bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete remission of recurrent ovarian clear cell carcinoma by chemotherapy with bevacizumab, trabectedin and oxaliplatin
Authors: Takano Masashi , Ikeda Yuji , Kudoh Kazuya , Kita Tsunekazu , Sasaki Naoki , Kikuchi Yoshihiro
Published: November 2012

Clear cell carcinoma of the ovary has shown an exceedingly chemo‐resistant phenotype, especially in cases that are recurrent or refractory to previous therapy. Also, progression‐free survival was less than 6 months, even in the patients that achieved response when they were treated with conventional anti‐cancer cytotoxic agents. We present a case with recurrent and refractory ovarian clear cell carcinoma that achieved complete remission using a combination of bevacizumab, trabectedin and oxaliplatin. The progression‐free interval of the patient is over 30 months, and she is still receiving the combination therapy without toxicities of more than grade 2.
More Selective Removal of Myeloperoxidase‐Anti‐Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody From the Circulation of Patients With Vasculitides Using a Novel Double‐Filtration Plasmapheresis Therapy
Authors: Gong Dehua , Ji Daxi , Xu Bin , Liu Zhihong
Published: November 2012

Our aim was to investigate the removal of myeloperoxidase‐anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO‐ANCA) from the circulation of patients with vasculitides by double‐filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) using various primary separator and secondary separator combinations. Nineteen patients diagnosed with vasculitides positive for serum MPO‐ANCA were enrolled and received 56 sessions of DFPP. One patient received three sessions of DFPP using MPS07 (the primary filter)/EC50W (the secondary filter), nine patients received 27 sessions of DFPP using MPS07/EC20W, and the other nine patients received 26 sessions of DFPP using EC50W/EC20W. The sieving coefficients (SC) of albumin, immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgG and IgM were measured, as well as the reduction ratio in plasma protein concentrations and MPO‐ANCA titer after a single session of DFPP. The MPS07 filter was well permeable for all the above‐mentioned plasma proteins; the EC50W and EC20W filters were permeable for albumin and IgG, less for IgA and IgM. During DFPP using MPS07/EC50W, the reduction ratio of IgG was much lower than IgM and IgA (30.5 ± 9.0% vs. 89.7 ± 5.4% and 61.7 ± 14.8%). During DFPP using MPS07/EC20W, the decline in IgM, IgA, and IgG was 94.2 ± 3.1%, 96.2 ± 2.3%, and 64.7 ± 21.0%, respectively. During DFPP using EC50W/EC20W, the decline in IgM, IgA, and IgG was 2.8 ± 12.9%, 90.9 ± 4.4%, and 43.5 ± 13.8%, respectively. The percentage reduction in MPO‐ANCA titer after a single session of DFPP using EC50W/EC20W was 34.6 ± 14.3%. DFPP using EC50W/EC20W filters may be more selective for the removal of pathogens such as IgG, with subsequently effective reduction of serum ANCA titer.
Is theGulfCooperationCouncil an Optimum Currency Area?
Authors: Nusair Salah A.
Published: November 2012

This article applies the theory of Generalized Purchasing Power Parity (G‐PPP) to assess the potential for an optimum currency area (OCA) for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries over the period 1973–2009. Utilizing a multivariate cointegration procedure that allows for up to two predetermined structural breaks, the results suggest that theGCCcountries could form anOCAsince macroeconomic conditions are in favor of forming anOCA, i.e., real exchange rates share common trends and the parameter stability test indicates that the G‐PPPrelationship has been stable for the period analyzed. Moreover, the results suggest that the withdrawal ofOman and/orUnitedArabEmirates (UAE) from the union has no impact on forming the union. However, based on otherOCAcriteria, the results suggest that theOCAmay be challenged.
Very low‐energy diets for weight loss in adults: A review
Authors: Asher Roberta C.Z. , Burrows Tracy L. , Collins Clare E.
Published: November 2012

Aim:  Very low‐energy diets are a weight loss strategy that utilises severe and controlled energy restriction to induce rapid weight loss. This review aimed to evaluate their use in terms of efficacy and safety, and to identify for whom they may be effective for weight loss.

Methods:  English‐language papers examining the use of very low‐energy diets for weight loss in adults with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 and published between March 2003 and March 2010 were retrieved from health and medical databases.

Results:  Eight randomised control trials, two cohort and six pre‐post studies were eligible for inclusion and were assessed for methodological quality and had data extracted. The greatest initial weight loss was −22 kg, after 16 weeks of a very low energy diet. Greatest weight loss after follow up was −13.1 ± 8.0 kg and 9.1 ± 9.7 kg (7.7 ± 8.1%) after 1 and 2 years, respectively. Studies comparing the effects in males versus females yielded conflicting results. Very low‐energy diets are effective for producing short‐term weight loss. However not all initial weight loss is maintained long term.

