bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil organic matter dynamics in a North America tallgrass prairie after 9 yr of experimental warming
Authors: Cheng X. , Luo Y. , Xu X. , Sherry R. , Zhang Q.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. The influence of global warming on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems remains unclear. In this study, we combined soil fractionation with isotope analyses to examine SOM dynamics after nine years of experimental warming in a North America tallgrass prairie. Soil samples from the control plots and the warmed plots were separated into four aggregate sizes (>2000 μm, 250–2000 μm, 53–250 μm, and <53 μm), and three density fractions (free light fraction – LF, intra-aggregate particulate organic matter – iPOM, and mineral-associated organic matter – mSOM). All fractions were analyzed for their carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, and δ13C and δ15N values. Warming did not significantly effect soil aggregate distribution and stability but increased C4-derived C input into all fractions with the greatest in LF. Warming also stimulated decay rates of C in whole soil and all aggregate sizes. C in LF turned over faster than that in iPOM in the warmed soils. The δ15N values of soil fractions were more enriched in the warmed soils than those in the control, indicating that warming accelerated loss of soil N. The δ15N values changed from low to high, while C:N ratios changed from high to low in the order LF, iPOM, and mSOM due to increased degree of decomposition and mineral association. Overall, warming increased the input of C4-derived C by 11.6 %, which was offset by the accelerated loss of soil C. Our results suggest that global warming simultaneously stimulates C input via shift in species composition and decomposition of SOM, resulting in negligible net change in soil C.
Exploring B/Ca as a pH proxy in bivalves: relationships between Mytilus californianus B/Ca and environmental data from the northeast Pacific
Authors: McCoy S. J. , Robinson L. F. , Pfister C. A. , Wootton J. T. , Shimizu N.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. A distinct gap in our ability to understand changes in coastal biology that may be associated with recent ocean acidification is the paucity of directly measured ocean environmental parameters at coastal sites in recent decades. Thus, many researchers have turned to sclerochronological reconstructions of water chemistry to document the historical seawater environment. In this study, we explore the relationships between B/Ca and pH to test the feasibility of B/Ca measured on the ion probe as a pH proxy in the California mussel, Mytilus californianus. We compare the M. californianus B/Ca record to directly measured environmental data during mussel growth 1999–2009 to determine the correlation between B/Ca and seawater chemistry and discuss methods for assigning sample chronology when sampling an organism with variable growth rates.
Macroinvertebrate community responses to a dewatering disturbance gradient in a restored stream
Authors: Muehlbauer J. D. , Doyle M. W. , Bernhardt E. S.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Dewatering disturbances are common in aquatic systems and represent a relatively untapped field of disturbance ecology, yet studying dewatering events along gradients in non-dichotomous (i.e. wet/dry) terms is often difficult. Because many stream restorations can essentially be perceived as planned hydrologic manipulations, such systems can make ideal test-cases for understanding processes of hydrological disturbance. In this study we used an experimental drawdown in a 440 ha stream/wetland restoration site to assess aquatic macroinvertebrate community responses to dewatering and subsequent rewetting. The geomorphic nature of the site and the design of the restoration allowed dewatering to occur predictably along a gradient and decoupled the hydrologic response from any geomorphic (i.e. habitat heterogeneity) effects. In the absence of such heterogeneous habitat refugia, reach-scale wetted perimeter and depth conditions exerted a strong control on community structure. The community exhibited an incremental response to dewatering severity over the course of this disturbance, which was made manifest not as a change in community means but as an increase in community variability, or dispersion, at each site. The dewatering also affected inter-species abundance and distributional patterns, as dewatering and rewetting promoted alternate species groups with divergent habitat tolerances. Finally, our results indicate that rapid rewetting – analogous to a hurricane breaking a summer drought – may represent a recovery process rather than an additional disturbance and that such processes, even in newly restored systems, may be rapid.
Towards the design of a prosthetic underactuated hand
Authors: Laliberté T. , Baril M. , Guay F. , Gosselin C.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. This paper presents recent advances in the design of an underactuated hand for applications in prosthetics. First, the design of the fingers is addressed. Based on previous experiments with prototypes developed in the past, new tendon routings are proposed that lead to a more effective transmission of the forces. A novel elastic tendon routing is also proposed for the passive opening of the hand. A simplified static analysis of the fingers is proposed to support the results. Then, a new kinematic design of the thumb is presented. The thumb is designed to perform out-of-the-plane motions in order to broaden the variety of possible grasps. A mechanism for the implementation of underactuation between the fingers is proposed that alleviates the friction problems encountered in earlier hand designs. Finally, a prototype of the hand is briefly described and typical grasps are shown. This paper was presented at the IFToMM/ASME International Workshop on Underactuated Grasping (UG2010), 19 August 2010, Montréal, Canada.
Level set-based topology optimisation of a compliant mechanism design using mathematical programming
Authors: Otomori M. , Yamada T. , Izui K. , Nishiwaki S.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. We propose a structural optimisation method, based on the level set method and using mathematical programming such as the method of moving asymptotes (MMA), which we apply to the design of compliant mechanisms. A compliant mechanism is a monolithic joint-free mechanism designed to be flexible to obtain a specified motion. In the design of compliant mechanisms, several requirements such as the direction of the deformation and stress concentrations must be considered to obtain the specified mechanical function. Topology optimisation, the most flexible type of structural optimisation, has been successfully used as a design optimisation method for compliant mechanisms, but the utility of topology optimisation results is often spoiled by a plethora of impractical designs such as structures containing grayscale areas. Level set-based topology optimisation methods are immune to the problem of grayscales since the boundaries of the optimal configuration are implicitly represented using the level set function. The proposed method updates the level set function using mathematical programming to facilitate the treatment of constraint functionals. To verify its capability, we apply our method to compliant mechanism design problems that include displacement constraints and stress constraints.
Carbon Nanomaterials for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell Applications: A Bright Future
Authors: Brennan Lorcan J. , Byrne Michele T. , Bari Mazhar , Gun'ko Yurii K.
Published: June 2011

