bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RAD 001 (everolimus) prevents mTOR and Akt late re‐activation in response to imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Mancini Manuela , Petta Sara , Martinelli Giovanni , Barbieri Enza , Santucci Maria A.
Published: December 2009

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is one target of BCR‐ABL fusion gene of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Moreover, it drives a compensatory route to Imatinib mesylate (IM) possibly involved in the progression of leukemic progenitors towards a drug‐resistant phenotype. Accordingly, mTOR inhibitors are proposed for combined therapeutic strategies in CML. The major caveat in the use of mTOR inhibitors for cancer therapy comes from the induction of an mTOR‐phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3k) feedback loop driving the retrograde activation of Akt. Here we show that the rapamycin derivative RAD 001 (everolimus, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research) inhibits mTOR and, more importantly, revokes mTOR late re‐activation in response to IM. RAD 001 interferes with the assembly of both mTOR complexes: mTORC1 and mTORC2. The inhibition of mTORC2 results in the de‐phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 in the hydrophobic motif of C‐terminal tail required for Akt full activation and precludes Akt re‐phosphorylation in response to IM. Moreover, RAD 001‐induced inhibition of Akt causes the de‐phosphorylation of tuberous sclerosis tumor suppressor protein TSC2 at 14‐3‐3 binding sites, TSC2 release from 14‐3‐3 sigma (restoring its inhibitory function on mTORC1) and nuclear import (promoting the nuclear translocation of cyclin‐dependent kinase [CDK] inhibitor p27Kip1, the stabilization of p27Kip1 ligand with CDK2, and the G0/G1 arrest). RAD 001 cytotoxicity on cells not expressing the BCR‐ABL fusion gene or its p210 protein tyrosine kinase (TK) activity suggests that the inhibition of normal hematopoiesis may represent a drug side effect. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 320–328, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SAFB1's multiple functions in biological control—lots still to be done!
Authors: Garee Jason P. , Oesterreich Steffi
Published: December 2009

The examination of scaffold attachment factor B1 (SAFB1) and its multiple functions and tasks in cellular processes provides insight into its role in diseases, such as cancer. SAFB1 is a large multi‐domain protein with well‐described functions in transcriptional repression, and RNA splicing. It is ubiquitously expressed, and has been shown to be important in numerous cellular processes including cell growth, stress response, and apoptosis. SAFB1 is part of a protein family with at least two other family members, SAFB2 and the SAFB‐like transcriptional modulator SLTM. The goal of this prospect article is to summarize known functions of SAFB1, and its roles in cellular processes, but also to speculate on less well described, novel attributes of SAFB1, such as a potential role in chromatin organization. This timely review shows aspects of SAFB1, which are proving to have a complexity far greater than was previously thought. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 312–319, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contrast‐enhanced sonography with abdominal virtual sonography in monitoring radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kisaka Yoshiyasu , Hirooka Masashi , Koizumi Yohei , Abe Masanori , Matsuura Bunzo , Hiasa Yoichi , Onji Morikazu
Published: December 2009

Background.

Contrast‐enhanced CT is regarded as the gold standard for monitoring radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, 3‐dimensional volume data from CT have been used to create cross‐sectional multiplanar reconstruction images. Using this technique, we can reconstruct 2‐dimensional CT images identical in orientation to ultrasound (US) images, which we call virtual sonographic (VUS) images. The present prospective randomized control trial compared the number of CT scans needed to assess the efficacy of RFA of HCC using VUS‐contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) versus CT.

Method.

Subjects comprised 50 patients (50 HCCs) treated with US‐guided RFA between May 2005 and August 2006, randomized to undergo assessment by CT (Group 1; 25 HCC nodules) or VUS‐CEUS (Group 2; 25 HCC nodules). All patients were followed for 1 year. Primary endpoint was whether the number of CT scans could be reduced using VUS‐CEUS.

Result.

Mean number of CT scans required was 1.64 ± 0.7 in Group 1 and 1.1 ± 0.2 in Group 2 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion.

VUS‐CEUS can be used to assess the efficacy of HCC of RFA, with the potential to reduce the number of CT scans required for that purpose. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2010
Spatiotemporal differences in the interannual variability of Baiu frontal activity in June
Authors: Yamaura Tsuyoshi , Tomita Tomohiko
Published: December 2009

The Baiu frontal activity (BFA) clearly shows spatiotemporal differences in its interannual variability. This work examines the physical mechanisms behind these differences. On interannual time scales, the Baiu front can be divided into three subregions: (1) the western Baiu (WB), (2) the central Baiu (CB), and (3) the eastern Baiu (EB). Time series analysis revealed that the dominant periods in these three subregions are long eastward periods of approximately 2 years in the WB, 4 years in the CB, and 6 years in the EB.

