bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluid Film Lubrication
Authors: Szeri Andras Z.
Published: January 2010

Fluid film bearings are among the best devices for overcoming friction and eliminating wear. They are machine elements and, together with shafts, gears, and cams, constitute the building blocks engineers use in the design and construction of mechanical devices. This book offers a systematic treatment of the fundamentals of fluid film lubrication and fluid film bearings. The introduction places fluid film bearings within the broader context of tribology, a subject that encompasses friction, lubrication, and wear. The early chapters provide a thorough discussion of classical tribological theory. The remainder of the book is devoted to more advanced topics of inertia, thermal and turbulence effects, lubrication of counterformal contacts, and non-Newtonian lubricants. Also included are developing areas, such as lubrication with emulsions. Graduate and senior undergraduate students, researchers, and practising engineers will appreciate this clear, thorough discussion of fluid film lubrication and fluid film bearings.
Simplicial cohomology of augmentation ideals in l1(G)
Authors: Choi Yemon
Published: January 2010

Let G be a discrete group.We give a decomposition theorem for the Hochschild cohomology of l1(G) with coefficients in certain G-modules. Using this we show that if G is commutative-transitive, the canonical inclusion of bounded cohomology of G into simplicial cohomology of l1(G) is an isomorphism.
Rate of growth of frequently hypercyclic functions
Authors: Blasco O. , Bonilla A. , Grosse-Erdmann K.-G.
Published: January 2010

We study the rate of growth of entire functions that are frequently hypercyclic for the differentiation operator or the translation operator. Moreover, we prove the existence of frequently hypercyclic harmonic functions for the translation operator and we study the rate of growth of harmonic functions that are frequently hypercyclic for partial differentiation operators.
U–Pb and40Ar–39Ar geochronology of the Baiyunshan gneiss (central Guangdong, south China): constraints on the timing of early Palaeozoic and Mesozoic tectonothermal events in the Wuyun (Wuyi-Yunkai) Orogen
Authors: YANG DONG-SHENG , LI XIAN-HUA , LI WU-XIAN , LIANG XIN-QUAN , LONG WEN-GUO , XIONG XIAO-LIN
Published: January 2010

Composite Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb zircon and40Ar–39Ar step-heating biotite-hornblende ages are used to provide constraints on the timing and origin of the felsic gneissic rocks in the Baiyunshan Mountains region and to elucidate their tectonothermal history. SHRIMP dating and CL imaging of zircons give magmatic zircon crystallization ages between Late Ordovician and Early Silurian (c.453.5 Ma, 446 Ma, and 439 Ma) for three representative felsic gneisses, suggesting that most of the Baiyunshan gneiss cannot represent basement rocks of the Cathaysia Block as previously thought. Including the present age information, a synthesis of available age data for regional Wuyun (Wuyi-Yunkai) events reflects the emergence of orogen-wide magmatism that could be syn-orogenic and have occurred mainly between 460 and 420 Ma in the South China Block. Inherited zircons are abundant, with ages clustering at late Mesoproterozoic (1189–1017 Ma) and middle Mesoproterozoic (772 Ma), which reveals that the Baiyunshan orthogneiss samples a crustal basement containing significant igneous or recycled components related to the Rodinia amalgamation and break-up. A SHRIMP date of 212 ± 12 Ma from a white rim of zircon provides evidence for metamorphic overprinting of an Indosinian tectonothermal event on the Baiyunshan gneiss. Incremental heating experiments with six biotite samples and one hornblende sample from a variety of metamorphic rocks yielded two distinct40Ar–39Ar age groups: 150–155 and 94–98 Ma. The older ages are similar to zircon U–Pb dates for widespread granitic intrusions in central Guangdong. We attribute them to Late Jurassic magmatism-induced thermal resetting of the biotite K–Ar system. On the other hand, the younger age group is interpreted to record either cooling through the biotite closure temperature of ~300–350 °C or a second resetting of biotite Ar isotopes atc.94–98 Ma due to contemporaneous magmatic activity. Our present age data suggest that the Maofengshan orthogneiss was exhumed to 8 to 10 km crustal levels atc.150 Ma, whereas the eastward components of gneissic rock masses appear to have passed upward through the same crustal depth synchronously or later (byc.94 Ma). Exhumation of middle crustal-level rocks in the study area sincec.155 Ma is roughly coeval with exhumation of gneissic rocks from elsewhere in the Wuyun Orogen, suggesting a large-scale mechanism for the exhumation pulse related to the Yanshanian extensional tectonic regime.
Effect of vancomycin-coated tympanostomy tubes on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: in vitro study
Authors: Jang C H , Park H , Cho Y B , Choi C H
Published: January 2010

Background and objective:

Bacterial biofilm formation has been implicated in the high incidence of persistent otorrhoea after tympanostomy tube insertion. It has been suggested that the tube material may be an important factor in the persistence of such otorrhoea. Development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus otorrhoea after tympanostomy tube placement is a growing concern. We evaluated the effect of using vancomycin and chitosan coated tympanostomy tubes on the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation in vitro.

Materials and methods:

Three sets each of vancomycin-coated silicone tubes (n = 5), commercial silver oxide coated silicone tubes (n = 5) and uncoated tympanostomy tubes (as controls; n = 5) were compared as regards resistance to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation after in vitro incubation.

