bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of interfacial microstructures of Mo‐coating modified SiCf/Mo/Ti‐6Al‐4V composites
Authors: Yu Y. J. , Yang Y. Q. , Luo X. , Feng G. H. , Zhang W. , Zhao G. M. , Huang B.
Published: July 2012

This paper addresses the role of Mo coating to modify the interface of SiC fiber reinforced Ti‐6Al‐4V composite (SiCf/Mo/Ti‐6Al‐4V). The formation of microstructure as well as the diffusion of elements in the interface of as‐prepared and heat‐treated SiCf/Mo/Ti‐6Al‐4V composites was investigated. The results show that the phases formed at the interfacial zone are: Mo coating∣TiC∣Mo + β‐Ti∣β‐Ti∣β‐Ti + α‐Tistrip, ordering from fiber to matrix. Mo coating can effectively hinder the diffusion of elements between the matrix and fiber to some extent, thus it can inhibit fiber/matrix interfacial reaction and protect the fiber from damage. It is believed that the β‐Ti layer formed around the interface can improve the formability of composites. Furthermore, it indicates that Mo coating exhibits excellent thermal stability bellow 700 °C according to the heat treatment of the composites at 700 °C for up to 200 h. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An approach for mining service composition patterns from execution logs
Authors: Upadhyaya Bipin , Tang Ran , Zou Ying
Published: July 2012

A service‐oriented application is composed of multiple Web services to fulfill complex functionality that cannot be provided by individual Web service. The combination of services is not random. In many cases, a set of services are repetitively used together in various applications. We treat such a set of services as a service composition pattern. The quality of the patterns is desirable because of the extensive uses and testing in the large number of applications. Therefore, the service composition patterns record the best practices in designing and developing reliable service‐oriented applications. The execution log tracks the execution of services in a service‐oriented application. To document the service composition patterns, we propose an approach that automatically identifies service composition patterns from various applications using execution logs. We locate a set of associated services using Apriori algorithm and recover the control flows among the services by analyzing the order of service invocation events in the execution logs. We also identify structurally and functionally similar patterns to represent such patterns in a higher level of abstraction regardless of the actual services. A case study shows that our approach can effectively detect service composition patterns. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinematic Space Structure
Authors: Seidel Michael , Petrova Polina
Published: July 2012

Seit Bauwerke errichtet werden, kommen auch wandelbare Dachtragwerke zum Einsatz, die durch Veränderung ihrer Strukturform eine Anpassung an wechselnde Witterungsverhältnisse sowie an unterschiedliche Nutzungswünsche ermöglichen.

Solche Überdachungen, bei denen die kontrollierte Bewegung von Tragwerken oder Tragwerksteilen im Vordergrund steht, sind trotz ihrer polyvalenten Anwendungsmöglichkeiten eher prototypischen Sonderkonstruktionen zuzuordnen. Sie charakterisieren das Ergebnis vergleichsweise seltener Entwurfsaufgaben, die vor allem hinsichtlich der Tragwerkskonzeption hohe Ansprüche an den Planer zur Lösung der konstruktiven Entwurfsaufgabe stellen.

Insbesondere für ArchitektInnen wirft der Entwurf einer veränderbaren Überdachung spezifische Fragestellungen nach dem geeigneten Verhältnis von der Strukturform zur gewünschten architektonischen Form auf. So sind die Reversibilität und Veränderung der Geometrie der tragenden Bauteile, die Krafteinleitung und Lastab‐ und ‐weiterleitung sowie die Steifigkeit und Formstabilität eng verknüpft mit den Anforderungen an die Nutzbarkeit, an die verwendeten Werkstoffe für Struktur und Haut und an die räumliche Wirkung.

Entwurfsaufgaben mit solcherart komplexen Einflussgrößen verlangen nach einem disziplinenübergreifenden Entwurfsprozess, bei welchem sich der eigenständige Design‐ und Entwurfsbegriff in der Architektur möglichst frühzeitig an das Wissen der Fachingenieure annähert, um einen wechselseitigen Dialog zwischen Architekt und Fachplanern zu ermöglichen.

Die Abteilung Hochbau 2 (Leitung Prof. Gerhard Steixner) vom Institut für Architektur und Entwerfen an der TU Wien bietet den Studierenden seit Jahren konstruktive Entwurfsthemen an, die auch mit Unterstützung von in der Praxis stehenden Fachplanern bearbeitet werden.

Bei der im Wintersemester 2011 entstandenen Entwurfsübung ‘Kinematic Space Structure‘ waren von den Studierenden Lösungen für eine wandelbare bzw. mobile Überdachung für den Hof 1 des Hauptgebäudes der TU Wien zu entwickeln, um für die derzeitige Hofnutzung eine witterungsunabhängige, anpassungsfähige Umgebung zu schaffen und das Nutzungsspektrum zu erweitern.
XRF spectrometer calibration for copper determination in wood
Authors: Zielenkiewicz T. , Zawadzki J. , Radomski A.
Published: July 2012

