1. |
- Emerging Risk Factors, Collaboration, et al.
(författare)
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The Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration: analysis of individual data on lipid, inflammatory and other markers in over 1.1 million participants in 104 prospective studies of cardiovascular diseases
- 2007
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Ingår i: Eur J Epidemiol. - 0393-2990. ; 22:12, s. 839-69
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many long-term prospective studies have reported on associations of cardiovascular diseases with circulating lipid markers and/or inflammatory markers. Studies have not, however, generally been designed to provide reliable estimates under different circumstances and to correct for within-person variability. The Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration has established a central database on over 1.1 million participants from 104 prospective population-based studies, in which subsets have information on lipid and inflammatory markers, other characteristics, as well as major cardiovascular morbidity and cause-specific mortality. Information on repeat measurements on relevant characteristics has been collected in approximately 340,000 participants to enable estimation of and correction for within-person variability. Re-analysis of individual data will yield up to approximately 69,000 incident fatal or nonfatal first ever major cardiovascular outcomes recorded during about 11.7 million person years at risk. The primary analyses will involve age-specific regression models in people without known baseline cardiovascular disease in relation to fatal or nonfatal first ever coronary heart disease outcomes. This initiative will characterize more precisely and in greater detail than has previously been possible the shape and strength of the age- and sex-specific associations of several lipid and inflammatory markers with incident coronary heart disease outcomes (and, secondarily, with other incident cardiovascular outcomes) under a wide range of circumstances. It will, therefore, help to determine to what extent such associations are independent from possible confounding factors and to what extent such markers (separately and in combination) provide incremental predictive value.
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2. |
- Elsik, Christine G., et al.
(författare)
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The Genome Sequence of Taurine Cattle : A Window to Ruminant Biology and Evolution
- 2009
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 324:5926, s. 522-528
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To understand the biology and evolution of ruminants, the cattle genome was sequenced to about sevenfold coverage. The cattle genome contains a minimum of 22,000 genes, with a core set of 14,345 orthologs shared among seven mammalian species of which 1217 are absent or undetected in noneutherian (marsupial or monotreme) genomes. Cattle-specific evolutionary breakpoint regions in chromosomes have a higher density of segmental duplications, enrichment of repetitive elements, and species-specific variations in genes associated with lactation and immune responsiveness. Genes involved in metabolism are generally highly conserved, although five metabolic genes are deleted or extensively diverged from their human orthologs. The cattle genome sequence thus provides a resource for understanding mammalian evolution and accelerating livestock genetic improvement for milk and meat production.
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3. |
- Newton-Cheh, Christopher, et al.
(författare)
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Genome-wide association study identifies eight loci associated with blood pressure
- 2009
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-1718 .- 1061-4036. ; 41:6, s. 666-676
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Elevated blood pressure is a common, heritable cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide. To date, identification of common genetic variants influencing blood pressure has proven challenging. We tested 2.5 million genotyped and imputed SNPs for association with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 34,433 subjects of European ancestry from the Global BPgen consortium and followed up findings with direct genotyping (N <= 71,225 European ancestry, N <= 12,889 Indian Asian ancestry) and in silico comparison (CHARGE consortium, N 29,136). We identified association between systolic or diastolic blood pressure and common variants in eight regions near the CYP17A1 (P = 7 x 10(-24)), CYP1A2 (P = 1 x 10(-23)), FGF5 (P = 1 x 10(-21)), SH2B3 (P = 3 x 10(-18)), MTHFR (P = 2 x 10(-13)), c10orf107 (P = 1 x 10(-9)), ZNF652 (P = 5 x 10(-9)) and PLCD3 (P = 1 x 10(-8)) genes. All variants associated with continuous blood pressure were associated with dichotomous hypertension. These associations between common variants and blood pressure and hypertension offer mechanistic insights into the regulation of blood pressure and may point to novel targets for interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease.
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4. |
- Richards, Stephen, et al.
(författare)
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The genome of the model beetle and pest Tribolium castaneum.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Nature. - 1476-4687. ; 452:7190, s. 949-55
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tribolium castaneum is a representative of earth’s most numerous eukaryotic order, a powerful model organism for the study of generalized insect development, and also an important pest of stored agricultural products. We describe its genome sequence here. This omnivorous beetle has evolved an ability to interact with a diverse chemical environment as evidenced by large expansions in odorant and gustatory receptors, as well as p450 and other detoxification enzymes. Developmental patterns in Tribolium are more representative of other arthropods than those found in Drosophila, a fact represented in gene content and function. For one, Tribolium has retained more ancestral genes involved in cell-cell communication than Drosophila, and some are expressed in the growth zone crucial for axial elongation in short germ development. Systemic RNAi in T. castaneum appears to use mechanisms distinct from those found in C. elegans, but nevertheless offers similar power for the elucidation of gene function and identification of targets for selective insect control.
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5. |
- Vasan, Ramachandran S, et al.
(författare)
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Genetic variants associated with cardiac structure and function : a meta-analysis and replication of genome-wide association data
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 0098-7484 .- 1538-3598. ; 302:2, s. 168-178
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CONTEXT: Echocardiographic measures of left ventricular (LV) structure and function are heritable phenotypes of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: To identify common genetic variants associated with cardiac structure and function by conducting a meta-analysis of genome-wide association data in 5 population-based cohort studies (stage 1) with replication (stage 2) in 2 other community-based samples. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Within each of 5 community-based cohorts comprising the EchoGen consortium (stage 1; n = 12 612 individuals of European ancestry; 55% women, aged 26-95 years; examinations between 1978-2008), we estimated the association between approximately 2.5 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; imputed to the HapMap CEU panel) and echocardiographic traits. In stage 2, SNPs significantly associated with traits in stage 1 were tested for association in 2 other cohorts (n = 4094 people of European ancestry). Using a prespecified P value threshold of 5 x 10(-7) to indicate genome-wide significance, we performed an inverse variance-weighted fixed-effects meta-analysis of genome-wide association data from each cohort. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Echocardiographic traits: LV mass, internal dimensions, wall thickness, systolic dysfunction, aortic root, and left atrial size. RESULTS: In stage 1, 16 genetic loci were associated with 5 echocardiographic traits: 1 each with LV internal dimensions and systolic dysfunction, 3 each with LV mass and wall thickness, and 8 with aortic root size. In stage 2, 5 loci replicated (6q22 locus associated with LV diastolic dimensions, explaining <1% of trait variance; 5q23, 12p12, 12q14, and 17p13 associated with aortic root size, explaining 1%-3% of trait variance). CONCLUSIONS: We identified 5 genetic loci harboring common variants that were associated with variation in LV diastolic dimensions and aortic root size, but such findings explained a very small proportion of variance. Further studies are required to replicate these findings, identify the causal variants at or near these loci, characterize their functional significance, and determine whether they are related to overt cardiovascular disease.