Results:

Scanning electron microscopy showed that the surfaces of the silver oxide coated tubes supported the formation of thick biofilms with crusts, comparable to the appearance of the uncoated tubes. In contrast, the surface of the vancomycin-coated tympanostomy tubes was virtually devoid of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm.

Conclusion:

Vancomycin-coated tympanostomy tubes resist methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation. Pending further study, such tubes show promise in assisting the control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation.
Securing a tracheostomy when circumferential ties may compromise flap perfusion: the ‘epaulette’ technique
Authors: Loizou P , Tierney P A , Savage J
Published: January 2010

The use of free flaps in head and neck reconstruction raises the question of how to adequately fix a tracheostomy tube without causing local pressure to the vascular anastomosis. We describe a previously unreported technique of securing a tracheostomy tube in the immediate and early post-operative period without vascular compromise of the free flap, using the ‘epaulette’ technique. We undertook a PubMed literature search for articles describing similar methods of securing a tracheostomy tube in patients with head and neck free flaps, but found none. In our experience of using this method, we encountered no compromised flaps or unplanned extubations. We believe the epaulette technique to be an easy and safe method of securing a tracheostomy tube whilst simultaneously avoiding any local pressure effect on the free flap vessels and anastomosis.
Cost-effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in Germany
Authors: Adarkwah Charles Christian , Gandjour Afschin
Published: January 2010

Objectives:Type 2 diabetes is the main cause of end-stage renal disease in Europe and the United States. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors slow down the progression of renal disease and, therefore, provide a renal-protective effect. The aim of this study was to assess the most cost-effective time to start an ACE inhibitor (or an angiotensin II receptor blocker in the event of cough) in patients with type 2 diabetes in Germany.

Methods:Three strategies were compared: treating all patients at the time of diagnosing type 2 diabetes, screening for microalbuminuria, and screening for macroalbuminuria. A lifetime Markov decision model with simulated 50-year-old patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus was developed using published data on costs and health outcomes and simulating the progression of renal disease. A statutory health insurance perspective was adopted.

Results:In the base-case analysis, the treat-all strategy is associated with the lowest costs and highest benefit and, therefore, dominates screening both for macroalbuminuria and microalbuminuria. A multivariate sensitivity analysis shows that the probability of savings is 89 percent.

Conclusions:Patients with type 2 diabetes should receive an ACE inhibitor immediately after diagnosis if they do not have contraindications. The potential for cost savings would be even larger if the prevention of cardiovascular events were considered.
Cost-effectiveness of real-world infliximab use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Sweden
Authors: Lekander Ingrid , Borgström Fredrik , Svarvar Patrick , Ljung Tryggve , Carli Cheryl , van Vollenhoven Ronald F.
Published: January 2010

Objectives:The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of infliximab use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Swedish clinical practice, based on patient-level data from the Stockholm TNF-alpha follow-up registry (STURE).

Methods:Real-world patient-level data on infliximab use from the STURE registry were implemented in a Markov cohort model, in which health states of functional status were classified according to the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ—five categories) and twenty-eight joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28). The transition probabilities between HAQ and DAS28 states during treatment, as well as discontinuation rates were modeled based on data from the registry for patients using infliximab as their first-line biological treatment. The transition probabilities in the comparator arm, that is, disease progression without biologic treatment, as well as mortality rates, costs, and utilities were based on published literature. The analysis had a societal cost perspective.

Results:Infliximab was associated with an incremental gain in quality-adjusted life-years of 1.02 and an incremental cost of €23,264 per patient compared with progression without biologic treatment, producing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €22,830 (SEK211,136 or US$31,230). Sensitivity analyses of input parameters and model assumptions produced ICERs in the range from €18,000 to €47,000.

Conclusions:Results from base-case and sensitivity analyses fell well below established benchmarks for cost-effectiveness in Sweden. The results, therefore, indicated that infliximab treatment for RA has provided good societal value for money in Swedish clinical practice, compared with a scenario of no biological treatment.
Measuring the incidence of adult community-acquired pneumonia in a Native American community
Authors: WATT J. P. , MOÏSI J. C. , DONALDSON R. L. A. , REID R. , FERRO S. , WHITNEY C. G. , SANTOSHAM M. , O'BRIEN K. L.
Published: January 2010

Few population-based studies have investigated the epidemiology of adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We aimed to determine the incidence of CAP in a population at high-risk for pneumococcal disease and to evaluate a standardized method for interpreting chest radiographs adapted from the World Health Organization paediatric chest radiograph interpretation guidelines. We reviewed radiology records at the two healthcare facilities serving the White Mountain Apache tribe to identify possible pneumonia cases ⩾40 years of age. We categorized patients with clinical criteria and a physician diagnosis of pneumonia as clinical CAP and those with clinical criteria and an acute infiltrate as radiographic CAP. We identified 100 (27/1000 person-years) and 60 (16/1000 person-years) episodes of clinical and radiographic CAP, respectively. The incidence of CAP increased with age. Both radiographic and clinical CAP were serious illnesses with more than half of patients hospitalized. Our case definitions and methods may be useful for comparing data across studies and conducting vaccine trials.
Human enterovirus 71 and hand, foot and mouth disease
Authors: WONG S. S. Y. , YIP C. C. Y. , LAU S. K. P. , YUEN K. Y.
Published: January 2010

