bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pegfilgrastim for prevention of chemotherapy‐associated neutropenia in pediatric patients with solid tumors
Authors: Borinstein Scott C. , Pollard Jessica , Winter Laura , Hawkins Douglas S.
Published: May 2009

Background

Pegfilgrastim has similar efficacy to filgrastim in adults, but studies in pediatrics are limited. We report our institutional experience with pegfilgrastim following dose intensive chemotherapy for solid tumors.

Procedure

We evaluated the initial four courses of myelosuppressive chemotherapy for 47 patients (total 176 courses) diagnosed between 1/1/07 and 2/6/08 who received chemotherapy with pegfilgrastim support (100 mcg/kg; 6 mg maximum dose) in this retrospective review. We collected demographic data, treatment characteristics, frequency of severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <200/mm3), duration of neutropenia, and frequency of neutropenic fever.

Results

The median age of treated patients was 13 years (range 0.17–23 years) and the median weight was 50.8 kg (range 4–107 kg), including 16 (34%) <20 kg, and 22 (47%) <45 kg. Primary diagnoses included osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, neuroblastoma, Hodgkin disease, and other solid tumors. No significant adverse events secondary to pegfilgrastim were noted. Severe neutropenia occurred in 57% of courses. The median duration of severe neutropenia was 1 day (range 0–11 days). Febrile neutropenia occurred in 28% of courses. Eight patients were treated with interval‐compressed (every 14 days) sarcoma chemotherapy. Of the 30‐interval compressed courses, the median duration per course was 14 days (range 14–18 days).

Conclusions

Pegfilgrastim following dose intensive chemotherapy for solid tumors is feasible in children, including those <45 kg. The frequency and duration of severe neutropenia, as well as incidence of febrile neutropenia, were similar to filgrastim historic data. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:375–378. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel amide and imide copolymer as matrix resin for UV photoresist
Authors: Liu Jianguo , Li Ping , Liu Heping , Zheng Jiashen
Published: May 2009

A novel amide and imide copolymer, poly(N‐phenylmethacrylamide‐co‐N‐(p‐hydroxyphenyl)maleimide) was synthesized for the matrix resin of ultraviolet (UV) photoresist. Elemental analysis and self‐polymerization experiment verified that this copolymer was very close to 1:1 (molar ratio) in composition and was predominately alternating. It was able to dissolve in various organic solvents and form uniform curing film when spin‐coating. Its differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry analysis test showed good thermal stability and its glass transition temperature (Tg) was about 280°C. Photolithographic experiment indicated that the UV photoresist formulated with this copolymer as matrix resin was achieved the resolution of about 5 μm, the contrast of 3.001, and the sensitivity of 32 mJ/cm2. With good plasma etching resistance, the photoresist studied was able to bear 250°C for 30 min without thermal deformation during the thermal resistance test. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Single‐walled carbon nanotube/poly(methyl methacrylate) composites for electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Das Narayan Ch. , Liu Yayong , Yang Kaikun , Peng Weiqun , Maiti Spandan , Wang Howard
Published: May 2009

Single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were prepared using coagulation method. The electrical conductivity and the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding of SWNT/PMMA composites over the X‐band (8–12 GHz) and the microwave (200–2000 MHz) frequency range have been investigated. The electrical conductivity of composites increases with SWNT loading by 13 orders of magnitude, from 10−15 to 10−2 Ω−1 cm−1 with a percolation threshold of about 3 wt% SWNTs. The effect of the sample thickness on the shielding effectiveness has been studied, and correlated to the electrical conductivity of composites. The data suggest that SWNT/PMMA composites containing higher SWNT loading (above 10 wt%) be useful for EMI shielding and those with lower SWNT loading be useful for electrostatic charge dissipation. The dominant shielding mechanism of SWNT/PMMA composites was also discussed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Influence of clay and predispersion method on the structure and properties of polystyrene (PS)‐clay nanocomposites
Authors: Yang Jintao , Fan Hong , Bu Zhiyang , Li Bo‐Geng
Published: May 2009

To prepare the polystyrene (PS)‐clay nanocomposites via an in situ emulsion polymerization, a clay predispersion method, i.e. dispersing the organic clay in the emulsifier solution by the assistance of ultrasonic, was proposed in this study. The conventional method, predispersing the organic clay into the monomer, was also presented for the comparison. The morphology analysis based on the X‐ray Deflection (XRD) and Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM) results suggested that the more uniform clay dispersion in the final nanocomposites could be achieved through the new method. The inorganic clay (Na‐MMT) and two organic clays (C18‐MMT and VC18‐MMT) synthesized by exchanging inorganic cations with the trimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride (OTAC) and the vinylbenzyldimethyloctadecyl ammoniun chloride (VOAC) were chosen to investigate the influence of the clay surface modification on the properties of nanocomposites. The Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) results showed the storage modulus G′s of the nanocomposites had different enhancements over that of the pure PS, especially when the temperature approached the glass transition temperature (Tg). The Tgs of the nanocomposites, however, varied with the microstructure and the interactions between the polymer and the clay layers. The Na‐MMT and VC18‐MMT increased the Tg, while the Tgs of PS/C18‐MMT nanocomposites were slightly lower than that of the pure PS. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Voluntary exposure of some western‐hemisphere snake and lizard species to ultraviolet‐B radiation in the field: how much ultraviolet‐B should a lizard or snake receive in captivity?
Authors: Ferguson Gary W. , Brinker Andrew M. , Gehrmann William H. , Bucklin Stacey E. , Baines Frances M. , Mackin Steve J.
Published: May 2009