Conclusion:  Future studies using very low‐energy diets should conduct more rigorous analyses of dietary adherence and physical activity and should be required to document side effects experienced in order to identify how and for whom they are effective in facilitating long‐term weight loss in adults.
Genetic requirements for Moraxella catarrhalis growth under iron‐limiting conditions
Authors: de Vries Stefan P. W. , Burghout Peter , Langereis Jeroen D. , Zomer Aldert , Hermans Peter W. M. , Bootsma Hester J.
Published: November 2012

Iron sequestration by the human host is a first line defence against respiratory pathogens like Moraxella catarrhalis, which consequently experiences a period of iron starvation during colonization. We determined the genetic requirements for M. catarrhalis BBH18 growth during iron starvation using the high‐throughput genome‐wide screening technology genomic array footprinting (GAF). By subjecting a large random transposon mutant library to growth under iron‐limiting conditions, mutants of the MCR_0996‐rhlB‐yggW operon, rnd, and MCR_0457 were negatively selected. Growth experiments using directed mutants confirmed the GAF phenotypes with ΔyggW (putative haem‐shuttling protein) and ΔMCR_0457 (hypothetical protein) most severely attenuated during iron starvation, phenotypes which were restored upon genetic complementation of the deleted genes. Deletion of yggW resulted in similar attenuated phenotypes in three additional strains. Transcriptional profiles of ΔyggW and ΔMCR_0457 were highly altered with 393 and 192 differentially expressed genes respectively. In all five mutants, expression of nitrate reductase genes was increased and of nitrite reductase decreased, suggesting an impaired aerobic respiration. Alteration of iron metabolism may affect nasopharyngeal colonization as adherence of all mutants to respiratory tract epithelial cells was attenuated. In conclusion, we elucidated the genetic requirements for M. catarrhalis growth during iron starvation and characterized the roles of the identified genes in bacterial growth and host interaction.
Swedish pediatric diabetes teams' perception of fathers' involvement: AGroundedTheory study
Authors: Boman Ase , Povlsen Lene , Dahlborg‐Lyckhage Elisabeth , Borup Ina
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study was to analyze howSwedish pediatric diabetes teams perceived and discussed fathers' involvement in the care of their child with type 1 diabetes. It also aimed to discuss how the teams' attitudes towards the fathers' involvement developed during the data collection process. TheConstructivistGrounded Theory design was used and data were collected during three repeated focus group discussions with threeSwedish pediatric diabetes teams. The core category of the teams' perception of fathers' involvement emerged as:If dad attends, we are happy – if mom doesn't, we become concerned. Initially the teams balanced their perception of fathers' involvement on the mother's role as the primary caregiver. In connection with the teams' directed attention on fathers, in the focus group discussions, the teams' awareness of the importance of fathers increased. As a consequence, the team members began to encourage fathers' engagement in their child's care. We conclude that by increasing the teams' awareness of fathers as a health resource, an active health promotion perspective could be implemented in pediatric diabetes care.
Isolated intestinal transplantation for megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome: Case report
Authors: Huang Chen‐Ming , Tseng Sheng‐Hong , Weng Chia‐Chee , Chen Yun
Published: November 2012

MMIHS is a rare congenital disease. It is characterized by distended urinary bladder, small colon and intestinal hypoperistalsis, or aperistalsis with normal morphology. There is no specific treatment for MMIHS, and most patients have to be maintained by TPN, which frequently causes TPN‐related liver failure, loss of venous access, or catheter‐related sepsis. The prognosis of patients with MMIHS is poor, and most patients die early. Multivisceral transplantation including stomach, duodenum, intestine, and liver has been used for the treatment of patients with MMIHS because these patients often have liver failure. We report an eight‐yr‐old patient with MMIHS who was treated with isolated intestinal transplantation. She had completely oral intake during the four yr of follow‐up. The experience in this case suggests isolated intestinal transplantation may be indicated in selected cases with MMIHS.
Molecular Electronic Tuning of Photosensitizers to Enhance Photodynamic Therapy: Synthetic Dicyanobacteriochlorins as a Case Study
Authors: Yang Eunkyung , Diers James R. , Huang Ying‐Ying , Hamblin Michael R. , Lindsey Jonathan S. , Bocian David F. , Holten Dewey
Published: November 2012

Photophysical, photostability, electrochemical and molecular‐orbital characteristics are analyzed for a set of stable dicyanobacteriochlorins that are promising photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The bacteriochlorins are the parent compound (BC), dicyano derivative (NC)2BC and corresponding zinc (NC)2BC‐Zn and palladium chelate (NC)2BC‐Pd. The order of PDT activity against HeLa human cancer cells in vitro is (NC)2BC‐Pd > (NC)2BC > (NC)2BC‐Zn ≈ BC. The near‐infrared absorption feature of each dicyanobacteriochlorin is bathochromically shifted 35–50 nm (748–763 nm) from that for BC (713 nm). Intersystem crossing to the PDT‐active triplet excited state is essentially quantitative for (NC)2BC‐Pd. Phosphorescence from (NC)2BC‐Pd occurs at 1122 nm (1.1 eV). This value and the measured ground‐state redox potentials fix the triplet excited‐state redox properties, which underpin PDT activity via Type‐1 (electron transfer) pathways. A perhaps counterintuitive (but readily explicable) result is that of the three dicyanobacteriochlorins, the photosensitizer with the shortest triplet lifetime (7 μs), (NC)2BC‐Pd has the highest activity. Photostabilities of the dicyanobacteriochlorins and other bacteriochlorins studied recently are investigated and discussed in terms of four phenomena: aggregation, reduction, oxidation and chemical reaction. Collectively, the results and analysis provide fundamental insights concerning the molecular design of PDT agents.
Addressing Sectoral Emissions outside the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: What Roles for Multilateralism, Minilateralism and Unilateralism?
Authors: Kulovesi Kati
Published: November 2012

