bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poly(ethylene glycol) Films Deposited by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Liquid Deposition and Atmospheric Pressure Plasma‐Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition: Process, Chemical Composition Analysis and Biocompatibility
Authors: Nisol Bernard , Poleunis Claude , Bertrand Patrick , Reniers François
Published: July 2010

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) films are known to be protein‐repelling and to reduce biofilms attachment. We use a simple, easy to set up, versatile atmospheric pressure radiofrequency plasma to deposit plasma‐polymerized poly(ethylene glycol) films onto polyvinylfluoride (PVF) and gold surfaces, using liquid or gaseous tetraglyme (CH3O(CH2CH2O)4CH3) as precursor. The chemical composition of the films was studied using infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary ions mass spectroscopy. Bovine Serum Albumin adsorption has revealed good biocompatible properties that are correlated to the surface composition.

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ROCK2 is involved in accelerated fetal lung development induced by in vivo lung distension
Authors: Cloutier Marc , Tremblay Monique , Piedboeuf Bruno
Published: July 2010

Lung development is strongly influenced by its state of distension. For instance, increasing distension induced by fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) stimulates lung development. In contrast, oligohydramnios (OH) reduces lung distending forces and results in lung hypoplasia. We hypothesize that Rho/Rho‐associated kinase (ROCK) pathway plays an important role as mechanosensor in vivo acting either directly or indirectly in the translation of increased distension into acceleration of lung growth. TO was done in fetal mice sacrificed either 3 or 24 hr later; in a subset of dam, fasudil, a specific ROCK inhibitor, or vehicle was injected intra‐peritoneally. OH was done by puncture of the amniotic sac. ROCK2 protein levels were assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC); lung development was assessed by measuring the generation of distal respiratory airway. Significant differences were found in ROCK2 protein levels between TO and Sham‐TO at 3 and 24 hr, but not for ROCK1. Indeed, IHC revealed that ROCK2 staining was sparse and restricted to a few mesenchymal cells in Sham‐TO, whereas it was strong in acini of TO lungs. OH lungs expressed lower levels of ROCK2 in the acini when compared to untouched controls. In fasudil‐treated animals, the degree of lung development following TO was significantly lower than in the group injected with vehicle. At the dose regimen used, fasudil did not affect normal lung development, as observed in the untouched animals. In summary, ROCK2 protein levels was affected by the degree of lung expansion and blunting ROCK activity abolished the response to increased lung distension, suggesting that ROCK is a key regulator in TO‐induced accelerated lung development. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:966–976. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rhino‐sinus involvement in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Arens Raanan , Sin Sanghun , Willen Seth , Bent John , Parikh Sanjay R. , Freeman Katherine , Wootton David M. , McDonough Joseph M. , Shifteh Keivan
Published: July 2010

Objective

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is commonly associated with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. We hypothesized that respiratory perturbations extend to other regions of the upper respiratory tract in such children, particularly to rhino‐sinus regions.

Study Design

A prospective case control study using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the upper airway and surrounding tissues of OSAS and controls. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate radiographic changes within the: paranasal sinuses, middle ear and mastoid air cells, and the nasal passages.

Results

We studied 54 OSAS (age 5.7 ± 3.0 years) and 54 controls (age 6.2 ± 2.0 years, P = NS). Children with OSAS had significantly more opacification of: maxillary sinuses (P < 0.05), sphenoid sinuses (P < 0.01), and mastoid air cells (P < 0.01). They also had significantly more: middle ear effusions, (P < 0.001), prominence of inferior nasal turbinate(s) (P < 0.05), and deviation of the nasal septum (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Childhood OSAS is associated with a wide range of upper respiratory tract perturbations and is not limited to adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:993–998. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation and recommended treatment of anaemia
Authors: Smith Alastair , Pepperell Dominic
Published: July 2010

The management of anaemia first requires an evaluation of the underlying cause of the disorder. Our Drug review considers the various oral and parenteral treatments available, followed by an analysis of prescription data and sources of further information. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Recommended management of hypertension during pregnancy
Authors: Dhanjal Mandish
Published: July 2010

Our series Prescribing in pregnancy provides guidance on what information to offer pregnant women about the risks and benefits of drug treatment. Here the author discusses the management of maternal hypertension. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Local decision making on funding drugs and treatments
Authors: Picton Catherine
Published: July 2010

Under the NHS Constitution patients have the right to expect rational local decision making where there is no NICE guidance. Here, the author discusses how local processes are being developed. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Current options in the treatment of menopausal symptoms
Authors: Currie Heather , Cochrane Rosemary
Published: July 2010

Hormone replacement therapy remains the mainstay of menopausal symptom treatment despite continued debate over the risks and benefits. Our Drug review considers the properties and adverse events of the current treatment options, followed by sources of further information and an analysis of prescription data. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Dronedarone (Multaq): a new option in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Camm John , Savelieva Irina
Published: July 2010