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6. |
- Soranzo, Nicole, et al.
(författare)
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A genome-wide meta-analysis identifies 22 loci associated with eight hematological parameters in the HaemGen consortium
- 2009
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-1718 .- 1061-4036. ; 41:11, s. 38-1182
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The number and volume of cells in the blood affect a wide range of disorders including cancer and cardiovascular, metabolic, infectious and immune conditions. We consider here the genetic variation in eight clinically relevant hematological parameters, including hemoglobin levels, red and white blood cell counts and platelet counts and volume. We describe common variants within 22 genetic loci reproducibly associated with these hematological parameters in 13,943 samples from six European population-based studies, including 6 associated with red blood cell parameters, 15 associated with platelet parameters and 1 associated with total white blood cell count. We further identified a long-range haplotype at 12q24 associated with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in 9,479 cases and 10,527 controls. We show that this haplotype demonstrates extensive disease pleiotropy, as it contains known risk loci for type 1 diabetes, hypertension and celiac disease and has been spread by a selective sweep specific to European and geographically nearby populations.
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7. |
- Dorlo, Thomas P C, et al.
(författare)
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Pharmacokinetics of miltefosine in Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis patients.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. - 0066-4804 .- 1098-6596. ; 52:8, s. 2855-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The pharmacokinetics of miltefosine in leishmaniasis patients are, to a great extent, unknown. We examined and characterized the pharmacokinetics of miltefosine in a group of patients with Old World (Leishmania major) cutaneous leishmaniasis. Miltefosine plasma concentrations were determined in samples taken during and up to 5 months after the end of treatment from 31 Dutch military personnel who contracted cutaneous leishmaniasis in Afghanistan and were treated with 150 mg miltefosine/day for 28 days. Samples were analyzed with a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 4 ng/ml. Population pharmacokinetic modeling was performed with nonlinear mixed-effect modeling, using NONMEM. The pharmacokinetics of miltefosine could best be described by an open two-compartment disposition model, with a first elimination half-life of 7.05 days and a terminal elimination half-life of 30.9 days. The median concentration in the last week of treatment (days 22 to 28) was 30,800 ng/ml. The maximum duration of follow-up was 202 days after the start of treatment. All analyzed samples contained a concentration above the LLOQ. Miltefosine is eliminated from the body much slower than previously thought and is therefore still detectable in human plasma samples taken 5 to 6 months after the end of treatment. The presence of subtherapeutic miltefosine concentrations in the blood beyond 5 months after treatment might contribute to the selection of resistant parasites, and moreover, the measures for preventing the teratogenic risks of miltefosine treatment should be reconsidered.
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8. |
- Raval, Aparna, et al.
(författare)
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Downregulation of death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- 2007
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Ingår i: Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 0092-8674 .- 1097-4172. ; 129:5, s. 879-890
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The heritability of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is relatively high; however, no predisposing mutation has been convincingly identified. We show that loss or reduced expression of death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) underlies cases of heritable predisposition to CLL and the majority of sporadic CLL. Epigenetic silencing of DAPK1 by promoter methylation occurs in almost all sporadic CLL cases. Furthermore, we defined a disease haplotype, which segregates with the CLL phenotype in a large family. DAPK1 expression of the CLL allele is downregulated by 75% in germline cells due to increased HOXB7 binding. In the blood cells from affected family members, promoter methylation results in additional loss of DAPK1 expression. Thus, reduced expression of DAPK1 can result from germline predisposition, as well as epigenetic or somatic events causing or contributing to the CLL phenotype.
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9. |
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10. |
- Amundsen, S. S., et al.
(författare)
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Association analysis of MYO9B gene polymorphisms with celiac disease in a Swedish/Norwegian cohort
- 2006
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Ingår i: Hum Immunol. - : Elsevier BV. - 0198-8859. ; 67:4-5, s. 341-5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Association between myosin IXB (MYO9B) gene variants and celiac disease (CD) has been reported in a study of a Dutch cohort. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the 3' part of the MYO9B gene showed significant genetic association and formed an associated haplotype. The current study aimed to replicate these findings in a Swedish/Norwegian cohort. Genotyping of the three SNPs which tagged the associated haplotype was performed in a CD family dataset (n = 326) and in an additional set of healthy controls (n = 562). Although our material provided reasonable power to detect the previously observed association, we were unable to replicate association with these SNPs. Lack of reproducibility could be explained by no or negligible contribution of MYO9B to the genetic predisposition to CD in the Swedish/Norwegian population. Alternatively, it might be due to variable linkage disequilibria in distinct populations in the tested SNPs and a causative mutation yet to be identified or to false positive findings (type I error) in the Dutch study.
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11. |
- Barrera Rolla, Leandro, et al.
(författare)
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Implementation of the forward-advancing wave expansion method (FWEM) for numerical solution of three dimensional large-scale sound propagation problems
- 2007
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Ingår i: 36th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, INTER-NOISE. - 9781605603858 ; , s. 4796-4805
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this paper a “one-way” wave based field discretization method for solving the Helmholtz equation in large-scale problems is proposed and is referred to as the Forward Wave Expansion Method (FWEM). The FWEM is derived from a highly efficient discretization procedure based on the interpolation of wave functions known as the Wave Expansion Method (WEM) and computes the propagated sound field by means of an exclusively forward advancing solution. This technique does not require the inversion of large system matrices and thus enables the solution of large scale acoustic problems where backscatter is not of interest. A computationally light model is thus formulated which retains many advantages of WEM. Accurate results were obtained for a free field sound propagation benchmarking problem. The method was also implemented to successfully model some diffraction effects. The FWEM offers a simple, flexible and efficient discretization method to solve the Helmholtz equation for extensive domains with mesh densities as low as 3 nodes per wavelength. This makes the FWEM a promising method for long range sound propagation problems.
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12. |
- Bennett, N. S., et al.
(författare)
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Enhanced n-type dopant solubility in tensile-strained Si
- 2008
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Ingår i: Thin Solid Films. - : Elsevier BV. - 0040-6090 .- 1879-2731. ; 517:1, s. 331-333
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The creation of highly conductive ultrashallow-doped regions in strained Si is a key requirement for future Si based devices. It is shown that in the presence of tensile strain, Sb becomes a contender to replace As in strain-engineered CMOS devices due to advantages in sheet resistance. While strain reduces resistance for both As and Sb; a result of enhanced electron mobility, the reduction is significantly larger for Sb due to an increase in donor activation. Differential Hall measurements suggest this is a consequence of a strain-induced Sb solubility enhancement following solid-phase epitaxial regrowth, increasing Sb solubility in Si to levels approaching 10(21) cm(-3). Experiments highlight the importance of maintaining substrate strain during thermal annealing to maintain this high Sb activation.
