bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cochlear implantation in patients with vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Pai Irumee , Dhar Vikram , Kelleher Catherine , Nunn Terry , Connor Steve , Jiang Dan , O'Connor Alec Fitzgerald
Published: April 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate the outcome of cochlear implantation (CI) in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS).

Study Design

A retrospective case series from a tertiary auditory implant center.

Methods

A retrospective case note review was carried out to evaluate patients with bilateral profound hearing loss and VS who underwent unilateral CI within the Auditory Implant Centre at St. Thomas' Hospital, London, between 2000 and 2012. This included both bilateral VS with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and unilateral sporadic VS. Outcome measures included speech perception with Bamford‐Kowal‐Bench and City University of New York sentences, sound‐field thresholds with warble tones, and the subjective benefits reported by patients.

Results

The study included five patients with NF2 and bilateral VS and two patients with sporadic unilateral VS. The standard preoperative audiologic assessment for CI often could not be carried out in NF2 patients. Preoperative testing was more complete in the two patients with sporadic VS. The audiologic outcome was variable. Open‐set speech perception was achieved in three out of five NF2 patients, and another reported significant improvement in environmental sound perception and ease of communication. The outcome was overall better in patients with sporadic VS, both of whom were able to use the telephone in their implanted ear.

Conclusions

Good speech perception can be achieved in some cases, and CI should be considered as an option for auditory rehabilitation in patients with VS.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 123:2019–2023, 2013
A Comparison of Different Murine Models for Cytomegalovirus‐Induced Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Wang Yong , Patel Rusha , Ren Chongyu , Taggart Michael G. , Firpo Matthew A. , Schleiss Mark R. , Park Albert H.
Published: April 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

To compare three different inoculation techniques for the development of cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐induced sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in a mouse model.

Study Design

A prospective experimental animal study.

Methods

BALB/c mice underwent inoculation using green fluorescent protein‐expressing mouse cytomegalovirus (mCMV‐GFP) via transtympanic (TT), intraperitoneal (IP), or intracranial (IC) routes. Control mice received an equal volume of saline. Hearing thresholds were measured using both distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and evoked auditory brainstem response studies (ABR). Cochleas were harvested for histological examination and cytocochleogram.

Results

No mice in the TT or IP groups showed significant hearing loss. All infected mice in the IC group showed significantly elevated ABR and DPOAE thresholds at 4 weeks of age. Ten mice (55%) had profound hearing loss (≥80 dB) at 4 weeks of age, while the other eight mice (45%) initially showed moderate hearing loss (≤20 dB), which progressed to profound hearing loss by 6 to 8 weeks. Asymmetric hearing loss was seen in 40% of the mice. Temporal bone histology showed diffuse loss of outer hair cells (OHC). Green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐labeled virus was abundant in the spiral ganglion and adjacent to the scala tympani at the basal region of the cochlea at 7 days postinjection, and devoid of GFP labeling by 14 days postinfection.

Conclusions

Intracerebral injection of mCMV preferentially causes mCMV‐mediated hearing loss relative to IP or TT injections. These results are consistent with the hearing loss reported in human congenital infection and may have implications for understanding the pathophysiology of CMV‐mediated labyrinthitis.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 123:2801–2806, 2013
Folate‐Conjugated PEG on Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Targeting Delivery of Doxorubicin to Cancer Cells
Authors: Niu Lvye , Meng Lingjie , Lu Qinghua
Published: April 2013

A highly effective drug carrier is constructed by coating folic acid‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG‐FA) on single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in a facile non‐covalent method. The anti‐cancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), is further loaded on the surface of SWNTs at a very high loading efficiency, 149.3 ± 4.1%. The drug system (DOX/PEG‐FA/SWNTs) exhibits excellent stability under neutral pH conditions such as serum, but dramatically releases DOX at reduced pH typical of the tumour environment and intracellular lysosomes and endosomes. With the help of FA, DOX/PEG‐FA/SWNTs tend to selectively attach onto cancer cells and enter the lysosomes or endosomes by clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. This can greatly improve the pharmaceutical efficiency and reduce potential side effects.

magnified image
The Post‐Mortem Pressure Distortion of Human Crania Uncovered in an Early Medieval Pohansko (Czech Republic) Graveyard
Authors: Jurda MikoláŠ , Urbanová Petra , Králík Miroslav
Published: April 2013

Post‐mortem distortion resulting from the pressure of overlying sediments (i.e. grave backfill) is one of the taphonomic factors capable of altering the geometry of buried and subsequently recovered skeletal remains. If pressure distortion is a frequent occurrence, it could systematically flaw the outcome of an anthropological examination. To study the patterns of post‐mortem distortion in buried crania and shape alterations associated with a specimen's in situ position, 46 male crania recovered from an Old Slavic graveyard (Pohansko, Czech Republic) were analysed together with control specimens from four modern European osteological collections (N = 207) using geometric morphometrics. The results indicate a common pattern of shape change in buried skulls associated with their in situ orientation. However, as the overall shape variation between the Old Slavic crania (which, with their tendency towards longer, narrower shapes differed markedly from the modern Czech crania) oriented in situ on their back and side reflects the duality of dolichocranial and brachycranial forms, it seems likely that the in situ positioning of the crania stemmed from their original morphology. The lack of substantial effect of the in situ orientation on the cranial morphology is associated with a larger cranial size and a tendency for sturdiness in the Old Slavic subsample. Both of these characteristics are likely to be contributing to the resistance of these crania to taphonomic alterations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meal skipping linked to increased visceral adipose tissue and triglycerides in overweight minority youth
Authors: House Benjamin T. , Cook Lauren T. , Gyllenhammer Lauren E. , Schraw Jeremy M. , Goran Michael I. , Spruijt‐Metz Donna , Weigensberg Marc J. , Davis Jaimie N.
Published: April 2013

