bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NG2 cell response in the CNP‐EGFP mouse after contusive spinal cord injury
Authors: Lytle Judith M. , Chittajallu Ramesh , Wrathall Jean R. , Gallo Vittorio
Published: September 2008

NG2+ cells in the adult CNS are a heterogeneous population. The extent to which the subpopulation of NG2+ cells that function as oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) respond to spinal cord injury (SCI) and recapitulate their normal developmental progression remains unclear. We used the CNP‐EGFP mouse, in which oligodendrocyte lineage cells express EGFP, to study NG2+ cells in the normal and injured spinal cord. In white matter of uninjured mice, bipolar EGFP+NG2+ cells and multipolar EGFPnegNG2+ cells were identified. After SCI, EGFP+NG2+ cell proliferation in residual white matter peaked at 3 days post injury (DPI) rostral to the epicenter, while EGFPnegNG2+ cell proliferation peaked at 7 DPI at the epicenter. The expression of transcription factors, Olig2, Sox10, and Sox17, and the basic electrophysiological membrane parameters and potassium current phenotype of the EGFP+NG2+ population after injury were consistent with those of proliferative OPCs during development. EGFPnegNG2+ cells did not express transcription factors involved in oligodendrogenesis. EGFP+CC1+ oligodendrocytes at 6 weeks included cells that incorporated BrdU during the peak of EGFP+NG2+ cell proliferation. EGFPnegCC1+ oligodendrocytes were never observed. Treatment with glial growth factor 2 and fibroblast growth factor 2 enhanced oligodendrogenesis and increased the number of EGFPnegNG2+ cells. Therefore, based on EGFP and transcription factor expression, spatiotemporal proliferation patterns, and response to growth factors, two populations of NG2+ cells can be identified that react to SCI. The EGFP+NG2+ cells undergo cellular and physiological changes in response to SCI that are similar to those that occur in early postnatal NG2+ cells during developmental oligodendrogenesis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Addition of risperidone to sertraline improves sertraline‐resistant refractory depression without influencing plasma concentrations of sertraline and desmethylsertraline
Authors: Yoshimura Reiji , Umene‐Nakano Wakako , Ueda Nobuhisa , Ikenouchi‐Sugita Atsuko , Hori Hikaru , Nakamura Jun
Published: September 2008

In the present study, we examined the efficacy of risperidone addition on sertraline‐resistant depressed patients and the effects of risperidone on the metabolism of sertraline. Ten patients (M/F: 4/6, age: 54 ± 10 years) met the DSM‐IV criteria for major depressive disorder enrolled the study. Hamilton Dating Scale for Depression (HAM‐D) scores (mean ± SD) in all 10 patients significantly decreased from 19 ± 4 (before risperidone addition) to 11 ± 3 (4 weeks after risperidone addition). Plasma levels of sertraline and desmethylsertraline did not change after risperidone addition. Serum BDNF levels in responders to risperidone addition were changed from 8.1 ± 2.7 ng/ml (before risperidone addition) to 11.5 ± 0.9 ng/ml (4 weeks after risperidone addition); in contrast, those in nonresponders changed from 7.8 ± 2.2 ng/ml (before risperidone addition) to 7.9 ± 2.4 ng/ml (4 weeks after risperidone addition). These results suggest that the addition of risperidone to sertraline is effective and well tolerated for sertraline‐resistant depressive patients, which is accompanied with the increase in serum BDNF levels in responders to the risperidone addition, and the addition of risperidone to sertraline does not seem to influence sertraline metabolism. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical implication of recurrent copy number alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma and putative oncogenes in recurrent gains on 1q
Authors: Kim Tae‐Min , Yim Seon‐Hee , Shin Seung‐Hun , Xu Hai‐Dong , Jung Yu‐Chae , Park Cheol‐Keun , Choi Jong‐Young , Park Won‐Sang , Kwon Mi‐Seon , Fiegler Heike , Carter Nigel P. , Rhyu Mun‐Gan , Chung Yeun‐Jun
Published: September 2008

To elucidate the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and develop useful prognosis predictors, it is necessary to identify biologically relevant genomic alterations in HCC. In our study, we defined recurrently altered regions (RARs) common to many cases of HCCs, which may contain tumor‐related genes, using whole‐genome array‐CGH and explored their associations with the clinicopathologic features. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to investigate functional implication of RARs. On an average, 23.1% of the total probes were altered per case. Mean numbers of altered probes are significantly higher in high‐grade, bigger and microvascular invasion (MVI) positive tumors. In total, 32 RARs (14 gains and 18 losses) were defined and 4 most frequent RARs are gains in 1q21.1‐q32.1 (64.5%), 1q32.1‐q44 (59.2%), 8q11.21‐q24.3 (48.7%) and a loss in 17p13.3‐p12 (51.3%). Through focusing on RARs, we identified genes and functional pathways likely to be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. Among genes in the recurrently gained regions on 1q, expression of KIF14 and TPM3 was significantly increased, suggesting their oncogenic potential in HCC. Some RARs showed the significant associations with the clinical features. Especially, the recurrent loss in 9p24.2‐p21.1 and gain in 8q11.21‐q24.3 are associated with the high tumor grade and MVI, respectively. Functional analysis showed that cytokine receptor binding and defense response to virus pathways are significantly enriched in high grade‐related RARs. Taken together, our results and the strategy of analysis will help to elucidate pathogenesis of HCC and to develop biomarkers for predicting behaviors of HCC. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TP53 mutation signature supports involvement of aristolochic acid in the aetiology of endemic nephropathy‐associated tumours
Authors: Nedelko Tatiana , Arlt Volker M. , Phillips David H. , Hollstein Monica
Published: September 2008

