bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copper concentration of liver tissue under long‐term copper‐histidine therapy in a patient with Menkes disease
Authors: Kroepfl T. , Mair E. , Deutsch J. , Brunner‐Krainz M. , Paschke E. , Plecko B.
Published: June 2006

Copper‐histidine is the treatment of choice in Menkes disease but bears the potential risk of copper overload and induced liver cirrhosis. We report normal copper concentrations of liver tissue over an 8‐year treatment period with copper‐histidine.
A novel function for a ubiquitous plant enzyme pectin methylesterase: The enhancer of RNA silencing
Authors: Dorokhov Yuri L. , Frolova Olga Y. , Skurat Eugene V. , Ivanov Peter A. , Gasanova Tatjana V. , Sheveleva Anna A. , Ravin Nikolay V. , Mäkinen Kristiina M. , Klimyuk Victor I. , Skryabin Konstantin G. , Gleba Yuri Y. , Atabekov Joseph G.
Published: June 2006

Co‐agroinjection of Nicotiana benthamiana leaves with the pectin methylesterase (proPME) gene and the TMV:GFP vector resulted in a stimulation of virus‐induced RNA silencing (inhibition of GFP production, virus RNA degradation, stimulation of siRNAs production). Conversely, co‐expression of TMV:GFP with either antisense PME construct or with enzymatically inactive proPME restored synthesis of viral RNA. Furthermore, expression of proPME enhanced the GFP transgene‐induced gene silencing accompanied by relocation of the DCL1 protein from nucleus to the cytoplasm and activation of siRNAs and miRNAs production. It was hypothesized that DCL1 relocated to the cytoplasm may use as substrates both miRNA precursor and viral RNA. The capacity for enhancing the RNA silencing is a novel function for the polyfunctional PME.
Aspartic acid racemization dating of Holocene brachiopods and bivalves from the southern Brazilian shelf, South Atlantic
Authors: Barbour Wood Susan L. , Krause Richard A. , Kowalewski Michał , Wehmiller John , Simões Marcello G.
Published: June 2006

The extent of racemization of aspartic acid (Asp) has been used to estimate the ages of 9 shells of the epifaunal calcitic brachiopod Bouchardia rosea and 9 shells of the infaunal aragonitic bivalve Semele casali. Both taxa were collected concurrently from the same sites at depths of 10 m and 30 m off the coast of Brazil. Asp D/L values show an excellent correlation with radiocarbon age at both sites and for both taxa (r2Site 9 B. rosea  = 0.97, r2Site 1 B. rosea = 0.997, r2Site 9 S. casali = 0.9998, r2Site 1 S. casali = 0.93). The Asp ratios plotted against reservoir-corrected AMS radiocarbon ages over the time span of multiple millennia can thus be used to develop reliable and precise geochronologies not only for aragonitic mollusks (widely used for dating previously), but also for calcitic brachiopods. At each collection site, Bouchardia specimens display consistently higher D/L values than specimens of Semele. Thermal differences between sites are also notable and in agreement with theoretical expectations, as extents of racemization for both taxa are greater at the warmer, shallower site than at the cooler, deeper one. In late Holocene marine settings, concurrent time series of aragonitic and calcitic shells can be assembled using Asp racemization dating, and parallel multi-centennial to multi-millennial records can be developed simultaneously for multiple biomineral systems.
New Insights into the Biology of Dog Thelaziosis in Europe. By D. Otranto and R. P. Lia. The DVD is obtainable free of charge from Dr Norbert Mencke, BayerHealthCare AG, Animal Health Veterinary Services, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany (E-mail: norbert.mencke@bayerheatthcare.com).
Authors: LYONS E.T.
Published: June 2006

The scientific aspect is high calibre and well documented regarding the life-cycle, biology and pathology caused by the eyeworm – Thelazia callipaeda. The studies were well planned and showed that the house fly-Musca domestica was (is) not the intermediate host. On the contrary, it was demonstrated that the first larval stage is capable of developing to the third infective larval stage in the fly genera – Amniota and Phortica. The research is excellent and the narrative on the DVD complements well the science. Commercial aspects of the parasiticides for control of the nematodes are also well presented. The DVD would be of interest to laypersons, in addition to practicing parasitologists, veterinarians and physicians.
The experimental survey of protein-folding energy landscapes
Authors: Oliveberg Mikael , Wolynes Peter G.
Published: June 2006

