bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macromol. Rapid Commun. 6/2008
Authors: Howarter John A. , Youngblood Jeffrey P.
Published: March 2008

Back Cover: The image shows a comparison of two glass slides in a fogging test. The right slide is clean glass; the inset is a schematic of the light scattering mechanism on fogged surfaces. The surface of left slide has been modified with hydrophilic surfactants rendering the slide anti‐fogging; the inset here is a scheme of the surface modification. Further details can be found in the article by J. A. Howarter and J. P. Youngblood* on page 455.
Speech rate and rhythm in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Skodda Sabine , Schlegel Uwe
Published: March 2008

Articulatory rate and pause time in a standardized reading task in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients in correlation to disease duration and severity as compared to healthy controls were analyzed. In 121 PD patients and 70 healthy controls, an acoustical analysis was performed on the first and last sentence of a standardized 170‐syllabic text, using a commercial audio software. Articulatory rate and speech to pause ratios were calculated by measuring the length of each syllable and each pause both at the end of words and within polysyllabic words. No significant difference in overall articulatory rate was found between PD patients and controls. Both groups showed an accelerated speech rate in the last sentence compared to the first; however, PD patients had a higher speech acceleration than did controls. PD patients exhibited a significantly reduced percental pause duration in relation to total speech time in the first sentence and a reduced percental pause time within polysyllabic words. PD patients made significantly less but longer pauses at the end of words and less pauses within polysyllabic words. UPDRS III showed an inverse relation to number and rate of intraword pauses, and disease duration was negatively correlated with articulatory rate. The characteristics of parkinsonian speech feature was not only a stronger acceleration of articulation rate in the course of speaking but also a significant reduction of the total numbers of pauses, indicating an impaired speech rhythm and timing organization. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Multiple intracranial tumors in Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Successful treatment following aggressive supportive care, early cranial radiation, high dose chemotherapy and imatinib
Authors: Cuvelier Geoff D.E. , Vitali Aleksander M. , Ford Jason C. , Dix David B.
Published: March 2008

We report the first case of multiple intracranial tumors (“chloromas”) at diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient presented comatose with signs of cerebral herniation. Initial management of raised intracranial pressure and hyperleukocytosis followed by emergent whole brain radiation therapy reversed the life‐threatening neurological signs. High‐dose chemotherapy combined with daily imatinib mesylate induced a rapid and sustained bone marrow remission. Ongoing rehabilitation resulted in a near complete neurological recovery within 6 months of diagnosis. This outcome justifies aggressive early management of increased intracranial pressure and hyperleukocytosis in future similar presentations. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:135–137. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐IV personality disorders with the five‐factor model of personality and the personality psychopathology five
Authors: Bagby R. Michael , Sellbom Martin , Costa Paul T. , Widiger Thomas A.
Published: March 2008

The five‐factor model of personality (FFM), derived from personality trait psychology, is increasingly used to describe personality disorders (PDs). Critics have argued, however, that the personality traits of the FFM fail to capture adequately the full range of personality psychopathology. In this investigation, the personality domains of the personality psychopathology five (PSY‐5), an alternative model designed specifically to assess pathological traits, were compared to the domain traits from the FFM in the prediction of the PD symptom counts. The personality traits from both dimensional models were assessed in a sample of 138 psychiatric patients with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2 (MMPI‐2) and the revised NEO personality inventory (NEO PI‐R), respectively. Both instruments significantly predicted all 10 PD symptoms and contributed on average an additional 10% of the variance beyond that predicted by the other instrument. Whereas the MMPI‐2 PSY‐5 scales were comparatively better predictors of paranoid, schizotypal, narcissistic and antisocial PD symptom counts, the NEO PI‐R domain scales outperformed the MMPI‐2 PSY‐5 scales in the prediction of borderline, avoidant and dependent PD symptom counts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic analysis on a high salt tolerance introgression strain of Triticum aestivum/Thinopyrum ponticum
Authors: Wang Meng‐Cheng , Peng Zhen‐Ying , Li Cui‐Ling , Li Fei , Liu Chun , Xia Guang‐Min
Published: March 2008

Soil salinity is a major abiotic constraint to agricultural productivity. We successfully bred a new common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) introgression variety (Shanrong No. 3) with high salt‐tolerance via asymmetric somatic hybridization between common wheat cultivar (Jinan 177) and UV‐irradiated Agropyron elongatum (Thinopyrum ponticum Podp). We report here a comparative proteomic analysis to investigate variety‐specific and salt‐responsive proteins between seedling‐roots of Shanrong No. 3 and Jinan 177. In total, 114 spots reproducibly presented differential expression patterns on 2‐DE maps. Of them, 34 were variety‐specific and 49 were salt‐responsive. We identified 110 spots by MALDI‐TOF MS and partially confirmed by MALDI‐TOF‐TOF MS, and functionally classified them into signal transduction, transcription and translation, transporting, chaperones, proteolysis and detoxification, etc. Meanwhile, we also found the alteration of protein expression of Shanrong No. 3 through inhibition of old proteins and production of novel ones, change in abundance and sensitivity of some nonsalt‐responsive and salt‐responsive proteins, as well as PTMs. Furthermore, comparison between proteome and transcripteome using cDNA microarray showed that there were only 20 proteins with abundances correlative to signal densities of corresponding EST probes. This study gives us a global insight into proteomic difference between Shanrong No. 3 and Jinan 177 in constitute and to salt‐response.
A practical way of grafting maleic anhydride onto polypropylene providing high anhydride contents without sacrificing excessive molar mass
Authors: Henry Gaëtan R. P. , Drooghaag Xavier , Rousseaux Dimitri D. J. , Sclavons Michel , Devaux Jacques , Marchand‐Brynaert Jacqueline , Carlier Véronique
Published: March 2008