Dronedarone (Multaq) is a new antiarrhythmic drug licensed for use in patients with nonpermanent AF. Professor John Camm and Dr Irina Savelieva highlight the results of clinical trials relating to its efficacy and adverse effects and consider its place in the treatment of AF. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Introduction of lipidization–cationization motifs affords systemically bioavailable neuropeptide Y and neurotensin analogs with anticonvulsant activities
Authors: Green Brad R. , White Karen L. , McDougle Daniel R. , Zhang Liuyin , Klein Brian , Scholl Erika A. , Pruess Timothy H. , White H. Steve , Bulaj Grzegorz
Published: July 2010

The neuropeptides galanin (GAL), neuropeptide Y (NPY) or neurotensin (NT) exhibit anticonvulsant activities mediated by their respective receptors in the brain. To transform these peptides into potential neurotherapeutics, their systemic bioavailability and metabolic stability must be improved. Our recent studies with GAL analogs suggested that an introduction of lipoamino acids in the context of oligo‐Lys residues (lipidization–cationization motif) significantly increases their penetration into the brain, yielding potent antiepileptic compounds. Here, we describe an extension of this strategy to NPY and NT. Rationally designed analogs of NPY and NT containing the lipidization–cationization motif were chemically synthesized and their physicochemical and pharmacological properties were characterized. The analogs NPY‐BBB2 and NT‐BBB1 exhibited increased serum stability, possessed log D > 1.1, retained high affinities toward their native receptors and produced potent antiseizure activities in animal models of epilepsy following intraperitoneal administration. Our results suggest that the combination of lipidization and cationization may be an effective strategy for improving systemic bioavailability and metabolic stability of various neuroactive peptides. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The conformational properties of dehydrobutyrine and dehydrovaline: theoretical and solid‐state conformational studies
Authors: Siodłak Dawid , Grondys Justyna , Lis Tadeusz , Bujak Maciej , Broda Małgorzata A. , Rzeszotarska Barbara
Published: July 2010

Dehydrobutyrine is the most naturally occurring dehydroamino acid. It is also the simplest dehydroamino acid having the geometrical isomers E/Z. To investigate its conformational properties, a theoretical analysis was performed on N‐acetyl‐α,β‐dehydrobutyrine N′‐methylamides, Ac‐(E)‐ΔAbu‐NHMe and Ac‐(Z)‐ΔAbu‐NHMe, as well as the dehydrovaline derivative Ac‐ΔVal‐NHMe. The ϕ, ψ potential energy surfaces and the localised conformers were calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311 + + G(d,p) level of theory both in vacuo and with inclusion of the solvent (chloroform, water) effect (SCRF method). The X‐ray crystal structures of Ac‐(Z)‐ΔAbu‐NHMe and Ac‐ΔVal‐NHMe were determined at 85 and 100 K, respectively. The solid‐state conformational preferences for the studied residues have been analysed and compared with the other related structures. Despite the limitations imposed by the Cα = Cβ double bond on the topography of the side chains, the main chains of the studied dehydroamino acids are more flexible than in standard alanine. The studied dehydroamino acids differ in their conformational preferences, which depend on the polarity of the environment. This might be a reason why the nature quite precisely differentiates between ΔVal and each of the ΔAbu isomers, and why, particularly so with the latter, they are used as a conformational tool to influence the biological action of usually small, cyclic dehydropeptides. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modifications on amphiphilicity and cationicity of unnatural amino acid containing peptides for the improvement of antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Taira Junichi , Kida Yutaka , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Kuwano Koichi , Higashimoto Yuichiro , Kodama Hiroaki
Published: July 2010

The widespread natural sources‐derived cationic peptides have been reported to reveal bacterial killing and/or growth‐inhibiting properties. Correspondingly, a number of artificial peptides have been designed to understand antibacterial mechanism of the cationic peptides. These peptides are expected to be an alternative antibiotic against drug‐resistant pathogenic bacteria because major antimicrobial mechanism of cationic peptides involves bacterial membrane disorder, although those availabilities have not been well evaluated. In this study, cationic peptides containing Aib were prepared to evaluate the availability as an antimicrobial agent, especially against representative pathogenic bacteria. Among them, BRBA20, consisting of five repeated Aib‐Arg‐Aib‐Ala sequences, showed strong antibacterial activity against both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, growth of Serratia marcescens and multidrug‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, known as proteases‐secreting pathogenic bacteria, were also completely inhibited by BRBA20 under 20 µg/ml peptide concentrations. Our results suggested availabilities of Aib‐derived amphiphilicity and protease resistance in the design of artificial antimicrobial peptides. Comparing BRBA20 with BKBA20, it was also concluded that Arg residue is the preferred cationic source than Lys for antimicrobial action of amphiphilic helices. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A β‐amino acid modified heptapeptide containing a designed recognition element disrupts fibrillization of the amyloid β‐peptide
Authors: Castelletto Valeria , Hamley Ian W. , Lim Teck , De Tullio Matias B. , Castaño Eduardo M.
Published: July 2010

