bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal diagnosis of absent right and persistent left superior vena cava
Authors: Pasquini Lucia , Belmar Cristian , Seale Anna , Gardiner Helena M.
Published: May 2006

Objective

Persistence of left superior vena cava (LSVC) is a known variant of the systemic venous return. In the setting of an otherwise structurally normal heart, absence of the right superior vena cava (RSVC) but persistence of the LSVC is rare.

Methods

We describe the prenatal findings of a fetus with absent right and persistent LSVC.

Results

A dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy was referred to our centre with cardiac disproportion. Twin A had disproportion at four‐chamber level, an absent right but persistent LSVC draining to an enlarged coronary sinus and a hypoplastic transverse aortic arch (<2 mm). Postnatal echocardiography of the asymptomatic baby confirmed the prenatal diagnosis, and serial echocardiograms demonstrated general hypoplasia of the aortic arch but no discrete coarctation (CoA). No intervention was required and the baby is thriving aged 10 months.

Conclusion

Persistence of LSVC is a known variant of the systemic venous return. In the setting of an otherwise structurally normal heart, absence of the right but persistence of LSVC is rare. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First‐trimester examination of fetal nasal bone in the Chinese population
Authors: Chen Min , Lee Chin Peng , Tang Rebecca , Chan Ben , Ou Chun Quan , Tang Mary Hoi Yin
Published: May 2006

Objectives

Absence of the nasal bone in fetuses with trisomy 21 is a potential ultrasound marker for Down syndrome from the first trimester onwards. Racial differences in fetal nasal bone length have been reported. There was no reference range for the first‐trimester fetal nasal bone length (NBL) in the Chinese population.

Methods

From January 2002 to February 2005, we investigated the reference range of NBL in 2169 singleton fetuses whose parents were Chinese with normal pregnancy outcome. Ultrasound measurements of NBL were performed on a midsagittal plane at 12–14 weeks' gestation.

Results

The nasal bone length measurement showed a significant increase with gestational age (GA) (p < 0.05). A linear relationship between nasal bone length and gestational age (NBL = −3.3462 × GA + 0.627, R2 = 0.30, p < 0.001) as well as a linear relationship between nasal bone length and crown‐rump length (CRL) (NBL = 0.3741 × CRL + 0.284, R2 = 0.30, P < 0.001) was established.

Conclusion

The measurement of nasal bone length was feasible in the first trimester. The reference range of NBL in normal Chinese fetuses in the first‐trimester of pregnancy was established. This formed a basis for further study on the use of fetal nasal bone measurement in the screening for aneuploidy in the Chinese population. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endoscopy or colonoscopy guidelines for patients with diabetes
Authors: Wamae D , McHoy A
Published: May 2006

Local pilot guidelines for patients with diabetes undergoing an endoscopy or colonoscopy as an out‐patient were developed to reduce patient anxiety and the risk of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia prior to and during their procedure. Audit was used as a tool to evaluate the guidelines.

The audit highlighted that very few patients treated with insulin are prioritised to have their procedure early on the morning list.

The results demonstrated that, of the 12 patients who normally experienced at least one hypoglycaemic episode (blood glucose <4mmol/L) a week, none reported an increase in hypoglycaemia experienced, and five patients had improved control. Of the 28 patients who did not normally experience at least one hypoglycaemic episode a week, all patients continued to be free from hypos. Of the six patients who normally experienced at least one hyperglycaemic episode (≥15mmol/L) a week, none reported an increase in the frequency of their hyperglycaemia, and two patients had improved control. Of the 34 patients who did not normally experience at least one hyperglycaemic episode a week, 32 patients reported no increase in the frequency of hyperglycaemia. However, two patients reported transient asymptomatic hyperglycaemia.

The guidelines have assured standardisation of advice now given to patients, and enabled elective patients treated with insulin to be scheduled first on the morning list. Contact with a diabetes specialist nurse has enabled patients to access specialist advice regarding their general diabetes management that they would otherwise have not received. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Type 2 diabetes requiring insulin therapy precipitated by nicotinic acid in a patient with severe dyslipidaemia
Authors: Mukherjee S , Rees JAE
Published: May 2006

The insulin resistance syndrome may present with hyperinsulinaemia and dyslipidaemia prior to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Nicotinic acid is a lipid regulating agent, which is thought to exacerbate any underlying insulin resistance and may worsen glycaemic control. There is some controversy as to whether nicotinic acid has a clinically significant effect on glucose tolerance. We report a case whereby nicotinic acid precipitated type 2 diabetes requiring insulin therapy in a patient with severe dyslipidaemia and no previous history of diabetes. The mechanism of deterioration of insulin resistance by nicotinic acid is discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel metabolic drugs for the management of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Barnett AH , Bellary S
Published: May 2006

