bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does felt age reflect health‐related quality of life in cancer patients?
Authors: Boehmer Sonja 
Published: November 2005

AbstractSubjective age is related to health and to life satisfaction. The present study on post‐surgical cancer patients addressed two questions: (1) Do people differ in their health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) depending on their felt age? (2) Is change in felt age associated with change in HRQOL? Data were collected at one month (T1) and six months (T2) after surgery (N=159; 58% men, aged 24–86 years). At both waves, less than 14% of the patients felt older than their chronological age. Patients who felt younger than their age and patients who felt as old as they were reported better HRQOL than those subjectively feeling older. Between T1 and T2, an increment of felt age was found in 29% and a decrement in 28% of cases. HRQOL improved also among those who subjectively aged and among those whose felt age did not change, but in fewer aspects and with substantially lower effect sizes than among those whose felt age decreased. HRQOL is a correlate of felt age. However, an increment in felt age does not imply a decrease of HRQOL. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the vulnerability of asylum seekers in the UK
Authors: Stewart Emma 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAsylum seekers living in the UK are identified as a vulnerable group in contemporary society. Empirical results from in‐depth interviews are drawn upon in the paper to uncover the everyday experiences of asylum seekers. This material is then employed to engage critically with the concept of ‘vulnerability’. Three main themes specifically structure the discussion: the interstitial position of asylum seekers in the nation state is explored; the spatial manifestations of vulnerability are identified; and the responses of individuals to their ‘vulnerable’ situation are highlighted. By drawing upon the specific example of this illustrative group, important theoretical implications for the understanding of ‘vulnerability’ are proposed. These include the importance of time–space relative to vulnerable populations and the potential cumulative effect of vulnerability. Finally, questions are raised as to how researchers investigate and represent ‘vulnerable’ populations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Editorial: vulnerable spatialities
Authors: Findlay Allan M. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe tsunami of 26 December 2004 provided an empirical lens to explore the multiple geographical dimensions of population vulnerability. Examining the global reach of the tsunami provides a useful starting point in researching the changing spatial significance of events such as this. Defining spatial vulnerabilities is, however, very problematic, especially when producing conventional metrics such as measuring the death rate is so difficult. The paper explores the spatialities of vulnerability relative to what is knowable about the political, economic and social contexts of vulnerable peoples'. It is argued that ‘spatial context’ needs to be conceptualised as contingent, and that relational understandings can help to understand how vulnerabilities, including those associated with the tsunami, are represented. While relational thinking has profound implications for how spatial vulnerabilities are studied by researchers working amongst communities at risk, the article closes by recommending that population researchers maintain a pluralistic vision of research praxis. In discussing these issues the article also provides a conceptual framework within which the work of other geographers in general, and the contributions of other papers in this special issue in particular, may be located. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tests by TEM contrast simulations of the elastic field of a buried (001) low angle twist boundary in silicon
Authors: Boussaïd Ahlem , Fournel Frank , Bonnet Roland 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA buried (001) low angle twist boundary (misorientation angle 0.48°) in silicon is investigated by the technique of two‐beam transmission electron microscopy using bright‐field images obtained from diffracting vectors g{400}, g{311} and g{220}, and g{nnn} with n = 3 and 4. To analyse its elastic field, the concept of interfacial “relaxation centres” is assumed, for which the relative displacement field of the two crystals is zero. These centres are located in the middle of each square formed by a dislocation unit cell. This assumption is tested positively for the first time for a double periodic network of screw dislocations. For the image contrast calculations, the elastic field of the network is that of two perpendicular families of screw misfit dislocations in the sense of Bonnet (1981). Since the two‐beam bright‐field approximation is weak to explain the experimental images taken with g{nnn} and n = 3 and 4, extra N beam image calculations involving N < 7 systematic reflections along g{nnn} have been carried out with a devoted programme. All the computed images prove to be in good agreement with the experimental images, still validating the adopted elastic field. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A novel tapping SNOM: Specifications and performances