We study the complex formation of a peptide βAβAKLVFF, previously developed by our group, with Aβ(1–42) in aqueous solution. Circular dichroism spectroscopy is used to probe the interactions between βAβAKLVFF and Aβ(1–42), and to study the secondary structure of the species in solution. Thioflavin T fluorescence spectroscopy shows that the population of fibers is higher in βAβAKLVFF/Aβ(1–42) mixtures compared to pure Aβ(1–42) solutions. TEM and cryo‐TEM demonstrate that co‐incubation of βAβAKLVFF with Aβ(1–42) causes the formation of extended dense networks of branched fibrils, very different from the straight fibrils observed for Aβ(1–42) alone. Neurotoxicity assays show that although βAβAKLVFF alters the fibrillization of Aβ(1–42), it does not decrease the neurotoxicity, which suggests that toxic oligomeric Aβ(1–42) species are still present in the βAβAKLVFF/Aβ(1–42) mixtures. Our results show that our designed peptide binds to Aβ(1–42) and changes the amyloid fibril morphology. This is shown to not necessarily translate into reduced toxicity. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Precipitates of selenium and tellurium in II–VI nanocrystal‐doped glass probed by Raman scattering
Authors: Azhniuk Yuriy M. , Lopushansky Vasyl V. , Hutych Yuriy I. , Prymak Mykola V. , Gomonnai Alexander V. , Zahn Dietrich R. T.
Published: July 2010

As follows from Raman studies, the formation of cadmium chalcogenide nanocrystals in borosilicate glass under thermal treatment at 625–700 °C can be accompanied by precipitation of elemental Se or Te in the form of molecular Se2 or Te2 clusters or larger aggregations. The clusters are in most cases formed when the thermal treatment temperature and/or duration values are beyond the range most suitable for the formation of the II–VI nanocrystals. Larger aggregations are formed at intense thermal treatment, precipitation of tellurium being achieved much easier than that of selenium.
Unconventional features of the low‐temperature properties of a dimerized quantum mixed‐spin chain
Authors: Solano‐Carrillo E. , Franco R. , Silva‐Valencia J.
Published: July 2010

We study the low‐temperature properties of a mixed$(S,s) = (3/2,1/2)$alternating quantum spin chain with antiferromagnetic–ferromagnetic bond alternation and single‐ion anisotropy using spin‐wave theory, density‐matrix renormalization group calculations and exact diagonalization of finite clusters. An instance in this system is the recently synthesized bimetallic chain$^{1} _{\infty } $[LCuIICoII(NCS)2], which shows a novel magnetic behavior, namely, the${\chi} _{M} T$versus$T$curve decreases rapidly at low temperatures after displaying a pseudo‐plateau around a certain intermediate temperature. There are two different mechanisms which could explain this unconventional feature: the zero‐field splitting of the ground state and/or the ferromagnetic nature of the interdimer interactions. We clarify the role of these two kinds of mechanisms in the observed properties of the system by deviating from the otherwise‐expected ferrimagnetic ground state and considering a slight deviation from the decoupled‐dimer limit, namely the description of the system by means of effective spin‐1 ions at each unit cell with residual antiferromagnetic interactions, which is consistent with the antiferromagnetic–ferromagnetic bond alternation.
Plasmonic modes of gold nano‐particle arrays on thin gold films
Authors: Hohenau A. , Krenn J. R.
Published: July 2010

Regular arrays of metal nanoparticles on metal films have tuneable optical resonances that can be applied for surface enhanced Raman scattering or biosensing. With the aim of developing more surface selective geometries we investigate regular gold nanoparticle arrays on 25 nm thick gold films, which allow to excite asymmetric surface plasmon modes featuring a much better field confinement compared to the symmetric modes used in conventional surface plasmon resonance setups. By optical extinction spectroscopy we identify the plasmonic modes sustained by our structures. Furthermore, the role of thermal treatment of the metal structures is investigated, revealing the role of modifications in the crystalline structure of gold on the optical properties. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Improved thermoelectric figure of merit of self‐doped Ag8–xGeTe6 compounds with glass‐like thermal conductivity
Authors: Zhu T. J. , Zhang S. N. , Yang S. H. , Zhao X. B.
Published: July 2010

Nonstoichiometric Ag8–xGeTe6 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04) compounds with complex crystal structure are demonstrated to exhibit very low thermal conductivities of <0.28 W/m K, comparable with the calculated theoretical minimum thermal conductivity κmin. Ag deficiency leads to the improved electrical properties and a maximum thermoelectric figure of merit ZT of 0.85 has been obtained at 623 K for Ag7.99GeTe6, about 30% increase compared to that of stoichiometric Ag8GeTe6. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Recent developments in gravity‐wave effects in climate models and the global distribution of gravity‐wave momentum flux from observations and models
Authors: Alexander M. J. , Geller M. , McLandress C. , Polavarapu S. , Preusse P. , Sassi F. , Sato K. , Eckermann S. , Ern M. , Hertzog A. , Kawatani Y. , Pulido M. , Shaw T. A. , Sigmond M. , Vincent R. , Watanabe S.
Published: July 2010

