liver failure. By comparing the identity of naturally occurring fetal human liver stem cells, we found that cells arising in cultures of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) recapitulated an early fetal stage of liver cells, which was characterized by conjoint meso-endoderm properties. Despite this fetal stage, hESC-derived cells could provide liver support with appropriate metabolic and ammonia-fixation functions, as well as cytoprotection, such that mice were rescued from acute liver failure. Therefore, spontaneous or induced differentiation of human embryonic stem cells along the hepatic endoderm will require transition through fetal-like stages. This offers opportunities to prospectively identify whether suitable cells have been generated through manipulation of stem cells for cell therapy and other applications.
Slow-dividing satellite cells retain long-term self-renewal ability in adult muscle
Authors: Ono Yusuke , Masuda Satoru , Nam Hyung-song , Benezra Robert , Miyagoe-Suzuki Yuko , Takeda Shin’ichi
Published: February 2012

Satellite cells are muscle stem cells that have important roles in postnatal muscle growth and adult muscle regeneration. Although fast- and slow-dividing populations in activated satellite cells have been observed, the functional differences between them remain unclear. Here we elucidated the relationship between proliferation behaviour and satellite cell function. To assess the frequency of cell division, satellite cells isolated from mouse EDL muscle were labelled with the fluorescent dye PKH26, stimulated to proliferate and then sorted by FACS. The vast majority of activated satellite cells were PKH26low fast-dividing cells, whereas PKH26high slow-dividing cells were observed as a minority population. The fast-dividing cells generated a higher number of differentiated and self-renewed cells compared with the slow-dividing cells. However, cells derived from the slow-dividing population formed secondary myogenic colonies when passaged, whereas those from the fast-dividing population rapidly underwent myogenic differentiation without producing self-renewing cells after a few rounds of cell division. Furthermore, slow-dividing cells transplanted into injured muscle extensively contributed to muscle regeneration in vivo. Id1, a HLH protein, was expressed by all activated satellite cells, but the expression level varied within the slow-dividing cell population. We show that the slow-dividing cells retaining long-term self-renewal ability are restricted to an undifferentiated population that express high levels of Id1 protein (PKH26highId1high population). Finally, genome-wide gene expression analysis described the molecular characteristics of the PKH26highId1high population. Taken together, our results indicate that undifferentiated slow-dividing satellite cells retain stemness for generating progeny capable of long-term self-renewal, and so might be essential for muscle homeostasis throughout life.
TheDrosophilaSec7 domain guanine nucleotide exchange factor protein Gartenzwerg localizes at the cis-Golgi and is essential for epithelial tube expansion
Authors: Armbruster Kristina , Luschnig Stefan
Published: February 2012

Protein trafficking through the secretory pathway plays a key role in epithelial organ development and function. The expansion of tracheal tubes in Drosophila depends on trafficking of coatomer protein complex I (COPI)-coated vesicles between the Golgi complex and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, it is not clear how this pathway is regulated. Here we describe an essential function of the Sec7 domain guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) gartenzwerg (garz) in epithelial tube morphogenesis and protein secretion. garz is essential for the recruitment of COPI components and for normal Golgi organization. A GFP–Garz fusion protein is distributed in the cytoplasm and accumulates at the cis-Golgi. Localization to the Golgi requires the C-terminal part of Garz. Conversely, blocking the GDP–GTP nucleotide exchange reaction leads to constitutive Golgi localization, suggesting that Garz cycles in a GEF-activity-dependent manner between cytoplasmic and Golgi-membrane-localized pools. The related human ARF-GEF protein GBF1 can substitute for garz function in Drosophila tracheal cells, indicating that the relevant functions of these proteins are conserved. We show that garz interacts genetically with the ARF1 homolog ARF79F and with the ARF1-GAP homolog Gap69C, thus placing garz in a regulatory circuit that controls COPI trafficking in Drosophila. Interestingly, overexpression of garz causes accumulation of secreted proteins in the ER, suggesting that excessive garz activity leads to increased retrograde trafficking. Thus, garz might regulate epithelial tube morphogenesis and secretion by controlling the rate of trafficking of COPI vesicles.
Spuriously raised serum creatinine associated with an excipient present in an intravenous dexamethasone formulation
Authors: Darby Denise , So June , Russell Joanne , Monaghan Phillip J
Published: February 2012