Method of X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer calibration for copper analysis in wood was elaborated. Copper salt standard solutions for XRF measurements of liquid samples were prepared, and calibration curve of copper content dependence on impulse counts was determined. Specimens of pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) were treated with different solutions of copper‐based preservative (alkaline copper quarternary ammonium compound type) applying model low‐pressure preservation process. After treatment, wood specimens were sliced into six pieces, and exposed surfaces were analyzed using mapping option of XRF spectrometer. Then, wood from each analyzed surface was peeled with abrasive paper and dissolved in 65% nitric (V) acid. Copper content in solutions was determined using obtained calibration curve, and calibration dependence of copper content in wood on the average impulse counts on particular surfaces was calculated. Obtained results of copper content were consistent with values calculated on the basis of differences of samples weight before and after treatment. It confirms that proposed procedure is correct, and obtained equation may be used for unknown samples examination. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthese und Eigenschaften von Triphenylzinnmolybdaten mit kettenförmigen Anionen des Typs 1∞[(Ph3Sn)MoO4]–. Die Kristallstrukturen von (nPr4N)[(Ph3Sn)MoO4]·CH3CN, (nBu4N)[(Ph3Sn)MoO4], [Zn(en)2(Ph3Sn)2(MoO4)2]·2DMF·EtOH und [Cu(en)2(Ph3Sn)2(MoO4)2]·2DMF·EtOH
Authors: Rohde Dorothea , Kondracka Małgorzata , Merzweiler Kurt
Published: July 2012

The reaction of Ph3SnCl, (R4N)2[Mo6O19] and (R4N)OH in a molar ratio of 6:1:10 leads to the formation of (R4N)[(Ph3Sn)MoO4] (R = nPr (1), nBu (2)). Compounds 1·CH3CN and 2 have been charactarized by IR spectroscopy and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. 1·CH3CN forms orthorhombic crystals, space group P212121 with a = 1339.9(2), b = 1508.9(2), c = 1733.2(3) pm. 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21 with a = 1342.6(2), b = 2280.3(4), c = 1344.0(2) pm, β = 118.34(1). Both compounds 1 and 2 consist of isolated R4N+ cations and polymeric $\rm^{1}_{\infty}$[(Ph3Sn)MoO4]– chains with an alternating arrangement of Ph3Sn+ and MoO42– groups. Treatment of (Ph3Sn)2MoO4 with bis(ethylenediamine)copper(II) succinate yields [Cu(en)2(Ph3Sn)2(MoO4)2] (3). The zinc derivative [Zn(en)2(Ph3Sn)2(MoO4)2] (4) is obtained similarly by reaction of (Ph3Sn)2MoO4 with bis(ethylenediamine)zinc(II) formiate. Compounds 3·2DMF·EtOH and 4·2DMF·EtOH crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 1998.0(2), b = 1313.3(1), c = 2181.6(2) pm, β = 90.97(1)° for 3 and a = 2015.4(1), b = 1316.7(1), c = 2157.0(1) pm, β = 90.40(1)° for 4. Like in the cases of 1 and 2, polymeric $\rm^{1}_{\infty}$[(Ph3Sn)MoO4]– chains are observed. The [M(en)2]2+ units (M = Cu, Zn) act as linkers between the $\rm^{1}_{\infty}$[(Ph3Sn)MoO4]– chains to give 2D layer structures with (6, 3) net topology.
Partial domain wall partition functions
Authors: Foda O. , Wheeler M.
Published: July 2012

Abstract

We consider six-vertex model configurations on an (n × N) lattice,n ≤ N, that satisfy a variation on domain wall boundary conditions that we define and callpartial domain wall boundary conditions. We obtain two expressions for the correspondingpartial domain wall partition function, as an (N × N)-determinant and as an (n × n)-determinant. The latter was first obtained by I Kostov. We show that the two determinants are equal, as expected from the fact that they are partition functions of the same object, that each is a discrete KPτ-function, and, recalling that these determinants represent tree-level structure constants in$ \mathcal{N} = 4\;{\text{SYM}} $, we show that introducing 1-loop corrections, as proposed by N Gromov and P Vieira, preserves the determinant structure.
Role of Intraoperative Cholangiography in Patients Whose Biliary Tree Was Evaluated Preoperatively by Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Ueno Kimihiko , Ajiki Tetsuo , Sawa Hidehiro , Matsumoto Ippei , Fukumoto Takumi , Ku Yonson
Published: July 2012

Background

Routine performance of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) during cholecystectomy is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of IOC during cholecystectomy in addition to preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in our institution over a 12‐year period.

Methods

A total of 425 consecutive patients who underwent IOC during cholecystectomy were included in this study. MRCP was performed preoperatively for bile duct evaluation in all patients. When common bile duct (CBD) stones were detected, they were removed endoscopically before the operation. We estimated the results of IOC in terms of the success rate, the detection rate of anatomic abnormality of the biliary system, and the incidence of residual CBD stones.

Results

MRCP preoperatively identified 6 (1.4 %) patients with abnormal biliary systems and 56 with CBD stones, which were endoscopically removed. The success rate of IOC was 93.8 % (399/425). Abnormalities of the biliary system were detected in 12 patients (12/399, 3.0 %) and CBD stones in 8 (8/399, 2.0 %). Of the eight patients with stones, seven had been examined by endoscopy preoperatively and found to have CBD stones. The detection rate of bile duct stones in patients with preoperative endoscopic removal of CBD stones (7/56, 12.5 %) was significantly higher than those with CBD stones first detected during IOC (1/365, 0.3 %) (p < 0.01). Moreover, no residual CBD stones were detected in patients who were operated on within fewer than 12 days from endoscopic treatment to the operation.

