bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffusion‐weighted MRI in rectal cancer: Apparent diffusion coefficient as a potential noninvasive marker of tumor aggressiveness
Authors: Curvo‐Semedo Luís , Lambregts Doenja M.J. , Maas Monique , Beets Geerard L. , Caseiro‐Alves Filipe , Beets‐Tan Regina G.H.
Published: January 2012

Purpose:

To assess the value of diffusion‐weighted MR imaging (DWI) as a potential noninvasive marker of tumor aggressiveness in rectal cancer, by analyzing the relationship between tumoral apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and MRI and histological prognostic parameters.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty rectal cancer patients underwent primary staging MRI including DWI before surgery and neo‐adjuvant therapy. In 47, surgery was preceded by short‐course radiation therapy (n = 28) or long‐course chemoradiation therapy (n = 19). Mean tumor ADC was measured and compared between subgroups based on pretreatment CEA levels, MRI parameters (mesorectal fascia ‐ MRF ‐ status; T‐stage; N‐stage) and histological parameters (differentiation grade: poorly differentiated, poorly moderately differentiated, moderately differentiated, moderately well differentiated, well‐differentiated; lymphangiovascular invasion).

Results:

Mean tumor ADCs differ between MRF‐free versus MRF‐invaded tumors (P = 0.013), the groups of cN0 versus cN+ cancers (P = 0.011), and between the several groups of histological differentiation grades (P = 0.025). There was no significant difference in mean ADCs between the various groups of CEA levels, the T stage, and the presence of lymphangiovascular invasion.

Conclusion:

Lower ADC values were associated with a more aggressive tumor profile. Significant correlations were found between mean ADC values and radiological MRF status, N stage and differentiation grade. ADC has the potential to become an imaging biomarker of tumor aggressiveness profile. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1365–1371. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The AD 1717 rock avalanche deposits in the upper Ferret Valley (Italy): a dating approach with cosmogenic 10Be
Authors: Akçar Naki , Deline Philip , Ivy‐Ochs Susan , Alfimov Vasily , Hajdas Irka , Kubik Peter W. , Christl Marcus , Schlüchter Christian
Published: January 2012

On 12 September AD 1717, a rock volume larger than 10 million m3 collapsed onto the Triolet Glacier, mobilized a mass composed of ice and sediment and travelled more than 7 km downvalley in the upper Ferret Valley, Mont Blanc Massif (Italy). This rock avalanche destroyed two small settlements, causing seven casualties and loss of livestock. No detailed maps were made at the time. Later investigators attributed accumulations of granitic boulders and irregular ridges on the upper valley floor to either glacial deposition, or the AD 1717 rock avalanche, or a complex mixture of glacial deposition, earlier rock avalanche and AD 1717 rock avalanche origin. In this study, we present cosmogenic 10Be exposure ages from nine boulders in the extensive chaotic boulder deposit with irregular ridges, two from Holocene glacier‐free areas, and one from a Little Ice Age moraine. Exposure ages between 330 ± 23 and 483 ± 123 a from eight of nine boulders from the chaotic deposit indicate that at least seven were deposited by the AD 1717 rock avalanche. The other three boulders yielded 10Be exposure ages of 10 900 ± 400, 9700 ± 400 and 244 ± 97 a, respectively. Our results are in good agreement with the existing chronology from dendrochronology and lichenometry, and radiocarbon analysis of wood samples, but not with older 14C ages from a peat bog in the upper part of the valley. Based on the new age control, the rock avalanche deposits cover the whole bottom of the upper Ferret valley. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Substituent effects on enol nitrosation of 1,3‐diketones
Authors: Iglesias Emilia
Published: January 2012

The keto–enol tautomerism of 3‐chloro‐pentane‐2,4‐dione (ClPD) was studied in aqueous micellar solutions of cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants. The enol of ClPD tautomerizes rapidly in water to the equilibrium proportions of the keto form, KE=0.55; whereas the keto–enol conversion of 3‐ethyl‐pentane‐2,4‐dione (EPD) is a much slower reaction than the enol nitrosation. Kinetics of enol –nitrosation of both ClPD and EPD in aqueous acid medium using nitrous acid shows first‐order dependence upon [ketone] and linear or curve relationships of the observed rate constant, ko, as a function of [nitrite] or [H+]; the observed behavior depends on the molecular structure of diketone and varies with the experimental conditions. The reaction is strongly catalyzed by Cl−, Br−, or SCN−, and the observed rate constant shows a curve dependence on [Br−] or [SCN−], which is more pronounced at high acidity. The results are consistent with a reaction mechanism in which the nitrosation occurs initially on the enol–oxygen and releasing a proton to form a chelate–nitrosyl complex intermediate in steady state. Fine differences on the mechanistic spectrum of enols nitrosation are considered on the basis of the molecular structure of the diketone. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 668–679, 2012
Prevalence and causes of dysphonia in a large treatment‐seeking population
Authors: Cohen Seth M. , Kim Jaewhan , Roy Nelson , Asche Carl , Courey Mark
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To determine the prevalence and common causes of dysphonia as diagnosed by primary care physicians (PCPs) and otolaryngologists and to evaluate differences in etiologies offered by these providers.

