bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specific increase in local IL‐17 production during recovery from primary RSV bronchiolitis
Authors: Faber Tina E. , Groen Henk , Welfing Martine , Jansen Koos J.G. , Bont Louis J.
Published: May 2012

Although Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is the most important cause of hospital admission for infants during the winter season, the pathogenesis is largely unknown. Interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) concentrations were studied in nasopharyngeal aspirates from 21 non‐ventilated and 17 ventilated infants admitted to hospital with RSV bronchiolitis at time of admission and discharge from the hospital. On admission, nasopharyngeal concentrations of most cytokines and chemokines were lower in non‐ventilated infants than in ventilated infants, reaching statistical significance for Eotaxin, IL‐1α, and IL‐6. During course of disease, nasopharyngeal concentrations of most cytokines and chemokines decreased, reaching statistical significance for IL‐6 and IP‐10. However, nasopharyngeal IL‐17 concentrations were higher at discharge than at admission in children with non‐ventilated RSV disease (209–101 pg/ml, P = 0.008), a response pattern not observed in ventilated RSV patients nor for other cytokines or chemokines. It is speculated that local IL‐17 production may be involved during convalescence from RSV bronchiolitis in non‐ventilated patients by facilitating innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. The role of IL‐17 in the pathogenesis of RSV bronchiolitis is to be explored further. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1084–1088, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inter‐genotypic recombinant hepatitis C virus strains in Japan noted by discrepancies between immunoassay and sequencing
Authors: Hoshino Hiromi , Hino Kunihiko , Miyakawa Hiroshi , Takahashi Kazuaki , Akbar Sheikh Mohammad Fazle , Mishiro Shunji
Published: May 2012

Genetic recombination plays a significant role in the survival and evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV), but methodological limitations have hindered the exploration of genetic recombination. HCV serotypes were evaluated in 104 patients with chronic hepatitis C when they initially presented in hospitals. Subsequently, HCV genotypes were analyzed using primers for core gene and NS5B gene. Near‐complete nucleotide sequences of eight HCV isolates from two suspected patients with 2b/1b recombinant HCV were analyzed by amplification of nine overlapping regions of HCV‐specific oligonucleotide primers at different time points: (i) at the first admission; (ii) before and (iii) after interferon therapy; and (iv) after development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The nucleotide sequence of eight HCV isolates obtained was 9,321–9,471 nucleotides in length, comprising a single ORF (polyprotein of 3,014 amino acids.) and segregated into discordant genotypes of 2b and 1b HCV with a recombination junction in NS2. This study highlights the need for more precise characterization of HCV in clinical samples where there is a discrepancy between immunoassays and sequencing. It also demonstrates the circulation of novel inter‐genotypic recombinant HCV in Japan, because the cross over point of 2b/1b recombinant HCV in eight clinical isolates of these two patients differed from previously reported HCV recombinant from the Philippines and Japan. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1018–1024, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Picornaviruses in cerebrospinal fluid of children with meningitis in Luanda, Angola
Authors: Pelkonen Tuula , Roine Irmeli , Anjos Elizabete , Kaijalainen Svetlana , Roivainen Merja , Peltola Heikki , Pitkäranta Anne
Published: May 2012

Human enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis. Viral–bacterial interaction may affect the clinical course and outcome of bacterial meningitis. In Africa, viruses might be responsible for 14–25% of all meningitis cases. However, only few studies from Africa have reported detection of viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or mixed viral–bacterial infections of the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of picornaviruses in the CSF of children suffering from meningitis in Luanda, Angola. The study included 142 consecutive children enrolled in a prospective study of bacterial meningitis in Luanda between 2005 and 2006, from whom a CSF sample was available. CSF samples were obtained at hospital admission, stored in a deep‐freeze, and transported to Finland for testing by real‐time PCR for picornaviruses. Enteroviruses were detected in 4 (3%) of 142 children with presumed bacterial meningitis. A 5‐month‐old girl with rhinovirus and Haemophilus influenzae meningitis recovered uneventfully. An 8‐year‐old girl with human enterovirus and pneumococcal meningitis developed no sequelae. A 2‐month‐old girl with human enterovirus and malaria recovered quickly. A 7‐month‐old girl with human enterovirus was treated for presumed tuberculous meningitis and survived with severe sequelae. Mixed infections of the CNS with picornaviruses and bacteria are rare. Detection of an enterovirus does not affect the clinical picture and outcome of bacterial meningitis. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1080–1083, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rhinovirus load and disease severity in children with lower respiratory tract infections
Authors: Takeyama Aya , Hashimoto Koichi , Sato Masatoki , Sato Toshiko , Kanno Shuto , Takano Kei , Ito Masaki , Katayose Masahiko , Nishimura Hidekazu , Kawasaki Yukihiko , Hosoya Mitsuaki
Published: May 2012