There is an urgent need for alternative energy resources due to the rapid rise in the price of fossil fuels and the great danger of the increasing greenhouse effect caused by carbon dioxide emission. Sunlight provides by far the largest of all carbon‐neutral energy sources. Therefore, the current solar‐ or photovoltaic‐cell‐based technologies, which can utilize solar energy, are of extreme importance. Dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are of particular interest because they can offer a number of advantages when compared to existing photovoltaic technologies. In this review, recent advances in carbon‐related nanomaterials and their application as materials for DSSCs are discussed. Carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene display remarkable electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties that enable several exciting applications in DSSCs. The progress on the utilisation of carbon nanotubes, graphene, and their nanocomposites is reviewed as highly prospective materials to replace transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers and counter electrodes in DSSCs. Moreover, carbon nanomaterials enable improvement of the performance of absorbing layers in working photoanodes by enhancing the light absorption and electron transport across the semiconducting nanostructured film. The application of carbon nanotubes, graphite particles, and graphene as additives towards the improved efficiency of the electrolyte in these solar cells is also discussed. Finally, a brief outlook is provided on the future development of carbon nanomaterial composites as prospective materials for DSSCs, particularly as components for printable solar cells, which are expected to play an important role in the future solar‐cell market.
Environmental Management in SMEs in the UK: Practices, Pressures and Perceived Benefits
Authors: Brammer Stephen , Hoejmose Stefan , Marchant Kerry
Published: June 2011

Environmental management represents a significant challenge for small businesses, and prior research has shown that they are typically less engaged with environmental issues than their larger counterparts. At the same time, prior research has seldom explored engagement among small and medium‐sized companies (SMEs) with the wide variety of practices that are encompassed by environmental management, nor has it sought to explore heterogeneity among SMEs. In this study, we analyse the extent of SME involvement in a wide range of environmental management practices and the differences between small and medium‐sized businesses. We also explore SME perceptions of pressures for, and benefits of, engagement with environmental issues. Our findings show that most small businesses are engaged in some environmental initiatives but that there is significant heterogeneity in the engagement of small and medium‐sized businesses. Consistent with this, we show that the smallest companies perceive significantly fewer benefits of engagement with environmental issues. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Laminar Mixing in Miniature Hollow‐Fibre Membrane Reactors by using Secondary Flows (Part 1)
Authors: Kopf Florian , Schlüter Michael , Kaufhold Dennis , Hilterhaus Lutz , Liese Andreas , Wolff Christoph , Beutel Sascha , Scheper Thomas
Published: June 2011

In der modernen Verfahrenstechnik hat sich die Miniaturisierung zur gezielten Ausnutzung definierter Reaktionsbedingungen weitgehend etabliert. Der Nachteil kleiner Volumenströme und uneffektiver, laminarer Durchmischung wird durch kontinuierliche Betriebsweise und kurze Diffusionswege weitgehend ausgeglichen. Dennoch treten bei der Übertragung makroskopisch sicher beherrschter Prozesse noch erhebliche Schwierigkeiten auf, da vor allem grenzschichtdominierte Transportprozesse weitgehend unverstanden sind. Dies gilt besonders für biotechnologische Anwendungen, bei denen Umsatz und Selektivität neben skalenübergreifenden Stofftransportprozessen auch von lokalen Scherbeanspruchungen beeinflusst werden. Zur gezielten Einstellung von Prozessparametern werden deshalb Miniatur‐Hohlfasermembranreaktoren entwickelt, die auf kleinem Raum eine indirekte Begasung sowie eine integrierte Eduktzufuhr und Produktabtrennung bei definierter Scherrate ermöglichen. Da sich gezielt einstellbare Sekundärströmungen als besonders geeignet erwiesen haben, um kurze Diffusionswege bei scherarmer Durchmischung zu gewährleisten [1], werden deren Prinzipien auch im Miniatur‐Hohlfasermembranreaktor angewendet. So werden Reaktorgeometrien zur Erzeugung von Kármánschen Wirbelstraßen und Dean‐Wirbeln optimiert, um insbesondere den grenzschichtnahen Stofftransport zwischen Hohlfasermembran und umgebendem Fluid zu erhöhen. Zunächst werden numerische Strömungssimulationen durchgeführt, die im Weiteren mit experimentellen Daten validiert werden. Anhand zweier Reaktormodelle wird gezeigt, dass durch gezielte Nutzung von Sekundärströmungen eine erhebliche Steigerung des Stoffaustausches bei scherarmer Durchmischung erzielt werden kann.
Performance analysis of ONOE protocol—an IEEE 802.11 link adaptation algorithm
Authors: He Jianhua , Tang Zuoyin , Chen Hsiao‐Hwa , Wang Shu
Published: June 2011