1. Introduction 2

2. The macroscopic and microscopic views of protein folding 2

2.1 The macroscopic view: the experimental folding free-energy profile 2

2.2 The microscopic view: an underlying energy landscape 3

3. The micro to macro projection: from an energy landscape to a free-energy profile 6

4. Global features of the protein folding transition-state ensemble 12

4.1 Overall transition state location β[Dagger]: a measure of compactness 12

4.2 What makes folding so robust ? 13

5. Structural characterization of the transition-state ensemble 16

5.1 Insights from ϕ-value analysis 16

6. Deviations from ideality 20

6.1 β[Dagger] shifts along seemingly robust trajectories 21

6.2 Anomalous ϕ values, frustration and inhomogeneities 25

7. Intermediates 28

8. Detours, traps and frustration 29

8.1 Premature collapse and non-native trapping 29

9. Diffusion on the energy landscape and the elementary events of protein folding 30

10. Malleability of folding routes: changes of the dominant collective coordinates for folding 33

11. The evolution of the shape of the energy landscape 35

11.1 Negative design: the hidden dimension of the folding code 35

12. Mechanistic multiplicity and evolutionary choice 36

13. Acknowledgements 37

14. References 38

We review what has been learned about the protein-folding problem from experimental kinetic studies. These studies reveal patterns of both great richness and surprising simplicity. The patterns can be interpreted in terms of proteins possessing an energy landscape which is largely, but not completely, funnel-like. Issues such as speed limitations of folding, the robustness of folding, the origin of barriers and cooperativity and the ensemble nature of transition states, intermediate and traps are assessed using the results from several experimental groups highlighting energy-landscape ideas as an interpretive framework.
Evaluation of natural transmission of bovine leukaemia virus within dairy herds of Argentina
Authors: MONTI G. E. , FRANKENA K. , DE JONG M. C. M.
Published: June 2006

The purpose of this study was to describe patterns of seroconversion to bovine leukaemia virus and to estimate the main parameters needed for future model building. A longitudinal study was carried out between February 1999 and November 2001 in seven commercial dairy farms in Argentina using 1535 lactating cows. Time-interval parameters were analysed using a parametric survival model with shared frailty, time until infection was analysed using a Bayesian interval-censoring survival model and the infection transmission parameter (β) was estimated by a generalized linear model. The reproduction ratio (R0) was calculated. In total, 1000 cows tested positive and 494 tested negative. The predicted median age at infection was 4·6 years for seroconverted cows. For infected herds, the proportion of positive calves was as high as for infected cows and showed a large proportion of infected breeding heifers. Peaks in the overall average incidence per season-year were observed during autumn and spring. Results reveal that the period around parturition is a high-risk period. Moreover, heavily infected herds seem to have an increased proportion of young stock infected. The overall β was estimated as 2·9/year (95% CI 1·9–3·7) and combined with a relatively long infectious period it resulted in a high reproductive ratio (R0=8·9). Therefore, a high effectiveness of control measures needs to be achieved to eradicate the disease.
Building Castelforte
Authors: Gianighian Giorgio
Published: June 2006

The concluding part of a conservation study of a 455-year-old Venetian double house reveals its fascinating, multi-layered construction history.
Arctic decadal variability from an idealized atmosphere‐ice‐ocean model: 1. Model description, calibration, and validation
Authors: Dukhovskoy Dmitry , Johnson Mark , Proshutinsky Andrey
Published: June 2006

This paper describes a simple “multibox” model of the Arctic atmosphere‐ice‐ocean system. The model consists of two major modules (an Arctic module and a Greenland Sea module) and several sub‐modules. The Arctic module includes a shelf box model coupled with a thermodynamic sea ice model, and an Arctic Ocean model coupled with a sea ice model and an atmospheric box model. The Greenland Sea module includes an oceanic model coupled with a sea ice model and a statistical model of surface air temperature over the Greenland Sea. The full model is forced by daily solar radiation, wind stress, river runoff, and Pacific Water inflow through Bering Strait. For validation purposes, results from model experiments reproducing seasonal variability of the major system parameters are analyzed and compared with observations and other models. The model reproduces the seasonal variability of the Arctic system reasonably well and is used to investigate decadal Arctic climate variability in part 2 of this publication (Dukhovskoy et al., 2006).
A maximum likelihood estimator for bedrock fracture transmissivities and its application to the analysis and design of borehole hydraulic tests
Authors: West Anthony C. F. , Novakowski Kent S. , Gazor Saeed
Published: June 2006

We propose a new method to estimate the transmissivities of bedrock fractures from transmissivities measured in intervals of fixed length along a borehole. We define the scale of a fracture set by the inverse of the density of the Poisson point process assumed to represent their locations along the borehole wall, and we assume a lognormal distribution for their transmissivities. The parameters of the latter distribution are estimated by maximizing the likelihood of a left‐censored subset of the data where the degree of censorship depends on the scale of the considered fracture set. We applied the method to sets of interval transmissivities simulated by summing random fracture transmissivities drawn from a specified population. We found the estimated distributions compared well to the transmissivity distributions of similarly scaled subsets of the most transmissive fractures from among the specified population. Estimation accuracy was most sensitive to the variance in the transmissivities of the fracture population. Using the proposed method, we estimated the transmissivities of fractures at increasing scale from hydraulic test data collected at a fixed scale in Smithville, Ontario, Canada. This is an important advancement since the resultant curves of transmissivity parameters versus fracture set scale would only previously have been obtainable from hydraulic tests conducted with increasing test interval length and with degrading equipment precision. Finally, on the basis of the properties of the proposed method, we propose guidelines for the design of fixed interval length hydraulic testing programs that require minimal prior knowledge of the rock.
Effects of changing power plant NOx emissions on ozone in the eastern United States: Proof of concept
Authors: Frost G. J. , McKeen S. A. , Trainer M. , Ryerson T. B. , Neuman J. A. , Roberts J. M. , Swanson A. , Holloway J. S. , Sueper D. T. , Fortin T. , Parrish D. D. , Fehsenfeld F. C. , Flocke F. , Peckham S. E. , Grell G. A. , Kowal D. , Cartwright J. , Auerbach N. , Habermann T.
Published: June 2006