The proposal has been put forward that the primary cause of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is exposure to food crops contaminated with seeds of Aristolochia spp, which contain high levels of aristolochic acids (AA). Recently, tumour DNA samples from patients with BEN were found to harbour principally A to T mutations in the TP53 tumour suppressor gene (Grollman et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2007;104:12129–34). Using a novel mutation assay in which we can induce and select mutations in human TP53 sequences in vitro by exposure of cultured cells to a mutagen, we found that A to T mutations were elicited by aristolochic acid at sites in TP53 rarely mutated in human cancers in general, but which were observed in the BEN patients. This concordance of specific mutations in patient tumours and aristolochic acid I‐exposed cultures supports the argument that AA has a direct role in the aetiology of BEN‐associated cancer. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stimulatory effects of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide on dendritic cell‐based immunotherapy of colon cancer in CEA/HLA‐A2 transgenic mice
Authors: Saha Asim , Bhattacharya‐Chatterjee Malaya , Foon Kenneth A. , Celis Esteban , Chatterjee Sunil K.
Published: September 2008

Immunostimulatory DNA containing unmethylated cytosine‐guanine (CpG) motifs have been successfully used as adjuvants to enhance the immunity of vaccines designed to trigger antitumor T‐cell responses. We examined the effect of a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN) for its ability to potentiate the activity of tumor antigen‐pulsed dendritic cells (DC) in a clinically relevant mouse model, which is transgenic for both carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and HLA‐A2 for the treatment of colon carcinoma in a therapeutic setting. The systemic administration of CpG ODN 1826 alone had modest effect on tumor growth when tumors were palpable and had no effect with larger tumor burden. However, coadministration of CpG ODN 1826 with the vaccine provided significant increase in tumor‐free survival compared with mice immunized with DC‐based vaccines alone. The DC/CpG combined vaccination strategy resulted in increased secretion of Th1 cytokines and HLA‐A2‐restricted CEA‐specific CTL responses were also enhanced. Both tumor regression and extended tumor‐free survival resulting from DC/CpG combination therapy required the participation of T cells. Tumor‐free mice were resistant to tumor rechallenge and immunity conferred by the vaccine was transferable in athymic nude mice. These results provide evidence that vaccination with antigen‐pulsed DC with CpG ODN as adjuvant can lead to effective tumor regression and long‐term survival in a murine model of colon carcinoma. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coeliac disease screening in children: assessment of a novel anti‐gliadin antibody assay
Authors: Leach Steven T. , Aurangzeb Brekhna , Day Andrew S.
Published: September 2008

Coeliac disease (CD) screening has progressed rapidly with tissue transglutaminase (TTG), the screening tool of choice. However, TTG may be unreliable in young children and advances in CD etiology understanding have seen improvements in anti‐gliadin (AGA) assay technology. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of an updated and refined AGA (Neogliadin) assay for CD screening in children with gastrointestinal symptoms. Children attending the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, with gastrointestinal symptoms had sera collected and assayed by Neogliadin and commercial TTG assays in addition to the usual clinical work‐up. One hundred and fifteen children were recruited in which 32 were diagnosed with CD. AGA–IgA screening by Neogliadin showed improved sensitivity (83%) and specificity (91%) but did not eclipse the sensitivity (93%) and specificity (90%) of TTG–IgA screening. In the children diagnosed with CD, 7 were identified as younger than 5 years of age with 4/7 AGA–IgA positive, 5/7 AGA–IgG positive, and 6/7 TTG–IgA positive. The updated Neogliadin IgA assay does not improve on the accuracy achieved by TTG screening. TTG appears to be a suitable screening tool for children younger than 5 years of age although this preliminary finding requires confirmation. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:327–333, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pleural fluid findings as prognostic factors for malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Gonlugur Tanseli Efeoglu , Gonlugur Ugur
Published: September 2008

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of pleural fluid glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, total protein, and total leukocyte levels in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. We retrospectively analyzed 71 consecutive patients (33 men and 38 women) who were referred to the department of chest diseases in a university hospital. Pleural fluid glucose levels, the ratio of pleural fluid to serum LDH>1.0, and total leukocyte count were significant predictors for the survival in univariate analysis. However, none of these variables emerged as statistically significant from the multivariate Cox model. In conclusion, our results showed that there is an inverse correlation between the intensity of inflammation and survival. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:334–336, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐way comparison of methods for the measurement of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Authors: Mahlangu Johnny Ndoni , Davids Melony
Published: September 2008