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is generally a benign febrile exanthematous childhood disease caused by human enteroviruses. The route of transmission is postulated to be faeco-oral in developing areas but attributed more to respiratory droplet in developed areas. Transmission is facilitated by the prolonged environmental survival of these viruses and their greater resistance to biocides. Serious outbreaks with neurological and cardiopulmonary complications caused by human enterovirus 71 (HEV-71) seem to be commoner in the Asian Pacific region than elsewhere in the world. This geographical predilection is unexplained but could be related to the frequency of intra- and inter-typic genetic recombinations of the virus, the host populations' genetic predisposition, environmental hygiene, and standard of healthcare. Vaccine development could be hampered by the general mildness of the illness and rapid genetic evolution of the virus. Antivirals are not readily available; the role of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of serious complications should be investigated. Monitoring of this disease and its epidemiology in the densely populated Asia Pacific epicentre is important for the detection of emerging epidemics due to enteroviruses.
FETAL ANAESTHESIA: IS THIS NECESSARY FOR FETOSCOPIC THERAPY?
Authors: VAN DE VELDE MARC , DE BUCK FREDERIK , VAN MIEGHEM TIM , GUCCIARDO LEONARDO , DE KONINCK PHILIP , DEPREST JAN
Published: January 2010

Since Robinson and Gregory demonstrated the need to administer analgesia to preterm infants and the safety of such anaesthestic techniques in this specific patient population, pain in neonates and adequate analgesia have drawn more and more attention. Thanks to the outstanding work by Anand et al, it became increasingly clear that premature infants experience stress during invasive procedures and that as a consequence long-term neurodevelopmental status may be affected. Fetuses also demonstrate a stress response. Fetal analgesia can be administered efficiently, eliminating the fetal stress response. However, it remains unclear whether this results in improved neurodevelopment and improved long term outcome.
Goethe on Demonic Fiscal Policy
Authors: Levy David
Published: January 2010

Very few readers of J. W. von Goethe's Faust have recognized that he is making a moral claim which was a commonplace among the British classical economics. The British classical economists raised a fundamentally moral objection to the public debt. It was, they said, a way of making destructive policies seem less onerous. This moral criticism of public debt has been made now and again in modern economics; nonetheless, this point has gone largely unremarked in later moral discussions. To some extent this is an unescapable consequence of intellectual specialization: how many moralists of stature have worried about an appropriate fiscal policy? Moreover, when moralists do turn their attention to problems in which economists are interested, their contributions all too often suffer from elementary, but fatal, technical defects.
Economists and Biographers
Authors: Moggridge Donald E.
Published: January 2010

As with most papers written for occasions of this kind, this one has elements of self-indulgence. In this Society, at least, one has a captive audience, some (or most?) of whom may have come for another purpose. At the same time, one has no prescribed theme: if one had one, one organised last year's meeting around it. True, there are constraints: it is after all the History of Economics Society, which constrains the subject somewhat–but only a little; it is an after dinner speech at the end of two long days of meetings, which limits the heaviness of the contents; and it will appear in the Bulletin, which prevents complete absurdities. Yet these constraints are fairly minimal.
The Winternitz Solution: A Comment
Authors: Kayali Resad , Sari Osman
Published: January 2010

The Winternitz Solution, which is generally regarded as a receding landmark in the long and still expanding literature on the transformation problem, deserves a closer scrutiny than it has received so far. While the mainstream professional viewpoint regards the Winternitz solution merely as a special case of the general conditions stated in Seton's seminal 1957 article, many students of the history of economic thought in the English speaking world receive their first and often only introduction to the transformation problem from the pages of Mark Blaug's Economic Theory in Retrospect (hereafter ETR-i where i = 1, 2,3,4 denotes the four successive editions of this book). Although Winternitz does not lay out the full economic implications of his solution–presumably because he felt these were of limited mathematical interest, the treatment in Blaug is seriously misleading. Our purpose here is to provide a complete presentation of the Winternitz Solution (Part I) and subsequently to give a critique of Blaug's treatment (Part II).
On Browsing Through the New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, II
Authors: Gay David E.R.
Published: January 2010

The publication of the New Palgrave has spawned many reviews of the 1,916 entries within the 4.3 million words in the four-volume epic. I will continue to sample entries and to revise my own class notes as well as to encourage students to use parts of the volume. I have collected many of the reviews and listed them at the end of this modest note.
Polyadenylation and degradation of incomplete RNA polymerase I transcripts in mammalian cells
Authors: Shcherbik Natalia , Wang Minshi , Lapik Yevgeniya R , Srivastava Leena , Pestov Dimitri G
Published: January 2010

