bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Silver‐Based Precursor as Ink for Soft Printing Techniques
Authors: Fritsch Julia , Schumm Benjamin , Biedermann Ralf , Grothe Julia , Kaskel Stefan
Published: January 2012

A new, easily obtainable silver–pyrrolidone complex that is suitable for printing applications was synthesized by the reaction of silver nitrate and 2‐pyrrolidone (Pyl) at room temperature. According to single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic studies, the product [Ag(Pyl)2]NO3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15) [a = 5.358(1) Å, b = 15.217(3) Å, c = 14.986(3) Å, β = 99.296(6)°]. Highly concentrated solutions of the complex can be obtained in an ethanol/water mixture, thereby allowing for the manufacture of thin films by means of dip coating. Subsequent UV irradiation and moderate‐temperature treatment yielded compact films of elemental silver with thicknesses of about 100 nm and sheet resistances down to 6.5 Ω. Furthermore, microcontact printing (μcp) and embossing of [Ag(Pyl)2]NO3 were performed, also followed by UV treatment. By means of the photoreduction of the complex and subsequent moderate‐thermal treatment, defined structures of elemental silver lines were obtained.
Temporal variability of suspended sediment sources in an alpine catchment combining river/rainfall monitoring and sediment fingerprinting
Authors: Navratil Oldrich , Evrard Olivier , Esteves Michel , Legout Cédric , Ayrault Sophie , Némery Julien , Mate‐Marin Ainhoa , Ahmadi Mehdi , Lefèvre Irène , Poirel Alain , Bonté Philippe
Published: January 2012

Influence of the rainfall regime on erosion and transfer of suspended sediment in a 905‐km² mountainous catchment of the southern French Alps was investigated by combining sediment monitoring, rainfall data, and sediment fingerprinting (based on geochemistry and radionuclide concentrations). Suspended sediment yields were monitored between October 2007 and December 2009 in four subcatchments (22–713 km²). Automatic sediment sampling was triggered during floods to trace the sediment origin in the catchment.

Sediment exports at the river catchment outlet (330 ± 100 t km‐2 yr‐1) were mainly driven (80%) by widespread rainfall events (long duration, low intensities). In contrast, heavy, local and short duration storms, generated high peak discharges and suspended sediment concentrations in small upstream torrents. However, these upstream floods had generally not the capacity to transfer the sediment down to the catchment outlet and the bulk of this fine sediment deposited along downstream sections of the river. This study also confirmed the important contribution of black marls (up to 70%) to sediment transported in rivers, although this substrate only occupies c. 10% of the total catchment surface. Sediment exports generated by local convective storms varied significantly at both intra‐ and inter‐flood scales, because of spatial heterogeneity of rainfall. However, black marls/marly limestones contribution remained systematically high. In contrast, widespread flood events that generate the bulk of annual sediment supply at the outlet were characterized by a more stable lithologic composition and by a larger contribution of limestones/marls, Quaternary deposits and conglomerates, which corroborates the results of a previous sediment fingerprinting study conducted on riverbed sediment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neural basis of recollection in first‐episode major depression
Authors: van Eijndhoven Philip , van Wingen Guido , Fernández Guillén , Rijpkema Mark , Pop‐Purceleanu Monica , Verkes Robbert Jan , Buitelaar Jan , Tendolkar Indira
Published: January 2012

Background. Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) display impairments in recollection, which have been explained by both hippocampal and prefrontal dysfunction. Here, we used an event‐related fMRI design, to dissociate hippocampal and prefrontal contributions to the neural processes involved in recollection success and recollection attempt early in the course of MDD. Methods. To disentangle state‐ and trait‐effects of depression, we included 20 medication‐naive patients with a first depressive episode, 20 medication‐free patients recovered from a first episode, and 20 matched, healthy controls in an event‐related fMRI study using a source recollection paradigm. Results. Group comparisons revealed that during the acute state of depression there is an increase in left prefrontal activity related to recollection attempt, while there were no differences in neural correlates of successful recollection. Conclusions. Our results indicate that in the early course of depression, depressive state is associated with increased left prefrontal activation during the attempt to recollect source information suggesting an increased need for executive control during recollection in MDD. In this sample of first‐episode MDD patients we found no evidence for hippocampal dysfunction. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The pace of prosodic phrasing couples the listener's cortex to the reader's voice
Authors: Bourguignon Mathieu , De Tiège Xavier , de Beeck Marc Op , Ligot Noémie , Paquier Philippe , Van Bogaert Patrick , Goldman Serge , Hari Riitta , Jousmäki Veikko
Published: January 2012

