bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Northwest Africa 4797: A strongly shocked ultramafic poikilitic shergottite related to compositionally intermediate Martian meteorites
Authors: WALTON E. L. , IRVING A. J. , BUNCH T. E. , HERD C. D. K.
Published: September 2012

Abstract– Northwest Africa (NWA) 4797 is an ultramafic Martian meteorite composed of olivine (40.3 vol%), pigeonite (22.2%), augite (11.9%), plagioclase (9.1%), vesicles (1.6%), and a shock vein (10.3%). Minor phases include chromite (3.4%), merrillite (0.8%), and magmatic inclusions (0.4%). Olivine and pyroxene compositions range from Fo66–72,En58–74Fs19–28Wo6–15, and En46–60Fs14–22Wo34–40, respectively. The rock is texturally similar to “lherzolitic” shergottites. The oxygen fugacity was QFM−2.9 near the liquidus, increasing to QFM−1.7 as crystallization proceeded. Shock effects in olivine and pyroxene include strong mosaicism, grain boundary melting, local recrystallization, and pervasive fracturing. Shock heating has completely melted and vesiculated igneous plagioclase, which upon cooling has quench‐crystallized plagioclase microlites in glass. A mm‐size shock melt vein transects the rock, containing phosphoran olivine (Fo69–79), pyroxene (En44–51Fs14–18Wo30–42), and chromite in a groundmass of alkali‐rich glass containing iron sulfide spheres. Trace element analysis reveals that (1) REE in plagioclase and the shock melt vein mimics the whole rock pattern; and (2) the reconstructed NWA 4797 whole rock is slightly enriched in LREE relative to other intermediate ultramafic shergottites, attributable to local mobilization of melt by shock. The shock melt vein represents bulk melting of NWA 4797 injected during pressure release. Calculated oxygen fugacity for NWA 4797 indicates that oxygen fugacity is decoupled from incompatible element concentrations. This is attributed to subsolidus re‐equilibration. We propose an alternative nomenclature for “lherzolitic” shergottites that removes genetic connotations. NWA 4797 is classified as an ultramafic poikilitic shergottite with intermediate trace element characteristics.
Analysis of adipokine concentrations in paediatric non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Fitzpatrick E. , Dew T. K. , Quaglia A. , Sherwood R. A. , Mitry R. R. , Dhawan A.
Published: September 2012

What is already known on this subject

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in children and the rising prevalence is closely associated with the rise in obesity.

Adipokines, inflammatory mediators which arise from adipocytes or inflammatory cells infiltrating fatty tissue, are likely to be involved in the evolution of steatohepatitis from simple steatosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

What this study adds

Certain adipokines are differentially expressed with different severity of disease in paediatric NAFLD.

Plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and resistin decrease with increasing severity of steatohepatitis.

Plasma plasminogen activator 1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 are increased in severe fibrotic NAFLD.

Background

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in children. It is important to distinguish children with more severe disease or steatohepatitis (NASH) from those with the less severe simple steatosis (SS) as prognosis differs. The importance of adipokines in the evolution of NASH is well recognized.

Objective

As adipokines are important in mediating inflammation, they may also be useful biomarkers of disease.

Methods

Plasma from 40 children (30 boys), median age 13.4 years, with liver biopsy‐proven NAFLD was analysed. Liver biopsies were scored using the NAFLD activity score and compared with adipokine concentrations.

Results

Median body mass index z‐score was 2.12 with a median homeostasis model of assessment‐ insulin resistance of 4.08. Resistin was lower in NASH than in SS (P = 0.03). Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) was also lower in NASH (P = 0.04). MCP‐1 was higher in children with severe fibrosis (P = 0.008) with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.76. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI‐1) was also higher in this group (P = 0.011) with an AUROC of 0.78. There were no significant differences in leptin, adiponectin, adipsin, interleukin (IL) 6, IL10 or tumour necrosis factor α between groups.

Conclusion

PAI‐1 MCP‐1 and resistin were differentially expressed with increasing severity of NAFLD. Though it is unlikely that this profile alone would serve as a biomarker of disease, differences found may contribute to understanding the role of these mediators in NAFLD.
Increase in prevalence of adiposity between the ages of 7 and 11 years reflects lower remission rates during this period
Authors: von Kries R. , Reulen H. , Bayer O. , Riedel C. , Diethelm K. , Buyken A. E.
Published: September 2012

What is already known about this subject?

A considerable increase in the prevalence of overweight during the primary school years (7–11 years) has been reported.

What this study adds?

This reflects lower remission rates of excess body fat (i.e. the proportion of shifts from excess to normal body fat) between the ages of 7 and 11 years as compared with nearly balanced incidence and remission rates of excess body fat between the ages of 3 and 7 years.

Objective

This study aimed to compare the age‐specific balance between incidence and remission of excess body fat between the ages of 3–7 and 7–11 years using the data from a longitudinal study.

