bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Equation of state and topological transitions in amorphous solids under hydrostatic compression
Authors: Guo Yu-zheng , Li Mo
Published: December 2010

Equation of state (EoS) relating volume and pressure or other thermodynamics state variables is well-established in crystalline systems, but remains rather incomplete in structurally disordered materials such as metallic glasses. Recent experiments and calculation show that the EoS in some amorphous metals exhibits constitutive behavior deviating significantly from that predicted from many well-established EoS, suggesting fundamentally different mechanisms in operation. But due to the lack of long-range order, it is difficult to uncover the underlying atomic process directly from experiment. Here we report a systematic investigation of the constitutive response of a model ZrNi metallic glass under hydrostatic compression by using extensive molecular dynamics simulation. We show that at low-pressure, the EoS is dominated by large decrease in the excess volumes, presumably those of the valence electrons; and at high-pressure, hardcore repulsion takes over. The two is bridged by a polymorphic topological transition occurring in close association with Ni, one of the alloy elements with much lower compressibility and rigid neighbor bonds that exhibit the topological transition in both short and medium-range. The complex and detailed topological rearrangement reported here may form the general underlying mechanism for the EoS of many metallic glasses composed predominately of metals with different compressibility, such as early and late transition metals and some rare-earth metals. The necessity of the electronic structural change thought to be responsible for some reported EoS is discussed also in light of this work.
Phase transitions of sodium niobate powder and ceramics, prepared by solid state synthesis
Authors: Koruza J. , Tellier J. , Malič B. , Bobnar V. , Kosec M.
Published: December 2010

Phase transitions of sodium niobate, prepared by the solid state synthesis method, were examined using dielectric measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and high temperature x-ray diffraction, in order to contribute to the clarification of its structural behavior below 400 °C. Four phase transitions were detected in the ceramic sample using dielectric measurements and differential scanning calorimetry and the obtained temperatures were in a good agreement with previous reports for the transitions of the P polymorph. The anomaly observed by dielectric measurements in the vicinity of 150 °C was frequency dependent and could be related to the dynamics of the ferroelectric nanoregions. The phase transitions of the as-synthesized NaNbO3 powder were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and high temperature x-ray diffraction. The results show the existence of the Q polymorph at room temperature, not previously reported for the powder, which undergoes a transition to the R polymorph upon heating through a temperature region between 265 and 326.5 °C. This transition is mainly related to the displacement of Na into a more symmetric position and a minor change in the tilting system. The structures at room temperature, 250, 300, and 420 °C were refined by the Rietveld method and the evolution of the tilting system of the octahedral network and cationic displacement are reported.
New cubic Cd1−xMnxS epilayers grown on GaAs (100) substrates by hot-wall epitaxy
Authors: Koo T. K. , O Byungsung , Yu Y.-M. , Kim D.-J. , Kim C.-S. , Choi Y. D. , Lee J. W. , Yoon M.-Y. , Yu P. Y. , Kang T. W.
Published: December 2010

The new cubic Cd1−xMnxS/GaAs(100) epilayers were grown by hot-wall epitaxy, and their structural and optical properties were investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL). The cubic structure spectra of the Cd1−xMnxS epilayers were only observed in the Mn composition range of 0.000≤x≤0.050 from the XRD spectra and the x-ray ϕ-scan curves. The lattice constants of the Cd1−xMnxS epilayers decreased linearly with increasing Mn composition and were consistent with Vegard’s law. The Cd1−xMnxS epilayers from x-ray reciprocal space mapping were found to be in a partially biaxial compressive strain state. In the cubic Cd1−xMnxS epilayers, only yellow emission PL peaks at around 2.0 eV without other peaks such as the appreciable near-edge emission peak and self-activated peak were observed.
Universal conductance fluctuations and localization effects in InN nanowires connected in parallel
Authors: Alagha S. , Hernández S. Estévez , Blömers C. , Stoica T. , Calarco R. , Schäpers Th.
Published: December 2010

The low-temperature quantum transport of InN nanowires grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy is investigated. Two sets of nanowires with diameters of 100 and 45 nm originating from two different growth runs are studied. Magnetic-field-dependent as well as gate-dependent measurements of universal conductance fluctuations are performed to gain information on the phase-coherence in the electron transport. By analyzing the correlation field and the average fluctuation amplitude a phase-coherence length of several hundred nanometers is extracted for both sets of nanowires at temperatures below 1 K. Conductance fluctuations are also observed when the Fermi wavelength is varied by applying a bias voltage to a back-gate. The results on the electron phase-coherence obtained from the gate-dependent measurements are consistent with the findings from the magnetic field dependent measurements. A considerable damping of the fluctuation amplitude by ensemble averaging is achieved by connecting nanowires in parallel. The suppression of the fluctuation amplitude is studied systematically by measuring samples with different numbers of nanowires. By utilizing the damping of the conductance fluctuations by connecting nanowires in parallel in combination with an averaging over the gate voltage, weak localization effects are resolved. For both sets of nanowires a clear evidence of the weak antilocalization is found, which indicates the presence of spin-orbit coupling. For the spin-orbit scattering length lso values in the order of 100 nm are extracted.
An interrupted tensile testing at high strain rates for pure copper bars
Authors: Dongfang Ma , Danian Chen , Shanxing Wu , Huanran Wang , Yanjun Hou , Canyuan Cai
Published: December 2010