Link adaptation (LA) plays an important role in adapting an IEEE 802.11 network to wireless link conditions and maximizing its capacity. However, there is a lack of theoretic analysis of IEEE 802.11 LA algorithms. In this article, we propose a Markov chain model for an 802.11 LA algorithm (ONOE algorithm), aiming to identify the problems and finding the space of improvement for LA algorithms. We systematically model the impacts of frame corruption and collision on IEEE 802.11 network performance. The proposed analytic model was verified by computer simulations. With the analytic model, it can be observed that ONOE algorithm performance is highly dependent on the initial bit rate and parameter configurations. The algorithm may perform badly even under light channel congestion, and thus, ONOE algorithm parameters should be configured carefully to ensure a satisfactory system performance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Approximations of the Carrier–Greenspan periodic solution to the shallow water wave equations for flows on a sloping beach
Authors: Mungkasi Sudi , Roberts Stephen G.
Published: June 2011

The Carrier–Greenspan solutions to the shallow water wave equations for flows on a sloping beach are of two types, periodic and transient. This paper focuses only on periodic‐type waves. We review an exact solution over the whole domain presented by Johns [‘Numerical integration of the shallow water equations over a sloping shelf’, Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fluids, 2(3): 253–261, 1982] and its approximate solution (the Johns prescription) prescribed at the zero point of the spatial domain. A new simple formula for the shoreline velocity is presented. We also present new higher order approximations of the Carrier–Greenspan solution at the zero point of the spatial domain. Furthermore, we compare numerical solutions obtained using a finite volume method to simulate the periodic waves generated by the Johns prescription with those found using the same method to simulate the periodic waves generated by the Carrier–Greenspan exact prescription and with those found using the same method to simulate the periodic waves generated by the new approximations. We find that the Johns prescription may lead to a large error. In contrast, the new approximations presented in this paper produce a significantly smaller error. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behavior of 2‐iminothiazolidin‐4‐one with different reagents
Authors: Hamama Wafaa S. , Ismail Mohadamed A. , Soliman Mamdoh , Shaaban Saad , Zoorob Hanafi H.
Published: June 2011

Annulations of 2‐imino‐4‐thiazolidinone (5) via cycloaddition followed by cyclocondensation reaction with 1,3‐diphenylpropenone (6), benzylidenemalonate, and 1,2‐bis(chloromethyl)benzene gave 7, 19 and 20, respectively. Reaction of 5 with suitable electrophiles (Mannich bases of arylalkanone), 1,4‐dichlorobenzene (diarylmethylation), and formylation afforded 8/9, 21/22, and 23, respectively. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).
Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of some new 4‐substituted‐3‐aryl‐1‐(2,6‐dimethylpyrimidin‐4‐yl)pyrazoles
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Nair Reshmi R. , Dhiman Saurabh Sudha , Sharma Jitender , Prakash Om
Published: June 2011

Synthesis of a series of new 4‐substituted‐3‐aryl‐1‐(2,6‐dimethylpyrimidin‐4‐yl)pyrazoles (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, and 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g) is described. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antibacterial activity against two gram‐positive and two gram‐negative bacteria, namely, Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 8509), Bacillus stearothermophilus (MTCC 8508), Escherichia coli (MTCC 51), and Pseudomonas putida (MTCC 121), and their activity was compared with two commercial antibiotics, streptomycin and chloramphenicol. Two compounds, namely, 3‐(4‐anisyl)‐1‐(2,6‐dimethylpyrimidin‐4‐yl)pyrazole‐4‐carboxaldehyde (2b) and 3‐(2‐thienyl)‐1‐(2,6‐dimethyl pyrimidin‐4‐yl)pyrazole‐4‐carboxaldehyde (2g) were found to be equipotent to streptomycin and chloramphenicol against gram‐negative bacteria, E. coli having minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value = 4 μg/mL. Compounds 4b and 4d also displayed good activity against E. coli with MIC = 8 μg/mL. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).
Novel application of the MSSCP method in biodiversity studies
Authors: Tomczyk‐Żak Karolina , Kaczanowski Szymon , Górecka Magdalena , Zieenkiewicz Urszula
Published: June 2011