We studied online coupling between a reader's voice and a listener's cortical activity using a novel, ecologically valid continuous listening paradigm. Whole‐scalp magnetoencephalographic (MEG) signals were recorded from 10 right‐handed, native French‐speaking listeners in four conditions: a female (Exp1f) and a male (Exp1m) reading the same text in French; a male reading a text in Finnish (Exp 2), a language incomprehensible for the subjects, and a male humming Exp1 text (Exp 3). The fundamental frequency (f0) of the reader's voice was recorded with an accelerometer attached to the throat, and coherence was computed between f0 time‐course and listener's MEG. Similar levels of right‐hemisphere‐predominant coherence were found at ˜0.5 Hz in Exps 1–3. Dynamic imaging of coherent sources revealed that the most coherent brain regions were located in the right posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) and posterior superior temporal gyrus (pSTG) in Exps 1–2 and in the right supratemporal auditory cortex in Exp 3. Comparison between speech rhythm and phrasing suggested a connection of the observed coherence to pauses at the sentence level both in the spoken and hummed text. These results demonstrate significant coupling at ∼0.5 Hz between reader's voice and listener's cortical signals during listening to natural continuous voice. The observed coupling suggests that voice envelope fluctuations, due to prosodic rhythmicity at the phrasal and sentence levels, are reflected in the listener's cortex as rhythmicity of about 2‐s cycles. The predominance of the coherence in the right pSTS and pSTG suggests hemispherical asymmetry in processing of speech sounds at subsentence time scales. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Frontotemporoparietal asymmetry and lack of illness awareness in schizophrenia
Authors: Gerretsen Philip , Chakravarty M. Mallar , Mamo David , Menon Mahesh , Pollock Bruce G. , Rajji Tarek K. , Graff‐Guerrero Ariel
Published: January 2012

Introduction: Lack of illness awareness or anosognosia occurs in both schizophrenia and right hemisphere lesions due to stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. In the latter conditions, anosognosia is thought to arise from unilateral hemispheric dysfunction or interhemispheric disequilibrium, which provides an anatomical model for exploring illness unawareness in other neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. Methods: Both voxel‐based morphometry using Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration through Exponentiated Lie Algebra (DARTEL) and a deformation‐based morphology analysis of hemispheric asymmetry were performed on 52 treated schizophrenia subjects, exploring the relationship between illness awareness and gray matter volume. Analyses included age, gender, and total intracranial volume as covariates. Results: Hemispheric asymmetry analyses revealed illness unawareness was significantly associated with right < left hemisphere volumes in the anteroinferior temporal lobe (t = 4.83, P = 0.051) using DARTEL, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (t = 5.80, P = 0.003) and parietal lobe (t = 4.3, P = 0.050) using the deformation‐based approach. Trend level associations were identified in the right medial prefrontal cortex (t = 4.49, P = 0.127) using DARTEL. Lack of illness awareness was also strongly associated with reduced total white matter volume (r = 0.401, P < 0.01) and illness severity (r = 0.559, P < 0.01). Conclusion: These results suggest a relationship between anosognosia and hemispheric asymmetry in schizophrenia, supporting previous volume‐based MRI studies in schizophrenia that found a relationship between illness unawareness and reduced right hemisphere gray matter volume. Functional imaging studies are required to examine the neural mechanisms contributing to these structural observations. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EXAMINING THE LINK BETWEEN CASH FLOW, MARKET VALUE, AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT SPENDING IN THE MEDICAL DEVICE INDUSTRY
Authors: Schmutz Bryan P. , Santerre Rexford E.
Published: January 2012

Unlike the pharmaceutical industry, no empirical research has focused on the factors influencing research and development (R&D) spending in the medical device industry. To fill that gap, this study examines how R&D spending is influenced by prior year cash flow and corporate market value using multiple regression analysis and a panel data set of medical device companies over the period 1962–2008. The empirical findings suggest that the elasticities of R&D spending with respect to cash flow and corporate market value equal 0.58 and 0.31, respectively. Moreover, based upon these estimates, simulations show that the recently enacted excise tax on medical devices, taken alone, will reduce R&D spending by approximately $4 billion and thereby lead to a minimum loss of $20 billion worth of human life years over the first 10 years of its enactment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topographic description of an alternative insertion technique for percutaneous approach of cricopharyngeus muscle electromyography: A cadaveric and clinical study
Authors: Akkin Salih Murat , Alkan Zeynep , Yigit Ozgür , Adatepe Turgut , Demirci Mehmet Selman , Koebke Juergen , Uzun Nurten
Published: January 2012

Background

Cricopharyngeus is the only muscle for which electromyography is used in the differential diagnosis of swallowing disorders. Because of some practical difficulties, electrophysiologic tests for this muscle are not performed routinely. Thus we aimed to describe an alternative topographic way to reach the muscle easily.

Methods

On 10 cadavers, a spinal needle (20 G) and on 37 patients a concentric needle electrode (26 G) were used. The needle was inserted percutaneous at the level of the superior border of the cricoid cartilage, anterior to the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at 60 degrees angle to the frontal plane in the posteromedial direction.

Results

We reached the muscle in all cadavers. In all of the patients, the needle entered the muscle on the first attempt; that was confirmed by electromyographic responses.