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13. |
- Bharath, G., et al.
(författare)
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Iterative solutions of the three-dimensional Helmholtz equation using the wave expansion method for high frequency acoustic scattering problems
- 2007
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Ingår i: 36th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, INTER-NOISE. - 9781605603858 ; , s. 4788-4795
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Modelling sound propagation over large domains presents severe challenges with respect to computational requirements. In general, direct solutions of system equations resulting from the full field discretization of many three-dimensional problems of practical interest cannot be attempted. The present study investigates iterative solutions for solving a Three-Dimensional Helmholtz equation. The discretization of the Helmholtz equation is done by a Wave Based Finite Difference scheme known as the Wave Expansion Method (WEM). The WEM requires only 2-3 nodes per wavelength to obtain accurate solutions which offers a potential for major improvement in efficiency compares to conventional techniques such as the Finite Element/Finite Difference approaches which require around 8-10 nodes per wavelength. The solver employed here is the standard Bi-Conjugate Gradient Stabilized (Bi-CGSTAB) algorithm. Results are presented for high frequency acoustic scattering problems occurring in aircrafts. Investigations are also carried out to check the effectiveness of the standard preconditioning strategies such as the Incomplete LU decomposition with drop tolerance method. The influence of the scatterer is also studied in this paper.
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14. |
- Bogan, Michael J, et al.
(författare)
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Single particle X-ray diffractive imaging
- 2008
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Ingår i: Nano letters (Print). - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1530-6984 .- 1530-6992. ; 8:1, s. 310-6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In nanotechnology, strategies for the creation and manipulation of nanoparticles in the gas phase are critically important for surface modification and substrate-free characterization. Recent coherent diffractive imaging with intense femtosecond X-ray pulses has verified the capability of single-shot imaging of nanoscale objects at suboptical resolutions beyond the radiation-induced damage threshold. By intercepting electrospray-generated particles with a single 15 femtosecond soft-X-ray pulse, we demonstrate diffractive imaging of a nanoscale specimen in free flight for the first time, an important step toward imaging uncrystallized biomolecules.
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15. |
- Boutet, Sebastien, et al.
(författare)
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Ultrafast soft X-ray scattering and reference-enhanced diffractive imaging of weakly scattering nanoparticles
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena. - : Elsevier BV. - 0368-2048 .- 1873-2526. ; 166, s. 65-73
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report the first successful reconstruction of the real space image from coherent X-ray diffraction patterns of membrane-supported nanoparticles using single ultrafast pulses. The particles consisted of 145-nm spherical polystyrene spheres that were size-selected by differential mobility analysis. We investigated the dependence of signal intensity on the number of spherical nanoparticles irradiated by single ultrafast pulses at the FLASH FEL facility. We demonstrate detection of as few as two 145-nm diameter particles irradiated by a single 32 nm fs-long FLASH pulse focused to 2.4Jcm(-2). In this case the noise in the diffraction pattern. due to photon-counting statistics and scattering from the supporting silicon nitride membrane, was the largest contributor to the recorded intensity. We were able to reconstruct high-resolution images of the nanoparticles using a strong scattering reference object to aid the phase retrieval of the coherent diffraction pattern. This method of reference-enhanced diffractive imaging may allow the imaging of weakly scattering objects at FLASH and other future X-ray FEL sources.
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16. |
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17. |
- Chapman, Henry N., et al.
(författare)
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Femtosecond diffractive imaging with a soft-X-ray free-electron laser
- 2006
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Ingår i: Nature Physics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1745-2473 .- 1745-2481. ; 2:12, s. 839-843
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Theory predicts(1-4) that, with an ultrashort and extremely bright coherent X-ray pulse, a single diffraction pattern may be recorded from a large macromolecule, a virus or a cell before the sample explodes and turns into a plasma. Here we report the first experimental demonstration of this principle using the FLASH soft-X-ray free-electron laser. An intense 25 fs, 4 x 10(13) W cm(-2) pulse, containing 10(12) photons at 32 nm wavelength, produced a coherent diffraction pattern from a nanostructured non-periodic object, before destroying it at 60,000 K. A novel X-ray camera assured single-photon detection sensitivity by filtering out parasitic scattering and plasma radiation. The reconstructed image, obtained directly from the coherent pattern by phase retrieval through oversampling(5-9), shows no measurable damage, and is reconstructed at the diffraction-limited resolution. A three-dimensional data set may be assembled from such images when copies of a reproducible sample are exposed to the beam one by one(10).
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18. |
- Chapman, Henry N, et al.
(författare)
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Femtosecond time-delay X-ray holography
- 2007
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 448:7154, s. 676-679
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Extremely intense and ultrafast X-ray pulses from free-electron lasers offer unique opportunities to study fundamental aspects of complex transient phenomena in materials. Ultrafast time-resolved methods usually require highly synchronized pulses to initiate a transition and then probe it after a precisely defined time delay. In the X-ray regime, these methods are challenging because they require complex optical systems and diagnostics. Here we propose and apply a simple holographic measurement scheme, inspired by Newton's 'dusty mirror' experiment1, to monitor the X-ray-induced explosion of microscopic objects. The sample is placed near an X-ray mirror; after the pulse traverses the sample, triggering the reaction, it is reflected back onto the sample by the mirror to probe this reaction. The delay is encoded in the resulting diffraction pattern to an accuracy of one femtosecond, and the structural change is holographically recorded with high resolution. We apply the technique to monitor the dynamics of polystyrene spheres in intense free-electron-laser pulses, and observe an explosion occurring well after the initial pulse. Our results support the notion that X-ray flash imaging2, 3 can be used to achieve high resolution, beyond radiation damage limits for biological samples4. With upcoming ultrafast X-ray sources we will be able to explore the three-dimensional dynamics of materials at the timescale of atomic motion.
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19. |
- Couch, Fergus J., et al.