Authors: Longo G. , Girasole M. , Cricenti A. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA new scanning near field optical microscope operating in the intermittent contact mode (Tapping SNOM) using a non‐bent optical fiber is presented. The main advantages in terms of versatility and quality of the collected signal are described together with some results obtained studying fluorescence on material science samples and spectroscopy images of living cells. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical response of Ag‐induced reconstructions on vicinal Si(111)
Authors: Chandola S. , Jacob J. , Fleischer K. , Vogt P. , Richter W. , McGilp J. F. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe optical response of the Si(111)‐(3 × 1)–Ag surface has been studied for the first time with reflectance anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS). A single domain surface was obtained by depositing <1 ML of Ag onto a vicinal Si(111) substrate at 870 K. A significant optical anisotropy develops around 2.2 eV which is related to the formation of the 3 × 1 structure. This surface was then used as a template to grow one‐dimensional (1D) arrays of Ag nanodots, and also 3D Ag islands, by depositing 0.5 ML, and higher, coverages of Ag at room temperature. RAS of these structures showed a different response in the 2.2 eV region, with a broadened and reduced anisotropy. By extending the RA spectra into the infra‐red region (0.5–1.5 eV), substantial differences between the structures were observed below 1 eV, which may be linked to a difference in the metallic character of the nanodots and islands. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Out‐of‐plane scattering properties of long‐range surface plasmon polariton gratings
Authors: Søndergaard T. , Bozhevolnyi S. I. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractLong‐range surface plasmon polariton (LRSPP) gratings are studied theoretically via the Lippmann–Schwinger integral equation method. The gratings are composed of a thin gold film (15 nm), which works as a waveguide for LRSPP waves, and an array of equidistant gold ridges on each side of the film designed for Bragg scattering into LRSPP waves at wavelengths around 1550 nm. Out‐of‐plane scattering (OUPS), transmission and reflection into LRSPP waves, and absorption, are investigated with respect to the wavelength, the height of the ridges, and the length of the grating. In particular we calculate the fraction of the light which is lost due to OUPS, and find an asymmetry in the OUPS with respect to wavelength across the bandgap. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical properties of the GaAs(001)‐c(4 × 4) surface: direct analysis of the surface dielectric function
Authors: Hogan C. , Del Sole R. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWe present a systematic analysis of the reflectance anisotropy (RA) spectrum of the GaAs(001)‐c(4 × 4) surface. In contrast to previous studies where RA spectra were resolved in real space by means of a layer‐by‐layer decomposition, we examine directly the more physically accessible surface dielectric function anisotropy. The method gives immediate information about the origin of structures in the RA spectrum, easily distinguishing between adsorptive and dissipative effects. A detailed explanation of the origin of bulk‐related features in the RA spectrum of this surface is also presented. Further evidence is provided of the existence of a c(4 × 4) reconstruction featuring mixed Ga–As dimers in the top layer. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
First‐principles optical spectra of low dimensional systems
Authors: Chiodo Letizia , Bruno Mauro , Palummo Maurizia , Monachesi Patrizia 
Published: November 2005

AbstractLow dimensional systems, such as organic molecules, nanotubes, nanowires, have attracted great interest in the last few years, due to their possible application in nanodevices. It is therefore important to describe accurately the electronic excitations, with highly reliable and efficient ab‐initio approaches. A standard technique for studying the ground‐state properties is the Density Functional Theory; however when electronic excited states are involved, the many‐body Green's functions theory is used for obtaining quasi‐particle excitation energies and optical spectra. In this paper we will present the current status of this theoretical and computational approach, showing results for a bulk semiconductor and for two different kinds of low dimensional systems. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical properties of Si and Ge nanocrystals: Parameter‐free calculations
