bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water mist flow in a vertical bore of a superconducting magnet
Authors: Lu ShuShen , Wang Xian , Hirano Hiroyuki , Tagawa Toshio , Ozoe Hiroyuki
Published: December 2005

The effect of magnetic field on water mist (diamagnetic) was investigated by both experimental and numerical methods. Water mist was produced by an ultrasonic atomizer and fed from the top of a cylinder that was located in a vertical bore of a superconducting magnet of 10 T or less. Water mist descends due to gravity at 0 T, but at 10 T it mostly levitates above the magnetic coil. In the numerical computation, water mist was simulated by 1000 water droplets 0.1−5μm in diameter d. Due to the small sizes of the water droplets, Brownian motion was considered and the Langevin equation was solved. At d<1μm, the particles are driven by the Brownian motion extensively and the magnetic and gravitational forces have almost no effect on them. At d⩾1μm, the trajectories of particles are greatly deformed by the magnetic field when they go through the magnetic coil. At γf=1000 (10.8 T for 9 cm cylinder diameter), the bulk of the water mist took an hourglass shape above the coil just as observed experimentally. At γf=2000 (15.2 T), the water droplets were computed to be levitated against the gravitational acceleration.
Thermal stability of Ir-Mn∕Co-Fe-B∕Al-O∕Co-Fe-B tunnel junctions
Authors: Li F. F. , Sharif R. , Jiang L. X. , Zhang X. Q. , Han X. F. , Wang Y. , Zhang Z.
Published: December 2005

The thermal stability of magnetic tunnel junctions with structures of Ta(5)∕Cu(30)∕Ta(5)∕Ni79Fe21(5)∕Ir22Mn78(12)∕Co62Fe20B18(4)∕Al(0.8)-oxide∕Co62Fe20B18(4)∕Cu(30)∕Ta(5) (thicknesses unit in nanometers) has been investigated. The tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) shows a large increase up to 54.4% after annealing at 265 °C due to the improved characteristic properties of the barrier and the interface between the barrier and the ferromagnetic electrodes. The TMR was observed to decrease drastically above the annealing temperature of 310 °C accompanied by a notable increase of junction resistance and coercivity of the free layer. The amorphous Co62Fe20B18 layers seem to behave as a barrier of diffusion, preventing the migration of Mn or Cu atoms into the interface between the barrier and the ferromagnetic layers. This may cause the drastic decrease of TMR due to the deterioration of the barrier and its interface with Co62Fe20B18 layers. The observed crystallization in the amorphous Co62Fe20B18 layers is considered to contribute to the increase in coercivity of the free layer.
Vanadium-doped indium tin oxide as hole-injection layer in organic light-emitting devices
Authors: Chen T.-H. , Liou Y. , Wu T. J. , Chen J. Y.
Published: December 2005

Organic light-emitting devices were fabricated by using vanadium-doped indium tin oxide (ITO) as the hole-injection layers between the hole transport layer, N,N′-dia(1-napthl)-N,N′-diphenyl benzidine and the ITO anode. The vanadium-doped ITO layer was 15-nm thick with three different vanadium concentrations (6, 10.5, and 12.5mol%). Three different resistivities (10, 500, and 10000Ωcm) and work functions (5, 5.2, and 5.4eV) were obtained. The device with 6mol% V-doped ITO layer possessing the least resistivity (10Ωcm) and work function (5eV) has the lowest turn-on voltage (below 3V), the lowest operating voltage (below 7V), the highest luminance (1000cd∕m2 below 7V), and the highest power efficiency (>5lm∕W at 10mA∕cm2) among all. Such performance was attributed to the balance between the carrier concentration and the energy barrier for the hole injection.
Recoil hysteresis of Sm–Co∕Fe exchange-spring bilayers
Authors: Kang K. , Lewis L. H. , Jiang J. S. , Bader S. D.
Published: December 2005

The exchange-spring behavior found in Sm–Co (20nm)∕Fe epitaxial bilayer films was investigated by analyzing major hysteresis and recoil curves as a function of anneal conditions. The hard layer consists of nanocrystalline intermetallic Sm–Co hexagonal phases (majority phase Sm2Co7 with SmCo3 and SmCo5). Recoil curves, obtained from the successive removal to remanence and reapplication of an increasingly negative field from the major demagnetization curve, reveal the reversible and irreversible components of the magnetization. The Sm–Co thickness was fixed at 20nm while the Fe thicknesses of 10 and 20nm were studied, with ex situ annealing carried out in evacuated, sealed silica tubes at different temperatures. The peak in the recoil curve area is associated with the coercivity of the hard phase. The development of the soft component magnetization is revealed by the departure of the recoil area from zero with application of a reverse field. These two features together confirm that annealing stabilizes the 10nm Fe bilayer sample against local magnetic reversal while it weakens the 20nm bilayer sample. Furthermore, in both its as-deposited and annealed states the Sm–Co∕Fe bilayer of 10nm Fe thickness always displays a higher exchange field and smaller recoil loop areas than the bilayer of 20nm Fe thickness, consistent with a stronger exchange response and more reversible magnetization in the former.
Mn-doped Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 high-K gate dielectrics for low voltage organic transistor on polymer substrate
Authors: Kang KyongTae , Lim Mi-Hwa , Kim Ho-Gi , Choi YongWoo , Tuller Harry L. , Kim Il-Doo , Hong Jae-Min
Published: December 2005