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is dramatically increasing both in the UK and globally. This has led to a greater focus on the development of new and effective treatments and numerous agents are currently being investigated that target the metabolic processes underlying the disease. In this article, we focus on drugs that may particularly benefit the cardiometabolic, insulin resistance dysfunctions of type 2 diabetes. The peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ is the target for the currently available anti‐diabetes drugs, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. Agents that combine the potentially beneficial effects of activating both PPAR‐α and PPAR‐γ are also being developed and are known as the glitazars. Two of these agents, muraglitazar and tesaglitazar, are showing promise in Phase III trials. Activation of PPAR‐γ can be associated with weight gain and oedema, however, which may impact on patient compliance. The novel insulin sensitiser, metaglidasen, exhibits the insulin sensitising qualities of the thiazolidinediones, but does not appear to have the associated tolerability issues. Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is a well known risk factor and is closely associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. The new cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) blocker, rimonabant, has been shown to have beneficial effects on abdominal obesity, dyslipidaemia and hyperglycaemia and so might be an effective treatment for abdominally obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The increasing impact of type 2 diabetes as a major health care concern necessitates that efforts are continued in developing agents that can provide increasing benefit for the effective management of this disease. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of fibrates in diabetes: what does the FIELD trial tell us?
Authors: Jowett NI
Published: May 2006

FIELD was the largest cardiovascular prevention trial using fibrates in type 2 diabetes. Whilst the primary endpoint was not achieved, fenofibrate therapy associated with fewer non‐fatal myocardial infarctions and revascularisation procedures. Progress of renal and retinal microvascular disease appeared to be slowed. Although many patients were also taking statin therapy, FIELD does not provide evidence on efficacy or long‐term safety when co‐prescribed with fibrates. Statin monotherapy remains first line therapy for diabetic dyslipidaemia. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Personality types as derived from parental reports on 3‐year‐old
Authors: Zupančič Maja , Podlesek Anja , Kavčič Tina
Published: May 2006

Three internally replicable clusters of personality were empirically derived in a sample of 3‐year‐old children who were assessed by mothers and fathers using the Inventory of Child Individual Differences (Halverson et al., 2003). The clusters were structurally consistent across the parental data sources and did not, except for resilients, fully overlap with the under‐ and overcontrolled types. The average children scored within less than half of a standard deviation from the mean across the ICID dimensions, while the wilful 3‐year‐old appeared extraverted and disagreeable. Child type membership was moderately consistent across the spouses and it predicted teacher‐reported child social behaviour. Compared to the dimensions, the predictive utility of the types was lower, but considerably improved with consistently classified children. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Congruence between social values and implicit motives: effects on life satisfaction across three cultures
Authors: Hofer Jan , Chasiotis Athanasios , Campos Domingo
Published: May 2006

This study examines the relationship between implicit motives for intimacy‐affiliation and power, explicit value orientations, and life satisfaction. The Satisfaction With Life Scale, the Schwartz Value Survey, and a bias‐free TAT‐type picture‐story‐test were administered to 319 adult participants in Cameroon, Costa Rica, and Germany. The stories were coded for motive imagery reflecting needs for intimacy‐affiliation and power. Based on motives associated with the domain intimacy‐affiliation, the results revealed that an alignment of implicit motives and self‐attributed values is associated with an enhanced life satisfaction across cultures. In contrast, no such relationship could be found for motives and values associated with the domain of power. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bipyridinophane‐containing conjugated polymers modulated with an intramolecular aromatic CH/π interaction
Authors: Wang Wei‐Ling , Xu Jian‐Wei , Lai Yee‐Hing
Published: May 2006

Bipyridinophane–fluorene conjugated copolymers have been synthesized via Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions from 5,8‐dibromo‐2,11‐dithia[3]paracyclo[3](4,4′)‐2,2′‐bipyridinophane and suitable fluorene precursors. Poly[2,7‐(9,9‐dihexylfluorene)‐co‐alt‐5,8‐(2,11‐dithia[3]paracyclo[3](4,4′)‐2,2′‐bipyridinophane)] (P7) exhibits large absorption and emission redshifts of 20 and 34 nm, respectively, with respect to its planar reference polymer Poly[2,7‐(9,9‐dihexylfluorene)‐co‐alt‐1,4‐(2,5‐dimethylbenzene)] (P11), which bears the same polymer backbone as P7. These spectral shifts originate from intramolecular aromatic CH/π interactions, which are evidenced by ultraviolet–visible and 1H NMR spectra as well as X‐ray single‐crystal structural analysis. However, the effect of the intramolecular aromatic CH/π interactions on the spectral shift in poly[9,9‐dihexylfluorene‐2,7‐yleneethynylene‐co‐alt‐5,8‐(2,11‐dithia[3]paracyclo[3](4,4′)‐2,2′‐bipyridinophane)] (P10) is much weaker. Most interestingly, the quenching behaviors of these two conjugated polymers are largely dependent on the polymer backbone. For example, the fluorescence of P7 is efficiently quenched by Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, and Ag+ ions. In contrast, only Cu2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ ions can partially quench the fluorescence of P10, but much less efficiently than the fluorescence of P7. The static Stern–Volmer quenching constants of Cu2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ ions toward P7 are of the order of 106 M−1, being 1300, 2500, and 37,300 times larger than those of P10, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4154–4164, 2006
Calorimetric investigation of the interaction of carbon nanotubes with polystyrene
Authors: Rivin D. , Suzin Y.
Published: May 2006