Conclusion

Our results show that this method can be useful for the practical application of cricopharyngeus muscle electromyography. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Heat transfer enhancement for laminar flow of ethylene glycol through a square duct fitted with increasing and decreasing orders of twisted tape
Authors: Patil S.V. , Vijay Babu P.V.
Published: January 2012

The isothermal friction factor and heat transfer enhancement through a square duct fitted with increasing and decreasing order of twist ratio sets have been studied under nearly uniform wall temperature conditions. The ethylene glycol flows under laminar flow (Re = 30–1200) through a square duct and hot water flows through an annular channel formed between a square duct and circular tube, in a counter current fashion. The hot water at a very high flow rate is circulated though the annular channel to ensure a nearly uniform wall temperature condition. There is not much change in the magnitude of the heat transfer coefficient enhancement with the increasing twist ratio and with the decreasing twist ratio set, as the intensity of the swirl generated at the inlet or at the outlet in the order of increasing twist ratio or decreasing twist ratio, is the same in both the cases. Performance evaluation analysis on constant pumping power was made and a maximum performance ratio was obtained for each twist insert corresponding to a Reynolds number of 680. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.20410
The optimization of thermal performance of an air cooler equipped with butterfly inserts by the use of imperialist competitive algorithm
Authors: Rezaei Ehsan , Karami Alimohammad , Shahhosseni Mohsen , Aghakhani Masood
Published: January 2012

The aim of this paper is to apply a novel optimization algorithm based on the imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) to optimize the thermal performance of an air‐cooled heat exchanger equipped with butterfly inserts. Experiments included inserts inclined at angles ranging from 45 to 135°. Also, the Reynolds number varied from 4021 to 16118. After data reduction, the regression equation of thermal performance was obtained as a function of the Reynolds number and the inclined angle. Then the cost function was optimized by the use of ICA. One can be sure that the thermal performance will be optimized due to the optimization of the cost function. Computational results indicate that the proposed optimization‐algorithm is quite effective and powerful in optimizing the cost function. According to the results, in order to obtain maximum performance, the inclined angle must be about 95°. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.20412
TECHNO‐ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF INTEGRATING CANAL WATER HARVESTING AND DRIP IRRIGATION FOR POMEGRANATE PRODUCTION IN A DRY ECO‐REGION
Authors: Kumar Satyendra , Singh Rajbir , Asrey Ram , Nangare D. D.
Published: January 2012

Water management plays an important role in sustainable and quality production of pomegranate. The present study envisaged the scope for water resource development and its utilization through a drip system in a canal irrigated dry eco‐region where water is a limited resource. Canal water harvested in a secondary reservoir and re‐used by a drip system in a pomegranate orchard to enhance quality and productivity. Results showed better soil moisture availability under a drip irrigation regime compared to existing surface irrigation practices. Drip irrigation saved 32% water and resulted in a 10.9% reduction in fruit cracking, resulting in a higher marketable yield and water productivity compared to surface irrigation. Drip irrigated trees produced larger size arils and resulted in higher juice recovery compared to surface irrigated fruit. Better quality and productivity resulted in higher economic benefits under the drip system. Net present value of additional income was INR 139,000 for the drip system. Results showed the potential of integrating a drip system and canal water harvested for enhancing quality and productivity of pomegranate growth in a dry eco‐region. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ROCK1 induces ERK nuclear translocation in PDGF‐BB‐stimulated migration of rat vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Zhao Ying , Lv Miao , Lin HaiShuang , Hong Yan , Yang FuChun , Sun YunLiang , Guo Yan , Cui Ying , Li Sheng , Gao Ying
Published: January 2012

It has been known that Rho‐associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling regulates the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the isoform‐specific roles of ROCK and its underlying mechanism in VSMC migration are not well understood. The current study thus aimed to investigate the roles of ROCK1/2 and their relationship to the MAPK signaling pathway in platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐induced rat aorta VSMC migration by manipulating ROCK gene expression. The results revealed that ROCK1 small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) rather than ROCK2 siRNA decreased PDGF‐BB‐generated VSMC migration, and upregulation of ROCK1 expression via transfection of constructed pEGFP‐C1/ROCK1 plasmid further increased the migration of PDGF‐BB‐treated VSMCs. In PDGF‐treated VSMCs, ROCK1 siRNA did not affect the phosphorylation levels of ERK and p38 in the cytoplasm, but decreased the level of ERK phosphorylation in the nucleus. These findings demonstrate that activated ROCK1 can promote VSMC migration through facilitating phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of ERK protein. © 2011 IUBMB Life,, 2011.
Strong YB‐1 expression is associated with liver metastasis progression and predicts shorter disease‐free survival in advanced gastric cancer
Authors: Wu Ying , Yamada Sohsuke , Izumi Hiroto , Li Zhi , Shimajiri Shohei , Wang Ke‐yong , Liu Yun‐peng , Kohno Kimitoshi , Sasaguri Yasuyuki
Published: January 2012

Background

The most significant cause of gastric cancer (GC) death is metastasis, although the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Y‐box binding protein‐1 (YB‐1) is associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis in various cancers. In this study we investigated the relationship between YB‐1 expression and the clinicopathologic features and metastasis‐associated epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in advanced GC patients.

Patients and Methods

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to analyze YB‐1, E‐cadherin, and vimentin expression in 98 advanced GC cases.

