bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
X‐ray diffraction study of strain and defect structure of nonpolar a‐plane GaN‐layers grown on r‐plane sapphire
Authors: Kyutt R. N. , Shcheglov M. P. , Ratnikov V. V. , Kalmykov A. E.
Published: June 2009

Structural state of nonpolar a‐plane GaN layers grown by MOVPE on r‐plane sapphire is investigated by X‐ray diffraction method. Interplanar spacings were measured in three directions and corresponding strains were determined. A crystalline perfection was studied by measurement of diffraction peaks of θ‐ and θ–2θ‐scanning in Bragg‐ and Laue‐diffraction geometry. Their FWHM was analyzed by Williamson–Hall plots. Anisotropy of the elastic strains and the peak broadening was revealed. It is shown that a different broadening of diffraction pattern in two in‐plane directions is not caused by mosaicity and can be explained by a specific distribution of dislocations.
Synchrotron topographic studies of growth defects in the core of a SrLaGaO4 single crystal
Authors: Malinowska Agnieszka , Lefeld‐Sosnowska Maria , Wieteska Krzysztof , Wierzchowski Wojciech , Härtwig Jürgen , Graeff Walter
Published: June 2009

Samples cut out from different regions of SrLaGaO4 (SLG) single crystal grown along [001]‐direction were studied with a number of X‐ray diffraction topographic methods exploring both conventional and synchrotron X‐ray sources. The synchrotron investigation included in particular white beam projection transmission topography at ultra short wavelength and taking monochromatic beam topographs at different points of the rocking curves at different azimuths. The methods enabled the evaluation of the character of lattice deformation connected with the characteristic ‘rod‐like’ defects observed in the core region of the crystal. A shrinkage of the material inside the defects was indicated.
Influence of magnetic anisotropy and dipolar interactions on magnetocaloric effect in nanostructured materials
Authors: Prida Victor M. , Vega Victor , Serantes David , Baldomir Daniel , Ilyn Maxim , Zhukov Arcady P. , González Julián , Hernando Blanca
Published: June 2009

We outline the magnetic and magnetocaloric behaviour of magnetic nanoparticles distributed into columnar‐like arrangements with their easy axes collinear aligned along the chain direction, and comparing to that of ferromagnetic nanowires arrays. An extended Monte Carlo model taking into account the influence of both, the magnetic anisotropy and magnetostatic interactions of dipolar origin between ferromagnetic nanoparticles chains, has been developed. The existence of a maximum in thermomagnetic curves for applied magnetic fields up to 2.5 times the anisotropy field value of the system, and the coexistence of positive and negative magnetocaloric effect have been predicted confirming the experimental results found in highly ordered arrays of ferromagnetic nanowires.

Positive and negative MCE regimes in an array of single magnetic domain ferromagnetic nanowires and its dependence on the applied field value. The inset shows the MFM image of the magnetic monodomain dipole structure for an isolated Ni‐rich nanowire.

magnified image
Comparative studies of Lu3Al5O12:Ce and Y3Al5O12:Ce scintillators for gamma‐ray detection
Authors: Chewpraditkul W. , Swiderski L. , Moszynski M. , Szczesniak T. , Syntfeld‐Kazuch A. , Wanarak C. , Limsuwan P.
Published: June 2009

The performance of Lu3Al5O12:Ce (LuAG:Ce) and Y3Al5O12:Ce (YAG:Ce) scintillators were compared under γ‐ray excitation using photomultiplier tube (PMT) readout. Light yield non‐proportionality and energy resolution were measured with a Photonis XP5500B PMT. The energy resolution, obtained in this work for 662 keV γ‐rays, was 6.7 and 7.0%, respectively, for LuAG:Ce and YAG:Ce detectors. A fast component in the scintillation decay of LuAG:Ce crystal is faster than that of YAG:Ce crystal, whereas the relative intensity of a fast component for YAG:Ce crystal is higher than that of LuAG:Ce crystal. The coincidence time resolution, obtained in this work for 511 keV annihilation quanta, was 583 and 660 ps, respectively, for LuAG:Ce‐ and YAG:Ce‐based detectors in coincidence experiment together with a BaF2 scintillation detector. Normalized coincidence time resolution was also discussed in terms of a number of photoelectrons and decay time of the light pulse.
Growth and electrical properties of AlxGa1−xN/GaN heterostructures with different Al‐content
Authors: Köhler K. , Müller S. , Waltereit P. , Kirste L. , Menner H. P. , Bronner W. , Quay R.
Published: June 2009

High electron mobility transistor material and device properties based on AlxGa1−xN/GaN heterostructures with an Al‐content ranging from 12 to 35% are presented. The Al‐content of the low pressure metal‐organic vapor‐phase epitaxy grown samples on semi‐insulating SiC and sapphire was measured by high resolution X‐ray diffraction; carrier concentration and mobility by Hall effect. The sheet carrier density in the nominally undoped structures increases with the Al‐content from 3.6 × 1012 to 1.4 × 1013 cm−2 due to spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization. Comparison of the electrical data with a model based on polarization and strain induced effects in dependence of the Al‐composition shows good agreement. Further discussion and presentation on devices is restricted to data on SiC substrates. We quantitatively relate threshold voltage and extrinsic transconductance of FETs to the carrier concentration und thus to the Al‐content in the barrier. Excellent large signal performance is achieved over the AlxGa1−xN‐composition range from 14 to 30%.
Development of nanostructured materials by mechanical alloying and/or rapid solidification
Authors: Bonastre Jordi , Chognon Eddy , Escoda Lluïsa , Güell Josep M. , Hernando Blanca , Suñol Joan Josep
Published: June 2009