A simple, scalable procedure that does not require covalent modification of the filler or specialized high shear mixers is described for preparing well‐dispersed carbon nanotube composites. Excellent particle dispersions of multiple‐walled carbon nanotubes (NTs) and carbon black (CB) in polystyrene (PS) are obtained by coating the particles with a <2‐nm layer of PS adsorbed from dilute solution, prior to incorporation in the composite. Improved mechanical properties of composites containing coated particles, especially NT, are demonstrated by dynamic mechanical analysis at low frequency and low amplitude. Formation of a partially immobilized region of polymer surrounding the particles is quantified using flow microcalorimetry with ethyl acetate or methyl ethyl ketone vapor to measure the increase in solvation enthalpy in this region. This calorimetric method is applied to both composites and compacted powder mixtures of NT or CB with PS. The response of integral heat of vapor sorption as a function of particle loading in powder mixtures is similar to percolation curves reported for mechanical and electrical properties of composites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1821–1834, 2006
Hydrogen bonding, mobility, and structural transitions in aliphatic polyamides
Authors: Murthy N. Sanjeeva
Published: May 2006

Some salient results in nylon research are reviewed to identify the fundamental principles that are applicable to other strongly interacting or hydrogen‐bonded polymers, including proteins. The effects of hydrogen bonds on stress‐, heat‐, and solvent‐induced changes in macroscopic properties are discussed. These data provide a window into the chain mobility and linkages between the crystalline and amorphous domains, both of which are important for any predictive model. The changes in the characteristics of the amorphous phase with the crystallinity and orientation require that it be modeled with at least two components: a rigid/immobile/anisotropic component and a soft/mobile/isotropic component. The deformation and shrinkage behavior of these polymers are discussed in terms of the relative contributions of the amorphous and crystalline domains and of the interactions between them. The premelting crystalline transition is accompanied by the merging of intersheet and intrasheet diffraction peaks in some nylons, as observed by Brill, and not in others even though the underlying mechanism that gives rise to these transitions, the onset of volume‐increasing librational motion of the crystalline stems, is the same. Because the effects of the temperature, deformation, and solvent have a common origin associated with mobility, a fictive temperature can be associated with a given solvent activity or stress level. The magnitude of this fictive temperature is the amount by which the glass or Brill transition temperature is reduced in the presence of solvents (∼50 °C) or stress or by which the annealing temperature can be reduced in the presence of a solvent (or active stress) to achieve the same structural state as that of a dry (or static) polymer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1763–1782, 2006
A control technique of oxygen contamination by Ga beam irradiation in InN MOMBE growth
Authors: Isamoto K. , Uesaka Y. , Yamamoto A. , Hashimoto A.
Published: May 2006

We have investigated about a control technique of oxygen contamination into the InN layers by simultaneous irradiation of Ga beam during RF‐MOMBE growth using the combination of the TMIn and the RF‐plasma nitrogen sources. Red shifts of the band gap energy and the improvement of the electrical properties have been achieved by the Ga beam irradiation. The suppresssion mechanism of the oxygen contamination has been discussed from the experimental results of the InN growth by the RF‐MOMBE with the Ga beam irradiation. The present results strongly indicate that the simultaneous irradiation of the Ga beam would be useful to suppress the oxygen contamination into the InN layers during the growth. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Towards fabrication of In‐polar InN films and InN/GaN MQWs
Authors: Yamaguchi Wataru , Che Song‐Bek , Kikukawa Naohiro , Ishitani Yoshihiro , Yoshikawa Akihiko
Published: May 2006

In‐polarity InN films were grown by radio frequency plasma‐assisted molecular‐beam epitaxy and their structural properties as a function of III/V beam‐flux ratio were investigated. It was found that the window for the surface stoichiometry to achieve high quality InN films was very narrow; only 11% change in In beam‐equivalent pressure drastically affected surface morphology and structural property. This is because the upper‐limited growth temperature of the In‐polarity growth is as low as about 500 °C. Under the growth condition around the unity stoichiometry, a step‐flow‐like surface with a 2 mono‐layer step height was obtained in the In‐polarity growth. Best values for the measurements of structural and electrical properties were as follows; full width at half maximum of X‐ray rocking curves were 645 arcsec and 1425 arcsec for (0002) and (10‐12) reflections, respectively and the electron concentration and mobility were 1.3×1018 cm–3 and 1650 cm2/V s, respectively. Furthermore, we tried to fabricate In‐polarity InN/GaN multi‐quantum wells with a 1 mono‐layer InN well thickness. A result of X‐ray 2θ–ω scan showed clearly satellite peaks up to 2nd order and fringe peaks, which indicates that a fine periodic structure is achieved in the In‐polarity MQWs. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bowing of thick GaN layers grown by HVPE using ELOG
Authors: Hennig Ch. , Richter E. , Zeimer U. , Weyers M. , Tränkle G.
Published: May 2006

