bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and biochemical monitoring of patients with fatty acid oxidation disorders
Authors: Lund Allan Meldgaard , Skovby Flemming , Vestergaard Helle , Christensen Mette , Christensen Ernst
Published: January 2010

Evidence‐based guidelines for monitoring patients with disorders in fatty acid oxidation (FAO) are lacking, and most protocols are based on expert statements. Here, we describe our protocol for Danish patients. Clinical monitoring is the most important measure and has the main aims of checking growth, development and diet and of bringing families to the clinic regularly to remind them of their child's risk and review how they cope and adjust, e.g. to an acute intercurrent illness. Most of these measures are simple and can be carried out during a routine out‐patient visit; we seldom do more complicated assessments by a neuropsychologist, speech therapist, or physical and occupational therapists. Paraclinical measurements are not used for short‐chain and medium‐chain disorders; electrocardiography (including 24 h monitoring) and echocardiography are done for most patients with long‐chain and carnitine transporter deficiencies. Eye examination is done in all, and liver ultrasonography in some patients with long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase/tri‐functional protein (LCHAD/TFP) deficiencies. Biochemical follow‐up includes determination of free carnitine and acylcarnitines. Free carnitine is measured to monitor carnitine supplementation in patients with multiple acyl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) and carnitine transporter deficiency (CTD) and to follow metabolic control and disclose deficiency states in other FAO disorders. We are evaluating long‐chain acylcarnitines in patients with long‐chain disorders; so far there does not seem to be any clear‐cut benefit in following these levels. An erythrocyte fatty acid profile is done in patients with long‐chain disorders to test for essential fatty acid and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) deficiencies. The measurement of creatine kinase is helpful in long‐chain disorders. Ongoing follow‐up and education of the patient is important throughout life to prevent disease morbidity or death from metabolic crises.
Regional Governance für ländliche Räume – innovativer Ansatz, politischer Gegenwind und der Weg vorwärts
Authors: Giessen Lukas
Published: January 2010

This article identifies the programmatic as well as political innovations of Regional Governance in the context of integrated rural development. Based on a number of case studies it is argued that these innovations do not automatically materialise in political reality. Regional Governance was shown to compete with regional government. In addition, strong sectoral interests and institutions and the multi-level character of rural policy are identified as main obstacles to the approach. The paper closes with a realistic discussion of options for strengthening the integrated approach politically through ambitious rural policy integration.
Creating Order out of Chaos: A Leadership Approach
Authors: Chadwick Maureen Melia
Published: January 2010

Communication is of the utmost importance for effective teamwork, yet promoting effective communication and overcoming the cultural belief that conflict is “bad” are key challenges for leaders. To provide optimal patient care, perioperative nurse leaders should assess the culture in which they work and develop strategies to build solid credible relationships within their teams.

This article introduces the Complex Adaptive Leadership Model, which has underpinnings in complexity science, as a means to promote culture change and promote productive conflict. The concepts and relationships presented in this model reflect real‐world situations and provide strategies for leadership and team development.

This model was implemented at one Pennsylvania facility and led to improved outcomes in the perioperative arena related to the Surgical Care Improvement Project indicators during a one‐year period.
Care of the Patient Undergoing Surgical Excision of a Carotid Body Chemodectoma
Authors: Tinkham Michelle Rovena
Published: January 2010

The carotid body is a small mass of tissue inside the carotid bifurcation that reacts to the body's level of oxygen. In rare cases, the carotid body may develop a tumor known as a chemodectoma or paraganglioma. These tumors can vary in size and, typically, they are benign. Although carotid body tumors usually are painless and slow growing, they may cause a compression syndrome that results in symptoms such as dysphagia.

The treatment of choice for many carotid body tumors is surgical removal, but there are risks involved with resecting these tumors because of their close location to the carotid vessels and cranial nerves. The use of newer imaging modalities to allow earlier detection of carotid body tumors and careful surgical technique can decrease the complications associated with this challenging surgical procedure.
Preoperative Assessment and Management
Authors: Rockhill Wayne
Published: January 2010

Preoperative Assessment and Management BobbieJean Sweitzer 2nd edition 2008, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 544 pages, $49.95 softcover
Clinical Issues—January 2010
Authors: Blanchard Joan , Denholm Bonnie
Published: January 2010

This Month

Identifying wound infections and classifying surgical site infections

Key words: surgical site infection (SSI), wound classifications, superficial incisional SSI, deep incisional SSI, organ space SSI.

Establishing an ASC infection prevention and control program

Key words: infection prevention and control program, health care‐associated infection, ambulatory surgery center, infection surveillance.

Guidelines for design and construction of health care facilities

Key words: construction guidelines, American Institute of Architects, Facility Guidelines Institute.
Vocal function following discharge from intensive care
Authors: Nixon I , Ramsay S , MacKenzie K
Published: January 2010

Introduction:

There is growing interest in the long term outcomes of critical care. The degree of vocal morbidity suffered by patients surviving intensive care admission has not previously been reported.

Objective:

To determine the degree of subjective, patient-reported vocal morbidity following discharge from intensive care.