The biennial oscillation of the Asian monsoon controls the interannual variation in the WB through specific meridional circulation in the western North Pacific, whereas the El Niño/Southern Oscillation forces the interannual variation in the CB through the Pacific–East Asian teleconnection. The interannual variation in the EB is controlled by mid‐latitude atmospheric circulations, not by effects from the Tropics. The summertime North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO) with a 6‐year period excites the stationary Rossby waves, the energies of which reach Japan through the strong upper tropospheric westerlies over Eurasia. Geopotential height anomalies then appear around Japan with an equivalent barotropic structure that modifies the precipitation in the EB. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Impact of α‐amylase and maltodextrin on physicochemical, functional and antioxidant capacity of spray‐dried purple sweet potato flour
Authors: Ahmed Maruf , Akter Mst Sorifa , Eun Jong‐Bang
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: Purple sweet potato flour could be used to enhance food products through colour, flavour and nutrients. Purple sweet potato flour has not yet been prepared with maltodextrin and amylase treatment using spray drying. Thus, the investigation was to evaluate the effect of various levels of maltodextrin (30 and 50 g kg−1 w/v), amylase (3 and 7 g kg−1 puree) and combined with maltodextrin and amylase on the physicochemical, functional and antioxidant capacity of spray dried purple sweet potato flours.

RESULTS: Amylase and amylase with maltodextrin‐treated flours had a higher anthocyanin and total phenolic content than the control and maltodextrin‐treated flours. However, the antioxidant capacity was higher in the control and maltodextrin‐treated flours compared to the amylase and amylase with maltodextrin‐treated flours. The control had a higher water absorption index and lower water solubility index compared to the maltodextrin and combined with amylase and maltodextrin‐treated flours. On the other hand, maltodextrin increased whereas α‐amylase decreased the glass transition temperature. With respect to morphology, the particles of amylase‐treated flours were smaller than the control and maltodextrin‐treated flours.

CONCLUSION: The results showed that good quality flour could be prepared by combining 30 g kg−1 maltodextrin and 7 g kg−1 amylase treatment. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Ab initio chemical kinetics for the NH2 + HNOx reactions, part III: Kinetics and mechanism for NH2 + HONO2
Authors: Xu Shucheng , Lin M. C.
Published: December 2009

The kinetics and mechanism for the reaction of NH2 with HONO2 have been investigated by ab initio calculations with rate constant prediction. The potential energy surface of this reaction has been computed by single‐point calculations at the CCSD(T)/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) level based on geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) level. The reaction producing the primary products, NH3 + NO3, takes place via a precursor complex, H2N…HONO2 with an 8.4‐kcal/mol binding energy. The rate constants for major product channels in the temperature range 200–3000 K are predicted by variational transition state or variational Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus theory. The results show that the reaction has a noticeable pressure dependence at T < 900 K. The total rate constants at 760 Torr Ar‐pressure can be represented by ktotal = 1.71 × 10−3 × T−3.85 exp(−96/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at T = 200–550 K, 5.11 × 10−23 × T+3.22 exp(70/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at T = 550–3000 K. The branching ratios of primary channels at 760 Torr Ar‐pressure are predicted: k1 producing NH3 + NO3 accounts for 1.00–0.99 in the temperature range of 200–3000 K and k2 + k3 producing H2NO + HONO accounts for less than 0.01 when temperature is more than 2600 K. The reverse reaction, NH3 + NO3 → NH2 + HONO2 shows relatively weak pressure dependence at P < 100 Torr and T < 600 K due to its precursor complex, NH3…O3N with a lower binding energy of 1.8 kcal/mol. The predicted rate constants can be represented by k−1 = 6.70 × 10−24 × T+3.58 exp(−850/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at T = 200–3000 K and 760 Torr N2 pressure, where the predicted rate at T = 298 K, 2.8 × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 is in good agreement with the experimental data. The NH3 + NO3 formation rate constant was found to be a factor of 4 smaller than that of the reaction OH + HONO2 producing the H2O + NO3 because of the lower barrier for the transition state for the OH + HONO2. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 69–78, 2010
Kinetic Simulations of Reversible Chain Transfer Catalyzed Polymerization (RTCP): Guidelines to Optimum Molecular Weight Control
Authors: Vana Philipp , Goto Atsushi
Published: December 2009

Kinetic simulations of reversible chain transfer catalyzed polymerization (RTCP) were performed using the program package Predici. Mimicking the RTCP of styrene in bulk at 80 °C, the full molecular weight distributions, the polydispersities of resulting polymer and the time evolutions of monomer conversion and participating species were simulated. The influence of the kinetic coefficients governing the RTCP equilibrium – specifically, the rate coefficients of activation, ka, and deactivation, kda – on the controlled polymerization behavior was probed in detail by varying their respective simulation input values over five orders of magnitude. It was found that optimum results for molecular weight control are obtained for K = ka/kda in the range 1 to 10 and with ka and kda being of the order of 106 L · mol−1 · s−1 or above. The influence of degenerative chain transfer on the process was found to be significant only in poorly controlled systems, but is small in well‐controlled RTCP. Based on the finding that the catalyst is depleting during the polymerization due to cross‐termination, guidelines for obtaining high molecular weight material via repeated addition of catalyst were developed.