An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific sickness index, which is not diagnostic of any particular disease, but which when elevated may indicate the presence of inflammation, infection, rheumatologic disease, or neoplasm. Technological advances continue to evolve to make this old test to conform to requirements of a modern analytical laboratory. In this evaluation, two new semi‐automated ESR measuring systems, the HumaSed and ESR‐Auto Plus® (EAP), were compared with the Westergren method with regard to the accuracy and precision of ESR measurement, sample stability, and interference of various substances with the ESR assay. Samples from 125 patients were analyzed with the three methods and the results compared using linear regression and Bland–Altman plots. The mean ESR values of the HumaSed (32.10±4.86) and EAP (38.09±5.33) were comparable to that of the Westergren (31.54±4.94). The high correlation coefficients of 0.910–0.96 and the Bland–Altman scatter plots revealed good association and agreement between the three methods. Bias between the three methods was small and the imprecision was within acceptable limits. ESR analysis beyond 4 hr was found to be unacceptable owing to sample instability. There was bilirubin and lipid but not heparin interference in the two automated systems. Overall, two automated analyzers were found to be fast, reliable, standardized, simplified, and safe instruments with accuracy and precision for ESR measurement comparable to the Westergren. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:346–352, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Do intrinsic factor antibodies assays provide univocal answers in Biermer's disease?
Authors: Corcuff Jean‐Benoît , Morel Stéphanie , Georges Agnès , de Bosredon Karine , Bordenave Laurence
Published: September 2008

The objective of the study is to evaluate the concordance of four assays for antibodies against intrinsic factor (IF‐Ab). Sixty‐two sera were tested with one competitive automated and three manual noncompetitive assays. Thirty‐five percent patients had discordant results with at least one of the four assays. However, any method uncovered patients with proven Biermer's disease missed by the others assays. The observed discordance partly explains the poor sensitivity of IF‐Ab in studies using a single assay. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:337–339, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved diagnoses of autoimmune hepatitis using an anti‐actin ELISA
Authors: Aubert Vincent , Graf Pisler Isabelle , Spertini François
Published: September 2008

The presence of antismooth muscle antibodies is one of the diagnostic criteria of autoimmune hepatitis. We evaluated a new anti‐F‐actin ELISA test and compared it with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA) for antismooth muscle antibodies (ASMA). Two hundred and nine serum samples (35 autoimmune hepatitis, 174 other hepatopathies and control sera) were tested by IIFA on mouse stomach kidney sections for ASMA and by the Quanta Lite Actin ELISA for anti‐F‐actin antibodies. ASMA were detected in 26 of 35 sera from autoimmune hepatitis (74%) as compared with 25 (71%) with anti‐actin antibodies, as well as in 25 of 49 (51%) samples from viral hepatitis as compared with 7 (14%) with anti‐actin antibodies. With regards to autoimmune hepatitis, though sensitivity (74.3 vs 71.4%) and negative predictive value (93.5 vs 93.9%) of ASMA and anti‐actin ELISA were comparable, anti‐actin ELISA was significantly better than ASMA IIFA in terms of specificity (89.7 vs 74.7%), and positive predictive value (58.1 vs 37.1%). Although frequently positive in HCV samples, a comparable sensitivity but better specificity makes the anti‐actin ELISA a useful tool in combination with ASMA IIFA for the screening and diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:340–345, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
9‐Cis‐retinoic acid reduces ischemic brain injury in rodents via bone morphogenetic protein
Authors: Shen Hui , Luo Yu , Kuo Chi‐Chung , Deng Xiaolin , Chang Chen‐Fu , Harvey Brandon K. , Hoffer Barry J. , Wang Yun
Published: September 2008

Retinoic acid (RA), a biologically active derivative of vitamin A, has protective effects against damage caused by H2O2 or oxygen‐glucose deprivation in mesangial and PC12 cells. In cultured human osteosarcoma cells, RA enhances the expression of bone morphogenetic protein‐7 (BMP7), a trophic factor that reduces ischemia‐ or neurotoxin‐mediated neurodegeneration in vivo. The purpose of this study is to examine whether RA reduces ischemic brain injury through a BMP7 mechanism. We found that intracerebroventricular administration of 9‐cis‐retinoic acid (9cRA) enhanced BMP7 mRNA expression, detected by RT‐PCR, in rat cerebral cortex at 24 hr after injection. Rats were also subjected to transient focal ischemia induced by ligation of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) at 1 day after 9cRA injection. Pretreatment with 9cRA increased locomotor activity and attenuated neurological deficits 2 days after MCA ligation. 9cRA also reduced cerebral infarction and TUNEL labeling. These protective responses were antagonized by the BMP antagonist noggin given 1 day after 9cRA injection. Taken together, our data suggest that 9cRA has protective effects against ischemia‐induced injury, and these effects involve BMPs. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increase in mitochondrial density within axons and supporting cells in response to demyelination in the Plp1 mouse model
Authors: Hogan Vanessa , White Kathryn , Edgar Julia , McGill Alison , Karim Saadia , McLaughlin Mark , Griffiths Ian , Turnbull Doug , Nichols Philip
Published: September 2008