Most transcripts in growing cells are ribosomal RNA precursors (pre‐rRNA). Here, we show that in mammals, aberrant pre‐rRNA transcripts generated by RNA polymerase I (Pol I) are polyadenylated and accumulate markedly after treatment with low concentrations of actinomycin D (ActD), which blocks the synthesis of full‐length rRNA. The poly(A) polymerase‐associated domain‐containing protein 5 is required for polyadenylation, whereas the exosome is partly responsible for the degradation of the short aberrant transcripts. Thus, polyadenylation functions in the quality control of Pol I transcription in metazoan cells. The impact of excessive aberrant RNAs on the degradation machinery is an unrecognized mechanism that might contribute to biological properties of ActD.
The iron–sulphur protein RNase L inhibitor functions in translation termination
Authors: Khoshnevis Sohail , Gross Thomas , Rotte Carmen , Baierlein Claudia , Ficner Ralf , Krebber Heike
Published: January 2010

The iron–sulphur (Fe–S)‐containing RNase L inhibitor (Rli1) is involved in ribosomal subunit maturation, transport of both ribosomal subunits to the cytoplasm, and translation initiation through interaction with the eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3) complex. Here, we present a new function for Rli1 in translation termination. Through co‐immunoprecipitation experiments, we show that Rli1 interacts physically with the translation termination factors eukaryotic release factor 1 (eRF1)/Sup45 and eRF3/Sup35 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetic interactions were uncovered between a strain depleted for Rli1 and sup35‐21 or sup45‐2. Furthermore, we show that downregulation of RLI1 expression leads to defects in the recognition of a stop codon, as seen in mutants of other termination factors. By contrast, RLI1 overexpression partly suppresses the read‐through defects in sup45‐2. Interestingly, we find that although the Fe–S cluster is not required for the interaction of Rli1 with eRF1 or its other interacting partner, Hcr1, from the initiation complex eIF3, it is required for its activity in translation termination; an Fe–S cluster mutant of RLI1 cannot suppress the read‐through defects of sup45‐2.
Hairpin RNA induces secondary small interfering RNA synthesis and silencing in trans in fission yeast
Authors: Simmer Femke , Buscaino Alessia , Kos‐Braun Isabelle C , Kagansky Alexander , Boukaba Abdelhalim , Urano Takeshi , Kerr Alastair R W , Allshire Robin C
Published: January 2010

RNA interference (RNAi) is widespread in eukaryotes and regulates gene expression transcriptionally or post‐transcriptionally. In fission yeast, RNAi is tightly coupled to template transcription and chromatin modifications that establish heterochromatin in cis. Exogenous double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) triggers seem to induce heterochromatin formation in trans only when certain silencing proteins are overexpressed. Here, we show that green fluorescent protein (GFP) hairpin dsRNA allows production of high levels of Argonaute‐associated small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which can induce heterochromatin formation at a remote locus. This silencing does not require any manipulation apart from hairpin expression. In cells expressing a ura4+–GFP fusion gene, production of GFP siRNAs causes the appearance of ura4 siRNAs from the target gene. Production of these secondary siRNAs depends on RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase Rdp1 (RDRPRdp1) function and other RNAi pathway components. This demonstrates that transitivity occurs in fission yeast and implies that RDRPRdp1 can synthesize RNA from targeted RNA templates in vivo, generating siRNAs not homologous to the hairpin.
Suppression of EAE by oral tolerance is independent of endogenous IFN‐β whereas treatment with recombinant IFN‐β ameliorates EAE
Authors: Liu Yawei , Teige Ingrid , Ericsson Ida , Navikas Vaidrius , Issazadeh‐Navikas Shohreh
Published: January 2010

IFN‐β is anticipated to have an important function in mucosal tolerance, as it is one of the major cytokines produced by plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and has recently been suggested as central to the maintenance of mucosal homeostasis. Here, we have investigated whether oral tolerance is dependent on endogenous IFN‐β by feeding low‐dose self‐antigen myelin basic protein to IFN‐β−/− mice with subsequent induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Our study shows that oral tolerance was readily induced in IFN‐β−/− mice compared with their wild‐type littermates (IFN‐β+/+). The non‐self‐antigen ovalbumin induced oral tolerance in both groups. These data indicate that endogenous IFN‐β is not required for induction of oral tolerance, whereas delivery of recombinant IFN‐β results in significant reduction in clinical score of EAE. Oral tolerance induction was associated with lower production of antigen‐specific IFN‐γ, no shift toward antigen‐specific Th2, Th17 or TGF‐β response was observed. Oral tolerance in IFN‐β−/− mice was also associated with the induction of regulatory and memory T cells in the mucosal‐associated immune organs, however this was not a prerequisite for establishment of oral tolerance.
HDL and immunomodulation: an emerging role of HDL against atherosclerosis
Authors: Yu Bi‐lian , Wang Shu‐hui , Peng Dao‐quan , Zhao Shui‐ping
Published: January 2010

