bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of 2003 Power Outages on Public Health and Emergency Response
Authors: Kile James C. , Skowronski Stephen , Miller Mark D. , Reissman Stephan G. , Balaban Victor , Klomp Richard W. , Reissman Dori B. , Mainzer Hugh M. , Dannenberg Andrew L.
Published: April 2013

Introduction:

In 2003, a major power outage occurred in the midwest and northeast United States affecting some 50 million people. The power outages affected multiple systems in state and local municipalities and, in turn, affected public health.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted using open-ended questionnaires, with a convenience sample of state- and locally selected subject matter experts from Ohio, Michigan, and New York. Respondents were interviewed in groups representing one of five areas of interest, including: (1) emergency preparedness; (2) hospital and emergency medical services; (3) municipal environmental systems; (4) public health surveillance and epidemiology; and (5) psychosocial and behavioral issues. The reported positive and negative impacts of the power outage on public health, medical services, and emergency preparedness and response were documented. Responses were categorized into common themes and recommendations were formulated.

Results:

The amount of time that the respondents' locations were without power ranged from <1 hour to 52 hours. Many common themes emerged from the different locations, including communications failures, alternate power source problems, manpower and training issues, and psychosocial concerns. There was minimal morbidity and mortality reported that could be attributed to the event.

Conclusion:

Power outages negatively impacted multiple municipal infrastructures, and affected medical services, emergency response, and public health efforts. Previous federal funding positively impacted public health and emergency response capabilities. Recommendations were made based upon the common themes identified by the respondents.

Recommendations may assist state and local health departments, medical service providers, and emergency responders in planning for future power outage problems.
Peer Evaluation of the Professional Behaviors of Emergency Medical Technicians
Authors: Brown William E. , Margolis Gregg , Levine Roger
Published: April 2013

Introduction:

Professional behavior is one of the cornerstones of effective emergency medical services (EMS) practice and is a required part of the National Standard Curricula for advanced levels of EMS education. However, peer rating of emergency medical technicians with respect to the 11 categories of professional behavior never has been quantified. This study uses a peer evaluation methodology to assess the affective competencies of practicing EMS providers.

Methods:

A professional behavior evaluation form was included as part of a survey that was sent to 2,443 randomly selected, nationally registered emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Participants were asked to rate the EMT partner with whom they worked most closely in the past year using 11 different categories of professional behavior using a Likert scale.

Results:

One thousand, five hundred, ten (61.8%) surveys were returned and analyzed. Both nationally registered EMTs at the Basic and Paramedic levels rated their partners with respect to 11 categories of professional behavior. The overall average score was 0.68 on a 0–1 scale, with one being the highest. The rating of each of the categories was: (1) integrity (0.77); (2) appearance/personal hygiene (0.74); (3) patient advocacy (0.73); (4) empathy (0.72); (5) self-confidence (0.70); (6) careful delivery of service (0.70); (7) respect (0.65); (8) communication skills (0.64); (9) time management skills (0.63); (10) teamwork/diplomacy skills (0.62); and (11) self-motivation (0.61). Overall, the NREMT-Paramedics rated their partners significantly lower than did the NREMT-Basics (p= 0.0156) and experienced EMT-Basics rated their partners significantly lower than did the newer EMT-Basics (p= 0.0002). Those EMTs who indicated high satisfaction with their current EMS assignment rated their partner more highly on professional behaviors than did those EMTs who were not as satisfied.

Conclusion:

Overall, EMTs peer evaluation of professional behavior was “good.” The behaviors most highly rated were integrity and appearance/personal hygiene. The behaviors rated lowest were self-motivation and team work/diplomacy. It appears that paramedics are more critical of their colleagues than are EMT-Basics, that experienced EMT-Basics are harsher critics than are newer EMT-Basics, and that there is a relationship between job satisfaction and peer evaluation.
Occupational Stress among Japanese Emergency Medical Technicians: Hyogo Prefecture
Authors: Okada Naoki , Ishii Noboru , Nakata Minori , Nakayama Shinichi
Published: April 2013

Introduction:

As prehospital care became emphasized in emergency medical services in Japan, qualification as a “paramedic” was established in 1991 as a requirement for national qualification as a emergency medical technician (EMT).With recent increases in emergency transportation, the responsibilities of paramedics have become more complex and demand a higher level of competency; however, no method of evaluating occupational stress among Japanese EMTs currently exists.

Methods:

A questionnaire survey of the working conditions and health of 2,017 EMTs in Hyogo Prefecture was conducted. To analyze stress levels among these EMTs, the survey was divided into two categories: (1) physical stress; and (2) mental stress.

Results:

The number of responses was 1,551 (76.9%) and the average age of the respondents was 35.4 years. The lower back, neck, and shoulders were most frequently subjected to physical stress, which was related to the daily operations as an EMT. Mental stress was reported more frequently by those who were older or qualified paramedics.

Discussion:

The high frequency of lower back pain suggests the need for improvement in the work environment and periodic education.