Analysis of 16S rRNA sequence diversity is widely performed for characterizing the biodiversity of microbial samples. The number of determined sequences has a considerable impact on complete results. Although the cost of mass sequencing is decreasing, it is often still too high for individual projects. We applied the multi‐temperature single‐strand conformational polymorphism (MSSCP) method to decrease the number of analysed sequences. This was a novel application of this method. As a control, the same sample was analysed using random sequencing. In this paper, we adapted the MSSCP technique for screening of unique sequences of the 16S rRNA gene library and bacterial strains isolated from biofilms growing on the walls of an ancient gold mine in Poland and determined whether the results obtained by both methods differed and whether random sequencing could be replaced by MSSCP. Although it was biased towards the detection of rare sequences in the samples, the qualitative results of MSSCP were not different than those of random sequencing. Unambiguous discrimination of unique clones and strains creates an opportunity to effectively estimate the biodiversity of natural communities, especially in populations which are numerous but species poor. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of a novel thioesterase (PtTE) from Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Gong Yangmin , Guo Xiaojing , Wan Xia , Liang Zhuo , Jiang Mulang
Published: June 2011

The Phaeodactylum tricornutum (P. tricornutum) thioesterase PtTE was encoded by a 648 bp open reading frame. The deduced 216 amino acids showed no similarity with plant acyl‐acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterases and bacterial thioesterases. Southern blot analysis revealed that one copy of PtTE was present in the P. tricornutum genome, and Real‐time quantitative PCR showed that PtTE was up‐regulated upon nitrogen deprivation. Thioesterase activity of PtTE was established by heterologous expression of PtTE cDNA in Escherichia coli (E. coli) XL1‐Blue and K27fadD88, a mutant strain of fatty acid β‐oxidation pathway. The substrate specificity of PtTE was determined by fatty acid profile analyses of the culture supernatant and membrane lipid of recombinant strains. Recombinant PtTE in E.coli enhanced total fatty acid content of XL1‐Blue by 21%, and also changed the fatty acid compositions of membrane lipid and culture supernatant. These changes were directed predominantly towards C18:0 and C18:1 fatty acids. Overexpression of PtTE alone in P. tricornutum did not alter the fatty acid composition of P. tricornutum, but enhanced total fatty acid content by 72%. This novel thioesterase gene shows its potential in metabolic engineering for enhancing lipid yield of microalgae. This is so far the first report of thioesterase from eukaryotic microalgae. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Lotteries and truncated binomial coefficients
Authors: Sasvári Zoltán , Kücken Michael
Published: June 2011

We consider the expression

and investigate for which k and n is P(k, n) an integer. We find integer solutions k and m of the equation P(k, n) = m for a given integer m and approximate real solutions x = x(k) of the equation P(k, x) = 2. © 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
To think or not to think: The effect of cognitive deliberation on the influence of injunctive versus descriptive social norms
Authors: Melnyk Vladimir , Herpen Erica van , Fischer Arnout R.H. , van Trijp Hans C.M.
Published: June 2011

Consumers can process information containing social norms at different cognitive deliberation levels. This paper investigates the effect of cognitive deliberation for both descriptive and injunctive norms. The experimental study examines the consequences for attitudes and behavioral intentions of these two norm formulations under different levels of deliberation. Results show that (1) cognitive load limits the influence of both norm formulations, and (2) cognitive deliberation increases the effect of descriptive and decreases the effect of injunctive norms. The positive and negative thoughts made salient by the information are shown to lead to these consequences. Marketers therefore need to consider the context and channels in which social norms are communicated, as this can affect the motivation, ability, and/or opportunity of consumers to process the information. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mixed messages in brand names: Separating the impacts of letter shape from sound symbolism
Authors: Doyle John R. , Bottomley Paul A.
Published: June 2011

Recent work suggests that sound symbolism in brand names conveys marketing‐relevant messages. However, if the customer sees a brand name rather than hears it, visual characteristics of the letters may convey messages of their own. These may conflict with or reinforce the message conveyed by sound symbolism of the name. Study 1 replicates the essence of the sound symbolism effect claimed in recent work. Study 2 shows that the visual characteristics of letters provide a plausible alternative explanation of these findings. Study 3 manipulates the visual characteristics in the brand name letters and reverses the previously found direction of sound symbolism effects. The findings suggest that powerful visual messages are present in brand names and that because of confounding, the contribution sound symbolism makes to the brand name may not always act as thought. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nanocobaltite: Preparation, Characterization, and their Catalytic Activity
Authors: Singh Gurdip , Kapoor Inder Pal Singh , Dubey Shalini
Published: June 2011

Mixed transition metal oxides (MTMO) nanoparticles of 3rd‐series (NiCo2O4, CuCo2O4, and ZnCo2O4) were prepared by a co‐precipitation method. These were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particle size was found to be in the order of 53.0, 43.4, and 21.2 nm, respectively. The thermolysis of ammonium perchlorate (AP), AP‐HTPB (hydroxyterminated polybutadiene) composite solid propellants (CSPs), and HTPB was found to be catalyzed with MTMOs and the burning rate of CSPs was also enhanced. TG and ignition delay study demonstrated that the higher temperature decomposition (HTD) of AP is catalyzed enormously by these catalysts and CuCo2O4is the best candidate.
On the thermal oxidation of AlInN/AlN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Eickelkamp Martin , Weingarten Martin , Rahimzadeh Khoshroo Lars , Ketteniss Nico , Behmenburg Hannes , Heuken Michael , Kalisch Holger , Jansen Rolf H. , Vescan Andrei
Published: June 2011