Conclusions

IOC is indicated even after preoperative sphincterotomy for CBD stones. In our study, it resulted in a 12.5 % incidence of persistent stones after sphincterotomy. IOC plays an additional role in detecting CBD stones and in revealing abnormalities of the biliary tree in patients whose biliary tree was preoperatively evaluated by MRCP.
Designing a Contextually Appropriate Surgical Training Program in Low‐resource Settings: The Botswana Experience
Authors: Mutabdzic Dorotea , Bedada Alemayehu G. , Bakanisi Balisi , Motsumi Joseph , Azzie Georges
Published: July 2012

Background

The global burden of surgical disease and severe shortage of trained surgeons around the world are now widely recognized. The greatest challenge in improving access to surgical care lies in sub‐Saharan Africa, where the number of surgeons per population is lowest. One part of the solution may be to create programs to train surgeons locally. We present our experience with an approach to designing a contextually appropriate surgical curriculum in Botswana.

Methods

Surgical logbooks from the largest tertiary care center in Botswana, dating from 2004 through 2010, were analyzed to yield total case numbers within clearly defined categories. Case numbers and local surgical opinion were combined to design a contextually relevant curriculum, with the Surgical Council on Resident Education curriculum as a template.

Results

Logbook analysis revealed that general surgeons in Botswana manage burns and perform a large number of skin grafts and extremity amputations. However, they perform few colonoscopies and complex laparoscopic procedures. The new curriculum included greater emphasis on surgical subspecialty procedures and surgical management of locally relevant conditions, such as the complications of infectious diseases. Less emphasis was placed on management of uncommon conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Conclusions

There are important differences in the scope of general surgery and the knowledge and skills required by general surgeons in Botswana compared with their North American counterparts. We present a simple and inexpensive approach that could serve as a potential model for designing contextually relevant surgical training programs in other low‐resource settings.
La philosophie analytique ou Les promesses d'une pensée technologique
Authors: Pascal Frédéric
Published: July 2012

La philosophie analytique est ici considérée à son point de départ. Les conditions de l’expression sont vues comme synonymes de celles de la pensée. Une entreprise d’explicitation est à cette suite appliquée en retour à la méthode scientifique qui était auparavant le modèle. La distinction de la syntaxe et de la sémantique, commandée par l’analyse logique, est alors appliquée à l’ensemble des systèmes de représentation: oeuvre d’art, action humaine, esprit. Cette évolution montre un souci essentiel: l’instrument technique de la connaissance.
Oxygen partial pressure modulates 67‐kDa laminin receptor expression, leading to altered activity of the green tea polyphenol, EGCG
Authors: Tsukamoto Shuntaro , Yamashita Shuya , Kim Yoon Hee , Kumazoe Motofumi , Huang Yuhui , Yamada Koji , Tachibana Hirofumi
Published: July 2012

(−)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate (EGCG) exhibits anti‐tumor activity mediated via the 67‐kDa laminin receptor (67LR). In this study, we found that 67LR protein levels are reduced by exposure to low O2 levels (5%), without affecting the expression of HIF‐1α. We also found that EGCG‐induced anti‐cancer activity is abrogated under low O2 levels (5%) in various cancer cells. Notably, treatment with the proteasome inhibitor, prevented down‐regulation of 67LR and restored sensitivity to EGCG under 5% O2. In summary, 67LR expression is highly sensitive to O2 partial pressure, and the activity of EGCG can be regulated in cancer cells by O2 partial pressure.
An Examination of Wilderness First Aid Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Skill Retention
Authors: Schumann Scott A. , Schimelpfenig Tod , Sibthorp Jim , Collins Rachel H.
Published: July 2012

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the retention of wilderness first aid (WFA) knowledge, self-efficacy beliefs, and skills over time in a sample of WFA course participants.

Methods

Seventy-two open enrollment (volunteer) WFA course participants were assessed at 4 months, 8 months, or 12 months after training. Changes in WFA knowledge and self-efficacy were assessed by written instruments after the course and at the follow-up interval (4, 8, or 12 months). The WFA skills were assessed by a scored medical scenario at the follow-up interval.

Results

As the time interval increased, WFA knowledge, self-efficacy, and skill proficiency decreased. The WFA knowledge and self-efficacy beliefs were not highly correlated with skill performance.

Conclusions

Without additional training, regular use of the course content, or efforts to refresh thinking on key topics, the ability of WFA students to effectively apply their learning will likely decrease as time from training increases. With respect to these WFA courses, student scores on written tests did not accurately reflect competence in performing practical skills related to a medical scenario. In addition, student self-confidence in the ability to perform such skills did not strongly correlate with actual skills and ability.
Public Finance, Special Interests, and Direct Wine Shipping Laws in the United States
Authors: Gokcekus Omer , Nottebaum Dennis
Published: July 2012

This study develops thirteen criteria to detail diverging direct shipping laws of the U.S. states. It also investigates why some states have prohibitive laws by utilizing a logit regression model. Regression results provide strong support for public finance and special interest arguments: It appears that states concerned about incurring losses in tax revenues, that is, that are heavily dependent on federal aid and have low state revenues, and protecting the wholesalers and retailers that benefit from the three-tier system (at the expense of wineries and wine drinkers) are most likely to have a prohibitive law. (JEL Classification: D72, H71, Q18)
Seller Reputation: Individual, Collective, and Institutional Factors
Authors: Castriota Stefano , Delmastro Marco
Published: July 2012

