bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MDM2 SNP309 genotype is associated with ferritin and LDH serum levels in children with stage 4 neuroblastoma
Authors: Parodi Stefano , Perfumo Chiara , Garaventa Alberto , Inga Alberto , Mazzocco Katia , Defferrari Raffaella , Tonini Gian Paolo , Fronza Gilberto , Haupt Riccardo
Published: March 2010

Background

MDM2 SNP309, characterised by a T‐to‐G substitution in the MDM2 promoter, is associated with higher gene expression compared to wild type and was recently found to be a negative prognostic factor for patients with stage 4 neuroblastoma (NB), but not for children with localised disease. This polymorphism was not associated with any clinical or genetic tumour characteristics, including MYCN amplification and 1p chromosome deletion.

Procedure

To better define the involvement of MDM2 SNP309 in NB, we explored its association with the main biochemical tumour markers, namely urinary concentrations of vanillyl mandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) and blood concentrations of ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). A cohort of 497 NB children, enrolled in the Italian Neuroblastoma Registry between January 1985 and December 2005 and previously investigated for the prognostic role of MDM2 SNP309, was considered for this study.

Results

VMA and HVA concentrations as well as HVA/VMA ratio were not affected by the MDM2 SNP309 genotype. Ferritin and LDH concentrations were significantly lower in TT than in TG/GG only in patients with stage 4 disease (P = 0.007 and 0.015, respectively). No association emerged in patients with localised disease. These findings were not affected by confounding from clinical or biological characteristics.

Conclusions

The association between MDM2 SNP309 and both ferritin and LDH in patients with stage 4 disease confirms the prognostic role of this polymorphism. The results suggest that the MDM2 SNP309 genotype can impact on tumour responses to hypoxia and might play an important role in the alteration of energetic metabolism in NB cells. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:267–272. © 2010 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Non‐traditional lightweight polypropylene composites reinforced with milkweed floss
Authors: Reddy Narendra , Yang Yiqi
Published: March 2010

Lightweight composites are preferred for automotive applications due to the weight restrictions and also due to the presence of inherent voids that can enhance the sound absorption of these composites. The density of the reinforcing materials plays a crucial role in such lightweight composites. Milkweed is a unique natural cellulose fiber that has a completely hollow center and low density (0.9 g cm−3) unlike any other natural cellulose fiber. The low density of milkweed fibers will allow the incorporation of higher amounts of fiber per unit weight of a composite, which is expected to lead to lightweight composites with better properties. Polypropylene (PP) composites reinforced with milkweed fibers have much better flexural and tensile properties than similar PP composites reinforced with kenaf fibers. Milkweed fiber‐reinforced composites have much higher strength but are stiffer than kenaf fiber‐reinforced PP composites. Increasing the proportion of milkweed in the composites from 35 to 50% increases the flexural strength but decreases the tensile strength. The low density of milkweed fibers allows the incorporation of higher amounts of fibers per unit weight of the composites and hence provides better properties compared to composites reinforced with common cellulose fibers with relatively high density. This research shows that low‐density reinforcing materials can more efficiently reinforce lightweight composites. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of the addition of depolymerised ethylene vinyl acetate on the mechanical, thermal, chemical and shrinkage properties of cured unsaturated polyester resins
Authors: Shenoy Mohan A , D'Mello Dawid , Patil Mrinalini
Published: March 2010

Unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs) are versatile compounds. However, their major drawback is the high shrinkage exhibited on curing. An attempt was made to reduce the shrinkage of UPRs without affecting other properties. In the present study a commonly used iso‐reactive UPR was modified by the addition of ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA; subjected to controlled depolymerisation to obtain samples of various molecular weights), and was cured at room temperature. The peak exotherm temperature and gel time were both observed to decrease with an increase in EVA content. The composition incorporating 0.5% of depolymerised EVA1 (highest degree of branching) showed maximum improvement in tensile and flexural properties with the heat deflection temperature and impact properties remaining almost unaffected. A uniform dispersion for the UPR containing 0.5% of EVA1 was observed. Addition of EVA reduced the percentage shrinkage in the modified matrix. Incorporation of depolymerised EVA can be an attractive option for the reduction of shrinkage in UPRs. The advantage of using depolymerised EVA is that generated waste EVA can be depolymerised and reused for this application making it cost effective. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Fabrication and characterization of electrospun fibrous nanocomposite scaffolds based on poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide)/poly(vinyl alcohol) blends
Authors: Samani Faezeh , Kokabi Mehrdad , Soleimani Masoud , Valojerdi Mojtaba Rezazadeh
Published: March 2010

Tissue engineering involves the fabrication of three‐dimensional scaffolds to support cellular in‐growth and proliferation. Ideally, the scaffolds should be similar to the native extracellular matrix (ECM). Electrospun polymer nanofibrous scaffolds are appropriate candidates for ECM mimetic materials since they mimic the nanoscale properties of ECM. Electrospun polymer nanocomposites based on poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) were prepared by a solution intercalation technique followed by electrospinning. The morphology of fibrous scaffolds based on these nanocomposites was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The scaffolds showed highly porous structure within the nanofibres of diameters ranging from 400 to 700 nm. X‐ray diffractometry gave evidence of good dispersion of the OMMT in the blends with exfoliated morphology. Measurements of the water uptake and water contact angle of the fibrous scaffolds indicated significant improvement in the hydrophilicity of the scaffolds. Evaluations of the mechanical properties and unrestricted somatic stem cell culture of the electrospun fibrous nanocomposite scaffolds revealed that the PLGA90/PVA10/1.5% OMMT and PLGA90/PVA10/3% OMMT samples are the most useful from the tissue engineering application viewpoint. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Changes in protein abundance during powdery mildew infection of leaf tissues of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Marsh Ellen , Alvarez Sophie , Hicks Leslie M. , Barbazuk W. Brad , Qiu Wenping , Kovacs Laszlo , Schachtman Daniel
Published: March 2010

