bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controllable Synthesis of Zinc‐Substituted α‐ and β‐Nickel Hydroxide Nanostructures and Their Collective Intrinsic Properties
Authors: Hu Bo , Chen Shao‐Feng , Liu Shu‐Juan , Wu Qing‐Song , Yao Wei‐Tang , Yu Shu‐Hong
Published: August 2008

A new controllable homogeneous precipitation approach has been developed to synthesize zinc‐substituted nickel hydroxide nanostructures with different Zn contents from a zinc nanostructured reactant. As typical layered double hydroxides (LDHs), zinc‐substituted nickel hydroxide nanostructures can be formulated as NiZnx(Cl)y(OH)2(1+x)−y⋅z H2O (x=0.34–0.89, y=0–0.24, z=0–1.36). The structure and morphology of zinc‐substituted nickel hydroxide nanostructures can be systematically controlled by adjustment of the zinc content. The effects of temperature and the amounts of ammonia and zinc nanostructured precursor on the reaction were systematically investigated. In our new method, although zinc‐substituted α‐and β‐nickel hydroxides have the typical 3D flowerlike architecture and stacks‐of‐pancakes nanostructures, respectively, their growth processes are different from those previously reported. A coordinative homogeneous precipitation mechanism is proposed to explain the formation process of zinc‐substituted nickel hydroxide nanostructures. The zinc‐substituted nickel hydroxide nanostructures exhibit some interesting intrinsic properties, and changing the zinc content can effectively tune their optical, magnetic, and electrical properties.
Anticoagulation for the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer
Authors: Akl Elie A. , Rohilla Sandeep , Barba Maddalena , Sperati Francesca , Terrenato Irene , Muti Paola , Bdair Fadi , Schünemann Holger J.
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND.

The authors compared the relative efficacy and safety of low‐ molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UFH) for the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) between patients with and without cancer.

METHODS.

By using Cochrane methodology for systematic reviews, separate meta‐analyses were conducted for subgroups of patients with and without cancer, and relative risks (RRs) were compared for statistical significance. The methodologic quality for each outcome was assessed by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

RESULTS.

LMWH reduced mortality significantly compared with UFH in patients with cancer (RR of 0.71; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.52‐0.98 [moderate‐quality evidence]) but not in patients without cancer (RR of 0.97; 95% CI, 0.65‐1.46 [low‐quality evidence]). However, the difference in the RR for the 2 subgroups did not reach statistical significance (P = .113). The difference between LMWH and UFH in the effect on recurrent VTE was not statistically significant in the subgroup with cancer (RR of 0.78; 95% CI, 0.29‐2.08 [low‐quality evidence]), in the subgroup without cancer (RR of 0.94; 95% CI, 0.60‐1.46 [low‐quality evidence]), or between the 2 subgroups (P = .367). No data were available for bleeding outcomes, thrombocytopenia, or postphlebitic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS.

The current results indicated that LMWH most likely is superior to UFH in reducing mortality in the initial treatment of VTE for patients with cancer. There is a need for more and better designed trials to confirm these findings. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Licensing, trade shows lead to software success
Authors: Willett Robert E.
Published: August 2008

Micro Solutions is a New Orleans software company that has had some luck with GASMAN, a system that follows purchases, sales, and administration of gas in accordance with a model of the gas industry (Figure 1). The company developed this system for one customer, then expanded the system and made it more general to sell to other customers.

To find the secrets of Micro Solutions' success, in late December we interviewed Faye J. Weatherbe, vice president of operations and marketing.
Investor‐relations decision a “no‐brainer”
Authors: Willett Robert E.
Published: August 2008

It wouldn't seem to require much of a brain for a public company like an LDC to make the decision to install an investor‐relations (IR) function, an ongoing effort that attempts to attract investors to the company's securities. The cost is small and the results are huge.

At least, that's the impression that I got from a late‐January discussion on the subject with two intrepid IR executives at Brooklyn Union Gas Company, the LDC that serves much of New York City. These worthies are Robert R. Wieczorek, vice president and treasurer; and Norma Y. Rodriguez, director of investor relations.
The december freeze vs. The regulatory structure
Authors: Willett Robert E.
Published: August 2008

From the amount of press coverage that the December freeze has had, particularly about how well the gas Industry responded, one almost wants to travel to 825 North Capitol Street, Washington, and to provide for the front lobby of that august building a bronze bust of, say, Martha Hesse. But the freeze was not that good to those cut out of the action when several of the pipelines went to firm sales (which the pipelines themselves rely on when they make their sales) and cut out interruptible transportation (IT, which the marketers and others rely on).

Many are making their unhappiness known. For example, Dynasty Gas Marketing, a small Houston‐based marketer, said: “[In December,] when pipelines curtailed interruptible capacity, the wellhead prices in the spot market fell—At the same time, demand for gas that could be delivered into the pipelines serving the same market area and with interruptible capacity increased. Prices for such gas increased accordingly.” Another industry source told me that the pipelines sold gas high to the LDCs and bought replacement gas low from the producers. This reasoning implies abuse of monopoly power.