We used the Plp1‐overexpressing transgenic mouse model to investigate whether progressive demyelination of axons results in adaptive changes involving mitochondria within the axons. These models have myelinated axons from birth but gradually lose myelin and develop axonal loss associated with progressive neurological disability analogous to patients with secondary progressive mulltiple sclerosis (SPMS). At 1 and 2 months, electron microscopy demonstrated a significant increase in intraaxonal mitochondrial density in the homozygous line 72 Plp1‐overexpressing mice compared with wild type (1.43 ± 0.31 vs. 0.84 ± 0.16 μm−3, P = 0.031; 1.66 ± 0.11 vs. 0.92 ± 0.43 μm−3, P = 0.02) and a significant increase at 1 and 4 months in the density of mitochondria in the surrounding cells in the same mice (1.86 ± 0.31 vs. 0.81 ± 0.30 μm−3, P = 0.006; 2.77 ± 0.44 vs. 1.37 ± 0.42 μm−3, P = 0.016). At both 1 and 4 months, COX histochemistry and time‐lapse histochemistry demonstrated a significant increase in mitochondrial activity and rate of mitochondrial activity in the homozygous Plp1‐overexpressing mouse optic nerve compared with the wild type (112.37 ± 11.9 vs. 136.89 ± 9.1 MeanD, P = 0.006; 128.02 ± 3.0 vs. 188.77 ± 9.7 MeanD P < 0.001; Rate –0.78 ± 0.25 vs. –0.58 ± 0.15 MeanD min−1, P < 0.001; –1.48 ± 0.15 vs. 0.51 ± 0.17 MeanD min−1, P < 0.001, respectively). We propose that adaptive changes involving mitochondria occur within CNS axons in Plp1‐overexpressing mice, which may be detrimental to long‐term viability. Analogous changes occurring in chronically demyelinated axons in MS lesions would be one mechanism increasing axonal vulnerability in SPMS. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proteomic identification of nitrated brain proteins in traumatic brain‐injured rats treated postinjury with gamma‐glutamylcysteine ethyl ester: Insights into the role of elevation of glutathione as a potential therapeutic strategy for traumatic brain injury
Authors: Reed Tanea T. , Owen Joshua , Pierce William M. , Sebastian Andrea , Sullivan Patrick G. , Butterfield D. Allan
Published: September 2008

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs suddenly and has damaging effects to the brain that are dependent on the severity of insult. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. Oxidative damage is associated with traumatic brain injury through reactive oxygen/nitrogen species production. One such species, peroxynitrite, is elevated in TBI brain tissue (Orihara et al. [ 2001] Forensic Sci. Int. 123:142–149; Deng et al. [ 2007] Exp. Neurol. 205:154–165). Peroxynitrite can react with carbon dioxide and decompose to produce NO2 and carbonate radicals, which in turn can lead to 3‐nitrotyrosine, an index of protein nitration. Gamma‐glutamylcysteine ethyl ester (GCEE) is an ethyl ester moiety of gamma‐glutamylcysteine, an agent that up‐regulates glutathione (GSH) production in brain (Drake et al. [ 2002] J. Neurosci. Res. 68:776–784). Many preclinical studies of TBI have employed pretreatment of animals with proposed beneficial agents prior to the injury itself. However, in the real world of TBI, treatment begins postinjury. Hence, insights into agents that improve outcome following injury are desperately needed. This study is one of the first to investigate a potential GSH‐based therapy for TBI postinjury. Protein carbonyls, an index of protein oxidation, were significantly elevated in brain of animals subjected to TBI. However, if, after TBI, GCEE was administered i.p., protein carbonyl levels were significantly reduced. Similarly, 3‐nitrotyrosine levels were elevated in brain following TBI but significantly decreased following TBI if GCEE was administered i.p. Redox proteomics analysis showed that several brain proteins were nitrated after TBI. However, if GCEE was given i.p. following TBI, many of these proteins were protected from nitration. The results are encouraging and are discussed with reference to potential therapeutic strategies for TBI involving elevated GSH. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Organizational Psychology and poverty reduction: where supply meets demand
Authors: Carr Stuart C. , MacLachlan Malcolm , Reichman Walter , Klobas Jane , Berry Mary O'Neill , Furnham Adrian
Published: September 2008

Developing a globally responsive Science‐Practitioner‐Humanist model (Lefkowitz, 2008) means articulating professional values (supply) and meeting global demand. The United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) seek to halve human poverty by 2015 and how organizations respond to this constitutes a formidable demand on Organizational Psychology. A key process for delivering more effective aid is the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, which seeks collaborative contributions from a plethora of Organizations, including business organizations and professions like ours. We argue that a thoughtful articulation of what Organizational Psychology uniquely stands for, and can offer, is therefore needed. It is proposed that a key mechanism for addressing this challenge is a Task Force, whose functions will include the coordination of institutions within psychology, and linking them to those in development. We describe such a task force and outline its core mission (Reichman, Frese, Schein, Carr, MacLachlan, & Landy, 2008). Organizational Psychology's response to poverty reduction should meet Lefkowitz's criteria for developing a more humanist model of science and practice as the MDGs are inherently humanist and values‐based. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resources and coping with stressful events
Authors: Luria Gil , Torjman Amram
Published: September 2008