A comparative analysis of differentially expressed proteins in a susceptible grapevine (Vitis vinifera ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’) during the infection of Erysiphe necator, the causal pathogen of grapevine powdery mildew (PM), was conducted using iTRAQ. The quantitative labeling analysis revealed 63 proteins that significantly changed in abundance at 24, 36, 48, and 72 h post inoculation with powdery mildew conidiospores. The functional classification of the PM‐responsive proteins showed that they are involved in photosynthesis, metabolism, disease/defense, protein destination, and protein synthesis. A number of the proteins induced in grapevine in response to E. necator are associated with the plant defense response, suggesting that PM‐susceptible Cabernet Sauvignon is able to initiate a basal defense but unable to restrict fungal growth or slow down disease progression.
Adsorption behavior of partially collapsed polyacrylate coils on mica surfaces: A reciprocal space approach
Authors: Sinha Prashant , Lages Sebastian , Kiriy Anton , Huber Klaus , Stamm Manfred
Published: March 2010

In this article, we investigate tapping mode atomic force microscopy images of intermediate states along the coil to globule transition of sodium polyacrylate coils containing Ca2+ as specifically binding ions. The structural correlations within single adsorbed molecules are established using power spectral density (PSD) curves. The PSD curves of several single molecules are averaged to give the so called 2D form factor so as to obtain information of higher statistical merit. A proper interpretation of the 2D form factor and comparison with form factor analysis of the very same sample solution available through small angle neutron scattering provides an alternative quantification of changes in conformation which a single polyacrylate molecule undergoes as it moves from 3D solution to 2D surface and is inevitably distorted in shape because of sample history. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1553–1561, 2010
Fabrication of functional nano‐objects via self‐assembly of nanostructured hybrid materials
Authors: Pietsch Torsten , Gindy Nabil , Mahltig Boris , Fahmi Amir
Published: March 2010

A simple route to fabricate functional nano‐objects via self‐assembly of block copolymer‐based hybrid materials is described. In water–toluene mixtures, spheres, rod‐like morphologies, and ring‐like morphologies as well as vesicles of metal loaded block copolymers micelles are fabricated. The concept is generic to realize different functionalities by incorporating various inorganic components (Au, Ag, Pt, Co…) into the block copolymer matrix. A mechanism describing the formation of micellar aggregates with different morphologies is presented based on a simple force balance approach. Moreover, the composition of the solvent mixture is modified to gain control over the morphology of micellar aggregates. It was found that swelling of the micelle core with a selective cosolvent is the driving force to induce morphology transitions from spherical to rod‐ and ring‐like structures as well as vesicles. These nano‐objects can be further used as building blocks to construct well‐defined structures via self‐assembly in spin coated thin films. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1642–1650, 2010
Effect of homopolymer solubilization on triblock gel structure and mechanical response
Authors: Seitz Michelle E. , Rottsolk Rebecca L. , Shull Kenneth R.
Published: March 2010

The linear modulus, swelling behavior, and high strain response of a set of well‐characterized model triblock gels were investigated to understand the effect of homopolymer solubilized within the micelle core on gel structure and mechanical properties. Structural parameters were obtained from small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) as well as from self‐consistent field theory (SCFT) calculations. Experimental results are compared with Neo‐Hookean and exponentially strain hardening models for gel behavior and rigid filler effects are discussed. The main conclusion is that the addition of homopolymer to the micelle core increases the chain stretching in both the core and coronal blocks. The total extension of a chain for a given external load is fixed by its length; however, the initial prestretch imparted to the chain due to micellization changes with the size of the micelle core and can greatly reduce the amount of extension observed for a given external force. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1395–1408, 2010
TOF‐GISANS investigation of polymer infiltration in mesoporous TiO2 films for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Kaune Gunar , Haese‐Seiller Martin , Kampmann Reinhard , Moulin Jean‐Francois , Zhong Qi , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter
Published: March 2010

The structure of porous TiO2 films and TiO2:poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) composite films is investigated with time‐of‐flight grazing incidence small‐angle neutron scattering (TOF‐GISANS). The TiO2 films have been prepared by application of a sol–gel process with a diblock copolymer as structure directing agent, and the conductive polymer PVK is infiltrated in the porous network by spin coating and solution casting. The films show a hierarchical pore structure with mesopores 52 nm in size and additional large macropores with a diameter of about 180 nm. By matching the scattering contrast of the TiO2 with the polymer information about the penetration of the polymer in the pores is determined. Whereas in the PVK film prepared by solution casting the pores are filled to a high degree; in the spin coated film, PVK wets only the TiO2 pore walls and forms a solid overlying layer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1628–1635, 2010
Processing‐structure‐mechanical property relationships of semicrystalline polyolefin‐based block copolymers
Authors: Deplace Fanny , Wang Zhigang , Lynd Nathaniel A. , Hotta Atsushi , Rose Jeffrey M. , Hustad Philip D. , Tian Jun , Ohtaki Hisashi , Coates Geoffrey W. , Shimizu Fumihiko , Hirokane Kousou , Yamada Fumiyoshi , Shin Yong‐Woo , Rong Lixia , Zhu Jie , Toki Shigeyuki , Hsiao Benjamin S. , Fredrickson Glenn H. , Kramer Edward J.
Published: March 2010

