bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disparity in Physician Perception of Patients' Adherence to Medications by Obesity Status
Authors: Huizinga Mary Margaret , Bleich Sara N. , Beach Mary Catherine , Clark Jeanne M. , Cooper Lisa A.
Published: February 2010

Physician perception of medication adherence may alter prescribing patterns. Perception of patients has been linked to readily observable factors, such as race and age. Obesity shares a similar stigma to these factors in society. We hypothesized that physicians would perceive patients with a higher BMI as nonadherent to medication. Data were collected from the baseline visit of a randomized clinical trial of patient–physician communication (240 patients and 40 physicians). Physician perception of patient medication adherence was measured on a Likert scale and dichotomized as fully adherent or not fully adherent. BMI was the predictor of interest. We performed Poisson regression analyses with robust variance estimates, adjusting for clustering of patients within physicians, to examine the association between BMI and physician perception of medication adherence. The mean (s.d.) BMI was 32.6 (7.7) kg/m2. Forty‐five percent of patients were perceived as nonadherent to medications by their physicians. Higher BMI was significantly and negatively associated with being perceived as adherent to medication (prevalence ratio (PrR) 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64–0.90; P = 0.002; per 10 kg/m2 increase in BMI). BMI remained significantly and negatively associated with physician perception of medication adherence after adjustment for patient and physician characteristics (PrR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66–0.96; P = 0.020). In this study, patients with higher BMI were less likely to be perceived as adherent to medications by their providers. Physician perception of medication adherence has been shown to affect prescribing patterns in other studies. More work is needed to understand how this perception may affect the care of patients with obesity.
Dietary Restraint and Control Over “Wanting” Following Consumption of “Forbidden” Food
Authors: Lemmens Sofie G. , Born Jurriaan M. , Rutters Femke , Schoffelen Paul F. , Wouters Loek , Westerterp‐Plantenga Margriet S.
Published: February 2010

Eating behavior can be influenced by the rewarding value of food, i.e., “liking” and “wanting.” The objective of this study was to assess in normal‐weight dietary restrained (NR) vs. unrestrained (NU) eaters how rewarding value of food is affected by satiety, and by eating a nonhealthy perceived, dessert‐specific food vs. a healthy perceived, neutral food (chocolate mousse vs. cottage cheese). Subjects (24NR age = 25.0 ± 8.2 years, BMI = 22.3 ± 2.1 kg/m2; 26NU age = 24.8 ± 8.0 years, BMI = 22.1 ± 1.7 kg/m2) came to the university twice, fasted (randomized crossover design). Per test‐session “liking” and “wanting” for 72 items divided in six categories (bread, filling, drinks, dessert, sweets, stationery (placebo)) was measured, before and after consumption of chocolate mousse/cottage cheese, matched for energy content (5.6 kJ/g) and individual daily energy requirements (10%). Chocolate mousse was liked more than cottage cheese (P < 0.05). After consumption of chocolate mousse or cottage cheese, appetite and “liking” vs. placebo were decreased in NR and NU (P < 0.03), whereas “wanting” was only decreased in NR vs. NU (P ≤ 0.01). In NR vs. NU “wanting” was specifically decreased after chocolate mousse vs. cottage cheese; this decrease concerned especially “wanting” for bread and filling (P < 0.05). To conclude, despite similar decreases in appetite and “liking” after a meal in NR and NU, NR decrease “wanting” in contrast to NU. NR decrease “wanting” specifically for a nonhealthy perceived, “delicious,” dessert‐specific food vs. a nutritional identical, yet healthy perceived, slightly less “delicious,” “neutral” food. A healthy perceived food may thus impose greater risk for control of energy intake in NR.
The pseudophosphatase MK-STYX interacts with G3BP and decreases stress granule formation
Authors: Hinton Shantá D. , Myers Michael P. , Roggero Vincent R. , Allison Lizabeth A. , Tonks Nicholas K.
Published: February 2010

MK-STYX [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) phospho-serine/threonine/tyrosine-binding protein] is a pseudophosphatase member of the dual-specificity phosphatase subfamily of the PTPs (protein tyrosine phosphatases). MK-STYX is catalytically inactive due to the absence of two amino acids from the signature motif that are essential for phosphatase activity. The nucleophilic cysteine residue and the adjacent histidine residue, which are conserved in all active dual-specificity phosphatases, are replaced by serine and phenylalanine residues respectively in MK-STYX. Mutations to introduce histidine and cysteine residues into the active site of MK-STYX generated an active phosphatase. Using MS, we identified G3BP1 [Ras-GAP (GTPase-activating protein) SH3 (Src homology 3) domain-binding protein-1], a regulator of Ras signalling, as a binding partner of MK-STYX. We observed that G3BP1 bound to native MK-STYX; however, binding to the mutant catalytically active form of MK-STYX was dramatically reduced. G3BP1 is also an RNA-binding protein with endoribonuclease activity that is recruited to ‘stress granules’ after stress stimuli. Stress granules are large subcellular structures that serve as sites of mRNA sorting, in which untranslated mRNAs accumulate. We have shown that expression of MK-STYX inhibited stress granule formation induced either by aresenite or expression of G3BP itself; however, the catalytically active mutant MK-STYX was impaired in its ability to inhibit G3BP-induced stress granule assembly. These results reveal a novel facet of the function of a member of the PTP family, illustrating a role for MK-STYX in regulating the ability of G3BP1 to integrate changes in growth-factor stimulation and environmental stress with the regulation of protein synthesis.
Disulfide formation in plant storage vacuoles permits assembly of a multimeric lectin
Authors: Marshall Richard S. , Frigerio Lorenzo , Roberts Lynne M.
Published: February 2010