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Beeinflussung der Hartstoffverteilung beim Plasma‐Pulver‐Auftragschweißen
Authors: Ebert L. , Thurner S. , Neyka S.
Published: December 2009

In diesem Artikel wird aufgezeigt, wie mit Hilfe der Modulation des Plasmagasvolumenstroms die Verteilung von Hartstoffen in der Schmelze beim Plasma‐Pulver‐Auftragschweißen beeinflusst werden kann. Es wird erläutert, wie diese Modulation technisch realisiert wird und welche Wirkung verschiedene Plasmagasvolumenströme auf die Druckverteilung im Lichtbogen erzielen. Anhand von Versuchen mit einer Kobalt‐Basis Legierung wird im Plasma‐Auftrag‐Zweipulverprozess demonstriert, wie eine gepulste Plasmagaszufuhr die Verteilung von zusätzlich eingebrachten Wolframschmelzkarbiden beeinflusst. Die erreichte Partikelverteilung im Standardprozess und im Gaspulsprozess wird anhand metallographischer Schliffe gegenübergestellt. Weiterhin werden die Erzeugung und die Wirkung des zeitlich veränderlichen Plasmagasvolumenstroms analysiert.
The generation of nanocolloidal wear from stainless steel and titanium alloy and its toxic effects in a monocyte cell culture model
Authors: Podleska L.E. , Weuster M. , Buescher R. , Hussmann B. , Nast‐Kolb D. , Taeger G.
Published: December 2009

This study addresses the aspect of submicron‐sized / nanocolloidal wear comparing stainless steel (316L) and titanium alloy (TiAl6V4) for their toxic and inflammatory potentials. Wear was generated in a tribometer using the disc‐on‐pin‐method with pin and disc submerged in a sterile cell culture medium setting. The wear medium was separated according to Stokes' law into a fraction smaller 200 nm (nanocolloids) and a fraction greater 200 nm (particles). Vitality and inflammatory potential was measured in a cell culture model employing murine macrophages (J774). Cells were incubated with increasing concentrations (12.5, 25 and 50vol%) of either wear medium (particles and nanocolloids) from 316L and TiAl6V4. Vitality was measured by MTT assay and inflammatory reactions were quantified by TNF‐α ELISA.

Nanocolloids from stainless steel and titanium induced strong, dose dependant toxic effects in the MTT assay while particles did not affect vitality in a dose dependant manner. The inflammatory response remained unaltered in all four groups. We conclude that interactions between soluble metallic wear and proteins forming nanocolloidal wear should be considered when conduction experiments addressing the aspect of biocompatibility in metallic implant materials.
Clinical measures of dysarthria in Friedreich Ataxia
Authors: Singh Arunjot , Epstein Elizabeth , Myers Lauren M. , Farmer Jennifer M. , Lynch David R.
Published: December 2009

Dysarthria in Friedreich Ataxia (FA) is difficult to quantify. This study evaluated a series of performance measures for speech in 22 patients with genetically confirmed FA and 16 age‐matched controls. Tests included the PATA examination, the PATAKA examination, the Oral Motor component of the Boston Aphasia examination, the Boston Cookie Theft description task, and the Assessment of Intelligibility of Dysarthric Speech. All measures, except the Cookie theft description task, demonstrated significantly lower scores for patients with FA when compared with controls and correlated with measures of disease progression. Thus, four of five measures capture speech dysfunction in FA and may provide feasible, inexpensive, quantitative testing for therapeutic monitoring in FA. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Differential neuropsychological profiles in Parkinsonian patients with or without vascular lesions
Authors: Santangelo Gabriella , Vitale Carmine , Trojano Luigi , De Gaspari Danilo , Bilo Leonilda , Antonini Angelo , Barone Paolo
Published: December 2009

The purpose of this study is to compare the neuropsychological profile of patients affected by parkinsonism and vascular lesions to that in patients with PD alone (PD) and to evaluate whether the brain vascular lesion load is associated with neuropsychological variables. Thirty‐six nondemented patients with parkinsonism were divided into 3 groups of 12 patients each, according to both clinical history and the presence of brain vascular lesions and/or dopaminergic denervation as revealed by magnetic resonance and dopamine transporter imaging, respectively. The first group had vascular lesions without dopaminergic denervation (VP group); the second group had vascular lesions and dopaminergic denervation (DD) (VP+DD group); and the third group consisted of patients with dopaminergic denervation (PD group) without vascular lesions. All patients underwent neurological and neuropsychological assessments. The groups differed in disease duration, age at onset, and cerebrovascular risk factors. The VP and VP+DD groups performed worse than the PD group on frontal/executive tasks. Regardless of the presence of dopaminergic denervation, cerebrovascular lesions in hemispheric white matter, basal ganglia, and cerebellum have an important effect in determining early onset and severity of cognitive impairment in patients with parkinsonism. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Motor laterality asymmetry and nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Cubo Esther , Martinez Martín Pablo , Martin‐Gonzalez Jesus A. , Rodríguez‐Blázquez Carmen , Kulisevsky Jaime ,   ELEP Group Members
Published: December 2009

