bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of elevated nitrogen levels on endogenous gibberellin and jasmonic acid contents of three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars
Authors: Jang Soo‐Won , Hamayun Muhammad , Sohn Eun‐Young , Shin Dong‐Hyun , Kim Kil‐Ung , Lee Byung‐Hyun , Lee In‐Jung
Published: April 2008

Three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars ( cv. Daesanbyeo, cv. Dongjinbyeo, cv. Junambyeo) were analyzed for endogenous gibberellin (GA) and jasmonic acid (JA) contents and their changes in response to elevated nitrogen (N) levels. The N fertilizer was applied in the form of urea [(NH2)2CO] at three rates (0, 36.8, 73.6 kg N ha–1). Plant growth (height and dry weight) was enhanced by the first N rate but not further enhanced by the highest rate. The endogenous GA contents were analyzed through high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry–selected ion monitoring (GC‐MS‐SIM) while that of JA with GC‐MS‐SIM. They were analyzed one week after N application and were significantly increased with elevated N levels in all rice cultivars. The bioactive GA1 markedly increased, but its concentration differed in different rice cultivars. Similar fluctuations were observed for endogenous GA8, GA12, GA19, GA20, and GA53 in response to elevated N levels, showing that the rates of biosynthesis of GAs were differently affected by elevated N levels within different rice cultivars. The level of GA20, a precursor of GA1 biosynthesis, was not significantly increased, though GA19, a precursor of GA20, was found to be the most abundant GA type in all rice cultivars. Jasmonic acid content in the plants increased with the basic urea application (36.8 kg N ha–1), but significantly decreased with the double urea level (73.6 kg N ha–1). The results demonstrate that GA and JA are differentially affected in response to elevated N application in rice.
Evaluation of leaching and runoff losses of selenium from seleniferous soils through simulated rainfall
Authors: Dhillon Surjit Kaur , Dhillon Karaj Singh , Kohli Anshuman , Khera Kishan Lal
Published: April 2008

Experiments were conducted to study drainage and runoff losses of selenium (Se) from two seleniferous soils (from Simbly containing total Se 850 μg [kg soil]–1 and from Barwa containing 1310 μg [kg soil]–1) under simulated rainfall (250–260 mm in three rainstorms) conditions. Rainfall intensities ranged from 56 to 120 mm h–1 with uniformity coefficients ranging from 70.6% to 84.2%. Selenium lost through drainage (sum of drainage from initially saturated soil for 24 h and through dry and wet runs) was 0.15% and 0.11% of total Se content in the two soils. In soils having similar pH and organic‐C content, losses of Se through drainage as well as runoff were defined by total Se, water‐soluble Se, CaCO3 content, and texture of the soils. The amount of runoff water was almost two times in the soil with fine texture and less infiltration rate than in the other and that same trend was observed with respect to loss of sediment. The soil with higher CaCO3 content and water‐soluble Se lost more Se with moving water both through leaching and runoff, whereas the other soil with fine texture lost greater amount of Se with the sediment. Total Se lost through drainage as well as runoff was 0.29% of the native Se present in both the soils suggesting that significant amount of Se could be lost from seleniferous soils during irrigation and rainfall events.
Evidence of microbial control of Hg0emissions from uncontaminated terrestrial soils
Authors: Fritsche Johannes , Obrist Daniel , Alewell Christine
Published: April 2008

It is known that in wetland soils and soils contaminated with mercury (Hg), direct biotic reduction of Hg2+ to Hg0 leads to Hg0 emissions to the atmosphere. In terrestrial soils, numerous factors have been reported that control Hg0 emissions, but it is still unclear if biotic processes are also important. In this study, microbiological activity of Cambisol monoliths from a subalpine grassland with Hg concentrations of approx. 100 ng g–1 were manipulated in laboratory incubation experiments. Elemental Hg emissions were recorded together with CO2 emission rates as proxy for microbiological respiration. Emissions of Hg0 increased from approx. 5 ng m–2 h–1 up to 130 ng m–2 h–1 with stimulated biological activity (glucose addition, increase in temperature) and decreased with inhibited activity (chloroform fumigation, autoclaving, drying). Similar patterns with evasion rates of >90 ng m–2 h–1 were observed after dried soils were remoistened again. Our results indicated that processes leading to Hg0 emissions from uncontaminated terrestrial soils are at least partly controlled by biotic processes. However, it is still uncertain if Hg0 emission is caused directly by biotic reduction of Hg2+ or indirectly by abiotic reduction, induced by products of microbiological degradation, e.g., humic acids.
The base saturation in acidified Swiss forest soils on calcareous and noncalcareous parent material. A pH–base saturation anomaly
Authors: Blaser Peter , Graf Pannatier Elisabeth , Walthert Lorenz
Published: April 2008