This study reports a reactive extrusion process leading to very high levels of anhydride grafting (2.5–3 wt %) along polypropylene backbone without recovering grafted PP waxes at the die exit. Such high graftings are attainable without excessive degradation of the PP chain by using a brominated reagent. Simultaneously, this brominated reagent allows the tuning of the grafted PP crystallinity via epimerization of the PP backbone. Indeed, the synthesis of a mainly isotactic/atactic stereoblock polymer containing high levels of grafted succinic anhydride moieties is demonstrated by NMR and melting enthalpies recorded by DSC are definitely observed depressed and broadened. Grafting levels of around 3 wt % have been achieved and ascertained by both chemical titration and NMR spectroscopy. In addition, FTIR spectroscopy reveals an unusual observation: for the first time, only one single pair of symmetric and asymmetric carbonyl stretching bands are observed on those grafted PP, while, in other processes of anhydride grafting, those symmetric and asymmetric bands were both split in at least two bands. This suggests, for the here reported process, the absence of interacting grafted anhydride rings, i.e., absence of closely grafted anhydride moieties and absence of poly(maleic anhydride). All those observations support that this “bromine route” brings a really new grafting process for PP. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2936–2947, 2008
Synthesis of poly(benzyl glutamate‐b‐styrene) rod‐coil block copolymers by dual initiation in one pot
Authors: Knoop Rutger J. I. , Habraken Gijs J. M. , Gogibus Nicolas , Steig Simone , Menzel Henning , Koning Cor E. , Heise Andreas
Published: March 2008

We have developed a metal free synthetic pathway to homopolypeptide rod‐coil block copolymers. The concept was proven for the synthesis of poly(benzyl‐L‐glutamate‐b‐styrene). A dual initiator containing a primary amine and a nitroxide group was used in a macroinitiation approach with high initiation efficiency. Good control over the molecular weight in the ring opening polymerization of benzyl‐L‐glutamate N‐carboxyanhydride was obtained in DMF at 0 °C yielding poly(benzyl‐L‐glutamates) with low polydispersities around 1.1. The almost quantitative incorporation of the dual initiator was confirmed by MALDI‐ToF analysis. Macroinitiation of styrene by nitroxide‐mediated controlled radical polymerization yielded the block copolymer with high structural control. The diblock structure was confirmed by molecular weight increase upon macroinitiation by size exclusion chromatography and retention time comparison with homopolymers using gradient polymer elution chromatography. Both polymerizations were also successfully conducted in one pot without intermediate isolation owing to the high compatibility of both polymerization techniques. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3068–3077, 2008
Quantitative ATR FT‐IR Analysis of Chemically Derivatized Plasma‐Modified Polymer Surfaces
Authors: Klages Claus‐Peter , Grishin Artur
Published: March 2008

The quantitative evaluation of ATR FT‐IR spectra of chemically derivatized plasma‐modified polymer surfaces is proposed in order to derive area densitiesρ(numbers or mole numbers per unit area) of chemical functional groups. Because of the very small thicknessdmodof the modified surface region, a simple equation can be applied that allows the calculation ofρfrom band area measurements on polymer samples and on suitable reference solutions that contain small molecules with the same functional groups. Applying this method to polymer surfaces plasma aminated in atmospheric‐pressure afterglows of N2 + H2mixtures, an initial amination rate of about 1 nm−2 · s−1has been determined.

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Novel approach to the eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an infant with CF after outpatient treatment failure
Authors: Hayes Don , Kanga Jamshed F. , Anstead Michael I. , Kuhn Robert J.
Published: March 2008

Intravenous continuous infusion of betalactam (CIBL) antibiotic and high dose extended interval (HDEI) aminoglycoside therapy theoretically maximize bacterial killing in treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) in pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis (CF). We present the case of a 3‐month‐old female infant with CF who failed outpatient eradication of PsA with subsequent eradication using intravenous CIBL antibiotic and HDEI aminoglycoside therapy. This antibiotic combination should be considered in order to optimize pharmacodynamics for PsA eradication in CF patients before development of chronic colonization. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:511–513. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Procoagulant activity in children with community acquired pneumonia, pleural effusion and empyema
Authors: Michelin E. , Snijders D. , Conte S. , Dalla Via P. , Tagliaferro T. , Da Dalt L. , Monciotti C.M. , Simioni P. , Stefanutti G. , Ghirardo V. , Gamba P. , Barbato A.
Published: March 2008

In patients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP), bacterial‐cell‐wall‐derived fragments may induce the coagulation cascade. To contribute to the knowledge of underlying mechanisms, we have studied the fibrinolytic activity in children with CAP and parapneumonic effusions.

