bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electron transfer in a human inducible nitric oxide synthase oxygenase/FMN construct co‐expressed with the N‐terminal globular domain of calmodulin
Authors: Feng Changjian , Fan Weihong , Dupont Andrea , Guy Guillemette J. , Ghosh Dipak K. , Tollin Gordon
Published: September 2010

The FMN‐heme intraprotein electron transfer (IET) kinetics in a human inducible NOS (iNOS) oxygenase/FMN (oxyFMN) construct co‐expressed with NCaM, a truncated calmodulin (CaM) construct that includes only its N‐terminal globular domain consisting of residues 1–75, were determined by laser flash photolysis. The IET rate constant is significantly decreased by nearly fourfold (compared to the iNOS oxyFMN co‐expressed with full length CaM). This supports an important role of full length CaM in proper interdomain FMN/heme alignment in iNOS. The IET process was not observed with added excess EDTA, suggesting that Ca2+ depletion results in the FMN domain moving away from the heme domain. The results indicate that a Ca2+‐dependent reorganization of the truncated CaM construct could cause a major modification of the NCaM/iNOS association resulting in a loss of the IET.
The fluid regime of ore formation in the Balei gold-bearing ore-magmatic system (eastern Transbaikalia, Russia)
Authors: Spiridonov A.M. , Zorina L.D. , Letunov S.P. , Prokof’ev V.Yu.
Published: September 2010

Based on comprehensive studies of fluid inclusions in quartz formed at different stages of hydrothermal process, we consider the physicochemical conditions of formation of epithermal ores (K1) in the Balei ore field. The limiting parameters of hydrothermal process have been established: 353–131 °C, 150–30 bars, and salt concentrations of 7.6–0.5 wt.%-NaCl equiv. A specific feature of the ore-forming process at the Balei deposits is a rapid drop in temperature and pressure, which is typical of open hydrothermal systems. The temperature increase at the beginning of each stage evidences pulse-like ore formation. The productive stage coincides with the initiation of a drastic decrease in temperature (<225 °C) and salt concentration in the solution. The deposits resulted from the functioning of the common Balei ore-magmatic system at shallow depths with a high permeability of the host rocks. High-K calc-alkalic magmas might have been sources of gold mineralization. The ore formation zone is localized above intrusive bodies near their roof. It is not ruled out that the Balei gold was partly borrowed from the products of the early cycles (J2-3) of gold mineralization and from the host rocks.
Estimated macronutrient and fatty acid intakes from an East African Paleolithic diet
Authors: Kuipers Remko S. , Luxwolda Martine F. , Janneke Dijck-Brouwer D. A. , Eaton S. Boyd , Crawford Michael A. , Cordain Loren , Muskiet Frits A. J.
Published: September 2010

Our genome adapts slowly to changing conditions of existence. Many diseases of civilisation result from mismatches between our Paleolithic genome and the rapidly changing environment, including our diet. The objective of the present study was to reconstruct multiple Paleolithic diets to estimate the ranges of nutrient intakes upon which humanity evolved. A database of, predominantly East African, plant and animal foods (meat/fish) was used to model multiple Paleolithic diets, using two pathophysiological constraints (i.e. protein < 35 energy % (en%) and linoleic acid (LA) >1·0 en%), at known hunter–gatherer plant/animal food intake ratios (range 70/30–30/70 en%/en%). We investigated selective and non-selective savannah, savannah/aquatic and aquatic hunter–gatherer/scavenger foraging strategies. We found (range of medians in en%) intakes of moderate-to-high protein (25–29), moderate-to-high fat (30–39) and moderate carbohydrates (39–40). The fatty acid composition was SFA (11·4–12·0), MUFA (5·6–18·5) and PUFA (8·6–15·2). The latter was high in α-linolenic acid (ALA) (3·7–4·7 en%), low in LA (2·3–3·6 en%), and high in long-chain PUFA (LCP; 4·75–25·8 g/d), LCPn-3 (2·26–17·0 g/d), LCPn-6 (2·54–8·84 g/d), ALA/LA ratio (1·12–1·64 g/g) and LCPn-3/LCPn-6 ratio (0·84–1·92 g/g). Consistent with the wide range of employed variables, nutrient intakes showed wide ranges. We conclude that compared with Western diets, Paleolithic diets contained consistently higher protein and LCP, and lower LA. These are likely to contribute to the known beneficial effects of Paleolithic-like diets, e.g. through increased satiety/satiation. Disparities between Paleolithic, contemporary and recommended intakes might be important factors underlying the aetiology of common Western diseases. Data on Paleolithic diets and lifestyle, rather than the investigation of single nutrients, might be useful for the rational design of clinical trials.
China Eyes the Japanese Military: China's Threat Perception of Japan since the 1980s
Authors: Sasaki Tomonori
Published: September 2010