Results

Twenty‐nine (29.6%) cases of GC exhibited strong YB‐1 immunoreactivity. Strong YB‐1 staining occurred more often in patients with intestinal or non‐scirrhous cancer, and demonstrated a significant correlation with vascular invasion (VI), liver metastasis, and shorter disease‐free survival (DFS). However, we observed no relationship between YB‐1 expression and EMT phenotype or overall survival. Logistic regression analysis revealed that strong staining for YB‐1 was the only predictive factor for liver metastasis.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that YB‐1 plays a role in the process of GC metastasis, and that the immunohistochemical detection of this protein potentially delivers valuable insight regarding the prediction of liver metastasis and shorter DFS in patients undergoing curative resection for advanced GC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:724–730. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Faster and reliable joining of solar cells
Authors: Hendel Richard , Lehner Benjamin , Rüttimann Christoph
Published: January 2012

Interconnection of crystalline solar cells to modules is a critical step in photovoltaic module production. The typical tabbing and stringing process requires complex handling of delicate solar cells as well as a reliable but gentle joining process. Things become even more complicated as there is a trend to cell thicknesses way below 200 μm together with steadily rising production rates.
Novel concept for laser patterning of thin film solar cells
Authors: Stegemann Bert , Fink Frank , Endert Heinrich , Schüle Manuel , Schultz Christof , Quaschning Volker , Niederhofer Jürgen , Pahl Hans‐Ulrich
Published: January 2012

Lasers are increasingly being used as an efficient and reliable tool in the production of solar cells and solar modules. Particular interest exists in thin‐film photovoltaics, where laser structuring is aimed to realize appropriate monolithic serial interconnection. A novel concept successfully demonstrated complete laser structuring by application of short nanosecond laser pulses with a single, visible wavelength. These results promise further simplification and flexibility to thin film solar cell production.
Components and tools for polarization‐maintaining fiber optics
Authors: Krischke Anja , Oechsner Ulrich , Knothe Christian , Lamott André
Published: January 2012

Fiber cables open up new vistas for the design of modular devices and compact setups for industrial and scientific applications. Special fibers, such as polarization‐maintaining singlemode fibers, are predestined for use in complex, self‐contained setups, increasing laser safety by reducing the laser safety classification. Most importantly, a sensitive and delicate measurement system can still enjoy the benefits of a laser beam, with the desirable features of polarization state and coherence, but be physically separated from the laser source. The measurement setup and the laser source are decoupled mechanically and thermally in order to avoid any mutual negative impacts.
Predicting laser beam characteristics
Authors: Nelson Chad , Crist Jordan
Published: January 2012

The laser mode quality factor (M2) provides a highly useful means of predicting laser beam propagation and focusing characteristics for both laser manufacturers and systems integrators. The Coherent ModeMaster PC enables rapid, accurate measurement of M2 for a wide range of CW and quasi­CW lasers with output from the ultraviolet to near infrared spectral range.
Focusing and optical imaging in applied laser technologies
Authors: Neumann Volker
Published: January 2012

In the field of laser material processing the knowledge of the intensity distribution in the processed volume is of considerable importance. Both, manageable algorithms as well as some information about parameters that influence the beam profile, including limiting factors, are relevant for the practical application. This article compares the approach of focusing laser beams with the method using an imaging optical system. Different algorithms are described and practical consequences are discussed.
Well‐defined N‐Isopropylacrylamide Dual‐Sensitive Copolymers with LCST ≈38 °C in Different Architectures: Linear, Block and Star Polymers
Authors: Picos‐Corrales Lorenzo A. , Licea‐Claverie Angel , Cornejo‐Bravo Jose M. , Schwarz Simona , Arndt Karl‐Friedrich
Published: January 2012

Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is used to prepare temperature‐ and pH‐sensitive statistical copolymers with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) close to 38 °C at pH 7.4 based on N‐isopropylacrylamide and methacrylic acid derivative comonomers with a pKa close to 6. Statistical copolymers are re‐activated to prepare amphiphilic block copolymers and star polymers with cross‐linked core. The LCST is maintained by varying the architecture; however, the LCST originated behaviour changes due to self‐aggregation. Statistical copolymers and short block copolymers show complex aggregation, whereas mid‐size block copolymers and star polymers show shrinkage of aggregate dimensions. The pH of the medium has a profound impact on the self‐assembling behaviour of the different polymer architectures.
Photo‐Switchable Behavior of Azobenzene‐Dye‐Modified Silica Nanoparticles and Their Assembly With Cyclodextrin Derivatives
Authors: Isenbügel Kathrin , Gehrke Yvonne , Ritter Helmut
Published: January 2012

The photochemically directed self‐assembly of azobenzene‐ and CD‐modified silica particles is presented. Azobenzene‐functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles are synthesized from carbodiimide‐mediated condensation of the amine‐modified nanoparticles with (phenylazo)benzoic acid. The complementary host particles are synthesized by reacting amino‐SiO2 with monotosyl‐CD. DLS shows the UV‐triggered agglomeration and disaggregation of the particles due to (E)‐to‐(Z) isomerization of the azo group. The photoisomerization process is monitored using UV‐Vis spectrometry. This technique of directed self‐assembly of anisotropic particles is an attractive option to form useful 3D superstructures by tunable agglomeration.
Durch die Wand — Tunnelkontrolle chemischer Reaktionen
Authors: Ley David , Gerbig Dennis , Schreiner Peter R.
Published: January 2012

Durch den Tunneleffekt können quantenmechanische Teilchen energetische Barrieren durchdringen. Dieser Umstand hat Folgen für unser klassisch geprägtes Verständnis von Chemoselektivität, da sich chemische Systeme nicht immer durch Energiebarrieren eingrenzen lassen.
Katalyse für die chemische Wasserstoffspeicherung
Authors: Boddien Albert , Junge Henrik , Beller Matthias
Published: January 2012