Design

Longitudinal analysis based on the data from the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) Study, an ongoing, open cohort study in healthy children, conducted in Dortmund, Germany. Excess body fat was defined by the sum of triceps and subscapular skin‐fold measurements above the 90th reference percentile of the new German standard; overweight was defined using different national and international standards. The main outcome parameters were incidence and remission rates of excess body fat (n = 496) and overweight (n = 518) between the ages of 3 and 7 years and between the ages of 7 and 11 years.

Results

The incidence rates of excess skin‐fold thickness between the ages of 3 and 7 years (4.2 [2.4, 6.2]%) and between the ages of 7 and 11 years (4.3 [2.6, 6.2]%) were almost identical. By contrast, remission rates were significantly lower during the age period of 7–11 years (primary school age) than during the age period of 3–7 years (pre‐school age): 37.5 (21.9, 53.1%) compared with 72.3 (59.6, 85.1%).

Conclusions

These data point to the low remission of excess body fat as an important driving force for the increasing prevalence of excess body fat in children between the ages of 7 and 11 years. Public health initiatives in children should encompass both primary prevention and interventions targeted at children already overweight at school entry.
Recommended levels of physical activity to avoid adiposity in Spanish children
Authors: Laguna M. , Ruiz J. R. , Lara M. T. , Aznar S.
Published: September 2012

What is already known about this subject

There is an association between adiposity levels and physical activity guidelines for adolescents.

Achieving physical activity recommendations helps adolescents to prevent obesity status.

What this study adds

This paper presents an association between physical activity levels and obesity status.

This paper supports physical activity recommendations to avoid children's obesity levels.

This paper emphasizes vigorous physical activity for this matter.

Background

There is no information about physical activity (PA) recommendations to avoid children's obesity levels and how much of vigorous PA (VPA) is included into the ‘60 minutes of MVPA 5 days a week’ recommendation for children.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the association between PA and adiposity in children and to examine whether the current PA guidelines are associated with a low risk of having excess of body fat in children, with special focus on sex differences, and PA intensity.

Methods

A sample of 439 Spanish children aged 8–10 years from the European Youth Heart Study participated in the study. The variables measured were anthropometric characteristics (height, weight, body mass index [BMI], skin‐folds and waist circumference) and PA was measured during 6 consecutive days using the GT1M accelerometer.

Results

Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed significant cut‐off points associated with non‐overweight: 45 min d−1 of VPA and 67 min d−1 of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (using BMI categories); and non‐fat: 41 min d−1 of VPA and 67 min d−1 of MVPA (using percentage of body fat) and 38 min d−1 of VPA and 47 min d−1 of MVPA (using waist circumference categories) for boys. For girls, the optimal cut‐offs of moderate‐to‐vigorous activity and MVPA associated with non‐overweight were 24 and 57 min d−1, respectively (BMI). Boys who did not meet 67 min in MVPA had an increased risk of being overweight + obese and overfat + obese (odds ratio [OR] = 2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36, 4.53, and OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.12, 5.82).

Conclusions

The findings support current PA recommendations (60 min d−1 of MVPA) to avoid excess of body fat in Spanish children. However, VPA appears to be an important component for the prevention of obesity, and our findings suggest that PA recommendations should specify the dose of VPA required for optimal health. Therefore, public health PA recommendations should incorporate specifically a greater dose of VPA into the total amount of MVPA in 8‐ to 10‐year‐old boys.
Mitigating the Myopia of Dominant Logics: On Differential Performance and Strategic Supply Chain Research
Authors: Fawcett Stanley E. , Waller Matthew A.
Published: September 2012

The primary question of management scholarship is, “What leads some firms to be successful even as others fail?” Over the years, a variety of dominant logics have emerged to inform this question. Synthesized, these logics make it clear that companies win when they create customer value better than the competition and efficiently enough to be profitable. That is, firms that design distinctive and dynamic value‐added systems win competitive battles. This observation is salient to the Journal of Business Logistics community as systems design and value creation are focal decision areas of supply chain management. With this in mind, we briefly discuss two of many areas for which strategic supply chain research can inform differential performance.
Importance of cholesterol in dopamine transporter function
Authors: Jones Kymry T. , Zhen Juan , Reith Maarten E. A.
Published: September 2012

The conformation and function of the dopamine transporter (DAT) can be affected by manipulating membrane cholesterol, yet there is no agreement as to the impact of cholesterol on the activity of lipid‐raft localized DATs compared with non‐raft DATs. Given the paucity of information regarding the impact of cholesterol on substrate efflux by the DAT, this study explores its influence on the kinetics of DAT‐mediated DA efflux induced by dextroamphetamine, as measured by rotating disk electrode voltammetry (RDEV). Treatment with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (mβCD), which effectively depletes total membrane cholesterol––uniformly affecting cholesterol–DAT interactions in both raft and non‐raft membrane domains––reduced both DA uptake and efflux rate. In contrast, disruption of raft‐localized DAT by cholesterol chelation with nystatin had no effect, arguing against a vital role for raft‐localized DAT in substrate uptake or efflux. Supranormal repletion of cholesterol‐depleted cells with the analog desmosterol, a non‐raft promoting sterol, was as effective as cholesterol itself in restoring transport rates. Further studies with Zn2+ and the conformationally biased W84L DAT mutant supported the idea that cholesterol is important for maintaining the outward‐facing DAT with normal rates of conformational interconversions. Collectively, these results point to a role for direct cholesterol–DAT interactions in regulating DAT function.
MANAGING THE PROCESS OF REMOVING CAPITAL CONTROLS: WHAT DOES THE LITERATURE SUGGEST?
Authors: Moore Winston
Published: September 2012

