bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystal Structures and Stabilities of γ‐ and γ′‐Brass Phases in Pd2–xAuxZn11 (x = 0.2–0.8): Vacancies vs. Valence Electron Concentration
Authors: Thimmaiah Srinivasa , Crumpton Nicholas A. , Miller Gordon J.
Published: October 2011

To probe the effect of valence electron concentration (vec or e–/atom) on γ‐Pd2+xZn11–x phases a series of compoundsPd2–xAuxZn11 (x = 0.3–0.8; e–/atom = 1.70–1.75) was synthesized and structurally characterized. The gold‐substituted γ‐brass type phase was observed for x ≤ 0.3, having a refined composition of Pd1.93Au0.27(1)Zn10.80(1) (space group I$\bar{4}$3m; a = 9.0953 (2) Å). Further addition of gold (0.4 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) leads to a 2 × 2 × 2 superstructure of theγ‐brass type phase (denoted as the γ′‐phase), with noticeable phase width (F$\bar{4}$3m; 18.1827(4)–18.1799(4) Å). The γ′‐phase consists of four independent 26‐atoms clusters, which are arranged around four distinct high symmetry points. The structural stability and phase width ofγ′‐phase are primarily controlled by two of these clusters, both of which show mixed occupancies and occurrence of non‐stoichiometric vacancies. Amongst all the observed γ′‐phases in the Pd‐Au‐Zn system, the vacancy concentration increases with increasing values of gold substitution. The vec of all observed γ′‐phases fall between 1.636 and 1.654 e–/atom values, which are greatly influenced by the nonstoichiometric vacancies present in the structure.
The Acrylation of Glycerol: A Precursor to Functionalized Lipids
Authors: Jackson Michael A. , Appell Michael , Berhow Mark A. , Blackburn Judith A. , Rheiner Steven N.
Published: October 2011

With the objective of expanding the number of functionalized lipids available, the reactive vinyl group of acrylic acid was introduced to triacylglycerol by esterification of glycerol. Didecanoylacryloylglycerol was synthesized from decanoic and acrylic acids and glycerol using K2O as catalyst. 2 g (21.7 mmol) glycerol, 11.3 g (65.4 mmol) decanoic acid, 6.2 g (86.1 mmol) acrylic acid, 60 ml hexane, and 400 mg K2O were added to 300‐ml closed stainless steel reactor and maintained at 200 °C for 5 h. The resulting product, designated DDA, was isolated at about 40% yield based on the acylglycerol products. The other products included tridecanoylglycerol, diacryloyldecanoylglycerol, and the diacylglycerols of these acids. DDA was then converted to functionalized lipids by the Michael addition and Heck reaction. The Michael addition of thiophenol and 4‐bromothiophenol yielded the corresponding linear thioethers whereas and Heck reaction products from bromobenzene and bromoanisole yielded triacylglycerols containing trans‐cinnamic acid and trans‐(4‐methoxy)cinnamic acid, respectively.
[123I]N‐ω‐fluoropropyl‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl)nortropane single‐photon emission computed tomography brain imaging in the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Walker Zuzana , Cummings Jeffrey L.
Published: October 2011

Early, accurate diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), in particular its differentiation from Alzheimer's disease, is important for optimal management, providing patients/carers with information about the likely symptomatology and illness course, allowing initiation of effective pharmacotherapy, and avoiding the consequences of neuroleptic sensitivity. Clinical diagnosis of DLB has high specificity but low sensitivity. Clinical trials of [123I]N‐ω‐fluoropropyl‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl)nortropane single‐photon emission computed tomography ([123I]FP‐CIT SPECT) indicate high positive and negative percent agreement with reference to clinical diagnosis, and high sensitivity and specificity in patients with neuropathologically confirmed diagnoses of DLB. An abnormal [123I]FP‐CIT SPECT image in patients fulfilling criteria for possible DLB advances the certainty of a diagnosis to probable DLB. [123I]FP‐CIT SPECT, by identifying the striatal dopaminergic deficit, can be a valuable diagnostic aid and can provide support to a clinical diagnosis of DLB in patients with dementia. The technique is likely to be of particular utility in patients with dementia with an uncertain diagnosis.
Prevalence of Testosterone Deficiency After Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Durga Anita , Sepahpanah Farhad , Regozzi Mary , Hastings James , Crane Deborah A.
Published: October 2011

Objective

To define the prevalence of testosterone deficiency in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and to identify factors associated with this deficiency.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs SCI unit.

Participants

Participants (n = 60) included male veterans completing annual evaluations from July 2006 to April 2007.

Methods

In addition to routine annual evaluation laboratory examination, which included measurements of serum albumin levels, participants underwent measurements of serum total testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and prolactin levels. Outcome measures included the prevalence of testosterone deficiency (defined as total serum testosterone <325 ng/dL) and the relationship of testosterone level with participant's age, serum albumin level, narcotic medication use, time since injury, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade, and neurologic level of injury.

