bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vegetation–microclimate feedbacks in woodland–grassland ecotones
Authors: D'Odorico Paolo , He Yufei , Collins Scott , De Wekker Stephan F. J. , Engel Vic , Fuentes Jose D.
Published: October 2012

Aim

Climatic conditions exert a strong control on the geographic distribution of many woodland‐to‐grassland transition zones (or ‘tree lines’). Because woody plants have, in general, a weaker cold tolerance than herbaceous vegetation, their altitudinal or latitudinal limits are strongly controlled by cold sensitivity. While temperature controls on the dynamics of woodland–grassland ecotones are relatively well established, the ability of woody plants to modify their microclimate and to create habitat for seedling establishment and growth may involve a variety of processes that are still not completely understood. Here we investigate feedbacks between vegetation and microclimatic conditions in the proximity to woodland–grassland ecotones.

Location

We concentrate on arctic and alpine tree lines, the transition between mangrove forests and salt marshes in coastal ecosystems, and the shift from shrubland to grassland along temperature gradients in arid landscapes.

Methods

We review the major abiotic and biotic mechanisms underlying the ability of woody plants to alter the nocturnal microclimate by increasing the temperatures they are exposed to.

Results

We find that in many arctic, alpine, desert and coastal landscapes the presence of trees or shrubs causes nocturnal warming thereby favouring the establishment and survival of woody plants.

Main conclusion

Because of this feedback, trees and shrubs may establish in areas that would be otherwise unsuitable for their survival. Thus, in grassland–woodland transition zones both vegetation covers may be (alternative) stable states of the landscape, thereby affecting the way tree lines may migrate in response to regional and global climate change.
Discrimination capacity in species distribution models depends on the representativeness of the environmental domain
Authors: Jiménez‐Valverde Alberto , Acevedo Pelayo , Barbosa A. Márcia , Lobo Jorge M. , Real Raimundo
Published: October 2012

Aim

When faced with dichotomous events, such as the presence or absence of a species, discrimination capacity (the ability to separate the instances of presence from the instances of absence) is usually the only characteristic that is assessed in the evaluation of the performance of predictive models. Although neglected, calibration or reliability (how well the estimated probability of presence represents the observed proportion of presences) is another aspect of the performance of predictive models that provides important information. In this study, we explore how changes in the distribution of the probability of presence make discrimination capacity a context‐dependent characteristic of models. For the first time, we explain the implications that ignoring the context dependence of discrimination can have in the interpretation of species distribution models.

Innovation

In this paper we corroborate that, under a uniform distribution of the estimated probability of presence, a well‐calibrated model will not attain high discrimination power and the value of the area under the curve will be 0.83. Under non‐uniform distributions of the probability of presence, simulations show that a well‐calibrated model can attain a broad range of discrimination values. These results illustrate that discrimination is a context‐dependent property, i.e. it gives information about the performance of a certain algorithm in a certain data population.

Main conclusions

In species distribution modelling, the discrimination capacity of a model is only meaningful for a certain species in a given geographic area and temporal snapshot. This is because the representativeness of the environmental domain changes with the geographical and temporal context, which unavoidably entails changes in the distribution of the probability of presence. Comparative studies that intend to generalize their results only based on the discrimination capacity of models may not be broadly extrapolated. Assessment of calibration is especially recommended when the models are intended to be transferred in time or space.
Infrared and Raman imaging spectroscopy of ex vivo skin
Authors: Flach Carol R. , Moore David J.
Published: October 2012

Synopsis

This primer describes and illustrates experimental protocols for both Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging and confocal Raman mapping of ex vivo skin and thereby acquaints the reader with these measurement techniques, including the temporal and spatial limitations associated with each technique. The experimental conditions by which the unique ‘molecular histology’ information obtained from confocal Raman mapping and infrared spectroscopic mapping of ex vivo skin is generated will be described. Raman and FTIR spectra of tissue, when collected in spatially resolved arrays, permit the generation of ‘molecular images’ of tissue components and tissue organization without the use of fluorescent labels or chemical stains. To illustrate the molecular information from ex vivo skin that can be spectroscopically imaged with confocal Raman and infrared microspectroscopy, we have collected new data using both techniques and generated spectral images which illustrate the capacity of each technique to provide unique insights into skin histology, biochemistry and biophysics. Understanding the measurement possibilities and specific constraints of both approaches is a prerequisite to their meaningful use as powerful research tools in skin research.
Nitrate‐induced early transcriptional changes during imbibition in non‐after‐ripened Sisymbrium officinale seeds
Authors: Carrillo‐Barral Nestor , Matilla Angel J. , Iglesias‐Fernández Raquel , del Carmen Rodríguez‐Gacio María
Published: October 2012

