Detailed Discussion (detailed + discussion)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Measurement and data analysis methods for field-scale wind erosion studies and model validation,

EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 11 2003
Ted M. Zobeck
Abstract Accurate and reliable methods of measuring windblown sediment are needed to con,rm, validate, and improve erosion models, assess the intensity of aeolian processes and related damage, determine the source of pollutants, and for other applications. This paper outlines important principles to consider in conducting ,eld-scale wind erosion studies and proposes strategies of ,eld data collection for use in model validation and development. Detailed discussions include consideration of ,eld characteristics, sediment sampling, and meteorological stations. The ,eld shape used in ,eld-scale wind erosion research is generally a matter of preference and in many studies may not have practical signi,cance. Maintaining a clear non-erodible boundary is necessary to accurately determine erosion fetch distance. A ,eld length of about 300 m may be needed in many situations to approach transport capacity for saltation ,ux in bare agricultural ,elds. Field surface conditions affect the wind pro,le and other processes such as sediment emission, transport, and deposition and soil erodibility. Knowledge of the temporal variation in surface conditions is necessary to understand aeolian processes. Temporal soil properties that impact aeolian processes include surface roughness, dry aggregate size distribution, dry aggregate stability, and crust characteristics. Use of a portable 2 tall anemometer tower should be considered to quantify variability of friction velocity and aerodynamic roughness caused by surface conditions in ,eld-scale studies. The types of samplers used for sampling aeolian sediment will vary depending upon the type of sediment to be measured. The Big Spring Number Eight (BSNE) and Modi,ed Wilson and Cooke (MWAC) samplers appear to be the most popular for ,eld studies of saltation. Suspension ,ux may be measured with commercially available instruments after modi,cations are made to ensure isokinetic conditions at high wind speeds. Meteorological measurements should include wind speed and direction, air temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, rain amount, soil temperature and moisture. Careful consideration of the climatic, sediment, and soil surface characteristics observed in future ,eld-scale wind erosion studies will ensure maximum use of the data collected. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Effect of the plate thermal resistance on the heat transfer performance of a corrugated thin plate heat exchanger

HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 3 2006
Hiroshi Iwai
Abstract Two-dimensional conjugate conduction/convection numerical simulations were carried out for flow and thermal fields in a unit model of a counter-flow-type corrugated thin plate heat exchanger core. The effects of the thermal resistance of the solid plate, namely the variation of the plate thickness and the difference of the plate material, on the heat exchanger performance were examined in the Reynolds number range of 100Detailed discussions on the thermal fields revealed that restricting the heat conduction along the plate by making the plate thinner or choosing a low thermal conductivity material causes a larger plate temperature variation along the plate, and, consequently, a smaller amount of thermal energy exchanged between two fluids. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 35(3): 209,223, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20110 [source]


Identification of protein-coding genes in the genome of Vibrio cholerae with more than 98% accuracy using occurrence frequencies of single nucleotides

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 15 2001
Ju Wang
The published sequence of the Vibrio cholerae genome indicates that, in addition to the genes that encode proteins of known and unknown function, there are 1577 ORFs identified as conserved hypothetical or hypothetical gene candidates. Because the annotation is not 100% accurate, it is not known which of the 1577 ORFs are true protein-coding genes. In this paper, an algorithm based on the Z curve method, with sensitivity, specificity and accuracy greater than 98%, is used to solve this problem. Twenty-fold cross-validation tests show that the accuracy of the algorithm is 98.8%. A detailed discussion of the mechanism of the algorithm is also presented. It was found that 172 of the 1577 ORFs are unlikely to be protein-coding genes. The number of protein-coding genes in the V. cholerae genome was re-estimated and found to be ,,3716. This result should be of use in microarray analysis of gene expression in the genome, because the cost of preparing chips may be somewhat decreased. A computer program was written to calculate a coding score called VCZ for gene identification in the genome. Coding/noncoding is simply determined by VCZ > 0/VCZ < 0. The program is freely available on request for academic use. [source]