In this letter, we report on the role of Mn doping in markedly reducing leakage currents in Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 (BST) high-K gate dielectrics utilized in organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) fabricated on plastic substrates. Undoped and 3% Mn-doped BST thin films, deposited by rf magnetron sputtering at room temperature on Pt∕Ti∕SiO2∕Si substrates, exhibited relative dielectric constants of ∼24–28. At an applied electric field of 250kV∕cm, the 3% Mn-doped BST films exhibited leakage current densities below 2×10−8A∕cm2 compared to the much higher value of 5×10−4A∕cm2 characteristic of undoped BST films. Pentacene based OTFTs using 3% Mn-doped BST gate dielectrics exhibited low voltage operation of <10V. This demonstrates the potential use of Mn-doped BST films as high-K gate dielectrics for stable and low operating voltage OTFTs.
Three-dimensional numerical study of natural convection in vertical cylinders partially heated from the side
Authors: Ma D. J. , Henry D. , Ben Hadid H.
Published: December 2005

Three-dimensional steady and oscillatory flows are simulated in a vertical cylinder partially heated from the side. The vertical wall is heated in a zone at midheight and is insulated above and below this middle zone, while both ends of the cylinder are cooled. The cylinder aspect ratio (A=height∕radius) ranges from 2 to 8, whereas a fixed Prandtl number, Pr=0.021, is considered as well as a fixed length of the heated zone, equal to the cylinder radius. Three-dimensional steady and unsteady simulations as well as mode decomposition techniques and energy transfer analyses are used to characterize the flows and their transitions. The flows that develop from the steady toroidal pattern beyond the first instability threshold break the axisymmetry. At small A (2⩽A⩽2.5), the flow corresponds to a two-roll rotating pattern, which is triggered by a k=2 azimuthal mode as a result of a hydrodynamic instability. At large A (3⩽A⩽8), the flow is steady and corresponds to a main one-roll pattern in the upper part of the cylinder. The flow is triggered by a k=1 mode as a result of buoyancy effects affecting this unstably stratified upper part (Rayleigh-Bénard instability), but shear effects are involved in the instability for the smaller values of A. These steady flows then transit at a higher threshold to a standing-wave oscillatory one-roll pattern associated with the breaking of symmetry of the previous steady pattern. For intermediate values of A (2.7⩽A⩽2.9), the transition is toward an oscillatory pattern, but hysteresis phenomena with multiplicity of steady and oscillatory states have been found. Comparisons with experiments performed at aspect ratios A=4 and 8 are then considered and discussed.
Thin ordered bundles of infrared-transmitting silver halide fibers
Authors: Lavi Yaron , Millo Arnon , Katzir Abraham
Published: December 2005

Thin, ordered bundles of fibers were extruded from AgClxBr1−x (0<x<1) crystals. They consisted of 100 individual fibers of average diameters 30–45μm, packed in tight arrays to form bundles of outer diameters 0.7–2.0mm. The bundles transmitted radiation in the spectral range of 3–20μm and exhibited relatively low transmission losses and no bending losses. The bundles were used to transmit thermal images of objects at room temperature to a distance of several meters. These thin and flexible bundles will be useful for fiber-optic thermal imaging in medical and industrial applications.
Properties of ion debris emitted from laser-produced mass-limited tin plasmas for extreme ultraviolet light source applications
Authors: Fujioka Shinsuke , Nishimura Hiroaki , Nishihara Katsunobu , Murakami Masakatsu , Kang Youngces-G , Gu Qincui , Nagai Keiji , Norimatsu Takayoshi , Miyanaga Noriaki , Izawa Yasukazu , Mima Kunioki , Shimada Yoshinori , Sunahara Atsushi , Furukawa Hiroyuki
Published: December 2005

Properties of ion debris emitted from laser-produced mass-limited tin plasmas have been experimentally investigated for an application to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Simple scaling laws to design the mass-limited target, which is a key technique to minimize contamination of the first EUV collection mirror, is discussed. The measured energy spectrum of the tin ions is consistent with a prediction by the isothermal expansion model. The average charge state of the tin ions is evaluated to be +5 at 180mm away from the plasma, and higher-energy ions have higher charge state. It was found that not only EUV emission but also ion energy spectra are sensitively affected by the target mass limitation.
Optimizing diffusion-driven flow in a fissure
Authors: Heitz Renaud , Peacock Thomas , Stocker Roman
Published: December 2005

Diffusion-driven flow arises when a stably stratified fluid is bounded by an inclined wall. For a stratified fluid in an inclined fissure, in which fluid is confined to a gap between two inclined parallel walls, the flow field is determined by the gap width and the angle of inclination. When the gap width is much wider than the buoyancy layer thickness, the problem reduces to that of a semi-infinite fluid. As the gap width decreases, interaction between the boundary layer flows on the upper and lower walls increasingly influences the velocity profile, affecting transport within the fissure. We have obtained supporting experimental results that show these trends, demonstrating the existence of optimum conditions for dye transport.
Phase separation and electronic structure of Hf-silicate film as a function of composition
Authors: Cho M.-H. , Chung K. B. , Whang C. N. , Lee D. W. , Ko D.-H.
Published: December 2005