It is commonly assumed that a coordinated international legal response would be the best way to mitigate climate change. Finding an effective solution for all key countries and sectors is, however, proving to be a considerable challenge. This article focuses on attempts to address sectoral emissions from international aviation and maritime transport outside the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It highlights that emissions from these two sectors are growing significantly and have been discussed under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization and International Maritime Organization for nearly two decades without an effective multilateral solution. The article argues that the lack of global agreement on how to address emissions from these two sectors has increased the temptation for independent action. Most notably, the European Union has already included emissions from all flights to and from European airports, including those by foreign airlines, into its emissions trading scheme and is in the process of considering measures to address emissions from international maritime transport. This has sparked both a heated political row and legal debate on the permissibility of unilateral trade measures to mitigate climate change. Against this background, the article analyzes whether and how independent action can promote mitigation action in these sectors, and whether it should be seen as unhelpful climate unilateralism or useful ‘minilateralism’ and migration of legal norms that serve to advance the ultimate objective of avoiding dangerous anthropogenic climate change.
Climate Clubs: Can Small Groups of Countries make a Big Difference in Addressing Climate Change?
Authors: Weischer Lutz , Morgan Jennifer , Patel Milap
Published: November 2012

Clubs, defined as smaller groups of countries that take action outside of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), have been suggested in the literature as a way forward for climate action. Some have suggested them as a replacement of the UNFCCC. This article, by contrast, explores how clubs could assist in catalyzing greater ambition, defined as emissions reduction targets in line with climate science, which would eventually be captured in the UNFCCC. An analysis of the existing climate club landscape shows that clubs currently promote dialogue and/or implementation of specific activities. While these clubs make important contributions, their mandate and configuration are not focused on significantly increasing ambition. Current clubs enable incremental, rather than transformational change. An analysis of selected proposals for new kinds of climate clubs shows that, as a common element, they call for further incentives for action to underpin greater ambition. The article further analyzes a set of incentives, predominantly economic, for ‘transformational clubs’, related to trade, investment, labour mobility or access to finance, and identifies a set of future research questions.
Cardiac‐locked bursts of muscle sympathetic nerve activity are absent in familial dysautonomia
Authors: Macefield Vaughan G. , Norcliffe‐Kaufmann Lucy , Axelrod Felicia B. , Kaufmann Horacio
Published: November 2012

Key points

Patients with familial dysautonomia cannot regulate their blood pressure: on being tilted upright, their blood pressure and heart rate fall, but both can rise to high levels during emotional arousal.

It is believed that their inability to regulate blood pressure is due to a lack of sensory endings that monitor blood pressure (baroreceptors).

We recorded muscle sympathetic nerve activity in these patients for the first time, and showed that the neurones do not fire with a characteristic bursting pattern, rather tending to fire continuously during periods of emotional arousal.

This suggests that the sympathetic neurones that control blood pressure are intact, but are deprived of the normal baroreceptor inputs that constrain them to fire in the intervals between heart beats.

Abstract  Familial dysautonomia (Riley–Day syndrome) is an hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN type III), expressed at birth, that is associated with reduced pain and temperature sensibilities and absent baroreflexes, causing orthostatic hypotension as well as labile blood pressure that increases markedly during emotional excitement. Given the apparent absence of functional baroreceptor afferents, we tested the hypothesis that the normal cardiac‐locked bursts of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) are absent in patients with familial dysautonomia. Tungsten microelectrodes were inserted percutaneously into muscle or cutaneous fascicles of the common peroneal nerve in 12 patients with familial dysautonomia. Spontaneous bursts of MSNA were absent in all patients, but in five patients we found evidence of tonically firing sympathetic neurones, with no cardiac rhythmicity, that increased their spontaneous discharge during emotional arousal but not during a manoeuvre that unloads the baroreceptors. Conversely, skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA), recorded in four patients, appeared normal. We conclude that the loss of phasic bursts of MSNA and the loss of baroreflex modulation of muscle vasoconstrictor drive contributes to the poor control of blood pressure in familial dysautonomia, and that the increase in tonic firing of muscle vasoconstrictor neurones contributes to the increase in blood pressure during emotional excitement.
Acorn (Quercus frainetto L.) Kernel Oil as an Alternative Feedstock for Biodiesel Production in Turkey
Authors: Karabaş Hülya
Published: November 2012

The acorn (Quercus frainetto L.) kernel oil is extracted from the kernels of the acorn that is grown in Sakarya which is in the Marmara region, Turkey. Acorn kernel oil (AKO) is obtained in 10 wt. %, by solvent extraction. Acorn kernel oil is investigated as an alternative feedstock for the production of a biodiesel fuel. The fatty acid profile of the oil consists primarily of oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Before processing alkalin transesterification reaction, the high free fatty acid (FFA) of the crude acorn kernel oil is decreased by using acid esterification method. Biodiesel is prepared from acorn kernel (AK) by transesterification of the acid esterified oil with methanol in the presence of potassium hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst. The maximum oil to ester conversion was 90%. The viscosity of biodiesel is closer to that of diesel and the heating value is about 6.4% less than that of petroleum diesel No. 2. All of the measured properties of the produced acorn kernel oil methyl ester (AKOME) are being compared to the current quality requirements according to EN14214 and ASTM D 6751. The comparison shows that the methyl esters of acorn kernel oil could be possible used as diesel fuel replacements.
An XYZ Parallel-Kinematic Flexure Mechanism With Geometrically Decoupled Degrees of Freedom
Authors: Awtar Shorya , Ustick John , Sen Shiladitya
Published: November 2012