The ER (endoplasmic reticulum) has long been considered the plant cell compartment within which protein disulfide bond formation occurs. Members of the ER-located PDI (protein disulfide isomerase) family are responsible for oxidizing, reducing and isomerizing disulfide bonds, as well as functioning as chaperones to newly synthesized proteins. In the present study we demonstrate that an abundant 7S lectin of the castor oil seed protein storage vacuole, RCA (Ricinus communis agglutinin 1), is folded in the ER as disulfide bonded A–B dimers in both vegetative cells of tobacco leaf and in castor oil seed endosperm, but that these assemble into (A–B)2 disulfide-bonded tetramers only after Golgi-mediated delivery to the storage vacuoles in the producing endosperm tissue. These observations reveal an alternative and novel site conducive for disulfide bond formation in plant cells.
Treatment of intracerebral haemorrhage in rats with intraventricular transplantation of human amniotic epithelial cells
Authors: Dong Wanli , Chen Haiyun , Yang Xinxin , Guo Lihe , Hui Guozhen
Published: February 2010

We explored the effects on brain oedema and neurological functional recovery after transplantation of hAECs (human amniotic epithelial cells) into the lateral ventricle of rats with ICH (intracerebral haemorrhage). hAECs were isolated from human term placenta and seeded for primary culture. We delivered hAECs labelled with Hoechst33258 and transfected with EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) gene using lentiviral vectors into ICH rat models. The behaviour of the animals and brain oedema were evaluated after 28 days, and brain sections were made for morphological and immunohistochemical analyses with fluorescence microscopy. Our results were as follows. Transplanted hAECs were observed along the lateral wall and survived for at least 4 weeks. Some of the cells were stained with human specific antibody to vimentin and nestin. Around the injury site, activated microglia stained with OX42 were reduced. The water content of ICH rats decreased in the treatment group. The behaviour test scores were improved in the treatment group compared with those in the control groups. In conclusion, hAECs cannot only survive in the lateral ventricle of ICH rats after transplantation, but also express vimentin and nestin. hAEC transplantation reduced brain oedema and improved the motor deficits of ICH rats.
Portable emittance measurement device
Authors: Liakin D. , Seleznev D. , Orlov A. , Kuibeda R. , Kropachev G. , Kulevoy T. , Yakushin P.
Published: February 2010

In Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP) the portable emittance measurements device is developed. It provides emittance measurements both with “pepper-pot” and “two slits” methods. Depending on the method of measurements, either slits or pepper-pot mask with scintillator are mounted on the two activators and are installed in two standard Balzer's cross chamber with CF-100 flanges. To match the angle resolution for measured beam, the length of the stainless steel pipe between two crosses changes is adjusted. The description of the device and results of emittance measurements at the ITEP ion source test bench are presented.
Preparation and dielectric properties of Ba0.95Ca0.05Ti0.8Zr0.2O3-polyethersulfone composites
Authors: Wang Fajun , Li Wen , Jiang Hongliu , Xue Mingshan , Lu Jinshan , Yao Junping
Published: February 2010

We report the preparation and dielectric properties of ceramic-polymer composites using Ba0.95Ca0.05Ti0.8Zr0.2O3 (BCTZ) as a ceramic filler and polyethersulfone (PES) as a polymer matrix. The BCTZ powders were synthesized by a sol-gel method to fabricate BCZT-PES composites. The composites with various BCTZ volume fractions were prepared by a solution mixing and hot-pressing method. The composite with 50 vol % BCTZ showed high dielectric constant (ε=48.80) and low loss (tan δ=0.042) at 1 kHz and room temperature. Such excellent dielectric properties of the composites displayed an acceptable stability within a wide range of temperature (from 20 to 150 °C) and frequency (from 100 Hz to 100 kHz). The present work indicates that the BCTZ-PES composite can be a candidate for embedded capacitors.
Magneto-optical investigation of epitaxial nonstoichiometric Co2MnGe thin films
Authors: Trudel Simon , Hamrle Jaroslav , Hillebrands Burkard , Taira Tomoyuki , Yamamoto Masafumi
Published: February 2010

We investigate the magneto-optical properties of a nonstoichiometric, epitaxial Co2Mn0.77Ge0.42(001) film grown on a MgO-buffered MgO(001) single-crystal substrate. Magneto-optical Kerr effect magnetometry indicates that the sample has strong uniaxial anisotropy, whereas the easy and hard axes of magnetization are tilted by ∼10° with respect to the [110] and [11¯0] directions, respectively. A modest quadratic Kerr effect with an amplitude of 0.4 mdeg was observed. Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy was used to find that the exchange constant A, spin-wave stiffness D, and saturation magnetization Ms are 22.5 pJ/m, 413 meV Å2, and 6.43 μB/f.u., respectively. The saturation magnetization value suggests that the Slater–Pauling rule might apply to such nonstoichiometric compositions.
The mechanism of the photoresponse blueshifts for the n-type conversion region of n+-on-p Hg0.722Cd0.278Te infrared photodiode
Authors: Wang Jun , Chen Xiaoshuang , Wang Ziqian , Hu Weida , Lu Wei , Xu Faqiang
Published: February 2010

