bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The sensitivity of Swiss forest soils to acidification and the risk of aluminum toxicity
Authors: Blaser Peter , Walthert Lorenz , Graf Pannatier Elisabeth
Published: August 2008

In the context of pollution‐control strategies to minimize the detrimental effects of soil acidification, there is a need to know how and to what extent soils respond to acidifying substances. The purposes of this study were to assess the sensitivity of soil to acidification, in particular to a decrease in pH and in base saturation (BS), and the risk of Al toxicity for vulnerable plants using chemical indicators. These indicators were derived from soil data (pH, exchangeable cations, amount of fine earth) measured in the mineral horizons of 257 soil profiles throughout Switzerland. Based on the analysis of the distribution of pH and BS values in the soil collective, we assessed the sensitivity of soils to a decrease in pH and in BS. Soils that were considered sensitive to a decrease in pH had pH values between 4.8 and 7.0. The degree of sensitivity was estimated with the proportion of fine earth in the critical pH range to a depth of 100 cm. Soils that were considered sensitive to a decrease in BS had pH values between 3.6 and 5.5 and a BS between 10% and 95%. Since the effective cation‐exchange capacity (CECeff) of the fine earth might dampen the decrease in BS when acidity is added, the disposition for a decrease in BS was related to the relative amount of fine earth in the sensitive BS and to the mean CECeff of this fine‐earth fraction. The risk of Al toxicity for vulnerable plants was estimated using the ratio of base cations to Al at the cation‐exchange sites (BC : Alexc). A BC : Alexc of 0.2 was taken as a threshold value below which the risk for sensitive plants increases. The degree of risk was based on the proportion of fine earth in the critical BC : Al range (≤0.2) in the soil profile. These indicators taking into account the various aspects of soil acidification are derived from usually available data and represent therefore a cost‐effective tool to assess the sensitivity of soils to an input of acidity.
Analysis of fatty acid compositions of human tissues using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Yoshida Satoshi
Published: August 2008

We have developed an infrared spectroscopic technique (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance system) for the non‐invasive measurement of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid compositions in human oral mucosa, and applied it to tissue from three nationalities: Iranian, Vietnamese, and Indonesian. The second derivative infrared spectra of the mucosal tissues were additionally analyzed with the partial least squares multivariate regression analysis method. Almost all fatty acid compositions of oral mucosa could be well predicted with differences between predicted (FTIR‐ATR) and measured values (GC‐MS). Consequently this technique may provide a great advancement to fatty acid analysis in the fields of food science, preventive medicine and epidemiology.
Ionic Polyacetylene with Aromatic Functional Groups: Synthesis and Properties
Authors: Kwak Giseop , Jin Sung‐Ho , Park Jong‐Wook , Gal Yeong‐Soon
Published: August 2008

An ionic conjugated polymer with aromatic functional groups, poly{2‐ethynyl‐N‐[4‐(methylthio)benzylpyridinium bromide]}, was synthesized via the activated polymerization of 2‐ethynylpyridine by using 4‐(methylthio)benzyl bromide without any additional initiator or catalyst. The polymerization proceeded well in polar solvents such as DMF, DMSO, NMP and pyridine, and produced high yields. NMR, IR, and UV‐vis spectroscopy confirmed a conjugated polymer backbone system containing N‐(4‐(methylthio)benzylpyridinium bromide as substituents. The photoluminescence maximum peak of the polymer was located at 508 nm, which corresponds to the photon energy level of 2.44 eV. The cyclovoltammograms of the polymer exhibited an electrochemically stable window in the −1.32 to 1.92 V region.

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Design of anticancer prodrugs for reductive activation
Authors: Chen Yu , Hu Longqin
Published: August 2008

Anticancer prodrugs designed to target specifically tumor cells should increase therapeutic effectiveness and decrease systemic side effects in the treatment of cancer. Over the last 20 years, significant advances have been made in the development of anticancer prodrugs through the incorporation of triggers for reductive activation. Reductively activated prodrugs have been designed to target hypoxic tumor tissues, which are known to overexpress several endogenous reductive enzymes. In addition, exogenous reductive enzymes can be delivered to tumor cells through fusion with tumor‐specific antibodies or overexpressed in tumor cells through gene delivery approaches. Many anticancer prodrugs have been designed to use both the endogenous and exogenous reductive enzymes for target‐specific activation and these prodrugs often contain functional groups such as quinones, nitroaromatics, N‐oxides, and metal complexes. Although no new agents have been approved for clinical use, several reductively activated prodrugs are in various stages of clinical trial. This review mainly focuses on the medicinal chemistry aspects of various classes of reductively activated prodrugs including design principles, structure‐activity relationships, and mechanisms of activation and release of active drug molecules. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 29, No. 1, 29–64, 2009
Treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in India using a BFM protocol
Authors: Bajel Ashish , George Biju , Mathews Vikram , Viswabandya Auro , Kavitha M.L. , Srivastava Alok , Chandy Mammen
Published: August 2008

Background

Limited data exists on the long‐term treatment outcome and prognosis of childhood ALL in India.