Although the active pharmaceutical ingredient remains constant, the excipients used will vary according to the manufacturer. This case report is of spuriously raised serum creatinine due to an excipient in one particular intravenous dexamethasone formulation. A patient had three serum creatinine measurements of 102, 369 and 91 μmol/L over a four-hour period. The second result was believed to be spurious and appropriate investigations were instigated. The patient had received dexamethasone intravenously between the first and second blood samples. This was administered as a bolus via a cannula in the dorsum of the hand, and the blood sample was taken by venepuncture of the antecubital fossa of the same arm approximately five minutes later. The dexamethasone used (Hospira UK Ltd) contained creatinine at a concentration of 70,720 μmol/L, with a total of 170 μmol of creatinine given to the patient. Assuming a volume of distribution of 40 L in a 70-kg man, an increase in serum creatinine of 4–5 μmol/L would be expected once equilibrated. It is thought that the serum creatinine result observed was a consequence of the creatinine excipient in the dexamethasone not having completely distributed throughout the body and still being at relatively high concentrations within the limb into which it had been administered. Intravenous dexamethasone can lead to spurious creatinine results, not due to analytical interference but rather the analytically correct measurement of creatinine added as an excipient. This case clearly demonstrates the impact preanalytical factors can have on the accuracy of results.
The effects of precision, haematocrit, pH and oxygen tension on point-of-care glucose measurement in critically ill patients: a prospective study
Authors: Watkinson Peter James , Barber Vicki Suzanne , Amira Esther , James Timothy , Taylor Richard , Young John Duncan
Published: February 2012

Background

Critical care glycaemic control protocols commonly have treatment adjustment (target) ranges spanning ≤2 mmol/L. These require precise point-of-care glucose measurement, unaffected by other variables, to avoid measurement errors increasing glycaemic variability and hypoglycaemic episodes (both strongly associated with mortality in critically ill patients).

Methods

A prospective 206 intensive care patient study was carried out. Arterial glucose concentrations were measured in duplicate using three point-of-care instruments (MediSense Precision PC χ, HemoCue DM and Radiometer 700), a central laboratory instrument (Siemens ADVIA), and in whole blood and plasma using the Yellow Springs Instruments 2300 instrument.

Results

Coefficients of variation for the MediSense, HemoCue, Radiometer and Siemens instruments were 5.1%, 2.5%, 2.1% and 2.3%, respectively. Compared with the Siemens instrument, the bias (95% limits of agreement) for the MediSense, HemoCue and Radiometer instruments were 0.0 (−1.4 to 1.4), 0.0 (−1.2 to 1.1) and −0.2 (−0.9 to 0.6) mmol/L, respectively. The whole blood–plasma glucose concentration difference was significantly affected by the haematocrit. MediSense and HemoCue instrument performances were substantially affected by haematocrit. MediSense instrument performance was also affected by pH and PaO2. Radiometer instrument performance was not affected by haematocrit, pH or PaO2.

Conclusions

The MediSense instrument was too imprecise for use in critically ill patients. The haematocrit range seen is too great to allow fixed-factor conversion between whole blood and plasma values, substantially affecting the accuracy of both glucose meters. However, the Radiometer instrument was unaffected by the haematocrit, pH or pO2, resulting in a performance equivalent to the laboratory method. Instrument performance differences may therefore partially explain the differing results of tight glycaemic control therapy trials.
Severe hyperammonaemia in adults not explained by liver disease
Authors: Walker Valerie
Published: February 2012

Ammonia is produced continuously in the body. It crosses the blood–brain barrier readily and at increased concentration it is toxic to the brain. A highly integrated system protects against this: ammonia produced during metabolism is detoxified temporarily by incorporation into the non-toxic amino acid glutamine. This is transported safely in the circulation to the small intestine, where ammonia is released, carried directly to the liver in the portal blood, converted to non-toxic urea and finally excreted in urine. As a result, plasma concentrations of ammonia in the systemic circulation are normally very low (<40 μmol/L). Hyperammonaemia develops if the urea cycle cannot control the ammonia load. This occurs when the load is excessive, portal blood from the intestines bypasses the liver and/or the urea cycle functions poorly. By far, the commonest cause is liver damage. This review focuses on other causes in adults. Because they are much less common, the diagnosis may be missed or delayed, with disastrous consequences. There is effective treatment for most of them, but it must be instituted promptly to avoid fatality or long-term neurological damage. Of particular concern are unsuspected inherited defects of the urea cycle and fatty acid oxidation presenting with catastrophic illness in previously normal individuals. Early identification of the problem is the challenge.
Biblische Passionen als Herausforderung. Verhandlung, emotionale Entschärfung und Rekonstruktion des Abrahamsopfers im Koran
Authors: Neuwirth Angelika
Published: February 2012

Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, the “binding of Isaac”, already in early Church tradition was discovered as the prototype of the Christian passion story, Abraham figuring as the “type” of God Father, Isaac as the “type” of Christ. The Biblical story which is told in a strongly emotional tone, thus was to find its continuation in a passion story loaded with triggers of emotion. What is less well known is that the story has equally strongly affected the emergence of the third monotheist religion, Islam. Its formative impact on the Qur’anic concepts of sacrifice on the one hand and on the critique of genealogy as a source of authority on the other has until now not been exhaustingly studied. The paper attempts to locate the “passion story of Abraham’s sacrifice” within the Qur’anic development which finally came to rank Abraham as the most significant model of a monotheist believer, a precursor of the Prophet Muhammad. Here, the figure of Abraham at the same time features as a counter-model to the image of Abraham established in Christianity. To blur the image of the emotionally loaded prototype of God Father in the Christian passion story, the Qur’anic Abraham was required to defy any sacrificial pathos (generated by the “un-natural” preference of loyalty toward God over his paternal love) and to perform an act of mere faithfulness – being exculpated from the monstrosity of child sacrifice thanks to his son’s agreement to participate in the act.
Glaube und Emotion im Islam
Authors: Hamdi Mehrez
Published: February 2012