(författare)
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AURKA F31I polymorphism and breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers: A consortium of investigators of modifiers of BRCA1/2 study
- 2007
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Ingår i: Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. - 1538-7755. ; 16:7, s. 1416-1421
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The AURKA oncogene is associated with abnormal chromosome segregation and aneuploidy and predisposition to cancer. Amplification of AURKA has been detected at higher frequency in tumors from BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers than in sporadic breast tumors, suggesting that overexpression of AURKA and inactivation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 cooperate during tumor development and progression. The F31I polymorphism in AURKA has been associated with breast cancer risk in the homozygous state in prior studies. We evaluated whether the AURKA F31I polymorphism modifies breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2. Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 was established to provide sufficient statistical power through increased numbers of mutation carriers to identify polymorphisms that act as modifiers of cancer risk and can refine breast cancer risk estimates in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. A total of 4,935 BRCA1 and 2,241 BRCA2 mutation carriers and 11 individuals carrying both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations was genotyped for F31I. Overall, homozygosity for the 311 allele was not significantly associated with breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers combined [hazard ratio (HR), 0.91; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.77-1.061. Similarly, no significant association was seen in BRCA1 (HR, 0.90; 95% Cl, 0.75-1.08) or BRCA2 carriers (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.67-1.29) or when assessing the modifying effects of either bilateral prophylactic oophorectomy or menopausal status of BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers. In summary, the F31I polymorphism in AURKA is not associated with a modified risk of breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers.
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21. |
- Erichsen, Martina M, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical, Immunological, and Genetic Features of Autoimmune Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: Observations from a Norwegian Registry.
- 2009
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Ingår i: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7197 .- 0021-972X. ; 94, s. 4882-4890
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Primary adrenal insufficiency [Addison's disease (AD)] is rare, and systematic studies are few, mostly conducted on small patient samples. We aimed to determine the clinical, immunological, and genetic features of a national registry-based cohort. Design: Patients with AD identified through a nationwide search of diagnosis registries were invited to participate in a survey of clinical features, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), autoantibody assays, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II typing. Results: Of 664 registered patients, 64% participated in the study. The prevalence of autoimmune or idiopathic AD in Norway was 144 per million, and the incidence was 0.44 per 100,000 per year (1993-2007). Familial disease was reported by 10% and autoimmune comorbidity by 66%. Thyroid disease was most common (47%), followed by type 1 diabetes (12%), vitiligo (11%), vitamin B12 deficiency (10%), and premature ovarian insufficiency (6.6% of women). The mean daily treatment for AD was 40.5 mg cortisone acetate and 0.1 mg fludrocortisone. The mean Short Form 36 vitality scores were significantly diminished from the norm (51 vs. 60), especially among those with diabetes. Concomitant thyroid autoimmunity did not lower scores. Anti-21-hydroxylase antibodies were found in 86%. Particularly strong susceptibility for AD was found for the DR3-DQ2/ DRB1*0404-DQ8 genotype (odds ratio, 32; P = 4 x 10(-17)), which predicted early onset. Conclusions: AD is almost exclusively autoimmune, with high autoimmune comorbidity. Both anti-21-hydroxylase antibodies and HLA class II can be clinically relevant predictors of AD. HRQoL is reduced, especially among diabetes patients, whereas thyroid disease did not have an impact on HRQoL. Treatment modalities that improve HRQoL are needed.
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23. |
- Fiessinger, J. N., et al.
(författare)
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Ximelagatran vs low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis: a randomized trial
- 2005
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Ingår i: Jama. - 1538-3598. ; 293:6, s. 681-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CONTEXT: Ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor with a rapid onset of action and predictable antithrombotic effect, has the potential to be a simple therapeutic alternative to current standard treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of ximelagatran with standard enoxaparin/warfarin treatment for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial (Thrombin Inhibitor in Venous Thromboembolism [THRIVE] Treatment Study) of 2489 patients with acute deep vein thrombosis, of whom approximately one third had concomitant pulmonary embolism. The study was conducted at 279 centers in 28 countries from September 2000 through December 2002. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive 6 months of treatment with either oral ximelagatran, 36 mg twice daily, or subcutaneous enoxaparin, 1 mg/kg twice daily, for 5 to 20 days followed by warfarin adjusted to maintain an international normalized ratio of 2.0 to 3.0. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recurrent venous thromboembolism, bleeding, and mortality. RESULTS: Venous thromboembolism recurred in 26 of the 1240 patients assigned to receive ximelagatran (estimated cumulative risk, 2.1%) and in 24 of the 1249 patients assigned to receive enoxaparin/warfarin (2.0%). The absolute difference between ximelagatran and enoxaparin/warfarin was 0.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.0% to 1.3%). This met the prespecified criterion for noninferiority. Corresponding values for major bleeding were 1.3% and 2.2% (difference, -1.0%; 95% CI, -2.1% to 0.1%), and for mortality were 2.3% and 3.4% (difference, -1.1%; 95% CI, -2.4% to 0.2%). Alanine aminotransferase levels increased to more than 3 times the upper limit of normal in 119 patients (9.6%) and 25 patients (2.0%) receiving ximelagatran and enoxaparin/warfarin, respectively. Increased enzyme levels were mainly asymptomatic. Retrospective analysis of locally reported adverse events showed a higher rate of serious coronary events with ximelagatran (10/1240 patients) compared with enoxaparin/warfarin (1/1249 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Oral ximelagatran administered in a fixed dose without coagulation monitoring, was as effective as enoxaparin/warfarin for treatment of deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism and showed similar, low rates of bleeding. Increased levels of liver enzymes in 9.6% of ximelagatran-treated patients require regular monitoring; the mechanism requires further evaluation. Prospective assessment of coronary events in future studies is warranted.
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26. |
- O'Reilly, Ciarán J., et al.
(författare)
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An investigation into the effects of engine body reflections and flow refraction on jet noise shielding predictions
- 2007
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Ingår i: 36th International Congress and Exhibition on Noise Control Engineering, INTER-NOISE. - 9781605603858 ; , s. 733-742
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Airframe acoustic shielding predictions, using simple point sources located over an isolated wing, tend to over-predict shielding effects, when compared with full-model test data. The study presented in this paper investigates the effects of the inclusion of the engine body and the jet flow on shielding predictions. A wave expansion method (WEM), is used to efficiently model the sound propagation, in a small domain which includes the wing and engine body. In this model the jet is still represented as point sources. A 2d model is examined, in which the mean jet flow has been included. The point source locations and strengths are determined using a RANS solution of a hot coaxial jet and Goldstein's interpretation of the acoustic analogy. The near-field WEM results are then propagated to the far-field using the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral equation, which assumes a uniform flow external to the Kirchhoff surface. Results presented here are very encouraging as they clearly indicate that with the inclusion of engine body reflections, and the refractive effects of the jet flow, predicted shielding values are much more consistent with observed levels both in terms of magnitude and variation over observation angle.
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27. |
- O'Reilly, Ciarán J., et al.
