bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gamma‐Irradiation to Modify Properties in Polypyrroles Synthesized by Plasmas
Authors: Lopez Osvaldo G. , Cruz Guillermo J. , Olayo Ma. Guadalupe , Gomez Lidia Ma. , Gonzalez‐Torres Maribel , Gomez Rosa Ma. , Garcia‐Rosales Genoveva
Published: April 2013

This work presents a study about the effect of gamma irradiation in plasma polymers derived from pyrrole. Gamma rays modify the whole energetic equilibrium between the nucleus and the electron clouds which results in rearrangements of atoms, molecules and in modifications in the properties of irradiated materials. Two types of interactions were analyzed, in polypyrroles synthesized from irradiated monomers, and in polypyrroles irradiated after the synthesis. The doses studied were 18 and 40 kGy. The polymers were synthesized by plasma at 13.56 MHz and 100 W. The results indicated that the exposure to gammas promoted dehydrogenation and creation of groups with double and triple bonds. The multiple bonding was reflected in the electrical conductivity which increased up to 9 orders of magnitude, from 10−11 in non irradiated polymers to 10−2 S/m in the polymers synthesized with monomers irradiated at 40 kGy. Another effect of gammas was the increase in the roughness of polymers which affects the hydrophilicity, this property was evaluated by measuring the contact angle of polymers with a Krebs‐Ringer solution. The angles reached up to 72° in surfaces with the greatest pores.
Heterogeneous Ethylene and Alpha‐Olefin Copolymerization Using Zirconocene Aluminohydride Complexes
Authors: Pérez Odilia , Soares João B. P. , García Maricela , Comparán Víctor E. , McCoy John , Cadenas Gregorio
Published: April 2013

In this work we studied the copolymerization of ethylene and different alpha‐olefins (propylene, 1‐butene, 1‐hexene, and 1‐octene) using aluminohydride zirconocene systems supported on modified silica. The copolymerization reactions were carried out in hexanes, at different Al/Zr ratios, using two different comonomer concentrations. The effect of comonomer type on catalyst activity and polymer molecular weight and chemical composition distributions (MWD and CCD) was compared. Average comonomer incorporation was determined by 13C NMR and the CCD by crystallization elution fractionation (CEF). Most of the copolymerizations showed very high catalytic activity (up to 4000 Kg PE/mol Zr), and the molecular weight was higher for the copolymers containing 1‐octene, demonstrating that aluminohydride zirconocene systems can copolymerize ethylene and alpha‐olefins effectively.
Long‐term safety and efficacy of preladenant in subjects with fluctuating Parkinson's disease
Authors: Factor Stewart A. , Wolski Kenneth , Togasaki Daniel M. , Huyck Susan , Cantillon Marc , Ho T.W. , Hauser Robert A. , Pourcher Emmanuelle
Published: April 2013

Background

Preladenant is a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist under investigation for Parkinson's disease treatment.

Methods

A phase 2 36‐week open‐label follow‐up of a double‐blind study using preladenant 5 mg twice a day as a levodopa adjunct in 140 subjects with fluctuating Parkinson's disease was conducted. The primary end point was adverse event (AE) assessment. Secondary (efficacy) analyses included hours/day spent in OFF and ON states and dyskinesia prevalence/severity.

Results

The 36‐week open‐label phase was completed by 106 of 140 subjects (76%). AE‐related treatment discontinuations occurred in 19 subjects (14%). Treatment‐emergent AEs, reported by ≥15% of subjects, were dyskinesia (33%) and constipation (19%). Preladenant 5 mg twice a day provided OFF time reductions (1.4–1.9 hours/day) and ON time increases (1.2–1.5 hours/day) throughout the 36‐week treatment relative to the baseline of the double‐blind study.

Conclusions

Long‐term preladenant treatment (5 mg twice a day) was generally well tolerated and provided sustained OFF time reductions and ON time increases. © 2013 Movement Disorder Society
One Light Source — All Colors
Authors: Sowade Rosita , Kießling Jens , Breunig Ingo
Published: April 2013

A single source emitting single‐frequency light with tunable color and without the need of changing toxic chemicals, as it is the case for dye lasers, is desired by many scientists. The Department of Microsystems Engineering IMTEK at the University of Freiburg together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM now extend the tuning range of continuous‐wave optical parametric oscillators into the visible spectrum by integrated, intra‐cavity frequency doubling. Combination of these two nonlinear‐optical effects enables the operator to deliberately choose any wavelength between 430 and 690 nm.
Polarization Analyzer for Fiber Optics and Free Beam Applications
Authors: Krischke Anja , Schulz Michael , Knothe Christian , Oechsner Ulrich
Published: April 2013

The state of polarization plays an integral role in many optical measurement techniques. The defined adjustment and setting of the polarization as well as its precise measurement often is fundamental to further success. The polarization analyzer was developed for the precise coupling of linearly polarized light into polarization‐maintaining fibers as well as for the setting of a well‐defined state of polarization in free beam applications (Fig. 1). The compact design with communication and power supply via USB facilitates its easy incorporation into already existing setups, whether used as a mobile measuring device or permanently built into an industrial routine.
At the Limits: How to Detect Relativistic Electrons?
Authors: Thoma Petra , Judin Vitali
Published: April 2013