Thermal stability and electronic structure of xHfO2∙(100−x)SiO2 (HfSiO) (x=25%, 50%, and 75%) grown by atomic layer deposition were investigated by various measurement tools. The quantity of incorporated SiO2 content changes the binding energy of HfO2 as the charging effect in the silicate is enhanced with the quantity SiO2. When the annealing temperature is increased over 800 °C, phase separation between SiO2 and HfO2 is observed in the films with 50% and 75% HfO2, while it does not occur in a Hf-silicate film with a high mole fraction of SiO2. The phase separation begins in the surface region via the segregation of SiO2. After the annealing treatment, the quantity of SiO2 supplied to the film surface due to interfacial interactions influences the phase separation process, resulting in no phase separation being observed, even at a high annealing treatment of 900 °C.
Room-temperature threshold reduction in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers by injection of spin-polarized electrons
Authors: Rudolph J. , Döhrmann S. , Hägele D. , Oestreich M. , Stolz W.
Published: December 2005

We experimentally demonstrate the reduction of the laser threshold of a commercial GaAs∕(AlGa)As vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) by optical injection of spin-polarized electrons at room temperature. Calculations with a rate-equation model reproduce the measured reduction of 2.5% for injected electrons with 50% spin polarization. The model predicts an improved threshold reduction of 50% in otherwise identical VCSELs grown on a (110) substrate due to the enhanced spin lifetime in such structures.
Breakdown-induced thermochemical reactions in HfO2 high-κ/polycrystalline silicon gate stacks
Authors: Ranjan R. , Pey K. L. , Tung C. H. , Tang L. J. , Ang D. S. , Groeseneken G. , De Gendt S. , Bera L. K.
Published: December 2005

The chemistry of dielectric-breakdown-induced microstructural changes in HfO2 high-κ/polycrystalline silicon gate nMOSFETs under constant voltage stress has been studied. Based on an electron energy loss spectrometry analysis, the hafnium and oxygen chemical bonding in the breakdown induced Hf-based compounds of a “ball-shaped” defect is found to be different compared to the stoichiometric HfO2 and SiO2. The formation of possibly HfSixOy and HfSix compounds in the “ball-shaped” defect is attributed to a thermochemical reaction triggered by the gate dielectric breakdown.
Bulk crystals of tetracene grown by the vapor-Bridgman technique
Authors: Niemax J. , Pflaum J.
Published: December 2005

A universal approach is described for preparing single crystals of organic materials that can only be sublimed, in this case tetracene, with extensions of several millimeters along all three dimensions. It is observed that crystals grown by this technique are more brittle than crystals grown by conventional sublimation methods. The mechanical properties are found to be governed by cracks oriented along (001) basal planes. By Laue diffraction it is revealed that the crystal is composed of subgrains. These grains are separated by small angle tilt boundaries that cause visible traces along the [100] direction on (001) fracture planes. The crack formation during growth is explained to result from tilt boundaries terminating within the crystal.
Lasing in interferometrically structured organic materials
Authors: Harbers Rik , Hoffnagle John A. , Hinsberg William D. , Mahrt Rainer F. , Moll Nikolaj , Erni Daniel , Bächtold Werner
Published: December 2005

We present feedback structures for an organic-photonic-crystal laser created by directly structuring the gain medium, consisting of UVII-HS resist doped with a mixture of the laser dyes Coumarin and DCM. The photonic-crystal structure is realized by means of interference lithography. This approach greatly reduces the number of steps required to realize the feedback structure of an organic laser. The dispersion relations obtained expermimentally agree very well with the computer simulated band diagram.
Coupled islands of photonic crystal heterostructures implemented with vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers
Authors: Lundeberg L. D. A. , Boiko D. L. , Kapon E.
Published: December 2005

Formation of bonding and antibonding states of two coupled photonic crystal heterostructure islands implemented with arrays of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers is studied theoretically and experimentally. Coupling of the photonic envelope wave functions confined to each island is brought about by tunneling across the heterobarrier separating the islands. Numerical simulations predict the bonding state to have the lowest modal losses. The experimental observations of lasing supermodes confirm this prediction, showing the island coupling in the bonding state of the coupled envelope functions.
The Occurrence of Thio-Arsenosugars in Some Samples of Marine Algae
Authors: Meier Josef , Kienzl Norbert , Goessler Walter , Francesconi Kevin A.
Published: December 2005

Environmental Context.Thio-arsenosugars, a novel group of arsenosugars, have previously been reported to occur in marine animals. This paper reports their presence in marine macroalgae and discusses their possible significance in understanding the environmental cycling of arsenic in marine systems.
Abstract.The presence of thio-arsenosugars in samples of marine algae is reported. Four thio-arsenosugars were identified which collectively constituted up to 10% of the total arsenic content of the algae, suggesting that algae may be a significant direct source of these compounds for higher organisms. The possible role of thio-arsenosugars in the biotransformation of arsenic in marine systems is briefly discussed.
Modelling Iodine Particle Formation and Growth from Seaweed in a Chamber
Authors: Pirjola L. , O'Dowd C. D. , Yoon Y. J. , Sellegri K.
Published: December 2005