Long‐term soil acidification leads to lower pH values and to a concomitant decrease in base saturation (BS). The relationship between pH and base saturation (BS) in acidified forest soils can be disturbed by processes such as nutrient cycling by vegetation, temporary saturation by ground water that comes into contact with calcareous material, or by upward diffusion of base cations from deeper horizons. This paper examines the relationship between pH and BS in Swiss forest soils developed from calcareous and noncalcareous parent material and identifies some of the factors that can affect the BS in the decalcified parts of soils derived from calcareous parent material. The decalcified zone in the latter soils has a higher BS on average compared to soils from noncalcareous parent material, but their pH values are identical. In the pH range 4.0–4.5, the difference in BS may vary by a factor of three. The mean BS in the decalcified zone tends to decrease with increasing depth of the calcareous layer. The water regime also affects the BS in soils on calcareous parent material. In soils temporarily saturated by groundwater (gleysols), the BS in the decalcified zone is always high (85%–100%) because of the continuous contact between the soil water and the calcareous parent material. In addition, the inhibited drainage impedes the depletion of base cations in these soils. In contrast, soils that are temporarily saturated by rainwater are depleted in base cations due to the alternating wetting‐and‐drying regime and the associated leaching of dissolved ions. In such soils, the depletion of base cations is strongly related to the extent of hydromorphy. Stagnogleyic soils, with the longest period of water saturation, have the highest depletion levels. We conclude that in such soils, the diffusion of base cations from deeper zones is strongly compensated by leaching from the very acidic soil horizons. The pH–base saturation anomaly has consequences for some of the methods used to calculate the critical loads of acidity for forest soils in Switzerland, with many soils being less sensitive than previously reported.
Water supply and growing season influence glucosinolate concentration and composition in turnip root (Brassica rapa ssp. rapifera L.)
Authors: Zhang Hongyan , Schonhof Ilona , Krumbein Angelika , Gutezeit Bodo , Li Long , Stützel Hartmut , Schreiner Monika
Published: April 2008

The overall objective of this study was to determine whether growing season, water supply, and their interaction influence glucosinolate (GSL) concentration and composition in turnip roots (Brassica rapa ssp. rapifera L.). Field experiments on a loamy soil in Großbeeren, Germany, were conducted in the spring‐summer (SS), summer‐autumn (SA), and autumn‐winter (AW) growing seasons. Each experiment included three water‐supply treatments with 25%, 50%, and 75% of available soil water (ASW) as lower thresholds. We found that the total GSL concentration in turnip roots was 1774–3221 μmol (kg fresh matter [FM])–1 and the dominant GSL was aromatic gluconasturtiin (GST) with concentrations of 1004–1628 μmol (kg FM)–1 in turnip roots. Total, aliphatic, and some specific individual GSLs in turnip roots were significantly influenced by water supply, growing season, and their interaction, due to the variations of the root sulfur (S) concentration, climatic conditions, or both. The influence of water supply on GSL concentration was modified by growing season, which in turn influenced S concentration in turnips. In the SS season, the 25%‐ASW water treatment enhanced concentrations of total GSLs by 52% and 47%, aliphatic GSLs by 60% and 131%, and aromatic GSLs by 47% and 21% when compared to the 50%‐ and 75%‐ASW water treatments, respectively. No reduction of root yield was observed, although the shoot yield was reduced by limited water supply. In SA and AW, total GSL concentration did not change under different water‐supply levels, but concentration of individual aliphatic and indole GSLs did. Based on these results, growers can adjust their irrigation and S‐fertilization practices to growing season in order to optimize turnip quality in terms of GSL concentration and composition, while still obtaining higher root yield and enabling better resource utilization.
Proton release by nodulated roots varies among common bean genotypes (Phaseolus vulgaris) under phosphorus deficiency
Authors: Kouas Saber , Alkama Nora , Abdelly Chedly , Drevon Jean‐Jacques
Published: April 2008

Responses of proton release to phosphorus (P) availability by nodulated roots of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were investigated for lines BAT 477 and CocoT, inoculated with Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 in hydroaeroponic culture under glasshouse conditions. Phosphorus was supplied as KH2PO4 at 15 and 60 μmol plant–1 week–1 (15P and 60P). Proton release was higher for BAT 477 than for CocoT under both P supplies. However, it was higher for 60P than 15P, whatever the line. The ratio of proton release per unit biomass of nodulated root was higher for BAT 477 than for CocoT, independent of P deficiency. Proton release was correlated with the nodulated‐root respiration for both genotypes and with the nodule respiration linked with nitrogen fixation for CocoT. Thus, the nodulation was more limited by 15P than root and shoot growth and more in CocoT than in BAT 477. It is concluded that independent of symbiotic N2 fixation, proton release was higher in BAT 477 than in CocoT and that the nodulated legume releases a substantial amount of protons into its rhizosphere that is correlated with its nitrogen fixation that eventually depends upon the nodule permeability to O2 diffusion.
Effects of potassium supply on growth and yield of safflower as compared to sunflower§
Authors: Abbadi Jehad , Gerendás Jóska , Sattelmacher Burkhard
Published: April 2008

