bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration and characterization of solid wall electrodes in microfluidic devices fabricated in a single photolithography step
Authors: Herling T. W. , Müller T. , Rajah L. , Skepper J. N. , Vendruscolo M. , Knowles T. P. J.
Published: May 2013

We describe the fabrication and characterization of solid 3-dimensional electrodes in direct contact with microfluidic channels, implemented using a single photolithography step, and allowing operation in high-dielectric constant media. Incorporation and self-alignment of electrodes is achieved by combining microsolidic approaches with exploitation of the surface tension of low melting point alloys. Thus the metal forms the walls flanking the channel. We show that this approach yields electrodes with a well-defined, reproducible morphology and stable electronic properties when in contact with biochemical buffers. By combining calibration of the electric field with free-flow electrophoresis, we quantify the net solvated charges of small molecules.
Terahertz photomixing using plasma resonances in double-graphene layer structures
Authors: Ryzhii V. , Ryzhii M. , Mitin V. , Shur M. S. , Satou A. , Otsuji T.
Published: May 2013

We propose the concept of terahertz (THz) photomixing enabled by the interband electron transitions due to the absorption of modulated optical radiation in double-graphene layer (double-GL) structures and the resonant excitation of plasma oscillations. Using the developed double-GL photomixer (DG-PM) model, we describe its operation and calculate the device characteristics. The output power of the THz radiation exhibits sharp resonant peaks at the plasmonic resonant frequencies. The peak powers markedly exceed the output powers at relatively low frequencies. Due to relatively high quantum efficiency of optical absorption in GLs and short inter-GL transit time, the proposed DG-PM operating in the resonant plasma oscillation regime can surpass the photomixers based on the standard heterostructures.
Experimental distinction between chaotic and strange nonchaotic attractors on the basis of consistency
Authors: Uenohara Seiji , Mitsui Takahito , Hirata Yoshito , Morie Takashi , Horio Yoshihiko , Aihara Kazuyuki
Published: May 2013

We experimentally study strange nonchaotic attractors (SNAs) and chaotic attractors by using a nonlinear integrated circuit driven by a quasiperiodic input signal. An SNA is a geometrically strange attractor for which typical orbits have nonpositive Lyapunov exponents. It is a difficult problem to distinguish between SNAs and chaotic attractors experimentally. If a system has an SNA as a unique attractor, the system produces an identical response to a repeated quasiperiodic signal, regardless of the initial conditions, after a certain transient time. Such reproducibility of response outputs is called consistency. On the other hand, if the attractor is chaotic, the consistency is low owing to the sensitive dependence on initial conditions. In this paper, we analyze the experimental data for distinguishing between SNAs and chaotic attractors on the basis of the consistency.
Detection of nanoparticles with a frequency locked whispering gallery mode microresonator
Authors: Swaim Jon D. , Knittel Joachim , Bowen Warwick P.
Published: May 2013

We detect 39 nm × 10 nm gold nanorods using a microtoroid stabilized via the Pound-Drever-Hall method. Real-time detection is achieved with signal-to-noise ratios up to 12.2. These nanoparticles are a factor of three smaller in volume than any other nanoparticle detected using whispering gallery mode sensing to date. We show through repeated experiments that the measurements are reliable and verify the presence of single nanorods on the microtoroid surface using electron microscopy. At our current noise level, the plasmonic enhancement of these nanorods could enable detection of proteins with radii as small as a = 2 nm.
High-pressure torsion of pure cobalt: hcp-fcc phase transformations and twinning during severe plastic deformation
Authors: Edalati Kaveh , Toh Shoichi , Arita Makoto , Watanabe Masashi , Horita Zenji
Published: May 2013

Cobalt with low stacking fault energy in the forms of bulk and powders was severely deformed using high-pressure torsion to investigate the influence of grain size on allotropic phase transformations. A phase transformation occurred from metastable fcc to hcp until the average grain size reached the submicrometer level. However, an hcp → fcc phase transformation with nanotwin formation occurred together with the formation of a distorted hcp structure when the grain size was reduced well to the nanometer level (∼20 nm). Mechanical and magnetic properties were also investigated.
Anomalous magnetoresistance of an array of GeSi nanowires
Authors: Pan Jinzhao , Zhou Tong , Jiang Zuimin , Zhong Zhenyang
Published: May 2013

The magnetoresistance (MR) of a GeSi nanowires (NWs) array is studied as a function of magnetic field, B, and temperature. We observe an asymmetrical MR versus B with a minimum MR at Bmin ≠ 0. Moreover, Bmin increases with temperature, and is larger for a current perpendicular to the NWs than one parallel. A model is proposed to explain this anomalous MR based on the spin-orbit coupling of holes, which is associated with the band structure and morphology of GeSi NWs. By analyzing the MR around Bmin, considerably different mobilities for holes of different spin orientations are derived.
Peculiarity of convergence of shock wave generated by underwater electrical explosion of ring-shaped wire
Authors: Shafer D. , Toker G. R. , Gurovich V. Tz. , Gleizer S. , Krasik Ya. E.
Published: May 2013