Materials and methods:

A prospective study was undertaken of patients admitted to intensive care. A total of 273 consecutive admissions were assessed; 181 patients were suitable for inclusion.

Main outcome measure:

The Voice Symptom Scale questionnaire.

Results:

Eighty-three patients responded. Twenty-seven patients (33 per cent) reported a degree of vocal morbidity greater than that suffered by patients treated for early laryngeal cancer. Thirteen patients (16 per cent) reported a degree of morbidity greater than that suffered by patients attending voice clinics.

Conclusion:

Up to one-third of patients who survived admission to an intensive care unit reported suffering significant vocal morbidity. The Voice Symptom Scale could be used in an intensive care follow-up setting to identify and ensure the referral of such patients.
Case report of Zenker's diverticulum in identical twins: further evidence for genetic predisposition
Authors: Klockars T , Mäkitie A
Published: January 2010

Objective:

We report identical twins with Zenker's diverticulum.

Methods:

Case report and literature review.

Conclusions:

Geographical and racial variation in occurrence, and rare familial cases, suggest that inherited factors play a role in the pathogenesis of Zenker's diverticulum. The identical twins reported here provide further evidence supporting a genetic predisposition.
Deinstitutionalization revisited: a 5-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial of hospital-based rehabilitation versus specialized assertive intervention (OPUS) versus standard treatment for patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Nordentoft M. , Øhlenschlæger J. , Thorup A. , Petersen L. , Jeppesen Pia , Bertelsen M.
Published: January 2010

Background

The effects of hospital-based rehabilitation including weekly supportive psychodynamic therapy compared with specialized assertive intervention and standard treatment has not previously been investigated in first-episode psychosis. The aim of the study was to examine long-term effect on use of institutional care of different intensive interventions for patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorder on use of psychiatric bed days and days in supported housing.

Method

A total of 94 severely ill patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders were included in a special part of the Copenhagen OPUS trial and randomized to either the specialized assertive intervention program (OPUS), standard treatment or hospital-based rehabilitation.

Results

It was a stable pattern that patients randomized to hospital-based rehabilitation spent more days in psychiatric wards and in supported housing throughout the 5-year follow-up period compared with the two other groups. Patients in OPUS treatment spent significantly fewer days in psychiatric wards and supported housing in the first 3 years compared with patients in hospital-based rehabilitation. Due to attrition and small sample size, differences in level of psychotic and negative symptoms at 5-year follow-up could not be evaluated.

Conclusions

The study indicates that hospital-based rehabilitation together with weekly supportive psychodynamic therapy was associated with a continued increased use of psychiatric bed days and days in supported housing. The data cannot justify using hospital-based rehabilitation in first-episode psychosis.
Preliminary evidence that estradiol moderates genetic influences on disordered eating attitudes and behaviors during puberty
Authors: Klump K. L. , Keel P. K. , Sisk C. , Burt S. A.
Published: January 2010

Background

Puberty moderates genetic influences on disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, with little genetic influence before puberty but large (⩾50%) genetic effects during and after puberty. To date, however, nothing is known about the mechanisms that underlie these effects. Estradiol is a particularly promising candidate, as estrogens become elevated at puberty and regulate gene transcription within neurotransmitter systems important for eating-related phenotypes. The aim of this pilot study was to examine whether estradiol levels moderate genetic influences on disordered eating during puberty.

Method

Participants included 198 female twins (ages 10–15 years) from the Michigan State University Twin Registry. Disordered eating attitudes and behaviors were assessed with the total score, weight preoccupation, body dissatisfaction and binge eating/compensatory behavior subscales of the Minnesota Eating Behavior Survey (MEBS). Afternoon saliva samples were assayed for estradiol levels. Moderation of genetic effects was examined by comparing twin correlations in low versus high estradiol groups.

Results

In the low estradiol group, monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin correlations for all MEBS scales were similar, suggesting little genetic influence. In the high estradiol group, the MZ twin correlation was more than double the DZ twin correlation, indicating the presence of genetic effects. Findings could not be accounted for by age, body mass index or the physical changes of puberty.

Conclusions

Estradiol may be one important moderator of genetic effects on disordered eating during puberty. Larger twin studies are needed to replicate this pilot work and quantify the extent of genetic moderation.
A new population of the Cone-billed Tanager Conothraupis mesoleuca, with information on the biology, behaviour and type locality of the species
Authors: CANDIA-GALLARDO CARLOS ERNESTO , SILVEIRA LUÍS FÁBIO , AKEMI KUNIY ADRIANA
Published: January 2010