Patients and Methods

Twenty previously healthy children admitted to our Department with CAP were studied; with (n = 11) or without (n = 9) pleural effusion (PPE). We also investigated 10 children with empyema. In all children we analyzed coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters and compared the results to nine controls.

Results

Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were not significantly modified in the three groups as compared to controls (P = 0.975, P = 0.535, respectively). The fibrinogen levels were significantly increased in respect to the control group (P < 0.0001). The median values of D‐dimer showed an increasing trend that was statistically significant: children with pneumonia 244 µg/L, with pneumonia and PPE 751 µg/L and with empyema 2003 µg/L, in respect to values (48 µg/L) of our control group (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The results suggest that plasma level of D‐dimer can give an additional contribution for the evaluation of the severity of CAP and its complications in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:472–475. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Streptococcus milleri group—An unrecognized cause of disease in cystic fibrosis: A case series and literature review
Authors: Parkins Michael D. , Sibley Christopher D. , Surette Michael G. , Rabin Harvey R.
Published: March 2008

The “Streptococcus milleri” group (SMG) is increasingly recognized for their role in pyogenic infections including empyema and solid organ abscesses. However, SMG disease has rarely been identified in cystic fibrosis (CF). Inherent difficulties in both growing the organisms and distinguishing SMG from less virulent oropharyngeal viridans streptococci may have led to a decreased recognition of this as a CF pathogen. We report on six cases of SMG‐related infection over a 4‐year time‐frame occurring within an adult CF clinic in Canada, and a further four cases identified through a literature review. SMG manifested disease as bronchopulmonary exacerbations in 7 of 10 patients, and 4 of 10 patients had extra‐pulmonary dissemination of SMG infection. Noticeably, pulmonary exacerbations were frequently associated with atypically malodorous sputum. Furthermore, patients clinically responded to anti‐microbial therapies with no anti‐Pseudomonal activity. There was a consistent correlation of SMG disease and co‐colonization with P. aeruginosa leading to speculation of polymicrobial interactions resulting in enhanced virulence. SMG deserves considerable attention as a potential pathogen within the airways of patients with CF. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:490–497. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gender role beliefs and family migration
Authors: Cooke Thomas J.
Published: March 2008

Consistent empirical evidence demonstrates that demographic indicators associated with traditional gender roles, such as the presence of children, are linked to the negative effect of moving on married women's employment and earnings. However, very few studies have directly examined how gender role beliefs are related to family migration behaviour. This analysis demonstrates that when a couple shares egalitarian gender role beliefs, the family has a lower probability of moving when the wife is employed and has a higher probability of moving when the wife is unemployed and wants to work. Among couples that do not share traditional gender role beliefs, migration appears to be unaffected by the employment status of the wife. This study is one of the few which clearly demonstrates that family migration is contingent on the gender role beliefs of husbands and wives. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Divergent growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints in the United States, 1990–2004: Diaspora, gathering, and the East–West divide
Authors: Otterstrom Samuel M.
Published: March 2008

This paper analyses the spatially divergent growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints from 1990 to 2004 in the US. The Church has been based in Utah since 1847, and its membership continues to be concentrated in the West. However, recent population trends show an ongoing diaspora throughout the country marked by local and regional clusters (or ‘gatherings’) where more rapid growth and larger relative membership sizes are evident. The Church is growing fastest in the central and eastern portions of the country, exceeding general population growth rates there. Natural increase in these areas has been greatly augmented by conversions and in‐migration. Comparisons using the Hoover index of concentration and the Duncan index of dissimilarity also show that with the regional divergence of Church growth rates, its membership distribution is slowly becoming more similar to that of the general population. Although future Church membership growth in the eastern parts of the country will probably be counterbalanced by the sheer size of population increases in the traditional Church population centres in the West, recent data show that the West has become increasingly less Mormon as conversions and natural increase have not kept pace with the migration of non‐Mormons into the region. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Remarkable improvement in output power for an InAlGaN based ultraviolet LED by improving the crystalline quality of AlN/AlGaN templates
Authors: Takano T. , Fujikawa S. , Kondo Y. , Hirayama H.
Published: March 2008