Results

A low serum testosterone level (<325 ng/dL) was detected in 43.3% of participants. The testosterone level was significantly associated with severity of injury as defined by AIS grade (t = −2.59, P = .012). The prevalence of testosterone deficiency was significantly greater in participants with motor complete (AIS A and B) injuries compared with those with motor incomplete (AIS C, D, and E) injuries. Testosterone levels were significantly lower in participants who were taking narcotic medications for pain management (t = −0.25, P < .05). There was no relationship between the use of narcotic medications and severity of injury. Given the small number of participants, the SCI levels, age, duration of injuries, serum albumin levels, and serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and prolactin did not reach statistical significance in predicting testosterone level.

Conclusions

These findings confirm both a substantial population of men with SCI and with testosterone deficiency, and a significant association between testosterone level and severity of SCI. Measuring serum total testosterone levels should be included in standard screenings for patients with SCI, particularly those with motor complete injuries.
Materials for a Balance of the Soviet National Economy, 1928–1930
Authors: Wheatcroft S. G. , Davies R. W. , Stone Richard
Published: October 2011

This book contains a full translation of a major but little-known Soviet work on Soviet national income accounts for a crucial stage in the social and economic transformation of the Soviet economy from 1928 to 1930. These were years of mass collectivisation and the launching of the Soviet industrialisation drive. The USSR was perhaps unique in having a well-developed statistical service able to record the detailed changes in economic relationships that were taking place at this time. The translation is accompanied by three introductory articles which explain the structure and contents of these materials, what new light these materials throw on the development of the Soviet economy in this period and describe the significance of these materials for the history of Soviet statistics and planning. Amongst other questions this evidence casts some doubt on recent attempts to show that Soviet industrialisation resulted in a change in the net flow of goods between industry and agriculture, in favour of agriculture. It also shows that considerable attempts were made by some influential statisticians and planners in the early 1930s to analyse the relationship between different branches and sectors of the economy. In a foreword Professor Sir Richard Stone sets the achievement of the construction of these materials in the context of the history of Western works on national income accounts.
Money in the Macroeconomy
Authors: Prachowny Martin F. J.
Published: October 2011

This is a textbook designed for senior undergraduate courses in monetary economics, advanced macroeconomics, or macroeconomic policy. Students will feel comfortable with this material if they have completed an intermediate course in macroeconomics, relying on one of the more demanding texts in this field. The prime focus of the book is on the role of money in the macroeconomy and on the place of monetary policy as an instrument for controlling inflation and unemployment. There are only three important macrovariables that are features: the rate of inflation, the interest rate, and output or income. Behavioural relationships in the goods, money, and labor markets determine these variables, using only the now common IS-LM-AS model. The model is not ideological, but opposing views of the efficiacy of stabilization policy are allowed to confront each other. There is a great deal of emphasis on relating the theoretical propositions to recent Canadian and U.S. macroeconomic performance. To expose students to diversity of experience, both countries receive equal treatment, one to serve as an example of a closed economy and the other as an example of an open economy. The book relies mostly on verbal and diagrammatical exposition; equations are used to show why and how curves shift in the diagrams. Also, numerical examples are provided in 'boxes' at appropriate places in the text, and exercises are given at the end of most chapters. A booklet containing answers to these exercises is available to instructors on request to the author.
Provenance signatures for the Miocene volcaniclastic succession of the Tufiti di Tusa Formation, southern Apennines, Italy
Authors: PERRI FRANCESCO , CRITELLI SALVATORE , CAVALCANTE FRANCESCO , MONGELLI GIOVANNI , DOMINICI ROCCO , SONNINO MAURIZIO , DE ROSA ROSANNA
Published: October 2011

The Tufiti di Tusa Formation, a siliciclastic turbidite system of lower Miocene age in southern Italy, is mainly composed of volcaniclastic and quartzolithic sandstones interbedded with mudrocks. Sandstones are subdivided into four distinctive petrofacies, evolving from quartzolithic to volcaniclastic lithofeldspathic and feldspatholithic, reflecting detrital evolution from growing orogen (quartzolithic petrofacies) to active volcanism (volcaniclastic petrofacies). The mineralogical composition of the associated mudrocks is predominantly characterized by phyllosilicates, mainly illite/smectite mixed layers (I/S R1 associated with minor amounts of I/S R0 in the lower part of the succession, and I/S R3 in its upper part), together with illite, detrital micas and chlorite, and minor amounts of chlorite/smectite mixed layers and kaolinite, in addition to quartz, calcite and feldspars. The most abundant phyllosilicates are I/S mixed layers, 10-Å minerals (illite and micas) and chlorite, while kaolinite and chlorite–smectite mixed layers are present as a few per cent or in trace amounts. X-ray diffraction patterns show the occurrence of the ordered I/S R1 mixed layers in most samples but, at the top of the succession, some samples are characterized by I/S R3 mixed layers, whilst in the lower part of the succession I/S R1 is associated with a lower amount of I/S R0. These features suggest that the Tufiti di Tusa Formation experienced a medium diagenetic grade, and the occurrence of I/S R3 could be explained by K-availability in samples in the upper part of the succession. The lithic fragments in sandstones are metasedimentary rocks of Palaeozoic age, and andesite to dacite volcanic rocks of early Miocene age. The associated mudrocks also contain trace element ratios (Cr/V, Y/Ni, La/Sc, Th/Sc, Th/Co, Th/Cr, Cr/Th and Eu/Eu*) consistent with a provenance containing intermediate to silicic sources with scarce or absent basic rocks. The chemical index of alteration (63.2 to 71.6) suggests a moderate degree of weathering in the source. Furthermore, the K/Cs ratios of sediments confirm likely moderate rather than intense weathering. The index of compositional variability (ICV) values (from 1.2 to 2.5) are high enough to suggest the mudrocks are first-cycle sediments with little recycling. The Al–Ti–Zr diagram and the Th/Sc v. Zr/Sc plot indicate poor sorting and rapid deposition of the sediments. Detrital and sedimentary evolution of the Tufiti di Tusa Formation provides constraints, in terms of relations between a growing orogenic system and active volcanism in the Central Mediterranean, to contribute to geodynamic and palaeogeographic reconstructions of the earliest collision in the southern Apennines region.
Holocene fluctuations of Leffert Glacier and nearby outlet glaciers, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada
Authors: Blake Weston
Published: October 2011

