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Selected AbstractsPriority Programme of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Group III-Nitrides and Their Heterostructures: Growth, Characterization and ApplicationsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 6 2003Friedhelm Bechstedt This Special Issue contains a series of Review Articles on several aspects of epitaxy, materials science, and applications of group-III nitride films and heterostructures, written by participants of the Priority Programme (SPP) 1032 of the German Research Foundation (DFG). Main topics included are deposition and structure, electronic and optical properties as well as devices and device issues. [source] The amazing universe of hepatic microstructure,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Valeer J. Desmet An informal review is presented by the author of his 50 years of involvement in practice and research in hepatopathology. Some background for the author's attitude and meandering pathway into his professional career serves as introduction to a short discussion of the main topics of his interest and expertise. Histogenesis of liver cancer was the theme of early work for a Ph.D. thesis, the results of which were lost into oblivion due to local rules and circumstances, but were rescued three decades later. His conclusions about the cells of origin of liver cancer remain concordant with the newer concepts in the field after nearly half a century. Studies in the field of chronic hepatitis became a long saga, involving the first classification of this syndrome by "the Gnomes" in 1968, histochemical investigations of viral antigens, lymphocyte subsets and adhesion molecules, and a quarter century later, the creation of a new classification presently in use. Cholestasis was a broadening field in diagnostic entities and involved the study of liver lesions, comprising pathways of bile regurgitation (including reversed secretory polarity of hepatocytes) and so-called ductular reaction. The latter topic has a high importance for the various roles it plays in modulating liver tissue of chronic cholestasis into biliary cirrhosis, and as the territory of hepatic progenitor cells, crucial for liver regeneration in adverse conditions and in development of liver cancer. Study of the embryology of intrahepatic bile ducts helped to clarify the strange appearance of the ducts in "ductal plate configuration" in several conditions, including some forms of biliary atresia with poor prognosis and all varieties of fibrocystic bile duct diseases with "ductal plate malformation" as the basic morphologic lesion. (HEPATOLOGY 2009;50:333,344.) [source] The Ethics and Practice of Islamic Medieval CharityHISTORY COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2007Yaacov Lev Charity is deeply embedded in the religious thought and teachings of the three monotheistic religions. This article, while focusing on medieval Islam, is set in a wider framework with references to both Jewish and Christian parallels. Three main topics are examined: the religious meaning of charity, the social and political ramifications of almsgiving, and the impact of the institutional form of charity (the pious endowment system, waqf pl. awqaf) on Muslim medieval society. In the course of this examination, the article deals with the motives and attitudes of the donors (mainly people of the ruling class and the wealthy) and with the recipients of charity (the poor as well as the learned class). The article equally provides an overview of the charitable institutions and functions that existed in Muslim medieval societies. [source] Rainfall-induced landslides and debris flowsHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 4 2008Giovanni B. Crosta Abstract In this preface we introduce the special issue on rainfall-induced landslides and debris flows. The topic is of high interest for many practical and scientific reasons. In fact, rainfall is the most relevant factor for the triggering of both shallow and deep-seated landslides, and rainfall analysis is the most frequently adopted approach for forecasting the occurrence of such phenomena. The six papers of the special issue cover most of the key issues relative to rainfall-induced landslides. Starting from the analysis of these contributions, we identify and discuss, in this paper, several main topics that deserve further research in the field of rainfall-induced landslide, such as the uncertainty of the data, the quality of geotechnical analysis, the validation of the models, and the applicability of results in the framework of natural hazards. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The perspectives of energy production from coal-fired power plants in an enlarged EUINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 9 2004P. Grammelis Abstract The aim of this paper is to present the current status of the coal-fired power sector in an enlarged EU (EU-15 plus EU member candidate states) in relation with the main topics of the European Strategy for the energy production and supply. It is estimated that 731 thermoelectric units, larger than 100 MWe, are operating nowadays, and their total installed capacity equals to 200.7 GWe. Coal contribution to the total electricity generation with reference to other fuel sources, is by far more intensive in the non-EU part (EU member candidate states), compared to the EU member states. It is expected that even after the enlargement, the European Union will strongly being related to coal. Enlargement will bring additional factors into play in order to meet the requirements of rising consumption, growing demand for conventional fuels and increasing dependence on imports. Besides the technology, boiler size, efficiency, age and environmental performance will determine the necessities of the coal-fired power sector in each country. Depending on the case, lifetime extension measures in operating coal-fired power plants or clean coal technologies can play an important role towards the energy sector restructuring. Low efficiency values in the non-EU coal-fired units and heavily aged power plants in EU countries will certainly affect decisions in favour of upgrading or reconstruction. The overall increase of efficiency, the reduction of harmful emissions from generating processes and the co-combustion of coal with biomass and wastes for generating purposes indicate that coal can be cleaner and more efficient. Additionally, plenty of rehabilitation projects based on CCT applications, have already been carried out or are under progress in the EU energy sector. The proclamations of the countries' energy policies in the coming decades, includes integrated renovation concepts of the coal-fired power sector. Further to the natural gas penetration in the electricity generation and CO2 sequestration and underground storage, the implementation of CCT projects will strongly contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions in the European Union, according to the targets set in the Kyoto protocol. In consequence, clean coal technologies can open up new markets not only in the EU member candidate states, but also in other parts of the world. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The birth of the European Crystallographic Committee (ECC) and of the European Crystallographic Meetings (ECMs)ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION A, Issue 1 2010André Authier At ECM25, held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 16,21 August 2009, the 25th anniversary of the European Crystallographic Meetings was celebrated. In this article, it is recalled how the idea of coordinating international meetings on crystallography in Europe was put forward at a meeting held in Manchester, UK, in April 1971, and it is explained how the European Crystallographic Committee was established for that purpose during the Ninth IUCr Congress in Kyoto, in 1972. The organization of the first European Crystallographic Meeting, ECM1, held in Bordeaux, France, in 1973, is briefly described and the evolution of the main topics of the scientific programme from that time to ECM25 is commented upon. [source] IPOS Sutherland Memorial Lecture: psycho-oncology and health care researchPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Uwe KochArticle first published online: 2 MAY 200 Abstract Remarkable changes of health-care systems, increasing costs of health care and of social inequality in modern societies, an aging population and the increase of chronic illnesses such as cancer implicate various future challenges for the provision of health care. Health-care research aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of patient-oriented services involving the evaluation of innovative treatment approaches and settings. It deals with the patients' path through different areas of health-care systems in order to identify significant factors for the provision of quality assurance of structures and resources concerning treatments, processes and health outcomes. Health-care research focusses on three main topics that play an important role for quality management: (1) the admission to health-care services and assessment strategies including indication, utilization and specificity of settings and target groups; (2) the treatment process including the implementation, standardization and flexibility of services and dose-effect relationship of interventions; (3) health-care outcome including effectiveness and efficiency of interventions and services, the cost-benefit relationship and the transfer from research to health-care practice. Given the objectives of health-care research, the topics of health-care research in psychosocial care for cancer patients include the study of structural conditions of psycho-oncological services, the epidemiology of distress and mental disorders and the subjective need of psycho-oncological support in cancer patients, the improvement of psycho-oncological measures and assessment strategies in daily treatment, the study of psycho-oncological interventions under routine conditions, and quality assurance. Requirements of future health-care research and developments of psycho-oncology including aspects of orientation, strategies, health-care equity, and resources are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Requests