Study Design:

Retrospective analysis of data from a large, nationally representative administrative U.S. claims database.

Methods:

Patients were identified as dysphonic based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2008. Data regarding age, sex, geographic location, and type of physician providing the dysphonia diagnosis were collected. Overall and age‐related prevalence rates, as well as frequency of specific etiologies by provider type, were calculated.

Results:

Of the almost 55 million individuals in the database, 536,943 patients (ages 0 to >65 years) were given a dysphonia diagnosis (point prevalence rate of 0.98%). The prevalence rate was higher among females as compared to males (1.2% vs. 0.7%) and among those >70 years of age (2.5%). The most frequent diagnoses overall were acute laryngitis, nonspecific dysphonia, benign vocal fold lesions, and chronic laryngitis. PCPs more commonly diagnosed acute laryngitis, whereas otolaryngologists more commonly diagnosed nonspecific dysphonia and laryngeal pathology. Gastroesophageal reflux was more commonly diagnosed as a comorbid condition by otolaryngologists than by PCPs. Overall laryngeal cancer prevalence in this treatment‐seeking population was 2.2% and was greatest among males >70 years of age.

Conclusions:

This analysis of insurance claims data from a nationally representative database represents the largest study of its kind. Important differences in dysphonia prevalence related to age, sex, diagnosis, and physician type were identified. Laryngoscope, 122:343–348, 2012
A New procedure for temporary auxiliary partial liver transplantation using living donor graft for patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy
Authors: Ohno Yasunari , Kobayashi Akira , Ikegami Toshihiko , Masuda Yuichi , Mita Atsuyoshi , Urata Koichi , Nakazawa Yuichi , Terada Masaru , Ikeda Shu-ichi , Miyagawa Shinichi
Published: January 2012

To introduce duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis to conventional temporary auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) using living donor graft for patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy, we modified the conventional APOLT procedure in a manner characterized by the use of the recipient's common hepatic duct for biliary reconstruction and the preservation of the right posterior section alone for the certain placement of a tube into the corresponding biliary tree for external biliary drainage (modified APOLT). This procedure was performed in 3 patients without biliary complications. No complications associated with the external drainage tube occurred. Here we report the techniques and results for this new procedure. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Synthesis of Graft Copolymers Based on Poly(2‐Methoxyethyl Acrylate) and Investigation of the Associated Water Structure
Authors: Javakhishvili Irakli , Tanaka Masaru , Ogura Keiko , Jankova Katja , Hvilsted Søren
Published: January 2012

Graft copolymers composed of poly(2‐methoxyethyl acrylate) are prepared employing controlled radical polymerization techniques. Linear backbones bearing atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiating sites are obtained by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer copolymerization of 2‐methoxyethyl acrylate (MEA) and 2‐(bromoisobutyryloxy)ethyl methacrylate (BriBuEMA) as well as 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and BriBuEMA in a controlled manner . MEA is then grafted from the linear macroinitiators by Cu (I)‐mediated ATRP. Fairly high molecular weights (>120 000 Da) and low polydispersity indices (1.17–1.38) are attained. Thermal investigations of the graft copolymers indicate the presence of the freezing bound water, and imply that the materials may exhibit blood compatibility.
Annealing Effect on Electrospun Polymer Fibers and Their Transformation into Polymer Microspheres
Authors: Fan Ping‐Wen , Chen Wan‐Ling , Lee Ting‐Hsien , Chen Jiun‐Tai
Published: January 2012

Electrospinning is a simple and convenient technique to produce polymer fibers with diameters ranging from several nanometers to a few micrometers. Different types of polymer fibers have been prepared by electrospinning for various applications. Among different post‐treatment methods of electrospun polymer fibers, the annealing process plays a critical role in controlling the fiber properties. The morphology changes of electrospun polymer fibers under annealing, however, have been little studied. Here we investigate the annealing effect of electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fibers and their transformation into PMMA microspheres. PMMA fibers with an average size of 2.39 μm are first prepared by electrospinning a 35 wt% PMMA solution in dimethylformamide. After the electrospun fibers are thermally annealed in ethylene glycol, a non‐solvent for PMMA, the surfaces of the fibers undulate and transform into microspheres driven by the Rayleigh instability. The driving force of the transformation process is the minimization of the interfacial energy between the polymer fibers and ethylene glycol. The sizes of the microspheres fit well with the theoretical predictions. Longer annealing times are found to be required at lower temperatures to obtain the microspheres.
A Novel Thermotropic Elastomer based on Highly‐filled LDH‐SSB Composites
Authors: Das Amit , George Jinu Jacob , Kutlu Burak , Leuteritz Andreas , Wang De‐Yi , Rooj Sandip , Jurk René , Rajeshbabu Ramanujam , Stöckelhuber Klaus Werner , Galiatsatos Vassilios , Heinrich Gert
Published: January 2012