Changes in plasma lipoprotein profiles, particularly low levels of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, are associated with several inflammatory and immune diseases, including atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, implying the potential link between HDL and immunity. Accumulating evidence suggests that HDL possesses anti‐inflammatory effects and has an important function in host defense as part of the innate immune system. In addition, HDL inhibits the ability of antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) to stimulate T cells. It is subsequently discovered that HDL or HDL‐associated platelet‐activating factor‐acetylhydrolase can restore the emigratory process of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells and thus result in resolution of inflammatory reactions in atherosclerotic plaques. Lipid rafts in plasma membrane are the key structure responsible for the immunomodulation effects of HDL, the remarkable ability of HDL to regulate innate and adaptive immune responses extends our understanding of its atheroprotective role, and provides new therapeutic approaches to atherosclerosis and other inflammatory conditions.
Electroluminescent main-chain copolymers containing phosphorescent benzimidazole-based iridium complexes as copolymerization backbone units or dopants
Authors: Huang Wei-Sheng , Wu Ying-Hsien , Lin Hong-Cheu , Lin Jiann T.
Published: January 2010

The relative phosphorescence and fluorescence intensities of electroluminescent main-chain copolymers containing phosphorescent benzimidazole-based iridium complexes in the backbones were affected by energy transfer efficiencies between polymer backbones and iridium units.
Hydrogen bonded network properties in liquid formamide
Authors: Bakó Imre , Megyes Tünde , Bálint Szabolcs , Chihaia Viorel , Bellissent-Funel Marie-Claire , Krienke Hartmut , Kopf Andreas , Suh Soong-Hyuck
Published: January 2010

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed for liquid formamide using two different types of potential model (OPLS, Cordeiro). The structural results obtained from simulation were compared to experimental (x-ray and neutron diffraction measurements) outcomes. A generally good agreement for both models examined has been found, but in the hydrogen bonded region (2.9 Å) the Cordeiro model shows a slightly better fit. Besides the evaluation of partial radial distribution functions, orientational correlation functions and energy distribution functions, describing the hydrogen bonded structure, have been calculated based on the statistical analysis of configurations, resulting into a new insight in the clustering properties and topology of hydrogen bonded network. It has been shown that in liquid formamide exists a continuous hydrogen bonded network and from the analysis of the distribution of small rings revealed the ring size distribution in liquid formamide. Our study resulted that the ring size distribution of the hydrogen bonded liquid formamide shows a broad distribution with a maximum around 11. It has been found that the topology in formamide is significantly different than in water.
An electrical circuit model of the alpha-beta merging seen in dielectric relaxation of ultraviscous liquids
Authors: Sağlanmak Neslihan , Nielsen Albena I. , Olsen Niels Boye , Dyre Jeppe C. , Niss Kristine
Published: January 2010

We present a new model for dielectric data in the alpha-beta merging region. The model is constructed using electrical circuit analogies. It leads to an interpretation of the merging region as one where the total relaxation upon cooling separates in two relaxation processes, consistent with a view where the relaxing entities involved are the same for the two processes. We use this alpha-beta model to fit dielectric data in the merging region of two different molecular liquids. These fits are performed under the assumption that the intrinsic high-frequency behavior of the alpha relaxation is a −1/2 power law and that both the alpha and the beta process separately obey time temperature superposition. We get good quality fits in the entire frequency and temperature range studied. This supports the view that alpha relaxation high-frequency slopes that are found to be numerically smaller than 1/2 can be attributed to the influence of the beta relaxation.
Electromechanical tuning of cholesteric liquid crystals
Authors: Bailey C. A. , Tondiglia V. P. , Natarajan L. V. , Duning M. M. , Bricker R. L. , Sutherland R. L. , White T. J. , Durstock M. F. , Bunning T. J.
Published: January 2010

The electrical tuning of negative dielectric anisotropy (−Δε) cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) under the influence of ac and dc electric fields was studied. Unlike (+Δε) CLCs, these materials align their helical axis along the applied electric field, allowing the preservation of the optical band gap. Our results show band gap shifts greater than 20% of the original notch position with little change in the quality of the band gap, including the bandwidth and notch depth. These results can be understood by using an electromechanical model, which shows that the Maxwell’s stresses are sufficiently strong to distort the ITO glass substrates. Simple beam and plate elasticity theory is shown to adequately describe the observed behavior. The electromechanical effect is then used to create CLC cells, which can both red and blue tune. This mechanism may have interesting applications in tunable optical filters, optical pressure/stress sensors, and tunable laser technologies.
Surface plasmon density of states at the metal-dielectric interface: Dependence of metal layer thickness and dielectric material
Authors: Komarala Vamsi K. , Guo Wei-Hua , Xiao Min
Published: January 2010

We calculate theoretically the dispersion curves and surface plasmon (SP) density of states (DOS) at the interface between gold and silver nanostructures and a dielectric medium. The SP DOS for the gold nanostructure has two maxima, one at the SP absorption wavelength, and another at a redshifted wavelength from the SP absorption due to scattered SP modes, whereas for the silver nanostructure there is only one maximum at the SP absorption wavelength. When the thickness of the metal increases, the SP DOS at the interface decreases due to the reduced coupling between the top and the bottom metal SP modes, and the electron oscillation damping loss in the thick metal. The incremental change of the SP wave vector and the DOS are also observed with increasing dielectric constant of the material on top metal layer. Previous experimental results on interactions between semiconductor excitons and nanostructured Ag∕Au SPs are considered and explained using such SP DOS.
Surfactant-induced migration of a spherical drop in Stokes flow
Authors: Hanna James A. , Vlahovska Petia M.
Published: January 2010