A novel parallel-kinematic flexure mechanism that provides highly decoupled motions along the three translational directions (X, Y, and Z) and high stiffness along the three rotational directions (θx, θy, and θz) is presented. Geometric decoupling ensures large motion range along each translational direction and enables integration with large-stroke ground-mounted linear actuators or generators, depending on the application. The proposed design, which is based on a systematic arrangement of multiple rigid stages and parallelogram flexure modules, is analyzed via nonlinear finite elements analysis (FEA). A proof-of-concept prototype is fabricated to validate the predicted large range and decoupled motion capabilities. The analysis and the hardware prototype demonstrate an XYZ motion range of 10 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm. Over this motion range, the nonlinear FEA predicts cross-axis errors of less than 7.8%, parasitic rotations less than 10.8 mrad, less than 14.4% lost motion, actuator isolation better than 1.5%, and no perceptible motion direction stiffness variation.
Surface-to-Surface Radiation Exchange Effects in a 3D SOFC Stack Unit Cell
Authors: DiGiuseppe Gianfranco
Published: November 2012

This paper reports a new study where radiation effects are studied in details in an SOFC stack. The 3D model used includes and couples fluid dynamics, electrochemistry, electrical conduction, diffusion, and heat transfer physics. The model was built using in-house experimental voltage-current density data for validation purposes. The objective of this study is to understand the effects of radiation in the flow channels of SOFC stacks. Both gas radiation and surface-to-surface heat exchange are considered. This study indicates that gas radiation is negligible when compared to surface-to-surface heat exchange. It is also found that surface-to-surface heat exchange cannot be neglected and actually provides a more uniform temperature distribution along the SOFC stack. Heat transfer via convection is also significant and should be included when modeling similar situations. Finally, the model indicates that viscous dissipation is a negligible source of heat generation.
Characteristics of Turbulent Wakes Generated by Twin Parallel Cylinders
Authors: Nosier M. A. , Elbaz A. R. , Aboul Fetouh T. N. , El-Gabry L. A.
Published: November 2012

This research aims to study the characteristics of the wake generated by twin cylinders. The cylinders are arranged in parallel side-by-side and staggered arrangements. The mainstream velocity is varied between 18 m/s and 20 m/s, which are equivalent to cylinder Reynolds numbers between 4750 and 5300. The cross-stream spacing ratios are 2, 3, 4, and 6 times the cylinder's diameter for the side-by-side arrangements. For the staggered arrangement, the cross-stream and streamwise spacing were varied between 2 and 4 times the cylinder diameter. The results show that the spacing ratio s/d has a significant effect on the wake development and interactions. The wakes of the side-by-side cylinders tend to merge into a single wake for cross-stream spacing of 2d and 3d at early stations, equivalent to 15 and 30 times the cylinder diameter, respectively, and merge completely at 50 and 100 times the cylinder diameter for 4d and 6d, respectively. Velocity measurements are used to develop a correlation that relates the wake merging distance to the cylinder spacing. Turbulence measurements are used to develop a correlation between the turbulence intensity and the streamwise distance. The comprehensive survey of the results and the correlations developed are provided in order to facilitate numerical model development and evaluation.
Plasma Control for a Maneuvering Low-Aspect-Ratio Wing at Low
Reynolds Number
Authors: Rizzetta Donald P. , Visbal Miguel R.
Published: November 2012

Plasma-based flow control was explored as a means of enhancing the performance of a maneuvering flat-plate wing. For this purpose, a numerical investigation was conducted via large-eddy simulation (LES). The wing has a rectangular planform, a thickness to chord ratio of 0.016, and an aspect ratio of 2.0. Computations were carried out at a chord-based Reynolds number of 20,000, such that the configuration and flow conditions are typical of those commonly utilized in a small unmanned air system (UAS). Solutions were obtained to the Navier–Stokes equations, that were augmented by source terms used to represent body forces imparted by plasma actuators on the fluid. A simple phenomenological model provided these body forces resulting from the electric field generated by the plasma. The numerical method is based upon a high-fidelity time-implicit scheme and an implicit LES approach, which were applied to obtain solutions on an overset mesh system. Specific maneuvers considered in the investigation all began at 0 deg angle of attack, and consisted of a pitch-up and return, a pitch-up and hold, and a pitch-up to 60 deg. The maximum angle of attack for the first two maneuvers was 35 deg, which is well above that for static stall. Two different pitch rates were imposed for each of the specified motions. In control situations, a plasma actuator was distributed in the spanwise direction along the wing leading edge, or extended in the chordwise direction along the wing tip. Control solutions were compared with baseline results without actuation in order to assess the benefits of flow control and to determine its effectiveness. In all cases, it was found that plasma control can appreciably improve the time integrated lift over the duration of the maneuvers. The wing-tip actuator could achieve up to a 40% increase in the integrated lift, above that of the baseline value.
Want to Reduce Guessing and Cheating While Making Students Happier? Give More Exams!
Authors: Laverty James T. , Bauer Wolfgang , Kortemeyer Gerd , Westfall Gary
Published: November 2012