It has not been clarified if there is a correlation between rhinovirus (RV) load and disease severity in the lower respiratory tract infections of hospitalized children. This study was undertaken to elucidate the contribution of the viral load to the development of disease severity in 412 children ≤3 years of age who were hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections. The RV load in nasopharyngeal aspirates obtained from the patients at the time of admission was measured by real‐time quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the clinical symptoms of the patients were assessed using a severity scoring system. Of the 412 patients, 43 (10.4%) were diagnosed with RV infections only, and 15 were determined to have high severity scores. When all patients infected with RV were assessed, there was no correlation between the viral load and the disease severity. However, there was a significant negative correlation between the disease severity and age among children <11 months of age (n = 15, ρ = −0.677, P = 0.006) and a significant positive correlation between the viral load and the disease severity among children ≥11 months of age (n = 28, ρ = 0.407, P = 0.032). Among the patients infected with RV <11 months of age, the disease severity may be associated with an immature immune response and the small diameter of their airways rather than viral load. By contrast, in the patients ≥11 months of age, viral load may contribute to the development of disease severity. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1135–1142, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emergence of a new norovirus GII.6 variant in Japan, 2008–2009
Authors: Chan‐It Wisoot , Thongprachum Aksara , Khamrin Pattara , Kobayashi Masaaki , Okitsu Shoko , Mizuguchi Masashi , Ushijima Hiroshi
Published: May 2012

Norovirus (NoV) is recognized as one of the most common causative agents of diarrhea disease in young children. A total of 187 fecal specimens collected from non‐hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in Shizuoka, Japan during July 2008 to June 2009 were investigated for the presence of diarrhea viruses by a multiplex RT‐PCR. Diarrhea viruses were overall detected in 158 of 187 (84.5%). Of the viruses detected, NoV was the most prevalent (55.6%). Most of the NoV sequences belonged to GII.4 (53.8%). NoV GII.6 emerged as the second most common strain (40.4%). The full‐length capsid sequences of five representative Shizuoka GII.6 strains were compared with all 12 GII.6 strains available in GenBank database between 1990 and 2009. At least three distinct GII.6 subclusters (a–c) appeared in different parts of the world. Shizuoka GII.6 strains formed their own subcluster c, distinct from other complete GII.6 reference sequences. The Shizuoka strains had significant amino acid divergence, particularly in the P2 domain up to 10.9–17.5% and contained eight unique mutations in the P domains, compared with subcluster a and b viruses. The homology model showed that the eight mutations were predicted to be located at the surface‐exposed P1 and P2 domains. The data suggest the emergence of a new NoV GII.6 variant in Shizuoka, with a high level of genetic variation. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1089–1096, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Osmotic stress adaptations in rhizobacteria
Authors: Paul Diby
Published: May 2012

Rhizobacteria have been reported to be beneficial to the plants in many different ways. Increasing salinity in the coastal agricultural zones has been shown to be a threat to the plant and microbial life in the area. Exposure of microorganisms to high‐osmolality environments triggers rapid fluxes of cell water along the osmotic gradient out of the cell, thus causing a reduction in turgor and dehydration of the cytoplasm. The microorganisms have developed various adaptations to counteract the outflow of water. The first response to osmotic up shifts and the resulting efflux of cellular water is uptake of K+ and cells start to accumulate compatible solutes. Yet another mechanism is by altering the cell envelope composition resulting in changes in proteins, periplasmic glucans, and capsular, exo and lipopolysaccharides. Bacteria also initiate a program of gene expression in response to osmotic stress by high NaCl concentrations, which are manifested as a set of proteins produced in increased amounts in response to the stress. Genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics approaches have revealed the key components in molecular basis of bacteria salt adaptation. Understanding the mechanisms of osmo‐adaptation in rhizobacteria would also be relevant from an ecological and an applicative point of view.
Construction of a genetically engineered microorganism for phenanthrene biodegradation
Authors: Zhou Ying , Wei Jiashi , Shao Naimin , Wei Dongzhi
Published: May 2012

The bacterium Pseudomonas sp. CGMCC2953, isolated from oil‐polluted soil, was used as a recipient for a biodegradative gene encoding catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase (C23O), which was successfully cloned into the plasmid pK4 derived from pRK415 with a broad host range. The apparent phenanthrene biodegradation parameters of the recombinant microorganism (Pseudomonas sp. CGMCC2953‐pK) were determined and compared with those of the wild type. As the key enzyme of phenanthrene degradation, C23O, could be expressed constitutively in the recombinant strain, Pseudomonas sp. CGMCC2953‐pK showed an increased ability to degrade phenanthrene. The excessive production of C23O in Pseudomonas sp. CGMCC2953‐pK could serve as an effective approach to construct genetically engineered microorganisms for the bioremediation of environmental contaminations.
Isolation and screening of strains producing high amounts of rutin degrading enzymes from Fagopyrum tataricum seeds
Authors: Zheng Ya‐Di , Luo Qing‐Lin , Zhou Mei‐Liang , Wang De‐Zhou , Zhang Ye‐Dong , Shao Ji‐Rong , Zhu Xue‐Mei , Tang Yu
Published: May 2012