Synchrotron radiation generated by a charged particle with relativistic speed deflected on circular paths is a well‐known physical phenomenon. However, in recent years this principle of radiation generation was further developed to generate picosecond pulses in the terahertz frequency range, thus closing a long‐lasting gap in brilliant pulsed terahertz sources. Recently, this radiation was detected in real‐time by ultra‐fast detectors connected to a high‐speed readout, thus allowing now the optimization of its generation. By that, new insights in diverse fields of physics are gained at the same time.
Managing comorbidity in epilepsy and dementia
Authors: Lanyon Karen , Greaves Ian
Published: April 2013

Our series of Commentaries from the Primary Care Neurology Society (P‐CNS) aim to provide a primary care perspective on the neurology articles featured in each issue of Progress. Here, Dr Karen Lanyon provides a commentary on our Review ‘What do we know about depression in people with epilepsy?’ (see page 20 of this issue) and Dr Ian Greaves gives his perspective on ‘Clarifying the link between Alzheimer's and vascular disease’ (page 27).
Study of a Classical Strobe Composition
Authors: Corbel Justine M. L. , van Lingen Joost N. J. , Zevenbergen John Z. , Gijzeman Onno L. J. , Meijerink Andries
Published: April 2013

Many strobe compositions were discovered in the past but only a few have been studied and none of them were fully understood. This article aimed at introducing the ternary composition of ammonium perchlorate as oxidizer, magnalium as fuel, and barium sulfate as metal salt. Parameters that influence its performances are analyzed. First, the binary compositions ammonium perchlorate/magnesium and ammonium perchlorate/magnalium were studied to observe the differences in behavior by using magnalium instead of magnesium. Next, variations were applied to the ternary composition changing the fuel: oxidizer:metal salt ratio. Finally the effect of potassium dichromate was analyzed. It is often added to the composition because it is known to improve the regularity and sharpness of flashes. The burning behavior was recorded using a high speed camera, together with emission spectra using a Charged‐Coupled Device (CCD) camera coupled with a spectrometer and the temporal evolution of the intensity with a photodiode coupled with an oscilloscope. The results of the experiment give first insights into the physical and chemical mechanisms and give directions to the further study on strobe reactions.
Effects of NTO Oxidizer Temperature and Pressure on Hypergolic Ignition Delay and Life Time of UDMH Organic Gel Droplet
Authors: He Bo , Nie Wansheng , Feng Songjiang , Su Lingyu , Zhuang Fengchen
Published: April 2013

Organic gel propellants are promising candidates for a variety of rocket motor and scramjet applications, since they are intrinsically safe and provide high performance. It is well known that organic gel fuel droplets exhibit distinct combustion characteristics compared with conventional liquid fuel droplets, and furthermore an understanding of the ignition delay and lifetime of these droplets is critical to the improvement of combustor design. In this work, investigations of the combustion of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) organic gel droplets in different nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) oxidizing atmospheres were conducted using two sets of experimental apparatus. The combustion characteristics under different conditions of temperature and pressure were compared and analyzed based on the flame shapes observed during experimentation. From these trials, an unsteady combustion model was developed and used for the numerical simulation of spray‐sized UDMH organic gel droplet combustion in an NTO atmosphere. The hypergolic ignition and burning characteristics of the organic gel droplets under conditions simulating either engine startup or steady state combustion were compared, and changes in ignition delay and droplet lifetime with ambient temperature and pressure were analyzed. The experimental and numerical results show that the UDMH organic gel droplets exhibit periodic swell‐burst behavior following the formation of an elastic film at the droplet surface. Each droplet burst results in fuel vapor ejection and flame distortion, the intensity of which declines with increasing ambient pressure. However, the swell‐burst period is extended with increasing ambient pressure, which results in potential flameout. Under conditions of low temperature and pressure similar to those at engine startup, the ignition delay and lifetime of spray‐sized gel droplets decrease with increasing temperature or pressure, although there is a sharp increase in droplet lifetime when the ambient pressure reaches a critical value associated with flameout. The ignition delay was found to be a rate‐limited phenomenon linked to the droplet heating rate. The proportion of ignition delay and droplet lifetime due to droplet heating‐up decreased with increasing temperature or decreasing pressure. Conversely, at high temperatures and pressures simulating the engine’s steady state operating conditions, the droplets were observed to flameout after several swell‐burst periods and both ignition delay and lifetime decreased monotonically with increasing temperature or pressure. The ignition delay time was determined to be rate‐limited by gas phase chemical reactions and contributed very little to the overall droplet lifetime compared with the engine startup condition.
Application of external tensile and compressive strain on a single layer InAs/GaAs quantum dot via epitaxial lift‐off
Authors: Omambac K. M. , Porquez J. G. , Afalla J. , Vasquez D. , Balgos M. H. M. , Jaculbia R. , Somintac A. S. , Salvador A. A.
Published: April 2013