Procedure

Three hundred and seven children (1–14 years) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were treated with a modified BFM protocol 76/79 between 1985 and 2003. Treatment outcome and prognostic factors were evaluated.

Results

The median age was 6 years; 78% had B lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 22% had T lineage disease. Good prednisolone response was observed in 82% of cases. Two hundred and seventy‐three children (91.6%) achieved complete remission; with 2% induction‐related mortality and 6.4% having resistant disease. 52% of all evaluable patients and 56.8% of complete responders are in continuous complete remission (CCR) at a median follow up of 62 months (30–194 months). The median event free survival (EFS) was 114 months. The estimated 5 year overall survival, EFS and disease free survival was 59.8%, 56%, and 53.9%, respectively. The prognostic factors adversely affecting the EFS were poor prednisolone response, resistant disease and WBC count greater than 20 × 109/L at diagnosis. The 5 year EFS in the favorable risk group (age 1–9 years, WBC count less than 20 × 109/L and prednisolone good response) was 73.1 ± 4.9%.

Conclusion

This report examines a cohort of children with ALL treated with a BFM protocol in India with adequate follow up and demonstrates the need for cost effective improvements. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:621–625. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Textured silicon surface passivation by high‐rate expanding thermal plasma deposited SiN and thermal SiO2/SiN stacks for crystalline silicon solar cells
Authors: van Erven A. J. M. , Bosch R. C. M. , Bijker M. D.
Published: August 2008

Expanding thermal plasma (ETP) deposited silicon nitride (SiN) with optical properties suited for the use as antireflection coating (ARC) on silicon solar cells has been used as passivation layer on textured monocrystalline silicon wafers. The surface passivation behavior of these high‐rate (>5 nm/s) deposited SiN films has been investigated for single layer passivation schemes and for thermal SiO2/SiN stack systems before and after a thermal treatment that is normally used for contact‐firing. It is shown that as‐deposited ETP SiN used as a single passivation layer almost matches the performance of a thermal oxide. Furthermore, the SiN passivation behavior improves after a contact‐firing step, while the thermal oxide passivation degrades which makes ETP SiN a better alternative for single passivation layer schemes in combination with a contact‐firing step. Moreover, using the ETP SiN as a part of a thermal SiO2/SiN stack proves to be the best alternative by realizing very low dark saturation current densities of <20 fA/cm2ontexturedsolar‐grade FZ silicon wafers and this is further improved to <10 fA/cm2after the anneal step. Optical and electrical film characterizations have also been carried out on these SiN layers in order to study the behavior of the SiN before and after the thermal treatment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction between photovoltaic distributed generation and electricity networks
Authors: Caamaño‐Martín E. , Laukamp H. , Jantsch M. , Erge T. , Thornycroft J. , De Moor H. , Cobben S. , Suna D. , Gaiddon B.
Published: August 2008

Electricity power systems worldwide have traditionally been designed to a vertically connected scheme characterised by centralised generation. Over the last few decades, several factors have dictated a gradual shift from the central‐control approach to a more distributed layout where distributed generation (DG) technologies are effectively integrated and not just connected (appended) to the networks; amongst others liberalisation of electricity markets, security and quality of supply and environmental issues. Photovoltaic powered distributed generation (PV‐DG), although still having a much lesser impact than other DG technologies, is increasingly being embedded into electricity distribution networks worldwide within the framework of successful regulatory state and marketing programmes. PV‐DG has added values (benefits) for the electricity systems that extend from peak power and load reduction (when deployed close to electricity consumption points) to participation in grid‐supporting or grid‐forming modes of operation. The question arises as to what the present situation of PV technology is for its optimal integration in distribution networks, whether there are still technical barriers to overcome as well as new opportunities for PV in future renewably supplied electricity systems. This paper presents the current state of knowledge concerning these topics from a European perspective with regard to different grid structures. It also discusses existing standards, new opportunities to provide grid services and research and development needs identified to fully exploit the added‐value—and still developing—benefits of PV‐DG. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Authentically happy school psychologists: Applications of positive psychology for enhancing professional satisfaction and fulfillment
Authors: Miller David N. , Nickerson Amanda B. , Chafouleas Sandra M. , Osborne Kristina M.
Published: August 2008

There has recently been a growing movement within psychology toward placing a greater emphasis on building strengths and competencies rather than merely treating deficits and disorders. This movement, known as positive psychology, focuses on the scientific study of optimal human functioning and the variables that promote positive human emotions, traits, and institutions. The purpose of this article is to discuss selected topics of research in positive psychology and how they might contribute to the development of “authentically happy” school psychologists. Implications for how school psychologists may use findings from research to enhance their level of professional satisfaction and fulfillment are provided. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of school psychologists in the assessment, prevention, and intervention of cyberbullying
Authors: Diamanduros Terry , Downs Elizabeth , Jenkins Stephen J.
Published: August 2008

