bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do corporate boards matter during the current financial crisis?
Authors: Francis Bill B. , Hasan Iftekhar , Wu Qiang
Published: March 2012

This study examines the impact of corporate boards on firm performance during the current financial crisis. Using buy‐and‐hold abnormal returns over the crisis to measure firm performance, we find that board independence, as traditionally defined, does not significantly affect firm performance. However, when we redefine independent directors as outside directors who are less connected with current CEOs, a measure we call strong independence, there is a positive and significant relationship between this measure and firm performance. Second, outside financial experts are important for firm performance. We find that the positive impact of outside financial experts on firm performance is more significant than that of strong independence. Overall, our results suggest that firm performance during a crisis is a function of firm‐level differences in corporate boards.
The effects of short-term genistein intervention on prostate biomarker expression in patients with localised prostate cancer before radical prostatectomy
Authors: Lazarevic Bato , Hammarström Clara , Yang Jin , Ramberg Hakon , Diep Lien M. , Karlsen Steinar J. , Kucuk Omer , Saatcioglu Fahri , Taskèn Kristin A. , Svindland Aud
Published: March 2012

Nutritionally relevant levels of genistein, the predominant isoflavone in soyabean associated with lower risk of prostate cancer (PCa), may modulate the expression of prostate tissue biomarkers associated with cancer prediction and progression. A phase 2 placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind clinical trial was conducted in forty-seven Norwegian patients before prostatectomy. Intervention was 30 mg genistein or placebo capsules daily for 3–6 weeks. Luminal cells from malignant and benign glands were isolated with laser capture microdissection and the mRNA levels of androgen-related biomarkers (androgen receptor, NK3 homeobox 1, kallikrein-related peptide 4 (KLK4)) and cell cycle-related genes (p21Waf1/Cip1,p27Kip1,p53) were analysed with real-time semiquantitative PCR. Immunohistochemistry of androgen-, cell cycle-, proliferative- (Ki67 nuclear antigen), apoptotic- (B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) and BCL-2-associated X protein) and neuroendocrine differentiation-related biomarkers (neuron-specific enolase and cytoplasmic chromogranin A) was performed using tissue microarrays containing normal, Gleason grade 3 and grade 4 prostate tissues. There were no significant effects by genistein intervention on proliferation-, cell cycle-, apoptosis- or neuroendocrine biomarkers. Genistein intervention, however, significantly reduced the mRNA level of KLK4 in tumour cells (P = 0·033) and there was a non-significant reduction in androgen and cell cycle-related biomarkers, except for p27Kip1, whose expression in the nuclear compartment was increased. Genistein intervention modulated the expression of several biomarkers which may be related to PCa prediction and progression. The present study supports genistein as a chemopreventive agent in PCa. Further investigation is warranted in larger and longer-duration studies.
Political Participation by Latino Non-Citizens in the United States
Authors: LEAL DAVID L.
Published: March 2012

This article examines the extent of political participation by Latino non-citizens across the United States. The only previous national quantitative research on this topic is by Verba, Schlozman and Brady, who found little difference between the participation rates of Latino citizens and non-citizens. Using the Latino National Political Survey, large differences between citizen and non-citizen participation are found. Although Latino non-citizens participated in non-electoral political activities and in non-political civic groups, they were significantly less likely to do so than Latino citizens. Examination of the non-citizen population shows that immigrants who understood politics better, planned on naturalizing, had a stronger ethnic identity, were more familiar with English and were younger were more likely to become involved. The traditional socio-economic measures of education and income as well as length of stay in the United States were non-significant predictors of non-citizen participation.
The Curious Case of Werner Weinhold: Escape, Death, and Contested Legitimacy at the German-German Border
Authors: Ahonen Pertti
Published: March 2012

In the early morning hours of December 19, 1975, a shooting incident took place at the inter-German border, on the boundary line between Thuringia and Bavaria, near the East German town of Hildburghausen. According to West German border guards on duty at the time, the moonlit calm of a cold and clear winter night was disrupted around 2:25 a.m. by the sound of submachine-gun fire from the eastern side of the boundary. During the next hours plenty of additional commotion ensued on East German territory: border soldiers combed the terrain behind the border; officers drove around directing the proceedings; helicopters buzzed overhead. Based on their observation of similar past incidents, West German authorities quickly deduced what had probably taken place: an attempted escape across the heavily fortified German-German border. The main variables not known at the time were whether the attempt had been successful and whether anyone had been hurt.
More from Less: Ideological Gambling with the Unity of Economic and Social Policy in Honecker's GDR
Authors: Allinson Mark
Published: March 2012

In the numerous analyses of the economic failings of the German Democratic Republic, considerable attention and blame have attached to the extensive social policy program of Erich Honecker, leader of the ruling Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) after 1971. The “unity of economic and social policy” encompassed the GDR's entire political economy under Honecker. It was an attempt—a last-ditch attempt, as it transpired—to incentivize higher production, but also to fulfill the party's promise of higher living standards. In sum, the intention was to secure both the GDR's long-term economic viability and popular support via (modest) consumerism and an extensive program of social welfare measures. In so doing, the SED would prove the economic, social, and political theories that underpinned the whole ideology of “real existing socialism.”
Influence of emotional distraction on working memory performance in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Krause-Utz A. , Oei N. Y. L. , Niedtfeld I. , Bohus M. , Spinhoven P. , Schmahl C. , Elzinga B. M.
Published: March 2012

Background

Emotion dysregulation, characterized by heightened emotional arousal and increased emotional sensitivity, is a core feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Although current theories emphasize the disruptive potential of negative emotions on cognitive functioning in BPD, behavioral and neurobiological data on this relationship are still lacking.