Conclusions:

Although job satisfaction among paramedics was high, they were exposed to greater mental stress. Therefore, systematic management of stress must be developed and established.
Vertical Evacuation Simulation of Critically Ill Patients in a Hospital
Authors: Gildea Jon R. , Etengoff Stuart
Published: April 2013

Introduction:

The world's new social environment dictates the need for preparedness should a disaster occur. One caveat in the realm of disaster preparedness is the vertical evacuation of hospital patients. Little data regarding the evacuation of patients are available, and the consequences of not being prepared could be devastating. Therefore, if the vertical evacuation of critically ill patients was thrust upon a community hospital, the response of emergency services and ancillary staff is largely unknown.

Methods:

The vertical evacuation of 12 simulated critically ill patients from the fourth floor of a newly constructed and vacant critical care unit was undertaken by local fire fighters, on-staff nursing, residents, and ancillary staff, all under the direction of the hospital Emergency Management Committee. Four randomly selected groups of firefighters, two teams consisting of three personnel and two teams of four personnel, were timed and had vital signs assessed prior to ascending to the fourth floor to retrieve a patient and upon each subsequent decent. Each team, dressed in full turnout gear, retrieved three patients. Each simulated patient was fashioned with mock endotracheal tube, intravenous lines, monitor, and a Pleurovac® was attached in three of the four patients. Vital signs were analyzed for significant changes or patterns due to exertion and or stress during the drill. Evaluations were distributed to all participants upon completion of the drill.

Results:

Mean values for the vital signs of the members of each team showed minimal increases from baseline to completion with the exception of heart rate. A decrease in systolic blood pressure was present in both of the four member teams. Subjective evaluation by the firefighters, indicated a “minimal” increase in exertion. Mean extraction time was 14.7 minutes. Patient transfer and evacuation was completed without complication to the patients or staff. Only one firefighter requested a replacement. Completed evaluations indicated above average or outstanding performance on organization, commitment, security, and care. Comments included statements regarding equipment management during transport, better communication, stairwell width, difficulty with ventilating intubated patients, improvement of evacuation time, and organization as drill progressed; three member teams, spatially, worked better than four.

Conclusion:

This drill reflected an impressive level of preparedness by firefighters, nurses, and ancillary staff both physically and organizationally. Should a vertical evacuation of critically ill patients be necessary, a four firefighter extraction team and accompanying nurse and respiratory therapist would be able to evacuate one patient at a rate of 3.75 minutes per floor.
Anxiety Level and Responses to Stress caused by Air Raids Among Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Vukovic Dejana S. , Krotin Mirjana E. , Babic Momcilo M. , Zivanovic Branislav M.
Published: April 2013

Background: This study was undertaken to examine the short-term responses of patients with ischemic heart disease to life-threatening events such as war.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 75 persons with ischemic heart disease who were admitted to the Cardiac policlinic for a control check-up immediately after the suspension of air raids. Two-thirds of them were male (average age 62 ±10). Data were obtained using a specially conceived questionnaire based on recall.

Results:

Almost 40% of patients estimated that they were very anxious the week before the attacks began, but the anxiety decreased after the beginning of the air raids. Frequency of anginal pains increased after the start of the air raids, but the difference was not statisticaly significant. The intensity of pains drastically increased in the first week of war. Consequently, the average number of pain killers consumed increased from the week before the attacks to the first week of the attacks, and it reached the highest value the week after the suspension of the attacks (1.39, 1.87, and 3.02 pain pills per week, respectively). The average weekly number of medications was 3.50 in the week prior to the air raids, increased to 5.05 during the first week of air raids, and rose to 6.06 in the week after the suspension.

Conclusion:

The adjustment on the psychological level was rapid but physical symptoms increased. This implies that physical adaptation to stress could be slower, or that the stress of the war provoked permanent changes in physical status.
Goal Management Training of Executive Functions in Patients with Spina Bifida: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Stubberud Jan , Langenbahn Donna , Levine Brian , Stanghelle Johan , Schanke Anne-Kristine
Published: April 2013

Executive dysfunction causes significant real-life disability for patients with spina bifida (SB). However, no previous research has been directed toward the amelioration of executive functioning deficits amongst persons with SB. Goal Management Training (GMT) is a compensatory cognitive rehabilitation approach, addressing underlying deficits in sustained attention to improve executive function. GMT has received empirical support in studies of other patient groups. The purpose of the present study was to determine the efficacy of GMT in treating subjects with SB, using inpatient intervention periods. We hypothesized post-intervention changes in scores on neuropsychological measures to reflect improved attentional control, including sustained attention and inhibitory control. Thirty-eight adult subjects with SB were included in this randomized controlled trial. Inclusion was based upon the presence of executive functioning complaints. Experimental subjects (n = 24) received 21 hr of GMT, with efficacy of GMT being compared to results of subjects in a wait-list condition (n = 14). All subjects were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at 6-month follow-up. Findings indicated superior effects of GMT on domain-specific neuropsychological measures and on a functional “real-life” measure, all lasting at least 6 months post-treatment. These results show that deficits in executive functioning can be ameliorated in patients with congenital brain dysfunction. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–14)
Factors influencing take-up of free school meals in primary- and secondary-school children in England
Authors: Sahota Pinki , Woodward Jenny , Molinari Rosemary , Pike Jo
Published: April 2013

Objective

The present study sought to explore the factors that influence registration for free school meals and the subsequent take-up following registration in England.