A high-speed tensile facility (HSTF) invented by us was applied to interrupting the tests for pure copper specimen bars controlled locally at different levels of elongation. It was realized to isolate and identify the different stages of the dynamic fracture process of the pure copper specimen bar under impact tension. The results of scanning electron microscopical (SEM) investigation of the recovered pure copper specimens show that the void evolution near the surface of the minimum cross-section of the necking area is more severe than that at the middle of the necking area, which may be connected with the findings discussed by Alves and Jones [J. Mech. Phys. Solids 47, 643 (1999)]. The constitutive models in a certain range of strain determined from the tensile split Hopkinson bar optimized by us were employed and adjusted in numerically simulating the large deformation of the pure copper specimen in the interrupted tensile tests on HSTF. The dependence of the instability strain of thermoviscoplastic materials in simple tension on material parameters delineated by Batra and Wei [Int. J. Impact Eng. 34, 448 (2007)] was inspected in predicting the diffuse necking of the specimen bar. The axisymmetric necking rod model with a central void under static tension presented by Ragab [Eng. Fract. Mech. 71, 1515 (2004)] was extended to predicting the local necking and fracture of the specimen bar under impact tension.
ac susceptibility studies in Fe doped La0.65Ca0.35Mn1−xFexO3: Rare earth manganites
Authors: Shah Wiqar Hussain , Hasanain S. K.
Published: December 2010

The effects of Fe substitution on Mn sites in the colossal magnetoresistive compounds La0.65Ca0.35Mn1−xFexO3 with 0.00≤x≤0.10 have been studied. A careful study in the magnetic properties has been carried out by the measurement of magnetic ac susceptibility. The temperature range of colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) is greatly broadened with the addition of Fe. Substitution of Fe induces a gradual transition from a metallic ferromagnetic with a high Curie temperature (Tc=270 K) to a ferromagnetic insulator with low Tc=79 K. Increased spin disorder and decrease of Tc with increasing Fe content are evident. The variations in the critical temperature Tc and magnetic moment show a rapid change at about 4%–5% Fe. The effect of Fe is seen to be consistent with the disruption of the Mn-Mn exchange possibly due to the formation of magnetic clusters. An extraordinary behavior in the out of phase part (χ″) of ac susceptibility, characterized by double bump (shoulder), was observed around x=0.01 and 0.02. The shoulder in χ″ disappears at x≥0.04 Fe concentration. With increasing Fe concentration the χ″ peak shift to T<T1/2 (mid point of the transition temperature) and becomes broader. The χ″ peak moves to 8 or 10 K higher temperature on the application of a dc field, for 3 and 4% Fe samples. We observed that increasing the Fe, leads to increased spin disorder and dissipation at low temperature. The effects of the dc field are discussed in terms of the suppression of spin fluctuations close to Tc. The same ionic radii of Fe3+ and Mn3+ cause no structure changes in either series, yet ferromagnetism has been consistently suppressed by Fe doping. Doping with Fe bypasses the usually dominant lattice effects, but depopulates the hopping electrons and thus weakens the double exchange. The results were explained in terms of the formation of magnetic clusters of Fe ions.
Synthetic condition to generate magnesium-related acceptor levels in silicon
Authors: Matsumoto K. , Uenaka Y. , Seto Y. , Yashiro H. , Nakamura H. , Kimura T. , Uchino T.
Published: December 2010

It has generally been recognized that Mg gives rise to an interstitial donor level in Si although the possibility of the existence of a Mg substitutional acceptor in Si has been suggested. In this work, we explore the synthetic conditions required to obtain substitutional Mg acceptor in Si. We have diffused Mg into Si wafers under the Mg vapor environment created by the thermal decomposition of MgB2. The Mg vapor pressure is low enough to suppress the formation of the stable silicide phase, Mg2Si, but is high enough to induce Mg diffusion into Si. The resultant Mg-diffused Si exhibited degenerate p-type semiconducting behavior. It was proposed that the presence/absence of the Mg2Si phase plays a key role in determining the location and solubility of Mg in Si.
Crystalline properties dependence of dielectric and energy storage properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene)
Authors: Xia Weimin , Xu Zhuo , Wen Fei , Li Wenjing , Zhang Zhicheng
Published: December 2010

Thermal quenching at various temperatures has been employed to fabricate poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) films with varied crystalline properties in an attempt to significantly improve their dielectric and energy storage properties. It has been shown that the film quenched at lower temperature possesses lower crystallinity and crystal grain size. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of corresponding films are improved at low frequency and reduced at high frequency due to the response of dipoles in amorphous phase. The breakdown strength and polarization of the film quenched at lower temperature are larger than that quenched at higher temperature. Therefore, the low quenching temperature favors the high energy density both under the consistent electric field and the breakdown electric field.
CoIr-carbon complexes with magnetic anisotropies larger than 0.2 eV: A density-functional-theory prediction
Authors: Xiao Ruijuan , Kuz’min Michael D. , Koepernik Klaus , Richter Manuel
Published: December 2010

