bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time to accelerate integration of human factors and ergonomics in patient safety: Table 1
Authors: Gurses Ayse P , Ozok A Ant , Pronovost Peter J
Published: December 2011

Progress toward improving patient safety has been slow despite engagement of the health care community in improvement efforts. A potential reason for this sluggish pace is the inadequate integration of human factors and ergonomics principles and methods in these efforts. Patient safety problems are complex and rarely caused by one factor or component of a work system. Thus, health care would benefit from human factors and ergonomics evaluations to systematically identify the problems, prioritize the right ones, and develop effective and practical solutions. This paper gives an overview of the discipline of human factors and ergonomics and describes its role in improving patient safety. We provide examples of how human factors and ergonomics principles and methods have improved both care processes and patient outcomes. We provide five major recommendations to better integrate human factors and ergonomics in patient safety improvement efforts: build capacity among health care workers to understand human factors and ergonomics, create market forces that demand the integration of human factors and ergonomics design principles into medical technologies, increase the number of human factors and ergonomic practitioners in health care organizations, expand investments in improvement efforts informed by human factors and ergonomics, and support interdisciplinary research to improve patient safety. In conclusion, human factors and ergonomics must play a more prominent role in health care if we want to increase the pace in improving patient safety.
Effective teamworking in gastroenterology
Authors: Haycock Adam , Matharoo Manmeet K , Thomas-Gibson Siwan
Published: December 2011

The majority of healthcare provision within the NHS is delivered by teams, but most attempts at improving team functioning are limited to promoting working relationships within the team. This contrasts with other high risk industries, where formalised team training is recognised to be of paramount importance in reducing error. Some medical specialities have adapted such training methodologies with the aim of improving productivity and clinical outcomes. There are many teams within gastroenterology that could benefit from such attention. Formal analysis of team objectives and identification of essential task sequences can allow redesign of team organisation and enable structured training to strengthen team cohesion, enhance critical team skills and improve clinical outcomes. The challenge is to change teams of experts into expert teams.
Effect of EpCAM, CD44, CD133 and CD166 expression on patient survival in tumours of the ampulla of Vater
Authors: Piscuoglio Salvatore , Lehmann Frank S , Zlobec Inti , Tornillo Luigi , Dietmaier Wolfgang , Hartmann Arndt , Wünsch Peter H , Sessa Fausto , Rümmele Petra , Baumhoer Daniel , Terracciano Luigi M
Published: December 2011

Background

Carcinomas of the Vaterian system are rare and presumably arise from pre-existing adenomas. According to the cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis, only a small subset of tumor cells has the ability to initiate and develop tumor growth. In colorectal cancer, CD44, CD133, CD166 and EpCAM have been proposed to represent CSC marker proteins and their expression has been shown to correlate with patient survival.

Aims

To evaluate a potential role of these CSC proteins in tumors of the ampulla of Vater, we investigated their expression in 175 carcinoma, 111 adenoma and 152 normal mucosa specimens arranged in a Tissue Microarray format.

Materials and methods

Membranous immunoreactivity for each protein marker was scored semi-quantitatively by evaluating the number of positive tumor cells over the total number of tumor cells. Median protein expression levels were used as cut-off scores to define protein marker positivity. Clinical data including survival time were obtained by retrospective analysis of medical records, tumor registries or direct contact.

Results

The expression of all evaluated marker proteins differed significantly between normal mucosa, adenoma and carcinoma samples. In all markers, we found a tendency towards more constant expression from normal to neoplastic tissue. EpCAM expression was significantly correlated with better patient survival. The increased expression of CD44s, CD166 and CD133 from normal mucosa samples to adenoma and carcinoma was linked to tumor progression. However, there was no statistically significant correlation with survival.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate, that in ampullary carcinomas, loss of expression of EpCAM may be linked to a more aggressive tumor phenotype.
Wheel running prevents the accumulation of monounsaturated fatty acids in the liver of ovariectomized mice by attenuating changes in SCD-1 content
Authors: Jackson Kathryn C. , Wohlers Lindsay M. , Valencia Ana P. , Cilenti Michelle , Borengasser Sarah J. , Thyfault John P. , Spangenburg Espen E.
Published: December 2011

Decreases in female sex steroids enhance the accumulation of visceral fat mass, leading to a predisposition to developing metabolic diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether loss of ovarian function alters the amount and (or) the fatty acid (FA) composition of triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in the liver of ovary-intact (SHAM) or ovariectomized (OVX) mice. We also sought to determine whether voluntary wheel running could attenuate the associated changes in the liver. Twenty-two C57/BL6 female mice were divided into 2 groups (SHAM, OVX) and were then subdivided into sedentary and exercising groups (SHAM-Sed, SHAM-Ex, OVX-Sed, OVX-Ex). Visceral fat mass significantly increased in the OVX-Sed animals; however, the effect was attenuated in the OVX-Ex animals. Total hepatic TAG content did not significantly increase in the OVX-Sed animals; however, SHAM-Ex and OVX-Ex animals demonstrated significant decreases in TAG levels. A significant increase in the FA desaturase index (18:1/18:0 and 16:1/16:0) was detected in the OVX-Sed animals compared with all other groups, which corresponded to increases in stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD-1) content. These results indicate that loss of ovarian function alters FA composition of hepatic TAG mediated by increases in SCD-1. These data indicate that female sex steroids influence lipid metabolism in the liver and provide important insight concerning the influence of exercise on hepatic function.
Relative static stretch-induced impairments and dynamic stretch-induced enhancements are similar in young and middle-aged men
Authors: Behm David G. , Plewe Sebastian , Grage Philip , Rabbani Alireza , Beigi Hamid Taghi , Byrne Jeannette M. , Button Duane C.
Published: December 2011