It is almost universally agreed that more frequent formative assessment (homework, clicker questions, practice tests, etc.) leads to better student performance and generally better course evaluations.1 There is, however, only anecdotal evidence that the same would be true for more frequent summative assessment (exams). There maybe many arguments against giving more exams, including the general “pain” associated with examinations, as well as reduced teaching time, since classroom sessions are dedicated to exams rather than lecturing. We present evidence that increasing the number of exams in fact does lead to better learning success, less cheating and guessing on homework, and better student course evaluations.
Smartphones—Experiments with an External Thermistor Circuit
Authors: Forinash Kyle , Wisman Raymond F.
Published: November 2012

This contribution adds a further example to illustrate how to use the headphone port of a smartphone to receive data from an external circuit, in this case, a simple, adaptable homemade example for temperature measurement.1
RNA Interference-Mediated Silencing of
Atp6i
Prevents Both Periapical Bone Erosion and Inflammation in the Mouse Model of Endodontic Disease
Authors: Ma Junqing , Chen Wei , Zhang Lijie , Tucker Byron , Zhu Guochun , Sasaki Hajime , Hao Liang , Wang Lin , Ci Hongliang , Jiang Hongbing , Stashenko Philip , Li Yi-Ping
Published: November 2012

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in the United States, affecting approximately 80% of children and the majority of adults. Dental caries may lead to endodontic disease, where the bacterial infection progresses to the root canal system of the tooth, leading to periapical inflammation, bone erosion, severe pain, and tooth loss. Periapical inflammation may also exacerbate inflammation in other parts of the body. Although conventional clinical therapies for this disease are successful in approximately 80% of cases, there is still an urgent need for increased efficacy of treatment. In this study, we applied a novel gene-therapeutic approach using recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated Atp6i RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown of
Atp6i/TIRC7
gene expression to simultaneously target periapical bone resorption and periapical inflammation. We found that
Atp6i
inhibition impaired osteoclast function
in vitro
and
in vivo
and decreased the number of T cells in the periapical lesion. Notably, AAV-mediated
Atp6i/TIRC7
knockdown gene therapy reduced bacterial infection-stimulated bone resorption by 80% in the mouse model of endodontic disease. Importantly,
Atp6i
+/−
mice with haploinsufficiency of
Atp6i
exhibited protection similar to that in mice with bacterial infection-stimulated bone erosion and periapical inflammation, which confirms the potential therapeutic effect of AAV-small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-
Atp6i/TIRC7
. Our results demonstrate that AAV-mediated
Atp6i/TIRC7
knockdown in periapical tissues can inhibit endodontic disease development, bone resorption, and inflammation, indicating for the first time that this potential gene therapy may significantly improve the health of those who suffer from endodontic disease.
A comparison of respondent-driven and venue-based sampling of female sex workers in Liuzhou, China
Authors: Weir Sharon S , Merli M Giovanna , Li Jing , Gandhi Anisha D , Neely William W , Edwards Jessie K , Suchindran Chirayath M , Henderson Gail E , Chen Xiang-Sheng
Published: November 2012

Objectives

To compare two methods for sampling female sex workers (FSWs) for bio-behavioural surveillance. We compared the populations of sex workers recruited by the venue-based Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts (PLACE) method and a concurrently implemented network-based sampling method, respondent-driven sampling (RDS), in Liuzhou, China.

Methods

For the PLACE protocol, all female workers at a stratified random sample of venues identified as places where people meet new sexual partners were interviewed and tested for syphilis. Female workers who reported sex work in the past 4 weeks were categorised as FSWs. RDS used peer recruitment and chain referral to obtain a sample of FSWs. Data were collected between October 2009 and January 2010. We compared the socio-demographic characteristics and the percentage with a positive syphilis test of FSWs recruited by PLACE and RDS.

Results

The prevalence of a positive syphilis test was 24% among FSWs recruited by PLACE and 8.5% among those recruited by RDS and tested (prevalence ratio 3.3; 95% CI 1.5 to 7.2). Socio-demographic characteristics (age, residence and monthly income) also varied by sampling method. PLACE recruited fewer FSWs than RDS (161 vs 583), was more labour-intensive and had difficulty gaining access to some venues. RDS was more likely to recruit from areas near the RDS office and from large low prevalence entertainment venues.

Conclusions

Surveillance protocols using different sampling methods can obtain different estimates of prevalence and population characteristics. Venue-based and network-based methods each have strengths and limitations reflecting differences in design and assumptions. We recommend that more research be conducted on measuring bias in bio-behavioural surveillance.
Body composition of free-ranging wolves (Canis lupus)
Authors: Hilderbrand G.V. , Golden H.N.
Published: November 2012

We used deuterium water dilution to estimate body composition of free-ranging wolves (Canis lupus L., 1758) in the Nelchina Basin, Alaska. Body mass differed between sexes throughout the year but did not vary within sex. Mean fat mass and mean energy content were highest in both sexes in the spring. Mean lean mass was lowest in both sexes in the spring. Body mass and lean body mass were positively related to animal age in both males and females up to age 6–8 years. There was no relationship between body fat content and animal age in either sex except in older animals. Thus, growth beyond age 2 consists primarily of lean mass. Body mass of reproductively active females was greater than nonreproductively active females in the spring but not in summer or fall. Deuterium should be allowed to circulate in the wolf for at least 120 min to ensure complete equilibration regardless of season, sex, age, or reproductive status.
REPLACEMENT MODEL WITH CUMULATIVE REPAIR COST LIMIT FOR A TWO-UNIT SYSTEM UNDER FAILURE RATE INTERACTION BETWEEN UNITS
Authors: LAI MIN-TSAI
Published: November 2012