The photoresponse blueshift of the n-type conversion region for n+-on-p Hg0.722Cd0.278Te infrared photodiode is numerically investigated by considering the conduction band nonparabolic characteristic and band gap narrowing effect. It has been shown that the photoresponse position of the n-type conversion region shifts remarkably toward high energy. The shift energy is 37 meV higher than that of the p region. The result can be used to explain quantitatively the recent experimental observation of the blueshift of the photoluminescence peak for the n-type conversion region. The following three contributions are considered: (i) the Burstein–Moss shift considering a nonparabolic conduction band, (ii) the band gap narrowing effect, and (iii) the Hg-vacancy-induced acceptor trap level. It is concluded that the band gap narrowing and nonparabolic effects play an important role in the photoresponse of n+-on-p HgCdTe infrared photodiode with heavy doping concentration.
Linear theory of anisotropy driven modes in a Harris neutral sheet
Authors: Quest K. B. , Karimabadi H. , Daughton W.
Published: February 2010

There are several sources of electron and ion anisotropies that can have a profound effect on the stability of the current sheets in the magnetosphere. A new semianalytical approach is introduced and utilized to develop the linear theory of anisotropy driven modes in a neutral sheet. This technique is intermediary between analytical models and those that solve the exact linear Vlasov equation. Its advantage is in its accuracy and speed. Both the parallel and perpendicular limits are considered, and improved stability criteria and growth rates for Weibel, anisotropic tearing, and Fried–Weibel modes are obtained. For the same anisotropy levels, electron anisotropy is much more effective in modifying the stability of the modes, but the presence of large ion anisotropy in the magnetosheath can still have a significant effect on the growth of the tearing mode. Effects of ion anisotropy are more pronounced for thicker sheets, whereas the electron anisotropy is weakly dependent on the current sheet thickness. Although the current expectation is that magnetic reconnection in the magnetosphere is associated with the formation of thin current sheets, our results suggest an interesting possibility of fast growth rates for thick sheets in the presence of sufficient electron and/or ion anisotropies.
Ferroelectriclike dielectric response and metal-insulator transition in organic Mott insulator-gate insulator interface
Authors: Sakai Masatoshi , Ito Yuya , Takahara Tomoki , Ishiguro Masato , Nakamura Masakazu , Kudo Kazuhiro
Published: February 2010

A ferroelectriclike dielectric response was observed in a field-effect transistor using oriented bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane crystals. Phase transitions at 285 and 320 K were clearly observed in the temperature dependence of field-effect electron mobility. The phase transition at 320 K corresponds to the metal-insulator transition previously reported in a bulk crystal. On the other hand, the field-effect electron and hole mobilities exhibited an abrupt increase at 285 K, which had not been discovered by other physical measurements in the bulk crystal and is nonetheless sufficiently stable and reproducible. In addition, the abrupt increase in carrier mobilities was clearly correlated with the decrease in the dielectric response. The temperature variation in difference hysteresis curves demonstrated the feature of ferroelectric transition.
Hydrogen atomic pair-ion production on catalyst surface
Authors: Oohara W. , Fukumasa O.
Published: February 2010

To generate a hydrogen pair-ion plasma consisting of only hydrogen atomic pair ions, i.e., H+ and H− ions, the efficient production of pair ions is required. When discharged hydrogen plasma is irradiated to a Ni catalyst, pair ions are produced on the catalyst surface. It is clarified that hydrogen chemisorption on the catalyst affects pair-ion production.
Effects of (NH4)2Sx treatment on indium nitride surfaces
Authors: Chang Yuh-Hwa , Lu Yen-Sheng , Hong Yu-Liang , Kuo Cheng-Tai , Gwo Shangjr , Yeh J. Andrew
Published: February 2010

Indium nitride (InN) surfaces treated with ammonium sulfide [(NH4)2Sx] are investigated using Hall effect measurement, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM). Upon the (NH4)2Sx treatment, the sheet carrier density is reduced by (0.8–0.9)×1013 cm−2, leading to an increase in the sheet resistance. By numerically solving the Poisson’s equation, the associated upward shift of the surface band bending is derived to be 0.3 eV. XPS characterization shows, on the (NH4)2Sx treated InN surface, the formation of native oxide is effectively suppressed and a covalently bonded sulfur layer with surface In atoms is formed. This surface In–S dipole layer results in an increase in the electron affinity, thus giving rise to a lower surface bending shift (0.2 eV) observed in XPS. The electron affinity increase of 0.1 eV can be deduced, which is consistent with the result obtained by SKPM. Thus, the (NH4)2Sx treatment has been demonstrated to be an effective method for reducing the surface band bending for InN.
Perfect fluid space-times whose energy-momentum tensor is conformal Killing
Authors: Sharma Ramesh , Ghosh Amalendu
Published: February 2010