In addition, five gas marketers have brought Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co. before the FERC. These marketers surmise that in late December, Panhandle may have cut out IT to replace it with firm sales in order to fill sales quotas. More implied monopolistic abuse.

Did it happen? Were there uncontrolled monopoly powers rampant in the producing areas? Not according to Michael I. German, an economist who is senior vice president of the American Gas Association, an Arlington, Virginia, association that represents some producers and pipelines and a large number of LDCs.
LDCs to hold position or expand
Authors: Willett Robert E.
Published: August 2008

With a more permissive attitude towards bypass, some industry observers have speculated that as the century ends, so may the importance of the LDCs. But this opinion is not that of Donald J. Heim, chairman and chief executive officer of Washington Gas Light Company and 1990 chairman of the American Gas Association.

In late‐April we had an exclusive interview with Heim concerning bypass, take‐or‐pay pass‐through, and the future of the LDC segment. He told us not only that bypass is an isolated phenomenon, but also that in the 1990s there are new opportunities for many LDCs, in their traditional areas of operation, that are taking up as much capital as these companies can generate.
Managing the upside: Strategic pricing with natural gas futures
Authors: Mitchell Jacquelyn S.
Published: August 2008

The availability of the natural gas futures contract offers industry participants the opportunity to enter into stable supply agreements with partners of known reliability even though both parties to the agreement have differing views on the timing and magnitude of price changes.

Although the examples were based on agreements between a marketer and end user, the concepts work equally as well for agreements between marketers and LDCs, between producers and marketers, and for direct‐purchase agreements between producers and LDCs or end users.
Koralm Tunnel as a Case Study for Sinter Formation in Drainage Systems – Precipitation Mechanisms and Retaliatory Action
Authors: Dietzel Martin , Rinder Thomas , Leis Albrecht , Reichl Peter , Sellner Peter , Draschitz Christian , Plank Gerhard , Klammer Dietmar , Schöfer Herwig
Published: August 2008

The drainage systems of several tunnels in Austria are heavily clogged with calcite precipitates. Cleaning and water conditioning are cost‐intensive for the operating company. The results of the case study Koralm tunnel show that the dissolved calcium in the drainage solutions derives from the ground water and especially from the dissolution of portlandite at the shotcrete. Accordingly, the drainage solutions are often strongly alkaline and as sufficient supersaturation with respect to calcite is reached, calcite precipitates. The carbonate in the calcite sinter is obtained from the ground water or from the absorption of atmospheric CO2. Extensive chemical, mineralogical, and isotopic analyses as well as hydrogeochemical modelling permit to decipher the effective parameters in order to develop recommendations for retaliatory action. In‐situ experiments in the Koralm tunnel simulate the conditions for the designed drainage system, which should provide an appropriate evaluation of the sinter formation in the drainage and the application of inhibitors. Sinter formation will be reduced by using tailored construction materials.
The Koralm‐Line as a Part of Wider European Railway Connections – Integrated in the Baltic‐Adriatic‐Axis
Authors: Adelsberger Helmut , Eicher Harald
Published: August 2008

Since antiquity, the land connection between Baltic and Adriatic Seas has been used for trading and cultural exchange. In medieval times, this “amber route”, passing east of the Alps, was shifted to a line following intra‐Alpine valleys orientated southwest – north‐east, the so called “Diagonal Passage”. The historical “Südbahn”, however, lead partly through the Alps, crossing Semmering, but then continuing to Trieste further south‐east, via Graz and Laibach, today Ljubljana. Cut through after the big wars of the 20th century, the railway connection Vienna‐Italy follows now the “Diagonal Passage” at all its length, leaving Graz offside, in a basin separated by mountain ranges to the north and west and open to the east and south.

Koralm railway will integrate Graz into the “Baltic‐Adriatic Corridor” which together with its second key element, Semmering base tunnel, will be an attractive trans‐continental rail axis with adequate technical parameters, following the “Diagonal Passage” in its general orientation. The improvement of accessibility and transport conditions, especially in the Southern parts of Austria, will lead to a considerable increase of the regional product and a measurable modal shift, in favour of environment and sustainable mobility. “Baltic‐Adriatic Corridor”, the future axis of welfare from “Poland to Po‐Land (Padania)” or – in Italian language – “from Polonia to Bologna”, will decisively contribute to the re‐integration of Central Europe, enhancing cultural exchange and economic development across the former Iron Curtain.
Combination therapy of lovastatin and rolipram provides neuroprotection and promotes neurorepair in inflammatory demyelination model of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Paintlia Ajaib S. , Paintlia Manjeet K. , Singh Inderjit , Skoff Robert B. , Singh Avtar K.
Published: August 2008

