Charge transport properties of Ru-complex molecules: the influence of humidity

In the research presented in this thesis, the effects of humidity on a series of Ru-complex molecular layers is investigated with the Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy technique. One specific molecule out of this series called '2-Ru-N' shows remarkable humidity sensitive diode behavior: in low humidity it behaves as a conventional resistive tunneling junction, wheras in high humidity, it behaves as a diode. The rectification ratios found for 2-Ru-N are among the highest reported for molecular junctions in the literature. By comparing the behavior of 2-Ru-N with its other counterparts, a model is presented that is based on two localized molecular orbitals that are misaligned during the addition of water. This is due to the water pulling on the counter-ions that are found in the molecular layer and hence, effectively gate one of the two localized molecular orbitals, resulting in a misalignment and thus, a diode-like behavior. Bilogical and Molecular physics - OU

On the nature of ionic liquid gating of La2-xSrxCuO4

Quantum Matter and Optic

Disclosure of cancer diagnosis and quality of life in cancer patients: should it be the same everywhere?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evidence suggests that truth telling and honest disclosure of cancer diagnosis could lead to improved outcomes in cancer patients. To examine such findings in Iran, this trial aimed to study the various dimensions of quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal cancer and to compare these variables among those who knew their diagnosis and those who did not.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A consecutive sample of patients with gastrointestinal cancer being treated in Cancer Institute in Tehran, Iran was prospectively evaluated. A psychologist interviewed patients using the Iranian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Patients were categorized into two groups: those who knew their diagnosis and those who did not. Independent sample t-test was used for group comparisons.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all 142 patients were interviewed. A significant proportion (52%) of patients did not know their cancer diagnosis and 48% of patients were aware that they had cancer. They were quite similar in most characteristics. The comparison of quality of life between two groups indicated that those knew their diagnosis showed a significant lower degree of physical (P = 0.001), emotional (P = 0.01) and social functioning (P < 0.001), whereas the global quality of life and other functional scales including role functioning and cognitive functioning did not show significant result. There were no statistically significant differences between symptoms scores between two groups, except for fatigue suggesting a higher score in patients who knew their diagnosis (P = 0.01). The financial difficulties were also significantly higher in patients who knew their cancer diagnosis (P = 0.005). Performing analysis of variance while controlling for age, educational status, cancer site, and knowledge of cancer diagnosis, the results showed that the knowledge of cancer diagnosis independently still contributed to the significant differences observed between two groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Contrary to expectation the findings indicated that patients who did not know their cancer diagnosis had a better physical, social and emotional quality of life. It seems that due to cultural differences between countries cancer disclosure guidelines perhaps should be differing.</p

Osteoarthritis medical labelling and health-related quality of life in the general population

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint disease. In the absence of an effective medical treatment and due to the chronic nature of this condition, an osteoarthritis medical diagnosis may finally result in decreased health-related quality of life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the impact of the osteoarthritis medical labelling on physical and mental health-related quality of life. METHODS: Subjects (n = 1132, 58.7% women) were approached as participants of an urban population-based cohort (EPIPorto). Self-reported information on previous diagnosis of knee, hip or hand osteoarthritis was obtained and rheumatologists established knee, hip or hand osteoarthritis clinical diagnosis in symptomatic individuals. Physical and mental dimensions of health-related quality of life were evaluated using the self-administered Medical Outcomes Study: 36-Item Short Form Survey. Crude and adjusted linear regression coefficients (beta) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed to estimate the associations between being labelled as an osteoarthritis case and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Regardless of disease medical labelling, individuals with osteoarthritis scored significantly lower physical health-related quality of life when compared to those without joint disease (knee(unexposed): beta = −5.3, 95% CI: −7.6, −3.1; knee(exposed): beta = −6.0, 95% CI: −8.4, −3.7; hip(unexposed): beta = −6.0, 95% CI: −9.8, −2.3; hip(exposed): beta = −11.0, 95% CI: −15.6, −6.4; hand(unexposed): beta = −4.3, 95% CI: −6.5, −2.0; hand(exposed): beta = −4.3, 95% CI: −6.6, −2.1). The same was not observed regarding mental health-related quality of life. Among subjects with clinically confirmed osteoarthritis, the medical labelling of this joint disease was not significantly associated to health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The labelling of knee, hip and hand osteoarthritis diagnosis may not add specific benefit to osteoarthritis patients in terms of its capability to improve health-related quality of life

