bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the GaP/Si Interface by High-Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Beyer A , Ohlmann J , Luysberg M , Volz K
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Detection of a Structural Unit in a [001] 45° Tilt Quasi-Periodic Grain Boundary of Al by Doubly Diffracted Electron Diffraction Pattern
Authors: Shamsuzzoha M
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Material Properties of AZO/Si Thin Films after Hydrogenation and In-Situ Heat Treatment
Authors: Thøgersen A , Karazhanov S , You C , Subrahmanyam A
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Study of Thin-Film Ferroelectric Heterostructures by TEM and PFM
Authors: Jokisaari J , Nelson C , Kim S , Gao P , Baek S , Eom C , Pan X
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Low Dose High-Resolution Electron Microscopy (HREM) of Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) Films
Authors: Wu J , Martin D
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Microstructural Properties and Defect Evolution on Nitride Compound Semiconductors Grown on Patterned Substrates: A Transmission Electron Microscopy Study
Authors: Kim Y , Noh Y , Han S , Kim M
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
A Complete Characterization of Samples Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis of 3Dimensional MCs+ ToF-SIMS Data
Authors: Smentkowski V , Keenan M
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Quantifying Dispersion in Polymer Systems by Combining Image Analysis and Statistical Analysis
Authors: Guise O , Strom C
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Electron Beam Induced Radiation Damage in Nafion and the Lifetime of Fuel Cells
Authors: He Q , Joy D , Keffer D
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
µXRF-XSI for Tracking Chloride Ion Infiltration in Concrete
Authors: Davis J , Snyder K , Bentz D
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Edge Modification of Graphene Using Concurrent High Temperature Heating and Electron Beam Irradiation
Authors: Floresca H , Mick S , Lu N , Wang J , Kim M
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Nanostructure Analysis of Diamond Cold-Cathode Field Emitters
Authors: Wade T , Wittig J , Davidson J , Kang W , Tolk N , Allard L
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Production and Structural-Chemical Characterization of Cu-MWCNT Nanocomposites
Authors: Mendoza M , Solórzano I , Campos A
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
In Situ TEM Characterization of Electrochemical Systems
Authors: Noh K , Sun L , Chen X , Wen J , Dillon S
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Counting the Number of Lithium Atoms in the Diffusion Channel by Annular Bright Field imaging
Authors: Oshima Y , Lee S , Sawada H , Hosokawa F , Okunishi E , Kaneyama T , Kondo Y , Niitaka S , Takagi H , Tanishiro Y , Takayanagi K
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Atomic Resolution Studies of Self-Stabilizing Metal-Perovskite Catalysts
Authors: Katz M , Graham G , Duan Y , Liu H , Adamo C , Schlom D , Pan X
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Liquid Stage in-situ Growth of Pd Nanoparticles in a Surfactant Liquid Crystal Template
Authors: Parent L , Robinson D , Evans J , Arslan I
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Probing the Size-Induced Electronic Structures of CdSe Quantum Dots
Authors: Karakoti A , Sanghavi S , Nachimuthu P , Yang P , Shutthanandan V , Terminello L , Thevuthasan S
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
HR-STEM Imaging and EELS Characterizing of Nano-Scale Defects in Sputter Deposited Thin Films of Double-Perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 (SFMO) and Sr2CrReO6 (SCRO)
Authors: Williams R , Hauser A , Richiardo R , Dixit M , Lucy J , Woodward P , Yang F , Fraser H
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Imaging Ir6 Clusters in Zeolite NaY with Aberration-Corrected HAADF-STEM
Authors: Aydin C , Lu J , Gates B , Browning N
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Aberration-Corrected STEM Investigation of Metallic Ti Cluster Formation in Mg-Ti Hydrides
Authors: Kepaptsoglou D , Jensen I , Sarahan M , Ramasse Q , Schreuders H , Dam B , Diplas S , Løvik O , Taftø J
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
The Dynamic Shape of Ceria Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang R
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Metallic Pt Clusters on TiO2 Nanotubes: An Electron Microscopy Study
Authors: Angeles-Chavez C , Toledo-Antonio J , Cortes-Jacome M , Encarnacion-Gomez C
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Study of the Growth Morphology of AZO at the Substrate-Film Interface
Authors: Dhakal T , Nandur A , Christian R , Vanhart D , Westgate C
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Structural Characterization of Niobium Phosphate Catalysts used for the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane to Ethylene
Authors: Weng W , Davies M , Solsona B , Taylor S , Kiely C
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Structure Inhomogeneity and Failure Analysis of Modern Pipe Steels
Authors: Kazakov A , Kurochkina O , Kazakova E , Kiselev D
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Combining SEM-EDS, PIXE and XRF Techniques for Complex Analytical Problems: Depth Profile Characterization of Prehispanic Gold
Authors: Perea A , Fernández-Esquivel P , Rovira-Llorens S , Ruvalcaba-Sil J , Verde A , García-Vuelta O , Cuesta-Gómez F
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
The Skin of Van Gogh's Paintings
Authors: Dik J , Alfeld M , Janssens K , Hendriks E
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
AFM in the Conservation of Contemporary Paintings: the Case of the White Paintings of Julião Sarmento
Authors: Pereira A , Melo M , Eaton P , Schäfer S , Learner T
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Whisker Formation and Stress Relaxation in Tin Thin Films
Authors: Sarobol P , Pedigo A , Koppes J , Wang Y , Chen W , Su P , Blendell J , Handwerker C
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
In-situ Lorentz TEM Study of Magnetic Domain Wall Mobility in Amartensitic Ni-Mn-Ga Alloy
Authors: Budruk A , Pathak C , Petford-Long A , De Graef M
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Gold Nanoparticles on MgO - A Revisit using Cs-Corrected STEM
Authors: Han Y , Li Z
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
A TEM Study of Precipitates in a Nb Microalloyed Steel During Reheating
Authors: Qin Y , Kooi B , De Hosson J
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Electron Microscopy Analyses of Samples Devoted to the Study of the Nuclear Reactor Severe Accident
Authors: Tyrpekl V , Piluso P , Bakardjieva S , Kiselová M
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Morphological Characterization of Ordered Meso-Pores on a Mesoporous Silica by using High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Ohrai Y , Sunaoshi T , Ito H , Ogashiwa T , Ikawa N , Endo A
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Glycidyl Ethyl Polyhedral Oligomeric-Sil-Sesquioxane (GE-POSS) Coated SiC Nanoparticles
Authors: Rangari V , Rabby R , Jeelani S
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
Atomic Resolution Imaging of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Kim Y-M , Kim H , Lee J , Kim Y-J
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
A Beginners Guide to: Atom-Probe Tomography
Authors: Marquis E
Published: October 2011