Background: In patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), asymmetric motor signs provide an interesting model to evaluate whether asymmetric nigrostriatal degeneration can affect neuropsychological function and other nonmotor symptoms (NMS). This study was designed to evaluate the predominant laterality of motor symptoms and its relationship with cognition and other NMS in idiopathic PD. Methods: Nationwide, longitudinal, and multicenter study (ELEP Registry) using outpatients with PD. Left PD (LPD) and right PD (RPD) was defined based on the motor signs on the SCOPA‐motor scale. To include the clinical spectrum of asymmetric PD patients, we considered two groups of patients with mild‐moderate and extreme asymmetry. Predominant LPD or RPD with mild‐moderate versus extreme asymmetry were compared using the following scales: cognition, psychosis (Parkinson Psychosis Rating Scale), anxiety/depression, sleep (and autonomic dysfunction at baseline and 1 year later. Nonparametric tests were used for comparison. Results: One hundred forty‐nine PD patients (74 RPD and 75 LPD) with mild‐moderate asymmetry and 90 (47 RPD and 43 LPD) with extreme asymmetry and a mean age of 64.5 (10.4) years were included. Extreme RPD had higher Parkinson Psychosis Rating Scale scores over time (P = 0.005) compared with LPD, but no significant differences were observed between LPD and RPD in terms of other NMS. Conclusions: These findings suggest that damage to left‐hemisphere plays a disproportionately greater role in PD‐related psychosis over time. In contrast, motor laterality does not consistently affect other NMS, suggesting that NMS are related to a more widespread brain disorder. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
External validation of abbreviated versions of the activities‐specific balance confidence scale in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lohnes Corey A. , Earhart Gammon M.
Published: December 2009

Balance confidence, measured using the Activity‐Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC‐16), can affect quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Two abbreviated 6‐item versions of the ABC‐16 have been previously derived to measure balance confidence in an expedited fashion. This study aimed to validate these abbreviated versions and to determine their correlations with measures of balance and functional capacity. Eighty‐nine individuals with PD participated in the study. Using the 25th percentile, five items were identified as the lowest scoring items (i.e., lowest balance confidence), and thus a 5‐item version of the questionnaire was created. Internal consistency and the relationship with the ABC‐16 were good for all abbreviated versions (Cronbachα> 0.93; ICC > 0.91). All versions correlated significantly with most measures of balance and function, with no differences between versions. An abbreviation of the ABC‐16, using only five items, may prove useful in busy clinical and research settings. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Particle Growth During the Polymerisation of Olefins on Supported Catalysts, 1 – Nascent Polymer Structures
Authors: McKenna Timothy F. L. , Di Martino Audrey , Weickert Guenter , Soares João B. P.
Published: December 2009

It is shown that the relationship between the catalyst/polymer structure, process conditions and final product properties needs to be addressed in more detail. From an industrial point of view, the interest starts from the need to control the growth of the catalyst/polymer particle during the polymerisation process. This first part of a two‐part review discusses the different factors that can influence the physical properties of the nascent polymer, and how these can impact the evolution of particle morphology.

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Crack face contact in X‐FEM using a segment‐to‐segment approach
Authors: Giner E. , Tur M. , Tarancón J. E. , Fuenmayor F. J.
Published: December 2009

In this study, we propose a segment‐to‐segment contact formulation (mortar‐based) that uses Lagrange's multipliers to establish the contact between crack faces when modeled with the extended finite element method (X‐FEM) in 2D problems. It is shown that, in general, inaccuracies arise when the contact is formulated following a point‐to‐point approach. This is due to the non‐linear character of the X‐FEM interpolation along the crack faces that leads to crack face interpenetration. However, the segment‐to‐segment approach optimizes the fulfilment of the contact constraints along the whole crack segment, and in practice the contact is modeled precisely. Convergence studies for mesh sequences have been performed, showing the advantages of the proposed methodology. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morphology, thermal stability, and flammability of polymer matrix composites coated with hybrid nanopapers
Authors: Tang Yong , Zhuge Jinfeng , Gou Jihua , Chen Ruey‐Hung , Ibeh Christopher , Hu Yuan
Published: December 2009

In this study, a hybrid nanopaper consisting of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (POSS) or cloisite Na+ clay, has been fabricated through the papermaking process. The hybrid nanopaper was then coated on the surface of glass fiber (GF) reinforced polymer matrix composites through resin transfer molding (RTM) process. The morphologies of the hybrid nanopaper and resulting nanocomposites were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It can be seen that the nanopaper had a porous structure with highly entangled carbon nanofibers and the polyester resin completely penetrated the nanopaper throughout the thickness. The thermal decomposition behavior of the hybrid nanopapers and nanocomposites was studied with the real‐time thermogravimetric analysis/ flourier transform infrared spectrometry (TGA/FTIR). The test results indicate that the addition of pristine nanoclay increased the thermal stability of the nanopaper, whereas the POSS particles decreased the thermal stability of the nanopaper. The fire retardant performance of composite laminates coated with the hybrid nanopaper was evaluated with cone calorimeter tests using a radiated heat flux of 50 kW/m2. The cone calorimeter test results indicate that the peak heat release rate (PHRR) decreased dramatically in composite laminates coated with the CNF‐clay nanopaper. However, the PHRRs of the CNF‐POSS nanopaper coated composite laminates increased. The formation of compact char materials was observed on the surface of the residues of the CNF‐clay nanopaper after cone calorimeter test. The flame retardant mechanisms of the hybrid nanopaper in the composite laminates are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular targeted therapies for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma based on apoptosis profiles
Authors: Cillessen Saskia AGM , Meijer Chris JLM , Notoya Michitaka , Ossenkoppele Gert J , Oudejans Joost J
Published: December 2009

