On the other hand, for Ar(+) implantation, relaxation ratios were seen to increase monotonically with the increase in ion dose without any drop even in the high dose region. Void-related defects formed around projected range of ion implantation were thought to dominate strain relaxation of the SiGe layers differently from Si(+) implantation case. This difference in the relaxation mechanism between Si(+) and Ar(+) implantation was also found in and confirmed by TEM and atomic force microscopy observations. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3374688]“
“Background:

HDAC-IN-2 Lowering dietary sodium and adhering to medication regimens are difficult for persons with heart failure (HF). Because these behaviors often occur within the family context, this study evaluated the effects of family education and partnership interventions on dietary sodium (Na) intake and medication adherence (MA).

Methods and Results: HF patient and family member (FM) dyads (n = 117) were randomized to: usual care (UC), patient-FM education (PFE), or family partnership intervention (FPI). Dietary Na (3-day food record), urinary Na (24-hour urine), and MA (Medication Events Monitoring System) were measured at baseline (BL) before randomization, and at 4 and 8 months. FPI and PFE reduced urinary Na at 4 months, and FPI differed from UC at 8 months (P =.016). Dietary Na decreased check details from BL to 4 months, with

learn more both PEE (P = .04) and FPI (P = .018) lower than UC. The proportion of subjects adherent to Na intake (<= 2,500 mg/d) was higher at 8 months in PEE and FPI than in UC (chi(2)((2)) = 7.076; P = .029). MA did not differ among groups across time. Both FPI and PFE groups increased EF knowledge immediately

after intervention.

Conclusions: Dietary Na intake, but not MA, was improved by PFE and FPI compared with UC. The UC group was less likely to be adherent with dietary Na. Greater efforts to study and incorporate family-focused education and support interventions into HF care are warranted.”
“Background: In elders, decreased muscle mass (sarcopenia) and increased fat mass (obesity) may contribute to difficulties with physical function.

Objective: The objective was to examine the association of obesity, sarcopenia, and their combination (sarcopenic-obesity) with self-reported difficulties performing physical function in a cohort of community-dwelling elderly women.

Design: We assessed muscle and fat mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and self-reported difficulties with physical function in 1308 healthy women aged >= 75 y. Sarcopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle mass <= 2 SD below the mean in a young female reference group. Obesity was defined as a percentage body fat above the 60th percentile. Thirty-six sarcopenic-obese, 90 purely sarcopenic, 435 purely obese, and 747 women with a healthy body composition were studied.