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.
German–Dutch Comparison of Factors of Psycholexically Derived Values
Authors: De Raad Boele , Renner Walter
Published: October 2011

Two psycholexically based taxonomies of values found in Dutch and in German are compared, and a joint structure is presented. The datasets consisted of self- and other-ratings of 634 participants on 641 Dutch value descriptors and of self-ratings of 456 participants on 496 German value descriptors. For both taxonomies factor solutions with one up to 8 factors were extracted, and the hierarchy of the emergence of factors is given for each taxonomy. On the basis of 168 common items, congruencies are assessed between the original factors and as resulting from target rotations. Three different procedures are followed for the comparison, concluding in a recurrent 5-factor joint structure of values.
Acetylation regulates monopolar attachment at multiple levels during meiosis I in fission yeast
Authors: Kagami Ayano , Sakuno Takeshi , Yamagishi Yuya , Ishiguro Tadashi , Tsukahara Tatsuya , Shirahige Katsuhiko , Tanaka Koichi , Watanabe Yoshinori
Published: October 2011

In fission yeast, meiotic mono‐orientation of sister kinetochores is established by cohesion at the core centromere, which is established by a meiotic cohesin complex and the kinetochore protein Moa1. The cohesin subunit Psm3 is acetylated by Eso1 and deacetylated by Clr6. We show that in meiosis, Eso1 is required for establishing core centromere cohesion during S phase, whereas Moa1 is required for maintaining this cohesion after S phase. The clr6‐1 mutation suppresses the mono‐orientation defect of moa1Δ cells, although the Clr6 target for this suppression is not Psm3. Thus, several acetylations are crucial for establishing and maintaining core centromere cohesion.
Endothelial basement membrane limits tip cell formation by inducing Dll4/Notch signalling in vivo
Authors: Stenzel Denise , Franco Claudio A , Estrach Soline , Mettouchi Amel , Sauvaget Dominique , Rosewell Ian , Schertel Andreas , Armer Hannah , Domogatskaya Anna , Rodin Sergey , Tryggvason Karl , Collinson Lucy , Sorokin Lydia , Gerhardt Holger
Published: October 2011

How individual components of the vascular basement membrane influence endothelial cell behaviour remains unclear. Here we show that laminin α4 (Lama4) regulates tip cell numbers and vascular density by inducing endothelial Dll4/Notch signalling in vivo. Lama4 deficiency leads to reduced Dll4 expression, excessive filopodia and tip cell formation in the mouse retina, phenocopying the effects of Dll4/Notch inhibition. Lama4‐mediated Dll4 expression requires a combination of integrins in vitro and integrin β1 in vivo. We conclude that appropriate laminin/integrin‐induced signalling is necessary to induce physiologically functional levels of Dll4 expression and regulate branching frequency during sprouting angiogenesis in vivo.
Approximations to complete basis set-extrapolated, highly correlated non-covalent interaction energies
Authors: Mackie Iain D. , DiLabio Gino A.
Published: October 2011