Nanosecond timescale underwater electrical wire explosions of ring-shaped Cu wires were investigated using a pulsed generator with a current amplitude up to 50 kA. It was shown that this type of wire explosion results in the generation of a toroidal shock wave (SW). Time- and space-resolved optical diagnostics were used to determine azimuthal uniformity of the shock wave front and its velocity. It was found that the shock wave preserves its circular front shape in the range of radii 50μm<r<5 mm. At r≤15μm, azimuthal irregularities of the SW front were obtained indicating the appearance of azimuthal instability. A surprising finding is that the shock wave propagates with a constant velocity of vsw=1.2M, where M is the Mach number. The dynamics of the leading part of the shock wave, based on the oblique shock wave theory, is presented, explaining the constant velocity of the shock wave.
Geometrical parameters effects on local electric field enhancement of silver-dielectric-silver multilayer nanoshell
Authors: Shirzaditabar Farzad , Saliminasab Maryam
Published: May 2013

The local electric field enhancement at different points of silver-dielectric-silver nanoshell is investigated using quasi-static theory. Because of the symmetric and anti-symmetric coupling between surface plasmon of inner silver core and outer silver shell, the local electric field spectrum of silver-dielectric-silver has two distinct peaks at resonance wavelengths. The silver core size and middle dielectric thickness affect the local electric field enhancement at different points of silver-dielectric-silver nanoshell. Increasing the silver core radius always leads to blue shift of shorter resonance wavelength and red shift of longer resonance wavelength. We observed two distinct local electric field peaks, which are corresponded to the symmetric and anti-symmetric coupling between inner and outer surface plasmons. In a system with thick silver shell, local electric field enhancement is greater than a system with thin silver shell. However, the local electric field variations as a function of silver core radius in both systems are different at different points of nanoshell. The effects of the dielectric thickness variations on local electric field are different from those from silver core size variations. As the dielectric thickness is about 3 nm, the highest local electric field enhancement occurs at the surface of the inner silver core, where the symmetric and anti-symmetric modes are mixed together.
Ultrafast all-optical tunable Fano resonance in nonlinear metamaterials
Authors: Zhang Fan , Hu Xiaoyong , Zhu Yu , Fu Yulan , Yang Hong , Gong Qihuang
Published: May 2013

An ultrafast all-optical tunable Fano resonance is realized in a nonlinear metamaterial composed of arrays of asymmetrically split rings etched in a gold film, coated with a polycrystalline lithium niobate layer. The metamaterial has a large optical nonlinearity because of strong nonlinearity enhancement associated with field reinforcement provided by plasmonic resonance, and quantum confinement effect provided by nanoscale crystal grains. A large shift of 23 nm in the Fano resonance wavelength is achieved under excitation of a weak pump light with an intensity of 15 MW/cm2. While an ultrafast response time of 48 ps is also maintained.
Scalable, non-invasive glucose sensor based on boronic acid functionalized carbon nanotube transistors
Authors: Lerner Mitchell B. , Kybert Nicholas , Mendoza Ryan , Villechenon Romain , Bonilla Lopez Manuel A. , Charlie Johnson A. T.
Published: May 2013

We developed a scalable, label-free all-electronic sensor for D-glucose based on a carbon nanotube transistor functionalized with pyrene-1-boronic acid. This sensor responds to glucose in the range 1 μM–100 mM, which includes typical glucose concentrations in human blood and saliva. Control experiments establish that functionalization with the boronic acid provides high sensitivity and selectivity for glucose. The devices show better sensitivity than commercial blood glucose meters and could represent a general strategy to bloodless glucose monitoring by detecting low concentrations of glucose in saliva.
Energy in a finite two-dimensional spinless electron gas
Authors: Ciftja Orion , Sutton Bradley , Way Ashley
Published: May 2013

We study the properties of a finite two-dimensional electron gas system in the Hartree-Fock approximation. We obtain exact analytical expressions for the energy in a finite two-dimensional fully spin-polarized (spinless) system of electrons interacting with a Coulomb potential immersed in a finite square region uniformly filled with a neutralizing positive charge. The difficult two-electron integrals over the finite square domain are reduced to simple compact expressions involving analytic auxiliary functions. We provide results for the potential energy of systems with a finite number of electrons and show how the energy slowly converges towards its thermodynamic limit bulk value.
High-temperature ferromagnetism of helical carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zhuang Ye , Wen Jianfeng , Tang Nujiang , Li Ming , Lv Liya , Du Youwei
Published: May 2013

We report the experimental results on the magnetism of curvature-induced helical carbon nanotubes (HCNTs). It is demonstrated that without any magnetic impurities in the sample, the as-prepared HCNTs show clear ferromagnetism with a Curie point as high as 970 K.
Organic nonvolatile resistive memory devices based on thermally deposited Au nanoparticle
Authors: Jin Zhiwen , Liu Guo , Wang Jizheng
Published: May 2013