Studies of voluntary exposure to ultraviolet‐B (UVB) radiation from the sun in the field were conducted in the southern US and Jamaica for 15 species of lizards and snakes occupying various habitats. Species were sorted into four zones of UVB exposure ranging from a median UV index of 0.35 for zone 1 to 3.1 for zone 4. Guidelines for UVB exposure in captivity of these and species occupying similar light environments are presented. Data for most species were collected during mid‐day during the spring breeding season, which appeared to be the time of maximum exposure. For two species of Sceloporus studied more intensively there was significant variation of exposure among times of the day and among seasons. So, all‐day studies over the entire active season are necessary to fully understand the pattern of natural exposure for a particular diurnal species. Environmental and body temperature and thermoregulation as well as UVB/vitamin D photoregulation influences exposure to UVB. Regressions allowing the inter‐conversion of readings among some meters with different detector sensitivities are presented. Readings of natural sunlight predict the same photobiosynthetic potential for vitamin D as the same reading from artificial sources whose wavelength distribution within the UVB band of the source is comparable to that of sunlight. Research approaches to further increase our understanding of vitamin D and UVB use and requirements for squamate reptiles in captivity are outlined. Zoo Biol 29:317–334, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electronic Switch in the Carbon-Centered [Re12CS17(CN)6]n−Nanocluster
Authors: Gabuda SP , Kozlova SG , Mironov Yu V , Fedorov VE
Published: May 2009

An abrupt change in internuclear Re–Re distances between {Re6} subunits in the carbon-centered [Re12μ6-CS17(CN)6]
n−complexes caused by the change of the oxidation state (n = 6, 8) is first theoretically shown to be possibly controlled by an external electric field.13C NMR signal is shown to change over ~400 ppm (~37G) for μ6-C atom together withn. Thereby, the metal cluster [Re12μ6-CS17(CN)6]
n−can be considered as a perspective model of a molecular switch.
In Situ Mineralization of Magnetite Nanoparticles in Chitosan Hydrogel
Authors: Wang Yongliang , Li Baoqiang , Zhou Yu , Jia Dechang
Published: May 2009

Based on chelation effect between iron ions and amino groups of chitosan, in situ mineralization of magnetite nanoparticles in chitosan hydrogel under ambient conditions was proposed. The chelation effect between iron ions and amino groups in CS–Fe complex, which led to that chitosan hydrogel exerted a crucial control on the magnetite mineralization, was proved by X-ray photoelectron spectrum. The composition, morphology and size of the mineralized magnetite nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and thermal gravity. The mineralized nanoparticles were nonstoichiometric magnetite with a unit formula of Fe2.85O4and coated by a thin layer of chitosan. The mineralized magnetite nanoparticles with mean diameter of 13 nm dispersed in chitosan hydrogel uniformly. Magnetization measurement indicated that superparamagnetism behavior was exhibited. These magnetite nanoparticles mineralized in chitosan hydrogel have potential applications in the field of biotechnology. Moreover, this method can also be used to synthesize other kinds of inorganic nanoparticles, such as ZnO, Fe2O3and hydroxyapatite.
The role of the catalytic domain of E. coli GluRS in tRNAGln discrimination
Authors: Dasgupta Saumya , Saha Rajesh , Dey Chiranjeeb , Banerjee Rajat , Roy Siddhartha , Basu Gautam
Published: May 2009

Discrimination of tRNAGln is an integral function of several bacterial glutamyl‐tRNA synthetases (GluRS). The origin of the discrimination is thought to arise from unfavorable interactions between tRNAGln and the anticodon‐binding domain of GluRS. From experiments on an anticodon‐binding domain truncated Escherichia coli (E. coli) GluRS (catalytic domain) and a chimeric protein, constructed from the catalytic domain of E. coli GluRS and the anticodon‐binding domain of E. coli glutaminyl‐tRNA synthetase (GlnRS), we show that both proteins discriminate against E. coli tRNAGln. Our results demonstrate that in addition to the anticodon‐binding domain, tRNAGln discriminatory elements may be present in the catalytic domain in E. coli GluRS as well.
Targeted mass spectrometric analysis of N‐terminally truncated isoforms generated via alternative translation initiation
Authors: Kobayashi Ryuji , Patenia Rebecca , Ashizawa Satoshi , Vykoukal Jody
Published: May 2009

Alternative translation initiation is a mechanism whereby functionally altered proteins are produced from a single mRNA. Internal initiation of translation generates N‐terminally truncated protein isoforms, but such isoforms observed in immunoblot analysis are often overlooked or dismissed as degradation products. We identified an N‐terminally truncated isoform of human Dok‐1 with N‐terminal acetylation as seen in the wild‐type. This Dok‐1 isoform exhibited distinct perinuclear localization whereas the wild‐type protein was distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Targeted analysis of blocked N‐terminal peptides provides rapid identification of protein isoforms and could be widely applied for the general evaluation of perplexing immunoblot bands.
Social contract theory and the ethics of deception in consumer research
Authors: Smith N. Craig , Kimmel Allan J. , Klein Jill Gabrielle
Published: May 2009