The use of quaternary InAlGaN is very attractive for the realization of commercially‐available low‐cost and high‐power ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes (UV‐LEDs), because highly‐efficient UV emission can be obtained from this material due to In‐segregation effects. We achieved remarkable improvements in output power from 340 nm‐band quaternary InAlGaN‐based UV‐LEDs and demonstrated high UV‐output power by using high‐quality AlN buffer templates on sapphire substrates. Threading dislocation densities (TDDs) for screw and edge‐type dislocations were 1×108cm–2 and 1×109cm–2, as observed from cross‐sectional transmission electron microscope (TEM) images. The output power of a 340 nm‐band UV‐LED was increased by approximately 7 times by reducing the full‐width‐at‐half‐maximum (FWHM) of the (10‐12) X‐ray ω‐scan rocking curve (XRC) from around 800 arcsec to 510 arcsec. As a result, we achieved a maximum output power of 7.1 mW under room‐temperature (RT) and continuous‐wave (CW) operation. From these results, we confirmed that the crystalline quality of AlN/AlGaN templates strongly affects the output power of UV‐LEDs. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Internal quantum efficiency and optical polarization analysis of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells on a ‐plane GaN
Authors: Lin E. Y. , Chen C. Y. , Lay T. S. , Wang T. C. , Tsay J. D. , Peng P. X. , Lin T. Y.
Published: March 2008

Internal Quantum Efficiency (IQE) and anisotropic optical polarization of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQW) grown on a ‐plane (11‐20) GaN film were investigated in comparison with c ‐plane (0001) InGaN/GaN LED samples. In the temperature‐dependent and power‐dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectra, the IQE for a ‐plane and c ‐plane InGaN/GaN MQW were obtained. The anisotropic polarization has an angle of 120o between the maximum and minimum components for the a ‐plane InGaN/GaN MQW. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of the illumination on the spin splitting of the two‐dimensional electron gas in AlxGa1–xN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Tang N. , Shen B. , He X. W. , Han K. , Tang Y. Q. , Yang Z. J. , Qin Z. X. , Zhang G. Y. , Lin T. , Zhu B. , Zhou W. Z. , Shang L. Y. , Chu J. H.
Published: March 2008

Spin splitting of the two‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in AlxGa1‐xN/GaN heterostructures has been investigated by means of magnetotransport measurements under the illumination at low temperatures. The beating patterns in the oscillatory magnetoresistance originating from zero‐field spin splitting of the 2DEG are observed in this study. It is found that the spin splitting energy decreases after the illumination. It is also found that the illumination decreases the electric field at AlxGa1‐xN/GaN heterointerfaces. Based on the experiments, it is suggested that the zero‐field spin splitting of the 2DEG in AlxGa1‐xN/GaN heterostructures mainly arises from the Rashba effect. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dephasing studies of exciton fine structure in uniaxially‐strained GaN
Authors: Ishiguro T. , Toda Y. , Adachi S. , Hoshino K. , Arakawa Y.
Published: March 2008

Dephasing dynamics of excitons in a GaN film grown on a ‐plane sapphire were studied by using the spectrallyresolved four‐wave‐mixing (SR‐FWM) spectroscopy. Due to the anisotropic exchange interaction originates from the anisotropic strain field of the substrate, the degenerate exciton states with the total angular moment ± 1 mix and split into their fine structures.

Since each component of the exciton fine structure (EFS) is highly polarized, the polarization‐dependent SR‐FWM spectra successfully resolve the dephasing dynamics in the individual EFS resonances. The result of each EFS shows a significantly different dephasing time, suggesting that the anisotropic dephasing contribution occurs in each EFS. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Enhanced capture of photogenerated carriers by optimum forward bias condition in blue and green (In,Ga)N single‐quantum‐well diodes
Authors: Satake A. , Soejima K. , Aizawa H. , Fujiwara K.
Published: March 2008

Vertical capture processes of photogenerated carriers in the c ‐plane blue and green (In,Ga)N single‐quantum‐well light‐emitting‐diodes have been investigated by comparing variations in photoluminescence (PL) intensity as a function of applied voltage (−10∼+4.5 V) at low temperature (20 K) under direct (λex = 380 nm) and indirect (λex = 325 nm) excitation. One striking result of the bias dependent PL intensity is that the photogenerated carriers are efficiently captured into the active layer by optimum forward bias condition. That is, with increasing forward bias, the PL intensity by the indirect excitation is strongly enhanced within a certain specific forward voltage range, while the PL intensity by the direct excitation is moderately varied. The optimum bias condition is caused by interplay of carrier capture and internal quantum efficiency. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth of high‐quality thick AlGaN by high‐temperature metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy
Authors: Kato Naofumi , Sato S. , Sugimura H. , Sumii T. , Okada N. , Imura M. , Iwaya M. , Kamiyama S. , Amano H. , Akasaki I. , Maruyama H. , Takagi T. , Bandoh A.
Published: March 2008