for information by family and friends of cancer patients calling the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information ServicePSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 8 2006Lila J. Finney Rutten Abstract Purpose: To characterize their information needs, we examined the main topics of inquiry and discussion (subjects of interaction, SOI) of calls made by family and friends of cancer patients to the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service's (CIS) 1-800-4-CANCER telephone information service and summarized differences by sociodemographic characteristics. Design and analysis: Data from 26 789 family or friends of cancer patients calling the CIS between September 2002 and August 2003 were analyzed. Frequencies, ,2's, and logistic regressions were conducted to ascertain sample characteristics and sociodemographic correlates of each SOI. Results and conclusions: The greatest proportion of calls concerned specific treatment information (54.9%) and general cancer site information (36.9%). Calls about specific treatment information were more likely among Asians, Hawaiian Natives, and Pacific Islanders (OR=1.23, 1.04,1.45), and those with higher education (OR=1.21, 1.18,1.25). As age increased, the odds of calls about specific treatment information also increased (OR=1.05, 1.03,1.07). Females (OR=0.78, 0.72,0.84), Hispanics (OR=0.77, 0.67,0.89), African-Americans (OR=0.68, 0.61,0.76), and American-Indians and Alaskan Natives (OR=0.74, 0.58,0.93) were less likely to inquire about specific treatment information. Inquiries about general cancer site information were more likely among females (OR=1.14, 1.06,1.23) and less likely among younger callers (OR=0.95, 0.93,0.97) and African-Americans (OR=0.87, 0.78,0.98). Differences in inquiries made by sociodemographic subgroups can inform the CIS' and other cancer-related organizations' efforts to develop and disseminate cancer information for family and friends of cancer patients. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] REARGUARD POLITICS: HONG KONG'S MIDDLE CLASSTHE DEVELOPING ECONOMIES, Issue 2 2003TAI-LOK LUI This paper reports on the emergence of the middle class in contemporary Hong Kong First, it gives the historical background of the rise of the middle class in the 1970s. This historical background is important to our understanding of Hong Kong's middle class because it highlights its symbolic significance,the realization of the so-called Hong Kong dream,in the context of the local society. It is also relevant to our understanding of the shaping of its political outlook. The second section explores why the middle class stayed away from politics when the future of Hong Kong and democratization were the main topics in the political agenda of the 1980s and 1990s. Finally, the paper rounds up its discussion by reporting on the new grievances of the middle class amid the economic downturn after the Asian Financial Crisis. [source] The empirics of microfinance: what do we know?THE ECONOMIC JOURNAL, Issue 517 2007Niels Hermes Microfinance has received a lot of attention recently, both from policy makers as well as in academic circles. Two of the main topics that have been hotly debated are explaining joint liability group lending and its implications for reducing information asymmetries, and the trade-off between the financial sustainability and outreach of microfinance programmes. This Feature contains three novel empirical contributions providing new insights with respect to why and how joint liability group lending works. It also contains the first large-scale systematic analysis of the trade-off between financial performance and outreach of microfinance institutions. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,INTERSEX AND GENDER IDENTITY DISORDERS: A Report from a Single Institute's 14-Year Experience in Treatment of Male-to-Female TranssexualsTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2009Ciro Imbimbo MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Gender identity disorder or transsexualism is a complex clinical condition, and prevailing social context strongly impacts the form of its manifestations. Sex reassignment surgery (SRS) is the crucial step of a long and complex therapeutic process starting with preliminary psychiatric evaluation and culminating in definitive gender identity conversion. Aim., The aim of our study is to arrive at a clinical and psychosocial profile of male-to-female transsexuals in Italy through analysis of their personal and clinical experience and evaluation of their postsurgical satisfaction levels SRS. Methods., From January 1992 to September 2006, 163 male patients who had undergone gender-transforming surgery at our institution were requested to complete a patient satisfaction questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures., The questionnaire consisted of 38 questions covering nine main topics: general data, employment status, family status, personal relationships, social and cultural aspects, presurgical preparation, surgical procedure, and postsurgical sex life and overall satisfaction. Results., Average age was 31 