Intrinsic stress in GaN layers grown by HVPE on sapphire substrates results in wafer breakage for thicknesses exceeding 40 µm. Using ELOG 180 µm GaN can be grown on 2 inch. The bowing of the wafers caused by extrinsic stress due to the different thermal expansion is not affected by ELOG. Using WSiN as mask material a 600 µm thick free‐standing 2 inch GaN layer has been obtained by exploiting the shear forces occurring during cooling after growth for separation from the ELOG template. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Microfabrication of GaN groove on sapphire substrate treated selectively by electron‐beam
Authors: Matsumura H. , Sumiya M. , Kawai Y. , Tomiki M. , Murakami K. , Fuke S.
Published: May 2006

H2‐cleaned sapphire substrate was treated with an electron‐beam aiming at polarity‐selective growth of GaN film by using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). It was found that GaN growth on the sapphire substrate treated with an electron‐beam was suppressed like GaN growth on a SiO2 mask. GaN grooves having the fluctuated sidewalls were fabricated as designed by lithography patterns due to the selective growth. The groove sidewalls became smoother after etching by dipping in a KOH aqueous solution. This improvement was enhanced for the grooves oriented along <11$ \bar 1 $0> direction, compared to those along <1$ \bar 2 $00> direction. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quality and uniformity assessment of AlGaN/GaN quantum wells and HEMT heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy with ammonia source
Authors: Cordier Y. , Pruvost F. , Semond F. , Massies J. , Leroux M. , Lorenzini P. , Chaix C.
Published: May 2006

In the present work, AlGaN/GaN quantum wells and High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs) have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy on Si(111) and GaN on sapphire templates. The optical quality and the electrical properties were studied by low temperature photoluminescence and Hall effect. These measurements attest the quality of these heterostructures and demonstrate the high on‐wafer uniformity of the materials grown on 50 mm wafers, and this even for the III‐nitrides grown on Silicon. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Surface segregation of Si and Mg dopants in MOVPE grown GaN films revealed by X‐ray photoemission spectro‐microscopy
Authors: Schmidt Th. , Siebert M. , Flege J. I. , Gangopadhyay S. , Pretorius A. , Kröger R. , Figge S. , Gregoratti L. , Barinov A. , Hommel D. , Falta J.
Published: May 2006

The surface segregation of Mg and Si dopant species in GaN films has been investigated by means of combined X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy and microscopy. For both species, a segregation tendency was detected. Comparing Mg doped samples before and after Ar ion sputtering, a Mg surface enrichment is concluded on that extends at least over several atomic layers. For Si doped films, the formation of facetted cracks with threefold symmetry was observed. The Si surface concentration was found to be enhanced at the facets of these cracks by a factor of 2.5 with respect to the c ‐plane surface. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Investigation of hydrogen implantation induced blistering in GaN
Authors: Singh R. , Radu I. , Gösele U. , Christiansen S. H.
Published: May 2006

A systematic investigation of surface blister formation on GaN epitaxial layers implanted with 100 keV H2+ ions with a dose of 1.3×1017 cm–2 and annealed at various temperatures in the range of 350–700 °C was carried out. Two different activation energies were found for the formation of surface blisters: 1.79 eV in the lower temperature regime of 350–400 °C and 0.48 eV in the higher temperature regime of 400–700 °C. The depth and width of the blisters were determined using a stylus profilometer. The hydrogen implantation‐induced damage was assessed using cross‐sectional transmission microscopy revealing a band of defects extending from 230–500 nm from the surface of GaN. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Defect density dependence of luminescence efficiency and lifetimes in AlGaN active regions exhibiting enhanced emission from nanoscale compositional inhomogeneities
Authors: Garrett G. A. , Sampath A.V. , Collins C. J. , Readinger E. D. , Sarney W. L. , Shen H. , Wraback M. , Soukhoveev V. , Usikov A. , Dmitriev V.
Published: May 2006

AlGaN epilayers grown by plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy and exhibiting high internal quantum efficiency (up to 30%) are incorporated into double‐heterostructure devices grown on base layers of varying defect density. Growth of these AlGaN active layers, having increased emission from localization of carriers in regions of nanoscale compositional inhomogeneities, is found to benefit from base layers of reduced defect density, including thick AlGaN templates grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. Nonlinear radiative processes are observed at high optical excitation for layers grown on lower defect base layers. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fabrication of InN/InGaN multiple quantum well structures by RF‐MBE
Authors: Kurouchi M. , Na H. , Naoi H. , Muto D. , Takado S. , Araki T. , Miyajima T. , Nanishi Y.
Published: May 2006

