(2) Deaf animals, undergoing sham surgery (3) Deaf animals under

(2) Deaf animals, undergoing sham surgery. (3) Deaf animals undergoing surgery and injection of solvent (artificial perilymph). (4) Deaf animals undergoing surgery and injection of artificial perilymph containing BMSCs.

Results: DP-Gram in rat with normal SB525334 hearing undergoing sham surgery show that procedure has neither negative impact on normal cochlear nor on deaf cochleas. No significant difference (p = 0.25) between ears excludes artificial perilymph as

a confounding factor. There is no significant difference between ears in animals receiving BMSCs.

Conclusions: Implanted cells with normal histologic structures have no physiologic function and hearing rehabilitation. Further studies by monitoring the survival of these cells with histologic and appropriate biomarkers will help to investigate differentiation process of these cells. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Cupressus arizonica

Greene is an aromatic evergreen coniferous plant with great importance in urban horticulture and in the pharmaceutical and fragrance industries. The hydrodistilled volatile fruit oil of cultivated C. arizonica from northwest Iran was analysed find more by GC/MS. Forty-three components were identified, accounting for 96.4% of the total oil. Monoterpenoids (91.9%) dominated the identified components of the essential oil, followed by a lesser portion of sesquiterpenoids (4.2%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons (87.9%) were the principal subclass of components, with -pinene (54.3%), -myrcene (11.1%), -3-carene (6.5%) and Mizoribine limonene (6%) as main constituents. -Pinene (4%), terpinolene (2.8%) and camphene (1.1%) were the other monoterpenoids present in notable amounts. -Terpineol (1.4%) was the only representative of the oxygen-containing monoterpenoids.

Sesquiterpenoids had a minor share in the volatile oil’s composition. Hydrocarbonic compounds (91.1%) had a higher share compared to the oxygenated components (5%). Comparison of the essential oil profile of C. arizonica Greene plants cultivated in Iran showed remarkable quantitative but slight qualitative differences with previous reports from other parts of the world. In summary, the chemical and percentage composition of the studied oil from cultivated C. arizonica Greene from northwest Iran was characterised by a high occurrence of -pinene and -myrcene, and is thus competent for use in related industries and as a favourite ornamental aromatic tree.”
“Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess complications occurring after cochlear implantation (Cl) in children and to discuss revision surgeries and medical interventions occurring during follow-up. Study design: Retrospective study of 475 consecutive pediatric cochlear implantations at a tertiary referral center.

Methods: The patients(n = 475) who received cochlear implants in our institution between March 2000 and March 2012 were followed up (range, 5 months-12 years).

However,

only 22% (406/ 1, 879) of febrile children and 1

However,

only 22% (406/ 1, 879) of febrile children and 19% (429/2, 198) of children diagnosed with malaria got a blood smear. Moreover, an anti-malarial was prescribed for 80% (377/474) of children with a negative blood smear.

Conclusions: The transition from chloroquine to AQ+ SP was well followed. Nonetheless, blood smear use was very low and many over-prescriptions were reported. Reasons for discrepancies between guidelines and practices can be classified in three main categories: ambiguous guidelines, health system’s dysfunctions and nurses’ own considerations. Aside from the strengthening of the public health system, IPI-549 order in order to guarantee practices complying with guidelines, training content should be more adapted to nurses’ own considerations.”
“For polymers in tissue engineering to reach their full potential, the three-dimensional integration of cells with scaffolds must become DNA Damage inhibitor more complex. In vascular grafts this is particularly challenging as specific physical property requirements must be met. We apply a combination of polymer processing techniqueselectrospinning and femtosecond laser ablationto produce

microchannels inside the walls of electrospun tubes providing for spatially-controlled cell seeding. To determine if such a scaffold can provide the desired physical properties, a greater understanding of the relationship between manufacturing and mechanics is needed. As the strength of these scaffolds is an important functional component, the relative properties of single, bi- and tri-layer combinations produced using different solvents were compared.