(författare)
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Jet noise modelling for shielding calculations using RANS solution source localisation and WEM propagation
- 2006
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Ingår i: 22nd International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering, ISMA. - : Leuven University Press. - 9789073802834 ; , s. 667-676
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this paper, a method to determine the jet noise source input for shielding calculations is described. The method involves three steps - localisation, propagation and simplification. Firstly, for the frequency of interest, a small localised source region is determined, using Goldstein-Rosenbaum's acoustic model, with a numerical RANS solution providing local flow properties. A number of distinct incoherent noise sources may be located in this region, using the turbulence length scales. In the second step, each source is propagated out through the jet flow using the wave expansion method (WEM) to solve the Helmholtz equation, with local Mach values acquired from the RANS solution. The third step is to define a Kirchhoff surface outside the jet flow, from which the sound may be propagated further by simply using the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral, which can account for any mean flow present. Although the method is quite crude, it is relatively robust as it is a shielding factor or ratio, rather than an absolute value, which is of interest in design evaluation. Preliminary results, presented in this paper, provide encouragement that this new three-step jet noise source modelling method can be used to provide a source input for use in airframe shielding calculations, that is equivalent - in terms of source frequency, distribution and directivity - to the noise produced by a jet flow.
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28. |
- O'Reilly, Ciarán J., et al.
(författare)
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Jet noise modelling for shielding calculations using RANS source localisation and WEM propagation
- 2006
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Ingår i: 8th International Symposium Transport Noise and Vibration.
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this paper, a method to determine the jet noise source input for shielding calculations is described. The method involves three steps – localisation, propagation and simplification. Firstly, for the frequency of interest, a small, localised source region is determined, using Goldstein-Rosenbaums’ acoustic model, with a numerical RANS solution providing local flow properties. A number of distinct incoherent noise sources may be located in this region, using the turbulence length scales. In the second step, each source is propagated out through the jet flow using the wave expansion method (WEM) to solve the Helmholtz equation, with local Mach values acquired from the RANS solution. The third step is to define a Kirchhoff surface outside the jet flow, from which, the sound may be propagated further by simply using the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral equation, which, can account for any mean flow present. This method is relatively robust, as it is a shielding factor or ratio, rather than an absolute value, which is of interest in acoustic design evaluation. Preliminary results, presented in this paper, provide encouragement that this new three-step jet noise source modelling method can be used to provide a source input for use in airframe shielding calculations, that is equivalent – in terms of source frequency, distribution and directivity – to the noise produced by a jet flow.
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29. |
- O'Reilly, Ciarán J., et al.
(författare)
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Jet noise shielding : Mean flow convection and refraction effects on jet noise source propagation
- 2008
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Ingår i: 23rd International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering, ISMA. - : Leuven University Press. - 9789073802865 ; , s. 525-533
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Positioning aircraft engines on the rear of the fuselage above a U-shaped empennage, is an aircraft configuration, which could possibly reduce the engine noise emitted towards the ground during take-off and approach. In order to acoustically assess the shielding effect attained from such a configuration, the complicated physical noise sources must, firstly, be represented in a manner appropriate for input into propagation / shielding prediction methods. In this paper, the development of an innovative methodology for providing such a source for jet noise is described. Convecting point sources are located using Lighthill's analogy with a Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) solution to provide mean flow properties. The refractive effect of the mean jet flow on sound propagation is determined using a Wave Expansion Method (WEM) to efficiently numerically propagate monopole noise sources in a small domain, which includes the sheared jet flow. This near-field WEM result is then propagated to the far-field using the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral equation, assuming a uniform flow external to the Kirchhoff surface. The refractive flow effect on omnidirectional sources is superimposed on the convecting sources. These directional point sources may be used as a sound source input for shielding prediction methods. In this present study, jet noise sources have been created for a range of frequencies. The isolated sound pressure level and the shielding effect, resultant from separating these sources from an arc of receivers, with a flat plate, have been evaluated and results compared with test data. Results presented here are very encouraging, as they clearly indicate that with the inclusion of both the convective and the refractive effects of the jet flow on the propagation of point sources, simple jet noise sources may be defined for use in shielding prediction methods, however, using the present approximations, the predicted sound pressure levels are greater than the measured values at downstream receiver angles.
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30. |
- Rodriguez, Henry, et al.
(författare)
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Recommendations from the 2008 International Summit on Proteomics Data Release and Sharing Policy : The Amsterdam Principles
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Proteome Research. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1535-3893 .- 1535-3907. ; 8:7, s. 3689-3692
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Policies supporting the rapid and open sharing of genomic data have directly fueled the accelerated pace of discovery in large-scale genomics research. The proteomics community is starting to implement analogous policies and infrastructure for making large-scale proteomics data widely available on a precompetitive basis. On August 14, 2008, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) convened the "International Summit on Proteomics Data Release and Sharing Policy" in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, to identify and address potential roadblocks to rapid and open access to data. The six principles agreed upon by key stakeholders at the summit addressed issues surrounding (1) timing, (2) comprehensiveness, (3) format, (4) deposition to repositories, (5) quality metrics, and (6) responsibility for proteomics data release. This summit report explores various approaches to develop a framework of data release and sharing principles that will most effectively fulfill the needs of the funding agencies and the research community.
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31. |
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32. |
- Swedberg, Karl, 1944, et al.
(författare)
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Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure: executive summary (update 2005): The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure of the European Society of Cardiology
- 2005
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Ingår i: European heart journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 26:11, s. 1115-40
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Preamble Guidelines and Expert Consensus Documents aim to present all the relevant evidence on a particular issue in order to help physicians to weigh the benefits and risks of a particular diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. They should be helpful in everyday clinical decision-making. A great number of Guidelines and Expert Consensus Documents have been issued in recent years by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and by different organizations and other related societies. This profusion can put at stake the authority and validity of guidelines, which can only be guaranteed if they have been developed by an unquestionable decision-making process. This is one of the reasons why the ESC and others have issued recommendations for formulating and issuing Guidelines and Expert Consensus Documents. In spite of the fact that standards for issuing good quality Guidelines and Expert Consensus Documents are well defined, recent surveys of Guidelines and Expert Consensus Documents published in peer-reviewed journals between 1985 and 1998 have shown that methodological standards were not complied with in the vast majority of cases. It is therefore of great importance that guidelines and recommendations are presented in formats that are easily interpreted. Subsequently, their implementation programmes must also be well conducted. Attempts have been made to determine whether guidelines improve the quality of clinical practice and the utilization of health resources. The ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG) supervises and coordinates the preparation of new Guidelines and Expert Consensus Documents produced by Task Forces, expert groups, or consensus panels. The chosen experts in these writing panels are asked to provide disclosure statements of all relationships they may have which might be perceived as real or potential conflicts of interest. These disclosure forms are kept on file at the European Heart House, headquarters of the ESC. The Committee is also responsible for the endorsement of these Guidelines and Expert Consensus Documents or statements. The Task Force has classified and ranked the usefulness or efficacy of the recommended procedure and/or treatments and the Level of Evidence as indicated in the tables on page 3.
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33. |
- Vesikari, Timo, et al.