Middle-aged individuals may not respond in a similar manner as younger individuals. The study’s objective was to examine the effect of static (SS) and dynamic stretching (DS) in young and middle-aged men on subsequent performance. Ten young (22 ± 1.4 years) and 8 middle-aged men (46.3 ± 6.5 years) participated in 3 conditions consisting of SS (4 × 30 s for right and left quadriceps, hamstrings, and plantar flexors), DS (8 × 30 s of bilateral butt kicks, walking lunges, and plantar flexors) and control. Dependent variables included sit and reach, hip extension flexibility, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, drop jump (DJ) height, static balance, reaction (RT) and movement time (MT). Measurements were taken pre-intervention, post- and 10 min post-intervention. A 3-way repeated measurement ANOVA revealed that the younger men had higher jump heights, faster RT and MT, and greater flexibility than the middle-aged men. DS significantly enhanced DJ (p = 0.04) and CMJ (p = 0.006) height compared with SS and control conditions. SS (p < 0.0001) and DS (p = 0.004) post-intervention sit and reach scores were significantly greater than pre-intervention scores. There were no significant differences between the SS and DS sit and reach scores. CMJ heights were impaired (p = 0.04) by SS. Conversely, DS post-intervention jump heights were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher than SS post-, control post-, and control 10 min post-intervention. SS-induced impairments and DS-induced enhancements of CMJ height were not affected by age. DS provided similar improvements in sit and reach scores as SS. DS is recommended as the most appropriate stretching routine prior to work or athletic performance for younger and middle-aged men.
Interval and continuous exercise elicit equivalent postexercise hypotension in prehypertensive men, despite differences in regulation
Authors: Lacombe Shawn P. , Goodman Jack M. , Spragg Carly M. , Liu Sam , Thomas Scott G.
Published: December 2011

Equicaloric bouts of interval (IE: 5 × 2:2 min at 85% and 40% maximal oxygen uptake) and steady state (SS: 21 min at 60% maximal oxygen uptake) exercise were performed by 13 older prehypertensive males on separate days, at equivalent times of day, to assess the influence of exercise mode on postexercise hypotension (PEH). Exercise conditions were compared with a control session. Cardiovascular measures were collected for 30 min prior to, and 60 min following exercise. PEH, as measured by mean postexercise systolic blood pressure (SBP) decrease (IE: –4 ± 6 mm Hg; SS: –3 ± 4 mm Hg; control: 4 ± 4 mm Hg), area under the SBP curve (IE: –240 ± 353 mm Hg·min; SS: –192 ± 244 mm Hg·min), and minimum SBP achieved (IE: –15 ± 7 mm Hg; SS: –13 ± 7 mm Hg), was equivalent after both conditions. Stroke volume was significantly reduced (IE: –14.6 ± 16.0 mL; SS: –10.1 ± 14.2 mL, control –1.7 ± 2.2 mL) and heart rate was significantly elevated (IE: 13 ± 8 beats·min–1; SS: 7.9 ± 8 beats·min–1; control: –2 ± 3 beats·min–1) postexercise after both conditions. Cardiac output and total peripheral resistance were nonsignificantly decreased and increased postexercise, respectively. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was reduced following IE (p < 0.05) and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were reduced after both conditions, with IE eliciting larger and longer reductions in some indices. The results from the current study indicate that older prehypertensive adults experience similar PEH following equicaloric bouts of IE and SS exercise despite larger alterations in HRV and BRS elicited by IE.
Effect of blueberry ingestion on natural killer cell counts, oxidative stress, and inflammation prior to and after 2.5 h of running
Authors: McAnulty Lisa S. , Nieman David C. , Dumke Charles L. , Shooter Lesli A. , Henson Dru A. , Utter Alan C. , Milne Ginger , McAnulty Steven R.
Published: December 2011

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants known as anthocyanins, which may exhibit significant health benefits. Strenous exercise is known to acutely generate oxidative stress and an inflammatory state, and serves as an on-demand model to test antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 250 g of blueberries per day for 6 weeks and 375 g given 1 h prior to 2.5 h of running at ∼72% maximal oxygen consumption counters oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune changes. Twenty-five well-trained subjects were recruited and randomized into blueberry (BB) (N = 13) or control (CON) (N = 12) groups. Blood, muscle, and urine samples were obtained pre-exercise and immediately postexercise, and blood and urine 1 h postexercise. Blood was examined for F2-isoprostanes for oxidative stress, cortisol, cytokines, homocysteine, leukocytes, T-cell function, natural killer (NK), and lymphocyte cell counts for inflammation and immune system activation, and ferric reducing ability of plasma for antioxidant capacity. Muscle biopsies were examined for glycogen and NFkB expression to evaluate stress and inflammation. Urine was tested for modification of DNA (8-OHDG) and RNA (5-OHMU) as markers of nucleic acid oxidation. A 2 (treatment) × 3 (time) repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Increases in F2-isoprostanes and 5-OHMU were significantly less in BB and plasma IL-10 and NK cell counts were significantly greater in BB vs. CON. Changes in all other markers did not differ. This study indicates that daily blueberry consumption for 6 weeks increases NK cell counts, and acute ingestion reduces oxidative stress and increases anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Constitutive modeling of time-dependent stress–strain behaviour of saturated soils exhibiting both creep and swelling
Authors: Yin Jian-Hua , Tong Fei
Published: December 2011

