Study Design and Setting: KORA-Age, a population-based cross-sectional study of the MONICA/KORA project, a randomized sample from Southern Germany of people aged 65 years or older.

Results: A total of 534 (51.5%) of 1,037 participants were characterized

as disabled. Disabled participants were on average 4.5 years older than those who were not disabled. Crude associations of left-axis deviation, ventricular conduction defects, atrial fibrillation, and QT prolongation with disability status were significant (P < 0.05). In models check details controlled for age and sex, these effects remained constant except for QT prolongation. In the models adjusted for the minimal sufficient adjustment set (consisting of the variables sex, physical activity, age, obesity, diabetes, education, heart diseases, income, lung diseases, and stroke) identified by a directed acyclic graph (DAG), no significant association could be shown.

Conclusion: Associations between specific ECG findings and disability were found in unadjusted analysis and logistic models adjusted for age and sex. However, when adjusting for other possible confounders identified by the DAG, all these associations were no

longer significant. It is important to adequately identify confounding in such settings. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND: Reduction of excess sludge production has become an urgent issue. An investigation into the influence of thermochemical sludge pretreatment on sludge reduction in a bench-scale selleck screening library anoxic-aerobic membrane bioreactor was performed. Two systems were operated. In one system, part of the mixed liquid GSK2126458 datasheet (1.5% of the influent flow rate) was pretreated thermochemically (at 80 degrees C, pH 11 and 3 h) and returned to the bioreactor. This study examined and evaluated the effect of thermochemical sludge pretreatment on the reduction of excess sludge and on the performance of the system.

RESULTS: The average

solubilization efficiency of the pretreated sludge was found to be about 0.2. The sludge production rate of the experimental system (E-MBR) was less than that of the control (C-MBR) by about 33%. The total phosphorus was removed mainly by normal cell synthesis, with removal efficiencies of 38-40% and 40-42% for the E-MBR and C-MBR, respectively. The total nitrogen removal in the E-MBR was slightly higher than in the C-MBR due to supply of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) from the digested sludge solution as an external carbon source. The mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) ratios for the two systems were almost identical, in the range 74-77%, indicating that the inorganics from the disintegrated cells do not accumulate as particulates in the reactor. The TMP was maintained at less than 6 cmHg for 180 days without membrane cleaning.

All rights reserved.”
“The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) is a national, nonprofit organization based in Washington DC that is dedicated to transforming women’s health through science, advocacy, and education. For more than 10 years,

women and the physicians who treat them have been concerned about the safety of menopausal hormone therapy, largely since the early termination of two large federally funded studies. Considerable confusion remains despite decades of accumulated evidence from observational studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses. In November 2012, SWHR convened 18 of the foremost experts within the field for a roundtable event to discuss the collective evidence related to the risks and benefits of hormone therapy. This report includes a synopsis of those discussions, the clinical statements that were generated and agreed upon, and the selleck chemicals research recommendations suggested by the assembled experts.”
“Background and Purpose: Accurate assessment of upper-tract

urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) pathology may guide use of endoscopic vs extirpative therapy. We present a multi-institutional cohort of patients with UTUC who underwent surgical resection to characterize the association of ureteroscopic (URS) biopsy features with final pathology results.

Patients and Methods: URS biopsy data were available in 238 patients who underwent surgical resection of UTUC. IWR-1-endo datasheet Biopsies were performed using a brush biopsy kit, mechanical biopsy device, or basket. Stage was classified as a positive brush, nonmuscle-invasive (<pT(2)), or muscle invasive (MI; >= pT(2)). Grade was classified as low or high.