We report a density-functional study of the heteronuclear CoIr dimer adsorbed on benzene or graphene. In either case, CoIr prefers an upright position above the center of a carbon hexagon with the Co atom next to it. The Ir atom stays away from the carbon ring and thus preserves its free-atom-like properties. This results in a very large magnetic anisotropy of more than 0.2 eV per dimer. So high a value should suffice for long-term data storage at the temperature of liquid nitrogen.
Valve-based microfluidic device for droplet on-demand operation and static assay
Authors: Guo Feng , Liu Kan , Ji Xing-Hu , Ding Hui-Jiang , Zhang Meng , Zeng Qian , Liu Wei , Guo Shi-Shang , Zhao Xing-Zhong
Published: December 2010

A valve-based microfluidic device was developed for droplet on-demand operation and static assay. Droplet generation with precise and expectant volume, transportation, fusion, and trapping was achieved by integration of microvalves with programed control. Based on this automatic unique function combination, a droplet team was created with a controllable proportion of components. A DNA sample was encapsulated into the aqueous droplets, selectively merged with probe droplet in the desired ratio, well mixed, and then trapped for the static fluorescence assay with a total reagent consumption of no more than 2 μl. This method would have a powerful potential for biochemical or chemical research.
Multiscale fabrication of a transparent circulation type blood vessel simulator
Authors: Nakano Takuma , Itoyama Taro , Yoshida Keisuke , Sawada Yu , Ikeda Seiichi , Fukuda Toshio , Matsuda Takehisa , Negoro Makoto , Arai Fumihito
Published: December 2010

We proposed and fabricated multiscale transparent arteriole and capillary vessel models with circular cross sections of 10–500 μm using photolithography. The circularities of the fabricated 10, 50, and 500 μm diameter microchannels were 84.0%, 61.5%, and 82.3%, respectively. Next, we connected these different models to realize a circulation type blood vessel model simulating arteriole networks. We proposed a novel connection method using an intermediate connector made of wax, which we used to connect these models to make a circulation model. In flow experiments, the fabricated models showed no leakage and circulation models with seamless connections were achieved.
Imaging ellipsometry of graphene
Authors: Wurstbauer Ulrich , Röling Christian , Wurstbauer Ursula , Wegscheider Werner , Vaupel Matthias , Thiesen Peter H. , Weiss Dieter
Published: December 2010

Imaging ellipsometry studies of graphene on SiO2/Si and crystalline GaAs are presented. We demonstrate that imaging ellipsometry is a powerful tool to detect and characterize graphene on any flat substrate. Variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry is used to explore the dispersion of the optical constants of graphene in the visible range with high lateral resolution. In this way, the influence of the substrate on graphene’s optical properties can be investigated.
InSb
1
−
x
N
x
/
InSb
/
GaAs
alloys by thermal annealing for midinfrared photodetection
Authors: Lim K. P. , Pham H. T. , Yoon S. F. , Tan K. H. , Ngo C. Y.
Published: December 2010

InSb 1 − x N x alloys on GaAs substrates are prepared by molecular beam epitaxy and in situ thermal annealed at different temperatures in Sb ambience. X-ray diffraction indicates that the amount of N incorporation in Sb lattice sites is dependent on the annealing temperature. Low annealing temperature increases the N incorporation and extends the absorption to long wavelength infrared range. InSb1−xNx photoconductors operating near 10 μm at 77 K are realized. The measured wavelengths are in good agreement with band gaps of the alloys calculated using a two-level band anticrossing model with Varshni relation. This work will benefit those working on midinfrared photodetectors.
Chiral self-assemblies of amino-acid molecules: D- and L-methionine on Au(111) surface
Authors: Naitabdi A. , Humblot V.
Published: December 2010

Spontaneous self-assembly into chiral well-ordered two-dimensional molecular film at room temperature has been evidenced using the scanning tunneling microscopy for the growth of two enantiomerically pure L- and D-methionine on Au(111) surface. From the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, the growth of methionine occurs through the formation of zwitterionic species. Our results demonstrate that this self-assembly mechanism is crucially driven by the interchain interactions via zwitterionic hydrogen bonding between neighboring negatively charged carboxylate groups and positively charged amino groups. Moreover, the molecular pair formation is incidental and results from the optimization of the interchain interactions, at least two chains are required for stability.
Self-powered ultraviolet photodetector based on a single Sb-doped ZnO nanobelt
Authors: Yang Ya , Guo Wen , Qi Junjie , Zhao Jing , Zhang Yue
Published: December 2010

We report a self-powered ultraviolet photodetector based on a single Sb-doped ZnO nanobelt bridging an Ohmic contact and a Schottky contact. The photoresponse sensitivity and the response time of the fabricated device are as high as 2200% and less than 100 ms, respectively. The performance of the device dramatically degrades as the Sb-doping concentration decreases in the ZnO nanobelt. The possible mechanisms have been proposed and discussed.
Mid-infrared surface-emitting photonic crystal microcavity light emitter on silicon
Authors: Weng Binbin , Ma Jiangang , Wei Lai , Xu Jian , Bi Gang , Shi Zhisheng
Published: December 2010