Objective

To investigate the impact of eating frequency on dietary intake, physical activity (PA), metabolic, and adiposity measures in minority youth.

Methods

This analysis included 185 overweight (≥85th BMI percentile) Hispanic and African‐American youth (8‐18 years) with the following cross‐sectional measures: height, weight, BMI, dietary intake, body composition, metabolic parameters, PA, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Each eating occasion (EO) was defined as ≥50 calories and ≥15 minutes from any previous EO. Participants were dichotomized based on EOs per 24‐h into meal skippers <3 EO (MS; n = 27) or normal/frequent eaters ≥3 EO (NFE; n = 158). ANCOVAs were used to assess dietary intakes, metabolic outcomes, adiposity, and PA between eating frequency groups.

Results

MS compared to NFE consumed 24% fewer calories per 24‐h (P ≤ 0.01), 21% more calories per EO (P ≤ 0.01), ate 40% less often (P ≤ 0.01), had 18% higher triglycerides (P = 0.03), and 26% more VAT (P = 0.03), with no differences in PA.

Conclusions

Although meal skipping was associated with decreased energy intake, it was linked to increased calories per EO and higher triglycerides and VAT, which are strong indicators of deleterious metabolic profiles. These findings elucidate that meal skipping may be associated with increased VAT and related metabolic diseases in high‐risk minority youth.
Predictive equations for central obesity via anthropometrics, stereovision imaging and MRI in adults
Authors: Lee Jane J. , Freeland‐Graves Jeanne H. , Pepper M. Reese , Yao Ming , Xu Bugao
Published: April 2013

Objective

Abdominal visceral adiposity is related to risks for insulin resistance and metabolic perturbations. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography are advanced instruments that quantify abdominal adiposity; yet field use is constrained by their bulkiness and costliness. The purpose of this study is to develop prediction equations for total abdominal, subcutaneous, and visceral adiposity via anthropometrics, stereovision body imaging (SBI), and MRI.

Methods

Participants (67 men and 55 women) were measured for anthropometrics and abdominal adiposity volumes evaluated by MRI umbilicus scans. Body circumferences and central obesity were obtained via SBI. Prediction models were developed via multiple linear regression analysis, utilizing body measurements and demographics as independent predictors, and abdominal adiposity as a dependent variable. Cross‐validation was performed by the data‐splitting method.

Results

The final total abdominal adiposity prediction equation was –470.28 + 7.10 waist circumference – 91.01 gender + 5.74 sagittal diameter (R2 = 89.9%), subcutaneous adiposity was –172.37 + 8.57 waist circumference – 62.65 gender – 450.16 stereovision waist‐to‐hip ratio (R2=90.4%), and visceral adiposity was –96.76 + 11.48 central obesity depth – 5.09 central obesity width + 204.74 stereovision waist‐to‐hip ratio – 18.59 gender (R2 = 71.7%). R2 significantly improved for predicting visceral fat when SBI variables were included, but not for total abdominal or subcutaneous adiposity.

Conclusions

SBI is effective for predicting visceral adiposity and the prediction equations derived from SBI measurements can assess obesity.
A Qualitative Study Exploring the Usability of Nintendo Wii Fit among Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Plow Matthew , Finlayson Marcia
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the usability of Nintendo Wii Fit to promote physical activity in adults with multiple sclerosis. Qualitative interviews were conducted as part of a pilot study that examined the health outcomes of a 14‐week Wii Fit home‐exercise programme in 30 adults with multiple sclerosis. We found participants reported that Wii Fit helped build confidence in abilities, achieve goals related to engagement in leisure activities and remove barriers associated with going to a gym to exercise. However, Wii Fit induced initial reactions of intimidation and worries about falling, and feedback during game play reminded participants of their impairments. Wii Fit was limited in its customizability to accommodate different functional levels. Understanding how to improve the usability and customizability of commercially available exergaming technology could be of benefit to people with disabling conditions. Before conducting randomized controlled trials of commercially available exergaming technology in adults with disabling conditions, we recommend that strategies be identified to remove usability barriers so those with moderate impairments can be included in the trial. This will reduce the likelihood of ceiling effects and clinical irrelevance. In terms of clinical recommendations, rehabilitation professionals need to consider patients' functional level, surrounding environment and preferences when prescribing a Wii Fit‐based exercise programme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Establishing Reliability and Validity for “Make My Day” – A New Tool for Assessing Young Arab‐Israeli Children's Typical Daily Activities
Authors: Ricon Tsameret , Hen Liat , Keadan‐Hardan Aram
Published: April 2013