The rutin degrading enzyme (RDE) was isolated and purified from tartary buckwheat seeds. The RDE was purified about 11.34‐fold and its final yield was 3.5%, which was very low, due to our purification strategy of giving priority to purity over yield. The RDE molecular weight was estimated to be about 60 kDa. When rutin was used as substrate, an optimal enzyme activity was seen at around pH 5.0 and 40 °C. Strains isolation strategy characterized by the use of rutin as sole carbon source in enrichment cultures was used to isolate RDE‐producing strains. Then the active strains were identified by morphology characterization and 18s rDNA‐ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) gene sequencing. Three isolates coded as B3, W2, Y2 were successfully isolated from fusty Fagopyrum tataricum flour cultures. Strain B3 possessed the highest unit activity among these three strains, and its total activity reached up to 171.0 Unit. The active isolate (B3) could be assigned to Penicillium farinosum. When the Penicillium farinosum strains were added to tartary buckwheat flour cultures at pH 5.0, 30 °C after 5 days fermentation, the quercetin production raised up to 1.78 mg/l, almost 5.1 times higher than the fermentation without the above active strains. Hence, a new approach was available to utilize microorganism‐aided fermentation for effective quercetin extraction from Fagopyrum tataricum seeds.
Proliferative and apoptotic effects of gastric epithelial cells induced by coccoid Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Li Neng , Han Lei , Chen Jiansen , Lin Xu , Chen Hao , She Feifei
Published: May 2012

Helicobacter pylori exhibit morphology convertion in a spiral or coccoid form. This study aims to reveal the impact of coccoid H. pylori on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells. The cagA and vacA genes of H. pylori were detected by semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR. Proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by the CCK‐8 colorimetric method and TUNEL assay, respectively. Egr‐1 mRNA and PCNA expression affected by the ERK1/2‐specific inhibitor were detected by RT‐PCR and immunochemistry. At low density of infection (MOI < 125:1), coccoid H. pylori exerted a stronger effect on proliferation and a weaker effect on apoptosis than did spiral form. The ERK1/2‐specific inhibitor significantly blocked the increased expression in Egr‐1 and PCNA induced by coccoid H. pylori. Expression of vacA and cagA in coccoid H. pylori decreased compared with the spiral form, whereas vacA decreased more than cagA. The difference of proliferation and apoptosis may be related to the unequal decreased expression of vacA and cagA in coccoid H. pylori. Activation of the ERK1/2‐Egr‐1‐PCNA signal transduction pathway may play an important role in coccoid H. pylori‐induced cell proliferation. Long latency of the coccoid form of H. pylori in gastric tissue may be associated with gastric cancer caused by H. pylori.
Triacylglycerol accumulation and change in fatty acid content of four marine oleaginous microalgae under nutrient limitation and at different culture ages
Authors: Gong Yangmin , Guo Xiaojing , Wan Xia , Liang Zhuo , Jiang Mulan
Published: May 2012

Alteration of lipid biosynthesis is one of important biochemical changes when oleaginous microalgae grow under varied environmental conditions. The effects of culture age and nutrient limitation on triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation and fatty acid content were investigated in four eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)‐rich marine microalgae. The amounts of TAGs in Chaetoceros sp., Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Nannochloropsis oculata increased sharply from day 4 to day 11, and then the former two remained nearly unchanged while the latter declined gradually during the batch culture. In contrast, no marked increase in TAG accumulation was observed in Pavlova viridis during the culture. Changes in total fatty acid (TFA) content mirrored those observed for TAG accumulation, while the EPA content reached a maximum generally at day 7 or 11 in the range of 11 − 32 mg g−1 dry cell weight (DCW) and then declined. Nitrogen limitation led to a gradual increase in the amounts of TAGs from N. oculata pronouncedly but almost no change in other three species. The TFA content of the cultures after 5 days of nitrogen limitation was nearly twice that after 1 day in Chaetoceros sp., P. tricornutum and P. viridis, while the lowest increase (220 − 283 mg g−1 DCW) was observed in N. oculata. TAGs increased gradually under phosphorus limitation in all four species but not sharply compared with that under nitrogen limitation in N. oculata. The TFA content increased gradually under phosphorus limitation and after 5 days of phosphorus limitation it was 1.5 − 2 times that after 1 day. The EPA content was generally not significantly affected by nitrogen or phosphorus limitation. Culture age and nutrient limitation could be useful variables for optimizing TAG accumulation and fatty acid content with potential for biodiesel production.
Molecular characterization of protein p50 of Dendrolimus punctatus cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus
Authors: Jin Liang , Dai Chenwei , Qin Tongcheng , Sun Xiulian
Published: May 2012

Genome segment 7 of the 10‐segmented RNA genomes of Dendrolimus punctatus cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (DpCPV) comprises 1502 nucleotides with one ORF of 1347 bp. This ORF was predicted to encode a protein of 448 amino acids with a molecular mass of 49,756 Da (p50). Antisera against both p50 and an antigen domain (AD) near the N‐terminus of p50 specifically bound to a viral structural protein of ca. 33 kDa (V5), indicating that V5 was an N‐terminal product of p50. Immunoblotting analysis with anti‐p50 antibodies detected p50 and V5 molecules in the host midguts three days and five days post infection, respectively. The intracellular localization of p50 protein was examined by expressing truncations of p50 fused with GFP in recombinant baculovirus‐infected Sf9 cells. The p50 protein was present in the cytoplasm of the cells, and the N‐terminal portion (67–135 aa) of the protein played a key role in this localization.
The ultrasound‐assisted extraction and identification of antifungal substances from B. amyloliquefaciens strain NJN‐6 suppressing Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Yuan Jun , Raza Waseem , Huang Qiwei , Shen Qirong
Published: May 2012