The incremental plastic deformation of the crystals of block copolymers made of semicrystalline polypropylene endblocks and amorphous ethylene‐r‐propylene midblocks occurring during step cycle tensile tests has dramatic effects on the stress‐strain curves. This can be understood from the evolution of the morphology and of the microstructure of the crystalline blocks revealed by X‐ray scattering experiments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1428–1437, 2010
Adsorption of block copolymers in nanoporous alumina
Authors: Karagiovanaki Sotiria , Koutsioubas Alexandros , Spiliopoulos Nikolaos , Anastassopoulos Dimitris L. , Vradis Alexandros A. , Toprakcioglu Chris , Siokou Angeliki Elina
Published: March 2010

We have studied the adsorption of end‐attaching block copolymer chains inside the cylindrical pores of nanoporous alumina. Highly asymmetric PS‐PEO block copolymers, with a small PEO anchoring block and a long PS dangling block, were allowed to adsorb onto porous alumina substrates with an average pore diameter of ∼200 nm from toluene solution. The adsorption process was monitored using FTIR spectroscopy, whereas depth profile analysis was performed by means of XPS and Ar+ ion sputtering. It is found that the PS‐PEO adsorption kinetics in porous alumina are ∼4 orders of magnitude slower than the corresponding case of a flat alumina substrate. It appears that chains adsorbed near the pore entrance early on tend to form a barrier for chains entering the pore at later times, thereby slowing down the adsorption process significantly. This effect is much more pronounced for large chains whose dimensions are comparable with the pore diameter. The equilibrium adsorbance value is also affected by chain size due to the additional entropic penalty associated with chain confinement, the adsorbance falling substantially when the chain dimensions become comparable with the pore diameter. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1676–1682, 2010
Structure and dynamics of polymer chains in hydrophilic nanocomposites
Authors: Fotiadou S. , Chrissopoulou K. , Frick B. , Anastasiadis S. H.
Published: March 2010

Poly(hexa(ethylene glycol) methacrylate)/sodium montmorillonite, (PHEGMA/Na+‐MMT) nanocomposites with varying composition were synthesized utilizing melt intercalation and solution mixing. Intercalated hybrids were obtained but, for the solution prepared hybrids, the equilibrium structure could only be reached following thermal annealing. At equilibrium, all nanocomposites showed the same interlayer distance independent of the hybrid composition. For low polymer content nanocomposites, where all polymer chains reside within the inorganic galleries, the glass transition temperature of PHEGMA was completely suppressed. Quasielastic neutron scattering was utilized to investigate the effect of severe confinement on the dynamics of the intercalated polymer chains. Both elastic and quasielastic measurements were performed and showed that the confined system exhibits a much weaker temperature and wavevector dependence of the elastic intensity and of the respective relaxation times. The segmental mean square displacement in confinement begins to increase at temperatures well below the bulk polymer glass transition, indicating enhanced mobility compared with the pure polymer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1658–1667, 2010
Changes in cystic fibrosis sputum microbiology in the United States between 1995 and 2008
Authors: Emerson Julia , McNamara Sharon , Buccat Anne Marie , Worrell Kelly , Burns Jane L.
Published: March 2010

Study Objectives

The study objective was to identify changes in cystic fibrosis (CF) sputum microbiology over 13 years.

Methods

This study recruited a contemporary cohort of CF patients meeting similar eligibility criteria as the 520 subjects in the Phase 3 trials of inhaled tobramycin (historical cohort). Subjects submitted a single sputum specimen to a centralized laboratory for culture and susceptibility testing. Data were summarized and cross‐sectional prevalence estimates were compared between cohorts. Exploratory analyses examined associations between recent antibiotic exposures and resistance prevalence.

Results

Sputum samples from 267 subjects from 33 US CF centers were submitted for testing. A total of 656 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were identified from 253 culture‐positive subjects. Comparison between cohorts revealed an increase in the prevalence of subjects with tobramycin resistant (11.8% vs. 30.4%, P < 0.001) and amikacin resistant (24.2% vs. 42.7%, P < 0.001) P. aeruginosa. Prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance was similar (34.4% vs. 33.6%, P = 0.81). Within the contemporary cohort, potential associations between recent antibiotic exposures and prevalence of P. aeruginosa resistance were examined; findings included that exposure to intravenous carbapenems was significantly associated with aztreonam resistance, meropenem resistance, and multidrug resistance (P = 0.0002, P = 0.0003, and P = 0.0002, respectively). Prevalences of Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin‐resistant S. aureus, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Achromobacter xylosoxidans were also increased in the contemporary cohort.

Conclusions

We identified important changes in the patterns of CF airway microbiology, including increased aminoglycoside resistance and prevalence of other antibiotic resistant organisms. These changes are concerning to clinicians caring for individuals with CF because they impact treatment options. These data point to a critical need to develop new antimicrobials for CF. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:363–370. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of cumulative oxygen exposure on respiratory symptoms during infancy among VLBW infants without bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Stevens Timothy P. , Dylag Andrew , Panthagani Indira , Pryhuber Gloria , Halterman Jill
Published: March 2010

Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, even those without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at risk for pulmonary morbidity during infancy. Although some studies have found an association between the level of neonatal oxygen exposure and later morbidity, others have not. A possible explanation for these inconsistent findings is that the cumulative dosage of neonatal supplemental oxygen to which infants are exposure is difficult to accurately quantify.