The knowledge of thermal behaviour of materials is important in order to control their structure and properties. In nanocrystalline materials obtained from amorphous alloys, the knowledge of the crystallization kinetics permits to design special thermal treatments to develop materials with specific microstructure. The milling of melt‐spun ribbons is a two‐steps procedure to develop new nanostructured materials. Two, Co and Fe rich, melt‐spun alloys were obtained and mechanically alloyed in low energy milling conditions, and their structure and thermal behaviour was analyzed. The thermal study was performed by means of differential scanning calorimetry. All experimental curves are derived from non‐isothermal calorimetric experiments. Good agreement is observed between the transformation curves and the experimental data, which verifies the reliability of the approach and the validity of the rate constant model description. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the stress‐strain curves in gold and aluminum nanowires
Authors: Pastor‐Abia L. , Caturla M. J. , SanFabián E. , Chiappe G. , Louis E.
Published: June 2009

The engineering stress‐strain curves of gold and aluminum nanowires have been investigated by means of Molecular Dynamics. Nanowires were stretched at constant strain rate and a temperature of 4.2 K. Atoms at fixed positions with velocities randomly distributed according to Maxwell distribution were taken as initial conditions.

Jumps observed to occur in the stress‐strain curves are associated to atoms that move from the bulk to the surface. Averaging over many realizations allows to conclude that, beyond the yield point, the system does not harden, in line with experimental results. Varying the nanowires shape factor allowed to identify surface effects, crucial in these extremely small systems (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The interior interfaces of a semiconductor/metal nanocomposite and their influence on its physical properties
Authors: Granitzer P. , Rumpf K. , Poelt P. , Albu M. , Chernev B.
Published: June 2009

A semiconductor/metal hybrid system with silicon as base material and embedded metal nanostructures is fabricated in two steps by anodizing the silicon substrate in an aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution and a subsequent electrodeposition process. The achieved self‐assembled nanoscopic hybrid system consists of a quasi‐regular 3‐dimensional arrangement of metal nanostructures embedded within the pores of the silicon matrix. The used metals are Ni, Co and their alloys, whereas mainly Ni is considered in the following. In such a hybrid system the interface between metal and silicon nanostructures is of interest in correlation with the properties of the material and can be influenced by different fabrication conditions. If the matrices are aged in ambient air before filling with a metal the inner surface of the porous silicon template offers a native SiOx layer due to the oxidation of the hydrogen terminated surface of the pore‐walls. Using as‐etched samples for deposition of the metal into the pores leads to the formation of a more complex interface during the cathodic deposition procedure which is observed by FTIR‐spectroscopy. Knowledge about the composition and the formation of the interior surface of the porous silicon matrix as well as the interface between semiconductor and metal is necessary on the one hand for interpretation of the gained experimental results and on the other hand to figure out possible applications of the fabricated hybrid system. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Catalysts effects on the production of carbon nanotubes by an automatic arc discharge set up in solution
Authors: Jahanshahi Mohsen , Seresht Razieh Jabari , Hajizadeh Solmaz
Published: June 2009

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent an important group of nanomaterials with attractive geometrical, electrical and chemical properties and are synthesized using a variety of techniques. CNTs have been extensively studied in our previous works and in this study were fabricated by arc discharge full automatic set up in liquid which does not require vacuum equipment, heat exchange system, active or inert gases. This technique was full automatic which enabled the controlling of gap between the two electrodes. The effect of the kind of catalyst on quantity of synthesized CNTs was studied herein. Carbon nanotubes were fabricated between two graphite electrodes which were submerged in the LiCl 0.25N as a solution and with a voltage of 25v. For comparative studies, Ni, Mo, Fe and Ni‐Mo were exploited as metallic or bimetallic catalysts and the results were subsequently analyzed, compared and discussed. In order to analyze the morphology of the synthesized products a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study were employed. Based on Mo‐Ni as catalysts in carbon electrode, high‐crystalline and alonged multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and spring‐like carbon nanotubes (SCNTs) were synthesized by using this unique technique. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of stream flow patterns on riparian vegetation of a semiarid river: Implications for a changing climate
Authors: Stromberg J. C. , Lite S. J. , Dixon M. D.
Published: June 2009