Deception of research participants is a pervasive ethical issue in experimental consumer research. Content analyses find as many as three‐fourths of published human participant studies in our field involved some form of deception, almost all of which employed experimental methodologies. However, researchers have little guidance on the acceptability of the use of deception, notwithstanding the codes of root disciplines. We turn to theories of moral philosophy and use social contract theory specifically to identify conditions under which deception may be justified as morally permissible. Seven guiding principles for research practice are formulated and their implications for consumer researchers are identified, together with practical recommendations for decision making on studies involving deception.
Origin, glacial‐interglacial responses, and controlling factors of a cold‐water coral mound in NE Atlantic
Authors: Sakai Saburo , Kano Akihiro , Abe Kohei
Published: May 2009

Recent deep‐ocean exploration has revealed unexpectedly widespread and diverse coral ecosystems in deep water on continental shelves, slopes, seamounts, and ridge systems around the world. Origin and growth history of these cold‐water coral mounds are poorly known, owing to a lack of complete stratigraphic sections through them. Here we show high‐resolution oxygen isotope records of planktic foraminifers from the base to the top of Challenger Mound, southwest of Ireland, which was drilled during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 307. Challenger Mound began to grow during isotope stage 92 (2.24 million years ago (Ma)), immediately after the onset of Northern Hemisphere glaciation and the initiation of modern stratification in the northeast Atlantic. Mound initiation was likely due to reintroduction of Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) and ensuing development of a density gradient with overlying northeastern Atlantic water (NEAW), where organic matter was prone to be stagnated and fueled the coral ecosystem. Coral growth continued for 11 glacial‐interglacial cycles until isotopic stage 72 (1.82 Ma) with glacial siliciclastic input from the continental margin. After a long hiatus that separates the lower mound and the upper mound, coral growth restored for a short time in isotope stages 19–18 (0.8–0.7 Ma) in which sediments were either eroded or not deposited during a full glacial stage. The development pattern of the water mass interface between MOW and NEAW might have changed, because of the fluctuations of the MOW production which is responsible for the amplitude in ice volume oscillations from the low‐amplitude 41 ka cycles for the lower mound to the high‐amplitude 100 ka cycles for the upper mound. The average sedimentation and CaCO3 production rates of the lower mound were evaluated 27 cm/ka and 31.1 g/cm2/ka, respectively.
Acetylated tubulin associates with the fifth cytoplasmic domain of Na+/K+-ATPase: possible anchorage site of microtubules to the plasma membrane
Authors: Zampar Guillermo G. , Chesta María E. , Carbajal Agustín , Chanaday Natalí L. , Díaz Nicolás M. , Casale César H. , Arce Carlos A.
Published: May 2009

We showed previously that NKA (Na+/K+-ATPase) interacts with acetylated tubulin resulting in inhibition of its catalytic activity. In the present work we determined that membrane-acetylated tubulin, in the presence of detergent, behaves as an entity of discrete molecular mass (320–400 kDa) during molecular exclusion chromatography. We also found that microtubules assembled in vitro are able to bind to NKA when incubated with a detergent-solubilized membrane preparation, and that isolated native microtubules have associated NKA. Furthermore, we determined that CD5 (cytoplasmic domain 5 of NKA) is capable of interacting with acetylated tubulin. Taken together, our results are consistent with the idea that NKA may act as a microtubule–plasma membrane anchorage site through an interaction between acetylated tubulin and CD5.
Determination of the effective diffusion length of silicon solar cells from photoluminescence
Authors: Hinken David , Bothe Karsten , Ramspeck Klaus , Herlufsen Sandra , Brendel Rolf
Published: May 2009

We present a method to determine the effective diffusion length Leff of silicon solar cells from photoluminescence (PL) measurements carried out under two different operating conditions. Measuring the photoluminescence emission under open circuit condition (PL-oc), where the solar cell is not contacted at all, and short circuit condition (PL-sc), where the solar cell is held at zero voltage, Leff directly follows from the ratio of the PL-oc and the PL-sc signals. Detailed knowledge about the optical properties of the experimental setup is not necessary since the optical properties cancel out completely. We explain the theoretical background of our method and derive an analytical description for the PL-oc and the PL-sc luminescence emissions. The applicability of our method is demonstrated by the comparison of effective diffusion lengths from PL measurements with values determined from the analysis of internal quantum efficiency measurements.
Broadening effects and ergodicity in deep level photothermal spectroscopy of defect states in semi-insulating GaAs: A combined temperature-, pulse-rate-, and time-domain study of defect state kinetics
Authors: Xia Jun , Mandelis Andreas
Published: May 2009