In this work, we report on the thermal oxidation of AlInN/AlN/GaN heterostructures. A ‘nearly‐native’ Al2O3 oxide was formed during this procedure, which can be used as a gate oxide and thus enables the fabrication of MIS‐HFET. 2DEG density and, in particular, carrier mobility are strongly affected by the thermal treatment in O2 atmosphere. Hence, only a narrow processing window for successful thermal oxidation was identified, covering annealing temperatures between 700 °C and 800 °C and annealing durations of few minutes. Oxide thicknesses estimated to be in the range of 0.6 nm and 2.6 nm were fabricated, enabling a suppression of reverse leakage currents of MIS large‐area gate diodes by up to three orders of magnitude. The resulting oxide thickness scales well with the square root of oxidation time, indicating a diffusion of oxygen atoms into the barrier. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Micellization Behavior of Cationic Gemini Surfactants in Aqueous‐Ethylene Glycol Solution
Authors: Tikariha Deepti , Kumar Birendra , Singh Namrata , Ghosh Kallol K. , Quagliotto Pierluigi
Published: June 2011

The micellization behavior of gemini surfactants i.e. alkanediyl‐α,ω‐bis(cetyldimethylammonium bromide) (C16‐s‐C16,2Br− where s = 3, 4, 10) in 10% (v/v) ethylene glycol solution was investigated by surface tension and conductometric measurements at 300 K. The critical micelle concentration, degree of micellar ionization, surface excess concentration, minimum surface area per molecule of surfactant, surface pressure at the CMC and Gibbs energy of adsorption of the dimeric surfactants have also been determined in the presence of different salts (NaCl, NaBr and NaI). The critical micelle concentration and degree of micellar ionization values decrease significantly in the presence of sodium halides and follows the sequence NaCl < NaBr < NaI. The free energy, enthalpy and entropy of micellization of dimeric surfactants in 10% (v/v) ethylene glycol solution were determined using the temperature dependence of the critical micelle concentration. The standard free energy of micellization was found to be negative in all the cases.
Sexual Authenticity
Authors: Harbin Ami
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT: In this paper, I am interested in the ethics of everyday sexual agency: specifically, in moral questions about when, how, and why we identify ourselves as particular kinds of sexual agents. Given that sexual self-identifications involve a complex combination of individual and social processes, a framework which does justice to these processes would help make room for an analysis of the ethics of sexual self-identification. I introduce the concept of sexual authenticity as useful in these contexts, where such authenticity involves two main aspects: taking up sexual identifications as our ownmost and giving accounts of them to and with others.
SOIL BIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL QUALITY OF WHEAT-MAIZE CROPPING SYSTEM IN LONG-TERM FERTILIZER EXPERIMENTS
Authors: HU CHENG , QI YING-CHUN
Published: June 2011

Two long-term field experiments, each consisting of three treatments (organic compost treatment, chemical fertilizer treatment and an untreated control) were established in 1993 and 1997, respectively. Soil samples were collected from each plot in June 2004 and 2005 after crop harvest and were used to determine soil physical-chemical properties, biological and biochemical activity, and the nematode community. Soil physicochemical parameters, microbial biomass, biological activities and nematode communities were significantly influenced by long-term application of organic compost. In general, soil total organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, total nitrogen, alkaline-hydrolysable nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium, microbial biomass, basal respiration, urease activities, total number of nematodes and bacterial-feeding nematodes were significantly higher in the compost plots than in the chemical fertilizer and control plots at two experimental sites and two sampling dates. Soil bulk density and pH values were significantly lower in the compost plots. We conclude that soil physical-chemical properties, size and activity of soil microbial biomass, metabolic quotient (qCO2), urease activity, total number of nematodes and bacteria-feeding nematodes could be used as indicators of soil quality.
Evidence for a progressively earlier pupping season of the common seal (Phoca vitulina) in the Wadden Sea
Authors: Osinga N. , Pen I. , Udo de Haes H.A. , Brakefield P.M.
Published: June 2011

Common seals Phoca vitulina give birth in the Wadden Sea area during the summer months. We provide evidence that the pupping season has advanced in date in this region. Analysis of stranding dates of recently-born, orphaned pups admitted for rehabilitation, revealed a shift of, on average, 0.88 days per year over the period 1974–2008, yielding a total advance of 26 days. Although the pupping season has become progressively earlier, there were no indications of any negative impact on the weight of the pups, nor was there an increase in the proportion of seals with a lanugo coat. These observations suggest that the most likely explanation for the change in phenology of the pupping season is a corresponding change in the timing of cessation of the period of delayed implantation. It is suggested that shifts in phenology could reflect an adaptive response of the animals to altered local circumstances. The latter may in turn be induced by larger scale phenomena such as food availability or climate change.
Recentred local profiles for authorship attribution
Authors: LAYTON ROBERT , WATTERS PAUL , DAZELEY RICHARD
Published: June 2011