We show that the energy-momentum tensor T of an expanding perfect fluid space-time (M,g) is a nontrivial conformal Killing tensor if and only if M is shear-free, vorticity-free, and satisfies certain energy and force equations. In particular, if T is conformal Killing, we show that the perfect fluid is stationary and its energy-density and pressure are constant.
Communications: Development and characterization of a source of rotationally cold, enriched para-H3+
Authors: Tom Brian A. , Mills Andrew A. , Wiczer Michael B. , Crabtree Kyle N. , McCall Benjamin J.
Published: February 2010

In an effort to develop a source of H3+ that is almost entirely in a single quantum state (J=K=1), we have successfully generated a plasma that is enriched to ∼83% in para-H3+ at a rotational temperature of 80 K. This enrichment is a result of the nuclear spin selection rules at work in hydrogenic plasmas, which dictate that only para-H3+ will form from para-H2, and that para-H3+ can be converted to ortho-H3+ by subsequent reaction with H2. This is the first experimental study in which the H2 and H3+ nuclear spin selection rules have been observed at cold temperatures. The ions were produced from a pulsed solenoid valve source, cooled by supersonic expansion, and interrogated via continuous-wave cavity ringdown spectroscopy.
Investigating slippage, droplet breakup, and synthesizing microcapsules in microfluidic systems
Authors: Tabeling P.
Published: February 2010

The present paper reflects the presentation made in the 2008 APS-DFD meeting; it is dedicated in discussing liquid slippage at solid walls, droplet breakup in microfluidic systems, and capsule generation in microfluidic devices. The analysis of the physical processes implied in these situations led to improve our knowledge on the importance of slippage phenomena in electroosmotic flows, the effect of the confinement in droplet breakup processes, and the effect of recirculating flows on the morphology of multiple droplets.
Boundary layer flow beneath an internal solitary wave of elevation
Authors: Carr M. , Davies P. A.
Published: February 2010

The wave-induced flow over a fixed bottom boundary beneath an internal solitary wave of elevation propagating in an unsheared, two-layer, stably stratified fluid is investigated experimentally. Measurements of the velocity field close to the bottom boundary are presented to illustrate that in the lower layer the fluid velocity near the bottom reverses direction as the wave decelerates while higher in the water column the fluid velocity is in the same direction as the wave propagation. The observation is similar in nature to that for wave-induced flow beneath a surface solitary wave. Contrary to theoretical predictions for internal solitary waves, no evidence for either boundary layer separation or vortex formation is found beneath the front half of the wave in the adverse pressure gradient region of the flow.
Self-excited oscillations in buoyant confined bubbly mixing layers
Authors: De Tournemine Amaury Larue , Roig Véronique
Published: February 2010

In this experimental investigation we analyze the nature of the primary instability of a bubbly mixing layer. We consider upward flows that develop in a vertical channel of finite dimensions, with bubbles injected on one side of the mixing layer at the inlet. The induced buoyancy effect generates longitudinal accelerations, which are at the origin of self-excited large-scale oscillations under certain conditions. We provide experimental evidence that these oscillations are global modes, and we develop a simple model able to predict the conditions of appearance of these global modes. The model includes as essential mechanisms the buoyancy and a transverse mass transfer due to liquid miscibility in the mixing layer.
Enhanced magnetism in epitaxial SrRuO3 thin films
Authors: Grutter Alexander , Wong Franklin , Arenholz Elke , Liberati Marco , Vailionis Arturas , Suzuki Yuri
Published: February 2010

We observed enhanced magnetization in epitaxial SrRuO3 thin films compared to previously reported bulk and thin film values. The enhancement is strongly dependent on the orientation of the lattice distortions imposed by (001), (110), and (111) oriented SrTiO3 substrates. A larger magnetization enhancement for coherently strained SrRuO3 films on (111) and (110) oriented SrTiO3 compared to films on (001) SrTiO3 confirms the importance of the strain state in determining the magnetic ground state of the Ru ion. Moreover, SrRuO3 films on (111) SrTiO3 exhibit enhanced moments as high as 3.4 μB/Ru ion, suggesting the stabilization of a high-spin Ru4+ state.
High quality solution processed carbon nanotube transistors assembled by dielectrophoresis
Authors: Stokes Paul , Khondaker Saiful I.
Published: February 2010

We report on high quality individual solution processed single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) field effect transistors assembled from a commercial surfactant free solution via dielectrophoresis. The devices show field effect mobilities up to 1380 cm2/V s and on-state conductance up to 6 μS. The mobility values are an order of magnitude improvement over previous solution processed SWNT devices and close to the theoretical limit. These results demonstrate that high quality SWNT devices can be obtained from solution processing and will have significant impact in high yield fabrication of SWNT nanoelectronic devices.
Extraction of state-to-state reactive scattering attributes from wave packet in reactant Jacobi coordinates
Authors: Sun Zhigang , Guo Hua , Zhang Dong H.
Published: February 2010

The S-matrix for a scattering system provides the most detailed information about the dynamics. In this work, we discuss the calculation of S-matrix elements for the A+BC→AB+C, AC+B type reaction. Two methods for extracting S-matrix elements from a single wave packet in reactant Jacobi coordinates are reviewed and compared. Both methods are capable of extracting the state-to-state attributes for both product channels from a single wave packet propagation. It is shown through the examples of H+HD, Cl+H2, and H+HCl reactions that such reactant coordinate based methods are easy to implement, numerically efficient, and accurate. Additional efficiency can be gained by the use of a L-shaped grid with two-dimensional fast Fourier transform.
Analysis of femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy of excited-state evolution in bacteriorhodopsin
Authors: Niu Kai , Zhao Bin , Sun Zhigang , Lee Soo-Y.
Published: February 2010