Many school‐aged children have experienced the cruelty of bullying. The impact and effects of bullying have been described extensively in scholarly literature. Unfortunately, the impact of bullying has also made contemporary headlines with the recent rash of school shootings and other forms of school‐based violence. The current body of students brings an additional threat to bullying. Due to their sophisticated use of technology, today's students are using contemporary delivery systems to taunt, tease, and threaten their classmates. Cyberbullying is the newest form of bullying, and it brings additional challenges for school personnel. Because of the unique aspects of cyberbullying, school psychologists need strategies to guide school communities faced with this threatening behavior. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Communicating genetics research results to families: problems arising when the patient participant is deceased
Authors: Ormondroyd E. , Moynihan C. , Ardern‐Jones A. , Eeles R. , Foster C. , Davolls S. , Watson M.
Published: August 2008

Objectives: This study explores communication within families of clinically significant genetics research results, after the death of the patient participant. BRCA2 mutations were found in several men after their death from prostate cancer. Spouses were given the results in a genetic counselling session and asked to inform relatives.

Methods: Cross‐sectional, qualitative exploratory study. Interviews with 13 relatives, including informers and recipients of the information, were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results: Dissemination was hampered when communication channels between relatives were limited, because of family rifts or socially distant or problematic relationships. When informing other branches of the family, relatives approached individuals in the generation of the deceased man, regardless of their risk status, who were then responsible for informing younger relatives. Most people informed by a relative did not seek genetic counselling. The informing relative may not have sufficient authority for the information either to be taken seriously or to challenge individual constructions about the aetiology of cancer. This impeded information transmission to further at‐risk relatives. Most participants knew of relatives who had not been told about their cancer risk.

Conclusions: The implications of this limited efficiency of information transfer among relatives are discussed in the context of a potential role for genetics services in contacting at‐risk relatives directly. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sisters in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer families: communal coping, social integration, and psychological well‐being
Authors: Koehly Laura M. , Peters June A. , Kuhn Natalia , Hoskins Lindsey , Letocha Anne , Kenen Regina , Loud Jennifer , Greene Mark H.
Published: August 2008

Objective: We investigated the association between psychological distress and indices of social integration and communal coping among sisters from hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) families.

Sample and methods: Sixty‐five sisters from 31 HBOC families completed the Brief Symptom Inventory‐18 and the Colored Eco‐Genetic Relationship Map, which identified members of participants' social support networks. Hierarchical linear models were used for all analyses to account for the clustering of sisters within families.

Results: Intra‐family correlation coefficients suggested that sisters shared perceptions of breast cancer risk and worry, but not ovarian cancer risk and worry. Further, sisters demonstrated shared levels of anxiety and somatization, but not depressive symptoms. Communal coping indices quantifying shared support resources were negatively related to anxiety and somatization. The number of persons with whom cancer risk information was shared exhibited a positive trend with somatization. Social integration, as measured by the size of participants' emotional support network, was negatively associated with anxiety. Lower depression scores were observed among participants with more persons playing multiple support roles and fewer persons providing tangible assistance.

Conclusion: Understanding how support relationships impact well‐being among persons adjusting to HBOC risk, and the particular role of family in that process, will facilitate developing appropriate management approaches to help cancer‐prone families adjust to their cancer risk. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A couple‐based intervention for female breast cancer
Authors: Baucom Donald H. , Porter Laura S. , Kirby Jennifer S. , Gremore Tina M. , Wiesenthal Naomi , Aldridge William , Fredman Steffany J. , Stanton Susan E. , Scott Jennifer L. , Halford Kim W. , Keefe Francis J.
Published: August 2008

Objective: Although women's breast cancer affects both women and their male partners, as well as their relationships, few interventions have been developed to work with couples confronting breast cancer. The current investigation presents the pilot results from a new couple‐based intervention program for breast cancer that teaches couples how to minimize negative effects and maximize positive functioning during this difficult time.

Method: In this pilot study, 14 couples in which the wife had early stage breast cancer were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment conditions: Couple‐based relationship enhancement (RE) or treatment‐as‐usual (TAU).

Results: The results from this study suggest that compared with couples receiving treatment‐as‐usual, both women and men in the RE condition experienced improved functioning on individual psychological variables as well as relationship functioning at posttest and 1‐year follow‐up. In addition, women in RE show fewer medical symptoms at both time periods.