Die Bedeutung von Emotion und Sinnlichkeit bzw. Körperlichkeit für den Glauben im Islam wird herausgearbeitet anhand des oppositorischen, aber notwendig aufeinander bezogenen Begriffspaares von targhīb und tarhīb, Verheißung und Drohung als Konsequenzen der gläubigen bzw. der ungläubigen oder unrechten Lebensführung. Eingeführt von den frühen Kommentatoren des Koran, sind diese Maximen aber in der Gegenwart von einer anmaßenden und über das Ziel hinausschießenden Interpretation bedroht.
Gerechtigkeit als Antwort auf das Gefühl von Unrecht
Authors: Mate Reyes
Published: February 2012

Moderne Gerechtigkeitstheorien stellen sich in ihrem Ursprung als Antwort auf die bestehenden Ungleichheiten dar. Auffällig ist dabei, dass dieser erste Impuls sich auflöst, sobald die Philosophen mit der Erarbeitung von Theorien beginnen. Es scheint, als ob die ungerechte Wirklichkeit nur der Motivation dient, aber jeglichen relevanten Inhalts für die theoretische Reflexion entbehrt. Ist eine Vorstellung von Gerechtigkeit möglich, die in ihrer theoretischen Elaborierung dem Initialmoment des empfundenen Unrechts treu bleibt und die das Gefühl der Empörung nicht aus den Augen verliert? Sie ist möglich, sofern wir zwischen Ungleichheit und Ungerechtigkeit zu unterscheiden wissen, sofern wir die anamnetische Vernunft anrufen und die Theorie der Gerechtigkeit als eine Abhandlung der Ungerechtigkeit verstehen.
Democracy, Hatred, and Righteous Wrath
Authors: Bodei Remo
Published: February 2012

This article is about two passions – hatred and anger – in contemporary Western democratic societies. In the totalitarian experiences of the 20th century hatred (nationalistic, racial, or between classes) was the dominant passion. The subsequent establishment of democracy, “mild” by nature, is today confronted with the forming of a terrible mixture in which ethnic and religious hatred (sometimes caused by humiliation) tends to melt in the defense of a collective identity whose survival is felt to be threatened.
Globalisierung der Emotionen
Authors: Poulain Jacques
Published: February 2012

Die Globalisierung der Emotionen wurde in der jüdisch-christlichen Pragmatik wie eine Entdeckung hervorgebracht, die die Emotionen im Gefühl der Liebe regulieren könnte. Diese Pragmatik wurde indes durch die neoliberale Globalisierung und die damit verbundene Privatisierung der Welt neutralisiert. Die ethisch-politische Sprachpragmatik unternimmt den Versuch, die Öffnung anderen gegenüber durch den Konsens als regulierende Autorität wiederherzustellen. Sie belebt jedoch erneut einen Autismus der Zivilisation, und zwar deshalb, weil sie einem jeden verbietet, sein eigenes Urteil zu beurteilen, was auch die Öffnung anderen gegenüber ineffektiv werden lässt. Ein jeder kann sich seine eigenen Emotionen und die des anderen nur dann aneignen, wenn er sich auch das Wahrheitsurteil über diese Emotionen wieder aneignet und dieses mit dem anderen teilen kann, in der Art, wie er auch das Urteil betreffs der Erkenntnis und der Handlung eines jeden Dialogs mit dem anderen zu teilen hat. Die Selbstaneignung der Emotionen ergibt sich beim Gebrauch dieses Urteils dann von alleine, wie ein sekundärer Gewinn.
Figuralität und Persuasion. Barack Obamas Redekunst als Gegenstand interdisziplinärer und experimenteller Forschung
Authors: Lubrich Oliver
Published: February 2012

While there has been considerable discussion on “figurative” language in the larger sense, especially on cognitive aspects of metaphor, this article describes an interdisciplinary experiment which focuses on the narrower and more technical definition of figurality, i.e. on rhetorical figures as formal patterns of sound or composition (such as alliteration or anaphora) as opposed to rhetorical tropes as methods of indirect signification (such as metaphor or metonymy). In line with Greek and Roman theory on the threefold function of rhetorical language (lógos, páthos, éthos; docere, movere, conciliare) we hypothesize that figures have persuasive, affective and aesthetic effects on the reader of a text that can be determined individually as well as cumulatively. The experimental study is specifically devoted to the reception of rhetorical figures in political speeches, taking Barack Obama’s “Acceptance Speech” as an example. By ‘de-activating’ hundreds of figures in a single text, without affecting its imagery or semantics, we are able to measure differentially the degrees by which these figures enhance the effects on the recipients. In an additional experiment, we investigate how they condition the memorability of a text or its content. On the basis of classical theory (Gorgias, Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian), integrating psychology and neuroscience, psychiatry and psychotherapy, we aim at defining an interdisciplinary research agenda for empirical and experimental as well as intercultural rhetoric.
A Review of Emotion Related Research on Organizational and Educational Issues in Turkey
Authors: Aksoy Hasan Hüseyin
Published: February 2012