Unter den kohlenstoffbasierten Materialien bietet das Ameisensäure‐Bicarbonat‐System ein großes Potenzial zur Wasserstoffspeicherung. Moderne Homogenkatalysatorsysteme können hier selbst bei milden Temperaturen und Drücken sowohl die H2‐Speicherung als auch die H2‐Freisetzung katalysieren.
Cholesterin aus dem Essigsäure‐Zyklus
Authors: Schneider Richard E.
Published: January 2012

Feodor Lynen entdeckte die Bedeutung des Cholesterins für die Medizin. Der Nobelpreisträger gilt als einer der bedeutendsten Chemiker, der molekulare Prozesse im menschlichen Körper erforschte. In diesem Jahr jährt sich der Geburtstag des ehemaligen GDCh‐Präsidenten zum 100. Mal.
Drei Optionen für die Ersatzteilmedizin
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: January 2012

Noch vor wenigen Jahren waren embryonale Stammzellen die einzige Hoffnung der regenerativen Medizin. Inzwischen gibt es Alternativen, da Forscher ausdifferenzierte Zellen in einen stammzell ähnlichen Zustand zurückbefördern oder direkt in eine andere Art von Zellen umwandeln können.
Gebremste Transaktionsdynamik
Authors: Schneider Bernd
Published: January 2012

Weniger Übernahmen und Fusionen von geringerem Volumen kennzeichnen das dritte Quartal ebenso wie ausgesetzte Börsengänge. Insgesamt wird der Transaktionsmarkt aber wohl wieder aktiver werden.
Einfache Probenvorbereitung, automatische Analyse
Authors: Grobosch Thomas , Mut Ludmilla , Binscheck Torsten
Published: January 2012

Eine neue Methode auf Basis von LC mit Diodenarraydetektion identifiziert und quantifiziert im toxikologischen Labor automatisch Fremdstoffe in Blut‐ oder Urinproben.
Biomimetische Oxide für die Wasseroxidation
Authors: Kurz Philipp , Wiechen Mathias
Published: January 2012

Das photosynthetische Reaktionszentrum, in dem Wasser oxidiert wird, lässt sich durch synthetische Manganoxide modellieren.
Aus dem Boden in die Luft
Authors: Trebs Ivonne , Oswald Robert , Behrendt Thomas , Meixner Franz X.
Published: January 2012

Nitrithaltiger Boden ist eine wesentliche Quelle für salpetrige Säure und Hydroxylradikale in der Atmosphäre. Nitrithaltige Böden könnten somit das Klima stärker beeinflussen als bisher vermutet.
Gewinnen mit Chemie als Schwerpunkt
Authors: Tausch Michael W.
Published: January 2012

Bei einem internationalen Schülerwettbewerb in Chemie können sich die Ergebnisse der Schüler aus Deutschland sehen lassen. Eine Besonderheit: Alle Teilnehmer besuchen Schulen mit starkem naturwissenschaftlichen Engagement.
Electronic properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells on stainless steel foils without diffusion barrier
Authors: Pianezzi F. , Chirilă A. , Blösch P. , Seyrling S. , Buecheler S. , Kranz L. , Fella C. , Tiwari A. N.
Published: January 2012

Compared with rigid glass, manufacturing of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells on flexible stainless steel (SS) substrates has potential to reduce production cost because of the application of roll‐to‐roll processing. Up to now, high‐efficiency cells on SS could only be achieved when the substrate is coated with a barrier layer (e.g. SiOx or Si3N4) for hindering the diffusion of impurities, especially Fe, into the CIGS layer. In this paper, the effect of these impurities on the electronic transport properties of the device is investigated. Using admittance spectroscopy, the presence of a deep defect level at around 320 meV is observed, which deteriorates the efficiency of the solar cells. Furthermore, it is shown that reducing substrate temperature during CIGS deposition is an effective alternative to a barrier layer for reducing diffusion of detrimental Fe impurities into the absorber layer. By applying a CIGS growth process for deposition at low substrate temperatures, an efficiency of 17.7%, certified by Fraunhofer Institute ISE, Freiburg, was achieved on Mo/Ti‐coated SS substrate without an additional metal‐oxide or metal‐nitride impurity diffusion barrier layer. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New hybrid membranes based on phosphonic acid functionalized silica particles for PEMFC
Authors: Labalme Etienne , David Ghislain , Buvat Pierrick , Bigarre Jannick , Boucheteau Thomas
Published: January 2012

This work concerns the development of hybrid organic/inorganic membranes from styrenic phosphonic polymers. The phosphonic charge, composed phosphonic polymers grafted onto silica nanoparticles, was obtained by “grafting onto” method. It consists of synthesizing first the polymer, and then the terminal functions of the latter react with silanol groups of silica. The phosphonated polymer was isolated in two steps, that is, an ATRP polymerization of 4‐chloromethylstyrene followed by Mickaelïs‐Arbusov reaction. After the grafting onto silica, membranes are prepared through formulation containing the charge and the polymer matrix PVDF‐HFP, which are dispersed in DMF. The acid form is obtained by hydrolysis in chlorydric acid. The membrane possessing a 40 wt % charge ratio (IEC = 1.08 meq g−1) was selected as reference. A proton conductivity of 65 mS cm−1 at 80 °C was measured in immersed conditions. When the membrane is no more immersed, the value decreases drastically (0.21 mS cm−1 at 120 °C and 25% RH). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Predictive factors for psychological distress related to diagnosis of breast cancer
Authors: Iwatani Tsuguo , Matsuda Ayako , Kawabata Hidetaka , Miura Daishu , Matsushima Eisuke
Published: January 2012

Objective

The aims of the present study were as follows: (i) to clarify the proportion of women who experience psychological distress during breast cancer diagnosis and (ii) to identify the predictors of psychological distress related to the diagnostic process.