Recent decreases in nitrogen oxide (NOx = NO + NO2) emissions from eastern U.S. power plants and their effects on regional ozone are studied. Using the EPA 1999 National Emission Inventory as a reference emission data set, NOx and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates at selected power plants are updated to their summer 2003 levels using Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) measurements. The validity of the CEMS data is established by comparison to observations made on the NOAA WP‐3 aircraft as part of the 2004 New England Air Quality Study. The impacts of power plant NOx emission decreases on O3 are investigated using the WRF‐Chem regional chemical forecast model. Summertime NOx emission rates decreased by approximately 50% between 1999 and 2003 at the subset of power plants studied. The impact of NOx emission reductions on ozone was moderate during summer 2004 because of relatively cool temperatures and frequent synoptic disturbances. Effects in individual plant plumes vary depending on the plant's NOx emission strength, the proximity of other NOx sources, and the availability of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sunlight. This study provides insight into the ozone changes that can be anticipated as power plant NOx emission reductions continue to be implemented throughout the United States.
A physically based model for the hydrologic control on shallow landsliding
Authors: Rosso Renzo , Rulli Maria Cristina , Vannucchi Giovanni
Published: June 2006

Both rainfall intensity and duration take part in determining the hydrologic conditions favorable to the occurrence of shallow landslides. Hydrogeomorphic models of slope stability generally account for the dependence of landsliding on soil mechanical and topographic factors, while the role of rainfall duration is seldom considered within a process‐based approach. To investigate the effect of different climate drivers on slope stability, we developed a modeling framework that accounts for the variability of extreme rainfall rate with the duration of rainfall events. The slope stability component includes the key characteristics of the soil mantle, i.e., angle of shearing resistance, void ratio, and specific gravity of solids. Hillslope hydrology is modeled by coupling the conservation of mass of soil water with the Darcy's law used to describe seepage flow. This yields a simple analytical model capable of describing combined effect of duration and intensity of a precipitation episode in triggering shallow landslides. Dimensionless variables are introduced to investigate model sensitivity. Finally, coupling this model with the simple scaling model for the frequency of storm precipitation can help in understanding the climate control on landscape evolution. This leads to predict the temporal scale of hillslope evolution associated with the occurrence of shallow landslides. Model application is shown for the Mettman Ridge study area in Oregon, United States.
The environmental effect on the radial breathing mode of carbon nanotubes in water
Authors: Longhurst M. J. , Quirke N.
Published: June 2006

We investigate, using molecular dynamics, the effect on the radial breathing mode (RBM) frequency of immersion in water for a range of single-walled carbon nanotubes. We find that nanotube-water interactions are responsible for an upshift in the RBM frequency of the order of 4–10 wave numbers. The upshift is comprised of two components: increased hydrostatic pressure on the nanotube due to curvature effects, and the dynamic coupling of the RBM with its solvation shell. In contrast to much of the current literature, we find that the latter of the two effects is dominant. This could serve as an innovative tool for determining the interaction potential between nanotubes/graphitic surfaces and fluids.
All-optical bistable band-edge Bloch modes in a two-dimensional photonic crystal
Authors: Yacomotti A. M. , Raineri F. , Vecchi G. , Monnier P. , Raj R. , Levenson A. , Ben Bakir B. , Seassal C. , Letartre X. , Viktorovitch P. , Di Cioccio L. , Fedeli J. M.
Published: June 2006

We demonstrate experimentally all-optical bistable operation in an InP-based two-dimensional photonic crystal slab lying on top of a Bragg reflector. Bistability is obtained around 1550nm, using a low group velocity mode at the band edge of the photonic dispersion characteristic. The origin of the bistable regime is shown to be the fast (275ps relaxation time), electronically induced nonlinear refraction index. A low intensity threshold of 4kW∕cm2 was observed, with a contrast of 65% between the high and low reflectivity states.
Self-assembly of antimony nanowires on graphite
Authors: Wang X.-S. , Kushvaha S. S. , Yan Z. , Xiao W.
Published: June 2006

One-dimensional (1D) semimetals (e.g., antimony and bismuth) are excellent thermoelectric materials. We demonstrate the self-assembly of 1D Sb nanowires on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, along with structures of other dimensionality. Comparing with an Sb crystal in ambient condition, our scanning tunneling microscopy analysis indicates that these Sb nanowires have a compressed lattice structure, which is likely formed under the Laplace pressure that can be quite large in a nanostructure. The conditions for growing aligned semimetal nanowires exclusively are discussed.
Pressure distribution in a mechanical microcontact
Authors: Chen Yun , Best Andreas , Butt Hans-Jürgen , Boehler Reinhard , Haschke Thomas , Wiechert Wolfgang
Published: June 2006