The dispersive lines observed in time-resolved femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS), using a pair of 809 nm, 3 ps Raman pump, and 840–960 nm ultrashort probe pulse, for the first 500 fs photoisomerization dynamics in the excited state of bacteriorhodopsin, BR∗ (S1), created by a prior 500 nm, 35 fs actinic pump pulse, have previously been attributed to Raman initiated by nonlinear emission (RINE). We used four-wave mixing energy level diagrams to describe the FSRS process, which include RINE as a subset, and a 29-mode harmonic oscillator model for BR568 in the calculations. Our calculations showed that FSRS of BR∗ effectively occurs from the ground vibrational state of each of the observed 800–1800 cm−1 modes of S1. The lifetime on S1 determines the linewidth and decay of the dispersive lines, and is estimated to be ∼600 fs, comparable to the stimulated emission decay time. The FSRS dipole couplings are from the ground vibrational state of S1 to high energy vibrational states on BR (S0), and we place a fast decay lifetime of ∼100 fs on S0 which can be attributed to the correlation function from the many unobserved low frequency modes. The FSRS dispersive lines are shown to be due to the inverse Raman scattering term with |0⟩⟨1| vibrational coherence on the S1 surface, and are not due to RINE with vibrational coherence on the S0 surface. Our calculations show that the RINE process gives rise to broad featureless spectra.
Electro-optically switched compact coupled photonic crystal waveguide directional coupler
Authors: Zablocki Mathew J. , Sharkawy Ahmed , Ebil Ozgenc , Shi Shouyuan , Prather Dennis
Published: February 2010

In this paper, we present a compact photonic crystal directional coupler in a silicon on insulator platform electro-optically switched at 150 kHz with a switching time of 620 ns under a low voltage operation of 2.9 V. The switch design utilizes a coupled photonic crystal structure designed to operate in the slow light regime. Switching is attained by modulating the coupling coefficient of the coupled photonic crystal waveguide system by using a p-i-n diode to modulate the carrier concentration with a density of ∼104 A/cm2 across the plane of the photonic crystal.
TiO
2
thin-film transistors fabricated by spray pyrolysis
Authors: Wöbkenberg Paul H. , Ishwara Thilini , Nelson Jenny , Bradley Donal D. C. , Haque Saif A. , Anthopoulos Thomas D.
Published: February 2010

We demonstrate electron transporting thin-film transistors based on TiO2 films deposited from solution by spray pyrolysis under ambient atmosphere. The field-effect electron mobility is found to depend strongly on the device architecture and the type of source and drain electrodes employed. For optimized transistors a maximum mobility value of 0.05 cm2/V s is obtained. Furthermore, the TiO2 transistors show air-stable operating characteristics with a shelf life time of several months. This is the only report on electron transporting transistors based on thin-films of TiO2 deposited by spray pyrolysis. Such devices could be used for the study of charge carrier transport in TiO2 and other related materials.
Tunable-focus microlens arrays on curved surfaces
Authors: Zhu Difeng , Li Chenhui , Zeng Xuefeng , Jiang Hongrui
Published: February 2010

We present a microlens array consisting of multiple liquid-based tunable-focus microlenses omnidirectionally fabricated on a hemisphere, resulting in large field of view. Polymer bridge structure is formed between microlenses to reduce the stress and deformation in each lens structure. Each microlens in the array is formed via a water-oil interface at its lens aperture. Photopatterned thermo-responsive hydrogel actuators are used to regulate the curvature of the water-oil interface, thus tuning the focal length, ranging from millimeters to infinity.
All magnesium diboride Josephson junctions with MgO and native oxide barriers
Authors: Costache M. V. , Moodera J. S.
Published: February 2010

We present results on all-MgB2 tunnel junctions, where the tunnel barrier is deposited MgO or native-oxide of base electrode. For the junctions with MgO, the hysteretic I-V curve resembles a conventional underdamped Josephson junction characteristic with critical current-resistance product nearly independent of the junction area. The dependence of the critical current with temperature up to 20 K agrees with the [Ambegaokar and Baratoff, Phys. Rev. Lett. 10, 486 (1963)] expression. For the junctions with native-oxide, conductance at low bias exhibits subgap features while at high bias reveals thick barriers. As a result no supercurrent was observed in the latter, despite the presence of superconducting-gaps to over 30 K.
Electronic properties of two-dimensional hexagonal germanium
Authors: Houssa M. , Pourtois G. , Afanas’ev V. V. , Stesmans A.
Published: February 2010

The electronic properties of two-dimensional hexagonal germanium, so called germanene, are investigated using first-principles simulations. Consistent with previous reports, the surface is predicted to have a “poor” metallic behavior, i.e., being metallic with a low density of states at the Fermi level. It is found that biaxial compressively strained germanene is a gapless semiconductor with linear energy dispersions near the K points—like graphene. The calculated Fermi velocity of germanene is almost independent of the strain and is about 1.7×106 m/s, quite comparable to the value in graphene.
Enhancement of light extraction in ultraviolet light-emitting diodes using nanopixel contact design with Al reflector
Authors: Lobo N. , Rodriguez H. , Knauer A. , Hoppe M. , Einfeldt S. , Vogt P. , Weyers M. , Kneissl M.
Published: February 2010