years old. Seventy-two percent had a high educational level, and 63% were steadily employed. Half of the patients had contemplated suicide at some time in their lives before surgery and 4% had actually attempted suicide. Family and colleague emotional support levels were satisfactory. All patients had been adequately informed of surgical procedure beforehand. Eighty-nine percent engaged in postsurgical sexual activities. Seventy-five percent had a more satisfactory sex life after SRS, with main complications being pain during intercourse and lack of lubrication. Seventy-eight percent were satisfied with their neovagina's esthetic appearance, whereas only 56% were satisfied with depth. Almost all of the patients were satisfied with their new sexual status and expressed no regrets. Conclusions., Our patients' high level of satisfaction was due to a combination of a well-conducted preoperative preparation program, competent surgical skills, and consistent postoperative follow-up. Imbimbo C, Verze P, Palmieri A, Longo N, Fusco F, Arcaniolo D, and Mirone V. A Report from a single institute's fourteen year experience in treatment of male-to-female transsexuals. J Sex Med 2009;6:2736,2745. [source] Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway as Cancer TherapeuticsCHEMMEDCHEM, Issue 4 2010Stefan Peukert Dr. Abstract Inhibitors of the Hedgehog (Hh) molecular signaling pathway have emerged in recent years as a promising new class of potential therapeutics for cancer treatment. Numerous drug discovery efforts have resulted in the identification of a wide variety of small molecules that target different members of this pathway, including Smoothened (Smo), Sonic hedgehog protein (Shh), and Gli1. Several Smo inhibitors have now entered human clinical trials, and successful proof-of-concept studies have been carried out in patients with defined genetic mutations in the Hh pathway. This review provides a general overview of three main topics in this rapidly expanding area: 1),the various types of biological assays and in,vivo models that have been employed for the identification and optimization of Hh pathway inhibitors; 2),Smo inhibitors reported to date, including recent clinical results where available; and 3),efforts toward the identification and characterization of inhibitors of other members of the Hh pathway. [source] Optical Spectroscopy of Biomolecular DynamicsCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 9 2004Peter Vöhringer Prof. Of visible interest: At the Minerva-Gentner Symposium on Optical Spectroscopy of Biomolecular Dynamics, which took place between 21st and 25th March 2004 at Banz, Germany, scientists from many disciplines came together to compare the study of single molecules to that of ensembles. Fluorescent proteins, time-resolved IR, and protein folding dynamics were among the main topics discussed. [source] Reproducing the bifidogenic effect of human milk in formula-fed infants: Why and how?ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2005Guido E Moro Abstract Awareness of the key role of the intestinal microflora in the generation of the immunophysiological regulation and in the defence against pathogenic agents has attracted our interest in ways of manipulating the microbiota to improve health. Dietary modulation of the intestinal microflora is today one of the main topics of interest in the nutritional sciences. Performing this modulation in the neonatal or early infancy period, when immunological programming takes place, is a relatively new concept. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are prebiotics whose bifidogenic activity has been proven in adults. However, only recently have they been combined in infant formulas to reproduce the prebiotic effect of human milk oligosaccharides. In two consecutive trials, it has been demonstrated that supplementation of infant formulas with a mixture of GOS and FOS modified the fecal flora of term and preterm infants, stimulating the growth of Bifidobacteria. In the trial with term infants, the bifidogenic effect of the prebiotic mixture was dose dependent and there was also a significant increase in the number of Lactobacilli in the supplemented group. These findings offer a promising horizon for the early prevention of allergy and infections in infants. [source] Book review: Colouring the Past,On colour in archaeological researchCOLOR RESEARCH & APPLICATION, Issue 4 2008Karin Fridell Anter Abstract The book, Colouring the Past. The Significance of Colour in Archaeological Research, is an anthology discussing various aspects of colour from an archaeological viewpoint. This article presents some of its main topics and discusses a few issues more in length. One starting point for this is the criticism on Berlin and Kay's theory of basic color terms and the Munsell Book of Colors that is launched in some of the articles in the book. The article concludes in summing up some areas where archaeologists and color researchers from other fields could have a mutual interest of further exchange. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 33, 327,334, 2008. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||