We have here demonstrated for the first time that nitrate not only accelerates testa rupture of non‐ AR seeds but also modifies expression pattern of the cell‐wall remodeling proteins (mannanases; SoMAN6 and SoMAN7) and key genes belonging to metabolism and signaling of ABA (SoNCED6, SoNCED9, SoCYP707A2 and SoABI5) and GAs (SoGA3ox, SoGA20ox, SoGA2ox and SoRGL2). These results were obtained during Sisymbrium officinale seed imbibition in the absence of endosperm rupture. Exogenous ABA induced a notable inhibition of testa rupture in both absence and presence of nitrate being this effect sharply reversed by GA4+7. However, nitrate was capable to provoke testa rupture in absence of ABA synthesis. The expression of SoMAN6 and SoMAN7 were positively altered by nitrate. Although ABA synthesis seems apparent at the start of non‐AR seed imbibition, taken together the results of SoNCED6, SoNCED9 and SoCYP707A2 expression seem to suggest that nitrate leads to a strong net ABA decrease. Likewise, nitrate positively affected the SoABI5 expression when the SoNCED9 expression was also stimulated. By contrast, at the early and final of imbibition, nitrate clearly inhibited the SoABI5 expression. The expression of SoGA2ox6 and SoGA3ox2 are strongly inhibited by nitrate whereas of SoGA20ox6 was stimulated. On the other hand, SoRGL2 transcript level decreased in the presence of nitrate. Taken together, the results presented here suggest that the nitrate signaling is already operative during the non‐AR S. officinale seeds imbibition. The nitrate, in cross‐talk with the AR network likely increases the favorable molecular conditions that trigger germination.
Ageing with telecare: care or coercion in austerity?
Authors: Mort Maggie , Roberts Celia , Callén Blanca
Published: October 2012

In recent years images of independence, active ageing and staying at home have come to characterise a successful old age in western societies. ‘Telecare’ technologies are heavily promoted to assist ageing‐in‐place and a nexus of demographic ageing, shrinking healthcare and social care budgets and technological ambition has come to promote the ‘telehome’ as the solution to the problem of the ‘age dependency ratio’. Through the adoption of a range of monitoring and telecare devices, it seems that the normative vision of independence will also be achieved. But with falling incomes and pressure for economies of scale, what kind of independence is experienced in the telehome? In this article we engage with the concepts of ‘technogenarians’ and ‘shared work’ to illuminate our analysis of telecare in use. Drawing on European‐funded research we argue that home‐monitoring based telecare has the potential to coerce older people unless we are able to recognise and respect a range of responses including non‐use and ‘misuse’ in daily practice. We propose that re‐imagining the aims of telecare and redesigning systems to allow for creative engagement with technologies and the co‐production of care relations would help to avoid the application of coercive forms of care technology in times of austerity.
Brain talk: power and negotiation in children’s discourse about self, brain and behaviour
Authors: Singh Ilina
Published: October 2012

This article examines children’s discourse about self, brain and behaviour, focusing on the dynamics of power, knowledge and responsibility articulated by children. The empirical data discussed in this article are drawn from the study of Voices on Identity, Childhood, Ethics and Stimulants, which included interviews with 151 US and UK children, a subset of whom had a diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Despite their contact with psychiatric explanations and psychotropic drugs for their behaviour, children’s discursive engagements with the brain show significant evidence of agency and negotiated responsibility. These engagements suggest the limitations of current concepts that describe a collapse of the self into the brain in an age of neurocentrism. Empirical investigation is needed in order to develop agent‐centred conceptual and theoretical frameworks that describe and evaluate the harms and benefits of treating children with psychotropic drugs and other brain‐based technologies.
Effectiveness and safety of protease inhibitor‐based regimens in HIV‐infected Thai children failing first‐line treatment
Authors: Wattanutchariya N , Sirisanthana V , Oberdorfer P
Published: October 2012

Objectives

Virological failure on first‐line nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐based treatment regimens has become a problem in HIV‐infected children on long‐term antiretroviral therapy (ART). Protease inhibitor (PI)‐based regimens are therefore often given to children failing NNRTI‐based regimens. The aim of the study was to assess the 48‐week effectiveness, safety and predictive factors for viral suppression of PI‐based regimens in HIV‐infected Thai children who had failed NNRTI‐based regimens.

Methods

This study assessed 41 HIV‐infected children who had failed first‐line NNRTI‐based regimens and were switched to PI‐based regimens for at least 48 weeks. We assessed their CD4 cell counts, plasma HIV RNA levels, weight‐for‐age and height‐for‐age z‐scores, and adverse events.

Results

The children's median age was 9.5 years (range 1.5–15.8 years). At baseline, their median CD4 cell count was 276 cells/μL [interquartile range (IQR) 160–749 cells/μL], and their median plasma HIV RNA level was 4.5 log10 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL (IQR 3.9–4.8 log10 copies/mL). After 48 weeks of PI‐based therapy, their CD4 cell counts increased to a median of 572 cells/μL (IQR 343–845 cells/μL) and in 73.2% plasma HIV RNA levels decreased to < 50 copies/mL. Their median weight‐for‐age and height‐for‐age z‐scores were stable over the period of the study. Diarrhoea occurred in 29.3% of patients. Triglyceride levels were significantly higher at weeks 24 and 48 in comparison to baseline measurements.