Safflower may have a certain production potential under German conditions, particularly in organic farming where the putatively low nutrient requirement is highly welcomed. However, current knowledge regarding the nutrient requirements of safflower as compared to similar oil crops is limited. It was thus the aim of this study to determine the growth and yield response of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) as compared to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with respect to potassium (K) supply. Three safflower and two sunflower plants were cultivated in 5 L Mitscherlich pots. Both species responded strongly to increasing K supply with respect to plant growth and yield. Growth and yield of safflower increased up to 1 g K per pot, while the optimum for sunflower was 3.0 g K per pot. Safflower out‐yielded sunflower at low K supply, while at high K level, the opposite was observed. Supply of K affected virtually all yield components in both species, though to different degree. The number of capitula in safflower was only slightly affected, and the number of achenes per capitulum was only reduced under severe K deficiency, while single‐achene mass increased with increasing K supply. In sunflower, the number of achenes per capitulum strongly responded to the K supply, as did the single‐achene mass. Oil yield in safflower was affected by K deficiency mainly due to reduced achene yield, not oil concentration. However, oil yield in sunflower was severely affected by low K supply due to both reduced achene yield and lowered oil concentration. Multiple‐regression analyses indicate that in sunflower, the stem dry matter (DM) and the total amount of K accumulated in the aboveground biomass were most important, while in safflower the total amount of K and N accumulated had the highest impact. It is concluded that sunflower is more sensitive to inadequate K supply than safflower.
Morphology and physiology of zinc‐stressed mulberry plants
Authors: Kumar Tewari Rajesh , Kumar Praveen , Nand Sharma Parma
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to induce symptoms of zinc deficiency and Zn excess and to relate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the altered cellular redox environment to the effects of Zn stress in mulberry (Morus alba L.) cv. Kanva‐2 plants. The antioxidative responses of Zn‐stressed mulberry plants were studied by determining malondialdehyde content (MDA, a measure of lipid peroxidation) as indicator of oxidative damage and the ratio of dehydroascorbate (DHA) to ascorbic acid (AsA) as an index of the cellular redox state. The Zn‐deficiency effects appeared as faint paling and upward cupping of the young emerging leaves. The paling intensified with time, and affected leaves finally developed necrotic spots. At advanced stage of Zn deficiency, newly emerged leaves were spindle‐shaped, pale, and small in size. Apart from their stunted appearance, the plants supplied excess Zn did not show any specific visible symptom. Leaf water status of mulberry plant was affected in Zn‐stressed plants. Deficient leaves had decreased water potential (Ψ) and specific water content (SWC), contained less tissue Zn, less chloroplastic pigments, and high tissue Fe and Mn concentrations. However, excess supply of Zn was found to increase Ψ and decrease tissue Fe. Both hydrogen peroxide and MDA accumulated in leaves of Zn‐stressed plants. While the concentration of DHA did not vary in Zn‐deficient leaves, it was increased in leaves of plants supplied excess Zn. The ratio of the redox couple (DHA to AsA) was increased both in Zn‐deficient or Zn‐excess plants. The activities of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), and ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) increased in Zn‐stressed plants. The results suggest that deficiency or excess of Zn aggravates oxidative stress through enhanced generation of ROS and a disturbed redox homeostasis in mulberry plants.
Detection of vibrational overtone excitation in methane by laser‐induced grating spectroscopy
Authors: Kozlov D. N. , Radi P. P.
Published: April 2008

Laser‐induced grating spectroscopy is applied to measure weak overtone and combination bands of methane between 11 170 and 11 980 cm−1 at pressures ranging from 0.2 to 4 bar and ambient temperature. The background‐free method yields rotationally resolved spectra of transitions exhibiting cross‐sections as low as ≈ 10−26 cm2/molecule. The technique is suitable for clarifying the near‐infrared spectra of planetary objects and to provide data for the development and verification of new models describing the complex energy structure of highly vibrationally excited molecules. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical study on SERRS of rhodamine 6G adsorbed on Ag2 cluster: chemical mechanism via intermolecular or intramolecular charge transfer
Authors: Liu Shasha , Wan Songbo , Chen Maodu , Sun Mengtao
Published: April 2008

The problem of the chemical enhancement of rhodamine 6G (R6G) adsorbed on silver cluster has been theoretically investigated by charge difference densities (CDDs) to show the direct charge transfer (CT) evidence. For surface‐enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) of R6G excited at 514.5 nm, the enhancements of v(151) and v(154) result from weak intermolecular (from Ag to R6G) CT and the strong intramolecular CT [similar to that of resonance Raman scattering (RRS) of R6G], respectively. The possibility of the SERRS of R6G contributed from pure intermolecular CT is also discussed, when the incident light is close to the new metal–R6G CT excited state at 1571.4 nm. Meanwhile compared with the absorption process the fluorescence yield of R6G is investigated by transition densities and CCDs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopy speciation of natural and anthropogenic solid phases in river and estuarine sediments with appreciable amount of clay and organic matter
Authors: Villanueva U. , Raposo J. C. , Castro K. , de Diego A. , Arana G. , Madariaga J. M.
Published: April 2008

A new methodology is proposed in order to perform direct Raman measurements in sediments with high content in clay and organic matter with a reduced pre‐treatment.