Radiocarbon age determinations on marine shells in lateral moraines and other deposits several kms behind the present day termini of tidewater outlet glaciers from the Prince of Wales Icefield, east-central Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Arctic Canada, as well as tidewater glaciers from two nearby ice-caps, show that these glaciers have fluctuated considerably through the Holocene, both in length and in thickness. The terminus of Leffert Glacier, for which the best documentation is available, has been more than 20 km west of the position that it occupied in 1898–1899, when it was mapped for the first time. Leffert Glacier was much reduced in size for a period of several thousand years, between roughly 6450 and 185014C years BP. Other major outlet glaciers that have experienced significant fluctuations of their termini during the Holocene are: 1) MacMillan, Ekblaw and Tanquary glaciers in the Baird Inlet area, 2) Stygge Glacier and adjacent unnamed glaciers at the head of Jokel Fiord, 3) Benedict Glacier at the head of Sawyer Bay and 4) Parrish Glacier, the southernmost outlet glacier from the Agassiz Ice Cap. Of the glaciers investigated, only Alfred Newton Glacier, south of Cape Herschel, has surged during the period of field observation (1977 to 2009), and this glacier is now receding from the position attained in a surge which commenced in 1981. The terminus of Ekblaw Glacier, at the head of Baird Inlet, is now well forward of the position it occupied in 1950, when the first aerial photograph coverage was achieved.
Voltage-Pulsed and Laser-Pulsed Atom Probe Tomography of a Multiphase High-Strength Low-Carbon Steel
Authors: Mulholland Michael D. , Seidman David N.
Published: October 2011

The differences in artifacts associated with voltage-pulsed and laser-pulsed (wavelength = 532 or 355 nm) atom-probe tomographic (APT) analyses of nanoscale precipitation in a high-strength low-carbon steel are assessed using a local-electrode atom-probe tomograph. It is found that the interfacial width of nanoscale Cu precipitates increases with increasing specimen apex temperatures induced by higher laser pulse energies (0.6–2 nJ pulse−1 at a wavelength of 532 nm). This effect is probably due to surface diffusion of Cu atoms. Increasing the specimen apex temperature by using pulse energies up to 2 nJ pulse−1 at a wavelength of 532 nm is also found to increase the severity of the local magnification effect for nanoscale M2C metal carbide precipitates, which is indicated by a decrease of the local atomic density inside the carbides from 68 ± 6 nm−3 (voltage pulsing) to as small as 3.5 ± 0.8 nm−3. Methods are proposed to solve these problems based on comparisons with the results obtained from voltage-pulsed APT experiments. Essentially, application of the Cu precipitate compositions and local atomic density of M2C metal carbide precipitates measured by voltage-pulsed APT to 532 or 355 nm wavelength laser-pulsed data permits correct quantification of precipitation.
Becoming India
Authors: Alam Aniket
Published: October 2011

Becoming India demonstrates that the Western Himalayas were politically, economically and socially distant from the civilisations and empires of the North during pre-colonial times. It helps in better understanding of the present developmental success of Himachal Pradesh as well as the politics of the demand for separate statehood by Uttarakhand. It studies how the Western Himalayas became a part of the Indian nation during colonial times.