Economic theory suggests that opening the capital account should allow a country to diversify away economic shocks, increase capital inflows, expand economic growth and efficiency as well as encourage governments to pursue good policies. The empirical evidence with regard to these theoretical predictions, however, are in some instances debatable. Many studies, for example, have reported mixed results as it relates to the impact of capital account integration on growth, exchange rates, trade and policy discipline. This paper provides a review of this literature as well as some recommendations for policymakers in relation to managing the process of removing capital controls.
Masticatory performance and taste perception in patients submitted to cancer treatment
Authors: Caputo J. B. , Campos S. S. , Pereira S. M. , Castelo P. M. , Gavião M. B. D. , Marques L. S. , Pereira L. J.
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study was to analyse mastication and the sense of taste in 39 patients submitted to cancer treatment in different areas of the body and to compare these variables with those of 44 control individuals within the same age range. The following aspects were assessed: dental status (DMFT); stimulated and non‐stimulated salivary flow; sense of taste (salty, sweet, bitter and sour); and masticatory performance (MP), through the calculation of X50. Logistic regression models were established to test the association between the independent variables and cancer treatment. Cancer patients had lesser stimulated salivary flow, a smaller number of teeth and occlusal units, worse MP, higher salty, sweet and sour taste scores and a lower bitter taste score (P < 0·05). A significant positive correlation was found between MP and the DMFT index in both groups (P < 0·05), meaning that a lower DMFT index value denoted a smaller X50 value (better masticatory performance). The logistic regression model revealed that patients who had undergone cancer treatment had a greater probability of exhibiting a smaller number of teeth, higher salty and smaller bitter taste scores (P < 0·05). It was concluded that patients who were submitted to cancer treatment presented oral physiology alterations when compared with control subjects at the same age range.
A high serum interleukin‐12p40 level prior to Kasai surgery predict a favourable outcome in children with biliary atresia
Authors: Wu Jia‐Feng , Kao Pei‐Chi , Chen Huey‐Ling , Lai Hong‐Shiee , Hsu Hong‐Yuan , Chang Mei‐Hwei , Ni Yen‐Hsuan
Published: September 2012

Background

Biliary atresia (BA) is a paediatric cholestatic disease characterized by a progressive fibro‐inflammation of the biliary tree. Current treatment of choice is to establish good bile flow via the Kasai operation.

Aims

We aimed to identify outcome‐predictive serum biomarkers in BA infant.

Methods

Thirty‐three BA children recruited from 1986 to 2007 served as the baseline‐study group. An additional 11 children recruited from 2008 to 2011 served as the validation group. Serum samples were collected immediately before and 6 months after the Kasai operation for the assessment of serum cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), IL‐10, IL‐12p40 and IL‐12p70 as the candidate biomarkers.

Results

Increased serum TGF‐β levels indicated a lower Knodell hepatitis activity index at Kasai operation. The serum TGF‐β levels declined after the operation. Serum IL‐12p40 levels before the Kasai operation were higher in the subjects with a 3‐month jaundice‐free status than in others (P = 0.001). A serum pre‐operative IL‐12p40 level of 33 pg/ml was predictive of a 3‐month jaundice‐free status after surgery (positive predictive value=81.0%; negative predictive value=83.3%). This biomarker was also predictive of a better outcome, in terms of 3‐year survival with native liver (risk ratio [RR = 4.00]; P < 0.001), and 3‐year jaundice‐free survival with native liver (RR = 12.00; P < 0.001). We confirmed the predictive power of a high pre‐operative IL‐12p40 level on 3‐month jaundice‐free status in the validation group.

Conclusions

The pre‐operative IL‐12p40 level was a good predictive biomarker of clinical outcome in children with BA undergoing the Kasai operation.
The transferrin–iron import system from pathogenic Neisseria species
Authors: Noinaj Nicholas , Buchanan Susan K. , Cornelissen Cynthia Nau
Published: September 2012

Two pathogenic species within the genus Neisseria cause the diseases gonorrhoea and meningitis. While vaccines are available to protect against four N. meningitidis serogroups, there is currently no commercial vaccine to protect against serogroup B or against N. gonorrhoeae. Moreover, the available vaccines have significant limitations and with antibiotic resistance becoming an alarming issue, the search for effective vaccine targets to elicit long‐lasting protection against Neisseria species is becoming more urgent. One strategy for vaccine development has targeted the neisserial iron import systems. Without iron, the Neisseriae cannot survive and, therefore, these iron import systems tend to be relatively well conserved and are promising vaccine targets, having the potential to offer broad protection against both gonococcal and meningococcal infections. These efforts have been boosted by recent reports of the crystal structures of the neisserial receptor proteins TbpA and TbpB, each solved in complex with human transferrin, an iron binding protein normally responsible for delivering iron to human cells. Here, we review the recent structural reports and put them into perspective with available functional studies in order to derive the mechanism(s) for how the pathogenic Neisseriae are able to hijack human iron transport systems for their own survival and pathogenesis.
Modulation of DNA damage tolerance in Escherichia colirecG and ruv strains by mutations affecting PriB, the ribosome and RNA polymerase
Authors: Mahdi Akeel A. , Briggs Geoffrey S. , Lloyd Robert G.
Published: September 2012