We report on a nanopixel contact design for nitride-based ultraviolet light-emitting diodes to enhance light extraction. The structure consists of arrays of Pd ohmic contact pixels and an overlying Al reflector layer. Based on this design a twofold increase in the light output, compared to large area Pd square contacts is demonstrated. Theoretical calculations and experiments reveal that a nanopixel spacing of 1 μm or less is required to enable current overlap in the region between the nanopixels due to current spreading in the p-GaN layer and to ensure current injection into the entire active region. Light emitted in the region between the nanopixels will be reflected by the Al layer enhancing the light output. The dependence of the light extraction on the nanopixel size and spacing is investigated.
Evidence of localized surface plasmon enhanced magneto-optical effect in nanodisk array
Authors: Du Guan Xiang , Mori Tetsuji , Suzuki Michiaki , Saito Shin , Fukuda Hiroaki , Takahashi Migaku
Published: February 2010

Nanodisk array with sandwich structure of Au/[Co/Pt]n/Au was fabricated by electron beam lithography combined with argon ion milling. Excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) was demonstrated for various disk diameters. Magneto-optical (MO) properties were measured by a home-made micro-Faraday system at wavelengths of 633 and 690 nm. Faraday ellipticity at 690 nm showed non-monotonic dependence on disk diameter and reached maximum for disk diameter of 84 nm, which was associated with LSPR at 690 nm. The experimental results show direct evidence for LSPR enhancement effect on MO properties. The optical and MO properties were fitted by average field approximation.
Transient surface photovoltage of p-type Cu3BiS3
Authors: Mesa F. , Gordillo G. , Dittrich Th. , Ellmer K. , Baier R. , Sadewasser S.
Published: February 2010

Thin films of Cu3BiS3 were prepared by coevaporation. Hall-effect, Seebeck-effect, and surface photovoltage measurements show that Cu3BiS3 is a p-type semiconductor with Hall-mobility, free carrier concentration, and thermo-electric power of 4 cm2/V s, 2×1016 cm−3, and 0.73 mV/K, respectively. The work function was determined by Kelvin probe force microscopy to be (4.37±0.04) eV before and (4.57±0.01) eV after deposition of a thin In2S3 layer. Transient surface photovoltage measurements at variable excitation wavelength showed the importance of defect states below the band gap for charge separation and the opportunity for surface defect passivation by a very thin In2S3 layer. The band bending at the Cu3BiS3/In2S3 interface was obtained. The role of grain boundaries for charge transport and charge separation is discussed.
Energy resolution of terahertz single-photon-sensitive bolometric detectors
Authors: Santavicca D. F. , Reulet B. , Karasik B. S. , Pereverzev S. V. , Olaya D. , Gershenson M. E. , Frunzio L. , Prober D. E.
Published: February 2010

We report measurements of the energy resolution of ultrasensitive superconducting bolometric detectors. The device is a superconducting titanium nanobridge with niobium contacts. A fast microwave pulse is used to simulate a single higher-frequency photon, where the absorbed energy of the pulse is equal to the photon energy. This technique allows precise calibration of the input coupling and avoids problems with unwanted background photons. Present devices have an intrinsic full-width at half-maximum energy resolution of approximately 23 THz, near the predicted value due to intrinsic thermal fluctuation noise.
Colloidal quantum dot absorption enhancement in flexible Fano filters
Authors: Chen Li , Yang Hongjun , Qiang Zexuan , Pang Huiqing , Sun Lei , Ma Zhenqiang , Pate Ryan , Stiff-Roberts Adrienne , Gao Shuai , Xu Jian , Brown Gail J. , Zhou Weidong
Published: February 2010

We report here modified absorption property of colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) inside flexible Fano filters—made of patterned single crystalline silicon nanomembrane transferred onto flexible plastic substrates. Enhanced optical absorption was obtained both experimentally and theoretically, when the CQD absorption peak spectrally overlaps with Fano resonance peak. On the other hand, suppressed absorption was observed when the Fano resonance has no spectral overlap with the CQD absorption bands.
Novel Hydroxy- and Methyl-Terminated Triaromatic Schiff Base Compounds: Synthesis and Mesogenic Properties
Authors: Senthilkumar Natarajan , Narasimhaswamy Tanneru , Raghavan Aravamudhan
Published: February 2010

A series of Schiff base hydroxy-mesogens and their model compounds have been synthesized. The mesogen is constructed from three-ring-containing mesogens linked through ester and azomethine groups with a terminal hydroxy group. The related model compounds were also synthesized with varying chain length with a terminal methyl group and their properties were compared with that of hydroxy mesogens. Extensive characterization of all mesogenic compounds was carried out by Fourier-transform IR, 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectroscopy. The phase characteristics such as nature of phase, melting and clearing temperatures and phase range were evaluated using a hot-stage optical polarizing microscope and differential scanning calorimetry. The appearance of enantiotropic smectic phases is due to the high molecular polarizability of the triaromatic core with azomethine and ester linkages.
Stomatal conductance as a screen for osmotic stress tolerance in durum wheat growing in saline soil
Authors: Rahnama Afrasyab , James Richard A. , Poustini Kazem , Munns Rana
Published: February 2010