The growth of thick AlGaN on a c‐plane sapphire substrate covered with an AlN layer was conducted by high‐temperature (HT‐) metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. The composition of AlGaN can be controlled by adjusting the growth temperature and V/III ratio. The use of an HT‐AlN template extremely improves the crystalline quality of the thick AlGaN layer. In addition, the crystalline quality measured by X‐ray diffraction and TEM showed that the FWHMs of X‐ray rocking curves (XRCs) for both tilt and twist distributions and the dislocation density in AlGaN are almost the same as those in the underlying HT‐AlN template for the Al composition from 0.2 to 1. A thick and crack‐free Al0.89Ga0.11N layer with the FWHMs of XRCs for tilt and twist distributions as narrow as 177 arcsec and 457 arcsec, respectively, were successfully grown. An extremely smooth and atomic‐size step with a RMS surface roughness as small as 0.35 nm over a 5 µm × 5 µm scan was observed. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Investigation of AG(I) oxide films by combination of it RRDE and photopotential spectroscopy
Authors: Vvedenskii Alexander , Grushevskaya Svetlana , Kudryashov Dmitrii , Ganzha Sergei
Published: March 2008

The RRDE multicycle chronoammetry makes it possible to obtain separately the partial currents of silver ionization, anodic oxide formation, and chemical oxide dissolution. In the range of low anodic potentials (0.48–0.51 V), the process of active silver dissolution from the open parts of the surface and through the pores of oxide film prevails; the phase formation current drops fast. At higher potentials (0.52–0.53 V), the phase formation current prevails and noticeably exceeds the rate of the chemical oxide dissolution. The thickness of Ag2O film rapidly increases; and the net phase formation current is close to 100% during the whole period of polarization. Ag(I) oxide is an n‐type semiconductor with an excess of silver atoms. Their concentration in the oxide film formed on monocrystalline Ag(111), Ag(110), and Ag(100) is less than in the film formed on polycrystalline Ag. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stitching interferometric metrology for steeply curved x‐ray mirrors
Authors: Yumoto Hirokatsu , Mimura Hidekazu , Kimura Takashi , Handa Soichiro , Matsuyama Satoshi , Sano Yasuhisa , Yamauchi Kazuto
Published: March 2008

We have developed a new type of relative angle determinable stitching interferometry (RADSI) for hard x‐ray nanofocusing mirrors. The system consists of a microscope Michelson interferometer, and a large‐area Fizeau interferometer. The surface figure profile of each local area is measured by the Michelson interferometer and, at the same time, the stitching angles between neighboring shots are determined by using the large‐area Fizeau interferometer. Tests using a flat mirror were carried out for calibration. The repeatability was found to be 0.8 nm root mean square (RMS). To demonstrate the accuracy of the developed system, we measured an elliptically figured mirror used for hard x‐ray focusing. The obtained results were compared with a profile measured by another method. Both profiles were in good agreement at the subnanometer level. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Etching characteristics of local wet etching of silicon in HF/HNO3 mixtures
Authors: Yamamura Kazuya , Mitani Takuro
Published: March 2008

Silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) wafers are promising semiconductor material to realize high speed and low power consumption electric devices. The thickness and deviation of SOI, which are required in the next generation, are 13–15 nm and ± 5%, respectively. However, it is very difficult to achieve those specifications by applying conventional machining, because plastic deformation and brittle fracture in mechanical removal mechanisms inevitably cause subsurface damage such as dislocations, vacancies, or microcracks. Moreover, the accuracy of machining is strongly affected by external disturbances, such as the vibration or thermal deformation of the workpiece and the machine, because of the contact‐removal mechanism. To solve these issues, we had developed numerically controlled local wet etching (NC‐LWE) as a novel deterministic subaperture figuring and finishing method, which utilizes localized chemical reaction between the etchant and the surface of the workpiece. We investigated the etching characteristics of local wet etching of silicon in HF/HNO3 mixtures, and it was found that there was an induction period in the case of scanning the etchant supply nozzle. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical characterisation of evaporated In2Sx buffer layers in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin‐film solar cells with SNMS and SIMS
Authors: Eicke Axel , Spiering Stefanie , Dresel Ariane , Powalla Michael
Published: March 2008

For the series production of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS)‐based thin‐film solar cells it is desirable to replace the thin CdS buffer layer between absorber and transparent front contact by non‐toxic, low‐absorbing semiconductors. In2S3, deposited by atomic layer deposition, has already been qualified as an alternative buffer material. In this work, results of indium sulphide buffer layers deposited by thermal evaporation are presented. Pressed powders with different compositions and morphology were used for evaporation at about 720 °C, resulting in different layer compositions and cell performances. The composition of the initial powder material and of the pellets after the deposition steps was determined by XRF. The deposited In2SxOy buffer layers and the buffer/absorber interface region were analysed by SIMS and sputtered neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS) depth profiling.

Fine‐grained pressed In2S3 powder evaporates rather homogeneously during the entire deposition run, resulting in nearly stoichiometric In2S3 layers. S and Cl are evaporated preferentially from pellets of coarse‐grained, S‐poor In2S2.4 powder containing 2 at% Cl, leading to excess S and high Cl concentrations in the first deposited layer. The subsequent layers are S‐poor and the In/S ratios continue to increase. In all interface regions additional amounts of Se, In, and Ga are detected, which could be attributed to the Cu‐poor defect layer on top of the CIGS absorbers. The best solar cell performance with efficiences of about 13% was achieved with the S‐rich buffer layers. Stoichiometric In2S3 or S‐poor layers yield lower efficiences between 8 and 11%. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of the Weibull assumption in monthly wind energy estimation
Authors: García‐Bustamante E. , González‐Rouco J. F. , Jiménez P. A. , Navarro J. , Montávez J. P.
Published: March 2008

An estimation of the monthly wind energy output for the period 1999–2003 at five wind farms in northeastern Spain was evaluated. The methodology involved the calculation of wind speed histograms and the observed average wind power versus wind relation obtained from hourly data. The energy estimation was based on the cumulated contribution of the wind power from each wind speed interval. The impact of the Weibull distribution assumption as a substitute of the actual histogram in the wind energy estimation was evaluated.