The first-principles calculation of non-covalent (particularly dispersion) interactions between molecules is a considerable challenge. In this work we studied the binding energies for ten small non-covalently bonded dimers with several combinations of correlation methods (MP2, coupled-cluster single double, coupled-cluster single double (triple) (CCSD(T))), correlation-consistent basis sets (aug-cc-pVXZ, X = D, T, Q), two-point complete basis set energy extrapolations, and counterpoise corrections. For this work, complete basis set results were estimated from averaged counterpoise and non-counterpoise-corrected CCSD(T) binding energies obtained from extrapolations with aug-cc-pVQZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. It is demonstrated that, in almost all cases, binding energies converge more rapidly to the basis set limit by averaging the counterpoise and non-counterpoise corrected values than by using either counterpoise or non-counterpoise methods alone. Examination of the effect of basis set size and electron correlation shows that the triples contribution to the CCSD(T) binding energies is fairly constant with the basis set size, with a slight underestimation with CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ compared to the value at the (estimated) complete basis set limit, and that contributions to the binding energies obtained by MP2 generally overestimate the analogous CCSD(T) contributions. Taking these factors together, we conclude that the binding energies for non-covalently bonded systems can be accurately determined using a composite method that combines CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ with energy corrections obtained using basis set extrapolated MP2 (utilizing aug-cc-pVQZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets), if all of the components are obtained by averaging the counterpoise and non-counterpoise energies. With such an approach, binding energies for the set of ten dimers are predicted with a mean absolute deviation of 0.02 kcal/mol, a maximum absolute deviation of 0.05 kcal/mol, and a mean percent absolute deviation of only 1.7%, relative to the (estimated) complete basis set CCSD(T) results. Use of this composite approach to an additional set of eight dimers gave binding energies to within 1% of previously published high-level data. It is also shown that binding within parallel and parallel-crossed conformations of naphthalene dimer is predicted by the composite approach to be 9% greater than that previously reported in the literature. The ability of some recently developed dispersion-corrected density-functional theory methods to predict the binding energies of the set of ten small dimers was also examined.
On basis set superposition error corrected stabilization energies for large n-body clusters
Authors: Walczak Katarzyna , Friedrich Joachim , Dolg Michael
Published: October 2011

In this contribution, we propose an approximate basis set superposition error (BSSE) correction scheme for the site-site function counterpoise and for the Valiron-Mayer function counterpoise correction of second order to account for the basis set superposition error in clusters with a large number of subunits. The accuracy of the proposed scheme has been investigated for a water cluster series at the CCSD(T), CCSD, MP2, and self-consistent field levels of theory using Dunning's correlation consistent basis sets. The BSSE corrected stabilization energies for a series of water clusters are presented. A study regarding the possible savings with respect to computational resources has been carried out as well as a monitoring of the basis set dependence of the approximate BSSE corrections.
Electronic promotion effect of double proton transfer on conduction of DNA through improvement of transverse electronic communication of base pairs
Authors: Liu Haiying , Li Genqin , Zhang Laibin , Li Jilai , Wang Meishan , Bu Yuxiang
Published: October 2011

The effect of double proton transfer (DPT) on charge migration of DNA was investigated by the nonequilibrium Green's function method combined with density functional theory. The results revealed that DPT not only lowers ionization potentials, but also improves the delocalization of the localized π-orbitals at each base moiety through adjusting energy levels and spatial distributions of their molecular orbitals. Furthermore, DPT leads to both the strengthening of the second-order interactions of the Watson-Crick H-bond zones, and the promotion of the charge transfer transitions between two pairing bases in the UV absorption spectra. Electronic transport calculations indicated that DPT can improve the charge migration along the DNA duplex for specific sequences through enhancing transverse base-to-base electronic communication. This work will provide a new insight into the understanding of DNA charge conduction which can be electronically promoted or regulated by DPT.
Electron and hole scattering in short-period InGaAs/InP superlattices
Authors: Pusep Yu. A. , Gold A. , Mamani N. C. , de Godoy M. P. F. , Galvão Gobato Y. , LaPierre R. R.
Published: October 2011

The combination of photoluminescence and magneto-transport measurements is used to study the single-particle relaxation time and the transport scattering time in short-period InGaAs/InP superlattices. Both the single-particle relaxation times of the electrons and of the holes were obtained in the same samples and were shown to be determined by the remote-impurity scattering. The transport scattering time for electrons was found to be dominated by the interface-roughness scattering with lateral length Λ=10 nm and height Δ = 0.13 nm. We also discuss the importance of multiple-scattering effects for small well widths and of alloy scattering for large well widths.
Dissociative electron attachment to CH2Cl2, CHCH3Cl2, and C(CH3)2Cl2
Authors: Gallup Gordon A. , Fabrikant Ilya I.
Published: October 2011