(författare)
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Safety and efficacy of a pentavalent human-bovine (WC3) reassortant rotavirus vaccine.
- 2006
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Ingår i: N Engl J Med. - 1533-4406. ; 354:1, s. 23-33
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Rotavirus is a leading cause of childhood gastroenteritis and death worldwide. METHODS: We studied healthy infants approximately 6 to 12 weeks old who were randomly assigned to receive three oral doses of live pentavalent human-bovine (WC3 strain) reassortant rotavirus vaccine containing human serotypes G1, G2, G3, G4, and P[8] or placebo at 4-to-10-week intervals in a blinded fashion. Active surveillance was used to identify subjects with serious adverse and other events. RESULTS: The 34,035 infants in the vaccine group and 34,003 in the placebo group were monitored for serious adverse events. Intussusception occurred in 12 vaccine recipients and 15 placebo recipients within one year after the first dose including six vaccine recipients and five placebo recipients within 42 days after any dose (relative risk, 1.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.4 to 6.4). The vaccine reduced hospitalizations and emergency department visits related to G1-G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis occurring 14 or more days after the third dose by 94.5 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 91.2 to 96.6 percent). In a nested substudy, efficacy against any G1-G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis through the first full rotavirus season after vaccination was 74.0 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 66.8 to 79.9 percent); efficacy against severe gastroenteritis was 98.0 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 88.3 to 100 percent). The vaccine reduced clinic visits for G1-G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis by 86.0 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 73.9 to 92.5 percent). CONCLUSIONS: This vaccine was efficacious in preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis, decreasing severe disease and health care contacts. The risk of intussusception was similar in vaccine and placebo recipients. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00090233.) Copyright 2006 Massachusetts Medical Society.
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34. |
- Walker, M. D., et al.
(författare)
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Plant community responses to experimental warming across the tundra biome
- 2006
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 103:5, s. 1342-1346
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent observations of changes in some tundra ecosystems appear to be responses to a warming climate. Several experimental studies have shown that tundra plants and ecosystems can respond strongly to environmental change, including warming; however, most studies were limited to a single location and were of short duration and based on a variety of experimental designs. In addition, comparisons among studies are difficult because a variety of techniques have been used to achieve experimental warming and different measurements have been used to assess responses. We used metaanalysis on plant community measurements from standardized warming experiments at 11 locations across the tundra biome involved in the International Tundra Experiment. The passive warming treatment increased plant-level air temperature by 1-3 degrees C, which is in the range of predicted and observed warming for tundra regions. Responses were rapid and detected in whole plant communities after only two growing seasons. Overall, warming increased height and cover of deciduous shrubs and graminoids, decreased cover of mosses and lichens, and decreased species diversity and evenness. These results predict that warming will cause a decline in biodiversity across a wide variety of tundra, at least in the short term. They also provide rigorous experimental evidence that recently observed increases in shrub cover in many tundra regions are in response to climate warming. These changes have important implications for processes and interactions within tundra ecosystems and between tundra and the atmosphere.
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35. |
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36. |
- Zhang, Yiqin, et al.
(författare)
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CNS progenitor cells promote a permissive environment for neurite outgrowth via a matrix metalloproteinase-2-dependent mechanism
- 2007
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Ingår i: The Journal of Neuroscience. - 1529-2401. ; 27:17, s. 4499-4506
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transplantation of progenitor cells to the CNS has shown promise in neuronal and glial replacement and as a means of rescuing host neurons from apoptosis. Here we examined the effect of progenitor grafts on neurite extension in the degenerating retina of rd1 ( retinal degeneration 1) mice. Transplantation of retinal progenitor cells induced increased matrix metalloproteinase-2( MMP2) secretion, partly from activated glial cells, which was then activated by neuronally expressed MMP14. Active MMP2 resulted in proteolysis of the neurite outgrowth inhibitors CD44 and neurocan in the degenerative retina, allowing significantly increased neurite outgrowth across the border between abutting nondystrophic and rd1 retinas. Progenitor-induced enhancement of outgrowth was abrogated by an MMP inhibitor or by coculture with retinal explants from MMP2(-/-) mice. This study provides the first identification of an MMP2-dependent mechanism by which exogenous progenitor cells alter the host environment to promote neural regeneration. This suggests a novel therapeutic role for progenitor cells in the treatment of CNS degenerative diseases.
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37. |
- Abdi, Y., et al.
(författare)
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Light-emitting nano-porous silicon structures fabricated using a plasma hydrogenation technique
- 2005
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Ingår i: Materials Science and Engineering B: Solid-State Materials for Advanced Technology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0921-5107. ; 124-125:SUPPL., s. 483-487
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The preparation of porous silicon films by DC-plasma hydrogenation and subsequent annealing of amorphous silicon films on silicon and glass substrates is reported for the first time. The effects of varying plasma power and annealing temperatures have been investigated and characterized by scanning-electron microscopy, transmission-electron microscopy, and photoluminescence. A plasma density of about 5.5 W/m2 and hydrogenation-annealing temperatures of about 400 °C was found to be suitable for the formation of nano-crystalline silicon films with grain diameters of the order of 3-10 nm. The intensity and wavelength of the emitted visible light were found to depend on the hydrogenation and annealing conditions, and patterning of the silicon films using standard lithography allowed the creation of light-emitting patterns.
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38. |
- Bajt, Sasa, et al.
(författare)
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Camera for coherent diffractive imaging and holography with a soft-x-ray free-electron laser
- 2008
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Ingår i: Applied Optics. - 1559-128X .- 2155-3165. ; 47:10, s. 1673-1683
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We describe a camera to record coherent scattering patterns with a soft-x-ray free-electron laser (FEL). The camera consists of a laterally graded multilayer mirror, which reflects the diffraction pattern onto a CCD detector. The mirror acts as a bandpass filter for both the wavelength and the angle, which isolates the desired scattering pattern from nonsample scattering or incoherent emission from the sample. The mirror also solves the particular problem of the extreme intensity of the FEL pulses, which are focused to greater than 10(14) W/cm2. The strong undiffracted pulse passes through a hole in the mirror and propagates onto a beam dump at a distance behind the instrument rather than interacting with a beam stop placed near the CCD. The camera concept is extendable for the full range of the fundamental wavelength of the free electron laser in Hamburg (FLASH) FEL (i.e., between 6 and 60 nm) and into the water window. We have fabricated and tested various multilayer mirrors for wavelengths of 32, 16, 13.5, and 4.5 nm. At the shorter wavelengths mirror roughness must be minimized to reduce scattering from the mirror. We have recorded over 30,000 diffraction patterns at the FLASH FEL with no observable mirror damage or degradation of performance.
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39. |
- Barty, Anton, et al.