Conclusions

PI‐based regimens are safe and effective for HIV‐infected Thai children who have failed first‐line NNRTI‐based regimens. However, long‐term follow‐up is warranted in order to ascertain the feasibility and sustainability of these new regimens.
Effect of dosage failed of first antiepileptic drug on subsequent outcome
Authors: Brodie Martin J. , Barry Sarah J. E. , Bamagous Ghazi A. , Kwan Patrick
Published: October 2012

Purpose:  The recent definition of drug‐resistant epilepsy proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) stipulated failure of an adequate trial of two tolerated, appropriately chosen and used antiepileptic drug (AED) schedules to achieve seizure freedom. Doses failed were not specifically discussed. We explored the effect of the doses at which the first and second AED regimens failed on subsequent outcomes in a population of adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy followed for up to 20 years.

Methods:  Patients in whom epilepsy was diagnosed and the first AED prescribed between July 1, 1982 and April 1, 2006, were followed until March 31, 2008. Dosage at which an AED failed was categorized according to the World Health Organization’s defined daily dose (DDD) for each drug. Cumulative incidence curves for time to final seizure freedom (no seizure for at least 1 year on unchanged dosage at last follow up) were stratified by whether the first regimen was failed at doses above or below the 25%, 50%, or 75% cutoffs for the DDD of each AED.

Key Findings:  Among patients who had taken a second regimen (n = 327), those in whom the first AED failed at doses above the various cutoffs (particularly 50% and 75% DDD) had lower probability of becoming seizure‐free at last follow‐up (p = 0.06 for 25% DDD, p < 0.001 for both 50% and 75% DDD). The same difference was observed for patients who had taken a third regimen (n = 141; p = 0.23 for 25% DDD, p < 0.01 for 50% DDD; and p = 0.002 for 75% DDD). A trend to higher seizure‐free rate was observed in patients who had taken the third regimen when both the first and second regimens failed at <75% DDD. The difference remained significant after adjusting for covariates when using 50% DDD as the cutoff for patients who took a second regimen (hazard ratio 1.60, 95% confidence interval 1.08–2.37).

Significance:  Higher failure dosage of the first AED predicts poorer subsequent outcome. This methodology could be used to refine further the ILAE definition of drug‐resistant epilepsy by exploring the doses need to fail to provide an adequate AED trial.
Clinical and Histological Findings of Denture Stomatitis as Related to Intraoral Colonization Patterns of Candida albicans, Salivary Flow, and Dry Mouth
Authors: Altarawneh Sandra , Bencharit Sompop , Mendoza Luisito , Curran Alice , Barrow David , Barros Silvana , Preisser John , Loewy Zvi G. , Gendreau Linda , Offenbacher Steven
Published: October 2012

Purpose: Multifactorial etiological factors contribute to denture stomatitis (DS), a type of oral candidiasis; however, unlike other oral candidiasis, DS can occur in a healthy person wearing a denture. In this study, we therefore attempt to explore the association between candida, denture, and mucosal tissue using (1) exfoliative cytology, (2) the candidal levels present in saliva, on mucosal tissues and on denture surfaces, and (3) the salivary flow rate and xerostomic symptoms.

Materials and Methods: A cross‐sectional study enrolled 32 edentulous participants, 17 without DS as controls and 15 with DS (Newton's classification type II and III). Participants with systemic or other known oral conditions were excluded. Participants completed a xerostomia questionnaire, and salivary flow rates were measured. Samples of unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) and stimulated whole saliva (SWS) were collected. UWS was used for fungal culturing. Periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) stain and quantitative exfoliative cytology were performed on samples from affected and unaffected mucosa from each participant. Levels of Candida species (albicans and non‐albicans) were determined in salivary samples (expressed as colony‐forming units, CFU), as well as from swab samples obtained from denture fitting surfaces, in addition to affected and unaffected mucosa.

Results: There were no significant differences in salivary flow rates, mucosal wetness, or frequency of reported dry mouth comparing participants with and without DS. Exfoliative cytology of mucosal smears demonstrated significantly higher (p= 0.02) inflammatory cell counts in DS patients, as compared with smears of healthy denture‐wearers. Candida albicans was significantly more prevalent in saliva (p= 0.03) and on denture surfaces (p= 0.002) of DS participants, whereas mucosal candidal counts and the presence of cytological hyphae did not show significant difference comparing DS to healthy participants.

Conclusions: In this investigation, we presented a unique group of healthy edentulous patients. This population may reflect the general DS population without systemic or other oral diseases. The prominent etiological factor for DS in this population is the presence of candida in denture and saliva. We found that other factors such as saliva flow/xerostomia, fitting of the denture, and the presence of candida in the mucosa, are less important in this population. Therefore, DS treatments in healthy patients should first focus on sanitization of an existing denture and/or fabrication of a new denture.
Diffusion of HEMA through Human Carious and Non‐Carious Dentin In Vitro
Authors: Tak Onjen , Usumez Aslihan
Published: October 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diffusion of 2‐Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) from resin cement through dentin both affected and unaffected by caries through high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at two time intervals.