We perform theoretical studies of dissociative electron attachment (DEA) for the compounds CH2 − n(CH3)nCl2, n = 0, 1, 2, by combining the finite-element discrete model with the resonance R-matrix theory. An unexpectedly low DEA cross section for CH2Cl2 is likely due to the relatively large resonance width for this compound that confirms experimental observations. However, there are some quantitative discrepancies with the experimental results. Since DEA cross sections are very sensitive to the resonance width, a slight adjustment of its value can significantly improve agreement between theory and experiment. Our calculation of the thermal rate coefficients show that there are some inconsistencies between beam and swarm measurements and between different swarm measurements of the rate coefficients for DEA to CH2Cl2. Further experimental and theoretical studies are warranted.
Magneto-optical Kerr effect susceptometer for the analysis of magnetic domain wall dynamics
Authors: Kataja Mikko , van Dijken Sebastiaan
Published: October 2011

Domain wall dynamics in thin magnetic films with perpendicular and in-plane anisotropy is studied using a novel magneto-optical Kerr effect susceptometery method. The method allows for measurements of domain wall motion under ac field excitation and the analysis of dynamic modes as a function of driving frequency and magnetic field amplitude. Domain wall dynamics in the perpendicular anisotropy system, a Co/Pt multilayer, is characterized by thermally activated creep motion. For this dynamic mode, a polydispersivity exponent of β = 0.50 ± 0.03 is derived at small excitation energy, which is in excellent agreement with theoretical models. The dynamics of the other system, a Co wire with transverse uniaxial anisotropy, is dominated by viscous slide motion in a regular magnetic stripe pattern. Analytical expressions are derived for this magnetic configuration and by using these expressions, accurate values for the depinning field and the domain wall mobility are extracted from the susceptibility measurements.
Influence of Mg-doped barriers on semipolar (202¯1) multiple-quantum-well green light-emitting diodes
Authors: Huang Chia-Yen , Yan Qimin , Zhao Yuji , Fujito Kenji , Feezell Daniel , Van de Walle Chris G. , Speck James S. , DenBaars Steven P. , Nakamura Shuji
Published: October 2011

We report the effects of Mg doping in the barriers of semipolar (202¯1) multiple-quantum-well light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with long emission wavelengths (>500 nm). With moderate Mg doping concentrations (3 × 1018–5 × 1018 cm−3) in the barriers, the output power was enhanced compared to those with undoped barriers, which suggests that hole transport in the active region is a limiting factor for device performance. Improved hole injection due to Mg doping in the barriers is demonstrated by dichromatic LED experiments and band diagram simulations. With Mg-doped AlGaN barriers, double-quantum-well LEDs with orange to red emission (λ > 600 nm) were also demonstrated.
In situ study of emerging metallicity on ion-bombarded SrTiO3 surface
Authors: Gross Heiko , Bansal Namrata , Kim Yong-Seung , Oh Seongshik
Published: October 2011

We report how argon bombardment induces metallic states on the surface of insulating SrTiO3 at different temperatures by combining in situ conductance measurements and model calculations. At cryogenic temperatures, ionic bombardment created a thin–but much thicker than the argon-penetration depth–steady-state oxygen-vacant layer, leading to a highly-concentric metallic state. Near room temperatures, however, significant thermal diffusion occurred and the metallic state continuously diffused into the bulk, leaving only low concentration of electron carriers on the surface. Analysis of the discrepancy between the experiments and the models also provided evidence for vacancy clustering, which seems to occur during any vacancy formation process and affects the observed conductance.
Eigenvalue excluding for perturbed-periodic one-dimensional Schrödinger operators
Authors: Nagatou Kaori , Plum Michael , Nakao Mitsuhiro T.
Published: October 2011

Subject of investigation in this paper is a one-dimensional Schrödinger equation, where the potential is a sum of a periodic function and a perturbation decaying at

. It is well known that the essential spectrum consists of spectral bands, and that there may or may not be additional eigenvalues below the lowest band or in the gaps between the bands. While
enclosures
for gap eigenvalues can comparatively easily be obtained from numerical approximations, e.g. by D. Weinstein's bounds, there seems to be no method available so far which is able to
exclude
eigenvalues in spectral gaps, i.e. which identifies subregions (of a gap) which contain no eigenvalues. Here, we propose such a method. It makes heavy use of computer assistance; nevertheless, the results are completely rigorous in the strict mathematical sense, because all computational errors are taken into account.
Pre‐operative and intraoperative determinants for prolonged ventilation following adult cardiac surgery
Authors: WIDYASTUTI Y. , STENSETH R. , PLEYM H. , WAHBA A. , VIDEM V.
Published: October 2011

Background

Prolonged ventilation is a serious complication after cardiac surgery, but few risk prediction models exist. Our objectives were to develop a specific risk prediction model based on pre‐operative variables, to identify whether selected intraoperative variables could improve prediction, and to compare our model with the EuroSCORE.

Methods

Data from 5027 patients undergoing open‐heart surgery in 2000–2007 were used for logistic regression model development. Internal validation was performed by bootstrapping. Discrimination and calibration were assessed with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. Our pre‐operative model was compared with predictions based on the additive and logistic EuroSCORE.