There is a paucity of literature regarding the daily routines of young children (4–7 years) and their perception of their performance. Research indicates that children's involvement in treatment therapy improves their self‐consciousness, which contributes in return to the therapy's progress. Until recently, occupational therapists set goals for children by involving their parents in the planning. However, recent studies indicate that children are aware of their performance and can provide reliable data, given an evaluation that is adapted to their stage of development. “Make My Day” (MMD) is a new evaluation developed for young children, which provides information regarding the child's performance with respect to their daily activities. The MMD incorporates two versions – one for the children's self‐report and the other for the parent's report. Participants included 62 healthy 4‐ to 7‐year‐old children of Arab‐Israeli decent and their parents. They were assessed using the MMD, Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting (PEGS), Time Organization and Participation (TOPS) and a socio‐demographic questionnaire. Correlations between the MMD and the TOPS/PEGS were examined regarding the differences between children's and parents' reports of performance in three age groups (concurrent validity). Results demonstrated that children's self‐report of their occupational performance in daily tasks are reliable and valid. Thus, occupational therapists may obtain data from the child himself or herself and not only from the parents. Further research on the MMD is recommended in other clinical populations to increase our knowledge of their daily functioning and of MMD's validity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complete genomic landscape of a recurring sporadic parathyroid carcinoma
Authors: Kasaian Katayoon , Wiseman Sam M , Thiessen Nina , Mungall Karen L , Corbett Richard D , Qian Jenny Q , Nip Ka Ming , He Ann , Tse Kane , Chuah Eric , Varhol Richard J , Pandoh Pawan , McDonald Helen , Zeng Thomas , Tam Angela , Schein Jacquie , Birol Inanc , Mungall Andrew J , Moore Richard A , Zhao Yongjun , Hirst Martin , Marra Marco A , Walker Blair A , Jones Steven JM
Published: April 2013

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare endocrine malignancy with an estimated incidence of less than 1 per million population. Excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone, extremely high serum calcium level, and the deleterious effects of hypercalcaemia are the clinical manifestations of the disease. Up to 60% of patients develop multiple disease recurrences and although long‐term survival is possible with palliative surgery, permanent remission is rarely achieved. Molecular drivers of sporadic parathyroid carcinoma have remained largely unknown. Previous studies, mostly based on familial cases of the disease, suggested potential roles for the tumour suppressorMEN1and proto‐oncogeneRETin benign parathyroid tumourigenesis, while the tumour suppressorHRPT2and proto‐oncogeneCCND1may also act as drivers in parathyroid cancer. Here, we report the complete genomic analysis of a sporadic and recurring parathyroid carcinoma. Mutational landscapes of the primary and recurrent tumour specimens were analysed using high‐throughput sequencing technologies. Such molecular profiling allowed for identification of somatic mutations never previously identified in this malignancy. These included single nucleotide point mutations in well‐characterized cancer genes such asmTOR,MLL2,CDKN2C, andPIK3CA. Comparison of acquired mutations in patient‐matched primary and recurrent tumours revealed loss ofPIK3CAactivating mutation during the evolution of the tumour from the primary to the recurrence. Structural variations leading to gene fusions and regions of copy loss and gain were identified at a single‐base resolution. Loss of the short arm of chromosome 1, along with somatic missense and truncating mutations inCDKN2CandTHRAP3, respectively, provides new evidence for the potential role of these genes as tumour suppressors in parathyroid cancer. The key somatic mutations identified in this study can serve as novel diagnostic markers as well as therapeutic targets. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The key role of ultrasound examination in the prenatal diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia
Authors: Maurice Paul , Eyrolle‐Guignot Dominique , Dhombres Ferdinand , Garel Catherine , Gonzales Marie , Muller Françoise , Jouannic Jean‐Marie
Published: April 2013

What's already known about this topic?

In de novo cases of genodermatoses, direct prenatal ultrasound may lead to a strong suspicion in only very few cases, mainly represented by the most severe form of congenital ichthyosis. For others, including epidermolysis bullosa and disorders of pigmentation, fetal skin lesions are not accessible to prenatal ultrasound examination.

What does this study add?

Certain prenatal diagnosis of de novo cases of epidermolysis bullosa is feasible when all biological and clinical patterns are present without the need for histological confirmation.

These cardinal signs are represented by (1) unexplained polyhydramnios with high AFP levels in the amniotic fluid (>20 MoM), (2) the presence of an unusual addition slow band on acetylcholinesterase electrophoresis and (3) the presence of a dilated stomach suggestive of pyloric atresia.
Methylation metabolites in amniotic fluid depend on gestational age
Authors: Imbard Apolline , Blom Henk J. , Schlemmer Dimitri , Barto Rob , Czerkiewicz Isabelle , Rigal Odile , Muller Françoise , Benoist Jean‐François
Published: April 2013

Objective

Methylation metabolism is essential for fetus development. However, normative data for amniotic fluid (AF) concentrations of methylation metabolites at different gestational ages are lacking. We aimed to determine in AF reference values of 14 intermediates involved in methylation.