Design

The research design consisted of two phases, a qualitative research phase followed by an intervention phase. Findings are presented from the qualitative research phase, which comprised interviews with head teachers, school administrators, parents and focus groups with pupils.

Setting

The study took place in four primary schools and four secondary schools in Leeds, UK.

Subjects

Participants included head teachers, school administrators, parents and pupils.

Results

Findings suggested that parents felt the registration process to be relatively straightforward although many secondary schools were not proactive in promoting free school meals. Quality and choice of food were regarded by both pupils and parents as significant in determining school meal choices, with stigma being less of an issue than originally anticipated.

Conclusions

Schools should develop proactive approaches to promoting free school meals and attention should be given not only to the quality and availability of food, but also to the social, cultural and environmental aspects of dining. Processes to maintain pupils’ anonymity should be considered to allay parents’ fear of stigma.
ON HUPPERT’S CONJECTURE FOR THE CONWAY AND FISCHER FAMILIES OF SPORADIC SIMPLE GROUPS
Authors: ALAVI S. H. , DANESHKHAH A. , TONG-VIET H. P. , WAKEFIELD T. P.
Published: April 2013

Let $G$ denote a finite group and $\mathrm{cd} (G)$ the set of irreducible character degrees of $G$. Huppert conjectured that if $H$ is a finite nonabelian simple group such that $\mathrm{cd} (G)= \mathrm{cd} (H)$, then $G\cong H\times A$, where $A$ is an abelian group. He verified the conjecture for many of the sporadic simple groups and we complete its verification for the remainder.
A Delicate Subject: Clemencia López, Civilized Womanhood, and the Politics of Anti-Imperialism
Authors: Prieto Laura R.
Published: April 2013

In 1902, Clemencia López journeyed to the United States to work for the liberation of her imprisoned brothers and for Filipino independence. She granted interviews, circulated her photograph, and spoke in public under the sponsorship of American anti-imperialists and suffragists. López argued that Filipinos like herself were already a civilized people and thus did not need Americans' “benevolent assimilation.” Her gender and her elite family background helped her make this case. Instead of presenting her as racially inferior, published accounts expressed appreciation of her feminine refinement and perceptions of her beauty as exotic. Americans simultaneously perceived her as apolitical because of her sex. López was thus able to take advantage of American gender politics to discuss the “delicate subject” of autonomy for the Philippines in ways that anti-imperialist Filipino men could not.
The Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Adult Earthquake Survivors in Peru
Authors: Cairo Javier B. , Dutta Suparna , Nawaz Haq , Hashmi Shahrukh , Kasl Stanislav , Bellido Edgar
Published: April 2013

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to assess the relationships between PTSD and demographic and disaster-related factors.

Methods: Five months after a magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck the city of Pisco, Peru, we conducted a cross-sectional study using demographic questions, the PTSD Checklist, and a translated version of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. We used stratified sampling to randomly enroll subjects in Pisco and its annexes. We then used bivariate and multivariate analyses to find correlations between PTSD and demographic and disaster-related factors.

Results: We interviewed 298 adult earthquake survivors and detected 75 cases of PTSD (prevalence 25.2%; 95% confidence interval, 20.2%-30.1%). In the bivariate analysis, PTSD was significantly associated with female sex, loss of church, food and water shortages immediately after the earthquake, joblessness, injuries, loss of a relative or friend, lack of clean drinking water or appropriate sleeping conditions 5 months after the earthquake, and low levels of perceived support from family and friends. In the multivariate analysis, only female sex, food and water shortages, loss of church, injuries, and low levels of perceived support from family and friends were independently associated with PTSD.

Conclusions: PTSD affected about a quarter of Pisco's population. Its impact was moderate to severe when compared with other disasters worldwide and in Latin America.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:39-46)
A meta-analysis of changes in bacterial and archaeal communities with time
Authors: Shade Ashley , Gregory Caporaso J , Handelsman Jo , Knight Rob , Fierer Noah
Published: April 2013

Ecologists have long studied the temporal dynamics of plant and animal communities with much less attention paid to the temporal dynamics exhibited by microbial communities. As a result, we do not know if overarching temporal trends exist for microbial communities or if changes in microbial communities are generally predictable with time. Using microbial time series assessed via high-throughput sequencing, we conducted a meta-analysis of temporal dynamics in microbial communities, including 76 sites representing air, aquatic, soil, brewery wastewater treatment, human- and plant-associated microbial biomes. We found that temporal variability in both within- and between-community diversity was consistent among microbial communities from similar environments. Community structure changed systematically with time in less than half of the cases, and the highest rates of change were observed within ranges of 1 day to 1 month for all communities examined. Microbial communities exhibited species–time relationships (STRs), which describe the accumulation of new taxa to a community, similar to those observed previously for plant and animal communities, suggesting that STRs are remarkably consistent across a broad range of taxa. These results highlight that a continued integration of microbial ecology into the broader field of ecology will provide new insight into the temporal patterns of microbial and ‘macro’-bial communities alike.
Combining high-throughput sequencing with fruit body surveys reveals contrasting life-history strategies in fungi
Authors: Ovaskainen Otso , Schigel Dmitry , Ali-Kovero Heini , Auvinen Petri , Paulin Lars , Nordén Björn , Nordén Jenni
Published: April 2013