As global climate change affects recharge and runoff processes, stream flow regimes are being altered. In the American Southwest, increasing aridity is predicted to cause declines in stream base flows and water tables. Another potential outcome of climate change is increased flood intensity. Changes in these stream flow conditions may independently affect vegetation or may have synergistic effects. Our goal was to extrapolate vegetation response to climate‐linked stream flow changes, by taking advantage of the spatial variation in flow conditions over a 200 km length of the San Pedro River (Arizona). Riparian vegetation traits were contrasted between sites differing in low‐flow hydrology (degree of stream intermittency) and flood intensity (stream power of the 10‐year recurrence flood). Field data indicate that increased stream intermittency would cause the floodplain plant community to shift from hydric pioneer trees and shrubs (Populus, Salix, Baccharis) towards mesic species (Tamarix). This shift in functional type would produce changes in vegetation structure, with reduced canopy cover and shorter canopies at drier sites. Among herbaceous species, annuals would increase while perennials would decrease. If flood intensities increased, there would be shifts towards younger tree age, expansion of xeric pioneer shrubs (in response to flood‐linked edaphic changes), and replacement of herbaceous perennials by annuals. Woody stem density would increase and basal area would decrease, reflecting shifts towards younger forests. Some effects would be compounded: Annuals were most prevalent, and tree canopies shortest, at sites that were dry and intensely flooded. Vegetational changes would feedback onto hydrologic and geomorphic processes, of importance for modeling. Increased flood intensity would have positive feedback on disturbance processes, by shifting plant communities towards species with less ability to stabilize sediments. Feedbacks between riparian vegetation and stream low‐flow changes would be homeostatic, with reduced evapotranspiration rates ameliorating declines in base flows arising from increased aridity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linking the hydraulic world of individual organisms to ecological processes: Putting ecology into ecohydraulics
Authors: Lancaster Jill , Downes Barbara J.
Published: June 2009

Ecohydraulics is a relatively new name for a long‐standing field investigating the interactions between ecology and the physics of flowing water. In recent decades, a burgeoning literature has developed relating species' densities to environmental variables, particularly those associated with flow. These abundance–environment relations (AERs) are sometimes used in habitat‐based association models (HAMs) to predict changes to species' abundances, especially human‐caused changes to the environment. Unfortunately, some conclusions arising from AERs are based on untenable ecological assertions or faulty assumptions including: illogical inference of cause‐and‐effect, muddling of hypotheses such as ‘habitat preference’ with other causal mechanisms, outdated ideas about environmental tolerance and optimization. Furthermore, the effects of biological interactions in AERs are routinely ignored, when biological interactions form the core of most modern models in community ecology. HAMs underpinned by AERs are often used to predict changes in populations, but lack information on demographic rates (births, deaths, migration), which are essential for population‐level predictions. These weaknesses are discussed at length and, we suggest, must be acknowledged and surmounted if ecohydraulics is to advance our understanding of stream ecosystems and our capacity to manage streams. We give two examples of research at the ecological–physical interface that are grounded in ecological principles: (1) how flow influences feeding rates of filter‐feeding insects (Simuliidae and Hydropsychidae) and the consequences for larval growth rates, adult body size and fecundity, and (2) how the physical factors that determine the density of rocks emergent from the water's surface may affect population densities of insects where females lay their eggs on emergent rocks. Ecohydraulics is an interdisciplinary field that requires expertise in both ecology and hydraulics, and true interdisciplinary teams may have the best prospects of addressing the many unanswered and untackled questions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bendway weirs: Could they create habitat for the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow
Authors: Kinzli Kristoph‐Dietrich , Myrick Christopher A
Published: June 2009

Rehabilitation of the Middle Rio Grande in central New Mexico has become necessary to mitigate the effects of over a century of water and land development. The primary driving force behind rehabilitation efforts is the federally endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus). Bendway weirs, erosion control and channel‐stabilization structures placed transverse to the channel flow, have been used to prevent river migration while enhancing aquatic habitat. Habitat improvement plans on the Middle Rio Grande include the installation of bendway weirs, but the potential benefits of these structures for Rio Grande silvery minnow are unknown. We conducted a theoretical study on the flow conditions created by bendway weirs to determine if it is possible to create physical habitat for Rio Grande silvery minnow while simultaneously protecting the riverbank. Our study suggested that bendway weir installation could lead to the reduction of downstream displacement of Rio Grande silvery minnow eggs, the creation of Rio Grande silvery minnow feeding and refugia habitat, and the creation of drought or low flow habitat through scour hole formation. We also noted that the weirs could also serve as potential habitat for predators, and suggest further studies to better quantify the possible role of bendway weir installation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of an energy filter to improve the spatial resolution of electron backscatter diffraction
Authors: Bhattacharyya Abhishek , Eades John A.
Published: June 2009

The electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analytical technique is invaluable for determining the crystallography of bulk alloys, thin films, and nanoparticles. However, our physical understanding of EBSD pattern generation is incomplete, which hinders our ability to push the limits of EBSD analysis. Here, by using an energy filter with better than 10 eV resolution, an improvement in the spatial resolution of the EBSD pattern was experimentally demonstrated. A signal depth of less than 15 nm for an aluminum film was achieved by controlling the cutoff energy of the energy filter. Additionally, a two‐fold improvement in the spatial resolution across a grain boundary was observed using the energy filter. SCANNING 31: 114–121, 2009. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multivariate statistical analysis applied to an IL6 signal transduction model in hepatocytes
Authors: McArdle Alison , Kruger Uwe , Hahn Juergen
Published: June 2009

This paper introduces the application of linear multivariate statistical techniques, including partial least squares (PLS), canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and reduced rank regression (RRR), into the area of Systems Biology. This new approach aims to extract the important proteins embedded in complex signal transduction pathway models.