The volatile constituents of frankincense , a review

FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009
Michaela Mertens
Abstract The smell of frankincense resin and powder, as well as burned frankincense, has been linked to a series of health effects since ancient times. Additionally, frankincense and its fumes are used as a means to induce positive psychophysical effects and well-being, not only in an ecclesiastical setting but also in traditional medical applications. This review aims to provide an overview of current knowledge of the volatile constituents of frankincense, with explicit consideration concerning the diverse Boswellia varieties. Altogether, more than 300 volatiles in frankincense have been reported in the literature. In particular, a broad diversity has been found in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the volatiles with respect to different varieties of Boswellia. A detailed discussion of the various analytical approaches applied to isolating and analysing the volatile fractions of frankincense is also presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Fragrance materials and their environmental impact

FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2004
Daniel T. Salvito
Abstract A brief discussion on the environmental fate and effects of fragrance materials was recently presented in Cadby et al.1. This paper has been prepared as a more detailed discussion of the environmental effects associated with fragrance materials. Cadby et al.1 presented a detailed discussion of the rigorous science employed to protect the consumer and the environment from adverse effects from these materials. The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) has established a comprehensive environmental research and testing programme to determine the potential environmental risks posed by fragrance materials to the environment. Sponsored research and testing includes ecotoxicological studies, the biotransformation of fragrance materials in wastewater treatment, and their fate in the terrestrial environment. RIFM has published a conservative screening level risk assessment model following established environmental risk assessment paradigms (i.e. the predicted environmental concentration: predicted no effect concentration quotient; the PEC,PNEC ratio).2 In an initial screening of all discrete fragrance materials, using only volume of use and available physical-chemical parameters, 92% of these materials are shown to pose an acceptable environmental risk, i.e. their PEC,PNEC ratio is less than 1. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Sport, Localism and Social Capital in Rural Western Australia

GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2006
KIM M. ATHERLEY
Abstract Whilst there has been some research conducted on the role of sport in Australian rural communities, to date there has been little detailed discussion by social scientists and geographers on the association between sport and social capital. This paper identifies elements of social capital, at a community and regional social scale, which have been expressed through the activities and adaptive strategies of twenty-five sporting clubs from the wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Most of the adaptive strategies are a direct result of the clubs being exposed to the processes of rural restructuring and include amalgamation and the spatial reorganisation of sporting competition locations. The importance of localism in rural communities is also examined through the issues of trust and distrust within a regional hierarchy context. The paper illustrates how sport is not only an important part of rural life but also an activity which plays an integral role in the formation of bonding and bridging social capital. [source]


Relative importance of evaluation criteria for enterprise systems: a conjoint study

INFORMATION SYSTEMS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2006
Mark Keil
Abstract., While a large body of research exists on the development and implementation of software, organizations are increasingly acquiring enterprise software packages [e.g. enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems] instead of custom developing their own software applications. To be competitive in the marketplace, software package development firms must manage the three-pronged trade-off between cost, quality and functionality. Surprisingly, prior research has made little attempt to investigate the characteristics of packaged software that influence management information system (MIS) managers' likelihood of recommending purchase. As a result, both the criteria by which MIS managers evaluate prospective packaged systems and the attributes that lead to commercially competitive ERP software products are poorly understood. This paper examines this understudied issue through a conjoint study. We focus on ERP systems, which are among the largest and most complex packaged systems that are purchased by organizations. In a conjoint study, 1008 evaluation decisions based on hypothetical ERP software package profiles were completed by managers in 126 organizations. The study represents the first empirical investigation of the relative importance that managers ascribe to various factors that are believed to be important in evaluating packaged software. The results provide important insights for both organizations that acquire such systems and those that develop them. The results show that functionality, reliability, cost, ease of use and ease of customization are judged to be important criteria, while ease of implementation and vendor reputation were not found to be significant. Functionality and reliability were found to be the most heavily weighted factors. We conclude the paper with a detailed discussion of the results and their implications for software acquisition and development practice. [source]


Laminar and turbulent flow calculations through a model human upper airway using unstructured meshes