Method

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), neural activity was investigated in 22 unmedicated BPD patients and 22 healthy participants (matched for age, education and intelligence) performing an adapted Sternberg working memory task, while being distracted by emotional (negatively arousing) and neutral pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS).

Results

Emotional distraction was associated with significantly higher activation in the amygdala and decreased activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), extending findings of previous studies in healthy individuals. Patients with BPD showed significantly longer reaction times (RTs) along with significantly higher activation in the amygdala and insula during emotional distraction compared to healthy participants, suggesting that they were more distracted by emotional pictures during the working memory task. Moreover, in the group of BPD patients, a significant negative correlation was found between activation in limbic brain regions and self-reports of current dissociative states.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest hyper-responsiveness to emotionally distracting pictures in BPD patients that negatively affects working memory performance. This stresses the importance of emotion dysregulation in the context of cognitive functioning. Moreover, our findings suggest that dissociative states have a dampening effect on neural reactivity during emotional challenge in BPD.
Social Policy Digest Online
Authors: Bennett Fran , Jones Ken
Published: March 2012

The Social Policy Digest is a major online resource providing up-to-date listings of developments across the whole range of social policy issues - including links to source materials and related commentaries. The Digest is published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Social Policy Association.
Alternative trajectory-tracking control approach for marine surface vessels with experimental verification
Authors: Fahimi Farbod , Van Kleeck Chris
Published: March 2012

Experiments with a nonlinear trajectory-tracking controller for marine unmanned surface vessels are reported. The tracking controller is designed using a nonlinear robust model-based sliding mode approach. The marine vehicles can track arbitrary desired trajectories that are defined in Cartesian coordinate as continuous functions of time. The planar dynamic model used for the controller design consists of 3 degrees of freedom (DOFs) of surge, sway, and yaw. The vessel only has two actuators, so the vessel is underactuated. Therefore, only two outputs, which are functions of the 3-DOF, can be controlled. The Cartesian position of a control point on the vessel is defined as the output. The orientation dynamics is not directly controlled. It has been previously shown that the orientation dynamics, as the internal dynamics of this underactuated system, is stable. The result of field experiments show the effectiveness of tracking control laws in the presence of parameter uncertainty and disturbance. The experiments were performed in a large outdoor pond using a small test boat. This paper reports the first theoretical development and experimental verification of the proposed model-based nonlinear trajectory-tracking controller.
Influence of OPRM1 Asn40Asp variant (A118G) on [11C]carfentanil binding potential: preliminary findings in human subjects
Authors: Weerts Elise M. , McCaul Mary E. , Kuwabara Hiroto , Yang Xiaoju , Xu Xiaoqiang , Dannals Robert F. , Frost J. James , Wong Dean F. , Wand Gary S.
Published: March 2012

The Asn40Asp variant (A118G) of the µ opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene is thought to contribute to the development and treatment of alcohol dependence. Employing positron emission tomography (PET), we first examined whether the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) modifies binding potential (BPND) of the µ-selective ligand [11C]carfentanil in healthy control (Con) and 5-d abstinent alcohol-dependent (AD) subjects (unblocked basal scan). Second, we examined whether the allelic variants were associated with differences in OPRM1 occupancy by naltrexone (50 mg) in AD subjects. Con and AD carriers of the G allele (AG) had lower global BPND at the basal scan than subjects homozygous for the A allele (AA). In AD subjects, naltrexone occupancy was slightly higher in AG subjects (98.9%) compared to AA subjects (93.1%), but this was not significant. We are the first to demonstrate using PET in healthy normal and AD subjects that the A118G SNP alters OPRM1 availability.
Business Process Outsourcing and Legal Library Services: the Integreon Model – One Year On
Authors: Stanfield Kate
Published: March 2012

Within the legal library world “outsourcing” has become a hot topic, and not necessarily a welcome one. In the last 12 months there have been several law firms making the move to outsource their Information Services, so why is this happening and what are the options? Kate Stanfield, Vice President, Knowledge and Research at Integreon examines the issues. Her article is based on a presentation given at the BIALL Conference in June 2011.
Knowledge Process Outsourcing and the Legal Sector: the Evalueserve Approach
Authors: Gill Edward
Published: March 2012

Edward Gill discusses the concept and issues surrounding knowledge process outsourcing and provides an insight into the business model of, and services offered by, the company, Evalueserve.
Development and Validation of the Psychological Maturity Assessment Scale (PSYMAS)
Authors: Morales-Vives Fabia , Camps Elisa , Lorenzo-Seva Urbano
Published: March 2012