In this paper, we study firm reputation by investigating the interaction between individual reputations of Italian wineries and a large set of (possible) determinants. With respect to winery reputation, we find a positive effect for firm age and size and producer's intrinsic motivations and a negative effect for outsourcing, while horizontal differentiation, ownership status, and hiring well-known consultants play no role. Further, collective reputation and institutional regulation exert a significantly positive effect on individual reputation. (JEL Classification: L14, L15)
Rumen fermentation and microbial population in lactating dairy cows receiving diets containing oilseeds rich in C-18 fatty acids
Authors: Ivan M. , Petit H. V. , Chiquette J. , Wright A.-D. G.
Published: July 2012

Sixteen Holstein rumen-cannulated primiparous milking dairy cows were fed a control diet (CN) based on maize silage and soyabean meal during a 4-week period before the start of a 21-d experiment with oilseeds containing high concentration of linoleic acid (Linola™) or linolenic acid (NuLin™). Thereafter, four cows receivedad libitumone of each of four dietary treatments comprising of CN, Linola (LN), NuLin (NL) and LN/NL (50/50 % combination). Each LN, NL and LN/NL treatment contained 6 % oil of DM. Rumen digesta samples were collected on days 6, 11, 16 and 21 and milk samples on days 13, 15 and 17. There were no effects (P>0·05) of the oilseeds on pH and concentrations of NH3-N and total volatile fatty acids, while the acetate:propionate ratio was decreased (P< 0·05). The oilseeds also decreased (P< 0·05) protozoa and increased (P< 0·1) total cellulolytic bacteria in rumen fluid, especially when containing high dietary linoleic acid (P< 0·05). The milk protein concentration was increased (P< 0·1) by the dietary linoleic acid, which produced most beneficial results. It was concluded that supplements of linoleic acid in diets of ruminants might contribute to better digestion of dietary fibre and increased quality of milk.
Negative effect of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet on small peripheral artery reactivity in patients with increased cardiovascular risk
Authors: Merino Jordi , Kones Richard , Ferré Raimon , Plana Núria , Girona Josefa , Aragonés Gemma , Ibarretxe Daiana , Heras Mercedes , Masana Luis
Published: July 2012

Low-carbohydrate diets have become increasingly popular for weight loss. Although they may improve some metabolic markers, particularly in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) or the metabolic syndrome (MS), their net effect on arterial wall function remains unclear. The objective was to evaluate the relation between dietary macronutrient composition and the small artery reactive hyperaemia index (saRHI), a marker of small artery endothelial function, in a cohort of patients at increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. The present cross-sectional study included 247 patients. Diet was evaluated by a 3-d food-intake register and reduced to a novel low-carbohydrate diet score (LCDS). Physical examination, demographic, biochemical and anthropometry parameters were recorded, and the saRHI was measured in each patient. Individuals in the lowest LCDS quartile (Q1, 45 % carbohydrate; 20 % protein; 32 % fat) had higher saRHI values than those in the top quartile (Q4, 29 % carbohydrate, 24 % protein, 40 % fat; 1·66 (sd 0·41) v. 1·52 (sd 0·22), P= 0·037). These results were particularly strong in patients with the MS (Q1 = 1·82 (sd 0·32) v. Q4 = 1·61 (sd 027); P= 0·021) and T2D (Q1 = 1·78 (sd 0·31) v. Q4 = 1·62 (sd 0·35); P= 0·011). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that individuals in the highest LCDS quartile had a significantly negative coefficient of saRHI, which was independent of confounders (OR − 0·85; 95 % CI 0·19, 0·92; P= 0·031). These findings suggest that a dietary pattern characterised by a low amount of carbohydrate, but high amounts of protein and fat, is associated with a poorer small artery vascular reactivity in patients with increased CV risk.
Mandatory fortification of bread with iodised salt modestly improves iodine status in schoolchildren
Authors: Skeaff Sheila A. , Lonsdale-Cooper Emily
Published: July 2012

Iodine deficiency has re-emerged in many parts of the world including the UK, Australia and New Zealand (NZ). In 2009, the NZ government introduced the mandatory fortification of bread with iodised salt as a strategy to improve iodine intakes. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of fortification on the iodine status of NZ schoolchildren. A school-based cluster survey was used to randomly select schools from two NZ cities. Children aged 8–10 years were administered a general questionnaire, and asked to provide a casual urine and finger-prick blood sample. The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of the children (n147) was 113 μg/l, which falls between 100 and 199 μg/l indicating adequate iodine status; 12 % of children had a UIC < 50 μg/l and 39 % had a UIC < 100 μg/l. The median serum thyroxine concentration was 115 nmol/l. The median serum thyroglobulin (Tg) concentration was 10·8 μg/l and falls in the 10·0–19·9 μg/l range indicative of mild iodine deficiency, suggesting that these children still had enlarged thyroid glands. When compared with the median UIC of 68 μg/l reported in the 2002 NZ Children's Nutrition Survey, the UIC of children in the present study had increased, which is probably caused by the addition of iodised salt to bread. However, the elevated concentration of Tg in these children suggests that the increase in UIC is not sufficient to ensure that thyroid volume has normalised. The fortification of other staple foods, in addition to bread, should be considered to ensure good iodine status in NZ children.
SUBGROUPS OF FINITE INDEX IN (2, 3, n)-TRIANGLE GROUPS
Authors: STOTHERS W. WILSON
Published: July 2012