The technique of deep level photothermal spectroscopy (DLPTS) is extended to the low temperature region in order to cover several defect states in semi-insulating GaAs. Measurements are taken at three different modes, temperature-scanned, pulse-rate-scanned, and time-scanned DLPTS. It is demonstrated that each mode provides unique information about the defect configuration, and the combination of the different modes offers a powerful tool for DLPTS studies of physical optoelectronic processes in SI-GaAs. The nonexponentiality/broadening of experimental data is extensively studied using the two prevalent broadening theories: the stretched exponential and the Gaussian distribution of activation energies. A hierarchical carrier emission model has been proposed for the stretched exponential behavior. Simulations indicate that the two broadening theories exhibit roughly similar broadening effects and good fits to the experimental data. The origin of this similarity indicates an ergodic equivalence of random energy distribution and the constrained hierarchical emission process.
Spin field-effect transistor with electric control
Authors: Gurzhi R. N. , Kalinenko A. N. , Kopeliovich A. I. , Yanovsky A. V.
Published: May 2009

The effects of spin polarization control in hybrid magnetic-nonmagnetic conductor structures have been considered. The concept of a transistor capable of generating and amplifying a spin-alternating signal has been proposed. The transistor principle is based on spatial separation of spin components and their control with electric gates in the “current-in-plane” hybrid magnetic-nonmagnetic conductor structure. This control is achieved through the effect of spin-electric signal transformation predicted in this study. Such transistor is feasible on the grounds of present-day materials and technologies.
Arbitrary distribution and nonlinear modal interaction in coupled nanomechanical resonators
Authors: Dorignac J. , Gaidarzhy A. , Mohanty P.
Published: May 2009

We propose a general one-dimensional continuous formulation to analyze the vibrational modes of antennalike nanomechanical resonators consisting of two symmetric arrays of cantilevers affixed to a central nanobeam. The cantilever arrays can have arbitrary density and length profile along the beam. We obtain the secular equation that allows for the determination of their frequency spectrum and illustrate the results on the particular examples of structures with constant or alternating cantilever length profiles. We show that our analytical results capture the vibration spectrum of such resonators and elucidate key relationships that could prove advantageous for experimental device performance. Furthermore, using a perturbative approach to treat the nonlinear and dissipative dynamics of driven structures, we analyze the anharmonic coupling between two specific widely spaced modes of the coupled-element device, with direct application to experiments.
Structural phase transformation of Y2O3 doped HfO2 films grown on Si using atomic layer deposition
Authors: Majumder Prodyut , Jursich Gregory , Takoudis Christos
Published: May 2009

Hf O 2 and Y2O3 films, along with Y2O3-doped HfO2 composite films, have been deposited on Si by means of atomic layer deposition (ALD) using tetrakis(diethylamino)hafnium and tris(ethylcyclopentadienyl)yttrium with water vapor as the oxidizer. The growth rate and structural properties of these films have been investigated by spectral ellipsometry, grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The film growth temperature dependence of both HfO2 and Y2O3 films indicate overlapping ALD windows in the 250–285°C region, which is critical for ALD of Y2O3-doped HfO2 films. The composition of such films is controlled by altering precursor cycle ratios, and XPS analyses of the resulting films indicate strong correlation between the precursor cycle ratio and the film composition. From structural analyses, the as-deposited HfO2 was found to be amorphous but after annealing at 600°C or higher, it became monoclinic. In contrast, all Y2O3 films whether annealed or not had evidence of cubic crystallinity. Having a cycle ratio of at least 2.5% in a Y2O3-doped HfO2 composite film is observed to induce cubic phase crystallinity in the film after postdeposition annealing at 600°C or greater.
Structural and cathodoluminescence properties of ZnO nanorods after Ga-implantation and annealing
Authors: Yao L. D. , Weissenberger D. , Dürrschnabel M. , Gerthsen D. , Tischer I. , Wiedenmann M. , Feneberg M. , Reiser A. , Thonke K.
Published: May 2009

Single-crystalline ZnO nanorods were implanted with 30 keV Ga+ ions and fluences between 5×1012 and 1.5×1016 cm−2. Annealing treatments at temperatures up to 700 °C for 1 h were carried out to reduce implantation-induced structural defects. The structural and optical properties of the nanorods were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy. TEM shows that extended implantation defects vanish completely in nanorods implanted with doses up to 5×1013 cm−2 after annealing at 700 °C. Dislocation loops remain after implantation with higher fluences. The CL intensity of as-grown nanorods and implanted ZnO nanorods is low. Annealing at 700 °C leads to a significant increase in the CL intensity for as-grown nanorods and implanted with a dose of up to 5×1013 cm−2. The strong CL intensity in implanted and annealed nanorods correlates with the complete disappearance of extended structural defects.
Mobility estimation in microsized bismuth wire arrays
Authors: Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Murata Masayuki , Nakamura Daiki , Komine Takashi , Taguchi Takashi , Nakamura Shinichiro
Published: May 2009

