bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of semiochemical attractants for monitoring bean seed beetle, Bruchus rufimanus
Authors: Bruce Toby JA , Martin Janet L , Smart Lesley E , Pickett John A
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: Bruchus rufimanus is a serious pest of field beans. The objective here was to develop a semiochemical‐baited trapping system to facilitate monitoring of the pest.

RESULTS: Volatile compounds that were electrophysiologically active with the antennae of B. rufimanus females were identified from headspace samples of Vicia faba flowers and from male B. rufimanus. Selected headspace samples and synthetic compounds were tested in olfactometer bioassays. The semiochemicals were then formulated in lures for traps and evaluated in a field trapping experiment. Cone traps baited with a three‐component blend of floral volatiles, releasing (R)‐linalool (17.7 mg day−1), cinnamyl alcohol (0.4 mg day−1) and cinnamaldehyde (0.77 mg day−1), caught significantly more of both sexes of B. rufimanus than unbaited control traps. A male volatile, 1‐undecene, was EAG active with female antennae. It was attractive to females in an olfactometer, indicating that it is a sex pheromone. However, in the field it only enhanced trap catches if it was released together with the floral volatiles.

CONCLUSION: The blends of semiochemicals identified were shown to be attractive in cone traps under field conditions. The prototype trapping system developed could be used as a monitoring tool to determine infestation levels of B. rufimanus in bean fields. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana against the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in Taiwan
Authors: Kafle Lekhnath , Wu Wen‐Jer , Kao Suey‐Sheng , Shih Cheng‐Jen
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: Combining biological control and chemical control could be used for controlling red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta, more effectively. Beauveria bassiana F256, a local strain from Taiwan, was evaluated for its efficacy in the control of S. invicta under both laboratory and field conditions.

RESULTS: The efficacies of different doses of B. bassiana (Bb) using direct application and bait formulation methods were compared. The number of RIFA workers killed by the direct application of Bb or by bait were significantly higher than those of the control, with different rates of efficacy under laboratory conditions. Under field conditions, the direct application of Bb into RIFA mounds was more efficient in inactivating the mounds than the bait application.

CONCLUSION: It was shown that B. bassiana is able to control S. invicta under both laboratory and field conditions and can be used as a biocontrol agent against RIFA in Taiwan. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluating sex‐pheromone‐ and kairomone‐based lures for attracting codling moth adults in mating disruption versus conventionally managed apple orchards in Pennsylvania
Authors: Joshi Neelendra K , Hull Larry A , Rajotte Edwin G , Krawczyk Greg , Bohnenblust Eric
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: Effectiveness of different types of commercial sex‐pheromone‐ and kairomone‐based lures for attracting codling moth adults may vary under different pest management practices. The attractiveness of four types of codling moth (CM) lures (CM L2 Long‐Life®, CM 10X Megalure®, Pherocon CM DA® and Pherocon CM‐DA Combo®) was evaluated in commercial apple orchards either treated with sex pheromone mating disruption (MD) or only conventional insecticides (non‐MD) in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in 2006 and 2007.

RESULTS: CM DA Combo lure was most effective in terms of mean seasonal weekly moth capture as well as mean cumulative moth capture in MD orchards. In both years, the CM L2 lure was as attractive to adult moths as the CM DA Combo lure in non‐MD orchards. The CM DA and CM 10X lures caught significantly fewer moths in both MD and non‐MD orchards compared with the CM DA Combo lure.

CONCLUSIONS: ON the basis of mean seasonal weekly moth capture as well as mean cumulative moth capture, the CM DA Combo and CM L2 lures were found to be significantly more effective for monitoring CM adults in both MD and non‐MD orchards. In contrast, the CM DA and CM 10X lures were not as effective in either type of orchard. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Self‐assembled silicon‐germanium nanostructures for CMOS compatible light emitters
Authors: Lockwood David J. , Tsybeskov Leonid
Published: May 2011

To be commercially valuable, light emitters based on SiGe nanostructures should be efficient, fast, operational at room temperature, and be compatible with the CMOS technology. Also, the emission wavelength should match the optical waveguide low‐loss spectral region of 1.3–1.6 μm. Among other approaches, epitaxially‐grown Si/SiGe quantum dot/quantum well complexes produce efficient photoluminescence and electroluminescence in the required spectral range. Until recently, the major roadblocks for practical applications of these devices were strong thermal quenching of the luminescence quantum efficiency and a long carrier radiative lifetime. The latest progress in the understanding of physics of carrier recombination in Si/SiGe nanostructures is reviewed, and a new route toward CMOS compatible light emitters for on‐chip optical interconnects is proposed.