In general, clayey soils exhibit more or less both creep and swelling. In this paper, “creep” means viscous compression under a constant load condition in an oedometer test, while “swelling” means viscous expansion under a constant load condition in an oedometer test and is a reverse behaviour to creep for all saturated soils. Clayey soils containing the clay mineral montmorillonite show strong creep and swelling characteristics. Both creep and swelling characteristics have a significant influence on the deformation and failure of geotechnical structures. This paper presents main data from tests on a mixture of bentonite–silica sand in one-dimensional (1D) straining. Tests include (i) multistaged loading tests with unloading–reloading and enough time for creep and swelling in 1D straining and (ii) step-changed constant rate of strain (CRSN) compression tests with unloading–reloading in 1D straining as well. From the test data, the creep, swelling, and strain rate effects are observed and discussed. Based on the test data and a 1D elastic viscoplastic (1D EVP) model developed by Yin and Graham (1989, 1994 ), the authors propose a new 1D elastic viscoplastic model considering both creep and swelling (called 1D EVPS). The data from the multistage oedometer tests are used to calibrate the new model. After this, the new model is used to simulate the step-changed CRSN compression tests and make a comparison. In this way, the new model is verified. The new 1D EVPS is then used to simulate CRSN tests with a single strain rate, relaxation in the creep or swelling region, and constant rate of stressing tests. It is found that the new model can simulate well the strain (or stress) rate effects, loops in unloading–reloading, and stress relaxation in the creep region or stress increase in the swelling region, which are all caused by both creep and swelling of the soil.
A TOUR OF REACTION SYSTEMS
Authors: BRIJDER ROBERT , EHRENFEUCHT ANDRZEJ , MAIN MICHAEL , ROZENBERG GRZEGORZ
Published: December 2011

Reaction systems are a formal framework for investigating processes carried out by biochemical reactions. This paper is an introduction to reaction systems. It provides basic notions together with the underlying intuition and motivation as well as two examples (a binary counter and transition systems) of "programming" with reaction systems. It also provides a tour of some research themes.
SCHEMA FOR PARALLEL INSERTION AND DELETION: REVISITED
Authors: KARI LILA , SEKI SHINNOSUKE
Published: December 2011

A general framework of parallel insertion and deletion based on p-schemata is proposed. A p-schema is a set of tuples of words. When being used for parallel insertion of a language into a word, an element of p-schema specifies how to split the word into factors between which the language to be inserted. As its inverse operation, parallel deletion based on the p-schema is defined. Several algebraic properties of these operations such as closure properties of language classes under them are proved. The main contribution of this paper is to propose algorithms to solve language equations involving p-schema-based insertions or deletions based on syntactic congruence. These algorithms not only decide whether a given equation has a solution but construct the set of all of its maximal or minimal solutions. The algorithms are extensible so as to solve some multiple-variables equations and inequalities. Related undecidability results are also presented.
LINEARLY MANY FAULTS IN (n, k)-STAR GRAPHS
Authors: YUAN ALLEN , CHENG EDDIE , LIPTÁK LÁSZLÓ
Published: December 2011

The star graph proposed by [1] has many advantages over the n-cube. However it suffers from having large gaps in the number of possible vertices. The (n,k)-star graph was proposed in [18] to address this issue. Since it is a generalization of the star graph, it retains many of the nice properties of the star graph. There are many different measures of structural integrity of interconnection networks. In this paper, we prove results of the following type for the (n,k)-star graph. If n + (r - 1)k - g(r) vertices are deleted from an (n,k)-star graph, the resulting graph will either be connected or has a large component and small components having at most r - 1 vertices in total. Additional results on conditional vertex connectivity and cycle connectivity will also be given.
EFFICIENT KERNELIZED PROTOTYPE BASED CLASSIFICATION
Authors: SCHLEIF F.-M. , VILLMANN THOMAS , HAMMER BARBARA , SCHNEIDER PETRA
Published: December 2011

Prototype based classifiers are effective algorithms in modeling classification problems and have been applied in multiple domains. While many supervised learning algorithms have been successfully extended to kernels to improve the discrimination power by means of the kernel concept, prototype based classifiers are typically still used with Euclidean distance measures. Kernelized variants of prototype based classifiers are currently too complex to be applied for larger data sets. Here we propose an extension of Kernelized Generalized Learning Vector Quantization (KGLVQ) employing a sparsity and approximation technique to reduce the learning complexity. We provide generalization error bounds and experimental results on real world data, showing that the extended approach is comparable to SVM on different public data.
RANKING-BASED KERNELS IN APPLIED BIOMEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS USING A SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE
Authors: JUMUTC VILEN , ZAYAKIN PAWEL , BORISOV ARKADY
Published: December 2011

This paper presents some essential findings and results on using ranking-based kernels for the analysis and utilization of high dimensional and noisy biomedical data in applied clinical diagnostics. We claim that presented kernels combined with a state-of-the-art classification technique — a Support Vector Machine (SVM) — could significantly improve the classification rate and predictive power of the wrapper method, e.g. SVM. Moreover, the advantage of such kernels could be potentially exploited for other kernel methods and essential computer-aided tasks such as novelty detection and clustering. Our experimental results and theoretical generalization bounds imply that ranking-based kernels outperform other traditionally employed SVM kernels on high dimensional biomedical and microarray data.
PHYSICS OF DARK MATTER IN THE LIGHT OF DARK ATOMS
Authors: KHLOPOV MAXIM YU.
Published: December 2011