We verify an important prediction of Hertz theory [J. Reine Angew. Math. 92, 156 (1882)] for hard microcontacts, namely, the hemispherical pressure distribution in the contact area. Therefore, a confocal microscope was used to measure the local spectral shifts of the fluorescence lines in a ruby (Al2O3:Cr3+) sphere of R=78μm radius compressed between two sapphire (Al2O3) plates. From the spectral shifts the local stress was calculated. At a load of 4.3N the radius of the circular contact area was measured to be a=(11.2±1.0)μm. A hemispherical pressure distribution was observed with a maximal normal pressure of P0=(12.7±2.2)GPa.
Trap-state density in continuous-wave laser-crystallized single-grainlike silicon transistors
Authors: Lin Yu-Ting , Chen Chih , Shieh Jia-Min , Lee Yao-Jen , Pan Ci-Ling , Cheng Ching-Wei , Peng Jian-Ten , Chao Chih-Wei
Published: June 2006

This investigation characterizes electrical characteristics of continuous-wave green laser-annealed single-grainlike silicon thin-film transistors in relation to trap-state densities. As laser power increases, highly crystalline channels form, reducing tail-state densities to as low as 3×1019eV−1cm−3. This occurrence is responsible for high field-effect electron mobility of 284cm2∕Vs. In contrast, increasing laser power initially reduces the deep-state density and then increases it to 3×1016eV−1cm−3. This reversal in deep-state density and thus in the subthreshold slope as well as a saturating reduction in threshold voltage are associated with the formation of extra interface defects caused by laser-crystallization-enhanced surface roughness.
Dependence of the IR reflectance LO absorption bands on the crystalline texture of AlN films
Authors: Iborra E. , Clement M. , Vergara L. , Sanz-Hervás A. , Olivares J. , Sangrador J.
Published: June 2006

The infrared reflectance spectra of polycrystalline sputtered AlN films are analyzed in relation to their crystalline texture. AlN films with perfect c-axis orientation and good piezoelectric response exhibit a single peak at 887cm−1 corresponding to the A1–longitudinal-optical (LO) vibrational mode. However, {0001}-textured films with traces of 101̱1, 101̱2, and 101̱3 reflections in their x-ray diffraction patterns show an additional peak at 905cm−1 that we assign to an E1-A1 quasi-LO mode due to interaction of light with non-⟨0001⟩-oriented grains. The piezoelectric response deteriorates as the amplitude of the quasi-LO mode increases with respect to the A1(LO) mode.
Modeling of the turbulent magnetohydrodynamic residual-energy equation using a statistical theory
Authors: Yokoi Nobumitsu
Published: June 2006

The difference between the kinetic and magnetic energies in a conducting fluid is investigated in the framework of magnetohydrodynamics. The deviation from equipartition is measured by the turbulent residual energy KR. With the aid of the two-scale direct-interaction approximation, a statistical analytical theory for inhomogeneous turbulence, expressions for the correlation tensors appearing in the evolution equation for the residual energy are derived. Using these results, we propose a model equation for KR evolution. Examination of the structure of this equation shows that the evolution of the scaled residual energy is related to the cross helicity (velocity-magnetic-field correlation) of turbulence coupled with the mean-field shears. An application to the solar wind shows that the scaled ∣KR∣ can be increased near the outside of the Alfvén point in the inner heliosphere whereas the almost stationary behavior of ∣KR∣ is suggested in the outer heliosphere. These results are consistent with observations of solar-wind turbulence.
Quantitative photoacoustic tomography: Recovery of optical absorption coefficient maps of heterogeneous media
Authors: Yuan Zhen , Jiang Huabei
Published: June 2006

We report on experimental demonstration of photoacoustic tomography for reconstructing the optical absorption coefficient images of heterogeneous media. Photoacoustic images are obtained from a series of tissuelike phantom experiments using a finite element-based reconstruction algorithm coupled with a scanning photoacoustic imaging system. The experimental results show that optical absorption images can be quantitatively reconstructed when the photon diffusion model is coupled with the Helmholtz photoacoustic wave equation.
Calibration of broadband ultraviolet detectors by measurement of spectral irradiance responsivity
Authors: Envall Jouni , Kärhä Petri , Ikonen Erkki
Published: June 2006

We have developed and characterized a measurement setup for measuring the spectral irradiance responsivity s(λ) of broadband UV detectors. The setup consists of a single grating monochromator and a powerful (450W) Xe source to maximize the output power and thus enable spectral measurements with broadband detectors, whose sensitivity is typically low. Commercial UVA and UVB detectors were characterized with the setup. The results of the UVA detector were verified with a spectroradiometric calibration, and the results of the two methods agreed within 1.2%. The uncertainties (coverage factor k=2) were 2.0% [method utilizing s(λ)] and 3.1% (spectroradiometric method). Also the applicability of a correction factor for transforming calibration results between light sources was tested, and the obtained correction agreed with measurement results.
Explanation to the resistance anomaly observed in nanowires
Authors: Yin Sun , Sun Z. Z. , Lu Jie , Wang X. R.
Published: June 2006

A possible model for a resistance anomaly of nanowires is proposed. As the radius of a quantum wire shrinks below either the impurity (scatterer) potential ranges or the carrier sizes, the usual inverse (of wire cross section) Ohm’s law fails. Instead, each scatterer contributes almost equally to the wire resistance, and the resistance is proportional to the cross section (number of scatterers). The model explains well the recent resistance measurement on InN nanowires [C.-Y. Chang et al., J. Electron. Mater. 35, 738 (2006)].
Sulfur stoichiometry effects in highly spin polarized CoS2 single crystals
Authors: Wang L. , Chen T. Y. , Chien C. L. , Leighton C.
Published: June 2006