In this paper, a periodical replacement model combining the concept of cumulative repair cost limit for a two-unit system with failure rate interaction is presented. In this model, whenever unit 1 fails, it causes a certain amount of damage to unit 2 by increasing the failure rate of unit 2 of a certain degree. Unit 2 failure whenever occurs causes unit 1 into failure at the same time and then the total failure of the system occurs. Without failure rate interaction between units, the failure rates of two units also increase with age. When unit 1 fails, the necessary repair cost is estimated and is added to the accumulated repair cost. If the accumulated repair cost is less than a pre-determined limit L, unit 1 is corrected by minimal repair. Otherwise, the system is preventively replaced by a new one. Under periodical replacement policy and cumulative repair cost limit, the long-run expected cost per unit time is derived by introducing relative costs as a criterion of optimality. The optimal period T* which minimizes that cost is discussed. A numerical example is given to illustrate the method.
The Impact of International Terrorist Attacks on the Risk and Return of Malaysian Equity Portfolios
Authors: Ramiah Vikash
Published: November 2012

How are the risks and returns of industrial and market portfolios altered as a result of terrorist events? This paper investigates the effects of five international terrorist attacks on equities listed on the Malaysian Stock Exchange. It uses an event study methodology to explore the relationship between equity stock returns, terrorist attacks and asset pricing models to assess whether systematic risks change after these events. The evidence demonstrates that strategies such as closing down an exchange during a crisis are ineffective. Furthermore, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Malaysian equity markets were insensitive to subsequent terrorist attacks in other countries.
Improving Crystallinity of Thin Si Film for Low-Energy-Loss Micro-/Nano-Electromechanical Systems Devices by Metal-Induced Lateral Crystallization Using Biomineralized Ni Nanoparticles
Authors: Kumagai Shinya , Murase Hiromu , Miyachi Syusuke , Kojima Nobuaki , Ohshita Yoshio , Yamaguchi Masafumi , Yamashita Ichiro , Uraoka Yukiharu , Sasaki Minoru
Published: November 2012

The characteristics of thin Si films were investigated in terms of crystallization for low-energy-loss micro-/nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) devices. Metal-induced lateral crystallization (MILC) using Ni nanoparticles accommodated within cage-shaped protein, apoferritin, was applied to an amorphous Si film to obtain a polycrystalline Si (poly-Si) film. The poly-Si film with MILC had crystallized domains of 50–60 µm, whereas the poly-Si film without MILC had grains smaller than 1 µm. Crystallized domains in the poly-Si film with MILC showed almost the same crystalline orientations, whereas those without MILC showed random crystalline orientations. Crystallization-induced tensile stress in the poly-Si film with MILC was increased to 461 MPa (without MILC: 363 MPa). The poly-Si film with MILC was applied to an electrostatically driven MEMS resonator. In the frequency responses, resonant frequency was shifted higher and the Q factor was increased by 20%.
Vibration Analysis and Transmission Characteristics of Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers Using Epitaxial Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 Thin Films on γ-Al2O3/Si Substrate
Authors: Akai Daisuke , Ozaki Katsuya , Numata Yasuyuki , Suzuki Keisuke , Okada Nagaya , Ishida Makoto
Published: November 2012

Low-voltage (<12 V)-operation piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) are hoped to be integrated with Si-LSI. Realizing this requires not only improving the piezoelectric properties, but also clarifying the vibration modes of transducers. In this study, we experimentally investigated the vibration mode and transmission ultrasonic waves by pMUTs using epitaxial Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 thin films on the epitaxial γ-Al2O3/Si substrates to radiate ultrasonic waves effectively. Five resonance vibration modes appeared in 100-µm-diameter circular pMUTs at frequencies in the range from 1 to 10 MHz in air. The frequency of mode (0,1) was 2.2 MHz, and this mode radiates ultrasonic waves very effectively. Ultrasonic transmission was also achieved in water using the above vibration mode, applying voltage of less than 10 Vp–p. These results show the potential for high-frequency pMUT integration with Si devices.
Reliability of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers
Authors: Herrick Robert W.
Published: November 2012

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are among the least expensive lasers available, and have been widely deployed for data communications and illumination applications. They have also proved to be one of the most reliable types of lasers, due to the lack of exposed facets, and the relatively small area of the chip that is vulnerable to defects. We discuss measures that have proven necessary to obtain good reliability, focusing especially on reliability qualification and analysis. We also briefly discuss failure analysis techniques and future VCSEL reliability challenges.
Refractive Index Measurements of Well-Defined Polygon Crystals of Thiophene/Phenylene Co-Oligomers
Authors: Yamao Takeshi , Sakamoto Naoki , Hotta Shu , Mizuno Hitoshi , Yanagi Hisao
Published: November 2012