Tensile and compressive strains via epitaxial lift‐off (ELO) techniques were applied on single‐layer InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs). At low temperatures, due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficients of the ELO film and host substrate, the ELO QDs film bonded to Si and MgO substrates experienced tensile and compressive strain, respectively. At 13 K, we observed that the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the ELO film bonded to MgO blueshifts by 10 meV while the ELO film bonded to Si redshifts by 8.5 meV with respect to the ground state of the as‐grown sample. The estimated tensile and compressive strains at this temperature were determined by monitoring the valence‐band splitting of the GaAs PL peak. The film bonded to Si has a light hole (lh) to heavy hole (hh) energy separation of 4.6 meV, resulting to values of strain,  = 6.049 × 10−4 and stress, X = 0.746 × 10−3 kbar or 74.6 MPa. On the other hand, the film bonded on MgO has an lh–hh energy separation of 3.7 meV, giving  = 4.8 × 10−4 and X = 0.24 × 10−3 kbar or 24 MPa. Furthermore, we also observed a reversal of the PL intensity peak between the ground and excited‐state transition of the film bonded on silicon only. A plateau‐like feature between the two peaks also emerged, indicating the presence of another optical transition, which is enhanced due to application of tensile strain. We associated this peak to the 1LO‐phonon replica of the PL transition resulting from the excited state. Based on these observations, this reversal is most likely attributed to the reduction of the carrier‐relaxation mechanism from excited states to the ground‐state transition upon the application of tensile strain. Finally, the result of this study showed the efficacy of the ELO technique as an alternative way of introducing variable tensile and compressive strain in the InAs/GaAs QD's heterostructure.
Exploring How Engaging With Reflection on Learning Generates Pedagogical Insight in Science Teacher Education
Authors: PARKER JOAN , HEYWOOD DAVID
Published: April 2013

Opportunities for the development of science‐related pedagogy during training are necessarily limited for the generalist primary (elementary), preservice teacher. While school placement is an important context within which to develop such professional expertise, the role of institution‐based learning is less well understood in this regard. This paper explores the generation of science‐related pedagogy as preservice primary teachers learn about the traditionally challenging subject of forces as part of their institution‐based science education course. Findings illustrate how critical interpretation of the school curriculum is informed as a consequence of preservice teachers developing metacognitive awareness of their own learning of science. A subject matter learning audit provides a framework to enable the teachers to analyze their learning and apply their perspectives to the primary curriculum through focusing attention on the abstract and counterintuitive nature of forces. Pedagogic insight emerges as the student‐teachers craft successive reflective accounts of their own understanding of forces and interpret the curriculum relating to forces. In doing so, they begin to translate their learning as pedagogical apparatus for their future work with pupils. The paper concludes with discussion of some implications for the role of institution‐based learning in the development of pedagogical subject knowledge in science. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 97:410–441, 2013
Examining the Efficacy and Maintenance of Contracture Correction after Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum Treatment for Dupuytren's Disease
Authors: McMahon Heather A. , Bachoura Abdo , Jacoby Sidney M. , Zelouf David S. , Culp Randall W. , Osterman A. Lee
Published: April 2013

Background

This study examined the efficacy, complications, and contracture recurrence in patients who received injectable collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) for Dupuytren's-induced metacarpophalangeal (MP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures.

Methods

A retrospective chart review at one center compared the degree of MP and PIP joint contracture pre-injection, post-cord rupture, and at final follow-up after a minimum duration of 6 months. Recurrence was defined as a 20 ° or greater increase in contracture above the minimum value achieved.

Results

Of 102 eligible patients, 48 patients (47 %) (31 males, 17 females) were available for review. 53 digits and 64 joints (46 MP joints and 18 PIP joints) were studied. The mean patient age was 66 years (range, 48–87 years) and mean follow-up duration was 15 months (range, 6 to 25 months). The mean MP joint contracture was 51 ± 20 ° at baseline, 4 ± 2 ° post-cord rupture, and 9 ± 2 ° at latest follow-up. The mean PIP joint contracture was 39 ± 2 ° at baseline, 14 ± 2 ° at cord rupture, and 29 ± 2 ° at latest follow-up. Of the 46 MP joints and 18 PIP joints, 11 MP (24 %) and 7 (39 %) PIP joints met the recurrence criteria. Of 102 patients, 1 patient had a small finger flexor tendon rupture.

Conclusions

Despite the dramatic initial reduction in contracture, recurrence developed in a high proportion of patients over the study period. While initially effective, CCH may not provide durable contracture reduction. However, CCH remains a viable nonsurgical treatment for Dupuytren's disease.
The genusEchinofabricia(Annelida: Fabriciidae) in the Mediterranean Sea with the description ofE. rouseisp. nov.
Authors: Giangrande Adriana , Licciano Margherita , Castelli Alberto
Published: April 2013

The new speciesEchinofabricia rouseiis described for the Mediterranean Sea based on specimens collected along the Sardinia Coast (Porto Conte). The genusEchinofabriciais reported for the first time in the Mediterranean area. At present three species are described within the genus:E. goodhartzorum,described from the Caribbean,E. dubia, described from the East Pacific (Hawaii) andE. alatafrom Australia.
Molecular identification of the first local dengue fever outbreak in Shenzhen city, China: a potential imported vertical transmission from Southeast Asia?
Authors: YANG F. , GUO G. Z. , CHEN J. Q. , MA H. W. , LIU T. , HUANG D. N. , YAO C. H. , ZHANG R. L. , XUE C. F. , ZHANG L.
Published: April 2013