Recent experiments on polycrystalline Co1−xFexS2 demonstrated composition control over the spin polarization by Fermi level manipulation. We report here the growth and characterization of CoS2 single crystals with fine control over the stoichiometry by chemical vapor transport. At the ideal Co:S atomic ratio we observe a minimum in the low temperature resistivity and the x-ray rocking curve width, coincident with a maximum in the residual resistivity ratio and the low temperature magnetoresistance. Point contact Andréev reflection on stoichiometric crystals indicates a spin polarization at the Fermi energy of 64%, a significant increase over the 56% observed in polycrystals.
Dose rate effects in bipolar oxides: Competition between trap filling and recombination
Authors: Boch J. , Saigne F. , Touboul A. D. , Ducret S. , Carlotti J.-F. , Bernard M. , Schrimpf R. D. , Wrobel F. , Sarrabayrouse G.
Published: June 2006

Predicting the low-dose-rate degradation of bipolar technologies is one of the main issues for circuits intended for use in the ionizing-radiation environment of space because of the enhanced low-dose-rate sensitivity (ELDRS). In this letter, ELDRS is shown to be related to competition between trapping and recombination of radiation-induced carriers in the oxide. The presented model is shown to be in good agreement with experimental data. It is also shown that this effect is strongly dependent on the oxide quality.
Two-dimensional growth of Fe thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy on GaN(0001)
Authors: He Ke , Ma L. Y. , Ma X. C. , Jia J. F. , Xue Q. K.
Published: June 2006

The growth and magnetism of Fe thin films on the GaN(0001) surface are studied by scanning tunneling microscopy and surface magneto-optic Kerr effect. It is found that Fe grows in a layer-by-layer mode on the pseudo-1×1 surface at room temperature, and the film develops magnetism at 1.2 ML and shows perpendicular magnetic anisotropy below 6 ML. On the bulk-terminated 1×1 surface, Fe grows in a three-dimensional mode, and ferromagnetization with in-plane anisotropy is observed only above 4.3 ML. Fe-induced √7×√7 reconstruction on the pseudo-1×1 surface plays the key role in reducing the interface reaction and promoting the two-dimensional growth.
Diffusion of adatom in the selective epitaxial growth of Si(100): A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Lee Gun-Do , Hong Sukwon , Kim Hyun-Woo , Yoon Euijoon
Published: June 2006

Tight-binding molecular dynamics simulation is performed for a Si adatom on the surface containing the {311} facet and the Si(100) surface to reproduce and explain the behavior of the {311} facet in the selective epitaxial growth of Si(100). In the simulation the adatom is observed to diffuse from the {311} facet to the Si(100) surface along the pathway of a trough between the dimer rows on Si(100) surface. By the tight-binding total energy calculation, it is also clarified that adatoms easily diffuse to the Si(100) surface because, after the adatom surmounts the first energy barrier to diffuse to the step edge near the {311} facet, there is no additional Schwoebel barrier and the other energy barriers gradually decrease to the top of the dimer row of Si(100). The pathway of the trough between dimer rows on the Si(100) surface is found to be energetically more favorable than the direct pathway to the dimer row from the tight-binding total energy calculation. Our tight-binding molecular dynamics simulation elucidates the mechanism responsible for the behavior of the {311} facet in the selective epitaxial growth of Si(100).
Mapping thermal conductivity using bimetallic atomic force microscopy probes
Authors: Grover Ranjan , McCarthy Brendan , Sarid Dror , Guven Ibrahim
Published: June 2006

We demonstrate a technique to measure local thermal conductivity of materials using an atomic force microscope equipped with a commercial silicon cantilever coated by a thin metal film. This bimaterial cantilever acts as a bimetallic strip that bends when heated by a focused laser beam. The bending is apparent as a topographic distortion, which varies with the amount of heat flowing from the cantilever’s tip into the sample. By comparing the surface topographies of the sample, as measured with heated and unheated cantilevers, the local thermal conductivity of the tip-sample contact area can be determined. Experimental results with this system are presented and found to be in good agreement with a finite element model.
ZnO
nanocrystals synthesized by evaporation of Zn in microwave plasma torch in terms of mixture ratio of N2 to O2
Authors: Hong Yong Cheol , Kim Jong Hun , Cho Soon Cheon , Uhm Han Sup
Published: June 2006

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocrystals synthesized by an atmospheric microwave plasma torch are characterized in terms of the mixture ratio of N2 and O2 in the torch gas. Zinc (Zn) granules as a source material placed on the plasma reactor were evaporated and oxidized to ZnO immediately as soon as Zn granules were in contact with the plasma torch flame. The samples obtained from the different gas mixtures were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL). As the N2 content in the gas mixture increased to 93.6%, the aggregates or clusters of ZnO crystals were synthesized without nanorod-like and multipod-like structures. Especially, ZnO crystals synthesized in the N2 content of 55.6% mainly revealed the tripod and tetrapod. Also, the visible to ultraviolet (UV) intensity ratio in the PL analysis was increased with increasing of the N2 content, revealing that the aggregated ZnO crystals have the high concentration of oxygen vacancies.
Application of polymer-coated metal-insulator-semiconductor sensors for the detection of dissolved hydrogen
Authors: Li Dongmei , Medlin J. W. , Bastasz R.
Published: June 2006