This research developed a new test in Spanish to assess psychological maturity in adolescents, called PSYMAS and consisting of the subscales work orientation, identity, and autonomy. PSYMAS was administered to 669 students between 15 and 18 years. The results showed that the factorial structure of the test is acceptable, and that, in addition to subscale scores, total scores can be calculated to measure the overall psychological maturity of the subject. The convergent and discriminant validity of the test was also assessed based on a comparison with the Big Five personality factors. The results indicated that the test does in fact allow prediction of results in relation to personality traits.
Psychometric Properties of the UK and Italian Versions of the HSE Stress Indicator Tool
Authors: Toderi Stefano , Balducci Cristian , Edwards Julian A. , Sarchielli Guido , Broccoli Marco , Mancini Gianpiero
Published: March 2012

The Health and Safety Executive Stress Indicator Tool is a short questionnaire developed in the UK for the screening of common psychosocial risk factors leading to work-related stress. Previous research showed that in both the UK and Italy this test fits the same seven-factor solution. Building upon previous findings and by using multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis we investigated the degree of measurement equivalence of the Italian version of the test with its original UK version. Furthermore, we advanced the validation of the tool in Italy by exploring the correlations of its subscales with stress-related outcomes. Two samples of workers were available for analyses: 1,298 Italian employees of private-sector organizations and a sample of 7,589 UK employees from organizations of the same type. Results replicated previous findings: A 7-factor solution of the Indicator Tool was found to be equivalent across the Italian and UK samples. Furthermore, the analyses supported factor variance and factor covariance equivalence in addition to metric equivalence. The Indicator Tool subscales showed significant correlations in the expected direction with stress-related outcomes. The Italian version of the Indicator Tool behaves very consistently with its UK version and may be used for the screening of psychosocial risks in Italian workplaces.
On the onset of polar mesospheric cloud seasons as observed by SBUV
Authors: Benze Susanne , Randall Cora E. , Karlsson Bodil , Harvey V. Lynn , DeLand Matthew T. , Thomas Gary E. , Shettle Eric P.
Published: March 2012

This paper describes an investigation using data from the Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SBUV) satellite instruments to explore and understand variations in the timing of the onset of Polar Mesospheric Cloud (PMC) seasons. Previous work has shown that for several recent southern hemisphere (SH) seasons, the PMC season onset was controlled by the timing of the shift from winter to summer zonal wind flow in the SH stratosphere. We extend the analysis of PMC season onset to 28 years of SBUV observations, including both hemispheres. A multiple linear regression analysis of SBUV data from 1984 to 2011 suggests that the SH PMC season onset is delayed by one day for every day that the zonal wind at 65°S and 50 hPa (∼20 km) remains in a winter‐like state. In addition, we find that the solar cycle plays a role: The SH season onset is delayed by about ten days at solar maximum compared to solar minimum. In the NH, the PMC season onset is delayed by ∼7 days at solar maximum compared to solar minimum; variations in the NH stratospheric wind, however, are not correlated with the NH onset date. On the other hand, inter‐hemispheric teleconnections are important in the NH; a one‐day shift in the NH season onset corresponds to a shift of ∼1.4 m/s in the SH stratospheric wind at 60.0°S and 20 hPa (∼26 km). Neither the NH nor the SH season onset date is correlated with the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, Arctic Oscillation, or El Niño Southern Oscillation.
Sensitivity Analysis of Pine Island Glacier ice flow using ISSM and DAKOTA
Authors: Larour E. , Schiermeier J. , Rignot E. , Seroussi H. , Morlighem M. , Paden J.
Published: March 2012

Assessing output errors of ice flow models is a major challenge that needs to be addressed if we are to increase our confidence level in projections of mass balance in Antarctica and Greenland. Major inputs to ice flow models include geometry (ice thickness and surface elevation), constitutive laws and boundary conditions (geothermal flux, basal drag coefficient, surface temperature). These inputs can be either measured, in which case they carry errors due to instruments, or inferred using inverse methods (such as basal drag which is inverted using InSAR surface velocities) in which case they carry additional errors generated by the inversion process itself. In both cases, these input errors will result in uncertainties that propagate throughout a forward model, and that influence output diagnostics. In order to estimate the resulting error margins on diagnostics such as mass flux, we develop a new framework based on the Design Analysis Kit for Optimization and Terascale Applications (DAKOTA), which we interface to the Ice Sheet System Model (ISSM). We present results on the Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica, for which we evaluate error margins of mass flux across the whole glacier, given currently known error margins on ice thickness, basal friction and ice hardness. Our results suggest errors in these inputs propagate linearly through the ice flow model, providing a way to 1) calibrate measurement requirements for field campaigns collecting data such as bedrock or surface topography 2) quantify uncertainties in projections of mass balance and 3) assess the sensitivity of model outputs to input parameters. This new error propagation model should help quantify confidence levels that we assign to model projections for the mass balance of Antarctica and Greenland, which will ultimately improve our projections of future sea level rise in a warming climate.
Flood timescales: Understanding the interplay of climate and catchment processes through comparative hydrology
Authors: Gaál Ladislav , Szolgay Ján , Kohnová Silvia , Parajka Juraj , Merz Ralf , Viglione Alberto , Blöschl Günter
Published: March 2012