Environmental Context.Iodine is an important trace species in the marine atmosphere. It contributes to ozone depletion and new particle formation. In recent years, its importance has been realised, however, there is still a gap in our knowledge, from a theoretical framework, of the dominant mechanisms leading to new particle formation and previous theoretical frameworks have not been adequately developed or well understood. This paper presents a state-of-the-art theoretical framework for evaluating the prediction of iodine oxide nucleation and subsequent aerosol growth.
Abstract. A sectional atmospheric chemistry and aerosol dynamics box model (AEROFOR) was further developed and used to simulate ultra-fine particle formation and growth from seaweed in a chamber flushed with particle-free atmospheric air. In the model, thermodynamically stable clusters were formed by dimer nucleation of OIO vapour, whose precursor was assumed to be molecular I2 emitted by seaweed. Fractal geometry of particles was taken into account. For the I2 fluxes of (0.5–1.5) × 109 cm−3 s−1 the model predicted strong particle bursts, the steady state concentrations of I2 vapour and particles larger than 3 nm were as high as 4 × 109–1.2 × 1010 cm−3 and 5.0 × 106–9.2 × 106 cm−3 respectively. The steady state was reached in less than 150 s and the predicted growth rates of 3–6 nm particles varied in the range of 1.2–3.6 nm min−1. Sensitivity of the size distribution against I2O3 cluster formation, an extra condensable vapour, the photolysis rate of the OIO vapour as well as against the density of (OIO)n-clusters was discussed. The modelled results were in good agreement with the chamber measurements performed during the BIOFLUX campaign in September, 2003, in Mace Head, Ireland, confirming that I2 emissions and nucleation of iodine oxides can largely explain the coastal nucleation phenomenon.
Irrigation controlled by a wetting front detector: field evaluation under sprinkler irrigation
Authors: Stirzaker R. J. , Hutchinson P. A.
Published: December 2005

The accuracy of scheduling irrigation to turf by sprinkler was evaluated using a simple wetting front detector that automatically switched the water off after the wetting front had reached a prescribed depth in the soil. The detector consists of a funnel-shaped container that is buried in the soil. When a wetting front reaches the detector, the unsaturated flow lines are distorted so that the water content at the base of the funnel reaches saturation. The free water produced is detected electronically and this provides the signal to stop irrigation. The performance of the detector was evaluated over 38 consecutive irrigation events to test the theory that the velocity of a wetting front depends on the difference in water content ahead of and behind the front. The experimental data plotting the irrigation amount permitted by the wetting front detectors as a function of the soil water content before and after irrigation yielded a linear relationship with a slope of 0.95 and a correlation coefficient of 0.73. Thus, if the soil is dry before irrigation the front will move slowly and an irrigation of long duration will be permitted, with the converse applying to wet soil. Independent monitoring of soil water content showed that irrigation was, for the most part, scheduled accurately. Irrigation interval was the key variable to control. When the interval was too short then over irrigation occurred.
The cell-shape protein MreC interacts with extracytoplasmic proteins including cell wall assembly complexes in
Caulobacter crescentus
Authors: Divakaruni Arun V. , Loo Rachel R. Ogorzalek , Xie Yongming , Loo Joseph A. , Gober James W.
Published: December 2005

The bacterial actin homolog, MreB, forms helical cables within the cell that are required for maintenance of a rod shape. These helical structures are thought to be involved in the spatial organization of cell wall (peptidoglycan) synthesizing complexes of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Here, we examined the role of the MreC cell shape protein in this process in
Caulobacter crescentus
. Subcellular fractionation experiments showed that MreC is a periplasmic protein and, as assayed by immunofluorescence microscopy, adopted helical or banded patterns along the cell length reminiscent of those formed by MreB and PBP2. The pattern of MreC and PBP2 localization remained when MreB cables were disrupted by treatment with the inhibitor A22. However, long-term absence of MreB led to cell shape changes and an eventual loss of MreC localization, suggesting that an independent structure, perhaps an intact peptidoglycan layer, contributes to the MreC localization pattern. Using affinity chromatography with MreC covalently bound to Sepharose, we isolated several PBPs from cell extracts that eluted from the column as heterogeneous complexes. In this same experiment, using mass spectrometry-based protein identification, we identified several outer membrane proteins, including TonB-dependent receptor transport proteins, that interacted with MreC. Imaging live cells containing fusions of these outer membrane proteins to green fluorescent protein showed that they adopted a subcellular localization pattern that was similar to that of MreC. These results suggest that MreC may function in the spatial organization of PBPs as well as other proteins that lie outside the cytoplasmic membrane.
Three independent biological mechanisms cause exercise-associated hyponatremia: Evidence from 2,135 weighed competitive athletic performances
Authors: Noakes T. D. , Sharwood K. , Speedy D. , Hew T. , Reid S. , Dugas J. , Almond C. , Wharam P. , Weschler L.
Published: December 2005