Results reveal that the use of a Weibull probability distribution has a moderate impact in the energy calculation as the largest estimation errors are, on average, no larger than 10% of the total monthly energy produced. However, the evaluation of the goodness of fit through the χ2 statistics shows that the Weibull assumption is not strictly substantiated for most of the sites. This apparent discrepancy is based on the partial cancellation of the positive and negative departures of the Weibull fitted and the actual wind frequency distributions.

Further investigation of the relation between the χ2 and the error contribution exposes a tendency of the Weibull distribution to underestimate (overestimate) the observed histograms in the lower and upper (intermediate) wind speed intervals. This fact, together with the larger wind power weight over the highest winds, results in a systematic total wind energy underestimation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Medical World is Flat Too
Authors: Trunkey Donald D.
Published: March 2008

Background

Tom Friedman, in his book,“The World is Flat,” makes a very persuasive argument that our current economic policy transcends national boundaries. Friedman describes various processes that prove his point. These include workflow software, open sourcing, outsourcing, off‐shoring, supply chaining, in‐sourcing, and informing. The United States already outsources surgery. In this article, I give the retail surgical rates and discount rates of the US, and compare them to that of the same surgery in India, Thailand, and Singapore. Supply chaining is another example that applies to the field of medicine, particularly pharmaceuticals. Most pharmaceutical firms are located in developed countries, but 80% of the pharmaceuticals are manufactured in developing countries. A phenomenon that may be unique to the United States is that we off‐shore some of our diagnostic capabilities, primarily during out nighttime hours. Under the rubric of “Nighthawk,” X‐rays, including CT scans, are digitized and sent to Australia, Spain, and other countries during our nighttime hours. A diagnosis is made and sent back to the referring hospital in the US, usually within 30 minutes. I think an argument can be made that almost all of the issues that Friedman talks about in his book, apply to the field of medicine. Trauma care is a microcosm of medicine and uses most of the resources shared by other specialties. The trauma patient has to be identified and ambulances called, usually by 911 or similar numeric systems in other countries. The patient is transported to an emergency room, and if the injury is severe, admitted for acute care, which often requires surgery, intensive care, and ward care. When possible, the patient is discharged home, but is often sent to a rehabilitation facility or a nursing home. To improve trauma care and outcome, surgeons have turned to the organization and system approach that has been so successful in military situations.

Materials and methods

An extensive review of the surgical and public health papers relating to trauma was carried out. This article is an inventory of how trauma systems are progressing in different countries and whether they are effective. Some of the pitfalls that globalization may bring are also discussed.

Results and conclusions

For the last 100 years, there has been gradual improvement in care of the civilian patients, as a system approach similar to the military care of injured patients has been introduced and matured. These systems include prehospital care, acute care, rehabilitation; ideally, using a public health approach, preventive components are also utilized. Research is another component that is key in improving patient outcomes.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Standardized Technique of a Potential Stand‐alone Bariatric Procedure in Morbidly Obese Patients
Authors: Kueper Markus A. , Kramer Klaus M. , Kirschniak Andreas , Königsrainer Alfred , Pointner Rudolph , Granderath Frank A.
Published: March 2008

Background

The aim of this study was to define a standardized technique for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the morbidly obese patient.

Methods

There are several surgical options for the morbidy obese patient. In general, there are the restrictive procedures [e.g., laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB)] and the malabsorptive procedures [e.g. laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP)]. Those techniques are already standardized. The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) seems to have some advantages over both procedures, but it is not standardized yet, and so there can be no comparison between the different techniques. In our center we have standardized the LSG technique with respect to abdominal access and narrowness of the gastric sleeve. After dissection of the greater omentum and the short gastric vessels, the greater curvature is resected along a 34‐Fr gastric tube using the Endo‐GIA. The remaining gastric sleeve has a volume of about 100 ml.

Results

The standardized LSG procedure is presented step by step. A comparison of operative data and early outcome with a matched group of patients with adjustable gastric banding showed no difference between the two techniques with respect to operating time, surgical complications, and weight loss 6 months after surgery.