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada [2011]. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Industry
Nano‐photonics devices on organics and silica materials obtained with various thin layer processes
Authors: Bêche Bruno , Duval Daphné
Published: May 2011

We report a practical and novel concept based on reproducible fluidic mechanisms coupled with silica nano‐particles for the development of nano‐optical‐connections directly on organic integrated photonic chips. Silica nano‐rib waveguides have been shaped with various widths ranging between 50 nm and 300 nm and about a hundred µm in length respectively. An effective nano‐photonic coupling mechanism has been demonstrated and a sub‐wavelength propagation regime obtained between two organic rib tapers and waveguides with a perpendicular and a parallel configuration respectively. The specific silica nano‐rib‐waveguides structures show off optical losses propagation ranging around [37‐68] dB/mm at visible and infra‐red (IR) wavelengths. Such flexible devices offer a versatile fabrication control by changing respectively nano‐particles and surfactant concentrations. Thus, they present great potential regarding future applications for shaping nano‐connections and high‐density network integrations between original optical segmented circuits such as plots, lines or any pre‐formed photonics structures. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bifunctional photosensitive compound for optical processors
Authors: Zaichenko N. L. , Shienok A. I. , Koltsova L. S. , Mardaleishvili I. R. , Tatikolov A. S. , Levin P. P. , Berlin A. A.
Published: May 2011

The dynamics of photochemical processes in photobifunctional compound, which molecule combines a photochromic spironaphthopyran fragment with a hydroxysubstituted naphthylmethylideneimine one, was studied by flash photo‐ lysis technique in methanol solution. Two products of photolysis were detected and the influence of wavelength of the excitation on their quantum yields and decay processes was discovered. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical design of 200‐lm/W phosphorescent green light emitting devices based on the high refractive index substrate
Authors: Mikami Akiyoshi
Published: May 2011

Light extraction efficiency has been successfully enhanced by using high refractive index substrate coupled with micro‐lens array and weak micro‐cavity structure. Optical energy intensity including waveguide, substrate and external modes was analyzed based on wave optics. It was shown that most of the waveguide mode is turned to the substrate mode by the effect of high index refraction substrate. About a half of the light can be extracted from the substrate by the assistance of surface textured structure. An external quantum efficiency of 57% and a power efficiency of over 200‐lm/W were obtained in a green phosphorescent device. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Differential evanescent light intensity imaging of nanothin films: simulation of the scattered field
Authors: Gankin M. , Popescu S. A. , Apter B. , Mirchin N. , Lapsker I. , Peled A.
Published: May 2011

The evanescent optical field scattering simulation of a‐Se nanoparticles was obtained by the Maxwell equation solver FullWAVE and correlated to experimental a‐Se films nanoprofiles obtained by Differential Evanescent Light Intensity Imaging (DELI). The DELI method was used as an experimental imaging method of depth profiles for large areas, i.e., hundreds of mm2 of nanometer thick a‐Se layers. The comparison of light scattering simulation and thickness profiles obtained from the experiments corresponds to an optical scattering mechanism leading to evanescent light extraction by the a‐Se nanoparticles. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Application of thin films of chalcogenide vitreous semiconductors in the optical recording systems
Authors: Kryuchyn Andriy A.
Published: May 2011

For many years thin glasses of chalcogenide vitreous semiconductors were and remain now as one of basic materials of recording media in information carriers for optical information recording systems. To create the first specimens of WORM optical disks the processes of photothermal recording on thin chalcogenide films with a high content of tellurium were widely used. In disk carriers we used 35‐nm thick eutectic Te14Se61Ge15Sb10 alloy films. Information recording was made by (80‐20)‐ns duration pulses. Researches of recorded disks performed in 25 years showed that the shape and sizes of pits were not practically changed, content of oxygen increased insignificantly in a subsurface layer. Thin films of chalcogenide vitreous semiconductors can be considered as promising material for optical carriers suitable for long‐term information storage. As shown by the performed researches, positive inorganic photoresists allow to create relief images with the minimal sizes of 0.15‐0.20 μm at recording radiation at wavelength 405 nm, which enables to make stampers for DVD replication from them. The positive inorganic photoresist films have a sufficiently wide dynamic range. More promising is the use of negative inorganic photoresists that allow to create relief images on nickel substrates, i.e., technology of direct mastering is being realized (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Luminescence and optical absorption studies of sulphur‐implanted Cu6PS5X (X=I, Br) superionic conductors
Authors: Studenyak I. P. , Izai V. Yu. , Stephanovich V. O. , Panko V. V. , Kúš P. , Plecenik A.
Published: May 2011

Cu6PS5X (X=I, Br) single crystals were grown using chemical vapour transport. The crystals under investigation were implanted at different fluences of 150‐keV 32S+ ions. The influence of ion implantation on luminescence spectra, parameters of the Urbach absorption edge as well as ordering‐disordering processes in Cu6PS5X superionic conductors is studied. A noticeable effect of isochronal annealing on the absorption edge in the ion‐implanted Cu6PS5I crystal is revealed. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical properties and photo‐ and X‐ray luminescence of Sm3+‐doped chalcogenides
Authors: Maeda Kouji , Tsudome Ryutaro , Ido Masahiro
Published: May 2011