Authorship attribution methods aim to determine the author of a document, by using information gathered from a set of documents with known authors. One method of performing this task is to create profiles containing distinctive features known to be used by each author. In this paper, a new method of creating an author or document profile is presented that detects features considered distinctive, compared to normal language usage. Thisrecentreingapproach creates more accurate profiles than previous methods, as demonstrated empirically using a known corpus of authorship problems. This method, named recentred local profiles, determines authorship accurately using a simple ‘best matching author’ approach to classification, compared to other methods in the literature. The proposed method is shown to be more stable than related methods as parameter values change. Using a weighted voting scheme, recentred local profiles is shown to outperform other methods in authorship attribution, with an overall accuracy of 69.9% on thead-hocauthorship attribution competition corpus, representing a significant improvement over related methods.
Self-Verification and Social Anxiety: Preference for Negative Social Feedback and Low Social Self-Esteem
Authors: Valentiner David P. , Skowronski John J. , McGrath Patrick B. , Smith Sarah A. , Renner Kerry A.
Published: June 2011

Background: A self-verification model of social anxiety views negative social self-esteem as a core feature of social anxiety. This core feature is proposed to be maintained through self-verification processes, such as by leading individuals with negative social self-esteem to prefer negative social feedback. This model is tested in two studies. Methods: In Study 1, questionnaires were administered to a college sample (N = 317). In Study 2, questionnaires were administered to anxiety disordered patients (N = 62) before and after treatment. Results: Study 1 developed measures of preference for negative social feedback and social self-esteem, and provided evidence of their incremental validity in a college sample. Study 2 found that these two variables are not strongly related to fears of evaluation, are relatively unaffected by a treatment that targets such fears, and predict residual social anxiety following treatment. Conclusions: Overall, these studies provide preliminary evidence for a self-verification model of social anxiety.
The association between excess weight and self-rated health and psychological distress in women in Spain
Authors: Martín-López Rocío , Pérez-Farinós Napoleon , Hernández-Barrera Valentín , de Andres Ana Lopez , Carrasco-Garrido Pilar , Jiménez-García Rodrigo
Published: June 2011

Objective

To investigate the associations between obesity and self-rated health and psychological well-being in Spanish women.

Design

Cross-sectional study. Three dependent variables were defined: self-rated health; self-declared diagnosis of psychiatric disorders or use of psychiatric drugs; and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) score. A set of variables (sociodemographic, morbidity and lifestyle) were used to adjust for possible confounding effects.

Setting

The National Health Survey was conducted in Spain in 2006.

Subjects

A total of 15 099 women aged ≥18 years. Participants were classified into groups according to their BMI.

Results

In all, 55·4 % of the women had normal weight, 29·4 % were overweight and 15·2 % were obese. Self-perception of poor health in obese women was 57·8 %, a significantly higher value than in women of normal weight (28·8 %). Prevalence of psychiatric disease was 35·5 % in obese women and 18·9 % in women of normal weight. In multivariate analysis, obese women had 34 % higher odds of declaring poor self-perception of health (OR = 1·34; 95 % CI 1·12, 1·61), 18 % higher odds of self-reporting psychiatric disease (OR = 1·18; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·38) and 26 % higher odds (OR = 1·26; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·55) of having an abnormal outcome (≥3) on the GHQ-12 than women of normal weight.

Conclusions

The present study highlights that obese Spanish women have worse self-rated health and psychological health than those with normal weight. These aspects are relevant because of the growing importance placed on the functionality of patients and their mental health within the obesity epidemic.
Folic acid awareness and intake among women in areas with high prevalence of neural tube defects in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zeng Ziqian , Yuan Ping , Wang Yanping , Ma Xi , Zhu Jun
Published: June 2011

Objective

To measure folic acid awareness and intake rates among women of childbearing age in certain areas of China with a high prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD).

Design

A cross-sectional survey was carried out utilising a nineteen-item questionnaire enquiring into individual women's knowledge of, attitude towards and practice of folic acid supplementation.

Setting

A total of 293 low-income counties in six provinces of China.

Subjects

Women aged 19–44 years from six provinces with a high prevalence of NTD recruited from June to August 2008.

Results

Among 33 025 participants, 57 % had heard of folic acid but only 15 % knew all of the core information. The intake rate was 12 %; only 8 % took the recommended dose and only 4 % of non-pregnant women took folic acid. Some women did not take folic acid because they did not know that they should take it (49 %) or they had misconceptions about it (24 %). According to logistic regression analysis, rural residence was a risk factor for folic acid awareness. Ethnicity, educational level, average annual income per person and pregnancy were the influencing factors of folic acid awareness and folic acid intake.