To evaluate the role of fluid and Na
+
balance in the development of exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH), changes in serum Na
+
concentrations ([Na
+
]) and in body weight were analyzed in 2,135 athletes in endurance events. Eighty-nine percent of athletes completed these events either euhydrated (39%) or with weight loss (50%) and with normal (80%) or elevated (13%) serum [Na
+
]. Of 231 (11%) athletes who gained weight during exercise, 70% were normonatremic or hypernatremic, 19% had a serum [Na
+
] between 129-135 mmol/liter, and 11% a serum [Na
+
] of <129 mmol/liter. Serum [Na
+
] after racing was a linear function with a negative slope of the body weight change during exercise. The final serum [Na
+
] in a subset of 18 subjects was predicted from the amount of Na
+
that remained osmotically inactive at the completion of the trial. Weight gain consequent to excessive fluid consumption was the principal cause of a reduced serum [Na
+
] after exercise, yet most (70%) subjects who gained weight maintained or increased serum [Na
+
], requiring the addition of significant amounts of Na
+
(>500 mmol) into an expanded volume of total body water. This Na
+
likely originated from osmotically inactive, exchangeable stores. Thus, EAH occurs in athletes who (
i
) drink to excess during exercise, (
ii
) retain excess fluid because of inadequate suppression of antidiuretic hormone secretion, and (
iii
) osmotically inactivate circulating Na
+
or fail to mobilize osmotically inactive sodium from internal stores. EAH can be prevented by insuring that athletes do not drink to excess during exercise, which has been known since 1985.
Linoleic acid-rich fats reduce atherosclerosis development beyond its oxidative and inflammatory stress-increasing effect in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice in comparison with saturated fatty acid-rich fats
Authors: Sato Masao , Shibata Kenichi , Nomura Run , Kawamoto Daisuke , Nagamine Rika , Imaizumi Katsumi
Published: December 2005

The relative benefit of replacing saturated fatty acid with linoleic acids is still being debated because a linoleic acid-enriched diet increases oxidative and inflammatory stresses, although it is associated with a reduction in serum cholesterol levels. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of linoleic acid-rich (HL) fat, compared with a saturated fatty acid-rich (SF) fat on atherosclerotic lesion areas, serum and liver cholesterol levels, oxidative stress (urinary isoprostanes and serum malondialdehayde) and inflammatory stress (expression of aortic monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; MCP-1) in apo E-deficient mice. Male and female apo E-deficient mice (8 weeks old; seven to eight per group) were fed an AIN-76-based diet containing SF fat (50 g palm oil and 50 g lard/kg) or HL fat (100 g high-linoleic safflower-seed oil/kg) for 9 weeks. Compared with the SF diet, the HL diet lowered atherosclerosis (P<0·05). It reduced serum total cholesterol levels (P<0·05), increased HDL-cholesterol levels (P<0·05) and lowered liver esterified cholesterol levels (P<0·01). The HL diet-fed mice showed increased expression of MCP-1 mRNA (P<0·05), serum levels of malondialdehayde (P<0·05) and urinary excretion of 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-8-iso-prostaglandin F2α;P<0·05). These results suggest that having biomarkersin vivofor oxidative stress and inflammatory status of endothelial cells does not necessarily indicate predisposition to an increased lesion area in the aortic root in apo E-deficient mice fed an HL or SF diet.
Dietary glycaemic index and glycaemic load in Danish children in relation to body fatness
Authors: Nielsen Birgit M. , Bjørnsbo Kirsten S. , Tetens Inge , Heitmann Berit L.
Published: December 2005

The aim of this study was to describe dietary glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) values in the diets of Danish children, and to examine the associations between dietary GI, GL and body fatness. Data were collected during 1997–8 as part of the European Youth Heart Study. The study population comprised 485 children aged 10 years and 364 children aged 16 years from Odense County, Denmark. Dietary GI and GL were estimated using international food tables, and the associations between energy-adjusted dietary GI, GL and body fatness were analysed by multiple linear regression. The mean daily dietary GI value was 85 (SD 6·9) with a range of 62–111. No significant differences were found between age groups and gender. The daily dietary GL was higher among boys aged 16, with a GL of 330 (sd 95) (P<0·05), compared with girls or younger boys. Dietary GL was higher among 10-year-old boys than girls (250 (sd 81) v. 230 (sd 66) P<0·05), whereas dietary GL among 16-year-old girls was 230 (sd 56). Neither dietary GI nor GL was associated with the sum of four skinfolds (ΣSF) among girls or among 10-year-old boys. Among 16-year-old boys, significant associations were observed between dietary GI and ΣSF (β+0·60, SE+0·21, P=0·006), and between dietary GL and ΣSF (β+0·15, SE+0.06, P=0·009). In conclusion, dietary GI and GL were positively associated with body fatness among Danish boys aged 16 years, whereas no associations were found among girls or younger boys.
High concordance of daidzein-metabolizing phenotypes in individuals measured 1 to 3 years apart
Authors: Frankenfeld Cara L. , Atkinson Charlotte , Thomas Wendy K. , Gonzalez Alex , Jokela Tuija , Wähälä Kristiina , Schwartz Stephen M. , Li Shuying S. , Lampe Johanna W.
Published: December 2005