A suspected dengue fever outbreak occurred in 2010 at a solitary construction site in Shenzhen city, China. To investigate this epidemic, we used serological, molecular biological, and bioinformatics techniques. Of nine serum samples from suspected patients, we detected seven positive for dengue virus (DENV) antibodies, eight for DENV-1 RNA, and three containing live viruses. The isolated virus, SZ1029 strain, was sequenced and confirmed as DENV-1, showing the highest E-gene homology to D1/Malaysia/36000/05 and SG(EHI)DED142808 strains recently reported in Southeast Asia. Further phylogenetic tree analysis confirmed their close relationship. At the epidemic site, we also detected 14 asymptomatic co-workers (out of 291) positive for DENV antibody, and DENV-1-positive mosquitoes. Thus, we concluded that DENV-1 caused the first local dengue fever outbreak in Shenzhen. Because no imported case was identified, the molecular fingerprints of the SZ1029 strain suggest this outbreak may be due to vertical transmission imported from Southeast Asia.
Multi-channel reconfigurable front-end architecture for waveform-agile radar
Authors: Calabrese Giacomo , Pagli Lorenzo , Krasnov Oleg A. , Yarovoy Alexander G.
Published: April 2013

This paper presents the design of a multi-channel reconfigurable front-end architecture for a waveform-agile radar. At first the purpose of the design is explained following the status of research on software-defined radar at MTSR. A description of the proposed system architecture is given with details on sub-systems implementation. Then some preliminary results obtained on a prototype of the platform are shown. Finally, further developments on this system architecture are described, highlighting how this platform can support research on software-defined multi-channel radar systems.
Note: A high Mach number arc-driven shock tube for turbulence studies
Authors: Titus J. B. , Alexander A. B. , Johnson J. A.
Published: April 2013

A high Mach arc-driven shock tube has been built at the Center for Plasma Science and Technology of Florida A&M University to study shock waves. A larger apparatus with higher voltage was built to study more stable shock waves and subsequent plasmas. Initial measurements of the apparatus conclude that the desired Mach numbers can be reached using only two-thirds the maximum possible energy that the circuit can provide.
Hyper-Rayleigh scattering from correlated molecules
Authors: Shelton David P.
Published: April 2013

The polarization dependence of hyper-Rayleigh scattering has been calculated for spherical domains of orientation correlated molecules. Distributions with radial or azimuthal mean polar orientation of the molecules are found that give results consistent with experimental observations, and expressions for the polarization ratios in terms of the product of correlation strength and correlated domain size are derived for these distributions. Assuming a plausible correlation strength, it is estimated that the correlated domain size in typical polar liquids is of order 100 molecular diameters.
Phase diagram of octapod-shaped nanocrystals in a quasi-two-dimensional planar geometry
Authors: Qi Weikai , de Graaf Joost , Qiao Fen , Marras Sergio , Manna Liberato , Dijkstra Marjolein
Published: April 2013

Recently, we reported the formation of crystalline monolayers consisting of octapod-shaped nanocrystals (so-called octapods) that had arranged in a square-lattice geometry through drop deposition and fast evaporation on a substrate [W. Qi, J. de Graaf, F. Qiao, S. Marras, L. Manna, and M. Dijkstra, Nano Lett. 12, 5299 (2012)]10.1021/nl302620j. In this paper we give a more in-depth exposition on the Monte Carlo simulations in a quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) geometry, by which we modelled the experimentally observed crystal structure formation. Using a simulation model for the octapods consisting of four hard interpenetrating spherocylinders, we considered the effect of the pod length-to-diameter ratio on the phase behavior and we constructed the full phase diagram. The methods we applied to establish the nature of the phase transitions between the various phases are discussed in detail. We also considered the possible existence of a Kosterlitz-Thouless-type phase transition between the isotropic liquid and hexagonal rotator phase for certain pod length-to-diameter ratios. Our methods may prove instrumental in guiding future simulation studies of similar anisotropic nanoparticles in confined geometries and monolayers.
Pressure dependence of resistivity and magnetoresistance in Pr-doped La0.7Ca0.3MnO3
Authors: Jani H. K. , Maheswar Repaka D. V. , Mahendiran R.
Published: April 2013

We report the effects of magnetic field (μ0H = 0–7 T) and hydrostatic pressure (P = 1 bar to 9.53 kbar) on electrical resistivity in the phase separated manganite La0.3Pr0.4Ca0.3MnO3. The resistivity shows a first-order transition from paramagnetic insulating to ferromagnetic metallic state at a temperature T = TIM in ambient pressure and zero magnetic field. The first-order transition becomes second-order with increasing pressure and/or magnetic field. Both hydrostatic pressure and magnetic field decrease the magnitude resistivity and shift the resistivity peak at T = TIM towards high temperature with different rates (dTIM/dH = 13.5 K/T for P = 1 bar, 8.8 K/T for P = 9.53 kbar, and dTIM/dP ∼ 4.42 K/kbar in zero field). However, the magnitude of the magnetoresistance decreases with increasing pressure. Baroresistance in the absence of magnetic field for ΔP = 9.53 kbar reaches nearly 100% around 150 K. Interestingly, while the resistivity at a constant temperature shows irreversible behaviour upon cycling the direction of magnetic field at ambient pressure, the irreversibility is eliminated under hydrostatic pressure. Our results indicate that pressure eliminates phase separation by converting the paramagnetic polaronic phase into ferromagnetic metallic phase in the vicinity of phase coexistence.
Magnetism and magnetotransport in symmetry matched spinels: Fe3O4/MgAl2O4
Authors: Gilks D. , Lari L. , Cai Z. , Cespedes O. , Gerber A. , Thompson S. , Ziemer K. , Lazarov V. K.
Published: April 2013