This article represents the first attempt to examine the Chinese elite's threat perception of Japan using statistics to analyse what, if any, differences exist among the People's Liberation Army, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese economic institutes. It seeks to answer two questions that have not previously been addressed in the literature. First, has there been a change in perception of the Japanese threat in these three sectors over time? And if so, what can we deduce about the causes of this change? This study finds that there have indeed been two major shifts in China's threat perception of Japan since the 1980s, one in the late 1980s and the other in the mid-1990s. It also finds that there were no differences between sectors as to the direction and timing of these shifts. It suggests that Japan's military build-up in the late 1980s and the strengthening of the US–Japan alliance from 1996 onwards are what prompted these shifts in China's threat perception.
Globalization and Chinese Sport Policy: The Case of Elite Football in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Tan Tien-Chin , Bairner Alan
Published: September 2010

The aim of this article is to analyse China's engagement in global sport through an examination of the case of elite football. Although many studies exhibit a quite proper concern with the extent to which the deep structure of culture is affected by sports globalization, they generally fail to give significant consideration to the role of the state, because of excessive emphasis on other aspects of globalization such as commercialization, commodification and cultural homogenization. We attempt, therefore, to refocus on the role of the state and to investigate its relationship with global sport by adopting the theoretical framework of Heldet al.(1999) as the main analytical tool for this study. By taking strategic approaches in the economic and cultural/ideological fields, the Chinese government has demonstrated, to some degree, its capacity to find effective ways to manage its relationship with global football. This was demonstrated particularly by the setting up of new governmental commercial agencies, updating sport and football regulations, and strengthening Chinese communist ideological education.
Chen Shui-bian: On Independence
Authors: Sullivan Jonathan , Lowe Will
Published: September 2010

Chen Shui-bian achieved an international reputation for his promotion of Taiwan independence. Whilst that reputation may have been well earned, the analyses on which this conclusion is based are frequently flawed in two ways. First, by using an undifferentiated notion of independence, they tend to conflate sovereignty with less threatening expressions of Taiwanese identity and pro-democracy discourse. Second, by failing to take into account the impact of immediate strategic context, analysts ignore a fundamental element of democratic political communication. In our empirical analysis of more than 2,000 of Chen's speeches, we seek to avoid both flaws by unpacking the concept of independence and taking into account Chen's strategic relationship with his primary audiences. Our findings challenge popular portrayals of Chen, but more importantly they have strong implications for policy makers and students of political rhetoric with regard to current and future ROC presidents.
China-Bound for Jobs? The Influences of Social Connections and Ethnic Politics in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Ming-Chang , Chang Chin-fen
Published: September 2010

Taiwan has long been recognized as a labour-absorbing society, but today approximately 3 per cent of its population is working in China, an increasingly important destination for regional immigration. In this article we go beyond conventional immigration economics to examine how social connections and ethnic politics affect Taiwanese motivations to move to China for employment. Results from a national random-sample survey conducted in 2005 are used to analyse the willingness and potentiality of Taiwanese to work in China. The findings indicate that besides human capital factors, social networks and political/ethnic identity offer insights to understanding migrations among Taiwanese, as well as why the vast majority have so little interest in going China-bound.
Promoting Hybridity: The Politics of the New Macau Identity
Authors: Lam Wai-man
Published: September 2010

This article traces the unique process of reconstructing the identity of the Macau Special Administrative Region and its people after the political resumption to China in 1999, and the political and economic significance of the reconstruction. As in other postcolonial contexts, identity is an arena of political contest where various discourses that embody re-appropriation of political traditions and legacies criss-cross. In Macau, the post-handover identity comprises the local, the national and the international components, with Macau characterized as a historical, colonial/cultural hybrid and economic object. In fact, the Macau identity after 1999 represents a re-appropriation of the image of colonial Macau propagated by the Portuguese administration since the 1980s. Also, identity making has been a process of incorporating instead of repressing or eliminating the identities of “the other,” and building a stand-alone national identity is not the prime task in the reconstruction of an identity. Rather, multiple identity components are deliberately incorporated and promoted. The success of the process has fabricated Macau's relatively smooth reintegration with China and enhanced the legitimacy of its new government.
Methodological problems related to research on L2 Norwegian anaphors
Authors: Busterud Guro
Published: September 2010

This article focuses on the methodological challenges involved in investigating anaphoric binding in Norwegian as a second language. Norwegian anaphors can be bound both locally and non-locally, and since anaphors vary cross-linguistically, it is interesting to explore whether and where L2 speakers of Norwegian allow such target-like local and non-local binding in their L2. Sentences with two possible antecedents might be ambiguous for L2 speakers, and the truth-value judgment task is generally considered to be the best method for eliciting knowledge of L2 speakers' intuitions of anaphoric binding in ambiguous sentences. In Norwegian, long-distance binding cannot cross a finite clause boundary, and the long-distance anaphor cannot be locally bound. Because of this, the truth-value judgment task is sometimes less adequate for testing all relevant binding structures in Norwegian. Dialectal variations in Norwegian pose additional challenges for the study of the acquisition of anaphors in an L2. This paper discusses the implications of these methodological challenges.
Essential actions for caterers to promote healthy eating out among European consumers: results from a participatory stakeholder analysis in the HECTOR project
Authors: Lachat Carl , Naska Androniki , Trichopoulou Antonia , Engeset Dagrun , Fairgrieve Alastair , Marques Helena Ávila , Kolsteren Patrick
Published: September 2010

Objective

To identify and assess actions by which the catering sector could be engaged in strategies for healthier eating out in Europe.