Conclusions: In this pilot study, the couple‐based intervention, RE, has shown promise in improving individual, medical, and relationship functioning for couples in which the woman is facing breast cancer, and therefore merits further investigation on a larger scale. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with ventilator‐associated pneumonia by gel‐assisted digestion and 2‐D‐LC/MS/MS
Authors: Lu Yen‐Ta , Han Chia‐Li , Wu Chien‐Liang , Yu Tien‐Min , Chien Chih‐Wei , Liu Ching‐Lung , Chen Yu‐Ju
Published: August 2008

Development of ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) imposes a significant financial burden to the health care system, yet the therapeutic decisions rely on the conventional, less sensitive microbiological examination. Characterization of proteins secreted into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) provides an opportunity for discovery of diagnostic marker candidates for accurate therapeutic decision‐making. We report the first global description of the BALF proteome from patients with VAP. Our approach combining gel‐assisted digestion followed by SCX fractionation and nano‐LC‐MS/MS effectively overcame the interference of high salt concentrations in BALF. Semi‐quantitative analysis by a simple, label‐free approach based on chromatographic peak area intensity revealed that the protein constituents were dramatically different between the non‐VAP controls and the VAP group. To our knowledge, the 206 identified proteins present the most comprehensive global proteome map of BALF. The expression of four selected proteins with unique roles, including gelsolin, serum amyloid P‐component, vitamin D‐binding protein and pyruvate kinase, were significantly higher in BALF from patients with VAP (p <0.05). We demonstrate that this proteomic approach provides in‐depth profiling of the BALF proteome, which comprises proteins functionally associated with the pathogenesis of VAP, including those expressed due to stress‐induced injury and host immune response to local inflammation.
Combustion Characteristics of a Novel Grain‐Binding High Burning Rate Propellant
Authors: Guo Xiaode , Li Fengsheng , Song Hongchang , Liu Guanpeng , Kong Lingrui , Li Miaomiao , Chen Weifan
Published: August 2008

The novel grain‐binding high burning rate propellant (NGHP) is prepared via a solventless extrusion process of binder and spherical propellant grains. Compared with the traditional grain‐binding porous propellants, NGHP is compact and has no interior micropores. During the combustion of NGHP, there appear honeycomb‐like burning layers, which increase the burning surface and the burning rate of the propellant. The combustion of NGHP is a limited convective combustion process and apt to achieve stable state. The larger the difference between the burning rate of the binder and that of the spherical granular propellants exists, the higher burning rate NGHP has. The smaller the mass ratio of the binder to the spherical granular propellants is, the higher the burning rate of NGHP is. It shows that the addition of 3 wt.‐% composite catalyst (the mixture of lead/copper complex and copper/chrome oxides at a mass ratio of 1 : 1) into NGHP can enhance the burning rate from 48.78 mm⋅s−1 in the absence of catalyst to 56.66 mm⋅s−1 at P=9.81 MPa and decrease the pressure exponent from 0.686 to 0.576 in the pressure range from 9.81 to 19.62 MPa.
Esterase isoenzymes and insecticide resistance in Frankliniella occidentalis populations from the south‐east region of Spain
Authors: López‐Soler Neus , Cervera Amelia , Moores Graham D , Martínez‐Pardo Rafael , Garcerá M Dolores
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) is among the most important crop pests in the south‐east region of Spain; its increasing resistance to insecticides constitutes a serious problem, and understanding the mechanisms involved is therefore of great interest. To this end, F. occidentalis populations, collected from the field at different locations in south‐east Spain, were studied in terms of total esterase activity and esterase isoenzyme pattern.

RESULTS: Individual thrips extracts were analysed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and stained for esterase activity with the model substrate α‐naphthyl acetate. Significant correlations were found between resistance to the insecticides acrinathrin and methiocarb and the presence of a group of three intensely stained bands, named Triplet A. For each individual thrips extract, total esterase activity towards the substrates α‐naphthyl acetate and α‐naphthyl butyrate was also measured in a microplate reader. Insects possessing Triplet A showed a significantly higher α‐naphthyl acetate specific activity and α‐naphthyl acetate/α‐naphthyl butyrate activity ratio. This observation allowed a reliable classification of susceptible or resistant insects either by PAGE analysis or by total esterase activity determination.

CONCLUSION: The PAGE and microplate assays described can be used as a monitoring technique for detecting acrinathrin‐ and methiocarb‐resistant individuals among F. occidentalis field populations. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Systemic properties of myclobutanil in soybean plants, affecting control of Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi)
Authors: Kemmitt Gregory M , DeBoer Gerrit , Ouimette David , Iamauti Marilene
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: The demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide myclobutanil can be an effective component of spray programmes designed to control the highly destructive plant pathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & P. Syd., causal agent of Asian soybean rust. Myclobutanil is known from previous studies in grapevines to be xylem mobile. This study investigates the mobility profile of myclobutanil in soybean as an important component of its effective field performance.

RESULTS: Over a 12 day period under greenhouse conditions, a constant uptake of myclobutanil from leaflet surfaces into the leaflet tissue was observed. Once in the leaflet, myclobutanil was seen to redistribute throughout the tissue, although no movement out of leaflets occurred owing to a lack of phloem mobility. The ability of myclobutanil to redistribute over distance within the soybean plant was revealed when visualizing movement of the compound to foliage above the point of application on the plant stem. An efficacy bioassay demonstrated that the systemic properties of myclobutanil allow control of disease at a point remote from the initial site of compound application.

CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the high degree of xylem systemicity displayed by myclobutanil in soybean foliage is a contributory factor towards its commercial effectiveness for control of Asian soybean rust. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Acute lethal and behavioral sublethal responses of two stored‐product psocids to surface insecticides
Authors: Guedes Raul Narciso C , Campbell James F , Arthur Frank H , Opit George P , Zhu Kun Yan , Throne James E
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: The psocids Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel and L. entomophila (Enderlein) (Liposcelididae) are emerging pests of stored products. Although their behavior, particularly their high mobility, may contribute to the reported relatively low efficacy of insecticides against them, studies to investigate this have not been conducted. The present study aimed to assess the label rate efficacy of three commercial insecticides (β‐cyfluthrin, chlorfenapyr and pyrethrins) applied on concrete surfaces against L. bostrychophila and L. entomophila, and also their sublethal effect on the mobility of these species.

RESULTS: The synthetic insecticides β‐cyfluthrin and chlorfenapyr showed high short‐term efficacy (LT95≤15 h) against both psocid species, unlike the natural pyrethrins (LT95 ≥ 4 days). Liposcelis bostrychophila was slightly more tolerant (≥1.2×) than L. entomophila to all three insecticides. Behavioral assays with fully sprayed and half‐sprayed concrete arenas indicated that the insecticides reduced the mobility of both species. Pyrethrins seem to elicit weak repellence in L. bostrychophila.

CONCLUSION: β‐Cyfluthrin and chlorfenapyr were effective against both psocid species, but not pyrethrins. The mobility of both species does not seem to play a major role in the differential selectivity observed, but the lower mobility of L. bostrychophila may be a contributing factor to its higher insecticide tolerance. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical study of the CsMgH3, Cs2MgH4 and Cs4Mg3H10 complex hydrides from first‐principles
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Zhong , Wang Yu‐Fei , Tang Bi‐Yu , Zeng Xiao‐Qin , Ding Wen‐Jiang
Published: August 2008

Theoretical investigation of structure, reaction enthalpies and electronic properties of the CsMgH3, Cs2MgH4, and Cs4Mg3H10 compounds were performed using the first‐principles method within generalized gradient approximation. The obtained lattice constants and position coordinates of atoms for the systems were in good agreement with experimental results. The calculated reaction enthalpies for CsMgH3, Cs2MgH4, and Cs4Mg3H10 showed that the ternary hydrides can be synthesized thermodynamically by direct reaction between Cs and Mg in hydrogen atmosphere and by appropriate combination of binary hydrides. The energy band structure and electronic density of states revealed that all of the compounds are wide‐band‐gap insulators. The electronic DOS together with charge‐density redistribution implied the significant charge transfer leading to Cs+ ions and negatively charged [MgH6]4– complex, and the dominant ionic character with noticeable covalence between Mg and H in the [MgH6]4– anionic complexes. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and tribology studies of annealed fullerene‐like WS2 nanoparticles
Authors: Späth B. , Kopnov F. , Cohen H. , Zak A. , Moshkovich A. , Rapoport L. , Jägermann W. , Tenne R.
Published: August 2008

The time dependent chemical changes occurring at the surface of inorganic fullerene‐like (IF) nanoparticles of WS2 were investigated using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and compared to those of bulk powder, 2H‐WS2. It was possible to follow the long term surface oxidation and carbonization occurring at defects on the outermost surface (0001) molecular layers of the inorganic fullerene‐like nanoparticles. Vacuum annealing was shown to remove most of these contaminants and bring the surface close to its pristine stoichiometric composition. In accordance with previous measurements, further evidence was obtained for the existence of water molecules, which were entrapped in the hollow core and interstitial defects of the fullerene‐like nanoparticles during the synthesis. These water molecules were also shown to be removable by the vacuum annealing process. Chemically resolved electrical measurements (CREM) in the XPS showed that the IF samples had become less p‐type after the vacuum annealing. Finally, tribological measurements showed that the vacuum annealed IF samples performed better as an oil additive than the non‐annealed IF samples and the 2H‐WS2 powder. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nanowire–quantum‐dot–polymer solar cell
Authors: Nadarajah A. , Word Robert C. , VanSant Kaitlyn , Könenkamp R.
Published: August 2008

We report first results on a new solar cell structure which incorporates n‐type ZnO nanowires, an undoped CdSe layer, obtained from quantum dot precursors, and a p‐type polymer layer as the main components. In the fabrication process the quantum dot layer is converted to a conformal ∼30 nm thick polycrystalline film. The fabrication of the cell occurs in lab air at temperatures below 100 °C. Several intermittent annealing steps raise the energy conversion efficiency to approximately 1%. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Charge and magnetic order in the spin‐one‐half Falicov–Kimball model with Hund coupling in two dimensions
Authors: Cˇencˇariková Hana , Farkašovský Pavol , Tomašovicˇová Natália , Žonda Martin
Published: August 2008