Results

Age, previous cardiac surgery, peripheral arterial disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, chronic pulmonary disease, renal insufficiency, pre‐operative hemoglobin concentration, urgent or emergency operation, and operation other than isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were identified as pre‐operative predictors for prolonged ventilation (model I). Discrimination and accuracy were excellent (AUC: 0.848 and shrinkage factor: 94%). Calibration was good (Hosmer–Lemeshow test: P
 = 0.43). Inclusion of a few intraoperative variables somewhat improved the model, increasing shrinkage factors (96%) and discrimination ability (AUC model II = 0.870 and model III = 0.875 for two alternative such models). Our pre‐operative model showed better performance than the logistic or additive EuroSCORE.

Conclusions

The pre‐operative risk prediction model for prolonged ventilation with easily obtainable variables in routine clinical work performed well and was only slightly improved by inclusion of intraoperative variables. Performance was better than with the EuroSCORE.
Developing the skill of endotracheal intubation: implication for emergency medicine
Authors: BERNHARD M. , MOHR S. , WEIGAND M. A. , MARTIN E. , WALTHER A.
Published: October 2011

Background

Securing the airway by means of endotracheal intubation (ETI) represents a fundamental skill for anaesthesiologists in emergency situations. This study aimed to evaluate the time needed by first‐year anaesthesiology residents to perform 200 ETIs and assessed the associated success rates and number of attempts until successful ETI.

Methods

This prospective single centre study evaluated the number of working days, the success rate, the attempts needed until successful ETI in consecutive blocks of 25 ETI procedures and the related difficulties and complications.

Results

From 2007 to 2010, 21 residents were evaluated consecutively. These residents needed a mean (mean ± standard deviation) of 15.6 ± 3.0 days for 25 ETIs. Out of all residents 52% reached the target value of 200 ETIs after 50.2 ± 14.8 weeks of total working time. The ETI success rate after the first 25 ETIs increased steadily to the results after 200 ETIs (ETI success rate within one ETI attempt: 67% vs. 83%, P = 0.0001; ETI success rate within all ETI attempts: 82% vs. 92%, P = 0.0001). The number of attempts required until successful ETI decreased from 1.6 ± 0.8 after the first 25 ETIs to 1.3 ± 0.6 after 200 ETIs (P = 0.0001).

Conclusion

The increasing rate of relative ETI success and the decreasing rate of necessary attempts for successful airway management suggest a steadily increasing gain in ETI experience. The complications that developed during the first 200 ETI procedures justify supervision by a specialist in the field or a senior physician. Moreover, these results may influence the minimum requirement for qualification in anaesthesiology and emergency medicine.
Oral drug challenges in non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐induced urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis
Authors: Chaudhry T. , Hissaria P. , Wiese M. , Heddle R. , Kette F. , Smith W. B.
Published: October 2011

Background:  Urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis are common adverse reactions to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Aim:  To investigate the clinical characteristics of NSAID‐induced acute hypersensitivity reactions with structured oral drug challenges.

Methods:  Patients with NSAID‐induced urticaria, angioedema or anaphylaxis were challenged with either the homologous NSAID to confirm diagnosis or a heterologous NSAID to investigate cross‐reactivity. Data were analysed retrospectively and supplemented by a telephone questionnaire.

Results:  Sixty‐eight patients (mean age 48.3, 53 females) reported a total of 75 instances of NSAID‐induced reactions of which 64% were purely cutaneous and 36% were systemic anaphylaxis. Ibuprofen was the most frequent cause of reactions (35%), however, diclofenac was the most frequent cause of anaphylaxis (48%). Seventeen out of 40 (43%) homologous NSAID challenges were positive; presentation with anaphylaxis or reaction to diclofenac predicted a positive challenge. Only 7 of 28 (25%) of heterologous NSAID challenges were positive. Structured challenges enabled us to identify 23 (34%) patients with selective reactivity to a single NSAID, 19 (28%) patients with cross‐reactivity to multiple NSAIDs and 23 (34%) patients in whom NSAID hypersensitivity was not reproduced. Selective reactors presented most often with anaphylaxis and some had a background of beta‐lactam antibiotic allergy. Cross‐reactive patients often had a background of chronic urticaria and presented with milder reactions.

Conclusion:  In the absence of a reliable in vitro test, structured drug challenges allow identification of selective and cross‐reactive NSAID hypersensitivity syndromes. NSAID‐induced anaphylaxis is often associated with selective hypersensitivity and patients may not need to avoid other NSAIDs.
Positive spillover effects of prescribing requirements: increased cardiac testing in patients treated with trastuzumab for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Lu C. Y. , Srasuebkul P. , Drew A. K. , Ward R. L. , Pearson S.‐A.
Published: October 2011

Background

Cardiotoxicity is a concern in patients on trastuzumab therapy, and cardiac function assessment is a recommended practice. In 2006, trastuzumab was publically subsidised for human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 early stage breast cancer with a requirement for cardiac testing prior to and during treatment.