Recent observational and theoretical studies of the global properties of small‐scale atmospheric gravity waves have highlighted the global effects of these waves on the circulation from the surface to the middle atmosphere. The effects of gravity waves on the large‐scale circulation have long been treated via parametrizations in both climate and weather‐forecasting applications. In these parametrizations, key parameters describe the global distributions of gravity‐wave momentum flux, wavelengths and frequencies. Until recently, global observations could not define the required parameters because the waves are small in scale and intermittent in occurrence. Recent satellite and other global datasets with improved resolution, along with innovative analysis methods, are now providing constraints for the parametrizations that can improve the treatment of these waves in climate‐prediction models. Research using very‐high‐resolution global models has also recently demonstrated the capability to resolve gravity waves and their circulation effects, and when tested against observations these models show some very realistic properties. Here we review recent studies on gravity‐wave effects in stratosphere‐resolving climate models, recent observations and analysis methods that reveal global patterns in gravity‐wave momentum fluxes and results of very‐high‐resolution model studies, and we outline some future research requirements to improve the treatment of these waves in climate simulations. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society and Crown in the right of Canada
Diatom–diatom interactions: Building potential energy surfaces and effect of intramolecular vibrations
Authors: Carmona‐Novillo Estela , Bartolomei Massimiliano , Pérez‐Ríos Jesús , Campos‐Martínez José , Hernández Marta I.
Published: July 2010

An optimal procedure for obtaining spherically averaged potentials for the interaction between two linear centrosymmetric molecules (Koide and Kihara, Chem Phys 1974, 5, 34) is extended here for the calculation of the leading anisotropy term of the interaction. It is found that by computing the potential just at nine specific relative orientations of the monomers, the main anisotropy term of the spherical harmonic expansion can be calculated exactly provided that the expansion does not involve more than the first 14 terms. The approach also serves to investigate, in an affordable manner, the dependence of the interaction potential on the intramolecular degrees of freedom, and, in this way, to go beyond the commonly used rigid rotor approximation. Application has been performed for the [O2(3Σ)]2dimer by means of high‐level ab initio calculations (RCCSD(T) method), and results are compared with a previous accurate rigid rotor potential energy surface. It is found that both the present isotropic and main anisotropy terms are very reliable and that the effect of the corrected vibrationally averaged potential is of about 1%. In addition, the dependence of the intermolecular potentials with the intramolecular vibrational modes is analyzed for the different geometries studied. The treatment can be quite useful in a realistic description of the main features of intermolecular interactions in more complex systems. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Thermally driven stability of octadecylphosphonic acid thin films grown on SS316L
Authors: Lim Min Soo , Smiley Katelyn J. , Gawalt Ellen S.
Published: July 2010

Stainless steel 316L is widely used as a biomedical implant material; however, there is concern about the corrosion of metallic implants in the physiological environment. The corrosion process can cause mechanical failure due to resulting cracks and cavities in the implant. Alkyl phosphonic acid forms a thin film by self‐assembly on the stainless steel surface and this report conclusively shows that thermal treatment of the octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) film greatly enhances the stability of the ODPA molecules on the substrate surface. AFM images taken from the modified substrates revealed that thermally treated films remain intact after methanol, THF, and water flushes, whereas untreated films suffer substantial loss. Water contact angles also show that the hydrophobicity of thermally treated films does not diminish after being incubated in a dynamic flow of water for a 3‐hour period, whereas the untreated film becomes increasingly hydrophilic due to loss of ODPA. IR spectra taken of both treated and untreated films after water and THF flushes show that the remaining film retains its initial crystallinity. A model is suggested to explain the stability of ODPA film enhanced by thermal treatment. An ODPA molecule is physisorbed to the surface weakly by hydrogen bonding. Heating drives away water molecules leading to the formation of strong monodentate or mixed mono/bi‐dentate bonds of ODPA molecule to the surface. SCANNING 32: 304–311, 2010. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new time‐of‐flight SIMS instrument for 3D imaging and analysis
Authors: Hill Rowland , Blenkinsopp Paul , Thompson Stephen , Vickerman John , Fletcher John S.
Published: July 2010

We have built a mass spectrometer which utilizes a new method of time‐of‐flight analysis to provide rapid data acquisition with simultaneous high spatial resolution and high mass resolution. The mass analysis is performed by sampling the secondary beam into a two‐stage time‐of‐flight system. This removes the requirement for a pulsed primary beam as a ToF reference. No tradeoff exists between spatial and mass resolution, and acquisition speed is not limited by the primary beam duty cycle.

The analyzer comprises the combination of a shaped field buncher and a nonlinear reflectron. This configuration allows the inclusion of a collision cell and an intermediate time‐of‐flight selection gate. So, the analyzer can operate in ms–ms mode as well as in normal time‐of‐flight mode. The instrument is equipped with 40 kV C60 and liquid metal cluster primary beams, which can run in d.c. mode, or, when charge neutralization is required, in slow pulsed mode. Data acquisition is continuous, eliminating loss of data during depth profiling etch cycles.