Methods

Two hundred sixty‐eight AFs sampled between 14 and 39 weeks of gestation were retrospectively selected in our AF bank. Next, we measured methionine (Met)‐cycle intermediates [S‐adenosyl Met (AdoMet), S‐adenosyl‐l‐homocysteine (AdoHcy), total Hcy, Met, and methyl malonic acid] and methyl donors and methyl acceptors (betaine, dimethylglycine, sarcosine, free and total choline, free and total ethanolamine, creatine, and guanidinoacetate) by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

Reference ranges according to gestational age were determined for each parameter. Strong correlations between metabolites directly connected in their metabolic pathway and between total Hcy and betaine were observed.

Conclusion

Methionine, an essential amino acid required for protein synthesis, is the only parameter that dramatically decreases with gestational age. The AdoMet/AdoHcy ratio exponentially increases from 25 weeks of gestation, which could reflect increasing methylation capacities. The negative correlation between betaine and total Hcy together with a constant betaine to dimethylglycine ratio during gestation suggests that betaine may be used as a methyl donor during fetal life. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Best ethical practices for clinicians and laboratories in the provision of noninvasive prenatal testing
Authors: Allyse M. A. , Sayres L. C. , Havard M. , King J. S. , Greely H. T. , Hudgins L. , Taylor J. , Norton M. E. , Cho M. K. , Magnus D. , Ormond K. E.
Published: April 2013

Objective

The goal of this study is to provide an ethical framework for clinicians and companies providing noninvasive prenatal testing using cell‐free fetal DNA or whole fetal cells.

Method

In collaboration with a National Institutes of Health‐supported research ethics consultation committee together with feedback from an interdisciplinary group of clinicians, members of industry, legal experts, and genetic counselors, we developed a set of best practices for the provision of noninvasive prenatal genetic testing.

Results

Principal recommendations include the amendment of current informed consent procedures to include attention to the noninvasive nature of new testing and the potential for a broader range of results earlier in the pregnancy. We strongly recommend that tests should only be provided through licensed medical providers and not directly to consumers.

Conclusion

Prenatal tests, including new methods using cell‐free fetal DNA, are not currently regulated by government agencies, and limited professional guidance is available. In the absence of regulation, companies and clinicians should cooperate to adopt responsible best ethical practices in the provision of these tests. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influences of silicon nanowire morphology on its electro‐optical properties and applications for hybrid solar cells
Authors: Syu Hong‐Jhang , Shiu Shu‐Chia , Hung Yung‐Jr , Hsueh Chen‐Chih , Lin Tzu‐Ching , Subramani Thiyagu , Lee San‐Liang , Lin Ching‐Fuh
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we investigate the morphology, optical, and electrical properties of silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays and their applications on inorganic/organic hybrid solar cells. The SiNW arrays are obtained by two kinds of metal‐assisted chemical etching (MacEtch) processes. One is depositing assisted metal, for example, Ag, by an electron gun evaporator before etching (BE). The other is depositing assisted Ag during the etching (DE) process. The results reveal that BE method MacEtch can produce more uniform and denser SiNW arrays, but the coverage of organic materials to SiNWs is less. In terms of optical properties, the BE method SiNW arrays have higher reflectance than the DE method ones, except the wire length less than 1 µm in the wavelength range less than 500 nm. Regarding the electrical property, the minority‐carrier lifetime is higher for the DE method SiNW arrays because of less surface area of SiNWs. Therefore, the best cell performance happens on the DE method SiNW/organic hybrid solar cell with wire length less than 1 µm. The short‐circuit current density (Jsc) is 28.55 mA/cm2, open‐circuit voltage (Voc) is 0.524 V, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) is 9.56%. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrical properties of CIGS/Mo junctions as a function of MoSe2 orientation and Na doping
Authors: Yoon Ju‐Heon , Kim Jun‐Ho , Kim Won Mok , Park Jong‐Keuk , Baik Young‐Joon , Seong Tae‐Yeon , Jeong Jeung‐hyun
Published: April 2013

The electrical properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se2/Mo junctions were characterized with respect of MoSe2 orientation and Na doping level using an inverse transmission line method, in which the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS)/Mo contact resistance could be measured separately from the CIGS film sheet resistance. The MoSe2 orientation was controlled by varying the Mo surface density, with the c‐axis parallel and normal orientations favored on Mo surfaces of lower and higher density, respectively. The effect of Na doping was compared by using samples with and without a SiOx film on sodalime glass. The conversion of the MoSe2 orientation from c‐axis normal to parallel produced a twofold reduction in CIGS/Mo contact resistance. Measurements of the contact resistances as a function of temperature showed that the difference in CIGS/Mo contact resistance between the samples with different MoSe2 orientations was due to different barrier heights at the back contact. Comparison between Na‐doped and Na‐reduced samples revealed that the contact resistance for the Na‐reduced system was four times of that of the doped sample, which showed more pronounced Schottky‐junction behavior at lower temperature, indicating that Na doping effectively reduced the barrier height at the back contact. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A physiological and proteomic study of poplar leaves during ozone exposure combined with mild drought
Authors: Bohler Sacha , Sergeant Kjell , Jolivet Yves , Hoffmann Lucien , Hausman Jean‐Francois , Dizengremel Pierre , Renaut Jenny
Published: April 2013