Elastomeric composites are prepared based on solution styrene butadiene elastomer and zinc‐aluminium layered double hydroxides (LDH), using a conventional sulphur cure system. Up to 100 parts per hundred rubber of LDH are incorporated into the elastomer matrix. The composites exhibit an interesting phenomenon of thermoreversible transparency, i.e. the transparent sample becomes opaque at warm condition and restores the transparency at room temperature. The transparency is found to be increased as the amount of LDH was increased. The addition of LDH gradually improved the mechanical, dynamic mechanical performance and thermal stability of the base elastomer. These developped elastomers could be utilised as smart materials in different applications.
A framework for automatic modeling of underground excavations and optimizing three‐dimensional boundary and finite element meshes derived from them—framework
Authors: Hazegh Mohammad , Zsaki Attila M.
Published: January 2012

Many problems in mining and civil engineering require using numerical stress analysis methods to repeatedly solve large models. Widespread acceptance of tunneling methods, such as New Austrian Tunneling Method, which depend heavily on numerical stress analysis tools and the fact that the effects of excavation at the face of a tunnel are distinctively three–dimensional (3D), necessitates the use of 3D numerical analysis for these problems. Stress analysis of a practical mining problem can be very lengthy, and the processing time can be measured in days or weeks at times. A framework is developed to facilitate efficient modeling of underground excavations and to create an optimal 3D mesh by reducing the number of surface and volume elements while keeping the result of stress analysis accurate enough at the region of interest, where a solution is sought. Fewer surface and volume elements mean fewer degrees of freedom in the numerical model, which directly translates into savings in computational time and resources. The mesh refinement algorithm is driven by a set of criteria that are functions of distance and visibility of points from the region of interest, and the framework can be easily extended by adding new types of criteria. This paper defines the framework, whereas a second companion paper will investigate its efficiency, accuracy and application to a number of practical mining problems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inverse analysis of viscoelastic pavement properties using data from embedded instrumentation
Authors: Levenberg Eyal
Published: January 2012

The paper deals with inferring the mechanical layer properties of pavement systems by way of inverse analysis. The proposed scheme is based on the availability of sensory gear embedded within the system ‐ collecting different types of response traces resulting from moving wheel loads. The inverse analysis task simultaneously exploits the readings from all available sensors and therefore formulated as a multicriterion optimization problem. Data from an experimental asphalt pavement are employed to demonstrate the scheme. A versatile and computationally efficient layered viscoelastic pavement model is offered and implemented as a forward solver. Recoverable layer properties, elastic and viscoelastic, are derived and also compared with laboratory values. Results and possible future uses of the work are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psoriasis in humans is associated with down‐regulation of galectins in dendritic cells
Authors: de la Fuente H , Perez‐Gala Silvia , Bonay Pedro , Cruz‐Adalia Aranzazu , Cibrian Danay , Sanchez‐Cuellar Silvia , Dauden Esteban , Fresno Manuel , García‐Diez Amaro , Sanchez‐Madrid Francisco
Published: January 2012

We have investigated the expression and role of galectin‐1 and other galectins in psoriasis and in the Th1/Th17 effector and dendritic cell responses associated with this chronic inflammatory skin condition. To determine differences between psoriasis patients and healthy donors, expression of galectins was analysed by RT‐PCR in skin samples and on epidermal and peripheral blood dendritic cells by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. In the skin of healthy donors, galectin‐1, ‐3 and ‐9 were expressed in a high proportion of Langerhans cells. Also, galectins were differentially expressed in peripheral blood dendritic cell subsets; galectin‐1 and galectin‐9 were highly expressed in peripheral myeloid dendritic cells compared with plasmacytoid dendritic cells. We found that non‐lesional as well as lesional skin samples from psoriasis patients had low levels of galectin‐1 at the mRNA and protein levels, in parallel with low levels of IL‐10 mRNA compared with skin from healthy patients. However, only lesional skin samples expressed high levels of Th1/Th17 cytokines. The analysis of galectin‐1 expression showed that this protein was down‐regulated in Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells as well as in peripheral blood CD11c+ DCs from psoriasis patients. Expression of galectin‐1 correlated with IL‐17 and IL‐10 expression and with the psoriasis area and index activity. Addition of galectin‐1 to co‐cultures of human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells with autologous T lymphocytes from psoriasis patients attenuated the Th1 response. Conversely, blockade of galectin binding increased IFNγ production and inhibited IL‐10 secretion in co‐cultures of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells with CD4+ T cells. Our results suggest a model in which galectin‐1 down‐regulation contributes to the exacerbation of the Th1/Th17 effector response in psoriasis patients. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemometric Classification of Morphologically Similar Umbelliferae Medicinal Herbs by DART‐TOF‐MS Fingerprint
Authors: Lee Sang Min , Kim Hye‐Jin , Jang Young Pyo
Published: January 2012

Introduction

It needs many years of special training to gain expertise on the organoleptic classification of botanical raw materials and, even for those experts, discrimination among Umbelliferae medicinal herbs remains an intricate challenge due to their morphological similarity.