The ‘Critically Endangered’ Cone-billed Tanager Conothraupis mesoleuca was described in 1939, based on a single specimen collected in the state of Mato Grosso, western Brazil. Not seen again in the wild until 2003, this poorly-known species was rediscovered in Emas National Park, in the Brazilian state of Goiás. We describe here the discovery of a new population of Cone-billed Tanager in Chapada dos Parecis, along the upper Juruena River basin, in the state of Mato Grosso. The birds were always detected in (or near) flooded habitats along rivers. At least 40 individuals were found, but the population may be larger, since areas of potential habitat are available in the upper Juruena basin and these have not yet been surveyed. We also provide here the first information on the biology and behaviour of the species based on observations in Juruena and Emas, as well as a first description of the female. Historical documents and our records support our suggestion that “Juruena”, i.e. the type locality of the Cone-billed Tanager, refers to the Juruena telegraph station (12°50’S, 58°55’W). Considering that the range of the species is being settled, research on different aspects of its biology are urgent.
ARE INITIAL WAGE LOSSES OF INTERSECTORAL MOVERS COMPENSATED FOR BY THEIR SUBSEQUENT WAGE GAINS?
Authors: Shin Donggyun , Shin Kwanho , Park Seonyoung
Published: January 2010

This paper presents an equilibrium explanation of the inter- and intrasectoral mobility of workers. Analyses of our samples from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth show that, other things being equal, the initial wage decline is greater for intersectoral movers than for intrasectoral movers. Intersectoral movers, however, enjoy higher wage growth in subsequent years on postunemployment jobs than intrasectoral movers do, and hence are compensated for their initial wage decline. Our estimates suggest that, other things being constant, the additional short-term wage loss associated with sector shifts is overturned in no more than four years by the greater wage growth of intersectoral movers in subsequent years. The findings in the current study clearly show that the true economic costs of intersector mobility tend to be overstated in existing studies and are significantly lowered in the long-term perspective. Calibration of a simple lifetime utility model demonstrates that inter- and intrasectoral movements of workers are quantitatively consistent with an equilibrium framework, at least for a major group of workers who move with longer term perspectives. Evidence also shows that job seekers consider not only the initial wage rate but also the subsequent wages received from the postunemployment job when deciding whether to recommence employment or switch sectors.
THE PERIOD OF FINANCIAL DISTRESS IN SPECULATIVE MARKETS: INTERACTING HETEROGENEOUS AGENTS AND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS
Authors: Gallegati Mauro , Palestrini Antonio , Rosser J. Barkley
Published: January 2010

We investigate how stochastic asset price dynamics with herding and financial constraints explains the presence of aperiod of financial distress(PFD) following the peak and preceding the crash of a bubble [Charles P. Kindleberger,Manias, Panics, and Crashes: A History of Financial Crisis, 4th ed. (New York: Wiley, 2000, Appendix B)] as common among most major historical speculative bubbles. Simulations show that the PFD is due to (1) agents' wealth distribution dynamics and (2) positive and sufficiently high transaction costs generating losses for a significant mass of the agents' distribution after the peak of the bubble. The use of transaction costs to get the result is only a modeling tool. Many other mechanisms—able to generate losses for a large mass of the agents' distribution in periods in which financial constraints bind—can produce the same result. The paper also shows how the PFD is affected by a variation of the sensitivity of price to the excess demand and by the switching strategy.
Flavonoid intake and disability-adjusted life years due to Alzheimer’s and related dementias: a population-based study involving twenty-three developed countries
Authors: Beking Kristopher , Vieira Amandio
Published: January 2010

Objective

Dietary flavonoids and their metabolites may have neuroprotective effects against age-associated neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and related dementias (dementia). There is a lack of population studies, however, on correlations between flavonoid intake and dementia. The main objective of the present study was to analyse such a relationship at a large-scale population level.

Design

Based on global data (FAO, WHO), databases were generated for: (i) flavonoid content of foods; (ii) per capita national dietary intakes of flavonoids and other dietary factors; and (iii) disability-adjusted life years – a measure of burden and death – due to dementia. Five major flavonoid subclasses were examined. To minimize influences due to accuracy and reliability of the disease source data, twenty-three developed countries were selected after statistical evaluation.

Results

Flavonols and combined flavonoids (all five combined) intakes were the only two parameters with significant (P < 0·05) negative dementia correlations. Multiple linear regression models confirmed this relationship, and excluded confounding from some other dietary and non-dietary factors. Similar analyses with non-dementia, neurological/psychiatric diseases did not yield significant correlations.

Conclusions

At a global level, and in the context of different genetic backgrounds, our results suggest that higher consumption of dietary flavonoids, especially flavonols, is associated with lower population rates of dementia in these countries.
SEM-EDX at the Service of Archaeology to Unravel Historical Technology
Authors: Cardell Carolina , Guerra Isabel , Sánchez-Navas Antonio
Published: January 2010

It is well known that there is a profitable cooperation between archaeology and the scientific disciplines of chemistry, geology, biology, and physics with the aim of producing better interpretations of archaeological materials. This field of science is known as archaeometry. Two main goals of archaeometry are to analyze and characterize historic objects to preserve them and to investigate the knowledge and skills required to fabricate them. This latter information is essential in the evaluation of cultural and technological aspects of past societies and to further understand the transference of technological knowledge through time periods and geographical contexts.
Improving SEM Imaging Performance Using Beam Deceleration
Authors: Phifer D , Tuma L , Vystavel T , Wandrol P , Young RJ
Published: January 2010