In this study, research on emotion with specific focus in organizational and educational issues in Turkey is reviewed. Literature on organizational and educational aspects of emotional labor in general is discussed, as well as prevalent themes in educational research in Turkey, scale development efforts to measure emotional qualities, research on emotional labor and emotional intelligence in Turkey. In a critical perspective, inquiries on emotional issues, a short research history of emotional labor and emotional intelligence studies in Turkey are reviewed and evaluated.
Biallelic inactivation of the SDHC gene in renal carcinoma associated with paraganglioma syndrome type 3
Authors: Malinoc Angelica , Sullivan Maren , Wiech Thorsten , Schmid Kurt Werner , Jilg Cordula , Straeter Joern , Deger Serdar , Hoffmann Michael M , Bosse Alexander , Rasp Gerd , Eng Charis , Neumann Hartmut P H
Published: February 2012

The etiology and pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are only partially understood. Key findings in hereditary RCC, which may be site specific or a component of a syndrome, have contributed to our current understanding. Important heritable syndromes of RCC are those associated with pheochromocytoma, especially von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL) associated with germline VHL mutations, and pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma syndrome (PGL) associated with mutations in one of the four genes (SDHA–D) encoding succinate dehydrogenase. A subset of individuals with SDHB and SDHD germline DNA mutations and variants develop RCC. RCC has never been described as a component of SDHC-associated PGL3. The European–American Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Registry comprises 35 registrants with germline SDHC mutations. A new registrant had carotid body tumor (CBT) and his mother had CBT and bilateral RCC. Blood DNA, paragangliomas, and RCCs were analyzed for mutations and loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) in/flanking SDHC and VHL. The proband with unilateral CBT had a germline SDHC c.3G>A (p.M1I) mutation. His mutation-positive mother had CBT at age 42, clear cell RCC (ccRCC) at age 68, and papillary RCC (pRCC) at age 69. Both paraganglial tumors showed somatic LOH of the SDHC locus. Both ccRCC and pRCC did not have a somatic SDHC mutation but showed LOH for intragenic and flanking markers of the SDHC locus. LOH was also present for the VHL locus. Our findings suggest that RCC is a component of PGL3. Biallelic inactivation of the SDHC gene may represent a new pathway of pathogenesis of syndromic and nonsyndromic RCC, perhaps of both clear cell and papillary histologies.
Antiprogestins in breast cancer treatment: are we ready?
Authors: Lanari Claudia , Wargon Victoria , Rojas Paola , Molinolo Alfredo A
Published: February 2012

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in females worldwide. It is accepted that breast cancer is not a single disease, but instead constitutes a spectrum of tumor subtypes with distinct cellular origins, somatic changes, and etiologies. Molecular gene expression studies have divided breast cancer into several categories, i.e. basal-like, ErbB2 enriched, normal breast-like (adipose tissue gene signature), luminal subtype A, luminal subtype B, and claudin-low. Chances are that as our knowledge increases, each of these types will also be subclassified. More than 66% of breast carcinomas express estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and respond to antiestrogen therapies. Most of these ER+ tumors also express progesterone receptors (PRs), the expression of which has been considered as a reliable marker of a functional ER. In this paper we will review the evidence suggesting that PRs are valid targets for breast cancer therapy. Experimental data suggest that both PR isoforms (A and B) have different roles in breast cancer cell growth, and antiprogestins have already been clinically used in patients who have failed to other therapies. We hypothesize that antiprogestin therapy may be suitable for patients with high levels of PR-A. This paper will go over the experimental evidence of our laboratory and others supporting the use of antiprogestins in selected breast cancer patients.
A Statewide Trial of the SafeCare Home-based Services Model With Parents in Child Protective Services
Authors: Chaffin Mark , Hecht Debra , Bard David , Silovsky Jane F. , Beasley William Howard
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVES:

In this trial, we compared Child Protective Services (CPS) recidivism outcomes between the home-based SafeCare (SC) model for child neglect and comparable home-based services, but without SC modules, for parents in the CPS system across 2 quality control strategies: coached (C) and uncoached implementation. SC is a home-based behavioral skills training model designed for neglecting or maltreating parents. The study was conducted in a scaled-up, statewide implementation setting.

METHODS:

Two thousand one hundred seventy-five maltreating parents, treated by 219 home visitors, were enrolled and treated in a 2 × 2 (SC versus services as usual × C versus uncoached implementation strategy) randomized cluster experiment. Cases were followed for an average of 6 years for CPS recidivism events. Subpopulation analyses were conducted for parents meeting customary SC inclusion criteria.

RESULTS:

Consistently significant main effects in favor of SC were found across simple and more complex modeling approaches (hazard ratios = 0.74–0.83). Larger effects were found among the subpopulation meeting customary SC inclusion criteria. C implementation yielded smaller and occasionally significant effects in analyses that included more diverse cases falling outside customary SC inclusion criteria.