We describe an IV-VI semiconductor light emitter consisting of a PbSe/PbSrSe multiple quantum well active region grown by molecular beam epitaxy on a patterned Si(111) substrate with a two dimensional (2D) photonic crystal (PC) array. The 2D PC array was designed to form photonic band gaps around 1960 and 2300 cm−1. Under pulsed optical pumping, light emission was observed with strongly coupled PC defect modes, which correspond well with simulated photonic band gaps. The observed spectral linewidth was around 10 cm−1 and the highest quantum efficiency measured was 12.8%.
Saturation of absorption and gain in a quantum dot diode with continuous-wave driving
Authors: Tierno A. , Ackemann T. , Leburn C. G. , Brown C. T. A.
Published: December 2010

We have observed saturation of absorption and gain in ensembles of InAs/GaAs self-assembled quantum dots at room temperature with continuous-wave driving in the 1.24–1.28 μm wavelength range. The saturation intensity was found to be Isat=(1.4–4.5)×109 W/m2 in absorption and Isat=(0.2–3.8)×109 W/m2 in gain, depending on the detuning.
Directional Weak Intermolecular Interactions: σ-Hole Bonding
Authors: Murray Jane S. , Riley Kevin E. , Politzer Peter , Clark Timothy
Published: December 2010

The prototypical directional weak interactions, hydrogen bonding and σ-hole bonding (including the special case of halogen bonding) are reviewed in a united picture that depends on the anisotropic nature of the molecular electrostatic potential around the donor atom. Qualitative descriptions of the effects that lead to these anisotropic distributions are given and examples of the importance of σ-hole bonding in crystal engineering and biological systems are discussed.
Usual Molecules in Unusual Environments Displaying Unusual Properties
Authors: Brunet Ernesto
Published: December 2010

The design of porous solids of controlled molecular geometry for various applications is a challenge of enormous technological and scientific importance. The placing of organic molecules between the layers of certain inorganic salts leads to enduring, solid materials where the confinement induces the organic molecules to change their properties or even display new ones at the supramolecular level. Many years ago, Feynman asked the question ‘What would the properties of materials be if we could really arrange the atoms (molecules) the way we want them?’. Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and even Biology are nowadays highly intertwined in the pursuing of Feynman’s ambition. However, despite all the huge efforts and smart developments, the finding of new materials is as yet, for the time being, quite open a field that allows for many serendipity-driven discoveries. In this context, we have a relatively large experience in the building of supramolecular scaffolds based in laminar zirconium phosphate (ZrP) containing covalently bonded phosphonates. In this paper, a short review will be presented concerning our past achievements and recent progress in the synthesis of organic-inorganic materials based in layered ZrP.
Phylogeography and conservation genetics of Lake Qinghai scaleless carp Gymnocypris przewalskii
Authors: O'Bryan D. M. , Xie Z. , Wang Y. , Du J. , Brauner C. J. , Richards J. G. , Wood C. M. , Chen X.‐Q. , Murray B. W.
Published: December 2010

The objective of this study was to examine the spatial genetic relationships of the Lake Qinghai scaleless carp Gymnocypris przewalskii within the Lake Qinghai system, determining whether genetic evidence supports the current taxonomy of Gymnocypris przewalskii przewalskii and Gymnocypris przewalskii ganzihonensis and whether Gymnocypris przewalskii przewalskii are returning to their natal rivers to spawn. Comparison of mitochondrial (control region) variation (42 haplotypes in 203 fish) of G. przewalskii with the postulated ancestral species found in the Yellow River, Gymnocypris eckloni (10 haplotypes in 23 fish), indicated no haplotype sharing, but incomplete lineage sorting. Consistent with the sub‐species status, an AMOVA indicated that the Ganzi River population was significantly different from all other river populations (FST = 0·1671, P < 0·001). No genetic structure was found among the other rivers in the Lake Qinghai catchment. An AMOVA of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) loci, however, revealed significant genetic differences between most spawning populations (FST = 0·0721, P < 0·001). Both mitochondrial and AFLP data found significant differences among G. p. przewalskii, G. p. ganzihonensis and G. eckloni (FST values of 0·1959 and 0·1431, respectively, P < 0·001). Consistent with the incomplete lineage sorting, Structure analysis of AFLP loci showed evidence of five clusters. One cluster is shared among all sample locations, one is unique to G. p. ganzihonensis and G. eckloni, and the others are mostly found in G. p. przewalskii. Genetic evidence therefore supports the current taxonomy, including the sub‐species status of G. p. ganzihonensis, and is consistent with natal homing of most Lake Qinghai populations. These findings have significant implications for the conservation and management of this unique and threatened species. The evidence suggests that G. p. przewalskii should be treated as a single population for conservation purposes. Exchangeability of the populations, however, should not be used to promote homogenization of fish spawning in the different rivers. As some degree of genetic divergence was detected in this study, it is recommended that the spawning groups be treated as separate management units.
Application of single nucleotide polymorphism markers to chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta: discovery, genotyping and linkage phase resolution
Authors: Garvin M. R. , Gharrett A. J.
Published: December 2010