The spin‐one‐half Falicov–Kimball model with spin‐dependent on‐site interaction between localized (f) and itinerant (d) electrons is studied by small‐cluster exact‐diagonalization calculations and a well‐controlled approximative method in two dimensions. The results obtained are used to categorize the ground‐state configurations according to common features (charge and spin ordering) for all f ‐ and d ‐electron concentrations (nf and nd ) on finite square lattices. It is shown that only a few configuration types form the basic structure of the charge phase diagram in the nf –nd plane. In particular, the largest regions of stability correspond to the phase segregated configurations, the axial striped configurations and configurations that can be considered as mixtures of chessboard configurations and the full (empty) lattice. Since the magnetic phase diagram is much richer than the charge phase diagram, the magnetic superstructures are examined only at selected values of f ‐ and d ‐electron concentrations. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The diluted mixed spin‐1/2 and spin‐3/2 Ising model in a longitudinal random field
Authors: Liang Ya‐Qiu , Wei Guo‐Zhu , Song Guo‐Li
Published: August 2008

The diluted mixed spin Ising system consisting of spin‐1/2 and spin‐3/2 with a longitudinal random‐field is studied by the use of effective‐field theory with correlations (EFT). The equations are derived using a probability distribution method based on the use of Van der Waerden identities. The phase diagrams and thermal behaviors of magnetization are investigated numerically for the honeycomb lattice (z = 3) when the random field is trimodally distributed. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of cooling on electrical conductivity of TiO2
Authors: Sheppard L. R. , Nowotny M. K. , Bak T. , Nowotny J.
Published: August 2008

The present work reports the effect of cooling on the electrical conductivity of undoped and Nb‐doped TiO2 in the temperature range 1273–300 K in the gas phase of controlled oxygen activity. It is shown that the character of the electrical conductivity changes during cooling depends critically on the processing conditions at elevated temperatures before cooling and the related defect disorder. It is shown that processing in reductive conditions results in the imposition of electronic charge compensation leading, in consequence, to higher values of electrical conductivity at room temperature for both undoped TiO2 and Nb‐doped TiO2. It is shown that the “dynamic” activation energy of the electrical conductivity during cooling differs from that determined in equilibrium. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nonprecious metal catalysts for the molecular oxygen‐reduction reaction
Authors: Feng Yongjun , Alonso‐Vante Nicolas
Published: August 2008

This review covers the electrocatalytic activities, the corresponding influence factors and the synthesis methods of nonprecious‐metal electrocatalysts towards oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) for fuel‐cell systems. In particular, the chalcogenides and the macrocycles containing Co or Fe metals have been focused upon. Due to the scarcity of Pt metal, the Co‐ and Fe‐based chalcogenides are potentially interesting substitutes of Pt although they still show lower catalytic activities for ORR and lower electrochemical and chemical stability in the present fuel‐cell electrolytes. Compared to Pt electrocatalysts, the Co‐ and Fe‐based macrocycles, such as TMPP, TPP, Pc and TAA, are among the most promising substitutes for Pt because of their comparable catalytic activities towards ORR and the higher insensitivity to methanol (in direct methanol fuel cells – DMFC) although they still have some drawbacks, namely lower stability and shorter durability. Novel catalyst synthesis methods, modification techniques of catalysts as well as supporting substrates are expected to be developed in the future to satisfy the requirements of commercial fuel cells. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Engineering the line up of electronic energy levels at inorganic–organic semiconductor interfaces by variation of surface termination and by substitution
Authors: Mayer Thomas , Hunger Ralf , Klein Andreas , Jaegermann Wolfram
Published: August 2008

In the Anderson model the alignment of electronic energy levels follows from the assumption that the vacuum‐levels of the contacting phases are at equal height. Engineering of the line up may be attempted by changing the ionization energy of the substrate and/or of the adsorbate. We report on the variation of the Si(111) ionization energy by induced surface dipoles of –CH3, –H, and –GaSe terminations and the induced variation of the HOMO line up of PTCDA and ZnPc layers. In addition the variation of the line up by changing the organic molecule ionization energy is exemplified by F substitution in ZnPc. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The determination of charge‐carrier lifetime in silicon
Authors: Klein D. , Wuensch F. , Kunst M.
Published: August 2008

Contactless measurements of the photoconductance for the electrical characterization of silicon are discussed. The different techniques are presented and discussed. The theory for the interpretation of the measurements is given. By some exemplary experiments it is shown which information can be obtained from these measurements. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of Bulbus allii macrostemi on clinical outcomes and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein and plasminogen in unstable angina/non‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhang Lei , Liu Yun‐Fang , Yan Fang‐Fang , Zhao Yu‐Xia
Published: August 2008