This longitudinal, quasi‐field experiment tested whether perceived stress and increase in perceived stress are related to the resources of the individual, namely, personality (core self evaluation scale (CSES)), physical fitness, social support (acceptance and/or rejection by peers), and cognitive abilities. Perceived stress scale (PSS) was administered at two points in time to participants in a two‐day selection process for a military unit, whose stressful environment formed the manipulation in this study. Baseline PSS was obtained from soldiers before the selection activity, when threatened with resource loss. PSS was next administered during the selection activity, when individuals had to cope with actual loss of resources and difficulty in regaining them. As expected, participants perceived more stress during the selection activity. Participants with higher CSES, higher cognitive abilities and higher levels of social support perceived lower stress levels prior to the activity. The increase in stress level was lower for participants with better fitness levels, but greater for participants rejected by their peers. Exploratory analysis of resource overlap was conducted and revealed a contribution of few key resources to coping, even in the presence of other resources. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of corrosion products formed on the surface of carbon steel by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Nie Xianghui , Li Xiaogang , Du Cuiwei , Huang Yizhong , Du He
Published: September 2008

Corrosion of carbon steel in seashore salty soils containing 10, 20, and 34 wt% (saturated) water was investigated. The corrosion rate was measured and corrosion products were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. It was found that carbon steel in the soil with 10 wt% water content had the largest corrosion rate and the corrosion was dominated by localized corrosion. The corrosion rate drops dramatically and turns to be general corrosion with increase of water content. The corrosion products in the soil with 20 and 34 wt% water content are mainly composed of α‐FeOOH, while in the soil with 10 wt% water content, the products show a delaminated structure of two layers with the inner layer mainly consisting of α‐FeOOH and the outer layer composed of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Confocal Raman imaging and atomic force microscopy of the surface reaction of NO2 and NaCl(100) under humidity
Authors: Scolaro S. , Sobanska S. , Barbillat J. , Laureyns J. , Louis F. , Petitprez D. , Brémard C.
Published: September 2008

Polarized confocal Raman imaging combined with non‐contact atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the three‐dimensional evolution of the NaCl(100) surface during its reaction with NO2 at low pressure as a function of relative humidity (RH) from 0% to nearly 80%. Sea salt particles containing NaCl as the main constituent are believed to be the major source of reactive tropospheric chlorine and nitrate fallouts. At an RH of 0%, the reaction of dry NO2 generates surface conversion to NaNO3 monolayer capping the NaCl(100) surface and releases NOCl. The subsequent exposure of this NaNO3 layer to RH below ∼45% induces the formation of rare NaNO3 tetrahedral crystals less than 0.5 µm in size. The crystallization occurs through two‐dimensional NO3− migration under the H2O monolayer regime. After another subsequent exposure to RH above 45% and below 75%, supermicrometric NaNO3 rhombohedral plates were obtained under the H2O multilayer regime. On the other hand, the simultaneous exposure of NaCl(100) to NO2 and H2O below ∼45% RH rapidly generates numerous submicrometric NaNO3 tetrahedra on the NaCl(100) surface. The dramatic increase of NaNO3 production in the presence of water vapour is explained by the formation of HNO3 and its easy reaction with the NaCl(100) surface. For RH above 45% and below 75%, the tetrahedra evolve to rhombohedral plates of supermicrometric size. The exposure of NaCl(100) to NO2/H2O mixtures under RH above 75% induces the coexistence of both solid‐state NaNO3 and dissolved NO3− in droplets. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deposition of Ag nanoparticles on porous anodic alumina for surface enhanced Raman scattering substrate
Authors: Lu Zhicheng , Ruan Weidong , Yang Jingxiu , Xu Weiqing , Zhao Chun , Zhao Bing
Published: September 2008

Ag nanoparticles were exclusively deposited inside the pores of the porous anodic alumina (PAA) template through the deposition cycle including the incubation and the subsequent reduction of Ag(NH3)$_{2}^{+}$. Both the density and size of the produced Ag nanoparticles increased as the deposition cycle number increased. A field‐emission scanning electron microscopeand an ultraviolet‐visible spectrometer were applied, respectively, to study the morphology and the extinction spectra of the Ag nanoparticles. The optimum deposition number was found from the scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of p‐aminothiophenol recorded on the Ag–PAA substrates prepared under increasing number of deposition cycles, manifested an enlarging trend of peak intensity. A point‐by‐point SERS mapping of p‐aminothiophenol on the Ag–PAA substrate was acquired to characterise the homogeneity of the substrate. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental study of the vibrational spectra of (CH3)3GeBr supported by DFT calculations
Authors: Roldán M. L. , Brandán S. A. , Ben Altabef A.
Published: September 2008