Before the recent revolution in molecular biology, field studies on fungal communities were mostly confined to fruit bodies, whereas mycelial interactions were studied in the laboratory. Here we combine high-throughput sequencing with a fruit body inventory to study simultaneously mycelial and fruit body occurrences in a community of fungi inhabiting dead wood of Norway spruce. We studied mycelial occurrence by extracting DNA from wood samples followed by 454-sequencing of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions and an automated procedure for species identification. In total, we detected 198 species as mycelia and 137 species as fruit bodies. The correlation between mycelial and fruit body occurrences was high for the majority of the species, suggesting that high-throughput sequencing can successfully characterize the dominating fungal communities, despite possible biases related to sampling, PCR, sequencing and molecular identification. We used the fruit body and molecular data to test hypothesized links between life history and population dynamic parameters. We show that the species that have on average a high mycelial abundance also have a high fruiting rate and produce large fruit bodies, leading to a positive feedback loop in their population dynamics. Earlier studies have shown that species with specialized resource requirements are rarely seen fruiting, for which reason they are often classified as red-listed. We show with the help of high-throughput sequencing that some of these species are more abundant as mycelium in wood than what could be expected from their occurrence as fruit bodies.
An observable for vacancy characterization and diffusion in crystals
Authors: Geslin Pierre-Antoine , Ciccotti Giovanni , Meloni Simone
Published: April 2013

To locate the position and characterize the dynamics of a vacancy in a crystal, we propose to represent it as the ground state density of a pseudo–quantum probe particle associated to the Hamiltonian which has, for the potential energy, the field generated by the atoms in the sample. In this description, the coefficient of the kinetic energy term is a tunable parameter controlling the density localization in the regions of the relevant minima of the potential energy field. Based on this description, we derive a set of collective variables that we use in rare event simulations to identify some of the vacancy diffusion paths in a 2D crystal. Our simulations reveal that the vacancy migrates according to local and non-local mechanisms, the second involving several lattice sites and producing a long range migration. We also observed a vacancy induced crystal reorientation process.
Universal scaling and intrinsic classification of electro-mechanical actuators
Authors: Palit Sambit , Jain Ankit , Ashraful Alam Muhammad
Published: April 2013

Actuation characteristics of electromechanical (EM) actuators have traditionally been studied for a few specific regular electrode geometries and support (anchor) configurations. The ability to predict actuation characteristics of electrodes of arbitrary geometries and complex support configurations relevant for broad range of applications in switching, displays, and varactors, however, remains an open problem. In this article, we provide four universal scaling relationships for EM actuation characteristics that depend only on the mechanical support configuration and the corresponding electrode geometries, but are independent of the specific geometrical dimensions and material properties of these actuators. These scaling relationships offer an intrinsic classification for actuation behavior of a broad range of EM actuators with vastly different electrode/support geometries. Consequently, the problem of analysis/design of complex EM actuators is reduced to the problem of determining only five scaling parameters, which can be obtained from no more than three independent characterization experiments or numerical simulations.
CCSD(T)/CBS atomic and molecular benchmarks for H through Ar
Authors: Ranasinghe Duminda S. , Petersson George A.
Published: April 2013

We extrapolate to the coupled cluster single and double excitation and the perturbative triples (CCSD(T))/complete basis set (CBS) limit with a sequence of optimized n-tuple-ζ augmented polarization augmented (nZaPa) basis sets (n = 4, 5, 6, and 7) for 115 species representing the first two rows of the Periodic Table. The species include the entire set of atoms, positive and negative atomic ions, homonuclear diatomic molecules, and hydrides. The benchmark set also includes the rare gas dimers, polar molecules such as oxides and fluorides, and a few transition states for chemical reactions. The CCSD correlation energies agree with available CCSD-F12b/3C(FIX) values to within ±0.18 mEh root-mean-square (rms) deviation. The (T) components agree to within ±0.10 mEh and the total CCSD(T) correlation energies to within ±0.26 mEh or 0.1% rms deviation, which is probably the better measure, since the largest deviation is 0.43 mEh or 0.13%. These CBS limits can now be used as benchmarks to calibrate more approximate calculations using smaller basis sets. The sequence of basis sets provides data on convergence patterns for each component of the correlation energy.
Spontaneous strain glass to martensite transition in ferromagnetic Ni-Co-Mn-Ga strain glass
Authors: Wang Yu , Huang Chonghui , Wu Haijun , Gao Jinghui , Yang Sen , Wang Dong , Ding Xiangdong , Song Xiaoping , Ren Xiaobing
Published: April 2013