Aim

To investigate the spillover effects of this requirement on testing rates in metastatic patients treated with trastuzumab where no monitoring requirements are applied.

Methods

We examined cardiac testing (echocardiography or multiple‐gated acquisition scan) in 3779 women with metastatic breast cancer receiving trastuzumab between December 2001 and February 2010 and used interrupted time‐series analyses to estimate changes in testing rates. The main outcome measures were the proportion of eligible patients, by quarter, receiving a cardiac function test pretreatment and during trastuzumab therapy.

Results

Only 21% of women had a cardiac function test pretreatment, and 47% were tested at some point during the first year of trastuzumab therapy. The introduction of mandatory cardiac testing for early breast cancer was associated with an immediate 8% increase (95% confidence interval, 2–14%) in pretreatment cardiac testing and an immediate 7% increase (95% confidence interval, 4–10%) in testing during therapy in metastatic patients. Testing rates during therapy increased steadily from early 2005, coinciding with the release of interim results from several trastuzumab trials reporting cardiac‐safety outcomes.

Conclusion

The introduction of mandatory cardiac testing for early stage disease spilled over to the metastatic setting. While deviation from guidelines may be warranted in some cases, this study suggests underutilisation of cardiac testing among patients treated with trastuzumab in the metastatic setting.
U‐100, pH‐Neutral formulation of VIAject®: faster onset of action than insulin lispro in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Heinemann L. , Nosek L. , Flacke F. , Albus K. , Krasner A. , Pichotta P. , Heise T. , Steiner S.
Published: October 2011

Aims: VIAject® is a formulation of human insulin with a very fast onset of action. Previous studies used VIAject in a concentration of 25 U/ml and a pH of 4 [VIAject 25 (VJ25)]. Objective of this double blind, three‐way crossover study was to compare the pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic properties of a novel formulation of VIAject with a concentration of 100 U/ml and a neutral pH [VIAject 7 (VJ7)] with VJ25 and insulin lispro (LIS).

Methods: Forty‐three patients with type 1 diabetes [aged 43 (21–65) years, BMI 24.1 (20–28) kg/m2 and HbA1c 7.5 (5.7–9.5) %] participated in this study. They received subcutaneous injections of 12 U of each insulin formulation under euglycaemic glucose clamp conditions.

Results: VJ7 was bioequivalent to VJ25 [90% confidence interval (CI) of the ratios for total insulin AUCs and maximum insulin concentration (CINS max) was within 0.80–1.25]. VJ7 showed a faster absorption compared to LIS [time to CINS max 23 vs. 60 min; difference (CI) −30 (−35 to −23)] and faster onset of action [time to early half‐maximal glucose infusion rate (GIR) 25 vs. 44 min; −18 (−26 to −10)], and a higher AUC of glucose infusion rate (AUCGIR) in the first 60 min after injection [176 vs. 107 mg/kg; ratio 1.65 (1.27 to 2.14)], contributing to a slightly higher value for AUCGIR 0–480[1263 vs. 1095 mg/kg; 1.15 (1.06 to 1.26)]. Maximum GIR was similar between VJ7 and LIS [6.1 vs.6.6 mg/kg/min; ratio 0.93 (0.86 to 1.01)], whereas the duration of action (tGIR50%–late) was longer with VJ7 [274 vs. 228 min; 50 (25 to 73)].

Conclusions: This formulation of VIAject is bioequivalent to the previously used formulation and has a faster absorption/onset of action than LIS.
The International Effects of China’s Growth, Trade and Education Booms
Authors: Harris Richard G. , Robertson Peter E. , Xu Jessica Y.
Published: October 2011

China’s international trade flows have increased by 500 per cent since 1992, far outstripping GDP growth. Likewise tertiary education enrolments have increased by 300 per cent. We simulate these changes using a multi‐sector growth model of the Chinese and USA economies. A decade of trade biased growth in China is found to raise USA GDP by approximately 3–4.5 percentage points and has a large impact on the demand for tertiary education in China. Despite these positive effects of growth, the results suggest that the expansion of China’s education sectorper sehas practically no long‐run impact on the USA economy.
Can perceptual learning be used to treat amblyopia beyond the critical period of visual development?
Authors: Astle Andrew T , Webb Ben S , McGraw Paul V
Published: October 2011

Citation information: Astle AT, Webb BS & McGraw PV. Can perceptual learning be used to treat amblyopia beyond the critical period of visual development? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 564–573. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00873.x

Background:  Amblyopia presents early in childhood and affects approximately 3% of western populations. The monocular visual acuity loss is conventionally treated during the ‘critical periods’ of visual development by occluding or penalising the fellow eye to encourage use of the amblyopic eye. Despite the measurable success of this approach in many children, substantial numbers of people still suffer with amblyopia later in life because either they were never diagnosed in childhood, did not respond to the original treatment, the amblyopia was only partially remediated, or their acuity loss returned after cessation of treatment.