For an integer n ≥ 7, let Δ(n) denote the (2, 3, n)-triangle group, and let M(n) be the positive integer determined by the conditions that Δ(n) has a subgroup of index m for all m ≥ M(n), but no subgroup of index M(n) − 1. The main purpose of the paper is to obtain information (bounds, in some cases explicit values) concerning the function M(n) (cf. Theorem 1). We also show that Δ(n) is replete (i.e., has a subgroup of index m for every integer m ≥ 1) if, and only if, n is divisible by 20 or by 30 (see Theorem 2).
Children's knowledge of hierarchical phrase structure: quantifier floating in Japanese
Authors: SUZUKI TAKAAKI , YOSHINAGA NAOKO
Published: July 2012

The interpretation of floating quantifiers in Japanese requires knowledge of hierarchical phrase structure. However, the input to children is insufficient or even misleading, as our analysis indicates. This presents an intriguing question on learnability: do children interpret floating quantifiers based on a structure-dependent rule which is not obvious in the input or do they employ a sentence comprehension strategy based on the available input? Two experiments examined four- to six-year-old Japanese-speaking children for their interpretations of floating quantifiers in SOV and OSV sentences. The results revealed that no child employed a comprehension strategy in terms of the linear ordering of constituents, and most five- and six-year-olds correctly interpreted floating quantifiers when word-order difficulty was reduced. These facts indicate that children's interpretation of floating quantifiers is structurally dependent on hierarchical phrase structure, suggesting that this knowledge is a part of children's grammar despite the insufficient input available to them.
Hepatitis B virus transmission in pre-adolescent schoolchildren in four multi-ethnic areas of England
Authors: BALOGUN M. A. , PARRY J. V. , MUTTON K. , OKOLO C. , BENONS L. , BAXENDALE H. , HARDIMAN T. , BOXALL E. H. , SIRA J. , BROWN M. , BARNETT S. , GUNGABISSOON U. , WILLIAMS A. , KELLY D. A. , VIJERATNAM S. , IJAZ S. , TAYLOR B. , TEO C. G. , RAMSAY M. E.
Published: July 2012

The aim of this study was to estimate the amount of childhood hepatitis B virus transmission in children born in the UK, a very low-prevalence country, that is preventable only by universal hepatitis B immunization of infants. Oral fluid specimens were collected from schoolchildren aged 7–11 years in four inner city multi-ethnic areas and tested for the presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Those found positive or indeterminate were followed up with testing on serum to confirm their hepatitis B status. The overall prevalence of anti-HBc in children was low [0·26%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·14–0·44]. The estimated average annual incidence of hepatitis B was estimated to be 29·26/100 000 children (95% CI 16·00–49·08). The total incidence that is preventable only by a universal infant immunization programme in the UK was estimated to be between 5·00 and 12·49/100 000. The study demonstrates that the extent of horizontal childhood hepatitis B virus transmission is low in children born in the UK and suggests that schools in the UK are an uncommon setting for the transmission of the virus. Targeted hepatitis B testing and immunization of migrants from intermediate- and high-prevalence countries is likely to be a more effective measure to reduce childhood transmission than a universal infant immunization programme.
On the nature of morphological awareness in Japanese–English bilingual children: A cross-linguistic perspective
Authors: HAYASHI YUKO , MURPHY VICTORIA A.
Published: July 2012

While morphological awareness has received much attention to date, little is understood about how morphological awareness develops within bilingual children learning typologically different languages. Therefore, we investigated children's knowledge of inflections and derivations in Japanese and English, and also asked whether morphological awareness in one language predicted morphological awareness in the other. To that end, 24 Japanese learners of L2 English (ESL) and 21 English learners of Japanese as a heritage language (JHL) were recruited and participated in a range of tasks assessing both vocabulary and morphological knowledge. Cross-linguistic contributions of morphological awareness were identified in both directions (Japanese ↔ English), after controlling for age, IQ, and vocabulary knowledge. This bidirectional transfer was, however, identified only in the ESL group. The group-specific and reciprocal transfer observed is discussed in terms of morphological complexities and relative competence in each language. The potential role of different types of L2 instruction in morphological development is also discussed.
The implementation and effectiveness of school-based nutrition promotion programmes using a health-promoting schools approach: a systematic review
Authors: Wang Dongxu , Stewart Donald
Published: July 2012

Objective

To evaluate implementation and effectiveness of nutrition promotion programmes using the health-promoting schools (HPS) approach, to indicate areas where further research is needed and to make recommendations for practice in this field.

Design

The searched electronic databases included: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Health Reference Center, Informit Search, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Social Services Abstracts and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were: (i) controlled or before-and-after studies evaluating a nutrition intervention and involving the HPS approach, either fully or in part; (ii) provision of information about components and delivery of the intervention; and (iii) report on all evaluated outcomes.