RecG is a DNA translocase that helps to maintain genomic integrity. Initial studies suggested a role in promoting recombination, a possibility consistent with synergism between recG and ruv null alleles and reinforced when the protein was shown to unwind Holliday junctions. In this article we describe novel suppressors of recG and show that the pathology seen without RecG is suppressed on reducing or eliminating PriB, a component of the PriA system for replisome assembly and replication restart. Suppression is conditional, depending on additional mutations that modify ribosomal subunit S6 or one of three subunits of RNA polymerase. The latter suppress phenotypes associated with deletion of priB, enabling the deletion to suppress recG. They include alleles likely to disrupt interactions with transcription anti‐terminator, NusA. Deleting priB has a different effect in ruv strains. It provokes abortive recombination and compromises DNA repair in a manner consistent with PriB being required to limit exposure of recombinogenic ssDNA. This synergism is reduced by the RNA polymerase mutations identified. Taken together, the results reveal that RecG curbs a potentially negative effect of proteins that direct replication fork assembly at sites removed from the normal origin, a facility needed to resolve conflicts between replication and transcription.
One if by land, two if by sea: signalling to the ranks with CSP and XIP
Authors: Federle Michael J. , Morrison Donald A.
Published: September 2012

In many streptococci, quorum sensing utilizes secreted, linear peptides that engage cognate receptors to coordinate gene expression among members of a local population. Streptococcus mutans employs the secreted peptides CSP and XIP to stimulate production of antimicrobial bacteriocins and to induce development of competence for genetic transformation. Recent progress in the field reveals that these pathways not only monitor the presence of signal emitters but also sense environmental factors. Both kinds of information are integrated by regulatory networks that then generate multiple outcomes, even among parallel cells growing in identical conditions. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Son and co‐workers investigate how two medium types shape cellular responses to CSP and XIP pheromones in individuals across a population. Their findings characterize restrictive properties of media differing in peptidic fragment content and reveal unusual signalling properties that contribute to bimodal responses of gene expression.
Influence of gender and stress on the volatile sulfur compounds and stress biomarkers production
Authors: Lima PO , Calil CM , Marcondes FK
Published: September 2012

Background

Stress and menstrual cycle have been described as factors influencing bad breath, as they can alter oral homeostasis and contribute to the production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC).

Objective

Considering that the experimenter's and volunteer's gender may influence the volunteer's responses to stress, the aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of stress and gender on the production of VSC and salivary biomarkers.

Methods

The experimental acute stress was induced by the Video‐Recorded Stroop Color‐Word Test (VRSCWT). The VSC, salivary proteins, and cardiovascular parameters were measured before and after VRSCWT.

Results

The VRSCWT induced significant increase in total VSC, hydrogen sulfide, and blood pressure values in men and women. Women presented higher values of both these compounds than men. The increase in systolic blood pressure was more pronounced when subjects were evaluated by an experimenter of the opposite gender. When women were evaluated by a member of the opposite gender, they showed significant increases in salivary alpha‐amylase and cortisol compared with baseline values.

Conclusion

Thus, the results showed that VRSCWT induced acute stress, which increased VSC production, and these effects were shown to be influenced by the gender.
Aberrations in the micro‐RNA biogenesis machinery and the emerging roles of micro‐RNAs in the pathogenesis of cutaneous malignant melanoma
Authors: Leibowitz‐Amit Raya , Sidi Yechezkel , Avni Dror
Published: September 2012

Micro‐RNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play roles in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. Since the seminal discovery that aberrant miRNA expression has a causative role in leukemogenesis, the involvement of miRNAs in cancer initiation, propagation, and metastasis has been widely studied. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the literature on miRNAs in melanoma, specifically focusing on aberrations in cellular miRNA biogenesis and processing. These aberrations include genetic and epigenetic changes at the chromosomal level, alterations in the level of the miRNA‐processing enzyme DICER, and the existence of competitive endogenous RNAs that serve as decoys for miRNAs and thus modulate their effective intracellular concentrations. We also discuss miRNA profiling in melanoma, review several miRNAs implicated in invasion, metastasis, proliferation, and apoptosis, and briefly summarize the cross talk between miRNAs and microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor, the master transcriptional regulator of the melanocyte lineage. Finally, we summarize recent studies of miRNA expression as prognostic and predictive biomarkers, as well as initial experiments on the use of miRNAs and small interfering RNAs as therapeutic agents in melanoma.
Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Vancomycin‐Resistant Enterococcus faecium from Swine in Michigan, USA
Authors: Gordoncillo M. J. N. , Donabedian S. , Bartlett P. C. , Perri M. , Zervos M. , Kirkwood R. , Febvay C.
Published: September 2012