InN/InGaN multiple quantum well structures have been fabricated on InN templates grown on (0 0 0 1) sapphire substrates by radio‐frequency plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The structures were confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, and satellite peaks up to the 3rd order were observed. From InN/InGaN multiple quantum well structures with different well widths, photoluminescence (PL) emission from the well layers was observed at 77 K, and the PL peak energy slightly blueshifted with decreasing the well width. This dependence can be explained by combined effects of quantum size effect, quantum confined Stark effect, and band filling effect. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of macro defects in SiC substrate on AlGaN/GaN HEMT DC characteristics
Authors: Sazawa H. , Mitani T. , Bang H. , Hirata K. , Kosaki M. , Furuta K. , Tsuchiya T. , Hikosaka K. , Nakashima S. , Okumura H.
Published: May 2006

To clarify the effect of micropipes in SiC substrates on AlGaN/GaN HEMT performance, we fabricated HEMTs, with precise positioning, on and around hollow core at the end of micropipes in the SiC substrate with an overgrown AlGaN/GaN epitaxial layer and evaluated the DC characteristics of the devices. The devices showed poor pinch‐off characteristic and a large gate leakage current. This deterioration in device performance became insignificant at longer distances from the hollow core, and there were no observed differences at a distance of 40 μm. Raman investigation revealed that free carrier (electron) density markedly increased near the hollow core in the GaN layer. The density of carrier was also found to increase within the active region of the degraded device. Because no such increase was observed in the normally functioning device, we concluded that the micropipe in the SiC substrate introduced free carriers into the overgrown epitaxial layer, which degraded the DC characteristics. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The conductivity of Mg‐doped InN
Authors: Cimalla V. , Niebelschütz M. , Ecke G. , Ambacher O. , Goldhahn R. , Lu H. , Schaff W. J.
Published: May 2006

Unintentionally doped and Mg doped InN layers were analyzed by sputter depth profiling in an Auger electron spectroscopy equipment. On both layers a strong n‐type surface accumulation of electrons was observed. However, in contrast to the undoped layers the resistivity profile of Mg doped InN shows a strong discontinuity close to the surface. The depth of this discontinuity strongly depends on the oxygen concentration. The energy shift of the InMNN peak was estimated during the depth profiling in order to obtain information about the position of the Fermi level. In the bulk of the Mg doped InN the InMNN peak shift of about 0.2 eV demonstrates the existence of a compensated layer, while the surface is degenerated n‐type. The surface electron accumulation, which is larger by several orders of magnitude, is superimposing the compensation effect of the Mg doping and the InN layer appears to be n‐type. A strong shift of the Fermi level close to the surface was observed, which might be attributed to the formation of InOx. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparison of models for average bioequivalence in replicated crossover designs
Authors: Willavize Susan A. , Morgenthien Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2006

Average bioequivalence (ABE) has been the regulatory standard for bioequivalence (BE) since the 1990s. BE studies are commonly two‐period crossovers, but may also use replicated designs. The replicated crossover will provide greater power for the ABE assessment. FDA has recommended that ABE analysis of replicated crossovers use a model which includes terms for separate within‐ and between‐subject components for each formulation and which allows for a subject × formulation interaction component. Our simulation study compares the performance of four alternative mixed effects models: the FDA model, a three variance component model proposed by Ekbohm and Melander (EM), a random intercepts and slopes model (RIS) proposed by Patterson and Jones, and a simple model that contains only two variance components. The simple model fails (when not ‘true’) to provide adequate coverage and it accepts the hypothesis of equivalence too often. FDA and EM models are frequently indistinguishable and often provide the best performance with respect to coverage and probability of concluding BE. The RIS model concludes equivalence too often when both the within‐ and between‐subject variance components differ between formulations. The FDA analysis model is recommended because it provides the most detail regarding components of variability and has a slight advantage over the EM model in confidence interval length. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the zero‐field splitting in magnetic molecules by wave function‐based methods
Authors: de Graaf Coen , Sousa Carmen
Published: May 2006

The effect of spin‐orbit coupling is assessed through the spin‐orbit state interaction method. This method involves a two‐step procedure to include both dynamical electron correlation effects and spin‐orbit effects on the relative energies of the low‐lying electronic states. Accurate energies of the spin free states are obtained with the complete active space self‐consistent field/complete active space second‐order perturbation theory (CASSCF/CASPT2) procedure. Second, the spin‐orbit coupling is taken into account by interaction of the CASSCF states using the CASPT2 relative energies. The method is validated on the Co2+ ion in vacuum and in the ionic insulator CoO. Afterward the method is applied to CoCl2(PPh3)2 and the dinuclear complexes [TM2Cl6]2− (TM = Mn, Fe, Co). For the monomeric species, the results compare favorable with experimental data or fully relativistic benchmarks. We discuss the difficulties to interpret the dimer results in terms of the parameters that are usually derived from experiment. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
“Social Separation” Among Women Under 40 Years of Age Diagnosed with Breast Cancer and Carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation
Authors: Kenen Regina , Ardern‐Jones Audrey , Eeles Rosalind
Published: May 2006