The primary mechanism underlying antagonism among microorganisms is the production of antagonistic substances called antibiotics that inhibit the growth of pathogens. In this study, the antagonistic substances produced by the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NJN‐6 that had antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum were extracted and identified. The active antifungal substance was extracted from dried leavening with ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE), using n ‐butanol as the extractant. HPLC/ESI‐MS was performed to investigate the components of the extracts. The results of the study showed that the antimicrobial substances consisted of three homologues of the iturin A family with molecular weights of 1043, 1057 and 1071 Da and of two homologues of the fengycin family with molecular weights of 1477 and 1491 Da. The effects of ultrasonic treatment time, extraction time and extractant volume, three major methodological parameters, were also studied to determine the optimal conditions for extraction. Compared with traditional extraction techniques, UAE is a simple, cheap and environmentally friendly method that represents a new option for the isolation and identification of lipopeptides and other active compounds. These antifungal substances extracted and identified from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NJN‐6 will help us to understand its biocontrol mechanism against Fusarium oxysporum. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bacteria from Ips sexdentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and their biocontrol potential
Authors: Sevim Ali , Gökçe Cihan , Erbaş Zeynep , Özkan Filiz
Published: May 2012

Ips sexdentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most destructive pests of the spruce trees in Europe. In this study, we have isolated and characterized culturable bacteria from I. sexdentatus and tested their insecticidal activity against the last instar larvae of the pest as a possible biocontrol agent. A total of eight bacterial isolates was determined and four of them were identified at species level, and the others were identified at genus level. Isolates were identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (Is1), Rahnella sp. (Is2), Pseudomonas sp. (Is3), Bacillus sp. (Is4), Alcaligenes faecalis (Is5), Panteoea agglomerans (Is6), Pseudomonas fluorescens (Is7) and Serratia sp. (Is8) based on their morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics. Insecticidal effects of bacterial isolates were performed on the last instar larvae of the pest. The highest insecticidal activity was obtained from P. fluorescens (Is7) with 73% mortality within 10 days after inoculation (p < 0.05). Mortality values of the other isolates ranged from 20 to 53%. This study suggests that Pseudomonas fluorescens (Is7) seems to be a good candidate as a possible biocontrol agent against I. sexdentatus, and provides suitable strains that can be modified to express insecticidal toxins and/or other detrimental substances to develop new control methods for I. sexdentatus. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
PTK7 as a novel marker for favorable gastric cancer patient survival
Authors: Lin Yi , Zhang Lian‐Hai , Wang Xiao‐Hong , Xing Xiao‐Fang , Cheng Xiao‐Jing , Dong Bin , Hu Ying , Du Hong , Li Ying‐Ai , Zhu Yu‐Bing , Ding Ning , Du Yun‐Xia , Li Ji‐You , Ji Jia‐Fu
Published: May 2012

Background and Objectives

Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) plays important functions in several cancer types but its expression in gastric cancer remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate PTK7 expression in gastric cancer.

Methods

PTK7 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 201 gastric cancer patients. The relationship between PTK7 expression and clinicopathological features and patients prognosis were statistically analyzed.

Results

PTK7 expression was detected in 56.72% (114 of 201) of gastric cancer patients. The immunostaining was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm. The statistical analyses showed that PTK7 expression was more frequently detected in patients with well‐differentiated tumors (P = 0.001). Furthermore, PTK7 expression was significantly related to the favorable overall survival (OS; P = 0.012) and disease‐free survival (DFS; P = 0.009). Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that PTK7 expression was an independent prognostic factor for both favorable OS (P = 0.028) and DFS (P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that PTK7 can serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:880–886. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Estimating the Production Efficiency of US Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Ramcharran Harri
Published: May 2012

This paper empirically estimates the efficiency of outward US foreign direct investment (FDI) within the framework of economies of scale, which is hypothesized as a main goal of ‘efficiency‐seeking’ multinationals. By using data for the period 1982–2007 and a nonhomogeneous production, the estimates of efficiency indicate an improvement in efficiency from decreasing to increasing returns to scale. The increasing productivity of both capital and labor is a contributory factor. Evidence of increasing elasticity of factor substitution attests to management use of a flexible production technology that enables efficient resource allocation. The results lend support to the ‘efficiency‐seeking’ hypothesis of FDI. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time correction by optical tracking with integrated geometric distortion correction for reducing motion artifacts in functional MRI
Authors: Rotenberg David , Chiew Mark , Ranieri Shawn , Tam Fred , Chopra Rajiv , Graham Simon J.
Published: May 2012