We have improved the crystal growth methods of thiophene/phenylene co-oligomers (TPCOs). The crystal growth was carried out in a liquid phase. The resulting crystals were well defined in thin polygons with several pairs of parallel crystal faces that function as optical mirrors. This produces interference fringes in the emission and reflectance spectra, enabling us to determine the anisotropic refractive indices. From among TPCOs we chose 5,5'-bis(4-biphenylyl)-2,2'-bithiophene (BP2T) and its methoxy derivative 5,5'-bis(4'-methoxybiphenyl-4-yl)-2,2'-bithiophene (BP2T-OMe).
Two Isomeric Didecyl-dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophenes: Impact of Alkylation Positions on Packing Structures and Organic Field Effect Transistor Characteristics
Authors: Kang Myeong Jin , Miyazaki Eigo , Osaka Itaru , Takimiya Kazuo
Published: November 2012

Packing structures in bulk single crystals and evaporated thin films and organic field-effect transistor (OFET) characteristics of two isomeric didecyl-dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophenes (2,9- and 3,10-C10-DNTTs) were investigated. Although their packing structures in the bulk single crystals are different, the thin film structures are similar to each other, being consistent with the fact that both isomers afforded high-performance OFETs with similar maximum mobility of 8 cm2 V-1 s-1. On the other hand, device durability was influenced by the alkylation positions: excellent device characteristics were maintained for the 2,9-C10-DNTT-based devices, whereas the devices based on 3,10-C10-DNTT showed negative V
th shift upon standing under ambient conditions. This characteristics change can be related to the morphological transformation in the 3,10-C10-DNTT thin film: the freshly deposited thin film consisting of the lamella packing motif was gradually contaminated with the bulk single crystal phase possessing characteristic π-stacking structure. From these results, it can be concluded that 2- and 9-potions are optimal sites for modification of DNTT core to develop new DNTT-based high performance and stable materials.
AgNO3-Dependent Morphological Change of Si Nanostructures Prepared by Single-Step Metal Assisted Etching Method
Authors: Shimizu Tomohiro , Yamaguchi Takuya , Inoue Fumihiro , Inada Mitsuru , Shingubara Shoso
Published: November 2012

The morphological changes of a nanostructured Si surface prepared by metal assisted etching were investigated. We used a mixture of silver nitrate (AgNO3) and hydrofluoric acid (HF) as an electroless plating bath of Ag, as well as an etching solution of Si. With a change in silver ion concentration in the etching solution, three types of etched Si nanostructures were observed: “nanowire”, “porous wall”, and “polished”. We developed a phase diagram of the morphology of the etched Si surface. With increasing concentration of AgNO3 in the etching solution, the surface morphology of etched Si changes from nanowire to porous wall, and finally, polished for regardless of Si resistivity.
Probing Exchange Bias Effects in CoO/Co Bilayers with Pillar-Like CoO Structures
Authors: Cortie David Laurence , Shueh Chin , Chen Pei-shi , Gao Jian-Fa , Klose Frank , Lierop Jan van , Lin Ko-Wei
Published: November 2012

Exchange bias effects in CoO/Co bilayers fabricated by ion-assisted deposition were studied as a function of CoO thickness. During the deposition of the top CoO layer, pillar-like CoO structures were embedded in the underlying Co layer due to implantation of oxygen ions. The enhanced coercivity was attributed to the changes in the magnetic reversal mechanism in the ferromagnetic Co layer due to the penetration of pillar-like structures of antiferromagnetic CoO. At low temperature, we found a strong exchange bias field. Our measurements indicate that the exchange bias effect can exist in a nanocomposite system that has a disordered mixture of columnar and planar Co/CoO interfaces.
Correlating Uncompensated Antiferromagnetic Moments and Exchange Coupling Interactions in Interface Ion-Beam Bombarded Co90Fe10/CoFe-Oxide Bilayers
Authors: Shueh Chin , Chen Pei-Shi , Cortie David , Klose Frank , Chen Wen-Chen , Wu Te-Ho , Lierop Johan van , Lin Ko-Wei
Published: November 2012

The coercivity and exchange bias field of ferro-/antiferromagnetic Co90Fe10/CoFe-oxide bilayers were studied as function of the surface morphology of the bottom CoFe-oxide layer. The CoFe-oxide surface structure was varied systematically by low energy (0–70 V) Argon ion-beam bombardment before subsequent deposition of the Co90Fe10layer. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that the bilayer consisted of hcp Co90Fe10and rock-salt CoFe-oxide. At low temperatures, enhanced coercivities and exchange bias fields with increasing ion-beam bombardment energy were observed, which are attributed to defects and uncompensated moments created near the CoFe-oxide surface in increasing amounts with larger ion-beam bombardment energies. Magnetometry results also showed an increasing divergence of the low field temperature dependent magnetization [ΔM(T)] between field-cooling and zero-field-cooling processes, and an increasing blocking temperature with increasing ion-beam bombardment energy.
Hetero-epitaxial Growth of Cubic La(Sr)MnO3 on Hexagonal ZnO, In-Plane Orientations of La(Sr)MnO3 (001), (110), and (111) Phases
Authors: Uehara Kenichi , Okada Akira , Okamoto Akinobu , Yokura Miyoshi , Reddy Sanapa Lakshmi , Kobayashi Shintaro , Inaba Katsuhiko , Iwata Nobuyuki , Philip Reji , Kezuka Hiroshi , Matsui Masahito , Endo Tamio
Published: November 2012