Methods:

A prospective cohort study of VLBW infants without BPD was performed to test the hypothesis that cumulative oxygen exposure in the neonatal period summarized using an area under the curve analysis (OxygenAUC) is predictive of later pulmonary symptoms. Risk factors tested in the analysis included both neonatal and outpatient respiratory exposures. Outcome measures included respiratory symptoms and use of medications and health services to treat those symptoms.

Results:

The prevalence of pulmonary symptoms after NICU discharge was 48% (36 of 75 patients). OxygenAUC as early as 72 hr of age predicts respiratory symptoms and respiratory‐related health service and medication use during infancy in a dose dependent manner. OxygenAUC is a stronger predictor of later respiratory symptoms than is the number of days of supplemental oxygen or positive pressure respiratory therapy or integrated mean airway pressure (MAPAUC).

Conclusions:

OxygenAUC as early as 72 hr of age is predictive of later respiratory symptoms and use of health services and medications to treat those symptoms. Supplemental oxygen therapy should be monitored carefully to minimize oxygen exposure and risk of later respiratory symptoms in VLBW infants. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:371–379. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Community‐acquired, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from children with community‐onset pneumonia in China
Authors: Geng Wenjing , Yang Yonghong , Wu Dejing , Zhang Wenshuang , Wang Chuanqing , Shang Yunxiao , Zheng Yuejie , Deng Li , Fu Zhou , Li Xiangyang , Yu Sangjie , Shen Xuzhuang
Published: March 2010

Community‐acquired, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA‐MRSA) has been associated with morbidity and mortality in various countries. In this study, we characterized the molecular and clinical features of pediatric CA‐MRSA pneumonia in China. Between June 2006 and February 2008, 55 previously healthy children confined in eight hospitals countrywide were found to be afflicted with CA‐MRSA pneumonia. A total of 55 strains collected from these children were analyzed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), Staphylococcus cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, and spa typing. The Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene was also detected. Overall, nine STs were obtained, with ST59 (40.4%) established to be the most prevalent type. We first registered the new ST1409 from a child with necrotizing pneumonia. SCCmecIVa was the most predominant type, followed by SCCmec type V. Twelve spa types were identified, of which one new spa type, t5348, was first detected and registered. One typical livestock‐associated spa type, t034, was found in a 4‐month‐old girl living in the countryside. We also found that 40% of those isolates were PVL‐positive. In addition, the median age of the children in this study was 10 months. A total of 69% (38/55) of the children with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) had preceding influenza or influenza‐like illness, and three ST910‐MRSA‐IV strains (PVL gene‐positive) were associated with severe necrosis. The results indicated that the recent CA‐MRSA found in Chinese children with CAP was largely associated with the spread of the ST59‐MRSA‐IV clone, and most of the PVL‐positive strains in this study did not cause necrotic cases. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:387–394. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of transplantation of adipose tissue‐derived stem cells on prostate tumor
Authors: Lin Guiting , Yang Rong , Banie Lia , Wang Guifang , Ning Hongxiu , Li Long‐Cheng , Lue Tom F. , Lin Ching‐Shwun
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a risk factor for prostate cancer development, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. The present study tested the hypothesis that stromal cells of the adipose tissue might be recruited by cancer cells to help tumor growth.

METHODS

PC3 prostate cancer cells were transplanted into the subcutaneous space of the right flank of athymic mice. One week later, adipose tissue‐derived stromal or stem cells (ADSC) or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS, as control) was transplanted similarly to the left flank. Tumor size was monitored for the next 34 days; afterwards, the mice were sacrificed and their tumors harvested for histological examination. The ability of PC3 cells to attract ADSC was tested by migration assay. The involvement of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis was tested by migration assay in the presence of a specific inhibitor AMD3100.

RESULTS

Throughout the entire course, the average size of PC3 tumors in ADSC‐treated mice was larger than in PBS‐treated mice. ADSC were identified inside the tumors of ADSC‐treated mice; CXCR4 expression was also detected. Migration assay indicated the involvement of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in the migration of ADSC toward PC3 cells. Capillary density was twice as high in the tumors of ADSC‐treated mice than in the tumors of PBS‐treated mice. VEGF expression was similar but FGF2 expression was significantly higher in tumors of ADSC‐treated mice than in the tumors of PBS‐tread mice.

CONCLUSION

Prostate cancer cells recruited ADSC by the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. ADSC helps tumor growth by increasing tumor vascularity, and which was mediated by FGF2. Prostate 70: 1066–1073, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antagonists of growth hormone‐releasing hormone inhibit the proliferation of human benign prostatic hyperplasia cells
Authors: Siejka Agnieszka , Schally Andrew V. , Block Norman L. , Barabutis Nektarios
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND

Growth hormone‐releasing hormone (GHRH), besides stimulating the secretion of GH from the pituitary gland, acts as an autocrine/paracrine growth factor in many cancers. Antagonists of GHRH inhibit growth of experimental human tumors, but their effects on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have not been studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the effects of GHRH and GHRH antagonists JMR‐132, MZ‐5‐156, MIA‐601, and MIA‐479 on the proliferation rate of human BPH‐1 cells. We also measured by Western blot the influence of GHRH and GHRH antagonist JMR‐132 on the expression of the PCNA and the activation of ERK1/2 and JAK/STAT3.