Methods

This was a longitudinal prospective study of women who required further breast examination. Questionnaires were administered at pre‐medical consultations (Time 1), after describing radiological examination (Time 2), and after explaining pathological findings (Time 3). All participants completed Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Breast, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Spiritual subscale at Time 1 to identify predictors. Participants also completed HADS at Times 2 and 3 to identify the presence or absence of psychological distress.

Results

Of the 222 eligible patients, at Time 2, 31 (22.6%) participants with no clinical abnormalities and 39 (45.9%) participants with abnormal findings had HADS scores of ≥11 points (χ2 test, 13.14; p < 0.001). At Time 3, 14 (28.0%) participants with benign breast changes and 24 (68.6%) participants with breast cancer had scores of ≥11 (χ2 test, 13.71; p < 0.001). Higher HADS scores at Time 1 were associated with the presence of psychological distress at all stages of breast cancer diagnosis. Advanced tumor stage was a predictor of psychological distress for participants with breast cancer (odds ratios = 3.314, 95% confidence interval = 1.033–9.509; p = 0.044).

Conclusion

These results suggest that intensive psychological intervention is necessary for breast cancer patients with large tumors, as well as for women with suspected breast cancer with high HADS scores at pre‐consultation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrical transport properties in a single‐walled carbon nanotube network
Authors: Snoussi Karim , Vakhshouri Amin , Okimoto Haruya , Takenobu Taishi , Iwasa Yoshihiro , Maruyama Shigeo , Hashimoto Katsushi , Hirayama Yoshiro
Published: January 2012

We measured and analysed the electronic transport properties of a single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) network on which the nanotubes were deposited by an ink‐jet method. The SWCNT network showed an Ohmic behaviour down to a temperature T of 0.5 K. Moreover, the resistance of the SWCNT network exhibited a temperature dependence which indicated a Mott variable‐range hopping transport mechanism. A localisation length was extracted and estimated to be between 3.6 and 11 nm; this indicated that the SWCNT sample constituted a 3D network. The magnetoresistance reached a minimum for a certain value of the magnetic field Bmin. With decreasing the temperature, Bmin tended linearly to 0 T. This observation was interpreted as the suppression of a quantum interference process between electronic hopping paths through neighbouring defects of the SWCNT network. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Substrate removal of dual‐colour InAs/GaSb superlattice focal plane arrays
Authors: Rehm Robert , Walther Martin , Schmitz Johannes , Wauro Matthias , Luppold Wolfgang , Niemasz Jasmin , Rutz Frank , Wörl Andreas , Masur Jan‐Michael , Kirste Lutz , Scheibner Ralf , Wendler Joachim , Ziegler Johann
Published: January 2012

A removal, as far as possible, of the GaSb substrate is needed to optimize the quantum efficiency and the longevity, i.e., the maximum number of cool down cycles, of dual‐colour InAs/GaSb superlattice focal plane array detectors for the mid‐wavelength infrared atmospheric transmission window at 3‐5 µm. For this purpose, three different vertical detector structures have been investigated and are compared in the present paper. A basic structure, comprising only the essential layers is evaluated against two more advanced structures, which include a lattice‐matched InAsSb etch stop layer. For the basic structure the remaining substrate thickness amounts to roughly 20 µm. With a second structure, which employs an etch stop separated from the active diode structure by a sufficiently thick GaSb spacer layer, the substrate and the etch stop layer can be completely removed by combining mechanical lapping and polishing as well as different wet chemical etchants. Here, only epitaxially grown layers remain, but the spacer is still common to all pixels. A third structure combined with further optimized front‐ and backside processes is suited for the complete mechanical separation of dual‐colour detector pixels in the focal plane array arrangement (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Control of cytoplasmic translation in plants
Authors: Muench Douglas G. , Zhang Chi , Dahodwala Murtaza
Published: January 2012

Translational control provides cells with a mechanism to rapidly control gene expression in a reversible manner in response to environmental and developmental cues. It involves the dynamic, coordinated activity of numerous factors that direct the synthesis of proteins with precision in space and time. Translational control is primarily regulated at the level of initiation, and as such, mechanisms that regulate translation most often target the initiation machinery. Translation in plants is fundamentally similar to that of other eukaryotes. However, there are significant differences in translation factor isoforms and their associated proteins, and the types of regulation that can act upon these factors. Regulation of translation in plants can involve protein phosphorylation, variable associations of initiation factor isoforms, RNA sequence element interactions, and small RNAs. The assembly of large mRNA‐ribonucleoprotein complexes, called processing bodies and stress granules, also influences the translatability of an mRNA. mRNA–cytoskeleton interactions, as well as subcellular and intercellular transport of mRNAs, also appear to regulate translation in plants. Often working together, these control mechanisms finely tune translational expression within the cell. WIREs RNA 2012, 3:178–194. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1104

This article is categorized under:

Translation > Translation Mechanisms

Translation > Translation Regulation

RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization
New Workhorse Flaps in Hand Reconstruction
Authors: Friedrich Jeffrey B. , Pederson William C. , Bishop Allen T. , Galaviz Paula , Chang James
Published: January 2012

With the passage of time, certain hand surgery procedures are anecdotally dubbed “workhorse” techniques. These are procedures that are extremely reliable and have repeatedly demonstrated good results. However, with time, paradigms undergo shifts, and this is as true for hand surgery as any other field. In this article, we will describe the use of three new “workhorse” flaps that we have found to have reliable results in complex hand reconstruction: the pedicled radial forearm fascia flap for dorsal hand reconstruction, the free anterolateral thigh flap for mangled hand reconstruction, and the medial femoral condyle vascularized bone graft for scaphoid fracture nonunion reconstruction.
Structural and biochemical insight into glycogenin inactivation by the glycogenosis‐causing T82M mutation
Authors: Carrizo María E. , Romero Jorge M. , Issoglio Federico M. , Curtino Juan A.
Published: January 2012

The X‐ray structure of rabbit glycogenin containing the T82M (T83M according to previous authors amino acid numbering [1]) mutation causing glycogenosis showed the loss of Thr82 hydrogen bond to Asp162, the residue involved in the activation step of the glucose transfer reaction mechanism. Autoglucosylation, maltoside transglucosylation and UDP‐glucose hydrolyzing activities were abolished even though affinity and interactions with UDP‐glucose and positioning of Tyr194 acceptor were conserved. Substitution of Thr82 for serine but not for valine restored the maximum extent of autoglucosylation as well as transglucosylation and UDP‐glucose hydrolysis rate. Results provided evidence sustaining the essential role of the lost single hydrogen bond for UDP‐glucose activation leading to glycogenin‐bound glycogen primer synthesis.
Reading Sin in the World
Authors: Dykes Anthony
Published: January 2012

Prudentius is one of the major Latin poets of antiquity. A Christian living and writing in Spain in the late fourth and early fifth centuries, he was thoroughly imbued with the whole tradition of Latin poetry. The Hamartigenia is a didactic poem exploring the origins of evil and how it operates in the world. It is full of echoes and reworkings of earlier poems by Lucretius, Virgil and others, but is also a serious contribution to this important theological issue which was much discussed in Church circles of the day. This is a major new study of the Hamartigenia in the context of Prudentius' work as a whole and is striking for being as seriously interested in its theological as in its literary contribution.
Dietary supplementation withn-3 PUFA does not promote weight loss when combined with a very-low-energy diet
Authors: Munro Irene A. , Garg Manohar L.
Published: January 2012

Obesity is associated with elevated levels of inflammation and metabolic abnormalities which are linked to CVD. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether long-chainn-3 PUFA (LCn-3PUFA), combined with a very-low-energy diet (VLED), facilitated weight loss and weight maintenance, and improvements in blood lipids and inflammatory mediators. This was a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial with two parallel groups. For 14 weeks, one group consumed 6 × 1 g capsules/d of monounsaturated oil (placebo group, PB), and the other group consumed 6 × 1 g capsules/d of LCn-3PUFA (fish oil group, FO), each comprising 70 mg EPA and 270 mg DHA. Both groups were on VLED for 4 weeks (n14 PB,n18 FO), which was then followed by 10 weeks of weight maintenance (n12 PB,n17 FO). Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements and 3 d food diaries were collected at baseline, at 4 and 14 weeks. A greater-than-2-fold increase occurred in plasma levels of EPA and DHA in the FO group (P < 0·001). At 4 weeks, the mean weight loss was − 6·54 (sd2·08) kg ( − 6·9 %) for PB and − 6·87 (sd1·83) kg ( − 7·7 %) for FO. At week 14, after the maintenance phase, there was a further mean decrease in weight, − 1·57 (sd3·7) kg (1·85 %) for PB and − 1·69 (sd2·32) kg ( − 1·9 %) for FO. Both groups experienced improved metabolic profiles and there was a significant reduction in fat mass for the FO group at week 14 but not for PB. However, it would appear that supplementation with LCn-3PUFA had no significant effect on weight loss or weight maintenance over the 14 weeks.
Mammary gene expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentration of the mammalian lignan enterolactone in milk and plasma of dairy cows fed flax lignans and infused with flax oil in the abomasum
Authors: Côrtes Cristiano , Palin Marie-France , Gagnon Nathalie , Benchaar Chaouki , Lacasse Pierre , Petit Hélène V.
Published: January 2012