The change in stomatal conductance measured soon after durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum Desf.) was exposed to salinity was verified as an indicator of osmotic stress tolerance. It was a reliable and useful screening technique for identifying genotypic variation. The minimum NaCl treatment needed to obtain a significant stomatal response was 50 mM, but 150 mM was needed to obtain significant differences between genotypes. The response to the NaCl was osmotic rather than Na+-specific. Stomatal conductance responded similarly to iso-osmotic concentrations of KCl and NaCl, both in the speed and extent of closure, and in the difference between genotypes. The new reduced rate of stomatal conductance in response to addition of 50 mM NaCl or KCl occurred within 45 min, and was independent of the concentration of Na+ in leaves. The difference between genotypes was long-lasting, translating into differences in shoot biomass and tiller number after a month. These results indicate that the relative size of the change in stomatal conductance when the salinity is introduced could be a means of screening for osmotic stress tolerance in wheat and other cereals.
Early effects of water deficit on two parental clones of Populus nigra grown under different environmental conditions
Authors: Cocozza Claudia , Cherubini Paolo , Regier Nicole , Saurer Matthias , Frey Beat , Tognetti Roberto
Published: February 2010

Global climate change is expected to induce a dramatic increase in the frequency and intensity of drought events in the Mediterranean region. Their effects might be particularly severe in short rotation forestry systems, such as poplar plantations, with high water demands. The aim of this study was to examine the clone-specific reaction of plant-water relations and growth to a dry-down cycle in two parental clones of Populus nigra L.: Poli, which is adapted to the dry/hot climatic conditions of southern Italy, and 58–861, which prefers the cooler and moister conditions typical in northern Italy. Plants were grown in controlled conditions in an airconditioned greenhouse, under three different irrigation regimes for 44 days. Drought stress resulted in a general decrease in plant size and predawn water potential in both clones. Although the control trees grew somewhat taller and retained leaves longer than those in other treatments, the two clones responded differently to water stress. Under severe stress conditions, Poli showed proline accumulation in old leaves to preserve plants from drought damage, without reduced stomatal activity, as shown by low values of δ13C. In 58–861, the accumulation of ABA in roots during drought probably stimulated stomatal control, increasing drought avoidance in this drought-sensitive clone. Although in 58–861 the expression of aquaporin genes PIP1–2 and TIP1–3 was enhanced, in Poli gene expression was downregulated. We analysed only part of the aquaporins genes, but we assume that these clones exhibited contrasting water transport strategies during drought. Clone 58–861 seems to increase the permeability of the vascular tissue by overexpressing aquaporin genes, probably in order to facilitate water transport, and Poli appears to increase water conservation in the root cells by downregulating aquaporins.
Comparison of sapling-level daily light capture and carbon gain between a temperate deciduous and a co-occurring evergreen tree species in the growing season and in winter
Authors: Miyazawa Yoshiyuki , Otsuki Kyoichi
Published: February 2010

Light capture efficiency (Ea) and mass-based daily carbon gain (Amass) were compared between saplings of a deciduous tree species, Ficus erecta Thunb. and the co-occurring evergreen broadleaved tree species, Neolitsea aciculata (Bl.) Koidzumi, in a temperate forest in Japan. Using obtained data and an ecophysiological–architectural model, we calculated the Ea and Amass of each study sapling. We also analysed the response of Amass to changes in photosynthetic traits and Ea. Saplings of F. erecta had a higher Amass than N. aciculata, due to the high leaf area : aboveground mass ratio (LAR). The model calculation suggested that changes in photosynthetic traits and Ea changed Amass but did not modify the interspecific difference of Amass. In winter Amass was lower than that in the growing season due to low light availability during the short day lenght, suggesting modest importance of winter carbon gain for the evergreen saplings of N. aciculata. In conclusion, the advantage of this deciduous species for carbon gain over the co-occurring evergreen broadleaved saplings is not modified by acclimative changes in leaf physiology, crown architecture or prolonged photosynthesis period by evergreen broadleaved trees.
Characterisation of an (S)-linalool synthase from kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) that catalyses the first committed step in the production of floral lilac compounds
Authors: Chen Xiuyin , Yauk Yar-Khing , Nieuwenhuizen Niels J. , Matich Adam J. , Wang Mindy Y. , Perez Ramon Lopez , Atkinson Ross G. , Beuning Lesley L.
Published: February 2010

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp. Lindl.) flowers and fruit contain many compounds of interest to the flavour and fragrance industries. In particular, Actinidia arguta (Sieb. et Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq. flowers produce β-linalool and important derivatives thereof, including linalool oxides, lilac aldehydes, alcohols and alcohol epoxides. Dynamic headspace sampling of whole A. arguta flowers showed that the peak emission rate of linalool, lilac alcohols and lilac aldehydes occurred around 0800 hours. After solvent extraction, linalool levels remained constant throughout the day and night, but lilac alcohol levels peaked at noon. In whole flowers, linalool was found predominantly in pistils and petals, and the lilac compounds were found mainly in petals. Two highly homologous (96.6% nucleotide identity) terpene synthase cDNA sequences, AaLS1 and ApLS1, were isolated from A. arguta and Actinidia polygama (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim flower EST libraries respectively. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that AaLS1 was expressed constitutively throughout the day and night, and primarily in petal tissue. Functional analysis in Escherichia coli showed that AaLS1 and ApLS1 each encoded a linalool synthase which was confirmed by transient expression in planta. Enantioselective gas chromatography revealed that both terpene synthases produced only (S)-(+)-linalool. AaLS1, therefore, is likely to be the key enzyme producing the (S)-linalool precursor of the lilac alcohols and aldehydes in A. arguta flowers.
Heat stress affects flowering, berry growth, sugar accumulation and photosynthesis of Vitis vinifera cv. Semillon grapevines grown in a controlled environment
Authors: Greer Dennis H. , Weston Chris
Published: February 2010