Uniform Au nanoparticles (NPs) are formed by thermally depositing nominal 2-nm thick Au film on a 10-nm thick polyimide film formed on a Al electrode, and then covered by a thin polymer semiconductor film, which acts as an energy barrier for electrons to be injected from the other Al electrode (on top of polymer film) into the Au NPs, which are energetically electron traps in such a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device. The Au NPs based RRAM device exhibits estimated retention time of 104 s, cycle times of more than 100, and ON-OFF ratio of 102 to 103. The carrier transport properties are also analyzed by fitting the measured I-V curves with several conduction models.
Recommended Data on the Electron Impact Ionization of Atoms and Ions: Fluorine to Nickel
Authors: Lennon M. A. , Bell K. L. , Gilbody H. B. , Hughes J. G. , Kingston A. E. , Murray M. J. , Smith F. J.
Published: May 2013

Experimental and theoretical cross-section data for electron impact ionization of atoms and ions from fluorine to nickel has been assessed and earlier recommendations for light atoms and ions have been revised. Based on this assessment and, in the absence of any data, on the classical scaling laws a recommended cross section has been produced for each species. This has been used to evaluate recommended Maxwellian rate coefficients over a wide range of temperatures. Convenient analytic expressions have been obtained for the recommended cross sections and rate coefficients. The data are presented in both graphical and tabular form and estimates of the reliability of the recommended data are given.
People under 60living in aged care facilities in Victoria
Authors: Winkler Dianne , Farnworth Louise , Sloan Sue
Published: May 2013

Objective: To describe the characteristics of
people under 60 years of age living in residential
aged care in Victoria and to examine the occupational
participation of younger residents in aged
care facilities by measuring their social contact,
participation in recreation and community access.
Methods: A survey was sent to the Directors of
Nursing at all 803 Commonwealth Department of
Health and Aged Care registered aged care facilities
in Victoria.
Results: The survey had a 78% response rate
and information was provided about the characteristics
of 330 people under 60 years with high
clinical needs residing in aged care facilities. This
sample was extremely isolated from peers, with
44% receiving a visit from a friend less often than
once per year. Sixteen per cent of residents participated
in a recreation activity less than once per
month and 21% went outside less than once per
month. Of the sample, 34% almost never participated
in any community-based activities such as
shopping, leisure or visiting friends and family.
Conclusion: Over one third of younger people in
aged care are effectively excluded from life in our
community. Most younger residents are socially
isolated and have limited opportunities for recreation.
Placement of younger people in aged care
facilities is inappropriate, and alternative care
models and settings are required.
Receptionists in intake in community health
Authors: Duncombe Rohena H.
Published: May 2013

Receptionists are employed as administrative assistants, but in Community Health Centres, especially rural ones, they are the first step in service delivery, the intake system. This has implications for the people seeking services and for receptionists. This paper looks at receptionist data from an intake study alongside relevant literature and makes findings relating to the occupational health and safety (OH&S) of receptionists and for intake systems.

What is known about the topic?
Little attention has been given to the role of receptionists in health services. What is known suggests that receptionists would benefit from training related to mental illness and communications skills. It also indicates benefits from involving receptionists in system review and planning.

What does this paper add?
This paper identifies convergence between four sources of literature (receptionists in health, emotional labour, work and health (the Whitehall studies), and workplace learning) and the experience of receptionists in community health.

What are the implications for practitioners?
There is potential for managers to take into account the receptionist role as the first point in intake and service delivery. The OH&S of receptionists can be protected by ensuring receptionists are resourced, supported in their role, and included in intake system development. The ‘situated learning’ used by reception could be supplemented by in house training. Attention to reception, the clients’ first point of contact, has the potential to improve the engagement of and outcomes for people seeking services.
What is the ‘real’ admission rate of acute pancreatitis in a regional Australian population?
Authors: Turner Richard C. , D'Onise Katina , Wang Yan
Published: May 2013

Objective.
Capture-recapture analysis was used to more accurately quantify the admission rate for acute pancreatitis in a regional hospital setting, in comparison to the usual method of case ascertainment. Reasons for differences in capture for the various methods were also sought.

Methods.
Admissions for acute pancreatitis were enumerated over a 40-month period using three data sources: hospital classification of admission diagnoses, prospective case identification, and receipt of diagnosis-specific pathology specimens. Capture-recapture analysis was applied with log-linear modelling to account for likely dependency between data sources. Covariates were noted to explain capture probability by the various data sources and for eventual stratification in the analysis process.

Results.
For the census period, there were 304 admissions after merging of data sources, giving a crude admission rate of 7.6 per month. Crude ascertainment rates for discharge records and prospective identification were 44% and 52% respectively. Following log-linear modelling, total admissions more than doubled to 644 (adjusted admission rate 16.1 per month). Of the covariates considered, admissions of less than three days’ duration and those occurring in December and January were significantly associated with increased capture by the hospital discharge records data source.