The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of flax hulls and/or flax oil on the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)) in plasma and the mammary gland and the relative mRNA abundance of antioxidant genes in the mammary gland of dairy cows. A total of eight dairy cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. There were four treatments: control with no flax hulls (CONT), 9·88 % flax hulls in the DM (HULL), control with 500 g flax oil/d infused in the abomasum (COFO), 9·88 % flax hulls in the DM and 500 g flax oil/d infused in the abomasum (HUFO). Plasma GPX activity tended to decrease with flax oil supplementation. Cows fed HULL had higher levels of CAT, GPX1 and SOD1 mRNA in the mammary gland and lower mRNA abundance of GPX3, SOD2 and SOD3 compared with those fed CONT. Abundance of CAT, GPX1, GPX3, SOD2 and SOD3 mRNA was down-regulated in the mammary gland of cows fed HUFO compared to those fed CONT. The mRNA abundance of CAT, GPX1, GPX3 and SOD3 was lower in the mammary gland of cows fed COFO than in the mammary gland of cows fed CONT. The present study demonstrates that flax hulls contribute to increasing the abundance of some antioxidant genes, which can contribute to protecting against oxidative stress damage occurring in the mammary gland and other tissues of dairy cows.
The influence of active and passive smoking during pregnancy on umbilical cord blood levels of vitamins A and E and neonatal anthropometric indices
Authors: Titova Olga E. , Ayvazova Elena A. , Bichkaeva Fatima A. , Brooks Samantha J. , Chumakova Galina N. , Schiöth Helgi B. , Benedict Christian
Published: January 2012

Smoking during pregnancy has been shown to be detrimental for the developing fetus. The effects of active and passive maternal smoking on umbilical cord serum levels of vitamin A and vitamin E were examined. Secondary measures included anthropometric parameters in the newborn. Maternal and umbilical cord serum levels of vitamins A and E were measured at delivery. The mothers were assigned to three groups: non-smoking (n 12); passive smoking (n 13); active smoking (n 18). Based on multivariate linear regressions, active smoking during pregnancy was associated with increased umbilical cord serum levels of vitamin A and vitamin E. While enhanced circulating levels of vitamin A in cord blood were also found in non-smoking mothers exposed to tobacco smoke during pregnancy, those of vitamin E were not influenced. Further, an inverse association between smoking behaviour during pregnancy and birth length was observed, with shortest length in active smokers followed by passive smoking mothers. Active and passive maternal smoking behaviour during pregnancy increases the fetal demand for antioxidant compounds in order to counteract the oxidative burden by cigarette smoke. Against this background, the observed increase in umbilical cord serum levels of vitamins A and E may subserve antioxidative processes in response to tobacco smoke-induced oxidative stress. This would reduce the availability of vitamins A and E for fetal maturation, which is critical inasmuch as both compounds are indispensable for the developing fetus. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of our observation, this line of reasoning definitely requires validation in cause–effect experiments in the future.
The legend of King Prajadhipok: Tall tales and stubborn facts on the seventh reign in Siam
Authors: Ferrara Federico
Published: January 2012

The figure of King Prajadhipok (r. 1925–35), Siam's last absolute monarch, remains of great significance to Thailand's contemporary political discourse. King Prajadhipok's historical role as the ‘founding father’ of Thai democracy, in particular, lies at the heart of the Chakri dynasty's claim to democratic legitimacy — a claim that is now widely questioned, both at home and abroad. This article re-examines King Prajadhipok's conduct in the early days of constitutional government in Siam. While the King's status as the father of Thai democracy is exposed as a myth, his actual historical legacy is shown to have been no less profound.
Passing over in silences: Ideology, ideals and ideas in Thai translation
Authors: Tan Michelle
Published: January 2012

This article explores English–Thai translations of ‘political ideology’. It traces the evolution of the Thai termudomkānand discusses how the complexity of the foreign discourse was reflected in its Thai counterpart. There was a conflation of ‘idea’ and ‘ideal’.Udomkānis a uniquely Thai word, translations of which have never been stable. The contemporary political conflict is analysed through an attempt to catalogue the points on which opposing sides pivot. While this tangled ‘pre–post–ideological’ predicament is not unique to Thailand, it exemplifies the ways in which cross-country comparisons might be wary of coding political factions along universal standards of coherence, contrast or temporal stability.
Questions of ordination legitimacy for newly ordained Theravādabhikkhunīin Thailand
Authors: Ito Tomomi
Published: January 2012

In Thailand the widespread assumption thatbhikkhunīordination has already been disrupted and that as a result Theravāda Buddhist women can no longer be ordained has been challenged by a group of women who have received the full monastic precepts from foreignsaṅghaand practise Theravāda Buddhism in yellow monastic robes. Public concerns have centred on whether suchbhikkhunīordinations are possible, and how women could becomebhikkhunīin a ‘correct’ way. Both supporters and opponents are often vocal in discussing ordination ceremony procedures, based on their interpretation of thevinaya, the monastic disciplines. This paper argues that it is not a matter of ‘right’ procedure, but rather of the authority of the religious institution or tradition that validates one's ordination. Even if a woman is ordained as abhikkhunīby the ‘right’ procedure, her status remains unstable unless the religious authority of her country sanctions her ordination. In other words, it is only a political decision made by a religious institution — in the case of Thailand, the NationalSaṅgha— that can reinstate ‘legitimate’bhikkhunīordination.
The destruction and assimilation of Campā (1832–35) as seen from Cam sources
Authors: Weber Nicolas
Published: January 2012

This article proposes to study nineteenth-century Cam sources as valuable materials for the history of the disappearance of the kingdom of Campā — or more precisely its last independent principality of Pāṇḍuraṅga — and its integration into the Vietnamese realm during the first half of the nineteenth century. The end of Campā is recorded mainly in metrical works known as ‘ariya’. These sources offer unique and detailed accounts of the incorporation of Campā as a Vietnamese province and the new administrative, economic, religious and cultural policies implemented by the Vietnamese. They also highlight the sufferings of the Campā population witnessing the imposition of a new and foreign order.