The occurrence of high‐ozone concentrations during drought episodes is common considering that they are partially caused by the same meteorological phenomena. It was suggested that mild drought could protect plants against ozone‐induced damage by causing the closure of stomata and preventing the entry of ozone into the leaves. The present experiment attempts to create an overview of the changes in cellular processes in response to ozone, mild drought and a combined treatment based on the use of 2D‐DiGE to compare the involved proteins, and a number of supporting analyses. Morphological symptoms were worst in the combined treatment, indicating a severe stress, but fewer proteins were differentially abundant in the combined treatment than for ozone alone. Stomatal conductance was slightly lowered in the combined treatment. Shifts in carbon metabolism indicated that the metabolism changed to accommodate for protective measures and changes in the abundance of proteins involved in redox protection indicated the presence of an oxidative stress. This study allowed identifying a set of proteins that changed similarly during ozone and drought stress, indicative of crosstalk in the molecular response of plants exposed to these stresses. The abundance of other key proteins changed only when the plants are exposed to specific conditions. Together this indicates the coexistence of generalized and specialized responses to different conditions.
Crystallization of Semiconductor Nanorods into Perfectly Faceted Hexagonal Superstructures
Authors: Singh Ajay , Ryan Kevin M.
Published: April 2013

Super crystallization of ligand‐capped nanocrystals into defined periodic solids from solution is the definitive demonstration of their self‐organizing properties. To date, this has been mainly limited to spherical nanocrystals where organization emulates atom or molecule packing in regular crystals with the most thermodynamically stable arrangement being eventually preferred. Here, the crystallization of wurtzite CdS nanorods into micrometer‐sized CdS superstructures with regular hexagonal symmetry is demonstrated by fine‐tuning the nanorod dispersibility over time. It is shown that the supercrystals have a long nucleation stage to form monolayer hexagons followed by a relatively faster growth stage both occurring rod by rod (in‐plane) and layer by layer (out of plane). The perfectly symmetrical hexagon shape of the final structure is mapped from the wurtzite crystal structure of each individual nanorod where they pack in side by side and end to end arrangements. These well‐defined superstructures are highly attractive for applications that collectively exploit electronic or optical properties that are synthetically tunable through the size and shape of each nanorod building block.
Quality problems as process safety warning signs
Authors: Herber John W.
Published: April 2013

Many companies collect and report process safety incidents. Some companies also collect process safety near misses. These safety near misses are sometimes quality deviations; for example, a process parameter that exceeds the safe operating limit, a critical safety system that is activated, or a minor release of hazardous material occurs. The intent of this article is to show how a quality incident can also be a process safety near‐miss and what should be done to recognize its potential severity. Many of the causes of quality problems may be subtle, such as the fouling of cooling surfaces or a control valve that responds slowly. If these issues continue unchecked, the conditions will continue to persist and a more serious event occurs. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2013
Process safety educational determinants
Authors: Amyotte Paul R.
Published: April 2013

As with any undergraduate engineering course, the selection of topics to include in a process safety course can benefit from a structured decision‐making approach. Suggestions are offered in this article on the importance of considering the following entities/resources as educational determinants: accreditation bodies, professional practice regulatory bodies, technical societies, process safety and other literature, industry, and factors unique to a given institution. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2013
Impedance spectroscopy: A tool for real‐time in situ monitoring of the degradation of biopolymers
Authors: Schusser Sebastian , Leinhos Marcel , Bäcker Matthias , Poghossian Arshak , Wagner Patrick , Schöning Michael J.
Published: April 2013

Investigation of the degradation kinetics of biodegradable polymers is essential for the development of implantable biomedical devices with predicted biodegradability. In this work, an impedimetric sensor has been applied for real‐time and in situ monitoring of degradation processes of biopolymers. The sensor consists of two platinum thin‐film electrodes covered by a polymer film to be studied. The benchmark biomedical polymer poly(D,L‐lactic acid) (PDLLA) was used as a model system. PDLLA films were deposited on the sensor structure from a polymer solution by using the spin‐coating method. The degradation kinetics of PDLLA films have been studied in alkaline solutions of pH 9 and 12 by means of an impedance spectroscopy (IS) method. Any changes in a polymer capacitance/resistance induced by water uptake and/or polymer degradation will modulate the global impedance of the polymer‐covered sensor that can be used as an indicator of the polymer degradation. The degradation rate can be evaluated from the time‐dependent impedance spectra. As expected, a faster degradation has been observed for PDLLA films exposed to pH 12 solution.
Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of the period vacancy in zigzag GaN nanoribbons
Authors: Chen Guo‐Xiang , Wang Dou‐Dou , Zhang Jian‐Min , Xu Ke‐Wei
Published: April 2013