Objective

To develop a new chemometric classification method using a direct analysis in real time–time of flight–mass spectrometry (DART‐TOF‐MS) fingerprinting for Umbelliferae medicinal herbs and to provide a platform for its application to the discrimination of other herbal medicines.

Methodology

Angelica tenuissima, Angelica gigas, Angelica dahurica and Cnidium officinale were chosen for this study and ten samples of each species were purchased from various Korean markets. DART‐TOF‐MS was employed on powdered raw materials to obtain a chemical fingerprint of each sample and the orthogonal partial‐least squares method in discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) was used for multivariate analysis.

Results

All samples of collected species were successfully discriminated from each other according to their characteristic DART‐TOF‐MS fingerprint. Decursin (or decursinol angelate) and byakangelicol were identified as marker molecules for Angelica gigas and A. dahurica, respectively. Using the OPLS method for discriminant analysis, Angelica tenuissima and Cnidium officinale were clearly separated into two groups. Angelica tenuissima was characterised by the presence of ligustilide and unidentified molecular ions of m/z 239 and 283, while senkyunolide A together with signals with m/z 387 and 389 were the marker compounds for Cnidium officinale.

Conclusion

Elaborating with chemoinformatics, DART‐TOF‐MS fingerprinting with chemoinformatic tools results in a powerful method for the classification of morphologically similar Umbelliferae medicinal herbs and quality control of medicinal herbal products, including the extracts of these crude drugs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solar energy support in the Asia–Pacific region
Authors: Avril Sophie , Mansilla Christine , Lemaire Thibault
Published: January 2012

The transition to a sustainable energy system now seems to be inevitable. The role of renewable energy sources in this mutation will be crucial. Amongst these, photovoltaic electricity has recently grown due to strong national policy support. Indeed, it appears as a good solution to substitute conventional fossil fuel, especially in the Asia–Pacific region where reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a real challenge.

This paper aims to review public support for photovoltaic energy by focusing on the policies of three emblematic developed countries of the Asia–Pacific region: Australia, Japan and Korea. The efficiency of these different policies is assessed by comparing their estimated total costs. These costs can have different origins: market incentives, demonstration programs and subsidies for research and development (R&D). The public investment was compared with installed capacities in order to evaluate the efficiency of the energy strategy.

The point made by this study is that a well‐planned policy limiting unwanted side effects should be preferred. Even if expensive in the short term, innovative technologies are beneficial in the longer term, and thus R&D subsidies should be maintained. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A structural mechanism for dimeric to tetrameric oligomer conversion in Halomonas sp. nucleoside diphosphate kinase
Authors: Arai Shigeki , Yonezawa Yasushi , Okazaki Nobuo , Matsumoto Fumiko , Tamada Taro , Tokunaga Hiroko , Ishibashi Matsujiro , Blaber Michael , Tokunaga Masao , Kuroki Ryota
Published: January 2012

Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) is known to form homotetramers or homohexamers. To clarify the oligomer state of NDK from moderately halophilic Halomonas sp. 593 (HaNDK), the oligomeric state of HaNDK was characterized by light scattering followed by X‐ray crystallography. The molecular weight of HaNDK is 33,660, and the X‐ray crystal structure determination to 2.3 and 2.7 Å resolution showed a dimer form which was confirmed in the different space groups of R3 and C2 with an independent packing arrangement. This is the first structural evidence that HaNDK forms a dimeric assembly. Moreover, the inferred molecular mass of a mutant HaNDK (E134A) indicated 62.1–65.3 kDa, and the oligomerization state was investigated by X‐ray crystallography to 2.3 and 2.5 Å resolution with space groups of P21 and C2. The assembly form of the E134A mutant HaNDK was identified as a Type I tetramer as found in Myxococcus NDK. The structural comparison between the wild‐type and E134A mutant HaNDKs suggests that the change from dimer to tetramer is due to the removal of negative charge repulsion caused by the E134 in the wild‐type HaNDK. The higher ordered association of proteins usually contributes to an increase in thermal stability and substrate affinity. The change in the assembly form by a minimum mutation may be an effective way for NDK to acquire molecular characteristics suited to various circumstances.
A surgical risk reduction approach to reduce global process safety risk: The “PSM gamma‐knife”
Authors: Vaughen Bruce K. , Kruger Pieter , Hauser Timothy A.
Published: January 2012