Results: On URS biopsy, 88/238 (37%) patients had a positive brush, 140 (59%) had a diagnosis of non-MI, and 10 (4%) had MI disease. Biopsy results showed low-grade cancer in 140 (59%) and high-grade Cl-amidine concentration cancer

in 98 (41%). Pathologic evaluation at surgical resection demonstrated non-MI tumors in 140 (59%) patients, MI in 98 (41%), and high-grade disease in 150 (63%). On univariate analysis, high URS biopsy grade was associated with high-grade (positive predictive value [PPV] 92%, P < 0.0001) and MI (PPV 60%, P < 0.0001) UTUC at surgery. URS biopsy stage, however, was associated with surgical pathology grade (P = 0.005), but not MI (P = 0.16) disease. On multivariate analysis, high URS grade, but not biopsy stage, was associated with high final pathology grade (hazard ratio [HR] 16.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.0-39.5, P < 0.0001) and MI UTUC (HR 3.6, 95% CI 2.1-6.8, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: High URS biopsy grade, but not stage, is associated with adverse tumor pathology. This information may play a valuable role for risk stratification and in the appropriate selection of endoscopic management vs surgical extirpation for UTUC.

Following intravenous administration, the elimination half life (t(1/2 beta)), volume of distribution (Vd((area))) and total body clearance were 2.69 +/- 0.14 h, 1.43 +/- 0.08 L kg(-1) and 371.2 +/- 11.2 ml kg(-1) h(-1), respectively. Following intramuscular administration, the absorption half life (t(1/2ka)) was 0.83 +/- 0.20 h. The systemic bioavailability (F) of moxifloxacin in buffalo calves was 80.0 +/- 4.08%. Urinary excretion of moxifloxacin was less than 14% after

24 h of administration of drug. In vitro binding of moxifloxacin to plasma proteins of buffalo calves was 28.4 +/- 3.77%. From the data SNX-5422 of surrogate markers (AUC/MIC, C(max)/MIC), it was determined in the buffalo calves that when administered by intravenous or intramuscular route at 5 mg kg(-1), moxifloxacin is likely to be effective against bacterial isolates with MIC <= 0.1 mu g ml(-1). (C) 2010 Elsevier PLX4032 supplier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Lignin peroxidase from the culture filtrate of Lenzitus betulina MTCC-1183 has been purified to homogeneity using concentration by ultrafiltration and anion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose. The molecular weight of the purified lignin peroxidase using SDS-PAGE analysis was 43 kDa. Specific activity of the enzyme was 29.58 IU/mg. The K (m) values for veratryl

alcohol and H2O2 for the purified enzyme were 54 and 81 mu M, respectively. The k (cat) value of the purified enzyme was 2.3 s(-1) using 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol as the substrate. The optimal conditions for the

lignin peroxidase assay were detected at pH 2.4 and 22A degrees C. Thermal stability of the purified enzyme has also been studied and its activation energy for deactivation was 287 kJ/mol. The purified lignin peroxidase depolymerised humic acid in presence of H2O2. Depolymerisation of coal by the L. betulina MTCC-1183 has been demonstrated using humic acid as a model of coal.”
“Species differences in oral bioavailability, first-pass metabolism and pharmacokinetics of biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) class I compound acetaminophen were studied. The absolute bioavailability was 42.2%, 39.0%, 44.5%, 75.5% and 91.0% in chickens, LY2835219 turkeys, dogs, pigs and horses, respectively. After hydrolysis of metabolites by beta-glucuronidase/sulfatase, apparent bioavailability increased significantly in all species (turkeys: 72.4%, dogs: 100.5%, pigs: 102.2%), except horses (91.6%). Mean metabolic ratios of [acetaminophen glucuronide]/[acetaminophen] between 0 and 1 h were significantly higher after oral dosing in turkeys, dogs and pigs, revealing the role of first-pass metabolism in incomplete bioavailability. Evidence of species differences in acetaminophen metabolism is provided by differences in plasma clearance, which was inversely proportional to bioavailability.