We conducted an exploratory, qualitative study investigating experiences of women who had developed breast cancer under the age of 40 and who were identified as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers. These germline mutation carriers face an increased lifetime risk of a second primary breast cancer and an increased risk for a primary ovarian cancer. Thirteen women who fit this criteria participated in three focus groups conducted at a major cancer center in the UK during Spring 2003. We asked broad, open‐ended questions that allowed for a wide range of responses about their cancer and genetic testing experiences, physical and psycho‐social concerns, family and partner reactions and their need for social support. The women expressed feelings of devastation, loneliness, feeling different and isolation, ambivalence about having to support family members, worries about partner's anxiety and depression, and anxiety about talking to family members, especially children. These feelings were stronger after the cancer diagnosis and compounded by the genetic test results that occurred at a later time. We also found that, at least temporarily, the women experienced what we call “social separation”—emotional distance from, or dissonance with groups they interact with or are part of, e.g., family and friends, frequently leading to a reduction in communication or a change in previously unstated, but accepted normal interaction. We concentrate on a few characteristics of social separation—feelings of aloneness, isolation and separation, use of silence and verbal discretion, the relationship between estrangement and kinship interaction and norm disruption, and are looking at social patterns of interpersonal relationships that may occur when risk and illness statuses are new and framing and feeling rules have not as yet been clearly developed due to a cultural lag.
Adenoidectomy: does it work?
Authors: Robb P J
Published: May 2006

Adenoidectomy is a common, routine paediatric operation for which the evidence base for effectiveness is lacking. While there is a broad evidence base of variable quality for other common children's ENT operations, most published data including adenoidectomy is combined with the effect of combined tonsillectomy or grommet surgery. For the common indications for adenoidectomy, does it work?
A tryptophan amphiphilic tetramerization domain-containing acetylcholinesterase from the bovine lungworm,Dictyocaulus viviparus
Authors: MATTHEWS J. B. , LAZARI O. , DAVIDSON A. J. , WARREN S. , SELKIRK M. E.
Published: May 2006

Acetylcholine (ACh) is one of an array of neurotransmitters used by invertebrates and, analogous to vertebrate nervous systems, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) regulates synaptic levels of this transmitter. Similar to other invertebrates, nematodes possess several AChE genes. This is in contrast to vertebrates, which have a single AChE gene, transcripts of which are alternatively spliced to produce different types of the enzyme which vary at their C-termini. Parasitic nematodes have a repertoire of AChE genes which include those encoding neuromuscular AChEs and those genes which code for secreted AChEs. The latter proteins exist as soluble monomers released by the parasite during infection and these AChE are distinct from those enzymes which the nematodes use for synaptic transmission in their neuromuscular system. Thus far,Dictyocaulus viviparusis the only animal-parasitic nematode for which distinct genes that encode both neuromuscular and secreted AChEs have been defined. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of a cDNA encoding a putative neuromuscular AChE fromD. viviparuswhich contains a tryptophan amphiphilic tetramerization (WAT) domain at its C-terminus analogous to the common ‘tailed’ AChE form found in the neuromuscular systems of vertebrates and in the ACE-1 AChE fromCaenorhabditis elegans. This enzyme differs from the previously isolated,D. viviparusneuromuscular AChE (Dv-ACE-2), which is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored variant analogous to vertebrate ‘hydrophobic’ AChE.
Geographical variations in infectivity and susceptibility in the host-parasite systemSchistosoma mansoni/Biomphalaria glabrata: no evidence for local adaptation
Authors: PRUGNOLLE F. , DE MEEÛS T. , POINTIER J.P. , DURAND P. , ROGNON A. , THÉRON A.
Published: May 2006

We investigated local adaptation in the spatially structured naturalBiomphalaria glabrata/Schistosoma mansonihost-parasite system in the marshy forest focus of Guadeloupe using cross-transplantation experiments. We demonstrated strong and highly significant variations in susceptibility/infectivity of host and parasite populations, respectively, but found no evidence of local adaptation neither forS. mansoninor forB. glabrata. Environmental as well as genetic factors are discussed to explain susceptibility/infectivity variations between both host and parasite populations. The absence of local adaptation is discussed in relation to the metapopulation dynamics of both host and parasite, in particular their relative rates of dispersal at the scale under scrutiny. Our study constitutes the first cross-transplantation experiment concerning this host-parasite system of which both hosts and parasites came directly from the wild, excluding laboratory generations and experimental host passages.
Children and International Relations: a new site of knowledge?
Authors: WATSON ALISON M. S.
Published: May 2006

Recent years have seen the growth of approaches critical of traditional state-centred examinations of international relations, arguing instead for analyses that recognise actors and methods previously held largely silent within the mainstream International Relations (IR) discourse. This article argues that children are a group of actors worthy of similar recognition. Despite the fact that ‘childhood studies’ are comparatively well established in a number of academic disciplines, similar recognition has been later in coming to the study of IR. This article aims to address this perceived gap in the literature by first of all outlining the ways in which the discourse surrounding the child in IR has so far developed. This leads into an examination of how the child may potentially best be conceptualised within the mainstream discourse and the implications of the inclusion of children as a ‘site of knowledge’ through which the international system may be more clearly understood.
Differing sequences of metaphonological development in French and English
Authors: DUNCAN LYNNE G. , COLÉ PASCALE , SEYMOUR PHILIP H. K. , MAGNAN ANNIE
Published: May 2006