The instrument has an automated sample entry system with heating to 670 K and cooling to 105 K, and includes a novel method of freeze‐fracture for tissue samples or other organic samples in aqueous suspension. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suppressing the redistribution of boron in crystalline silicon during SIMS analysis
Authors: Hida K. , Murata D. , Satoh K. , Yamada T.
Published: July 2010

Boron is one of the most commonly used p‐type dopant in silicon. We found that boron in crystalline silicon does not have identical distribution in depth profile between front side and rear side SIMS analysis. Comparing boron profiles of both analyses, different distributions can be seen at the depth in a few hundreds of nanometers from the surface side. Additionally, we continued analysis to investigate the behavior of boron in homogenously boron‐doped sample, such as p‐type silicon substrate. The result showed that distortion arises at the surface side during analysis and consequently nonuniform distribution was obtained. From the results, we estimate that boron should be redistributed during usual SIMS analysis, and study various analytical conditions in order to suppress such phenomenon. In this study, entire experiments were carried out by CAMECA ims 6f and 7f instruments, known as magnetic sector SIMS. Several ion‐implanted samples having different conditions are prepared for the analyses.

As a result of experiments, redistribution of boron in crystalline silicon is suppressed suitably by cooling method using liquid nitrogen. Furthermore, it was revealed that the boron redistribution takes place in activation‐annealing samples, while the redistribution cannot be observed in as‐implanted samples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Faceting and surface reconstruction of the GaP(111)B surface
Authors: Hilner E. , Zakharov A. A. , Schulte K. , Andersen J. N. , Lundgren E. , Mikkelsen A.
Published: July 2010

Using Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED) and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) we have investigated the structure of the GaP(111)B surface. We have previously studied the formation of Ga droplets on GaP(111)B above the maximum temperature for congruent evaporation. In the present work, we investigate the nanometer‐sized pyramid‐shaped crystallites that are found on the GaP(111)B surface and that were only briefly mentioned in our previous paper. We suggest that the pyramids have {‐1‐10} side facets. We also find that the size of the pyramids decrease upon annealing. Finally, we present a model for the atomic scale structure of the flat GaP(111)B surface found between the pyramids. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultra‐high performance multi‐turn TOF‐SIMS system with a femto‐second laser for post‐ionization: investigation of the performance in linear mode
Authors: Ishihara Morio , Ebata Shingo , Kumondai Kousuke , Mibuka Ryo , Uchino Kiichiro , Yurimoto Hisayoshi
Published: July 2010

The performance of a newly developed TOF‐SIMS System with a femtosecond laser postionization and a multiturn mass spectrometer was investigated in linear mode. This system would be very effective for analyzing valuable material such as space samples. By using postionization the secondary ion signals of Ag were increased (up to 100 times), compared with the conventional TOF‐SIMS experiments. The laser power dependence on the signal intensities was also investigated and it was confirmed that the signal intensities reached specific values above the specific laser power. Lateral resolution of the elemental map was calculated to be about 40 nm. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The isotopic comparative method (ICM) for SIMS quantification of boron in silicon up to 40 at.%
Authors: Dubois Christiane , Prudon Gilles , Dupuy Jean‐Claude , Gautier Brice , Canut Bruno , Le Gall Yann , Kociniewski Thierry
Published: July 2010

This work extends the Isotopic Comparative Method, which has been previously introduced with the aim of correcting matrix effects, to quantify high concentrations of boron in silicon up to 40 at.% by SIMS technique. It requires a specific sample containing two isotopes of the element to quantify: for this study silicon sample with isotope 10B present in constant, sufficiently dilute concentration, quantifiable with the conventional Relative Sensitivity Factor method and the other isotope 11B implanted at very high concentrations. The intensity of 10B, whose concentration ratio with respect to silicon is known and constant, allows to measure the matrix effects induced by the presence of 11B and to deduce the total boron concentration. The variations of the ion yields of boron YB+ and silicon YSi+ as a function of the boron concentration CB are investigated up to 40 at. %. It is found that under Ar+ sputtering there are no matrix effects on Si+ ions, but a doubling of YB+. Under O2+, YB+ and YSi+ increases almost linearly and similarly up to 2.5 times their value in dilute regime. With saturated O2 flooding under Ar+ or O2+, YB+ and YSi+ increase similarly and weakly. These results allow defining an Extended Relative Sensibility Factor method for the quantification of concentrated boron profiles in silicon. It has been successfully implemented in a ∼5 at.% boron layer obtained by Gas Immersion Laser Doping. ICM has been implemented for quantifying high dose boron implantation in silicon (CB up to 40 at.%). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative 1H NMR analysis of reacted silanol groups in silica nanoparticles chemically modified with monochlorosilanes
Authors: Nakahara Yoshio , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Yokoyama Shoutaro , Kimura Keiichi
Published: July 2010