Following this method, different compounds were found within the samples, some of them were assigned as natural compounds (clay, iron oxide, pyrite, aragonite, calcite, silicates and quartz) and the others were included in the group that comes from the human activity (titanium oxide, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, gypsum, calcium arsenate, lead oxide, zinc oxide, sodium sulfide and iron hydroxioxide).

The study of the presence of these polluting agents and their differentiation from the compounds that belong to the sediments as natural compounds is fundamental in order to understand the mobility/retention processes of the pollutants, and thus, their bioavailability. Also the speciation studies of solid phase downstream a wastewater treatment plant can be the basis to diagnose the adequate functioning of the facility.

This work shows the applicability of Raman spectroscopy to perform speciation studies in the solid phases of natural and anthropogenic compounds present in river and estuarine sediments with appreciable content in clay and organic matter. The differentiation between natural and anthropogenic compounds is of fundamental interest because the potential toxicity of a metal (i.e. arsenic) in a natural compound (i.e. arsenopyrite) is not the same as in a newly formed synthetic compound in the river system due to an anthropogenic input (i.e. calcium arsenate). This illustrates the importance of the analysis of solid phases present in sediments because most of the polluting agents can be found in a different molecular configuration than the natural one. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of the selective excitation of molecular modes in gas and liquid phase using femtosecond pulse shaping
Authors: Scaria A. , Konradi J. , Namboodiri V. , Materny A.
Published: April 2008

A feedback‐controlled optimization in a femtosecond coherent‐anti Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) process is applied to selectively excite or suppress vibrational modes in the gas and liquid phase. The optimal control experiments are performed on carbon disulfide and toluene molecules. Here our aim is to understand whether the interaction of the molecules with the surrounding medium affects the optimization process. The CARS excitation was chosen to be not in resonance with an electronic transition in the molecule but to excite different vibrational modes coherently. A pure phase modulation of the Stokes pulse resulted in changes of the ratio of the Raman lines observed in the nonlinear scattering spectrum. This could also be achieved when no temporal shift between the pump and Stokes laser resulted in a simple change of the Raman resonances. The relative intensities of the Raman lines could be changed more effectively in the liquid phase than in the gas phase. The higher density in the condensed matter, which hinders free rotation and makes interactions between molecules an important factor, obviously seems to influence the control mechanism. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman studies and optical properties of some (PbO)x(Bi2O3)0.2(B2O3)0.8−x glasses
Authors: Kotkova Katerina , Ticha Helena , Tichy Ladislav
Published: April 2008

Five (PbO)x(Bi2O3)0.2(B2O3)0.8−x glasses, where x = 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.6, were prepared. The dilatometric glass transition temperature (Tg) was found in the region 470 (x = 0)≥ Tg ( °C) ≥ 347 (x = 0.6), and the density (ρ) varied within 4.57 (x = 0) ≤ ρ (g/cm3) ≤ 8.31 (x = 0.6). Raman spectra indicated the conversion of BO3 to BO4 entities for low x values but for x > 0.3, namely, for x → 0.6, back‐conversion occurred, most probably. From the measurements of the optical transmission on very thin bulk samples, the room temperature optical gap values (Eg) were determined to be in the range 4.03 (x = 0)≥ Eg (eV) ≥ 3.08 (x = 0.6). The temperature (T) dependence of the optical gap (Eg(T)) in the region 300 ≤ T(K) ≤ 600 was examined and approximated by a linear relationship of the form of Eg(T) = Eg(0)− γT, where γ × 10−4(eV/K) varied from 5.1 to 6.8. The non‐linear refractive index (n2) was estimated from the optical gap values and it was found to correspond to the n2 values calculated from the experimental third‐order non‐linear optical susceptibility taken from the literature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal history and manufacturing processes of Roman panes studied by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Raffaëlly‐Veslin Laure , Champagnon Bernard , Lesage François
Published: April 2008

During the Roman period, glass window panes could be made by two processes: they may be cast, or blown by the cylinder‐blown method. The thermal history and the fictive temperatures (Tf) of both sides of the pane are different depending on the process employed. The wavenumber of some Raman peaks depends on the fictive temperature of the studied sample. Calibration curves are drawn with some annealed samples, which are used to determine the fictive temperature of the window glass sides. This method is applied with success to different archaeological panes to obtain their thermal history and, by this way, their manufacturing process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In situ chemical analysis of modern organic tattooing inks and pigments by micro‐Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Poon Kelvin W. C. , Dadour Ian R. , McKinley Allan J.
Published: April 2008