We analyze the controls on flood duration based on the concept of comparative hydrology. Rather than modeling a single catchment in detail, we compare catchments with contrasting characteristics in order to understand the controls in a holistic way. We analyze the hydrographs of 9223 maximum annual flood events in 396 Austrian catchments ranging from 5 to ∼10,000 km2 as a function of climatic controls such as storm type (synoptic and convective storms, rain‐on‐snow, snowmelt), and catchment controls such as soils, soil moisture, geology, and land form. The ratio of the flood volume and the flood peak is used as a measure of the flood duration or flood timescale. The results indicate that, spatially, the median flood timescales range from 16 h in the hilly catchments, where convective storms prevail, to 104 h in the lowland catchments where substantial inundation into the floodplain occurs. The range is even larger for different flood types, from 7 h for flash floods in the hilly catchments to 200 h for snowmelt floods in an Alpine area with deeply weathered rocks and deep soils. The results also indicate that the catchment area is not the most important control on the flood timescales. For the range of catchments considered here, climate is very important through storm type and antecedent soil moisture, and geology is very important through soil characteristics. The concept of comparative hydrology is also used to interpret the interplay of the processes controlling the flood duration at timescales from hours to millennia. It is argued that the flood timescale is a rich fingerprint of the hydrological processes in a catchment because it integrates a range of climate and catchment characteristics by a time parameter.
Who is who in litter decomposition? Metaproteomics reveals major microbial players and their biogeochemical functions
Authors: Schneider Thomas , Keiblinger Katharina M , Schmid Emanuel , Sterflinger-Gleixner Katja , Ellersdorfer Günther , Roschitzki Bernd , Richter Andreas , Eberl Leo , Zechmeister-Boltenstern Sophie , Riedel Kathrin
Published: March 2012

Leaf-litter decomposition is a central process in carbon cycling; however, our knowledge about the microbial regulation of this process is still scarce. Metaproteomics allows us to link the abundance and activity of enzymes during nutrient cycling to their phylogenetic origin based on proteins, the ‘active building blocks’ in the system. Moreover, we employed metaproteomics to investigate the influence of environmental factors and nutrients on the decomposer structure and function during beech litter decomposition. Litter was collected at forest sites in Austria with different litter nutrient content. Proteins were analyzed by 1-D-SDS-PAGE followed by liquid-chromatography and tandem mass-spectrometry. Mass spectra were assigned to phylogenetic and functional groups by a newly developed bioinformatics workflow, assignments being validated by complementary approaches. We provide evidence that the litter nutrient content and the stoichiometry of C:N:P affect the decomposer community structure and activity. Fungi were found to be the main producers of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, with no bacterial hydrolases being detected by our metaproteomics approach. Detailed investigation of microbial succession suggests that it is influenced by litter nutrient content. Microbial activity was stimulated at higher litter nutrient contents via a higher abundance and activity of extracellular enzymes.
Plant litter and soil type drive abundance, activity and community structure of alkB harbouring microbes in different soil compartments
Authors: Schulz Stephan , Giebler Julia , Chatzinotas Antonis , Wick Lukas Y , Fetzer Ingo , Welzl Gerhard , Harms Hauke , Schloter Michael
Published: March 2012

Alkanes are major constituents of plant-derived waxy materials. In this study, we investigated the abundance, community structure and activity of bacteria harbouring the alkane monooxygenase gene alkB, which catalyses a major step in the pathway of aerobic alkane degradation in the litter layer, the litter–soil interface and in bulk soil at three time points during the degradation of maize and pea plant litter (2, 8 and 30 weeks) to improve our understanding about drivers for microbial performance in different soil compartments. Soil cores of different soil textures (sandy and silty) were taken from an agricultural field and incubated at constant laboratory conditions. The abundance of alkB genes and transcripts (by qPCR) as well as the community structure (by terminal restriction fragment polymorphism fingerprinting) were measured in combination with the concentrations and composition of alkanes. The results obtained indicate a clear response pattern of all investigated biotic and abiotic parameters depending on the applied litter material, the type of soil used, the time point of sampling and the soil compartment studied. As expected the distribution of alkanes of different chain length formed a steep gradient from the litter layer to the bulk soil. Mainly in the two upper soil compartments community structure and abundance patterns of alkB were driven by the applied litter type and its degradation. Surprisingly, the differences between the compartments in one soil were more pronounced than the differences between similar compartments in the two soils studied. This indicates the necessity for analysing processes in different soil compartments to improve our mechanistic understanding of the dynamics of distinct functional groups of microbes.
Effect of oxygen minimum zone formation on communities of marine protists
Authors: Orsi William , Song Young C , Hallam Steven , Edgcomb Virginia
Published: March 2012