Conclusion

With our standardized LSG technique it is possible to evaluate the positive aspects of the LSG compared with other standardized bariatric procedures like LAGB or LRYGBP.
Deposition and decomposition of cattle dung in forest grazing in southern Kyushu, Japan
Authors: Hirata Masahiko , Hasegawa Nobumi , Nomura Maki , Ito Haruko , Nogami Kangoro , Sonoda Tatsunobu
Published: March 2008

This study monitored deposition and decomposition of cattle dung in a grazed young Chamaecyparis obtusa (an evergreen conifer) plantation in southwestern Japan, as a part of exploring the impacts of livestock in the forest grazing system. Animals defecated 10–19 times hd−1 day−1, producing feces of 2.2–3.5 kg DM and 33–73 g N per animal per day. The DM and N concentrations of feces ranged from 157–207 g DM kg−1 and 14.8−23.1 g (kg DM)−1, respectively. Occurrence of defecation was spatially heterogeneous, with feces being concentrated mainly on areas for resting (forest roads, ridges and valleys) and moving (forest roads and along fence lines). Decomposition of dung pats was considerably slow, showing the rates of 1.37–3.05 mg DM (g DM)−1 day−1 as DM loss. Decomposition was further slower on the basis of N release, 0.51–1.63 mg N (g N)−1 day−1, resulting in steadily increased N concentrations of dung pats with time after deposition. The results show that introduction of livestock into a forest (i.e., forest grazing) may limit nutrient availability to plants, by redistributing nutrients into areas with no vegetation (bare land and streams) and by establishing a large N pool as feces due to an imbalance between deposition and slow release, though further studies are necessary for investigating the occurrence of slow dung decomposition in other forest situations.
Uterine horn torsion in a non-gravid cat
Authors: De La Puerta Benito , McMahon Lucy A. , Moores Alison
Published: March 2008

An 11-year-old female domestic shorthair cat with a previous history of having been spayed, presented with signs of abdominal distension, lethargy and anorexia of 1 week's duration. On the basis of radiological and ultrasonographic findings a tentative diagnosis of pyometra was made. Exploratory coeliotomy revealed a 900° left horn uterine torsion along the longitudinal axis. Ovariohysterectomy was performed without correction of the torsion. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case report of uterine torsion in a non-gravid cat.
Practical Management of Spinal Injuries for Nurses
Authors: Wilson Mary R.
Published: March 2008

PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT OF SPINAL INJURIES FOR NURSES, by Reginald Elson, M.B., B.Ch., F.R.C.S., 150 pages, The Williams and Wilkins Company, Baltimore, 1965. Price $6.50.
Acculturation and mental distress among Russian and Iranian migrants in Germany
Authors: Haasen C. , Demiralay C. , Reimer J.
Published: March 2008

Several studies have stressed a correlation between difficulties in acculturation and mental distress or even mental disorders. The stress related to the process of acculturation can lead to depressive symptoms by way of changes in the activity of the HPA axis. However, it remains difficult to measure acculturation stress, as difficulties in acculturation strongly depend on subjective interpretations of every day experiences. The association between acculturation stress and mental distress was examined in two different migrant groups in Germany, 202 migrants of Russian and 100 of Iranian origin. In both migrant groups a significant correlation between acculturation stress and mental distress was found, yet no significant association between acculturation stress and length of residency in Germany. These findings will have to be replicated with representative samples and also with other migrant groups, both in and out of treatment. Considering the fact that the Russian sample was younger and nonetheless had relatively high acculturation stress scores, prevention of future mental health problems among migrants will have to focus on easing the process of integration into the host society.
Simple analytical relations for ship bow waves
Authors: NOBLESSE FRANCIS , DELHOMMEAU GÉRARD , GUILBAUD MICHEL , HENDRIX DANE , YANG CHI
Published: March 2008

Simple analytical relations for the bow wave generated by a ship in steady motion are given. Specifically, simple expressions that define the height of a ship bow wave, the distance between the ship stem and the crest of the bow wave, the rise of water at the stem, and the bow wave profile, explicitly and without calculations, in terms of the ship speed, draught, and waterline entrance angle, are given. Another result is a simple criterion that predicts, also directly and without calculations, when a ship in steady motion cannot generate a steady bow wave. This unsteady-flow criterion predicts that a ship with a sufficiently fine waterline, specifically with waterline entrance angle 2αEsmaller than approximately 25°, may generate a steady bow wave at any speed. However, a ship with a fuller waterline (25°<2αE) can only generate a steady bow wave if the ship speed is higher than a critical speed, defined in terms of αEby a simple relation. No alternative criterion for predicting when a ship in steady motion does not generate a steady bow wave appears to exist. A simple expression for the height of an unsteady ship bow wave is also given. In spite of their remarkable simplicity, the relations for ship bow waves obtained in the study (using only rudimentary physical and mathematical considerations) are consistent with experimental measurements for a number of hull forms having non-bulbous wedge-shaped bows with small flare angle, and with the authors' measurements and observations for a rectangular flat plate towed at a yaw angle.
The origin of the tubular jet
Authors: BERGMANN RAYMOND , DE JONG ERIK , CHOIMET JEAN-BAPTISTE , VAN DER MEER DEVARAJ , LOHSE DETLEF
Published: March 2008