Steroid inhalers were not readily available in the private sector. Essential inhalation medicines for asthma are not affordable for the majority of the population.”
“The term triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) defines breast tumors that do not express estrogen receptors, progesterone receptor or epidermal growth factor receptor HER2 on immunohistochemical analysis. TNBC accounts for 12-17% of all types of breast cancer. Molecular

profiling indicated that triple-negative breast cancer represents a heterogeneous subgroup of breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer shares histological and genetic abnormalities with basal-like subtype of breast cancer; however, this overlap AG-014699 purchase is incomplete. Breast cancer found in BRCA1 mutation

carriers is also frequently TNBC. Triple-negative breast cancer does not benefit from hormonal therapies or treatments targeted against selleck kinase inhibitor HER2. The results of ongoing studies as well as the results of clinical trials suggest that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, EGFR, Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt/beta-catenin, VEGF signaling inhibitors, and mTOR, Src, and Bcr/Abl kinase inhibitors used alone or in combination with other anticancer drugs might be effective in triple-negative breast cancer treatment. In this review, current knowledge on molecular characteristics of triple-negative breast cancer and its subtypes’ treatment options is presented.”
“Sleep disorders are common and affect sleep quality and quantity, leading to increased morbidity. Patients with sleep disorders can be categorized as those who cannot sleep, those who will not sleep, those with excessive daytime sleepiness, and YH25448 those with increased movements during sleep. Insomnia, defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep that results in daytime impairment, is diagnosed using history findings and

treated with cognitive behavior therapy, with or without sleep hypnotics. Restless legs syndrome is characterized by an urge to move the legs that worsens with rest, is relieved by movement, and often occurs in the evening or at night. Restless legs syndrome is treated based on the frequency of symptoms. Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. It is diagnosed using a sleep log or actigraphy, followed by overnight polysomnography and a multiple sleep latency test. Narcolepsy is treated with stimulants, such as modafinil; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; or gamma hydroxybutyric acid (sodium oxybate). Patients with snoring and witnessed apneas may have obstructive sleep apnea, which is diagnosed using overnight polysomnography. Continuous positive airway pressure is the most common and effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

The presence of plaque hemorrhage increased the risk for ipsilateral abnormalities at diffusion-weighted Z-DEVD-FMK datasheet imaging (odds ratio, 6.2 [95% confidence interval: 1.7, 21.8]; P < .05). Multiple diffusion-weighted imaging-depicted abnormalities of multiple ages were present exclusively in patients with plaque hemorrhage shown at MR imaging (12 of 32 [38%] patients with plaque hemorrhage versus none of 19 patients without plaque hemorrhage; P,.05). The presence of plaque hemorrhage also increased the presence of microembolic signal (odds ratio, 6.0 [95% confidence interval: 1.8, 19.9]; P = .003).

Conclusion: In patients with carotid plaque hemorrhage demonstrated at

MR imaging, there was increased spontaneous microembolic activity at transcranial Doppler imaging and cerebral ischemic lesion patterns suggestive of recurrent embolic events; these findings suggest that plaque hemorrhage shown Rocilinostat at MR imaging might be a marker of thromboembolic activity and further validate the usefulness of carotid imaging in identifying patients with active carotid arterial disease. (C)RSNA, 2010″
“Phase-field theory for the description of the overdriven fracture in liquid (cavitation) in tensile pressure wave is developed. Various results from solid mechanics are transferred

into mechanics of fluids. Thermodynamic potential is formulated that describes the desired tensile pressure-volumetric strain curve and for which the infinitesimal damage produces infinitesimal change in the equilibrium bulk modulus. It is shown that the gradient of the order parameter should not be included in the energy,

in contrast to all known phase-field approaches for any material instability. Analytical analysis of the equations is performed. Problems relevant to the melt-dispersion mechanism of the reaction of nanoparticles AG-120 order on cavitation in spherical and ellipsoidal nanoparticles with different aspect ratios, after compressive pressure at its surface sharply dropped, are solved using finite element method. Some nontrivial features (lack of fracture at dynamic pressure much larger than the liquid strength and lack of localized damage for some cases) are obtained analytically and numerically. Equations are formulated for fracture in viscous liquid. A similar approach can be applied to fracture in amorphous and crystalline solids. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3619807]“
“Aim: To assess safety of rapid infusion by measuring infusion-related side effects and toxicities.