Changes in ocean temperature and circulation patterns compounded by human activities are leading to oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) expansion with concomitant alteration in nutrient and climate active trace gas cycling. Here, we report the response of microbial eukaryote populations to seasonal changes in water column oxygen-deficiency using Saanich Inlet, a seasonally anoxic fjord on the coast of Vancouver Island British Columbia, as a model ecosystem. We combine small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequencing approaches with multivariate statistical methods to reveal shifts in operational taxonomic units during successive stages of seasonal stratification and renewal. A meta-analysis is used to identify common and unique patterns of community composition between Saanich Inlet and the anoxic/sulfidic Cariaco Basin (Venezuela) and Framvaren Fjord (Norway) to show shared and unique responses of microbial eukaryotes to oxygen and sulfide in these three environments. Our analyses also reveal temporal fluctuations in rare populations of microbial eukaryotes, particularly anaerobic ciliates, that may be of significant importance to the biogeochemical cycling of methane in OMZs.
Ultra-high-throughput microbial community analysis on the Illumina HiSeq and MiSeq platforms
Authors: Caporaso J Gregory , Lauber Christian L , Walters William A , Berg-Lyons Donna , Huntley James , Fierer Noah , Owens Sarah M , Betley Jason , Fraser Louise , Bauer Markus , Gormley Niall , Gilbert Jack A , Smith Geoff , Knight Rob
Published: March 2012

DNA sequencing continues to decrease in cost with the Illumina HiSeq2000 generating up to 600 Gb of paired-end 100 base reads in a ten-day run. Here we present a protocol for community amplicon sequencing on the HiSeq2000 and MiSeq Illumina platforms, and apply that protocol to sequence 24 microbial communities from host-associated and free-living environments. A critical question as more sequencing platforms become available is whether biological conclusions derived on one platform are consistent with what would be derived on a different platform. We show that the protocol developed for these instruments successfully recaptures known biological results, and additionally that biological conclusions are consistent across sequencing platforms (the HiSeq2000 versus the MiSeq) and across the sequenced regions of amplicons.
Diet‐Induced Weight Loss in Overweight or Obese Women and Changes in High‐Density Lipoprotein Levels and Function
Authors: Aicher Brittany O. , Haser Erin K. , Freeman Lita A. , Carnie Andrea V. , Stonik John A. , Wang Xunde , Remaley Alan T. , Kato Gregory J. , Cannon Richard O.
Published: March 2012

Diet‐induced weight loss in women may be associated with decreases not only in plasma levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), but also in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). Whether a decrease in HDL‐C is associated with altered HDL function is unknown. One hundred overweight or obese women (age 46 ± 11 years, 60 black; 12 diabetic) were enrolled in the 6‐month program of reduced fat and total energy diet and low‐intensity exercise. Serum cholesterol efflux capacity was measured in 3H‐cholesterol‐labeled BHK cells expressing ABCA1, ABCG1, or SR‐B1 transporters and incubated with 1% apolipoprotein B (apoB)‐depleted serum. Antioxidant properties of HDL were estimated by paraoxonase‐1 (PON1) activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation was measured by conversion of l‐arginine to l‐citrulline in endothelial cells incubated with HDL from 49 subjects. Participants achieved an average weight loss of 2.2 ± 3.9 kg (P < 0.001), associated with reductions in both LDL‐C (−6 ± 21 mg/dl, P = 0.004) and HDL‐C (−3 ± 9 mg/dl, P = 0.016). Cholesterol efflux capacity by the ABCA1 transporter decreased by 10% (P = 0.006); efflux capacities by the ABCG1 and SR‐B1 transporters were not significantly altered. ORAC decreased by 15% (P = 0.018); neither PON1 activity nor eNOS activation was significantly altered by reduction in HDL‐C. Findings were similar for diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Diet‐induced weight loss in overweight or obese women is associated with a decrease in HDL‐C levels, but overall HDL function is relatively spared, suggesting that decrease in HDL‐C in this setting is not deleterious to cardiovascular risk.
Weight Loss Is Associated With Increased Serum 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D in Overweight or Obese Women
Authors: Rock Cheryl L. , Emond Jennifer A. , Flatt Shirley W. , Heath Dennis D. , Karanja Njeri , Pakiz Bilge , Sherwood Nancy E. , Thomson Cynthia A.
Published: March 2012

Low circulating concentrations of vitamin D metabolites have been associated with increased risk for several diseases and clinical conditions. Large observational studies and surveys have shown that obesity is independently associated with lower serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration. Few studies have examined the effect of weight loss on serum 25(OH)D concentration. The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine the effect of weight loss on serum 25(OH)D concentration. Data were collected from 383 overweight or obese women who participated in a 2‐year clinical trial of a weight‐loss program, in which 51% (N = 195) lost at least 5% of baseline weight by 24 months, 18% (N = 67) lost 5–10%, and 33% (N = 128) lost >10%. Women who did not lose weight at 24 months had an increase in serum 25(OH)D of 1.9 (9.7) ng/ml (mean (SD)); 25(OH)D increased by 2.7 (9.1) ng/ml for those who lost 5–10% of baseline weight; and 25(OH)D increased by 5.0 (9.2) ng/ml for those who lost >10% of baseline weight (P = 0.014). At baseline, 51% (N = 197) of participants met or exceeded the recommended serum concentration of 20 ng/ml. By study end, 64% (N = 230) of overweight or obese women met this goal, as well as 83% (N = 20) of those whose weight loss achieved a normal BMI. These findings suggest that weight loss, presumably associated with a reduction in body fat, is associated with increased serum 25(OH)D concentration in overweight or obese women.
Effect of an Environmental School‐Based Obesity Prevention Program on Changes in Body Fat and Body Weight: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Williamson Donald A. , Champagne Catherine M. , Harsha David W. , Han Hongmei , Martin Corby K. , Newton Robert L. , Sothern Melinda S. , Stewart Tiffany M. , Webber Larry S. , Ryan Donna H.
Published: March 2012