Purpose:  In this review, we consider whether the visual deficits of this largely overlooked amblyopic group are amenable to conventional and innovative therapeutic interventions later in life, well beyond the age at which treatment is thought to be effective.

Recent findings:  There is a considerable body of evidence that residual plasticity is present in the adult visual brain and this can be harnessed to improve function in adults with amblyopia. Perceptual training protocols have been developed to optimise visual gains in this clinical population. Results thus far are extremely encouraging; marked visual improvements have been demonstrated, the perceptual benefits transfer to new visual tasks and appear to be relatively enduring. The essential ingredients of perceptual training protocols are being incorporated into video game formats, facilitating home‐based interventions.

Summary:  Many studies support perceptual training as a tool for improving vision in amblyopes beyond the critical period. Should this novel form of treatment stand up to the scrutiny of a randomised controlled trial, clinicians may need to re‐evaluate their therapeutic approach to adults with amblyopia.
Effect of microwave pretreatment on the dyeing behaviour of polyester fabric
Authors: Kale Manik J , Bhat Narendra V
Published: October 2011

Polyester fabric (filament by filament) was pretreated in a microwave oven in the presence of solvents and subsequently dyed with commercial disperse dyes [Dispersol Red C‐B (CI Disperse Red 91) and Dispersol Blue B‐G (CI Disperse Blue 26)] at different temperatures and for different durations of time. It was observed that the solvent interaction with the polyester could be enhanced by using microwave heating. Solvent molecules interact rapidly, not only with the surface of the fibre but also with the interior parts. Scanning electron microscope results showed that structural modifications take place, which produce surface roughness and voids. This enhances the dye uptake by threefold in comparison to conventional methods.
Risk factors for microbial contamination of peripheral blood stem cell products
Authors: Donmez Ayhan , Aydemir Sohret , Arik Bahar , Tunger Alper , Cilli Feriha , Orman Mehmet , Tombuloglu Murat
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND: Despite the well‐known contamination rates and presence of microbial agents in stem cell products, the risk factors affecting microbial contamination have not been well described.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a 12‐year period, we retrospectively reviewed culture results of peripheral blood stem cell products with the intent of identifying risk factors for microbial contamination.

RESULTS: Microbial contamination was detected in 28 (5.7%) products of the postprocessing period and in 18 (3.66%) products of the postthawing period. Large‐volume leukapheresis (LVL; odds ratio [OR], 5.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52‐22.49; p = 0.01) and high numbers of stem cell culture sampling (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.03‐1.91; p = 0.03) were found to be risk factors for postprocessing bacterial contamination. The presence of postprocessing bacterial contamination was a risk factor for postthawing (OR, 28.89; 95% CI, 6.67‐125.15; p < 0.001) and posttransplant (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.24‐8.50; p = 0.01) microbial growth. In transplants that were performed using contaminated products, the same pathogen was detected in 20% of patients and different pathogens were found in 35% of patients.

CONCLUSION: Cultures should be carefully monitored in LVL products and in samples with high numbers of cultures performed. Growth of different bacterial pathogens must be considered in transplants that are performed with contaminated products.
Sociodemographic and Diagnostic Characteristics of Homicidal and Nonhomicidal Sexual Offenders*
Authors: Koch Judith , Berner Wolfgang , Hill Andreas , Briken Peer
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  The aims of this study were to compare the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and “psychopathy” in homicidal and nonhomicidal sexual offenders and to investigate the specificity of previous studies on psychiatric morbidity of a sample of sexual murderers. Information from court reports of 166 homicidal and 56 nonhomicidal sex offenders was evaluated using standardized instruments (SCID‐II, PCL‐R) and classification systems (DSM‐IV). Sexual murderers were diagnosed more often with a personality disorder (80.1% vs. 50%; p < 0.001), especially schizoid personality disorder (16.3% vs. 5.4%; p < 0.05), as well as with sexual sadism (36.7% vs. 8.9%; p < 0.001) and sexual dysfunctions (21.7% vs. 7.1%; p < 0.05). Additionally, they had more often used alcohol during the offense (63.2% vs. 41%; p < 0.05). The results indicate that sexual murderers have more and a greater variety of psychiatric disorders when compared to nonhomicidal sex offenders.
Knee injuries related to sports in young adult males during military service – Incidence and risk factors
Authors: Kuikka P.‐I. , Pihlajamäki H. K. , Mattila V. M.
Published: October 2011