Perspectives on care and communication involving incurably ill Turkish and Moroccan patients, relatives and professionals: a systematic literature review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Our aim was to obtain a clearer picture of the relevant care experiences and care perceptions of incurably ill Turkish and Moroccan patients, their relatives and professional care providers, as well as of communication and decision-making patterns at the end of life. The ultimate objective is to improve palliative care for Turkish and Moroccan immigrants in the Netherlands, by taking account of socio-cultural factors in the guidelines for palliative care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic literature review was undertaken. The data sources were seventeen national and international literature databases, four Dutch journals dedicated to palliative care and 37 websites of relevant national and international organizations. All the references found were checked to see whether they met the structured inclusion criteria. Inclusion was limited to publications dealing with primary empirical research on the relationship between socio-cultural factors and the health or care situation of Turkish or Moroccan patients with an oncological or incurable disease. The selection was made by first reading the titles and abstracts and subsequently the full texts. The process of deciding which studies to include was carried out by two reviewers independently. A generic appraisal instrument was applied to assess the methodological quality.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fifty-seven studies were found that reported findings for the countries of origin (mainly Turkey) and the immigrant host countries (mainly the Netherlands). The central themes were experiences and perceptions of family care, professional care, end-of-life care and communication. Family care is considered a duty, even when such care becomes a severe burden for the main female family caregiver in particular. Professional hospital care is preferred by many of the patients and relatives because they are looking for a cure and security. End-of-life care is strongly influenced by the continuing hope for recovery. Relatives are often quite influential in end-of-life decisions, such as the decision to withdraw or withhold treatments. The diagnosis, prognosis and end-of-life decisions are seldom discussed with the patient, and communication about pain and mental problems is often limited. Language barriers and the dominance of the family may exacerbate communication problems.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This review confirms the view that family members of patients with a Turkish or Moroccan background have a central role in care, communication and decision making at the end of life. This, in combination with their continuing hope for the patient’s recovery may inhibit open communication between patients, relatives and professionals as partners in palliative care. This implies that organizations and professionals involved in palliative care should take patients’ socio-cultural characteristics into account and incorporate cultural sensitivity into care standards and care practices<it>.</it></p

Towards an ab-axis giant proximity effect using ionic liquid gating

In this Thesis, novel charge induction mechanisms of ionic liquids are treated, tested and experimented on complex oxides, in particular cuprates. We show that it is possible to traverse the phase diagram of a cuprate, albeit electrochemically. This is in turn has been used in combination with advanced lithogragphic techniques to attempt to fabricate an in-plane Josephson junction. We point out that a long-range proximity effect is observed in a number of junctions. Possible connections to the Giant Proximity Effect are evaluated in the final chapter of the Thesis.</p

Towards an ab-axis giant proximity effect using ionic liquid gating

In this Thesis, novel charge induction mechanisms of ionic liquids are treated, tested and experimented on complex oxides, in particular cuprates. We show that it is possible to traverse the phase diagram of a cuprate, albeit electrochemically. This is in turn has been used in combination with advanced lithogragphic techniques to attempt to fabricate an in-plane Josephson junction. We point out that a long-range proximity effect is observed in a number of junctions. Possible connections to the Giant Proximity Effect are evaluated in the final chapter of the Thesis.Quantum Matter and Optic

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder are frequently comorbid diagnoses. Aim of this study was to compare the neurological soft signs in patients with bipolar disorder and in patients with comorbid ADHD to those in control subjects. This study helps us to understand the impact of ADHD on the soft neurological signs in bipolar disorder in adults.Methods: Sixty euthymic patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder and 33 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. The Wender Utah Rating Scale, Adult ADHD Rating Scale and The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders were administered to the participants. The subjects were classified into three study groups, namely, bipolar patients with comorbid ADHD (n=13), bipolar patients without comorbid ADHD (n=47) and controls. We performed the Neurological Evaluation Scale in the three groups.Results: Comorbid ADHD group showed poor performance on complex motor tasks such as fist-ring test and fist-edge-palm test, while bipolar group showed poor performance on Ozeretski test. Comorbid ADHD patients performed poorly on graphestesia, stereognosis and primitive reflexes.Conclusion: Abnormalities of repetitive motor performance and primitive reflexes observed in comorbid ADHD patients support the hypothesis that ADHD involves a deficit in fronto-striatal-thalamic neurocircuits. In contrast, impaired sequential motor performance in BP subjects shows deficits in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These results show that the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder and ADHD may be related to different areas, and comorbid ADHD may increase the severity of the soft neurological signs. (Archives of Neuropsychiatry 2011; 48: 107-13

among the university students

Objective: The aim of this study is to reveal the relationship between internet addiction (IA) and smoking and alcohol use among university students. Method: 2096 students attending Pamukkale University were included in the study. Data collection tools were, Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), CAGE Test and Sociodemographic Data Form which was formed by the study authors for the present study to collect data about the student's age, sex, alcohol and cigarette use history and internet use characteristics (time spent online, type etc.). Results: The prevalence of internet addiction was found as 8.6% in our study group. Higher rates of smoking and alcohol use were found among students with internet addiction. In addition, students who smoke and use alcohol had significantly higher IAS scores compared to the students without alcohol or cigarette use. In our study positive relationship was found between IAS scores and CAGE scores. The frequency of alcohol use was found to increase significantly as the IAS scores increase. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the daily cigarette consumption amount. However, the average time spent on cigarette use was significantly higher in the group with internet addiction. In addition IAS scores were found to increase significantly as the smoking year and the amount of daily cigarette smoking increased. Discussion: According to the findings of our study, internet addiction seems to be a common problem among university students. Internet addiction was found to be associated with smoking and alcohol use