The analysis is performed on a model of intracellular signalling along the janus‐associated kinases/signal transducers and transcription factors (JAK/STAT) and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) signal transduction pathways in interleukin‐6 (IL6)
stimulated hepatocytes, which produce signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3).

A region of redundancy within the MAPK pathway that does not affect the STAT3 transcription was identified using CCA. This is the core finding of this analysis and cannot be obtained by inspecting the model by eye. In addition, RRR was found to isolate terms that do not significantly contribute to changes in protein concentrations, while the application of PLS does not provide such a detailed picture by virtue of its construction.

This analysis has a similar objective to conventional model reduction techniques with the advantage of maintaining the meaning of the states prior to and after the reduction process. A significant model reduction is performed, with a marginal loss in accuracy, offering a more concise model while maintaining the main influencing factors on the STAT3 transcription.

The findings offer a deeper understanding of the reaction terms involved, confirm the relevance of several proteins to the production of Acute Phase Proteins and complement existing findings regarding cross‐talk between the two signalling pathways. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatiotemporal Control of Apical and Basal Living Subcellular Chemical Environments Through Vertical Phase Separation
Authors: Yang Jui‐Ming , Didier Jonathan E. , Cassino Theresa R. , LeDuc Philip R.
Published: June 2009

Molecular distribution within living cells is organized through multiscaled compartmentalization that enables specialized processes to occur with high efficiency. The ability to control the chemical environment at a subcellular level is limited due to deficient positional control over the aqueous stimulant. Here, a multilayered microfluidic system built from polydimethylsiloxane to separate chemical stimulants over single living cells vertically through aqueous‐phase separation under laminar flow is demonstrated. Cells are cultured on top of single micrometer‐scale channels inside a larger channel, allowing labeling of the apical domain of single cells through the main channel with simultaneous and distinct labeling of the basal domain via the lower microchannels. The system is transparent, which allows the use of optical microscopy to investigate the spatiotemporal response of labeled components. By employing this technique, the examination of localized subcellular domain responses in polarization, lipid bilayer mobility, and apical‐to‐basal signal transduction can be explored.
Molecular Switch Controlled by Pulsed Bias Voltages
Authors: Meded Velimir , Bagrets Alexei , Arnold Andreas , Evers Ferdinand
Published: June 2009

Recent experiments have shown that the current–voltage characteristics (I–V) of BPDN‐DT (bipyridyl‐dinitro oligophenylene‐ethynylene dithiol) can be switched in a very controlled manner between “on” and “off” traces by applying a pulse in a bias voltage, Vbias. Here, the polaron formation energies are calculated to check a frequently held belief, namely, that the polaron formation can explain the observed bistability. These results are not consistent with such a mechanism. Instead, a conformational reorientation is proposed. The molecule carries an intrinsic dipole moment, which couples to Vbias. Ramping Vbias exerts a force on the dipole that can reorient (“rotate”) the molecule from the ground state (“off”) into a metastable configuration (“on”) and back. By elaborated electronic structure calculations, a specific path for this rotation is identified through the molecule's conformational phase space. It is shown that this path has sufficiently high barriers to inhibit thermal instability but that the molecule can still be switched in the voltage range of the junction stability. The theoretical I–Vs qualitatively reproduce the key experimental observations. A proposal for the experimental verification of the alternative mechanism of conductance switching is presented.
Two‐Dimensional Self‐Organization of an Ordered Au Silicide Nanowire Network on a Si(110)‐16 × 2 Surface
Authors: Hong Ie‐Hong , Yen Shang‐Chieh , Lin Fu‐Shiang
Published: June 2009

A well‐ordered two‐dimensional (2D) network consisting of two crossed Au silicide nanowire (NW) arrays is self‐organized on a Si(110)‐16 × 2 surface by the direct‐current heating of ≈1.5 monolayers of Au on the surface at 1100 K. Such a highly regular crossbar nanomesh exhibits both a perfect long‐range spatial order and a high integration density over a mesoscopic area, and these two self‐ordering crossed arrays of parallel‐aligned NWs have distinctly different sizes and conductivities. NWs are fabricated with widths and pitches as small as ≈2 and ≈5 nm, respectively. The difference in the conductivities of two crossed‐NW arrays opens up the possibility for their utilization in nanodevices of crossbar architecture. Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy studies show that the 2D self‐organization of this perfect Au silicide nanomesh can be achieved through two different directional electromigrations of Au silicide NWs along different orientations of two nonorthogonal 16 × 2 domains, which are driven by the electrical field of direct‐current heating. Prospects for this Au silicide nanomesh are also discussed.
Ship lift at Three Gorges Dam, China – design of steel structures
Authors: Akkermann Jan , Runte Thomas , Krebs Dorothea
Published: June 2009