(författare)
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Ultrafast single-shot diffraction imaging of nanoscale dynamics
- 2008
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Ingår i: Nature Photonics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1749-4885 .- 1749-4893. ; 2:7, s. 415-419
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The transient nanoscale dynamics of materials on femtosecond to picosecond timescales is of great interest in the study of condensed phase dynamics such as crack formation, phase separation and nucleation, and rapid fluctuations in the liquid state or in biologically relevant environments. The ability to take images in a single shot is the key to studying non-repetitive behaviour mechanisms, a capability that is of great importance in many of these problems. Using coherent diffraction imaging with femtosecond X-ray free-electron-laser pulses we capture time-series snapshots of a solid as it evolves on the ultrafast timescale. Artificial structures imprinted on a Si3N4 window are excited with an optical laser and undergo laser ablation, which is imaged with a spatial resolution of 50 nm and a temporal resolution of 10 ps. By using the shortest available free-electron-laser wavelengths(1) and proven synchronization methods(2) this technique could be extended to spatial resolutions of a few nanometres and temporal resolutions of a few tens of femtoseconds. This experiment opens the door to a new regime of time-resolved experiments in mesoscopic dynamics.
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40. |
- Bernstein, Henry H., et al.
(författare)
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Comparison of the safety and immunogenicity of a refrigerator-stable versus a frozen formulation of ProQuad (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella virus vaccine live)
- 2007
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Ingår i: Pediatrics. - : American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). - 1098-4275 .- 0031-4005. ; 119:6, s. 1299-1305
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. A refrigerator-stable formulation of ProQuad has been developed to expand the utility of ProQuad to areas in which maintenance of a frozen cold chain (- 15 degrees C or colder) during storage and transport may not be feasible. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that the immunogenicity and safety profiles of a refrigerator-stable formulation of ProQuad are similar to the recently licensed frozen formulation. Methods. In this double-blind, randomized, multicenter study, healthy 12- to 23-month- old children with negative vaccination and clinical histories for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and zoster were vaccinated with either the refrigerator-stable formulation of ProQuad (N = 1006) or the frozen formulation of ProQuad (N = 513). Patients were followed for 42 days after vaccination for adverse experiences. Immunogenicity was evaluated 6 weeks after vaccination. Results. The refrigerator-stable formulation of ProQuad was generally well tolerated. The incidence of adverse experiences was similar between groups. No vaccine-related serious adverse experiences were reported. For both groups, the response rate was >= 97.7% for measles, mumps, and rubella, and the percentage of patients with a varicella zoster virus antibody titer of >= 5 U/mL glycoprotein antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after vaccination was >= 88.8%. The geometric mean titers for all antigens were numerically slightly higher in patients who received the refrigerator-stable formulation. Conclusions. The refrigerator-stable formulation of ProQuad is generally well tolerated, highly immunogenic, and noninferior in terms of postvaccination antibody responses. This refrigerator-stable formulation may improve ease of vaccine administration, increase use of the vaccine throughout the world because of its improved storage conditions, and replace the frozen formulation of ProQuad or any dose of M-M-RII and Varivax in routine practice.
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41. |
- Bjornvold, M., et al.
(författare)
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FOXP3 polymorphisms in type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease
- 2006
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Ingår i: J Autoimmun. - : Elsevier BV. - 0896-8411. ; 27:2, s. 140-4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The FOXP3 gene encodes a transcription factor thought to be essential for the development and function of T regulatory cells. Two previous studies have tested common polymorphisms in FOXP3 for association with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with conflicting results. The aim of our study was to see whether there is any evidence of association between the FOXP3 polymorphisms previously reported to be associated with T1D, in a Caucasian population regarding T1D and coeliac disease (CD). We further looked for evidence of interaction between FOXP3 polymorphisms and HLA-DR3 in conferring susceptibility to T1D. Initially, we analysed two microsatellites in the FOXP3 gene in 363 T1D nuclear families. Our results indicated an association between FOXP3 and T1D (global p=0.004) and a possible interaction between FOXP3 and the HLA-DR3-DQ2 susceptibility haplotype. We then genotyped an additional independent set of 826 T1D patients and 1459 controls as well as one CD dataset consisting of 325 families. A similar tendency was revealed in the CD family material (pnc=0.055 for the associated allele). On the other hand, we were unable to reproduce our initial findings in the T1D case-control dataset (global p=0.6). Our results suggest that the tested FOXP3 markers do not have any major impact on susceptibility for these diseases.
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42. |
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43. |
- Brys, Miroslaw, et al.
(författare)
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Magnetic resonance imaging improves cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD. - 1387-2877. ; 16:2, s. 351-62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Little is known of combined utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for prediction of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and longitudinal data is scarce. We examined these biomarkers at baseline and longitudinally in incipient AD. Forty-five subjects [21 controls (NL-NL), 16 stable MCI (MCI-MCI), 8 MCI who declined to AD (MCI-AD)] received MRI and lumbar puncture at baseline and after 2 years. CSF measures included total and phosphorylated tau (T-tau, P-tau(231)), amyloid-beta (Abeta(42)/Abeta(40)) and isoprostane. Voxel-based morphometry identified gray matter concentration (GMC) differences best distinguishing study groups and individual GMC values were calculated. Rate of medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy was examined using regional boundary shift (rBS) method. At baseline, for MRI, MCI-AD showed reduced GMC-MTL, and for CSF higher CSF T-tau, P-tau(231), IP and lower Abeta(42)/Abeta(40) as compared with MCI-MCI or NL-NL. Longitudinally, rBS-MTL atrophy was higher in MCI-AD than in either MCI-MCI or NL-NL, particularly in the left hemisphere. CSF data showed longitudinally greater increases of isoprostane in MCI-AD as compared with NL-NL. Combining baseline CSF-P-tau(231) and GMC-MTL significantly increased overall prediction of AD from 74% to 84% (p(step)<0.05). These results provide support for including multiple modalities of biomarkers in the identification of memory clinic patients at increased risk for dementia.
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44. |
- Christensen, J. S., et al.
(författare)
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Phosphorus diffusion in the presence of threading dislocations in strain relaxed SiGe films
- 2006
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Ingår i: Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing. - : Elsevier BV. - 1369-8001 .- 1873-4081. ; 9:4-5, s. 650-654
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have studied phosphorus diffusion in strain relaxed Si1-xGex films (x = 0.1 and 0.2) by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The relaxed films were grown with low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) on a Si substrate followed by a graded SiGe layer. Two sets of samples were prepared under different growth conditions, and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) it was shown that these conditions resulted in one set of samples containing a high density of threading dislocations in the relaxed films, and one set with a low dislocation density. The SIMS profiles of the phosphorus distributions in the samples, after annealing in N-2-ambient in the temperature range of 700-950 degrees C, show that the phosphorus diffusion is significantly faster in the films with the high dislocation density. Furthermore, the data suggests that the fast diffusion is due to a higher mobility of the diffusing complex rather than an increase in the point defect concentration mediating the diffusion, a result which indicates that the threading dislocations may act as channels for the rapid dopant diffusion in SiGe.