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 12 2007
P. Nithiarasu
Abstract In this paper, numerical investigation of airflow through a human upper airway is presented using an unstructured-based characteristic-based split (CBS) scheme. The CBS scheme used in the present study employs a fully explicit matrix-free solution procedure along with artificial compressibility. A one equation Spalrat,Allmaras (SA) turbulence model is employed to study low and moderate Reynolds number flows. A detailed discussion of the qualitative and quantitative results is presented. The results show a strong influence of the Reynolds number on the flow pattern and quantities of interest, pressure drop and wall shear stress. It is also apparent that SA model can be employed on unstructured meshes to predict the steady flow with good accuracy. Thus, the novelties of the present paper are: use of the unstructured mesh-based solution algorithm and the successful application of the SA model to a typical human upper airway. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of the drug mephenesin by bis(hydrogenperiodato)argentate(III) complex anion

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, Issue 8 2007
Shigang Shen
Mephenesin is being used as a central-acting skeletal muscle relaxant. Oxidation of mephenesin by bis(hydrogenperiodato)argentate(III) complex anion, [Ag(HIO6)2]5,, has been studied in aqueous alkaline medium. The major oxidation product of mephenesin has been identified as 3-(2-methylphenoxy)-2-ketone-1-propanol by mass spectrometry. An overall second-order kinetics has been observed with first order in [Ag(III)] and [mephenesin]. The effects of [OH,] and periodate concentration on the observed second-order rate constants k, have been analyzed, and accordingly an empirical expression has been deduced: k, = (ka + kb[OH,])K1/{f([OH,])[IO,4]tot + K1}, where [IO,4]tot denotes the total concentration of periodate, ka = (1.35 ± 0.14) × 10,2M,1s,1 and kb = 1.06 ± 0.01 M,2s,1 at 25.0°C, and ionic strength 0.30 M. Activation parameters associated with ka and kb have been calculated. A mechanism has been proposed to involve two pre-equilibria, leading to formation of a periodato-Ag(III)-mephenesin complex. In the subsequent rate-determining steps, this complex undergoes inner-sphere electron transfer from the coordinated drug to the metal center by two paths: one path is independent of OH, whereas the other is facilitated by a hydroxide ion. In the appendix, detailed discussion on the structure of the Ag(III) complex, reactive species, as well as pre-equilibrium regarding the oxidant is provided. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 440,446, 2007 [source]


Answers to queries concerning uncertain and imprecise information in fuzzy relational databases

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 6 2005
Nan-Chen Hsieh
A model of an extended fuzzy relational database was proposed to accommodate uncertain and imprecise information. We use two supplementary measurements, satisfactory degree and extra degree, for determining the quality of answers to Select-Project-Join (SPJ) queries. The method of measurement determines how much satisfactory information is provided and how much truth information is required for a query. The answers to the query thus contain sure answers and maybe answers. The core of this study is the detailed discussion on the quality of answers in an extended fuzzy relation to query processing. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 20: 647,668, 2005. [source]


Handling indefinite and maybe information in logical fuzzy relational databases

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 3 2004
Nan-Chen Hsieh
In this article, fuzzy set theory uses an extension of the classical logical relational database model. A logical fuzzy relational database model was developed with the aim of manipulating imprecise information and adding deduction capabilities to the database system. The essence of this work is the detailed discussion on fuzzy definite, fuzzy indefinite, and fuzzy maybe information and the development of an information theoretical approach of query evaluation on the logical fuzzy relational database. We define redundancies among fuzzy tuples and the operator of their removal. A complete set of fuzzy relational operations in relational algebra and the calculus of linguistically quantified propositions are included also. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