In Stokes flows, symmetry considerations dictate that a neutrally buoyant spherical particle will not migrate laterally with respect to the local flow direction. We show that a loss of symmetry due to flow-induced surfactant redistribution leads to cross-stream drift of a spherical drop in Poiseuille flow. We derive analytical expressions for the migration velocity in the limit of small nonuniformities in the surfactant distribution, corresponding to weak-flow conditions or a high-viscosity drop. The analysis predicts migration toward the flow centerline.
Dispersion properties of electrostatic sound wave modes in carbon nanotubes
Authors: Moradi Afshin
Published: January 2010

The theoretical analysis of electrostatic sound wave modes in multiwalled carbon nanotubes is presented within the framework of the fluid theory in conjunction with the Poisson’s equation. The electron and ion components of each wall of nanotubes are regarded as two-species plasma system, in which the perturbed electron number density is deduced by means of the quantum hydrodynamic model, while the ion density perturbation follows the classical expression. An analytical expression of the dispersion relation is obtained for the quantum ion-acoustic wave oscillations in the system. Numerical result is prepared for a two-walled carbon nanotube, giving rise to a splitting of the frequencies of the electrostatic oscillations due to the small coupling between the two cylinders.
High throughput technique for characterizing liquid crystal alignment in complex geometries
Authors: Edwards E. G. , Taphouse T. S. , Cornford S. L. , Kitson S. C.
Published: January 2010

We present a high throughput technique for characterizing liquid crystal electro-optic devices. We show that the optical transmission as a function of incident light polarization for an untwisted nematic device doped with dichroic dye can be simulated as a birefringent slab with uniform tilt and azimuthal alignment angles. Although the actual liquid crystal alignment may be more complex, these slab angles provide the basis of a rapid assessment technique. Implementation of the experiment using machine vision allows many measurements to be made in parallel and so very high throughput characterization of devices is possible.
Border traps in Al2O3/In0.53Ga0.47As (100) gate stacks and their passivation by hydrogen anneals
Authors: Kim Eun Ji , Wang Lingquan , Asbeck Peter M. , Saraswat Krishna C. , McIntyre Paul C.
Published: January 2010

Charge-trapping defects in Pt/Al2O3/In0.53Ga0.47As metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors and their passivation by hydrogen are investigated in samples with abrupt oxide/III-V interfaces. Tunneling of electrons into defect states (border traps) in the atomic layer deposited Al2O3 near the oxide/semiconductor interface is found to control the frequency dispersion of the capacitance in accumulation. Hydrogen anneals effectively passivate border traps in the oxide, in addition to some of the midgap states that control carrier generation in the channel. This is evident in the reduced frequency dispersion in accumulation, reduced capacitance-voltage stretch-out through depletion, and suppression of the inversion carrier response in capacitance-voltage measurements.
Influence of heavy doping on Seebeck coefficient in silicon-on-insulator
Authors: Ikeda H. , Salleh F.
Published: January 2010

We measured the Seebeck coefficient of heavily P-doped silicon-on-insulator layers with P concentrations above 1×1019 cm−3. The coefficient decreased with increasing P concentration, and with a peak of the Seebeck coefficient around 5×1019 cm−3. We calculated the density-of-states (DOS) of bulk Si based on theoretical models of impurity-band formation, ionization-energy shift, and conduction-band tailing. The calculated impurity-concentration dependence of the energy derivative of the DOS at the Fermi energy also showed a peak. Consequently, the Seebeck coefficient of the heavily doped Si is ruled by the DOS distribution, similar to metallic materials.
Formation of quantum dots in single stranded DNA-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Li Y. F. , Kaneko T. , Hatakeyama R.
Published: January 2010

The transport properties of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are studied from low to room temperature. Atomic force microscopy reveals a regularly patterned geometry of ssDNA molecules on the surface of SWNTs. Our measurements indicate that the semiconducting behavior of SWNTs is drastically changed after ssDNA modification, showing a clear charge-transfer process at room temperature. At low temperatures single-electron tunneling features are observed up to 80 K, demonstrating clearly that quantum dots in series are created in the SWNTs due to the ssDNA wrapping.
Molecular dynamics simulations of adsorption and diffusion of gases in silicon-carbide nanotubes
Authors: Malek Kourosh , Sahimi Muhammad
Published: January 2010

Silicon carbide nanotubes (SiCNTs) are new materials with excellent properties, such as high thermal stability and mechanical strength, which are much improved over those of their carboneous counterparts, namely, carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Gas separation processes at high temperatures and pressures may be improved by developing mixed-matrix membranes that contain SiCNTs. Such nanotubes are also of interest in other important processes, such as hydrogen production and its storage, as well as separation by supercritical adsorption. The structural parameters of the nanotubes, i.e., their diameter, curvature, and chirality, as well as the interaction strength between the gases and the nanotubes’ walls, play a fundamental role in efficient use of the SiCNTs in such processes. We employ molecular dynamics simulations in order to examine the adsorption and diffusion of N2, H2, CO2, CH4, and n-C4H10 in the SiCNTs, as a function of the pressure and the type of the nanotubes, namely, the zigzag, armchair, and chiral tubes. The simulations indicate the strong effect of the nanotubes’ chirality and curvature on the pressure dependence of the adsorption isotherms and the self-diffusivities. Detailed comparison is made between the results and those for the CNTs. In particular, we find that the adsorption capacity of the SiCNTs for hydrogen is higher than the CNTs’ under the conditions that we have studied.
Adjust the resonance frequency of (Co90Nb10/Ta)n multilayers from 1.4 to 6.5 GHz by controlling the thickness of Ta interlayers
Authors: Chai Guozhi , Yang Yuancai , Zhu Jingyi , Lin Min , Sui Wenbo , Guo Dangwei , Li Xiling , Xue Desheng
Published: January 2010