Materials and Methods: Ten freshly extracted restoration‐free, caries‐free and ten extracted carious human third molar teeth were used in this study. Standardized box‐shaped Class I inlay cavities (6 mm long, 3 mm wide, 2 mm deep) were prepared in all teeth with a high‐speed handpiece mounted on a standard cavity machine. In teeth affected by caries, after preparation, the remaining carious lesions were removed, with their removal guided by a proprietary caries detector dye. The remaining dentin thickness (RDT) between the pulpal wall of the cavity and the roof of the pulp chamber was measured at multiple points for each tooth so that groups of 10 teeth each were prepared with RDT 1.2 ± 0.5 mm. Lithium disilicate‐based ceramic inlays were manufactured to restore the prepared cavities. A polypropylene chamber was attached to the cementoenamel junction of each tooth to contain 1 ml distilled water. Then, ceramic inlays were cemented with chemically polymerized resin cement (Multilink Automix) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Water elutes were analyzed by HPLC at 4.32 minutes and 24 hours. HEMA diffusion amounts were analyzed using two‐way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (p < 0.05).

Results: HEMA was detected in the pulp chamber elutes of all the teeth. The diffused HEMA amounts were not significantly different between the affected caries and the unaffected groups (p= 0.80) or between time periods (p= 0.44). The carious dentin did not influence the amount of HEMA diffused through the dentin to the pulp space.

Conclusions: The highest amount of eluted HEMA concentration detected was not viewed as critical for pulp tissue since the diffused HEMA amounts were below the level of cytotoxicity, according to the literature.
Relationship between Body Fat and Masticatory Function
Authors: Sánchez‐Ayala Alfonso , Campanha Nara Hellen , Garcia Renata Cunha Matheus Rodrigues
Published: October 2012

Purpose: The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the relationship between body fat and masticatory function.

Materials and Methods: One hundred dentate and partially edentulous participants (33 male; mean age, 39.7 ± 16.6 years) were selected. Body fat was established through body mass index (BMI). Masticatory function was evaluated by quantifying occlusal pairs and determining masticatory efficiency and swallowing threshold with the sieving method. During the swallowing threshold test, chewing rate was registered. Masticatory ability was also evaluated with a 5‐point Likert scale questionnaire. Data were analyzed with Spearman and chi‐square tests, as well as binary logistic regression analysis for the presence of increased BMI (α= 0.05).

Results: Age (rho = 0.517), occlusal pairs (chi‐square = 26.353), masticatory efficiency (chi‐square = 30.935), masticatory ability (chi‐square = 25.132; p < 0.001), and swallowing threshold (chi‐square = 8.730; p < 0.005) were related to BMI. Age (odds ratio, OR = 1.048, 95% CI = 1.008 to 1.089) and lower masticatory efficiency (OR = 4.792, 95% CI = 1.419 to 16.183) were predictive of increased body fat (p < 0.05). Gender (chi‐square = 0.402, p= 0.526) and chewing rate (rho =–0.158, p= 0.117) were not related to BMI.

Conclusions: These results suggest that people with lower masticatory efficiency may be at risk for increased body fat.
Fabrication of a Surgical Splint in an Emergency Situation: A Clinical Report
Authors: Gupta Lokendra , Aparna I.N. , Dhanasekar B. , Kamath Abhay T. , Lingeshwar D. , Agarwal Priyanka
Published: October 2012

Fractures involving pediatric jaws most often require a splint to prevent the fragments from being displaced; however, impression making presents a challenge. This article describes the fabrication of a surgical splint over an ideal cast, which is subsequently refitted with a tissue conditioner onto the patient's jaw. The highlight of this technique is the elimination of an impression procedure, thereby reducing clinical and laboratory time and easing pain in the child.
An Alternate Impression Technique for Ocular Prostheses
Authors: Goiato Marcelo Coelho , dos Santos Daniela Micheline , Moreno Amália , Filié Haddad Marcela , Turcio Karina Helga Leal
Published: October 2012

This article describes an alternative two‐step ocular prosthesis impression technique that employs two materials of different consistencies. The method is intended to provide better adaptation to underlying tissues, increased mobility of the prosthesis owing to improvements in facial contours, and improved esthetics, as well as offering the patient greater comfort and security. These advantages and this prosthesis’ relative ease of fabrication mean it should be considered as the first step in the management of untreated anophthalmic sockets.
Innovation Aesthetics: The Relationship between Category Cues, Categorization Certainty, and Newness Perceptions
Authors: Goode Miranda R. , Dahl Darren W. , Moreau C. Page
Published: October 2012

Recent research notes a disconnect between what marketers deem new and innovative versus what consumers actually perceive. Many factors may contribute to this; however, the factor that has significant potential to first attract a consumer to a new product, visual aesthetic design, is investigated in this research. Findings from four studies indicate that if a consumer cannot affix a category label to a new product with certainty, as can happen with innovative aesthetics, a product's newness will be underappreciated and product evaluations will suffer. By utilizing a categorization framework and specifically accounting for the role of categorization certainty, insight into the effects of innovative visual aesthetics and why newness perceptions are inherently subjective, and therefore, potentially hazardous to new product adoption, is provided.
New Product Development: Impact of Project Characteristics and Development Practices on Performance
Authors: Ahmad Sohel , Mallick Debasish N. , Schroeder Roger G.
Published: October 2012

Concurrent product development process and integrated product development teams have emerged as the two dominant new product development (NPD) “best practices” in the literature. Yet empirical evidence of their impact on product development success remains inconclusive. This paper draws upon organizational information processing theory (OIPT) to explore how these two dominant NPD best practices and two key aspects of NPD project characteristics (i.e., project uncertainty and project complexity) directly and jointly affect the NPD performance. Contrary to the “best practice” literature, the analysis, based on 266 NPD projects from three industries (i.e., automotive, electronics, and machinery) across nine countries (i.e., Austria, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United States), found no evidence of any direct impact of process concurrency or team integration on overall NPD performance. Instead, there is evidence of negative impact of the interaction between project uncertainty and concurrent NPD process and positive impact of the interaction between project complexity and team integration on overall NPD performance. Moreover, the study found no evidence of any direct negative impact of project uncertainty or complexity on overall NPD performance as suggested in the literature, but found evidence of a direct positive relationship between project complexity and overall NPD performance.