Beam Deceleration is a relatively simple method to reduce electron beam energy and improve imaging parameters such as resolution and contrast. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) uses a sharply focused electron beam to probe the specimen surface. The energy of the electrons forming such a probe is determined by the electrical potential of the electron source, referred to as accelerating voltage or high voltage (HV). No matter how many times the electrons are accelerated or decelerated inside the column, they leave the column with an energy corresponding to the high voltage. The high voltage is usually controllable within a range of 200 V to 30 kV for most commercially available SEMs, allowing the operator to select the electron beam energy suitable for the application. Imaging with very low electron beam energy has great importance, which is illustrated by SEM instrumentation development over the last few decades [1–2]. Low voltage microscopy is a topic discussed at most microscopy-related conferences these days, but generally, it is approached with an immersion lens and field emission gun (FEG) SEM system because of the better beam current densities. However, beam deceleration is also a means to bring low kV improvement to SEMs with thermionic electron sources.
Innovative Instrumentation for Analysis of Nanoparticles: The π Steradian Detector
Authors: Zaluzec Nestor J
Published: January 2010

The analysis was finally completed, the data graphed, and I had to admit to myself, it was looking like an auspicious moment. Only a few weeks earlier, Charlie Lyman and I had been discussing a project that I had been working on for some time, one in which I was admittedly being deliberately vague concerning the details. However, I had promised to keep him updated when it succeeded. Given the date (April 1st) and the data in hand, I couldn't resist sharing with him (and a few colleagues) the first results from that experiment—and my thinly veiled attempt at a quasi-April Fools Day joke. After we exchanged a number of emails that day, Charlie concluded his last message with the line that many of us have heard from both him and Ron Anderson: “A little more text and you can have an article in the July issue of MT.” Have I gotten you curious? Well then read on!
New Method to Quantify Angiogenesis in vivo Using Multi-photon Imaging
Authors: Herron B J , Smith J S , Cole R W
Published: January 2010

Efforts to understand the basic mechanisms of angiogenesis, that is, the formation of new blood vessels from existing vasculature, have been limited by the methods that are currently used to measure vessel growth. Although in vivo assays provide the best environment in which to track angiogenesis, inherent difficulties in obtaining reproducible data limit the power of this approach. Limitations include: environmental variations between experimental animals, induction of inflammatory responses by surgical methods, and labor-intensive blood vessel quantification procedures. A better assay would measure vessel growth in one animal at multiple time points and would focus on minimization of artifacts induced by experimental manipulation.
Low-Energy Focused Ion Beam Milling Provides Reduced Damage During TEM Sample Preparation
Authors: Roussel Laurent
Published: January 2010

The combined focused ion beam (FIB) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), known as the DualBeam, is well-known for its unique ability to produce site-specific thin samples starting from bulk and then attaching the section to a transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid, all in-situ. It has been reported that producing a thin sample using a 30 kV gallium FIB creates surface damage several tens of nanometers deep. However, recent DualBeam technology improvements now enable the FIB to produce thin samples with a thickness well below 50 nanometers and deliver a tightly focused ion beam at an energy of 2 kV and below, which dramatically reduces the damage depth to as low as 1 to 2 nanometers in typical materials, such as silicon.
Piezoresponse Force Microscopy
Authors: Proksch Roger , Kalinin Sergei
Published: January 2010

Coupling between electrical and mechanical phenomena is an important feature of functional inorganic materials and biological systems alike. The applications of electromechanically active materials include sonar, ultrasonic and medical imaging, sensors, actuators, and energy-harvesting technologies, as well as non-volatile computer memories. Electromechanical coupling in electromotor proteins and cellular membranes is the universal basis for biological functionalities from hearing to cardiac activity. The future will undoubtedly see the emergence of broad arrays of piezoelectric, biological, and molecular-based electromechanical systems to allow mankind the capability not only to “think” but also “act” on the nanoscale. The need for probing electromechanical functionalities has led to the development of Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) as a tool for local nanoscale imaging (Figures 1 and 2), spectroscopy, and manipulation of piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials.
FIB Sample Preparation of Polymer Thin Films on Hard Substrates Using the Shadow-FIB Method
Authors: Kim Suhan , Liu Gao , Minor Andrew M
Published: January 2010

Focused ion beam (FIB) instrumentation has proven to be extremely useful for preparing cross-sectional samples for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations. The two most widely used methods involve milling a trench on either side of an electron-transparent window: the “H-bar” and the “lift-out” methods [1]. Although these two methods are very powerful in their versatility and ability to make site-specific TEM samples, they rely on using a sacrificial layer to protect the surface of the sample as well as the removal of a relatively large amount of material, depending on the size of the initial sample. In this article we describe a technique for making thin film cross-sections with the FIB, known as Shadow FIBing, that does not require the use of a sacrificial layer or long milling times [2].
Allocation of CaC03 Polymorphs in Biological Systems: A Confocal Raman-AFM Study
Authors: Schmidt U , Hild S , Ziegler A
Published: January 2010