Drug combination therapies for central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS) are gaining momentum over monotherapy. Over the past decade, both in vitro and in vivo studies established that statins (HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors) and rolipram (phosphodiesterase‐4 inhibitor; blocks the degradation of intracellular cyclic AMP) can prevent the progression of MS in affected individuals via different mechanisms of action. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of lovastatin (LOV) and rolipram (RLP) in combination therapy to promote neurorepair in an inflammatory CNS demyelination model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Combination treatment with suboptimal doses of these drugs in an established case of EAE (clinical disease score ≥ 2.0) significantly attenuated the infiltration of inflammatory cells and protected myelin sheath and axonal integrity in the CNS. It was accompanied with elevated level of cyclic AMP and activation of its associated protein kinase A. Interestingly, combination treatment with these drugs impeded neurodegeneration and promoted neurorepair in established EAE animals (clinical disease score ≥ 3.5) as verified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopic analyses. These effects of combination therapy were minimal and/or absent with either drug alone in these settings. Together, these data suggest that combination therapy with LOV and RLP has the potential to provide neuroprotection and promote neurorepair in MS, and may have uses in other related CNS demyelinating diseases. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early nutrition and allergy
Authors: Enke Uta , Seyfarth Lydia , Schleussner Ekkehard , Markert Udo R.
Published: August 2008

The perinatal phase is crucial for the development of the infant. The first priming of the immune system occurs before birth, and this process is influenced by the intrauterine environment. One factor of this priming seems to be the fetal nutrition, which mainly depends on maternal diet. After birth, breastfeeding offers optimal alimentation. Allergy prevalence has increased during the last decades. As a method of primary allergy prevention, exclusive breastfeeding for a period of 4 to 6 months is recommended. However, published data on the subject is conflicting. Therefore, this review article will focus on maternal nutrition during breastfeeding with regard to allergy development. Cytokine levels in breast milk seem to depend on maternal state of atopy as well as on her nutrition. Breast milk components can, on the other hand, infl uence immune response of the infant. Differences between recent studies concerning composition of breast milk regarding allergen content, immune mediators and nutrients are discussed and the role of early nutrition on long‐term development in the offspring is shown. To summarize – albeit some confl icting results are published – a healthy and balanced maternal nutrition, rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, milk products, nuts or oily fish, and breastfeeding of the infant seems to be the best way of childhood atopy prevention.
Glycodelin reduces breast cancer xenograft growth in vivo
Authors: Hautala Laura C. , Koistinen Riitta , Seppälä Markku , Bützow Ralf , Stenman Ulf‐Håkan , Laakkonen Pirjo , Koistinen Hannu
Published: August 2008

Malignant growth is characterized by loss of cell differentiation, uncontrolled proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. Many tumor suppressor genes that protect cells against malignant transformation regulate cell differentiation. Here, we show for the first time that glycodelin, a differentiation‐related protein, reduces breast cancer tumor growth in vivo. We found that glycodelin cDNA‐transfected MCF‐7 breast cancer cells showed a differentiated phenotype and produced smaller tumors in mouse mammary fat pads compared with control‐transfected cells. Glycodelin‐induced differentiation was associated with reduced expression of oncogenes and increased expression of tumor suppressor genes. Our results suggest that glycodelin acts as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. This may explain its reported association with a more favorable prognosis in some cancers. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Purification of CYP2B‐like protein from feral leaping mullet (Liza saliens) liver microsomes and its biocatalytic, molecular, and immunological characterization
Authors: Bozcaarmutlu Azra , Arinç Emel
Published: August 2008

In this study, CYP2B‐immunoreactive protein was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from the liver microsomes of leaping mullet. The purified cytochrome P450 (CYP) gave a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis having aMrof 49,300 Da. Absolute absorption spectrum of the purified CYP showed a maximum at 417 nm and CO‐difference spectrum of dithionite‐reduced cytochrome P450 gave a peak at 450 nm. The purified CYP was found to be active in N‐demethylation of benzphetamine, erythromycin, and ethylmorphine, and O‐dealkylation of pentoxyresorufin in the reconstituted system. However, it was unable to catalyze O‐dealkylation of ethoxyresorufin, methoxyresorufin, benzyloxyresorufin, and hydroxylation of lauric acid and aniline. The purified CYP showed strong cross‐reactivity with anti‐sheep lung CYP2B, a homologue of CYP2B4. N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the mullet P450 had the highest degree of homology with CYP2Bs among the known CYPs. Spectral, electrophoretic, immunochemical, N‐terminal amino acid sequence, and biocatalytic properties of the purified CYP are most similar to those of mammalian cytochrome P4502B. All these data indicate that the purified CYP is certainly 2B‐like. In this study, we not only purified biocatalytically active CYP2B‐like protein from fish, but also demonstrated detailed functional properties of CYP2B‐like protein for the first time. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 22:284–298, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20239
Assessment of Pelargonium graveolens oil as plant‐based antimicrobial and aflatoxin suppressor in food preservation
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Srivastava Bhawana , Kumar Ashok , Kumar Rajesh , Dubey Nawal K , Gupta Rajesh
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: Contamination of stored food commodities by moulds and mycotoxins results in qualitative as well as quantitative losses. Most of the synthetic antimicrobials used for preservation of stored food items produce side effects in the form of residual and mammalian toxicity. Recently some higher plant products have been recommended as safe alternatives of such synthetic antimicrobials. In the present investigation antifungal efficacy of some essential oils was evaluated against two toxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus with special reference to the oil of Pelargonium graveolens to investigate its potential to inhibit aflatoxin B1 secretion.