Businesses with more than one site strive to minimize operational variability across their entire organization. However, uniformly implementing company‐wide standards is difficult because each site maintains its own personality—its own culture. When a business strives to reduce its global process safety risk, a significant incident that exposes a particular site's weakness may result in a simple corporate decision forcing all sites to implement the same process safety improvement. This article shares the basic concept and the novel use of a risk minimization tool, commonly used to reduce financial risks in an investment portfolio, to help decision‐makers minimize their multisite, global process safety risk without adding undue stress on the rest of the organization. This approach helps quantify each individual site's process safety risks into a global business process safety risk model, uses a Monte Carlo simulation to determine which site‐specific factors contribute the most to the overall business risk, and then helps decision‐makers prioritize and choose site‐specific risk reduction efforts that minimizes the global risk. The global process safety risk reduction model used to show how to use this approach is based on a simplified risk equation containing site‐specific terms for frequency, consequence and operational discipline. Often the most contentious term in risk estimating is the frequency, especially with significant scenarios that have never happened before and, hence, have a very low likelihood. The beauty of the Monte Carlo simulation is that the user can account for the uncertainty in the frequency by choosing a frequency probability function based on a range of possible best‐ to worst‐case consequence scenarios. From the surgical perspective, a person (the whole organization) with cancer is often adversely affected when treated with chemotherapy. The results from this approach, using the image of a “PSM Gamma Knife,” show how selective site‐specific risk reduction treatments specifically address each site's process safety risk to help reduce the overall risk without adversely affecting the health of the whole organization. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
It's people, stupid!: Human factors in incident investigation
Authors: Broadribb Michael P.
Published: January 2012

People have inherent strengths and weaknesses that can affect their performance. Issues such as fatigue, emotional stress, and motivation can adversely affect performance. Their performance is also influenced by factors external to the individual, such as poor equipment design, inadequate training, excessive workload, and the work environment.

Most incidents in the process and related industries involve human factors, often as a key causal factor. Understanding these performance‐shaping factors is essential for conducting good incident investigations. However, besides those involved in the actual incident, human factors can affect other aspects of the incident investigation process, especially when considering other stakeholders.

The content of this article will raise awareness of how human factors can affect the success of the incident investigation process, and help others plan for improved investigations. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
Collective analysis of pharmaceutical dust explosion testing data
Authors: Richter Steven M.
Published: January 2012

Dust explosions in the process industries have recently been highlighted due to a number of high profile incidents. These explosions can be very powerful and destructive, and the lack of awareness of the hazards is often cited as a root cause in incident investigations. Although specific test data about some widely handled dusts have been compiled in some references, the availability for most materials handled in the pharmaceutical industry is less common. Pharmaceutical powders are chemically rich for combustion, but quantities available for testing are often limited. This work summarizes some of the historical dust explosion data from samples tested at Abbott. Observations of this data provide insight into the explosion behavior of pharmaceutical dusts, provide a basis for equipment design and operational practices, and provide a data‐driven basis for highlighting awareness of dust explosion hazards in facilities that work with these materials. Although data collections such as this do not avoid the need to identify the explosive properties of any individual dust, this work demonstrates that viewing group trends and distributions can provide value from these expensive tests beyond the scope of an individual product.

The aim of this work is to present data that has been collected at the Abbott Process Safety Laboratory over years to explore what “typical” dust explosivity properties for the types of pharmaceuticals and nutritional product powders that are normally handled in research and manufacturing. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
Target‐site mutation associated with glufosinate resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum)
Authors: Avila‐Garcia Wilson V , Sanchez‐Olguin Elena , Hulting Andrew G , Mallory‐Smith Carol
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: Studies were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of glufosinate resistance in an Italian ryegrass population.

RESULTS: Glufosinate rates required to reduce growth by 50% (GR50) were 0.15 and 0.18 kg AI ha−1 for two susceptible populations C1 and C2 respectively, and 0.45 kg AI ha−1 for the resistant population MG, resulting in a resistance index of 2.8. Ammonia accumulation after glufosinate treatment was on average 1.5 times less for the resistant population than for the susceptible populations. The glufosinate concentrations (µM) required to reduce the glutamine synthetase (GS) enzyme activity by 50% (I50) were 31 and 137 for C1 and C2 respectively, and 2432 for the resistant population MG. One amino acid substitution in the plastidic GS2 gene, aspartic acid for asparagine at position 171, was identified in the resistant population.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of glufosinate resistance in a weed species that involves an altered target site. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Color control in monolithic white light emitting diodes using a (Ga,In)N/GaN multiple quantum well light converter
Authors: Damilano B. , Trad N. , Brault J. , Demolon P. , Natali F. , Massies J.
Published: January 2012

This work reports the electroluminescence (EL) properties of monolithic light emitting diodes (LEDs) with an integrated (Ga,In)N/GaN light converter. The samples are constituted by a blue LED optically pumping a green–yellow emitting light converter. A simple model is proposed that accounts for the observed EL intensity ratio between the pump and the converter. The internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of the light converter has a crucial effect on the LED color. Experimental results regarding monolithic LEDs with a pump wavelength of 420 nm and a variable converter wavelength are analyzed. Depending on the light converter IQE the LED color can be tuned from blue to white.
Growth rate enhancement of liquid phase deposited nickel oxide film on ITO/glass under UV photo‐irradiation
Authors: Lee Ming‐Kwei , Fan Cho‐Han
Published: January 2012