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of adult non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and is treated with chemotherapy in combination with rituximab. Despite this aggressive therapy, the disease is fatal in 30–40% of patients. Inhibition of the apoptosis signalling pathways is strongly related to response to chemotherapy and eventual clinical outcome. In order to survive, lymphoma cells depend on disruption of the apoptosis pathway by mutations in apoptosis inducing genes or by continuous expression of anti‐apoptotic proteins. The development of molecules targeting these apoptosis inhibitors provides a very promising opportunity to specifically target tumour cells without toxicity to non‐malignant cells in DLBCL patients. Sensitivity for most of these antagonists can be predicted based on biological markers, suggesting the possibility of pre‐defining patients who will most likely benefit from these targeted therapies. Experimental therapies aimed at restoring the upstream apoptosis pathway or targeting apoptosis inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials and are expected to be effective particularly in chemotherapy‐refractory DLBCL, providing hope for patients who are refractory to current therapies. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of the polyol pathway in acute kidney injury caused by hindlimb ischaemia in mice
Authors: Yagihashi Soroku , Mizukami Hiroki , Ogasawara Saori , Yamagishi Shin‐Ichiro , Nukada Hitoshi , Kato Noriaki , Hibi Chihiro , Chung Sookja , Chung Stephen
Published: December 2009

The polyol pathway, a collateral glycolytic process, previously considered to be active in high glucose milieu, has recently been proposed to play a crucial role in ischaemia/reperfusion tissue injury. In this study, we explored the role of the polyol pathway in acute kidney injury (AKI), a life‐threatening condition, caused by hindlimb ischaemia, and determined if inhibition of the polyol pathway by aldose reductase (AR) inhibitor is beneficial for this serious disorder. Mice 8 weeks of age rendered hindlimb ischaemic for 3 h by the clipping of major supporting arteries revealed marked muscle necrosis with accumulation of sorbitol and fructose in ischaemic muscles. Serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), creatinine, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α as well as interleukin (IL)‐6 were all elevated in these mice. Treatment with AR inhibitor (ARI) effectively suppressed muscle necrosis and accompanying inflammatory reactions and prevented renal failure. Similar to ARI‐treated mice, AR‐deficient mice were protected from severe ischaemic limb injury and renal failure, showing only modest muscle necrosis and significant suppression of serum markers of renal failure and inflammation. Thus, these findings suggest that the polyol pathway is implicated in AKI caused by ischaemic limb injury and that AR may be a potential therapeutic target for this condition. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The DAFNE Collaborative. Experiences of developing a nationally delivered evidence‐based, quality‐assured programme for people with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Oliver L , Thompson G
Published: December 2009

This article describes the process by which the DAFNE (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating) Collaborative developed and maintained the integrity of the programme during the national roll‐out across diabetes services. The costs of maintaining the integrity and quality of the programme account for a significant proportion of the cost of DAFNE; however, the cost per patient is now almost half that of previously quoted figures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons.
Scleredema diabeticorum: an under recognised complication?
Authors: Ghosh S , Shetty S , Elhadd T , Hardie R , Nairn ER , Malik I , Collier A
Published: December 2009

We report the case of a 41‐year‐old man with type 1 diabetes who presented with scleredema diabeticorum.

Scleredema diabeticorum is an uncommon skin condition. It is a poorly known (recognised) complication of diabetes.

The aetiopathogenesis of the clinical condition is not well understood. No single form of treatment has been proven to be consistently beneficial. In most cases it is a self‐limiting, benign disease. Optimisation of metabolic control and physiotherapy are recommended for all cases. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons.
Polyaniline–silver composites prepared by the oxidation of aniline with silver nitrate in acetic acid solutions
Authors: Blinova Natalia V , Bober Patrycja , Hromádková Jiřina , Trchová Miroslava , Stejskal Jaroslav , Prokeš Jan
Published: December 2009

The reaction between two non‐conducting chemicals, aniline and silver nitrate, yields a composite of two conducting components, polyaniline and metallic silver. Such conducting polymer composites combine the electrical properties of metals and the materials properties of polymers. In the present study, aniline was oxidized with silver nitrate in solutions of acetic acid; in this context, aniline oligomers are often a major component of the oxidation products. An insoluble precipitate of silver acetate is also present in the samples. The optimization of reaction conditions with respect to aniline and acetic acid concentrations leads to a conductivity of the composite as high as 8000 S cm−1 at ca 70 wt% (ca 21 vol%) of silver. A sufficient concentration of acetic acid, as well as a time extending to several weeks, has to be provided for the successful polymerization of aniline. Polyaniline is present as nanotubes or nanobrushes composed of thin nanowires. The average size of the silver nanoparticles is 30–50 nm; silver nanowires are also observed. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
The Integration of Sustainability within Value Management Practices: A Study of Experienced Value Managers in the GCC Countries
Authors: Al-Saleh Yasser M. , Taleb Hanan M.
Published: December 2009