In 2008, we identified vancomycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE) in Michigan swine, which was the first report of VRE in livestock from North America. Continued sampling in 2009 and 2010 was conducted to determine whether VRE persisted in Michigan. In 2009, swine faecal and feed samples (n = 56), county fair pig barn manure samples (n = 9) and pooled Michigan State Fair pig barn manure samples (n = 18) were screened for VRE. In 2010, swine faecal samples were collected from 26 county fairs (n = 73) and nine commercial swine farms in six states (n = 28). Recovered VRE isolates were molecularly evaluated by polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism, pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), S1 nuclease digestion and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Six VRE isolates were identified in 2009 from the State Fair, and another six (8.2%) were recovered from the five county fairs in 2010. All 12 isolates were highly related to the first‐reported VRE from Michigan swine: all were confirmed to be vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREf) carrying vanA gene on Tn1546 (Type D), were negative for IS1251, hyl and esp gene, carried a 150–160 kb megaplasmid, and have closely similar PFGE patterns with >80% similarity. Classified as ST5, ST6 or ST185 by MLST, all belong to the clonal complex 5, a strain recognized to be circulating among European pigs. This study reveals that VREf are widespread in Michigan swine and persist in the historical absence of the use of agricultural glycopeptides.
American Trypanosomiasis Infection in Fattening Pigs from the South‐East of Mexico
Authors: Jiménez‐Coello M. , Acosta‐Viana K. Y. , Guzman‐Marin E. , Ortega‐Pacheco A.
Published: September 2012

American Trypanosomiasis (AT) is an infectious parasitic disease produced by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Infection is acquired by vectorial via but can also be transmitted congenitally, by ingestion of an infected host, by transfusion with contaminated blood or transplant of organs from an infected donor. Currently, AT is widely distributed from the South of the United States to South America. In Mexico, the presence of the parasite has been reported throughout the country where several reservoirs such as dogs, opossums, rats and cats have been identified. Yucatan is in the south‐east of Mexico where AT is endemic and has been reported since 1940s. There is little information about the role of pigs as reservoirs of T. cruzi. The frequency of specific antibodies against T. cruzi was determined in fattening pigs from Yucatan, Mexico. After sampling in the 3 main areas of pig production in the state, IgG ELISA and Western blot were performed to identify seropositive cases. Association of farm size, farm area and production system with infected pigs was evaluated. From 273 sampled pigs, 5.4% (n = 15) positive cases were found. No association with evaluated factors and infected pigs was found. Pigs are also reservoirs of T. cruzi in the studied area. These findings are considered important to improve vectorial control in the area in order to avoid the parasite infection in animal populations destined for human consumption and avoid further transmission to humans.
Development of an Inverse Algorithm for Resonance Inspection
Authors: Lai Canhai , Xu Wei , Sun Xin
Published: September 2012

Resonance inspection (RI), which employs the natural frequency spectra shift between the good and the anomalous part populations to detect defects, is a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technique with many advantages, such as low inspection cost, high testing speed, and broad applicability to structures with complex geometry compared to other contemporary NDE methods. It has already been widely used in the automobile industry for quality inspections of safety critical parts. Unlike some conventionally used NDE methods, the current RI technology is unable to provide details, i.e., location, dimension, or types, of the flaws for the discrepant parts. Such limitation severely hinders its widespread applications and further development. In this study, an inverse RI algorithm based on maximum correlation function is proposed to quantify the location and size of flaws for a discrepant part. A dog-bone-shaped stainless steel sample with and without controlled flaws is used for algorithm development and validation. The results show that multiple flaws can be accurately pinpointed back, using the algorithms developed, and the prediction accuracy decreases with increasing flaw numbers and decreasing distance between flaws.
Effect of niobium doping on the optical and electrical properties in titanium dioxide grown by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Bae Hyojung , Ha Jun-Seok , Park Seunghwan , Chikyow Toyohiro , Chang Jiho , Oh Dongcheol
Published: September 2012

The influence of niobium (Nb) on both the electrical and optical properties in titanium dioxide (TiO2) grown by pulsed laser deposition was investigated. Nb atoms with a critical doping ratio of 8 at. % were carefully controlled in a 100 nm-thick TiO2 layer (Nb:TiO2). The Hall effect results revealed that the electrical resistivity and electron concentration of the resulting Nb:TiO2 film were 30 times lower and 2 orders of magnitude higher than those of un-doped TiO2 (u-TiO2), respectively, leading to a slight degradation of optical transmittance in the visible region. The room temperature photoluminescence results showed that the emission intensity at the near band of Nb:TiO2 was greatly enhanced, while, that at the impurity band created by oxygen vacancy (Vo) was almost constant. Detailed investigation of the T-dependent conductivity indicated that the Nb:TiO2 film possessed an activation energy as shallow as 20.8 meV, which suggested that the electrical properties were dominantly determined by Nb shallow impurity rather than point defects such as Vo.
193 nm excimer laser lift-off for AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors
Authors: Wang Xiaotie , Lo Chien-Fong , Liu Lu , Cuervo Camilo V. , Fan Ren , Pearton Stephen J. , Gila Brent , Johnson Michael R. , Zhou Lin , Smith David J. , Kim Jihyun , Laboutin Oleg , Cao Yu , Johnson Jerry W.
Published: September 2012