The growth of nickel oxide film grown on indium–tin oxide/glass substrate by liquid phase deposition is enhanced under ultraviolet photo‐irradiation was studied. α‐Ni(OH)2 dominates the composition of as‐grown NiO film. After thermal treatment at 300 °C, α‐Ni(OH)2 is transformed into NiO. For thermally treated NiO under ultraviolet photo‐irradiation, the recrystallization and the colored and bleached transmittance after 50 times electrochromic test were improved. Both improvements come from fluorine passivation.
Transparent conductive Ga‐doped ZnO films fabricated by MOCVD
Authors: Behrends Arne , Wagner Alexander , Al‐Suleiman Mohamed Aid Mansur , Lugauer Hans‐Jürgen , Strassburg Martin , Walter Robert , Weimar Andreas , Waag Andreas , Bakin Andrey
Published: January 2012

Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) are used for a variety of different applications, e.g., in solar cells and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Mostly, sputtering is used, which often results in a degradation of the underlying semiconductor material. In this work we report on a “soft” method for the fabrication of ZnO films as TCO layers by using metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) at particularly low temperatures. The MOCVD approach has been studied focusing on the TCO key issues: fabrication temperature, morphology, optical, and electrical properties. Very smooth ZnO films with rms values down to 0.8 nm were fabricated at a substrate temperature of only 300 °C. Ga‐doping is well controllable even for high carrier concentrations up to 2 × 1020 cm−3, which is above the Mott‐density leading to metallic‐like behavior of the films. Furthermore all films show excellent optical transparency in the visible spectral range. As a consequence, our MOCVD approach is well suited for the soft fabrication of ZnO‐based TCO layers.
Photoluminescence from SiOx layers containing amorphous silicon nanoparticles
Authors: Nesheva D.
Published: January 2012

The article summarizes the main results of a systematic study on the preparation of amorphous SiOx thin films with various contents (1.1≤ x ≤1.7) by thermal evaporation of SiO in vacuum, growth of amorphous Si nanoparticles by furnace annealing at 973 K for various times (5–200 min) and investigation of photoluminescence (PL) from the annealed films. Infrared (IR) transmission measurements prove the annealing‐induced phase separation. Raman scattering data indicate the formation of pure amorphous Si phase. Intense room‐temperature PL is detected from films with x ≥ 1.5, visible with a naked eye. Two PL bands are resolved, peaked at around 2.3 eV and in the range 1.6–2.2 eV. The former does not shift appreciably with varying annealing time and initial film composition. It is related to radiative recombination via defect states at the a‐Si/SiOx interface. The maximum of the low‐energy band shows a gradual red shift with decreasing x and increasing annealing time, i.e., with increasing nanoparticle size. This is related to carrier recombination in amorphous Si nanoparticles. Investigations of thermal quenching of the PL confirm the last assumption.

magnified image

Room‐temperature PL spectra of SiOx films with four different compositions annealed in an Ar atmosphere at 973 K for 60 min. The dash‐dot spectrum was measured on a film with x = 1.15 annealed for 30 min at 523 K.
Overview of the Development of a Numerical Model for an Inflatable Paper Dunnage Bag
Authors: Venter Martin Philip , Venter Gerhard
Published: January 2012

This paper presents the development of a numerical model for an inflatable paper dunnage bag. Dunnage bags are used to fill the voids between cargo, securing the cargo in place. The presented numerical model is developed as a design tool for investigating trends associated with new or modified bags. Modelling considerations are outlined, including the effects of material, geometry and boundary condition non‐linearity. An emphasis is placed on the material properties of paper and the material model chosen for this model is discussed.

First, the development of a stable generic model is described in detail. The effects of the timescale factor, the load application, the analysis time, global damping, mesh refinement, the Poisson ratio and mass scaling are investigated. Next, the development of a representative model follows, where the process of including the inflation valve, glued seam lines, void constraint size and material model are discussed.

Physical testing was performed, and the results were used to validate the numerical model. The validation results indicate that the presented numerical model is accurate enough to be used as a design tool for investigating trends associated with new or modified paper dunnage bags.

Numerical modelling of the inflation and static testing of paper dunnage bags are non‐trivial operations and have, to the best knowledge of the authors, not been reported in the literature. A secondary goal of this paper is to provide a guideline for future designers that are interested in numerical modelling of paper dunnage bags. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reducing Oxidation of Foods Through Antioxidant Active Packaging Based on Ethyl Vinyl Alcohol and Natural Flavonoids
Authors: López‐de‐Dicastillo Carol , Pezo Davinson , Nerín Cristina , López‐Carballo Gracia , Catalá Ramón , Gavara Rafael , Hernández‐Muñoz Pilar
Published: January 2012

The development of antioxidant active packaging systems is attracting considerable attention as one of the preferred emerging technologies for reducing the incidence of lipid peroxidation. This work presents the use of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer films containing two natural flavonoids, catechin and quercetin, to reduce the oxidation of food. In a series of experiments, these materials showed their ability to reduce the presence of hydroxyl radicals in the package headspace. Packaging fried peanuts in bags manufactured with these active films resulted in a large reduction in the presence of hexanal, a compound produced during peroxidation of the unsaturated fat in peanuts. The results indicated that the materials actively reduced the presence of radical oxidative species although the antioxidants are not released into the food. On exposing sunflower oil to the films, the peroxide values obtained showed that the films actively protected the oil; because of the higher solubility of quercetin in this food product as well as the higher antioxidant capacity, the samples containing this flavonoid were more efficient.