This study describes (1) the application of new methods to the discovery of informative single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta, (2) a method to resolve the linkage phase of closely linked SNPs and (3) a method to inexpensively genotype them. Finally, it demonstrates that these SNPs provide information that discriminates among O. keta populations from different geographical regions of the northern Pacific Ocean. These informative markers can be used in conjunction with mixed‐stock analysis to learn about the spatial and temporal marine distributions of O. keta and the factors that influence the distributions.
Ecological characterization of supina bluegrass (Poa supina Schrad.) germplasm from the Italian Alps
Authors: Pecetti L. , Johnson R. C. , Romani M. , Bassignana M. , Della Marianna G.
Published: December 2010

A collection was carried out in the Italian Alps to gather local genetic resources and acquire information on the ecological adaptation of supina bluegrass (Poa supina Schrad.), a cool‐season grass native to the Alpine region in Europe. It has potential for pastures and a growing interest for turfs, owing to excellent traffic, shade and cold tolerance. Available germplasm for research and breeding is scant, and extensive collections are needed to enable further development of adapted materials. Alpine germplasm has already proved valuable for breeding at lower altitude in pioneering selection work carried out in Germany. Extensive exploration throughout different environments, mostly above 1600 m elevation, yielded fifty‐five novel populations. Collections largely occurred in environments exposed to heavy disturbance by livestock, but it was also frequently found on very poor substrates along mountain paths and dirt roads, or around buildings. Some populations were present locally in shaded environments. Preliminary ex‐situ observations indicated likely among‐population variation to occur for important traits of breeding relevance such as disease and drought tolerance. Genetic variation for adaptive traits, although unproven, is hypothesized given the diversified habitats where the species was collected across the Italian Alps.
Factor structure and gender invariance of the Chinese General Self‐Efficacy Scale among soon‐to‐be‐aged adults
Authors: Leung Doris Y.P. , Leung Angela Y.M.
Published: December 2010

leung d.y.p. & leung a.Y.M. (2010) Factor structure and gender invariance of the Chinese General Self‐Efficacy Scale among soon‐to‐be‐aged adults. Journal of Advanced Nursing67(6), 1383–1392.

Aim.  The aim of the study was to examine the factor structure of the Chinese General Self‐Efficacy Scale and gender invariance in the structure.

Background.  The General Self‐Efficacy Scale was developed in 1981 and revised in 1995 to measure people’s beliefs or expectations about their ability to perform tasks on their own across a wide range of demanding/novel situations. While the Chinese version of the General Self‐Efficacy Scale has been examined for adolescents and adults from clinical populations, its psychometric properties for community‐dwelling Chinese soon‐to‐be‐aged adults, who are in a transitional stage from adulthood to later life, have not been tested. Females have consistently reported a lower general self‐efficacy level than males, but it is unclear whether the difference is a result of response bias of the inventory by gender.

Method.  A convenience sample of Chinese soon‐to‐be‐aged adults (n = 695) in 28 non‐government organizations in Hong Kong completed the survey from March to May 2005. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the factor structure and multiple‐group confirmatory factor analysis to test the gender invariance of the Chinese version of the General Self‐Efficacy Scale.

Results.  The proposed factor structure of the Chinese version of the General Self‐Efficacy Scale was an excellent fit to the overall data, and held equally well for both males and females, both genders demonstrating an equivalent pattern of factor loadings. The Cronbach alpha value was high (0·89).

Conclusion.  The Chinese version of the General Self‐Efficacy is a reliable and valid scale and both genders responded to it using the same framework and metric, thus allowing it to be used with confidence in non‐clinical Chinese soon‐to‐be‐aged adult samples.
Chinese FDI to Africa: What Is the Nexus with Foreign Economic Cooperation?*
Authors: Sanfilippo Marco
Published: December 2010

Abstract: China, once a major recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI), has recently become one of the main ‘emerging’ investors, especially in developing countries. Chinese Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) plays a very prominent role in economic interaction with many African countries. This paper empirically investigates the determinants of Chinese OFDI versus 41 African countries over the period 1998–2007. The analysis is novel because it provides empirical support to the existing, so far purely anecdotic, evidence describing Chinese FDI to Africa as driven by natural resources endowments and market potential. The econometric analysis highlights strong interrelationships between Chinese FDI and economic cooperation, which make standard models of investments unfit when assessing the role of China in Africa. It also suggests some new lines of research, exploiting the strong links between these different sources of financing.
Exploring the Sociological Re-Imagining of Politics: A Conversation
Authors: Collins Randall , Munro Rolland
Published: December 2010

In this conversation Rolland Munro discusses with Randall Collins the turn to the everyday in sociology in the 1960s and explores with him some of the thinking at the time. The discussion centres on the view that Goffman and Garfinkel helped open up notions of the political. As Collins explains, the effect of their work was not merely to create a ‘micro-politics’, as it came to be called, but over the subsequent ways others like Collins could then widen political understandings about the intricate relations between conflict and everyday struggles and division.
The Making of a Global Movement: Cycles of Protest and Scales of Action
Authors: Montagna Nicola
Published: December 2010

This article addresses some of the issues concerning the trans-nationalisation of collective action by focusing on the White Overalls and the Disobedients and their participation in three transnational cycles of protest that took place at different geographical levels – local, macro-regional, and global – between the second half of the 1990s and the early 2000s.