The effect of fiber layer thickness was also investigated. The thickness of the hexafluorisopropanol-derived layer dominated the overall scaffold properties regardless of the nature of the other two layers. Although laser-machined AZD3965 cost microchannels had substantial effects on single layer and some of the bilayers, in the final trilayer scaffold, little effect on mechanical properties was observed. The concept of vascular wall engineering could successfully produce trilayer composite scaffolds that maintain the targeted mechanical properties while allowing intricate, three-dimensional cell seeding. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“Virtual reality (VR) is a relatively new technology that enables individuals to immerse themselves in a virtual world. This multisensory technology has been used in a variety of fi elds, and most recently has been applied clinically as a method of distraction for pain management during medical procedures. Investigators have posited that VR creates a nonpharmacologic form of analgesia by changing the activity of the body’s intricate pain modulation system. However, the effi cacy of VR has not been proven and the exact mechanisms behind VR’s action remain unknown. This article presents a comprehensive review of the literature to date exploring the clinical and experimental applications of VR for pain control.


“Extract of water-soluble polysaccharide (CFWx), showing i


“Extract of water-soluble polysaccharide (CFWx), showing inhibiting activity on a-glucosidase, was prepared from the fruiting bodies of Cordyceps militaris by hot-water extraction, and ethanol precipitation. Chemical characteristics of CFWx were as follows: carbohydrate content 30% including 16% of uronic acid; 51% protein

content; monosaccharide composition, Man:Glu:Gal (30:43:27); molecular weight 3-5×10(4). CFWx was further purified by ion-exchange, gel-permeation, and affinity chromatography and CFWx-AH-alpha fraction was isolated. Fundamental structure of CFWx-AH-alpha was deduced as alpha-(1 -> 4)-D-glucan with alpha-(1 -> 3)- and/or alpha-(1 -> 6)-D-glycosidic side Captisol Microbiology inhibitor chains based on methylation analysis.”
“Copper compounds PF-02341066 nmr and, in particular, Cu(H) complexes show relevant pharmacological interest. Copper complexes of most of the simplest amino acids showed a particular relevance, appearing even useful for copper supplementation in human and veterinary medicine. In this contribution, the infrared and Raman spectra of the Cu(II) complex of L-lysine of composition [Cu(L-Lysinato)(2)Cl-2]center dot 2H(2)O were recorded and analyzed in relation to its structural peculiarities and

by comparison with the spectra of L-lysine hydrochloride. The electronic spectrum of the complex is also briefly discussed.”
“The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical relationship between cervical spinal canal stenosis (CSCS) and incidence of traumatic cervical spinal cord injury BIIB057 cost (CSCI) without major fracture or dislocation, and to discuss the clinical management of traumatic CSCI.

Forty-seven patients with traumatic CSCI without major fracture or dislocation (30 out of

47 subjects; 63.83 %, had an injury at the C3-4 segment) and 607 healthy volunteers were measured the sagittal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) column diameter at five pedicle and five intervertebral disc levels using T2-weighted midsagittal magnetic resonance imaging. We defined the sagittal CSF column diameter of less than 8 mm as CSCS based on the previous paper. We evaluated the relative and absolute risks for the incidence of traumatic CSCI related with CSCS.

Using data from the Spinal Injury Network of Fukuoka, Japan, the relative risk for the incidence of traumatic CSCI at the C3-4 segment with CSCS was calculated as 124.5:1. Moreover, the absolute risk for the incidence of traumatic CSCI at the C3-4 segment with CSCS was calculated as 0.00017.

In our results, the relative risk for the incidence of traumatic CSCI with CSCS was 124.5 times higher than that for the incidence without CSCS. However, only 0.017 % of subjects with CSCS may be able to avoid developing traumatic CSCI if they undergo decompression surgery before trauma.