The chemical composition of tattooing pigments has varied greatly over time according to available technologies and materials. Beginning with naturally derived plant and animal extracts, to coloured inorganic oxides and salts, through to the modern industrial organic pigments favoured in today's tattooing studios. The demand for tattooing is steadily growing as it gains cultural popularity and acceptance in today's society, but ironically, increasing numbers of individuals are seeking laser removal of their tattoos for a variety of reasons. Organic pigments are favoured for tattooing because of their high tinting strength, light fastness, enzymatic resistance, dispersion and relatively inexpensive production costs. Adverse reactions have been reported for some organic inks, as well as potential complications, during laser removal procedures stemming from the unintentional creation of toxic by‐products. Currently, regulatory bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration have not approved any coloured inks to be injected into the skin, and tattoo ink manufacturers often do not disclose the ingredients in their products to maintain proprietary knowledge of their creations. A methodology was established using micro‐Raman spectroscopy on an animal model to correctly identify the constituents of a selection of modern, organic tattoo inks in situ or post procedure, within the skin. This may serve as a preliminary tool prior to engaging in Q‐switched laser removals to assess the risks of producing potentially hazardous compounds. Likewise, the pigments responsible for causing adverse reactions in some patients may be quickly identified to hasten any corresponding treatment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Field‐free molecular alignment of CO2 mixtures in presence of collisional relaxation
Authors: Vieillard T. , Chaussard F. , Sugny D. , Lavorel B. , Faucher O.
Published: April 2008

The present work explores the extension of the concept of short‐pulse‐induced alignment to dissipative environments within quantum mechanical density matrix formalism (Liouville equation) from the weak to the strong field regime. This is illustrated within the example of the CO2 molecule in mixture with Ar and He, at room temperature, for which a steep decrease of the alignment is observed at moderate pressure because of the collisional relaxation. The field‐free alignment is measured by a polarization technique where the degree of alignment is monitored in the time domain by measuring the resulting transient birefringence with a probe pulse Raman induced polarization spectroscopy (RIPS) Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating the formation of an adduct of formamide with dioxane by means of Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Norbert Gabriel , Alves Wagner A.
Published: April 2008

Raman experiments of formamide (FA) and p‐dioxane (DX) mixtures at different compositions were carried out. A red shift of the CO stretching band of DX was observed upon dilution, while blue shifts were observed for the CH stretching and COC bending bands. In this latter region, the new band at ∼441 cm−1, whose intensity shows large dependence on the FA concentration, has been assigned to an FA–DX adduct and it is reported for the first time in the literature. The spectral changes observed in the COC bending region allowed to determine a proportion of 4:1 FA–DX and this experimental evidence is also presented for the first time by Raman spectroscopy. The present work shows an excellent agreement with our previous investigation, where the 2:1 FA—THF (tetrahydrofuran) adduct was characterized. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metal‐nanoparticle plasmonics
Authors: Pelton M. , Aizpurua J. , Bryant G.
Published: April 2008

The rapid emergence of nanoplasmonics as a novel technology has been driven by recent progress in the fabrication, characterization, and understanding of metal‐nanoparticle systems. In this review, we highlight some of the key advances in each of these areas. We emphasize the basic physical understanding and experimental techniques that will enable a new generation of applications in nano‐optics.
The reliability and validity of the forensic Camberwell Assessment of Need (CANFOR): a needs assessment for forensic mental health service users
Authors: Thomas Stuart D. M. , Slade Mike , Mccrone Paul , Harty Mari‐Anne , Parrott Janet , Thornicroft Graham , Leese Morven
Published: April 2008

No instrument exists that measures the individual needs of forensic mental health service users (FMHSUs). The aim of this study was therefore to develop a valid and reliable individual needs assessment instrument for FMHSUs that incorporated staff and service user views and measured met and unmet needs. The Camberwell Assessment of Need was used as a template to develop CANFOR. Consensual and content validity were investigated with 50 forensic mental health professionals and 60 FMHSUs. Both were found to be satisfactory. Concurrent validity was tested using the Global Assessment of Functioning and a five‐point needs scale, and again was found to be satisfactory. Reliability studies were carried out with 77 service users and 65 staff in high and medium security psychiatric services in the UK. Inter‐rater reliability, rating whether a need was present or not, was high for service users (0.991) and staff (0.998). Similarly high reliability was found for unmet needs (0.985 and 0.972, respectively). Test–retest reliability was found to be moderately high for service users (0.795) and staff (0.852) when ratings were made two weeks apart. Similar levels were found for ratings of unmet needs (0.813 and 0.699, respectively). The average interview time was 23 minutes. CANFOR has good validity and reliability, and is suitable for further testing with other service user groups. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Five new bidesmoside triterpenoid saponins from Stauntonia chinensis
Authors: Hao Gao , Zhao Wang , Lei Yang , Yang Yu , Zhi‐Hong Yao , Nai‐Li Wang , Guang‐Xiong Zhou , Wen‐Cai Ye , Xin‐Sheng Yao
Published: April 2008

Eleven triterpenoid saponins (1–11) were isolated from Stauntonia chinensis DC. (Lardizabalaceae), including five new compounds, yemuoside YM21–25 (1–3, 6, 7) structures of which were elucidated by chemical methods and a combination of MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐ NMR experiments including DEPT, 1H1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, TOCSY, and NOESY as 3‐O‐α‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐]α‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐akebonicacid‐28‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (1), 3‐O‐β‐D‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐akebonic acid‐28‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (2), 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐α‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐akebonic acid‐28‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (3), 3‐O‐α‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐]α‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐akebonic acid‐28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (6), 3‐O‐α‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐[α‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐]α‐L‐arabinopyranosyl‐akebonic acid‐28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (7). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outsourcing in China: an exploratory assessment
Authors: Jing Yijia
Published: April 2008