CONCLUSIONS:

Findings support the adoption and use of SC within CPS home-based services systems. C implementation may be especially valuable for cases where the client-model fit is less strong.
Health related costs of smoking from the viewpoint of the Health Insurance Fund in Hungary
Authors: Gresz Miklós , Nagy Júlia , Freyler Petra
Published: February 2012

In recent times, the topic of smoking has been extensively debated in Hungary. A new Act has been issued for the protection of non-smokers and for the regulation of tobacco product distribution. Aims: The aim of the authors was to examine the economic burden of smoking on the society. Methods: According to wildly accepted estimates, 30% of the Hungarian population smokes. Smoking leads to the development of several diseases, for example, it is responsible for 90% of lung cancer cases. Results: 17.2% of the curative–preventive costs and 15% of the pharmaceutic costs are estimated to be spent on the health damages caused by smoking. In 2009, the Health Insurance Fund had to spend approximately 174.6 billion HUF for health damages including sick leave costs caused by smoking. Working days lost (patients on sick list) as a consequence of smoking decreased the GDP of Hungary by around 95 billion HUF in the same year. Literature suggests that smoking leads to a loss of approximately seven life years. Shortened life span might cause 594.9 billion HUF loss to the Hungarian economy not to mention the economical and emotional loss of the individual families. Conclusions: The authors estimated a total of 864.4 billion HUF loss to the Hungarian economy due to smoking. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 344–350.
Massive fundic gland polyposis caused by chronic proton pump inhibitor therapy
Authors: Hegedűs Ivett , Csizmadia Csaba , Lomb Zoltán , Cseke László , Enkh-Amar Yadamsuren , Pajor László , Bogner Barna
Published: February 2012

We report two cases of a massive fundic gland polyposis associated with protracted proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Both patients were females aged 51. On repeated endoscopy, the number of fundic gland polyps was inreasing steeply, and they resulted in a passage disorder. In the first case, the enormous number of polyps made endoscopic removal impossible, so the patient was treated by total gastrectomy. Although our case is the second reported one in the world, we would like to draw the attention to this rare complication of long lasting PPI therapy. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 351–356.
Cadaver related patients’ rights and their issues in the Hungarian law
Authors: Kereszty Éva Margit
Published: February 2012

In the Hungarian law, non-burial interventions on cadavers are regulated only by the health law and, therefore, other scientific examinations are theoretically not allowed. Only the international ethical code of museums is used in certain cases. Numerous cultures consider this practice as the mutilation of the cadaver. Beyond this and the criminal forms of mutilation, the medical interventions (trial and training) are also appropriate to hurt the dignity of the dead. As a counterweight, the consent of the patient or his/her relatives is needed for post-mortem interventions. This study presents the Hungarian legislation in which the deceased is a ‘patient’, and the special enforcement of patients’ rights takes place in relation to the body. The relatives have many rights concerning autopsy, and the anatomy institutes are also regulated. The presumption of opting-out is used for organ harvesting; objection is accepted only from the patient. Medical data of the deceased are strictly protected, but there are no obstacles to the interests of the relatives. The graduate and postgraduate education pays only small attention to these issues, and the legislation is not in line with the present expectations and possibilities, so that it would be advisable to reconsider the full spectrum of the problem. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 330–338.
Changes in cognitive function in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Szémán Barbara , Nagy Géza , Varga Tímea , Veres-Székely Anna , Sasvári Mária , Fitala Dávid , Szöllősi Adrienn , Katonai Rózsa , Kotyuk Eszter , Somogyi Anikó
Published: February 2012

Patients with diabetes are approximately 1.5 times more likely to experience cognitive decline than individuals without diabetes mellitus. Most of the data suggest that patients with diabetes have reduced performance in numerous domains of cognitive function. In patients with type 1 diabetes, specific and global deficits involving speed of psychomotor efficiency, information processing, mental flexibility, attention, and visual perception seem to be present, while in patients with type 2 diabetes an increase in memory deficits, a reduction in psychomotor speed, and reduced frontal lobe (executive) functions have been found. The complex pathophysiology of changes in the central nervous system in diabetes has not yet been fully elucidated. It is important to consider the patient’s age at the onset of diabetes, the glycemic control status, and the presence of diabetic complications. Neurological consequences of diabetes appear parallel to those observed in the aging brain. Neuroimaging studies highlight several structural cerebral changes, cortical and subcortical atrophy, beside increased leukoaraiosis that occurs in association with diabetes. There is supporting evidence from many hypotheses to explain the pathophysiology of cognitive decline associated with diabetes. The main hypotheses pointing to the potential, implied mechanisms involve hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, microvascular disease, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and amyloid-β deposition. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 323–329.
Influence of the Doping Level at Boron Doped Nanocrystalline Diamond Films in the Electrochemical Determination of Nitrite
Authors: Matsushima Jorge T. , Souza Diego H.L. , Souza Fernando A. , Azevedo Adriana F. , Baldan Mauricio R. , Ferreira Neidenei G.
Published: February 2012