RESULTS

BPH‐1 cells express GHRH and GHRH‐receptor proteins. The proliferation rate of BPH‐1 cells is increased by GHRH and inhibited by all the GHRH antagonists, the latest analogs MIA‐601 and MIA‐479 being the most potent. The stimulatory effect of GHRH is nullified by GHRH antagonists. GHRH strongly activates and GHRH antagonists significantly suppress the expression of the PCNA and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JAK2/STAT3 pathways in these cells. Treatment with JAK2 inhibitor (AG490) decreases the proliferation rate of BPH‐1 cells, and AG490 does nullify the effect of GHRH.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates for the first time that GHRH can act as a growth factor in BPH‐1 cells and that GHRH antagonists can reverse its stimulatory effect. New observations are provided on the mechanism of action of GHRH antagonists in BPH. Our findings support the merit of further work on the development of GHRH antagonists for therapy of BPH. Prostate 70: 1087–1093, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Symmetry‐related motional enhancement of exciton magnetic moment
Authors: Tronc P.
Published: March 2010

A dramatic motional enhancement of heavy‐ and light‐hole exciton magnetic moment in zinc‐blende semiconductors under a magnetic field applied parallel to the [001] direction has been put into evidence when the exciton moves along the same direction [J. J. Davies et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 187403 (2006)]. The authors of the paper assigned the effect to a mixing between the 1S and 2P exciton states arising from the cubic term in the Luttinger Hamiltonian expansion in momentum. Such exciton states do not take into account the exact crystal structure since they are just eigenstates of the angular momentum. In addition, the Luttinger Hamiltonian does not take into account the full magnetic‐field effect since it does not include the gauge transformations under the symmetry operations of the structure under the field. By determining the exact symmetry of the exciton states, it is shown here that, under a field parallel to the [001] direction, the Zeeman Splitting value vanishes at the Γ point and, due to accidental quasi‐degeneracy in energy between dark and bright exciton states, becomes finite when the exciton moves parallel to the field. A perturbation model allows fitting experimental data and explains the exciton magnetic‐moment enhancement with kinetic energy. On the contrary, under a field parallel to the [110] direction with the exciton moving parallel to the field, no accidental degeneracy probably takes place between exciton states. As a consequence, the concept of Zeeman Splitting is not relevant since no energy level is degenerate. In addition, a possible quasi‐degeneracy between the excitons recombining with the σ+ and σ− polarizations, respectively, would not allow coupling their two states, hence would not change notably the experimental results.
Formation of gold nano‐particles during pulsed laser deposition of YBa2Cu3O7–δ thin films
Authors: Grosse Veit , Engmann Sebastian , Schmidl Frank , Undisz Andreas , Rettenmayr Markus , Seidel Paul
Published: March 2010

In order to improve transport and noise properties of YBa2Cu3O7–δ thin films, we studied a technique to produce gold nano‐particles in these films. We report on the formation of these particles from thin gold layers during pulsed laser deposition of YBa2Cu3O7–δ. Depending on initial gold layer thickness we analyzed their size distribution and structural properties. Gold particles preferentially grow at the YBa2Cu3O7–δ surface and the SrTiO3/YBa2Cu3O7–δ interface and show an epitaxial alignment parallel to the 〈001〉YBCO direction. We discuss the influence of these particles on the crystal structure of YBa2Cu3O7–δ in regard to their application as artificial pinning centers. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Participation of rural women in sustainable development – demographical and socio‐economic determinants
Authors: Rad Sevgi , Çelik Ates Hacer , Delioğlan Şanser , Polatöz Sefa , Özçömlekçi Gülay
Published: March 2010

Empowering women is a top priority in the pre‐accession process that is going on between the EU and Turkey. The accession partnership with the EU calls for identification of the challenges women face and specific priorities to promote the role of women in society. A gender‐based disadvantageous socio‐economic situation is more critical in rural communities. In this sense, studying, analyzing and understanding socio‐demographic and socio‐economic aspects of rural women's lives is the first step in formulating training and other services for empowering them. The status of rural women in Mersin (Turkey), where 46 per cent of inhabitants live in a rural area, was investigated and analyzed to provide the necessary quantitative and qualitative data for decision makers and public authorities to contribute to improvement of the status of rural women in the region. Chi‐square analysis and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) were used to investigate the relationships between several socio‐demographic and socio‐economic variables. Findings of this study reveal that the young population is better educated and that most women desire their daughters to obtain a better education and an occupation. Rather than age, education is emerging as an important factor determining the participation of rural women in decision‐making processes, and the regularity and amount of monthly income seems to be an important determinant of the number of children per household. In this context the traditional perceptions and norms seem to be changing. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR)
Authors: Birnie Kathryn , Speca Michael , Carlson Linda E.
Published: March 2010

Mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) programmes have demonstrated beneficial outcomes in a variety of populations. Self‐compassion and empathy have theoretical connections to mindfulness, the key element of the MBSR programme; however, previous studies examining the programme's impact on self‐compassion or empathy have demonstrated mixed results. This study examined the impact of MBSR on self‐compassion and empathy, as well as on mindfulness, symptoms of stress, mood disturbance and spirituality in a community sample. Significant reductions in symptoms of stress and mood disturbance, as well as increases in mindfulness, spirituality and self‐compassion were observed after programme participation. With regards to empathy, a significant increase was seen in perspective taking and a significant decrease in personal distress; no significant change was observed for empathic concern. Changes in self‐compassion were predicted by changes in mindfulness. Self‐compassion and aspects of empathy revealed strong associations with psychological functioning. Implications of MBSR as an intervention for enhancing self‐compassion and empathy are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: screening by biophysical and biochemical markers at 11–13 weeks
Authors: Poon L. C. Y. , Akolekar R. , Lachmann R. , Beta J. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: March 2010

Objective

To examine the performance of screening for pre‐eclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension (GH) by a combination of maternal factors and various biophysical and biochemical markers at 11–13 weeks' gestation.

Methods

This was a case–control study of 26 cases of early PE, 90 of late PE, 85 of GH and 201 unaffected controls. Maternal history was recorded, the uterine artery with the lowest pulsatility index (L‐PI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured and stored plasma and serum were analyzed for placental growth factor (PlGF), inhibin‐A, activin‐A, tumor necrosis factor receptor‐1, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, pentraxin‐3 and P‐selectin.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that significant prediction for early PE was provided by maternal factors, MAP, uterine artery L‐PI and serum PlGF. Significant prediction of late PE was provided by maternal factors, MAP, uterine artery L‐PI, PlGF, activin‐A and P‐selectin. For GH significant prediction was provided by maternal factors, MAP, uterine artery L‐PI and activin‐A. In screening by a combination of maternal factors, biophysical and biochemical markers the estimated detection rates, at a 5% false‐positive rate, were 88.5% (95% CI, 69.8–97.4%) for early PE, 46.7% (95% CI, 36.1–57.5%) for late PE and 35.3% (95% CI, 25.2–46.4%) for GH.

Conclusion

Combined biophysical and biochemical testing at 11–13 weeks could effectively identify women at high risk for subsequent development of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ein nachhaltiges Siedlungsstrukturmodell für den ländlichen Raum
Authors: Belz Sebastian , Henkel Knut , Kühl Ingo , Stein Michael
Published: March 2010

Den Schwerpunkt dieses Beitrags bildet die Umsetzung von siedlungs-strukturellen Maßnahmen im ländlichen Raum mit dem Zeil einer nachhaltigen Flächenhaushaltspolitik. Im ersten Teil werden Begriffe definiert, Zusammenhänge zwischen dem Prinzip der Nachhaltigkeit, der Siedlungsstruktur und dem ländlichen Raum erklärt und ihre Bedeutung für diese Arbeit begründet. Im zweiten Teil werden Prinzipien einer nachhaltigen Siedlungsstruktur und das hieraus abgeleitete „Siedlungskonzept Rügen” erläutert, um dann in dritten Teil die Instrumente darzustellen, die zur Umsetzung zur Verfügung stehen bzw. stehen müßten. Teil vier zeigt Umsetzungsschwierigkeiten auf und stellt Lösungsmöglichkeiten hierzu vor. Im Fazit wird ein Ausblick und eine zusammenfassende Einschätzung auch über die vorher dargestellten Lösungsansätze hinaus gegeben.

Der entscheidende Ansatz zu einem nachhaltigen Siedlungskonzept ist der haushälterische Umgang mit der Ressource Boden. Die Einführung und Umsetzung des beschriebenen Siedlungsmodells ist daher als wesentlicher Beitrag zu einer an der naturräumlichen Tragfähigkeit orientierten Siedlungsstruktur anzusehen. Die Umsetzung des Konzepts erfordert die Überwindung vielfältiger gesellschaftlicher Blockaden. Diese sind nicht zu unterschätzen, doch bieten sich bereits unter den bestehenden Rahmenbedingungen zukunftsweisende, reformorientierte Handlungsoptionen.
Regionales Management zur Gestaltung und Koordination kommunaler und regionaler Entwicklungsprozesse
Authors: Gugisch Ingo , Maier Jörg , Obermaier Frank
Published: March 2010

Räumliche Politikfelder zeichnen sich heute durch die zunehmende Notwendigkeit einer handlungsorientierten und aktiven Aufgabenwahrnehmung aus. Die Gestaltung von Entwicklungsprozessen unter Mitwirkung regionaler/kommunaler Akteure in einem offenen und umsetzungsorientierten Planungsprozeß stellt dabei die zugehörige Planungsphilosophie dar. Die Anwendung von Managementgesichtspunkten in der räumlichen Planung ist von vielerlei Rahmenbedingungen abhängig. Regional-management bedeutet zudem, Entwicklungsimpulse aktiv aufzugreifen und Umsetzungsprozesse im Sinne eines Prozeßpromotors im Projektmanagement zu initiieren und zu organisieren. Als konkreten Handlungsansatz kann neben dem Projektmanagement in erster Linie auf Machbarkeitsstudien zurückgegriffen werden. Diese liefern Bewertungs- und Entwicklungsgrundlagen für die Durchführbarkeit eines Projekts und konnten bereits in der Praxis der Regionalentwicklung eingesetzt werden.
Interkommunaler Finanzausgleich als Ergänzung einer regionalen Entwicklungsplanung?
Authors: Schönbäck Wilfriend , Schneider Martin , Winkelbauer Stefan
Published: March 2010