Design

A SWOT analysis was used to assess the participation of the catering sector in actions for healthier eating out. Caterers subsequently shortlisted essential actions to overcome threats and weaknesses the sector may face when engaging in implementing these actions.

Setting

Analysis undertaken in the European Union-supported HECTOR project on ‘Eating Out: Habits, Determinants and Recommendations for Consumers and the European Catering Sector’.

Subjects

Thirty-eight participants from sixteen European countries reflecting a broad multi-stakeholder panel on eating out in Europe.

Results

The catering sector possesses strengths that allow direct involvement in health promotion strategies and could well capitalise on the opportunities offered. A focus on healthy eating may necessitate business re-orientations. The sector was perceived as being relatively weak in terms of its dependency on the supply of ingredients and lack of financial means, technical capacity, know-how and human resources. To foster participation in strategies for healthier eating out, caterers noted that guidelines should be simple, food-based and tailored to local culture. The focus could be on seasonal foods, traditional options and alternative dishes rather than just on ‘healthy eating’. Small-to-medium-sized enterprises have specific concerns and needs that should be considered in the implementation of such strategies.

Conclusions

The study highlights a number of possible policy actions that could be instrumental in improving dietary intake in Europe through healthier eating out.
SPECTRAL RADIUS ALGEBRAS AND C0 CONTRACTIONS. II
Authors: PETROVIC SRDJAN
Published: September 2010

We consider spectral radius algebras associated with C0 contractions. When the operator A is algebraic, we describe all invariant subspaces that are common for operators in its spectral radius algebra ℬA. When the operator A is not algebraic, ℬA is weakly dense and we characterize a set of rank-one operators in ℬA that is weakly dense in ℒ(ℋ).
B23 circular dichroism beamline at the Diamond Light Source
Authors: Siligardi Giuliano , Hussain Rohanah , Myatt Daniel , Jávorfi Tamás
Published: September 2010

Circular dichroism spectroscopy is a useful and versatile tool to obtain low-resolution structural information about proteins, biopolymers and other chiral materials in solution. The first UV–VIS beamline dedicated to circular dichroism, B23, at Diamond Light Source Ltd., a third-generation synchrotron facility in the UK, has recently become operational and is now available for the user community. Herein we summarize the main characteristics of the beamline and some possible applications.
Evidenzbasierte psychotherapeutische Interventionen für Kinder und Jugendliche mit aggressivem Verhalten
Authors: Bachmann Christian J. , Lehmkuhl Gerd , Petermann Franz , Scott Stephen
Published: September 2010

Bei der Behandlung von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit aggressivem Verhalten ist in den vergangenen Jahren vor allem im englischsprachigen Ausland ein Trend zum Einsatz evidenzbasierter psychotherapeutischer Interventionen zu verzeichnen. In diesem Beitrag werden–getrennt für Kindes- und Jugendalter–die am besten evaluierten Therapieprogramme (u. a. Multisystemic Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, The Incredible Years) für diese Indikation dargestellt. Es werden aktuelle Fragen der Implementation und Disseminierung evidenzbasierter Interventionen für aggressive Kinder und Jugendliche diskutiert (z. B. Qualitätssicherung, Therapietreue). Abschließend werden Perspektiven für eine Implementation evidenzbasierter Interventionen in Deutschland aufgezeigt.
Videogestützte Elterntrainings mit aggressiven Kindern
Authors: Waskewitz Steffi , Petermann Franz , Petermann Ulrike , Büttner Peter
Published: September 2010

Um die Effektivität herkömmlicher Elterntrainings mit aggressiven Kindern zu erhöhen, hat sich der Einsatz von Videos zur Interaktionsanalyse und zur Modifikation der Eltern-Kind-Beziehung als eine geeignete Methode etabliert. Drei Möglichkeiten videogestützte Elterntrainings einzusetzen, werden vorgestellt: Videotape-Modelling, Video-Self-Modelling und Videofeedback. Alle Methoden werden beschrieben und auf ihre Effektivität hin überprüft. Es wird ein Überblick über den internationalen Forschungsstand gegeben und Implikationen für die klinische Praxis diskutiert.
A Nomothetic Version of the Brunswikian Lens Model
Authors: Mutz Rüdiger , Seeling Ute
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this article is to discuss new methodological developments, starting with Schilling and Hogge (2001) , aimed at establishing a nomothetic version of the Brunswikian lens model based on multilevel models (multilevel latent class regression). This genuinely person-oriented approach simultaneously allows the idiographic assessment of individual judgment processes and the nomothetic examination of evidence of generalization across individuals. Data of a pilot project on forest persons’ subjective judgment of the quality of wood (“Forstlicher Götterblick”) are used to demonstrate the proposal: In a paper-pencil test, 29 forest persons (forestry students and foresters) each estimated the internal wood quality of 40 trees on a 6-point rating scale using information provided about six well-known external wood properties for each tree. Two judgment strategies were identified (“Take-The-Best” and random) which could also be assigned to two different types of subjects (“novices” vs. “experts”). Summarizing, this approach combines both person-oriented and variable-oriented concepts.
Assessing Individual Differences in the Use of Haptic Information Using a German Translation of the Need for Touch Scale
Authors: Nuszbaum Mandy , Voss Andreas , Klauer Karl Christoph , Betsch Tilmann
Published: September 2010

A German version of the Need for Touch scale (NFT) was developed and validated in two experiments. Study 1 examined moderator effects of NFT on the influence of product experience on confidence and frustration in product evaluations. As expected, only for high-NFT individuals, confidence increased and frustration decreased when haptic information was available. In Study 2, we explored the influence of NFT in a gambling task. Results showed that individuals with higher NFT more often chose gambling alternatives accompanied by a positive feeling of touch, while individuals with lower NFT did not integrate haptic information. Additionally, results confirmed the theoretically postulated two-dimensional structure of NFT, as well as its discriminant validity.
Heliospheric magnetic field 1835–2009
Authors: Svalgaard Leif , Cliver Edward W.
Published: September 2010

We use recently acquired geomagnetic archival data to extend our long‐term reconstruction of the heliospheric magnetic field (HMF) strength. The 1835–2009 HMF series is based on an updated and substantiated InterDiurnal Variability (IDV) series from 1872 onwards and on Bartels' extension, by proxy, of his u‐series from 1835 to 1871. The new IDV series, termed IDV09, has excellent agreement (R2 = 0.98; RMS = 0.3 nT) with the earlier IDV05 series, and also with the negative component of Love's extended (to 1905) Dst series (R2 = 0.91). Of greatest importance to the community, in an area of research that has been contentious, comparison of the extended HMF series with other recent reconstructions of solar wind B for the last ∼100 years yields a strong consensus between series based on geomagnetic data. Differences exist from ∼1900–1910 but they are far smaller than the previous disagreement for this key interval of low solar wind B values which closely resembles current solar activity. Equally encouraging, a discrepancy with an HMF reconstruction based on 10Be data for the first half of the 20th century has largely been removed by a revised 10Be‐based reconstruction published after we submitted this paper, although a remaining discrepancy for the years ∼1885–1905 will need to be resolved.
Seasonal defrosting of the Phoenix landing site
Authors: Searls M. L. , Mellon M. T. , Cull S. , Hansen C. J. , Sizemore H. G.
Published: September 2010

The retreat of the seasonal polar cap at the Phoenix landing site is analyzed through observations of high resolution images and thermal modeling of the CO2 frost mass. Numerical simulations indicate that the onset of CO2 frost formation occurs around Ls = 220° at 68°N; however, the polar hood prevented imaging of the surface during this time. In the late winter/early spring a continuous layer of frost coated the surface obscuring the underlying polygonal patterns; however, rocks are clearly evident indicating that the frost depth was relatively shallow. Rare dark fans originating from rocks are also observed in an image from early spring. Frost dissipated from the polygon centers first and lingered longer in polygon troughs. Polygon centers were first exposed on Ls = 13.9°, and the polygon troughs were frost free by Ls ∼57°. Frost distributions varied slightly between geologic units; however, in general, global observations at similar latitudes are consistent with what is seen in the Phoenix region. A series of hypotheses is also explored to explain the preference for the CO2 frost to linger in the troughs: lower thermal inertia material in the troughs, aeolian redistribution of frost, burial of the ice table via aeolian redistribution of dust, and shadowing. Each of these hypotheses has drawbacks to explaining this phenomenon as stand‐alone components. Shadows do play a role in keeping the CO2 frost on the surface; however, this effect is small and cannot alone account for the observations.
Mapping spatial distributions and uncertainty of water and sediment flux in a large gravel bed river reach using an acoustic Doppler current profiler
Authors: Rennie Colin D. , Church Michael
Published: September 2010

Spatial distributions of depth‐averaged water velocity, shear velocity, and apparent bed load velocity are mapped for the first time in a long reach of a wandering gravel bed river, lower Fraser River, British Columbia. Spatially intensive acoustic Doppler current profiler (aDcp) measurements were collected on the falling limbs of two freshets. Flow in the first year was near the threshold of motion, whereas in the second year discharge exceeded bankfull. Spatial distributions are interpolated from the point data using kriging. Joint density functions for shear velocity and flow depth throughout the reach are presented; marginal densities for shear velocity were near normally distributed but depth distributions were positively skewed by deep pools. The uncertainty of the spatial distributions is also assessed based on modeled temporal variability of the flow and bed load transport, measured aDcp error velocities, and calculated interpolation errors. The resulting maps are remarkably coherent, with maximum depth‐averaged velocity, shear velocity, and apparent bed load velocity following the thalweg. Largest values occur in channel bends at zones of flow convergence where the thalweg flow accelerates toward the bank. However, in the lower flow year the highest apparent bed load velocity was observed outside the thalweg in a deep pool downstream of a rapidly eroding cut bank. Erosion at this site was related to a flow confluence with relatively low shear but highly turbulent, strongly three‐dimensional separated flow.
Modeling gas‐water processes in fractures with fracture flow properties obtained through upscaling
Authors: Nuske Philipp , Faigle Benjamin , Helmig Rainer , Niessner Jennifer , Neuweiler Insa
Published: September 2010

Many environmental systems are driven by complex gas‐water processes in fractured aquifers. One example is degassing processes occurring in fractures in the vicinity of radioactive waste disposal sites. These fractures can represent a potential fast track for radioactive substances to reach the surface: due to buoyancy effects, the created gas phase can move relatively quickly to the surface. The aim of this paper is to investigate and model the involved processes. First, a model for a single fracture is developed. Based on statistical properties of real fractures, an aperture distribution (raster element model) is created. A percolation‐renormalization model yields effective properties, such as relative permeabilities and capillary pressure, and provides the size of a representative elementary volume. These effective relationships represent the basis for modeling the migration of the created gas phase through the fractured aquifer of the subsurface. An example modeling degassing and flow in a single fracture is shown and compared to experimental data. The presented model represents a conceptual method for degassing processes and the subsequent migration of the gas phase in fracture‐matrix systems, improving predictions on the fate of radioactive substances.
Use of regression‐based models to map sensitivity of aquatic resources to atmospheric deposition in Yosemite National Park, USA
Authors: Clow David W. , Nanus Leora , Huggett Brian
Published: September 2010

An abundance of exposed bedrock, sparse soil and vegetation, and fast hydrologic flushing rates make aquatic ecosystems in Yosemite National Park susceptible to nutrient enrichment and episodic acidification due to atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S). In this study, multiple linear regression (MLR) models were created to estimate fall‐season nitrate and acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) in surface water in Yosemite wilderness. Input data included estimated winter N deposition, fall‐season surface‐water chemistry measurements at 52 sites, and basin characteristics derived from geographic information system layers of topography, geology, and vegetation. The MLR models accounted for 84% and 70% of the variance in surface‐water nitrate and ANC, respectively. Explanatory variables (and the sign of their coefficients) for nitrate included elevation (positive) and the abundance of neoglacial and talus deposits (positive), unvegetated terrain (positive), alluvium (negative), and riparian (negative) areas in the basins. Explanatory variables for ANC included basin area (positive) and the abundance of metamorphic rocks (positive), unvegetated terrain (negative), water (negative), and winter N deposition (negative) in the basins. The MLR equations were applied to 1407 stream reaches delineated in the National Hydrography Data Set for Yosemite, and maps of predicted surface‐water nitrate and ANC concentrations were created. Predicted surface‐water nitrate concentrations were highest in small, high‐elevation cirques, and concentrations declined downstream. Predicted ANC concentrations showed the opposite pattern, except in high‐elevation areas underlain by metamorphic rocks along the Sierran Crest, which had relatively high predicted ANC (>200 μeq L−1). Maps were created to show where basin characteristics predispose aquatic resources to nutrient enrichment and acidification effects from N and S deposition. The maps can be used to help guide development of water‐quality programs designed to monitor and protect natural resources in national parks.
An Underwater Laboratory at the Fraser River Delta
Authors: Lintern D. Gwyn , Hill Philip R.
Published: September 2010

Deltas, home to more than 500 million people and the site of vital wetland ecosystems across the world, are of tremendous economic importance to many countries. The physical dynamics at river mouths determines how sediment particles and contaminants are dispersed offshore by mechanisms that include waves, currents, and gravity flows, but how and when particular mechanisms operate are often inferred rather than known. Thus, scientists' understanding of sediment and contaminant dispersal mechanisms is only rudimentary. The problems lie in the intermittent operation of the different mechanisms, which occur on tidal, seasonal, and interannual time scales, and the difficulty of making long time series measurements at high sampling rates in these challenging oceanographic environments.
Exploring the Sun
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: September 2010

NASA has selected five science investigations for its Solar Probe Plus, a spacecraft slated to launch by 2018 and explore the Sun's corona as it extends into space. The selected science proposals include an investigation to count electrons, protons, and helium ions in the solar wind and measure their properties; a wide‐field imager telescope to make three‐dimensional images of the Sun's corona; and a fields experiment to make direct measurements of electric and magnetic fields, radio emissions, and shock waves moving through the Sun's atmospheric plasma. Other selected proposals include an integrated science investigation of the Sun to monitor electrons, protons, and ions accelerated to high energies in the Sun's atmosphere and an investigation of heliospheric origins.

“The experiments selected for Solar Probe Plus are specifically designed to solve two key questions of solar physics—why is the Sun's outer atmosphere so much hotter than the Sun's visible surface and what propels the solar wind that affects Earth and our solar system? We've been struggling with these questions for decades and this mission should finally provide those answers,” said Richard Fisher, director of NASA's Heliophysics Division.
A Bright Future for Substorms: Tenth International Conference on Substorms; San Luis Obispo, California, 22–26 March 2010
Authors: Kissinger J. , McPherron R. L.
Published: September 2010