Quantitative analysis of reacted silanol groups in silica nanoparticles modified chemically with monochlorosilanes was performed by 1H NMR after treatment with cesium fluoride. Silica nanoparticles were modified chemically by the reaction between the silanol groups and monochlorosilanes, and the structure of the organic moiety anchored onto the silica surface was confirmed with solid‐state 13C NMR. As monochlorosilanes react with silanol groups at 1:1 ratio unlike di‐ or trichlorosilanes, the number of the silanes introduced into silica nanoparticles equals that of reacted silanol groups. Organically modified silica nanoparticles were dissolved using cesium fluoride, and the amount of the soluble organic compounds originated from the introduced silanes was determined by a 1H NMR internal standard method using pyrene as the reference. Those values determined by 1H NMR were in good agreement with those determined by elemental analysis. Thus, the number of reacted silanol groups per one particle was calculated on the basis of the results obtained by the 1H NMR method, and the values were highly dependent on the steric structure of the introduced silanes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photoelectron angular distributions of Cu, Ag, Pt and Au samples: experiments and simulations
Authors: Tasneem G. , Tomastik C. , Gerhold S. , Werner W. S. M. , Smekal W. , Powell C. J.
Published: July 2010

Angular distributions of photoelectrons emitted from semi‐infinite Cu, Ag, Pt and Au specimens have been measured for off‐normal emission angles in the range between 20 and 70° with a Thermo Theta Probe electron spectrometer. Experimental peak intensities for peaks of atomic subshells observable in the spectra were compared with results of simulations using the NIST Database for the Simulation of Electron Spectra for Surface Analysis (SESSA) that takes into account the effects of (i) anisotropy of the photoelectric cross‐section; (ii) elastic scattering of the photoelectrons; and (iii) the finite solid angle of the detector. In addition, a separate correction was made to the simulated intensities for the effects of surface excitations. The combined influence of these effects was found to significantly affect the angular distributions. Furthermore, it was found that ratios of the calculated peak intensities of the observed subshells for a particular material to the measured intensities deviate from unity by typically less than 1% after corrections for multiple inelastic scattering and surface excitations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of excitation states of nitrogen on the surface nitridation of iron and steel in d.c. glow discharge plasma
Authors: Sato Shigeo , Hirai Hirokazu , Araki Sawa , Wagatsuma Kazuaki
Published: July 2010

The plasma nitriding phenomena that occur on the surfaces of iron and steel were investigated. In particular, the correlation between the kinds of nitrogen radicals and the surface nitriding reaction was investigated using a glow‐discharge apparatus. To control the excitation of nitrogen radicals, noble gas mixtures were used for the plasma gas. The highly populated metastables of noble gases selectively produce excited nitrogen molecules (N2*) or nitrogen molecule ions (N2+). The optical emission spectra suggested that the formation of N2*‐rich or N2+‐rich plasma was successfully controlled by introducing different kinds of noble gases. Auger electron spectroscopy and XPS were used to characterize the depth profile of the elements and chemical species on the nitrided surface. The nitride layer formed by a N2+‐rich plasma had a much higher nitrogen concentration than that by a N2*‐rich plasma, likely due to the larger chemical activity of the N2+ species as well as the N2+ sputtering bombardment to the cathode surface. The strong reactivity of the N2+ species was also confirmed from the chemical shift of N 1s spectra for iron nitrides. An iron nitride formed by the N2+‐rich plasma has higher stoichiometric quantity of nitrogen than that formed by the N2*‐rich plasma. Besides the effect of nitrogen radicals on surface nitridation, the contribution of the chromium in steel to the nitriding reaction was also examined. This chromium can promote a nitriding reaction at the surface, which results in an increase in the nitrogen concentration and the formation of nitride with high nitrogen coordination. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nuclear magnetic resonance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
Authors: Suarez Sophia , Greenbaum Steve
Published: July 2010

In this review, the contribution of NMR spectroscopy to the development of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is discussed, with particular emphasis on its use in the characterization of structure and transport in proton exchange membranes (PEMs). Owing to copious amount of information available, results of the past decade will be the main focal point. In addition, its use as a screening tool for the PEM materials will be discussed. © 2010 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com)DOI 10.1002/tcr.201000010
Joint relay node placement and node scheduling in wireless networks with a relay node with controllable mobility
Authors: Roh Hee‐Tae , Lee Jang‐Won
Published: July 2010

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for joint relay node placement and node scheduling in wireless networks. We consider a system that consists of a relay node with controllable mobility and multiple nodes that communicate with each other via the relay node. Each node communicates with the relay node according to its schedule. The objective of our algorithm is to maximize the lowest weighted throughput among those of all nodes. To this end, we consider a problem to optimally place the relay node and optimally schedule all nodes in the network. We develop three algorithms for relay node placement and node scheduling considering three different cases: when the location of the relay node is controllable while the node scheduling is fixed, when the node scheduling is controllable while the location of the relay node is fixed, and when both the location of the relay node and node scheduling are controllable. The simulation results show that by jointly optimizing relay node placement and node scheduling, we can improve system performance significantly in many cases. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GirlPOWER! Strengthening mentoring relationships through a structured, gender‐specific program
Authors: Pryce Julia M. , Silverthorn Naida , Sanchez Bernadette , DuBois David L.
Published: July 2010