In this paper, the influence of the doping level at boron doped nanocrystalline diamond (BDND) films in the electrochemical determination of nitrite was reported. The morphology and the structure modifications as function of the boron doping level increase were observed. Two different doping levels were considered. A BDND film with a doping level of 30.000 ppm and one another with a doping level of 10.000 ppm was used. The columnar growth for the 30.000 ppm BDND led to a higher surface roughness and also to a greater grain size when compared to that 10.000 ppm BDND. The Raman spectra shown higher sp2-bonded carbon amount in grain boundary for the 10.000 ppm BDND film due to decrease of the grain size. The morphological and structural modifications of the BDND films were crucial for nitrite oxidation process. The 30.000 ppm BDND electrode presented a better sensitivity to the nitrite oxidation and a lower detection limit (DL) on the “as-grown” condition, while the 10.000 ppm BDND electrode presented a better analytical sensitivity and a lower DL after the surface pre-treatment with hydrogen plasma.
Weak Bonding Effect on the Ultralow Thermal Conductivity of Germanium Nanodot Arrays in Silicon
Authors: Gillet Jean-Numa
Published: February 2012

The thermoelectric figure of merit ZT depends on the thermal conductivity inverse. uperlattices with periodic thin layers were studied to obtain ZT > 1 due to phonon confinement between their layers. Unfortunately, their synthesis with ZT higher than 1 is hazardous due to lattice mismatches forming dislocations and cracks. Nanowires with low dimensionalities were also proposed. However, as the superlattices, they decrease the thermal conductivity in only one propagation direction. In experiments, these one-dimensional insulating materials usually fail to beat the lowest limit of amorphous Si (+/- 1 W/m/K). In this theoretical study, three-dimensional Ge quantum dot arrays in Si are proposed to obtain an extreme thermal-conductivity reduction. Two decrease effects are shown from a molecular supercrystal model. First, low phonon group velocities are computed by lattice dynamics. Second, near-field scattering is exalted assuming weak interface bonding. This prediction can lead to a significant ZT increase. Indeed, a thermalconductivity global minimum λ* = 0.009 W/m/K is predicted for a Si/Ge supercrystal with nanodot spacing of +/- 30 nm and Ge concentration of +/- 12.5 Ge at.%. This ultralow λ* is computed at 300 K assuming that all Ge nanodots are weakly bonded and scatter the phonons at the Si-Ge interfaces in the geometrical limit. Thermal conductivity evolution is analyzed with respect to the weakly-bonded Ge nanodot density.
Laser Induced Heating of Group IV Nanowires
Authors: Anaya J. , Torres A. , Martin-Martín A. , Jiménez J. , Rodríguez A. , Rodríguez T.
Published: February 2012

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) are fundamental structures for nanoscale devices. The excitation of NWs with laser beams results in thermal effects that can substantially change the spectral shape of the spectroscopic data. In particular, the interpretation of the Raman spectrum is greatly influenced by excitation induced temperature. A study of the interaction of the NWs with the excitation laser beam is essential to interpret the spectra. We present herein a finite element analysis of the interaction between the laser beam and the NWs. The resultas are applied to the interpretation of the Raman spectrum of bundles of NWs.
Molecular Dynamics Study of Size Dependence of Combustion of Aluminum Nanoparticles
Authors: Li Ying , Clark Richard , Nakano Aiichiro , Kalia Rajiv K. , Vashishta Priya
Published: February 2012

Oxidation dynamics of three different sizes (26, 36 and 46 nm) of single aluminum nanoparticle (ANP) in oxygen environment are studied using multimillion-atom reactive molecular dynamics simulations. In the simulation, each aluminum nanoparticle is coated with an amorphous alumina shell of the same thickness (3 nm), and is ignited by heating the nanoparticle to 1100 K. The metallic aluminum and ceramic alumina are modeled by the Voter- Chen embedded atom model and the interatomic potential by Vashishta et al., respectively. Energy release rate and atomistic-level details of combustion of these single aluminum nanoparticles are investigated, along with the effect of nanoparticle size. The onset temperature of shell Al ejection is found to be independent of the ANP size, whereas the onset time of ejection and the time delay to the highest temperature change rate dT/dt depend on the size.
Energy Band Gap Modification of Graphene Deposited on a Multilayer Hexagonal Boron Nitride Substrate
Authors: Yelgel Celal , Srivastava Gyaneshwar P.
Published: February 2012

The equilibrium geometry and electronic structure of graphene deposited on a multilayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) substrate has been investigated using the density functional and pseudopotential theories. We found that the energy band gap for the interface between a monolayer graphene (MLG) and a monolayer BN (MLBN) lies between 47 and 62 meV, depending on the relative orientations of the layers. In the most energetically stable configuration the binding energy is found to be approximately 40 meV per C atom. Slightly away from the Dirac point, the dispersion curve is linear, with the electron speed almost identical to that for isolated graphene. The dispersion relation becomes reasonably quadratic for the interface between MLG and 4-layer-BN, with a relative effective mass of 0.0047. While the MLG/MLBN superlattice is metallic, the thinnest armchair nanoribbon of MLG/MLBN interface is semiconducting with a gap of 1.84 eV.
Thermal Transport Properties of Melt-Shear Oriented iPP/Carbon Nanotube Thin Films
Authors: Kalakonda Parvathalu , Gombos Erin A. , Georgiev Georgi Y. , Iannacchione Germano S. , Cebe Peggy
Published: February 2012