This study tested the efficacy of two school‐based programs for prevention of body weight/fat gain in comparison to a control group, in all participants and in overweight children. The Louisiana (LA) Health study utilized a longitudinal, cluster randomized three‐arm controlled design, with 28 months of follow‐up. Children (N = 2,060; mean age = 10.5 years, SD = 1.2) from rural communities in grades 4–6 participated in the study. Seventeen school clusters (mean = 123 children/cluster) were randomly assigned to one of three prevention arms: (i) primary prevention (PP), an environmental modification (EM) program, (ii) primary + secondary prevention (PP+SP), the environmental program with an added classroom and internet education component, or (iii) control (C). Primary outcomes were changes in percent body fat and BMI z scores. Secondary outcomes were changes in behaviors related to energy balance. Comparisons of PP, PP+SP, and C on changes in body fat and BMI z scores found no differences. PP and PP+SP study arms were combined to create an EM arm. Relative to C, EM decreased body fat for boys (−1.7 ± 0.38% vs. −0.14 ± 0.69%) and attenuated fat gain for girls (2.9 ± 0.22% vs. 3.93 ± 0.37%), but standardized effect sizes were relatively small (<0.30). In conclusion, this school‐based EM programs had modest beneficial effects on changes in percent body fat. Addition of a classroom/internet program to the environmental program did not enhance weight/fat gain prevention, but did impact physical activity and social support in overweight children.
Innovative biomagnetic imaging sensors for breast cancer: A model-based study
Authors: Deng Y. , Golkowski M.
Published: March 2012

Breast cancer is a serious potential health problem for all women and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The current screening procedures and imaging techniques, including x-ray mammography, clinical biopsy, ultrasound imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging, provide only 73% accuracy in detecting breast cancer. This gives the impetus to explore alternate techniques for imaging the breast and detecting early stage tumors. Among the complementary methods, the noninvasive biomagnetic breast imaging is attractive and promising, because both ionizing radiation and breast compressions that the prevalent x-ray mammography suffers from are avoided. It furthermore offers very high contrast because of the significant electromagnetic properties’ differences between the cancerous, benign, and normal breast tissues. In this paper, a hybrid and accurate modeling tool for biomagnetic breast imaging is developed, which couples the electromagnetic and ultrasonic energies, and initial validations between the model predication and experimental findings are conducted.
Co-ferrite spinel and FeCo alloy core shell nanocomposites and mesoporous systems for multifunctional applications
Authors: Zhang Kai , Amponsah O. , Arslan M. , Holloway T. , Cao Wei , Pradhan A. K.
Published: March 2012

We report on the fabrication of condensed and mesoporous silica coated CoFe2O4 and FeCo alloy magnetic nanocomposites. The CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles were encapsulated by well defined silica layer with a uniform thickness of 5 nm. The mesoporous silica shells lead to a larger magnetic coercivity than that of the pure CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles due to decrease of interparticle interactions and magneto-elastic anisotropy. In addition, the FeCo nanoparticles were coated with condensed and mesoporous silica. As a consequence, the condensed silica protects the reactive FeCo alloy from oxidation up to 300 °C, maintaining the high magnetization of the nanoparticles. However, saturation magnetization of silica coated FeCo nanoparticles is dramatically decreased after annealing at 400 °C due to the oxidation of the FeCo core.
Rare earth elements and permanent magnets (invited)
Authors: Dent Peter C.
Published: March 2012

Rare earth (RE) magnets have become virtually indispensible in a wide variety of industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical, and military. RE elements are essential ingredients in these high performance magnets based on intermetallic compounds RECo5, RE2TM17 (TM: transition metal), and RE2TM14B. Rare earth magnets are known for their superior magnetic properties—high induction, and coercive force. These properties arise due to the extremely high magnetocrystalline anisotropy made possible by unique 3d-4f interactions between transition metals and rare earths. For more than 40 years, these magnets remain the number one choice in applications that require high magnetic fields in extreme operating conditions—high demagnetization forces and high temperature. EEC produces and specializes in RECo5 and RE2TM17 type sintered magnets. Samarium and gadolinium are key RE ingredients in the powder metallurgical magnet production processes which include melting, crushing, jet milling, pressing, sintering, and heat treating. The magnetic properties and applications of these magnets will be discussed. We will also briefly discuss the past, current, and future of the permanent magnet business. Currently, over 95% of all pure rare earth oxides are sourced from China, which currently controls the market. We will provide insights regarding current and potential new magnet technologies and designer choices, which may mitigate rare earth supply chain issues now and into the future.
Thickness dependence of critical current density in GdBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films with BaSnO3 addition
Authors: Tran D. H. , Putri W. B. K. , Wie C. H. , Kang B. , Lee N. H. , Kang W. N. , Lee J. Y. , Seong W. K.
Published: March 2012