RESULTS: Essential oil of P. graveolens exhibited absolute fungitoxicity against both the toxigenic strains of A. flavus. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the oil was found to be 0.75 g L−1 and exhibited a fungistatic nature. It was found superior over the synthetic fungicides tested and exhibited a broad fungitoxic spectrum. The oil showed excellent anti‐aflatoxigenic efficacy as it completely inhibited aflatoxin B1 production even at 0.50 g L−1.

CONCLUSION: This is the first report on the aflatoxin B1 inhibitory nature of P. graveolens oil. It may be recommended as a novel plant‐based antimicrobial as well as aflatoxin B1 suppressor over synthetic preservatives in food protection. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Learning mode: Adapting and innovating is crucial for teams
Authors: Lindoerfer Dennis
Published: August 2008

Teams in the modern organizational world are awash in change and confronted by continually shifting opportunities and threats. Those that do not learn and adapt are bound to fail. There are four general practices teams can engage in to ensure they are learning as they work: establishing a climate for learning, continually assessing team members' work together, working with a team coach, and managing knowledge effectively. The team leader plays a central role in all of these efforts.
Effect of Hospital Volume and Teaching Status on Outcomes of Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Ananthakrishnan Ashwin N. , McGinley Emily L. , Saeian Kia
Published: August 2008

Acute liver failure (ALF) often requires multidisciplinary support. Higher hospital volumes have been associated with better outcomes for surgical procedures, but whether such a relationship exists for ALF has not been explored previously. In this study, our aim was to examine if hospital volume affects mortality from ALF. Using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 2001 to 2004, we identified cases by the presence of a primary discharge diagnosis of ALF (International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification code 570.x). Hospitals were divided into low-, medium-, and high-volume hospitals on the basis of 1 to 5, 6 to 20, and more than 20 annual ALF discharges. There were 17,361, 6756, and 1790 discharges with ALF from low-, medium-, and high-volume hospitals, respectively. There was no difference in adjusted mortality between low- and high-volume hospitals (odds ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.68-1.28). Teaching hospitals had a trend toward lower mortality among patients with hepatic encephalopathy (odds ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.47-1.01). High-volume centers had a higher rate of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) primarily because they were transplant centers, had better in-hospital post-OLT survival, and showed a trend toward a shorter time to OLT. In conclusion, patients with ALF receiving care at teaching hospitals and high-volume centers tend to be sicker. However, teaching hospitals and high-volume centers have equivalent in-hospital survival despite caring for this more severely ill cohort.
Iron Overload and Unique Susceptibility of Liver Transplant Recipients To Disseminated Disease Due To Opportunistic Pathogens
Authors: Singh Nina , Sun Hsin-Yun
Published: August 2008

The propensity of liver transplant recipients to develop more fulminant disease presentation and a higher risk of disseminated disease due to a number of opportunistic infections, including invasive aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, zygomycosis, may be related to iron overload. Abnormalities in iron homeostasis may also be a contributor to severe manifestations due to other pathogens such as cytomegalovirus and

Staphylococcus aureus

in liver transplant recipients. Iron is essential not only for microbial pathogenesis, but directly impairs pivotal pathogen specific host defenses. Studies to assess iron homeostasis and the mechanisms by which iron overload contributes to the pathogenesis of opportunistic infections in liver transplant recipients are warranted.
Metabolism of curcumin and induction of mitotic catastrophe in human cancer cells
Authors: Dempe Julia S. , Pfeiffer Erika , Grimm Anne S. , Metzler Manfred
Published: August 2008

In cultured cells, curcumin (CUR) causes cell death by interfering with mitosis and leading to fragmented nuclei and disrupted microtubules, a process named mitotic catastrophe. In order to clarify the role of the known CUR metabolites hexahydro‐CUR (HHC) and CUR‐glucuronide (CUR‐gluc) in mitotic catastrophe, the effects of CUR were studied in three human cancer cell lines with different metabolism of CUR. In Ishikawa and HepG2 cells, CUR was metabolized to HHC and small amounts of octahydro‐CUR (OHC), whereas the only metabolism in HT29 cells was the formation of CUR‐gluc. Despite their different metabolism, all three cell systems responded to CUR with arrest in G2/M phase and mitotic catastrophe. Fractionation of the cells showed that concentrations of CUR were higher in the ER and cytosol than in the incubation medium by a factor of up to about 150 and 8, respectively. In contrast to CUR, the metabolite HHC and the products of spontaneous degradation did not elicit any effects in Ishikawa cells. These results imply that the causative agent of mitotic catastrophe is the parent CUR molecule, whereas reductive metabolism and chemical degradation render CUR inactive.
Dietary procyanidins lower triglyceride levels signaling through the nuclear receptor small heterodimer partner
Authors: Del Bas Josep Maria , Ricketts Marie Louise , Baiges Isabel , Quesada Helena , Ardevol Anna , Salvadó Maria Josepa , Pujadas Gerard , Blay Mayte , Arola Lluis , Bladé Cinta , Moore David D. , Fernandez‐Larrea Juan
Published: August 2008