Transport properties of polymer nanocomposites become increasingly important for range applications with many outstanding questions remaining. Thermal conductivity is especially important in applications like temperature sensing and packaging. We chose isotactic PolyPropylene (iPP) as one of the most widely used polymers and created nano-colloidal dispersions at different weight percent concentration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). We oriented the thin-film samples using melt-shear at 200°C and 1Hz in a Linkam microscope shearing hot stage. Thermal conductivity measurements were performed at room temperature on two iPP/CNT sheared thin-film samples (1% and 5% CNT content) both parallel and perpendicular to the shear direction as well as a pure iPP sheared thin-film, prepared using the same process. Our findings indicate that the CNTs enhance kappa by 12% for the 1% CNT sample and 35% by the 5% CNT sample compared to that measured for pure iPP. Additionally, the CNTs under shear induce a novel anisotropy to the thermal conductivity in iPP/CNTs nano-composites. We introduce an approach to extract the shear induced orientational order of thermal conductivity by the dispersed CNTs.
Tactile Sensing Using Contact Resistance in MWNT/PDMS Composites
Authors: McKelvey J. Ian , Kormendy Arpad , Chibante L.P. Felipe
Published: February 2012

A carbon nanotube polymer composite has been used to develop a flexible multi-touch tactile sensor device. Rather than employing the inherent bulk piezoresistive properties of the composite, the contact resistance between polymer and electrode was exploited to achieve finger pressure measurement with fast response. We have synthesized a series of multi-walled nanotube (MWNT) silicone composites to test the feasibility of a force sensor based on the change in surface contact resistance as a function of applied force. A single layer MWNT/polydimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) composite in the range of 1.5-3.0 % w/w nanotubes was employed as a force sensor material in an array of electrodes. It was determined that sensors based on these materials are viable as tactile sensing systems for finger-touch forces in the range of 1-100 N.
The role of three-phonon Normal processes in the thermal conductivity of graphene
Authors: Alofi Ayman , Srivastava Gyaneshwar P.
Published: February 2012

We have studied the thermal conductivity of graphene using Callaway’s effective relax-ation time theory and by employing analytical expressions for phonon dispersion relations and vibrational density of states based on the semicontinuum model by Nihira and Iwata. It is found that consideration of the momentum conserving nature of three-phonon Normal pro-cesses is very important for explaining the magnitude as well as the temperature dependence of the experimentally measured results. At room temperature, the N-drift contribution (the correction term in Callaway’s theory) provides 94% addition to the result obtained from the single-mode relaxation time theory, clearly suggesting that the single-mode relaxation time approach is inadequate for describing the phonon conductivity of graphene.
Nanoengineering carbon nanotubes: The effects of electron irradiation on nanotube structure
Authors: McDonell Katherine , Proust Gwénaëlle , Shen Luming
Published: February 2012

A combined experimental and simulation approach into the impacts of electron irradiation on carbon nanotube morphology was conducted. Single-walled nanotubes (SWCNTs) were irradiated using a JEOL Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) using a range of accelerating voltages varying from 90keV to 200keV and temperatures between 300K and 800K with different exposure periods (order of minutes). The effects of irradiation were observed and characterised using electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Specimens were observed prior to, during and following irradiation to discern any changes that occurred in SWCNTs as a result of irradiation. Raman spectroscopy was used to characterise the different allotropes of carbon present in irradiated and non-irradiated samples of SWCNTs. Experimental conditions were mimicked using molecular dynamics simulation. SWCNTs were irradiated under conditions equivalent to experimental electron beam intensity and specimen temperature using AIREBO [1,2] and Primary Knock-on (PKA) approximation [3]. The preliminary results indicate that electron beam intensity and temperature affect the type and frequency of modification to CNT structure.
Combined AFM-SEM testing for mechanical property determination of graphene oxide paper
Authors: Wang Congwei , Barber Asa H.
Published: February 2012

A novel technique combining both atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to test the mechanical properties of densely-packed graphene oxide (GO) paper. Individual beams of GO paper with variable widths were prepared using focussed ion beam (FIB) microscopy and tensile tested to failure using the AFM while observing with SEM. A variation in the tensile strength of the GO paper beams up to 64.8 MPa was recorded in the vacuum testing condition. An increase in breaking stress of GO paper with decreasing sample width was determined and proposed as being due to fewer defects present in GO beams of smaller width.
Comparison Between the Phase Transition of Physically Confined Cyclohexane and 1-Decanol inside Nano Porous Silica
Authors: Bauer Hillary C. , Safiq Alexandrea D. , Dulmaa Jargalsaikhan , Khraisat Amer S. , Amanuel Samuel
Published: February 2012