Intense auroral displays are caused by substorms, events in the Earth's magnetosphere consisting of an abundance of plasma physics processes. More than 120 scientists gathered to discuss the latest findings on this phenomenon at a conference organized by Vassilis Angelopoulos, Larry R. Lyons, and Robert L. McPherron of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Just as a thunderstorm cannot be properly analyzed with a single weather station, substorms cannot be properly studied with a single satellite in the vastness of space. Recent satellite missions now provide several simultaneous observations of key processes. Extensive networks of ionospheric radars, magnetometers, and all‐sky imagers extend around the world. This has resulted in unprecedented coverage and conjunctions, brightening scientists' understanding of substorms.
Space Geodetic Data Improve Seismic Hazard Assessment in California: Workshop on Incorporating Geodetic Surface Deformation Data Into UCERF3; Pomona, California, 1–2 April 2010
Authors: Hearn E. H. , Johnson K. , Thatcher Wayne
Published: September 2010

A workshop was held to begin scientific consideration of how to incorporate space geodetic constraints on strain rates and fault slip rates into the next generation Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast, version 3 (UCERF3), due to be completed in mid‐2012. Principal outcomes of the meeting were (1) an assessment of secure science ready for UCERF3 applications within the next year, and (2) an agenda of new research objectives for the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and others in support of UCERF3 and related probabilistic seismic hazard assessments (PSHA).

A number of goals potentially achievable within a year were identified, including (1) slip rate and fault locking depth estimates, with uncertainties or ranges, for all major and some minor faults of the extended San Andreas system; (2) strain rate estimates or bounds on rates for selected regions lying off the major faults of the San Andreas system; and (3) corrections or bounds on perturbing effects of postseismic deformation and elastic modulus heterogeneities on the observed Global Positioning System (GPS) velocity field (needed as input to models for estimating fault slip and strain rates in goals 1 and 2 above).
Ion outflows and artificial ducts in the topside ionosphere at HAARP
Authors: Milikh G. M. , Mishin E. , Galkin I. , Vartanyan A. , Roth C. , Reinisch B. W.
Published: September 2010

New results of the DMSP satellite and HAARP digisonde observations during HF heating at the High‐Frequency Active Auroral Program (HAARP) facility are described. For the first time, the DMSP satellites detected significant ion outflows associated with 10–30% density enhancements in the topside ionosphere above the heated region near the magnetic zenith. In addition, coincident high‐cadence skymaps from the HAARP digisonde reveal field‐aligned upward plasma flows inside the F‐peak region. The SAMI2 2 model calculations are in fair agreement with the observations.
Simulations of underwater plumes of dissolved oil in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Adcroft Alistair , Hallberg Robert , Dunne John P. , Samuels Bonita L. , Galt J. A. , Barker Christopher H. , Payton Debra
Published: September 2010

A simple model of the temperature‐dependent biological decay of dissolved oil is embedded in an ocean‐climate model and used to simulate underwater plumes of dissolved and suspended oil originating from a point source in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with an upper‐bound supply rate estimated from the contemporary analysis of the Deepwater Horizon blowout. The behavior of plumes at different depths is found to be determined by the combination of sheared current strength and the vertical profile of decay rate. For all plume scenarios, toxic levels of dissolved oil remain confined to the northern Gulf of Mexico, and abate within weeks after the spill stops. An estimate of oxygen consumption due to microbial oxidation of hydrocarbons suggests that a deep plume of hydrocarbons could lead to localized regions of prolonged hypoxia near the source, but only when oxidation of methane is included.
The 3‐D extent of the Io UV footprint on Jupiter
Authors: Bonfond B.
Published: September 2010

The Io footprint (IFP) is the auroral signature of the electromagnetic interaction between Io and Jupiter's magnetosphere. It consists of several spots followed by an extended tail, which are located close to the feet of the magnetic field lines connecting Io to Jupiter. The size of the main spot is a controversial issue, and previously published values range from ∼400 to ∼8000 km. However, this question is crucial to understand the processes at play, since this quantity is expected to reflect the size of the interaction region at Io. The present study provides estimates of the size of the Io footprint on a much larger image sample than before, paying a particular attention to the differentiation of the spots and to their 3‐D structure. The length of the Main Alfvén Wing (MAW) spot and the length of the trans‐hemispheric electron beam (TEB) spot along the footpath are ∼850 km, while their width perpendicular to the footpath is <200 km. Larger lengths are sometimes observed, but these configurations may be attributed to the overlaps of the different spots. The spot lengths are larger than the projected diameter of Io along unperturbed magnetic field lines, which is consistent with recent simulations. The narrowness of the IFP will need to be carefully accounted for in future studies of its brightness. Additionally, the peak altitudes of the MAW and the TEB spot are as high as 900 and 700 km, respectively, which seem to confirm their different origins.
Long‐term and recent changes in sea level in the Falkland Islands
Authors: Woodworth P. L. , Pugh D. T. , Bingley R. M.
Published: September 2010