Particular intestinal bacteria are capable of metabolizing the soya isoflavone daidzein to equol and/orO-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA), and the presence of these metabolites in urine after soya consumption are markers of particular intestinal bacteria profiles. Prevalences of equol producers andO-DMA producers are approximately 30–50 % and 80–90 %, respectively, and limited observations have suggested that these daidzein-metabolizing phenotypes are stable within individuals over time. Characterizing stability of these phenotypes is important to understand their potential as markers of long-term exposure to particular intestinal bacteria and their associations with disease risk. We evaluated concordance within an individual for the equol-producer andO-DMA-producer phenotypes measured at two time points (T1, T2), 1–3 years apart. Phenotypes were ascertained by analysing equol andO-DMA using GC-MS in a spot urine sample collected after 3 d soya (source of daidzein) supplementation. In ninety-two individuals without recent (within 3 months before phenotyping) or current antibiotics use, 41 % were equol producers at T1 and 45 % were equol producers at T2, and 90 % wereO-DMA producers at T1 and 95 % wereO-DMA producers at T2. The percentage agreement for the equol-producer phenotype was 82 and for theO-DMA-producer phenotype was 89. These results indicate that these phenotypes are stable in most individuals over time, suggesting that they provide a useful biomarker for evaluating disease risk associated with harbouring particular intestinal bacteria responsible for, or associated with, the metabolism of the soya isoflavone daidzein.
Glycaemic index values for commercially available potatoes in Great Britain
Authors: Henry C. Jeya K. , Lightowler Helen J. , Strik Caroline M. , Storey Michael
Published: December 2005

The glycaemic response to eight potato varieties commercially available in Great Britain was compared against a glucose standard in a non-blind, randomised, repeated measure, crossover design trial. Seventeen healthy subjects (three males, fouteen females), mean age 32 (sd 13) years and mean BMI 22·3 (sd 3·6) kg/m2, were recruited to the study. Subjects were served portions of eight potato varieties and a standard food (glucose), on separate occasions, each containing 50 g carbohydrate. Capillary blood glucose was measured from finger-prick samples in fasted subjects (0 min) and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after the consumption of each test food. For each potato variety, the glycaemic index (GI) value was calculated geometrically by expressing the incremental area under the blood glucose curve (IAUC) as a percentage of each subject's average IAUC for the standard food. The eight potato varieties exhibited a wide range in GI values from 56 to 94. A trend was seen whereby potatoes with waxy textures produced medium GI values, whilst floury potatoes had high GI values. Considering the widespread consumption of potatoes in Great Britain (933–1086 g per person per week), this information could be used to help lower the overall GI and glycaemic load of the diets of the British population.
Effect of green tea on resting energy expenditure and substrate oxidation during weight loss in overweight females
Authors: Diepvens Kristel , Kovacs Eva M. R. , Nijs Ilse M. T. , Vogels Neeltje , Westerterp-Plantenga Margriet S.
Published: December 2005

We assessed the effect of ingestion of green tea (GT) extract along with a low-energy diet (LED) on resting energy expenditure (REE), substrate oxidation and body weight as GT has been shown to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation in the short term in both animals and people. Forty-six overweight women (BMI 27·6 (sd 1·8) kg/m2) were fed in energy balance from day 1 to day 3, followed by a LED with GT (1125 mg tea catechins +225 mg caffeine/d) or placebo (PLAC) from day 4 to day 87. Caffeine intake was standardised to 300 mg/d. Energy expenditure was measured on days 4 and 32. Reductions in weight (4·19 (sd 2·0) kg PLAC, 4·21 (sd 2·7) kg GT), BMI, waist:hip ratio, fat mass and fat-free mass were not statistically different between treatments. REE as a function of fat-free mass and fat mass was significantly reduced over 32 d in the PLAC group (P<0·05) but not in the GT group. Dietary restraint increased over time (P<0·001) in both groups, whereas disinhibition and general hunger decreased (P<0·05). The GT group became more hungry over time and less thirsty, and showed increased prospective food consumption compared with PLAC (P<0·05). Taken together, the ingestion of GT along with a LED had no additional benefit for any measures of body weight or body composition. Although the decrease in REE as a function of fat-free mass and fat mass was not significant with GT treatment, whereas it was with PLAC treatment, no significant effect of treatment over time was seen, suggesting that a robust limitation of REE reduction during a LED was not achieved by GT.
Haematological response to iron supplementation is reduced in children with asymptomaticHelicobacter pyloriinfection
Authors: Mahalanabis Dilip , Islam M. Aminul , Shaikh Saijuddin , Chakrabarty Monilal , Kurpad Anura V. , Mukherjee Swagata , Sen Bandana , Khaled M. Abu , Vermund Sten H.
Published: December 2005

We evaluated the adverse effect of asymptomaticHelicobacter pyloriinfection in children on the response to Fe supplementation. One hundred and sixty-nine children aged 1–10 years from the urban poor community underwent a [13C]urea breath test forH. pyloriand haematological tests at admission and after 8 weeks. BothH. pylori-positive and -negative children were randomly assigned to receive ferrous fumarate syrup (20 mg elemental Fe twice daily) or placebo for 8 weeks and a single dose of vitamin A (33,000μg). Admission findings were compared betweenH. pylori-positive and -negative children. Response to Fe was compared between Fe-supplementedH. pylori-positive and -negative children. Seventy-nine per cent of the children were aged 1–5 years and half of them were boys. In eighty-fiveH. pylori-positive and eighty-fourH. pylori-negative children, the differences in mean Hb (112 (sd 12·6)v. 113 (sd 12·0) g/l), haematocrit (34 (sd 3·5)v. 35 (sd 3·2) %) and ferritin (23·8v. 21·0 μg/l) were similar. After 8 weeks of Fe supplementation, mean Hb was 5·3 g/l more (95 % CI 1·59, 9·0) and haematocrit was 1·4 % more (95 % CI 0·2, 2·6) inH. pylori-negative (n44) compared withH. pylori-positive (n42) children. Mean ferritin was similar at admission and improved in bothH. pylori-positive and -negative children. AsymptomaticH. pyloriinfection was not associated with higher rates of anaemia or Fe deficiency in children, but had a significant adverse effect on response to Fe therapy. However, this result is based on exploratory analysis and needs confirmation.
Validation of a pre-coded food diary with energy expenditure, comparison of under-reporters v. acceptable reporters
Authors: Lillegaard I. T. L. , Andersen L. F.
Published: December 2005