Conclusions.
In this clinical setting, admissions for acute pancreatitis are grossly underestimated by the standard case ascertainment method. The reasons for this are not clear. Hospital discharge records are nevertheless more effective than prospective case ascertainment for certain cases, such as brief admissions and those in holiday periods.

What is known about the topic?
Capture–recapture analysis was originally developed in animal ecology, but has since been used to estimate both prevalent and incident cases of human disease.

What does this paper add?
This study exposes possible deficiencies in the single-source case ascertainment methods used by most hospitals to enumerate incident cases. It is the first time that capture–recapture techniques have been used to estimate acute pancreatitis admissions.

What are the implications for practitioners?
To obtain accurate admissions estimates for diseases such as acute pancreatitis, capture–recapture analysis with multiple data sources is advisable. One possible solution may be to conduct intermittent prospective censuses to complement existing retrospective ascertainment methods. On a more general level, clinical staff should be better trained to provide more accurate and detailed information in case records.
Predation of southern brown bandicoots Isoodon obesulus by the European red fox Vulpes vulpes in south-east Victoria.
Authors: Coates TD , Wright CJ
Published: May 2013

PREDATION by European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
has been identified as at least partially responsible
for local declines of populations of many small to
medium-sized mammals in Australia and is listed as
a ‘key threatening process’ under the Victorian Flora
and Fauna Guarantee Act, 1988 and the Federal
Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act, 1999. Foxes occur in large
numbers throughout urban, suburban and rural areas
where they opportunistically take carrion, small to
medium-sized mammals, birds, insects and fruit
(Menkhorst 1995; Marks and Bloomfield 1999).
They also kill poultry and larger mammals such as
macropod species and sheep (Menkhorst 1995). In
many conservation areas, particularly in near-urban
locations where fox densities are high, they are
thought to pose a serious threat to biodiversity
conservation (Menkhorst 1995; Friend et al. 2001;
Mahon 2001).
A quantitative dietary study of the ?Critically Endangered? Gilbert?s potoroo Potorous gilbertii.
Authors: Nguyen VP , Needham AD , Friend JA
Published: May 2013

Faecal analysis from the only known population of Gilbert?s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) near
Albany, Western Australia revealed that it, like other rat-kangaroo species is primarily
mycophagous. Diet was determined by faecal collections from live-captured animals within
Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Microscopic examination of samples collected from June -
September 2000 and additional samples from storage, found fungi to comprise over 90% of
faecal matter. A total of 44 fungal spore types were identified with many believed to be of
hypogeous origin. Fungal spores belonging to the genera Mesophellia, Elaphomyces,
Hysterangium and an unknown spore type (Unknown 1) were frequently recorded in samples.
Non-fungal material including plants (stems, roots and seeds) and invertebrates represented the
remainder. This investigation found that P. gilbertii fed almost exclusively on fungi and could
be considered a specialised mycophagist.
Population viability analysis shows spotted-tailed quolls may be vulnerable to competition
Authors: Glen A. S. , Dickman C. R.
Published: May 2013

Competition between carnivores can strongly affect their behaviour, abundance and distribution. Recent analyses suggest a strong likelihood of competition between eutherian predators and the endangered spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), although experiments are required to confirm this. If competition does occur, what are its likely effects on the long-term survival of spotted-tailed quoll populations? We used population viability analysis (PVA) to predict the fate of a hypothetical quoll population under various scenarios of competition. PVA showed that spotted-tailed quoll populations may be susceptible to extinction when faced with high densities of competitors. Model scenarios simulating exploitation competition and/or intraguild killing greatly reduced the population’s probability of survival, leading in the worst-case scenario to almost certain extinction.
Variation in morphological traits among and within populations of Austrodanthonia caespitosa (Gaudich.) H.P. Linder and four related species
Authors: Waters C. , Melville G. , Coates D. , Virgona J. , Young A. , Hacker R.
Published: May 2013

The native perennial grasses Austrodanthonia spp. are widespread and of great agricultural economic importance to large areas of southern Australia. However, little is known of the adaptive genetic variation that exists within wild populations. Intra-specific genetic variation has significant implications for the restoration and management of native plant communities because different seed sources may exhibit differences in adaptation. Using two common garden studies, we measured variation in morphological traits (flowering and growth) and water-use efficiency (carbon-isotope discrimination Δ) of Austrodanthonia caespitosa (Gaudich.) H.P. Linder and related species (A. bipartita, A. eriantha, A. fulva and A. setacea) and related this variation to environmental characteristics. Most variation for all species occurred among populations suggesting ecotypic variation. The significant relationship between flowering and growth characteristics of A. caespitosa and both large-scale climatic variables such as spring rainfall and sunshine hours and small-scale site characteristics such as shading provides evidence for trait-dependent adaptation at different scales. While components of fecundity such as flowering time and number of inflorescences represent important fitness traits, for other traits such as intrinsic water use there were no significant differences between populations. We discuss the implication of these results to both growth characteristics and sourcing seed.
Modification of Aryldiazonium Salts on Electrodes towards Designing Stable and Versatile Sensing Interfaces
Authors: Liu Guozhen
Published: May 2013