Biological composites have attracted increasing interest because of their outstanding properties and versatility. Crustaceans are interesting models for the study of these materials. They have a mineralized exoskeleton (cuticle) that provides support and protection. The structural organization of the cuticle is ubiquitous in arthropods: a hierarchically structured organic matrix composed of planes of parallel chitin-protein fibers that are stacked in a twisted plywood organization [1] associated with various amounts of minerals. The land-dwelling crustacean Porcellioscaber (P. scaber) is a well-established model organism for the study of the bio-mineralization processes [2, 3].
Using the Virtual Cell Simulation Environment for Extracting Quantitative Parameters from Live Cell Fluorescence Imaging Data
Authors: Cowan A E , Li Y , Morgan F R , Koppel D E , Slepchenko B M , Loew L M , Schaff J
Published: January 2010

Rapid advances in fluorescence probe and imaging technologies now provide easily accessible tools for biologists to perform highly detailed analysis of molecular interactions in living cells. However it can be difficult to extract accurate parameters from these experiments because of the complex interplay of diffusion-reaction events with the morphology of the cell. As a result, only a small fraction of the available spatiotemporal information is utilized, and in many cases analysis remains at a qualitative level. The Virtual Cell (VCell, http://vcell.org) simulation environment is uniquely suited to analyzing these types of fluorescence imaging experiments because it is designed to solve reaction-diffusion equations within any given geometry [1]
Revelle revisited: Buffer factors that quantify the response of ocean chemistry to changes in DIC and alkalinity
Authors: Egleston Eric S. , Sabine Christopher L. , Morel François M. M.
Published: January 2010

We derive explicit expressions of the Revelle factor and several other buffer factors of interest to climate change scientists and those studying ocean acidification. These buffer factors quantify the sensitivity of CO2 and H+ concentrations ([CO2] and [H+]) and CaCO3 saturation (Ω) to changes in dissolved inorganic carbon concentration (DIC) and alkalinity (Alk). The explicit expressions of these buffer factors provide a convenient means to compare the degree of buffering of [CO2], [H+], and Ω in different regions of the oceans and at different times in the future and to gain insight into the buffering mechanisms. All six buffer factors have roughly similar values, and all reach an absolute minimum when DIC = Alk (pH ∼ 7.5). Surface maps of the buffer factors generally show stronger buffering capacity in the subtropical gyres relative to the polar regions. As the dissolution of anthropogenic CO2 increases the DIC of surface seawater over the next century, all the buffer factors will decrease, resulting in a much greater sensitivity to local variations in DIC and Alk. For example, diurnal and seasonal variations in pH and Ω caused by photosynthesis and respiration will be greatly amplified. Buffer factors provide convenient means to quantify the effect that changes in DIC and Alk have on seawater chemistry. They should also help illuminate the role that various physical and biological processes have in determining the oceanic response to an increase in atmospheric CO2.
How does the initial configuration of oceanic ridge segments affect their interaction? Insights from analogue models
Authors: Tentler Tatiana , Acocella Valerio
Published: January 2010

Oceanic ridge segments interact forming different types of structures, of which transform faults and overlapping spreading centers represent the most common end‐members. This study uses analogue models for testing the role of the initial configuration of the ridges on the geometry and kinematics of the resulting interaction zones. The models, run in a centrifuge, consist of a lighter silicone (LDS), rising within a denser silicone (HDS) below a brittle layer simulating the oceanic lithosphere. Precut fractures in the brittle layer simulate the initial configuration of oceanic ridges. The rise and lateral spreading of the LDS induce the propagation, widening, interaction, and linkage of the fractures. We varied the offset and overlap between the fractures, obtaining 10 distinctive types of interaction. Variations in fracture overlap and offset define several interaction types. Increase of fracture overlap leads to interaction zones of lower aspect ratio, with fractures propagating at lower angles to the mean extension direction. Increase of offset leads to the elongation of the interaction zones with the new fractures propagating subparallel to the extension direction. The comparison with several examples of natural ridges shows close geometric similarities, confirming the existence of predominant types of ridge interaction. Among these, ridges with smaller offsets develop interactions similar to overlapping spreading centers, whereas ridges with larger offsets have geometries reminiscent of transform zones. The comparison between experimental and natural examples suggests that the observed wide spectrum of ridge interaction types in nature results from the initial configuration of the divergent plate boundary.
Seismic Survey of the Locked and Unlocked Sumatra Subduction Zone
Authors: Singh Satish C. , Midenet Stephan , Djajadihardja Yusuf
Published: January 2010

The Sumatra subduction zone is the most seismically active region on Earth. In the past 5 years, it has been the site of three great earthquakes, including the 26 December 2004 Sumatra‐Andaman earthquake. That event produced a devastating tsunami around the Indian Ocean that claimed approximately 230,000 lives and caused terrible damage and destruction.