The vertical ship lift at the Three Gorges Dam in China will consist of a reinforced concrete structure with an internal steel ship chamber. The chamber will be a self‐supporting orthotropic plate structure, continuously suspended from ropes with counterweights. Its components, such as segment gates, drive, horizontal guiding systems in the longitudinal and transverse directions plus locking and safety mechanisms are described here. A special procedure for reducing the tolerances of the steel components embedded in the reinforced concrete structure is explained.
Minimum cost design of a welded stiffened steel sectorial plate
Authors: Farkas József
Published: June 2009

The most economic form of stiffening is required for a steel sectorial plate. Stiffeners made from halved rolled I‐sections are welded to the base plate with double fillet welds. The plate is subjected to a uniformly distributed normal load. Three stiffening types are designed as follows: (a) non‐equidistant tangential stiffening with constant base plate thickness, (b) equidistant tangential stiffening with base plate thickness varying stepwise, and (c) equidistant tangential stiffening with constant base plate thickness combined with radial stiffeners.

Each form of stiffening is designed so that the maximum stress due to bending from the factored normal load in the base plate parts should not exceed the yield stress. The positions of the non‐equidistant tangential stiffeners are calculated by a special mathematical algorithm. The costs of materials, assembly, welding and painting are calculated for each stiffening version and the costs are compared with each other.

The cost comparison shows that – for a given numerical problem – stiffening type (b) is the cheapest and type (a) the lightest. Type (c) needs too much welding and is also the most expensive.
Evaluation of Double Tract Reconstruction After Total Gastrectomy in Patients with Gastric Cancer: Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Iwahashi Makoto , Nakamori Mikihito , Nakamura Masaki , Naka Teiji , Ojima Toshiyasu , Iida Takeshi , Katsuda Masahiro , Ueda Kentaro , Yamaue Hiroki
Published: June 2009

Background

The double tract (DT) method was compared with the Roux‐en‐Y (R‐Y) method to identify the optimal reconstruction procedure after total gastrectomy for patients with gastric cancer. The DT reconstruction is as simple as the R‐Y, and it can be safely performed even after total gastrectomy. However, these have been no studies evaluating the usefulness of DT reconstruction in comparison to R‐Y reconstruction.

Methods

A group of 44 patients with gastric cancer were intraoperatively randomized for R‐Y (n = 23) or DT reconstruction (n = 21) after total gastrectomy (TG). Body weight, food intake, nutritional conditions, and quality of life (QOL) were determined at 3 and 12 months after the operation. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT00746161.

Results

Food intake significantly decreased soon after the operation. No differences were observed between the DT and R‐Y groups. The body weight decreased throughout the ensuing period (P < 0.05) and thereafter gradually recovered. However, no differences were observed between the two groups. Among the nutritional laboratory parameters, serum prealbumin, retinol‐binding protein, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were decreased soon after the operation. The changes of those parameters were not substantially different between the two groups. The postoperative QOL was evaluated, and no differences were observed between those groups.

Conclusions

There were no particular advantages in the DT method after TG in comparison to the simple R‐Y method in terms of body weight, QOL, and nutritional conditions, suggesting that the DT method might not be recommended after TG for patients with gastric cancer.
An Update on Long‐Term Outcome of Curative Hepatic Resection for Hepatocholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Chok Kenneth Siu‐Ho , Ng Kelvin K. C. , Cheung Tan To , Yuen Wai Key , Poon Ronnie T. P. , Lo Chung Mau , Fan Sheung Tat
Published: June 2009

Background

Hepatocholangiocarcinoma (HCC‐CC) is a rare primary liver cancer. Its long‐term prognosis is still not well‐defined. Results from the Eastern and Western literature have been conflicting and no conclusions can be drawn. The aim of the present study was to review the long‐term outcome of curative hepatectomy for HCC‐CC.

Patients and methods

Prospectively collected data from December 1991 to 2006 recording patients with primary liver cancer receiving curative hepatectomy were reviewed. Twenty‐five patients, 16 men and 9 women with a median age of 48 years, all ethnic Chinese, had HCC‐CC. Their long‐term outcome of resection was analyzed and compared to that of patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CC) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Results

The HCC‐CC patients had a median tumor size of 7.5 cm. Five of them developed postoperative complications. The median follow‐up period was 25 months. All of the patients developed recurrence. The median overall survival was 25.2 months. The HCC‐CC and CC groups had significantly worse overall survival than the HCC group (HCC versus HCC‐CC, p = 0.012; HCC versus CC, p = 0.001) whereas between them there was no significant difference (p = 0.822). As for disease‐free survival, there was no significant difference between the three groups; the median disease‐free survival for HCC‐CC patients was 13.5 months; that for CC patients, 16.1 months; and that for HCC patients, 19.0 months. All HCC‐CC patients died within 120 months of primary surgery.