Wire-diameter dependencies were investigated using microwire sample arrays with diameters from 2 to 25 μm and polycrystalline bulk bismuth. Seebeck coefficient and resistivity were measured from 50 to 300 K. Although the temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficients of all samples were similar to that of the bulk, the resistivity dependence of the 2-μm-diameter microwire array sample had a small positive temperature coefficient, and was quite different from the other samples. Mobility was estimated using a simple model to identify the dependences on temperature and wire diameter. The ratio of electron mobility divided by hole mobility gradually decreased with decreasing temperature for samples with wire diameters below 6 μm, and electron mobility was suppressed at low temperatures, explaining the promotion of the boundary scattering. Therefore, small positive temperature coefficients of resistivity were obtained for very small diameter microwire array samples. To compare with the temperature dependence of the nanowire array samples that typically have negative temperature coefficient reported, a model for mobility was developed to represent the temperature dependence of resistivity.
Optical band gap and magnetic properties of unstrained EuTiO3 films
Authors: Lee J. H. , Ke X. , Podraza N. J. , Kourkoutis L. Fitting , Heeg T. , Roeckerath M. , Freeland J. W. , Fennie C. J. , Schubert J. , Muller D. A. , Schiffer P. , Schlom D. G.
Published: May 2009

Phase-pure, stoichiometric, unstrained, epitaxial (001)-oriented EuTiO3 thin films have been grown on (001) SrTiO3 substrates by reactive molecular-beam epitaxy. Magnetization measurements show antiferromagnetic behavior with TN=5.5 K, similar to bulk EuTiO3. Spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements reveal that EuTiO3 films have a direct optical band gap of 0.93±0.07 eV.
Coarse-grained, density dependent implicit solvent model reliably reproduces behavior of a model surfactant system
Authors: Allen Erik C. , Rutledge Gregory C.
Published: May 2009

Density dependent, implicit solvent (DDIS) potentials, the generation of which has been described previously [E. C. Allen and G. C. Rutledge, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 154115 (2008); E. C. Allen and G. C. Rutledge, J. Chem. Phys. 130, 034904 (2009)], are used in this work to examine the self-assembly of a model surfactant system. While the measurement of thermodynamic properties in simulations of solvated micelles requires large computational resources or specialized free energy calculations, the high degree of coarse-graining enabled by the DDIS algorithm allows for the measurement of critical micelle concentration and aggregation number distribution using single processor NVT simulations. In order to evaluate the transferability of potentials derived from the DDIS methodology, the potentials are derived from simulations of simple monomeric solutes and used in the surfactant system without modification. Despite the high degree of coarse graining and the simplicity of the fitting simulations, we demonstrate that the coarse-grained DDIS potentials generated by this method reliably reproduce key properties of the underlying surfactant system: the critical micelle concentration, and the average aggregation number. The success of the DDIS algorithm suggests its utility for more realistic surfactant models.
Parker problem in Hall magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Shivamoggi Bhimsen K.
Published: May 2009

The Parker problem in Hall magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is considered. Poloidal shear superposed on the toroidal ion flow associated with the Hall effect is incorporated. This is found to lead to a triple deck structure for the Parker problem in Hall MHD, with the magnetic field falling off in the intermediate Hall-resistive region more steeply (like 1/x3) than that (like 1/x) in the outer ideal MHD region.
A homogeneous nonequilibrium molecular dynamics method for calculating thermal conductivity with a three-body potential
Authors: Mandadapu Kranthi K. , Jones Reese E. , Papadopoulos Panayiotis
Published: May 2009

In this work, Evans’ homogeneous nonequilibrium molecular dynamics method for estimating thermal conductivity is extended to systems employing three-body potentials. This extension is put on a firm theoretical basis and applied to a silicon lattice modeled by the Stillinger–Weber potential. Two new methods are suggested for estimating the thermal conductivity based on a range of values of the fictitious force. Also, kinetic theory is used to estimate the linear range of the fictitious force necessary to bias the heat flow, thereby potentially reducing the number of simulations needed to estimate thermal conductivity.
New model core potentials for gold
Authors: Zeng Tao , Klobukowski Mariusz
Published: May 2009

Four model core potentials (MCPs) for gold were developed using results from the third-order Douglas–Kroll–Hess relativistic all-electron calculations. The MCPs were developed with four different valence spaces, ranging from the 5p, 5d, and 6s orbitals to 5s, 4f, 5p, 5d, and 6s orbitals. The new MCPs were applied in the calculations of atomic properties and potential energy curves of AuH and Au2. Results indicate that the 4f orbital may be excluded but the 5s orbital must be included in the valence space because of the importance of 5s-6s electron correlation. The model core potential that has the valence space comprising the 5s, 5p, 5d, and 6s orbitals is considered to be the most accurate and efficient of these new potentials.
Lindblad equations for strongly coupled populations and coherences in photosynthetic complexes
Authors: Palmieri Benoit , Abramavicius Darius , Mukamel Shaul
Published: May 2009

Recent experimental observations of time-resolved multidimensional signals in the light-harvesting antennae Fenna–Mathews–Olson [G. S. Engel et al., Nature (London) 446, 782 (2007)] show large oscillations of exciton populations coupled to the long-lived coherences. These effects may not be reproduced by the standard Redfield theory which assumes weak coupling to a bath. A more general relaxation superoperator which holds for all system-bath coupling parameter regimes is constructed by taking into account the statistics (covariances) of Lindblad equation parameters. Simulations for a model dimer reproduce all observed strong coupling effects.
A fast and efficient algorithm for Slater determinant updates in quantum Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Nukala Phani K. V. V. , Kent P. R. C.
Published: May 2009