Part of the subduction zone still is locked and is likely to break in the next decade or so. To study the seismic and tsunami risk in this locked region, a deep seismic reflection survey, the Tsunami Investigation—Deep Evaluation Seismic (TIDES) project, was carried out in May 2009 using a CGGVeritas vessel towing a 15‐kilometer‐long streamer, the longest ever used during a seismic survey. The survey should provide the first ever seismic images of the locked zone from the seafloor down to a depth of 50 kilometers.
The 2fp radiation from localized Langmuir waves
Authors: Malaspina David M. , Cairns Iver H. , Ergun Robert E.
Published: January 2010

A formalism is developed in which Langmuir waves, localized as eigenmodes of solar wind density cavities, emit coherent electromagnetic radiation as antennas at twice the local plasma frequency. Theoretical estimates are presented for the total power emitted as antenna radiation from localized Langmuir currents. The dependence of emitted power on wave packet properties and plasma environmental parameters is explored. STEREO observations demonstrate that the currents required for eigenmode antenna radiation are present and have strengths within an order of magnitude of theoretical predictions. The intensity of radio emission from the Earth's foreshock at twice the local electron plasma frequency is estimated based on measured distributions of electric field strength and wave packet localization scale. The eigenmode antenna radiation mechanism implies that, out of the total number of Langmuir waves excited by an electron beam, relatively few localized antenna radiators may account for a majority of observed emission from an extended radio source.
Atmospheric methane flux from bubbling seeps: Spatially extrapolated quantification from a Black Sea shelf area
Authors: Greinert Jens , McGinnis Daniel F. , Naudts Lieven , Linke Peter , De Batist Marc
Published: January 2010

Bubble transport of methane from shallow seep sites in the Black Sea west of the Crimea Peninsula between 70 and 112 m water depth has been studied by extrapolation of results gained through different hydroacoustic methods and direct sampling. Ship‐based hydroacoustic echo sounders can locate bubble releasing seep sites very precisely and facilitate their correlation with geological or other features at the seafloor. Here, the backscatter strength of a multibeam system was integrated with single‐beam data to estimate the amount of seeps/m2 for different backscatter intensities, resulting in 2709 vents in total. Direct flux measurements by submersible revealed methane fluxes from individual vents of 0.32–0.85 l/min or 14.5–37.8 mmol/min at ambient pressure and temperature conditions. A conservative estimate of 30 mmol/min per site was used to estimate the flux into the water to be 1219–1355 mmol/s. The flux to the atmosphere was calculated by applying a bubble dissolution model taking release depth, temperature, gas composition, and bubble size spectra into account. The flux into the atmosphere (3930–4533 mol/d) or into the mixed layer (6186–6899 mol/d) from the 21.8 km2 large study area is three times higher than independently measured fluxes of dissolved methane for the same area using geochemical methods (1030–2495 mol/d). The amount of methane dissolving in the mixed layer is 2256–2366 mol/d. This close match shows that the hydroacoustic approach for extrapolating the number of seeps/m2 and the applied bubble dissolution model are suitable to extrapolate methane fluxes over larger areas.
Whole mitochondrial genome screening in two families with hearing loss: detection of a novel mutation in the 12S rRNA gene
Authors: Mkaouar-Rebai Emna , Fendri-Kriaa Nourhene , Louhichi Nacim , Tlili Abdelaziz , Triki Chahnez , Ghorbel Abdelmoneem , Masmoudi Saber , Fakhfakh Faiza
Published: January 2010

Sensorineural hearing loss has been described in association with different mitochondrial multisystemic syndromes, often characterized by an important neuromuscular involvement. Until now, mutations in mitochondrial DNA, especially in the 12S rRNA, the tRNASer(UCN) and the tRNALeu(UUR) genes, were implicated in syndromic or non-syndromic hearing loss either as a primary cause or as predisposing factors. In the present study, we performed a whole mitochondrial genome screening in two unrelated Tunisian families with inherited hearing loss. Results showed the presence of a novel mutation in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene in the two probands of these two families who belong to two different haplogroups: L3 and H6a1. The m.735A>G mutation affects a conserved nucleotide of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene in primates and other species and had a conservation index of 78.5% (11/14). We also detected known polymorphisms and sic novel mitochondrial variants. The present study confirmed that the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene is a hot spot for mutations associated with hearing impairment.
Direct shoot regeneration from intact leaves of Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnston using thidiazuron
Authors: Malik Sonia , Sharma Shveta , Sharma Madhu , Ahuja Paramvir Singh
Published: January 2010

The present study highlights the importance of preculture time and concentration of TDZ (thidiazuron) for direct regeneration from in vitro leaves (attached to shoots) in Arnebia euchroma. Shoot buds proliferated to form multiple shoots on MS medium (Murashige and Skoog medium) with 5.0 μM Kn. Different additives viz. ascorbic acid, PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone), PVPP (polyvinylpolypyrrolidone) or activated charcoal (50, 100 and 250 mg/l each) were used to check the phenolic exudations. Direct shoot regeneration was obtained when shoots were initially precultured for 40 days on medium with a higher concentration of TDZ (20.0 μM) and then transferred to a lower concentration (5.0 μM TDZ). The identity of shoot buds was confirmed by histological studies. Regenerated shoots were cultured for 30 days on medium containing Kn (5.0 μM) for proliferation and then transferred to IBA (0.25 μM)‐containing medium for rooting. Rooted plantlets were transferred to greenhouse with 45–50% survival.
Polarization and microstructural effects of ceramic hydroxyapatite electrets
Authors: Tanaka Yumi , Iwasaki Takeshi , Nakamura Miho , Nagai Akiko , Katayama Keiichi , Yamashita Kimihiro
Published: January 2010