We report a new X‐ray scintillating phosphor material whose composition is based on Sm‐doped chalcogenides. These are partly crystallized glass ceramics prepared by melt quenching techniques. Optical characterization of the samples was carried out at room temperature. The photoluminescence emission spectra of Ga‐Ge‐S glasses (GGS) and Ba‐Ga‐Se (BGS) glasses and glass ceramics exited at 405 nm have been obtained. Photoluminescence emissions at 565, 600, and 650 nm bands were identified and attributed to transitions from 4G5/2 to 6H5/2,6H7/2, and 6H9/2 respectively in Sm3+. The PL intensity from BGS material is stronger than that from GGS glasses doped with Sm3+. The X‐ray luminescence (XL) could be detected from the BGS glass ceramic samples under an excitation from a Cu target X‐ray tube (40kV, 200 mA power). The red light XL was clearly visible in the dark (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Space polarization and nonlinear absorbability of gyrotropic cadmium diphosphide crystals
Authors: Fekeshgazi I. V. , Sidenko T. S. , Czitrovszky A. , Veresh M.
Published: May 2011

Two‐photon absorption coefficient of cadmium diphosphide single crystals have been measured depending on a polarization azimuth (ϕ) at extreme light intensities near the optical damage threshold (11 MW/cm2). It is shown that the maximum value of this coefficient is equal to 0.16 cm/MW at ϕ = 0 (for the ordinary wave). These dependences are important for producing of the quantum electronics and nonlinear optics elements based on the effect of two‐photon absorption under extreme condition (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Vibrational spectroscopy study on α and β phases in iridium‐complex‐containing polyfluorenes
Authors: Tsuboi Taiju , Shi Hui‐Fang , Nakai Yosuke , Liu Shu‐Juan , Zhao Qiang , Huang Wei
Published: May 2011

UV‐visible‐infrared absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and Raman spectra have been investigated for poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (PFO) and PFO copolymers with various concentrations (0‐20 mol%) of Ir‐complex Ir(thq)2(dbm) incorporated into the main polymer chain. PFOs with different contents of α‐ and β‐phases are obtained depending on the concentration. New infrared absorption peak was found at 2918 cm‐1 in PFOs with high Ir‐complex concentrations. The PL spectra of β‐phase PFO host were analyzed by the Franck‐Condon factor, Huang‐Rhys parameter S, and vibrational energy of 1360 cm‐1. The vibrational energy is consistent with Raman spectra. The S parameter was found to depend on the concentration of Ir‐complex. Red emission due to Ir(thq)2(dbm) disappeared for PFO copolymers with 2 and 8 mole% Ir‐complex four months after the spin‐coating, while new emission band at 520 nm appeared (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Highly conductive titanium oxide films by RF magnetron sputtering
Authors: Sakaguchi Koichi , Fukazawa Masaki , Shimakawa Koichi , Hatanaka Yoshinori
Published: May 2011

Transparent conductive titanium oxide films have been prepared by the radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. By introducing water vapor into argon gas in the sputtering processes and sputtering at high pressure, 25 Pa, highly conductive transition of electrical conductivity from 10‐4 S cm‐1 to around 102 S cm‐1 is obtained. The observation of the Burnstein‐Moss shift in optical absorption and the dielectric constants deduced from infrared spectroscopy measurement suggest that the metallic films are obtained in the present technique. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows a new phase creation with an aliened polycrystalline feature, but details are not clear. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Hole‐blocking mechanism in high‐gain avalanche rushing amorphous photoconductor (HARP) film
Authors: Kikuchi Kenji , Ohkawa Yuji , Miyakawa Kazunori , Matsubara Tomoki , Tanioka Kenkichi , Kubota Misao , Egami Norifumi
Published: May 2011

HARP photoconductive film made of amorphous selenium (a‐Se), which makes use of the avalanche multiplication phenomenon, has been developed for the ultrahigh‐sensitivity television cameras that are used to report breaking news at night or to produce nature and science programs. We have tried to reveal the hole‐blocking mechanism in HARP films in the present work to improve their characteristics. It is important to reduce the dark current in HARP film to improve its sensitivity. HARP film has a hole‐blocking layer to suppress dark current, which interrupts the injection of holes to the a‐Se layer. Hole injection is considered one of the main factors related to dark current. The hole‐blocking layer consists of cerium dioxide (CeO2), which is an n‐type wide‐gap material. We have recently succeeded in producing improved CeO2 whose hole‐blocking capabilities are superior to the abilities of conventional normal CeO2. This paper describes the hole‐blocking mechanism in HARP film. To investigate this, the relationship between dark current and the film thickness of the CeO2 layer were measured with each HARP film using the two different types of CeO2. Furthermore, we analyzed the Ce 3d core‐level photoemission spectra for both types of CeO2 layers in HARP film by using hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAX‐PES) at Spring‐8. As a result, we found that the hole‐blocking capabilities of the film could be improved by reducing the number of defect levels generated from oxygen vacancies in the CeO2 hole‐blocking layer (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Light‐induced effects on the radiative recombination rate of electron‐hole pairs in a‐Si:H
Authors: Ogihara C. , Inagaki Y. , Morigaki K.
Published: May 2011