Unstable angina (UA)/non‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is associated with an increased risk of cardiac death and an efficacious drug with few side effects is necessary. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of Bulbus allii macrostemi (B. macrostemi) on UA/NSTEMI patients as well as to elucidate possible mechanisms. 79 patients were randomly divided into two groups: the trial group received B. macrostemi plus baseline therapy, the control group was given placebo plus baseline therapy. The trial lasted 8 weeks. The evaluation involved main clinical symptoms, changes of electrocardiogram and biochemical examination. After treatment, the trial group showed more significant improvement on clinical manifestation. The plasma oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) level decreased significantly in the trial group (p < 0.01); the plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) level decreased in both groups and it decreased more significantly in the trial group (p < 0.01). In contrast, the activity of plasminogen (PLG) increased in both groups and the change was more marked in the trial group (p < 0.01). The results suggested that B. macrostemi combined with baseline therapy could improve clinical symptoms of UA/NSTEMI patients by decreasing the ox‐LDL and PAI‐1 levels and enhancing the activity of PLG. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ertel potential vorticity inversion using a digital filter initialization method
Authors: Arbogast Philippe , Maynard Karine , Crepin Fabien
Published: August 2008

A new Ertel‐potential‐vorticity inversion method is proposed and tested in the framework of a low‐order model as well as in Météo France's operational primitive‐equation spectral model, ARPÈGE. The potential‐vorticity (PV) inversion procedure is designed so that its result lies within the subspace of model solutions, without the use of any explicit balance condition. The inversion is based on a variational problem in which one minimizes simultaneously the distance to the dynamical initialized solution following a digital‐filter method and the PV to be inverted. Since the inverted solution results from model backward and forward integrations, and not from a set of algebraic equations, it possesses a strong dynamical consistency. In the framework of a low‐order model, it is found that for small Rossby number, digital‐filter initialization lies between nonlinear normal‐mode initialization and quasi‐geostrophic methods. The method has also been successfully used to rebuild the non‐divergent flow, the temperature, and a significant part of the divergent flow, knowing only the three‐dimensional PV field and a boundary condition. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Search‐based refactoring: an empirical study
Authors: O'Keeffe Mark , Cinnéide Mel Ó
Published: August 2008

Object‐oriented systems that undergo repeated addition of functionality commonly suffer a loss of quality in their underlying design. This problem must often be remedied in a costly refactoring phase before further maintenance programming can take place. Recently search‐based approaches to automating the task of software refactoring, based on the concept of treating object‐oriented design as a combinatorial optimization problem, have been proposed. However, because search‐based refactoring is a novel approach it is yet to be established as to which search techniques are most suitable for the task. In this paper we report the results of an empirical comparison of simulated annealing (SA), genetic algorithms (GAs) and multiple ascent hill‐climbing (HCM) in search‐based refactoring. A prototype automated refactoring tool is employed, capable of making radical changes to the design of an existing program in order that it conforms more closely to a contemporary quality model. Results show HCM to outperform both SA and GA over a set of five input programs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Processing on Slowly Digestible Starch and Resistant Starch in Potato
Authors: Mishra Suman , Monro John , Hedderley Duncan
Published: August 2008

The effect of a number of laboratory‐scale pretreatments on the proportions of rapidly digested (RDS), slowly digested (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) in raw and cooked potato has been examined using an in vitro digestion procedure. Potatoes of the variety Frisia were prepared in three states: raw, cooked, and cooked followed by a cold treatment (4°C, two days). Each preparation was then subjected in triplicate to freeze‐drying, coarsely mincing, pasting, freezing, dry‐milling after freeze‐drying, in 22 different combinations, before digesting. In raw potato, very little RDS and SDS (<5% total starch (TS)) were present, and the mechanical treatments of the potato did not affect the amounts of RDS and SDS. Cooking resulted in an almost complete conversion to RDS (>95% TS) in freshly‐cooked potato, but after post‐cooking cold treatment much of the RDS transformed to SDS, which reached a maximum of about 45% TS. SDS formation was independent of the degree of tissue disruption after cooking, and was generally associated with formation of RS, however, freezing after cooking allowed SDS formation without prolonged cold treatment and with very little associated RS (SDS 35% and RS 4% of TS). Freeze‐drying caused an increase in RS in most treatments of the cooked potatoes. The observed effects provided guidance for sample handling in potato research, but also suggested several approaches to the enrichment of SDS and/or RS, with a concurrent reduction in RDS, that could be used to improve the nutritional profile of potato products by decreasing RDS (lowered glycaemic impact), and increasing SDS (more sustained energy availability) and RS (prebiotic benefits).
Sonographic longitudinal cervical length measurements in nulliparous women at term: prediction of spontaneous onset of labor
Authors: Meijer‐Hoogeveen M. , Van Holsbeke C. , Van Der Tweel I. , Stoutenbeek P. , Visser G. H. A.
Published: August 2008

Objective

The aim of this study was to predict spontaneous onset of labor by serial transvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length (CL) in a homogeneous population of nulliparous women at term.

Methods

162 nulliparous women with singleton fetuses in cephalic presentation were examined at weekly intervals from 36 weeks' gestation to delivery. CL was measured by transvaginal ultrasound in the supine and upright positions.