The infrared and Raman spectra of bromotrimethylgermane (BTMG) were recorded afresh to complete the assignment of its vibrational spectra. The vibrational spectrum of BTMG has been predicted from hybrid density functional theory calculations (B3LYP) with several basis sets. The resulting harmonic wavenumbers were scaled by Pulay's scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) and the wavenumber‐linear scaling (WLS) methods to obtain accurate force fields which could aid in the vibrational assignment. Low‐temperature infrared techniques together with Fourier self‐deconvolution (FSD) on the Raman spectrum were used to improve the resolution of the spectra for the modes that could not be observed before. An SQM analysis was carried out to obtain the valence force constants and a set of scale factors that best reproduced the experimental data. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid determination of the fat content in packaged dairy products by unilateral NMR
Authors: Veliyulin Emil , Mastikhin Igor V , Marble Andrew E , Balcom Bruce J
Published: September 2008

BACKGROUND:Knowledge of the fat content in dairy products is important for both industry and consumers. A new procedure for rapid and non‐destructive determination of the fat content in dairy products using unilateral nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is proposed. The sample magnetisation is prepared using either T1suppression or diffusion editing, and read out via a Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence.

RESULTS:A linear correlation between the measured NMR signal from the fat component and the declared fat content in the tested products validated both approaches as viable instrumental methods. The shortest measurement time was about 7 s.

CONCLUSION:Advantages of the unilateral NMR method, including hardware simplicity and accommodation of commercially packaged products, make it attractive for routine use in industry. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Coupled HM analysis using zero‐thickness interface elements with double nodes—Part II: Verification and application
Authors: Segura J. M. , Carol I.
Published: September 2008

In a companion Part I of this paper (Int. J. Numer. Anal. Meth. Geomech. 2008; DOI: 10.1002/nag.735), a coupled hydro‐mechanical (HM) formulation for geomaterials with discontinuities based on the finite element method (FEM) with double‐node, zero‐thickness interface elements was developed and presented. This Part II paper includes the numerical solution of basic practical problems using both the staggered and the fully coupled approaches. A first group of simulations, based on the classical consolidation problem with an added vertical discontinuity, is used to compare both the approaches in terms of accuracy and convergence. The monolithic or fully coupled scheme is also used in an application example studying the influence of a horizontal joint in the performance of a reservoir subject to fluid extraction. Results include a comparison with other numerical solutions from the literature and a sensitivity analysis of the mechanical parameters of the discontinuity. Some simulations are also run using both a full non‐symmetric and a simplified symmetric Jacobian matrix. On top of verifying the model developed and its capability to reflect the conductivity changes of the interface with aperture changes, the results presented also lead to interesting observations of the numerical performance of the methods implemented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Limitations of current Ethernet switch architectures for enhanced flow control and service differentiation
Authors: Aweya James , Montuno Delfin Y. , Ouellette Michel
Published: September 2008

One of the new challenges associated with full‐duplex Ethernet is that of providing for network congestion control. The IEEE 802.3x Standard does not specify the switch architecture for implementing PAUSE flow control or at what point a MAC Control entity actually generates a PAUSE frame. This is an implementation issue that is product specific and as a result many different switch architectures are possible. There are also a number of limitations of the PAUSE flow control mechanism when implemented in Ethernet switches. These issues have not been adequately addressed in the literature. In addition, multimedia traffic such as real‐time voice and streaming video are now being deployed over switched Ethernet networks, thus calling for congestion control with service differentiation for the various classes of traffic. Here we examine current Ethernet switch architectures and show that the PAUSE flow control when implemented in these architectures does not provide service selectivity and differentiation, making it unsuitable for real‐time traffic. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recycling of polypropylene‐based eco‐composites
Authors: Srebrenkoska Vineta , Gaceva Gordana Bogoeva , Avella Maurizio , Errico Maria Emanuela , Gentile Gennaro
Published: September 2008

BACKGROUND: Renewable resources and recyclable thermoplastic polymers provide an attractive eco‐friendly quality as well as environmental sustainability to the resulting natural fibre‐reinforced composites. The properties of polypropylene (PP)‐based composites reinforced with rice hulls or kenaf fibres were investigated with respect to their recyclability. Rice hulls from rice processing plants and natural lignocellulosic kenaf fibres from the bast of the plant Hibiscus cannabinus represent renewable sources that could be utilized for composites. Maleic anhydride‐grafted PP was used as a coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion between fillers and matrix. Composites containing 30 wt% reinforcement were manufactured by melt mixing and their mechanical and thermal properties were determined. The composites were then pelletized and reprocessed by melt mixing. Finally, structure/properties relationships were investigated as a function of the number of reprocessing cycles.

RESULTS: It is found that the recycling processes do not induce very significant changes in flexural strength and thermal stability of the composites. In particular PP‐based composites reinforced with kenaf fibres are less sensitive to reprocessing cycles with respect to PP‐based composites reinforced with rice hulls.

CONCLUSION: The response of PP‐based composites reinforced with rice hulls or kenaf fibres is promising since their properties remain almost unchanged after recycling processes. Moreover, the recycled composites are suitable for applications as construction materials for indoor applications. In fact, the flexural strength and modulus of these materials are comparable to those of conventional formaldehyde wood medium‐density fibreboards. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Correlated responses to neonicotinoid insecticides in clones of the peach‐potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Foster Stephen P , Cox Diana , Oliphant Linda , Mitchinson Samantha , Denholm Ian
Published: September 2008

BACKGROUND: Although there are still no confirmed reports of strong resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides in aphids, the peach‐potato aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) shows variation in response, with some clones exhibiting up to tenfold resistance to imidacloprid. Five clones varying in response to imidacloprid were tested with four other neonicotinoid molecules to investigate the extent of cross‐resistance.