A critical view of how nursing has defined spirituality

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 12 2009
Janice Clarke
Aims., To offer a detailed discussion of the issue of ,lack of critique' in the literature on spirituality in nursing. The discussion will include the limited use of sources from theology and religious studies and the demand to separate spirituality and religion and will go on to examine the consequences of the resulting approach. The drive for unique knowledge to further professionalisation and the demands of inclusiveness are suggested as possible reasons for the development of the current model. The dangers and pitfalls of definition are explored. The paper suggests that theology could provide insights into explaining spirituality. Background., The last four decades have seen a proliferation of definitions of spirituality in the nursing literature. Recently, in response to their own concerns and prompts from outside the ,spirituality' community authors have suggested that we revisit this literature with a more critical stance. This paper is in response to that suggestion. During the course of a PhD supervised from a department of practical theology I have critically analysed the literature from several perspectives and this paper is one result of that review. Design., Literature review. Methods., Critical reflection on how spirituality has been defined. Conclusion., The lack of critique has produced a bias in the literature towards broad, generic, existential definitions which, together with the intentional divorce from religion and theology have led to definitions which have the tendency to result in a type of spiritual care which is indistinguishable from psychosocial care, hard to explain to patients and difficult to put into practice. Relevance to clinical practice., The acceptance of a diverse range of understandings of spirituality and a greater focus on practical ways of using it in nursing care are the direction the profession should be moving into. [source]


Treatment of compulsive hoarding

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 11 2004
Sanjaya Saxena
Compulsive hoarding and saving symptoms, found in many patients who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), are part of a clinical syndrome that has been associated with poor response to antiobsessional medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Specific CBT strategies targeting the characteristic features of the compulsive hoarding syndrome have had better results. This article provides an overview of the compulsive hoarding syndrome, a review of treatment approaches and their efficacy, a case presentation, and a detailed discussion of intensive, multimodal CBT for compulsive hoarding. New insights into the neurobiological characteristics of compulsive hoarding that might direct future treatment development are also presented. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session. [source]


The evolution of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC)

JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 5-6 2004
Tadeusz Górecki
Abstract For a technology little over a decade old, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) has quickly reached the status of one of the most powerful analytical tools for volatile organic compounds. At the heart of any GC×GC system is an interface, which physically connects the primary and the secondary columns and acts to preserve the separation obtained in the first dimension (first column) while allowing additional separation in the second dimension. The paper presents a review of the technology, including fundamental principles of the technique, data processing and interpretation and a timeline of inventive contributions to interface design. In addition, applications of the technique are presented, with a more detailed discussion of selected examples. [source]


The New Woman in the New Millennium: Recent Trends in Criticism of New Woman Fiction

LITERATURE COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2006
Ann Heilmann
This essay offers an overview of the current state of criticism on New Woman fiction. Starting with a brief survey of the critical perspectives established in the last thirty years of the twentieth century, it moves to a more detailed discussion of three trends since the turn of the millennium. As I argue, critical literature since 2000 has explored the specifically ,feminine' aesthetic of New Woman writers, and scrutinized the racialist and imperialist roots of New Woman thought. The recent move away from an exclusive concentration on white Anglo-American New Women has allowed important new insights into the international, ethnically diverse aspects of this fin-de-siècle and early twentieth-century movement. [source]


Localized delivery of growth factors for periodontal tissue regeneration: Role, strategies, and perspectives,

MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS, Issue 3 2009
Fa-Ming Chen
Abstract Difficulties associated with achieving predictable periodontal regeneration, means that novel techniques need to be developed in order to regenerate the extensive soft and hard tissue destruction that results from periodontitis. Localized delivery of growth factors to the periodontium is an emerging and versatile therapeutic approach, with the potential to become a powerful tool in future regenerative periodontal therapy. Optimized delivery regimes and well-defined release kinetics appear to be logical prerequisites for safe and efficacious clinical application of growth factors and to avoid unwanted side effects and toxicity. While adequate concentrations of growth factor(s) need to be appropriately localized, delivery vehicles are also expected to possess properties such as protein protection, precision in controlled release, biocompatibility and biodegradability, self-regulated therapeutic activity, potential for multiple delivery, and good cell/tissue penetration. Here, current knowledge, recent advances, and future possibilities of growth factor delivery strategies are outlined for periodontal regeneration. First, the role of those growth factors that have been implicated in the periodontal healing/regeneration process, general requirements for their delivery, and the different material types available are described. A detailed discussion follows of current strategies for the selection of devices for localized growth factor delivery, with particular emphasis placed upon their advantages and disadvantages and future prospects for ongoing studies in reconstructing the tooth supporting apparatus. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 29, No. 3, 472-513, 2009 [source]