The first part briefly discusses some historical, transnational precursors to global collective action and will argue that the Global Justice Movement was a global and original actor with reference to three dimensions of contentious action: the organisational dimension, framing processes and campaigns. The second part focuses on the origins and identity of the White Overalls, while the third describes their analysis of globalization and looks at how the scale of action has shifted. The analysis of these three cycles of protest shows that the global shift has not superseded other scales of action, but rather has been interwoven with them as a consequence of the political cleavages offered by the international context. It is also argued the space for action is only partially global and the global mobility of social movement activists is stratified. Finally it is shown how opponents, institutions and movements have all dynamically contributed to the transformation of the external political environment.
SCHUR CONVEX FUNCTIONALS: FATOU PROPERTY AND REPRESENTATION
Authors: Grechuk Bogdan , Zabarankin Michael
Published: December 2010

The Fatou property for every Schur convex lower semicontinuous (l.s.c.) functional on a general probability space is established. As a result, the existing quantile representations for Schur convex l.s.c. positively homogeneous convex functionals, established on  for either p= 1 or p=∞ and with the requirement of the Fatou property, are generalized for , with no requirement of the Fatou property. In particular, the existing quantile representations for law invariant coherent risk measures and law invariant deviation measures on an atomless probability space are extended for a general probability space.
EQUILIBRIUM ASSET AND OPTION PRICING UNDER JUMP DIFFUSION
Authors: Zhang Jin E. , Zhao Huimin , Chang Eric C.
Published: December 2010

This paper develops an equilibrium asset and option pricing model in a production economy under jump diffusion. The model provides analytical formulas for an equity premium and a more general pricing kernel that links the physical and risk‐neutral densities. The model explains the two empirical phenomena of the negative variance risk premium and implied volatility smirk if market crashes are expected. Model estimation with the S&P 500 index from 1985 to 2005 shows that jump size is indeed negative and the risk aversion coefficient has a reasonable value when taking the jump into account.
Dead Sea climatotherapy for vitiligo: a retrospective study of 436 patients
Authors: Czarnowicki T. , Harari M. , Ruzicka T. , Ingber A.
Published: December 2010

Background  Vitiligo is an acquired idiopathic skin disorder characterized by depigmented macules and patches. Despite many therapies available today, treatment of vitiligo remains a challenge. Preliminary reports cite encouraging results for Dead Sea Climatotherapy (DSC) in vitiligo patients.

Objective  To evaluate the efficacy of DSC in 436 patients suffering from vitiligo.

Methods  Files of 436 vitiligo patients, who were treated by DSC between the years 1997 and 2005 at the Deutsches Medizinisches Zentrum (DMZ) Medical Center, were retrieved for analysis. Climatotherapy, including gradually increased sun exposure following a sea bath, was administered in accordance with a computer‐designed protocol.

Age at vitiligo onset, skin phototype, skin involvement, duration of disease, as well as timing and duration of DSC were recorded. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of each one of the parameters analysed on the treatment’s success.

Results  Following treatment, 3.9% of patients demonstrated total or significant repigmentation (defined by more than 50% repigmentation in more than 50% of the lesions); 81.4% showed good repigmentation; 13.1% showed no repigmentation but their vitiligo spots were pink‐colored and 1.6% appeared not to be affected at all by DSC.

Patient response to the treatment was inversely proportional to the size of the affected area. A negative correlation was found between duration of the vitiligo and the clinical short‐term response to DSC. In addition, the longer the stay at the Dead Sea the better was the result.

Conclusion  Climatotherapy at the Dead Sea is an effective treatment modality for vitiligo. Disease duration and severity, as well as length of treatment, were the main factors found to favourably influence the clinical response.
Liposomal amphotericin B treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica
Authors: Solomon M. , Pavlotsky F. , Leshem E. , Ephros M. , Trau H. , Schwartz E.
Published: December 2010

Background  Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in Israel, and in the past, has been attributed almost exclusively to Leishmania major. Over the last decade or so, an increase in Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) infections has occurred in several regions of Israel. Topical treatment of Old World CL is usually the rule, however, in some cases systemic treatment is indicated. Liposomal amphotericin B (L‐AmB) is efficacious and safe for treating visceral leishmaniasis but its role in treating various forms of CL is yet to be defined. In this study, we summarize the efficacy and safety of L‐AmB treatment in a series of Israeli patients with L. tropica infection.

Methods  Cases of PCR‐proven CL caused by L. tropica were treated in an outpatient setting. Treatment schedule consisted of five consecutive days of 3 mg/kg L‐AmB, followed by a sixth dose on day 10.