Hypertriglyceridemia is an independent risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases, and we have previously reported that oral administration of a grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) drastically decreases plasma levels of triglycerides (TG) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) in normolipidemic rats, with a concomitant induction in the hepatic expression of the nuclear receptor small heterodimer partner (NR0B2/SHP). Our objective in this study was to elucidate whether SHP is the mediator of the reduction of TG‐rich ApoB‐containing lipoproteins triggered by GSPE. We show that GSPE inhibited TG and ApoB secretion in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells and had and hypotriglyceridemic effect in wild‐type mouse. The TG‐lowering action of GSPE was abolished in HepG2 cells transfected with a SHP‐specific siRNA and in a SHP‐null mouse. Moreover, in mouse liver, GSPE downregulated several lipogenic genes, including steroid response element binding protein 1c (SREBP‐1c), and upregulated carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1A (CPT‐1A) and apolipoprotein A5 (ApoA5), in a SHP‐dependent manner. In HepG2 cells GSPE also inhibited ApoB secretion, but in a SHP‐independent manner. In conclusion, SHP is a key mediator of the hypotriglyceridemic response triggered by GSPE. This novel signaling pathway of procyanidins through SHP may be relevant to explain the health effects ascribed to the regular consumption of dietary flavonoids.
A corotational interpolatory model for fabric drape simulation
Authors: Liu X. H. , Sze K. Y.
Published: August 2008

Fabric drapes are typical large displacement, large rotation but small strain problems. In particle models for fabric drape simulation, the fabric deformation is characterized by the displacements of the particles distributed over the fabric. In this paper, a new particle model based on the corotational concept is formulated. Under the small membrane strain assumption, the bending energy can be approximated as a quadratic function of the particle displacements that are finite. In other words, the tangential bending stiffness matrix is a constant and only the tangential membrane stiffness matrix needs to be updated after each iteration or step. On the other hand, the requirement on the particle alignment is relaxed by interpolating the particle displacement in a patch of nine particles. To account for the membrane energy, a simple and efficient method similar to the three‐node membrane triangular element employing the Green strain measure is adopted. With the present model, the predicted drapes appear to be natural and match our daily perception. In particular, circular clothes and circular pedestal that can only be treated laboriously by most particle models can be conveniently considered. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the doping of graphene
Authors: Jones R. , Eberlein T. A. G. , Briddon P. R.
Published: August 2008

Density functional theory is used to show that charge transfer occurs between chemical dopants in GaAs and adsorbates composed of C60 and graphene lying on the (110) surface of GaAs. In the case of C60, charge transfer only occurs for n‐type GaAs in agreement with previous experimental results. However, the calculations show that transfer between graphene and both n‐ and p‐type GaAs can occur which offers a simple way of doping graphene. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Grain boundary effects in nanocrystalline diamond
Authors: Mareš Jirˇí J. , Hubík Pavel , Krištofik Jozef , Nesládek Miloš
Published: August 2008

Thin films of heavily boron doped plasma‐enhanced chemical vapour deposition grown nanocrystalline diamond were experimentally investigated by means of low temperature transport methods and noise analysis as well. The influence of grain boundaries on superconductivity and other related quantum phenomena observed in this system was treated using phenomenological model according to which the superconducting diamond grains in the film are interconnected by a single or a few weak links having a characteristic dimension in the nanometre range. Comparing then the experimental values of critical current and current‐induced Josephson's noise in the superconductivity transition region with the figures predicted by our model, its relevance for the description of boron‐doped nanocrystalline diamond has been proved. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrical and light‐emitting properties of homoepitaxial diamond p–i–n junction
Authors: Makino Toshiharu , Tokuda Norio , Kato Hiromitsu , Kanno Shokichi , Yamasaki Satoshi , Okushi Hideyo
Published: August 2008

We have investigated the electrical and light‐emitting characteristics of (001)‐oriented homoepitaxial diamond p–i–n junction diodes with the boron‐doped p‐type, non‐doped intrinsic, and phosphorus‐doped n‐type layers formed by applying an optimized homoepitaxial growth technique based on microwave plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition. High‐performance p–i–n junction characteristics were confirmed from current–voltage and capacitance–voltage properties. A strong ultraviolet light emission at around 240 nm due to free exciton recombination was observed at a forward current of over 6 mA, while the broad visible light emission from deep levels was significantly suppressed compared to that of reported electroluminescence in diamond p–n junctions. It was elucidated that the excitonic emission intensity increases superlinearly for the current dependence and is stable even at the high temperature of 200 °C. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Deep levels in homoepitaxial boron‐doped diamond films studied by capacitance and current transient spectroscopies
Authors: Muret Pierre , Pernot Julien , Teraji Tokuyuki , Ito Toshimichi
Published: August 2008

Deep level transient spectroscopies (DLTS) applied to Schottky junctions made on homoepitaxial boron‐doped diamond films show the existence of two traps. A deep acceptor, negatively charged and strongly attractive for holes, 1.57 eV above the valence band edge displays the characteristic features of a complex defect due to interacting centers and impurities, also displaying some evolutions after thermal cycles, possibly due to hydrogen effusion or diffusion. It is tentatively ascribed to association of a boron atom, a vacancy and several hydrogen atoms. A deep donor, 1.13 eV above the valence band edge, able to compensate the boron acceptors, is attributed to a defect correlated with dislocations. It could be due to the positively charged carbon vacancy. These conclusions are drawn from the Fourier transform‐DLTS results coupled with isothermal time domain algorithms allowing the discrimination of multiple emission rates with high resolution. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical absorption of boron nitride nanomaterials
Authors: Gevko Pavel , Bulusheva Lyubov , Okotrub Alexander , Koroteev Viktor , Yushina Irina , Bresson Lionel , Loiseau Annick
Published: August 2008