In this work, we show that Fe3O4 films grown by oxygen plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy have anomalous magnetic properties such as negative magnetoresistance and high saturation magnetic fields. The film substrate mismatch of 3% is relieved by the formation of misfit dislocations at the interface. Transmission electron microscopy results show that misfit dislocations are not the cause of antiphase domain boundary (APB). This suggests that in this system APB formation is a property of the three dimensional Fe3O4 growth.
Synthesis of bulk FeHfBO soft magnetic materials and its loss characterization at megahertz frequency
Authors: Zhou Yang , Kou Xiaoming , Mu Mingkai , Warsi Muhammad Asif , Lin Shuo , Harris Brendan S. , Parsons Paul E. , Zhu Hao , Lee Fred C. , Xiao John Q.
Published: April 2013

Magnetic core materials with low loss, high saturation magnetization, large permeability, and operating frequency above 1 MHz are in high demands for the next generation of miniaturized power electronics. Amorphous FeHfB ribbons with thickness around 20 μm have been fabricated through melt-spinning. Different heat treatments were performed on the FeHfB ribbons, and the relations among heat treatments, microstructure, and magnetic properties have been explored. Properties such as coercivity (Hc) of 2.0 Oe and saturation magnetic flux density (BS) of 1.2 T have been achieved in samples with exchange coupling. The losses can be minimized by balancing the hysteretic and eddy current losses and can be further reduced with additional magnetic field annealing. At 5 MHz with peak magnetic flux density of 20 mT, the materials show core losses comparable to the best ferrites, but with higher permeability value of about 200 and superior saturation induction of more than 1 T.
Instability-driven electromagnetic fields in coronal plasmas
Authors: Manuel M. J.-E. , Li C. K. , Séguin F. H. , Sinenian N. , Frenje J. A. , Casey D. T. , Petrasso R. D. , Hager J. D. , Betti R. , Hu S. X. , Delettrez J. , Meyerhofer D. D.
Published: April 2013

Filamentary electromagnetic fields previously observed in the coronae of laser-driven spherical targets [F. H. Séguin et al., Phys. Plasma. 19, 012701 (2012)] have been further investigated in laser-irradiated plastic foils. Face-on proton-radiography provides an axial view of these filaments and shows coherent cellular structure regardless of initial foil-surface conditions. The observed cellular fields are shown to have an approximately constant scale size of ∼210 μm throughout the plasma evolution. A discussion of possible field-generation mechanisms is provided and it is demonstrated that the likely source of the cellular field structure is the magnetothermal instability. Using predicted temperature and density profiles, the fastest growing modes of this instability were found to be slowly varying in time and consistent with the observed cellular size.
Cold atmospheric plasma in cancer therapy
Authors: Keidar Michael , Shashurin Alex , Volotskova Olga , Ann Stepp Mary , Srinivasan Priya , Sandler Anthony , Trink Barry
Published: April 2013

Recent progress in atmospheric plasmas has led to the creation of cold plasmas with ion temperature close to room temperature. This paper outlines recent progress in understanding of cold plasma physics as well as application of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) in cancer therapy. Varieties of novel plasma diagnostic techniques were developed recently in a quest to understand physics of CAP. It was established that the streamer head charge is about 108 electrons, the electrical field in the head vicinity is about 107 V/m, and the electron density of the streamer column is about 1019 m−3. Both in-vitro and in-vivo studies of CAP action on cancer were performed. It was shown that the cold plasma application selectively eradicates cancer cells in-vitro without damaging normal cells and significantly reduces tumor size in-vivo. Studies indicate that the mechanism of action of cold plasma on cancer cells is related to generation of reactive oxygen species with possible induction of the apoptosis pathway. It is also shown that the cancer cells are more susceptible to the effects of CAP because a greater percentage of cells are in the S phase of the cell cycle.
Shallow-terrace-like interface in dilute-bismuth GaSb/AlGaSb single quantum wells evidenced by photoluminescence
Authors: Chen Xiren , Song Yuxin , Zhu Liang , Wang S. M. , Lu Wei , Guo Shaoling , Shao Jun
Published: April 2013