We present an efficient low-rank updating algorithm for updating the trial wave functions used in quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations. The algorithm is based on low-rank updating of the Slater determinants. In particular, the computational complexity of the algorithm is O(kN) during the kth step compared to traditional algorithms that require O(N2) computations, where N is the system size. For single determinant trial wave functions the new algorithm is faster than the traditional O(N2) Sherman–Morrison algorithm for up to O(N) updates. For multideterminant configuration-interaction-type trial wave functions of M+1 determinants, the new algorithm is significantly more efficient, saving both O(MN2) work and O(MN2) storage. The algorithm enables more accurate and significantly more efficient QMC calculations using configuration-interaction-type wave functions.
Composition of the milk of the quokka (Setonix brachyurus)
Authors: Miller S. J. , Bencini R. , Hartmann P. E.
Published: May 2009

We investigated the composition of the milk of the quokka between 70 and 300 days post partum. From 70 to 180 days, the mean concentration of protein in the milk was 63.5 ± 6.50 g L−1. The protein levels then began to increase, peaking at 120 g L−1 towards the end of lactation. The mean lipid and total solids content were 45.0 ± 6.50 and 175.0 ± 11.77 g L−1 from 70–180 days, increasing to 150 and 250 g L−1 after permanent pouch exit. In contrast, the total carbohydrate concentration of the milk decreased from 80 to 20 g L−1 at 150 days. The concentration of lactose started to decrease at 180 days from 30 to 10 g L−1, and galactose and glucose began to rise from 1 to 9 g L−1 and 0.5 to 4.0 g L−1, respectively. The milk lipid consisted mainly of long- and medium-chain fatty acids, with no short-chain fatty acids detected. The major fatty acids present were palmitic and oleic acids, followed by linoleic, trans-vaccenic and stearic acids. The percentage composition of oleic and stearic acids varied significantly during lactation. The composition of the milk of the quokka changed during lactation, coincident with the young reaching critical milestones in its development. This finding supports the hypothesis that the composition of the milk changes to meet the nutritional needs of the developing young.
Modeling the physics of FtsZ assembly and force generation
Authors: Erickson Harold P.
Published: May 2009

The tubulin homolog FtsZ is the major cytoskeletal protein in bacterial cytokinesis. It can generate a constriction force on the bacterial membrane or inside tubular liposomes. Several models have recently been proposed for how this force might be generated. These fall into 2 categories. The first is based on a conformational change from a straight to a curved protofilament. The simplest “hydrolyze and bend” model proposes a 22° bend at every interface containing a GDP. New evidence suggests another curved conformation with a 2.5° bend at every interface and that the relation of curvature to GTP hydrolysis is more complicated than previously thought. However, FtsZ protofilaments do appear to be mechanically rigid enough to bend membranes. A second category of models is based on lateral bonding between protofilaments, postulating that a contraction could be generated when protofilaments slide to increase the number of lateral bonds. Unfortunately these lateral bond models have ignored the contribution of subunit entropy when adding bond energies; if included, the mechanism is seen to be invalid. Finally, I address recent models that try to explain how protofilaments 1-subunit-thick show a cooperative assembly.
Emotional and behavioural reactions to moral transgressions: Cross‐cultural and individual variations in India and Britain
Authors: Laham Simon M. , Chopra Sonavi , Lalljee Mansur , Parkinson Brian
Published: May 2009

Reactions to moral transgressions are subject to influence at both the cultural and individual levels. Transgressions against an individual's rights or against social conventions of hierarchy may elicit different reactions in individualistic and collectivistic cultures. In the current study, affective and behavioural reactions to transgressions of autonomy (rights) and community (hierarchy) were examined in India and Britain. Results revealed that although reactions to autonomy transgressions are similar in India and Britain, Indian participants express more moral outrage than do Britons in response to transgressions of community. Results also supported the contention of emotion‐specificity in affective moral reaction: Participants in both India and Britain reported anger in response to autonomy transgressions, but contempt in response to violations of community. Importantly, these results extend previous research by demonstrating the importance of emotion specificity in moral reactions, as opposed to categorization or dilemma resolution. In addition, an individual difference measure of respect for persons was shown to moderate reactions to moral transgressions. Specifically, participants with high respect for persons were less negative to violators of the community ethic, but not the autonomy ethic. These findings highlight the importance of examining emotion‐specific responses in the moral domain and introduce a significant individual difference variable, respect for persons, into the psychology of morality.
Working together? Partnership approaches to 14–19 education in England
Authors: Higham Jeremy , Yeomans David
Published: May 2009

Partnership working between institutions and organisations is currently commonly seen as providing solutions to meeting multiple, interrelated needs in areas of social policy including health, social welfare and education. This article examines and discusses the policy and practice of such collaboration in an educational context. Drawing on studies of state‐funded interventions into 14–19 provision in England it offers insights into why and how schools, colleges and other organisations involved in education and training collaborate. It concludes that partnership is highly locally contingent. National policy on partnership working, which is itself not consistent, is strongly mediated by local contextual factors, institutional values and interests, personal missions and careers, pragmatic opportunism, ad‐hocery and happenstance. The interplay of these factors is highly dynamic and changes over time.
A Short-Term Longitudinal Study of the Relationship between Motivation to Read and Reading Fluency Skill in Second Grade
Authors: Quirk Matthew , Schwanenflugel Paula J. , Webb Mi-young
Published: May 2009