Results  Thirteen consecutive patients (11 men, two women), received L‐AmB. Mean age was 15.3 years; of the 13 patients, 85% had facial lesions. Six had previously failed intralesional sodium stibogluconate treatment and four had failed topical paromomycin treatment. Eleven of 13 patients (84%) achieved complete clinical cure within 2 months. Mean follow‐up of 11 months revealed no relapses. Side effects were mild and none terminated treatment prematurely.

Limitations  A non‐randomized study, with a small number of patients.

Conclusion  Liposomal amphotericin B treatment for L. tropica is effective, well tolerated and cost beneficial in countries where cost of hospital‐care is significant.
What does vulnerability mean?
Authors: Parley Fiona F
Published: December 2010

Accessible summary

Many people want to make sure that all people with intellectual disability are safe from harm.

This report shows that some staff find it hard to say why they feel people with intellectual disabilities need to be protected.

Sometimes care staff feel they can stop people with intellectual disabilities doing the things they want to because the staff are frightened those people may be harmed or hurt.

Protection of those deemed vulnerable has received increasing attention since 2000. This article reports on care staff views of vulnerability using original data from a research study (Parley. Vulnerability and abuse: an exploration of views of care staff working with people who have learning disabilities, PhD Thesis, 2007) in which care staff views relating to vulnerability and abuse of adults with learning disability were explored. Using semi‐structured interview informants perspectives were explored. The results revealed that most informants felt that people with learning disabilities are all vulnerable and that this definition allows staff the authority to take protective measures to ensure their safety. This desire to introduce protective measures however may result in people with learning disabilities being denied the right to self‐determination, thereby limiting their enjoyment of some life experiences and lessening the excitement of life that others take for granted.
Case Report: an unusual case of post‐stroke psychosis in a 71‐year‐old lady with a learning disability
Authors: Leeds Lesley , Srinivasan Janaki
Published: December 2010

Accessible summary

People with a learning disability are at special risk of developing certain problems with their health. A stroke can also happen to people with a learning disability.

It can sometimes be difficult to tell whether someone has had a stroke, especially if they seem well. Sometimes, people can develop mental health problems after a stroke.

It can be difficult for professionals to understand what has happened to the person, and certain tests, such as a brain scan, need to be carried out to work out what is wrong with the person.

We talk about the importance of getting to know the person well to help understand what their problems are and how to treat the problems. This is to make sure that they get the right diagnosis and treatment.

People with a learning disability are just as likely as people in the general population to be at risk of cerebrovascular disease, due to the presence of undetected/undertreated vascular risk factors. When people with a learning disability are presenting with additional cognitive impairment, it is important to consider a range of conditions that may account for this. Stroke is a major cause of cognitive impairment in older people, affecting at least one‐third of stroke survivors (Leeds et al. 2001). However, post‐stroke psychosis is rare following stroke, and, as can be seen from the case of ‘May’, individuals can make a good recovery with appropriate assessment and intervention. It is important that a diagnosis of dementia is given only after all other potentially treatable conditions have been excluded, and there is a stepwise global deterioration without any other explanation.
Rapid recovery of a depleted population of Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax following provision of alfalfa through an agri‐environment scheme
Authors: BRETAGNOLLE VINCENT , VILLERS ALEXANDRE , DENONFOUX LEOPOLD , CORNULIER THOMAS , INCHAUSTI PABLO , BADENHAUSSER ISABELLE
Published: December 2010

The Little Bustard has undergone a steep reduction of its Western Palaearctic range over the last century. In the west of France, breeding populations declined by 96% from 1978 to 2008 in cultivated areas where grasslands have been converted into intensively managed annual crops. Little Bustard abundance and nest productivity have been monitored since 1995 in a 450‐km2 site in western France. We assessed the proximate causes of the decline of Little Bustards in French farming landscapes and quantified the effectiveness of conservation measures that aimed to reverse the decline. The decline of Little Bustard, from about 65 males in 1995 to just six males in 2003, could be related to a near absence of recruitment over this period. Since 2004, the establishment of more than 1300 ha of specifically targeted agri‐environment schemes (AES) in the study site has led to a sharp increase in female productivity, mainly associated with nesting in AES fields. By imposing constraints on mowing dates, AES have prevented nest destruction and female mortality during mowing and, by increasing plant species diversity, provided chicks with a higher abundance of grasshoppers. This has contributed to reversing the trend, and increasing the population to around 30 males in 2009. Conservation strategies involving specifically targeted AES based on the identification of limiting factors can help to reverse the decline of threatened species.
Gross morphology betrays phylogeny: the Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta is not a cisticolid
Authors: ALSTRÖM PER , FJELDSÅ JON , FREGIN SILKE , OLSSON URBAN
Published: December 2010