The objective of the present study was to compare energy intake (EI) assessed from a pre-coded food diary (PFD) with energy expenditure (EE) measured by a validated position-and-movement monitor (ActiReg®; PreMed AS, Oslo, Norway) in a group of Norwegian 9-year-olds. Moreover, we examined whether and how under-reporters (UR), identified with ActiReg®, differed from acceptable reporters (AR) according to food intake and BMI. A total of fifty-one 9-year-olds completed PFD and ActiReg®. The present study showed that on average EI was underestimated by 18 % compared with EE measured by ActiReg®. The 95 % confidence limits of agreement in a Bland–Altman plot for EI and EE varied from 1·97 MJ to −4·23 MJ (sd 2) among the girls and from 0·74 MJ to −5·26 MJ (sd 2) among the boys. The Pearson correlation coefficient between EI and EE was 0·28 (P=0·05) for males and females combined. Fifty-seven per cent of the participants were classified as AR, 39 % as UR and 4 % as over-reporters with the PFD. Under-reporting of energy remains a problem with the PFD method used in a group of 9-year-olds, especially among boys. However, UR and AR did not show a systematic misreporting related to macronutrients, unhealthy foods or BMI.
‘Glucose control-related’ and ‘non-glucose control-related’ effects of insulin on weight gain in newly insulin-treated type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Sallé A. , Ryan M. , Guilloteau G. , Bouhanick B. , Berrut G. , Ritz P.
Published: December 2005

Insulin use is common in type 2 diabetes and is frequently accompanied by weight gain, the composition of which is poorly understood. The present study evaluates insulin-induced body composition changes. Body weight and composition of thirty-two type 2 diabetic patients undergoing their first 12 months of insulin therapy were compared with those observed in thirty-two type 2 diabetic patients previously treated on insulin (minimum 1 year). Body composition was determined by simultaneous body water spaces (bioelectrical impedance analysis) and body density measurements. After 6 months, glycosylated Hb (HbA1c) significantly improved in the newly treated group (P<0·0001), but remained stable in those treated previously. HbA1c did not differ between 6 and 12 months in the two groups. Body weight significantly (P=0·04) changed over 12 months in those newly treated only (+2·8 kg), essentially comprising fat-free mass (P=0·044). Fat mass remained unchanged (P=0·85) as did total body water, while extracellular: total body water ratio tended to increase in those newly treated (P=0·059). Weight changes correlated with HbA1c changes (R20·134,P=0·002) in the initial 6 months only. Insulin therapy leads to weight gain (2·8 kg), predominantly fat-free mass, over 12 months. After 6 months, newly treated patients continued gaining weight despite an unchanged HbA1c, suggesting the potential anabolic role of insulin in subsequent gains. Therefore, in the initial 6 months, weight gain can be attributed to a ‘glucose control-related effect’ and further gain appears to be due to a ‘non-glucose control-related’ effect of insulin treatment.
Substrates and fertilization for the rustic cultivation of in vitro propagated native orchids in Soconusco, Chiapas
Authors: Damon Anne , Soriano Marco Pérez , Rivera del Lourdes Maria
Published: December 2005

Native orchid cultivation is a compatible alternative for impoverished coffee farmers in southeastern Mexico who are in crisis due to falling prices. Sustainable orchid cultivation is also an urgent necessity as an alternative to nonsustainable extraction from protected reserves, forest fragments and traditional coffee plantations, and to restore and conserve populations within these habitats. Our objective was to test the effects of locally available substrates and fertilizers upon orchids cultivated under typical rural conditions in coffee-producing areas in Soconusco, Chiapas. Seven species of epiphytic orchids native to Soconusco region—Cattleya aurantiaca, Brassavola nodosa, Prosthechea (Encyclia) chacaoensis, Anathallis (Pleurothallis) racemiflora, Cattleya skinneri, Cycnoches ventricosumandEncyclia cordigera—were propagatedin vitro, acclimatized and established in rustic orchid galleries in the home gardens and plantations of coffee growers. Locally available waste products were used as substrates: clay tiles, tree bark, bamboo, seed hulls of pataxte (Theobroma bicolor) and wire baskets filled with bark chips. Two cheap and readily available commercial foliar feeds, Algaenzims (an organic product) and Bayfolan (a synthetic product) were tested. First, the substrates alone were tested for a period of 6 months to 1 year, then a combination of substrates and fertilizers were tested for 6 months, for effects upon leaf and root growth and root number. The mortality rates of these nonsymbiotically propagated, epiphytic orchids during the acclimatization phase, prior to these experiments, were high, between 60 and 90%. Once established in rustic galleries, the young orchid plants showed no preference for a particular substrate, survival depended upon technical problems during establishment, relating to difficulties with the attachment of plants to substrates, and the variable quality of care and attention offered by the farmers. Both fertilizers significantly improved one or all the parameters studied, and possibly counteracted the negative effects of the absence of symbiotic fungi, which, under natural conditions, are essential for orchid seed germination and adequate development of the young plant. More than half of the producers did not continue with the orchid cultures for economic and cultural reasons.
An integrated approach to crop/livestock systems: Wintering beef cows on swathed crops
Authors: Karn J.F. , Tanaka D.L. , Liebig M.A. , Ries R.E. , Kronberg S.L. , Hanson J.D.
Published: December 2005