Results

There was a significant decrease in CL in the last 12 days prior to delivery. However, this decrease was small with substantial variation between individuals. Women with spontaneous onset of labor could be divided into three different groups: those with unchanged CL before delivery; those with a fall in CL in the last 2 weeks prior to delivery; and those with a gradual change in CL starting before the last 2 weeks prior to delivery. A single CL measurement below 30 mm between 37 and 38 weeks of gestation predicted spontaneous onset of labor before 41 weeks' gestation with a sensitivity of 46%, specificity of 78%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 82%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 40% in the supine position; and sensitivity of 53%, specificity of 72%, PPV of 81%, NPV of 40% in the upright position.

Conclusion

Between 37 and 38 weeks' gestation, spontaneous onset of labor before 41 weeks can be predicted by a CL measurement, but with low sensitivity and NPV. Inter‐individual variations in CL and in CL changes are large, which hampers the value of single and repeated CL measurements for the prediction of spontaneous onset of labor at term. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface chemical analysis of plasma polymer films: How far shines the light today?
Authors: Unger Wolfgang E.S.
Published: August 2008

A survey is given on how a combination of modern methods of surface analysis with appropriate data evaluation procedures can be used to provide a thorough chemical characterization of plasma polymerized organic films often called plasma polymers. Technologically relevant parameters can be monitored versus variation of plasma process parameters and during ageing of the films on air. The level of development of analytical approaches reached during the last ten years opens many options which are useful to be applied in plasma process development, optimization and control. However, in a number of important cases further development of analytical methods is required. Another future challenge is to develop standards with metrological underpinning to reach comparability of measurements in the community.
Altes und Neues über Dünnschicht Strahlteiler
Authors: Schürmann Mark , Kaiser Norbert
Published: August 2008

Es gibt verschiedene Möglichkeiten, achromatische Strahlteiler (Neutralteiler) mittels dünner Schichten zu realisieren. Ob die Wahl dabei auf einen metallischen, einen dielektrischen oder einen metall‐dielektrischen Strahlteiler fällt, hängt im Wesentlichen von den optischen Anforderungen, den Umweltbedingungen, unter denen er eingesetzt werden soll und von wirtschaftlichen Gesichtspunkten ab. Grundlegende Arbeiten zu achromatischen Strahlteilern von H. Pohlack aus den 1950er Jahren besitzen bis heute Aktualität. Ihre Kenntnis ist weiterhin ein wertvoller Wegweiser bei der Auswahl geeigneter Schichtsysteme für die unterschiedlichsten Anwendungen.
HIPIMS Power for Improved Thin Film Coatings
Authors: Ochs Dirk.
Published: August 2008

High Power Impulse Sputtering (HIPIMS) has received increasing attention as a new sputtering technique. The main feature of the HIPIMS process is the high ionization percentages in the sputter flux. This can be used for film densification, surface modification, trench filling and other applications. Layers produced with HIPIMS show superior properties in many applications. The most investigated and promising HIPIMS application is for hard coatings in wear and corrosion protection (e.g., CrN or TiN). This application and the related coating equippment has been discussed in detail by W.‐D. Münz in a previous issue [1]. The significantly lower heat transfer to the substrate compared to standard magnetron sputtering is another advantage of the HIPIMS process. This enables high rate coating even on temperature sensitive substrates. HIPIMS also significantly changes the hysteresis curve in reactive sputtering, offering a much easier control of the reactive process. HIPIMS power supplies can be added to existing sputter systems with little or no system modification. By this way the process capability can be extended easily. Production power supplies with pulse energies up to 16MW and pulse frequencies up to 1 kHz are available. Design and features of these power supplies are discussed in this article.
QoS‐based space‐frequency prefiltering for TDD MC‐CDMA systems in slowly time‐varying channels
Authors: Yan Zhou
Published: August 2008

This work presents a space‐frequency prefiltering scheme for slowly time‐varying TDD MC‐CDMA downlink communications with multiple antennas at the base station (BS). Unlike the conventional spatially uncorrelated block fading channel model, both channel variation in each packet and spatial correlation are considered in the design. In the TDD mode, the mobile terminals (MTs) transmit training signals at the end of each uplink packet. In the following downlink packet, the BS computes the signal weights on different antennas and subcarriers for each MT in each symbol period based on the channel state predicted from the received training signals. The goal is to minimize the total required transmit power while keeping the received signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio (SINR) as the target for each MT. Moreover, the maximum packet length for satisfying the SINR requirements has been determined. The results indicate that the total required transmit power can be reduced by a lower mobile speed or more BS antennas. As a result, the maximum packet length can be extended in virtue of the power reduction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new method of sequential sampling to obtain the population estimates with a fixed level of precision
Authors: Kuno Eizi
Published: August 2008

A simple method of sequential sampling is developed which would make it automatically possible to secure, without excess sampling, a predetermined level of precision for a series of population estimates being required. It appears to have wide application to sampling field populations under various situations since it is simply based upon the relationship of variance to mean for which a comprehensive formula deduced for biological populations from the linearity in the regression of mean crowding on mean density could be adopted. Some problems that may arise in practical application of the method are also discussed.