Mean sea level measurements made at Port Louis in the Falkland Islands in 1981–1982, 1984, and 2009, together with values from the nearby permanent tide gauge at Port Stanley, have been compared to measurements made at Port Louis in 1842 by James Clark Ross. The long‐term rate of change of sea level is estimated to have been +0.75 ± 0.35 mm/yr between 1842 and the early 1980s, after correction for air pressure effects and for vertical land movement due to glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA). The 2009 Port Louis data set is of particular importance due to the availability of simultaneous information from Port Stanley. The data set has been employed in two ways, by providing a short recent estimate of mean sea level itself, and by enabling the effective combination of measurements at the two sites. The rate of sea level rise observed since 1992, when the modern Stanley gauge was installed, has been larger at 2.51 ± 0.58 mm/yr, after correction for air pressure and GIA. This rate compares to a value of 2.79 ± 0.42 mm/yr obtained from satellite altimetry in the region over the same period. Such a relatively recent acceleration in the rate of sea level rise is consistent with findings from other locations in the Southern Hemisphere and globally.
Data assimilation constrains new connections and components in a complex, eukaryotic circadian clock model
Authors: Pokhilko Alexandra , Hodge Sarah K , Stratford Kevin , Knox Kirsten , Edwards Kieron D , Thomson Adrian W , Mizuno Takeshi , Millar Andrew J
Published: September 2010

Circadian clocks generate 24‐h rhythms that are entrained by the day/night cycle. Clock circuits include several light inputs and interlocked feedback loops, with complex dynamics. Multiple biological components can contribute to each part of the circuit in higher organisms. Mechanistic models with morning, evening and central feedback loops have provided a heuristic framework for the clock in plants, but were based on transcriptional control. Here, we model observed, post‐transcriptional and post‐translational regulation and constrain many parameter values based on experimental data. The model's feedback circuit is revised and now includes PSEUDO‐RESPONSE REGULATOR 7 (PRR7) and ZEITLUPE. The revised model matches data in varying environments and mutants, and gains robustness to parameter variation. Our results suggest that the activation of important morning‐expressed genes follows their release from a night inhibitor (NI). Experiments inspired by the new model support the predicted NI function and show that the PRR5 gene contributes to the NI. The multiple PRR genes of Arabidopsis uncouple events in the late night from light‐driven responses in the day, increasing the flexibility of rhythmic regulation.
Reconstructing the shape of an object from its mirror image
Authors: Hutt T. , Simonetti F.
Published: September 2010

An image of an object can be achieved by sending multiple waves toward it and recording the reflections. In order to achieve a complete reconstruction it is usually necessary to send and receive waves from every possible direction [360° for two-dimensional (2D) imaging]. In practice this is often not possible and imaging must be performed with a limited view, which degrades the reconstruction. A proposed solution is to use a strongly scattering planar interface as a mirror to “look behind” the object. The mirror provides additional views that result in an improved reconstruction. We describe this technique and how it is implemented in the context of 2D acoustic imaging. The effect of the mirror on imaging is demonstrated by means of numerical examples that are also used to study the effects of noise. This technique could be used with many imaging methods and wave types, including microwaves, ultrasound, sonar, and seismic waves.
Influence of nitrogen on the defects and magnetism of ZnO:N thin films
Authors: Wu Ke Yue , Fang Qing Qing , Wang Wei Na , Zhou Chang , Huang Wen Juan , Li Jin Guang , Lv Qing Rong , Liu Yan Mei , Zhang Qi Ping , Zhang Han Ming
Published: September 2010

Nitrogen (N)-doped ZnO thin films have been deposited on Si (100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition under different N2 pressures. The optical and magnetic properties of N-doped ZnO films have been studied with photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. Photoluminescence and Raman studies reveal that N2 pressure affected the defects of N-doped ZnO films. Under 10 Pa N2 pressure, N substitutes O and forms NO acceptor. Zn interstitials are main compensating donors. Under higher N2 pressures, N not only substitutes O but also forms N2O molecules in N-doped ZnO films. Zn antisizes are compensating donors. In additional, Zn vacancies are formed and the concentration increases with increasing N2 pressure. Magnetic properties of these films show that there are two distinct ferromagnetic mechanisms: the origin of ferromagnetism in the ZnO:N-10 Pa film is Zn interstitial, while Zn vacancy leads to ferromagnetism in the ZnO:N-50 Pa film.
Unusual photochemical dynamics of a bridged azobenzene derivative
Authors: Carstensen Ole , Sielk Jan , Schönborn Jan Boyke , Granucci Giovanni , Hartke Bernd
Published: September 2010

In a large-scale simulation study of ultrafast photochemical dynamics for an azobenzene compound with an additional ethylenic bridge we have found unexpected features: while the dynamics starting from the Z isomer follow a barrierless path with steep gradients, the dynamics starting from the E isomer proceed through a different conical intersection surrounded by a rather flat potential energy landscape and then encounter a sizeable barrier in the electronic ground state that markedly influences the reaction behavior. Direct comparisons with experimental static UV spectra, quantum yields, and transient absorption spectra show good agreement and reveal signatures of this unusual behavior.
Electric-fields-enhanced destabilization of oil-in-water emulsions flowing through a confined wedgelike gap
Authors: Xie Guoxin , Luo Jianbin , Liu Shuhai , Guo Dan , Zhang Chenhui
Published: September 2010