Phonological awareness is thought to become increasingly analytic during early childhood. This study examines whether the proposed developmental sequence (syllable→onset-rime→phoneme) varies according to the characteristics of a child's native language. Experiment 1 compares the phonological segmentation skills of English speakers aged 4;11 (N=10), 5;3 (N=21), and 6;5 (N=23) and French speakers aged 5;6 (N=35), and 6;8 (N=34). Experiment 2 assesses performance in the common unit task using English speakers aged 4;7 (N=22), 5;7 (N=23), and 6;11 (N=22), and French speakers aged 4;7 (N=20), 5;6 (N=35), and 6;7 (N=33). The experiments reveal crosslinguistic differences in the processing of syllables prior to school entry with French speakers exhibiting a greater consistency in manipulating syllables. Phoneme awareness emerges in both languages once reading instruction is introduced and rime awareness appears to follow rather than precede this event. Thus, the emergence of phonological awareness did not show a universal pattern but rather was subject to the influence of both native language and literacy.
Early noun plurals in German: regularity, productivity or default?
Authors: LAAHA SABINE , RAVID DORIT , KORECKY-KRÖLL KATHARINA , LAAHA GREGOR , DRESSLER WOLFGANG U.
Published: May 2006

The acquisition of German plurals has been the focus of controversy in the last decade. In this paper we claim that degree of productivity (i.e. the capacity of nouns to form potential plurals) plays a key role in determining pace of acquisition. A plural elicitation task was administered to 84 Viennese German-speaking children aged 2;6 to 6;0. Analyses of correct responses showed that the highest scores were obtained with -e plurals, followed by the plural markers -e +U, -er +U, -s and -(e)n. The lowest score was observed for pure Umlaut (U) plurals. Analyses suggested an impact of productivity on the number of correct scores: fully productive and productive plural patterns obtained higher correct scores than weakly productive and non-productive ones. The results of the study support our productivity scale and are compatible both with single-route models and with a race-model variant of the dual-route view.
Interaction of lexical and grammatical aspect in toddlers' language
Authors: JOHNSON BONNIE W. , FEY MARC E.
Published: May 2006

This study examined the effect of lexical aspect on children's imitation accuracy of English tense-aspect morphology. Thirty-five typically developing children, ages 2;4 to 3;1, imitated sentence-pairs in which the same regular verb was used once in an activity (skip on the rug) and once in an accomplishment (skip out the door). Children imitated past-imperfective morphology equally well in accomplishments and activities, but they imitated past-perfective morphology with higher accuracy in accomplishments than activities. These findings suggest that children's early morphology development is influenced by lexical aspect conveyed at the sentence level, as predicted by the PROTOTYPE HYPOTHESIS.
Object agreement and specificity in early Swahili
Authors: DEEN KAMIL UD
Published: May 2006

Schaeffer (1997, 2000) argues that children lack knowledge of specificity because Dutch children omit determiners and fail to scramble pronouns. Avrutin & Brun (2001), however, find that Russian children place arguments correctly according to whether they are specific or non-specific. This paper investigates object agreement and specificity in early Swahili. Object agreement in Swahili is obligatory when the object is specific, but is prohibited when the object is non-specific. Analysis of naturalistic data from four Swahili-speaking children (1;8–3;2) reveals that children overwhelmingly provide object agreement in obligatory contexts (when the object is a personal name, is topicalized, or refers to first/second person). The supply of object agreement cannot be due to a general strategy of overusing agreement, since object agreement does not occur in prohibited contexts such as intransitive clauses. I conclude that object agreement and knowledge of specificity are acquired by Swahili children before the age of two years.
Increase in DNA fragmentation and apoptosis-related gene expression in frozen-thawed bovine blastocysts
Authors: Park Sae Young , Kim Eun Young , Cui Xiang Shun , Tae Jin Cheol , Lee Won Don , Kim Nam Hyung , Park Se Pill , Lim Jin Ho
Published: May 2006

Evaluation of apoptosis and expression level of apoptosis-related genes is useful for examining the variation in embryo quality according to environmental change. The objective of this study was to investigate DNA fragmentation and apoptosis-related gene expression patterns in frozen-thawed bovine blastocysts.In vitroproduced day 7 blastocysts were frozen by two different vitrification methods (conventional 0.25 ml straw or MVC straw). After thawing, DNA fragmentation of surviving embryos was examined by TUNEL assay, and the expression patterns of their apoptotic genes (survivin, Fas, Hsp 70 and caspase-3) were evaluated using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.In vitrosurvival rates of frozen-thawed embryos were higher following the MVC vitrification method (88.2% re-expanded at 24 h, 77.1% hatching at 48 h) than the conventional (C) vitrification method (77.0% re-expanded at 24 h, 66.7% hatching at 48 h). However, both vitrified methods resulted in a significantly higher apoptotic index (C vitrification method 11.9%, MVC vitrification method 11.0%) than in non-frozen embryos (3.0%). Expression levels of survivin, Fas, caspase-3, and Hsp 70 were also increased in the frozen-thawed embryos compared with non-frozen embryos. These results indicate that the cryopreservation procedure might cause damage that results in an increase in DNA fragmentation and apoptosis-related gene transcription, reducing developmental capacity of frozen-thawed embryos.
Quality control of rainfall measurements in Cyprus
Authors: Golz Claudia , Einfalt Thomas , Michaelides Silas Chr.
Published: May 2006