We report that a spontaneous strain glass to martensite (STG-M) transition occurs in a Ni45Co10Mn20Ga25 ferromagnetic strain glass. The signatures of the spontaneous STG-M transition of Ni45Co10Mn20Ga25 ferromagnetic strain glass are stronger than those of Ti50Ni44.5Fe5.5 strain glass reported previously. Such a difference is attributed to that the martensitic terminal of the former has larger elastic anisotropy than that of the later. The spontaneous STG-M transition in this ferromagnetic strain glass is due to that the delicate competition between the kinetic limitation and the martensitic thermodynamic driving force changes with temperature.
Periodic ordering of clusters in a one-dimensional lattice model
Authors: Pȩkalski J. , Ciach A. , Almarza N. G.
Published: April 2013

A generic lattice model for systems containing particles interacting with short-range attraction long-range repulsion (SALR) potential that can be solved exactly in one dimension is introduced. We assume attraction J1 between the first neighbors and repulsion J2 between the third neighbors. The ground state of the model shows existence of two homogeneous phases (gas and liquid) for J2/J1 <1/3. In addition to the homogeneous phases, the third phase with periodically distributed clusters appears for J2/J1 > 1/3. Phase diagrams obtained in the self-consistent mean-field approximation for a range of values of J2/J1 show very rich behavior, including reentrant melting, and coexistence of two periodic phases (one with strong and the other one with weak order) terminated at a critical point. We present exact solutions for the equation of state as well as for the correlation function for characteristic values of J2/J1. Based on the exact results, for J2/J1 > 1/3 we predict pseudo-phase transitions to the ordered cluster phase indicated by a rapid change of density for a very narrow range of pressure, and by a very large correlation length for thermodynamic states where the periodic phase is stable in mean field. For 1/9 < J2/J1 < 1/3 the correlation function decays monotonically below certain temperature, whereas above this temperature exponentially damped oscillatory behavior is obtained. Thus, even though macroscopic phase separation is energetically favored and appears for weak repulsion at T = 0, local spatial inhomogeneities appear for finite T. Monte Carlo simulations in canonical ensemble show that specific heat has a maximum for low density ρ that we associate with formation of living clusters, and if the repulsion is strong, another maximum for ρ = 1/2.
Dislocation reduction through nucleation and growth selectivity of metal-organic chemical vapor deposition GaN
Authors: Zhang Wei , Liu Peichi , Jackson Biyun , Sun Tianshu , Huang Shyh-Jer , Hsu Hsiao-Chiu , Su Yan-Kuin , Chang Shoou-Jinn , Li Lei , Li Ding , Wang Lei , Hu XiaoDong , Xie Y. H.
Published: April 2013

A novel serpentine channel structure is used to mask the sapphire substrate for the epitaxial growth of dislocation-free GaN. Compared to the existing epitaxial lateral overgrowth methods, the main advantages of this novel technique are: (a) one-step epitaxial growth; (b) up to 4 times wider defect-free regions; and (c) the as-grown GaN film can be transferred easily to any type of substrate. TEM, etch pits and cathodoluminescence experiments are conducted to characterize the quality of as-grown GaN. The results show that the average etch-pit density in the yet-to-be-optimized GaN epi-layers is about 4 × 105 cm−2. The underlying physics of selective nucleation and growth is investigated using the finite element method (COMSOL). It is concluded that the proximity effect dominates the selective growth of GaN on the serpentine channel structure masked sapphire. This novel technique is a promising candidate for the growth of high quality III-nitride and the subsequent high-performance device fabrication including high brightness LED, laser diodes, and high-power, high-efficiency transistors.
Ab-initio study of free standing TiO2 clusters: Stability and magnetism
Authors: Rana T. H. , Kumar Pankaj , Solanki A. K. , Skomski R. , Kashyap A.
Published: April 2013

We report the structural behavior of nanoscale Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) clusters as well as their magnetic properties by varying the cluster size with the help of ground state geometries. The clusters of atomic scale rutile (TiO2)n, where n = 1-11, have been considered and geometrically stabilized through the Density Functional Theory as implemented in Vienna ab-initio Simulation Package. It is being observed that as the size of cluster increases from n = 2 to 11, the total energy decreases. The results of formation energy reveal the fact that as the cluster grows, it moves towards the stability and it is observed that n = 11 is the most stable structure. The stabilized clusters are different in geometries and co-ordination numbers. Finally, all the clusters have been investigated with self consistent treatment of spin orbit coupling for magnetism studies. The magnetic properties of free clusters depict oscillatory behavior for magnetic moment with respect to the cluster size.
Reduction of balance laws to conservation laws by means of equivalence transformations
Authors: Oliveri F. , Speciale M. P.
Published: April 2013

A class of partial differential equations (a conservation law and two balance laws), with three independent variables and involving six arbitrary continuously differentiable functions, is considered in the framework of equivalence transformations. These are point transformations of differential equations involving arbitrary elements and live in an augmented space of independent, dependent, and additional variables representing values taken by the arbitrary elements. Projecting the admitted symmetries into the space of independent and dependent variables, we determine some finite transformations mapping the system of balance laws to an equivalent one with the same differential structure but involving different arbitrary elements; in particular, we are interested in finding an equivalent autonomous system of conservation laws. It is shown how the results apply to some physical problems.
The fractional supertrace identity and its application to the super Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur hierarchy
Authors: Wang Hui , Xia Tie-Cheng
Published: April 2013