Industrial relevance: Active packaging is receiving considerable attention as an emerging technology that can be used to improve the quality and the stability of food, reducing the direct addition of chemicals and the need for changes in formulation. The results of this study show that it is possible to reduce food oxidation without adding antioxidants to the food. The films obtained can be used to protect any type of food, including dry or fatty products. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A quasi‐spheroidal system for modelling global atmospheres: geodetic coordinates
Authors: White A. A. , Inverarity G. W.
Published: January 2012

In global atmospheric models, the geopotentials of apparent gravity are usually represented as spheres following minor but systematic approximations, including neglect of the ellipticity of the Figure of the Earth and of the latitude variation of the magnitude of apparent gravity, g. Improved representation using families of simple spheroids encounters various problems. Confocal oblate spheroids are technically convenient but qualitatively unsuitable as regards the implied latitude variation of g and vice versa for similar oblate spheroids. Representation of geopotentials by the quasi‐spheroidal surfaces of the geodetic coordinate system (used in aircraft navigation and satellite geodesy) is considered here. A single reference spheroid represents the Figure of the Earth, and exterior geopotentials are represented by surfaces of constant perpendicular distance from the reference spheroid. These surfaces are not precise spheroids, and latitude variation of g is not represented. The (orthogonal) coordinates are longitude, geographic latitude and perpendicular height above the reference spheroid. The geodetic system has many desirable features, including ease of transformation to Cartesian coordinates and hence derivation of the metric factors (not required for geodesy or navigation). Transformation from Cartesian coordinates is not analytically straightforward, but is amenable to perturbation or efficient numerical solution. A comparison is made with precisely spheroidal coordinate systems. Copyright © 2011 British Crown copyright, the Met Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A Gaussian‐mixture ensemble transform filter
Authors: Reich Sebastian
Published: January 2012

We generalize the popular ensemble Kalman filter to an ensemble transform filter, in which the prior distribution can take the form of a Gaussian mixture or a Gaussian kernel density estimator. The design of the filter is based on a continuous formulation of the Bayesian filter analysis step. We call the new filter algorithm the ensemble Gaussian‐mixture filter (EGMF). The EGMF is implemented for three simple test problems (Brownian dynamics in one dimension, Langevin dynamics in two dimensions and the three‐dimensional Lorenz‐63 model). It is demonstrated that the EGMF is capable of tracking systems with non‐Gaussian uni‐ and multimodal ensemble distributions. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
The origins and later developments of molecular orbital theory
Authors: Murrell John N
Published: January 2012

Hund in 1926 speculated on the assignment of quantum numbers for the electronic states of diatomic molecules, basing his assignments on the correlation between the diatomic states and those of the united atom limit. Mulliken, who had earlier considered the problem of this assignment using old quantum theory, followed Hund in 1927, in the new quantum theory, correlating the states of a diatomic molecule from the united to the separated atoms. In 1932, he introduced the term orbital for the one‐electron states of an atom or molecule. He was the first to seriously explore the orbitals of polyatomic molecules (1932). Burrau in 1927 made the first successful attempt to solve the Schrodinger's equation for H, and Condon (1927) assigned two electrons to Burrau's orbital to obtain an estimate of the binding energy of H2. Lennard‐Jones (LJ) (1929) introduced the linear combination of atomic orbital model, and following the aufbau principle showed that this explained the paramagnetism of O2. Slater (1929) wrote many‐electron wave functions as determinants of spin‐orbitals, and LJ (1949) showed that with this formulation molecular orbitals (MOs) could be transformed into bond‐localized functions; this provided the link to the valence bond approach and the traditional view of the chemical bond. Huckel (1930) was the first to develop a semiempirical MO model for π‐electron hydrocarbons, and this was later extended by others for all‐electron wave functions. Boys (1950) saw the implication of Gaussian functions for calculating the electron repulsion integrals needed for ab initio calculations, and a later approach by Kohn and coworkers (1964 and 1965) produced a density functional MO theory in which electron repulsion is calculated from the whole electron density. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Technological development at the boundaries of the firm: a knowledge‐based examination in drug development
Authors: Macher Jeffrey T. , Boerner Christopher
Published: January 2012