In this work, the static and high frequency magnetic properties of (Co90Nb10/Ta)n multilayers have been investigated. The results show that the in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy fields can be adjusted from 12 to 520 Oe only by decreasing the thickness of Ta interlayers from 8.0 to 1.8 nm. As a consequence, the resonance frequencies of the multilayers continuously increased from 1.4 to 6.5 GHz. It was found that the changes in the in-plane uniaxial anisotropy field are ascribed to the interlayer interactions among the magnetic layers by investigating the δM(H) curves.
Direct visualization and in-depth physical study of metal filament formation in percolated high-κ dielectrics
Authors: Li X. , Pey K. L. , Bosman M. , Liu W. H. , Kauerauf T.
Published: January 2010

The migration of Ta atoms from a transistor gate electrode into the percolated high-κ (HK) gate dielectrics is directly shown using transmission electron microscopy analysis. A nanoscale metal filament that formed under high current injection is identified to be the physical defect responsible for the ultrafast transient breakdown (BD) of the metal-gate/high-κ (MG/HK) gate stacks. This highly conductive metal filament poses reliability concerns for MG/HK gate stacks as it significantly reduces the post-BD reliability margin of a transistor.
Sensitivity to Reflection and Translation is Modulated by Objectness
Authors: Bertamini Marco
Published: January 2010

The salience of a transformation between a pair of contours depends on the type of transformation (eg a reflection or a translation) and also on figure – ground organisation. Reflection is most salient when both contours belong to the same surface, and translation is most salient when they do not connect a surface. These findings are based on reaction time (RT). Here I replicate and extend them by measuring both RT and sensitivity. The figure – ground relations were changed unambiguously by using stereograms. I compared reflection and translation when they were present within a surface or across surfaces (experiment 1), and within an object or a hole (experiments 2 – 4). Holes are interesting because they are not objects, but their presence does not increase the number of total objects in the scene. The within-surface advantage for reflection was present in all experiments. There was a between-surface advantage for translation in experiment 1 but there was no hole advantage for translation in experiments 2 – 4. Thus the effect of context, ie objectness, on detection of regularity is a robust and general phenomenon present in every experiment, but the type of interaction differs for reflection and translation.
Long-Term Adaptation to Neck/Shoulder Pain and Perceptual Performance in a Hand Laterality Motor Imagery Test
Authors: Richter Hans O , Röijezon Ulric , Björklund Martin , Djupsjöbacka Mats
Published: January 2010

The effect of neck/shoulder pain on the performance in a hand laterality motor imagery test was studied. Responses to the Cooper and Shepard (1975, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance104 48–56) hand laterality test were explored in twenty-four individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain and twenty-one subjects with chronic neck pain of traumatic origin (whiplash-associated disorder). Twenty-two controls were also included in the study. Digitalised right- or left-hand stimuli were presented at five different stimulus angles (0°, 45° laterally, 90° laterally, 135° laterally, and 180°). The experimental task was to decide the laterality as fast and accurately as possible. The performance, both reaction time (RT) and accuracy, of the two experimental groups was contrasted with that of the control group. The main results revealed that the subjects afflicted with whiplash injury on the average exhibited a faster response pattern than symptom-free healthy controls. Despite their musculoskeletal deficits and experience of pain these volunteers also exhibited a preserved speed–accuracy tradeoff. Longer duration of time with symptoms of neck pain was, moreover, associated with progressively faster RTs. These results point to perceptual learning and may reflect different stages of adaptation to neck pain.
Oxazoles XXII. The Cobalt(II) Coordination Chemistry of 2-(ortho-Anilinyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline: Syntheses, Properties, and Solid-State Structural Characterization
Authors: Baerlocher Felix J. , Bucur Robert , Decken Andreas , Eisnor Charles R. , Gossage Robert A. , Jackson Sarah M. , Jolly Leslie , Wheaton Susan L. , Wylie R. Stephen
Published: January 2010