It examines in detail the peasant rebellions, clan and caste, polyandry, establishment of hill stations, land and forest settlements, education, folklore and mythology, begar and monetisation. It also focuses on the British policy and nationalist politics, to make its central point that the colonial encounter in the Western Himalayas was qualitatively different from the neighbouring parts of North India and its history cannot be subsumed into the general history of India.
On Disasters in India
Authors: Kapur Anu
Published: October 2011

On Disasters in India is a comprehensive compilation of extensive research on disasters in India. It unfolds the pitfalls in research so far and insists on a fresh paradigm in the methodology for accessing research on disasters. The book reconstructs a researchscape and examines the three time periods of study of disasters, namely, the phase of awareness, indifference and recognition. The narrative is built across the colonial, independence and post-globalisation years. The 4004 references, located, classified and collated figuratively and categorically in the book, form the groundwork for any research pertaining to disasters in India. The collection is indispensable to postgraduate students, researchers, disaster managers and policy-makers who are keenly involved in research or in providing solutions to disasters.
Anyone Can Write
Authors: Rao Cheryl , Iyengar Gita , Murdeshwar Meena
Published: October 2011

Anyone Can Write offers a wealth of creative writing tasks which will be an indispensable source of ideas for teachers. The book includes a variety of exercises on writing features, stories and poems. In all, the book offers guidance on forty different story-writing tasks, five feature-writing tasks, and fourteen poetry-writing tasks. The simple step-by-step explanation of the procedure to be adopted for each task makes the book very user-friendly. The tasks included in this book have evolved from a series of workshops on creative writing the authors have conducted for students in the age group of twelve to seventeen years. The samples of writing included to illustrate each task are authentic writings of students who participated in the workshops. These will help readers gauge the feasibility of the tasks and the level of response that can be expected from learner groups.
Dew Harvest
Authors: Sharan Girja
Published: October 2011

Dew Harvest deals with dew harvesting as a feasible solution to the chronic water scarcity in arid areas near the coastline. It substantiates the methodology of dew harvesting based on a case study from the Kothara village in the Kutch region. The book provides insights into the simple and people friendly technology of dew harvesting. It explains the exemplary procedure that Prof. Sharan followed: study of the dew resource of the site, chemical analysis of dew water to verify potability, test of dew harvesting materials, construction of small and pilot-sized dew condensers, and ultimately the construction of a large dew production plant. The author describes the methodology involved in the measurement of dewfall throughout India, especially in the coastal regions. The author recommends that dew harvesting be part of the curriculum at colleges and urges hydrologists and engineers to seriously consider its utility as an innovative technology.
Climate Change
Authors: Dash Sushil Kumar
Published: October 2011

The disturbing changes occurring in the global climate and environment has been a matter of concern for the current generation. The issue of climate change due to human activities can be analysed under two broad categories: emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and the nearly irreversible damage to the environment. Reducing emissions of GHGs is intimately connected with economic issues and hence a matter of global politics. It needs to be handled through global negotiations and, ultimately, through the use of alternate sources of energy and clean technology. The second category is more dangerous, since the recovery process will be extremely slow and the corrective measures more complicated than those for the GHG abatement. Large-scale mass movements, and not mere government policies or laws, are necessary to tackle this factor.
Viscous heating in silicate melts: An experimental and numerical comparison
Authors: Cordonnier B. , Schmalholz S. M. , Hess K.‐U. , Dingwell D. B.
Published: October 2011

The transition from Newtonian to non‐Newtonian flow of silicate melts is commonly manifested as shear thinning at conditions of high stress and strain rate. Shear thinning may strongly influence the dynamics of magmatic flows, but the details of its microscopic origins are not fully understood. Here we consider viscous heating and thermomechanical coupling as a potential cause of shear thinning. We compare the results of laboratory, uniaxial compression experiments of a silicate melt with the results of thermomechanical numerical simulations corresponding to the experimental setup. Both the experimental and numerical results concord and indicate that the reduction of the temperature‐dependent viscosity in flowing silicate melts is a result of viscous heating. Viscous heating was quantified for glasses with viscosities ranging from 108 to 1011 Pa s and strain rates from 10−5 to 100 s−1. The results of 48 compression experiments indicate that the transition from Newtonian to non‐Newtonian flow in the silicate melt occurs at a Brinkmann number (i.e., ratio of heat gained to heat lost) around 1 whereas brittle behavior dominates the melt deformation when the Deborah number (i.e., ratio of viscoelastic relaxation time to characteristic deformation time) is larger than around 0.01. The observed viscous heating significantly contributes to the viscosity decrease observed in high stress‐strain rate experiments and questions our current understanding of the non‐Newtonian deformation behavior of silicate melts.
Overall uncertainty study of the hydrological impacts of climate change for a Canadian watershed
Authors: Chen Jie , Brissette François P. , Poulin Annie , Leconte Robert
Published: October 2011

General circulation models (GCMs) and greenhouse gas emissions scenarios (GGES) are generally considered to be the two major sources of uncertainty in quantifying the climate change impacts on hydrology. Other sources of uncertainty have been given less attention. This study considers overall uncertainty by combining results from an ensemble of two GGES, six GCMs, five GCM initial conditions, four downscaling techniques, three hydrological model structures, and 10 sets of hydrological model parameters. Each climate projection is equally weighted to predict the hydrology on a Canadian watershed for the 2081–2100 horizon. The results show that the choice of GCM is consistently a major contributor to uncertainty. However, other sources of uncertainty, such as the choice of a downscaling method and the GCM initial conditions, also have a comparable or even larger uncertainty for some hydrological variables. Uncertainties linked to GGES and the hydrological model structure are somewhat less than those related to GCMs and downscaling techniques. Uncertainty due to the hydrological model parameter selection has the least important contribution among all the variables considered. Overall, this research underlines the importance of adequately covering all sources of uncertainty. A failure to do so may result in moderately to severely biased climate change impact studies. Results further indicate that the major contributors to uncertainty vary depending on the hydrological variables selected, and that the methodology presented in this paper is successful at identifying the key sources of uncertainty to consider for a climate change impact study.
Walking Attenuates the Relationships of High‐Meat, Low‐Fruit Dietary Intake to Total and Regional Adiposity in Men and Women
Authors: Williams Paul T.
Published: October 2011