External electric fields (EEFs) have been applied on a wedgelike gap in a ball-disk configuration, through which oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions flowed. The film formation properties of O/W emulsions in the contact region between the ball and the disk, which is closely related to the stability of oil droplets in the wedgelike gap, have been investigated experimentally. It is found that the film formation property of emulsions in the contact region increases with the EEF strength, but tends to saturate after a critical EEF strength was reached. For the emulsion with a larger oil concentration, it can be enhanced by EEFs more dramatically. The change in the film formation property is more significant when EEFs were applied in emulsions with relatively high emulsifier concentrations, however, the droplet stability is higher in the emulsions with low emulsifier concentrations even when EEFs were applied. The ability of the deformation and breakup of droplets under EEFs in the wedge was also analyzed theoretically to correlate with the experimental results.
Novel transport properties of gold-single wall carbon nanotubes composite contacts
Authors: Yu Zhizhou , Sun L. Z. , Wei X. L. , Zhong J. X.
Published: September 2010

Using the density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green’s function method, we report the effect of the gold-single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) composite contacts on the electronic structures and the transport properties of the device constructed by SWCNTs [SWCNT(10,0) or SWCNT(5,5)] and gold electrodes. The transmissions of the devices are greatly improved due to the strong couplings between carbon and gold atoms of the composite contacts. As for SWCNT(10,0), the gold atoms in the composite contacts behave as n-type dopant and depress the Schottky barrier between SWCNT(10,0) and the gold electrode. Moreover, the negative differential resistance characteristics occurs in the devices constructed by gold-SWCNT(10,0) composite contacts.
Metamorphic quantum dots: Quite different nanostructures
Authors: Seravalli L. , Frigeri P. , Nasi L. , Trevisi G. , Bocchi C.
Published: September 2010

In this work, we present a study of InAs quantum dots deposited on InGaAs metamorphic buffers by molecular beam epitaxy. By comparing morphological, structural, and optical properties of such nanostructures with those of InAs/GaAs quantum dot ones, we were able to evidence characteristics that are typical of metamorphic InAs/InGaAs structures. The more relevant are: the cross-hatched InGaAs surface overgrown by dots, the change in critical coverages for island nucleation and ripening, the nucleation of new defects in the capping layers, and the redshift in the emission energy. The discussion on experimental results allowed us to conclude that metamorphic InAs/InGaAs quantum dots are rather different nanostructures, where attention must be put to some issues not present in InAs/GaAs structures, namely, buffer-related defects, surface morphology, different dislocation mobility, and stacking fault energies. On the other hand, we show that metamorphic quantum dot nanostructures can provide new possibilities of tailoring various properties, such as dot positioning and emission energy, that could be very useful for innovative dot-based devices.
Accurate determination of volume and evaporation rate of micron-size liquid particle
Authors: Yamada T. , Sasagawa N. , Sakai K.
Published: September 2010

We developed a noncontact method to measure the liquid droplet size of about 10 μm diameter within accuracy of 0.1 μm. A droplet ejected by an inkjet nozzle is induced into the glass windshield and falls due to the gravity against the viscosity of the atmosphere. The droplet is illuminated by a laser passing along the center of the glass windshield and the droplet diameter is determined from the falling velocity by the video analysis with the knowledge about the density of the droplet, and the viscosity of the atmosphere. The real time measurement of the droplet size through the rapid evaporation process thus becomes possible. The evaporation rate from the pure water droplet determined by the present method was found be more than 200 times larger than that from the surface with macroscopic spatial scale.
A truncation hierarchy of coupled cluster models of strongly correlated systems based on perfect-pairing references: The singles+doubles models
Authors: Parkhill John A. , Head-Gordon Martin
Published: September 2010

Paired, active-space treatments of static correlation are augmented with additional amplitudes to produce a hierarchy of parsimonious and efficient cluster truncations that approximate the total energy. The number of parameters introduced in these models grow with system size in a tractable way: two powers larger than the static correlation model it is built upon: for instance cubic for the models built on perfect pairing, fourth order for a perfect quadruples (PQ) reference, and fifth order for the models built on perfect hextuples. These methods are called singles+doubles (SD) corrections to perfect pairing, PQ, perfect hextuples, and two variants are explored. An implementation of the SD methods is compared to benchmark results for F2 and H2O dissociation problems, the H4 and H8 model systems, and the insertion of beryllium into hydrogen. In the cases examined even the quartic number of parameters associated with PQSD is able to provide results which meaningfully improve on coupled-cluster singles doubles (CCSD) (which also has quartic amplitudes) and compete with existing multi-reference alternatives.
Stability of nanoscale twins in copper under electric current stressing
Authors: Chen Kuan-Chia , Wu Wen-Wei , Liao Chien-Neng , Chen Lih-Juann , Tu K. N.
Published: September 2010

Migration of {112} incoherent twin boundary (ITB) in nanotwinned Cu under electric current stressing has been observed using in situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The current-driven ITB migration is found to be four orders of magnitude faster than that driven thermally. We propose that electric current plays a role of shuffling Cu atoms at ITB/coherent twin boundary junctions, which enhances nucleation of {112} steps and facilitates twin boundary migration in Cu. By understanding how twin boundaries respond to electric current force we shall be able to trace the property change in nanotwinned Cu under electric current stressing, which would be an essential assessment of interconnect reliability.