Head motion artifacts are a major problem in functional MRI that limit its use in neuroscience research and clinical settings. Real‐time scan‐plane correction by optical tracking has been shown to correct slice misalignment and nonlinear spin‐history artifacts; however, residual artifacts due to dynamic magnetic field nonuniformity may remain in the data. A recently developed correction technique, Phase Labeling for Additional Coordinate Encoding, can correct for absolute geometric distortion using only the complex image data from two echo planar images with slightly shifted k‐space trajectories. An approach is presented that integrates Phase Labeling for Additional Coordinate Encoding into a real‐time scan‐plane update system by optical tracking, applied to a tissue‐equivalent phantom undergoing complex motion and an functional MRI finger tapping experiment with overt head motion to induce dynamic field nonuniformity. Experiments suggest that such integrated volume‐by‐volume corrections are very effective at artifact suppression, with potential to expand functional MRI applications. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gender differences in penetrance and phenotype in hypokalemic periodic paralysis
Authors: Ke Qing , Luo Benyan , Qi Ming , Du Yue , Wu Weiping
Published: May 2012

Introduction: Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoPP) is an autosomal dominant skeletal muscle ion channelopathy. Sex hormones are natural ion channel regulators. Different sex hormones have different effects on ion channels. A comparison of the penetrance and phenotype between males and females with HypoPP mutations should aid in proving that sex hormones play different roles in HypoPP and also provide the basis for the development of therapies against HypoPP. Methods: We identified all mutation carriers in 4 HypoPP families using PCR sequencing techniques. All patients underwent clinical investigation. Results: There were 8 men and 7 women mutation carriers in the 4 families. Male carriers had 100% penetrance, but female penetrance was only 28.57%. The highest attack frequency was 50–150 times/year for the men, whereas it was 30–50 times/year for the women. The attacks disappeared during pregnancy. Conclusions: The penetrance and attack frequency were lower in women than in men with HypoPP mutations. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Investigation of fluid–structure interactions using a velocity‐linked P2/P1 finite element method and the generalized‐ α method
Authors: Kang S. , Choi H.G. , Yoo J.Y.
Published: May 2012

A velocity‐linked algorithm for solving unsteady fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems in a fully coupled manner is developed using the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian method. The P2/P1 finite element is used to spatially discretize the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations and structural equations, and the generalized‐ α method is adopted for temporal discretization. Common velocity variables are employed at the fluid–structure interface for the strong coupling of both equations. Because of the velocity‐linked formulation, kinematic compatibility is automatically satisfied and forcing terms do not need to be calculated explicitly. Both the numerical stability and the convergence characteristics of an iterative solver for the coupled algorithm are investigated by solving the FSI problem of flexible tube flows. It is noteworthy that the generalized‐ α method with small damping is free from unstable velocity fields. However, the convergence characteristics of the coupled system deteriorate greatly for certain Poisson's ratios so that direct solvers are essential for these cases. Furthermore, the proposed method is shown to clearly display the advantage of considering FSI in the simulation of flexible tube flows, while enabling much larger time‐steps than those adopted in some previous studies. This is possible through the strong coupling of the fluid and structural equations by employing common primitive variables. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of dual stimuli‐responsive PET track‐etched membrane by grafting copolymer using ATRP
Authors: Pan Kai , Ren Ruimin , Li Haizhu , Cao Bing
Published: May 2012

A dual stimuli‐responsive (pH and thermo) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) track‐etched membrane has been prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, ATRP initiator 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide was anchored onto the membrane surface. Then, 2‐hydroxyethyl‐methacrylate (HEMA) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) were grafted onto the membrane surface using ATRP. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ATR‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the membrane structure and thermal properties; water flux measurement was used to investigate the double stimuli‐responsive property of the obtained membrane. The results indicate that the PHEMA and PNIPAAm binary grafted PET track‐etched membrane has double environmental responsiveness. This method provides a potential modification method for preparing functional membranes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Knowledge of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attitudes toward teaching children with ADHD: THE role of teaching experience
Authors: Anderson Donnah L. , Watt Susan E. , Noble William , Shanley Dianne C.
Published: May 2012

Knowledge of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attitudes toward teaching children with ADHD are compared across stages of Australian teachers' careers. Relative to pre‐service teachers with (n = 218) and without (n = 109) teaching experience, in‐service teachers (n = 127) show more overall knowledge of ADHD, more knowledge of characteristics and treatments for ADHD, and higher perceived knowledge. In‐service teachers reported less favorable emotion about teaching children with ADHD than did pre‐service teachers without experience and more favorable behaviors than pre‐service teachers with experience. Groups did not differ in knowledge of causes of ADHD, overall attitudes, stereotypical beliefs, and beliefs about teaching children with ADHD. Identification of knowledge gaps and ambivalent attitudes will guide pre‐service and in‐service training courses. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Problematic students of NASP‐approved programs: An exploratory study of graduate student views
Authors: D.Trimble Leasha , Stroebel Sandra S. , Krieg Fred Jay , Rubenstein Robert L.
Published: May 2012