Direct searches for dark matter lead to serious problems for simple models with stable neutral Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) as candidates for dark matter. A possibility is discussed that new stable quarks and charged leptons exist and are hidden from detection, being bound in neutral dark atoms of composite dark matter. Stable -2 charged particles O -- are bound with primordial helium in O-helium (OHe) atoms, being specific nuclear interacting form of composite Warmer than Cold dark matter. Slowed down in the terrestrial matter, OHe is elusive for direct methods of underground dark matter detection based on the search for effects of nuclear recoil in WIMP-nucleus collisions. The positive results of DAMA experiments can be explained as annual modulation of radiative capture of O-helium by nuclei. In the framework of this approach, test of DAMA results in detectors with other chemical content becomes a nontrivial task, while the experimental search of stable charged particles at LHC or in cosmic rays acquires a meaning of direct test for composite dark matter scenario.
NOVEL AND EFFICIENT THREE DIMENSIONAL MESOPOROUS ZnO NANOASSEMBLIES FOR ENVIRNOMENTAL REMEDIATION
Authors: SINGH SARIKA , BARICK K. C. , BAHADUR D.
Published: December 2011

This work demonstrates the fabrication of a novel three-dimensional (3D) mesoporous spherical ZnO nanoassembly by soft-chemical approach. XRD analysis revealed the formation of single phase hexagonal wurtzite nanostructure. It has been observed that each nanoassembly (100–600 nm) is comprised of numerous nanocrystals of size about 20 nm. These assemblies are fairly stable, well-defined, discrete and porous. The predominance of mesopores is evident from TEM and porosity measurements. Methylene blue (MB) was used as model dye to investigate the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoassemblies. These nanoassemblies have good photocatalytic performance due to its unique porous 3D nanostructure having defects. Furthermore, the ZnO nanoassemblies were also explored for the purification toxic metal ions such as Co2+ , Ni2+ , Cu2+ , Cd2+ , Pb2+ , Hg2+ and As3+ from waste-water.
LATTICE KINETIC MONTE CARLO SIMULATION OFY–Ti–ONANOCLUSTER FORMATION IN BCCFe
Authors: JEGADEESAN P. , MURALI D. , PANIGRAHI B. K. , VALSAKUMAR M. C. , SUNDAR C. S.
Published: December 2011

We have employed Lattice Kinetic Monte Carlo (LKMC) technique to understand the kinetics of formation, as well as the spatial and size distributions of oxide nanoclusters in bcc Fe . The basic energy parameters for the LKMC were obtained from ab initio calculations. At 1050 K, we observed formation of ~ 2 nm nanoclusters highly enriched with Y and O . Ti is found to refine the size of nanoclusters, which is in accord with available experimental results.
PHOTON AVALANCHE UPCONVERSION EMISSION IN Ho:Gd2O3 NANOPHOSPHOR
Authors: DWIVEDI Y. , RAI S. B.
Published: December 2011

This paper report, the structural and spectroscopic properties of Gd2O3 nano-phosphor activated with Ho3+ ions. XRD, SEM and TEM techniques have been used for the structural characterizations. The phosphor contains spherical nanocrystallites with uniform size of ~40 nm. Enhanced IR to green and red photon avalanche upconversion is reported under 976 nm laser excitations. Further, annealing shows a significant improvement in emission intensity. Temporal evolution of upconversion emission intensity were measured which suggests the photon-avalanche mechanism is responsible for the upconversion process. The enhancement of emission was explained and the photo-physics involved is correlated with the unique structural properties of the crystallites formed.
SYNTHESIS OF TiO2 NANORIBBONS AND ITS APPLICATION IN PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL WATER SPLITTING FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
Authors: DUBEY P. K. , TIWARI R. S. , SRIVASTAVA O. N. , SINHA A. S. K.
Published: December 2011

In the present investigation nanoribbons of TiO2 were prepared through the hydrothermal process. In a typical preparation procedure, 2 g of TiO2 powder (average size 100 μm) was added to 50 mL of 10 M NaOH and stirred for 10 min in a beaker. The mixture was then transferred into a teflon lined stainless steel autoclave and heated to 150°C for 48 h. After the autoclave was naturally cooled to room temperature, the obtained sample was filtered and washed several times with distilled water and 0.1 M HCl until the pH value of the solution reached to 7 and then the sample was filtered and dried at 80°C for 8 h. To improve the crystallinity the as dried sample was annealed at 500°C for 4 h. The TiO2 nanoribbons were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The TiO2 nanoribbons have been used for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production in photoelectrochemical solar cells.
EFFECT OF GATE INSULATOR ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COPPER PHTHALOCYANINE-BASED ORGANIC THIN FILM TRANSISTORS
Authors: PADMA N. , SEN SHASWATI , CHAUHAN A. K. , ASWAL D. K. , GUPTA S. K. , YAKHMI J. V. , NAVAN RAMESH R. , RAVAL HARSHIL
Published: December 2011

Effect of the gate dielectric on the performance of Copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) based top contact organic field effect transistors (OFET) has been studied using thermally grown SiO2 and sputtered HfO x films with dielectric constants of 3.9 and 12.5 respectively. Operating voltages of the devices on SiO2 and HfO x were found to be 10–50 V and 2–3 V, respectively. The lower operating voltage for HfO x is attributed to the higher dielectric constant. Devices on SiO2 and HfO x were found to have field effect mobilities of 0.01 and 3.5 × 10-3 cm2/Vs and drain current modulation of 103 and 102, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed widely scattered nanowires on HfO x and densely packed nanofibers on SiO2 . X-ray diffraction studies showed better crystallinity of films on SiO2 . The results show that operating voltage of devices can be reduced by using higher dielectric constant material while mobility and FET characteristics depend on structure of CuPc that in turn is influenced by the dielectric.
SHAPE EFFECT OF SEMIMAGNETIC QUANTUM DOT ON THE BOUND MAGNETIC POLARON
Authors: DE REUBEN A. MERWYN JASPER , JAYAKUMAR K.
Published: December 2011