Conclusions

Hepatocholangiocarcinoma entails poor long‐term outcome after potentially curative hepatectomy. Other modalities of treatment should be explored in order to prolong survival of patients with this disease.
Changes in variance components of forest structure along a chronosequence in a wave‐regenerated forest
Authors: Suzuki Satoshi N. , Kachi Naoki , Suzuki Jun‐Ichirou
Published: June 2009

We explored structural mean and variation along a chronosequence in a wave‐regenerated forest on Mt. Shimagare, Japan, and examined differences in the components of variation between developmental stages. Because there are several strips of stands at the same developmental stage in the forest, between‐ and within‐strip variances (i.e., variance components) were analyzed at each stage. Three strips were selected for each of three developmental stages (one for saplings to three for mature trees), and four plots were established in each of the strips. Stem densities and stand basal areas for trees taller than 20 cm were computed for all plots. Six Bayesian ANOVA models were compared to examine the temporal patterns of stage means, total variance, and the variance components for the two stand structural parameters. The results of the model comparison suggested that the variation in stem densities decreased from the sapling stage to the mature stage, but variation in stand basal areas remained roughly constant throughout forest development. For both density and basal area, the relative magnitudes of each variance component compared to the total variance differed between stages; the ratios of between‐strip variation to within‐strip variation were highest at the mature stage. Our results suggest that forest structure exhibited higher variability during development of the wave‐regenerated forest than was assumed in previous studies and that the variance components for the forest structure varied temporally among developmental stages. This study thus illustrated a potential application of the chronosequence approach to infer the dynamics of a spatially heterogeneous and hierarchically structured ecosystem.
Frying Quality Characteristics of French Fries Prepared in Refined Olive Oil and Palm Olein
Authors: Tabee Elham , Jägerstad Margaretha , Dutta Paresh C.
Published: June 2009

The objective of this study was to compare two oils with different polyunsaturated/saturated (P/S) fatty acid ratios, refined olive oil (P/S 0.75) and palm olein (P/S 0.25), in frying French fries. The chemical qualities of the oil residues extracted from the French fries were assayed for five consecutive batches fried at 1‐h intervals. The levels of total polar compounds, free fatty acids, p‐anisidine value and phytosterol oxidation products (POPs) were elevated in French fries fried in both oils. The level of total polar compounds increased from 4.6 in fresh refined olive oil to 7.3% in final batches of French fries. The corresponding figures for palm olein were 9.8–13.8%. The level of free fatty acid in fresh refined olive oil increased from 0.06 to 0.11% in final products. These figures for palm olein were 0.04–0.13%. The p‐anisidine value increased from 3.7 to 32.8 and 2.5 to 53.4 in fresh oils and in final batches of French fries in refined olive oil and palm olein, respectively. The total amount of POPs in fresh refined olive oil increased from 5.1 to 9.6 μg/g oil in final products. These figures were 1.9 to 5.3 μg/g oil for palm olein.
A social relations analysis of liking for and by peers: Associations with gender, depression, peer perception, and worry
Authors: Zimmer‐Gembeck Melanie J. , Waters Allison M. , Kindermann Thomas
Published: June 2009

We used social relations modeling (SRM; mixed modeling and SOREMO) to examine liking among peers (affective preferences) in relation to gender and socioemotional problems. Participants (N = 278, age 10 to 13) rated how much they liked each other and reported depressive symptoms, negative beliefs, and social worries. Boys and girls were equally liked, but liked same‐gender more than cross‐gender peers. Genders showed similar consensus about liking for same‐gender peers; rater differences were important for cross‐gender liking. Depressed preadolescents were liked less but did not like classmates less. Participants who attributed more negative qualities to peers were less liked and liked others less. SRM showed no associations between worry and affective preferences, whereas others analyses indicated those with high worry were less liked. SRM results were compared to results using more typical methods, and recommendations were made for using same‐gender vs. cross‐gender ratings and summary affective preference scores.
Methods of maintaining human embryonic stem cells continues to be worth studying
Authors: Wang Zi‐Kuan , Ou Dong‐Bo , Zheng Qiang‐Sun
Published: June 2009

This article gives a brief comment on the culture of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) with the aim to maintain the potency of hESCs in well state and produce more homogenous cell clones.
Characterisation of mutations in GroES that allow GroEL to function as a single ring
Authors: Liu Han , Kovács Eszter , Lund Peter A.
Published: June 2009

The chaperonin GroEL contains two seven‐subunit rings, and allosteric signals between them are required to complete the GroEL reaction cycle. For this reason SR1, a mutant of GroEL that forms only single rings, cannot function as a chaperone. Mutations in SR1 that restore chaperone function weaken its interaction with the cochaperonin GroES. We predicted that GroES mutants with reduced affinity for GroEL would also restore function to SR1. To test this, we mutated residues in GroES in and near its contact site with GroEL. Nearly half of the mutants showed partial function with SR1. Two mutants were confirmed to have reduced affinity for GroEL. Intriguingly, some GroES mutants were able to function with active single ring mutants of GroEL.
Pathogen‐inducibleCaUGT1is involved in resistance response against TMV infection by controlling salicylic acid accumulation
Authors: Lee Boo-Ja , Kim Sung-Kyu , Choi Soo Bok , Bae Jungdon , Kim Ki-Jeong , Kim Young-Jin , Paek Kyung-Hee
Published: June 2009