This study reports the findings of an electronic exploratory survey of National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Student Representatives. The purpose of the survey was to gather information about the perspective of graduate students concerning problematic peers and their experiences with them in school psychology training programs. Findings suggest that (a) students are unsure whether or not their training programs have an official procedure in place for dealing with problematic students; (b) the problems they observe most commonly involve poor interpersonal skills; (c) consistent with other mental health programs, school psychology graduate students most often talk with their peers or avoid contact with the problematic peer when they have concerns rather than go to faculty; (d) the majority (49.4%) of the respondents feel that faculty or training directors have the most responsibility for the identification of problematic peers but that students have an ethical duty to provide information to the teaching staff if they feel they have a reason to believe there is a problem of which the faculty is unaware. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Photovoltaic devices using semiconducting polymers containing head‐to‐tail‐structured bithiophene, pyrene, and benzothiadiazole derivatives
Authors: Kim Ji‐Hoon , Lee Sunyoung , Kang In‐Nam , Park Moo‐Jin , Hwang Do‐Hoon
Published: May 2012

An alternating copolymer composed of heal‐to‐tail‐structured 3,4′‐dihexyl‐2,2′‐bithiophene (DHBT) and pyrene units [poly(DHBT‐alt‐PYR)] was synthesized using a Stille coupling reaction for use in photovoltaic devices as a p‐type donor. For the reduction of the bandgap energy of poly(DHBT‐alt‐PYR), 4,7‐bis(3′‐hexyl‐2,2′‐bithiophen‐5‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BHBTBT) units were introduced into the polymer. Poly(DHBT‐co‐PYR‐co‐BHBTBT)s were synthesized using the same polymerization reaction. The synthesized polymers were soluble in common organic solvents and formed smooth thin films after spin casting. The optical bandgap energies of the polymers were obtained from the onset absorption wavelengths. The measured optical bandgap energy of poly(DHBT‐alt‐PYR) was 2.47 eV. As the BHBTBT content in the ter‐polymers increased, the optical bandgap energies of the resulting polymers decreased. The bandgap energies of poly(50DHBT‐co‐40PYR‐co‐10BHBTBT) and poly(50DHBT‐co‐20PYR‐co‐30BHBTBT) were 1.84 and 1.73 eV, respectively. Photovoltaic devices were fabricated with a typical sandwich structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/LiF/Al using the polymers as electron donors and [6,6]‐phenyl C71‐butyric acid methyl ester as the electron acceptor. The device using poly(50DHBT‐co‐20PYR‐co‐30BHBTBT) showed the best performance among the fabricated devices, with an open‐circuit voltage, short‐circuit current, fill factor, and maximum power conversion efficiency of 0.68 V, 5.54 mA/cm2, 0.35, and 1.31%, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Why does the electrical conductivity in PEDOT:PSS decrease with PSS content? A study combining thermoelectric measurements with impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Stöcker Thomas , Köhler Anna , Moos Ralf
Published: May 2012

We have investigated the electrical transport properties of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophen)/poly(4‐styrene‐sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) with PEDOT‐to‐PSS ratios from 1:1 to 1:30. By combining impedance spectroscopy with thermoelectric measurements, we are able to independently determine the variation of electrical conductivity and charge carrier density with PSS content. We find the charge carrier density to be independent of the PSS content. Using a generalized effective media theory, we show that the electrical conductivity in PEDOT:PSS can be understood as percolation between sites of highly conducting PEDOT:PSS complexes with a conductivity of 2.3 (Ωcm)−1 in a matrix of excess PSS with a low conductivity of 10−3 (Ω cm)−1. In addition to the transport properties, the thermoelectric power factors and Seebeck coefficients have been determined. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
The effect of interfacial miscibility on the cell morphology of polyethylene terephthalate/bisphenol a polycarbonate blend foams
Authors: Gong Pengjian , Ohshima Masahiro
Published: May 2012

Annealing polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polycarbonate (PC) blends enhance the transesterification reaction and increase the amount of copolymer at the interface of both polymers. The copolymer enhances the compatibility of PET with PC, because it contains both PET and PC blocks, which causes the interface between PET and PC to become fuzzy. When the PET/PC undergoes batch physical foaming with CO2, the copolymer significantly changes the resulting cell morphology, that is, the annealing time. Before annealing or in the absence of the copolymer, bubble nucleation occurs and dominates growth at the interface. When the PET/PC blends are annealed, the interface impedes bubble nucleation and growth. The polymer is stretched at the interface by bubble growth, forming fibril‐like structures connecting two polymer domains at the interface. Increased annealing time causes the interface to become more homogeneous and makes heterogeneous bubble nucleation difficult. At higher copolymer concentrations, the interface of PET and PC becomes fuzzy and the cell morphology becomes like those of foamed homogeneous polymers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Cognitive features 10 or more years after successful breast cancer survival: comparisons across types of cancer interventions
Authors: Nguyen Christopher M. , Yamada Torricia H. , Beglinger Leigh J. , Cavanaugh Joseph E. , Denburg Natalie L. , Schultz Susan K.
Published: May 2012

Background

The present study examined the long‐term cognitive implications of cancer treatment among breast cancer survivors aged 65 years and older to better understand the long term implications of cancer treatment.

Methods

Fifty‐seven women survivors were compared with 30 healthy older female adult comparisons, matched in terms of age and education, with no history of cancer. Cancer survivors were also compared on the basis of treatment intervention, involving chemotherapy (n = 27) versus local therapy through surgery and radiation (n = 30).

