bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of nitrogen forms and mycorrhizal colonization on growth and composition of Chinese bunching onion
Authors: Perner Henrike , Schwarz Dietmar , Krumbein Angelika , Li Xiaolin , George Eckhard
Published: December 2007

In recent years, interest has grown in cultivating Allium species with enhanced health benefits and/or distinct flavor. Concentrations of phytochemicals determining these desired characteristics may be influenced by nitrogen forms (ammonium or nitrate) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. We examined these relations with the test plant bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.). Three different ammonium‐to‐nitrate (NH$ _4^+ $ : NO$ _3^- $) ratios were supplied in combination with or without inoculation with an AM fungus (Glomus mosseae). The plants were evaluated for dry weight, leaf number, and content of nutrients (N, NO$ _3^- $, P, S), sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), and organosulfur compounds (measured as pyruvic acid). The experiment was carried out under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Plants were grown on perlite amended twice a day with nutrient solution. In nonmycorrhizal plants, the application of nutrient solution with predominant NO$ _3^- $ or NH4NO3 as N source supported adequate growth of Allium fistulosum while predominant NH$ _4^+ $ supply resulted in decreased growth and occurrence of wilting symptoms. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased dry weight and leaf number of predominantly NH$ _4^+ $‐fed or NH4NO3‐fed plants. While shoot P concentration increased with higher NH$ _4^+ $ supply, shoot N concentration increased in predominantly NH$ _4^+ $‐fed plants only. Nitrogen form and AM colonization had little effect on shoot S or sugar concentrations. The total content in organosulfur compounds was significantly affected by both, N form and AM colonization. The optimal growth condition for a high formation of organosulfur compounds in this experiment was a nutrient solution with predominant NO$ _3^- $ supply, but when supported by AM fungi, Allium fistulosum produced similar amounts of pyruvic acid in NH4NO3‐fed plants.
Silicon modulates the metabolism and utilization of phenolic compounds in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown at excess manganese
Authors: Dragišić Maksimović Jelena , Bogdanović Jelena , Maksimović Vuk , Nikolic Miroslav
Published: December 2007

Cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Chinese long) were grown in nutrient solution with increasing manganese (Mn) concentrations (0.5, 50, and 100 µM) with (+Si) or without silicon (–Si) supplied as silicic acid at 1.5 mM. High external Mn supply induced both growth inhibition of the whole plant and the appearance of Mn‐toxicity symptoms in the leaves. The application of Si alleviated Mn toxicity by increasing the biomass production. Although the total Mn concentration in the leaves did not differ significantly between +Si and –Si plants, symptoms of Mn toxicity were not observed in Si‐treated plants. The concentrations of phenolic compounds, particularly in the leaf extracts of cucumber plants grown at high external Mn concentrations, differed from those of plants grown without Si. The increased tissue concentrations of phenols (e.g., coniferyl alcohol, coumaric and ferulic acids) were in agreement with enhanced enzymes activities, i.e., peroxidases (PODs) and polyphenol oxidases (PPO) in the tissues of –Si plants. The activities of both enzymes were kept at a lower level in the tissue extracts of +Si plants grown at high external Mn concentrations. These results suggest that Si nutrition modulates the metabolism and utilization of phenolic compounds mainly at the leaf level, most probably as a consequence of the formation of Si‐polyphenol complexes.
The experimental observation and numerical modeling of cast film deformation using novel capillary markers
Authors: Hallmark Bart
Published: December 2007

This paper presents experimental observations and numerical modeling of a new method to measure polymer deformation during film casting. The approach outlined in this paper uses a novel class of cast film termed microcapillary film (MCF). MCFs are “ribbon‐like” extrudates containing a parallel array of continuous, hollow, micro capillaries. The final shape and size of each capillary, along with the overall shape distribution of the entire array, is linked to the overall deformation of the film and is a complex function of polymer rheology, conditions within the extrusion die and the drawing of the extrudate prior to quenching. The first part of this paper is concerned with an experimental comparison between the external deformation of linear low‐density polyethylene MCFs and the internal, localized, capillary and polymer deformation. The second part of this paper presents numerical models of the die flow and the melt drawing of the MCF; these results are compared to the experimental data and also to models of capillary‐free cast films of similar dimensions. This paper shows that the deformation behaviors of MCFs and “ribbon‐like” cast films are similar (predominantly uniaxial) and that capillary deformation closely follows overall MCF deformation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:37–51, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mechanical, thermal, and fire behavior of bisphenol a polycarbonate/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites
Authors: Schartel B. , Braun U. , Knoll U. , Bartholmai M. , Goering H. , Neubert D. , Pötschke P.
Published: December 2007

Nanocomposites of bisphenol A polycarbonate with 2, 4, 6, and 15 wt% multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and their use in fire retardancy are investigated. Their thermal behavior and pyrolysis are characterized using thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimeter, oscillatory shear rheology, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The flammability is addressed using LOI and UL 94; the fire behavior, with a cone calorimeter using different irradiation. With increasing MWNT content the storage modulus is increased (10–20%) and melt viscosity increases by several orders of magnitude, particularly for low shear rates. The melt flow, dripping, and deformation during fire are hindered, which influences UL 94 and cone calorimeter results. The peak heat release rate is reduced up to 40–50% due to an improved barrier for small amounts (2 wt%) of MWNT and for low irradiation, whereas the effect is reduced for increasing irradiation and nearly vanishes for increasing filling. Adjuvant but also deleterious mechanisms result in the complex dependency on the MWNT content. Significant flame retardancy effects are specific and limited to only some fire properties. This study allows the materials' potential for implementation in different fire scenarios and tests to be assessed and provides insight into active mechanisms. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:149–158, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Equimolar “a2 + b4” polycondensations—Cyclic polyethers derived from 1,4‐dicyanotetrafluorobenzene and various diphenols
Authors: Kricheldorf Hans R. , Bornhorst Kirstin
Published: December 2007

Dicyanotetrafluorobenzene was polycondensed with bisphenol‐P, bisphenol‐M, or 1,4‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenoxy)butane in DMF. Either K2CO3 and ethyldiisopropylamine (EDPA) or tetramethyl piperidine (TMPD) was used as catalysts and HF acceptors. Regardless of base and concentration, all polycondensations of bisphenol‐P or 1,4‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenoxy)butane yielded more or less crosslinked polyethers. In the case of bisphenol‐M, all polycondensations conducted with K2CO3 and 0.4, 0.2, or 0.1 M monomer concentrations resulted again in gelation. Gels were also obtained when polycondensations of 0.4 M monomer solutions were catalyzed with EDPA or TMPD. Yet, at a concentration of 0.2 M, the amines yielded completely soluble polyethers, which were characterized by elemental analyses, inherent viscosities, MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, and DSC measurements. The mass spectra revealed that the soluble polyethers mainly consisted of cycles containing two CF bonds per repeat unit. Nearly quantitative substitution of the CF groups with 4‐chlorothiophenol, 4‐bromophenol, 4‐aminophenol, and 4‐phenyl azophenol proved successful, so that a broad variety of multifunctional polyethers was obtained, but in the case of 4‐chloro thiophenol cleavage of the polyether chain also occurred. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JPolym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 543–551, 2008
Synthesis of tetrazole‐containing azo polymers with properties of photo‐induced birefringence and surface‐relief‐gratings via RAFT polymerization
Authors: Yu Liping , Zhang Zhengbiao , Chen Xinrong , Zhang Wei , Wu Jianhong , Cheng Zhenping , Zhu Jian , Zhu Xiulin
Published: December 2007

A novel optically active monomer, 6‐{4‐[4‐(1‐phenyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yloxy)‐phenylazo] ‐phenoxy}‐hexyl methacrylate (PTPPHMA) bearing tetrazole and azobenzol moieties, was synthesized and polymerized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate (CPDB) as the RAFT agent and 2, 2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as the initiator. Well‐defined optically active photochromic polyPTPPHMA(PPTPPHMA) was obtained. “Living”/controlled characteristics were observed in the polymerization: well‐controlled molecular weights (Mns), narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn) of the polymers and successful chain‐extension of PPTPPHMA with styrene (St) as the second monomer. The photochemical interconversion between trans and cis isomers of PPTPPHMA in N,N′‐dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution was explored under irradiation of ultraviolet light. The photoinduced birefringence on the thin films of PPTPPHMA was investigated. A maximum birefringence of 0.1 was obtained, and no significant change of profiles of the birefringence after several cycles of writing/erasing/rewriting sequences was observed. The surface‐relief‐gratings (SRGs) were induced on the polymer films by interference of Kr+ laser beams at 413.1 nm with 35 mW/cm2 intensity, the diffraction efficiencies from SRGs were measured to be in the range of 2.0–2.5%. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) results showed the gratings produced on the surfaces of the polymer film. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 682–691, 2008
Relationship between job burnout and occupational stress among doctors in China
Authors: Wu Siying , Zhu Wei , Li Huangyuan , Wang Zhiming , Wang Mianzhen
Published: December 2007

The purpose of this study was to explore the status of the job burnout of doctors and the variables associated with this in China. The sample consisted of 543 doctors from three provincial hospitals in China. The Maslach Burnout Inventory‐General Survey (MBI‐GS) was used to measure burnout, and the occupational stress inventory revised edition was used to measure the two dimensions of occupational adjustment (including occupational stress and coping resources). After the statistical testing for validity and reliability of MBI‐GS with nurses in China, the participants' scores were evaluated and analysed. The main results were as follows. The scores of job burnout of the surgeon and physician were significantly higher than the others (p < 0.05). The score of exhaustion (EX) was significantly higher in the 30‐ to 40‐year age group than that in any other groups. The score of professional efficacy (PE) decreased with age, while this increased with educational status. Occupational stress was significantly positively related to all burnout dimensions (p < 0.05), while coping resources correlated negatively to all burnout dimensions. Under multilevel regression, the main significant predictors of EX were role overload, responsibility, physical environment and self‐care. The main significant predictors of cynicism were role insufficiency, role overload and responsibility, and of PE were role insufficiency, social support and rational/cognitive coping (p < 0.05). Organizational efforts aimed at reducing occupational stress and strengthening their coping resources among doctors could help prevent job burnout. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design review of buildings
Authors: Hart Gary C.
Published: December 2007

The objective of this paper is to provide the reader with a documentation of the history of the development, including the language, of the provisions in the United States Building Codes for the design review of buildings in earthquake country. This paper also presents personal comments by the author about the development and intent of the provisions. The paper also presents suggestions for future improvement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ground motion issues for seismic analysis of tall buildings: a status report
Authors: Bozorgnia Yousef , Campbell Kenneth W. , Luco Nicolas , Moehle Jack P. , Naeim Farzad , Somerville Paul , Yang T.Y.
Published: December 2007

The Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) is coordinating a major multidisciplinary programme, the Tall Buildings Initiative (TBI), to address critical technical issues related to the design and analysis of new tall buildings located in coastal California. The authors of this paper, listed alphabetically, are involved in various research studies related to ground motion modelling, selection, modification and simulation for analysis of tall buildings. This paper summarizes the scope and progress of ongoing activities related to ground motion issues for response history analysis of tall buildings. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Large Metastatic Lymph Node Size, Especially More Than 2 cm: Independent Predictor of Poor Prognosis in Node‐Positive Gastric Carcinoma
Authors: Cheong O. , Oh S. T. , Kim B. S. , Yook J. H. , Kim J. H. , Im J. T. , Park G. C.
Published: December 2007

The presence of metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) is the most important prognostic factor for gastric carcinoma, with the number of MLNs thought to be predictive of the prognosis. However, there have been long‐standing debates on how to classify node‐positive patients into prognostic groups appropriately. Recent findings in patients with colon and esophageal cancer have suggested that MLN size, more than MLN number, is an important prognostic factor; but less is known about the impact of MLN size on the prognosis of patients with gastric carcinoma. We therefore assessed the prognostic impact of large MLNs, especially those ≥2 cm, in patients with gastric carcinoma. A total of 1190 patients who underwent curative resection for gastric carcinoma between 2001 and 2003 and had lymph node metastases were divided into two groups according to the size of the largest MLN: ≥2 cm (n = 51) vs. <2 cm (n = 1139). Clinicopathologic data, including tumor recurrence and survival, were reviewed retrospectively. The median follow‐up for living patients was 47 months (range 30–80 months). Age, sex ratio, type of surgery, and histologic classification did not correlate with MLN size. The depth of invasion did correlate with MLN size (T1–2 vs. T3–4, p = 0.045) but not with the number of MLNs (N stage, p = 0.311). The two groups showed similar distribution of stage according to the UICC/AJCC TNM staging system. Disease‐free survival (34% vs. 53%, p < 0.001) and overall survival (40% vs. 63%, p = 0.011) were significantly worse in the large MLN group. Univariate analysis with the log‐rank test showed that MLN ≥2 cm, type of surgery, T stage, N stage, and histologic classification had a significant impact on overall survival. Multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazard model showed that MLN ≥2 cm was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 1.76, p = 0.006), along with T stage and N stage. MLN ≥2 cm is an independent additional predictor of poor prognosis in patients with node‐positive gastric carcinoma.
Lateral Lymph Node Dissection Guided by Preoperative and Intraoperative Findings in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Ito Yasuhiro , Miyauchi Akira
Published: December 2007

Background

The lateral compartment frequently demonstrates metastasis from thyroid carcinoma. In contrast to that for central lymph node dissection, the indication for lateral node dissection remains controversial.

Methods

In this review we evaluate the indication of lateral lymph node dissection in papillary and follicular carcinomas based on the findings of previous reports, including those from our institute.

Results

Lymph node metastasis and recurrence at the lymph node are common events in papillary carcinoma. In particular, the lymph node recurrence rate in patients with clinically apparent lateral node metastasis (N1b) is high, not only in compartments that have not been dissected but also in those previously dissected, even if therapeutic lateral node dissection is performed. For N0 or N1a papillary carcinomas, male gender, being 55 or more years of age, a tumor larger than 3 cm, and massive extrathyroid extension are independent risk factors of lymph node recurrence, and patients with tumors having two or more of these clinicopathologic features showed high lymph node recurrence rates even if they underwent prophylactic lateral node dissection. In follicular carcinoma, node metastasis and recurrence at the node are rare events but they occasionally can be observed, especially in tumors with massive extrathyroid extension and poor differentiation.

Conclusion

N1b is an absolute indication for lateral lymph node dissection. Prophylactic lateral node dissection is also recommended in N0 or N1a papillary carcinoma, if the lesion shows two or more of the aggressive characteristics indicated above. For follicular carcinoma, prophylactic node dissection is not mandatory but can be an option for tumors demonstrating aggressive characteristics or histologic types.
Perception of facial expressions in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A dimensional approach
Authors: Montagne B. , de Geus F. , Kessels R.P.C. , Denys D. , de Haan E.H.F. , Westenberg H.G.M.
Published: December 2007

The study examined the perception of facial expressions of different emotional intensities in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) subtypes. Results showed that the High Risk Assessment and Checking subtype was more sensitive in perceiving the emotions fear and happiness. This suggests that altered affective processing may underlie the clinical manifestation of OCD.
Phorbol myristate acetate‐induced Egr‐1 expression is suppressed by phospholipase D isozymes in human glioma cells
Authors: Ahn Bong-Hyun , Park Mi Hee , Lee Young Han , Min Do Sik
Published: December 2007

Early growth response‐1 (Egr‐1) is involved in the regulation of cell growth. Here, we found that overexpression of phospholipase D (PLD) isozymes decreased tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)‐induced Egr‐1 expression and transactivation in glioma cells. Suppression of PMA‐induced Egr‐1 was dependent on the expression level of PLD isozymes. Overexpression of catalytically inactive PLD, treatment with PA, and prevention of PA dephosphorylation by 1‐propranolol significantly suppressed PMA‐induced Egr‐1 expression. PLD‐induced suppression of Egr‐1 was reversed by inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K). Taken together, these results suggest that elevated expression and activity of PLD attenuate PMA‐induced Egr‐1 expression via PI3K pathway.
Acute effects on metabolism and appetite profile of one meal difference in the lower range of meal frequency
Authors: Smeets Astrid J. , Westerterp-Plantenga Margriet S.
Published: December 2007

A gorging pattern of food intake has been shown to enhance lipogenesis and increase body weight, which may be due to large fluctuations in storage and mobilisation of nutrients. In a state of energy balance, increasing meal frequency, and thereby decreasing inter-meal interval, may prevent large metabolic fluctuations. Our aim was to study the effect of the inter-meal interval by dividing energy intake over two or three meals on energy expenditure, substrate oxidation and 24 h satiety, in healthy, normal-weight women in a state of energy balance. The study was a randomised crossover design with two experimental conditions. During the two experimental conditions subjects (fourteen normal-weight women, aged 24·4 (sd 7·1) years, underwent 36 h sessions in energy balance in a respiration chamber for measurements of energy expenditure and substrate oxidation. The subjects were given two (breakfast, dinner) or three (breakfast, lunch, dinner) meals per d. We chose to omit lunch in the two meals condition, because this resulted in a marked difference in inter-meal-interval after breakfast (8·5 h v. 4 h). Eating three meals compared with two meals had no effects on 24 h energy expenditure, diet-induced thermogenesis, activity-induced energy expenditure and sleeping metabolic rate. Eating three meals compared with two meals increased 24 h fat oxidation, but decreased the amount of fat oxidised from the breakfast. The same amount of energy divided over three meals compared with over two meals increased satiety feelings over 24 h. In healthy, normal-weight women, decreasing the inter-meal interval sustains satiety, particularly during the day, and sustains fat oxidation, particularly during the night.
Gender and sharafat: re-reading Nazir Ahmad
Authors: LAL RUBY
Published: December 2007

This article considers two well-known texts that deal with questions of education and appropriate conduct for respectable Muslims in colonial India. The texts under scrutiny are Mirat al-Arus (The Bride's Mirror), and the Taubat-al-Nasuh (Repentance of Nasuh), completed in 1867–68 and 1873 respectively. The author was a Muslim publicist and a prolific writer who published numerous books in diverse genres. Nazir Ahmed (1830–1912) came from a family of distinguished maulavis and muftis of Bijnor (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) and Delhi. His father, a teacher in a small town near Bijnor, taught him Persian and Arabic. In 1846, Nazir Ahmad enrolled at the Delhi College and studied there till 1853. He began his career as a maulavi in Arabic, but soon (in 1856) became a deputy inspector of schools in the Department of Public Instruction. Later, after he had produced a superb translation of the Indian Penal Code in Urdu, he was nominated for the Revenue Service. He was posted as deputy collector in what was then called the North-West Provinces (i.e. modern U.P.), whence the name ‘Diptee (Deputy) Nazir Ahmad’ by which he is popularly known.
Memory and progress: confessions in a flagstone wall
Authors: McVicar Mhairi
Published: December 2007

The wall, as constructed, is 519.5mm thick, plus or minus the irregularities of reused flagstone. It consists of 12.5mm plasterboard, a vapour barrier, 145mm timber studs, 150mm ‘Rockwool’ insulation, 12mm Far Eastern marine grade plywood, ‘Tyvek’ building membrane, a 50mm cavity, stainless-steel wall ties, an unforeseen leaf of 100mm concrete block, and a heavily debated skin of 200–300mm reused flagstone. It follows the original footprint of an 1840s longhouse, now reduced, perhaps, to a representational role. Built by a team of three – two architects and a marine biologist – this wall is the result of five years of planning, sketching, drawing, specifying, sourcing, shipping, and self-building. It contains adaptations, compromises, guilt and uncertainties. The project draws both from phenomenological beliefs concerning a site embedded with accumulated memories, and rationalised predictions developed from a Modernist architectural education. The constructed result stands as a negotiation between theoretical aims and the pragmatics of a self-build on an exposed island.
‘Stirling's worth’: architectural quality and the Florey building, Oxford
Authors: Troiani Igea
Published: December 2007

In 1976, Gavin Stamp published the legendary review, ‘“Stirling's Worth”: the History Faculty Building’. Written from the perspective of a user of the building, it offers a critical assessment of the quality of what is recognised by architectural connoisseurs as one of James Stirling's masterpieces of avant-garde architecture; designed in the architect's early phase, 1950–74. Apart from the History Faculty building at the University of Cambridge, 1964–67, early period works also include Stirling and Gowan's iconic Engineering building at the University of Leicester, 1959–63, and the lesser known Florey building at The Queen's College in Oxford, 1966–71 [1].
‘Unlearning lessons’: Denys Lasdun in the 1950s, part 1
Authors: Calder Barnabas
Published: December 2007

‘It is always stimulating to talk to you about architecture, but I have noticed over the past two years that you tend to identify me entirely with Tecton. Bear in mind the following. I have now built with Lindsey [Drake] more buildings than [I built with] Tecton and that my philosophy on architecture is, I hope, on the side of life – that is to say, it is not static but changing. I rather hoped that when you saw the model of [the flats at] 26 St James's Place, you would have realised the extent to which my ideas are changing.’
Themes and variations
Authors: Taylor Stephen , Rattray Charles
Published: December 2007

The work of Stephen Taylor Architects extends from urban strategies to the individual dwelling. Underlying this continuum is a deep understanding of the city and its component parts and a concern to develop typologies that contribute to civic life. Taylor studied in London at South Bank University and the Royal College of Art (RCA) and worked first for Richard Reid, his former tutor at South Bank and the author of a number of studies of housing types. After brief periods in the offices of Richard Rogers, Stanton Williams and others, Taylor established a partnership with Andrew Houlton in 1993. For several years in that partnership and for the five years subsequently, Taylor has occupied the same site in Shoreditch, east London. To begin with, the practice occupied the basement and he lived over the shop. As the office expanded, it colonised a set of spaces on three floors organised around a small court. We met there in a space at the back, beyond the court, and began by discussing the arrangement of the spaces.
Reproducibility of systematic literature reviews on food, nutrition, physical activity and endometrial cancer
Authors: Thompson RL , Bandera EV , Burley VJ , Cade JE , Forman D , Freudenheim JL , Greenwood D , Jacobs DR , Kalliecharan RV , Kushi LH , McCullough ML , Miles LM , Moore DF , Moreton JA , Rastogi T , Wiseman MJ
Published: December 2007

Objective

Despite the increasing dependence on systematic reviews to summarise the literature and to issue public health recommendations, the formal assessment of the reliability of conclusions emerging from systematic reviews has received little attention. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate whether two independent centres, in two continents, draw similar conclusions regarding the association of food, nutrition and physical activity and endometrial cancer, when provided with the same general instructions and with similar resources.

Design

The assessment of reproducibility concentrated on four main areas: (1) paper search and selection; (2) assignment of study design; (3) inclusion of ‘key’ papers; and (4) individual studies selected for meta-analysis and the summary risk estimate obtained.

Results

In total 310 relevant papers were identified, 166 (54 %) were included by both centres. Of the remaining 144 papers, 72 (50 %) were retrieved in the searches of one centre and not the other (54 in centre A, 18 in centre B) and 72 were retrieved in both searches but regarded as relevant by only one of the centres (52 in centre A, 20 in centre B). Of papers included by both centres, 80 % were allocated the same study design. Agreement for inclusion of cohort-type and case–control studies was about 63 % compared with 50 % or less for ecological and case series studies. The agreement for inclusion of 138 ‘key’ papers was 87 %. Summary risk estimates from meta-analyses were similar.

Conclusions

Transparency of process and explicit detailed procedures are necessary parts of a systematic review and crucial for the reader to interpret its findings.
Significant aerosol direct radiative effects during a pollution episode in northern China
Authors: Liu J. , Xia X. , Wang P. , Li Z. , Zheng Y. , Cribb M. , Chen H.
Published: December 2007

Direct aerosol radiative effects during a heavy pollution episode that occurred in October 2004 over northern China are explored on the basis of ground‐based and satellite‐retrieved data. Aerosol loading rapidly built up due to a strong inversion and high relative humidity, with aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm increasing steadily from about 0.1 on October 1 to more than 1.0 six days later. Reflected irradiances at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) and surface irradiances change dramatically in response to the variation of the AOD. At the peak of the heavy pollution episode, the instantaneous reflected irradiances at the TOA increased by about 50 Wm−2, while the instantaneous irradiances at the surface decreased by about 350 Wm−2, resulting in solar heating of the atmosphere on the order of 300 Wm−2. Solar radiation reflected to the space increased due to the build up of aerosols, indicating an overall cooling effect of the aerosols in the region.
Radiative transfer in mountains: Application to the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Liou K. N. , Lee Wei‐Liang , Hall Alex
Published: December 2007

We developed a 3D Monte Carlo photon tracing program for the transfer of radiation in inhomogeneous and irregular terrain to calculate broadband solar and thermal infrared fluxes. We selected an area of 100 × 100 km2 in the Tibetan Plateau centered at Lhasa city and used the albedo and surface temperature from MODIS/Terra for this study. We showed that anomalies of surface solar fluxes with reference to a flat surface can be as large as 600 W/m2, depending on time of day, mountain configuration, and albedo. Surface temperature is the dominating factor in determining anomalies of the surface infrared flux distribution relative to a flat surface with values as high as 70 W/m2 at cold mountain surfaces. The average surface solar flux over regional domains of 100 × 100 km2 and 50 × 50 km2 comprising intense topography can deviate from the smoothed surface conventionally assumed in climate models and GCMs by 10–50 W/m2.
A modified next reaction method for simulating chemical systems with time dependent propensities and delays
Authors: Anderson David F.
Published: December 2007

Chemical reaction systems with a low to moderate number of molecules are typically modeled as discrete jump Markov processes. These systems are oftentimes simulated with methods that produce statistically exact sample paths such as the Gillespie algorithm or the next reaction method. In this paper we make explicit use of the fact that the initiation times of the reactions can be represented as the firing times of independent, unit rate Poisson processes with internal times given by integrated propensity functions. Using this representation we derive a modified next reaction method and, in a way that achieves efficiency over existing approaches for exact simulation, extend it to systems with time dependent propensities as well as to systems with delays.
Coherent oscillations in ultrafast fluorescence of photoactive yellow protein
Authors: Nakamura Ryosuke , Hamada Norio , Ichida Hideki , Tokunaga Fumio , Kanematsu Yasuo
Published: December 2007

The ultrafast photoinduced dynamics of photoactive yellow protein in aqueous solution were studied at room temperature by femtosecond fluorescence spectroscopy using an optical Kerr-gate technique. Coherent oscillations of the wave packet were directly observed in the two-dimensional time-energy map of ultrafast fluorescence with 180fs time resolution and 5nm spectral resolution. The two-dimensional map revealed that four or more oscillatory components exist within the broad bandwidth of the fluorescence spectrum, each of which is restricted in the respective narrow spectral region. Typical frequencies of the oscillatory modes are 50 and 120cm−1. In the landscape on the map, the oscillatory components were recognized as the ridges which were winding and descending with time. The amplitude of the oscillatory and winding behaviors is a few hundred cm−1, which is the same order as the frequencies of the oscillations. The mean spectral positions of the oscillatory components in the two-dimensional map are well explained by considering the vibrational energies of intramolecular modes in the electronic ground state of the chromophore. The entire view of the wave packet oscillations and broadening in the electronic excited state, accompanied by fluorescence transitions to the vibrational sublevels belonging to the electronic ground state, was obtained.
Hydrogen absorption in bulk BC3: A first-principles study
Authors: Zhang Changjun , Alavi Ali
Published: December 2007

We have performed first-principles calculations for H absorption, H2 dissociation, and H diffusion in bulk BC3, a graphitelike layered structure. We show that in bulk BC3, H2 can dissociatively (and exothermically) absorb at low coverages. Several low-energy pathways have been computed for the dissociation process. The dissociation barriers are on the order of 0.2eV or less. This presents a striking contrast to the situation in pure graphite and also on monolayer BC3(0001), where H2 dissociative absorption is considerably more difficult. Hydrogen absorption at high coverages has also been investigated; we find that the absorption enthalpy becomes moderately more exothermic at higher coverages. The calculated range of H binding energies is close to the desired value for reversible hydrogen storage.
Selective growth of catalyst-free ZnO nanowire arrays on Al:ZnO for device application
Authors: Chung T. F. , Luo L. B. , He Z. B. , Leung Y. H. , Shafiq I. , Yao Z. Q. , Lee S. T.
Published: December 2007

Vertically aligned ZnO nanowire (NW) arrays have been synthesized selectively on patterned aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) layer deposited on silicon substrates without using any metal catalysts. The growth region was defined by conventional photolithography with an insulating template. Careful control of the types of template materials and growth conditions allows good alignment and growth selectivity for ZnO NW arrays. Sharp ultraviolet band-edge peak observed in the photoluminescence spectra of the patterned ZnO NW arrays reveals good optical qualities. The current-voltage characteristics of ZnO NWs∕AZO∕p-Si device suggest that patterned and aligned ZnO NW arrays on AZO may be used in optoelectronic devices.
(111)-oriented Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 films deposited on SrRuO3∕Pt electrodes: Reproducible preparation by metal organic chemical vapor deposition, top electrode influence, and reliability
Authors: Menou Nicolas , Funakubo Hiroshi
Published: December 2007

(111)-textured Pb(Zr0.4Ti0.6)O3 films (thickness of ∼120nm) were deposited on (111)-oriented SrRuO3 bottom electrodes by pulse metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). PZT single phase was evidenced over a large range of Pb precursor input rate into the MOCVD chamber. In this process window, the good control of the (111) texture of PZT films was confirmed. It is shown that the control of both the composition and orientation of PZT films leads to reproducible electric properties (Pr, Vc, resistance to fatigue) across the process window. Furthermore, the impact of the top electrode chemical nature, elaboration process, and annealing process upon the electric properties was studied systematically.
High-intensity xenon plasma discharge lamp for bulk-sensitive high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy
Authors: Souma S. , Sato T. , Takahashi T. , Baltzer P.
Published: December 2007

We have developed a highly brilliant xenon (Xe) discharge lamp operated by microwave-induced electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) for ultrahigh-resolution bulk-sensitive photoemission spectroscopy (PES). We observed at least eight strong radiation lines from neutral or singly ionized Xe atoms in the energy region of 8.4–10.7eV. The photon flux of the strongest XeI resonance line at 8.437eV is comparable to that of the HeIα line (21.218eV) from the He-ECR discharge lamp. Stable operation for more than 300h is achieved by efficient air-cooling of a ceramic tube in the resonance cavity. The high bulk sensitivity and high-energy resolution of PES using the Xe lines are demonstrated for some typical materials.
Ultraviolet induced absorption and Bragg grating inscription in RbCdF3:Mn2+
Authors: Williams G. V. M. , Dotzler C. , Edgar A. , Raymond S. G.
Published: December 2007

The effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the optical absorption, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), and thermoluminescence (TL) properties of RbCdF3:Mn2+ are reported. There is a UV induced optical absorption at ∼4 eV, together with OSL and TL that are attributed to a distribution of carrier traps, as well as isolated or disconnected traps. We show that the time-integrated OSL for samples with different Mn2+ concentrations is correlated with the UV-induced change in the absorption coefficient, which we attribute to a higher trap concentration in samples with high Mn2+ concentrations. The UV-induced changes in the optical properties can be completely bleached, which leads to the possibility of holographic storage. We show that stable and rewritable thick Bragg gratings can be made in RbCdF3:Mn2+ single crystals after UV irradiation at 254 nm where the gratings were made by two beam interference at 364 nm.
Near-surface modification of polystyrene by Ar+: Molecular dynamics simulations and experimental validation
Authors: Végh J. J. , Nest D. , Graves D. B. , Bruce R. , Engelmann S. , Kwon T. , Phaneuf R. J. , Oehrlein G. S. , Long B. K. , Willson C. G.
Published: December 2007

Results are presented from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of 100eV Ar+ bombardment of a model polystyrene (PS) surface. The simulations show that the system transitions from an initially high sputter yield (SY) for the virgin polymer to a drastically lower SY as steady state is approached. This is consistent with corresponding ion beam experiments. The MD indicates that this drop in SY is due to the formation of a heavily cross-linked, dehydrogenated damaged layer. The thickness and structure of this layer are also consistent with ellipsometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements of Ar plasma-exposed PS samples.
Synthesis and high temperature transport properties of barium and indium double-filled skutterudites BaxInyCo4Sb12−z
Authors: Zhao W. Y. , Dong C. L. , Wei P. , Guan W. , Liu L. S. , Zhai P. C. , Tang X. F. , Zhang Q. J.
Published: December 2007

Barium and indium double-filled skutterudites BaxInyCo4Sb12−z have been synthesized by a melting method using a series of starting materials with nominal compositions Ba0.3−mInmCo4Sb12 (0⩽m⩽0.3). Rietveld structure refinement shows that both barium and indium occupied the Sb-icosahedron voids in skutterudite structure. The thermal vibration parameter Uiso of indium is an order of magnitude bigger than that of barium. The electron probe microanalysis data prove that the filling fraction limit of indium is about 0.22. Hall effect was measured by the Van de Pauw method at room temperature. All BaxInyCo4Sb12−z compounds exhibit n-type conduction. The temperature dependences of electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity have been measured on these compounds in the range of 300–850K. Ba0.13In0.14Co4Sb11.75 with close filling fractions for barium and indium exhibits anomalously excellent thermoelectric properties, which may be due to the presence of the localized state in the gap occupied by one electron from indium impurity. The lattice thermal conductivity of BaxInyCo4Sb12−z is significantly low compared to single barium-filled skutterudite Ba0.27Co4Sb11.85 and reached a minimum for Ba0.13In0.14Co4Sb11.75. The dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT increased with increasing temperature in the range of 300–675K and reached a maximum value of 1.19 for Ba0.13In0.14Co4Sb11.75 at 850K.
Effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on deep levels in Au∕n-Si (100) Schottky diode studied by deep level transient spectroscopy
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Katharria Y. S. , Kumar Sugam , Kanjilal D.
Published: December 2007

In situ deep level transient spectroscopy has been applied to investigate the influence of 100MeV Si7+ ion irradiation on the deep levels present in Au∕n-Si (100) Schottky structure in a wide fluence range from 5×109to1×1012ionscm−2. The swift heavy ion irradiation introduces a deep level at Ec−0.32eV. It is found that initially, trap level concentration of the energy level at Ec−0.40eV increases with irradiation up to a fluence value of 1×1010cm−2 while the deep level concentration decreases as irradiation fluence increases beyond the fluence value of 5×1010cm−2. These results are discussed, taking into account the role of energy transfer mechanism of high energy ions in material.
An optical method to determine the thermodynamics of hydrogen absorption and desorption in metals
Authors: Gremaud R. , Slaman M. , Schreuders H. , Dam B. , Griessen R.
Published: December 2007

Hydrogenography, an optical high-throughput combinatorial technique to find hydrogen storage materials, has so far been applied only to materials undergoing a metal-to-semiconductor transition during hydrogenation. We show here that this technique works equally well for metallic hydrides. Additionally, we find that the thermodynamic data obtained optically on thin Pd–H films agree very well with Pd–H bulk data. This confirms that hydrogenography is a valuable general method to determine the relevant parameters for hydrogen storage in metal hydrides.
Influence of physisorbed water on the conductivity of hydrogen terminated silicon-on-insulator surfaces
Authors: Dubey G. , Lopinski G. P. , Rosei F.
Published: December 2007

The sheet resistance of hydrogen terminated silicon-on-insulator substrates increases significantly with time in air due to depletion of free carriers, attributed to the growth of electrically active defects as the surface oxidizes. Surprisingly, physisorbed water (via adsorption from ambient or controlled exposure in vacuum) causes an increase in the conductivity. This effect is largely reversible when the water layer is displaced by inert gas purging, heating, or pumping. The observed conductivity changes are correlated with Hall voltage changes, indicating that the adsorbed water layer induces accumulation of majority carriers on n-doped substrates.
The improvement of retention time of metal-ferroelectric (PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3)-insulator (Y2O3)-semiconductor transistors by surface treatments
Authors: Shih Wen-chieh , Kang Kun-yung , Lee Joseph Ya-min
Published: December 2007

Metal-ferroelectric-insulator-silicon transistors [Fe-field-effect transistors (FeFETs)] with Al∕Pb (Zr0.53,Ti0.47) O3∕Y2O3∕Si structure were fabricated. The wafers were pretreated with H2O2 before Y2O3 deposition and post-treated with HCl after Y2O3 deposition. With both treatments, the drain current ratio after writing pulses of ±8V with a duration of 100ns was measured as 105. The leakage current was reduced from 10−3to10−6A∕cm2. The FeFETs maintain a threshold voltage window of about 1.5V after an elapsed time of 5000s. The improvements are due to the reduction of the leakage current and the charge injection effect at the Y2O3∕Si interface.
Longitudinal magneto-optic Kerr effect detection of latching vortex magnetization chirality in individual mesoscale rings
Authors: Bowden S. R. , Ahmed K. K. L. , Gibson U. J.
Published: December 2007

We report on a method for breaking the symmetry of the optical signal arising from vortex magnetization in individual micron scale rings. A dielectric coating enhances the longitudinal magneto-optical Kerr effect signal from one half of the ring, while leaving the magnetic interactions unperturbed. The chirality of a single ring can be determined using this method, even with a beam waist much larger than the ring diameter. We observed switchable chirality in clipped 5μm diameter Permalloy (Ni80Fe20) rings using a longitudinal measurement field and demonstrated that the rotation sense could be reversed repeatedly with a momentary transverse field of ±150Oe.
A modified aerosol - cloud - climate feedback hypothesis
Authors: Leck Caroline , Bigg E. Keith
Published: December 2007

Environmental context. Problems with the aerosol–cloud–climate feedback process known as the ‘CLAW’ hypothesis are discussed and a modified scheme that poses a stronger possible link between marine biology, cloud properties and climate than is provided by dimethyl sulfide alone is proposed.
Climate change: the effect of DMS emissions
Authors: Liss Peter S. , Lovelock James E.
Published: December 2007

Environmental context. The idea that gases produced by plankton living in the oceans can affect cloudiness and regulate climate was given prominence by the promulgation more than 20 years ago by Charlson, Lovelock, Andreae and Warren of the CLAW hypothesis. In the intervening period it has been difficult to prove or disprove the idea, although much research has flowed from its enunciation. Perhaps its lasting legacy is in the way we view the planet and how research is conducted to try to understand how it operates.
Do biologically produced aerosols really modulate climate?
Authors: Shaw Glenn E.
Published: December 2007

Environmental context. In 1983, the author proposed that global climate might be regulated with a machine that uses natural sulfur as its fuel. This climate regulation machine might operate several ways; one is by scattering light back to space from a haze that forms as a consequence of microscopic plant and animal life in the oceans. The idea has evolved, and continues to be pursued as a paradigm.
18. INCREASING ACCESS TO SEXUAL HEALTH ADVICE FOR HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS THROUGH AN AUTOMATED, INTERNET BASED SERVICE
Authors: Lee D. M. , Fairley C. K. , Kit Sze J. , Kuo T. , Cummings R. , Bilardi J. , Chen M. Y.
Published: December 2007

Objective: It may be difficult for young people to know if they need testing for sexually transmitted infections and some primary care physicians may be unsure about what tests to order for patients with different risk profiles.
Our aim was to help overcome these barriers by implementing an automated, internet based service that allowed internet users to receive specific recommendations for STI screening based on their online responses to a series of questions relating to their recent sexual practices ('Check Your Risk' (CYR), available at: www.mshc.org.au). This study evaluated this service and compared the risk profile of individuals using CYR with that of patients attending a sexual health centre in the same city over the same time period.
Methods: An automated and individualised web based algorithm was developed using current recommendations for STI testing. The characteristics of individuals visiting CYR were compared to those attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) for the first time over the same 6 month period, from January to June 2006.
Results: There were 2492 (59% men, 41% women) who visited the CYR online service and 2735 (59% men, 41% women) who attended the MSHC over the period. 513 (22%) of the men visiting CYR and 467 (18%) of the men visiting MSHC reported sex with other men, with a median of 6 (SD 26.4) and 6 (SD 29.4) partners in the previous 12 months respectively (p�=�0.9). 43 (1.8%) of the women visiting CYR and 54 (2.1%) of the women visiting MSHC reported sex with other women, with a median of 1 (SD 9.3) and 1 (SD 2.1) partners in the previous 12 months respectively (p�=�0.5).
Among men reporting sex with women only, the median number of female sex partners in the preceding 12 months was 2 (SD 10.6) and 3 (SD 5.8) for those visiting CYR and MSHC respectively (p�=�0.8). For women reporting sex with men only, the median number of male partners was 2 (SD 11.1) and 2 (SD 4) for those visiting CYR and MSHC respectively (p�=�0.03).
Participants responded favourably to the CYR online service, with 70% rating it as 'useful'; or 'very useful'.
Conclusions: This internet based sexual risk assessment tool was accessed frequently by individuals with a high risk profile that was similar to those who attended the sexual health service in the same city. The CYR service cost A$4000 to set up. CYR effectively increased the outreach of the centre's services substantially, via the internet and was given a positive rating by the majority of its users.