Methods and Results-

After excluding individuals with

Methods and Results-

After excluding individuals with known genetic syndromes, 543 unrelated adults with TOF underwent a detailed family history assessment and molecular characterization for rare copy number variations using high-resolution genome-wide microarrays. Men and women with TOF had significantly fewer offspring compared with an age-matched comparison group without congenital heart disease (CHD; P=0.0004). No aspect ISRIB datasheet of rare copy number variation burden was a predictor of decreased reproductive fitness. Corresponding with the advent of modern surgical repairs, reproductive fitness of women began to exceed that of men (P=0.0490). Recurrence

risk for CHD in offspring was 4.8%, with no significant differences between men and women with TOF. The risk of severe CHD in offspring (2.3%) far exceeded population expectations (relative risk, 15.6; 95% confidence interval, 7.9-31.0). Most cases of vertical transmission of CHD were not explained by the transmission

of a large rare copy number variation. Although conotruncal lesions (31.5%) were the most commonly reported CHD in relatives, the familial spectrum of disease included many anatomically discordant lesions.

Conclusions-

Men and women with TOF have reduced reproductive fitness. Their offspring are at significantly elevated risk for severe CHD. These results support the importance AZD8186 of genetic counseling for both men and women with complex CHD. Many inherited genetic variants remain to be discovered.”
“microRNAs (miRNAs) are major regulators of gene expression and thereby modulate many biological processes. Computational methods have been instrumental in understanding how miRNAs bind to mRNAs to induce their repression but have proven inaccurate. Here we describe a novel method that combines expression data from human and mouse to discover conserved patterns of expression between orthologous miRNAs and mRNA AZD6738 purchase genes. This method allowed us to predict thousands of putative miRNA targets. Using the luciferase reporter assay, we confirmed 4 out of 6 of our predictions. In addition,

this method predicted many miRNAs that act as expression enhancers. We show that many miRNA enhancer effects are mediated through the repression of negative transcriptional regulators and that this effect could be as common as the widely reported repression activity of miRNAs. Our findings suggest that the indirect enhancement of gene expression by miRNAs could be an important component of miRNA regulation that has been widely neglected to date.”
“A biodegradable polyester, poly(tetramethylene dodecanedioate), was injection molded in a rectangular cavity. Thin sections were sliced from molded samples starting from the skin. The morphology distribution inside the molded samples was studied by X-ray analysis.

20119 Wiley Periodicals, Inc J Appl Polym Sci 113: 2499-2506, 20

20119 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 113: 2499-2506, 2009″
“Background Few studies have described improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) associated with opioid dependence treatment with buprenorphine (ODT-B).

Objective To evaluate HRQOL changes in domain

scores, physical and mental component summaries, and health utilities (HUs) associated with ODT-B using the Short Form 36 (SF-36).

Methods We assessed HRQOL changes in a substudy of a pharmacokinetic study that compared buprenorphine oral tablet and liquid dosage formulations over 16 weeks. Individuals, aged 18-65 years, were screened for opioid dependence. They were excluded if they would not agree to birth control or had a serious medical condition. Subjects received psychosocial counseling ACY-738 MCC950 price and weekly group therapy. The SF-36 was administered upon enrollment and at 4-week intervals. We used the SF-6D to estimate HUs. We performed intention to treat (ITT) analyses based on the last observation available for each subject. Paired t tests of each domain and HU, limited to remaining patients at each 4-week interval, were also conducted.

Results Of 96 subjects enrolled, cumulative dropouts over time resulted in 80, 69, 59, and 44 subjects remaining at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. There were no significant differences in opioid-positive urines, dropout rates,

or dosage changes between formulations. In the ITT analyses, HRQOL improvements over time were bodily pain (62.1 vs. 69.1, P = 0.017), vitality (49.8 vs. 56.5, P = 0.001), mental health (59.9 vs. 66.0, P = 0.001), social function (66.4 vs. 74.7, P = 0.001), role emotional (59.4 vs. 71.9, P = 0.003), role physical (60.9 GSK923295 vs. 70.6, P = 0.005), and

mental component summary (41.9 vs. 45.4, P < 0.001). HU scores also improved (0.674 vs. 0.715, P = 0.001). Results from paired t tests, with only concurrently enrolled patients, showed similar improvements from baseline to 4, 8, 12, or 16 weeks.