This paper reports the strategy of electrochemically reductive adsorption of aryldiazonium salts on electrodes for designing stable sensing interface. The diazonium salt chemistry can serve as an alternative system to alkanethiol-gold chemistry for the modification of electrode surfaces for biosensor applications.
Contrasting Reactivity of 2-Mesityl-1,8-Naphthyridine (Mes-NP) with Singly-Bonded [RhII–RhII] and [RuI–RuI] Compounds
Authors: Saha Biswajit , Rahaman S. M. Wahidur , Sinha Arup , Bera Jitendra K.
Published: May 2013

Reaction of cis-[Rh2(CH3COO)2(CH3CN)6](BF4)2 with two equivalents of 2-mesityl-1,8-naphthyridine (Mes-NP) affords trans-[Rh2(CH3COO)2(Mes-NP)2](BF4)2 (1). X-ray structure reveals weak Rh–C(ipso) interaction, and a short Rh–Rh distance. The same ligand, in contrast, oxidatively cleaves the Ru–Ru bond in cis-[Ru2(CO)4(CH3CN)6](BF4)2 and results in trans-[Ru(Mes-NP)2(CH3CN)2](BF4)2 (2). Both compounds adopt trans geometry to relieve the steric strain. Compound 2 exhibits moderate activity for the alcohol oxidation and aldehyde olefination reactions.
The Torres Indigenous Hip Hop Project: evaluating the use of performing arts as a medium for sexual health promotion
Authors: McEwan Alexandra , Crouch Alan , Robertson Heather , Fagan Patricia
Published: May 2013

Issue addressed

The Torres Indigenous Hip Hop Project (the Project) was conducted in the Torres and Northern Peninsula Area of Queensland during early 2010. This paper provides a critical analysis of project outcomes and identifies criteria that may form a suitable framework for the assessment of proposals for sexual health promotion using performing arts‐based approaches in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander settings.

Methods

A case study method was used. The first phase of analysis assessed whether project objectives were met using data collected during project planning and implementation. The second phase used these findings, augmented by interviews with key personnel, to respond to the question ‘How could this be done better?’.

Results

The Project required significant human and organisational implementation support. The project was successful in facilitating event‐specific community mobilisation. It raised awareness of sexual health disadvantage and engaged effectively with the target group. It laid important groundwork to progress school‐based and community mechanisms to address regional youth disadvantage. Against these benefits are issues of opportunity cost and the need for ongoing resources to capitalise on the opportunities created.

Conclusions

With substantial support and planning, such approaches can play an important role in engaging young people and bridging the gap between clinical interventions and improvements in health deriving from community‐driven strategies.

So what?

This paper contributes to existing literature by identifying key elements of an effective approach to using performing arts in sexual health promotion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander settings. It also provides guidance when consideration is being given to investment in resource‐intensive health promotion initiatives.
The instantaneous transport of inorganic and organic material in a highly polluted tropical estuary
Authors: Noriega Carlos E. D. , Santiago Marilene Felipe , Façanha Patrícia , Cunha Maria da Glória Gonçalves da Silva , Araújo da Silva Rodolfo , Montes Manuel de Jesus Flores , Filho Moacyr Araújo , Pereira da Costa Kátia Muniz , Leça Enide Eskinazi , Neumann-Leitão Sigrid
Published: May 2013

The contribution of the estuarine channel of Recife harbour to the eutrophication of the Recife coastal area was evaluated by quantifying the instantaneous transport of salt, dissolved inorganic nutrients (PO4–, SiOH4, NO3–, NO2– and, NH4+), material in suspension, Chlorophyll-a, pico–nanoplankton and microplankton during the rainy (June 2007) and dry (November 2007) seasons. The results showed that all of the dissolved nitrogenated nutrients, the silicate and the material in suspension had higher concentrations during the rainy season, whereas the phosphate and Chlorophyll-a (both the total and the pico–nanoplankton and microplankton fractions) showed greater concentrations during the dry season. All of the materials considered were exported to the sea except for Chlorophyll-a (pico–nanoplankton and microplankton fractions) during the dry season, when these materials were imported into the area. The total liquid transport in the rainy season was three times higher than that found for the dry season. Silicate represented nearly 85% of the total exported material during the rainy period, whereas during the dry season, phosphate and silicate represented 79% of the total exported material. The stratification and circulation processes indicated a well mixed environment. The water-renewal rate was low, as demonstrated by the input of phytoplankton biomass during November. The area was characterised as eutrophic during the months investigated.
Acute fasting before conception affects metabolic and endocrine status without impacting follicle and oocyte development and embryo gene expression in the rabbit
Authors: García-García R. M. , Rebollar P. G. , Arias-Álvarez M. , Sakr O. G. , Bermejo-Álvarez P. , Brecchia G. , Gutierrez-Adan A. , Zerani M. , Boiti C. , Lorenzo P. L.
Published: May 2013