Temperature variation of radiative recombination rate obtained for defect photoluminescence (PL) in high‐quality a‐Si:H after illumination of intense pulsed light is presented and compared with results previously reported for defective a‐Si:H films. We have not found significant difference between the temperature variation of the rate of radiative recombination at photo‐created radiative defects and that at native radiative defects. This fact suggests the recombination processes at the photo‐created defects and the native defects are similar. The temperature dependence of the radiative recombination rates in a‐Si:H is predicted by a model of the recombination processes for various cases of different density of deep and strongly localised tail states. Our recent experimental results for the principal PL and defect PL coincide with the prediction of the model. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of Ginseng Rhizome and Ginsenoside Ro on Testosterone 5α‐Reductase and Hair Re‐growth in Testosterone‐treated Mice
Authors: Murata Kazuya , Takeshita Fumiaki , Samukawa Keiichi , Tani Tadato , Matsuda Hideaki
Published: May 2011

This research program on the novel functions of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer focused on the effects of ginseng rhizome on hair re‐growth in androgenetic alopecia. Extracts of red ginseng rhizome showed greater dose‐dependent inhibitory effects against testosterone 5α‐reductase (5αR) when compared with extracts of the main root. Ginsenoside Ro, the predominant ginsenoside in the rhizome, and ginsenoside Rg3, a unique ginsenoside in red ginseng, showed inhibitory activity against 5αR with IC50 values of 259.4 and 86.1 µm, respectively. The rhizome of P. japonicus, which contains larger amounts of ginsenoside Ro, also inhibited 5αR.

Topical administration of extracts of red ginseng rhizomes (2 mg/mouse) and ginsenoside Ro (0.2 mg/mouse) to shaved skin inhibited hair re‐growth suppression after shaving in the testosterone‐treated C57BL/6 mice. These results suggest that red ginseng rhizomes containing both oleanane‐ and dammarane‐type ginsenosides are a promising raw material for cosmetic use. This is the first report that ginsenoside Ro enhances in vivo hair re‐growth based on their inhibitory activity against 5αR in the androgenetic alopecia model. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The generator coordinate method in the unrestricted Hartree‐Fock formalism
Authors: Angelotti W. F. D. , Haiduke R. L. A. , Trsic M.
Published: May 2011

The generator coordinate method was implemented in the unrestricted Hartree‐Fock formalism. Weight functions were built from Gaussian generator functions for 1s, 2s, and 2p orbitals of carbon and oxygen atoms. These weight functions show a similar behavior to those found in the generator coordinate restricted Hartree‐Fock method, i.e., they are smooth, continuous, and tend to zero in the limits of integration. Moreover, the weight functions obtained are different for spin‐up and spin‐down electrons what is a result from spin polarization. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012
Energies, fine structures, and radiative lifetimes for the multiexcited quartet states of B‐like oxygen
Authors: Sun Yan , Chen Feng , Zhuo Lin , Gou Bing Cong
Published: May 2011

Energies for the multiexcited states 1s22s2pnl and 1s22p2nl 4Pe,o (n ≥ 2) of B‐like oxygen are calculated using Rayleigh–Ritz variation method with configuration interaction. The mass polarization and relativistic corrections are obtained with first‐order perturbation theory. Configuration structures of the high‐lying multiexcited series are identified by energies and contribution to normalization of angular‐spin components. These structures are further checked by calculations of relativistic corrections and fine structure splittings. Hyperfine parameters and hyperfine coupling constants are calculated for the first time. Wavelengths including quantum electrodynamic effect and higher‐order relativistic corrections and lifetimes are also calculated. These results are compared with available results in the literature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012
Charge density distribution and electrostatic moments ofN‐(4‐chloro‐3‐ trifluromethyl‐phenyl)‐2‐ethoxy‐benzamide molecule at the active site of p300 enzyme: A quantum chemical and theoretical charge density study
Authors: Devipriya Balu , Parameswari Azhagesan Renuga , Rajalakshmi Gnanasekaran , Kumaradhas Poomani
Published: May 2011

A Charge density analysis of CTB molecule in gas phase (FormI) and the same present at the active site (FormII) of p300 enzyme were performed for the wave functions obtained from the Density functional method (B3LYP) with the basis set 6‐311G**. This study has been carried out to understand the nature of conformational modification, charge redistribution and the change of electrostatic moments of the CTB molecule when present at the active site of p300. The difference of charge density distribution between both forms of CTB molecule explicitly indicates the effect of intermolecular interaction on CTB molecule in the active site. The dipole moment of CTB in the gas phase (9.6 D) has been significantly decreased (4.27 D) when it present at the active site of p300; this large variation is attributed to the charge redistribution in CTB, due to the intermolecular interaction between the CTB and the receptor p300 molecule. The electrostatic potential maps differentiate the difference of electrostatic potential between the two forms. A large electronegative region is found at the vicinity of oxygen and fluorine atoms. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012
A novel haptic robotic viscogram for characterizing the viscoelastic behaviour of breast tissue in clinical examinations
Authors: Mojra Afsaneh , Najarian Siamak , Towliat Kashani Seyed Mohsen , Panahi Farzad , Yaghmaei Mostafa
Published: May 2011

Background

This paper presents a novel tactile sensing robot designed to characterize the viscoelastic behaviour of breast tissue during clinical breast examination (CBE). The robot, named the ‘robotic tactile breast mass identifier’ (Robo‐Tac‐BMI), mainly consists of an indentation probe controlled by a robotic system and a visualization interface to manipulate the end‐effector. Major high order mechanical parameters are extracted to characterize the viscoelastic behaviour of the tissue in order to certify mass detection and judge the mass type. By fusing the measurements over both breasts, the probe can generalize a mechanical image to visualize the viscoelastic distribution within the internal tissue. The viscoelastic properties provide additional and objective information to facilitate the surgeon's task in the decision‐making process.