Photoluminescence (PL) measurements are performed on one GaSb/AlGaSb single-quantum-well (SQW) sample and two dilute-bismuth (Bi) GaSb/AlGaSb SQW samples grown at 360 and 380 °C, at low temperatures and under magnetic fields. Bimodal PL features are identified in the dilute-Bi samples, and to be accompanied by abnormal PL blueshift in the sample grown at 360 °C. The bimodal PL features are found to be from similar origins of band-to-band transition by magneto-PL evolution. Analysis indicates that the phenomenon can be well interpreted by the joint effect of interfacial large-lateral-scale islands and Al/Ga interdiffusion due to Bi incorporation. The interdiffusion introduces about 1-monolayer shrinkage to the effective quantum-well thickness, which is similar to the interfacial islands height, and the both together result in an unusual shallow-terrace-like interface between GaSbBi and AlGaSb. A phenomenological model is established, the Bi content of isoelectronic incorporation and the exciton reduced effective mass are estimated for the GaSbBi sample grown at 380 °C, and a value of about 21 meV/% is suggested for the bandgap bowing rate of GaSbBi. An effective routine is suggested for determining the Bi content and the depth of the shallow-terraces at interface in dilute-Bi SQW structures.
Central peaking of magnetized gas discharges
Authors: Chen Francis F. , Curreli Davide
Published: April 2013

Partially ionized gas discharges used in industry are often driven by radiofrequency (rf) power applied at the periphery of a cylinder. It is found that the plasma density n is usually flat or peaked on axis even if the skin depth of the rf field is thin compared with the chamber radius a. Previous attempts at explaining this did not account for the finite length of the discharge and the boundary conditions at the endplates. A simple 1D model is used to focus on the basic mechanism: the short-circuit effect. It is found that a strong electric field (E-field) scaled to electron temperature Te, drives the ions inward. The resulting density profile is peaked on axis and has a shape independent of pressure or discharge radius. This “universal” profile is not affected by a dc magnetic field (B-field) as long as the ion Larmor radius is larger than a.
Note: Measuring breakdown characteristics during the hot re-ignition of high intensity discharge lamps using high frequency alternating current voltage
Authors: van den Bos R. A. J. M. , Sobota A. , Manders F. , Kroesen G. M. W.
Published: April 2013

To investigate the cold and hot re-ignition properties of High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps in more detail an automated setup was designed in such a way that HID lamps of various sizes and under different background pressures can be tested. The HID lamps are ignited with a ramped sinusoidal voltage signal with frequencies between 60 and 220 kHz and with amplitude up to 7.5 kV. Some initial results of voltage and current measurements on a commercially available HID lamp during hot and cold re-ignition are presented.
Tunable light emission from nitrogen-vacancy centers in single crystal diamond PIN diodes
Authors: Kato Hiromitsu , Wolfer Marco , Schreyvogel Christoph , Kunzer Michael , Müller-Sebert Wolfgang , Obloh Harald , Yamasaki Satoshi , Nebel Christoph
Published: April 2013

Charge-states modulation of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers incorporated into single crystal diamond films attracts increasing attention for solid-state qubits applications. Here, we discuss the electro- and photoluminescence emission properties of NV centers incorporated by gas phase nitrogen delta-doping of the intrinsic diamond layer of a positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) junction diode. The experiments show that the charge state of NV centers can be intentionally controlled by applying well-defined external bias voltages. It can be switched from the negatively charged state NV− to the neutral charged state NV0 when a strong forward bias potential is applied. This can be switched back by application of reverse potentials. These results will be discussed assuming basic electronic properties of diamond PIN diodes, including the variation of spectral properties as well as the dynamics of charge state transitions.
Transient treatment of pregnant Merino ewes with modulators of cortisol biosynthesis coinciding with primary wool follicle initiation alters lifetime wool growth
Authors: McDowall M. L. , Watson-Haigh N. S. , Edwards N. M. , Kadarmideen H. N. , Nattrass G. S. , McGrice H. A. , Hynd P. I.
Published: April 2013

The economically important characteristics of the adult fleece of Merino sheep, such as increases in clean fleece weight, fibre length, fibre diameter and crimp characteristics are determined during critical phases of fetal development of the skin and its appendages. Genetics plays a major role in the development of traits, but the maternal uterine environment could also influence development. Treatment of pregnant ewes with cortisol and its analogues has previously been shown to produce changes in wool follicle morphology. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of transient manipulation of maternal cortisol status during critical phases of wool follicle initiation and development in utero. From Days 55–65 post-conception, singleton-bearing Merino ewes were treated with metyrapone (cortisol inhibitor) or betamethasone (cortisol analogue). Lambs exposed to metyrapone in utero were born with hairier birthcoats than the control or betamethasone treatment groups (P < 0.05), displayed a 10% increase in staple length and a reduction in crimp frequency for the first three shearings (P < 0.05). Co-expression network analysis of microarray data revealed up-regulation of members of the transforming growth factor-β and chemokine receptor superfamilies, gene families known to influence hair and skin development. These experiments demonstrate that presumptive transient manipulation of maternal cortisol status coinciding with the initiation of fetal wool follicle development results in long-term alteration in fleece characteristics, namely fibre length and fibre crimp frequency. These results indicate it is possible to alter the lifetime wool production of Merino sheep with therapeutics targeted to gene expression during key windows of development in utero.
Seek&Hide
Authors: Accorsi Pierre , Patel Namrata , Lopez Cédric , Panckhurst Rachel , Roche Mathieu
Published: April 2013