In this paper, a fractional supertrace identity on superalgebras is presented. Based on the fractional supertrace identity, we can construct fractional super Hamiltonian structures of the generalized zero curvature equations associated with Lie superalgebras. As an application, we get the fractional super Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur (AKNS) hierarchy and its super Hamiltonian structure by using of fractional supertrace identity. This method can be used to get more fractional super hierarchies.
Effect of residual strain in Fe-based amorphous alloys on field induced magnetic anisotropy and domain structure
Authors: Azuma Daichi , Hasegawa Ryusuke , Saito Shin , Takahashi Migaku
Published: April 2013

Field induced magnetic anisotropy in two Fe-based amorphous alloys with different saturation induction levels (1.56 T and 1.64 T) was investigated by varying magnetic field strength and annealing temperature and domain images were taken on these samples. Residual strain was evaluated by measuring coercivities of the materials after stress-relief annealing. These results are discussed, clarifying the difference between the two Fe-based amorphous alloys.
Electrical transport and Raman spectral studies of (110)-oriented PrBa2 (Cu0.8M0.2)3O7 (M = Ga, Al, Zn, Ni) thin films
Authors: Kandel Hom , Chen Tar-Pin , Iliev Milko N. , Bourdo Shawn , Seo Hye-Won , Watanabe Fumiya , Viswanathan Tito
Published: April 2013

The electrical transport and Raman spectral studies of (110)-oriented PrBa2 (Cu0.8M0.2)3O7 (M = Ga, Al, Ni, Zn) (PBCMO) thin films have been investigated. The electrical resistivity, ρ(T), of (110)-oriented PrBa2 (Cu0.8Ga0.2)3O7 (PBCGO) and PrBa2 (Cu0.8Al0.2)3O7 (PBCAO) thin films are many orders of magnitude higher than that of the (110)-oriented PrBa2Cu3O7 (PBCO) thin films and follow Mott's 3D variable range hopping law up to room temperature. The electrical resistivity and Raman spectroscopic studies show that Al and Ga ions replace the Cu ions in the Cu-O chains of (110)-oriented PBCO and cause an extensive localization of charge carriers (holes) in the chains site of the PBCO. Our transport studies on YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO)/PBCGO and YBCO/PBCAO multilayers suggest that PBCAO and PBCGO thin films possess very less or no proximity effects. These results show (110)-oriented PBCGO and PBCAO thin films may serve as very effective insulators in YBCO based superconductor/insulator/superconductor tunneling Josephson junction.
Electrical resistivity of Au-ZnO nanocomposite films
Authors: Argibay N. , Goeke R. S. , Dugger M. T. , Rodriguez M. A. , Michael J. R. , Prasad S. V.
Published: April 2013

The electrical resistivity of electron beam codeposited gold and zinc oxide (Au-ZnO) films was investigated over the full composition range. The electrical resistivity was shown to increase monotonically with increasing ZnO content, with three characteristic regimes of behavior associated primarily with (1) grain boundary electron scattering due to grain refinement at ZnO volume fractions below 0.3, (2) percolation theory for ZnO volume fractions at and above the percolation threshold (fc = 0.85), and (3) a transition region between these where it was proposed that resistivity was influenced by the formation of Au-Zn complexes due to an oxygen deficiency in the deposited ZnO. The electrical resistivity of the composite films remained below 100 μΩ cm for ZnO volume fractions below 0.5. A model combining the general effective media equation and Mayadas-Shatzkes grain boundary electron scattering model was shown to generally describe the composition dependence of electrical resistivity for the investigated oxide dispersion hardened metal-matrix composite thin films.
Effect of growth temperature on magnetic and electronic properties of epitaxially grown MnAs thin films on GaAs(100) substrates
Authors: Song J. H. , Cui Y. , Ketterson J. B.
Published: April 2013

We grew epitaxial MnAs thin films on GaAs(100) substrates using molecular-beam epitaxy and investigated the growth temperature dependences of their physical properties. With increasing growth temperature from 200 °C to 350 °C, the crystal orientation of the film changed from type-A to type-B. The Curie temperatures of all type-B samples were ∼346 K, while the type-A sample showed a lower bulk-like value of ∼318 K, indicating an improvement in magnetic properties. Samples grown at above 550 °C exhibited semiconducting behavior, whereas the lower temperature grown samples show metallic behavior as expected. Our results indicate that growth temperature plays an important role in determining the crystal structure, magnetic, and electrical-transport properties of MnAs/GaAs(100) thin films.
Electronic structures of zigzag silicene nanoribbons with asymmetric sp2−sp3 edges
Authors: Ding Yi , Wang Yanli
Published: April 2013