This short-term longitudinal study investigated the relationships between students' reading self-concept, goals for reading, and reading fluency skill over the course of the second grade year. Second-grade children (N = 185) were administered the Test of Word Reading Efficiency, the second-grade Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, and an adapted version of Motivation to Read Profile at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Results showed that students' goals for reading were related to reading self-concept, but unrelated to reading fluency. In addition, reading self-concept was significantly related to reading fluency at each time point. Latent-variable path analysis was used to test four potential relationships between students' reading self-concept and reading fluency skill: (a) an independence model, (b) a skill development model, (c) a self-enhancement model, and (d) a reciprocal effects model. Support for a reciprocal model was found between students' reading fluency skill and reading self-concept over the second grade year. This finding also indicated that students' reading self-concept begins to influence their reading achievement earlier than previous research had indicated. Implications for educational practice and future research will also be discussed.
Genre and Thinking in Academic Writing Tasks
Authors: Beck Sarah W. , Jeffery Jill V.
Published: May 2009

Genre-based approaches to teaching writing have made important strides in heightening students' awareness of audience and purpose but have paid less attention to the ways in which expectations for written performance in school context are embedded in expectations for certain kinds of discipline-based thinking. In this paper we present a study that explored how a group of high school students studying history and literature within an interdisciplinary framework experience the thinking demands associated with a particular kind of writing characteristic of both subjects: analytic exposition. We found that the task of articulating interpretive thematic statements is a significant challenge for these students, in some cases because the nature of interpretative understanding remains elusive to them and in others because they struggle with finding the language to express this understanding in a concise form. A separate but related finding has to do with opportunities for interpretive insight that arose from writing in genres other than conventional analytic exposition, for example, narrative, descriptive, and imaginative writing. We conclude our discussion by recommending further investigation of ways in which alternatives to analytic exposition may be used as bridges to mastery of this important academic genre.
Effect of time in prison on prisoners’ use of coping strategies
Authors: Reed Phil , Alenazi Yousef , Potterton Fenella
Published: May 2009

Prisoners from two institutions (a low security and a high security prison) were studied to explore the coping strategies used in stressful situations, and the relationship between prison sentence length and the coping strategies employed. Prisoners completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the Ways of Coping Scale. Coping strategies that focused on emotions, rather than on the source problem, were found to be most often employed. Shorter‐term prisoners adopted problem‐focused strategies
more than longer‐term prisoners, while longer‐term prisoners adopted emotion‐focused strategies more than shorter‐term prisoners. These results are discussed with reference to the influence of the environment on coping strategy.
UNODC and the National Administration of Penitentiaries launched harm reduction programme in Romanian prisons
Authors: Iliuta Catalina
Published: May 2009

In February 2008, the National Administration of Penitentiaries and UNODC Project Office in Romania officially launched the common initiative of introducing harm reduction measures for people who inject drugs in three Romanian penitentiaries.
Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among inmates of a borstal institution in Nigeria
Authors: Issa B. A. , Yussuf A. D. , Ajiboye P. O. , Buhari O. I. N.
Published: May 2009

Studies have reported increased psychiatric morbidity among young detainees, with as many as three‐quarters reported to have one or more psychiatric disorders. Despite this, however, there is a dearth of published work among young inmates of prisons, remand homes or borstal institutions in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to assess possible psychiatric morbidity among young inmates of a borstal institution in Nigeria and to determine the factors that may be associated with this morbidity. Fifty‐three inmates of one of the two existing borstal institution in Nigeria were assessed for psychiatric morbidity using the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12). The GHQ‐12
scores were compared with the socio‐demographic factors of the respondents. Twenty‐eight (52.8%) of the inmates were over 18 years old, 35.8% were in the middle position within the family, 62.3% were of Christian faith, and 64.2% had their parents still living together. Seventeen (32.1%) of the inmates were from Hausa ethnic extraction, 58.5% stayed for more than 6 months at the borstal institution, and 81.1% were brought to the institution by their parents. The mean age of the inmates was 17.3 years (range, 14‐23 years) and 26 (49.1%) of them were GHQ‐positive. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean age of GHQ‐positive and GHQ‐negative inmates (F=1.73, p=0.19), and none of the socio‐demographic variables were significantly associated with psychiatric morbidity (i.e. GHQ‐12 positivity). The study observed a high prevalence of undetected psychiatric morbidity among inmates at the borstal institution. Efforts should be intensified by the authority responsible for managing the Nigerian prison services (including the borstal institutions) to improve mental health services.
Unlocking the Titans: unravelling a psychological Olympianism?
Authors: Shearer Ann
Published: May 2009

The Titans, the original pre-Olympian deities, have attracted little attention from Jungians and the received view of them is overwhelmingly negative. This paper traces the roots of this antipathy to the mythic war between Titans and Olympians. It follows the afterlife of the myth and shows how it is implicated in the elaborated oppositions of body and spirit, mind and matter, which have informed Western philosophy and are embedded in analytical psychology itself. It suggests that the current dis-ease of individuals and nature itself demands a truce between Olympians and Titans and offers a more positive reading of Titanic energy.
Conceptual design of fast-ignition laser fusion reactor FALCON-D
Authors: Goto T. , Someya Y. , Ogawa Y. , Hiwatari R. , Asaoka Y. , Okano K , Sunahara A. , Johzaki T.
Published: May 2009