We have performed the first‐principles calculations on the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of zigzag GaN nanoribbon (ZGaNNR) with period vacancy located at different sites across the ribbon width. The results show that, the formation of the N‐vacancy is easier than that of the Ga‐vacancy at each equivalent geometrical site and both of them are endothermic. An inward relaxation of the three nearest Ga atoms around a N‐vacancy occurs, while for the three nearest‐neighbor N atoms around the Ga‐vacancy, an outward relaxation occurs. Except for a typical nonedge N‐vacancy, the N‐, or Ga‐vacancies at other sites induce magnetic moment and spin polarization implying such vacancy‐defective ZGaNNRs can be useful in spintronics and nanomagnets. The magnetic moment of the N‐vacancy is dependent on defect sites, while for the Ga‐vacancy, it is less dependent on the defect sites. The net magnetic moment of the vacancy defective 8‐ZGaNNR is mainly contributed by the atoms around a vacancy.
Photoconductivity as loss mechanism in organic solar cells
Authors: Tress Wolfgang , Leo Karl , Riede Moritz
Published: April 2013

We observe that the reverse current under illumination in solar cells containing C60 and ZnPc is dominated by a photoshunt. This shunt, not present in the dark, causes a linear current–voltage relation under illumination showing no saturation. Although observable in bulk heterojunctions, this effect is more pronounced in the presence of a pristine C60 layer. An internal quantum efficiency larger than unity under an applied negative voltage and in the spectral range where C60 absorbs identifies charges which are injected in addition to those photogenerated. The photoshunt is also present in the power‐generating region and represents a loss mechanism limiting the fill factor in particular for flat heterojunction devices. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Tellurium delta‐doped InGaP layers grown by metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy
Authors: Kúdela Róbert , Šoltýs Ján , Vincze Andrej , Novák Jozef
Published: April 2013

Heavily n‐type doped and several nanometres thick In0.485Ga0.515P layers are necessary for various devices. We studied the delta‐doping of this ternary with tellurium; the layers were grown by metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE), and diethyltelluride was used as the precursor. A maximum Hall sheet concentration of 2.75 × 1013 cm–2 was achieved in our samples grown at 560 °C. The Te profiles were analyzed with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), and a very narrow spectrum with a full width at half maximum of 7.5 nm was measured. This value indicates that the memory effect, referred to in the literature, was practically eliminated with appropriate growth conditions. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Social Capital and the Future of Disaster Recovery Research
Authors: Kage Rieko
Published: April 2013

Daniel P. Aldrich's Building Resilience: Social Capital in Post‐Disaster Recovery (University of Chicago Press, 2012) is a major addition to the study of how societies recover in the wake of natural disasters. In this book, Aldrich challenges conventional claims that successful reconstruction from natural disasters is about the quality of governance, sufficient funding, extent of physical damage, or levels of human capital. Instead, he points to social capital as a crucial determinant of a society's post‐disaster recovery over the medium to longer term. The book also raises important issues as to how we might think about the independence of observations in the wake of disaster, the concepts of bridging and social capital, how to fruitfully integrate societal‐based accounts of post‐disaster with state‐based accounts, and about moving toward more systematic comparisons not only within but also across different disasters.
Simulating biologically plausible complex survival data
Authors: Crowther Michael J. , Lambert Paul C.
Published: April 2013

Simulation studies are conducted to assess the performance of current and novel statistical models in pre‐defined scenarios. It is often desirable that chosen simulation scenarios accurately reflect a biologically plausible underlying distribution. This is particularly important in the framework of survival analysis, where simulated distributions are chosen for both the event time and the censoring time. This paper develops methods for using complex distributions when generating survival times to assess methods in practice. We describe a general algorithm involving numerical integration and root‐finding techniques to generate survival times from a variety of complex parametric distributions, incorporating any combination of time‐dependent effects, time‐varying covariates, delayed entry, random effects and covariates measured with error. User‐friendly Stata software is provided. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison between XRF, TXRF, and PXRF analyses for provenance classification of archaeological bricks
Authors: Bonizzoni Letizia , Galli Anna , Gondola Marco , Martini Marco
Published: April 2013

Ceramics provenance studies based on minor and trace elements are widely used to help in gathering knowledge of local furnace presence and commercial trades. Most of the times, destructive analyses are allowed because of the high amount of material, but sometimes (integer vessels, architectural decorations, etc.), a nondestructive examination is required. In both cases, X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis can be a useful tool.

In this work, we compare the classification results obtained on a set of bricks from the medieval Chartusian monastery Certosa di Pavia in the Po valley, northern Italy, exploiting XRF, portable XRF, and total reflection XRF (TXRF) spectrometers.