To provide bioelectrets with controlled electrical energy, the polarization and relaxation characteristics of hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic electrets were investigated in terms of poling conditions and microstructures. HA electrets were prepared between 250 and 500 °C for 5–120 min under a 5 kV cm−1 dc electrical field. Poling conditions and grain size of HA ceramics significantly influenced the thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) spectra and charge storage (Q). Under a poling field of 5 kV cm−1, varying the poling temperature from 250 to 500 °C drastically shifted the TSDC peak temperature from 250 to 620 °C and increased Q from 0.5 to 45 μC cm−2. The change in the average grain size from 2 to 11 μm increased the Q value from 15 to 60 μC cm−2 with a negligible shift in the TSDC peak position. The measured difference of the TSDC peak shapes and positions, as well as the Q values, was theoretically due to the four polarization states with different activation energies (Edr) of dipole relaxation and the pre-exponential factor of relaxation times (τ0). The dependences on the poling conditions and grain size indicated that the four states were due to the orientation polarization of absorbed water (state 1), the localizations of displaced protons around PO43− and OH− in the grains (states 2 and 3), and the localization of displaced protons in the grain boundaries (state 4).
Radiation effects in single-walled carbon nanotube papers
Authors: Cress Cory D. , Schauerman Christopher M. , Landi Brian J. , Messenger Scott R. , Raffaelle Ryne P. , Walters Robert J.
Published: January 2010

The effects of ionizing radiation on the temperature-dependent conductivity of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) papers have been investigated in situ in a high vacuum environment. Irradiation of the SWCNT papers with 4.2MeV alpha particles results in a steady decrease in the SWCNT paper conductivity, resulting in a 25% reduction in room temperature conductivity after a fluence of 3×1012 alpha particles/cm2. The radiation-induced temperature-dependent conductivity modification indicates that radiation damage causes an increase in the effective activation barrier for tunneling-like conductivity and a concomitant increase in wavefunction localization of charge carriers within individual SWCNTs. The spatial defect generation within the SWCNT paper was modeled and confirms that a uniform displacement damage dose was imparted to the paper. This allows the damage coefficient (i.e., differential change in conductivity with fluence) for alpha particles, carbon ions, and protons to be compared with the corresponding nonionizing energy loss (NIEL) of the incident particle. The resulting nonlinear relationship with NIEL between these parameters is distinct from the more typical linear response observed in many bulk semiconductors and superconductors and indicates that localized radiation damage in the SWCNT papers has a greater impact than distributed damage. Although SWCNT papers behave largely as a bulk material with properties that are a convolution of the underlying SWCNT distribution, the radiation response appears to be largely dominated by degradation in the preferred one-dimensional conduction within these two-dimensionally confined nanostructures.
Processing and properties of centimeter-long, in-fiber, crystalline-selenium filaments
Authors: Deng D. S. , Orf N. D. , Danto S. , Abouraddy A. F. , Joannopoulos J. D. , Fink Y.
Published: January 2010

We report on the fabrication and characterization of globally ordered crystalline selenium filaments with diameters about 200 nm and aspect ratios upwards of 105. Amorphous Se filaments are fabricated by a recently developed approach in which a thin film evolves into an ordered array of filaments in fiber. Single-crystal and polycrystalline filaments are attained with a postdrawing annealing procedure. Arrays of two-cm-long crystalline nanowires, electrically contacted to external circuitry through the fiber end facets, exhibit a two-orders-of-magnitude change in conductivity between dark and illuminated states. These results hold promise for the fabrication of filament-detector arrays that may be integrated with large-area electronics.
Direct numerical simulation of a mixing layer downstream a thick splitter plate
Authors: Laizet Sylvain , Lardeau Sylvain , Lamballais Eric
Published: January 2010

In this numerical study, the flow obtained behind a trailing edge separating two streams of different velocities is studied by means of direct numerical simulation. The main originality of this work is that the splitter plate itself is included in the computational domain using an immersed boundary method. The influence of the trailing-edge shape is considered through the analysis of the destabilizing mechanisms and their resulting effect on the spatial development of the flow. The streamwise evolution of the different flows is found to be very different for each of the configurations considered, both in terms of mean quantities and flow dynamics. Present results suggest that the wake component, which dominates the flow close to the trailing edge, is still influential further downstream, as already observed in pure wake flows but only conjectured in mixing layer. A detailed analysis of the vortex dynamics is proposed using instantaneous visualizations, statistical/stability analysis considerations, and proper orthogonal decomposition in order to better understand how the transition regime from the wake to the mixing layer occurs and why it can influence the self-similarity, in a region where no wake influence can be locally detected.
Development of a nonlinear nanoprobe for interferometric autocorrelation based characterization of ultrashort optical pulses
Authors: Li Haifeng , Jia Yaoshun , Xu Qian , Shi Kebin , Wu Jian , Eklund Peter C. , Xu Yong , Liu Zhiwen
Published: January 2010