The Scrub Warbler, which inhabits arid areas from North Africa to western Asia, has long been thought to be closely related to cisticolid warblers. However, analyses based on two mitochondrial and four nuclear loci place this species sister to the mainly Asian Cettiidae (bush warblers, tesias, etc.). Superficial morphological similarity to cisticolid warblers has previously clouded the species true relationship. Detailed morphology, such as facial bristles and claw and footpad structure, also supports a closer relationship to Cettiidae and some other non‐cisticolid warblers.
Remote assessment of diabetic foot ulcers using a novel wound imaging system
Authors: Bowling Frank L. , King Laurie , Paterson James A. , Hu Jingyi , Lipsky Benjamin A. , Matthews David R. , Boulton Andrew J.M.
Published: December 2010

Telemedicine allows experts to assess patients in remote locations, enabling quality convenient, cost‐effective care. To help assess foot wounds remotely, we investigated the reliability of a novel optical imaging system employing a three‐dimensional camera and disposable optical marker. We first examined inter‐ and intraoperator measurement variability (correlation coefficient) of five clinicians examining three different wounds. Then, to assess of the system's ability to identify key clinically relevant features, we had two clinicians evaluate 20 different wounds at two centers, recording observations on a standardized form. Three other clinicians recorded their observations using only the corresponding three‐dimensional images. Using the in‐person assessment as the criterion standard, we assessed concordance of the remote with in‐person assessments. Measurement variation of area was 3.3% for intraoperator and 11.9% for interoperator; difference in clinician opinion about wound boundary location was significant. Overall agreement for remote vs. in‐person assessments was good, but was lowest on the subjective clinical assessments, e.g., value of debridement to improve healing. Limitations of imaging included inability to show certain characteristics, e.g., moistness or exudation. Clinicians gave positive feedback on visual fidelity. This pilot study showed that a clinician viewing only the three‐dimensional images could accurately measure and assess a diabetic foot wound remotely.
Opening‐Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy With and Without Bone Graft
Authors: Zorzi Alessandro Rozim , da Silva Hesojy G.P.V. , Muszkat Carlos , Marques Luiz C. , Cliquet Jr Alberto , de Miranda João Batista
Published: December 2010

Medial opening‐wedge has gained popularity in comparison to other techniques of high tibial osteotomy. This technique involves the creation of a gap in the tibia. Filling the gap with autologous iliac bone graft was recommended in the classic description, to prevent complications such as correction loss or delayed bone union. No previous reports have compared grafted and nongrafted osteotomies. This study hypothesized that the use of autologous bone graft in medial opening‐wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) less than 12.5 mm is unnecessary. A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted. Forty‐six opening‐wedge high tibial osteotomies were carried out between April 2007 and December 2008. All had fixation with a type of Puddu stainless steel plate and screws. Patients were randomly divided by software analysis into two groups: group A had osteotomies that were filled with autologous bone graft and group B had osteotomies that were unfilled. Autologous iliac bone graft was harvested in both groups. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed twice monthly by blinded investigators. The rates of complications were compared between the groups. There was no difference in demographic data. Mean time to clinical bone union in group A was 12.4 weeks (confidence interval [CI] 11.2–13.6) and in group B was 13.7 weeks (CI 12.5–14.9), but this difference was not significant (P = 0.13). Signals of correction loss occurred in one patient (4.35%) in group A, and in two patients (8.70%) in group B. All osteotomies had achieved bone union. It was concluded that time to bone union was not statistically different between the group with bone graft and the group without graft.
Adoptive transfer and selective reconstitution of streptamer‐selected cytomegalovirus‐specific CD8+ T cells leads to virus clearance in patients after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: Schmitt Anita , Tonn Torsten , Busch Dirk H. , Grigoleit Götz Ulrich , Einsele Hermann , Odendahl Marcus , Germeroth Lothar , Ringhoffer Mark , Ringhoffer Simone , Wiesneth Markus , Greiner Jochen , Michel Detlef , Mertens Thomas , Rojewski Markus , Marx Martin , von Harsdorf Stephanie , Döhner Hartmut , Seifried Erhard , Bunjes Donald , Schmitt Michael
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease constitutes a serious complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. For the clearance of CMV, CD8+ T cells are pivotal.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Here, the novel streptamer technology was used at good manufacturing practice (GMP) level for adoptive transfer of CMV‐specific T cells into acute leukemia patients with recurrent high CMV antigenemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

RESULTS: After a single transfusion, the frequency of CMV‐specific CD8+CD45RA+CCR7– effector T cells increased dramatically from 0.0% to a maximum of 27.1% of all T cells. These T cells were clearly donor derived and did not stem from intrinsic reconstitution, as demonstrated by analysis of 1) donor chimerism through single‐tandem repeats, 2) T‐cell receptor excision circles, and 3) Vβ‐chain typing by polymerase chain reaction. Clinically, the specific T‐cell transfer resulted in a persistent clearance of the CMV antigenemia, which allowed the patients to discontinue toxic antiviral drug therapy without further high‐level reactivation of CMV, demonstrating the power of the streptamer technology.

CONCLUSION: Taken together, the streptamer technology offers the advantage of selecting virus‐specific CD8+ T cells at GMP level for adoptive T‐cell transfer, thus inducing long‐lasting specific CD8+ T‐cell responses without increasing the risk for graft‐versus‐host disease.