The increasing demands for public services, growing resource externalisation and decentralisation have driven Chinese governments to seek alternative means of service delivery. This article addresses the largely ignored outsourcing practice in China. Lack of awareness of and research on the widespread outsourcing was a result of the conceptual barriers created by China's economic transition and its choice of incremental reform path. By decomposing national fiscal expenditures, the article finds that from 2002 to 2004, outsourcing accounted for about one‐third of the total governmental services expenditures and demonstrated a trend of continuous growth. Such developments effectively transformed the basic landscape of public service delivery and created significant external dependence. Within just three decades, China has quickly shifted from an omnipotent state to an ‘incomplete’ state. The capacity of the administrative hierarchy has become severely constrained. Nonetheless, the political risks of the macro‐level transformation are largely mitigated at the micro‐level by mechanisms of public–private cooperation. These developments are embedded in informal arrangements that, remarkably, maintain the survival of the current power structure. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microstructure and dynamic mechanical analysis of extruded layered silicate PVC nanocomposites
Authors: Romero‐Guzmán Maria Eugenia , Romo‐Uribe Angel , Ovalle‐García Erasmo , Olayo Roberto , Cruz‐Ramos Carlos A.
Published: April 2008

The nanostructure and dynamic mechanical properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the bentonite nanocomposites have been investigated. Nanocomposites with 5 wt% concentration of bentonite were prepared by melt extrusion followed by two‐roll‐milled processing. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) were utilized to study the micro and nanostructure of the two‐roll‐milled sheets. The nanocomposites were compounded with two types of coupling agents: KZTPP® and Tamol 2001®. Optical microscopy showed that the materials remained optically transparent, i.e. they did not show evidence of nanoclay agglomeration. The WAXS patterns of PVC‐bentonite‐KZTPP nanocomposite were anisotropic, suggesting flow‐induced preferred orientation of the nanoplates. Moreover, the 001 reflection of the bentonite was shifted toward smaller angles, suggesting that the nanoplates were intercalated by the macromolecules. On the other hand, the WAXS patterns of PVC‐bentonite‐Tamol 2001 nanocomposite remained isotropic and did not show evidence of bentonite, suggesting exfoliation of the nanoplates. The nanocomposites showed an increase in glass transition temperature Tg, with the sequence Tg,PVC < Tg,KZTPP < Tg,Tamol 2001. Moreover, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed an increase in mechanical moduli and activation energy (and a decrease in the intensity of the mechanical damping Tan δ) following the same sequence. Interestingly, the improvement in mechanical moduli became more pronounced above the glass transition temperature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk factors for readmission after initial diagnosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Slone Tamra L. , Rai Rachna , Ahmad Naveed , Winick Naomi J.
Published: April 2008

Background

Specific hospital discharge criteria following the initial diagnosis of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have not been reported. This retrospective cohort study was designed to identify risk factors for readmission during induction therapy, to assist with development of discharge guidelines.

Procedure

We reviewed the records of 142 consecutive children with newly diagnosed B‐precursor ALL and found 129 eligible patients. Chi square, t‐test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to compare differences in absolute neutrophil count (ANC), NCI risk status, age, type of corticosteroid administered, and other potential risk factors for readmission during induction therapy.

Results

ANC at initial hospital discharge was the only significant predictor of readmission for fever during induction therapy (P = 0.006) by multivariate analysis. Specifically an ANC ≤200/mm3 at discharge had the strongest association with readmission for fever (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.422, 7.729).

Conclusion

An ANC >200/mm3, in a clinically stable patient, is associated with minimal risk of readmission during induction therapy following the initial diagnosis of ALL. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:375–379. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of methoxyfenozide exposure on the sexual attractiveness and responsiveness of adult codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., in small orchard blocks
Authors: Barrett Bruce A
Published: April 2008

BACKGROUND: The sexual attractiveness of female and the responsiveness of male codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., exposed to surfaces treated with the ecdysteroid agonist methoxyfenozide were investigated in small orchard block experiments. The main purpose of the study was to determine whether the reported sublethal effects of methoxyfenozide affecting moth behavior also occur under field conditions.

RESULTS: Data from the first experiment showed that in some trials untreated females were significantly more attractive to wild males than methoxyfenozide‐treated females. The second experiment revealed that some released methoxyfenozide‐treated males were not as responsive to calling females as untreated males, and that some untreated females were more attractive to males than methoxyfenozide‐treated females. The third experiment revealed that wild males exposed to treated tree surfaces were significantly less responsive to traps than were wild males exposed to untreated trees. However, there were no significant differences in mean recaptures of released males between the untreated and treated orchard blocks.