AlGaN/GaN HEMTs grown on both-side-polished sapphire substrates were successfully lifted-off with a 193-nm UV excimer laser system. The photon energy of the 193 nm laser is larger than the band gap of AlN and thus it can be used to lift-off AlGaN HEMT structures with AlN or AlGaN interfacial layers grown on sapphire substrates prior to growth of the GaN buffer layers. The lifted-off HEMT chip was warped and showed 25–42% reduction of the saturation drain current. There was no degradation observed either in the forward or reverse gate current-voltage (I-V) characteristics or on the drain punch-through voltage. Based on comparisons of cross-sectional electron micrographs, no additional dislocations were created in the HEMT structures after the laser lift-off process. Reduction in saturation drain current was attributed to relaxation of the lifted-off HEMT structures. Newton's rings and Raman spectrum E2 peak shifts were used to estimate the strain relaxation of the laser lifted-off samples.
Mitigation of extreme ultraviolet mask defects by pattern shifting: Method and statistics
Authors: Wagner Alfred , Burkhardt Martin , Clay Alexander B. , Levin James P.
Published: September 2012

Currently the mask blanks used in extreme ultraviolet lithography cannot be fabricated free of defects. A rapid method of determining the optimum placement of mask patterns on the blank to avoid these defects is described. Using this method, the probability of fabricating defect-free masks, when the pattern is (1) randomly placed on the mask blank or (2) positioned optimally to avoid defects, is determined for a variety of integrated circuit designs, defect densities, and defect sizes. In addition to circular defects, oval and clusters of defects are also considered. Finally, simple analytical expressions for the probability of obtaining a defect-free mask in the case of random placement of the mask pattern is presented and compared to Monte Carlo simulations.
A rare congenital neck lump: Figure 1
Authors: Owen Richard , Bowen John
Published: September 2012

We describe the case and present a radiological image of a neck lump identified antenatally with ultrasound imaging. Postnatally a left-sided asymptomatic neck lump was identified in the left posterior triangle of the neck. Repeat ultrasound and CT imaging were arranged confirming a cyst adjacent to the cervical oesophagus and displacing the carotid sheath anteriorly. Complete cyst excision was achieved with no complications. Histological analysis identified a 30×22×20 mm cyst with a smooth muscle layer within the cyst wall and a lining of respiratory epithelium. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of cervical duplication cyst (CDC). Proximity to the carotid sheath and oesophagus can make CDC excision potentially dangerous hence preoperative CT scanning was useful to establish the anatomical relations of the cyst in this case.
A right inguinoscrotal swelling: the importance of histological analysis
Authors: Patrick Nina , Iskander Morkos , Brougham Katherine , McCabe John
Published: September 2012

Myxofibrosarcoma of the spermatic cord is a rare condition. We present an unusual case of a 69-year-old gentleman who presented to the emergency department on two occasions with a right inguinoscrotal swelling. We will explore the diagnostic difficulties encountered and subsequent management. We will also highlight the importance of histological analysis when unexpected findings are encountered.
‘Non-resolving’ pneumonia
Authors: Palkar Atul Vijay , Rapose Alwyn
Published: September 2012

A 47-year-old man presented with symptoms of fever and productive cough secondary to a left upper lobe pneumonia. He had received more than three courses of antibiotics over a 2-year period. Review of serial radiographic exams including chest x-ray and CT scans revealed consolidation of the left upper lobe. Lack of response to antibiotics prompted invasive testing with bronchoscopy which revealed a growth in the left main bronchus. Histopathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma.
Promotion of couples’ voluntary HIV counselling and testing in Lusaka, Zambia by influence network leaders and agents
Authors: Wall Kristin M , Kilembe William , Nizam Azhar , Vwalika Cheswa , Kautzman Michelle , Chomba Elwyn , Tichacek Amanda , Sardar Gurkiran , Casanova Deborah , Henderson Faith , Mulenga Joseph , Kleinbaum David , Allen Susan
Published: September 2012

Objectives

Hypothesising that couples’ voluntary counselling and testing (CVCT) promotions can increase CVCT uptake, this study identified predictors of successful CVCT promotion in Lusaka, Zambia.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Lusaka, Zambia.

Participants

68 influential network leaders (INLs) identified 320 agents (INAs) who delivered 29 119 CVCT invitations to heterosexual couples.

Intervention

The CVCT promotional model used INLs who identified INAs, who in turn conducted community-based promotion and distribution of CVCT invitations in two neighbourhoods over 18 months, with a mobile unit in one neighbourhood crossing over to the other mid-way through.

Primary outcome

The primary outcome of interest was couple testing (yes/no) after receipt of a CVCT invitation. INA, couple and invitation characteristics predictive of couples’ testing were evaluated accounting for two-level clustering.