Anti-mitotic activity of colchicine and the structural basis for its interaction with tubulin

MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS, Issue 1 2008
Bhabatarak Bhattacharyya
Abstract In this review, an attempt has been made to throw light on the mechanism of action of colchicine and its different analogs as anti-cancer agents. Colchicine interacts with tubulin and perturbs the assembly dynamics of microtubules. Though its use has been limited because of its toxicity, colchicine can still be used as a lead compound for the generation of potent anti-cancer drugs. Colchicine binds to tubulin in a poorly reversible manner with high activation energy. The binding interaction is favored entropically. In contrast, binding of its simple analogs AC or DAAC is enthalpically favored and commences with comparatively low activation energy. Colchicine,tubulin interaction, which is normally pH dependent, has been found to be independent of pH in the presence of microtubule-associated proteins, salts or upon cleavage of carboxy termini of tubulin. Biphasic kinetics of colchicines,tubulin interaction has been explained in light of the variation in the residues around the drug-binding site on , -tubulin. Using the crystal structure of the tubulin,DAMAcolchicine complex, a detailed discussion on the pharmacophore concept that explains the variation of affinity for different colchicine site inhibitors (CSI) has been discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 28, No. 1, 155,183, 2008 [source]


The properties of the stellar populations in ULIRGs , I. Sample, data and spectral synthesis modelling

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 3 2009
J. Rodríguez Zaurín
ABSTRACT We present deep long-slit optical spectra for a sample of 36 ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs), taken with the William Herschel Telescope on La Palma with the aim of investigating the star formation histories and testing evolutionary scenarios for such objects. Here we present the sample, the analysis techniques and a general overview of the properties of the stellar populations; a more detailed discussion will be presented in a forthcoming paper. Spectral synthesis modelling has been used in order to estimate the ages of the stellar populations found in the diffuse light sampled by the spectra in both the nuclear and extended regions of the target galaxies. We find that adequate fits can be obtained using combinations of young stellar populations (YSPs; tYSP, 2 Gyr), with ages divided into two groups: very young stellar populations (VYSPs; tVYSP, 100 Myr) and intermediate-young stellar populations (IYSPs; 0.1 < tIYSP, 2 Gyr). Our results show that YSPs are present at all locations of the galaxies covered by our slit positions, with the exception of the northern nuclear region of the ULIRG IRAS 23327+2913. Furthermore, VYSPs are present in at least 85 per cent of the 133 extraction apertures used for this study, being more significant in the nuclear regions of the galaxies. Old stellar populations (OSPs; tOSP > 2 Gyr) do not make a major contribution to the optical light in the majority of the apertures extracted. In fact they are essential for fitting the spectra in only 5 per cent (seven) of the extracted apertures. The estimated total masses for the YSPs (VYSPs + IYSPs) are in the range 0.18 × 1010,MYSP, 50 × 1010 M,. We have also estimated the bolometric luminosities associated with the stellar populations detected at optical wavelengths, finding that they fall in the range 0.07 × 1012 < Lbol < 2.2 × 1012 L,. In addition, we find that reddening is significant at all locations in the galaxies. This result emphasizes the importance of accounting for reddening effects when modelling the stellar populations of star-forming galaxies. [source]


Acute kidney injury and renal replacement therapy in the intensive care unit

NURSING IN CRITICAL CARE, Issue 4 2009
Peter Faber
Abstract Background:, Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is now offered as a routine treatment in most intensive care units (ICU) in the UK for patients suffering from acute kidney injury (AKI). It is important for all ICU staff to understand the underlying principles of the available therapeutic options and the possible complications thereof. Aims and objectives:, The objective of this review was to provide an accessible theoretical and practical update on the management of RRT. In addition to a detailed discussion of the underlying principles and indications for the various modes of RRT, we will discuss the assessment of kidney function, possible complications and anticoagulation during RRT, following a review of the current literature. Search strategies:, Pubmed, Medline and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched using the keywords renal function, RRT, dialysis, renal failure kidney injury, together with intensive care, intensive therapy and critical care. We included only studies published in English from 1998 to 2008 and from these identified and included additional publications. The 12 most relevant publications are referenced in this review. Conclusion:, AKI is associated with increased mortality in ICU, and RRT should be considered early in the disease process. Continuous haemofiltration is the most common modality of treatment in this group of patients, and a detailed knowledge of the management of such patients is required. [source]