Conclusion Buprenorphine, accompanied with psychosocial counseling, was associated with improved HRQOL and HUs.”
“We present a general analysis of the coupling of nonlinear photonic crystal cavities using coupled-mode theory. The nonlinear transmission properties of two coupled nonlinear cavities have been investigated. We validate the analysis by comparing the theoretical result with rigorous numerical simulations based on finite-difference time-domain techniques. A device consisting of two nonidentical photonic crystal cavities is proposed, by which we demonstrate that this theory can be employed for designing high-contrast all-optical switches or diodes. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3246783]“
“The electrospinning of the biopolymer chitosan (CS) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was investigated with 90% acetic acid as the solvent and with different CS/PVA ratios.

3Dy0 7Fe1 92 (Terfenol-D) short-fiber/NdFeB

magnet magnet

3Dy0.7Fe1.92 (Terfenol-D) short-fiber/NdFeB

magnet magnetostrictive composite rings. The electric current sensitivity of the sensor was evaluated, both theoretically and experimentally. The sensor showed a high nonresonance sensitivity of ACY-241 mw similar to 12.6 mV/A over a flat frequency range of 1 Hz-30 kHz and a large resonance sensitivity of 92.2 mV/A at the fundamental shape resonance of 67 kHz, besides an excellent linear relationship between the input electric current and the output magnetoelectrically induced voltage. The power-free, bias-free, high-sensitive, and wide-bandwidth natures of the sensor make it great potential for real-time condition monitoring of engineering systems having electric current-carrying cables or conductors. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3360349]“
“Nuts are energy-dense foods, rich in total fat and unsaturated fatty acids. The favorable fatty acid profile probably contributes to the beneficial effects of nut consumption observed in epidemiologic studies (prevention Selleck AZD1152 of coronary

heart disease and diabetes) and feeding trials (cholesterol lowering). Besides fat, the complex matrices of nuts contain many bioactive compounds: vegetable protein, fiber, minerals, tocopherols, and phenolic compounds. By virtue of their unique composition, nuts are likely to benefit newer cardiovascular risk biomarkers, such as LDL oxidizability, soluble inflammatory molecules, and endothelial dysfunction. Protection of LDL oxidation by nut intake has been documented in some, but not all, clinical studies. In one study, feeding one daily serving of mixed nuts was associated with lower oxidized LDL concentrations. Regarding inflammation, cross-sectional studies have shown that nut consumption is associated with lower concentrations of circulating inflammatory molecules and higher plasma

adiponectin, a potent antiinflammatory adipokine. Clinical studies with nuts have documented reduced inflammatory cytokine concentrations but no consistent changes of C-reactive protein. Only walnuts have been formally tested for effects on endothelial function. After both walnut diets and single DZNeP solubility dmso walnut meals, favorable vasoreactivity changes have been observed. Walnut consumption also reduced expression of endothelin 1, a potent endothelial activator, in an animal model of accelerated atherosclerosis. Beneficial effects on vascular reactivity may be ascribed to several constituents of walnuts: L-arginine, the precursor of nitric oxide, a-linolenic acid, and phenolic antioxidants. Although more studies are warranted, the emerging picture is that nut consumption beneficially influences cardiovascular risk beyond cholesterol lowering. Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 89(suppl): 1649S-56S.


“Recently, licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch , GU) has


“Recently, licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., GU) has demonstrated significant in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties. In this study, it was tested that a daily regimen of supplementation with water extract of GU would ameliorate oxidative stress and whether effects were modulated by the glutathion-S-transferase (GST) polymorphisms. Forty healthy male smokers aged 20-60 were divided evenly into 2 groups Proteasome assay and given

either 260 mL of GU extracted with hot water or 260 mL of oligosaccharide based placebo every day for 8 weeks without any change of usual food intake, and blood samples were drawn before and after the intervention. Eight weeks of GU supplementation significantly decreased plasma conjugated dienes (a maker for lipid peroxidation) in GSTM1 positive subjects, but not in the GSTM1 null genotype group. Our finding suggests check details that consumption of licorice water extract might