The nanomaterials with peculiar spintronic characteristics, such as half-metals, spin gapless semiconductors [X. L. Wang, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 156404 (2008)], and bipolar magnetic semiconductors [Li et al., Nanoscale 4, 5680 (2012)], play the crucial role in nano-electronics and spintronics. Here, we report the zigzag silicene nanoribbons (ZSiNRs) with asymmetric sp2−sp3 edges are bipolar magnetic semiconductors due to the incorporation of Klein and zigzag edge states. With the bipolar feature, these asymmetric ZSiNRs can be altered to half-metals with opposite conductive spin channels by p-type and n-type dopings. Moreover, the semiconducting properties can also be tailored by the strain, which makes the nanoribbons into spin gapless semiconductors or ferromagnetic metals.
Dimethylsulfoxide and conjugated linoleic acids affect bovine embryo development in vitro
Authors: Stinshoff Hanna , Wilkening Sandra , Hanstedt Ana , Bollwein Heinrich , Wrenzycki Christine
Published: April 2013

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are employed to overcome the bovine periparturitional negative energy balance. Especially of interest are trans10,cis12 -linoleic acid (t10c12-CLA) and cis9,trans11-linoleic acid (c9t11-CLA). Their impact on embryonic development, though, is not clear. Here, effects of both above-mentioned CLA on bovine in vitro-produced embryos were assessed. Zygotes (n = 2098) were allocated to one of seven groups: cultured with 50 or 100 µM of either c9t11-CLA or t10c12-CLA, with 14 or 28 mM DMSO or without supplement (control). Messenger RNA analysis of target gene transcripts (IGF1R, IGFBP2, IGFBP4, CPT2, ACAA1, ACAA2, FASN, SCD) via RT-qPCR was performed in single blastocysts. Cleavage rates did not differ, whereas development rates were decreased in both t10c12-supplemented groups in comparison to the unsupplemented group (31.7% ± 2.2 control vs 20.2% ± 2.0 50 µM t10c12 vs 21.0% ± 2.8 100 µM t10c12). Compared with the unsupplemented group, SCD was expressed at a lower level in embryos cultured with 50 µM c9t11-CLA. The relative amount of several transcripts was increased in embryos cultured with 14 mM DMSO in comparison to those that developed in the presence of 50 µM t10c12-CLA (IGFBP2, ACAA1, CPT2, FASN, SCD) or 50 µM c9t11-CLA (IGF1R, IGFBP2, ACAA1, CPT2, FASN, SCD). The molecular analyses show that CLA influence embryonic fat metabolism.
Refashioning language in Richard Brome’s theatre
Authors: Paravano Cristina
Published: April 2013

This paper investigates the way the Caroline playwright Richard Brome used foreign languages and dialects in his works. On the one hand, in each play he re-proposed the variety of language typical of Ben Jonson, though in a personal way, experimenting with languages such as Latin, French and Dutch, while discussing through stereotypes and comic parodies of foreign accents the relationship between England and other European countries. On the other hand, Brome was able to produce convincing imitations of regionalisms, as in The Northern Lass (Yorkshire) and The Sparagus Garden (Somerset), which contribute to the dramatization of social dynamics while offering a vivid and disillusioned picture of the age. Keywords: Caroline theatre; dialects; foreign languages; stereotypes; refashioning
Serial arguments in organizations
Authors: Hample Dale , Allen Susan
Published: April 2013

This research project substantially extends the reach of serial argument theory from its nearly exclusive application to close relationships, into the workplace. Data (N = 364) were gathered on general motivation to engage in a serial argument, specific goals, several tactics, and three outcome measures (resolvability, civility, and organizational climate). Results indicated causal relations from goals and motivations to tactics, and from tactics to outcomes. A structural equation model was successful in fitting the whole system of variables. Results were generally compatible with those found in relational and classroom settings, and help build the case that serial arguing has certain base characteristics that may not change much when settings are quite substantially different.
Strategic maneuvering in diplomatic mediation
Authors: Muraru Daniela
Published: April 2013

In diplomatic mediation, dissociation and definitions become tools of the mediator’s strategic maneuvering by means of which the disputants’ disagreement space is minimized, decision-making being thus facilitated. The mediator’s argumentative behavior is explored, investigating the way in which he succeeds in “maintaining a delicate balance” (van Eemeren and Houtlosser 2002) between the dialectical and the rhetorical aims in accordance with the institutional aim specific to mediation as an activity type. In order to argue reasonably and efficiently, the mediator assumes certain roles and adopts and develops a set of strategies in compliance with the goal and constraints of the particular activity type he argues within. Consequently, the mediator builds his argumentation case in full awareness of the specific circumstances, and of the types of constraints of the case, by making a pertinent choice from the topical potential, adjusting it to the particular audience, and exploiting the range of presentational devices accordingly.
Chinese animation
Authors: Lent John A. , Ying Xu
Published: April 2013