The effect of geometry, concentration of Mn ion and the magnetic field on the binding energy of a donor and the donor bound magnetic polaronic shift in a finite Cd 1–x1 Mn x1 Te / Cd 1–x2 Mn x2 Te Quantum Dot within the effective mass approximation is carried out employing the variational principle. The results are presented and discussed.
OXYGEN PARTIAL PRESSURE AND SUBSTRATE BIAS VOLTAGE INFLUENCED STRUCTURAL, ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF RF MAGNETRON SPUTTERED Ag2Cu2O3 FILMS
Authors: UTHANNA S. , REDDY M. HARI PRASAD , PIERSON J. F.
Published: December 2011

Ag2Cu2O3 films were deposited on glass substrates held at 303 K by RF magnetron sputtering of Ag70 Cu30 target at different oxygen partial pressures and substrate bias voltages. Single phase Ag2Cu2O3 films were formed at an oxygen partial pressure of 2 × 10-2 Pa . The films deposited at oxygen partial pressure 2 × 10-2 Pa and substrate bias voltage of -60 V were nanocrystalline with crystallite size of 20 nm, low electrical resistivity of 3.9 Ωcm and optical band gap of 2.02 eV.
EFFECT OF ZnO NANOPOWDER SOURCE AND GROWTH TEMPERATURE ON SHAPE EVOLUTION OF ZnO NANOSTRUCTURES
Authors: DHARA SOUMEN , GIRI P. K.
Published: December 2011

We study the effect of ZnO source and growth temperatures on morphology of the ZnO nanostructures. Nanostructures grown from ZnO nanopowder show the shape evolution from nanowires to nanoribbons and then to nanorods with variation in growth temperature and zinc vapor pressure. At 750°C, only vertically aligned nanowires have been observed and with increase in growth temperature nanowires transforms to nanoribbons and then finally to nanorods at 870°C. On the other hand, in case of ZnO bulk powder as a source material, only nanowires are produced at all temperatures. Raman scattering studies on the nanostructures show distinct [Formula: see text] mode at ~ 437 cm-1, confirming the hexagonal wurtzite phase of the as grown nanostructures. Room temperature photoluminescence spectra exhibit bound exciton related strong UV emission at ~ 379 nm indicating high quality of the as-grown nanostructures. Possible mechanism of growth and shape evolution in ZnO nanostructures are explored through systematic studies of the effect of growth temperatures and zinc vapor pressure.
INFLUENCE OF TUNGSTEN CONTENT IN W-DLC NANOCOMPOSITE THIN FILMS PREPARED BY HYBRID TARGET BIASED ION BEAM ASSISTED DEPOSITION TECHNIQUE
Authors: BHARATHY P. VIJAI , NATARAJ D. , MANGALARAJ D. , KIRAN M. S. R. N. , SILVESTRE-ALBERO J. , YANG Q.
Published: December 2011

Tungsten incorporated diamond like carbon nanocomposite films were deposited onto Si substrate by using target biased ion beam assisted deposition. The effect of W target bias voltage on the chemical bonding, structure, surface morphology and mechanical properties of DLC films were investigated by means of XPS, Raman spectroscopy, AFM and Nanoindentation. It was found that the content of W in the films increased from 6 at.% to 13.7 at.% due to the increase in target bias voltage from -300 V to -700 V. XPS analysis revealed that most of the tungsten starts to react with carbon to form WC nanoparticles. Raman analysis shows that with the increase of W fraction in the DLC matrix, the intensity ratio I D /I G increases and the G band shifts to higher wavenumber. Thus it proves that the incorporation of tungsten leads to increase in sp2 hybridized carbon content, and hence decrease in the hardness of W-DLC films compared to that of the pure DLC films. The result of AFM indicates that the surface roughness of the DLC gets modified with the incorporation of tungsten.
STEADY STATE AND TIME RESOLVED SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF CONFINED DYE INSIDE γ-CD IN PRESENCE OF Au NANOPARTICLES
Authors: SEN TAPASI , PATRA AMITAVA
Published: December 2011

The photophysical properties of the confined dye inside the γ-CD in presence of Au nanoparticles have been studied by steady state and time resolved spectroscopy. It is found that the photoluminescence quenching of C480 dye increases from 26% to 49% due to confinement of dye inside γ-CD. The designing of such new optical based materials having coumarin 480 dye inside the γ-CD in presence of Au nanoparticles may have potential applications for light harvesting system.
Chapter 12 Neoproterozoic glaciogenic diamictites of the Katanga Supergroup, Central Africa
Authors: Master Sharad , Wendorff Marek
Published: December 2011

Glaciogenic sediments of the Katanga Supergroup are represented by two units. The syn-rift Grand Conglomerat Formation (<765±5 Ma to >735±5 Ma) occurs within the Nguba Group, and the Petit Conglomerat Formation defines the base of the Kundelungu Group deposited in the earliest foreland basin of the Lufilian orogenic belt located between the Congo and Kalahari cratons. Their glacial origin is inferred on the basis of the following features: the common and widespread occurrence of thick polymictic conglomerates and diamictites with faceted and striated clasts, massive structure, abundant poorly sorted fine-grained matrix, and the presence of planar-laminated shales (laminites) with dropstones. Glaciomarine facies associations prevail over most of the geographic extent of both units, but at the northern periphery of the depository, continental glacial facies are present. The glaciomarine units are succeeded by carbonates: the Kakontwe Limestone and ‘Calcaire Rose’ respectively. The clasts in the glaciogenic units are of extrabasinal and intrabasinal provenance. Lower boundaries, conformable in the basin centre, evolve to unconformities in the marginal areas to the N and S. The palaeomagnetic evidence suggests deposition in low latitudes.
Chapter 14 Glaciogenic and associated strata of the Otavi carbonate platform and foreslope, northern Namibia: evidence for large base-level and glacioeustatic changes
Authors: Hoffman Paul F.
Published: December 2011