be effectively decreasing lipid peroxidation in the subgroup of smokers who have GSTM1 gene.”
“Objective. This analysis, carried out in the context of a wider observational prospective study, tried to explore whether four World Health Organization/step-III opioids (morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and buprenorphine) had different effectiveness when using several different outcomes and endpoints. Design. Cross-sectional selleck chemical and longitudinal design. Setting. Oncologic, palliative, and pain centers in Italy. Patients. Two hundred fifty-eight cancer patients monitored over a 3-week follow-up program. Intervention. Not applicable. Outcome Measures. The analgesic efficacy was assessed using effectiveness endpoints, such as pain intensity, pain intensity difference (PID), proportion

of nonresponders (NR) and full-responders (FR) subjects, percentage of switches and dose escalation. Results. Mean values of PID led to differences among opioids ranging from 10% to 30%. FR (PID = 30%) were more frequent in buprenorphine-fentanyl-oxycodone groups than in morphine; NR (PID = 0%) were variable. The percentage of switches resulted three times more frequent when using morphine than buprenorphine (24.4% vs 8.6%). An increase of dose =5% a day was observed in 33.3% of fentanyl patients vs 15% of buprenorphine. As a whole, opioids show some different behaviors on the basis of the considered endpoints. Conclusions. The observed results, even if the small sample size and the nature itself of the study do not allow a definitive evaluation of the effectiveness of the drugs, underline a degree of variability among opioids and address toward a correct planning of a comparative randomized clinical trial that is now underway in Italy. For this reason, a confirmative effectiveness randomized controlled trial is required.

Fifty-one percent of families presenting for survivorship care sc

Fifty-one percent of families presenting for survivorship care scored in the “”universal”" category, 34% scored in the “”targeted”" category, and 15% scored in the “”clinical”" category.

Conclusions: Data indicate that the overall proportions of families experiencing “”universal”", “”targeted”", and “”clinical”" levels of familial distress may be constant from the time of diagnosis into survivorship care. Overall, the PAT2.0 demonstrated strong psychometric properties among survivors of pediatric cancer and shows promise as a psychosocial screening measure to facilitate

more effective family support in survivorship care. Copyright (C) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
“Omental pregnancy is a very rare form of ectopic pregnancy. A 29-year-old woman presented CUDC-907 purchase with severe abdominal pain. History of the patient revealed use of combined oral contraceptive pills. There was no gestational sac in the endometrial cavity and no tubal ring in the adnexa,

but free peritoneal fluid was detected at ultrasonography. Laparotomy was done according to pre-operative diagnosis of ruptured tubal pregnancy. Bilateral tubes and ovaries were intact; gestational sac was detected Savolitinib ic50 attached to the necrotic lower edge of omentum. Although 16 cases of omental pregnancy (mostly secondary) were reported in the literature, herein we describe a primary omental pregnancy without adnexal involvement.”
“Electrical and magnetic properties were studied for the Y1-xPrxBa2Cu3O7-delta superconductors with x=0.44-0.48, which was located near the antiferromagnetic (AFM) and superconducting (SC) phase boundaries. An unconventional Kondo-like effect is observed below T-c for x=0.48, where the value of the resistivity minimum rho(min) increases with increasing magnetic mTOR inhibitor field H. The transition temperature T-min first increases and then decreases with increasing field strength. Magnetic measurements

show that a small fraction of FM phase appears and coexists with the SC and AFM phases. We discuss these findings from the viewpoints of Kondo scattering and electron-electron interaction, and found that the resistivity minimum below T-c is mainly due to the Kondo scattering. The Kondo scattering is identified as SC phase coexisting with AFM and FM clusters, which is as the Kondo singlets resulting from Pr substitution. This phase-separated state is unstable against the magnetic field which suppresses the SC phase and restores the single Kondo peak at low temperatures. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3393941]“
“Insulin resistance is associated with dyslipidemia, which is initiated largely by the overproduction of VLDL particles. VLDL particles are produced in the liver via lipidation of nascent ApoB molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In insulin-resistant states, excess flux of free fatty acids to the liver can lead to ApoB accumulation in the ER, causing ER stress.