Conclusions

Although more than half of the respondents had heard of folic acid, the intake rate was still very low in areas with a high prevalence of NTD. Thus, more efforts are needed to increase folic acid awareness and intake among women of reproductive age in these areas.
The Missing Risk: MRI and MRS Phenotyping of Abdominal Adiposity and Ectopic Fat
Authors: Thomas E. Louise , Parkinson James R. , Frost Gary S. , Goldstone Anthony P. , Doré Caroline J. , McCarthy John P. , Collins Adam L. , Fitzpatrick Julie A. , Durighel Giuliana , Taylor‐Robinson Simon D. , Bell Jimmy D.
Published: June 2011

Individual compartments of abdominal adiposity and lipid content within the liver and muscle are differentially associated with metabolic risk factors, obesity and insulin resistance. Subjects with greater intra‐abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) and hepatic fat than predicted by clinical indices of obesity may be at increased risk of metabolic diseases despite their “normal” size. There is a need for accurate quantification of these potentially hazardous depots and identification of novel subphenotypes that recognize individuals at potentially increased metabolic risk. We aimed to calculate a reference range for total and regional adipose tissue (AT) as well as ectopic fat in liver and muscle in healthy subjects. We studied the relationship between age, body‐mass, BMI, waist circumference (WC), and the distribution of AT, using whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in 477 white volunteers (243 male, 234 female). Furthermore, we used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to determine intrahepatocellular (IHCL) and intramyocellular (IMCL) lipid content. The anthropometric variable which provided the strongest individual correlation for adiposity and ectopic fat stores was WC in men and BMI in women. In addition, we reveal a large variation in IAAT, abdominal subcutaneous AT (ASAT), and IHCL depots not fully predicted by clinically obtained measurements of obesity and the emergence of a previously unidentified subphenotype. Here, we demonstrate gender‐ and age‐specific patterns of regional adiposity in a large UK‐based cohort and identify anthropometric variables that best predict individual adiposity and ectopic fat stores. From these data we propose the thin‐on‐the‐outside fat‐on‐the‐inside (TOFI) as a subphenotype for individuals at increased metabolic risk.
Genetic Polymorphisms in Adipokine Genes and the Risk of Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Yu Zhangbin , Han Shuping , Cao Xingguo , Zhu Chun , Wang Xuejie , Guo Xirong
Published: June 2011

Polymorphisms in adipokine genes, such as leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEPR), resistin (RETN), adiponectin (ADIPOQ), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐6 (IL‐6), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) may be involved in the development of obesity. We conducted a systematic review of published evidence on the association between different adipokine genes and the risk of obesity. Librarian‐designed searches of PubMed and HuGeNet, review of reference lists from published reviews and content expert advice identified potentially eligible studies. The genotyping information and polymorphisms of different adipokine genes, numbers of genotyped cases and controls and frequencies of genotypes were extracted from 48 eligible studies included in this review. Twenty‐one polymorphisms each associated with obesity in at least one study were identified. Polymorphisms in the adipokine genes, LEP, LEPR, and RETN were not associated with obesity susceptibility, whereas ADIPOQ G276T (T vs. G: odds ratio (OR), 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.39–1.81), IL‐1β C3953T (CC vs. CT+TT: OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.18–2.20), and TNF‐α G308A (GG vs. GA+AA: OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02–1.39) polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of obesity. The IL‐6 G174C polymorphism was also associated obesity when using allelic comparisons, the recessive genetic model and the dominant genetic model with OR (95% CI) of 1.95 (1.37–2.77), 1.44 (1.15–1.80), and 1.36 (1.16–1.59), respectively. No significant evidence of publication bias was present. However, these “null” results were underpowered due to a small pooled sample size, and analysis of additional case‐control studies with larger sample sizes should provide further clarifications.
MRI Measured Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness at the Right AV Groove Differentiates Inflammatory Status in Obese Men With Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Liang Kae‐Woei , Tsai I‐Chen , Lee Wen‐Jane , Lee I‐Te , Lee Wen‐Lieng , Lin Shih‐Yi , Wan Chu‐Jen , Fu Chia‐Po , Ting Chih‐Tai , Sheu Wayne H‐H
Published: June 2011

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a metabolically active visceral fat, which secretes inflammatory cytokines and adipokines. In this study, our aim was to examine which measurements of EAT thickness by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could best help differentiate inflammatory status, classified by levels of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), in obese men with metabolic syndrome (MetS). We prospectively enrolled 32 men with central obesity (waist circumference ≥90 cm) and at least two other MetS criteria. MRI examinations for measurements of EAT, subcutaneous fat, and abdominal visceral fat as well as recordings of anthropometric parameters and tests for serum inflammatory cytokines and adipokines were conducted. Subjects with MetS (N = 32) were divided into three subgroups: (i) low inflammatory status (hs‐CRP < 0.3 mg/dl, N = 8), (ii) intermediate inflammatory status (hs‐CRP 0.1–0.3 mg/dl, N = 15), and (iii) high inflammatory status (hs‐CRP >0.3 mg/dl, N = 9). EAT thickness at the right atrioventricular (AV) groove showed a significant linear trend among the three subgroups of MetS (P for trend = 0.004). High inflammatory status MetS subgroup had a significantly thicker right AV groove EAT than did the low inflammatory status MetS subgroup (19.3 ± 3.1 vs. 14.4 ± 3.3 mm, P = 0.015). In binary logistic regression analysis, right AV groove EAT thickness was an independent predictor for differentiating inflammatory status in MetS while abdominal visceral fat area and insulin‐resistance index were not. In conclusion, MRI measured EAT thickness at the right AV groove could be a useful marker for differentiating the inflammatory status in obese men with MetS.
Identification of Overweight in Children in the United States: A Simplified Approach
Authors: Nainar S.M. Hashim
Published: June 2011

The objective of this study was to develop a screening instrument for easy identification of overweight in children and adolescents in the United States. Data derived from the 2000 Growth Charts published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were utilized to compute gender‐specific screening values for identification of overweight in children and adolescents. Computations were based on age‐ and gender‐specific 85th percentile BMI calculated for the various height percentiles at 6‐month age intervals. The simplified approach for identification of overweight in children and adolescents consisted of two tables, one each for males and females. Each table described the screening values for overweight at 6‐month age intervals for all the nine height percentiles described in the CDC Stature for Age Tables. Two screening tables for identification of obesity were also developed in a similar manner using age‐ and gender‐specific 95th percentile BMI. The simplified approach described for identification of overweight uses only the child's height and weight measurements and obviates the need to compute BMI or assess BMI percentile scores.
Magnetoelectric effect and critical thickness for ferroelectricity in Co/BaTiO3/Co multiferroic tunnel junctions
Authors: Cao Dan , Cai Meng-Qiu , Hu Wang Yu , Xu Chun-Mei
Published: June 2011

Based on first-principles calculations, the magnetoelectric effect and the critical thickness for ferroelectricity in Co/BaTiO3/Co multiferroic tunnel junctions were investigated. The calculated results show that the ferroelectricity of multiferroic tunnel junctions can be maintained until a critical thickness of 1.6 nm. The magnetic moments of interface atoms are sensitive to the ferroelectric displacements, which leads to a sizable magnetoeletric effect in multiferroic tunnel junctions. The multiferroic tunnel junctions may opens an avenue for the development of novel electronic devices.
Near-ultraviolet absorption and nanosecond-pulse-laser damage in HfO2 monolayers studied by submicrometer-resolution photothermal heterodyne imaging and atomic force microscopy
Authors: Papernov S. , Tait A. , Bittle W. , Schmid A. W. , Oliver J. B. , Kupinski P.
Published: June 2011

Localized absorption in hafnium dioxide used as a high-index component in multilayer coatings for near-ultraviolet, nanosecond-pulse-laser applications is directly linked to laser-induced damage. The nature of the absorbing species and their physical properties remains unknown because of their extremely small sizes. Previous experimental evidence provided by the atomic force microscopy mapping of damage morphology points to a few-nanometer scale of these absorbers. This work demonstrates the submicrometer-resolution mapping of 355-nm absorption in HfO2 monolayers using a recently developed photothermal heterodyne imaging technique. The comparison of absorption maps with the atomic force microscopy investigation of pulsed-laser-induced damage morphology allows one to better estimate the spatial distribution of nanoscale absorbing defects in hafnia thin films. Possible defect-formation mechanisms are discussed.
Correction factor in nondiffusive Hall magnetometry
Authors: Cerchez M. , Heinzel T.
Published: June 2011

It is demonstrated how the correction factor α used in Hall magnetometry of localized magnetic field profiles depends on the sample geometry and the electron mean free path, in the quasiballistic and ballistic regimes. The frequently used approximation of a constant correction factor close to 1 is generally not justified, and may lead to large errors in the determination of the magnitude of the magnetic fields. α depends in a nontrivial way on the magnetic structure and the Hall cross and may vary considerably. The sensitivity peaks when the characteristic cyclotron diameter equals the size of the Hall cross.
Effect of doping on global and local order in crystalline GeTe
Authors: Biquard Xavier , Krbal Milos , Kolobov Alexander V. , Fons Paul , Simpson Robert E. , Hyot Bérangère , André Bernard , Tominaga Junji , Uruga Tomoya
Published: June 2011

Effect of nitrogen and carbon doping on the structure of GeTe has been investigated using x-ray diffraction and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies. While Bragg diffraction which probes the global structure exhibits a clear transition upon doping from the rhombohedral phase to the cubic (rocksalt) phase, the local structure probed by EXAFS remains rhombohedrally distorted across the compositions studied. The apparent inconsistency between the results of the two techniques used is attributed to disordering upon doping and the resulting order-disorder transition that is “seen” by site-averaging diffraction as a displacive rhombohedral-to-cubic transition.
Leakage mechanism of cation -modified BiFeO3 thin film
Authors: Wu Jiagang , Wang John , Xiao Dingquan , Zhu Jianguo
Published: June 2011

To investigate the leakage mechanisms in cation -substituted BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films, in Bi site or Fe site or both sites, Bi0.92La0.08FeO3, BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3, and Bi0.92La0.08Fe0.95Mn0.05O3 thin films were grown in situ by radio frequency magnetic sputtering on SrRuO3/SrTiO3(111) substrates, where the (111) orientation is established in all thin films. The variation in cation substitution results in different leakage behavior of BFO thin films. Space charge limited conduction and a grain boundary limited behavior are responsible for the leakage behavior of Bi0.92La0.08FeO3 and BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 thin films in a low electric field region, respectively, while an interface-limited Fowler-Nordheim tunneling is involved in their leakage behavior in a high electric field region. In contrast, the leakage of Bi0.92La0.08Fe0.95Mn0.05O3 endures a transition from an Ohmic conduction to space charge limited conduction with increasing electric fields. The three thin films however show little temperature dependence of the leakage behavior in the temperature range investigated.