This paper examines how the knowledge‐based view (KBV) can be applied to firm boundary decisions and the performance implications of those decisions. At the center of the paper is a theoretical and empirical examination of how firms most efficiently organize for technological development. We find that distinct organization approaches are advantaged in the speed of technological development depending on the structure of technological development problems and the depth of firms' technological area experience. We make theoretical and empirical contributions to KBV research that examines knowledge development and transfer. Drug development in the pharmaceutical industry serves as our empirical setting. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tunable Aqueous Virtual Micropore
Authors: Park Jae Hyun , Guan Weihua , Reed Mark A. , Krstić Predrag S.
Published: January 2012

A charged microparticle can be trapped in an aqueous environment by forming a narrow virtual pore—a cylindrical space region in which the particle motion in the radial direction is limited by forces emerging from dynamical interactions of the particle charge and dipole moment with an external radiofrequency quadrupole electric field. If the particle satisfies the trap stability criteria, its mean motion is reduced exponentially with time due to the viscosity of the aqueous environment; thereafter the long‐time motion of particle is subject only to random, Brownian fluctuations, whose magnitude, influenced by the electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic effects and added to the particle size, determines the radius of the virtual pore, which is demonstrated by comparison of computer simulations and experiment. The measured size of the virtual nanopore could be utilized to estimate the charge of a trapped micro‐object.
Targetable Gold Nanorods for Epithelial Cancer Therapy Guided by Near‐IR Absorption Imaging
Authors: Choi Jihye , Yang Jaemoon , Bang Doyeon , Park Joseph , Suh Jin‐Suck , Huh Yong‐Min , Haam Seungjoo
Published: January 2012

Well‐designed nanoparticle‐mediated, image‐guided cancer therapy has attracted interest for increasing the efficacy of cancer treatment. A new class of smart theragnostic nanoprobes employing cetuximab (CET)‐conjugated polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated gold nanorods (CET‐PGNRs) is presented; these nanoprobes target epithelial cancer cells using near‐infrared light. The cetyltrimethylammonium bromide bilayer on GNRs is replaced with heterobifunctional PEG (COOH‐PEG‐SH) to serve as a biocompatible stabilizer and to increase specificity. The carboxylated GNRs are further functionalized with CET using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/N‐hydroxysuccinimide (EDC‐NHS) chemistry. To assess the potential of such GNRs, their optical properties, biocompatibility, colloidal stability, in vitro/in vivo binding affinities for cancer cells, absorption imaging, and photothermal therapy effects are investigated. CET‐PGNRs exhibit excellent tumor targeting ability and strong potential for simultaneous absorption imaging and photothermal ablation of epithelial cancer cells.
Charity begins at home
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: January 2012

At the very beginning of 2012, as we embark on our second full year of publication of Trends in Urology & Men's Health, it seems appropriate to consider the important work of some of the charities that we have featured previously. The endeavours of medical charities in the UK to support research and provide information to patients and the general public sometimes go unnoticed by busy clinicians. As a consequence, in Trends we have consistently tried to draw attention to their work directed towards men's health. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons
Thromboprophylaxis after surgery
Authors: Akinwunmi Frances , Millen Sharron
Published: January 2012

Hospital‐acquired venous thromboembolism is a major public health concern, particularly in surgical patients. Risk assessment followed by appropriate mechanical or pharmacological prophylaxis will substantially reduce the considerable mortality and morbidity related to this condition. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons
Barrett's oesophagus: raising awareness in heartburn sufferers
Authors: Caygill Christine P.J. , Watson Anthony , Reed Peter I.
Published: January 2012

Barrett's oesophagus is of particular relevance to men – almost twice as many men as women develop the condition, and of these men, three times as many go on to develop cancer. It is therefore particularly important that men are aware of the risk factors outlined here. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons
Relevance of the quality standard for chronic kidney disease to GPs
Authors: Sharma Tarang , Littlejohns Peter
Published: January 2012

NICE quality standards act as markers of high‐quality, cost‐effective patient care, covering the treatment and prevention of different diseases and conditions. In this article, the authors outline the recent quality standards for chronic kidney disease. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons
Setting priorities for prostate cancer research
Authors: Tyndale‐Biscoe Sandy , Malcolm Emma , Gnanapragasam Vincent J.
Published: January 2012

The Prostate Cancer Priority Setting Partnership has itemised the top priorities for prostate cancer research, taking into account the views of both patients and clinicians. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons
Reducing harm in healthcare through understanding the ‘human factor’
Authors: Reynard John
Published: January 2012

There is accumulating evidence that, in spite of advances in modern medicine, error remains a potent source of death, disability and wasted expenditure. John Reynard believes that a reduction in preventable medical errors can be achieved through improved communication and an understanding of the human factors involved in generating potential mistakes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons
Men's Health Forum
Authors: Penning Colin
Published: January 2012

The Men's Health Forum is a charity that provides an independent and authoritative voice for male health in England and Wales, and tackles the issues and inequalities affecting the health and wellbeing of men and boys. It is the leading voice for change to the health and wellbeing of men and boys. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons