bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical properties of the novel ruthenate La3.5Ru4O13: Possible mixed valence of Ru ions
Authors: Coaquira J. A. H. , de Almeida R. L. , Carvalho L. B. , Quezado S. , Malik S. K.
Published: July 2009

Structural, magnetization, heat capacity, and electrical resistivity measurements have been carried out on a new ruthenate compound La3.5Ru4O13. This compound forms in the orthorhombic structure (Pmmm space group, #47). The coexistence of the triple-layered perovskite-type planes [quasi-two-dimensional (2D) structure] and the rutilelike slabs [one-dimensional (1D) structure] leads to interesting magnetic and electronic properties in this compound. The relatively short Ru–O bond distances or stronger 4d-2p hybridization of rutilelike slabs suggest an electronic delocalization feature along the slab axis (b-axis). In the high-temperature region, a Curie–Weiss behavior of the magnetic susceptibility is observed with an effective magnetic moment μeff=(2.44±0.02)μB per Ru ion and a paramagnetic Curie temperature θp=−198±2 K. The magnetic susceptibility of this compound shows a peak at T∼47 K typical of an antiferromagnetic (AFM) order which is confirmed by heat capacity measurements. This AFM order can be associated with the AFM coupling of Ru ions of the quasi-2D layers. The electronic specific heat coefficient γ is found to be 12 mJ/molRu K2, suggesting moderate carrier correlations. Resistivity and magnetic data suggest that the quasi-2D substructure shows semiconducting behavior, while a metallic behavior is expected for the 1D slabs.
Energy flow through a nonambipolar Langmuir sheath
Authors: Dorf L. A. , Semenov V. E.
Published: July 2009

When electrons travel through the sheath toward a plasma-facing surface, they lose a part of their kinetic energy due to the negative work of the electric field in the sheath. What happens to this energy? Does it need to be accounted for if one needs to calculate an energy flux to a wall? In this note, the above questions are answered for three different cases of the boundary conditions: (a) electrically isolated surface charged to a steady-state value corresponding to a floating potential; (b) an isolated wall not yet charged to the floating potential; and (c) biased electrode conducting a steady-state current. The answers are found to be different in each case, but the general conclusion is that to evaluate surface power deposition due to particle bombardment, electron and ion energy fluxes need to be calculated at the wall, and not in the quasineutral plasma.
Electrowetting on dielectric-based microfluidics for integrated lipid bilayer formation and measurement
Authors: Poulos Jason L. , Nelson Wyatt C. , Jeon Tae-Joon , Kim Chang-Jin “CJ” , Schmidt Jacob J.
Published: July 2009

We present a microfluidic platform for the formation and electrical measurement of lipid bilayer membranes. Using electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD), two or more aqueous droplets surrounded by a lipid-containing organic phase were manipulated into contact to form a lipid bilayer at their interface. Thin-film Ag/AgCl electrodes integrated into the device enabled electrical measurement of membrane formation and the incorporation of gramicidin channels of two bilayers in parallel.
Observation of an anomalous correlation between permittivity and tunability of a doped (Ba,Sr)TiO3 ferroelectric ceramic developed for microwave applications
Authors: Kozyrev Andrey B. , Kanareykin Alexei D. , Nenasheva Elizaveta A. , Osadchy Vitaly N. , Kosmin Dmitry M.
Published: July 2009

Anomalous dependencies of the dynamic (pulse) and static tunability [k(U)=C(0)/C(U)] as a function of permittivity (ε) were observed in ferroelectric varactors based on doped paraelectric state (Ba,Sr)TiO3 ceramics. The reduction of the relatively high permittivity value from ε≅810 down to ε≅260 by introducing various proportions of a Mg2TiO4 additive resulted in a 20% increase in tunability. Furthermore, ceramics with this additive have demonstrated dynamic tunability noticeably higher than the static tunability, also unexpected for this type of material.
Transistorlike behavior in photoconductor based on dye-sensitized solar cell
Authors: Wang X. Q. , Cai C. B. , Wang Y. F. , Zhou W. Q. , Lu Y. M. , Liu Z. Y. , Hu L. H. , Dai S. Y.
Published: July 2009

A photogated transistor is established based on the dye-sensitized solar cell using nanocrystalline TiO2 films. Voltage-current curves are characterized with three types of transport behaviors: linear increase, saturated plateau, and breakdownlike increase, which are actually of the typical performances for a phototransistor. Moreover, an asymmetric behavior is observed in the voltage-current loops, which is believed to be due to the difference in the effective photoconducting areas rather than the cross-section areas. The photovoltaic voltage between the common counter electrode and drain (VCE-D) is examined as well during the loop measurements, clarifying that the predominant dark process in source and the predominant photovoltaic process in drain are series connected, modifying the electric potential levels, and thus resulting in the characteristic phototransistor behaviors.
Improved output power of GaN-based light-emitting diodes grown on a nanopatterned sapphire substrate
Authors: Chan Chia-Hua , Hou Chia-Hung , Tseng Shao-Ze , Chen Tsing-Jen , Chien Hung-Ta , Hsiao Fu-Li , Lee Chien-Chieh , Tsai Yen-Ling , Chen Chii-Chang
Published: July 2009

This letter describes the improved output power of GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) formed on a nanopatterned sapphire substrate (NPSS) prepared through etching with a self-assembled monolayer of 750-nm-diameter SiO2 nanospheres used as the mask. The output power of NPSS LEDs was 76% greater than that of LEDs on a flat sapphire substrate. Three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain calculation predicted a 40% enhancement in light extraction efficiency of NPSS LEDs. In addition, the reduction of full widths at half maximum in the ω-scan rocking curves for the (0 0 2) and (1 0 2) planes of GaN on NPSS suggested improved crystal quality.
Regioregular poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) helical self-organization on carbon nanotubes
Authors: Giulianini Michele , Waclawik Eric R. , Bell John M. , De Crescenzi Maurizio , Castrucci Paola , Scarselli Manuela , Motta Nunzio
Published: July 2009

Mixtures of regioregular poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) (rrP3HT) and multiwall carbon nanotubes have been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum. Carbon nanotubes covered by rrP3HT have been imaged and analyzed, providing a clear evidence that this polymer self-assembles on the nanotube surface following geometrical constraints and adapting its equilibrium chain-to-chain distance. Largely spaced covered nanotubes have been analyzed to investigate the role played by nanotube chirality in the polymer wrapping, evidencing strong rrP3HT interactions along well defined directions.
Plasmonic-enhanced polymer photovoltaic devices incorporating solution-processable metal nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Fang-Chung , Wu Jyh-Lih , Lee Chia-Ling , Hong Yi , Kuo Chun-Hong , Huang Michael H.
Published: July 2009

We have explored the effect of gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-induced surface plasmons on the performance of organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs). The power conversion efficiency of these OPVs was improved after blending the Au NPs into the anodic buffer layer. The addition of Au NPs increased the rate of exciton generation and the probability of exciton dissociation, thereby enhancing the short-circuit current density and the fill factor. We attribute the improvement in device performance to the local enhancement in the electromagnetic field originating from the excitation of the localized surface plasmon resonance.
Magnetotransport properties of p-type carbon-doped ZnO thin films
Authors: Herng T. S. , Lau S. P. , Wang L. , Zhao B. C. , Yu S. F. , Tanemura M. , Akaike A. , Teng K. S.
Published: July 2009

Carbon-doped ZnO (ZnO:C) thin films exhibiting Curie temperature above room temperature were fabricated using ion beam technique. The magnetic moment of the ZnO:C films was found to be around 1.35 μB per carbon atom. The ZnO:C films showed p-type conduction with a hole concentration of ∼5×1017 cm−3. In addition, the anomalous Hall effect and negative magnetoresistance can be detected in the ZnO:C films. The magnetotransport properties of the ZnO:C suggested that the films possessed charge carrier spin polarization.
Heterogeneity of lifetime reproductive performance, its components and associations with wool production and liveweight of Merino ewes
Authors: Lee G. J. , Atkins K. D. , Sladek M. A.
Published: July 2009

The heterogeneity in lifetime (2–6 years of age) reproductive performance within three research flocks maintained at the Agricultural Research Centre, Trangie, in central-western New South Wales, was used to establish the potential to improve flock reproductive performance by identifying performance segments for either selection or for differential management. The data comprised a total of 32 716 records from 7322 ewes, collected over the period from 1977 to 2003. Within each of the flocks, there were large differences (P < 0.001) in lifetime net reproduction rate, and each of its components (fertility, fecundity and lamb survival), between each of the net reproduction rate quartiles. The difference in net reproduction between the ewes in the top quartile and those in the bottom quartile was equivalent to an additional lamb per ewe annually. These differences in reproduction rate between the quartiles were not related to pre-joining liveweight or condition score. Higher reproductive rates were associated with a cost to clean fleece weight, although the estimated effects on fibre diameter were small. Opportunities to use this variation to improve reproduction rates are discussed and include retaining high-performing ewes longer in the breeding flock, removing poor performers and targeting management interventions towards ewes that will yield the largest responses.
Effect of different grazing strategies on dry matter yields and nutritive characteristics of whole crop cereals
Authors: Jacobs J. L. , Hill J. , Jenkin T.
Published: July 2009

Forage cereals offer the potential to increase the amount of forage grown and consumed on dairy farms in southern Australia. The effect of single or multiple grazing of winter cereal forages by lactating dairy cattle on dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value at grazing and on subsequent silage production harvested at the soft-dough stage of growth was determined in three studies in south-western Victoria. In the first two studies, a range of forage cereals and an annual ryegrass were grazed either once (G1) during tillering (GS 21–29), followed by locking up for silage, grazed twice (G2) (GS 21–29 and GS 32–34), followed by locking up for silage, or not grazed (NG) and harvested for silage only. In the third study, two forage cereals were either ungrazed (NG) or grazed at either GS 21, GS 24, GS 30 or GS 32 and subsequently locked up and harvested for silage. All silage harvests occurred at GS 84 (soft dough). In all studies, grazing at early tillering resulted in DM yield of less than 1.4 t DM/ha, although crude protein (CP) (30–37% DM) and estimated metabolisable energy (ME) (12.2–14 MJ/kg DM) were high. Deferring grazing until the start of stem elongation resulted in higher DM yields (1.8–4.3 t DM/ha). Silage DM yields were higher (P < 0.05) for G1 and NG treatments than for G2 in all cases apart from McKellar wheat in study 1. At silage harvest, CP and estimated ME contents of cereals were lower than for annual ryegrass. In general, total DM yields across the growing season were higher for the G1 and NG treatments compared with forages that were grazed twice before silage harvest. Deferment of a single grazing from early tillering to stem elongation did not adversely affect total DM production. However, delaying grazing until stem elongation resulted in significant declines in CP concentration and estimated ME. These studies highlight the potential of cereal forages to contribute to DM production on dairy farms in southern Australia. They can provide additional flexibility into forage systems through the provision of forage for a single grazing in early winter and in the production of high DM yield silage harvests. Cereals grazed in early winter have a high estimated ME and CP content, whereas the nutritive characteristics when harvested for silage at soft dough are of only moderate feed value. Consideration is required as to how best to incorporate these into diets of lactating dairy cattle.
Variation at CPE but not CEBPA appears to be associated with intramuscular fat deposition in the longissimus muscle of cattle
Authors: Barendse William , Bunch Rowan J. , Harrison Blair E.
Published: July 2009

An important step in the localisation of quantitative trait loci is the confirmation of trait-marker associations in independent studies. In this report, we test three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of two genes for associations to intramuscular fat (IMF) measurements in cattle. We genotyped SNP of carboxypeptidase E (CPE) and ccaat/enhancer binding protein, α (CEBPA) in a sample of a total of 813 cattle of taurine, composite and indicine breeds. All three polymorphisms showed significant differences between breeds, with the widest range found in CEBPA:g.271A > C where the A allele frequency ranged from P = 0.07 in Brahman to 0.88 in Shorthorn. The taurine breeds showed high linkage disequilibrium between the pair of CPE SNP, with all four breeds showing r2 = 1.0. The Brahman and Santa Gertrudis showed r2 ≤ 0.17. Both CPE:g.445C > T and CPE:g.601C > T SNP showed significant allele substitution effects to IMF in animals of taurine ancestry, with an allele substitution effect of α = 0.22, P = 0.020 for CPE:g.445C > T, explaining 0.4% of the phenotypic variance.
Effects of vehicle type and fuel quality on the exposure risk of toxic emissions from diesel vehicles
Authors: Nelson Peter F.
Published: July 2009

Environmental Context. Motor vehicle emissions of toxic chemicals are a major contributor to urban air pollution, and to potential human health problems. Diesel vehicles have historically been major sources of smoke and fine particles that contain a wide range of toxic species. In this study the effects of vehicle type and fuel quality on the cancer forming risk of toxic compounds in diesel exhaust are determined. It is found that the major risk is due to toxic compounds such as benzene formed during fuel combustion in the vehicle engine.
Abstract. Diesel vehicles are an important source of emission of air pollutants, particularly toxic compounds with potential health impacts. Current developments in engine design and fuel quality are expected to reduce these emissions, but many older vehicles will make a major contribution to urban pollutant concentrations and related health impacts for many years. In this study the relative inhalation risk of emissions of a range of toxic compounds are reported using data from a study of in-service vehicles driven through urban drive cycles using a range of diesel fuel formulations. The fuels ranged in sulfur content from 24 to 1700 ppm, and in total aromatics from 7.7 to 33 mass%. Effects of vehicle type and fuel composition on the risk of emissions of a range of toxic species are reported. The results show that the inhalation cancer risk is dominated for most of the vehicles and the testing modes by emissions of the combustion derived products, particularly benzene, naphthalene, and formaldehyde, and not by the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo(a)pyrene. Based on the relative risk represented by these toxic species, improved fuel quality does not result in significant reductions in the relative inhalation cancer risk. However, this conclusion may be affected by additional toxic species and fine particles present in diesel exhaust, which were not included in this study.
Legacy sources of mercury in an urbanised watershed
Authors: Clark Heather F. , Benoit Gaboury
Published: July 2009

Environmental context. Mercury is a neurotoxin that bioaccumulates and is associated with global contamination and often with regional atmospheric sources. However, in Connecticut, USA, in watersheds characterised by a gradient of forested to urban land uses we found that the predominant source of elevated Hg is local. This study uses a novel nested sampling method to pinpoint hot spots of mercury and presents inorganic mercury concentrations in water, sediment, soil, and aquatic organisms. The results indicate that mercury contamination is an environmental legacy associated with the silver plating industry and that local sources are critical to the biogeochemical mercury cycle here.
Abstract. Mercury levels were measured in various environmental compartments of the Quinnipiac River system (CT, USA). In streams, dissolved mercury reached a maximum of 6.3 ng L–1 during baseflow and 30 ng L–1 during stormflow, whereas surficial impoundment sediments had a maximum mercury concentration of 420 μg kg–1. A sediment core collected from the Quinnipiac River indicates that peak loading of mercury occurred before 1940. Wharton Brook tributary of the Quinnipiac River represents 30% of the mercury loading to the river and the likely source of mercury to the sediment is a past silver manufacturing plant. Analysis of soil samples from the riparian zone of Wharton Brook, a tributary of concern because it empties into a popular fishing location, revealed mercury concentrations as high as 20 000 μg kg–1. It appears that the soil surrounding the former factory is acting as the current source of mercury to the water column and aquatic communities. Removal of contaminated soil will probably be necessary to reduce mercury levels and the threat to humans in downstream environments.
MEMENTO: a proposal to develop a database of marine nitrous oxide and methane measurements
Authors: Bange Hermann W. , Bell Tom G. , Cornejo Marcela , Freing Alina , Uher Günther , Upstill-Goddard Rob C. , Zhang Guiling
Published: July 2009

Environmental context. Nitrous oxide and methane are atmospheric trace gases and, because they are strong greenhouse gases, they contribute significantly to the ongoing global warming of the Earth’s atmosphere. Despite the well established fact that the world’s oceans release nitrous oxide and methane to the atmosphere, the oceanic emission estimates of both gases are only poorly quantified. The MEMENTO (MarinE MethanE and NiTrous Oxide) database initiative is proposed as an effective way by which existing nitrous oxide and methane measurements can be used to reduce the uncertainty of the oceanic emissions estimates by establishing a global database.
Sporobolus stapfianus, a model desiccation-tolerant grass
Authors: Gaff Donald F. , Blomstedt Cecilia K. , Neale Alan D. , Le Tuan N. , Hamill John D. , Ghasempour Hamid R.
Published: July 2009

Sporobolus stapfianus Gandoger, one of ~40 known ‘anabiotic’grass species (i.e. ‘able to regain vital activity from a state of latent life’), is the most versatile tool for research into desiccation tolerance in vegetative grass tissue. Current knowledge on this species is presented, including the features that suit it for investigations into the plant’s ability to survive dehydration of its leaf protoplasm. The main contributors to desiccation tolerance in S. stapfianus leaves appear to be: accumulation during dehydration of protectants of membranes and proteins; mechanisms limiting oxidative damage; a retention of protein synthetic activity in late stages of drying that is linked with changes in gene expression and in the proteomic array; and an ability to retain net synthesis of ATP during drying. S. stapfianus exemplifies an advanced stage of an evolutionary trend in desiccation tolerant plants towards increased importance of the dehydration phase (for induction of tolerance, for synthesis of protectants and for proteomic changes).
Sonic hedgehog promotes porcine oocyte maturation and early embryo development
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Tan , Lin David Pei-Cheng , Yen Shih-Ying , Tseng Jung-Kai , Chuang Jui-Fen , Chen Bo-Yie , Lin Tzu-An , Chang Han-Hsin , Ju Jyh-Cherng
Published: July 2009

In the present study, we investigated the effects of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) protein on porcine oocyte maturation and early embryo development. Immunohistochemistry showed activation of Shh signalling in cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs), as reflected by Patched (Ptc), Smoothened (Smo) and Gli1 expression in oocytes, cumulus cells and granulosa cells, particularly those of small follicles (<2 mm in diameter). Western blot analysis showed Smo expression in COCs and in denuded oocytes derived from small and medium (3–7 mm)-sized follicles. Small follicles contained the highest concentration of Shh in follicular fluid compared with medium-sized and large (>7 mm in diameter) follicles. Supplementation with Shh (0.5 or 1 μg mL–1) enhanced oocyte maturation compared with the control group (92.4% and 90.4% v. 81.9%, respectively; P < 0.05). This effect was reversed by the simultaneous addition of cyclopamine (1–2 μm), an Shh inhibitor. Similar to intact COCs, denuded COCs showed enhanced maturation following Shh supplementation. Furthermore, cyclin B1 content, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, intracellular calcium release, blastocyst rate and total cell numbers were greater (P < 0.05) in oocytes matured in the presence of 0.5 and 1 μg mL–1 Shh compared with control oocytes. The findings of the present study provide the first evidence that the Shh signalling pathway is active, or at least partially activated, in the porcine ovary and is likely to promote oocyte cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation, as well as subsequent in vitro development, although the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.
Dietary manipulation of Bos indicus × heifers during gestation affects the reproductive development of their heifer calves
Authors: Sullivan T. M. , Micke G. C. , Greer R. M. , Irving-Rodgers H. F. , Rodgers R. J. , Perry V. E. A.
Published: July 2009

The effect of nutrition during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy in composite beef heifers on reproductive parameters of their female calves was determined in the present study. At artificial insemination, heifers were assigned to one of four treatment groups (i.e. HH, HL, LowH and LL) depending on the level of crude protein intake (H = high; L = low) for first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Gonadotrophin concentrations and ovarian parameters were measured in their female calves at 5 and 23 months of age. Crude protein intake was positively associated with dam plasma urea (P < 0.001). The density of healthy follicles in heifers at the time of death was negatively correlated with dam plasma urea at Day 179 (P = 0.009). Heifers from LowH dams had a smaller-sized prepubertal largest ovarian follicle (P = 0.03) and lower densities of primordial and primary follicles (P = 0.02) and healthy antral follicles (P = 0.009) when they were killed. There was a positive correlation between plasma FSH concentrations at 5 and 23 months of age (P = 0.02), as well as between the sizes of the largest ovarian follicles at 6 and 23 months of age (P = 0.01). In conclusion, the reproductive development of heifers may be affected by prenatal nutrition during early and mid-gestation.
Direct electrophysiological measurement of human default network areas
Authors: Miller Kai J. , Weaver Kurt E. , Ojemann Jeffrey G.
Published: July 2009

Neuroimaging-based investigations in humans have established the existence of brain regions that are selectively metabolically active while resting. We report a population-scale neurophysiological measurement of activity in regions of this “default network,” by recording high-frequency power (76–200 Hz) electrical potentials directly from these regions in three human subjects. A selective increase observed during only resting, when compared with activity, firmly establishes a neuronal origin for default network phenomena.
Town Hall Meetings: Implementing The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking
Authors: Ensley Gwyndolyn
Published: July 2009

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has twice used a nationwide network of community-focused town hall meetings (THMs) as part of a health communications strategy to promote behavior change in individuals, organizations, communities, and society at large around the issue of underage drinking (UAD). SAMHSA sponsors the initiative on behalf of the federal Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking. In spring 2008, SAMHSA engaged members of the National Prevention Network to identify community-based organizations (CBOs) to host THMs. The result was a coordinated national effort to further the goals set forth in The Surgeon General's Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking (2007). More than 1,600 CBOs conducted over 1,800 THMs, resulting in a 30% increase in participation over the 2006 initiative. CBOs reported high levels of satisfaction with their efforts to mobilize communities. The majority planned to conduct additional UAD prevention efforts, including more THMs.
Cancer Information Seeking among Black and White Adults: Results from the 2003 and 2005 Health Information National Trends Surveys
Authors: Ye Jiali , Xu Zhiheng , Adesunloye Bamidele
Published: July 2009

Information seeking has significant impact on improving cancer preventive activities and health decision making. This study sought to compare Black and White adults on cancer information seeking and the choice of primary information sources. Non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White adults completed Health Information National Trends Surveys (HINTS) collected in 2003 and in 2005. The results of bivariate analyses showed that Whites were more likely than Blacks to be cancer information seekers for both years (2003: 49.0% vs. 40.8%, p < .001; 2005: 54.6% vs. 46.9%, p = .008). However, after controlling for sociodemographic variables, race was not significantly associated with cancer information seeking. Both racial groups increased their likelihood of cancer information seeking from 2003 to 2005, although the increase was only statistically significant for Whites ( p < .001). Health providers and the Internet were the top two most selected primary cancer information sources for both racial groups. These findings indicate that sociodemographic factors, such as gender, education, and cancer history, may shape the racial difference in health information seeking among the general population. Among all the information sources, health care providers and the Internet play the most important role in providing cancer-related information.
Advances in numerical simulations of ion cyclotron heating of non-Maxwellian plasmas
Authors: Brambilla M. , Bilato R.
Published: July 2009

Coupling the full-wave solver TORIC (Brambilla 1999 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
41 1) and the bounce-averaged quasilinear Fokker–Planck solver SSFPQL (Brambilla 1994 Nucl. Fusion
34 1121) allows one to determine the suprathermal ion populations produced by ion cyclotron heating of tokamak plasmas, while taking into account their effects on wave propagation and absorption. By using new numerical methods for the evaluation of the coefficients of the wave equations in non-Maxwellian plasmas and the transmission of data between TORIC and SSFPQL, the interface between the two codes has been made very efficient and accurate. As an example, we have re-analysed a minority heating scenario in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. The results illustrate the differences between the quasilinear evolution of fundamental and first harmonic ion cyclotron heating due to the fact that the latter is a finite Larmor radius effect. They also suggest that the main missing element for fully satisfactory self-consistent simulations of ion cyclotron experiments in toroidal devices is the absence of a detailed model for the losses of suprathermal ions due, for example, to interactions with low-frequency turbulence or magnetohydrodynamic instabilities.
Comparisons of predicted plasma performance in ITER H-mode plasmas with various mixes of external heating
Authors: Budny R.V.
Published: July 2009

Performance in H-mode DT plasmas in ITER with various choices of heating systems are predicted and compared. Combinations of external heating by negative ion neutral beam injection (NNBI), ion cyclotron range of frequencies and electron cyclotron heating are assumed. Scans with a range of physics assumptions about boundary temperatures in the edge pedestal, alpha ash transport and toroidal momentum transport are used to indicate effects of uncertainties. Time-dependent integrated modelling with the PTRANSP code is used to predict profiles of heating, beam torque and plasma profiles. The GLF23 model is used to predict temperature profiles. Either GLF23 or the assumption of a constant ratio for χϕ/χi is used to predict toroidal rotation profiles driven by the beam torques. Large differences for the core temperatures are predicted with different mixes of the external heating during the density and current ramp-up phase, but the profiles are similar during the flat-top phase. With χϕ/χi = 0.5, the predicted toroidal rotation is relatively slow and the flow shear implied by the pressure, toroidal rotation and neoclassical poloidal rotation are not sufficient to cause significant changes in the energy transport or steady state temperature profiles. The GLF23-predicted toroidal rotation is faster by a factor of six, and significant flow shear effects are predicted. Heating mixes with more NNBI power are predicted to have up to 20% higher fusion power during steady state phases. This advantage is decisive in some cases where the physics assumptions are close to marginal or critical values. L-mode plasmas are predicted having Q
DT ≃ 2–4.
Effective Control of Type 2 Diabetes through Antioxidant Defense by Edible Fruits of Diospyros peregrina
Authors: Dewanjee Saikat , Maiti Anup , Sahu Ranabir , Dua Tarun K. , Mandal Vivekananda
Published: July 2009

The matured fruits of Diospyros peregrina are successfully employed by the traditional healers and local people of costal West Bengal, India for the treatment of diabetes. Present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the role of hydroalcoholic extract of D. peregrina (HDP) on type 2 diabetes as well as the augmented oxidative stresses associated with it. Oral administration of HDP at 25, 50 and 100 mg kg−1 body weight per day to diabetic rats was found to possess significant dose‐dependent hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity. The diabetic rats showed lower activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in hepatic and renal tissues as compared to normal rats. The activities of SOD, CAT and GSH were found to be increased in extract‐treated diabetic rats in selected tissues. The increased level of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) in diabetic rats was also found to be reverted back to near normal status in extract‐treated groups. Thus it may be concluded that the HDP may produce its hypoglycemic effect through antioxidant defense mechanism.
Effect of Cultural Management Practices on Grain Quality of Two Rice Cultivars
Authors: Bryant R. J. , Anders M. , McClung A. M.
Published: July 2009

To reduce fuel and labor costs and increase profits, farmers are trying new ways of growing rice (Oryza sativa L.). This includes changing crop rotations, tillage systems, and fertilization levels. There is little information on how these changes affect the cooking quality of rice. We therefore looked at the parameters associated with cooking and processing quality (apparent amylose, gelatinization temperature, lipid and protein contents, and pasting properties) of two U.S. long grains (Cybonnet and Wells) that were grown using two different tillage systems, standard rate and high rates of fertilization, and different crop rotations (continuous rice R‐R, rice after soybeans R‐SB, and rice after corn R‐C). No differences in quality traits were observed among any of the tillage systems. Rice grown in continuous rice rotation had the lowest protein content of brown and milled rice (8.6 and 8.1%, respectively) as compared to the highest levels observed in the rice‐soybean rotation (9.3 and 8.6%, respectively). Rice grown in continuous rice rotation also had higher peak viscosity than other crop rotations. Increasing the fertilization rate increased the protein content of brown rice and decreased peak, trough, and final viscosities. Apparent amylose content, gelatinization temperature, and lipid content were not affected by crop rotation or fertility; however, they were influenced by cultivar. Although the results indicated statistical differences for some quality parameters, the differences were small enough that they are unlikely to have a major impact on processing quality of long grain rice if co‐mingled.
Proteomic analysis of murine Piwi proteins reveals a role for arginine methylation in specifying interaction with Tudor family members
Authors: Vagin Vasily V. , Wohlschlegel James , Qu Jun , Jonsson Zophonias , Huang Xinhua , Chuma Shinichiro , Girard Angelique , Sachidanandam Ravi , Hannon Gregory J. , Aravin Alexei A.
Published: July 2009

In germ cells, Piwi proteins interact with a specific class of small noncoding RNAs, piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). Together, these form a pathway that represses transposable elements, thus safeguarding germ cell genomes. Basic models describe the overall operation of piRNA pathways. However, the protein compositions of Piwi complexes, the critical protein–protein interactions that drive small RNA production and target recognition, and the precise molecular consequences of conserved localization to germline structures, call nuage, remains poorly understood. We purified the three murine Piwi family proteins, MILI, MIWI, and MIWI2, from mouse germ cells and characterized their interacting protein partners. Piwi proteins were found in complex with PRMT5/WDR77, an enzyme that dimethylates arginine residues. By immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies and by mass spectrometry, we found that Piwi proteins are arginine methylated at conserved positions in their N termini. These modifications are essential to direct complex formation with specific members of the Tudor protein family. Recognition of methylarginine marks by Tudor proteins can drive the localization of Piwi proteins to cytoplasmic foci in an artificial setting, supporting a role for this interaction in Piwi localization to nuage, a characteristic that correlates with proper operation of the piRNA pathway and transposon silencing in multiple organisms.
Correspondence: Crimes and Privileges
Authors: Bronitsky Gordon
Published: July 2009

The Correspondence column is primarily for the use of AAA members for the purpose of addressing issues that relate to the discipline and practice of anthropology. AN reserves the right to select and edit letters. All letters must be clearly marked for Anthropology News Correspondence, not to exceed 400 words and consist of a signed original plus an electronic copy whenever possible. Letters published reflect the views of the correspondents; their publication does not signify endorsement by the American Anthropological Association.
Influence of Different Individual Traits on Vigilance Behaviour in European Rabbits
Authors: Monclús Raquel , Rödel Heiko G.
Published: July 2009

An animal’s level of vigilance depends on various environmental factors such as predator presence or the proximity of conspecific competitors. In addition, several individual traits may influence vigilance. We investigated the effects of body condition, social rank and the state of pregnancy on individual vigilance (scanning) rates in individually marked European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) of a field enclosure population. We found lower rates in young rabbits than in adult females, but male and female juveniles did not differ. Vigilance of juveniles was positively correlated with their age‐dependent body mass (used as a measure of body condition), i.e. young rabbits with lower body condition scanned less. We suggest that juveniles with low body condition were trading off vigilance against feeding to maximise their growth. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between body mass and vigilance in adult females. Adult females increased scanning rates during late pregnancy, which might constitute a behavioural compensation because of their lower capacity to escape predator attacks. In addition, adult females with low social ranks scanned more than high ranking individuals, likely because of their higher risk of attacks by conspecifics. In summary, our results highlight various individual characteristics that influence vigilance behaviour in European rabbits.
Effect of hardness on multiaxial fatigue behaviour and some simple approximations for steels
Authors: SHAMSAEI N. , FATEMI A.
Published: July 2009

Constant‐amplitude in‐phase and 90° out‐of‐phase axial‐torsional fatigue tests were conducted on tubular specimens made from a medium‐carbon steel with three hardness levels obtained from normalizing, quenching and tempering and induction hardening to find the effect of hardness on multiaxial fatigue behaviour. In addition, the same loadings were applied on the normalized solid specimens to investigate the effect of specimen geometry on multiaxial fatigue life. Similar fatigue life variation as a function of hardness was found for in‐phase and out‐of‐phase loadings, with higher ductility beneficial in low‐cycle fatigue (LCF) and higher strength beneficial in high‐cycle fatigue (HCF). Multiaxial fatigue data were satisfactorily correlated for all hardness levels with the Fatemi–Socie parameter. Furthermore, in order to predict multiaxial fatigue life of steels in the absence of any fatigue data, the Roessle–Fatemi hardness method was used. Multiaxial fatigue lives were predicted fairly accurately using the Fatemi–Socie multiaxial model based on only the hardness level of the material. The applicability of the prediction method based on hardness was also examined for Inconel 718 and a stainless steel under a wide range of loading conditions. The great majority of the observed fatigue lives were found to be in good agreement with predicted lives.
Treatment costs of prostate cancer in the first year after diagnosis: a short‐term cost of illness study for France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK
Authors: Fourcade Richard Olivier , Benedict Ágnes , Black Libby K. , Stokes Michael E. , Alcaraz Antonio , Castro Ramiro
Published: July 2009

Study Type – Economic (prospective cohort) Level of Evidence 2a

OBJECTIVE

To calculate the total cost per patient of prostate cancer treatment and the economic cost burden by stage, in the first year after diagnosis, for five European countries.

METHODS

Data from the Information Management Systems, Inc. database, survival data, expert opinion, published data and unit costs from various published official sources were used to calculate total costs per patient by stage for each country, from a payer’s perspective. Diagnostic costs, first surgery, radio‐, chemo‐ and hormonal therapy costs were included. Costs were aggregated for incident cases.

RESULTS

The mean direct costs per patient for initial treatment were €3698 in Germany, €3256 in Spain, €3682 in the UK, €5226 in Italy and €5851 in France. The total costs for all diagnosed patients in the first year from diagnosis were (million €) 116.7 (UK), 244 (Germany), 385 (France), 202 (Italy) and 114.6 (Spain).

CONCLUSIONS

The direct initial healthcare cost burden of the most common non‐skin‐related male cancer, prostate cancer, in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK is considerable. Given the high and increasing prevalence of prostate cancer due to ageing populations in Europe, and the significant cost burden of the disease, national health policy makers should be aware of prostate cancer as a priority disease area.
The role of experience during childhood in shaping the other‐race effect
Authors: De Heering Adélaïde , De Liedekerke Claire , Deboni Malorie , Rossion Bruno
Published: July 2009

It is well known that adults’ face recognition is characterized by an ‘other‐race effect’ (ORE; see Meissner & Brigham, 2001), but few studies have investigated this ORE during the development of the face processing system. Here we examined the role of experience with other‐race faces during childhood by testing a group of 6‐ to 14‐year‐old Asian children adopted between 2 and 26 months in Caucasian families living in Western Europe, as well as a group of age‐matched Caucasian children. The latter group showed a strong ORE in favour of own‐race faces that was stable from 6 to 14 years of age. The adopted participants did not show a significant reversal of the ORE, unlike a recently reported study (Sangrigoli et al., 2005), but rather comparable results with Asian and Caucasian faces. Their pattern of performance was neither influenced by their age of adoption, nor by the amount of experience they accumulated during childhood with other‐race faces. These results indicate that the balance of performance with Asian and Caucasian faces can be modulated, but not completely reversed, in children whose exposure to own‐ and other‐race faces changes drastically during the period of maturation of the face recognition system, depending on the length of exposure to the new face race. Overall, experience appears to be crucial during childhood to shape the face recognition system towards the most predominant morphologies of faces present in the environment.
MORAL FICTIONS AND MEDICAL ETHICS
Authors: MILLER FRANKLIN G. , TRUOG ROBERT D. , BROCK DAN W.
Published: July 2009

Conventional medical ethics and the law draw a bright line distinguishing the permitted practice of withdrawing life‐sustaining treatment from the forbidden practice of active euthanasia by means of a lethal injection. When clinicians justifiably withdraw life‐sustaining treatment, they allow patients to die but do not cause, intend, or have moral responsibility for, the patient's death. In contrast, physicians unjustifiably kill patients whenever they intentionally administer a lethal dose of medication. We argue that the differential moral assessment of these two practices is based on a series of moral fictions – motivated false beliefs that erroneously characterize withdrawing life‐sustaining treatment in order to bring accepted end‐of‐life practices in line with the prevailing moral norm that doctors must never kill patients. When these moral fictions are exposed, it becomes apparent that conventional medical ethics relating to end‐of‐life decisions is radically mistaken.
Barriers to the Implementation of Environmentally Oriented Reverse Logistics: Evidence from the Automotive Industry Sector
Authors: González‐Torre P. , Álvarez M. , Sarkis J. , Adenso‐Díaz B.
Published: July 2009

Even though reverse logistics has existed as long as forward logistics, growing social concern for the environment has caused reverse logistics activities to become a critical function for many organizations. Yet, barriers to implementation of environmentally oriented aspects of reverse logistics still exist. The aim of the present study is to identify the barriers that impede or hinder the implementation of environmentally oriented reverse logistics practices, with a focus on the automotive industry. Empirical evidence and robust statistical analysis provide insights into the practices of environmentally oriented reverse logistics and barriers encountered in the Spanish automotive sector. Using structural equation modelling we are able identify two types of barriers, external and internal, and to study whether these barriers, previously identified in the literature, hinder environmentally oriented reverse logistics practices. The model also allows for identification of the most relevant barriers for the automotive sector.
Irish Domestic Servants, ‘Biddy’ and Rebellion in the American Home, 1850–1900
Authors: Urban Andrew
Published: July 2009

This essay looks at the role that Anglo‐American women played in governing their Irish immigrant domestic servants and at the racial and gendered meanings that were attached to servitude. In the second half of the nineteenth century, female Irish Catholic immigrants predominated in domestic service employment in the north‐eastern United States. Newspaper and magazine articles portrayed the home as a site of conflict where Protestant, middle‐class families clashed with Irish Catholic ‘peasant’ girls newly arrived in the US. Employers depicted ‘Bridget’ or ‘Biddy’, the collective nickname given to Irish domestic servants, as insubordinate, unrefined and prone to violent outbursts. While reliant on domestic service for wages, female Irish immigrants understood that service represented racialised labour in the United States and was viewed as an occupation befitting non‐white populations.
Curing Mind and Body in the Heart of the Canadian Rockies: Empire, Sexual Scandal and the Reclamation of Masculinity, 1880s–1920s
Authors: Deslandes Paul R.
Published: July 2009

Based on a reading of published writings and a series of private letters and medical records, this article explores the life and career of the mountaineer Sir James Outram (1864–1925) in order to argue for a new, more psychologically oriented conceptualisation of the relationship between empire, masculinity and male sexuality. At its core is an attempt to understand both the sexual transgressions that forced Outram to flee Britain for Canada in 1900 and the impact that his travels across the Atlantic and his physical activities in the Rocky Mountains had on his gender and sexual subjectivities. As an intervention into the history of same‐sex desire and behaviour in Britain and the Empire, this piece explores Outram's complicated relationship to the predominant sexual categories of the day and the masculine ideals that held considerable sway in the late imperial period. It also documents the Outram family's interactions with members of the emerging psychiatric profession.
Monthly itraconazole versus classic homeopathy for the treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: a randomised trial
Authors: Witt A , Kaufmann U , Bitschnau M , Tempfer C , Özbal A , Haytouglu E , Gregor H , Kiss H
Published: July 2009

Objective  Antimycotics effectively treat sporadic and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). Classic homeopathy (CH) is also used to treat this condition. We compared the efficacy of CH and itraconazole in reducing the frequency of RVVC episodes.

Design  Single‐centre, prospective, randomised trial.

Sample  One hundred‐and‐fifty patients with a history of RVVC and an acute episode of VVC.

Methods  Women were randomised into 3 groups: itraconazole with lactobacilli (group 1), itraconazole without lactobacilli (group 2) and CH (group 3). Itraconazole treatment of acute infection was followed by a 6‐month maintenance regimen with monthly single‐day itraconazole (200 mg bid). Women in group 1 were given additional vaginal lactobacilli for 6 days per month throughout the maintenance regimen Thereafter, patients were followed without treatment for 6 months. CH treatment was performed for 12 months.

Results  Women in groups 1 and 2 reached a culture‐free status significantly earlier than women in group 3 (log‐rank test; P < 0.0001). Specifically, before the start of the maintenance regimen, 44 of 49 women (89.8%) in group 1 and 40 of 47 women (85%) in group 2 were free of Candida detectable by culture, 22 of 46 (47%) women in group 3 reached a culture‐free status after the first visit, but had a recurrence significantly earlier compared with women in groups 1 and 2 (log‐rank test; P = 0.002). After 12 months, 19 of 25 (76%) women in group 1, 18 of 23 (78%) women in group 2 and 9 of 23 (39%) women in group 3 were free of culture‐detectable Candida. Assessment of RVVC‐associated complaints by VAS score showed that women in group 3 had a significantly higher level of discomfort (36.8, 25.1 and 27.7 respectively; P < 0.001) and were significantly less satisfied (59.2, 68.2 and 71.7 respectively; P < 0.001) than patients in groups 1 and 2.

Conclusions  Monthly cycle‐dependent itraconazole is more effective than CH in the treatment of RVVC. Lactobacilli do not confer an added benefit.