Hexagonal ZnO was grown on a hexagonal (001) sapphire substrate. Then cubic La(Sr)MnO3 (LSMO) was grown on a ZnO underlayer by ion beam sputtering at various substrate temperatures to obtain double-layers of LSMO/ZnO and to investigate hetero-epitaxial orientation growth. Out-of-plane (001)-oriented ZnO was grown with an in-plane orientation of [101̄0](001)ZnO ∥ [112̄0](001)sapphire (B-mode). Three phases of LSMO with out-of-plane (001), (110), and (111) orientations were grown on (001) ZnO generally. However, each single phase of LSMO could be grown only by controlling the deposition conditions. We achieved the in-plane orientation growth of LSMO, [110](001)LSMO ∥ [101̄0](001)ZnO (B-mode), [11̄0](110)LSMO ∥ [101̄0](001)ZnO (A-mode), and [11̄0](111)LSMO ∥ [112̄0](001)ZnO (B-mode). The A-mode is defined as the mode in which both in-plane fundamental axes are parallel. The B-mode entails no parallel axes. The LSMO(001)- and (110)-grains have three equivalent in-plane domains, and the LSMO(111)-grain has a single domain. Lattice matching calculation can be used to partially interpret the orientation growth.
Amine-Rich Organic Thin Films for Cell Culture: Possible Electrostatic Effects in Cell–Surface Interactions
Authors: Wertheimer Michael R. , St-Georges-Robillard Amélie , Lerouge Sophie , Mwale Fackson , Elkin Bentsian , Oehr Christian , Wirges Werner , Gerhard Reimund
Published: November 2012

In recent communications from these laboratories, we observed that amine-rich thin organic layers are very efficient surfaces for the adhesion of mammalian cells. We prepare such deposits by plasma polymerization at low pressure, atmospheric pressure, or by vacuum–ultraviolet photo-polymerization. More recently, we have also investigated a commercially available material, Parylene diX AM. In this article we first briefly introduce literature relating to electrostatic interactions between cells, proteins, and charged surfaces. We then present certain selected cell-response results that pertain to applications in orthopedic and cardiovascular medicine: we discuss the influence of surface properties on the observed behaviors of two particular cell lines, human U937 monocytes, and Chinese hamster ovary cells. Particular emphasis is placed on possible electrostatic attractive forces due to positively charged R-NH3
+ groups and negatively charged proteins and cells, respectively. Experiments carried out with electrets, polymers with high positive or negative surface potentials are added for comparison.
Layer-to-Layer Grating Coupler Based on Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon for Three-Dimensional Optical Circuits
Authors: Kang Joonhyun , Atsumi Yuki , Oda Manabu , Amemiya Tomohiro , Nishiyama Nobuhiko , Arai Shigehisa
Published: November 2012

A high-index-contrast grating coupler based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) was demonstrated as a layer-to-layer coupler. a-Si:H was deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and vertically stacked with SiO2 for multilayer integration. The distance between the multilayer waveguides was fixed to 1 µm for optical isolation. The grating coupler pair was fabricated on the basis of simulation results. From the measurements of a fabricated grating coupler in the C-band, the maximum coupling efficiency was estimated to be 22%.
High-Temperature Growth of GaN Single Crystals Using Li-Added Na-Flux Method
Authors: Honjo Masatomo , Imabayashi Hiroki , Takazawa Hideo , Todoroki Yuma , Matsuo Daisuke , Murakami Kosuke , Maruyama Mihoko , Imade Mamoru , Yoshimura Masashi , Sasaki Takatomo , Mori Yusuke
Published: November 2012

The Na-flux method is a promising for fabricating GaN crystals with high quality. In our previous study, we found that the surface morphology and transparency of these crystals were improved by raising the growth temperature. Increasing the threshold pressure of nitrogen for GaN growth, however, made GaN growth at high temperatures difficult. In this study, we attempted to grow GaN crystals by the Na-flux method with the addition of Li to the flux, which promoted the solubility of nitrogen in the flux. As a result, the threshold pressure of nitrogen for GaN growth decreased, and GaN crystals with high crystallinity were grown at 900 °C. In addition, we found that the crystallinity of the grown GaN crystals was improved and the concentration of impurities in the grown GaN crystals was decreased by raising the growth temperature.
Electrical Properties of CeO2/La2O3Stacked Gate Dielectrics Fabricated by Chemical Vapor Deposition and Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Kouda Miyuki , Suzuki Takuya , Kakushima Kuniyuki , Ahmet Parhat , Iwai Hiroshi , Yasuda Tetsuji
Published: November 2012

Stacked gate dielectrics composed of CeO2and La2O3were fabricated on Si substrates and their structures and electrical properties were investigated. Two types of stacked structures were compared: CeO2grown on La2O3(La2O3/CeO2) and La2O3grown on CeO2(CeO2/La2O3). The La2O3and CeO2layers were formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), respectively. The La2O3/CeO2structure showed a larger equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) than the CeO2/La2O3structure due to the silicate formation of the CeO2layer in contact with Si. Metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and capacitors constructed with the La2O3/CeO2structure showed threshold and flat-band voltages close to the ideal ones. Effective channel mobilities for the MOSFETs were compared among three structures: single-layer La2O3, La2O3/CeO2, and CeO2/La2O3. EOT scaling was achieved without degrading the mobility of the CeO2/La2O3structure, which reproduced previous results for the same structure formed by the electron-beam evaporation technique. The gate-leakage characteristics for the CVD/ALD samples were also investigated.