The practical implications of these results are significant. First, neither process concurrency nor team integration should be embraced universally as best practice. Second, process concurrency should be avoided in projects with high uncertainty (i.e., when working with unfamiliar product, market, or technology). Finally, team integration should be encouraged for complex product development projects. For a simple product a loosely integrated team or a more centralized decision process may work well. However, as project complexity increases, team integration becomes essential for improved product development. There is no one‐size‐fits‐all solution for managing NPD projects. The choice of a product development practice should be determined by the project characteristics.
Who Voted for Whom? Comparing Supporters of Obama and McCain on Value Types and Personality Traits
Authors: Dirilen‐Gümüş Özlem , Cross Susan E. , Dönmez Ali
Published: October 2012

This study investigates the personalities and values of Obama and McCain supporters in the 2008 election. A total of 278 American participants completed the Big Five Inventory and the Portrait Values Questionnaire along with demographic items. For value types, Obama supporters were more likely to endorse universalism values and less likely to endorse tradition, conformity, and security values compared with McCain supporters. With regard to personality traits, Obama supporters scored higher on agreeableness and lower on conscientiousness than did McCain supporters. As predicted, logistic regression revealed that values were better predictors of voting preference than were personality traits. These findings demonstrate the importance of individual differences in political preferences and are discussed with regard to findings in other cultures.
Prevalence of reported sleeplessness in northern Norway in relation to sex, age and season
Authors: Husby R. , Lingjaerde O.
Published: October 2012

As part of a comprehensive population health survey in the municipality of Tromsø, north of the Arctic Circle, men between 20 and 54 years and women between 20 and 49 years were presented a questionnaire containing questions about sleeplessness and its possible association with season. Of the 14,667 respondents, 41.7% of the women and 29.9% of the men said they were sometimes bothered by insomnia. Insomnia not associated with any special time of the year was reported by 16.9% of women and 16.2% of men; insomnia in the "dark period" (midwinter insomnia) was reported by 17.6% of women and 9.0% of men; insomnia in the midnight‐sun period or in spring or autumn was much less common. Difficulty falling asleep was the most common type of insomnia, especially in winter and summer. Overall, the frequency of insomnia increased with increasing age, but with some notable differences with regard to type (initial insomnia showed little relation to age, whereas middle and late insomnia increased markedly with age) and seasonal type (insomnia in the midnight‐sun period decreased with age, whereas the other seasonal types increased with age).
Colloidal Shaping of 8 mol% Yttria‐Stabilized Zirconia Electrolyte Honeycomb Structures by Microwave‐Assisted Thermal Gelation of Methyl Cellulose
Authors: Rajeswari Kotikalapudi , Biswas Papiya , Suresh Madireddy Buchi , Hareesh Unnikrishnan Saraswathy , Johnson Roy , Das Dibakar
Published: October 2012

Eight mol% Yttria‐stabilized zirconia, the most commonly employed electrolyte material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), was shaped into honeycomb structures by thermally induced gelation of aqueous zirconia slurry containing methyl cellulose using microwave irradiation. The green honeycomb samples were subjected to green density and green compressive strength measurements revealing a uniform gelation and hence a relatively higher strength for microwave irradiated samples. The green honeycomb samples were further sintered to crack‐free dense honeycombs (>99% TD) at 1525°C for 1 h. Honeycomb samples were characterized for their physical, cellular, and electrical properties. A relatively high ionic conductivity value of 0.07 S/cm at 800°C and corresponding low activation energy of 0.61 eV in the temperature range 700–800°C provide opportunities to explore the development of novel designs for SOFC application.
Joining of Silicon Nitride by Local Heating for Fabrication of Long Ceramic Pipes
Authors: Hotta Mikinori , Kondo Naoki , Kita Hideki , Ohji Tatsuki , Izutsu Yasuhisa
Published: October 2012

This study demonstrated that a long silicon nitride pipe of several meters with adequately strong joints can be fabricated by a local‐heating joining technique. Commercially available silicon nitride ceramic pipes sintered with Y2O3 and Al2O3 additives were used for parent material, and powder slurry of Si3N4‐Y2O3‐Al2O3‐SiO2 system was brush‐coated on the rough or uneven end faces of the pipes. Joining was carried out by locally heating the joint region at different temperatures from 1500°C to 1650°C for 1 h with a mechanical pressure of 5 MPa in N2 flow; using a horizontal electrical furnace specially designed for this experiment. The silicon nitride pipe 3‐m long was successfully fabricated without voids or cracks in the joint region, and the microstructure of the joint region was similar to that of the parent one. The joint strength was examined in flexure using specimens cut from the joined pipes, and those joined at 1600°C and 1650°C indicated the highest strength of about 680 MPa, which was almost the same as that of the parent material. This study also indicated that the slurry brush‐coating technique is advantageous to easily joining ceramic pipes with rough or uneven end faces, which is essentially important for practical use.
Synthesis of Nanosized Cesium Ferrite by Precursor and Combustion Method: A Comparative Study
Authors: Gupta Manik , Gupta Munish , Randhawa Balwinder S.
Published: October 2012