The XRF nondestructive analyses were performed both in situ before sampling and in the laboratory without preparing the shards. Grounded samples were instead used to obtain semi‐quantitative TXRF analysis without dissolving the samples but using a suspension in high‐purified water. The project aimed at verifying if a correct classification was possible even if a quantitative determination of minor and trace elements is abandoned, allowing a faster response when a large amount of data is concerned. For this reason, weight concentration was determined from laboratory XRF measurements only, whereas semi‐quantitative results and entire spectra were considered for TXRF and the in situ campaign, respectively. Data were then submitted to different statistical data treatments to obtain provenance classification. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improvement of PLS regression‐based XRF spectroscopy quantification using multiple step procedure and Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Rakotondrajoa A. , Buzanich G. , Radtke M. , Reinholz U. , Riesemeier H. , Vincze L. , Raboanary R.
Published: April 2013

Partial least squares (PLS) regression‐based methods have been proven to be a good alternative for quantification in X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy. These methods are fast and easy to use though giving satisfactory results under certain conditions. One of these conditions is the necessity of having a great number of spectra to build the model (training set). The choice of the constituent concentration range in the training set has a big influence on the accuracy of the model. Better accuracy is obtained if the model is built in relatively narrow regions containing (or close to) the real concentration value.

In the present work, Monte Carlo (MC) simulated spectra are used to form the training set. The advantage to use MC generated training spectra is the unlimited availability of perfect standards.

This paper aims to improve the accuracy of the method by introducing a multiple step procedure in order to build the PLS model using narrow concentration range close to (or containing) the real concentration values in the samples to be measured.

This approach consists of an initial guess of the constituents' concentrations and a preliminary PLS model before building the final model. The prediction of ten MC simulated alloy standard samples containing Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Sr, Zr, and Mo using this method allowed to have average relative prediction errors less than 5% for elements with narrow concentration ranges. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solid‐state NMR Spectroscopy of Quadrupolar Nuclei in Inorganic Chemistry
Authors: Bräuniger Thomas , Jansen Martin
Published: April 2013

We here review the principles and applications of solid‐state NMR spectroscopy of quadrupolar nuclei, with a special emphasis on structural studies of inorganic solids. Most NMR‐observable nuclei have spin I > 1/2, and possess a quadrupole moment. The resulting quadrupolar interaction severely broadens the resonances, but also encapsulates valuable information about the symmetry of the electronic surroundings of the observed nucleus. The effect of the quadrupolar interaction, as well as that of the chemical shift and dipolar interaction, on solid‐state NMR spectra is examined in this article. To regain good resolution, specifically designed NMR techniques exist to remove the quadrupolar broadening, i.e. overtone and MQMAS spectroscopy, the principles of which are outlined here. In addition, the possibility of distance measurements via the dipolar interaction using the REDOR technique is discussed. The combined information derived from distance measurements, quadrupolar and chemical shift parameters can be helpful for determination of the crystal structure, or for detection of impurity phases, as illustrated by surveying a number of case studies covering spin I = 1, 3/2, 5/2 and 7/2.
Memantine may affect pseudobulbar affect in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Prokšelj Tatjana , Jerin Aleš , Kogoj Aleš
Published: April 2013

Objective

Behavioural symptoms are common in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are improved by memantine with the most pronounced effect on agitation/aggression. Dextromethorphan in combination with quinidine is the only drug approved by US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) on the basis of efficacy in patients with multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of memantine on PBA in patients with AD.

Methods

In a prospective, double-blind, case-control study to assess PBA with pathological laughter and crying scale patients were administered memantine (final dose of 20 mg daily) or citalopram (20 mg once daily), each for 10 weeks. The number of episodes of involuntary emotional expression, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Overt Aggression Scale-Modified (OAS-M) total scores were also recorded. Furthermore, the platelet serotonin (5-HT) concentration was measured.

Results

Although memantine had beneficial effects on PBA, it also had a crucial impact on behavioural symptoms, especially aggression and agitation (to an average of 3.5 times higher end-point scores on OAS-M and increase of NPI total scores for an average of 114% of initial value). Therefore, the study was prematurely stopped. In addition, we had evidenced a drop of platelet 5-HT concentration (to an average of 73% of initial value).

Conclusion

Surprisingly, our research showed the opposite action of memantine on neuropsychiatric symptoms as expected. In a limited number of AD patients with PBA, memantine had a beneficial effect on involuntary emotional expression, but it potentiated agitation/aggression, irritability and caused a crucial drop of the platelet 5-HT concentration.
Global Politics and Germany's Destiny “from an East Asian Perspective”: Alfred von Tirpitz and the Making of Wilhelmine Navalism
Authors: Bönker Dirk
Published: April 2013

In his memoirs, published in 1919, Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, the former Secretary of the Navy and architect of the Wilhelmine battle fleet, claimed that it had been his great “fortune” in 1896 to receive a naval command abroad. Deployed to East Asia, he had been able to “take yet another look at the overseas interests of Germandom” right before the “takeover of the Imperial Naval Office and the inception of the naval buildup.” Appointed in late March 1896, Tirpitz commanded the East Asian Cruiser Division until he was summoned back to Berlin twelve months later, on March 31, 1897. He had returned home “with the impression that England sought to block as much as possible our future development,” as he characterized the main lesson he claimed to have learned during the months he spent away from Germany.
SOLVING PROBLEMS WITH ACROSTICS: MANILIUS DATES GERMANICUS
Authors: Colborn Robert
Published: April 2013