The world of animation is usually scrutinized through cartoons emanating from the United States, Japan, and, perhaps, France. That is partly as it should be, but missing from the lineup is China. In quantity (more than 220,000 minutes annually) and quality (particularly from 1955 to 1988), China has been a top-level animation producer. However, because of a number of factors, Chinese animation is not well known beyond the contours of the country. Reasons might be the long, closed-society period, the same time when some of the world’s most artistically exquisite animation was produced in China; the use of a less than universal language (although the Japanese animation industry overcame this problem); the concentration on overseas production for U.S. and European studios, done for the most part anonymously, and until recently, the absence of effective promotion globally of indigenous content.
Lao as a touch stone
Authors: Faming Manynooch
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this article is to provide a specific case study of the contradictory discourses concerning Lao as the national language, as the official language, and as the medium of instruction. Through the diglossia framework or Lao as a touch stone, the article investigates how non-mainstream and ethnic minority students use the national language in comparison to their mother tongues and other languages at schools. The result shows that students often use their mother tongue and other non-national language to negotiate their social positions among the majority and the dominant groups.
Convergencia en una situación de contacto de dialectos peninsulares en EEUU
Authors: Castillejo Susana Pérez
Published: April 2013

Enfocándose en las redes sociales de once hablantes del centro-norte de España, este trabajo analiza la reducción de (s) implosiva en función del dialecto del interlocutor. Pese a la tendencia conservadora general, un análisis multivariante revela que el tiempo prolongado fuera de España, el alto contacto social con variedades reductoras y el origen del interlocutor son factores que inciden en la reducción de (s). Este resultado es consistente con el modelo de contacto dialectal por el cual la difusión de innovaciones se potencia en la acomodación entre individuos cuyos lazos con la comunidad de origen se han debilitado. Además del efecto de la intensidad y duración del contacto, los resultados muestran el papel de las actitudes en favorecer o cohibir los desarrollos lingüísticos esperados en el contacto multidialectal.
Light verb constructions in Latin American newspapers
Authors: Buckingham Louisa
Published: April 2013

This article examines the occurrence of variant forms of Spanish light verb constructions (LVCs) in a seven-million-word corpus of contemporary newspaper texts from seven Latin American countries. The findings from this corpus are compared with results from a previous study using a corpus of scholarly writing; additional information from a diachronic perspective is provided by data from the Corpus del Español. The structures selected for discussion are complex LVCs (e.g., tener un vínculo o relación), and tokens containing calques (e.g., dar un clic), loan words (e.g., tener un look) and affixes (e.g., dar goplecitos). This study provides evidence of the creative and expressive potential of less frequent types of these formulaic structures. While tokens containing calques and loan words appear almost exclusively in the newspaper corpus, complex LVCs appear with comparable frequency in both corpora. The discussion of the morphosyntactic features of these variant LVC types is accompanied by examples extracted from the corpus.
Association between Addiction Treatment Staff Professional and Educational Levels and Perceptions of Organizational Climate and Resources
Authors: Krull Ivy , Lundgren Lena , Beltrame Clelia
Published: April 2013

Background

Research studies have identified addiction treatment staff who have higher levels of education as having more positive attitudes about evidence-based treatment practices, science-based training, and the usefulness of evidence-based practices. This study examined associations between addiction treatment staff level of education and their perceptions of 3 measures of organizational change: organizational stress, training resources and staffing resources in their treatment unit.

Methods

The sample included 588 clinical staff from community-based substance abuse treatment organizations who received Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funding (2003–2008) to implement evidence-based practices (EBPs). Bivariate analysis and regression modeling methods examined the relationship between staff education level (no high school education, high school education, some college, associate's degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctoral degree, and other type of degree such as medical assistant, registered nurse [RN], or postdoctoral) and attitudes about organizational climate (stress), training resources, and staffing resources while controlling for staff and treatment unit characteristics.

Results

Multivariable models identified staff with lower levels of education as having significantly more positive attitudes about their unit's organizational capacity. These results contradict findings that addiction treatment staff with higher levels of education work in units with greater levels of organizational readiness for change.

Conclusion

It cannot be inferred that higher levels of education among treatment staff is necessarily associated with high levels of organizational readiness for change.
The effect of different durations of carbohydrate mouth rinse on cycling performance
Authors: Sinclair Jonathan , Bottoms Lindsay , Flynn Ciaran , Bradley Eoin , Alexander Gareth , McCullagh Sean , Finn Thomas , Hurst Howard Thomas
Published: April 2013

Carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinse has been shown to improve time trial performance. Although the exact mechanism remains un‐established, research postulates that there are oral cavity receptors which increase neural drive. Increasing the duration of the mouth rinse could potentially increase stimulation of these receptors. The aim of the current investigation was to determine whether the duration of mouth rinse with 6.4% CHO affected 30‐min self‐selected cycling performance. Eleven male participants (age =24.1±3.9 years) performed three 30‐min self‐paced trials. On one occasion water was given as a mouth rinse for 5 s without being ingested placebo (PLA), on the other two occasions a 6.4% CHO solution was given for 5 and 10 s. Distance cycled, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, cadence, speed and power were recorded throughout all trials. The main findings were that distance cycled during the 10‐s mouth rinse trial (20.4±2.3 km) was significantly greater compared to the PLA trial (19.2±2.2 km; P<0.01). There was no difference between the 5‐ and 10‐s trials (P=0.15). However, 10 out of 11 participants cycled further during the 5‐s trial compared to PLA, and eight cycled further during the 10‐s trial compared to the 5 s. In conclusion, although there was an improvement in distance cycled with the 5‐s mouth rinse compared to the PLA it was only significant with 10 s suggesting a dose response to the duration of mouth rinse.