Food deprivation affects female reproduction. The goal of the present study was to elucidate in the rabbit model the effects of acute energy restriction on ovarian function (follicle development, atresia rate and in vitro oocyte maturation) and embryonic development and gene expression of some candidate genes. Serum metabolic parameters (non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides, glucose, insulin and leptin concentrations) and endocrine markers (oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations) were also studied. A control group of nulliparous does fed ad libitum and a 72-h fasted group were used. At the end of the nutritional treatment, the ovaries of half of the animals were retrieved while the other animals were re-fed and artificially inseminated to recover embryos at 84 h after insemination, during the luteal phase. At the end of fasting, increased serum NEFA and decreased leptin concentrations were observed in the fasted group, but no differences appeared in serum steroid concentrations, follicle population and atresia rate or nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation. In the luteal phase, insulin concentrations increased notably in the fasted group. The number of recovered embryos per female and the speed of embryo development were reduced in the food-deprived group. Acute fasting altered both metabolic and endocrine markers and embryo development, but follicle and oocyte development and embryo gene expression were not affected.
Transforming growth factor-? (TGF?) in porcine seminal plasma
Authors: O'Leary Sean , Armstrong David T. , Robertson Sarah A.
Published: May 2013

Bioactive factors in seminal plasma induce cellular and molecular changes in the female reproductive tract after coitus. An active constituent of seminal plasma in mice and humans is the potent immune-modulating cytokine transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). To investigate whether TGFβ is present in boar seminal plasma, TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 were measured by immunoassay. High levels of TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 were detected in 100% of seminal fluid samples from 73 boars. Both were predominantly in the active, not latent form. Interferon-γ (IFNγ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), agents that interact with TGFβ signalling, were detectable in 5% and 100% of samples, respectively. TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 concentrations varied widely between boars, but correlated with each other and with sperm density, and remained relatively constant within individual boars over a 6-month period. Frequent semen collection substantially diminished the concentration of both TGFβ isoforms. Using retrospective breeding data for 44 boars, no correlation between TGFβ content and boar reproductive performance by artificial insemination (AI) with diluted semen was found. It is concluded that TGFβ is abundant in boar seminal plasma, leading to the speculation that, in pigs, TGFβ may be a male–female signalling agent involved in immune changes in the female reproductive tract elicited by seminal fluid.
From the other side of the knowledge frontier: Indigenous knowledge, social–ecological relationships and new perspectives
Authors: Muir Cameron , Rose Deborah , Sullivan Phillip
Published: May 2013

A river is like a mirror: it reflects the care given by people whose lives depend upon it. A scald on red ground or the slow death of a river reveals more than troubled ecological relationships – they are signs of broken social relationships. How people take care of social relationships and how they take care of ecological relationships are the same question. In this paper we emphasise the importance that Aboriginal people place on social relationships for good ecological relationships. In the past few decades natural resource managers have sought Indigenous knowledge relevant to Western ideas of environment, and in doing so, created distinctions between ‘ecological’ and ‘social’ knowledge – this is an artificial ‘white-fella’ separation. Additionally, Indigenous knowledge has been treated as if it were a static archive that need only be extracted and applied to resource development and planning. Instead it is dynamic, adaptive and contextual. As a consequence of compartmentalisation and the assumption of timelessness, the importance of social relationships in ecological relationships has been overlooked. Some research has explored similarities between Indigenous knowledge and the Western concept of adaptive management, and raised the possibility of synergy between them. We agree there are possible connections and opportunities for exchange and further learning between Indigenous knowledge and ecological resilience and adaptive management. However, Indigenous knowledge and Western science belong to different world views. An important task is to explore ways of grappling with this ontological challenge. We suggest a conceptual turn around that we believe could assist in opening a dialogue as well as creating a set of foundational principles for robust ecological and social relationships.
Chlamydia screening interventions from community pharmacies: a systematic review
Authors: Gudka Sajni , Afuwape Folasade E. , Wong Bessie , Yow Xuan Li , Anderson Claire , Clifford Rhonda M.
Published: May 2013

Background
Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) is the most commonly notified sexually transmissible infection in Australia. Increasing the number of people aged 16–25 years being tested for chlamydia has become a key objective. The strategy recommends that chlamydia screening sites should be easy to access. Community pharmacies are conveniently located and easily accessible. This review aimed to determine the different types of pharmacy-based chlamydia screening interventions, describe their uptake rates, and understand issues around the acceptability of and barriers to testing. Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published up to 30 October 2011 for studies that reported chlamydia screening interventions from community pharmacies, or had qualitative evidence on acceptability or barriers linked with interventions. Results: Of the 163 publications identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Nine reported chlamydia screening interventions in a pharmacy setting, whereas three focussed on perspectives on chlamydia screening. Pharmacists could offer a chlamydia test to consumers attending the pharmacy for a sexual health-related consultation, or consumers could request a chlamydia test as part of a population-based intervention. Participating consumers said pharmacies were accessible and convenient, and pharmacists were competent when offering a chlamydia test. Pharmacists reported selectively offering tests to women they thought would be most at risk, undermining the principles of opportunistic interventions. Conclusion: Chlamydia screening from community pharmacies is feasible, and can provide an accessible, convenient venue to get a test. Professional implementation support, alongside resources, education and training programs, and incentives may overcome the issue of pharmacists selectively offering the test.
Degree and correlates of sexual mixing in female sex workers in Karnataka, India
Authors: Mahapatra Bidhubhusan , Lowndes Catherine M. , Gurav Kaveri , Ramesh Banadakoppa M. , Moses Stephen , Washington Reynold , Alary Michel
Published: May 2013