Results

INAs delivered invitations resulting in 1727 couples testing (6% success rate). In multivariate analyses, INA characteristics significantly predictive of CVCT uptake included promoting in community-based (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.3; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.8) or health (aOR=1.5; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0) networks versus private networks; being employed in the sales/service industry (aOR=1.5; 95% CI 1.0 to 2.1) versus unskilled manual labour; owning a home (aOR=0.7; 95% CI 0.6 to 0.9) versus not; and having tested for HIV with a partner (aOR=1.4; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.7) or alone (aOR=1.3; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.6) versus never having tested. Cohabiting couples were more likely to test (aOR=1.4; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.6) than non-cohabiting couples. Context characteristics predictive of CVCT uptake included inviting couples (aOR=1.2; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.4) versus individuals; the woman (aOR=1.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.2) or couple (aOR=1.4; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.8) initiating contact versus the INA; the couple being socially acquainted with the INA (aOR=1.6; 95% CI 1.4 to 1.9) versus having just met; home invitation delivery (aOR=1.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.5) versus elsewhere; and easy invitation delivery (aOR=1.8; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.2) versus difficult as reported by the INA.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the ability of influential people to promote CVCT and identified agent, couple and context-level factors associated with CVCT uptake in Lusaka, Zambia. We encourage the development of CVCT promotions in other sub-Saharan African countries to support sustained CVCT dissemination.
TRITON BREAKUP AND FORMATION AT VERY LOW ENERGIES
Authors: SADEGHI H.
Published: September 2012

Different theoretical models for two- and three-body electromagnetic currents are constructed using meson-exchange mechanisms and minimal substitution in the momentum dependence of two- and three-nucleon interactions. We review the use of effective field theory (EFT) to compute electromagnetic reactions in three-nucleon systems at very low energies. We first explain how EFT theory can be extended to incorporate the photon into the three-nucleon systems when also a three-nucleon force is acting. We also explain the predictions of the resulting EFT for neutron–deuteron radiative capture process at very low energies. In this work, a number of low-energy photonuclear observables, including neutron–deuteron radiative capture reactions and triton photodisintegration, are calculated in order to make a comparative study of the pion-less EFT results with the models based on the realistic Argonne v18(AV18) two-nucleon and Urbana IX or Tucson–Melbourne three-nucleon interactions. The calculated cross-section of neutron–deuteron radiative capture and photon polarization parameter of 3 H are in satisfactory agreement with the available experimental data.
BUILD-UP OF UNDERSTANDING OF TECHNOLOGICAL CONVERGENCE: EVIDENCE FROM PRINTED INTELLIGENCE INDUSTRY
Authors: KARVONEN MATTI , LEHTOVAARA MATTI , KÄSSI TUOMO
Published: September 2012

The purpose of the paper is to analyze the dynamics between traditional and emerging new industries in converging industry environments. The paper identifies different convergence types and utilizes the framework to analyze the evolution of printed intelligence and RFID markets. The primary source of information is based on the main RFID industry players, patents, and 12 semistructured interviews conducted by the research group. The results reveal that the emerging industry is in the early stages of evolution where market dynamics are driven by complementary technological convergence and the previously distinct technological trajectories of industries have started to overlap. In parallel with convergence, a restructuring of industries is taking place in the near future.
THE STATISTICAL RISK ANALYSIS AS THE BASIS OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: KACHIASHVILI KARTLOS J. , HASHMI MUNTAZIM A. , MUEED ABDUL
Published: September 2012

In the work the problem of sustainable development of production, i.e., an optimum choice of parameter values of technological process with the purpose of minimization of risk of obtaining production of not planed quality also incorrect making decision about quality of production and maximization of profit of production at the guaranteed social and economic effects is formalized. Different statements of the problem depending on the put ultimate purpose are considered. The general method of solution of the put task using Bayesian approach of testing many hypotheses is offered.
Enhancement of Diamond Nucleation by Atomic Silicon Microaddition
Authors: Isshiki Hideo , Yoshida Mikio , Tobita Ryutaro , Shigeeda Tetsuya , Kinoshita Motoi , Matsushima Kenshiro , Tamura Takashi
Published: September 2012

The enhancement of diamond nucleation by atomic silicon microaddition is demonstrated. From the observation by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), the mechanism of bias-enhanced nucleation (BEN) with atomic silicon microaddition is discussed. We propose two nucleation processes, namely, i) generation in condensed amorphous carbon (a-C) and ii) carbon cohesion with the adsorbed silicon atom as the core. It is shown that the nucleation process ii) induces highly oriented diamond growth on Si substrates.
Spin Polarization of Alternate Monatomic Epitaxial [Fe/Co]n Superlattice
Authors: Chu In Chang , Doi Masaaki , Sahashi Masashi , Rajanikanth Ammanabrolu , Takahashi Yukiko , Hono Kazuhiro
Published: September 2012