Methods

A new computational method is presented for characterizing mass existence in a real breast model. The effect of the strain rate on the mechanical properties is considered to study the viscoelastic behaviour of different mass types. A creative method is proposed to find the optimum strain rate for different mass positions and consistencies, which improves nodule detection. The computational results would be used as the basis for the design and set‐up of the Robo‐Tac‐BMI. Clinical tests with statistical analyses were performed on 161 cases, using the Robo‐Tac‐BMI.

Results

The results include analysis of two high‐order mechanical properties. Robo‐Tac‐BMI's capability of nodule detection and differentiation between benign and malignant mass types are investigated. The results were validated by ‘gold standard’ tests.

Conclusion

The results show that Robo‐Tac‐BMI has the potential to provide high‐order mechanical parameters, unlike the conventional screening modality carried out by the surgeon, which is not inclusive or quantitative and lacks effectiveness and documentation. The nodule detection ability of this device is confirmed statistically in clinical breast examinations. Differentiation between different mass types is reported as the preliminary result of Robo‐Tac‐BMI utilization. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Singular vectors under random perturbation
Authors: Vu Van
Published: May 2011

Computing the first few singular vectors of a large matrix is a problem that frequently comes up in statistics and numerical analysis. Given the presence of noise, an exact calculation is hard to achieve, and the following problem is of importance:

How much does a small perturbation to the matrix change the singular vectors?

Answering this question, classical theorems, such as those of Davis‐Kahan and Wedin, give tight estimates for the worst‐case scenario. In this paper, we show that if the perturbation (noise) is random and our matrix has low rank, then better estimates can be obtained. Our method relies on high dimensional geometry and is different from those used in earlier papers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2011
Nanostructural investigation of frontalis sling biomaterial surfaces
Authors: Choi Samjin , Shin Jae‐Ho , Cheong Youjin , Lee Hui‐Jae , Jin Kyung‐Hyun , Park Hun‐Kuk
Published: May 2011

This study examined the nanostructural surface of three frontalis sling biomaterials: autogenous fascia lata, preserved fascia lata and silicone rod. The morphological characteristics of the sling biomaterial surfaces were examined qualitatively and quantitatively by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The autogenous fascia lata showed well‐arranged nanostructures of parallel fascia collagen fibrils with clear 67 nm axial periodicity, whereas the preserved fascia lata showed tangled nanostructures of damaged collagen fibril bundles. The silicone rod showed a substantial amount of debris with some scratches and the smoothest roughness compared with the other sling biomaterials, followed by preserved fascia lata. Autogenous fascia lata showed the highest surface roughness. The association between the roughness and cell adhesion suggests that the nanostructure of autogenous fascia lata biomaterials is the best for frontalis sling and that of the silicone rod biomaterials is the worst. SCANNING 33:419–425, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrastructural investigation of intact orbital implant surfaces using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Choi Samjin , Lee Seung Jun , Shin Jae‐Ho , Cheong Youjin , Lee Hui‐Jae , Paek Joo Hee , Kim Jae Sik , Jin Kyung‐Hyun , Park Hun‐Kuk
Published: May 2011

This study examined the surface nanostructures of three orbital implants: nonporous poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), porous aluminum oxide and porous polyethylene. The morphological characteristics of the orbital implants surfaces were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM topography, phase shift and deflection images of the intact implant samples were obtained. The surface of the nonporous PMMA implant showed severe scratches and debris. The surface of the aluminum oxide implant showed a porous structure with varying densities and sizes. The PMMA implant showed nodule nanostructures, 215.56 ± 52.34 nm in size, and the aluminum oxide implant showed crystal structures, 730.22 ± 341.02 nm in size. The nonporous PMMA implant showed the lowest roughness compared with other implant biomaterials, followed by the porous aluminum oxide implant. The porous polyethylene implant showed the highest roughness and severe surface irregularities. Overall, the surface roughness of orbital implants might be associated with the rate of complications and cell adhesion. SCANNING 33: 211–221, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New insights into the Sn underpotential deposition on Au(100)
Authors: Meier L. A. , García S. G. , Salinas D. R.
Published: May 2011