RESULTS: All four compounds—thiamethoxam, thiacloprid, clothianidin and dinotefuran—were cross‐resisted, with ED50 values ranked in the same order as for imidacloprid. Resistance factors ranged up to 11 for imidacloprid, 18 for thiamethoxam, 13 for thiacloprid, 100 for clothianidin and 6 for dinotefuran.

CONCLUSION: This variation in response does not appear to be sufficient to compromise the field performance of neonicotinoids aimed at controlling aphids. However, it highlights the need for careful vigilance and stewardship in all M. persicae populations, and a need to consider neonicotinoids as a single cross‐resisted group for management purposes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
A comparative analysis of population ageing in urban and rural areas of England and Wales, and Poland over the last three census intervals
Authors: Walford N. S. , Kurek S.
Published: September 2008

Population ageing has become a feature of many European and other Western countries over the last two decades as older people become more dominant in their demographic structures. This trend has the potential for important economic and social impacts, which are likely to be played out in both national and local contexts. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of comparing regional‐level population data over a historical period, and of tracking changes in the age structures of two countries, one from Western Europe (England and Wales in the UK) and the other from Eastern‐Central Europe (Poland). The comparisons are based on analysis of statistics from the last four population censuses in these countries, and in each case results are presented at both a national scale and for a consistent set of small spatial units divided into urban and rural categories. The results confirm previously identified population growth in rural areas in England and Wales, and in urban communes (gminy) in Poland. Population ageing occurred earlier in the English and Welsh areas, although growth in the number of elderly people in the Polish gminy accelerated during the most recent intercensal period. Recent population trends in both countries at the national and small‐area scales not only reflect contemporary socio‐economic adjustments, but also past demographic and political events. The former rejuvenation of the northern and western parts of Poland by a young mobile population after the Second World War, following their transfer from Germany, is contemporarily reflected in population ageing in these areas as the early incomers reach older age groups. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Examining cross‐border marriages in Hong Kong since its return to China in 1997
Authors: Lin Ge , Ma Zhongdong
Published: September 2008

With increasing economic integration and social interactions between Hong Kong and Mainland China, cross‐border marriages between the two have increased substantially, while the sex ratio of the 25–44 age group has decreased to less than one. The influx of Mainland brides, together with ever‐increasing unmarried women in Hong Kong, have put increased pressure on its social and welfare services, and reducing barriers for Hong Kong men seeking Hong Kong women has a significant bearing on social policies. Based on a theoretical perspective that combines assortative mating and societal disparity, the current study examined cross‐border marriages in Hong Kong between 1998 and 2005. It was found that Hong Kong grooms with Mainland brides were less likely than Hong Kong grooms with Hong Kong brides to be assortative in terms of education, occupation and natal community. It was also found that Hong Kong grooms often married much younger brides due to their own delayed marriages and second plus marriages. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Labour migration and change in older people's living arrangements: the case of Kanchanaburi Demographic Surveillance System (KDSS), Thailand
Authors: Qin Min , Punpuing Sureeporn , Guest Philip , Prasartkul Pramote
Published: September 2008

This study involves an investigation of changes in older people's living arrangements in the context of a 4‐round panel design from the Kanchanaburi Demographic Surveillance System (KDSS), Thailand. The respondents were 2320 persons aged 60 and above, who were co‐residing with family members in addition to, or other than, their spouse at the time of the first round of the census. Survival analysis is used to interpret the data. Results indicate that labour migration plays an important role in changes in the living arrangements of older people. Migration increases the risk of living alone. Other demographic and socio‐economic factors of importance include the marital status of older people, economic security, household assets, household size, and household members living nearby. The paper concludes by discussing policy implications of the findings. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The lure of the capital city: an anthro‐geographical analysis of recent African immigration to Washington, DC
Authors: Wilson Jill H. , Habecker Shelly
Published: September 2008

Although not a historical immigrant destination, the Washington, DC, metropolitan area has one of the highest concentrations of African immigrants in the United States. African migration to the US has increased in recent decades due to changes in US immigration policy and the global economy, as well as an increased focus on Africa in the US refugee resettlement programme, but this does not explain why Washington in particular is so attractive to African immigrants. Framed by the growing body of literature on the multiple meanings of place in population geography and anthropology, the authors draw upon biographical interviews and ethnographic fieldwork to investigate the details of African immigrants' life histories and the transnational social networks that influence their migration decisions and their perceptions of Washington as a place. They investigate how African immigrants are adding new layers of meaning to spaces within Washington, in a dynamic and complex process that requires them to navigate local power relations and reinterpret their identities in a racialised environment. The authors' anthro‐geographical approach provides a wider lens through which to analyse the ways in which African immigrants imagine Washington, and make this particular space meaningful in the context of local and global structures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
General theoretical considerations on nanowire solar cell designs
Authors: Kandala A. , Betti T. , Fontcuberta i Morral A.
Published: September 2008