The detection of dissolved hydrogen in liquids is crucial to many industrial applications, such as fault detection for oil-filled electrical equipment. To enhance the performance of metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) sensors for dissolved hydrogen detection, a palladium MIS sensor has been modified by depositing a polyimide (PI) layer above the palladium surface. Response measurements of the PI-coated sensors in mineral oil indicate that hydrogen is sensitively detected, while the effect of interfering gases on sensor response is minimized.
Graphoepitaxy of sexithiophene on thermally oxidized silicon surface with artificial periodic grooves
Authors: Ikeda Susumu , Saiki Koichiro , Tsutsui Ken , Edura Tomohiko , Wada Yasuo , Miyazoe Hiroyuki , Terashima Kazuo , Inaba Katsuhiko , Mitsunaga Toru , Shimada Toshihiro
Published: June 2006

Graphoepitaxial growth of a sexithiophene (6T) thin film was achieved on a thermally oxidized silicon surface with artificial periodic grooves. The surface structure was fabricated by electron beam lithography and the thin film was grown by molecular beam deposition. A well-pronounced, in-plane oriented component ([010]6T‖grooves) was identified by grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, though there also existed some randomly oriented 6T grains. Presence of the graphoepitaxial component was also confirmed by results of the orientational analysis of atomic force microscopy images. It was shown that the in-plane orientation control of organic semiconductors is possible using graphoepitaxy.
Synthesis and 1.5μm emission properties of Nd3+ activated lead bromide and lead iodide crystals
Authors: Hömmerich U. , Brown E. , Trivedi S. B. , Zavada J. M.
Published: June 2006

We report on the purification, synthesis, and infrared emission properties of Nd doped PbBr2 and PbI2 crystals. Under optical excitation at ∼0.8μm, characteristic Nd3+ emission lines arising from the F3∕24 level were observed. In addition, near infrared emission lines were also observed at ∼0.97, ∼1.2, and ∼1.5μm arising from the F5∕24,H9∕22 states of Nd3+. The emission efficiency at 1.5μm was determined to be 74% for Nd:PbBr2 and 64% for Nd:PbI2 with peak emission cross sections in the range of (0.2–0.5)×10−20cm2. These cross sections are comparable to those of Er3+ doped materials employed in optical communications and eye-safe lasers.
Platypus: a time-of-flight neutron reflectometer at Australia’s new research reactor
Authors: James M. , Nelson A. , Brule A. , Schulz J.C.
Published: June 2006

A time-of-flight neutron reflectometer is to be built at the new 20 MW research reactor (OPAL) in Sydney. The instrument will be positioned at the end of a curved supermirror neutron guide that will provide optimal transmission of cold neutrons (2–20 Å) while removing fast neutrons and high-energy γ-rays. The reflectometer will utilise a white neutron beam that will be pulsed using a series of boron coated disc choppers. Typically three angle settings will be required to collect a complete reflectivity profile (from Qz = 0.005–0.5 Å−1). The new instrument will operate with a vertical scattering plane, making it suitable for both solid and “free-liquid” surfaces. The instrument will also be capable of producing a spin-polarized neutron beam making provision for polarized neutron reflectometry studies. Detection of the reflected neutrons will take place using a 2-dimensional 3He delay-line detector with high-speed data acquisition electronics.
Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire as a measure of cigarette dependence
Authors: Huang Chih‐Ling , Lin Hsi‐Hui , Wang Hsiu‐Hung
Published: June 2006

Aim.  The aim of this study is to estimate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire as a measure of nicotine dependence.

Background.  The Chinese Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire has been used in smoking cessation programmes in Taiwan. However, the psychometric properties of the Chinese version have not been tested.

Methods.  A cross‐sectional, descriptive study was conducted from June 2004 to July 2005 with 247 adult smokers. The criterion validity of the Chinese Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire was determined using two biomarkers (exhaled CO and saliva cotinine levels). Because the responses to the items are dichotomous or nominal, the validity and factorial structures were examined using tetrachoric techniques. Construct reliability was evaluated to accommodate the lack of tau‐equivalence assumed in computing Cronbach's alpha.

Findings.  The item ‘smoke more in the morning’ was not statistically significantly correlated with either biomarker because many participants expressed the desire to smoke after meals instead of in the morning. The items ‘nicotine yield’ and ‘inhalation’ performed poorly in terms of criterion validity and construct validity. This evidence supports modification of the Chinese version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire to the six‐item Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. In addition, the item ‘difficulty refraining from smoking in forbidden places’ had relatively poor psychometric performance. The reason may be culturally specific, having to do with the relative lack of forbidden places and restrictions on tobacco use in Taiwan. The predictive ability of the Chinese version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire for biomarkers is higher than the English version. The reliability coefficient (0·65) was higher than Cronbach's alpha, but did not meet the satisfactory standard of 0·70.