We investigated influence of 4 wt. % BaSnO3 (BSO) addition on the thickness dependence of critical current density (Jc) of GdBa2Cu3O7−δ (GdBCO) thin films deposited by using the pulsed laser deposition technique. The results show that Jc measured at 77 K of the GdBCO films is significantly enhanced by the addition of BSO. Thickness dependence of self-field Jc in the BSO doped GdBCO films is reduced in comparison with that of pure GdBCO films. Improved field performance of Jc is also observed for the BSO-doped GdBCO films up to thickness of 1.5 μm. The enhancements are attributed to the growth of artificial pinning centers in the form of BSO nano precipitates confirmed by the cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy images.
Superprism phenomenon in two-dimensional magnetophotonic crystals: Experiment and numerical simulation
Authors: Baek Seungmin , Baryshev Alexander V. , Inoue Mitsuteru
Published: March 2012

Magneto-optical phenomena in quasi two-dimensional magnetophotonic crystals (Q-2D MPCs) have been investigated experimentally and numerically. Multiple Bragg diffraction was shown to be responsible for enhancement of the Faraday rotation and for alteration of its sign in spectra of experimental samples fabricated from bismuth-substituted yttrium iron garnet. It was shown that, for the magnetic superprism effect–control of the light propagation direction by the external magnetic, materials with much larger magneto-optical activity than that of experimental samples are necessary. Spectra obtained by numerical simulations were in a good agreement with experimental ones. Magnetic superprism effect was demonstrated for model samples and parameters necessary for alteration flow of light in quasi-2D MPCs were obtained.
Developments in deep brain stimulation using time dependent magnetic fields
Authors: Crowther L. J. , Nlebedim I. C. , Jiles D. C.
Published: March 2012

The effect of head model complexity upon the strength of field in different brain regions for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been investigated. Experimental measurements were used to verify the validity of magnetic field calculations and induced electric field calculations for three 3D human head models of varying complexity. Results show the inability for simplified head models to accurately determine the site of high fields that lead to neuronal stimulation and highlight the necessity for realistic head modeling for TMS applications.
Fabrication of magnetic tunnel junctions with a bottom synthetic antiferro-coupled free layers for high sensitive magnetic field sensor devices
Authors: Fujiwara Kosuke , Oogane Mikihiko , Yokota Saeko , Nishikawa Takuo , Naganuma Hiroshi , Ando Yasuo
Published: March 2012

Magnetic tunnel junctions with a Ni80Fe20/Ru/Co40Fe40B20 synthetic antiferro-coupled bottom free layer and an MgO barrier layer have been fabricated. Double annealing process was carried out in order to obtain linearity against magnetic field with hysteresis-free resistance response. The effect of the annealing temperature and NiFe thickness in the free layer on the magnetic field sensor performance was investigated. We have observed a very high sensitivity of 25.3%/Oe while keeping linearity.
Effect of spatially asymmetric dipolar interactions in the magnetization reversal of closely spaced ferromagnetic nanoisland arrays
Authors: Porro J. M. , Berger A. , Grimsditch M. , Metlushko V. , Ilic B. , Vavassori P.
Published: March 2012

The magnetization reversal process of interacting elongated nanoislands is presented here. The magnetization reversal has been investigated by means of magneto-optical Kerr effect magnetometry, analyzing the beams reflected and diffracted by the array, magnetic force microscopy, and micromagnetic simulations. The nanoislands have an aspect ratio of 4.2 and are arranged in chiral square units forming a checkerboard array. Due to this particular arrangement, each island is subjected to a spatially asymmetric dipolar interaction field. We found that for certain directions of the applied field this specific character of the dipolar interaction affects the reversal process profoundly. In these cases the magnetization reversal takes places via the nucleation and displacement of a vortex state in two of the four nanoislands in every square unit, at variance with single domain rotation process generally observed for other directions of the applied field.
Modeling magnetic column intermediate layer of perpendicular magnetic recording
Authors: Li Zhanjie , Bai Daniel Z. , Li Shaoping , Liu Feng , Mao Sining
Published: March 2012

A computational study of the head field was presented in a specific head/media configuration, where the intermediate layer (IL) consists of the periodic magnetic columns and Ru columns. It was found that the head field increases with the thicker and wider magnetic columns. Micromagnetic simulation shows that this approach is to achieve a lower effective IL thickness for enhancing the write field by replacing some Ru grains with the columnar magnetic material without reducing the IL thickness.
Loss characterization of Mo-doped FeNi flake for DC-to-DC converter and MHz frequency applications
Authors: Zhou Yang , Kou Xiaoming , Mu Mingkai , McLaughlin Brandon M. , Chen Xing , Parsons Paul E. , Zhu Hao , Ji Alex , Lee Fred C. , Xiao John Q.
Published: March 2012