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprises the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the states of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries are fairly similar in terms of socioeconomic, commercial, and infrastructural development. Disappointingly perhaps, their thriving construction industries continue to score poorly in terms of sustainability. Although value management (VM) has been proposed as a potential mechanism for delivering sustainable construction projects in some countries, this idea has not yet been widely put into practice around the world. The aim of this article is to investigate this potential in the GCC countries through interviewing 17 experienced value managers from the GCC. The primary conclusion, derived from the viewpoints of these value managers, is that such an endeavor might be unviable at present, largely due to a lack of awareness with regard to sustainability issues in the GCC. Proposals are therefore provided to assist in a successful integration of sustainability into VM practices in the GCC region.
Trajectories of psychological distress among Chinese women diagnosed with breast cancer
Authors: Lam Wendy W. T. , Bonanno George A. , Mancini Anthony D. , Ho Samuel , Chan Miranda , Hung Wai Ka , Or Amy , Fielding Richard
Published: December 2009

Background: The distinct trajectories of psychological distress over the first year of the diagnosis with breast cancer (BC) and its determinants have not been explored.

Methods: 285 of 405 Chinese women receiving surgery for BC were assessed at 5‐day, 1‐month, 4‐month, and 8‐month post‐surgery on measures of psychological distress, optimism, treatment decision‐making (TDM) difficulties, satisfaction with treatment outcome, satisfaction with medical consultation, and physical symptom distress. Latent growth mixture modelling identified trajectories of psychological response to BC. Multinominal logistic regression compared TDM difficulties, satisfaction with treatment outcome, satisfaction with medical consultation, optimism, and physical symptom distress, by distress pattern adjusted for age, education, employment status, and stage of disease.

Results: Four distinct trajectories of distress were identified, namely, resilience (66%), chronic distress (15%), recovered (12%), and delayed‐recovery (7%). TDM difficulties, optimism, satisfaction with consultation, and physical symptom distress predicted distress trajectories. Psychologically resilient women had less physical symptom distress at early post‐surgery compared with women with other distress patterns. Compared with the resilient group, women in the recovered or chronic distress groups experienced greater TDM difficulties, whereas women in the delayed‐recovery group reported greater dissatisfaction with the initial medical consultation. Women in the chronic distress group reported greater pessimistic outlook.

Conclusion: Optimism and better early post‐operative treatment outcomes predicted resilience to distress. Pre‐operative interventions helping women to establish a realistic expectation of treatment outcome may minimize disappointment with treatment outcome and resultant distress, whereas post‐operative rehabilitation should focus on symptom management. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depression and sexual adjustment following breast cancer in low‐income Hispanic and non‐Hispanic White women
Authors: Christie Kysa M. , Meyerowitz Beth E. , Maly Rose C.
Published: December 2009

Objective: Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority group in the United States and breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Hispanic women. However, Hispanics are underrepresented in the psychosocial breast cancer literature.

Methods: This study included 677 low‐income women (425 Hispanic, 252 non‐Hispanic White) enrolled in the Medi‐Cal Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. Data were gathered through phone interviews conducted in English or Spanish 6 and 18 months following breast cancer diagnosis. We focus on three variables that the literature indicates are salient for breast cancer survivors: sexual function, body image and depression.

Results: Results of an ANCOVA indicated worse sexual function for Hispanic women, even after controlling for significant covariates. Hispanics reported significantly less sexual desire, greater difficulty relaxing and enjoying sex, and greater difficulty becoming sexually aroused and having orgasms than non‐Hispanic White women. Both Hispanic and non‐Hispanic White women endorsed a lack of sexual desire more frequently than problems with sexual function. Body image did not differ between Hispanic and non‐Hispanic White women. In all, 38% of Hispanic and 48% of non‐Hispanic White women scored above cut‐off scores for depressive symptoms. While there was no ethnic difference in depressive symptoms, single women reported more depressive symptoms than partnered women.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that low‐income breast cancer survivors may experience symptoms of depression more than a year following diagnosis, and that sexual dysfunction may be particularly salient for low‐income Hispanic women. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Composites by Polymer Functionalized CNT under Plasma Treatment
Authors: Chen I‐Han , Wang Cheng‐Chien , Chen Chuh‐Yung
Published: December 2009

The present study presents a novel method for preparing multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) grafted with polyacrylicnitrile (PAN) through the process of plasma‐induced grafting polymerization. After the plasma grafting process, the MWCNTs were converted into acrylicnitrile modified CNTs (MWCNTs‐g‐AN), which in reaction with hydroxylamine produced the aminated CNTs (MWCNTs‐g‐mAN). After the plasma modification process, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopes (XPSs) of a high resolution were used to characterize the functional groups on the surface of the MWCNTs. In addition, observing the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image reveals that a uniform polymer layer is grafted onto the surface of the MWCNTs and the functionalized CNTs showed a better dispersion than the pristine MWCNTs in epoxy resin. Moreover, the addition of a small quantity of the MWCNTs‐g‐mAN to the nanocomposites showed noticeable enhancements in their electrical conductivity.