CONCLUSION: Exposure of adult C. pomonella to methoxyfenozide‐treated surfaces resulted in a negative impact on male responsiveness to calling females and synthetic pheromone lures. However, the level of impact on the sexual attractiveness of treated females did not appear to be as explicit. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Dielectric properties of InAsP alloy thin films and evaluation of direct‐ and reciprocal‐space methods of determining critical‐point parameters
Authors: Choi S. G. , Aspnes D. E. , Stoute N. A. , Kim Y. D. , Kim H. J. , Chang Y.‐C. , Palmstrøm C. J.
Published: April 2008

Spectroscopic ellipsometry is used to determine pseudodielectric function spectra 〈ε 〉 = 〈ε1〈 + i 〈ε2〈 of InAsx P1–x al‐loy thin films from 1.5 to 6.0 eV at room temperature. The structures for the E1, E1 + Δ1, E ′0, E2, and E ′2 critical points (CPs) were observed in the data. We compare direct‐ and reciprocal‐space methods of extracting CP energies Eg. The direct‐space values show less uncertainty, a result of how the two procedures use available information. Energies obtained are compared with the results of theoretical calculations using the linear augmented Slater‐type orbital (LASTO) method. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Infrared generalized ellipsometry on non‐polar and superlattice group‐III nitride films: strain and phonon anisotropy
Authors: Darakchieva V.
Published: April 2008

This contribution reviews the application of generalized infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry (GIRSE) to studies of optical phonons in heteroepitaxial wurtzite GaN films with a ‐plane orientation and c ‐plane Al(Ga)N/GaN superlattices. We demonstrate the capability of GIRSE to detect spectrally narrow dichroism, caused by anisotropic strain in non‐polar oriented films thereby allowing a precise location of the phonon mode resonances for different polarizations. A distinct correlation between anisotropic strain components, which have been independently assessed by high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction, and phonon frequencies reveal the phonon deformation potentials. Further, GIRSE is shown to be a valuable tool in identification of superlattice phonon modes and their character. The frequency shifts of the superlattice modes with respect to the strain‐free positions are analyzed versus strain and composition in order to assess the mode suitability for estimation of strain, polarization doping, and composition for the individual layers in complex device heterostructures. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Polaron transitions in charge intercalated amorphous tungsten oxide thin films
Authors: Saenger M. F. , Höing T. , Hofmann T. , Schubert M.
Published: April 2008

We present a parametric dielectric function model in depen‐ dence of the intercalated charge per tungsten ion ratio x, which excellently describes the ellipsometric experimental data, and allows the identification of two polaron modes corresponding to transitions between W4+ and W5+ and between W5+ and W6+ tungsten ion sites. A competitive relation between the two polaron transitions is found. An empirical relation for the amplitude of the polaron transitions is found useful to provide a good description of the polaron transition dependence on x. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Vortex motion in quasi‐2D d‐wave superconductors
Authors: Morita Yoshifumi , Maki Kazumi
Published: April 2008

The vortex motion and the related transport properties in unconventional superconductors are studied in the clean limit within the microscopic model following Caroli and Maki. Here we start from (a) quasi‐2D s‐wave superconductors and next move on to (b) quasi‐2D d‐wave superconductors where we mean by ‘quasi‐2D” the layered structured crystals or the case with a cylindrical Fermi surface. The diffusion constant which controls the vortex motion and the entropy carried by a single vortex are determined. We propose that the Nernst (or the Ettingshausen) effect will provide the most sensitive test of the present theory. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of dopant concentration on charge transport in crosslinkable polymers
Authors: Pitarch Angeles , Meerholz Klaus , Hertel Dirk
Published: April 2008

Crosslinkable polymer hole‐only structures have been characterized by current–voltage, and admittance spectroscopy. Our hole transport layer (HTL) consists of a triphenylene‐diamine derivative (QUPD) crosslinked after deposition with a photoinitiator. The crosslinking leads inadvertently to doping of the HTL depending on the initiator concentration. We study the influence of doping on charge transport in the HTL. We show that the increase of low‐frequency capacitance with increasing voltage and dopant concentration, as well as the low‐voltage region in the (J –V) characteristics are injection limited. At higher voltages, the transport is space‐charge limited (SCL) with a field‐dependent mobility. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermally and seed‐layer induced crystallization in rubrene thin films
Authors: Nothaft M. , Pflaum J.
Published: April 2008

We have analyzed the tendency of crystallization and the thermal activation of ordering processes in rubrene thin films. As we will demonstrate, a crystalline phase with a unit cell in agreement to the bulk structure can be stabilized upon heating of amorphous rubrene layers previously capped by a sputtered SiOx layer. This encapsulation significantly enhances the thermal stability of the organic film by about 150 °C. We compared this approach with crystallization initiated by the presence of a pentacene seed layer during rubrene deposition. Thin film transistors prepared by this route showed hole mobilities of 0.01 cm2/Vs which are four orders of magnitude higher than for their amorphous counterparts. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Direct evidence of the self‐compression of injected electron–hole plasma in silicon
Authors: Altukhov Pavel , Kuzminov Evgenii
Published: April 2008