The authors examine GirlPOWER! an innovative program that uses structure and group‐based activities to enhance one‐to‐one mentoring relationships for young adolescent girls from the perspective of the focus, purpose, and authorship dimensions of mentoring relationships that Karcher and Nakkula described. The discussion draws on several sources of data that contributed to the development and ongoing refinement of the program. The authors highlight their efforts to design the program in a way that navigates the tensions they encountered in balancing attention to competing concerns associated with each dimension. Based on their analysis, they conclude that what may appear to be competing areas of emphasis in mentoring relationships, such as a focus on goals or relationship development, may in practice often prove to be mutually reinforcing and thus synergistic. Their experience underscores a need to complement program enhancements such as GirlPOWER! with individualized support that is geared to the unique backgrounds of mentors and the distinctive features of each mentoring relationship.
Ovarian cycle approach by rectal temperature and fecal progesterone in a female killer whale, Orcinus orca
Authors: Kusuda Satoshi , Kakizoe Yuka , Kanda Koji , Sengoku Tomoko , Fukumoto Yohei , Adachi Itsuki , Watanabe Yoko , Doi Osamu
Published: July 2010

This study aimed to validate the measurements of body temperature and fecal progesterone concentrations as minimally invasive techniques for assessing ovarian cycle in a single sexually mature female killer whale. Rectal temperature data, fecal and blood samples were collected in the dorsal position using routine husbandry training on a voluntary basis. The correlations between rectal temperature and plasma progesterone concentration and between fecal and plasma progesterone concentrations were investigated. Fecal progesterone metabolites were identified by a combination of high‐performance liquid chromatography and enzyme immunoassay. Plasma progesterone concentrations (range: 0.2–18.6 ng/ml) and rectal temperature (range: 35.3–35.9°C) changed cyclically, and cycle lengths were an average (±SD) of 44.9±4.0 days (nine cycles) and 44.6±5.9 days (nine cycles), respectively. Rectal temperature positively correlated with the plasma progesterone concentrations (r=0.641, P<0.01). There was a visual trend for fecal progesterone profiles to be similar to circulating plasma progesterone profiles. Fecal immunoreactive progestagen analysis resulted in a marked immunoreactive peak of progesterone. The data from the single killer whale indicate that the measurement of rectal temperature is suitable for minimally invasive assessment of the estrous cycle and monitoring the fecal progesterone concentration is useful to assess ovarian luteal activity. Zoo Biol 30:285–295, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD) deficiency in a Spanish patient with myopathic presentation due to a new mutation in the interface domain
Authors: Quintana Ester , Pineda Mercé , Font Aida , Vilaseca Maria Antonia , Tort Frederic , Ribes Antonia , Briones Paz
Published: July 2010

We present a 32‐year‐old patient who, from age 7 months, developed photophobia, left‐eye ptosis and progressive muscular weakness. At age 7 years, she showed normal psychomotor development, bilateral ptosis and exercise‐induced weakness with severe acidosis. Basal blood and urine lactate were normal, increasing dramatically after effort. PDHc deficiency was demonstrated in muscle and fibroblasts without detectable PDHA1 mutations. Ketogenic diet was ineffective, however thiamine gave good response although bilateral ptosis and weakness with acidosis on exercise persisted. Recently, DLD gene analysis revealed a homozygous missense mutation, c.1440 A>G (p.I480M), in the interface domain. Both parents are heterozygous and DLD activity in the patient's fibroblasts is undetectable. The five patients that have been reported with DLD‐interface mutations suffered fatal deteriorations. Our patient's disease is milder, only myopathic, more similar to that due to mutation p.G229C in the NAD+‐binding domain. Two of the five patients presented mutations (p.D479V and p.R482G) very close to the present case (p.I480M). Despite differing degrees of clinical severity, all three had minimal clues to DLD deficiency, with occasional minor increases in α‐ketoglutarate and branched‐chain amino acids. In the two other patients, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was a significant feature that has been attributed to moonlighting proteolytic activity of monomeric DLD, which can degrade other mitochondrial proteins, such as frataxin. Our patient does not have cardiomyopathy, suggesting that p.I480M may not affect the DLD ability to dimerize to the same extent as p.D479V and p.R482G. Our patient, with a novel mutation in the DLD interface and mild clinical symptoms, further broadens the spectrum of this enzyme defect.
Nutritional Value of Seven Freshwater Fish Species From the Brazilian Pantanal
Authors: Ramos Filho Manoel Mendes , Ramos Maria Isabel Lima , Hiane Priscila Aiko , de Souza Elizabeth Maria Talá
Published: July 2010

This study determined the proximate composition and fatty acid profile of the lipid fraction in muscle tissue (fillet) of seven fish species from the Miranda River, Brazil. Total lipid content had the largest coefficient of variation among species (73%), while protein content had the smallest (4.5%), allowingPimelodus argenteus(mandi‐prateado) to be categorized as lean fish;Pimelodus maculatus(mandi‐amarelo),Hemisorubim platyrhynchos(jurupoca), andPinirampus pirinampu(barbado) as species with medium fat content, andPaulicea luetkeni(jaú) andSurubim lima(jurupensém) as fatty fish. In all the species investigated, palmitic acid (23.76–25.99%) was the predominant saturated fatty acid. Oleic acid (16.09–32.90%) was the most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid. Total omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (5.99–15.56%) were the predominant polyunsaturated fatty acids, except inAgeneiosus brevifilis(palmito), in which total omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids predominated (10.30%). All the species had favorable indices of nutritional quality for total lipids, with respect to human consumption.
Validation of an acute pain‐behavior scale for older persons with inability to communicate verbally: Algoplus®
Authors: Ratl Patrice , Jouvel Elisabeth , Pickeringl Gisèle , Donnarell Laurent , Nguyenl Louise , Michell Micheline , Capriz‐Ribièrel Françoise , Lefebvre‐Chapirol Sylvie , Gauquelinl Frédérique , Bonin‐Guillaumel Sylvie
Published: July 2010