A vertical cylindrical tube is partially immersed in a water-filled container and pressurized to lower the fluid level inside the tube. A sudden release of the pressure in the tube creates a singularity on top of the rising free surface. At the very beginning of the process a jet emerges at the centre of the surface, the strength of which strongly depends on the initial shape of the meniscus. Here, the time-evolution of the complex shape of the free surface and the flow around the cylindrical tube are analysed using high-speed imaging, particle image velocimetry, and numerical simulations. The tubular jet is found to be created by the following series of events, which eventually lead to the flow focusing at the tube's centre. A circular surface wave, produced by the funnelling of flow into the tube, is pushed inwards by the radial flow directly underneath the surface. As the wave moves inward and eventually collapses at the centre of the tube, a bump of fluid grows in the centre due to the converging flow in the bulk. This converging flow continues to feed the jet after the circular wave has collapsed. The singularity of the wave collapse is manifested in the initial sharp tip of the jet. All of the above events are traced back to a single origin: the convergence of the flow as it enters the tube. Movies are available with the online version of the paper.
Is alexithymia a personality trait increasing the risk of depression? A prospective study evaluating alexithymia before, during and after a depressive episode
Authors: Marchesi C. , Bertoni S. , Cantoni A. , Maggini C.
Published: March 2008

Background

Whether alexithymia is a personality trait that increases the risk of major depression (MD) is still debated. In this prospective study, alexithymic levels were evaluated before, during and after a depressive episode.

Method

The alexithymic levels, the presence of MD and the severity of anxious-depressive symptoms were evaluated at intervals of about 1 month in pregnant women attending the Centers for Prenatal Care, using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results

Sixteen women affected by MD, 21 affected by subthreshold depression and 112 non-depressed women were included in the study. Women who developed depression, compared to non-depressed women, showed similar TAS and HADS scores during the pre-morbid phase, a significant increase in the scores during depression and a significant decrease after remission, whereas no change was observed in non-depressed women.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that in pregnant women alexithymia does not represent a personality trait that increases the risk of developing a depressive episode, and they support the hypothesis that alexithymia is a state-dependent phenomenon in depressed pregnant women.
Signs and symptoms in the pre-psychotic phase: description and implications for diagnostic trajectories
Authors: Iyer S. N. , Boekestyn L. , Cassidy C. M. , King S. , Joober R. , Malla A. K.
Published: March 2008

Background

Few studies have examined the underlying factor structure of signs and symptoms occurring before the first psychotic episode. Our objective was to determine whether factors derived from early signs and symptoms are differentially associated with non-affective versus affective psychosis.

Method

A principal components factor analysis was performed on early signs and symptoms reported by 128 individuals with first-episode psychosis. Factor scores were examined for their associations with duration of untreated illness, drug abuse prior to onset of psychosis, and diagnosis (schizophrenia versus affective psychosis).

Results

Of the 27 early signs and symptoms reported by patients, depression and anxiety were the most frequent. Five factors were identified based on these early signs and symptoms: depression, disorganization/mania, positive symptoms, negative symptoms and social withdrawal. Longer duration of untreated illness was associated with higher levels of depression and social withdrawal. Individuals with a history of drug abuse prior to the onset of psychosis scored higher on pre-psychotic depression and negative symptoms. The two mood-related factors, depression and disorganization/mania, distinguished the eventual first-episode diagnosis of affective psychosis from schizophrenia. Individuals with affective psychosis were also more likely to have a ‘mood-related’ sign and symptom as their first psychiatric change than individuals later diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Conclusions

Factors derived from early signs and symptoms reported by a full diagnostic spectrum sample of psychosis can have implications for future diagnostic trajectories. The findings are a step forward in the process of understanding and characterizing clinically important phenomena to be observed prior to the onset of psychosis.
Correlated genetic and non-shared environmental influences account for the co-morbidity between female sexual dysfunctions
Authors: Witting K. , Santtila P. , Rijsdijk F. , Varjonen M. , Jern P. , Johansson A. , von der Pahlen B. , Alanko K. , Sandnabba N. K.
Published: March 2008

Background

Previous studies have shown moderate heritability for female orgasm. So far, however, no study has addressed the pattern of genetic and environmental influences on diverse sexual dysfunctions in women, nor how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the associations between them.

Method

The sample was drawn from the Genetics of Sex and Aggression (GSA) sample and consisted of 6446 female twins (aged 18–43 years) and 1994 female siblings (aged 18–49 years). The participants responded to the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), either by post or online.

Results

Model fitting analyses indicated that individual differences on all six subdomains of the FSFI (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) were primarily due to non-shared (individual-specific) environmental influences. Genetic influences were modest but significant, whereas shared environmental influences were not significant. A correlated factors model including additive and non-additive genetic and non-shared environmental effects proved to have the best fit and suggested that both correlated additive and non-additive genetic factors and unique environmental factors underlie the co-occurrence of the sexual function problems.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that female sexual dysfunctions are separate entities with some shared aetiology. They also indicate that there is a genetic susceptibility for sexual dysfunctions. The unique experiences of each individual are, however, the main factors determining if, and which, dysfunction develops.