Optical absorption spectra have been measured for hexagonal boron nitride (h ‐BN), rhombohedral BN (rh ‐BN), and material obtained by laser vaporization of BN target under a nitrogen atmosphere and contained single‐wall BN‐nanotubes. Band gap of the BN materials was found to have a value of 6.0‐6.3 eV. The spectra of h ‐BN and vaporized material exhibited a peak at ∼5.5 eV, moreover, the latter sample showed an absorption band around 4.5 eV. The vaporized material has been fractionated to the BN‐platelets and single‐wall BN‐nanotubes. Absorption peaks, located bellow the bottom of the conductance band, were found to be characteristics of thin BN‐platelets and they could be attributed to defects in BN network. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Enforcing patient privacy in healthcare WSNs through key distribution algorithms
Authors: Mišić Jelena , Mišić Vojislav
Published: August 2008

Patient data privacy, as one of the foremost security concerns in healthcare applications, must be enforced through the use of strong cryptography. However, in the scenario where the patient wears a body network in which lightweight, battery‐operated wireless sensors monitor various health variables of interest, the requirements for strong cryptography must often be balanced against the requirements for energy efficiency. In this paper, we describe two algorithms for key distribution. The first algorithm relies on a central trusted security server (CTSS) to authenticate that participants indeed belong to the patient's group and to generate the session key. In the second algorithm, participants authenticate each other using certificates and are largely independent of the central trusted security server (CTSS); this algorithm uses elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) to reduce energy consumption by cryptographic computations. In both cases, the patient's security processor has a lead role in authenticating group membership and the key generation process. Using the data from commercial devices compliant with the IEEE 802.15.4 low data rate WPAN technology, we show that this approach can be successfully implemented in networks built with low power motes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secure and reliable broadcasting in wireless sensor networks using multi‐parent trees
Authors: Srinivasan Avinash , Wu Jie
Published: August 2008

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been the focal point of research over the last several years. Broadcast communication is a key requirement for WSNs since many tasks in the network depend on broadcasting, including critical tasks like querying. Consequently, securing broadcast communication over sensor networks has become an important research challenge. Typically, broadcast communication involves two steps: broadcasting and acknowledging. In the broadcasting phase, the message is broadcast in the network. In the acknowledging phase, nodes that successfully received the broadcast message send an acknowledgment to the broadcast origination node, which in this paper is always the sink. The terms ‘sink’ and ‘base station (BS)’ are used interchangeably throughout this paper. Intuitively, broadcast communication has two important metrics: reliability and security. Though the reliability metric has drawn sufficient attention in the research community, the security metric has not. In this paper, we address both metrics with an emphasis on the former and address the Denial‐of‐Broadcast Message attacks (DoBM) in sensor networks. We propose a novel multi‐parent tree‐based model called the k‐Parent Flooding Tree Model (k‐FTM). We also present distributed algorithms for the construction of k‐FTM and prove via simulation and analysis that the proposed k‐FTM is robust against DoBM. Our Multi‐Parent tree model enables the BS to detect DoBM very efficiently, even in the presence of a prudent adversary who focuses on remaining undetected by causing damage below the detection threshold. k‐FTM is, to our best knowledge, the first fault‐tolerant tree model that is both reliable and secure. Through simulations we confirm that our model achieves detection rates close to that of a static tree and a broadcast reliability close to that of blind flooding. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cost‐Effectiveness of a District Trauma Hospital in Battambang, Cambodia
Authors: Gosselin Richard A. , Heitto Merja
Published: August 2008

Background

The Emergency Hospital in Battambang, Cambodia, is essentially a surgical center for victims of injuries.

Methods

Using methods previously described, operating costs were calculated, and effectiveness of treatment was estimated for 957 patients undergoing 895 surgical procedures over a 3 month period (October–December 2006).

Results

Results of the cost‐effectiveness analysis are compared to the few existing ones in the literature.

Conclusion

At $77.4 per DALY averted, surgery for trauma in such a context is deemed very cost‐effective and compares favorably to other non‐surgical public health interventions.
Benefits of Liver Transplantation Surgical Techniques in the Management of Extensive Retroperitoneal Tumors
Authors: Facciuto Marcelo E. , Singh Manoj K. , Rocca Juan P. , Rochon Caroline , Rodriguez Davalos Manuel I. , Eshghi Majid , Schwalb David M. , Choudhury Muhammad , Sheiner Patricia A.
Published: August 2008

Background

The potential for massive hemorrhage imposes additional challenge in the management of retroperitoneal tumors. This report details technical considerations for the management of upper retroperitoneal tumors using principles of liver transplantation.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgery for extensive retroperitoneal tumors using techniques for liver transplantation from December 2002 to November 2007 was done.