The underpotential deposition (UPD) of Sn in the system Au(100)/Sn2+, SO42− has been studied by classical electrochemical techniques and in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. The results show that the Sn UPD initiates at relatively high potentials with the formation of a quasi‐hexagonal structure characterized as Au(100) − (√2 × 7)R45°. This expanded overlayer contributes to the modification of the surface morphology which exhibits flat terraces with step edges showing angles of 60 or 120°. At lower potentials two‐dimensional (2D) islands are formed which tend to grow, causing a coverage increase. In the underpotential region close to the formation of the 3D bulk phase the long time polarization experiments indicate the formation of different Au–Sn alloy phases. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hidden Markov models for zero‐inflated Poisson counts with an application to substance use
Authors: DeSantis Stacia M. , Bandyopadhyay Dipankar
Published: May 2011

Paradigms for substance abuse cue‐reactivity research involve pharmacological or stressful stimulation designed to elicit stress and craving responses in cocaine‐dependent subjects. It is unclear as to whether stress induced from participation in such studies increases drug‐seeking behavior. We propose a 2‐state Hidden Markov model to model the number of cocaine abuses per week before and after participation in a stress‐and cue‐reactivity study. The hypothesized latent state corresponds to ‘high’ or ‘low’ use. To account for a preponderance of zeros, we assume a zero‐inflated Poisson model for the count data. Transition probabilities depend on the prior week's state, fixed demographic variables, and time‐varying covariates. We adopt a Bayesian approach to model fitting, and use the conditional predictive ordinate statistic to demonstrate that the zero‐inflated Poisson hidden Markov model outperforms other models for longitudinal count data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age‐Dependent Changes in Microscale Stiffness and Mechanoresponses of Cells
Authors: Zahn Jasmin T. , Louban Ilia , Jungbauer Simon , Bissinger Martin , Kaufmann Dieter , Kemkemer Ralf , Spatz Joachim P.
Published: May 2011

Cellular ageing can lead to altered cell mechanical properties and is known to affect many fundamental physiological cell functions. To reveal age‐dependent changes in cell mechanical properties and in active mechanoresponses, the stiffness of human fibroblasts from differently aged donors was determined, as well as the cell’s reaction to periodic mechanical deformation of the culture substrate, and the two parameters were correlated. A comparison of the average Young’s moduli revealed that cells from young donors (<25 years) are considerably stiffer than cells from older donors (>30 years). The reduced stiffness of cells from the older donor group corresponds to the measured decrease of actin in these cells. Remarkably, cells from the older donor group show a significantly faster reorganization response to periodic uniaxial tensile strain than cells from the young donor group. The impact of a reduced amount of actin on cell stiffness and cell reorganization kinetics is further confirmed by experiments where the amount of cellular actin in cells from the young donor group was decreased by transient siRNA knockdown of the actin gene. These cells show a reduced stiffness and enhanced reorganization speed, and in this way mimic the properties and behavior of cells from the older donor group. These results demonstrate that mechanical properties of human fibroblasts depend on the donor’s age, which in turn may affect the cells’ active responses to mechanical stimulations.
Privacy‐aware shared UI toolkit for nomadic environments
Authors: Arthur Richard B. , Olsen Dan R.
Published: May 2011

As computing becomes more nomadic, privacy becomes a greater concern. People use portable devices to annex displays in their environments so that they can share information with other people. However, private information such as usernames, e‐mail addresses, and folder names are shown on foreign displays. In addition, foreign keyboards can be used to enter in passwords generating a significant privacy and security risk. Because nomadic users' sensitive data is constantly at risk for exploitation via the UI toolkit, a solution for protecting user privacy must include that toolkit. This paper introduces the XICE framework—a windowing toolkit that provides easy display annexing and includes a robust privacy framework to help protect users and their data. This paper discusses the exploits that annexing external devices introduces and how XICE mitigates or eliminates those threats safely and naturally for both users and developers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using concepts of content‐based image retrieval to implement graphical testing oracles
Authors: Delamaro Marcio Eduardo , de Lourdes dos Santos Nunes Fátima , de Oliveira Rafael Alves Paes
Published: May 2011

Automation of testing is an essential requirement to render it viable for software development. Although there are several testing techniques and criteria in many different domains, developing methods to test programs with complex outputs remains an unsolved challenge. This setting includes programs with graphical output, which produce images or interface windows. One possible approach towards automating the testing activity is the use of automatic oracles in which a reference image, taken as correct, can be used to establish a correctness measure in the tested program execution. A method that uses concepts of content‐based image retrieval to facilitate oracle automation in the domain of programs with graphics output is presented. Two case studies, one using a computer‐aided diagnostic system and one using a Web application, are presented, including some reflections and discussions that demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sources, media, and modes of climate change communication: the role of celebrities
Authors: Anderson Alison
Published: May 2011

This article reviews existing research on the portrayal of climate change within the print media, paying particular attention to the increasing role that celebrities have come to play within popular culture. While this is certainly not a new development, celebrities are increasingly appearing as key voices within the climate change debate, providing a powerful news hook and potential mobilizing agent. Early coverage of climate change was dominated by scientific sources, but as the debate became more institutionalized and politicized a wider variety of competing sources entered the news arena. Yet media prominence is not necessarily a reliable indicator of influence. How issues are framed is of crucial importance and celebrity interventions can be a double‐edged sword. WIREs Clim Change 2011 2 535–546 DOI: 10.1002/wcc.119