Results

As a group, the breast cancer survivors scored lower on measures of general cognitive function, working memory, psychomotor speed, and executive function when compared with the normal comparisons. Among the cancer survivors, those who received local therapy scored lower than the other survivors and normal comparisons on measures of verbal learning, visual perception and construction, as well as visual attention and short‐term retention.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that cognitive outcomes may involve greater age‐related deficits among older cancer survivors compared with matched healthy subjects. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the Professional Values of Australian Physiotherapists
Authors: Aguilar Alejandra , Stupans Ieva , Scutter Sheila , King Sharron
Published: May 2012

Background and Purpose

A profession's values guide daily practice and professional behaviours. They clarify what professionalism means to a profession, by providing insight into the values that members of the profession aim to uphold and profess. There has been limited research into the values of the Australian physiotherapy profession, and as such, the values that guide practice and constitute professionalism are not explicit. This study aimed to make a preliminary identification of the values of the profession, by exploring the shared professional values of 14 Australian physiotherapists.

Methods

This study was guided by a qualitative approach and constructivist paradigm. Purposive sampling was employed to identify physiotherapists who could contribute rich information to the study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted and analysed using an inductive data analysis method.

Results

The emerging professional values formed three main themes. The first theme, ‘the patient and the patient–therapist partnership’, incorporated values such as having patient trust and working collaboratively with patients. The theme labelled ‘physiotherapy knowledge, skills and practice’ included the values of having an evidence base and respecting professional boundaries. The last theme, ‘altruistic values’, was inclusive of values such as honesty, empathy and caring. The values that emerged went beyond philanthropic values, to values that guided every day practice, professional relationships and the responsibilities of being a professional.

Conclusion

The results contribute to research orientated towards identifying the values of the profession and in doing so, clarifying what professionalism means to the Australian physiotherapy profession. Differences between the values identified by the American Physical Therapy Association and the study reported in this paper highlight the importance of identifying the values of the profession within the Australian context. In terms of practice implications, physiotherapists may be prompted to reflect on their values and how these values align with those of their patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Native point defects at ZnO surfaces, interfaces and bulk films
Authors: Brillson Leonard J. , Dong Y. , Tuomisto F. , Svensson B. G. , Kuznetsov A. Yu. , Doutt D. , Mosbacker H. L. , Cantwell G. , Zhang J. , Song J. J. , Fang Z.‐Q. , Look D. C.
Published: May 2012

The impact of electronically‐active native point defects on ZnO optoelectronic technologies at the nanoscale is only now being explored. We are able to address the impact of these defects on Schottky barrier formation and doping using a combination of depth‐resolved and scanned probe techniques. We clearly identify the optical transitions and energies of VZn and VZn clusters, Ga on Zn site donors, Li on Zn sites, the effects of different annealing methods on their spatial distributions in ion‐implanted as well as Ga grown‐in ZnO, and how VZn, VZn clusters, and VO complexes contribute to near‐ and sub‐surface carrier density. These results reveal the interplay between ZnO electronic defects, polarity, and surface nanostructure. Overall, the influence of native point defects on doping, Schottky barriers, and transport point to new ways for controlling these properties (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cathodoluminescence study of e‐irradiated and plastically deformed ZnO crystals
Authors: Avella M. , Hortelano V. , Martínez O. , Mass J. , Jiménez J. , Wang B. , Drevinsky P. , Bliss D.
Published: May 2012

Intrinsic defects are generated by e‐irrradiation, and plastic deformation in ZnO crystals. Spectrally resolved cathodoluminescence (CL) experiments permit the analysis of the optical signature of those defects. We present herein a CL analysis of ZnO crystals irradiated with high energy electrons, and plastically deformed by Vickers indentation. Spectral changes around 3.3 eV and in the deep level emission are observed in the irradiated samples. These changes are compared to those observed around the extended defects introduced by Vickers indentation, which present a similar signature to the e‐irradiated samples, suggesting relation between the defects generated by plastic deformation and e‐irradiation. Zn vacancies seem to be the dominant defects generated in both processes (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Zinc oxide‐based biosensors
Authors: Yano Mitsuaki , Koike Kazuto , Ogata Ken‐ichi , Nogami Takahiro , Tanabe Shintaro , Sasa Shigehiko
Published: May 2012

Characteristics of two different types of zinc oxide (ZnO)‐based biosensors using glucose oxidase are studied keeping medical applications in mind. One is a ZnO nanorod electrochemical electrode and the other is a ZnO‐based field‐effect transistor. Their fabrication process as well as the advantage for the application to integrated healthcare chips is also discussed in detail. The results obtained were in the preliminary stage yet; however, they might be encouraging for the enrolment of ZnO to the new application field of semiconductors. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Neutron diffraction research of local nanodistortions of crystal lattice in diluted magnetic semiconductors Zn1‐xCox S and Zn1‐xCox Se (x =0.01)
Authors: Surkova T. P. , Dubinin S. F. , Maximov V. I. , Lopez‐Rivera S. A.
Published: May 2012