Two discrete, mappable, glaciogenic formations occur within the Otavi Group, a 3±1-km-thick carbonate-dominated platform of late Neoproterozoic age, developed on the SW promontory of the Congo craton in northern Namibia and exposed in bordering late Ediacaran fold belts. Each is overlain abruptly by an expanded postglacial carbonate sequence, the younger of which begins with a globally-correlative transgressive dolopelarenite. The older Chuos glaciation (<746 Ma) occurred during a time of north-south crustal stretching. Debris derived from upturned older rocks collected in structural depressions. The younger Ghaub glaciation (635 Ma) occurred, after stretching ceased, on a thermally-subsiding marine platform and its distally-tapered foreslope. A continuous ice grounding-zone wedge (GZW) occurs on the distal foreslope, while the upper foreslope and outer platform are devoid of glacial debris and only small pockets of lodgement facies exist on the inner platform. Debris in the GZW is derived from a distinctive falling-stand wedge that is unique to the foreslope and from immediately older strata mined preferentially from the inner platform. The GZW rests on a smooth surface that includes a transverse steep-walled trough presumably cut by an ice-stream, within which is a towering doubly-crested moraine composed of composite, massive, carbonate diamictite. The surface suggests that the ice-sheet was grounded on the distal foreslope, implying a large fall in base level at a glacial maximum that predates the GZW. The glacial record ends with Fe-stained beds, rich in ice-rafted debris, that are notably absent from the moraine, upper foreslope and platform, which were apparently above sea-level at that time.
Chapter 22 Evidence for Early and Mid-Cryogenian glaciation in the Northern Arabian–Nubian Shield (Egypt, Sudan, and western Arabia)
Authors: Stern Robert J. , Johnson Peter R. , Ali Kamal A. , Mukherjee Sumit K.
Published: December 2011

Evidence of Early- to Mid-Cryogenian (
c.
780 Ma and
c.
740 Ma) glacial activity is summarized for the northern Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS), including structural framework, stratigraphy, lithological descriptions and relationships with younger and older units, banded iron formation chemostratigraphy, other characteristics, geochronological constraints, and discussion. The ANS is a broad tract of juvenile continental crust, formed from accreted arc-backarc basin terranes developed around the margins of the Mozambique Ocean. As a result, these successions formed in marine environments at some distance from continental margins. Deposits include banded iron formation (BIF) and possibly glacial diamictite scattered over broad regions of the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt, NW Arabia and possible correlative units in NE Sudan. The older (
c.
780 Ma) examples (Meritri group, NE Sudan; basal Mahd group, Arabia) occur in the central ANS, on the southern flank of an important lithospheric boundary, an ophiolite-decorated suture zone. Mahd group diamictite is thin (1–5 m thick) and rests above the earliest (Cryogenian) ANS unconformity. The Meritri group interval near Port Sudan is much thicker and part of a deformed passive margin. Both Mahd and Meritri group deposits need further study before they are accepted as glaciogenic; confirmation of this interpretation would indicate that Neoproterozoic glacial activity began at least as early as 780 Ma ago. The younger (
c.
740 Ma) glacial deposits include diamictite and BIF: the Atud diamictite and BIFs of the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt and the correlative Nuwaybah diamictite and BIF of NW Arabia. Northern ANS-BIF is a well-layered chemical sediment of interlaminated hematite-magnetite and jasper. A glacial origin for the Atud-Nuwaybah diamictites is inferred because large clasts and matrix zircons have ages (Palaeoproterozoic and Neoarchean) and compositions (especially quartzite, arkose, and microdiamictite) that require transport from outside the ANS Cryogenian basin. Northern ANS-BIF may also reveal glacial influence, having been deposited in response to reoxygenation of a suboxic ocean. The 740 Ma diamictite and/or BIF may correlate with Tambien Group diamictites in Ethiopia (

Miller
et al.
2011

). Northern ANS diamictite and BIF were deposited in an oceanic basin of unknown size, as indicated by association with abundant ophiolites; they are strongly deformed, obscuring many primary features.

There is no strong evidence for or against Ediacaran glaciation in the ANS, largely because the region was uplifted at this time. The
c.
600 Ma ANS peneplain may have been partly cut by Ediacaran glaciation. Some of the post-accretionary basins of Arabia could preserve glaciogenic deposits of Ediacaran age, but assessing this possibility requires further investigation.
Chapter 25 Glacial deposits of the Nichatka Formation, Chara River basin and review of Upper Precambrian diamictites of Central Siberia
Authors: Chumakov Nickolay M.
Published: December 2011