Grain and livestock production have gradually been separated, as farmers have tended to specialize in one or the other. Some producers and scientists are beginning to question whether this is the best approach. An integrated crop/livestock project was initiated in 1999 to investigate potentially beneficial synergies to both enterprises. The cattle portion of this project involved wintering dry pregnant cows on swathed crop residue and drilled corn produced in a 3-year crop rotation, with all crops present each year. Swath grazing was initiated in mid-November of 1999, 2000 and 2001, and terminated in mid-February each year. Two replications of ten Hereford cows were rotationally grazed on swathed oat/pea and triticale crop residue and swathed drilled corn (RGSC). Comparison treatments were: cows grazing swathed western wheatgrass (SWWG) and cows fed hay in a drylot. Cows on the RGSC treatment were also fed a 20% crude protein supplement of oat/pea and triticale grain. Drilled corn was swathed in late September and western wheatgrass in early October. Three-year average winter-long weight gains for the RGSC cows were slightly lower (P<0.10) than those for drylot cows. Body condition scores generally followed the same pattern as weight gain data. Reproductive and calf performance data were not significantly different among wintering treatments. Average daily feed costs per cow over the three winters were US$0.49, 0.65 and 0.73 for RGSC, SWWG and baled hay in a drylot, respectively, providing a potential daily savings of US$0.24 per cow with the RGSC treatment compared to bale feeding in a drylot. Swath grazing did not appear to have any adverse affects on mid-aged beef cow performance and could potentially reduce winter feeding costs and manure handling problems. The main problem with swath grazing is potentially deep snow and icing of the swaths.
Comparison of consumer perceptions and preference toward organic versus conventionally produced foods: A review and update of the literature
Authors: Yiridoe Emmanuel K. , Bonti-Ankomah Samuel , Martin Ralph C.
Published: December 2005

Growing interest in organic agriculture has prompted numerous studies that compare various aspects of organic and conventionally produced foods. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of empirical studies comparing organic products and conventionally grown alternatives. The emphasis is on key organic consumer demand and marketing issues, including: (1) the implications of an economic definition of organically grown food for consumer demand; (2) attributes that shoppers consider most when comparing organic with conventionally grown products; (3) level and characteristics of consumer knowledge and awareness about organic food; (4) assessment methods and characteristics of organic consumer attitudes and preferences; (5) size of price premium and characteristics of consumers’ willingness-to-pay for organic products; and (6) profile of organic consumers. Overall, although there is some knowledge and awareness about organic products, consumers are not consistent in their interpretation of what is organic. Secondly, while consumers typically understand the broad issues about organic foods, many tend not to understand the complexities and niceties of organic farming practices and organic food quality attributes. Uncertainty regarding the true attributes of organic, and skepticism about organic labels, part of which stems from reported cases of (inadvertent) mislabeling, and product misrepresentation, and partly because of nonuniform organic standards and certification procedures, may hold some consumers back from purchasing organic. Thirdly, concern for human health and safety, which is a key factor that influences consumer preference for organic food, is consistent with observed deterioration in human health over time and, therefore, motivates consumers to buy organic food as insurance and/or investment in health. Fourthly, the proportion of consumers who are willing to pay a price premium for organic food decreases with premium level. On the other hand, premiums tend to increase with (combinations of) preferred attributes. In addition, demand tends to depend more on the price differential with respect to conventionally grown products, than on actual price. In contrast to sensitivity of demand to changes in price, income elasticity of demand for organic foods is generally small. Finally, it is important for policy analysts and researchers to note that organic fresh fruits and vegetables currently dominate the organic consumer's food basket. Furthermore, it is not clear whether frequent buyers consider particular organic products (e.g., organic meat) as normal goods, or if consumers consider such products as luxury goods.
Marketing locally produced foods: Consumer and farmer opinions in Washington County, Nebraska
Authors: Schneider Mindi L. , Francis Charles A.
Published: December 2005

Local food system potentials were studied in Washington County, Nebraska. As a departure from most studies of locally based systems, farmers were surveyed in addition to consumers for potential participation. Data about the current food system and opinions and preferences for local production, marketing, and purchasing of food were collected using self-administered mail questionnaires. The response rate was 35% for the farmer survey and 37% for the consumer survey. Results indicated that, on the farming side of the food system, conventional corn and soybean production and marketing predominated in Washington County, and farmer interest in producing for local markets was low. Consumers reported a high level of interest in purchasing food from farmers' markets, local grocery stores, local restaurants and directly from farms, and indicated a willingness to pay a price premium for local foods. They also reported that quality and taste were the most important factors in food purchase decisions, but environmentally friendly production and support for local farmers were also important. We conclude that there is tremendous potential for local marketing of farm products, but that there is a large gap between consumer demand and willingness of farmers to meet this demand. Further study of motivations and opinions of farmers is needed, in addition to determining production thresholds for the number of farms and farmers needed to meet local food demands.