The basic condition for using precipitation data from raingauges and radars is data quality control. This aspect is important for comparing and using rainfall data, for example in models. In the scope of the EU‐project VOLTAIRE (Validation of multisensors precipitation fields and numerical modelling in Mediterranean test sites) rain data from Cyprus have been analysed. Different quality control methods have been applied to the rainfall data of 158 raingauges and the data of 11 events (in 2002 and 2003) of the C‐Band radar in Kykkos. The first results of the use of ground clutter algorithms for radar data in Cyprus are presented in the paper. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Modelling dust transport over central eastern Australia
Authors: Leslie Lance M. , Speer Milton S.
Published: May 2006

A ten‐year climatology has been prepared of dust days for central eastern Australia, from January 1995 to February 2004, using reports from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's observational network. It was found that there had been a total of 55 dust days during this ten‐year period. Of these, 43 dust days were associated with cold fronts: 24 were classified as embedded in the zonal westerlies in the Great Australian Bight (GAB) or in westerlies derived from low pressure systems in the GAB, whereas the remaining 19 were associated with cold fronts over eastern Australia where high pressure systems in the GAB generated strong post‐frontal south to southeast winds. Three detailed case studies of dust storm generation and transport were modelled using a sophisticated coupled wind erosion prediction system. The model predictions in all three cases were found to be broadly consistent both with satellite images highlighting dust and the synoptic observations that reported dust. Antecedent land surface conditions are found to be critically important in generating dust, and their representation in the integrated prediction system is subsequently important in providing skilful model predictions of dust transport. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Detecting and nowcasting cloudiness using near‐surface temperatures on winter nights
Authors: Grimbacher Tobias , Schmid Willi
Published: May 2006

A model to deduce cloudiness from automatic measurements of synoptic and road weather stations during winter nights is introduced. The (height‐adjusted) cloud amount of each station can be determined from near‐surface temperature measurements and precipitation information only. By using the difference between the air temperature at surface level and the air temperature 2 m above ground, a correlation coefficient is achieved of up to 0.91 between the calculated cloud amount and observations. The model is applied to a dense network in central Switzerland in order to obtain a two‐dimensional cloud map by interpolation. With the help of a tracking algorithm, the displacement of cloud patterns is nowcasted. The procedure was tested using data from winter 2003–4. It works successfully with a forecast range up to about 90 minutes. The results are used to predict a change in surface temperature (in cases with changing cloudiness), and thus allow nowcasting of slippery roads or ground frost. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Heat balance of an asphalt surface: observations and physically‐based simulations
Authors: Jansson C. , Almkvist E. , Jansson P‐E.
Published: May 2006

A physically‐based 1‐D heat and mass transfer model was tested to estimate the heat fluxes of an asphalt surface. The model was run for two summer months for a road test site in southwest Sweden. Parameters for thermal properties, surface runoff, radiation and turbulent transfer were obtained from a description of the road stratification and from the literature. Coefficients of determination (r2) 0.94, 0.93 and 0.97 were obtained when simulated results were compared with observations of net radiation, heat flow below the surface and surface temperature respectively, all with slope coefficients close to unity. In addition, simulation results elucidated the role of water vapour transport through the asphalt‐soil profile and its effect on the latent heat flow from the surface. Problems were identified with closure of the heat balance in measurements based on discrepancy between simulated and observed sensible heat flux. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neuron disease): proposed mechanisms and pathways to treatment
Authors: Goodall Emily F. , Morrison Karen E.
Published: May 2006

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterised by loss of motor neurons. The cause of disease is unknown other than in the rare cases of familial disease arising from mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 gene. Many theories for pathogenesis have been proposed – including oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal protein aggregation – based on studies of human post mortem tissue, research on animal models, and in vitro work. Here we review the evidence for the main pathogenic mechanisms and outline how they might interact to cause motor neuron death. Clinical trials have as yet failed to identify any truly effective therapies in ALS, with only riluzole providing a modest improvement in survival. Ongoing trials are exploring the value of antiglutamatergic agents, including the cephalosporin antibiotic ceftriaxone, as well as antioxidants, mitochondrial enhancers and anti-apoptotic drugs. It is likely that effective therapy will involve combinations of agents acting on different mechanisms. Gene therapy with neurotrophic factors will soon be in clinical trials, while work on stem cell therapy remains preclinical. In addition to finding effective therapies, research also needs to identify early disease markers because therapy is likely to be of most benefit when given early in the course of disease.