Methods: Participants received the first rituximab infusion according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. If well-tolerated, they then received the second and subsequent infusions at a rate of 20% of the dose over the first 30 min and the remaining 80% over the next hour. Premedication was administered for all the infusions.

Results: A total of 243 infusions in 65 consecutive participants were evaluated.

The significance level was set at .05.

Results: Seventy-four metastatic lesions in 10 women and 18 men (mean age, 61.5 years +/- 14.3 [standard deviation]) were evaluated. Mean follow-up interval for multidetector CT after treatment was 30 days. A significant reduction in maximum cross-sectional diameter, volume, and attenuation

was observed from pre- to posttreatment multidetector CT (P < .05). The %Delta in attenuation had higher correlation with %Delta find more in SUV (r = 0.61) than diameter (r = 0.39) or volume (r = 0.49) and also predicted the metabolic activity at FDG PET with higher sensitivity (P < .001). By using a threshold level of a reduction in attenuation of 15% or greater, attenuation showed 84.2% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity in predicting response at FDG PET evaluation.

Conclusion: Changes in attenuation of colon cancer liver metastases treated with selleckchem Y-90 radioembolization correlate highly with metabolic activity at FDG PET and may be useful as an early surrogate marker for assessing treatment response. (C) RSNA, 2010″
“The miscibility and some physicomechanical characteristics of chlorinated polyethylene rubber (CPE)

and nitrile rubber (NBR) blends have been investigated. Calculation of the heat of mixing, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that CPE was miscible with NBR in all proportions.

The cure and scorch times decreased with the increase in NBR content, whereas the maximum torque increased. The tensile strength, 100% modulus, elongation at break, tear strength, and compression set decreased with increasing Vorinostat ic50 of NBR content. After aging, hardness and tensile strength increased, and there was no drastic change in elongation at break on aging. The thermal aging resistance and the abrasion resistance of NBR are improved after blending with CPE, but the oil resistance decreased. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 1180-1185, 2011″
“We observed ultrafast free exciton thermalization time of 700-900 fs and obtained the magnitude of maximal differential absorption to be 1.8 x 10(4) cm(-1) with the pumping fluence of 10 mu J/cm(2) by measuring transient differential transmission in a thin ZnO epitaxial layer at room temperature. The largest induced transparency occurs near exciton resonance associated with absorption saturation by comparing the excitation from the above band-gap to band-tail states. The pumping dependent transient absorption reveals transition of excitonic relaxation from exciton-phonon scattering to exciton-exciton scattering or to an electron-hole plasma. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.

Giant electric field (E-field) tuning of the magnetic anisotropy, ferromagnetic resonance field, coercive field and anisotropic magnetoresistance PXD101 solubility dmso were demonstrated through strain mediated ME coupling in 10 nm thick Ni80Fe20/PZN-PT

multiferroic heterostructures. E-field dynamic modulation of magnetoresistance was also displayed. These provide great opportunities for electrostatic tunable MR devices. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3561771]“
“A novel application, utilizing polyacrylamide-g-carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-g-PAM) in concentrating dilute solutions of Bovine serum albumin (BSA), was investigated. The grafting reaction parameters were investigated and the hydrogel smartness was verified. FTIR proved that the grafting reaction occurred between the hydroxyl group located in anhydroglucose C(2) position of CMC and the pi-bond of PAM and SEM confirmed a changed morphology to a fibrillar structure. The pH sensitivity was proved; as the grafted polymer attained its maximum swelling at pH 7.2 while the minimum swelling was observed under acidic conditions (pH 1-3). The rate of water uptake in the grafted polymer hydrogel was higher than that

of the homopolymer hydrogel and the swelling behaviors of both hydrogels obeyed second-order kinetics. The tested hydrogel showed a high potency towards concentrating BSA solutions with a concentration factor of 1 to 4.5 times and recovery of 60-90%. The concentration factor increased linearly with increasing both the polymer concentration and the process time and decreased with the increase in the protein concentration. The grafted polymer this website had stable efficiency in the concentration process for Buparlisib cell line 20 cycles. The obtained results have recommended the employment of the prepared CMC-g-PAM hydrogel in the down stream protein concentration process in the industrial scale. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 469-479, 2011″
“Single phase ErMexMn1-xO3 (Me = Cu, Fe; 0 <= x <= 0.1) samples were synthesized by the solid state reaction method. The differences between the doping