This article is categorized under:

Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Communication
Sensor selection to support practical use of health‐monitoring smart environments
Authors: Cook Diane J. , Holder Lawrence B.
Published: May 2011

The data mining and pervasive sensing technologies found in smart homes offer unprecedented opportunities for providing health monitoring and assistance to individuals experiencing difficulties in living independently at home. In order to monitor the functional health of smart home residents, we need to design technologies that recognize and track activities that people normally perform as part of their daily routines. One question that frequently arises, however, is how many smart home sensors are needed and where should they be placed in order to accurately recognize activities? We employ data mining techniques to look at the problem of sensor selection for activity recognition in smart homes. We analyze the results based on six datasets collected in five distinct smart home environments. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2011 1 339–351 DOI: 10.1002/widm.20

This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Science and Technology
Cluster ensembles
Authors: Ghosh Joydeep , Acharya Ayan
Published: May 2011

Cluster ensembles combine multiple clusterings of a set of objects into a single consolidated clustering, often referred to as the consensus solution. Consensus clustering can be used to generate more robust and stable clustering results compared to a single clustering approach, perform distributed computing under privacy or sharing constraints, or reuse existing knowledge. This paper describes a variety of algorithms that have been proposed to address the cluster ensemble problem, organizing them in conceptual categories that bring out the common threads and lessons learnt while simultaneously highlighting unique features of individual approaches. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2011 1 305–315 DOI: 10.1002/widm.32

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering
Pre‐mRNA splicing during transcription in the mammalian system
Authors: Pandya‐Jones Amy
Published: May 2011

Splicing of RNA polymerase II transcripts is a crucial step in gene expression and a key generator of mRNA diversity. Splicing and transcription have generally been studied in isolation, although in vivo pre‐mRNA splicing occurs in concert with transcription. The two processes appear to be functionally connected because a number of variables that regulate transcription have been identified as also influencing splicing. However, the mechanisms that couple the two processes are largely unknown. This review highlights the observations that implicate splicing as occurring during transcription and describes the evidence supporting functional interactions between the two processes. I discuss postulated models of how splicing couples to transcription and consider the potential impact that such coupling might have on exon recognition. WIREs RNA 2011 2 700–717 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.86

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Capping and 5' End Modifications

RNA Processing > Splicing Mechanisms

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing

RNA Processing > 3' End Processing
Small RNA and transcriptional upregulation
Authors: Portnoy Victoria , Huang Vera , Place Robert F. , Li Long‐Cheng
Published: May 2011

Small RNA molecules, such as microRNA and small interfering RNA, have emerged as master regulators of gene expression through their ability to suppress target genes in a phenomenon collectively called RNA interference (RNAi). There is growing evidence that small RNAs can also serve as activators of gene expression by targeting gene regulatory sequences. This novel mechanism, known as RNA activation (RNAa), appears to be conserved in at least mammalian cells and triggered by both endogenous and artificially designed small RNAs. RNAa depends on Argonaute proteins, but possesses kinetics distinct from that of RNAi. Epigenetic changes are associated with RNAa and may contribute to transcriptional activation of target genes, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Given the potential of RNAa as a molecular tool for studying gene function and as a therapeutic for disease, further research is needed to completely elucidate its molecular mechanism in order to refine the rules for target selection and improve strategies for exploiting it therapeutically. WIREs RNA 2011 2 748–760 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.90

This article is categorized under:

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
Semen Characteristics and artificial insemination in rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome)
Authors: Waldoch Jennifer , Root Tammy , Dubach Jean M. , Proudfoot Jeffry , Ramer Jan
Published: May 2011

This work was performed as part of a multi‐year study to determine the cause of the low fertility in captive rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) and attempt to increase the fertility through artificial insemination (AI). Semen collection and characterization was performed on 14 male rockhopper penguins. The samples were evaluated for volume, sperm concentration, and sperm quality (motility, forward motility, viability, and morphology). There was a large variation between individuals and between collections for each individual. Mean volume of ejaculate was 0.24 ml. Mean concentration was 47.09 × 106 sperm/ml. Mean number of sperm per collection was 6.57× 106. The mean motility was 49.4%. Mean forward motility was 1.7. Mean percentage of living sperm was 88.9%. Mean percentage of sperm with normal morphology was 69.4%. AI was performed on a total of 10 females using pooled semen samples. The birds were also allowed to naturally mate. Ten eggs were laid and three fertile eggs were produced, one of them hatched but died within 24 hr. Paternity testing was performed using 12 microsatellite loci, but unfortunately due to insufficient variability, the paternity of the chick and two embryos could not be determined. Zoo Biol 31: 166–180, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Suckling behavior and its development in two Yangtze finless porpoise calves in captivity
Authors: Xian Yijie , Wang Kexiong , Xiao Jianqiang , Wang Ding
Published: May 2011