Capsicum annuumL.Bugangexhibits a hypersensitive response againstTobacco mosaic virus(TMV) P0infection. TheC. annuumUDP‐glucosyltransferase 1(CaUGT1) gene was upregulated during resistance response to TMV and by salicylic acid, ethephon, methyl viologen, and sodium nitroprusside treatment. When the gene was downregulated by virus‐induced gene silencing, a delayed HR was observed. In addition, free and total SA concentrations in theCaUGT1‐downregulated hot pepper were decreased by 52% and 48% compared to that of the control plants, respectively. This suggested that theCaUGT1gene was involved in resistance response against TMV infection by controlling the accumulation of SA.
Bridging the gap: From protein misfolding to protein misfolding diseases
Authors: Luheshi Leila M. , Dobson Christopher M.
Published: June 2009

Protein misfolding and aggregation are pathognomic for a number of the most common age‐related degenerative diseases. Great progress has been made in studying protein aggregation in the test tube and also in replicating protein aggregation in vertebrate animal models of these diseases. However, we argue here that the development and effective integration of emerging techniques such as the methods of nanoscience and the use of invertebrate models are now providing powerful new opportunities to advance our current understanding of the fundamental origins of these disorders.
Early embryonic brain development in rats requires the trophic influence of cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Martin C. , Alonso M.I. , Santiago C. , Moro J.A. , De la Mano A. , Carretero R. , Gato A.
Published: June 2009

Cerebrospinal fluid has shown itself to be an essential brain component during development. This is particularly evident at the earliest stages of development where a lot of research, performed mainly in chick embryos, supports the evidence that cerebrospinal fluid is involved in different mechanisms controlling brain growth and morphogenesis, by exerting a trophic effect on neuroepithelial precursor cells (NPC) involved in controlling the behaviour of these cells. Despite it being known that cerebrospinal fluid in mammals is directly involved in corticogenesis at fetal stages, the influence of cerebrospinal fluid on the activity of NPC at the earliest stages of brain development has not been demonstrated. Here, using “in vitro” organotypic cultures of rat embryo brain neuroepithelium in order to expose NPC to or deprive them of cerebrospinal fluid, we show that the neuroepithelium needs the trophic influence of cerebrospinal fluid to undergo normal rates of cell survival, replication and neurogenesis, suggesting that NPC are not self‐sufficient to induce their normal activity. This data shows that cerebrospinal fluid is an essential component in chick and rat early brain development, suggesting that its influence could be constant in higher vertebrates.
Women are still deprived of access to lifesaving essential and emergency obstetric care
Authors: Islam Monir , Yoshida Sachiyo
Published: June 2009

Two decades have passed since the global community agreed in Nairobi to the Safe Motherhood Initiative to reduce maternal deaths. However, every year 536 000 pregnant women are dying. There is no ambiguity about why most of these women are dying. These tragedies are avoidable if women have timely access to quality essential obstetric and emergency care. Rural and poor women are mostly excluded from accessing skilled and emergency care. Quality facility‐based care is the best option to reduce maternal mortality. Scaling up essential interventions and services—particularly for those who are excluded—is a substantial and challenging undertaking. We need to challenge our policy makers and program managers to refocus program content; to shift focus from development of new technologies toward development of viable organizational strategies to provide access to essential and emergency obstetric care 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and account for every birth and every death.
Primary anastomosis of segmental external auditory canal atresia in a cat
Authors: Coomer Alastair R. , Bacon Nick
Published: June 2009

External auditory canal atresia (EACA) may arise as a congenital deformity, or as sequel to external auditory canal trauma. Diagnosis of EACA was made in this 3-year-old cat by video otoscopy and computed tomography. Successful treatment of congenital segmental EACA was achieved, using end-to-end anastomosis. Primary anastomosis should be considered for treatment of both acute and chronic separation of the annular and auricular cartilages, as well as congenital EACA in the cat.
Laryngeal disease in cats: A retrospective study of 35 cases
Authors: Taylor Samantha S. , Harvey Andrea M. , Barr Frances J. , Moore Alasdair H. , Day Michael J.
Published: June 2009

The aim of this retrospective study was to review the medical records of cats referred to the University of Bristol for investigation of laryngeal disease (n=35). Cases were categorised into one of four groups: cats with laryngeal paralysis (LP, n=14), laryngeal neoplasia (n=10), laryngeal inflammation (n=6), or miscellaneous laryngeal diseases (n=5). Laryngoscopy and echolaryngography were useful diagnostic techniques but histology was required for diagnosis of diseases other than LP. Two cats with lymphoma received chemotherapy achieving survival times of 60 and 1440 days. Four cats with LP were treated surgically, with a median survival time of 300 days (range 10–360 days) and six were treated conservatively with a median survival time of 780 days (range 300–2520 days). Three cats with inflammatory disease were treated medically and one by excision of the lesion. Two cats achieved survival times of 120 and 2800 days. Cats with LP, laryngeal lymphoma or laryngitis had excellent long-term survival following appropriate treatment.
Magnetic resonance imaging of radiation-induced thymic atrophy as a model for pathologic changes in acute feline immunodeficiency virus infection
Authors: Kuhnt Leah A. , Jennings Ryan N. , Brawner William R. , Hathcock John T. , Carreno Abigail D. , Johnson Calvin M.
Published: June 2009