The Psychosocial and Behavioral Characteristics Related to Energy Misreporting

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 2 2006
Jaclyn Maurer PhD
Energy underreporting occurs in 2% to 85% and overreporting in 1% to 39% of various populations. Efforts are needed to understand the psychosocial and behavioral characteristics associated with misreporting to help improve the accuracy of dietary self-reporting. Past research suggests that higher social desirability and greater eating restraint are key factors influencing misreporting, while a history of dieting and being overweight are more moderately associated. Eating disinhibition, body image, depression, anxiety, and fear of negative evaluation may be related to energy misreporting, but evidence is insufficient. This review will provide a detailed discussion of the published associations among psychosocial and behavioral characteristics and energy misreporting. [source]


The Politics of Sacrifice: Hermann Broch's Critique of Fascism in Die Verzauberung

ORBIS LITERARUM, Issue 1 2000
Michael Mack
This article is the first detailed discussion of the politics that determines the pseudo-religion which characterizes the mass leader that Hermann Broch describes in Die Verzauberung. I shall analyze Broch's assessment of fascist politics as the politics of sacrifice. So far critics have neglected the fact that, like Ratti, the narrator of the novel sacrifices a woman (Barbara). I shall show that Broch's critique of both science and politics as sacrifice has to do with his understanding of Judaism as a religious and political way of life in which the idealisation of the sacrificial is tabooed. [source]


UV emission on a Si substrate: Optical and structural properties of ,-CuCl on Si grown using liquid phase epitaxy techniques

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009
A. Cowley
Abstract Considerable research is being carried out in the area of wide band gap semiconductor materials for light emission in the 300,400 nm spectral range. Current materials being used for such devices are typically based on II,VI and III-nitride compounds and variants thereof. However, one of the major obstacles to the successful fabrication of III-N devices is lattice mismatch-induced high dislocation densities for epitaxially grown layers on non-native substrates. ,-CuCl is a direct bandgap material and an ionic wide bandgap I,VII semiconductor with a room temperature free exciton binding energy of ,190 meV (compared to ,25 meV and ,60 meV for GaN and ZnO, respectively) and has a band gap of 3.4 eV (, , 366 nm). The lattice constant of ,-CuCl (0.541 nm) is closely matched to that of Si (0.543 nm). This could, in principle, lead to the development of optoelectronic systems based on CuCl grown on Si. Research towards this end has successfully yielded polycrystalline ,-CuCl on Si(100) and Si(111) using vacuum-based deposition techniques [1]. We report on developments towards achieving single crystal growth of CuCl from solution via Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE) based techniques. Work is being carried out using alkali halide flux compounds to depress the liquidus temperature of the CuCl below its solid phase wurtzite-zincblende transition temperature (407 °C [2]) for solution based epitaxy on Si substrates. Initial results show that the resulting KCl flux-driven deposition of CuCl onto the Si substrate has yielded superior photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) behavior relative to comparitively observed spectra for GaN or polycrystalline CuCl. This enhancement is believed to be caused by an interaction between the KCl and CuCl material subsequent to the deposition process, perhaps involving a reduction in Cl vacancy distributions in CuCl. This paper presents a detailed discussion of a CuCl LPE growth system as well as the characterization of deposited materials using X-ray diffraction (XRD), room temperature and low temperature PL, and XEOL. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Examples for the integration of self-organized nanowires for functional devices by a fracture approach