High temperatures during the growing season characterise many grape growing regions in Australia and elsewhere in the world, and impact on many processes including growth and berry development. To quantify the impact of heat on the Vitis vinifera L. cv. Semillon, potted vines were grown in controlled environments and exposed to a temperature regime of 40/25°C at flowering, fruit set, veraison and mid-ripening stages. Vegetative and reproductive development was measured throughout and leaf photosynthesis and stomatal conductance tracked during heat exposures. Accumulation of soluble solids was determined during ripening. Leaf growth and stem extension were unaffected by heat whereas flowers completely abscised. Berries treated at fruit set developed normally and those treated at veraison and mid-ripening stopped expanding and sugar content stopped increasing. Photosynthesis was also affected on each occasion, with rates declining by 35% and taking 12 days to recover. Up to 10 mg carbon g (berry dry weight)–1 day–1 was required for ripening after veraison. For vines heat treated at veraison and mid-ripening, net carbon acquisition rates fell to below 4 mg carbon g (leaf dry weight)–1 day–1, which is inadequate to supply berry carbon requirements. This suggests that the impacts of heat on the ripening process can be traced back to the supply of carbon.
Carbonate constants for estuarine waters
Authors: Millero Frank J.
Published: February 2010

Intensive studies have been made on the carbonate system in seawater. The thermodynamic constants needed to examine the components of the carbonate system have been developed by several authors. The thermodynamic constants for the dissociation of carbonic acid in seawater have been determined on different pH scales. The two most popular pH scales are the total scale: [H+]T = [H+]F{1 + [SO42–]T/KHSO4}) and the seawater scale: [H+]SWS = [H+]F {1 + βHSO4[SO42–]T/KHSO4 + βHF[F–]T/KHF}, where the brackets denote concentrations and the subscripts F and T are for free and total concentrations. The values of KHSO4 and KHF are the dissociation constants for HSO4– and HF:

As long as the same pH scale and constants for seawater are used, one can evaluate the components of the carbonate system in seawater. Unfortunately, not all the measured and fitted constants have been made for dilute seawater, and thus cannot be used in estuarine waters. In this paper, the measured constants from S = 1 to 50 and t = 0 to 50°C have been determined on the total, seawater and free scale (pHF = –log[H+]F). These stoichiometric constants can now be used to examine the carbonate system in most estuarine waters.
Detecting larval export from marine reserves
Authors: Pelc R. A. , Warner R. R. , Gaines S. D. , Paris C. B.
Published: February 2010

Marine reserve theory suggests that where large, productive populations are protected within no-take marine reserves, fished areas outside reserves will benefit through the spillover of larvae produced in the reserves. However, empirical evidence for larval export has been sparse. Here we use a simple idealized coastline model to estimate the expected magnitude and spatial scale of larval export from no-take marine reserves across a range of reserve sizes and larval dispersal scales. Results suggest that, given the magnitude of increased production typically found in marine reserves, benefits from larval export are nearly always large enough to offset increased mortality outside marine reserves due to displaced fishing effort. However, the proportional increase in recruitment at sites outside reserves is typically small, particularly for species with long-distance (on the order of hundreds of kilometers) larval dispersal distances, making it very difficult to detect in field studies. Enhanced recruitment due to export may be detected by sampling several sites at an appropriate range of distances from reserves or at sites downcurrent of reserves in systems with directional dispersal. A review of existing empirical evidence confirms the model's suggestion that detecting export may be difficult without an exceptionally large differential in production, short-distance larval dispersal relative to reserve size, directional dispersal, or a sampling scheme that encompasses a broad range of distances from the reserves.
Three‐year results of the Friendly Schools whole‐of‐school intervention on children's bullying behaviour
Authors: Cross Donna , Monks Helen , Hall Marg , Shaw Thérèse , Pintabona Yolanda , Erceg Erin , Hamilton Greg , Roberts Clare , Waters Stacey , Lester Leanne
Published: February 2010

A group randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of the Friendly Schools program to reduce student bullying behaviour. This socio‐ecological intervention targeted the whole school, classroom, family, and individual students to reduce bullying behaviour. Self‐report data were collected in 29 schools over three years from a cohort of 1968 eight to nine‐year‐olds. Surveys measured frequency of being bullied, bullying others, telling if bullied and observing bullying. Results indicate that intervention students were significantly less likely to observe bullying at 12, 24 and 36 months and be bullied after 12 and 36 months, and significantly more likely to tell if bullied after 12 months than comparison students. No differences were found for self‐reported perpetration of bullying. The findings suggest whole‐of‐school programs that engage students in their different social contexts appear to reduce their experiences of being bullied and increase their likelihood of telling someone if they are bullied.