Vigorous physical activity (running) has been shown to attenuate the association between diet and body weight. Walking is the most popular physical activity, but is a moderate‐intensity physical activity because it requires less than sixfold the energy expenditure of sitting at rest. We therefore examined whether reported distance walked per week affected the relationship of diet to BMI and circumferences of the waist, hip, and chest in 30,014 female and 7,133 male participants of the National Walkers' Health Study. Reported meat and fruit intakes served as indicators of high‐risk diets for weight gain. The analyses showed that higher meat and lower fruit intake were significantly and consistently associated with greater BMI and waist circumference at all activity levels. Longer usual walking distance significantly attenuated the concordant relationships of diet with women's BMIs (P < 10−8), men's BMIs (P = 0.04), and women's waist (P < 10−6), hip (P = 0.0001), and chest circumferences (P < 10−5). Compared to walkers who averaged <1.5 km/day, the association of diet with adiposity in subjects who walked ≥1.5 km/day was reduced 21% in women and 31% in men for BMI; 20% in women and 27% in men for waist circumference; 19% for women's hip circumference; and 26% for women's chest circumference. Thus we conclude that diets characterized by high‐meat/low‐fruit intake were significantly associated with greater BMI, and this association was attenuated by moderate physical activity. The weaker results in men than women probably related to the smaller sample size, and reduced statistical power of the men.
Multimodal spectral control of a quantum-dot diode laser for THz difference frequency generation
Authors: Leyman R. , Nikitichev D. I. , Bazieva N. , Rafailov E. U.
Published: October 2011

Generation of stable dual and/or multiple longitudinal modes emitted from a single quantum dot (QD) laser diode (LD) over a broad wavelength range by using volume Bragg gratings (VBG’s) in an external cavity setup is reported. The LD operates in both the ground and excited states and the gratings give a dual-mode separation around each emission peak of 5 nm, which is suitable as a continuous wave (CW) optical pump signal for a terahertz (THz) photomixer device. The setup also generates dual modes around both 1180 m and 1260 nm simultaneously, giving four simultaneous narrow linewidth modes comprising two simultaneous difference frequency pump signals.
Effect of electron flow on the ordinary-extraordinary mode conversion
Authors: Jia Guo-Zhang , Gao Zhe
Published: October 2011

Ordinary-extraordinary mode conversion in the electron cyclotron frequency range is revisited in the presence of a flowing electron component. The analytical expressions of optimal parallel refraction index and conversion efficiency are obtained from a one-dimensional cold plasma model. The presence of flowing electrons leads to an outward shift of the conversion layer and therefore increases the optimal value of parallel refraction index. If this effect is not considered, the efficiency of mode conversion degenerates. In typical tokamak plasmas, this degeneration is about a few percentages, which may induce the reflection of several tens of kilowatts of power from the cutoff layer when injecting megawatts of ECRF power into fusion plasma.
Characterization of bias stress induced electrical instability in liquid-crystalline semiconducting polymer thin-film transistors
Authors: Lee Jiyoul , Hwan Kim Do , Lee Bang-Lin , Park Jeong-Il , Yoo Byungwook , Young Kim Joo , Moon Hyunsik , Koo Bonwon , Wan Jin Yong , Lee Sangyoon
Published: October 2011

Bias stress effects in organic thin-film transistors were investigated. A donor-acceptor type liquid-crystalline semiconducting copolymer, poly(didodecylquaterthiophene-alt-didodecylbithiazole), PQTBTz-C12, was used as the active channel material. This substance contains both electron-donating quaterthiophene and electron-accepting 5,5’-bithiazole units. The threshold voltage (VT) shifts induced by direct current (DC) bias stress were studied under different gate-source and drain-source voltages. By fitting ΔVT versus stress time in compliance with a stretched exponential relationship, characteristic charge trapping time constants (τ) and dispersion parameters (β) for the VT shifts were determined for each stress condition. The time constants decrease with increasing gate-drain voltages. It was also observed that the VT shift due to charge trapping can be recovered by releasing the device from bias stress for several hours. The recovery rate from DC OFF bias stress is slightly slower than the recovery from DC ON bias stress. Such a difference can be attributed to the different charge releasing time from the deep trap states for holes and electrons. The immediate compensation of opposite charges by applying an alternating current (AC) bias stress provides spontaneous charge detrapping at each cycle and thus results in relatively moderate total VT shifts compared to those under DC bias only.
Tunneling recombination in optically pumped graphene with electron-hole puddles
Authors: Ryzhii V. , Ryzhii M. , Otsuji T.
Published: October 2011