Thermolysis of cesium hexa(carboxylato)ferrate(III) precursors, Cs3[Fe(L)6].xH2O (L = formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate), has been carried out in flowing air atmosphere from ambient temperature to 1000°C. Various physico‐chemical techniques, that is, simultaneous TG‐DTG‐DTA, XRD, TEM, IR, Mössbauer spectroscopy, have been employed to characterize the intermediates and end products. After dehydration, the anhydrous precursors undergo exothermic decomposition to yield various intermediates, that is, cesium carbonate/propionate/butyrate and α‐Fe2O3. A subsequent decomposition of these intermediates leads to the formation of cesium ferrite above 800°C. Similar ferrite has been prepared by the combustion method at comparatively lower temperature (600°C) and in less time than that of conventional ceramic method.
Rural‐Urban Differences in Health Services Utilization in the US‐Mexico Border Region
Authors: Su Dejun , Pratt William , Salinas Jennifer , Wong Rebeca , Pagán José A.
Published: October 2012

Purpose: Evaluate the association between driving distance to the US‐Mexico border and rural‐urban differences in the use of health services in Mexico by US border residents from Texas.

Methods: Data for this study come from the Cross‐Border Utilization of Health Care Survey, a population‐based telephone survey conducted in the Texas border region in spring 2008. Driving distances to the border were estimated from the nearest border crossing station using Google Maps. Outcome measures included medication purchases, physician visits, dentist visits, and inpatient care in Mexico during the 12 months prior to the survey. A series of adjusted logit models were estimated after controlling for relevant confounding factors.

Findings: The average driving distance to the nearest border crossing station among rural respondents was 4 times that of urban respondents (42.0 miles vs 10.3 miles [P < .001]). Rural respondents were more likely to be dissatisfied than urban respondents with the health care provided on the US side of the border, yet they were less likely to use health services in Mexico. Driving distance to the border largely explained the observed rural‐urban differences in medication purchases from Mexico. In the case of inpatient care, however, rural respondents reported a higher utilization rate than urban respondents and this rural‐urban difference became more pronounced after adjusting for the effect of driving distance to the border.

Conclusions: Dissatisfaction with US health care services in rural communities in the US‐Mexico border region seems to be compounded by the lack of access to health care services in Mexico due to travel distance constraints.
Human rights and mortgage repossession: beyond property law using Article 8
Authors: Nield Sarah , Hopkins Nicholas
Published: October 2012

Following the Supreme Court decisions inManchester CC v PinnockandHounslow CC v Powell, this article examines the possible impact of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms upon protection of the home in creditor repossession proceedings. The central argument advanced is that, although occupiers may not all be protected through property law, they may enjoy an independent right to respect for their home under Article 8, which should be acknowledged in the legal frameworks governing creditor's enforcement rights against the home. The article suggests that the most common creditor enforcement route, through mortgage repossession proceedings, falls short in this regard. It takes as its primary focus the treatment of children in such proceedings to provide an example of the potential for a human rights-based property protection heralded by these two Supreme Court decisions.
Deference, expertise and information-gathering powers
Authors: Chan Cora
Published: October 2012

This article explores two questions. First, in adjudicating claims under the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), should the court defer to the executive or legislature on the ground that the latter two institutions possess superior expertise or information-gathering powers, when such expertise or powers fail to generate persuasive first-order reasons for the court? This article argues that rationality requires courts to defer on these second-order grounds of institutional capacity in situations of judicial uncertainty. Secondly, this article examines an underexplored question in the current literature: when is it justified for courts to consider the government as possessing second-order grounds of institutional capacity that warrant deference? It is argued that rational, impartial and open adjudication in the post-HRA era requires the government to prove its claims of superior institutional capacity, and courts to openly scrutinise such claims by considering a number of factors, including, crucially, the government institution's track record of expertise and credibility.
Mesozoic “Red Beds” and its Evolution in the Hefei Basin
Authors: Jiaodong ZHANG , Xuanhua CHEN , Qiuli LI , Chengzhai LIU , Bing LI , Jie LI , Gang LIU , Fenglou REN
Published: October 2012