Authors: Ramos L. E. , Weissker H.‐Ch. , Furthmüller J. , Bechstedt F. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe cover picture of the current issue refers to the Edi‐tor's Choice article of Ramos et al. [1]. The paper gives an overview of the electronic and optical properties of silicon and germanium nanocrystals determined by state‐of‐the‐art ab initio methods. Nanocrystals have promising applications in opto‐electronic devices, since they can be used to confine electrons and holes and facilitate radiative recombination. Since meas‐urements for single nanoparticles are difficult to make, ab initio theoretical investigations become important to understand the mechanisms of luminescence.The cover picture shows nanocrystals of four sizes with tetrahedral coordination whose dangling bonds at the surface are passivated with hydrogen. As often observed in experiments, the nanocrystals are not perfectly spherical, but contain facets. Apart from the size of the nanocrystals, which determines the quantum confinement, the way their dangling bonds are passivated is relevant for their electronic and optical properties. For instance, the passivation with hydroxyls reduces the quantum confine‐ment. On the other hand, the oxidation of the silicon nanocrys‐tals increases the quantum confinement and reduces the effect of single surface terminations on the gap. Due to the oscillator strengths of the lowest‐energy optical transitions, Ge nanocrys‐tals are in principle more suitable for opto‐electronic applica‐tions than Si nanocrystals.The first author, Luis E. Ramos, is a postdoc at the Institute of Solid‐State Physics and Optics (IFTO), Friedrich‐Schiller University Jena, Germany. He investigates electronic and optical properties of semiconductor nanocrystallites and is a member of the European Network of Excellence NANO‐QUANTA and of the European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility (ETSF).
Ion motion in the rectangular wave quadrupole field and digital operation mode of a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer
Authors: Ding L. , Kumashiro S. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA quadrupolar electric field driven by a rectangular wave voltage can be used for mass‐selective storage and analysis. The ion motion in such an electric field is derived, and the stability of ions is presented in the a‐q diagram that is commonly used for sinusoidal wave quadrupole mass spectrometry in association with the solution of the Mathieu equation. The pseudo‐potential well is discussed in an approximation that leads to the relation of secular frequency to operating parameters. A scheme for a digital ion trap mass spectrometer is described, based on this theory. An ion optics simulation was performed to check the theory of resonant ejection, and to prove the feasibility of the mass scan method for a practical ion trap of such geometry. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Learning oceanography from a computer simulation compared with direct experience at sea
Authors: Winn William , Stahr Frederick , Sarason Christian , Fruland Ruth , Oppenheimer Peter , Lee Yen‐Ling 
Published: November 2005

AbstractConsiderable research has compared how students learn science from computer simulations with how they learn from “traditional” classes. Little research has compared how students learn science from computer simulations with how they learn from direct experience in the real environment on which the simulations are based. This study compared two college classes studying introductory oceanography. One class learned using an interactive computer simulation based on a dynamic, three‐dimensional model of physical oceanography. The other class learned by spending a day on a research ship using scientific tools and instruments to measure physical properties of the ocean directly. In classes preceding and following the simulation or field experience, students performed the same exercises regarding currents and salinity, had the same instructor presentations, and did the same homework. The study found that the field experience helped contextualize learning for students with little prior experience of the ocean while the simulation made it easier for students to connect what they learned from it to other content they learned in class. These and other findings shed light on what computer simulations can and cannot help students learn, and what concepts are best learned in the real environment. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 25–42, 2006
Fetoscopic and ultrasound‐guided decompression of the fetal trachea in a human fetus with Fraser syndrome and congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) from laryngeal atresia