Magnetic core materials with low loss, high magnetic induction, large permeability, and high working frequencies above 1 MHz are in high demand in the next generation of miniaturized power electronic devices. Magnetic flake based composite materials have been developed to take advantage of high operating frequency ranges, low eddy current losses, high magnetic induction, and low cost fabrication methods. In this study, Mo-doped FeNi flakes with thicknesses of 0.4 ± 0.2 μm to 1.6 ± 0.5 μm have been successfully fabricated with high energy ball milling. The lateral size of the flake is around 100 μm. After being hot-pressed with polymers, all of the samples show initial permeability higher than 40 in the frequency range up to 10 MHz and a loss tangent lower than 0.1. At high excitations, the composite materials show core losses 5 times lower than that of Fe flakes at 800 kHz.
Frequency-tunable perpendicular spin torque oscillator
Authors: Sim C. H. , Moneck M. , Liew T. , Zhu J.-G.
Published: March 2012

We present an experimental study on the frequency tunability of a perpendicular spin transfer torque oscillator with a perpendicularly magnetized (Co/Pd)5 reference electrode and a Co/(Pd/Co)4 composite oscillating layer of a giant magnetoresistive stack. A current-perpendicular-to-plane magnetoresistance ratio of 2.55% is obtained for the stack. Spin transfer torque induced steady oscillation with a narrow line-width has been obtained with direct current injection. As the injected dc current level is varied from 4.5 to 8.5 mA under a small constant applied field, the oscillation frequency increases from 5 to 6.2 GHz and back to 5.8 GHz. The oscillation with the narrowest linewidth occurs at the injection current magnitude at which the highest oscillation amplitude is also obtained. Micromagnetic modeling suggests that a nanomagnet above its critical single domain size is subjected to higher order spin wave generation at large current density. The spatial inhomogenity created across the nanomagnet can account for the drop in its oscillation frequency at relatively large injection currents.
Ultra low power processor using perpendicular-STT-MRAM/SRAM based hybrid cache toward next generation normally-off computers
Authors: Nomura Kumiko , Abe Keiko , Yoda Hiroaki , Fujita Shinobu
Published: March 2012

This paper presents novel processor architecture for HP-processor with MRAM/SRAM-based hybrid cache memory. By simulations of HP-processor using MTJs, it has been clarified that total power of the HP-processor using perpendicular-(p-)STT-MRAM [H. Yoda, et al., Current Appl. Phys. 10, e87 (2010)] can be reduced by 50.2% without any degradation of operation speed. This is the first report on effectively decreasing total power of HP-processors with no degradation of performance using magnetic memory. The presented architecture will be the first step to realize the next generation “normally-off computers.”
Magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements on highly ordered nanomagnet arrays
Authors: Pathak Sachin , Sharma Manish
Published: March 2012

In magnetic nanostructures, anisotropy directly influences formation of domains and their evolution with external field. Magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) was used to study samples fabricated by templated electrodeposition of Cobalt into anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. With proper conditions, both Co solid nanowire, as well as hollow nanotubule arrays, were formed. The morphology of the samples was investigated using SEM and AFM. Since as-deposited samples have high surface roughness, chemical mechanical polishing was used to polish the samples to achieve an optically flat surface. MOKE data show that shape anisotropy dominates along the long dimension and interaction effects between nanowires are important. A marked difference is seen between solid nanowires and hollow nanotubule samples, the latter showing formation of vortices.
Micromagnetic modeling of particulate tape media with increasing perpendicular orientation
Authors: Jubert P.-O. , Alighieri G.
Published: March 2012

Micromagnetic simulations are used to investigate the evolution of the broad-band signal-to-noise ratio (BB-SNR) of barium ferrite particulate tape media with increasing perpendicular orientation. The structure of the particulate media is reproduced with a packing algorithm that mimics the medium fabrication process and includes the orienting effect of a perpendicular magnetic field applied during the drying process. Recording simulations are performed to extract the media BB-SNR and the transition width parameter. The simulations reproduce the experimentally observed improvement of BB-SNR with the medium perpendicular squareness and demonstrate that this improvement basically results from the reduction of the transition width parameter. A simple write model is proposed that allows prediction of BB-SNR with the degree of orientation of the particulate media.
Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the new rare-earth–transition-metal intermetallic compound Gd3Co29Ge4B10
Authors: Hill P. , Dubenko Igor , Samanta Tapas , Quetz Abdiel , Ali Naushad
Published: March 2012

The compounds Gd3-xYxCo29Ge4B10 (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 3.0), Gd3Co29Al4B10, and Gd3Co29Al4B10 were synthesized by arc melting, and their magnetic properties investigated as a function of temperature and applied magnetic field. X-ray measurements showed primarily single-phase samples with the tetragonal crystal structure P4/nmm. It was found that Gd3Co29Ge4B10 orders ferromagnetically at TC = 212 K and shows a compensation point at 128 K, indicating a ferrimagnetic ordering of the Co and Gd moments. An entropy change of −ΔS = 0.5 J/kgK was observed in a 5-T field at TC for this sample, while a change in sign for this quantity was observed both at the maximum value of magnetization (around 200 K) and then again at the compensation point. Substitution of Y for Gd in Gd3Co29Ge4B10 does not affect the Curie temperature, but shifts the compensation point to lower temperatures. This indicates that a decrease in Gd concentration does not affect the d-d exchange interaction, but has a pronounced effect on the f-d exchange interaction.