Background The degree of sexual mixing plays an important role in understanding disparities in sexually transmissible infections and HIV across social groups. This study examines the degree of sexual age mixing, and explores its individual and partnership level correlates among female sex workers (FSWs) in Karnataka, India. Methods: Data were drawn from special behavioural surveys conducted in 2006–07 among 577 FSWs in two districts of Karnataka: Belgaum and Bangalore. Sexual mixing in age was assessed as the difference in age between FSWs and their sexual partners, and the degree of assortativeness in sexual mixing was assessed using Newman’s assortativity coefficient. Results: A total of 577 FSWs were interviewed; 418 of whom reported two or more partnerships, resulting in 942 partnerships. In about half (52%) of these partnerships, the age difference between the FSW and her sexual partner was 5 years or more. The degree of assortativity in age mixing was 0.098, indicating minimally assortative mixing. The disassortativeness in age mixing was positively associated with young age and no formal education, and negatively with duration in sex work. Partnerships which were of a commercial nature were more likely to be disassortative than noncommercial partnerships. Conclusion: The minimally assortative age mixing indicates sexually transmissible infections can transfer from members of one age group to another. Efforts are required to limit the transmission of infection from one group to other by promoting safer sexual behaviour.
Facilitating partner notification through an online messaging service: Let Them Know
Authors: Huffam Sarah , Fairley Christopher K. , Chung Mark , Sze Jun Kit , Bilardi Jade , Chen Marcus Y.
Published: May 2013

Let Them Know (www.letthemknow.org.au) is an Australian internet based service designed to support individuals diagnosed with an STI to notify sexual partners using anonymous or personal text messages. A review of user activity and acceptability of the website was performed. Between 17 March 2010 and 31 March 2011, of 13 024 website visits, 4863 (37%) visits resulted in a text message being sent. From 3 December 2010, of 1383 consecutive users, 963 (70%) indicated they were more likely to contact a partner because of the website. A short period of misuse was identified and controlled, and additional measures to monitor for and prevent misuse were subsequently implemented. Web-based notification systems such as the Let Them Know website can help to facilitate partner notification for individuals who may be reluctant to do this in person.
Large-scale spatial variability and distribution of soil organic carbon across the entire Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Liu Z. P. , Shao M. A. , Wang Y. Q.
Published: May 2013

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an important role in soil productivity and the global carbon cycle. However, little is known about the regional distribution of SOC across the entire Loess Plateau region of China. We investigated 382 sampling sites across the region (620 000 km2) and collected 764 soil samples from the topsoil (0–20 cm) and subsoil (20–40 cm). Standard statistics were used to identify the regional SOC content and the relationships with 11 selected environmental variables. Concentrations of SOC varied within a wide range throughout the region from 0.38 to 54.03 g kg–1, with mean values of 10.34 and 6.78 g kg–1 for the topsoil and subsoil, respectively. Coefficient of variation values showed moderate variation for SOC in both soil layers. Significant correlations were detected between SOC and these environmental variables, notably with soil total nitrogen (TN), soil pH, and clay content. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that TN, clay content, soil pH, elevation, and temperature had greatest effects on regional SOC variability among all the selected soil and site variables. Geostatistical analysis showed that the maximum autocorrelation ranges were 384 and 393 km for SOC in the topsoil and subsoil, respectively. Nugget-to-sill ratios were 0.52 and 0.50, which also indicated moderate spatial dependence. Maps of SOC distribution produced by the geostatistical method showed that the overall spatial pattern was characterised by an area of low SOC content surrounded by bands with higher values, which generally increased towards the region’s boundaries. The distribution pattern corresponded to that of the major regional landforms, which also influenced land use, whereby the sandy Ordos Plateau is surrounded by relatively fertile plains and valleys, where the human population density is highest, and the regional boundary is mountainous. The spatial data of SOC could be useful as an important initial state in regional SOC modelling and possibly be used in calibration and prediction processes in the remote sensing method to estimate SOC content for large-scale areas.
On the comparative importance of fire danger rating indices and their integration with spatial and temporal variables for predicting daily human-caused fire occurrences in Spain
Authors: Padilla M. , Vega-García C.
Published: May 2013