effects on the Raman spectra and on the structural, magnetic, and thermal properties of the two systems have been systematically investigated. In the ErCuxMn1-xO3 system, lattice parameter a increases with doping, while lattice parameter c decreases. It is more complicated in the ErFexMn1-xO3 system, where lattice parameter a decreases with doping, while lattice parameter c is enhanced after an initial slight decrease. Raman spectra show that the phonon peaks of ErFexMn1-xO3 slightly shift to higher frequencies with doping, while those of ErFexMn1-xO3 apparently shift toward lower frequencies. Heat capacity data indicates that the Neel temperature of ErMnO3 is reduced to 61 K for ErCu0.1Mn0.9O3 by Cu doping, whereas it is slightly enhanced to 79 K for ErFe0.1Mn0.9O3 through Fe doping.

In the in vitro models, the extract scavenged stable free radical (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; DPPH) in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 20.10+/-0.78 mu g/ml. The extract protected the erythrocytes from free radical (2, 2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride; AAPH)-induced hemolysis

with an IC50 of 74.22+/-9.87 mu g/ml. Additionally, the extract significantly prevented the gastric mucosal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (PR) in rats when given orally at doses of 0.25 and 0.50 g/kg/day for 3 consecutive days (p<0.05; n=7). However, this effect was not found when the higher doses (1 and 2 g/kg/day) of the extract were tested. In conclusion, these results indicate that the MA leaf extract possesses the cytoprotective activity against free radical-induced Citarinostat cell injury. Therefore, when given at the appropriate dose range, the mulberry leaf may potentially be used as a food supplement in patients with certain diseases in which the oxidative stress-induced cellular injury is pathologically involved.”
“Background:The detection of a 14-3-3 elevated level in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a part of the diagnostic criteria

for Crenigacestat price probable sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD), as defined by the WHO. However, some pathological conditions associated with acute neuronal damage may result in a positive 14-3-3 test and thereby reduce test specificity in sCJD. Objective: Desmoplakin has been previously identified as up-regulated CSF protein in sCJD and these studies aimed to investigate its diagnostic utility and compare it with two known CSF markers, 14-3-3 and tau. Methods and Results: We tested CSF levels of 14-3-3, tau and desmoplakin in 58 sCJD patients and 81 control patients including 45 cases with an elevated 14-3-3 level due to other disease than sCJD. We detected an elevated CSF level of desmoplakin in 78%

learn more of the sCJD patients, while 14-3-3 (88%) and tau (91%) showed a higher positive rate. However, the false positive rate of newly tested desmoplakin was significantly lower in comparison to 14-3-3 and tau, and it accounted for only 11% versus 56% and 35%, respectively. Further reduction of false positive rates was achieved by combination of elevated tau level with a positive desmoplakin test. Moreover, in the non-sCJD group, desmoplakin level did not correlate with the level of both above-mentioned CSF markers, whereas a clear correlation was observed in the sCJD group. Conclusion: Desmoplakin showed a low positive rate accompanied by a very low false positive rate. Thus, we conclude that desmoplakin is a promising candidate for supportive CSF marker to rule out 14-3-3 false positive cases in sCJD differential diagnosis. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Object.

The interviews were held in order to establish a personality disorder (PD) diagnosis using DSM-IV criteria. Cohen’s Kappa and Gwet’s AC1 were used and the level of agreement between raters was AZD9291 supplier assessed in terms of a simple categorical diagnosis (i.e., the presence or absence of a disorder).

Data were also compared with a previous analysis in order to evaluate the effects of trait prevalence.