The thickness of non-freezing interfacial 1-decanol molecules has been estimated to be 1.44 ± 0.07 nm. This is smaller than what is estimated for cyclohexane, 2.25 ± 0.14nm. Furthermore, these interfacial molecules have higher density than corresponding bulk cyclohexane and 1-decanol, respectively. However, the change in density of the interfacial molecules is more significant in the case of cyclohexane than 1-decanol. This suggests that the cyclohexane molecules near the walls of the pore are more tightly packed than 1-decanol molecules. Presumably, this is due to the difference in size and shape of the molecules. Cyclohexane, a more spherical molecule, can easily be packed in smaller pores than the longer 1-decanol.
Influence of an Applied Electric Field on the Conduction Characteristics of a Bithienyl-Capped Biphenylene and Biphenyl-Capped Oligothiophenes in Organic Field-Effect Transistor Structures
Authors: Keil Christopher , Müntze Frieder , Schiek Manuela , Lützen Arne , Schlettwein Derck
Published: February 2012

Thin films (50 nm) of 2,5-di-4-biphenylthiophene (PPTPP), 5,5´-di-4-biphenylyl-2,2´-bithiophene (PPTTPP) and 4,4´-di-2,2´-bithienylbiphenyl (TTPPTT) were vapor-deposited on microstructured gold (source- and drain-) electrode arrays on thermal SiO2 as gate dielectric with underlying Si serving as gate electrode. The films were studied in their field-effect characteristics during film growth and subsequent to it. A decay of specific conductivity and of charge carrier mobility was observed in subsequent measurements. During annealing without an applied field the films recovered but showed a second decay as soon as an electric field was applied again for repeated characterization. Induced dipoles and subsequent structural changes as well as chemical interactions with the SiO2 interface are discussed as possible origins of these observations.
Application of hopping theory for the prediction of charge mobility in amorphous organic materials
Authors: Sohlberg Karl , Lee Choongkeun , Waterland Robert
Published: February 2012

The application of hopping theory for the prediction of charge (hole) mobility in amorphous organic molecular materials is studied in detail. Application is made to amorphous cells of N,N’-diphenyl-N,N’-bis-(3-methylphenylene)-1,1’-diphenyl-4,4’-diamine (TPD), N4,N4’-di(biphenyl-3-yl)-N4,N4’-diphenylbiphenyl-4,4’-diamine (mBPD), 1,1-bis-(4,4’-diethylaminophenyl)-4,4-diphenyl-1,3,butadinene (DEPB), N1,N4-di(naphthalen-1-yl)-N1,N4-diphenylbenzene-1,4-diamine (NNP), and N,N’-bis[9,9-dimethyl-2-fluorenyl]-N,N’-diphenyl-9,9-dimethylfluorene-2,7-diamine (pFFA). Detailed analysis of the computation of each of the parameters in the equations for hopping rate is presented, including studies of their convergence with respect to various numerical approximations. Based on these convergence studies, the most robust practical methodology is applied to investigate the dependence of mobility on such parameters as the monomer reorganization energy, the monomer-monomer coupling and the material density. The results give insight into what factors should be controlled to develop materials with higher (or lower) charge (hole) mobility, and what will be required to improve the accuracy of predictions of mobility in amorphous organic materials.
Multifunctional Dendritic Architectures: An Investigation of their Mechanical Properties
Authors: Zhou Haixia , Richter Marcel , von Klitzing Regine , Haag Rainer
Published: February 2012

The paper deals with the synthesis and investigation of mechanical properties of multifunctional polyglycerol nanogels which consist of PEG with different chain lengths (glycerol, PEG 400, PEG 400-DGE, and PEG 1500). Their swelling behavior, elasticity, and stiffness are discussed in correlation with the PEG chain length. The nanogels built of PEG 400 exhibited most interesting and promising features and show the highest elasticity.
Analysis of Zinc Compound Buffer Layers in Cu(In, Ga)(S, Se)2 Thin Film Solar Cells by Synchrotron-Based Soft X-Ray Spectroscopy
Authors: Lauermann I. , Bär M. , Ennaoui A. , Fiedeler U. , Fischer Ch-H. , Grimm A. , Kötschau I. , Lux-Steiner M. Ch. , Reichardt J. , Sankapal B. R. , Siebentritt S. , Sokoll S. , Weinhardt L. , Fuchs O. , Heske C. , Jung C. , Gudat W. , Karg F. , Niesen T.P.
Published: February 2012

Zinc-based buffer layers like ZnSe, ZnS, or wet-chemically deposited ZnO on Cu(In, Ga)(S, Se)2 absorber materials (CIGSSe) have yielded thin film solar cell efficiencies comparable to or even higher than standard CdS/CIGSSe cells. However, little is known about surface and interface properties of these novel buffer layers. In this contribution we characterize the specific chemical environment at the absorber/buffer-interface using X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (XES) and Photoelectron Spectroscopy (PES) in a complementary way. Evidence of intermixing and chemical reactions is found for different buffer materials and deposition methods.