Conclusion.  The Chinese version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire is a fairly reliable and valid scale, but needs to be revised to accommodate cross‐cultural differences.
Scoping workplace aggression in nursing: findings from an Australian study
Authors: Farrell Gerald A. , Bobrowski Christina , Bobrowski Peter
Published: June 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study of workplace aggression among nurses in Tasmania, Australia.

Background.  There is international concern about a perceived rise in occupational violence as a major worldwide public health problem, with associated financial costs. There is reason to suspect that aggression towards nurses is increasing. For example, increased illicit drug use puts nurses at the sharp end in managing patients admitted with drug‐related problems. Such people are often resistant to healthcare intervention, and often have associated disorders, including mental illness. Despite this increased awareness, comprehensive data on occupational violence in nursing are not available.

Method.  A specially designed questionnaire was sent to all nurses registered with the Nursing Board of Tasmania (n = 6326) in November/December 2002, with 2407 usable questionnaires returned. The response rate was 38%.

Findings.  A majority of respondents (63·5%) had experienced some form of aggression (verbal or physical abuse) in the four working weeks immediately prior to the survey. Patients/clients or their visitors were identified as the main perpetrators, followed by medical and nursing colleagues. Abuse influenced nurses’ distress, their desire to stay in nursing, their productivity and the potential to make errors, yet they were reluctant to make their complaints ‘official’. As well as reporting high levels of verbal and physical abuse, nurses were distressed because they could not provide the appropriate care to meet patients’ needs. Few working environments were free of aggression.

Conclusion.  Future research should try to determine the specific factors, including staff characteristics and environment, associated with the high levels of aggression reported in ‘hot spots’ where, on the basis of the present results, many staff experience high levels of verbal and physical abuse. Unless managers take steps to improve the situation, attrition from the profession for this reason will continue.
Three‐dimensional finite element simulations of microstructurally small fatigue crack growth in 7075 aluminium alloy
Authors: JOHNSTON S. R. , POTIRNICHE G. P. , DANIEWICZ S. R. , HORSTEMEYER M. F.
Published: June 2006

Three‐dimensional finite element simulations were performed to study the growth of microstructurally small fatigue cracks in aluminium alloy 7075‐T651. Fatigue crack propagation through five different crystallographic orientations was simulated using crystal plasticity theory, and plasticity‐induced crack opening stresses were calculated. The computed crack opening stresses were used to construct small crack da/dN‐ΔKdiagrams. The generated da/dN‐ΔKcurves compared well with experimental small crack data from the literature. The variance observed among the da/dN‐ΔKresults, which occurred as a consequence of the different crystallographic orientations employed, was found to be of the same order of magnitude as commonly observed variability in small fatigue crack growth data. This suggests that grain orientation is a major contributor to observed small fatigue crack data scatter.
Reading between the lines: national identity and attitudes to the media in Scotland*
Authors: KIELY RICHARD , McCRONE DAVID , BECHHOFER FRANK
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT. The relationship between national identity and how people perceive and consume media is a central but largely untested assumption of studies of nationalism. Using a previously developed classification of identity among English migrants to Scotland, this paper explores associations between how people use the media and how they make sense of their national identity. Compared with Scottish nationals, who tend to adopt a more taken‐for‐granted and uncontentious view of the media, except when they feel that the media presented to them challenge their sense of identity, English migrants find that the agendas of the media in Scotland differ from those they are used to south of the border. Specifically, how they view the media tends to vary according to whether they view themselves as ‘English’, ‘British’ or as ‘becoming Scottish’.
Inhibition of 26S proteasome activity by huntingtin filaments but not inclusion bodies isolated from mouse and human brain
Authors: Díaz‐Hernández Miguel , Valera Adriana G. , Morán María A. , Gómez‐Ramos Pilar , Alvarez‐Castelao Beatriz , Castaño José G. , Hernández Félix , Lucas José J.
Published: June 2006

In Huntington's disease (HD), as in the rest of CAG triplet‐repeat disorders, the expanded polyglutamine (polyQ)‐containing proteins form intraneuronal fibrillar aggregates that are gathered into inclusion bodies (IBs). Since IBs contain ubiquitin and proteasome subunits, it was proposed that inhibition of proteasome activity might underlie pathogenesis of polyQ disorders. Recent in vitro enzymatic studies revealed the inability of eukaryotic proteasomes to digest expanded polyQ, thus suggesting that occasional failure of polyQ to exit the proteasome may interfere with its proteolytic function. However, it has also recently been found that in vitro assembled aggregates made of synthetic polyQ fail to inhibit proteasome activity. Because synthetic polyQ aggregates lack the post‐translational modifications found inside affected neurons, such as poly ubiquitylation, we decided to study the effect of mutant huntingtin (htt) aggregates isolated from the Tet/HD94 mouse model and from human HD brain tissue. Here, we show that isolated ubiquitylated filamentous htt aggregates, extracted from IBs by a previously reported method, selectively inhibited the in vitro peptidase activity of the 26S but not of the 20S proteasome in a non‐competitive manner. In good agreement, immuno‐electron microscopy revealed a direct interaction of htt filaments with the 19S ubiquitin‐interacting regulatory caps of the 26S proteasome. Here, we also report a new method for isolation of IBs based on magnetic sorting. Interestingly, isolated IBs did not modify proteasome activity. Our results therefore show that mutant htt filamentous aggregates can inhibit proteasome activity, but only when not recruited into IBs, thus strengthening the notion that IB formation is protective by neutralizing toxicity of dispersed filamentous htt aggregates.
The genetics of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Hardy John , Orr Harry
Published: June 2006