The dating of Manilius' Astronomica and of the Aratea attributed to Germanicus are both long-standing problems of Latin scholarship. The large number of significant correspondences between the two poems suggests a considerable degree of imitation and allusion one way or the other, but it is widely agreed that the internal evidence of the poems can shed no light on the direction of the influence. I would like to present a new observation, however, suggesting that the Aratea was already available to Manilius in some form by the time he came to compose his first book.
THE EMERGENCE OF A NOVEL ONOMASTIC PATTERN:COGNOMEN + NOMENIN SENECA THE ELDER
Authors: Echavarren Arturo
Published: April 2013

The formulacognomen + nomen, as portrayed inLatronis enim Porcii(Sen.Controv. 1praef. 13), the first double-name reference withoutpraenomenin Seneca the Elder's work (henceforth referred to simply as Seneca), emerged as a result of the radical changes which the Roman onomastic system began to experience at the end of the Republic. On account of a wide variety of factors, both social and linguistic, thecognomenseized the role of diacritic name and individual signifier, having oustedpraenomenfrom its ancient throne; the relatively limited number ofpraenominain common use contributed substantially to their waning. The formulae of two constituents visibly reflected the progressive decline ofpraenomina; during the Early Principate double names still represented the usual formal means of reference (tria nominabeing highly formal, mostly occurring in official contexts), but it mostly consisted ofnomen + cognomenrather thanpraenomen + nomenorpraenomen + cognomen. The formulanomen + cognomen, which developed once personalcognominabegan to spread among the lesser classes, was primarily crafted for addressing men of ambiguous status,peregriniand freedmen. Thus, Cicero tends to avoid its use in naming members of the nobility, whom he refers to with a clear preference for the older, lustrous conjunctionpraenomen + cognomen.
EGYPTIAN WARRIORS: THEMACHIMOIOF HERODOTUS AND THE PTOLEMAIC ARMY
Authors: Fischer-Bovet Christelle
Published: April 2013

The role and status of the Egyptians in the army of Hellenistic Egypt (323–30b.c.) has been a debated question that goes back to the position within Late Period Egyptian society (664–332b.c.) of the Egyptian warriors described by Herodotus asmachimoi. Until a few decades ago, Ptolemaic military institutions were perceived as truly Greco-Macedonian and the presence of Egyptians in the army during the first century of Ptolemaic rule was contested. The Egyptians were thought of as being unfit to be good soldiers. Egyptians would have been hired only as late as 217b.c.to fight against the Seleucid king Antiochus III in Raphia. The Ptolemaic victory (in fact rather a status quo) was made possible thanks to the addition of twenty thousand Egyptians to reinforce the Greek army. For a long time the subsequent role of Egyptians in the Ptolemaic army in the second and first centuriesb.c.did not attract much attention. One usually assumed that they were ‘second-rate soldiers’ calledmachimoi. In recent decades, the scholarship on Ptolemaic Egypt, notably Demotic studies, reasserted the role of Egyptians in the Ptolemaic army from the late fourth century onwards.
WHICH ‘ATHENODORUS’ COMMENTED ON ARISTOTLE'SCATEGORIES?
Authors: Griffin Michael J.
Published: April 2013

The principate of Augustus coincided with a surge of interest in the short Aristotelian treatise which we now entitleCategories, contributing to its later installation at the outset of the philosophical curriculum and its traditional function as an introduction to logic. Thanks in part to remarks made by Plutarch (Sulla26.1–2) and Porphyry (Vita Plotini24.7), the origin of this interest has often been traced to Andronicus of Rhodes: his catalogue (πίνακɛς) and publication of the Aristotelian corpus began with theCategoriesand may have drawn fresh attention to a previously obscure treatise. But the later Neoplatonic sources name several other philosophers who also discussed theCategoriesand played an important role in crafting its interpretation during the first centuries of our era. For example, the Neoplatonist Simplicius discusses the views of Stoics and Platonists who questioned theCategories' value as a treatment of grammar or ontology, while others defended its usefulness as an introduction to logic. These early debates, as these later sources suggest, exercised a lasting influence on the shape of subsequent philosophy and philosophical education within and beyond the Aristotelian tradition.
HOW TO ADDRESS THE ATHENIAN ASSEMBLY: RHETORIC AND POLITICAL TACTICS IN THE DEBATE ABOUT MYTILENE (THUC. 3.37–50)
Authors: Harris Edward M.
Published: April 2013

In 428b.c.e.the city of Mytilene launched a revolt against the Athenians and invited the Spartans to send them assistance. The plans for the revolt were reported to the Athenians (3.2), who sent a force against the city (3.3). The Mytilenians asked for help from the Spartans (3.4.5–6), but the fleet they sent arrived too late to help the city (3.26.4). The revolt appears to have been the initiative of the city's wealthier citizens: Thucydides reports (3.27–8) that heavy armour was not distributed to the people until Salaethus, the leader of the rebellion, realized that Spartan help would not arrive in time. Once the people received this armour, they refused to take orders from officials and held meetings, insisting that the government should distribute all available grain. If they did not, they threatened to negotiate on their own with the Athenians about surrender. The government was powerless to stop them and decided it was best to come to terms with the Athenians. It was agreed that the Athenians would have the power to act as they wished with the city and that the Mytilenians would have the right to send envoys to Athens to plead their case before the Assembly.