To compensate for poor acute pain detection in elderly inpatients with inability to communicate verbally (ICV), the Doloplus Collective team devised the 5‐item Algoplus® behavior‐assessment scale specifically aimed at quickly detecting acute pain in these individuals. Algoplus® was developed in three successive phases, including expert opinions, caregivers interviews, patient video recordings and statistical procedures. Among the 1500 recorded primary pain behaviors, 48 were selected and clustered into a 5‐item scale. This version was validated based on 349 old inpatients (204 with acute pain and 145 without) from different care settings and hospitals. Comparators were objective acute pain clinical situations, experts' clinical judgment on acute pain presence, and self‐rating scales (Visual Analog Scale, Numeric Rating Scale and Verbal Descriptor Scale) for a communicative subsample (n =134). Algoplus® showed good discriminant validity with adequate internal consistency (Kuder—Richardson‐20, 0.712), excellent interrater reliability (intraclass coefficient, 0.812) and high sensitivity to change during specific pain situations and after starting pain management. Excellent correlations were observed between Algoplus® and experts' clinical judgment, acute pain clinical situations or each comparator self‐rating—pain score. For patients with acute pain conditions, a score ≥2 out of 5 on the Algoplus® scale was retained as the threshold for the presence of acute pain in elderly ICV inpatients, with 87% sensitivity and 80% specificity. In addition, the very brief rating time of ∼1 min is particularly relevant in acute‐care settings, where repetitive pain‐monitoring is required.
Context-general and Context-specific Determinants of Online Satisfaction and Loyalty for Commerce and Content Sites
Authors: Jaiswal Anand K. , Niraj Rakesh , Venugopal Pingali
Published: July 2010

We use the context-general and context-specific factor approach to examine the generalizability of satisfaction and loyalty models across two disparate online contexts—online retailing and content site browsing. Our conceptual models include the moderating effects of user-characteristic Web expertise, besides main effects of Web site factors and Web expertise. Results indicate that satisfaction and loyalty judgments are sensitive to both context-general and context-specific determinants, as well as to some interactions between them. Among context-general determinants, ease of use and customer service are positively related to satisfaction, Web community to loyalty, and Web expertise to both satisfaction and loyalty. Flow, a context-specific determinant, has a significant positive effect on satisfaction alone; security affects loyalty alone; and fulfillment/reliability and information quality are significant predictors of both satisfaction and loyalty. The results show that Web expertise moderates the effect of ease of use on satisfaction. The study contributes to marketing theory and practice by identifying satisfaction and loyalty mechanisms that are potentially generalizable across the two online contexts and providing a guiding framework for simultaneous consideration of context-specific and context-general factors in future research.
Imaging of granulomatous and chronic invasive fungal sinusitis: Comparison with allergic fungal sinusitis
Authors: Reddy C. Ekambar Eshwara , Gupta Ashok K. , Singh Paramjit , Mann Sher B. S.
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE

To study the radiological features of chronic/granulomatous invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS) and identify differentiating characteristics, if any, from allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective radiological study.

SETTING

Tertiary hospital in northern India.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Subjects were nonacute fungal sinusitis patients with orbital involvement presenting between January 1999 and December 2003. Seventeen IFS and 12 AFS patients with mean age 27 years (range 7‐59 years) underwent computed tomographic scan (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of paranasal sinuses with contrast. These were operated within one month of doing the scans and had histologically confirmed fungal sinusitis. Outcome measures were characteristics of opacity produced by the diseased tissue on CT and MRI, side and number of sinuses involved, expansion of sinuses, areas of bone erosion, and extra‐sinus extension.

RESULTS

IFS showed homogenous opacity (isodense or hyperdense to muscle tissue) on CT and isointense and hypointense signal on T1‐ and T2‐weighted MR images respectively. IFS showed involvement of one or two sinuses only, homogenous contrast enhancement, lack of expansion of sinuses, and bone erosion localized to the area of extra‐sinus extension, and the extra‐sinus component of the disease was more than the intra‐sinus component. AFS showed heterogenous opacities with hyperattenuation areas on CT, isointense/hypointense to signal void on T1‐ and T2‐weighted MR images. Expansion of sinuses, extensive bone erosion, lack of contrast enhancement, multiple sinus involvement, and major bulk of disease being intra‐sinus rather than extra‐sinus were other characteristics of AFS.

CONCLUSION

Radiological features of IFS are described that are different from AFS.

© 2010 American Academy of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.