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Do we know the band gap of lithium niobate?
Authors: Thierfelder C. , Sanna S. , Schindlmayr Arno , Schmidt W. G.
Published: December 2009

Given the vast range of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) applications, the knowledge about its electronic and optical properties is surprisingly limited. The direct band gap of 3.7 eV for the ferroelectric phase – frequently cited in the literature – is concluded from optical experiments [1]. Recent theoretical investigations [2] show that the electronic band‐structure and optical properties are very sensitive to quasiparticle and electron‐hole attraction effects, which were included using the GW approximation for the electron self‐energy and the Bethe‐Salpeter equation respectively, both based on a model screening function. The calculated fundamental gap was found to be at least 1 eV larger than the experimental value. To resolve this discrepancy we performed first‐principles GW calculations for lithium niobate using the full‐potential linearized augmented plane‐wave (FLAPW) method [3]. Thereby we use the parameter‐free random phase approximation for a realistic description of the nonlocal and energydependent screening. This leads to a band gap of about 4.7 (4.2) eV for ferro(para)‐electric lithium niobate (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The role of a precursor state in thiophene chemisorption on Si(111)–7×7
Authors: Weymouth A. J. , Miwa R. H. , Srivastava G. P. , McLean A. B.
Published: December 2009

The adsorption of thiophene on Si(111)–7×7 has been studied with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) modelling. Previous experimental studies of this system clearly demonstrated that thiophene prefers to chemisorb on the faulted half of the 7×7 unit cell. The STM studies reported here concur with this and provide further information about thiophene site preference as a function of coverage. Additionally, an ab initio theoretical investigation of this system demonstrated that the occupancy of available adsorption sites could not be explained using equilibrium binding energies, as these were calculated to be the same for all experimentally identified adsorption sites (≈1.0 eV). To investigate the possibility that site selection is kinetically controlled, a kMC model was developed. This model places the molecule in a mobile precursor state, allowing the molecule to traverse the surface before chemisorbing. The kMC model was found to reproduce the STM data, providing compelling evidence that site occupancy in this system is indeed kinetically controlled at room temperature. Activation energy differences, for each the four unique chemisorption geometries, could be extracted from a fit of the kMC model predictions to the experimental data (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of the magnetron power on the Er‐related photoluminescence of AlN:Er films prepared by magnetron sputtering
Authors: Hussain S. S. , Brien V. , Rinnert H. , Pigeat P.
Published: December 2009

The effect of magnetron power on the room temperature 1.54 μm infra‐red photoluminescence intensity of erbium doped AlN films grown by r.f. magnetron sputtering, has been studied. The AlN:Er thin films were deposited on (001) Silicon substrates. The study presents relative photoluminescence intensities of nanocrystallized samples prepared with identical sputtering parameters for two erbium doping levels (0.5 and 1.5 at%). The structural evolution of the crystallites as a function of the power is followed by transmission electron microscopy. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Raman scattering of InxAl1‐xN alloys with 0.2 < x < 0.9
Authors: Katsikini M. , Arvanitidis J. , Christofilos D. , Ves S. , Adikimenakis A. , Georgakilas A.
Published: December 2009

InxAl1‐xN (0001) wurtzite layers with 0.2 < x < 0.9 that are grown by molecular beam epitaxy on AlN/Al2O3 templates are studied using Raman spectroscopy. In the high‐frequency part of the spectra (450‐850 cm‐1), the two EH2 modes (one AlN‐ and one InN‐like) and one A1(LO) are observed in the backscattering geometry. The three peaks shift towards higher frequencies as the Al concentration increases. In the low‐ frequency part, three peaks are also observed. The InN‐like EL2 mode is present in the whole composition range while the AlN‐like EL2 mode appears for x > 0.45. In the case of the Al rich samples, an additional broad feature appears. The Raman spectra are fitted using the spatial correlation model providing the extent of the phonon confinement imposed by the alloy potential fluctuations is estimated. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evidence of excitonic transitions by angle‐resolved reflectivity for the determination of oscillator strengths in GaN/(Al,Ga)N quantum wells
Authors: Rakotonanahary G. , Aberra Guebrou S. , Lagarde D. , Natali F. , Reveret F. , Disseix P. , Leymarie J. , Leroux M. , Massies J.
Published: December 2009

We report on a study of the excitonic properties of GaN/AlxGa1‐xN quantum well samples using continuous‐wave reflectivity and photoluminescence measurements. Weak excitonic signals superposed to large oscillations resulting from the interferences in the buffer layers are highlighted by angle‐resolved reflectivity. The quantum well excitonic oscillator strength was determined from the fitting of the experimental spectra and the influence of aluminum concentration of the barrier was also investigated (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth of atomically smooth cubic AlN by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Schupp Thorsten , Rossbach Georg , Schley Pascal , Goldhahn Rüdiger , Lischka Klaus , As Donat Josef
Published: December 2009

In this work we present the growth of atomically flat c‐AlN layers (surface roughness 0.3 nm RMS) by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE) on 3C‐SiC. We develop a model for Al surface kinetics that correlates with RHEED intensity vs. time measurements. We show RHEED patterns and atomic force microscopy (AFM) scans emphasizing the quality of the layers.