The Hefei Basin is the largest basin in the North China landmass with complete and well‐preserved Mesozoic and Cenozoic strata. In the basin there developed a suite of extremely thick “red beds” in the Mesozoic. Owing to complex evolution processes and a lack of paleontological traces, there have been controversies regarding the division and correlation of this suite of red beds. Based on results obtained in recent years in drilling, seismic and surface geological investigations and in consideration of relationships between seismic sequences and regional tectonic events, as well as evidence in paleontology, petrology and isotopic dating, this paper preliminarily puts forward the following ideas about the sequence stratigraphic framework of the continental “red beds” in the Hefei Basin. (1) The Zhougongshan Formation and the Yuantongshan Formation have similar lithologic, geophysical and paleontological characteristics, so we incorporate them into a single formation, called the Yuantongshan Formation, and the original Zhougongshan and Yuantongshan Formations are regarded as the upper and the lower parts of the newly defined Yuantongshan Formation. Its age is the Middle Jurassic; (2) the Zhuxiang Formation belongs to the Upper Jurassic Series and (3) the age of the Xiangdaopu Formation is the Lower Cretaceous. Furthermore, signatures of depositional evolution are analyzed in the paper based on features of seismic reflection, outcrops and drilling data. The Early and Middle Jurassic is characterized by a foreland basin, which is influenced mainly by uplift and longitudinal compression of the Dabieshan Mountains; the Lower Jurassic System has a relatively small depositional area; the Middle Jurassic strata are distributed extensively over the whole basin, marking the summit of basin development; a flexure basin is characteristic of the Late Jurassic, manifesting a joint effect of the Dabieshan and Zhangbaling Mountains with the former being more significant. In the Early Cretaceous, the Xiangdaopu Formation was distributed in the Daqiao depression, evidently affected by extension of the Tanlu fault; in the Late Cretaceous, the Hefei Basin was subjected to dismembering and the Zhangqiao Formation was distributed in the east‐west direction along the downthrown side of the fault.
Sequence Thickness and its Response to Episodic Tectonic Evolution in Paleogene Qikou Sag, Bohaiwan Basin
Authors: Si CHEN , Hua WANG , Lihong ZHOU , Chuanyan HUANG , Jiahao WANG , Peigang REN , Xuemei XIANG
Published: October 2012

The sequence stratigraphy framework of Paleogene of Qikou Sag has been built in this paper. The evolution law of episodic subsidence in Qikou Sag has been expounded, with the analysis of the characteristic of sequence thickness, as well as the study of consedimental tectonic activity, subsidence history, paleogeomorphology and the coupling relationship among them. The faults controlling action was the dominant mechanism during rifting stage I, as the depression was the dominant mechanism during rifting stage III, which embodies a process from intense disparity fault depression to integral subsidence. Meanwhile, under the control of regional faulting and later stage depression, subsidence rate centers and paleogeomorphic concave centers are always corresponding to the sequence thickness centers, and the changes of subsidence centers and paleogeomorphology concave centers are consistent with the migration of thickness centers, which presents the restriction, coupling and response among them and clarifies the law that tectonic activity controls the basin fill by means of controlling the subsidence rate and paleogeomorphology from contributing factor angle. On this basis, the dynamic evolution of the composite pattern of structure‐subsidence‐deposition in the fault controlling actic region during the three rifting stages and their petroleum geological significance has been discussed.
Seismic Technique for Studying Sedimentary Layer: Bohai Basin as an Example
Authors: Chuansong HE , Shuwen DONG , Xuanhua CHEN
Published: October 2012

The upper tertiary to quaternary is the main target layer for oil and gas exploitation in Mainland China, especially crude oil production in the Bohai Basin accounts for approximately 40% of China's crude oil production. Therefore, a study of the Upper Tertiary to Quaternary has important significance for science and practical applications. In this study, using the receiver function method, Ps and later phase extraction, the sedimentary thickness and an accurate estimate of velocity ratio can be obtained. The technique is simple, its calculation results are unique, and it can be applied to a study of the sedimentary layer. The technique is promising for oil and gas exploration.
Indosinian Orogenesis in the Lhasa Terrane, Tibet: New Muscovite 40Ar‐39Ar Geochronology and Evolutionary Process
Authors: Huaqi LI , Zhiqin XU , Jingsui YANG , Zhemin TANG
Published: October 2012

Muscovite 40Ar‐39Ar dating of muscovite‐quartz schist, eclogite and retrograde eclogite indicates an Indosinian orogenesis occurred at 220–240 Ma in the Lhasa terrane, which is caused by the closure of Paleo‐Tethyan ocean basin and the following collision of the northern Lhasa terrane and southern Gondwana land. This Indosinian orogenesis is further confirmed by the regional sedimentary characteristics, magmatic activity and ophiolite mélange. This evidence suggests that the Indosinian orogenic belt in the Lhasa terrane is widely distributed from the Coqen county in the west, and then extends eastward through the Ningzhong and Sumdo area, finally turning around the eastern Himalayan syntaxis into the Bomi county. Based on the evolutionary process, the geological development of Lhasa terrane from early Paleozoic to early Mesozoic can be divided into seven stages. All of the seven stages make up a whole Wilson circle and reveal a perfect evolutionary process of the Paleo‐Tethys ocean between the northern Lhasa terrane and southern Gondwana land. The Indosinian orogenisis is a significant event for the evolution of the Lhasa terrane as well as the Tibetan Plateau.
Petrological Characteristics and Genesis of the Central Indian Ocean Basin Basalts
Authors: DAS Pranab , IYER Sridhar D. , HAZRA Sugata
Published: October 2012

The Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) basalts are plagioclase‐rich, while olivine and pyroxene are very few. The analyses of 41 samples reveal high FeOT (∼10–18 wt%) and TiO2 (∼1.4–2.7 wt%) indicating a ferrobasaltic composition. The basalts have high incompatible elements (Zr 63–228 ppm; Nb ∼1–5 ppm; Ba ∼15–78 ppm; La ∼3–16 ppm), a similar U/Pb (0.02–0.4) ratio as the normal mid‐oceanic basalt (0.16±0.07) but the Ba/Nb (12.5–53) ratio is much larger than that of the normal mid‐oceanic ridge basalt (∼5.7) and Primitive Mantle (9.56). Interestingly almost all of the basalts have a significant negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*=0.78–1.00) that may have been a result of the removal of feldspar and pyroxene during crystal fractionation. These compositional variations suggest that the basalts were derived through fractional crystallization together with low partial melting of a shallow seated magma.
Geochemistry of Carboniferous Sandstones (Sardar Formation), East‐Central Iran: Implication for Provenance and Tectonic Setting
Authors: KHANEHBAD Mohammad , MOUSSAVI‐HARAMI Reza , MAHBOUBI Asadollah , NADJAFI Mehdi , MAHMUDY GHARAIE Mohammad Hosein
Published: October 2012

Geochemical analysis of sandstones from the Sardar Formation (from two stratigraphic successions) in east‐central Iran were used for identification of geochemical characterization of sandstones, provenance and tectonic setting. Sandstones in the two lithostratigraphic successions have similar chemical compositions suggesting a common provenance. Bulk‐rock geochemistry analysis of Carboniferous sandstones from Sardar Formation indicates that they are mainly quartz dominated and are classified as quartzarenites, sublitharenites and subarkoses, derived from acid igneous to intermediate igneous rocks. Discrimination function analysis indicates that the sandstones of Sardar Formation were derived from quartzose sedimentary provenance in a recycled orogenic setting. Also, major and trace elements in sandstones of Sardar Formation (e.g., K2O/Na2O vs. SiO2) indicate deposition in a stable passive continental margin (PM). Chemical index of alteration (CIA) for these rocks (> 65%) suggests a moderate to relatively high degree of weathering in the source area.
Laser Ablation ICP‐MS U‐Pb Zircon Geochronology of Granitoids and Quartz Veins in the Shihu Gold Mine, Taihang Orogen, North China: Timing of Gold‐mineralization and Tectonic Implications
Authors: Ye CAO , Shengrong LI , Xianxiao XIONG , Zhenzhen LI , Xiaobin LIU , Meijuan YAO , Huafeng ZHANG
Published: October 2012

The Shihu gold deposit, situated in the Taihang Mesozoic orogen of the North China Craton (NCC), is hosted by ductile‐brittle faults within Archean metamorphic core complex. The deposit is characterized by gold‐bearing quartz‐polymetallic sulfides veins. The Mapeng granitoids stock and intermediate‐basic dikes intruded the metamorphic basement rocks, and are spatially related to gold mineralization. Detailed laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA ICP‐MS) U‐Pb zircon ages of the granitic rocks, dykes and mineralized quartz veins in the studied area reveal its magmatic and mineralized history. The mineralized quartz veins contain inherited zircons with ages of about 2.55 Ga and 1.84 Ga, probably coming from the basement. These two Precambrian events are coeval with those in other parts of the NCC. The Mapeng granitoid stock, the largest intrusion in the area, was emplaced at ca. 130 Ma, and is coeval with magmatic zircon populations from diorites and quartz diorite pophyrites in the same region. The ca. 130 Ma magmatism and gold mineralization were most likely related to an underplating event that took place in the Taihang orogen at Late Mesozoic. The timing of gold mineralization with respect to felsic magmatism in the area is similar to those observed in other major gold‐producing provinces in the NCC. This episode is simultaneous with those in the eastern margin of NCC, indicative of a widespread late Yanshanian metallogenic event that was a response to the Early Cretaceous lithosphere in the eastern NCC, in which the mesothermal gold deposits were formed from similar tectono‐magmatic environments.
Application of Spectral Angle Mapper Classification to Discriminate Hydrothermal Alteration in Southwest Birjand, Iran, Using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Image Processing
Authors: ABDI Maryam , KARIMPOUR Mohammd H.
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification method for determining the optimum threshold (maximum spectral angle) to unveil the hydrothermal mineral assemblages related to mineral deposits. The study area indicates good potential for Cu‐Au porphyry, epithermal gold deposits and hydrothermal alteration well developed in arid and semiarid climates, which makes this region significant for Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) image processing analysis. Given that achieving an acceptable mineral mapping requires knowing the alteration patterns, petrochemistry and petrogenesis of the igneous rocks while considering the effect of weathering, overprinting of supergene alteration, overprinting of hypogene alteration and host rock spectral mixing, SAM classification was implemented for argillic, sericitic, propylitic, alunitization, silicification and iron oxide zones of six previously known mineral deposits: Maherabad, a Cu‐Au porphyry system; Sheikhabad, an upper part of Cu‐Au porphyry system; Khoonik, an Intrusion related Au system; Barmazid, a low sulfidation epithermal system; Khopik, a Cu‐Au porphyry system; and Hanish, an epithermal Au system. Thus, the investigation showed that although the whole alteration zones are affected by mixing, it is also possible to produce a favorable hydrothermal mineral map by such complementary data as petrology, petrochemistry and alteration patterns.