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 10 2010
Dawit Gedamu
Abstract Simple and versatile methods to form nanowires on microchips are of interest for fundamental research and hold the potentials for an industrial fabrication. In this review article, one of these methods based on thin film fracture will be described introducing the experimental parameters and the potential for research. The advantages of the utilization of thin film cracks as a template for the nanowire formation are numerous: nanowire generation ready with contacts, a wide ranging freedom in the choice of materials, influence on the internal structure of the nanowire or the precise positioning on a microchip. A detailed discussion about the fabrication steps and some preliminary experiments revealing the possibilities of the fracture approach will be given for obtained metallic, semiconducting and anodized nanowires. In contrast to their macroscopic counterparts, the conductivity through the nanowires is entirely different. The influence of the surrounding gas atmospheres and the application of electrical fields demonstrate the applicability of these nanowires fabricated by using such a fracture approach. Perspective scanning electron microscopy micrograph of Au nanowires fabricated by thin film fracture approach between Au contact lines. The wires form a zigzag pattern on the thermally oxidized layer substrate on a silicon chip. [source]


Holoprosencephaly flashcards: A summary for the clinician,,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2010
Benjamin D. Solomon§
Abstract This material contains general information regarding the approach to patients with holoprosencephaly. For more detailed discussion, please refer to specific articles in this issue. Published 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


New systemic treatment options for metastatic renal-cell carcinoma in the era of targeted therapies

ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Thean Hsiang TAN
Abstract Advances in understanding the biology and genetics of renal-cell carcinomas have led to the development of novel targeted therapies for the treatment of metastatic renal-cell cancer. Previously the systemic approaches were limited to cytokine therapies that were modest in their clinical benefits and at the expense of significant toxicities. Investigational treatments with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation were equally toxic and resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. The development of targeted therapy has revolutionized the treatment of metastatic renal-cell cancer with more meaningful outcomes. This review aims to provide a detailed discussion of the clinical benefits of targeted therapies such as sunitinib, sorafenib, temsirolimus, everolimus, bevacizumab, and some of the newer agents in clinical trial development. The efficacy of these compounds in terms of response, survival and clinical benefit are explored as well as their toxicities. The role of surgery in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma is reviewed in the context of cytoreductive therapy and resection of solitary and oligometastatic disease. Ongoing studies in the adjuvant setting following curative resection are also reviewed. The availability of targeted therapies has led to their rapid adoption as frontline therapy over traditional cytokine therapy, thus bringing more optimistic and hopeful therapeutic options in a condition where historically, systemic treatments have been relatively unsatisfactory and disappointing. [source]


Use of affinity capillary electrophoresis for characterizing pharmaceutical colloidal vehicle systems thermodynamically

BIOPHARMACEUTICS AND DRUG DISPOSITION, Issue 7-8 2001
Neubert Reinhard
Abstract This review offers a detailed discussion of the interaction between pharmaceutical compounds and vehicles using the affinity capillary electrophoresis and the microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography. Partition coefficients of drugs were calculated between a micelle and an aqueous phases from the measurement of the migration time, provided the critical micelle concentration and the phase ratio are known. Thermodynamic quantities such as enthalpy and entropy changes of micellar solubilization were calculated from the temperature dependence of the partition coefficients. Partial specific volumes were measured using dynamic light scattering. The logarithm of the partition coefficients and the capacity factor in the micellar system were correlated with the logarithm of the n-octanol/water partition coefficients. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Biological systems of the host cell involved in Agrobacterium infection

CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Vitaly Citovsky
Summary Genetic transformation of plants by Agrobacterium, which in nature causes neoplastic growths, represents the only known case of trans -kingdom DNA transfer. Furthermore, under laboratory conditions, Agrobacterium can also transform a wide range of other eukaryotic species, from fungi to sea urchins to human cells. How can the Agrobacterium virulence machinery function in such a variety of evolutionarily distant and diverse species? The answer to this question lies in the ability of Agrobacterium to hijack fundamental cellular processes which are shared by most eukaryotic organisms. Our knowledge of these host cellular functions is critical for understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie genetic transformation of eukaryotic cells. This review outlines the bacterial virulence machinery and provides a detailed discussion of seven major biological systems of the host cell,cell surface receptor arrays, cellular motors, nuclear import, chromatin targeting, targeted proteolysis, DNA repair, and plant immunity , thought to participate in the Agrobacterium -mediated genetic transformation. [source]