Für die österreichische Region Graz und Graz-Umgebung wurde ein regionales Entwicklungsprogramm (REP) beschlossen, das 30 der insgesamt 58 Gemeinden der Region bestimmte Gemeindefunktionen zuweist, wobei bereits bestehende Funktionsteilungen tendenziell verstärkt werden. Üben diese Gemeinden die ihnen zugewiesenen Funktionen künftig aus, so resultieren daraus in diesen Gemeinden mehr Ansiedlungen von Betrieben oder Wohnobjekten, als ohne dieses Programm zu erwarten wären. Die Autoren untersuchten die Bedeutung der Schaffung eines interkommunalen Finanzausgleichs zugunsten der nicht ausgewiesenen Gemeinden aus finanzwissenschaftlicher Sicht.1 Die Effekte der Ansiedlung von Betrieben und Wohnungen auf den Gemeindehaushalt wurden unter erstmaliger Berücksichtigung der bei Erhöhung ausschließlicher Gemeindeabgaben auftretenden Kompensationseffekte des österreichischen Finanzausgleichs quantifiziert.2 Wegen der geringen Umverteilungsmasse und der Verfügbarkeit alternativer Ausgleichsinstrumente erscheint die Einführung eines REP-spezifischen interkommunalen Finanzausgleichs zwischen den Gemeinden der Planungsregion weder zielführend noch notwendig.
Jahre später — Facetten der Nachhaltigkeitsvision und deren Umsetzungsproblematik
Authors: Gustedt Evelyn , Kanning Helga
Published: March 2010

Bei der Materialfülle zum Thema nachhaltige Entwicklung ist besonders für die regionale Ebene eine auffällige Diskrepanz zwischen der wissenschaftlichen Diskussion und den Ansätzen zur praktischen Umsetzung festzustellen. Der vorliegende Beitrag versucht deshalb, Bilanz zu ziehen zum Stand der wissenschaftlichen Diskussionen, um Anregungen für die Entwicklung regionaler Nachhaltigkeitskonzepte zu erhalten. Anhand eines “Gedanken-”Gebäudes und seiner “Bau-”Elemente werden diskussionsbestimmende Merkmale und Problemfelder dargestellt: Das Dach steht für die Verwirklichung der globalen Zielvorstellung einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung, der Boden entspricht den gesellschaftlichen Wertvorstellungen, das Fundament bilden die theoretischen Konzepte und die vier Wände spiegeln die wesentlichen Umsetzungselemente wider: die Operationalisierung der übergeordneten Zielsetzung, die beteiligten Akteure, die Instrumente und die Gestaltung des Prozesses.
Raumrelevante Probleme der Entwicklung von Großwohnsiedlungen in den neuen Bundesländern
Authors: Rietdorf Werner , Liebmann Heike
Published: March 2010

Nahezu jeder vierte Bürger der neuen Bundesländer lebt derzeit noch (!) in einer der über 300 Großsiedlungen mit jeweils 1000 und mehr Wohnungen. Umfangreiche bautechnische Sanierungsprogramme und Maßnahmen zur Wohnumfeldverbesserung haben in den vergangenen Jahren das Ziel verfolgt, diese Großsiedlungen als unverzichtbare Elemente der Wohnungsversorgung sozial zu stabilisieren und städtebaulich weiterzuentwickeln. Dennoch geben wachsene Fluktuationsraten, eine vielfach steigende potentielle Migrationsbereitschaft und partielle Leerstände insbesondere in wirtschaftlich strukturschwächeren Räumen ernste Hinweise darauf, in Zukunft neben den generellen Entwicklungsanforderungen der Gebiete den spezifischen raumrelevanten Problemen, d.h. der Differenziertheit ihrer räumlichen Einordnung, mehr Aufmerksamkeit zu widmen. Erfahrungen, wie sie seit den 70er Jahren mit unterschiedlichen Interventionsmodellen in französischen „Grands Ensembles” gesammelt werden, können dabei prinzipiell auch für Großsiedlungen in den neuen Bundesländern interessant sein.
Erreichbarkeit, Parkraum und Einzelhandel der Innenstadt
Authors: H. Topp Hartmut
Published: March 2010

Ausgehend von der Rolle der Innenstadt und der Tradition der Fußgängerzonen werden verschiedene Aspekte der Erreichbarkeit behandelt: Stadtstruktur, Flächennutzung und Verkehr, äußere und innere Erreichbarkeit, Erreichbarkeit nach Verkehrsmitteln und objektive und subjektive Erreichbarkeit. Der immer wieder diskutierte angebliche Mangel an Parkraum kommt als Ursache für die Probleme des Einzelhandels kaum in Frage: Bei mangelnder Auslastung durch Kurzparker vermieten viele Parkhäuser immer mehr an Dauerparker — wirtschaftlich eine Auffangposition und verkehrspolitisch kontraproduktiv. Viele Kunden orientieren sich weniger an objektiv vorhandener Erreichbarkeit und tatsächlichen Parkmöglichkeiten als vielmehr an ihrer subjektiven Wahrnehmung, die durch veröffentlichte Meinung und vom Hörensagen geprägt wird. Einvernehmliche Maßnahmen und gemeinsame Werbung von Stadt und Einzelhandel sind für den Standort Innenstadt nützlicher als die Forderung nach mehr Parkraum oder die Ablehnung von Verkehrsberuhigung.
Strukturförderung und die Beachtung von Umweltbelangen in den USA
Authors: Klein Reinhard
Published: March 2010