We evaluate recombination of electrons and holes in optically pumped graphene associated with the interband tunneling between electron-hole puddles and calculate the recombination rate and time. It is demonstrated that this mechanism can be dominant in a wide range of pumping intensities. We show that the tunneling recombination rate and time are nonmonotonic functions of the quasi-Fermi energies of electrons and holes and optical pumping intensity. This can result in hysteresis phenomena.
A study of effects of heat source on MHD blood flow through bifurcated arteries
Authors: Prakash Om , Singh S. P. , Kumar Devendra , Dwivedi Y. K.
Published: October 2011

An analytical study of effect of heat source on MHD blood flow through bifurcated arteries has been done. The blood flowing through arteries is treated to be unsteady Newtonian flow. The coupled linear partial differential equations are solved by converting into ordinary linear differential equations by choosing the axial velocity, normal velocity and temperature field as a functions of y and t along with corresponding boundary conditions. The expressions are obtained for axial velocity, normal velocity and temperature field. The effects of various parameters like Prandtl Number (Pr), Heat Source Parameter (S) and Magnetic Field (M) on axial velocity, normal velocity and temperature field are investigated. It was found that heat source and magnetic field modify the flow patterns and increase the temperature of the blood.
Flat pseudo-Riemannian homogeneous spaces with non-abelian holonomy group
Authors: Baues Oliver , Globke Wolfgang
Published: October 2011

We construct homogeneous flat pseudo-Riemannian manifolds with non-abelian fundamental group. In the compact case, all homogeneous flat pseudo-Riemannian manifolds are complete and have abelian linear holonomy group. To the contrary, we show that there do exist non-compact and non-complete examples, where the linear holonomy is non-abelian, starting in dimensions

≥
8

\geq 8

, which is the lowest possible dimension. We also construct a complete flat pseudo-Riemannian homogeneous manifold of dimension 14 with non-abelian linear holonomy. Furthermore, we derive a criterion for the properness of the action of an affine transformation group with transitive centralizer.
Dynamic actin remodeling during epithelial–mesenchymal transition depends on increased moesin expression
Authors: Haynes Jennifer , Srivastava Jyoti , Madson Nikki , Wittmann Torsten , Barber Diane L.
Published: October 2011

Remodeling of actin filaments is necessary for epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT); however, understanding of how this is regulated in real time is limited. We used an actin filament reporter and high-resolution live-cell imaging to analyze the regulated dynamics of actin filaments during transforming growth factor-β–induced EMT of mammary epithelial cells. Progressive changes in cell morphology were accompanied by reorganization of actin filaments from thin cortical bundles in epithelial cells to thick, parallel, contractile bundles that disassembled more slowly but remained dynamic in transdifferentiated cells. We show that efficient actin filament remodeling during EMT depends on increased expression of the ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) protein moesin. Cells suppressed for moesin expression by short hairpin RNA had fewer, thinner, and less stable actin bundles, incomplete morphological transition, and decreased invasive capacity. These cells also had less α-smooth muscle actin and phosphorylated myosin light chain in cortical patches, decreased abundance of the adhesion receptor CD44 at membrane protrusions, and attenuated autophosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. Our findings suggest that increased moesin expression promotes EMT by regulating adhesion and contractile elements for changes in actin filament organization. We propose that the transciptional program driving EMT controls progressive remodeling of actin filament architectures.
Functional studies of per os infectivity factor 3 of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Song Jingjiao , Wang Manli , Huang Huachao , Luo Xin , Deng Fei , Wang Hualin , Hu Zhihong
Published: October 2011

PIF3 is one of the six conserved per os infectivity factors (PIFs) of baculoviruses. In this study, PIF3 of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) was analysed by infectivity bioassays using a series of recombinant viruses harbouring various PIF3 truncation/substitution mutants. The results demonstrated that the N-terminal region (L26–Y45) and C-terminal region (T160–Q199) are essential for HearNPV oral infectivity. In the C-terminal T160–Q199 region, there are three conserved cysteines (C162, C164 and C185). Our results showed that substitutions of C162 or C164, predicted to be involved in disulfide-bond formation, led to a severe decrease in HearNPV per os infectivity. Mutation of C185, predicted not to be involved in disulfide-bond formation, did not affect the per os infectivity. The data suggest that disulfide bonds are important for PIF3 conformation and function. Immunofluorescence assays showed that none of the mutations affected the subcellular localization of PIF3 to the nuclear ring zone region of infected cells. Western blot results showed that all mutants except C162G and C185G failed to incorporate PIF3 into occlusion-derived viruses, which resulted in impaired oral infectivity of the latter. The data provide insights for future study of PIF3 function.
Characterization of an Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus dual mutant: ORF82 is required for budded virus production, and a point mutation in LEF-8 alters late and abolishes very late transcription
Authors: Gauthier David , Thirunavukkarasu Kannan , Faris Brian L. , Russell Darcy L. , Weaver Robert F.
Published: October 2011

A temperature-sensitive (ts) Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus dual mutant, ts42, was generated that displayed tiny-plaque and polyhedral inclusion body (PIB)-defective phenotypes at 33 °C. The mutation responsible for the tiny-plaque phenotype was mapped to orf82, which was characterized as a late gene. Its product was not studied. The mutation responsible for the PIB-defective phenotype was mapped to a highly conserved region of lef-8, which encodes the largest subunit of the viral RNA polymerase. These mutations did not cause a global defect in viral DNA replication or a defect in the shutoff of host protein synthesis. However, the mutation in orf82 caused a dramatic defect in the production of progeny budded virus (BV) but did not decrease the infectivity of those BVs that were released. Hence, ORF82 is required for BV production. The mutation in lef-8 affected a conserved residue that is part of a highly conserved region of LEF-8. This mutation abolished very late transcription whilst altering the transcript size and level of transcription of two late genes.
The effectiveness of intensive nursing care on seasonal variation of blood pressure in patients on peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Quan Lei , Dong Jie , Li Yanjun , Zuo Li
Published: October 2011

quan l., dong j., li y. & zuo l. (2012) The effectiveness of intensive nursing care on seasonal variation of blood pressure in patients on peritoneal dialysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1267–1275.

Aim.  This article is a report of a study to reduce the seasonal variation of blood pressure in patients on peritoneal dialysis through an intensive programme of nursing care.

Background.  The seasonal variation of blood pressure is a common phenomenon in patients on maintenance dialysis. Whether or not this variation can be reduced through a given intervention is unknown.

Methods.  The programme of intensive nursing care including education on volume control, home blood pressure monitoring and intensified antihypertensive treatment, was implemented from December 2006. The blood pressure, fluid and sodium removal and defined daily doses of antihypertensive agents were measured at 1‐monthly intervals and averagely quarterly for seasonal values for spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, before (December 2005–November 2006) and after intervention (December 2006–November 2007).

Findings.  A total of 76 clinically stable patients on peritoneal dialysis were enrolled and finally analysed. The mean age was 60·6 years, and dialysis duration was 23·2 months. Before intervention, there were important seasonal variations in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. After intensive nursing care was implemented, the seasonal variation of systolic blood pressure disappeared. The diastolic blood pressure still represented a season pattern, but the discrepancy between winter and summer decreased. There were no seasonal patterns of total fluid and sodium removal before and after intervention.

Conclusions.  Intensive nursing care reduced the seasonal variation of blood pressure in patients on peritoneal dialysis. These data provided an evidence for implementing nurse‐centred interventions in this population.
Discriminating power of CPPQ‐Mohedo: a new questionnaire for chronic pelvic pain
Authors: Díaz Mohedo Esther , Barón López Fco J. , Pineda Galán Consolación , Dawid Milner Marc S. , Suárez Serrano Carmen , Medrano Sánchez Esther
Published: October 2011

Objectives  In the absence of a gold‐standard tool to measure chronic pelvic pain (CPP), most studies on the prevalence of CPP use the NIH‐chronic prostatitis symptom index (CPSI) questionnaire. However, its suitability and relevance for use in both sexes have not yet been evaluated, and generalized interpretation of the results is therefore questionable. Accordingly, we designed a questionnaire that discriminates between patients with and without symptoms of CPP.

Methods  We undertook a study to test the discriminating capacity for chronic pelvic pain questionnaire (CPPQ)‐Mohedo test for CPP among healthy and unhealthy individuals, and if this discrimination was similar for men and women. We did a matched study – 40 unhealthy men were matched by age with 40 unhealthy women – and each of those was matched with six healthy controls by age and sex (480 in total). To elaborate the questionnaire (CPPQ‐Mohedo), we started with the NIH‐CPSI, adapting the items referring to anatomic areas for women, changing the type of response and including various items on pelvic pain not previously recorded.

Results  The NIH‐CPSI questionnaire [area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC curve), 0.946] was very similar to that of the CPPQ‐Mohedo questionnaire (area under the ROC curve, 0.968), but the first required more items. CPPQ‐Mohedo showed similar discriminant capacity between men and women. The dimensions involved (pain and quality of life) showed internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.75).

Conclusions  The CPPQ‐Mohedo questionnaire presented discriminating power in men and women with symptoms of CPP. This questionnaire may be used as a screening tool to identify patients and include them in treatment programmes, as an outcome assessment tool for treatment and clinical trials, or as a tool to assess the prevalence of CPP in epidemiologic studies.
How do practising clinicians and students apply newly learned causal information about mental disorders?
Authors: de Kwaadsteniet Leontien , Kim Nancy S. , Yopchick Jennelle E.
Published: October 2011

Rationale, aims and objectives  New causal theories explaining the aetiology of psychiatric disorders continuously appear in the literature. How might such new information directly impact clinical practice, to the degree that clinicians are aware of it and accept it? We investigated whether expert clinical psychologists and students use new causal information about psychiatric disorders according to rationalist norms in their diagnostic reasoning. Specifically, philosophical and Bayesian analyses suggest that it is rational to draw stronger inferences about the presence of a disorder when a client's presenting symptoms are from disparate locations in a causal theory of the disorder than when they are from proximal locations.