Language-Relative Construal of Individuation Constrained by Universal Ontology: Revisiting Language Universals and Linguistic Relativity

COGNITIVE SCIENCE - A MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2007
Mutsumi Imai
Abstract Objects and substances bear fundamentally different ontologies. In this article, we examine the relations between language, the ontological distinction with respect to individuation, and the world. Specifically, in cross-linguistic developmental studies that follow Imai and Gentner (1997), we examine the question of whether language influences our thought in different forms, like (1) whether the language-specific construal of entities found in a word extension context (Imai & Gentner, 1997) is also found in a nonlinguistic classification context; (2) whether the presence of labels per se, independent of the count-mass syntax, fosters ontology-based classification; (3) in what way, if at all, the count-mass syntax that accompanies a label changes English speakers' default construal of a given entity? On the basis of the results, we argue that the ontological distinction concerning individuation is universally shared and functions as a constraint on early learning of words. At the same time, language influences one's construal of entities cross-lingistically and developmentally, and causes a temporary change of construal within a single language. We provide a detailed discussion of how each of these three ways language may affect the construal of entities, and discuss how our universally possessed knowledge interacts with language both within a single language and in cross-linguistic context. [source]


Computations of two passing-by high-speed trains by a relaxation overset-grid algorithm

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 12 2004
Jenn-Long Liu
Abstract This paper presents a relaxation algorithm, which is based on the overset grid technology, an unsteady three-dimensional Navier,Stokes flow solver, and an inner- and outer-relaxation method, for simulation of the unsteady flows of moving high-speed trains. The flow solutions on the overlapped grids can be accurately updated by introducing a grid tracking technique and the inner- and outer-relaxation method. To evaluate the capability and solution accuracy of the present algorithm, the computational static pressure distribution of a single stationary TGV high-speed train inside a long tunnel is investigated numerically, and is compared with the experimental data from low-speed wind tunnel test. Further, the unsteady flows of two TGV high-speed trains passing by each other inside a long tunnel and at the tunnel entrance are simulated. A series of time histories of pressure distributions and aerodynamic loads acting on the train and tunnel surfaces are depicted for detailed discussions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Patient handover from surgery to intensive care: using Formula 1 pit-stop and aviation models to improve safety and quality

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 5 2007
KEN R. CATCHPOLE PhD
Summary Background:, We aimed to improve the quality and safety of handover of patients from surgery to intensive care using the analogy of a Formula 1 pit stop and expertise from aviation. Methods:, A prospective intervention study measured the change in performance before and after the implementation of a new handover protocol that was developed through detailed discussions with a Formula 1 racing team and aviation training captains. Fifty (23 before and 27 after) postsurgery patient handovers were observed. Technical errors and information omissions were measured using checklists, and teamwork was scored using a Likert scale. Duration of the handover was also measured. Results:, The mean number of technical errors was reduced from 5.42 (95% CI ±1.24) to 3.15 (95% CI ±0.71), the mean number of information handover omissions was reduced from 2.09 (95% CI ±1.14) to 1.07 (95% CI ±0.55), and duration of handover was reduced from 10.8 min (95% CI ±1.6) to 9.4 min (95% CI ±1.29). Nine out of twenty-three (39%) precondition patients had more than one error in both technical and information handover prior to the new protocol, compared with three out of twnety-seven (11.5%) with the new handover. Regression analysis showed that the number of technical errors were significantly reduced with the new handover (t = ,3.63, P < 0.001), and an interaction suggested that teamwork (t = 3.04, P = 0.004) had a different effect with the new handover protocol. Conclusions:, The introduction of the new handover protocol lead to improvements in all aspects of the handover. Expertise from other industries can be extrapolated to improve patient safety, and in particular, areas of medicine involving the handover of patients or information. [source]