This article presents the system Seek&Hide, a text message processing tool developed for the sud4science LR (http://www.sud4science.org/) project. It performs the anonymisation/de-identification of a corpus. At present, it has been used to anonymise the sud4science LR corpus of French text messages collected during the project. This is done in two phases. In the first phase, it automatically processes over 70% of the corpus. The rest of the corpus is processed in the second phase, aided by an expert annotator via a web interface specifically designed to simplify the task.
Development of SMS language from 2000 to 2010
Authors: Kirsten-Torrado Úrsula
Published: April 2013

SMS language is regarded as a ‘new’ communication system (cf. T. Shortis 2007; D. Crystal 2009; M. Markus 2010) characterized by new relationships that native speakers establish between English spelling and pronunciation by using different respelling devices (cf. C. Thurlow 2003; P. López Rúa 2007; D. Crystal 2009). This paper is an attempt to contribute to this recent area of study by analysing the development of SMS language over the last 10 years. Recent findings suggest that even though SMS language might have emerged out of the need for speed and brevity (C. Thurlow 2003: 4) — every SMS has a limited amount of characters —, it seems to have evolved into a fashionable and stylish way of writing where shortened versions of the words are not always the aim of the respelling. For the purpose of a diachronic analysis a free online British SMS corpus available at netting-it.com containing 201 text messages compiled in 2000 has been used in comparison with my own data obtained in May 2010 by means of questionnaires carried out in a London secondary school. Thus, it was possible to analyse the differences in the use of SMS language during the last decade. The research proves that one of the most significant changes is the use of ‘stylish talk’, a new device which consists in lengthening words to emphasize accent, slang, and attitude. This contrasts with the general belief that words are merely shortened in SMS language. Moreover, the use of slang and ungrammatical expressions also seem to be frequent devices.
Texto4Science
Authors: Langlais Philippe , Drouin Patrick
Published: April 2013

In October 2009 the Quebec French part of the international SMS4science project, called texto4science was launched. Over a period of 10 months, we collected slightly more than 7,000 SMSes that we carefully annotated. This database is now ready to be used by the community. The purpose of this article is to relate the efforts put into designing this database and provide some data analysis of the main linguistic phenomena that we have annotated. We also report on a sociolinguistic survey we conducted within the project.
French text messages
Authors: Panckhurst Rachel , Moïse Claudine
Published: April 2013

Over a three-month period (spanning 15 September to 15 December 2011), over 90,000 authentic text messages in French were collected by a group of academics in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. This paper retraces the organisation of the data collection, the elaboration of the sociolinguistic questionnaire that donors were invited to fill out, text message data processing procedures and preliminary results. A shift from individual “isolated” text messages to “conversational” SMS exchanges is then studied, in preparation for a new SMS conversational data collection which is due to take place in the near future. This whole process is important for understanding in-depth interactional practices within contemporary digital textuality and should provide insight for pluri-disciplinary approaches.
A sociolinguistic analysis of transnational SMS practices
Authors: Sabaté Dalmau Maria
Published: April 2013

From the field of the sociolinguistics of globalisation, this article investigates the linguistic features of transnational SMS talk, focusing on the heteroglossic and hybrid multilingual text messaging practices and the ICT-mediated vernacular literacies of a very heterogeneous small group of migrants establishing transnational networks in the outskirts of Barcelona. It shows that migrants employ highly flexible, non-elite linguae francae or “we-codes” for successful inter-group communication which are based on heterography, orality, anti-standardness and transidiomaticity. It also explores the social indexicalities of such SMS practices, and claims that, against a highly ideologised discursive regime which classifies them as “faulty” or “deviant”, transnational migrants’ text messages offer an insight into how these highly mobile citizens attain the necessary degree of social agency to unfold their many transnational identities, re-negotiate their belonging and entitlement to host-society resources, and manage to organise their life trajectories and prospects largely successfully.
“i didn’t spel that wrong did i. Oops”
Authors: Tagg Caroline , Baron Alistair , Rayson Paul
Published: April 2013

Spelling variation, although present in all varieties of English, is particularly prevalent in SMS text messaging. Researchers argue that spelling variants in SMSes are principled and meaningful, reflecting patterns of variation across historical and contemporary texts, and contributing to the performance of social identities. However, little attempt has yet been made to empirically validate SMS spelling patterns (for most languages, with the notable exception of French) and verify the extent to which they mirror those in other texts.

This article reports on the use of the VARD2 tool to analyse and normalise the spelling variation in a corpus of over 11,000 SMSes collected in the UK between 2004 and 2007. A second tool, DICER, was used to examine the variant and equivalent mappings from the normalised corpus. The database of rules and frequencies enables comparison with other text types and the automatic normalisation of spelling in larger SMS corpora.