Authors: Kohl T. , Hering R. , Bauriedel G. , Van de Vondel P. , Heep A. , Keiner S. , Müller A. , Franz A. , Bartmann P. , Gembruch U. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractCongenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) from laryngeal atresia bears a poor prognosis for hydropic fetuses owing to cardiac failure. We attempted percutaneous fetoscopic and ultrasound‐guided tracheal decompression in a hydropic human fetus with CHAOS associated with Fraser syndrome.Percutaneous fetoscopic and ultrasound‐guided tracheal decompression was performed using three trocars under general materno‐fetal anesthesia at 19 + 5 weeks of gestation. Abnormal fetoplacental blood flow normalized within hours as a result of the intervention. Furthermore, a normalization of lung : heart size and lung echogenicity was observed within days. Resolution of hydrops was complete within 3 weeks. Premature rupture of membranes and premature contractions prompted emergency delivery of the fetus by ex‐utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) at 28 + 2 weeks of gestation. Following delivery, the lungs could be ventilated at low pressures and ambient oxygen concentration. Weaning from ventilation was achieved at 18 days of postnatal life.Our experience indicated that percutaneous fetoscopic and ultrasound‐guided decompression of the fetal trachea is feasible and may permit normalization of hemodynamics in hydropic human fetuses with CHAOS from laryngeal atresia. The procedure may also result in normalization of heart : lung size and provide the time needed to regain the function of the overstretched diaphragm in this grave fetal condition. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal lung development in pregnancies of diabetic women assessed by quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization
Authors: Tekesin I. , Anderer G. , Hellmeyer L. , Köhler S. , Kühnert M. , Schmidt S. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjectivesThis study was performed to compare quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization of the fetal lung at different gestational ages in uncontrolled diabetic patients with that in normal uncomplicated pregnancies.MethodsA total of 44 women at 24–37 weeks' gestation with the diagnosis of diabetes in pregnancy were enrolled. Data were compared to those of the control group, which consisted of 140 women with uncomplicated pregnancies of the same gestational age. Longitudinal and transverse sections of the fetal thorax and upper abdomen were examined. A region of interest of constant size was defined and the tissue‐specific gray scale was determined by using interactive software.ResultsCompared with normal pregnancies, fetal lungs of diabetic pregnancies have a higher echogenicity between 28 and 37 weeks of gestation. The lung mean gray values (MGV) only differed significantly between 30 and 31 weeks of gestation in the group with diabetes (P = 0.033) compared to the control group. The MGV of the liver in diabetic and normal pregnancies is similar during pregnancy, significant differences being found only at 30–31 weeks of gestation (P = 0.038). The lung‐to‐liver ratio in the control group showed a significant increase from 24 to 31 weeks and a slight non‐significant decrease after 31 weeks. The ratio in the group with diabetes increased slightly up to week 33 and decreased slightly afterwards.ConclusionFetal lung MGV in uncontrolled diabetic pregnancies compared to that in uncomplicated pregnancies differs significantly only between 30 and 31 weeks of gestation. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cervical length at 18–22 weeks of gestation for prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery in Hong Kong Chinese women
Authors: Leung T. N. , Pang M. W. , Leung T. Y. , Poon C. F. , Wong S. M. , Lau T. K. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the value of a single cervical length measurement by transvaginal sonography (TVS) at the time of mid‐trimester anomaly scan for predicting spontaneous preterm delivery (SPD) among Chinese women.MethodsA prospective observational study was carried out involving 2880 subjects with singleton pregnancies and confirmed gestational age. Cervical length was measured at 18–22 weeks of gestation.ResultsThe incidence of SPD < 34 weeks and < 37 weeks were 0.7% and 3.7%, respectively. Women with SPD < 34 weeks and SPD < 37 weeks had shorter median cervical lengths (32.6 mm and 36.2 mm, respectively) than those with term deliveries (37.6 mm) (P = 0.006 and 0.025, respectively). The predictive performance of cervical length was better for SPD < 34 weeks compared with < 37 weeks. A cervical length ≤ 27 mm, which corresponded to the 4th centile, occurred in 36.8%, 62.5% and 100% of those with SPD < 34, < 30 and < 26 weeks, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio (LR) of a cervical length ≤ 27 mm in predicting SPD < 34 weeks was 9.8. Using logistic regression, both short cervix and funneling were independent predictors for SPD < 34 weeks of gestation. The coexistence of funneling and a cervical length ≤ 27 mm gave a positive predictive value (PPV) and LR of SPD < 34 weeks of 14.7% and 26.0, respectively.ConclusionsMid‐trimester cervical length is predictive of SPD in Chinese women. However, given the low PPV of a short cervical length, its clinical utility is still limited in low‐risk populations. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing clinical performance of gynecology residents: sonographic evaluation of adnexal masses based on morphological scoring systems
Authors: Lee T. S. , Kim J. W. , Park N. H. , Song Y. S. , Kang S. B. , Lee H. P. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the performance of inexperienced gynecology residents in the evaluation of adnexal masses using sonographic scoring systems.MethodsFrom April 2003 to October 2004, transvaginal sonography was performed preoperatively by junior gynecology residents on 1‐month shifts on 123 patients suspected of having adnexal masses. A total of 137 adnexal masses were found and evaluated using two different morphological scoring systems (those of DePriest and Lerner). The diagnostic performance of the sonographic scoring systems was assessed using the McNemar test and receiver–operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used for lesion characterization. The diagnostic accuracy when the results of both scoring systems satisfied malignancy cut‐off values was also investigated.ResultsHistopathological analysis revealed that, of the 137 lesions, 109 were benign, 23 were malignant and five were borderline. Best clinical cut‐off levels were ≥ 5 on the DePriest and ≥ 3 on the Lerner scores. Both systems achieved good performance for characterizing malignancy. No significant difference was found in terms of the accuracy of the two systems as determined by mean areas under the ROC curves (0.816 and 0.783, P = 0.562). The combined approach using both scoring systems resulted in higher specificity (77.1%, P < 0.05) and positive predictive value without a significant decrease in sensitivity (82.1%) compared with either system alone. Of the 43 histologically confirmed false‐positive cases, mature cystic teratoma was most common, with 13/22 (59%) cases being misinterpreted as malignancies.ConclusionJunior residents, inexperienced at sonography, performed fairly in terms of evaluating adnexal masses with the help of morphological scoring systems. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accuracy of fetal lung volume assessed by three‐dimensional sonography
Authors: Ruano R. , Martinovic J. , Dommergues M. , Aubry M.‐C. , Dumez Y. , Benachi A. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the accuracy and precision of prenatal three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound in estimating fetal lung volume using the rotational multiplanar technique (VOCAL™) by comparing it to postmortem volume measurements.MethodsFetal lung volume was measured during 3D ultrasound examination using a rotational multiplanar technique in eight cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) (six left and two right‐sided) and in 25 controls without pulmonary malformation, immediately before termination. Prenatal 3D sonographic estimates of fetal lung volume were compared with postmortem measurement of fetal lung volume achieved by water displacement.ResultsThe intraclass correlation coefficient of fetal lung volume estimated by 3D ultrasound and measured at postmortem examination was 0.95 in CDH cases and 0.99 in controls. Based on Bland–Altman analysis, the bias, precision and limits of agreement were, respectively, 0.35 cm3, 1.46 cm3 and between −2.51 and + 3.21 cm3 in cases with CDH and 0.08 cm3, 2.80 cm3 and between −5.41 and + 5.57 cm3 in controls. The mean relative error of 3D ultrasound fetal lung volume measurement was −7.19% (from −42.70% to + 18.11%) in CDH cases and −0.72% (from −30.25% to + 19.22%) in controls, while the mean absolute error of 3D ultrasound fetal lung volume measurement was 1.40 (range, 0.71–2.52) cm3 and 2.12 (range, 0.05–4.98) cm3, respectively. Accuracy of 3D ultrasound for measuring fetal lung volumes was 84.86 (range, 57.30–99.48)% in cases with CDH and 91.38 (range, 69.75–99.45)% in controls. The mean intraobserver variability for lung volume estimated by 3D ultrasound was 0.28 cm3 in controls and 0.17 cm3 in CDH cases.ConclusionPrenatal 3D ultrasound can estimate accurately fetal lung volume using the rotational multiplanar technique for volume measurements (VOCAL), even in fetuses with very small lungs, such as cases with isolated CDH. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.