In the last 50 years, an enormous amount of progress has been made in dissecting the etiology of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases, including the dementias, the parkinsonisms, the ataxias and the motor‐neuron diseases. In addition, these genetic findings are beginning to provide insights into the pathogeneses of the sporadic forms of the diseases. Through animal and cellular modeling studies we are beginning to gain insights into the pathogenic pathways to disease. This mechanistic understanding is now leading to therapeutic strategies based on this new understanding. As yet, however, no mechanistic therapies are in use in the clinic.
Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptors and their role in neuronal cell function
Authors: Mikoshiba Katsuhiko
Published: June 2006

Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptor is a Ca2+ release channel localized on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and plays an important role in neuronal function. IP3 receptor was discovered as a developmentally regulated protein missing in the cerebellar mutant mice. Recent studies indicate that IP3Rs are involved in early development and neuronal plasticity. IP3 works to release IRBIT from the IP3 binding core in addition to release Ca2+. IRBIT binds to and activates Na, Bicarbonate cotransporter. Electron microscopic study show the IP3 receptor has allosteric property to change its form from square to windmill in the presence of Ca2+. IP3R associates with ERp44, a redox sensor, Homer, other proteins and is transported as vesicular ER on microtubules. All these data suggests IP3 receptor/CA2+ channel works as a signaling center inside cells.
Postoperative pulmonary complications in dogs undergoing laparotomy: anesthetic and perioperative factors
Authors: Brainard Benjamin M. , Alwood Amy J. , Kushner Lynne I. , Drobatz Kenneth J. , King Lesley G.
Published: June 2006

Objective:To define the peri‐anesthetic risk factors that are associated with the development of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in dogs following laparotomy.

Study design:Retrospective study.

Animals:One hundred and sixty‐two dogs that underwent laparotomy at a veterinary teaching hospital.

Methods:Cases were evaluated for factors including signalment, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status (PS) score, duration of fast, duration of anesthesia, anesthetic and analgesic protocols, fluid and blood product therapy, animal positioning, and postoperative temperature.

Results:Statistically significant differences between dogs that developed PPCs and those that did not (nPPCs) were identified in the following categories: ASA PS score≥III (P=0.041), emergent surgery (P=0.038), longer duration of anesthesia (P=0.0462), and use of butorphanol or oxymorphone instead of hydromorphone for postoperative medication (P=0.04 and 0.015, respectively). Dogs that received transfusions of stored blood products (fresh frozen plasma or packed red blood cells) during their hospital stay were also more likely to develop PPCs (P=0.035 and 0.005, respectively). Dogs that developed PPCs were also more likely to have received antagonists for potent opiates or benzodiazepines postoperatively and to have recovered in the intensive care unit (ICU) (P=0.03 and 0.009, respectively).

Conclusions:Dogs with ASA PS scores≥III, or those requiring longer or emergency anesthesia are at a higher risk of developing PPCs. Additionally, dogs receiving stored blood products in the perioperative period may be at risk for pulmonary complications. Dogs fitting criteria for the above risk factors should be monitored closely postoperatively for development of pulmonary complications.
The effect of strenuous aerobic exercise on skeletal muscle myofibrillar proteolysis in humans
Authors: Haus J.M. , Miller B.F. , Carroll C.C. , Weinheimer E.M. , Trappe T.A.
Published: June 2006

Relatively little is known about the dynamics of the skeletal muscle protein pool following aerobic exercise. Myofibrillar protein synthesis has recently been shown to be substantially elevated for 3 days after a strenuous 60 min bout of one‐legged aerobic exercise, and this increase was surprisingly equal to or greater than what has been shown numerous times following resistance exercise over the same time course. Because net protein accretion is the sum of protein synthesis and degradation, we sought to directly measure skeletal muscle myofibrillar proteolysis in five healthy young males in response to an identical strenuous 60 min aerobic exercise bout and at the same time points (rest, 6, and 24 h post‐exercise and 48 and 72 h post‐exercise in a subset of subjects). We measured skeletal muscle myofibrillar proteolysis by monitoring the release of the natural tracer 3‐methylhistidine (3MH) from the vastus lateralis muscle into the interstitial space via microdialysis. Skeletal muscle interstitial 3MH concentration was no different (P>0.05) from rest (5.16±0.38 nmol/mL) after 6 (5.37±0.55 nmol/mL), 24 (5.40±0.26 nmol/mL), 48 (5.50±0.74 nmol/mL), or 72 h (4.73±0.28 nmol/mL). These results suggest that proteolysis of the myofibrillar fraction of skeletal muscle is relatively refractory to an intense aerobic exercise stimulus for up to 3 days, despite the large increase in synthesis of this muscle fraction following the same exercise stimulus. The apparent net myofibrillar protein accretion in the hours and days after exercise may occur in order to offset the large elevation in mixed muscle proteolysis that has been shown during similar bouts of intense one‐legged aerobic exercise.