As well as examining various spelling trends with the DICER analysis it was also possible to place the spelling variants found in the SMS corpus into functional categories; the ultimate aim being to create a taxonomy of SMS spelling. The article reports on the findings from this categorisation process, whilst also discussing the difficulty in choosing categories for some spelling variants.
Lol, mdr and ptdr
Authors: Uygur-Distexhe Deniz
Published: April 2013

LOL
Laughing Out Loud
MDR
Mort De Rire
PTDR
PéTé De Rire
lol
lol
mdr
ptdr

This inclusive and gradual approach allows for doubt and lack of knowledge of the context in the analysis process. More broadly, this work also throws light on texting as a spontaneous computer-mediated communication type with writing constraints imposed by the communication medium and the situation.
Adolescence, Asperger's and Acting: Can Dramatherapy Improve Social and Communication Skills for Young People with Asperger's Syndrome?
Authors: Wilmer-Barbrook Charlotte
Published: April 2013

This article examines the structures and processes of a Dramatherapy group with young people with Asperger's syndrome, and autistic spectrum disorder. It focuses on a narrative constructed around the story of one adolescent's journey from being an isolated individual with severe social and communication difficulties, to a confident and communicative young man. Practice-based evidence of the broader group picture in the form of individual outcomes is presented through the assessment, evaluation and final outcomes of all the group participants.
Taking stock: wither the social sciences in Gulf universities
Authors: Altorki Soraya
Published: April 2013

This paper investigates the status of social science in the universities of the Gulf states. It tries to identify what is taught and to suggest why. It examines the positives, which include the construction of buildings, the effort to institute diversity in hiring faculty, and the institution of faculty exchange programmes. The negatives include state interference in curricula, the failure to establish courses in the philosophy of science and the philosophy of the social sciences, rote learning, and excessive deference to the needs of the market in structuring an academic programme, with a consequent stress on market economics, management and business administration at the expense of the social sciences.
Beyond the Blame Game: Political Strategies for State Funding Reform
Authors: Eccleston Richard , Warren Neil , Woolley Timothy
Published: April 2013

There is growing concern that intergovernmental financial relations in the Australian federation are becoming increasingly acrimonious and dysfunctional. This paper argues that it is necessary to analyse State funding as a whole, including the critical relationship between State‐level taxation and its reform and the broader Commonwealth Grants Commission regime, if we are to establish a system of State funding which is financially sustainable, promotes economic efficiency and is broadly congruent with established norms of Australian federalism. Above all, based on international experience, we argue Commonwealth leadership is required to achieve this goal. We conclude with a case study concerning resource taxation which demonstrates how the Commonwealth could provide leadership using a ‘bundled’ approach to policy reform. It is argued that such an approach has the potential to alleviate wider intergovernmental conflicts which currently afflict Australian federalism.
Perioperative glucocorticoids in hip and knee surgery – benefit vs. harm? A review of randomized clinical trials
Authors: LUNN T. H. , KEHLET H.
Published: April 2013

Glucocorticoids are frequently used to prevent post‐operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and may be part of multimodal analgesic regimes. The objective of this review was to evaluate the overall benefit vs. harm of perioperative glucocorticoids in patients undergoing hip or knee surgery. A wide search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central to identify relevant randomized clinical trials. A systematic approach was used, starting from the PRISMA recommendations. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used for risk of bias assessment. Studies were divided into three groups: systemic glucocorticoid administration analogous to > 10 mg or ≤ 10 mg dexamethasone, and local glucocorticoid administration. Seventeen studies with data from 1081 patients were included in the final qualitative synthesis. Benefit (of any kind) with glucocorticoid vs. placebo was reported in 15 studies. PONV was reduced with systemic glucocorticoid. Pain was reduced with high‐dose systemic and local glucocorticoid, but not with low‐dose systemic glucocorticoid. Systemic inflammatory markers were reduced with low‐dose and high‐dose systemic glucocorticoid, and with local glucocorticoid. Functional recovery was improved with local glucocorticoid. All studies were small‐sized and none sufficiently powered to meaningfully evaluate uncommon adverse events. Most of the local administration studies had poor scientific quality (high risk of bias). Due to clinical heterogeneity and poor scientific quality, no meta‐analysis was performed.

In conclusion, in addition to PONV reduction with low‐dose systemic glucocorticoid, this review supports high‐dose systemic glucocorticoid to ameliorate post‐operative pain after hip and knee surgery. However, large‐scale safety and dose‐finding studies are warranted before final recommendations.
Bcl-3 deficiency protects against dextran-sodium sulphate-induced colitis in the mouse
Authors: O'Carroll C , Moloney G , Hurley G , Melgar S , Brint E , Nally K , Nibbs R J , Shanahan F , Carmody R J
Published: April 2013

Bcl-3 is a member of the IκB family of proteins and is an essential negative regulator of Toll-like receptor-induced responses. Recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism associated with reduced Bcl-3 gene expression has been identified as a potential risk factor for Crohn's disease. Here we report that in contrast to the predictions of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis demonstrate elevated Bcl-3 mRNA expression relative to healthy individuals. To explore further the potential role of Bcl-3 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we used the dextran-sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced model of colitis in Bcl-3−/− mice. We found that Bcl-3−/− mice were less sensitive to DSS-induced colitis compared to wild-type controls and demonstrated no significant weight loss following treatment. Histological analysis revealed similar levels of oedema and leucocyte infiltration between DSS-treated wild-type and Bcl-3−/− mice, but showed that Bcl-3−/− mice retained colonic tissue architecture which was absent in wild-type mice following DSS treatment. Analysis of the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 revealed no significant differences between DSS-treated Bcl-3−/− and wild-type mice. Analysis of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation revealed enhanced proliferation in Bcl-3−/− mice, which correlated with preserved tissue architecture. Our results reveal that Bcl-3 has an important role in regulating intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and sensitivity to DSS-induced colitis which is distinct from its role as a negative regulator of inflammation.