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45. |
- Derakhshandeh, J., et al.
(författare)
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Fabrication of 100 nm gate length MOSFET's using a novel carbon nanotube-based nano-lithography
- 2005
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Ingår i: Materials Science & Engineering. - : Elsevier BV. - 0921-5107 .- 1873-4944. ; 124, s. 354-358
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PECVD-grown carbon nanotubes on (100)silicon substrates have been studied and exploited for electron emission applications. After the growth of vertical CNT's [Y. Abdi, J. Koohsorkhi, J. Derakhshandeh, S. Mohajerzadeh, H. Hosseinzadegan, M.D. Robertson, C. Benet, EMRS Spring Meeting, Strasbourg, France, May 2005] the grown nanotubes are encapsulated by means of an insulating TiO(2) layer, leading to beam-shape emission of electrons from the cathode towards the opposite anode electrode. The electron emission occurs using an anode-cathode voltage of 100 V with ability of direct writing on a photo-resist-coated substrates. Straight lines with widths between 50 and 200 nm have been successfully drawn. This technique has been applied on P-type (100)silicon substrates for the formation of the gate of N-MOSFET devices. The successful realization of MOSFET devices indicates its usefulness for applications in nano-electronic devices. This device has inversion Cox exceeding 0.7 mu F/cm(2), drive current equal to 3 10 mu A/mu m.
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46. |
- Dobre, Daniela, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical effects of initial 6 months monotherapy with bisoprolol versus enalapril in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure. Data from the CIBIS III trial
- 2008
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Ingår i: Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0920-3206 .- 1573-7241. ; 22:5, s. 399-405
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose To assess the clinical effects and safety profile of initial monotherapy with either bisoprolol or enalapril in elderly patients with heart failure (HF). Methods In CIBIS III, 1010 patients with mild to moderate HF and age >= 65 years were randomized to monotherapy with either bisoprolol or enalapril for 6 months. Results Bisoprolol had a similar effect as enalapril on the combined end-point of all-cause mortality or hospitalization (HR 1.02; p=0.90), as well as on each of the individual end-points. A trend towards fewer sudden deaths was observed with bisoprolol (NS). On the other hand, more cases of worsening HF requiring hospitalization or occurring while in hospital were observed in the bisoprolol group (HR 1.67; p=0.03). The two groups were similar with regard to treatment cessations and early introduction of the second drug. Conclusions Bisoprolol and enalapril had a similar effect on the combined end-point of mortality or hospitalization during 6 months monotherapy. However, more worsening HF events were observed in the bisoprolol group.
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47. |
- Dobson, Roy Thomas, et al.
(författare)
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A quality improvement activity to promote interprofessional collaboration among health professions students
- 2009
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Ingår i: American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. - 0002-9459 .- 1553-6467. ; 73:4, s. 1-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate a classroom-based curriculum designed to promote interprofessional competencies by having undergraduate students from various health professions work together on system-based problems using quality improvement (QI) methods and tools to improve patient-centered care.DESIGN: Students from 4 health care programs (nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, and physical therapy) participated in an interprofessional QI activity. In groups of 6 or 7, students completed pre-intervention and post-intervention reflection tools on attitudes relating to interprofessio nal teams, and a tool designed to evaluate group process.ASSESSMENT: One hundred thirty-four students (76.6%) completed both self-reflection instruments, and 132 (74.2%) completed the post-course group evaluation instrument. Although already high prior to the activity, students' mean post-intervention reflection scores increased for 12 of 16 items. Post-intervention group evaluation scores reflected a high level of satisfaction with the experience.CONCLUSION: Use of a quality-based case study and QI methodology were an effective approach to enhancing interprofessional experiences among students.
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48. |
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49. |
- Graham, T. E., et al.
(författare)
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Retinol-binding protein 4 and insulin resistance in lean, obese, and diabetic subjects
- 2006
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Ingår i: N Engl J Med. - 1533-4406. ; 354:24, s. 2552-63
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance has a causal role in type 2 diabetes. Serum levels of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), a protein secreted by adipocytes, are increased in insulin-resistant states. Experiments in mice suggest that elevated RBP4 levels cause insulin resistance. We sought to determine whether serum RBP4 levels correlate with insulin resistance and change after an intervention that improves insulin sensitivity. We also determined whether elevated serum RBP4 levels are associated with reduced expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in adipocytes, an early pathological feature of insulin resistance. METHODS: We measured serum RBP4, insulin resistance, and components of the metabolic syndrome in three groups of subjects. Measurements were repeated after exercise training in one group. GLUT4 protein was measured in isolated adipocytes. RESULTS: Serum RBP4 levels correlated with the magnitude of insulin resistance in subjects with obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, or type 2 diabetes and in nonobese, nondiabetic subjects with a strong family history of type 2 diabetes. Elevated serum RBP4 was associated with components of the metabolic syndrome, including increased body-mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, serum triglyceride levels, and systolic blood pressure and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Exercise training was associated with a reduction in serum RBP4 levels only in subjects in whom insulin resistance improved. Adipocyte GLUT4 protein and serum RBP4 levels were inversely correlated. CONCLUSIONS: RBP4 is an adipocyte-secreted molecule that is elevated in the serum before the development of frank diabetes and appears to identify insulin resistance and associated cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with varied clinical presentations. These findings provide a rationale for antidiabetic therapies aimed at lowering serum RBP4 levels.
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50. |
- Hahn, S., et al.
(författare)
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Contact-Less Electrical Defect Characterization of Semi-Insulating 6H-SiC Bulk Material
- 2009
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Ingår i: Materials Science Forum Vols. 600-603. - : Trans Tech Publications. ; , s. 405-408
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The novel technique microwave detected photo induced current transient spectroscopy (MD-PICTS) was applied to semi-insulating 6H-SiC in order to investigate the properties of inherent defect levels. Defect spectra can be obtained in the similar way to conventional PICTS and DLTS. However, there is no need for contacting the samples, which allows for non-destructive and spatially resolved electrical characterization. This work is focused on the investigation of semi-insulating 6H-SiC grown under different C/Si-ratios. In the corresponding MD-PICTS spectra several shallow defect levels appear in the low temperature range. However the peak assignment needs further investigation. Additionally different trap reemission dynamics are obtained for higher temperatures, which are supposed to be due to different compensation effects.
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