Outcrops of the Nichatka Formation are located in the southern centroclinal part of the marginal Berezovskaya basin of the Siberian craton. Deposits of the gently sloping southeastern limb of the asymmetrical basin are unaltered, whereas those of the steep, partly overturned western limb exhibit cleavage and are locally slightly metamorphosed. In the Late Precambrian the Berezovskaya basin was a shallow marine area of the passive margin of the Siberian craton. The Nichatka Formation is the basal unit of the Dal'nyaya Tayga Group of the Patom Supergroup. On the southeastern limb of the Berezovskaya Basin, the formation is composed of massive and bedded diamictites, conglomerates, sandstones and thin-bedded rocks with dropstones. The diamictites contain erratic blocks of different size and roundness. The formation thins out eastward. On the western limb, the formation is represented predominantly by graded-bedded and less frequently massive diamictites, sandstones and rare thin bedded members with dropstones. The diamictites contain clasts with glacial facets and striae. The formation unconformably lies on the Ballaganakh Group of the Patom Supergroup or older rocks and grades into a marker member of thin-bedded red dolomitic marls and dolomites. Overlying carbonate-terrigenous formations of the Patom Supergroup are characterized by two negative (down to –6 and –10.5‰) δ
13
C anomalies and one positive (up to 3.9‰) anomaly.
87
Sr/
86
Sr ratios in the carbonates above the Nichatka Formation increase upsection from 0.70725 in the overlying deposits to 0.70837 in the Nemakit-Daldyn (Fortunian) horizon of the early Cambrian. The Nichatka Formation as well as the host deposits are assigned to the Lower Vendian (Late Cryogenian) by reliable geological and isotopic correlations to biostratigraphically better studied Upper Precambrian sequences of the Ura Uplift in the Lena River basin. Stratigraphically similar glacial units were traced along the margins of the Baikal-Patom Highland up to the southern end of Lake Baikal and further to the NW towards East Sayan. The Siberian Craton was the main source area for these glacial units, which points to the existence of the great inland glaciers at the southern part of this craton. Some older Upper Precambrian diamictites of unclear age and genesis are also recorded in Central Siberia.
Chapter 38 Neoproterozoic strata of southeastern Idaho and Utah: record of Cryogenian rifting and glaciation
Authors: Link Paul Karl , Christie-Blick Nicholas
Published: December 2011

Neoproterozoic strata in southeastern Idaho and Utah include the <766 Ma Uinta Mountain Group and Big Cottonwood Formation (Fm.) deposited in an east-trending rift basin and, to the west, the lower part of a westward-thickening rift to passive-margin succession that initiated
c.
720 Ma. The latter contains a lower diamictite and volcanic succession, with a complex stratigraphic interval of Cryogenian marine glacial deposits (Pocatello and Mineral Fork formations and correlatives). This is overlain by a mostly terrigenous succession of <667 Ma strata assigned to the upper member of the Pocatello Fm. and Brigham Group in southeastern Idaho, to the Kelley Canyon Fm. and Brigham Group in northern and western Utah, and to the McCoy Creek Group and Prospect Mountain Quartzite in adjacent Nevada. Although the Brigham Group and correlative deposits contain no direct evidence for glaciation, widely developed, though stratigraphically restricted, incised valleys, with erosional relief from a few metres to as much as 160 m, are inferred to represent subsequent times of Cryogenian glacially lowered sea level. Overall interpretations of the stratigraphy and sedimentology of these rocks have changed little in the past 10–15 years. The most important recent advances relate to U–Pb geochronology. In strata that lie unconformably below demonstrable glacial deposits, the lower Uinta Mountain Group (formerly thought to be
c.
900 Ma) contains populations of detrital zircons as young as 766±5 Ma. Cryogenian magmatism north of the Snake River Plain in central Idaho is recognized near House Mountain, east of Boise at
c.
725±5 Ma, in the Pioneer Mountains Core Complex at about 695 Ma, and in central and east-central Idaho at 685–650 Ma. Clasts interpreted to be from the rift-related Bannock Volcanic Member of the Pocatello Fm. are dated at 717±4 Ma and 701±4 Ma. The overlying diamictite-bearing Scout Mountain Member contains a mafic lapilli tuff near the base (686±4 Ma) and a reworked fallout tuff near the top (667±5 Ma). Strongly negative C-isotope data have been obtained from some of the carbonate rocks, although the latter constitute only a small fraction of the succession. Palaeomagnetic data are available only for the Uinta Mountain Group, and suggest an equatorial palaeolatitude.
Chapter 42 The deep-marine glaciogenic Gaskiers Formation, Newfoundland, Canada
Authors: Carto Shannon L. , Eyles Nick
Published: December 2011

In eastern Canada, the Neoproterozoic Gaskiers Formation (Fm.) consists of a thick diamictite–turbidite succession (250–300 m thick) that occurs within the deep-marine predominantly volcaniclastic turbidite units of the Conception Group (4–5 km thick). These rocks are well exposed on the coast of the Avalon Peninsula in eastern Newfoundland. The thick succession is considered by some to represent the final Neoproterozoic glacial event, known as the Gaskiers Glaciation
c.
582–585 Ma. The Gaskiers Fm. appears to have accumulated in a volcanically-influenced arc-related basin within the confines of the Proterozoic peri-Gondwanan Avalon terrane, before rifting away from the Gondwanan margin in the early Palaeozoic, but it is not clear whether it was adjacent to the West African Craton or the Amazon Craton. It has also been argued that Avalon had already rifted from Gondwana by the late Proterozoic.