Diese zusammengefaßten Ergebnisse eines Teils einer Untersuchung, die der Autor 1997 in den USA erstellt hat,1 erläutern zunächst Grundmerkmale strukturrelevanter Bundesbeihilfen, deren Verwaltung und Management sowie die Frage der Programmierung und Haushaltsplanung. Die beiden PauschalbeihilfenCommunity Development Block GrantsundFederal-Aid Highway Program sowie Beihilfen derEconomic Development Administration stehen dabei im Vordergrund. Danach werden unmittelbare Entwicklungsmaßnahmen durch Bundesbehörden, vor allem desBureau of Reclamation und desArmy Corps of Engineers, sowie die politischen Eingriffe des US-Kongresses beleuchtet. Der Beitrag erörtert auch strukturrelevante Maßnahmen der Staaten und Beziehungen zwischen Verwaltungsebenen.
Die räumliche Struktur des Flächenverbrauchs in Deutschland
Authors: Siedentop Stefan , Kausch Steffen
Published: March 2010

Next to the quantitative reduction of land consumption, the control of the territorial setting of newly urbanised areas must be acknowledged as a key task of sustainable urban development. Therefore policies against urban sprawl require precise land-use data to inform politicians on the spatial patterns of urbanisation. This article presents an approach for analysing land-use change based on municipality data. For the first time a municipality data base on land-use for the whole territory of Germany has been adopted. The usage of municipality data allows a more sophisticated picture of the patterns of land consumption compared to traditional county-data approaches. The analysis focuses on the spatial concentration of land consumption as well as the distribution of newly urbanised areas among about 13 000 German municipalities.
Stadtplanung im Online-Dialog Nord-Süd
Authors: Windelberg Jens , Brunner Stefanie , Ilse Kristin
Published: March 2010

German town planners are increasingly involved in development projects outside Germany. These projects comprise town planning ventures in the developing countries of the ‘Third World’. German universities have taken steps to contribute to this development manifold. In this context online courses are considered particularly suitable for advancing and intensifying the North-South Dialog. The University of Oldenburg has been offering such online-courses during the last 8 years. The questions that arise in a spatial context are: What lessons can be learned from town planners in developing countries and which of the experiences gained in Europe will advance North-South cooperation. The evaluation and experience of an online course carried out with young professionals of 15 Developing Countries allow the identification of both common features and differences.
Aktuelle Regionalisierungsprozesse in der Region Rhein-Main
Authors: Langhagen-Rohrbach Christian
Published: March 2010

Far-reaching regional reforms have already been carried out in the Stuttgart and Hanover regions that have proved to be effective. For the Rhine-Main area, on the other hand, a regional structure has been introduced with the Conurbation Act that has been less successful since its introduction in 2001. Instead the debate on how the Rhine-Main region should be structured and which kind of regulation such a polycentric urban agglomeration needs has broken out again. This article attempts to outline current regionalisation processes taking the theoretical approach of action-theoretical social geography as a point of departure and to identify constellations of actors who are currently occupied with developing suggestions for a future- and policy-oriented regional structure in the Rhine-Main area or with asserting their influence in the corresponding debate. In order to do this, different examples of regional initiatives and organisations are presented and questioned critically in terms of their significance and effectiveness.
Informationsmanagement für Raumplanung und Wasserwirtschaft als Beitrag zum vorsorgenden Hochwasserschutz
Authors: Dapp Klaus
Published: March 2010

In the last few years flood prevention has been recognized to be an issue that requires a collaborative approach of a variety of stakeholders. Amongst these, spatial planning and water management agencies play key roles. So far, these stakeholders' performances have been hampered due to major deficiencies in accessing relevant information. This article investigates this shortcoming. It develops suggestions for how to collect, manage and distribute information in order to make full use of tools and orders that have already been implemented in planning law and policies.
Störfallvorsorge in der Stadt- und Regionalplanung
Authors: Dinkloh Claudia
Published: March 2010

The prevention of hazardous incidents belongs to the responsibility of spatial planning, but is not yet systematically considered in decisions of spatial planning. This article researches, how instruments of urban and regional planning can contribute to the prevention of hazardous incidents in technical establishments and how these instruments can be optimized or improved. The author outlines the existing laws, decrees and directives, which affect the risk management of spatial planning. The development of a three-phase risk-information-system enables the derivation of different risk-areas for a better consideration of technical risks by urban and regional planning.
Das städtische Kaleidoskop L.A.
Authors: Fröhlich Hellmut , Fröhlich Hellmut
Published: March 2010

Using Los Angeles as paradigmatic example for a wide array of issues in contemporary urban development, urban scholars have, since the mid-1980s, discussed L.A.'s post-fordist industrial agglomeration, its sprawling urban landscape and the region's role as nexus in global economic networks and as major region of international immigration. More recently, the focus of urban scholarship on L.A. has come to include topics such as the heterogeneous cultural and spatial politics of identity, political struggles over urban spaces, and the unmer challenges of developing an ecologically sustainable urban theory and practice. In a comparative transatlantic perspective, an L.A. case study can help to identify central dynamics and core challenges in contemporary and future urban development. Based on a systematic analysis of urban development processes in L.A., debates about the “Americanization” of European or German cities can be criticised as tending to be overtly simplified and ideologically totalizing.