Ethanol solutions of the cobalt(ii) halides react with an excess of 2-(ortho-anilinyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline (1: i.e. 2-(2′-anilinyl)-4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazole) to give isolable κ2-N,N′-bonded species of 1 in good to excellent yields. The complexes CoX2(1-κ2-N,N′)·(H2O) n have been isolated for X = Cl (2: n = 1/2), X = Br and I (3 and 4, respectively; n = 0); the solid-state structures (X-ray) are in accordance with those suggested by UV-visible spectroscopy and conductivity measurements (i.e. non-ionic complexes with a pseudo-tetrahedral coordination motif around Co). In contrast, reaction of excess 1 with Co(NCS)2 forms the octahedral (UV-visible, X-ray) bis-isothiocyanato complex Co(NCS-κ1-N′)2(1-κ2-N,N′)2 (5) with cis-oriented NCS groups and trans-disposed oxazolines. Calculations at the PM3(tm) level of theory suggest that this isomer is close in energy to the four other possible (gas-phase) isomers. Treatment of ethanol solutions of hydrated cobaltous nitrate with excess 1 yields a material analyzed as [Co(NO3)(1)(H2O)2](NO3) (6a) and a small amount (less than 1%) of a second complex (6b); the latter has been characterized (X-ray) as the hydrated octahedral complex [Co(NO3-κ1-O)(1-κ2-N,N′)2(OH2)](NO3). In this case, the nitrato and aqua groupings are located cis to one another and trans to the coordinated –NH2 groups. Complex 6a is surmised to have a [Co(NO3-κ2-O,O′)2(1-κ2-N,N′)(OH2)2]NO3 structure. Cobalt compounds 2–5 and 1 have also been screened for their antifungal properties against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae but were found to be inactive in this regard.
Anticancer peptide PNC-27 adopts an HDM-2-binding conformation and kills cancer cells by binding to HDM-2 in their membranes
Authors: Sarafraz-Yazdi Ehsan , Bowne Wilbur B. , Adler Victor , Sookraj Kelley A. , Wu Vernon , Shteyler Vadim , Patel Hunaiz , Oxbury William , Brandt-Rauf Paul , Zenilman Michael E. , Michl Josef , Pincus Matthew R.
Published: January 2010

The anticancer peptide PNC-27, which contains an HDM-2-binding domain corresponding to residues 12-26 of p53 and a transmembrane-penetrating domain, has been found to kill cancer cells (but not normal cells) by inducing membranolysis. We find that our previously determined 3D structure of the p53 residues of PNC-27 is directly superimposable on the structure for the same residues bound to HDM-2, suggesting that the peptide may target HDM-2 in the membranes of cancer cells. We now find significant levels of HDM-2 in the membranes of a variety of cancer cells but not in the membranes of several untransformed cell lines. In colocalization experiments, we find that PNC-27 binds to cell membrane-bound HDM-2. We further transfected a plasmid expressing full-length HDM-2 with a membrane-localization signal into untransformed MCF-10-2A cells not susceptible to PNC-27 and found that these cells expressing full-length HDM-2 on their cell surface became susceptible to PNC-27. We conclude that PNC-27 targets HDM-2 in the membranes of cancer cells, allowing it to induce membranolysis of these cells selectively.
Self-assembly of microscopic chiplets at a liquid–liquid–solid interface forming a flexible segmented monocrystalline solar cell
Authors: Knuesel Robert J. , Jacobs Heiko O.
Published: January 2010

This paper introduces a method for self-assembling and electrically connecting small (20–60 micrometer) semiconductor chiplets at predetermined locations on flexible substrates with high speed (62500 chips/45 s), accuracy (0.9 micrometer, 0.14°), and yield (> 98%). The process takes place at the triple interface between silicone oil, water, and a penetrating solder-patterned substrate. The assembly is driven by a stepwise reduction of interfacial free energy where chips are first collected and preoriented at an oil-water interface before they assemble on a solder-patterned substrate that is pulled through the interface. Patterned transfer occurs in a progressing linear front as the liquid layers recede. The process eliminates the dependency on gravity and sedimentation of prior methods, thereby extending the minimal chip size to the sub-100 micrometer scale. It provides a new route for the field of printable electronics to enable the integration of microscopic high performance inorganic semiconductors on foreign substrates with the freedom to choose target location, pitch, and integration density. As an example we demonstrate a fault-tolerant segmented flexible monocrystalline silicon solar cell, reducing the amount of Si that is used when compared to conventional rigid cells.
Infanticide and reproductive restraint in a polygynous social mammal
Authors: Henzi S. P. , Clarke P. M. R. , van Schaik C. P. , Pradhan G. R. , Barrett L.
Published: January 2010

Alpha male chacma baboons experience uncontested access to individual estrus females. Consequently, alpha male paternity certainty is high and underpins significant levels of infanticide by immigrant males that, in turn, has selected for male defense of infants. There is also, however, a high probability that alpha males will be absent during the period when their own offspring are vulnerable, suggesting selection for additional countermeasures. We use data from a long-term study to test the prediction that alpha male chacma baboons cede reproductive opportunities to subordinate males and that this leads to the presence of other fathers that can serve as a buffer against infanticidal attack. We found that subordinate males obtained significantly more conceptive opportunities than predicted by priority of access alone, and that this occurred because alpha males did not consort all receptive periods. There was no evidence that this was due to energetic constraint, large male cohorts, alpha male inexperience, or the competitive strength of queuing subordinates. The number of males who benefited from concession and the length of time that they were resident relative to those who did not benefit in this way greatly reduced the probability that infants of alpha males would face immigrant males without a surrogate father whose own offspring were vulnerable. The absence of such males was associated with observed infanticide as well as, unexpectedly, an increased likelihood of takeover when alpha males with vulnerable infants were present.