Human-caused forest fires are common in Mediterranean countries. Forest fire management agencies customarily estimate daily fire loads by using meteorological fire danger rating indices, based on variables registered daily by weather stations. This paper is focussed on the evaluation of the relative performance of a comprehensive set of commonly used fire weather indices by developing holistic daily fire occurrence models in Spain involving also other topographic, fuel and human-related geographic factors. The data consisted of historical records of daily fire occurrences, daily weather data and geographic characteristics for the peninsular territory of Spain in a 10-km-spatial resolution grid, for the period from 2002 to 2005. The prediction units were 10 × 10-km-grid cells but in order to take into account the spatial variation in relationships between explanatory variables and historical occurrences, Spain was divided into 53 ecoregions and a logistic regression model was developed for each one of these regions. The explanatory variables included in the models illustrated which weather and geographic factors primarily affected daily human-caused fires in the ecoregions. The validation of the estimated ignition probabilities with the fire occurrences registered during 2005, reserved for independently testing the model’s predictive capability, resulted in values of total percentage correctly predicted varying from 47.4 to 82.6%.
Lizard behaviour suggests a new design for artificial burrows
Authors: Ebrahimi Mehregan , Fenner Aaron L. , Bull C. Michael
Published: May 2013

Context
The use of artificial refuges is a common strategy for the conservation management of endangered species. However, artificial refuges may alter an animal’s natural behaviour that in turn may be detrimental to the species. The endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard from Australia is one species that will accept artificial burrows.

Aims
The aim of the present research was to determine whether the normal behaviour of the pygmy bluetongue lizards differed between artificial and natural burrows, so as to determine whether the existing artificial burrow is an optimal design for this species.

Methods
In the present study, we filmed the behaviour of lizards as they entered artificial and natural burrows. We compared the number of times a lizard entered a burrow, the time that lizards spent inspecting burrows, and the behaviours that lizards used when entering artificial and natural burrows.

Key results
We found that in natural burrows, lizards always entered head first, and then usually reversed direction inside, using an enlarged basal chamber, to sit with their head uppermost in the entrance. In artificial burrows, however, lizards had to enter head first, then reverse tail-first back out, and then reverse tail-first back into the burrow (so as to have their head facing upwards) We called this behaviour reversing from outside.

Key conclusion
The stereotyped reversing-from-outside behaviour when entering artificial burrows, and its occasional occurrence in natural burrows, suggest that it has evolved to allow lizards to use narrow burrows as well as those with a chamber, even though it can increase lizard’s surface activity and exposure to predation.

Implication
The reversing behaviour from outside the artificial burrow increases exposure to potential predators, and our observations suggest that a re-design of artificial burrows to incorporate internal space for turning around may improve their effectiveness in conservation management interventions.
Effect of small-scale woodland clearing and thinning on vertebrate fauna in a largely intact tropical savanna mosaic
Authors: Kutt A. S. , Vanderduys E. P. , Ferguson D. , Mathieson M.
Published: May 2013

Context
Habitat degradation and fragmentation of vegetation can transform and deplete local wildlife populations, and is a key threatening process globally. In northern Australian tropical savannas, clearing is relatively rare across the biome, although it is slowly intensifying as a result of increasing agricultural development. However, the terrestrial vertebrates in these largely intact landscapes are undergoing current population declines because of a variety of land-management changes, one of which is increasing land clearing; therefore, there is a need to understand the relative effect of small-scale land clearing the fauna.

Aims
The present study examined the variation in abundance of birds, mammals and reptiles in intact, thinned and cleared Eucalyptus woodlands in a tropical savanna bioregion.

Methods
The vertebrate fauna were sampled in 88 sites over two general geographic locations within the Desert Uplands in 2005 and 2006. Standardised 1-ha surveys were employed in a single vegetation type and across three treatments. As two discrete locations were examined, linear mixed models were used in the analysis.

Key results
The fauna composition varied significantly across the intact, thinned and cleared sites. Bird species richness reduced from intact to thinned and cleared sites, and reptile richness and abundance declined in cleared sites, but was largely unaffected by thinning. Seventeen bird species recorded significant variation in abundance across the three vegetation structural types, with 12 most abundant in the intact sites. Mammals on the whole were recorded in very low abundances and in few sites. For reptiles, two were most abundant in thinned sites and three in intact sites.

Conclusions
In the present study, we have demonstrated that small-scale clearing and vegetation manipulation via thinning, even within largely intact tropical savanna woodland, can cause localised depletion of some species, although most notably where the vegetation disruption was most severe (i.e. clearing). Birds are most affected, and many species that declined in abundance are the same as those that suffered severe population reductions as a result of broad-scale clearing in south-eastern Australia.

Implications
The proposed increase in the intensity of agricultural land use in northern Australia will result in incremental landscape change as a result of clearing. Understanding how the gradual reduction of vegetation cover and habitat will change the faun assemblage is important for pre-emptive conservation planning. This is vital to avoid the mistakes of extensive landscape change in southern Australia that has left a legacy of a permanently depleted fauna.