Results

Twenty‐four patients (14 males and 10 females with a mean age 57 years) underwent major retroperitoneal surgery. Renal cell carcinoma was the most common tumor seen in 17 patients. Mean tumor dimension was 12.4 cm. Abdominal exposure was achieved via bilateral subcostal incision with upper midline extension. Right hepatic lobe mobilization and isolation from the inferior vena cava (IVC) was performed in 23 cases. Fourteen patients had IVC involvement by tumor thrombus, which was infrahepatic in six, retrohepatic in five, and intra‐atrial in three patients. Tumor thrombus was removed by cavotomy in seven cases, resection and plasty in four cases, IVC graft reconstruction in two cases, and one patient required IVC and atrial graft reconstruction. Liver resection was needed in seven patients to achieve R0 resection. The Pringle maneuver was used in three patients; total liver vascular isolation with venovenous bypass was required in two cases, transdiaphragmatic intrapericardial IVC control in one case, and cardiopulmonary bypass in one patient. There was no intraoperative or postoperative mortality and mean length of stay was 13 days.

Conclusion

Liver transplantation surgical principles help achieve exposure and vascular control of major vascular structures that enable safe resection of these extensive retroperitoneal tumors.
Effects of 18‐glycyrrhetinic acid on serine 368 phosphorylation of connexin43 in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes
Authors: Liang Jyun‐Yan , Wang Seu‐Mei , Chung Tun‐Hui , Yang Shih‐Hung , Wu Jiahn‐Chun
Published: August 2008

18β‐Glycyrrhetinic acid (18β‐GA) regulates serine/threonine dephosphorylation of connexin43 (Cx43). Phospho‐specific antibodies were used here to determine the effect of 18β‐GA on serine 368‐phosphorylated Cx43 (pSer368Cx43) in cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes by immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblot analyses. 18β‐GA caused a time‐dependent increase in pSer368Cx43 levels and induced gap junction disassembly, shown by a change in pSer368Cx43 immunostaining from large aggregates to dispersed punctates at cell—cell contact areas. 18β‐GA also induced a time‐dependent increase in the levels of serine 729‐phosphorylated PKCɛ, the active form of PKCɛ. The 18β‐GA‐induced increase in pSer368Cx43 levels and changes in pSer368Cx43 staining pattern were abolished by the PKC inhibitor, chelerythrine. Furthermore, 18β‐GA increased the co‐immunoprecipitation of Cx43 with PKCɛ. However, the 18β‐GA‐induced increase in pSer368Cx43 levels and increased association of Cx43 with PKCɛ were inhibited by co‐treatment with the protein phosphatase type 1 and type 2A inhibitor, calyculin A. We conclude that 18β‐GA induces Ser368 phosphorylation of Cx43 via PKCɛ.
Effects of food energy on cognitive performance: no support from event-related potentials (yet?)
Authors: de Bruin Eveline A. , Gilsenan Mary B.
Published: August 2008

Several reviews of behavioural studies have concluded that some foods may have beneficial effects on cognitive performance. The present review summarises findings from studies using event-related potentials to investigate the food effects on brain activity underlying cognition. Despite initial positive indications from observational studies, subsequent studies with a within-subject design have not consistently confirmed these effects. This could be due to several factors, e.g. the use of attention tests (in contrast to memory tests employed in behavioural studies) and the lack of a control condition in some instances. Future studies could benefit from measuring cognitive performance with more difficult tests that tap into cognitive domains other than attention, using an appropriately controlled cross-over design, and a more systematic variation and complete description and characterisation of the food intervention.
Effects of dietary fibre on behaviour and satiety in pigs
Authors: de Leeuw J. A. , Bolhuis J. E. , Bosch G. , Gerrits W. J. J.
Published: August 2008

During the past decades there has been considerable interest in the use of dietary fibre in both animal and human nutrition. In human subjects dietary fibre has been studied intensively for possible effects on body-weight management and health. In animal nutrition the interest in dietary fibre has increased because it can be used as a cheap source of energy and because of its potential to improve animal welfare and reduce abnormal (mainly stereotypic) behaviour. Animal welfare is impaired if the diet does not provide sufficient satiety, combined with an environment that does not meet specific behavioural requirements related to natural feeding habits (e.g. rooting in pigs). A considerable proportion of the behavioural effects of dietary fibre are thought to be related to reduced feeding motivation. It has been hypothesized that: (1) bulky fibres increase satiety and thereby decrease physical activity and stereotypic behaviours immediately following a meal in pigs; (2) fermentable fibres prolong postprandial satiety and thereby reduce physical activity and appetitive behaviours for many hours after a meal. The validity of these hypotheses is examined by considering published data. In sows dietary fibres (irrespective of source) reduce stereotypic self-directed behaviours and substrate-directed behaviours, and to a lesser extent overall physical activity, indicating enhanced satiety shortly after a meal. Furthermore, fermentable dietary fibre reduces substrate-directed behaviour in sows and physical activity in sows and growing pigs for many hours after a meal. Evidence of long-term effects of poorly-fermentable fibre sources is inconclusive. The findings suggest that highly-fermentable dietary fibres have a higher potential to prolong postprandial satiety.
The epidemiology of depression in metropolitan China
Authors: Lee S. , Tsang A. , Huang Y.-Q. , He Y.-L. , Liu Z. R. , Zhang M.-Y. , Shen Y.-C. , Kessler R. C.
Published: August 2008

Background

Previous surveys on depression in China focused on prevalence estimates without providing a detailed epidemiological profile.