The population‐based incidence and risk factors for knee injuries in young adults were assessed in Finnish male conscripts performing their compulsory military service (n = 128 584). The main outcome variables were (1) hospitalization due to knee injuries overall and (2) hospitalization due to knee disorders as categorized into specific International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision diagnoses (cruciate and collateral ligament tears, meniscal tears, traumatic chondral lesions, and patellar dislocations). Person‐time injury‐incidence rates were calculated by dividing the number of persons with a diagnosed knee injury by the total exposure time of 97 503 person‐years. The number of subjects with surgical operations and military service class changes indicative of longer term notable disability are also reported. Risk factor analyses were performed by logistic regression. The person‐based incidence of hospitalizations for knee injury was 11 cases per 1000 person‐years [95% confidence interval (CI): 10.4–11.7]. The most important risk factors were higher age (odds ratio 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3–2.2) and obesity (odds ratio 1.6; 95% CI: 1.03–2.5). Two thirds of all subjects hospitalized for knee injuries had surgery, and one third had longer term notable disability. These findings indicate that knee injuries cause a significant burden of hospitalizations, often leading to surgery and longer term disability.
BDNF Val66Met and cognition: all, none, or some? A meta‐analysis of the genetic association
Authors: Mandelman S. D. , Grigorenko E. L.
Published: October 2011

The Val66Met, G196A (rs6265) polymorphism in the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor gene, BDNF, located at 11p13, has been associated with a wide range of cognitive functions. Yet, the pattern of results is complex and conflicting. In this study, we conducted a meta‐analysis that included 23 publications containing 31 independent samples comprised of 7095 individuals. The phenotypes that were examined in this analysis covered a wide variety of cognitive functions and included indicators of general cognitive ability, memory, executive function, visual processing skills and cognitive fluency. The meta‐analysis did not establish significant genetic associations between the Val66Met polymorphism and any of the phenotypes that were included.
Semi-Analytical Viscoelastic Contact Modeling of Polymer-Based Materials
Authors: Wayne Chen W. , Jane Wang Q. , Huan Z. , Luo X.
Published: October 2011

Contact of viscoelastic materials with complicated properties and surface topography require numerical solution approaches. This paper presents a 3-D semianalytical contact model for viscoelastic materials. With the hereditary integral operator and elastic-viscoelastic correspondence principle, surface displacement is expressed in terms of viscoelastic creep compliance and contact pressure distribution history in the course of a contact process. Through discretizing the contact equations in both spatial and temporal dimensions, a numerical algorithm based on the robust Conjugate Gradient method and Fast Fourier transform has been developed to solve the normal approach, contact pressure, and real contact area simultaneously. The transient contact analysis in the time domain is computationally expensive. The fast Fourier transform algorithm can help reduce the computation cost significantly. The comparisons of the new numerical results with an analytical viscoelastic contact solution for Maxwell materials and with an indentation test measurement reported in the literature has validated and demonstrated the accuracy of the proposed model. Moreover, the present model has been used to simulate the contact between a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrate and a rigid sphere driven by step, ramped, and harmonic normal loads. The validated model and numerical method can successfully compute the viscoelastic contact responses of polymer-based materials with time-dependent properties and surface roughness subjected to complicated loading profiles.
Secondary-electron signal level measurements of self-assembled monolayers for spatial-phase-locked electron-beam lithography
Authors: Lee Cheong Lin , Lobez Jose M. , Moon Euclid E. , Hastings Jeffrey T. , Smith Henry I.
Published: October 2011

The secondary-electron signal levels of eight thiophenol-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold (Au) are measured and compared against the signal level from bare gold between energies 1 and 2 keV. To enable accurate comparison, scanning electron micrographs of SAMs are taken with a Faraday cup and a reference sample. Most SAMs-on-gold produce a lower signal level than that from bare gold, with the exception of 3-methylthiophenol. Highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels of the thiophenol derivatives are calculated and compared against the signal levels. Signal levels from bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide, (4-chlorophenyl)-triethoxysilane, and amino-propyl-triethoxy-silane on titanium (Ti) and aluminum (Al) are also measured. All three SAMs on aluminum have lower signal levels than bare Al but this effect is reversed for the case of Ti, where SAMs deposited on Ti result in a higher signal level. A hybrid Ti/Al fiducial grid is fabricated and the point-spread function at 2 keV in the underlying resist is investigated.
Pulsed-laser atom probe tomography of p-type field effect transistors on Si-on-insulator substrates
Authors: Jin S. , Jones K. S. , Ronsheim P. A. , Hatzistergos M.
Published: October 2011

Forty-five nanometer gate length p-type field effect transistors fabricated on Si-on-insulator substrates were analyzed using three-dimensional pulsed laser atom probe tomography. An optimized sample preparation methodology involving spacer etching and a change in sample orientation to align the Si/buried-SiO2 interface with the analysis direction was developed to overcome the inherent difficulties in field evaporation of insulating materials present in the device structure. Atom probe tomography analysis of samples prepared in this cross-sectional orientation was used to observe B segregation to the gate SiO2 at 5 nm from the edge of the gate, from both the poly-Si gate doping as well as the source–drain extension ion-implantation following rapid thermal annealing at 900 °C for 16 or 32 s.