Local distortions of the sphalerite crystal structure of Zn1‐xCox S, Zn1‐xCox Se (x =0.01) semiconductor crystals were studied for the first time using thermal neutron diffraction at 300 and 78 K. The diffraction patterns of the crystals were revealed to contain diffuse scattering regions concentrated in the vicinity of the strong Bragg reflections. It was detected for both crystals that the intensity of the neutron diffuse scattering essentially decreases with cooling. Some arguments are given to explain the revealed properties of the diffuse scattering for these crystals in terms of a formation of the vibronic effect leading to the emergence of local nanosized distorted regions. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Current‐pulse‐width control of degra‐ dation in II‐VI and III‐N compound blue‐UV‐white LEDs
Authors: Harada Y. , Ando K. , Nakagawa S. , Sakamoto H. , Abe T. , Kasada H.
Published: May 2012

We have studied the cause of shortened lifetime and reduced brightness of wide‐gap semiconductor LEDs, and found that generation/enhancement of microscopic point defects have strong association with device lifetime. A pulse‐drive technology controlling defect enhancement has been proven new to extend life span of UV‐blue‐white‐LEDs in high efficiency and high brightness operation. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Buffer‐related gate lag in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs
Authors: Nakajima Atsushi , Fujii Kunitaka , Horio Kazushige
Published: May 2012

Two‐dimensional analysis of gate lag in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs is performed by considering a deep donor and a deep acceptor in a buffer layer. It is shown that relatively large gate lag can arise due to traps in the buffer layer. It is also shown that the buffer‐related gate lag becomes smaller when the gate length becomes longer. Dependence of buffer‐related gate lag on trap parameters such as a deep‐acceptor density and a deep‐donor's energy level is also studied (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical and electrical properties of reactively sputtered Ag2Cu2O3 films
Authors: Lund Esben , Galeckas Augustinas , Monakhov Edouard V. , Svensson Bengt G.
Published: May 2012

Ag2Cu2O3 thin films were deposited on glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering of an equiatomic silver‐copper target (Ag0.5Cu0.5) in reactive Ar‐O2 mixtures. The optical properties were examined by spectrophotometry (UV‐Vis‐NIR) and photoluminescence, while the electrical properties were studied with temperature dependent Hall effect measurements. The optical transmittance and photoluminescence spectra indicate several band‐to‐band transitions, most prominently, a direct one of around 2.2 eV. Electrical characterization reveals three dopant levels with ionization energies of 5 meV, 22 meV and 50 meV, and concentrations of around 1016 cm‐3, 1020 cm‐3 and 1023 cm‐3, respectively. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Study of electronic and optical properties of BiTaO4 for photocatalysis
Authors: Nisar Jawad , Almeida Silva Luciana , Gomes Almeida Cristiane , Santos Mascarenhas Artur José , Wang Baochang , Moysés Araújo Carlos , Ahuja Rajeev , Pepe Iuri , Souza de Almeida Jailton , Ferreira da Silva Antonio
Published: May 2012

We present the optical absorption spectrum of BiTaO4 using the photo acoustic spectroscopy (PAS) technique and first principles approach. Band gap have been estimated 2.65 and 2.45 eV using PAS method and DFT calculations, respectively. Position of reduction and oxidation level with respect to vacuum level are identified, which shows that BiTaO4 can be used as photocatalyst for hydrogen production. Electronic structure is explained by plotting total density of states (TDOS) (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermal annealing effect on the properties of GaBiAs
Authors: Butkutė Renata , Pačebutas Vaidas , Čechavičius Bronius , Adomavičius Ramūnas , Koroliov Anton , Krotkus Arūnas
Published: May 2012

The influence of thermal annealing on optical properties and carrier lifetime of dilute GaBixAs1‐x layers was investigated. Thick (0.5‐1.5 μm) relaxed and thin (30‐100 nm) strained bismide layers were grown onto semi‐insulating (100)‐oriented GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) using As4 and As2, respectively. The post‐growth annealing was carried out in the rapid thermal annealing (RTA) oven at the temperatures ranging from 550 °C to 750 °C under nitrogen atmosphere. The high resolution X‐ray diffraction (HRXRD), photoluminescence (PL) and optical pump‐THz probe measurements revealed two different GaBixAs1‐x anneal mechanisms. The annealing at temperatures higher than 600 °C caused a significant reduction of carrier lifetime of relaxed bismide layers with x > 0.05. Meanwhile, thick layers with a smaller content of Bi (x < 0.05) and thin strained layers annealed up to 600 °C still exhibited long carrier lifetimes. On the other hand, the significant photoluminescence signal increase at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures was observed for the GaBiAs layers grown using As2 (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Photovoltaic properties of Si–NiO structure
Authors: Paranichev Daniil , Velichko Andrey , Putrolaynen Vadim , Grishin Alex
Published: May 2012

The investigation of the photovoltaic properties of a Si‐NiO structure was carried out. NiO films were prepared by thermal oxidation of metallic nickel at different temperatures. The load and luminous characteristics were obtained, and on the basis of these measurements the efficiency, fill factor, short circuit current and open‐circuit voltage were determined. Finally, possible mechanisms of the observed phenomena, as well as the possibility of their use for optoelectronic devices, are briefly discussed (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)