Data on adsorption were analyzed using linear and non-linear form

Data on adsorption were analyzed using linear and non-linear forms of first-

and second-order kinetic equations and also Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and results showed that maximum adsorption amounts of 90.9 mg g(-1) and 158.7 mg g(-1), were obtained for 2MBO and 2MBT, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The proposed removal method is independent of pH level of the sample solution and is effective over a wide range of pH values. Using a copper oxide nanoparticle loaded cartridge (CONLC) has the advantage that there is no need to collect nanoparticles after the removal process and that CONLC can be reused for further removal processes (at least three times). This method was successfully applied to remove 2MBT (>= 95% removal) from the cooling water of a 3000 learn more MW power plant. (C) 2013 Society of Chemical Industry”
“Different dodecanethiol capped Au nanoparticles (NP) with similar

sizes (similar to 2 nm) but different ferromagnetic signals at room temperature have been investigated by means of x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Au L-3-edge. The reversion of the x-ray magnetic circular dichroism signal with the change of sign of the external applied magnetic field confirms the location of the magnetism at the Au atoms. In comparison with the Au foil, all the samples present accentuated white lines at the x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) indicating generation DMH1 molecular weight of 5d holes in the Au atoms located at surface of the NPs as consequence of a localized charge transfer from the Au surface

atoms to the S atoms of the capping agent. XANES spectra reflect differences among the electronic structure of the Au NPs which are compared with the observed different macroscopic magnetic signals. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3059609]“
“Occasional clinical reports have suggested a link between migraine and restless legs syndrome. We undertook a systematic review of the evidence, which supports this association, and consider selleck kinase inhibitor possible shared pathogenic mechanisms and the implications for current clinical practice.”
“BACKGROUNDPretreatment methods used to break down lignocellulose structure lead to the generation of compounds that inhibit ethanol fermentation. Hence, removal of these compounds is essential for improved fermentability. The surfactant-based cloud point extraction (CPE) aqueous two phase system is a new method having the potential for separation and recovery of inhibitors. The present work examines the potential of surfactants-based CPE systems as a detoxification method.


“Background The importance of faith and its associations w


“Background The importance of faith and its associations with health are well documented. As part of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, items tapping positive and negative impact of illness (PII and NII) were developed across four content domains: Coping/Stress Response, Self-Concept, Social Connection/Isolation, and Meaning and Spirituality. Faith items were included within the concept of meaning and spirituality. Methods This measurement model was tested

on a heterogeneous group of 509 cancer survivors. To evaluate dimensionality, we applied two bi-factor models, specifying a AZ 628 purchase general factor (PII or NII) and four local factors: Coping/Stress Response, Self-Concept, Social Connection/Isolation, and Meaning and Spirituality. Results Bi-factor analysis supported sufficient unidimensionality within PII and NII item sets. The unidimensionality of both PII and NII item sets was enhanced by extraction of the faith items from the rest of the questions. Of the 10 faith items, nine demonstrated higher local than general factor loadings (range for

local factor loadings?=?0.402 to 0.876), suggesting utility as a separate but related faith factor. The same was true for only two of the remaining 63 items across the PII BIBF 1120 cost and NII item sets. Conclusions Although conceptually and to a degree empirically related to Meaning and Spirituality, Faith appears to be a distinct subdomain of PII and NII, better handled by distinct assessment. A 10-item measure of the impact of

illness upon faith (II-Faith) was therefore assembled. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
“The photoluminescence (PL) of poly n-vinyl carbazole (PVK) films formed by solution processing was investigated. PVK films were formed by spincasting onto bare glass or glass covered by films of indium tin oxide (ITO) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate)ethylene (PEDOT : PSS). Some of the spincast films were redissolved in chloroform solvent and redried both in the absence or presence of an electric field (6000 V/cm). The broad. aggregate PL peak near 410 nm exhibited both blue and red shifts dependent upon the processing conditions. These www.selleckchem.com/products/GSK461364.html shifts in PL were attributed to changes in the excimer populations associated with die molecular conformation of adjacent carbazole groups. The PL data were deconvoluted into two component peaks representing two excimers associated with overlap of only one (partial or P) or full overlap (F) of both aromatic rings on adjacent carbazole groups. It was concluded that the excimer population was dependent on the amount of residual solvent left in the film after processing and upon the type of substrate. The mechanism(s) controlling the molecular configurations was discussed. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.