A surface distribution of the electroluminescence intensity of silicon p–n light‐emitting diodes is obtained under space‐scanning experiments at room temperature. An emitting surface of the diodes, represented by a few small bright emitting dots and a weakly emitting area outside the dots, serves as direct evidence of the self‐compression of injected electron–hole plasma in silicon. The plasma self‐compression explains concentration of injected carriers into one or a few strongly emitting plasma drops. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
First‐principles calculations of transition phase and thermodynamic properties of CdO
Authors: Yao Liping , Peng Feng , Fu Hongzhi , Cheng Xinlu
Published: April 2008

The transition phase of CdO from NaCl‐type (B 1) structure to CsCl‐type (B 2) structure is investigated by ab initio plane‐wave pseudopotential density‐functional theory, and the thermodynamic properties of the B 1 and B 2 structures under high pressure and temperature are obtained through the quasiharmonic Debye model. The transition phase from B 1 structure to B 2 structure occurs at a pressure of 83.1 GPa, which agrees well with other calculated values. Moreover, the relationship of the relative volume V /V0, and the Debye temperature Θ and the heat capacity CV with the pressure P and temperature T are also successfully obtained. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Absorption and emission of polariton modes in a ZnSe–ZnSSe heterostructure
Authors: Seemann M. , Kieseling F. , Stolz H. , Florian M. , Manzke G. , Henneberger K. , Hommel D.
Published: April 2008

We investigate the absorption and emission of a 25 nm ZnSe layer, which was grown on a GaAs buffer and cladded by ZnSSe layers. Due to the coupling of light with the exciton resonances polariton modes propagate through the ZnSe layer. Their interferences appear as additional peaks in the reflection spectra and can be explained by the effect of spatial dispersion. We present additional experimental results for the emission of the sample after excitation by a pump pulse, showing corresponding interference peaks of the polariton modes, whose maxima strongly decrease to higher energies. Our exact theoretical analysis shows that the ratio of emission and absorption is given by the population of the globally defined states of the electromagnetic field, i.e. the polariton distribution which is generated by the pump pulse. This distribution, being far from thermal quasi‐equilibrium, shows pronounced peaks at the polariton modes depending on the energy of the pump pulse. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Time and spatially resolved photoluminescence of quantum structures with interfacial roughness: a theoretical description
Authors: Pistone G. , Savasta S. , Stefano O. Di , Girlanda R. , Portolan S.
Published: April 2008

We present a microscopic theoretical analysis of time and spatially resolved photoluminescence of naturally occurring quantum dots induced by monolayer fluctuations in the thickness of semiconductor quantum wells. The analysis is based on a recently developed theoretical tool for spatially‐resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy in semiconductor quantum structures. The theoretical framework here presented allows to study the influence of temperature and spatial resolution on the detected images. We find that the carrier recombination dynamics is significantly affected by thermal populations in optically inactive or poorly active exciton states. The presence of these states slows‐down radiative recombination, determining an increase of the photoluminescence decay time as a function of temperature in a wide temperature range, in agreement with recent experimental results. We investigate these effects in symmetric dots displaying dark excited states. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fatigue life evaluation for single‐ and poly‐crystalline silicon films by pulsating‐tension cyclic loading test
Authors: Nagai Yuji , Namazu Takahiro , Inoue Shozo
Published: April 2008

This paper describes the fatigue life of microscale single‐crystalline silicon (SCS) and poly‐crystalline silicon (PCS) used in microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs). The fabricated SCS and PCS specimens having nominal dimensions of 20 µm in width, 600 µm in length, and 2 µm in thickness at the gauge section were subjected to cyclic loading by means of pulsating‐tension fatigue test under a constant frequency from 1 to 10 Hz. The average fracture strengths of the SCS and PCS specimens measured by quasi‐static tensile test were 3.26 and 2.08 GPa, respectively, which were utilized as the reference stresses in the fatigue test. In the fatigue test, the peak stress and stress amplitude were maintained constant for both the specimens. The number of cycles to failure increased with a decrease in the peak stress. No manifest fatigue limit was observed in both the specimens. The stress ratio parameter, σpeak/σf, gave a good correlation with the number of cycles to failure, and a large scatter of the lifetime data in the SCS specimens was found as compared with the PCS specimens. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggested that a number of latent defects inside or on the surface of the specimen would have influenced the scatter of the fatigue life. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First‐principles study on STM current images of C2H2‐adsorbed Si(001) surface
Authors: Egami Yoshiyuki , Ono Tomoya , Hirose Kikuji
Published: April 2008

We present a first‐principles electron‐transport investigation of a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) image of an acetylene‐adsorbed Si(001) surface with an end‐bridge di‐σ adsorption configuration. In the simulated STM image, three bright spots are observed in the absorbed acetylene molecule and bare Si atoms, and one of them located on the molecule is darker than the others. Tunneling current is strongly affected by the π states of the bare Si atoms; however, the contributions of states around the absorbed molecule to the current is smaller. This leads to an STM image in which bare Si atoms look higher than the adsorbed acetylene molecule. This result corresponds to the experimental images observed by STM. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.