Method

Face-to-face household interviews were conducted with a multi-stage household probability sample of 2633 adults (age ⩾18 years) in Beijing and 2568 in Shanghai between November 2001 and February 2002. The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to assess major depressive episode (MDE) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV criteria.

Results

The lifetime prevalence and 1-year prevalence estimates of DSM-IV/CIDI MDE were 3.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8–4.4%] and 1.8% (95% CI 1.2–2.4%) respectively. No significant gender difference was found in these estimates. Respondents born in 1967 or later were at elevated lifetime risk compared with respondents born in earlier cohorts. The mean age of onset was 30.3 years. Among those reporting 1-year MDE, 15.7, 51.8, 25.3 and 6.4% reported mild, moderate, severe and very severe symptoms respectively; 4.8, 2.6 and 3.2% reported suicidal ideation, plans, and recent attempts in the same year respectively. Respondents with 1-year MDE reported a mean of 27.5 days out of role owing to their depression in the year before interview. Significant co-morbidity was found between MDE and other mental disorders [odds ratio (OR) 22.0] and chronic physical disorders (OR 3.2). Only 22.7% of respondents with 1-year MDE sought treatment.

Conclusions

The low prevalence and insignificant gender difference, but not patterns of onset, course, co-morbidity, and impairment, distinguish the epidemiological profile of MDE in metropolitan China from those in other countries.
Body composition in psychotic disorders: a general population survey
Authors: Saarni S. E. , Saarni S. I. , Fogelholm M. , Heliövaara M. , Perälä J. , Suvisaari J. , Lönnqvist J.
Published: August 2008

Background

The literature suggests an association between obesity and schizophrenia but fat mass and fat-free mass, which have been shown to be more predictive of all-cause mortality than only waist circumference and obesity [body mass index (BMI) ⩾30 kg/m2], have not been reported in psychotic disorders. We examined the detailed body composition of people with different psychotic disorders in a large population-based sample.

Method

We used a nationally representative sample of 8082 adult Finns aged ⩾30 years with measured anthropometrics (height, weight, waist circumference, fat percentage, fat-free mass and segmental muscle mass). Psychiatric diagnoses were based on a consensus procedure utilizing the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID)-interview, case-notes and comprehensive register data.

Results

Schizophrenia (including schizo-affective disorder) was associated with obesity [odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–3.6], abdominal obesity (waist circumference ⩾88 cm for women, ⩾102 cm for men) (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3–3.6) and with higher fat percentage (mean difference 3.8%, 95% CI 2.0–5.7%), adjusted for age and gender, than in the remaining sample. The associations between schizophrenia and low fat-free mass and decreased muscle mass on trunk and upper limbs became statistically significant after adjusting for BMI. After further adjusting for current antipsychotic medication, education, diet and smoking, schizophrenia remained associated with obesity (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.6) and abdominal obesity (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.5–9.4). Participants with affective psychoses did not differ from the general population.

Conclusions

Individuals with schizophrenia have metabolically unfavorable body composition, comprising abdominal obesity, high fat percentage and low muscle mass. This leads to increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
Kinder? Küche? Karriere? – Dringlichkeit des Kinderwunsches, Geschlechtsrollenorientierung und Aufgabenverteilung in kinderlosen Partnerschaften
Authors: Lamprecht Juliane , Wagner Jenny , Lang Frieder R.
Published: August 2008

Zusammenfassung. Zahlreiche Studien belegen eine Traditionalisierung der partnerschaftlichen Aufgabenverteilung nach der Geburt des ersten Kindes. Die vorliegende Studie beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, ob sich bereits im Vorfeld einer möglichen Elternschaft in Abhängigkeit von der Dringlichkeit des Kinderwunsches eines Paares eine Veränderung der Geschlechtsrollenorientierung und partnerschaftlichen Aufgabenverteilung einstellt. Um diese Zusammenhänge zu erschließen, wurden 40 heterosexuelle kinderlose Paare hinsichtlich der Dringlichkeit ihres Kinderwunsches in vier Gruppen differenziert: 1) Motiviert Kinderlos, 2) Befristet Kinderlos, 3) Mittelstarker Kinderwunsch, und 4) Dringlicher Kinderwunsch. Erwartet wurden Unterschiede in kinderwunschbezogenen Kontrollstrategien sowie in der Arbeitsaufteilung im Haushalt in Abhängigkeit von der Dringlichkeit des Kinderwunsches. Die Befunde belegen Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen im Hinblick auf den „Traditionalisierungseffekt” nur auf der Einstellungsebene, jedoch nicht auf der Verhaltensebene. Mit zunehmender Dringlichkeit des Kinderwunsches wird die Geschlechtsrollenorientierung beider Partner traditioneller. Unabhängig von der Dringlichkeit des Kinderwunsches zeigten alle kinderlosen Paare ein egalitäres Muster der Aufgabenverteilung.