Glacially striated clasts, dropstones, and chatter-marked garnets identify a glaciated source area, and clasts and matrix are of volcanic origin; pyroclastic flows and volcanic bombs are also present. As a result, there is a growing consensus that the Gaskiers Fm. records local glaciation of a high relief volcanic topography, owing its origin to the episodic downslope reworking of volcanic and glacial debris into a deep, rapidly subsiding basin. The volcanic nature of these deposits implies that local volcanic activity was coeval with deposition. A minimum age of the Gaskiers Fm. is constrained by a diverse assemblage of Ediacaran-type fossils in the upper Conception Group dated at
c.
565±3 Ma and in the lower St. John's Group, which overlies the Conception Group. A maximum age for the Gaskiers is provided by a U–Pb date of 606 +3.7/–2.9) Ma in the Harbour Main volcanic rocks underlying the Gaskiers Fm. A thin limestone bed has also been identified at two localities in Conception Bay directly overlying the diamictite yielding strongly negative δ
13
C values.
Chapter 45 Glacially influenced sedimentation of the Puga Formation, Cuiabá Group and Jacadigo Group, and associated carbonates of the Araras and Corumbá groups, Paraguay Belt, Brazil
Authors: Alvarenga Carlos J. S. , Boggiani Paulo C. , Babinski Marly , Dardenne Marcel A. , Figueiredo Milene F. , Dantas Elton L. , Uhlein Alexandre , Santos Roberto V. , Sial Alcides N. , Trompette Roland
Published: December 2011

Discontinuous exposures of diamictite (>1000 km) termed the Puga Formation (Fm.) and interpreted as being related to a late Cryogenian glacial event are known in the Paraguay Belt (Brazilian–Pan-African Orogeny) and part of the Amazon craton and Rio Apa Block. These diamictite units and a mixed assemblage of sandstone, conglomerate and claystone were first named the Jangada Group. Recent interpretations have shown that the diamictite of the Puga Formation passes laterally into metasediments of the Cuiabá Group, interpreted as glacially influenced turbidites. The correlative Jacadigo Group in the southern Paraguay Belt includes a thick succession of banded iron formation (BIF) bearing large boulders that have been interpreted as recording glacially influenced sedimentation. The diamictite of the Puga Fm. is overlain by two different carbonate-bearing successions, the Corumbá Group (Cadieus, Cerradinho, Bocaina, Tamengo and Guaicurus formations) in the south and the Araras Group (Mirassol d'Oeste, Guia, Nobres formations) in the north. Evidence of glaciation in the Puga Fm. consists of striated and faceted pebbles and blocks, and dropstones in the turbidites. Sedimentary and geochemical data from the associated carbonate reinforce the interpretation of a glacial origin. C, O and Sr isotope data from the northern Paraguay Belt are consistent with the proposed late Cryogenian age for the Puga Fm. sedimentation.
Chapter 58 Evidence of late Neoproterozoic glaciation in the Caledonides of NW Scandinavia
Authors: Stodt F. , Rice A. H. N. , Björklund L. , Bax G. , Halverson G. P. , Pharaoh T. C.
Published: December 2011

The northwestern part of the Scandinavian Caledonides, formed by SE- to ESE-directed thrusting through the Neoproterozoic W. Baltica continental shelf, contains numerous small and often isolated outcrops of diamictite and associated strata. No precise biostratigraphic or isotopic data are available to constrain the age of these sediments, but, on the basis of their stratigraphic position, most are correlated with the Mortensnes Formation (Fm.) in E. Finnmark and also presumed to be of glaciogenic origin. The Mortensnes Fm. has been correlated with the 580 Ma Gaskiers glacial event on the basis of δ
13
C isotope studies. Structurally, the deposits occur in the Autochthon (below the Torneträsk Fm.), within an external imbricate zone (Lower Allochthon), within cover successions lying unconformably on allochthonous basement (Window Allochthon) palaeogeographically derived from below or outboard of the Lower Allochthon and, more rarely, within the Middle Allochthon, derived from outboard of the Window Allochthon. Evidence for a glaciogenic origin is typically poor or lacking. Only in the Komagfjord Antiformal Stack (Window Allochthon), where an up to 40-m-thick succession of three fining upwards cycles has been mapped, are the deposits comparable in thickness and complexity to the Mortensnes Fm. Other sequences are sometimes <1 m thick and unconformably overlain by post-‘glacial’ deposits. The Vakkejokk Breccia, a submarine slump in the Torneträsk area of the Autochthon closely underlies the correlative Precambrian–Cambrian lithostratigraphic boundary in E. Finnmark but overlies the first appearance of the boundary marker fossil
Treptichnus pedum
. Although sometimes interpreted as periglacial, this seems unlikely in view of the 30–50° palaeolatitude during deposition. Calcite nodules (<1 cm size) in the Vakkejokk Breccia have previously been interpreted as glendonite, but the microstructure and palaeolatitude makes this unlikely; they are likely a replacement of gypsum. Diamictites of uncertain origin have also been found in the Ediacaran Lower Siltstone Member of the Torneträsk Fm. and unconformably under the ?Lower Cambrian Lomvatn Fm. in the Komagfjord Antiformal Stack.
Chapter 6 A review of the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and its application to the study of Neoproterozoic glacial deposits and climate transitions
Authors: Bahlburg Heinrich , Dobrzinski Nicole
Published: December 2011

The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) is the most accepted of available weathering indices. Past conditions of physical and chemical weathering can be reliably inferred if application of the CIA is combined with a comprehensive facies analysis. When applied to the reconstruction of climate conditions during Neoproterozoic times, CIA data provide crucial insights into the changes in the relative contributions of chemical and physical weathering in the production of sedimentary detritus. CIA data are thus instrumental not only in documenting changes between icehouse and greenhouse climates, but also in recognizing shorter-term climate oscillations between glacial and warm–humid conditions. Concerning the Neoproterozoic glacial periods, sedimentological and CIA data sets give strong evidence of a functioning hydrological cycle, operative sediment routing systems, and variable climate conditions oscillating between dry–cool and glacial, and warm–humid and interglacial. These findings are incompatible with the hypothesis of a totally ice-covered Snowball Earth.