Results: Gwet’s AC1 was shown to have higher inter-rater reliability coefficients for all the PD criteria, ranging from .752 to 1.000, whereas Cohen’s Kappa ranged from 0 to 1.00. Cohen’s Kappa values were high and close to the percentage of agreement when the prevalence was high, whereas Gwet’s AC1 values appeared not to change much with a change in prevalence, but remained close to the percentage of agreement. For example a Schizoid sample revealed a mean Cohen’s Kappa of .726 and a Gwet’s AC1 of .853, which fell within the different level of agreement according to criteria developed by Landis and Koch, and Altman and Fleiss.

Conclusions: SBC-115076 Based on the different formulae used to calculate the level of chance-corrected

agreement, Gwet’s AC1 was shown to provide a more stable inter-rater reliability coefficient than Cohen’s Kappa. It was also found to be less affected by prevalence and marginal probability than that of Cohen’s Kappa, and therefore should be considered for use with inter-rater reliability analysis.”
“Objective: To examine the issues surrounding the development and implementation of a behind-the-counter (BTC) category of medications.

Data sources: Testimony from organizations submitting comments to the Food and PLX3397 Drug Administration (FDA) panel hearings in November 2007, the 2009 final report of the U. S. General

Accounting Office regarding a BTC drug category, literature review of research that has been conducted, experiences from other countries, and publically available information from agencies in charge of regulating medications similar to BTC.

Summary: Based on evidence attained from the current work, the following six recommendations regarding a BTC category of medications are provided. (1) Demonstration needs to occur that the risks and/or costs of BTC are outweighed by benefits, positive measurable outcomes, and financial savings to society. (2) Sufficient resources, including personnel, equipment, and facilities, need to be available for the appropriate provision of BTC services and to ensure ongoing monitoring and controls. (3) An appropriate compensation structure needs to be developed. (4) Encounters and outcomes should be documented in an electronic record, the information should be shared with other health care providers involved in patients’ care, and interprofessional collaboration and communication should occur.

(C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All HKI-272 Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor rights reserved.”
“A comparison of nondemented Parkinson’s

disease patients with lower, intermediate, and higher educational levels indicated an independent association between longer (better) education and less severe depressive difficulties based on the Beck Depression Inventory cognitive-affective items. Well-educated patients also had a better health-related quality of life based on the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39, apparently due to beneficial effects of education on cognitive performance (attention/memory, visuospatial and executive functions) and the degree of depression. More years of education favors milder depressive difficulties and a higher self-perceived life satisfaction in nondemented Parkinson’s disease patients. (The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2009; 21: 314-322)”
“Highly spin polarized diluted ferromagnetic semiconductors are expected to be widely used as electrodes

in spintronic devices. Based on density functional theory calculations, we investigate the feasibility of using Mn-doped ASP2215 mw wurtzite GaN/AlN/GaN(0001) trilayer junctions for tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) devices. We address some key issues affecting the degree of spin polarization and spin tunneling transport with the aim of realizing the appealing half-metallicity and large TMR ratio. We propose digital delta-Mn layer doping in GaN, close to the GaN/AlN interfaces for enhanced performance. Layer-resolved band structure and density of states calculations reveal that Mn dopants produce local metallic or half-metallic states surrounded by the host semiconductor materials. Spin polarized electrons can transport across the interfaces, free of the conductivity mismatch problem owing to the strong hybridization between Mn 3d states and the states of surrounding host atoms. The calculated TMR Silmitasertib cell line ratio is found

to depend sensitively on the dopant concentration. Half-metallicity and large TMR ratios are predicted for “”low”" dopant concentrations (1/2 and 1/4 monolayers), while a high concentration (1 monolayer) produces metallic states and thus a decreased TMR ratio. Very thin AlN barrier layers are predicted to yield low TMR ratios. We also study the role of two types of structural defects close to the Mn atoms at the interfaces, namely, atomic mixing (Al replaces Ga and vice versa), and N and Ga vacancies. While the studied atomic interdiffusion defects have little effect on the TMR ratio, both N and Ga vacancies are found to destroy the half-metallicity and lead to a substantial reduction of the TMR ratio, and thus should be eliminated for enhanced device performance. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.