We focally observed the suckling behavior of two Yangtze finless porpoise calves, C05 and C07, in captivity. Between 15 and 730 days postpartum of C05 and between birth and 30 days postpartum of C07, 286.3 (1.9 ± 0.4 hr/day (mean ± standard deviation), n = 148 days) and 18.3 hr (2.0 ± 0.5 hr/day, n = 9 days) of video footage were recorded, in which 429 and 111 suckling events were observed, respectively. We found that the calves made their initial suckling attempts after repeated stroking of the mother's body with their rostrums. The suckling duration was 4.4 ± 1.8 sec and 4.8 ± 2.4 sec, respectively. Before suckling, the calves swam under the mother's genital region (99.1% of number of event, respectively). During suckling, the mother generally turned sideways to facilitate the calves' suckling (80.7 and 76.6%, respectively). The calves almost equally used the two mammary slits [52.2% (left) and 47.8% (right), and 44.1% (left) and 55.9% (right), respectively]. The frequency and proportion of time C05 spent suckling continuously decreased to zero by 483 days postpartum. The two variables for C07 increased following birth, to a peak at 16 days postpartum, and then decreased continuously until 30 days postpartum. We discuss the possible implications of these observations for the management and conservation of this endangered cetacean. Zoo Biol 31: 229–234, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rural High North: A High Rate of Fatal Injury and Prehospital Death
Authors: Bakke Håkon Kvåle , Wisborg Torben
Published: May 2011

Background

Finnmark County is the northernmost county in Norway. For several decades, the rate of mortality after injury in this sparsely inhabited region has remained above the national average. Following documentation of this discrepancy for the period 1991–1995, improvements to the trauma system were implemented. The present study aims to assess whether trauma‐related mortality rates have subsequently improved.

Methods

All injury‐associated fatalities in Finnmark from 1995–2004 were identified retrospectively from the National Registry of Death and reviewed. Low‐energy trauma in elderly individuals and poisonings were excluded.

Results

A total of 453 cases of trauma‐related death occurred during the study period, and 327 of those met the inclusion criteria. Information was retrievable for 266 cases. The majority of deaths (86%) occurred in the prehospital phase. The main causes of death were suicide (33%) and road traffic accidents (21%). Drowning and snowmobile injuries accounted for an unexpectedly high proportion (12 and 8%, respectively). The time of death did not show trimodal distribution. Compared to the previous study period, there was a significant overall decline in injury‐related mortality, yet there was no change in place of death, mechanism of injury, or time from injury until death.

Conclusions

Changes in injury‐related mortality cannot be linked to improvements in the trauma system. There was no change in the epidemiological patterns of injury. The high rate of on‐scene mortality indicates that any major improvement in the number of injury‐related deaths lies in targeted prevention.
Stress Overload: A New Approach to the Assessment of Stress
Authors: Amirkhan James H.
Published: May 2011

The link between stress and health has not received strong empirical support, possibly due to problems in the stress measures used. Here, the first wholly empirical development of a new “Stress Overload Scale” is described. A pool of 150 items was formed to reflect “overload”, a common denominator in stress theories. Then, the results of five sequenced studies, conducted in heterogeneous community samples, were used to pare the item pool. Exploratory (n= 431) and confirmatory (n= 433) analyses revealed two factors (Event Load and Personal Vulnerability) corresponding to theoretical constructs; only the best factor markers were submitted to further construct validity (n= 310) and reliability tests (n= 342). The 24 strongest items were selected for the SOS, which demonstrated criterion validity in predicting who (n= 285) would become sick following a common stressor. The SOS is (1) psychometrically strong, especially in its validity relative to popular measures; (2) appropriate to community research, due to its brevity and fit to a broad demographic spectrum; (3) unique in its ability to cross‐section individuals into risk categories. It should prove useful to community psychologists in determining etiology, diagnosing risk for pathology, and evaluating the efficacy of interventions.
Effects of dung beetles on seedling emergence from herbaceous seeds in the dung of sika deer (Cervus nippon) in a temperate Japanese grassland ecosystem
Authors: Ishikawa Haruna
Published: May 2011

The effects of dung form and condition and of dung beetles on the emergence of seedlings from herbaceous seeds in sika deer dung were examined in a temperate grassland ecosystem dominated by Zoysia japonica and Hydrocotyle maritima. I conducted field experiments to compare seedling emergence between dung exposed to dung beetles and intact dung using both dung pellets and pats during a typical rainy month (June) and the hottest, drier month (August), when large numbers of seeds of the dominant species were present in the dung. The exposed dung was immediately attacked and broken up by dung beetles, whereas dung protected from the beetles remained intact. In June, at least 12 herbaceous species, including Z. japonica, H. maritima, Mazus pumilus, and Plantago asiatica, emerged from the dung, versus at least six species in August. Decomposition rates of the pellets in June and decomposition scores of the pats in June and August were positively correlated with the number of emerging seedlings, suggesting that the acceleration of decomposition by dung beetles can positively affect seed germination. In this system of interactions among sika deer, herbaceous plants, and dung beetles, sika deer dung prevented seeds from germinating, and beetles had an indirect positive effect on seedling emergence by accelerating decomposition of the dung, although the extent of the effect may depend on the dung type, plant species, and environmental factors.