The spin polarization (P) of alternate monatomic layered (AML) epitaxial [Fe/Co]
n
superlattices grown on MgO(001) substrates by electron beam (EB) evaporation has been measured by the point contact Andreev reflection (PCAR) method. The intrinsic transport P of 0.60 was obtained for the AML epitaxial [Fe/Co]
n
superlattice grown at 75 °C, which is comparable to that of half-metallic Heusler alloys measured by PCAR. The AML epitaxial [Fe/Co]
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superlattices on MgO(001), which are expected to possess the B2 ordered structure, show the highest spin polarization of metallic Fe–Co alloy films.
New Method for Projectile Velocity Measurement Using Faraday-Type Electromagnetic Sensor for Hypervelocity Impact Experiments and Detection Efficiency of the Method
Authors: Saito Fumikazu , Kishimura Hiroaki , Yokote Hiroyuki , Tamura Hideki , Yokoo Manabu , Nakamura Kazutaka G. , Kondo Ken-ichi
Published: September 2012

The authors developed a Faraday-type electromagnetic sensor as a conventional and fiducial technique for measuring the velocities of projectiles accelerated by propellant and gas guns. The sensor consists of a doughnut-shaped ferrite magnet and a pick-up coil, and detects the disturbance of the magnetic field in the pick-up coil caused by the passage of a metallic projectile. Projectile velocity is estimated from the time interval between two electromotive force signals and the distance between two sensors. Firing tests using a small nonmagnetic spherical Al projectile show that the projectile velocity is obtained with an accuracy of less than 2% in the velocity range from 2.17 to 5.80 km/s.
Position-Dependent Behavior of Piezoelectric Lead–Zirconate–Titanate Cosmic Dust Detector
Authors: Hattori Maki , Kobayashi Masanori , Miyachi Takashi , Takechi Seiji , Okudaira Osamu , Iwai Takeo , Sugita Seiji
Published: September 2012

A possible position dependence of the signal amplitudes generated by a piezoelectric lead–zirconate–titanate (PZT) detector was studied by bombarding the PZT element with hypervelocity microparticles. The detector was equipped with a set of asymmetrically arranged electrodes. The characteristic features of the element were analyzed using the amplitudes of the fundamental resonant component caused by collisions. As a result, the sensitivity of the element measured with direct collisions onto the collector was found to be one order of magnitude greater than that in the external area of the collector.
Sphingomyelinase-induced adhesion of eryptotic erythrocytes to endothelial cells
Authors: Abed Majed , Towhid Syeda T. , Mia Sobuj , Pakladok Tatsiana , Alesutan Ioana , Borst Oliver , Gawaz Meinrad , Gulbins Erich , Lang Florian
Published: September 2012

Eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death, leads to cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface. Eryptotic erythrocytes adhere to the vascular wall by binding of phosphatidylserine to the CXC chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16). Stimulators of eryptosis include increased cytosolic Ca2+ activity, energy depletion, and activation of ceramide-producing sphingomyelinase. The present study explored whether sphingomyelinase triggers erythrocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. To this end, human erythrocytes were exposed for 6 h to bacterial sphingomyelinase (1–10 mU/ml) and phosphatidylserine exposure was estimated from fluorescent annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter in FACS-analysis, erythrocyte adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) from trapping of labeled erythrocytes in a flow chamber under flow conditions at arterial shear rates, and CXCL16 protein abundance utilizing Western blotting and FACS analysis of fluorescent antibody binding. As a result, sphingomyelinase (≥1 mU/ml) triggered cell shrinkage, phosphatidylserine exposure and erythrocyte adhesion to HUVEC, effects blunted by Ca2+ removal. Adhesion was significantly blunted by phosphatidylserine-coating annexin-V (5 μl/ml), following addition of neutralizing antibodies against endothelial CXCL16 (4 μg/ml) and following silencing of the CXCL16 gene with small interfering RNA. Pretreatment of HUVEC with sphingomyelinase upregulated CXCL16 protein abundance. Six hours pretreatment of HUVEC with sphingomyelinase (10 mU/ml) or C6-ceramide (50 μM) augmented erythrocyte adhesion following a 30-min treatment with Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin (1 μM) or following energy depletion by 48-h glucose removal. Thus exposure to sphingomyelinase or C6-ceramide triggers eryptosis followed by phosphatidylserine- and CXCL16-sensitive adhesion of eryptotic erythrocytes to HUVEC.
Autophagy and pancreatitis
Authors: Gukovskaya Anna S. , Gukovsky Ilya
Published: September 2012

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the exocrine pancreas that carries considerable morbidity and mortality; its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Recent findings from experimental models and genetically altered mice summarized in this review reveal that autophagy, the principal cellular degradative pathway, is impaired in pancreatitis and that one cause of autophagy impairment is defective function of lysosomes. We propose that the lysosomal/autophagic dysfunction is a key initiating event in pancreatitis and a converging point of multiple deranged pathways. There is strong evidence supporting this hypothesis. Investigation of autophagy in pancreatitis has just started, and many questions about the “upstream” mechanisms mediating the lysosomal/autophagic dysfunction and the “downstream” links to pancreatitis pathologies need to be explored. Answers to these questions should provide insight into novel molecular targets and therapeutic strategies for treatment of pancreatitis.