We propose two novel solar cell designs, tapping the advantages of semiconductor nanowires. A silicon (Si) tandem cell can be achieved by growing sub‐5 nm p–n junction in the radial direction of the Si nanowires on a planar crystalline Si cell. For series connected sub‐cells, based on a size‐band gap dependence obtained from Quantum Monte Carlo calculations, we obtained the maximum detailed balance limit of efficiency to be 48% and 37% for concentrated and unconcentrated sunlight, respectively, for a nanowire diameter of 3.6 nm. The same efficiency would be obtained if the top tandem cell would be composed of AlGaAs nanowires, with an Al content of 19%. Ultra‐high efficiencies could be achieved by a radial p–n junction nanowire tandem cell, since it could enable growth of lattice mismatched sub‐cells whose band gap energies can be optimized and secondly, due to decoupling of carrier collection and light absorption. However, for a parallel connection of the sub cells, we show that the detailed balance limit of efficiency for the tandem cell will always be lower than an optimized single junction. Finally, we discuss future challenges and directions in realizing the designs. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Columnar growth of ultra‐thin nanocrystalline Si films on quartz by Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition: accurate control of vertical size
Authors: Lioutas Ch. B. , Vouroutzis N. , Tsiaoussis I. , Frangis N. , Gardelis S. , Nassiopoulou A. G.
Published: September 2008

Ultra‐thin nanocrystalline silicon films with varying thickness from 5 to 30 nm were grown on quartz by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of Si. Observations on cross‐sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimens revealed that the films had a columnar growth, i.e. the third dimension of the nanocrystals, perpendicular to the Si/SiO2interface, was approximately equal to the film thickness, while the lateral size of nanocrystals was defined during the initial stage of growth and was not very much affected by the film thickness. The observed columnar growth gives the possibility to obtain two‐dimensional nanocrystal arrays on quartz with well defined size in the z‐direction. Plane view images showed that the lateral distribution of nanocrystal size presents a well‐defined maximum in all the films. The mean lateral size of the nanocrystals did not change very much with the film thickness, being in the range of 11‐13 nm. The number of grains with size larger than the mean one tended to increase with the thickness of the film. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electron retention in InAs‐nanocrystals embedded in SiO2/Si for non‐volatile memories
Authors: Hocevar M. , Regreny P. , Poncet A. , Gendry M. , Souifi A.
Published: September 2008

In this paper we present the electrical characterization of an InAs nanocrystal based metal‐oxide‐semiconductor structure. The fabricated device behaves as a memory since the charges injected in the InAs through the SiO2 tunnel layer (holes or electrons) have a long retention time in or by the nanocrystals. A discharging model based on direct tunnelling through a dielectric barrier has been used in order to calculate electron discharging kinetics. The results show that InAs‐nanocrystals are of real interest for electron storage in non‐volatile memories with an improvement of data retention for electron. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Study of the influence of α‐particles irradiation on AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction structures
Authors: Georgakakos P. , Papaioannou G. , Konstantinides G. , Hatzopoulos Z.
Published: September 2008

Aim of the present work is to study the influence of the radiation of α‐particles (5 MeV) in Schottky diodes on CaAs/AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction structures. The investigation was performed by means of current‐voltage and capacitance‐voltage characteristics in 300 K temperature. The dependence of ideality factor, barrier height, carrier concentration and series resistance as a function of radiation fluence was determined. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dielectric charging effect estimation to M.I.M. structured RF MEMS devices due to 1 MeV γ‐ray photons irradiation
Authors: Theonas V. , Papaioannou G. , Konstantinidis G. , Papapolumerou J.
Published: September 2008

MEMS based switches and actuators have emerged as a serious alternative to GaAs or Si based solid state devices, especially in microwave applications. SiO2 and Si3N4 and other insulating films are used in MEMS. However, their tendency for electrostatic charging diminishes the device reliability. The charging effect becomes significant when these devices are subjected to ionizing radiation. The irradiation induced charging depends on the nature of irradiation, the vicinal metal layers, and the metal‐insulator interface properties. RF MEMS sensitivity to 1 MeV photons is presented, taking into account the simulation of charge generation to device's structure with different insulating layer composition and thickness. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fabrication of amyloid peptide micro‐arrays using laser‐induced forward transfer and avidin‐biotin mediated assembly
Authors: Dinca V. , Kasotakis E. , Mourka A. , Ranella A. , Farsari M. , Mitraki A. , Fotakis C.
Published: September 2008

Peptide‐based arrays and patterns are a powerful tool in the study of protein functionality, with a variety of applications such as the study of interactions between peptides and enzymes, proteins and DNA. One of the main and most critical issues is the generation of high density arrays which maintain the biological function of the peptides. In this study, we employ Laser‐Induced Forward Transfer for the generation of high density photosensitive biotin arrays on ORMOCER®‐coated surfaces. We then generate peptide microarrays, which assemble due to the employment of avidin‐biotin and thiol chemistry. These initial results are poised to the construction of larger peptide patterns as scaffolds for the incorporation and display of ligands critical for cell attachment and growth, or for the templating of inorganic materials. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)