A new conceptual design of the laser fusion power plant FALCON-D (Fast-ignition Advanced Laser fusion reactor CONcept with a Dry wall chamber) has been proposed. The fast-ignition method can achieve sufficient fusion gain for a commercial operation (∼100) with about 10 times smaller fusion yield than the conventional central ignition method. FALCON-D makes full use of this property and aims at designing with a compact dry wall chamber (5–6 m radius). 1D/2D simulations by hydrodynamic codes showed a possibility of achieving sufficient gain with a laser energy of 400 kJ, i.e. a 40 MJ target yield. The design feasibility of the compact dry wall chamber and the solid breeder blanket system was shown through thermomechanical analysis of the dry wall and neutronics analysis of the blanket system. Moderate electric output (∼400 MWe) can be achieved with a high repetition (30 Hz) laser. This dry wall reactor concept not only reduces several difficulties associated with a liquid wall system but also enables a simple cask maintenance method for the replacement of the blanket system, which can shorten the maintenance period. The basic idea of the maintenance method for the final optics system has also been proposed. Some critical R&D issues required for this design are also discussed.
Induction of HoxB Transcription by Retinoic Acid Requires Actin Polymerization
Authors: Ferrai Carmelo , Naum-Onganía Gabriela , Longobardi Elena , Palazzolo Martina , Disanza Andrea , Diaz Victor M. , Crippa Massimo P. , Scita Giorgio , Blasi Francesco
Published: May 2009

We have analyzed the role of actin polymerization in retinoic acid (RA)-induced HoxB transcription, which is mediated by the HoxB regulator Prep1. RA induction of the HoxB genes can be prevented by the inhibition of actin polymerization. Importantly, inhibition of actin polymerization specifically affects the transcription of inducible Hox genes, but not that of their transcriptional regulators, the RARs, nor of constitutively expressed, nor of actively transcribed Hox genes. RA treatment induces the recruitment to the HoxB2 gene enhancer of a complex composed of “elongating” RNAPII, Prep1, β-actin, and N-WASP as well as the accessory splicing components p54Nrb and PSF. We show that inhibition of actin polymerization prevents such recruitment. We conclude that inducible Hox genes are selectively sensitive to the inhibition of actin polymerization and that actin polymerization is required for the assembly of a transcription complex on the regulatory region of the Hox genes.
An efficient X-ray spectrometer based on thin mosaic crystal films and its application in various fields of X-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Legall Herbert , Stiel Holger , Schnürer Matthias , Pagels Marcel , Kanngießer Birgit , Müller Matthias , Beckhoff Burkhard , Grigorieva Inna , Antonov Alexander , Arkadiev Vladimir , Bjeoumikhov Aniouar
Published: May 2009

X-ray optics with high energy resolution and collection efficiency are required in X-ray spectroscopy for investigations of chemistry and coordination. This is particularly the case if the X-ray source emits a rather weak signal into a large solid angle. In the present work the performance of a spectrometer based on thin mosaic crystals was investigated for different spectroscopic methods using various X-ray sources. It was found that, even with low-power X-ray sources, advanced high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy can be performed.
Evolution of upper airway resistance syndrome
Authors: JONCZAK LUIZA , PŁYWACZEWSKI ROBERT , ŚLIWIŃSKI PAWEŁ , BEDNAREK MICHAŁ , GÓRECKA DOROTA , ZIELIŃSKI JAN
Published: May 2009

The question of whether upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is a distinct disease or an initial feature of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is still a matter of debate. We evaluated a retrospective group of UARS patients to determine the evolution of UARS over time and the relationship between clinical evolution and subjects’ phenotype. Investigations were performed in 30 patients, in whom UARS was diagnosed between 1995 and 2000 by the use of full polysomnography (PSG) without oesophageal pressure (Pes) measurement. The time between initial and follow‐up investigations was 6.6 ± 2.6 years. All subjects had full PSG with Pes measurement and completed a sleep questionnaire, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. In 19 subjects, PSG results were compatible with UARS. In nine subjects, obstructive sleep apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) was diagnosed. In two subjects, PSG did not demonstrate breathing abnormalities. The mean ± SD apnoea–hypopnoea index in the UARS group was 1.5 ± 1.7 h−1 and 25.2 ± 19 h−1 in the OSAHS group (P < 0.01). The increase in body mass index (BMI) between initial and follow‐up investigations in the UARS group was from 29.4 ± 4 to 31 ± 5.7 kg m−2 (P = 0.014) and in the OSAHS group from 30 ± 4.1 to 32.4 ± 4.7 kg m−2(P = 0.004). Amplitude of Pes swings during respiratory events was significantly higher in OSAHS than that in UARS (P = 0.014). Our results suggest that UARS is part of a clinical continuum from habitual snoring to OSAHS. Progression from UARS to OSAHS seems to be related to an increase in the BMI.