The development of a protocol to reproducibly induce thymic atrophy, as occurs in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection and other immunosuppressive diseases, and to consistently estimate thymic volume, provides a valuable tool in the search of innovative and novel therapeutic strategies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the short tau inversion recovery (STIR) technique, with fat suppression properties, was determined to provide an optimized means of locating, defining, and quantitatively estimating thymus volume in young cats. Thymic atrophy was induced in four, 8–10-week-old kittens with a single, directed 500 cGy dose of 6 MV X-rays from a clinical linear accelerator, and sequential MR images of the cranial mediastinum were collected at 2, 7, 14, and 21 days post irradiation (PI). Irradiation induced a severe reduction in thymic volume, which was decreased, on average, to 47% that of normal, by 7 days PI. Histopathology confirmed marked, diffuse thymic atrophy, characterized by reduced thymic volume, decreased overall cellularity, increased apoptosis, histiocytosis, and reduced distinction of the corticomedullary junction, comparable to that seen in acute FIV infection. Beginning on day 7 PI, thymic volumes rebounded slightly and continued to increase over the following 14 days, regaining 3–35% of original volume. These findings demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of using this non-invasive, in vivo imaging technique to measure and evaluate changes in thymic volume in physiologic and experimental situations. All experimental protocols in this study were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Auburn University.
Frequency of apoptotic keratinocytes in the feline epidermis: A retrospective light-microscopic study of skin-biopsy specimens from 327 cats with normal skin or inflammatory dermatoses
Authors: Vogel Jeff W. , Scott Danny W. , Erb Hollis N.
Published: June 2009

A retrospective light-microscopic study was performed on 294 biopsy specimens of haired skin from cats with various feline inflammatory dermatoses and specimens from cats with normal skin. Conditions expected to frequently have apoptotic epidermal keratinocytes (AKs) (including erythema multiforme, systemic lupus erythematosus, thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis, solar dermatitis, and viral dermatopathies) were found to have significantly more AKs than other types of inflammatory dermatoses. Nevertheless, we found more than two AKs in many skin-biopsy specimens from inflammatory conditions not expected to have frequent AKs (especially those from ectoparasitic dermatoses). Only a single AK was found in 1/33 cats with normal skin.
MediatingMusic:materiality and silence in Madonna's ‘Don't Tell Me’
Authors: DANIELSEN ANNE , MAASØ ARNT
Published: June 2009

This article investigates how the concrete sound of and recording process behind a pop tune relate to the possibilities and constraints of its electronic media. After a brief presentation of some theoretical issues related to the question of mediation and materiality, we address the claim that digitisation erases the material aspects of mediation through an investigation of contemporary popular music. Through a close analysis of the sound (and the silence) in Madonna's song ‘Don't Tell Me’, from the albumMusic(2000), as well as in a handful of related examples, we argue that one can indeed identify specific aural qualities associated with digital sound, and that these qualities may be used to achieve different aesthetic effects as well as to shed light on mediation and medium specificity as such.
The groove in the box: a technologically mediated inspiration in electronic dance music
Authors: TJORA AKSEL H.
Published: June 2009

Even though electronic and computer-based technologies are commonly used in music composition, performance and recording, this field of technology use has, with a few exceptions, remained fairly unexplored within social studies of technology. In this article, the role of technology in music production is investigated by applying the notion of script (Akrich 1992) to an empirical study of users of the Roland MC303 Groovebox, a self-contained instrument for making techno, rap, jungle, hip-hop, acid and other styles of electronic (dance) music. The study focuses especially on individual differences between users' perceptions of the musical-stylistic directedness of the Groovebox and how they construct different user scripts and more advanced needs as they become more familiar with the instrument. The latter observation highlights the relevance of a user trajectory, the notion that enthusiast technology users may keep on using a specific technological artefact through various usage modes or scripts over time.
Popular cultural cringe: language as signifier of authenticity and quality in the Singaporean popular music market
Authors: MATTAR YASSER
Published: June 2009

This article looks at the popular music industry in Singapore and argues that there exists a ‘cultural cringe’ for domestic English-language music, which is considered as inferior to English-language music from Western countries. Singaporean consumers of popular music use the English language as a signifier of authenticity and consequently quality of musicians. Local musicians are deemed ‘inauthentic’ because consumers perceive the local variant of English spoken in Singapore is inferior to other variants of English spoken in Western countries. There is thus an underlying sub-text of an inferiority complex coming out of the post-colonial experience that effectively diminishes the possibility of success as English-language musicians. Yet, such a phenomenon is not observed in the vernacular Malay and Chinese-language music industries. In the final analysis, this article suggests that modernisation and modernity for Singapore is neither completely localised nor completely imposed: there exists a negotiation in the popular cultural sphere based on historical (colonial) baggage.