Ellipsometry yields the dielectric function of c‐AlN around the adsorption edge. The direct gap is obtained with 5.93 eV at room temperature, while the indirect one is below 5.3 eV (onset of adsorption) (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermal conductance of the AlN/Si and AlN/SiC interfaces calculated with taking into account the detailed phonon spectra of the materials and the interface conditions
Authors: Kazan M. , Pereira S. , Correia M. R. , Masri P.
Published: December 2009

We present a calculation of the thermal conductance (TC) of the interface between aluminium nitride (AlN) and silicon (Si) and that between AlN and silicon carbide (SiC) with taking into account the detailed phonon spectra of the materials, as obtained from first principles calculations, and the interface conditions. On the basis of the results obtained, we discuss the relation between the interface TC, the interface conditions, and the mismatches between the acoustic waves velocities and the phonon densities of states of the materials in contact. Our calculation method is expected to provide a reliable tool for thermal management strategy, independently from the substrate choice (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermal oxidation of lattice matched InAlN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Alomari M. , Chuvilin A. , Toth L. , Pecz B. , Carlin J.‐F. , Grandjean N. , Gaquière C. , di Forte‐Poisson M.‐A. , Delage S. , Kohn E.
Published: December 2009

In this work we have investigated the thermal oxidation of thin InAlN/GaN heterostructures in their lattice matched configuration (83% Al) in oxygen atmosphere at 800 °C. TEM cross sections revealed a partially crystalline oxide with an initial oxidation rate of 0.37 nm/minute. MOS diodes fabricated using the thermal oxide as a gate dielectric showed an exponential drop in the gate leakage which scales with the square root of oxidation time indicating diffusion limited oxidation through the InAlN barrier. The effect of oxidation on the interfacial InAlN/GaN sheet charge density (NS) is correlated with a reduction of thickness for short oxidation times (up to 4 min) and an abrupt change in the surface potential for longer oxidation times. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Study of implantation‐induced blistering/exfoliation in wide bandgap semiconductors for layer transfer applications
Authors: Singh R. , Dadwal U. , Scholz R. , Moutanabbir O. , Christiansen S. , Gösele U.
Published: December 2009

We present an overview of the implantation‐induced blistering/exfoliation process in wide bandgap semiconductors such as GaN, AlN and ZnO. These semiconductors were implanted with 50 keV hydrogen ions at various fluences and subsequently annealed at higher temperatures up to 800 °C in order to trigger surface blistering. In the case of GaN and AlN, a detailed blistering kinetics investigation was also performed. Various techniques such as optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, cross‐sectional transmission electron microscopy and stylus profilometry were used for the characterization of the implanted samples. In the case of room temperature implanted samples, it was observed that the damage band formed inside the samples was decorated with hydrogen filled nanovoids. These nanovoids served as precursors for the formation of two‐dimensional extended defects called nanocracks and microcracks upon annealing and eventually led to surface blistering or exfoliation. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Indium implantation and annealing of GaN: Lattice damage and recovery
Authors: Katsikini M. , Arvanitidis J. , Ves S. , Paloura E. C. , Wendler E. , Wesch W.
Published: December 2009

The effect of Indium (In) implantation in n‐type GaN is studied using Raman spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering (RBS). The RBS analysis reveals that the 700 keV In implantation results in the formation of a subsurface defective region that extends to a depth of 400 nm. An abrupt increase (∼93%) of the maximum defect concentration is observed for fluences in the range 1.5 and 5×1014 cm‐2. A further increase of the fluence to 5×1015 cm‐2 renders the implanted layer amorphous. In the Raman spectra recorded in the backscattering geometry only the E22 peak is resolved since the A1(LO) is completely damped due to plasmon ‐ phonon coupling. As the fluence increases, the characteristic sharp peaks of the as‐grown sample broaden due to relaxation of the q‐selection rules allowing phonons with q ≠ 0 to contribute in the Raman scattering. Furthermore, three additional broad peaks are detected in the implanted samples even after implantation with the fluence of 5×1013 cm‐2. They are ascribed to disorder activated Raman scattering or acoustic overtones (300 cm‐1, 420 cm‐1) and the formation of point defects (670 cm‐1), respectively. Rapid thermal annealing at 1000 °C causes partial recovery of the lattice. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The diurnal cycle of lower boundary‐layer wind in the West African monsoon
Authors: Abdou Kassimou , Parker Douglas J. , Brooks Barbara , Kalthoff Norbert , Lebel Thierry
Published: December 2009

Measurements of lower boundary‐layer winds collected from four Sonic Detection And Ranging (SODAR) systems during the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) are presented. The SODARs were located in a mesoscale network in the vicinity of Niamey, Niger, in the period 31 May to 17 August 2006; from this network 41 days of good measurements have been obtained from at least one of the SODARs, while there are several days in which two or more SODARs produced good simultaneous data. The average variation of the winds in the lower boundary layer is here presented, as a function of height and of time of day. The results confirm previous studies of the diurnal cycle of winds, and quantify the variation of this diurnal cycle with height at low altitudes. On many nights, a distinct nocturnal low‐level jet was observed, at 200–400 m altitude. In profiles averaged over all of the sample days, the peak wind shear was in the layer below 300 m, with the strongest wind shear from 0000 to 0600 UTC. In particular, the magnitude of low‐level wind shear, which is a significant hazard for aviation, is shown to be strongly dependent on time of day. Strong low‐level wind shear (more than 4 m s−1 per 100 m), was observed on more than 35% of days in the 0000–0300 UTC period. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society