Setting

Schools.

Subjects

Students, parents and school staff.

Results

All included studies described intervention delivery and six reported on process evaluation. In intervention schools school environment and ethos were more supportive, appropriate curriculum was delivered and parents and/or the community were more engaged and involved. Students participated in interventions at differing levels, but the majority was satisfied with the intervention. The evidence indicates that nutrition promotion programmes using the HPS approach can increase participants’ consumption of high-fibre foods, healthier snacks, water, milk, fruit and vegetables. It can also reduce participants’ ‘breakfast skipping’, as well as reduce intakes of red food, low-nutrient dense foods, fatty and cream foods, sweet drinks consumption and eating disorders. It can help to develop hygienic habits and improved food safety behaviours.

Conclusions

More professional training for teachers in the HPS approach, further qualitative studies, longer intervention periods, improved follow-up evaluations and adequate funding are required for future school-based nutrition promotion programmes.
Determinants of Dutch general practitioners’ nutrition and physical activity guidance practices
Authors: van Dillen Sonja ME , Hiddink Gerrit J , van Woerkum Cees MJ
Published: July 2012

Objective

General practitioners (GP) are uniquely placed to guide their patients on nutrition and physical activity. The aims of the present study were to assess: (i) the extent to which GP guide on nutrition and physical activity; (ii) the determinants that cause GP to give guidance on nutrition and physical activity; and (iii) the extent to which these guidance practices have the same determinants.

Design

Cross-sectional study, mail questionnaire.

Setting

Dutch general practice.

Subjects

Four hundred and seventy-two GP in practice for 5–30 years.

Results

Our study showed that the majority of GP had similar practices for both nutrition and physical activity guidance. Fair associations were found between nutrition and physical activity guidance practices. More than half of the explained variance in the models of physical activity guidance practices was improved by the inclusion of nutrition guidance practices in the models. Moreover, GP reported higher frequencies of physical activity guidance practices than nutrition guidance practices. Nutrition guidance practices predicted the same physical activity guidance practices.

Conclusions

The majority of GP had similar practices for nutrition and physical activity guidance. GP were more inclined to guide their patients on physical activity than on nutrition. Self-efficacy was found to be a determinant in most models for guidance practices. Guidance practices proved to be a mix of prevention and treatment components. Consequently, we advise raising the self-efficacy of GP by training in medical school and in continuing medical education. We also recommend the combination of both nutrition and physical activity guidance in general practice.
Improving the identification of male pelvic structures in post-prostatectomy patients on cone-beam CT: a region of interest atlas study
Authors: Sahota K. , Bell L. , Cox J. , Atyeo J.
Published: July 2012

Purpose: To investigate the benefits of a regions of interest atlas for radiation therapists (RTTs) to aid in the identification of male pelvic structures in radiotherapy for prostate cancer, post-prostatectomy.

Methods and materials: Recruiting 35 radiation therapists from the Royal North Shore Hospital, a pretest- post-test study design was employed, with the atlas as the intervention. Using two patient CT data-sets, structure identification was scored as correct or incorrect and RT confidence levels were recorded using a visual analogue scale. The number of years of experience of each RT was also documented. Statistical significance was calculated using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test, paired samples t-test and chi-square tests.

Results: A statistically significant improvement was found between the pre-test and post-test in terms of both structure identification (p < 0.001) and confidence (p < 0.001) levels, with use of the atlas. The atlas was of use to staff of varying experience levels. Structures that were not normally used for target volume localisation were the hardest to identify.

Conclusion: Regions of interest atlases should be implemented to help identification of areas of anatomical complexity.
Monoamine oxidase A and A/B knockout mice display autistic-like features
Authors: Bortolato Marco , Godar Sean C. , Alzghoul Loai , Zhang Junlin , Darling Ryan D. , Simpson Kimberly L. , Bini Valentina , Chen Kevin , Wellman Cara L. , Lin Rick C. S. , Shih Jean C.
Published: July 2012

Converging lines of evidence show that a sizable subset of autism-spectrum disorders (ASDs) is characterized by increased blood levels of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), yet the mechanistic link between these two phenomena remains unclear. The enzymatic degradation of brain 5-HT is mainly mediated by monoamine oxidase (MAO)A and, in the absence of this enzyme, by its cognate isoenzyme MAOB. MAOA and A/B knockout (KO) mice display high 5-HT levels, particularly during early developmental stages. Here we show that both mutant lines exhibit numerous behavioural hallmarks of ASDs, such as social and communication impairments, perseverative and stereotypical responses, behavioural inflexibility, as well as subtle tactile and motor deficits. Furthermore, both MAOA and A/B KO mice displayed neuropathological alterations reminiscent of typical ASD features, including reduced thickness of the corpus callosum, increased dendritic arborization of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and disrupted microarchitecture of the cerebellum. The severity of repetitive responses and neuropathological aberrances was generally greater in MAOA/B KO animals. These findings suggest that the neurochemical imbalances induced by MAOA deficiency (either by itself or in conjunction with lack of MAOB) may result in an array of abnormalities similar to those observed in ASDs. Thus, MAOA and A/B KO mice may afford valuable models to help elucidate the neurobiological bases of these disorders and related neurodevelopmental problems.
Between Political Engagement and Aesthetic Autonomy: Fernando Lopes-Graça's Dialectical Approach to Music and Politics
Authors: VIEIRA DE CARVALHO MÁRIO
Published: July 2012