Near-field scanning can achieve nanoscale resolution while ultrashort pulse diagnostic tools can characterize femtosecond pulses. Yet currently it is still challenging to nonperturbatively characterize the near field of an ultrashort optical pulse with nanofemtoscale spatiotemporal resolution. To address this challenge, we propose to develop a nonlinear nanoprobe composed of a silica fiber taper, a nanowire, and nonlinear fluorescent spheres. Using such a nanoprobe, we also report proof-of-principle characterization of femtosecond optical pulse through interferometric autocorrelation measurement.
Nanocrystalline graphite: Promising material for high current field emission cathodes
Authors: Krivchenko V. A. , Pilevsky A. A. , Rakhimov A. T. , Seleznev B. V. , Suetin N. V. , Timofeyev M. A. , Bespalov A. V. , Golikova O. L.
Published: January 2010

Electron field emission properties of nanocrystalline graphite (NCG) films, grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method on conductive Si substrates without using of any catalyst, were investigated. Current-voltage characteristics were measured in pulse-periodic regime. It was shown that grown NCG films can operate at field emission current density up to 10 A/cm2. It was found that NCG films contain, along with the normally oriented to the substrate nanoflakes, carbon whiskers consisted of graphene nanoribbons and nanowires with length considerably higher than of the nanoflakes.
Voltage-induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy change in magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Nozaki T. , Shiota Y. , Shiraishi M. , Shinjo T. , Suzuki Y.
Published: January 2010

A voltage-induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy change in an ultrathin FeCo layer was observed in an epitaxial magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure. A spin-transfer induced ferromagnetic resonance measurement technique was used under various bias voltage applications to evaluate the anisotropy change. From the peak frequency shifts, we could estimate that a surface magnetic anisotropy change of 15 μJ/m2 was induced by an electric field application of 400 mV/nm in the MTJ with a 0.5 nm thick FeCo layer. The realization of voltage-induced anisotropy changes in an MTJ structure should have a large impact on the development of electric-field driven spintronic devices.
Room temperature electrocaloric effect on PbZr0.8Ti0.2O3 thin film
Authors: Li B. , Wang J. B. , Zhong X. L. , Wang F. , Zhou Y. C.
Published: January 2010

A phase field model based on the time-dependent Ginburg–Landau equation (TDGL) is developed to investigate the electrocaloric effect (ECE) of PbZr0.8Ti0.2O3 (PZT) thin film with a multidomain structure. The rhombohedral domain morphology is obtained through numerically solving the TDGL equation with periodic boundary conditions at room temperature. Then the ECE of PZT thin film is investigated by the thermodynamics analysis. It is shown that a great ECE exists with an applied ac electric field at room temperature. The magnitude of ECE greatly depends on the external applied electric field and becomes a periodic time-dependent quantity. The theoretical calculations also reveal that both compressive and tensile misfit strains caused by the mismatch between the film and the substrate can largely affect the electrocaloric properties. It reveals that the compressive substrate strain enhances the ECE of PZT thin film while the tensile substrate strain suppresses it.
Reduced domain wall pinning in ultrathin Pt/Co100−xBx/Pt with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy
Authors: Lavrijsen R. , Malinowski G. , Franken J. H. , Kohlhepp J. T. , Swagten H. J. M. , Koopmans B. , Czapkiewicz M. , Stobiecki T.
Published: January 2010

We have studied the magnetization reversal process in perpendicularly magnetized ultrathin Pt/Co100−xBx/Pt films by means of magneto-optical magnetometry and microscopy. The addition of boron enhances the effective Barkhausen volume indicating a decrease in domain-wall pinning site density and/or strength. This potentially reduces the field and critical current-density for domain-wall depinning/motion, indicating that perpendicularly magnetized Pt/Co100−xBx/Pt could be an interesting candidate for domain-wall motion studies and applications.
Effect of local structures and atomic packing on glass forming ability in CuxZr100−x metallic glasses
Authors: Peng H. L. , Li M. Z. , Wang W. H. , Wang C.-Z. , Ho K. M.
Published: January 2010

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed for CuZr metallic alloys to study the structural and dynamical features for glass forming ability (GFA). Our analysis shows that in CuZr metallic system, although ⟨0,0,12,0⟩ icosahedral clusters are important, some Zr-centered clusters such as ⟨0,1,10,4⟩ and ⟨0,1,10,5⟩ play a key role in slowing down the dynamics. It is found that these Zr-centered clusters are intrinsically slow and fundamentally determine the stability and slow dynamics. Due to the strong spatial correlation between ⟨0,0,12,0⟩ and Zr-centered clusters, their relative population influences the dense packing and dynamics in metallic glasses, and further the GFA.