Method  In a controlled experiment, we presented experienced clinical psychologists and students with recently published causal theories for different disorders; specifically, these theories proposed how the symptoms of each disorder stem from a root cause. Participants viewed hypothetical clients with presenting proximal or diverse symptoms, and indicated either the likelihood that the client has the disorder, or what additional information they would seek out to help inform a diagnostic decision.

Results  Clinicians and students alike showed a strong preference for diverse evidence, over proximal evidence, in making diagnostic judgments and in seeking additional information. They did not show this preference in the control condition, in which they gave their own opinions prior to learning the causal information.

Conclusion  These findings suggest that experienced clinical psychologists and students are likely to use newly learned causal knowledge in a normative, rational way in diagnostic reasoning.
Nurse‐led health promotion interventions improve quality of life in frail older home care clients: lessons learned from three randomized trials in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Markle‐Reid Maureen , Browne Gina , Gafni Amiram
Published: October 2011

Objective  This paper explores the lessons learned from a series of three randomized controlled trials that included 498 community‐living frail older adults (≥65 years) using home care services in Southern Ontario, Canada. Each study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of different multi‐component nurse‐led health promotion and disease prevention (HPDP) interventions.

Methods  The nurse‐led HPDP interventions were 6‐ or 12‐month multi‐component and evidence‐based strategies targeting known risk factors for functional decline and frailty. Across the three studies, a common approach was used to measure the change in health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) (SF‐36) and the costs of use of health services (Health and Social Services Utilization Inventory) from baseline to the end of the intervention.

Results  The main lesson learned from the three studies is that nurse‐led HPDP interventions for frail older home care clients provide greater improvements in HRQOL compared with usual home care. Such approaches are highly acceptable to this population and can be implemented using existing home care resources. Nurse‐led HPDP interventions should include multiple home visits, multidimensional screening and assessment, multi‐component evidence‐based HPDP strategies, intensive case management, inter‐professional collaboration, providers with geriatric training and experience, referral to and coordination of community services, and theory use.

Conclusion  The results of the three trials underscore the need to reinvest in nurse‐led HPDP interventions in home care to optimize HRQOL and promote ageing in place in the target population of frail older adults. More studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of additional nurse‐led HPDP interventions in other contexts and settings.
Exploring the care experience of patients undergoing spinal surgery: a qualitative study
Authors: Davis Rachel E. , Vincent Charles , Henley Ania , McGregor Alison
Published: October 2011

Purpose  This exploratory study sought to explore the patient experience of the surgical journey from decision to operate, to hospitalization, discharge and subsequent recovery.

Design  Patients attended one of two focus group discussions.

Patient sample  Seven patients that had undergone surgery for spinal stenosis or disc prolapsed participated, aged between 48–75 years (mean age 59); five were male.

Methods  Patients’ attitudes towards the information and care they received from the point of the decision to operate through to post‐operative recovery were explored. Particular attention was paid to patients’ information needs, support provided, general understanding of the processes and ways in which care could have been improved.

Results  Patients identified nine main ‘needs’ they felt played an integral part in enhancing the patient experience including the need for reduced waiting times, for better information and preparation, to be proactive, to speak up and ask questions, to feel safe and to be treated with dignity and respect; and the need for ongoing support, human contact, and; continuity of care.

Conclusion  These findings suggest that there are several measures that could be taken to improve the patient's surgical experience. In particular, providing appropriate information to patients in a timely manner and ensuring that support and advice is easily accessible for those patients that need it are key areas for improvement.
‘It's easier just to separate them’: practice constructions in the mental health care and support of younger people with dementia and their families
Authors: ROACH P. , KEADY J. , BEE P.
Published: October 2011

Accessible summary

There is currently no standard provision of care for younger people with dementia and their families in the UK and there is little involvement of families in care provision and care planning.

Specialist services for young‐onset dementia are consistently recommended in published and grey literature but continue to be overlooked in UK healthcare policy and service development.

Staff experience difficulty working with family relationships because they are complex and family members often have different views and opinions about the best approach to care.

Recommendations are made for the implementation of family‐centred working in dementia care to increase the effectiveness of care for families living with a diagnosis of young‐onset dementia.

There is no standard model of specialist care for younger people with dementia (onset before the age of 65 years) and specialist service provision varies widely throughout the UK. In order to gain a clearer picture about ways in which clinical staff work with younger people with dementia, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with dementia care staff working in the north‐west of England. Interviews focused on exploring daily working practices and the meaning placed on clinical decision making when involving family/carers in routine practice. Content analysis generated three core themes: (1) Maintaining Separation: how clinical staff conceptualize the meaning of ‘family’ in the provision of dementia care services; (2) Providing Practical Help: the focus in care provision on assisting families with aspects of daily life such as finances, education and physical care; and (3) Acknowledging the Family Context: how staff understand and interact with family members in an attempt to initiate care, utilizing biographically informed practice. By understanding how staff view their role in providing younger people with dementia with effective, high‐quality dementia care, it is anticipated that a more family‐centred approach can be integrated into already established patterns of working that more holistically meet the needs of this group.