In this article the highly contested relationship between art and politics in the twentieth century is discussed by way of the life and work of the Portuguese composer Fernando Lopes-Graça (1906–94). Lopes-Graça, who described himself as ‘a communist from birth’, lived for almost fifty years in Salazar's ‘New State’, a Fascist-type dictatorship, which emerged from a military putsch in 1926 and lasted until 1974. His experience as a communist under a right-wing régime was therefore very different from that of either communist composers living in Western democratic countries or those active in the Eastern bloc. Lopes-Graça stood apart from most other party intellectuals in his resistance to the doctrine of socialist realism. Yet from 1945 onwards he composed revolutionary songs in which his communist engagement is directly evident. Understanding this apparent tension within his output requires both a careful and nuanced understanding of his own personal position and a clear distinction between political engagement in music on the one hand and socialist realist or neo-realist tendencies on the other. It is that latter distinction – between (in the composer's own terms) ‘lived action’ and ‘imagined action’ – that accounts for the seemingly contradictory coexistence in Lopes-Graça's thinking of aesthetic autonomy and political commitment, and in his music of (to adopt categories posited by Heinrich Besseler) both ‘presentational’ music (for conventional concert settings) and ‘colloquial’ music (to be sung and played ad libitum in political meetings, at demonstrations, in the home, or even in political prisons).
Utilized Social Support and Self-Esteem Mediate the Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Suicide Ideation
Authors: Kleiman Evan M. , Riskind John H.
Published: July 2012

Background: While perceived social support has received considerable research as a protective factor for suicide ideation, little attention has been given to the mechanisms that mediate its effects. Aims: We integrated two theoretical models, Joiner’s (2005 ) interpersonal theory of suicide and Leary’s ( Leary, Tambor, Terdal, & Downs, 1995 ) sociometer theory of self-esteem to investigate two hypothesized mechanisms, utilization of social support and self-esteem. Specifically, we hypothesized that individuals must utilize the social support they perceive that would result in increased self-esteem, which in turn buffers them from suicide ideation. Method: Participants were 172 college students who completed measures of social support, self-esteem, and suicide ideation. Results: Tests of simple mediation indicate that utilization of social support and self-esteem may each individually help to mediate the perceived social support/suicide ideation relationship. Additionally, a test of multiple mediators using bootstrapping supported the hypothesized multiple-mediator model. Limitations: The use of a cross-sectional design limited our ability to find true cause-and-effect relationships. Conclusion: Results suggested that utilized social support and self-esteem both operate as individual moderators in the social support/self-esteem relationship. Results further suggested, in a comprehensive model, that perceived social support buffers suicide ideation through utilization of social support and increases in self-esteem.
A meta‐analysis of water vapor deuterium‐excess in the midlatitude atmospheric surface layer
Authors: Welp Lisa R. , Lee Xuhui , Griffis Timothy J. , Wen Xue‐Fa , Xiao Wei , Li Shenggong , Sun Xiaomin , Hu Zhongmin , Val Martin Maria , Huang Jianping
Published: July 2012

Deuterium‐excess (d) in water is a combination of the oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δD) isotope ratios, and its variability is thought to indicate the location and environmental conditions of the marine moisture source. In this study, we analyze d of water vapor (dv) from six sites, all between 37 and 44°N to examine patterns in the atmospheric surface layer and identify the main drivers of variability. Two sites are in urban settings (New Haven, CT, USA and Beijing, China), two sites are in agricultural settings (Rosemount, MN, USA and Luancheng, China), and two sites are in natural ecosystems, a forest (Borden Forest, Ontario, Canada) and a grassland (Duolun, China). We found a robust diurnal cycle in dvat all sites with maximum values during mid‐day. Isotopic land surface model simulations suggest that plant transpiration is one mechanism underlying the diurnal pattern. An isotopic large‐eddy simulation model shows that entrainment of the free atmosphere into the boundary layer can also produce highdvvalues in mid‐day. Daily mid‐day means ofdvwere negatively correlated with local mid‐day relative humidity and positively correlated with planetary boundary layer height at the North American sites, but not the Chinese sites. The mechanism for these differences is still undetermined. These results demonstrate that within the diurnal time scale,dv of the surface air at continental locations can be significantly altered by local processes, and is therefore not a conserved tracer of humidity from the marine moisture source region as has previously been assumed.
Efficient incorporation of microbial metabolic lag in subsurface transport modeling
Authors: Nilsen V. , Wyller J. A. , Heistad A.
Published: July 2012

Upon introduction of a degradable substrate into the environment of a microbial community, an appreciable lag may occur before a corresponding increase in microbial activity is observed. Accounting for this metabolic lag may be of importance when modeling subsurface transport of contaminants that undergo reactions mediated by microbes. We present a general technique from mathematical biology that can facilitate incorporation of metabolic lags in subsurface solute transport models involving immobile biomass. By making the metabolic activity of bacteria dependent on the local history of substrate concentrations through a convolution integral, the proposed lag formulation is conceptually related to a previously suggested approach. Computer implementation of transport models with the new lag formulation becomes particularly simple when the numerical scheme (at least partly) reduces the original problem to that of solving systems of ordinary differential equations. Example simulation results show that transport models with this lag formulation can be made to fit real experimental data reasonably well by adjusting the lag parameters. The questions of whether parameter estimates can be generalized across individual model applications and/or whether parameters can be determined by independent experiments could be addressed in future research.
Tropical impact on the East Asian winter monsoon
Authors: Gollan G. , Greatbatch R. J. , Jung T.
Published: July 2012

The tropical impact on the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) is examined in an ensemble of atmospheric general circulation model runs that use relaxation towards the ERA‐40 reanalysis in the tropics for winters between 1960/61 and 2001/02 and performed with a recent version of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts model. 25% of the interannual variance of the EAWM can be reproduced in the ensemble mean by the model experiments with relaxation, even though the influence from ENSO appears to be weak. The implication is that there is the possibility of enhanced predictability for the EAWM resulting from improved forecast skill in the tropics as a whole. Prescribing observed sea surface temperature and sea ice without using relaxation cannot reproduce the interannual variability of the EAWM in our experiments, questioning the usefulness of uncoupled atmosphere models in this region, consistent with previous studies.
Correction of detector noise and recalibration of NOAA/MEPED energetic proton fluxes
Authors: Asikainen T. , Mursula K. , Maliniemi V.
Published: July 2012

We report here on new problems in the NOAA/MEPED instruments and the related energetic proton dataset. These problems are solved, and the implied modifications to the earlier recalibration of the dataset are evaluated and adopted. We show that, besides degrading due to radiation damage, the NOAA‐12 and NOAA‐08 satellites suffer from increased electronic noise in the back detector of the proton instrument. We correct the effects of the noise, and present improved estimates for the effective energy thresholds of the MEPED proton detectors which are now determined more robustly than previously. We show that the cumulative Ap index can be used to produce a refined estimate for the temporal evolution of the effective MEPED energy thresholds. The derived energy thresholds of all MEPED instruments increase systematically with the cumulative particle fluxes, and this increase is similar in all satellites. Using the improved energy thresholds we obtain a uniform series of corrected MEPED energetic proton fluxes above 120 keV from 1979 onwards. We find that, due to the effect of the radiation damage and noise, the uncorrected fluxes at these energies were underestimated in the worst case by more than an order of magnitude, and that the earlier correction method also occasionally led to underestimation of the fluxes by nearly an order of magnitude. Such underestimation becomes severe already 1–2 years after the launch of the satellite.
Examination of the absence of noontime bite‐out in equatorial total electron content
Authors: Lee Chien‐Chih
Published: July 2012

This study examines the absence of noontime bite‐out in the total electron content (TEC) near the geomagnetic equator, using the data of observation and simulation. The results show that the noontime bite‐out is absent not only in TEC, but in the bottomside and topside TECs. In the bottomside ionosphere, the ionizations below about 200 km increase with an increasing solar production from 10:00 to 12:00 LT. Meanwhile, the ionizations between hmF2 and an altitude of about 200 km are removed by the upward E × B drifts. Moreover, because hmF2 is uplifted, there are other increasing ionizations in the bottomside ionosphere. These increasing ionizations are much greater than the former increasing ionizations, and the uplifted hmF2 is caused by the upward E × B drifts. Since the sum of the increasing ionizations is slightly greater than the decreasing ones, the bottomside TEC does not have the noontime bite‐out. In the topside ionosphere, the transport processes dominate. The upward E × B drifts would move ionizations from altitudes near the F2‐peak to the topside ionosphere during noontime. Accordingly, the noontime bite‐out is absent in the topside TEC. Overall, the absent noontime bite‐out in TEC is mainly formed by the upward E × B drifts.
Upper mantle structure below the European continent: Constraints from surface‐wave tomography and GRACE satellite gravity data
Authors: Tondi Rosaria , Schivardi Renata , Molinari Irene , Morelli Andrea
Published: July 2012

We here exploit fundamental mode Rayleigh and Love seismic wave information and the high resolution satellite global gravity model GGM02C to obtain a 1° × 1° 3‐D image of: (a) upper‐mantle isotropic shear‐wave speeds; (b) densities; and (c) density‐vScoupling below the European plate (20°N–90°N) (40°W–70°E). The 3‐D image of the density‐vScoupling provides unprecedented detail of information on the compositional and thermal contributions to density structures. The accurate and high‐resolution crustal model allows us to compute a reliable residual topography to understand the dynamic implications of our models. The correlation between residual topography and mantle residual gravity anomalies defines three large‐scale regions where upper mantle dynamics produce surface expression: the East European Craton; the eastern side of the Arabian Plate; and the Mediterranean Basin. The effects of mantle convection are also clearly visible at: (1) the Eastern Sirt Embayment; (2) the West African Craton northern margins; (3) the volcanically active region of the Canarian Archipelago; (4) the northern edge of the Central European Volcanic Province; and (5) the Northeastern part of the Atlantic Ocean, between Greenland and Iceland. Strong connections are observed among areas of weak radial anisotropy and areas where the mantle dynamics show surface expression. Although both thermal and additional dependencies have been incorporated into the density model, convective down‐welling in the mantle below the East European Craton is required to explain the strong correlation between the estimated negative mantle residual anomalies and the negative residual topography.